Chiefs Maximizing Matt: Shotgun triggered Cassel’s second-half surge

Quesadilla Joe · 09:27 PM

This article was written a few weeks before you guys traded for him, it is a good read though....
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...=tsn&type=lgns
Maximizing Matt: Shotgun triggered Cassel's second-half surge
By Greg Cosell - SportingNews
Feb 15, 3:26 am EST

Considering that before this past season Matt Cassel had not started a game since 1999, when he was a senior in high school, he produced the NFL's most impressive individual performance in 2008.

Now let's turn the page. Though Cassel recently signed the New England Patriots' franchise tender, the only way he will be on their roster in September is if Tom Brady is not prepared to play. Cassel will not be the backup to a healthy Brady because the salary-cap numbers are too large. Bill Belichick won't devote that many dollars to the quarterback position.

With that as background, let's break down Cassel's 2008 season and look ahead to 2009. When evaluating a quarterback, it is essential to assess his play based on the way he was utilized within the framework of his team's offense. The two cannot be separated.

There are myriad elements to consider. For instance, did he take the majority of his snaps under center or was he primarily in the shotgun? As a corollary point, what was his comfort level in each formation? Did he throw the ball predominantly out of three-step drops, five-step drops or seven-step drops? How prevalent was the team's play-action pass game? These are just a few of the many components that encompass a meticulous assessment of not just Cassel, but any quarterback.

Keep in mind that the Patriots knew Cassel's strengths and weaknesses when he took over for the injured Brady in Week 1. Belichick and his staff had been with him almost every day since he was selected in the seventh round of the 2005 draft.

Though there is always uncertainty when a player gets an opportunity to be a starter for the first time, the Patriots' staff clearly had a solid handle on how best to maximize Cassel's strong points and minimize his limitations.

Early in the season the Patriots ran a conventional NFL offense, with Cassel primarily aligned under center. They used the shotgun only as an occasional changeup or, as many teams do, in long-yardage situations.

It became evident Cassel was not particularly comfortable dropping back from center. He often seemed rushed and hurried, with a tendency to quickly lose his reading definition. That's why he ran so frequently. He was not seeing the field with clarity, and his instincts compelled him to leave the pocket whether it was necessary or not.

I remember breaking down Cassel's third start, the Patriots' victory over the 49ers in early October. He was very mechanical and robotic in his progressions and reads. If he could determine his throw based on the pre-snap read, he made it. If he couldn't, and he had to process information as he dropped, he struggled. As a result, he did not show a lot of patience in the pocket, often moving directly into the pass rush. That's the main reason Cassel was sacked so often in the first half of the season.

In addition, Cassel wasn't demonstrating the willingness to pull the trigger on tighter throws at the intermediate and deeper levels. Those are the kinds of plays that work off five- and seven-step drops with the quarterback under center.

What the Patriots learned as the season progressed was that Cassel was far more comfortable and relaxed playing in the shotgun. Their overtime loss to the Jets in mid-November solidified that belief. The Patriots fell behind 24-6 in the second quarter, and from that point on, Cassel was exclusively in the shotgun.

That defeat was the first of six consecutive games in which 88 percent of Cassel's pass attempts came out of the shotgun. The shotgun spread, often with three wide receivers, stretched the field horizontally. And the ability of the Patriots' outstanding coaching staff to dictate with formations, shifts and motions allowed Cassel to get rid of the ball decisively. It was predominantly a short passing game, with the throw defined quickly and the ball coming out fast.

Cassel had more rhythm to his drop and set from the shotgun. He was poised and comfortable, and he saw the field with more clarity. This led to more patience in the pocket, with less of a willingness to take off and run prematurely.

The other critical element that resulted from the widespread use of the shotgun was the functional space it provided Cassel in the pocket. There was more immediate distance between Cassel and the bodies in front of him, and that gave him room to step up and deliver.

Cassel is not an efficient passer when the pocket gets "muddied" or constricted. The velocity of his throws, slightly above average at best, decreases dramatically when he lacks that functional space.
In the last seven weeks of the season, the Patriots were primarily a shotgun passing team. They did not call a lot of drop-back plays. Why? Because Cassel was simply not very good at it.

When the Patriots wanted to get the ball deeper down the field, they put Cassel under center and went play-action. In those situations, they always used seven- or eight-man protection schemes to make certain Cassel had time and space. The emphasis on play-action also helped Cassel because it is almost always an either/or read; you throw the ball based on the positioning and movement of one defender, usually one of the safeties.

If Cassel becomes available in a trade before the 2009 season, it is imperative that interested teams perform a methodical and systematic breakdown of his play and tendencies from this past season. They must have a complete understanding of what Cassel is and what he is not, what he does well, and what he struggles with.

Always remember that if you do not see it on film, there's a reason for it. If Cassel is the guy you want, you must structure your offense based on his strengths and not force him to overcome his limitations.

Greg Cosell of NFL Films analyzes coaching tape and is executive producer of State Farm NFL Matchup. He is a frequent contributor to Sporting News.

StcChief · 05-10-2009, 09:22 PM

Pioli saw something in Cassell..... I'm going with that.

RustShack · 05-10-2009, 09:25 PM

Most first year starters do operate from the shotgun more often.

Dante84 · 05-10-2009, 09:29 PM

'member how your coach wanted Cassel? That was neat. He must be bummed.

Oh, well at least you have two first round draft picks next year.

wait.

'member how you traded a first round pick next year for a 5'9" corner? That was neat.

FD · 05-10-2009, 09:37 PM

Interesting article. Does anyone know the stats on snaps from shotgun that Brady took the year before, or for Kurt Warner last year in Haley's offense?

Just Passin' By · 05-10-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StcChief

Pioli saw something in Cassell..... I'm going with that.

The author ignored a lot of important facts and played up the ones he wanted to focus on. For example, the offensive line struggled at the beginning of the year, and it was not all because of a lesser QB under center. The best run blocker on that line is Neal, and he was out. His replacements struggled on passing downs even more than on running downs. Furthermore, Cassel was just getting his feet wet in the beginning of the year. Another thing the author overlooked is the amount of shotgun the Patriots used the year before. I don't have the numbers right in front of me but, if memory serves, over 70% of Brady's passes in 2007 came from the shotgun.

Dante84 · 05-10-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Most first year starters do operate from the shotgun more often.

Plus, who cares when you win 10 games?

Granted, no playoffs, but still... first year...

and yes, I know he had a great supporting cast, but come on. So what.

Quesadilla Joe · 05-10-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante84

'member how your coach wanted Cassel? That was neat. He must be bummed.

Oh, well at least you have two first round draft picks next year.

wait.

'member how you traded a first round pick next year for a 5'9" corner? That was neat.

If McDaniels really wanted Cassel, he had the ammunition to get him.

talastan · 05-10-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

If McDaniels really wanted Cassel, he had the ammunition to get him.

Acceptance that you have a problem is the first step to recovery my donkey-loving friend.

T-post Tom · 05-10-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

If McDaniels really wanted Cassel, he had the ammunition to get him.

Pablo · 05-10-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

If McDaniels really wanted Cassel, he had the ammunition to get him.

Yeah, that's why he got him.

Neckbeard's totally gonna win the division for y'all this year. Cutler's not that good anyways, right?

Quesadilla Joe · 05-10-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PostRockPablo

Yeah, that's why he got him.

Neckbeard's totally gonna win the division for y'all this year. Cutler's not that good anyways, right?

I don't know how many wins Denver will have this year, it depends on how much the defense improves. I know Denver will probably score more points than they did last year...

Cutler was good but Orton, Knowshon, Ayers, Alphonso Smith, and Richard Quinn are better.

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-10-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

If McDaniels really wanted Cassel, he had the ammunition to get him.

and now Cutler is playing for the Bears

-King- · 05-10-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante84

'member how your coach wanted Cassel? That was neat. He must be bummed.

Oh, well at least you have two first round draft picks next year.

wait.

'member how you traded a first round pick next year for a 5'9" corner? That was neat.

-King- · 05-10-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

I don't know how many wins Denver will have this year, it depends on how much the defense improves. I know Denver will probably score more points than they did last year...

Cutler was good but Orton, Knowshon, Ayers, Alphonso Smith, and Richard Quinn are better.

LMFAO! So you'd rather have your pass 1st offense be led by Orton than Cutler?

05-10-2009, 09:18 PM
Quesadilla Joe Abolish The Salary Cap! Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $4128675	Maximizing Matt: Shotgun triggered Cassel’s second-half surge This article was written a few weeks before you guys traded for him, it is a good read though.... http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...=tsn&type=lgns Maximizing Matt: Shotgun triggered Cassel's second-half surge By Greg Cosell - SportingNews Feb 15, 3:26 am EST Considering that before this past season Matt Cassel had not started a game since 1999, when he was a senior in high school, he produced the NFL's most impressive individual performance in 2008. Now let's turn the page. Though Cassel recently signed the New England Patriots' franchise tender, the only way he will be on their roster in September is if Tom Brady is not prepared to play. Cassel will not be the backup to a healthy Brady because the salary-cap numbers are too large. Bill Belichick won't devote that many dollars to the quarterback position. With that as background, let's break down Cassel's 2008 season and look ahead to 2009. When evaluating a quarterback, it is essential to assess his play based on the way he was utilized within the framework of his team's offense. The two cannot be separated. There are myriad elements to consider. For instance, did he take the majority of his snaps under center or was he primarily in the shotgun? As a corollary point, what was his comfort level in each formation? Did he throw the ball predominantly out of three-step drops, five-step drops or seven-step drops? How prevalent was the team's play-action pass game? These are just a few of the many components that encompass a meticulous assessment of not just Cassel, but any quarterback. Keep in mind that the Patriots knew Cassel's strengths and weaknesses when he took over for the injured Brady in Week 1. Belichick and his staff had been with him almost every day since he was selected in the seventh round of the 2005 draft. Though there is always uncertainty when a player gets an opportunity to be a starter for the first time, the Patriots' staff clearly had a solid handle on how best to maximize Cassel's strong points and minimize his limitations. Early in the season the Patriots ran a conventional NFL offense, with Cassel primarily aligned under center. They used the shotgun only as an occasional changeup or, as many teams do, in long-yardage situations. It became evident Cassel was not particularly comfortable dropping back from center. He often seemed rushed and hurried, with a tendency to quickly lose his reading definition. That's why he ran so frequently. He was not seeing the field with clarity, and his instincts compelled him to leave the pocket whether it was necessary or not. I remember breaking down Cassel's third start, the Patriots' victory over the 49ers in early October. He was very mechanical and robotic in his progressions and reads. If he could determine his throw based on the pre-snap read, he made it. If he couldn't, and he had to process information as he dropped, he struggled. As a result, he did not show a lot of patience in the pocket, often moving directly into the pass rush. That's the main reason Cassel was sacked so often in the first half of the season. In addition, Cassel wasn't demonstrating the willingness to pull the trigger on tighter throws at the intermediate and deeper levels. Those are the kinds of plays that work off five- and seven-step drops with the quarterback under center. What the Patriots learned as the season progressed was that Cassel was far more comfortable and relaxed playing in the shotgun. Their overtime loss to the Jets in mid-November solidified that belief. The Patriots fell behind 24-6 in the second quarter, and from that point on, Cassel was exclusively in the shotgun. That defeat was the first of six consecutive games in which 88 percent of Cassel's pass attempts came out of the shotgun. The shotgun spread, often with three wide receivers, stretched the field horizontally. And the ability of the Patriots' outstanding coaching staff to dictate with formations, shifts and motions allowed Cassel to get rid of the ball decisively. It was predominantly a short passing game, with the throw defined quickly and the ball coming out fast. Cassel had more rhythm to his drop and set from the shotgun. He was poised and comfortable, and he saw the field with more clarity. This led to more patience in the pocket, with less of a willingness to take off and run prematurely. The other critical element that resulted from the widespread use of the shotgun was the functional space it provided Cassel in the pocket. There was more immediate distance between Cassel and the bodies in front of him, and that gave him room to step up and deliver. Cassel is not an efficient passer when the pocket gets "muddied" or constricted. The velocity of his throws, slightly above average at best, decreases dramatically when he lacks that functional space. In the last seven weeks of the season, the Patriots were primarily a shotgun passing team. They did not call a lot of drop-back plays. Why? Because Cassel was simply not very good at it. When the Patriots wanted to get the ball deeper down the field, they put Cassel under center and went play-action. In those situations, they always used seven- or eight-man protection schemes to make certain Cassel had time and space. The emphasis on play-action also helped Cassel because it is almost always an either/or read; you throw the ball based on the positioning and movement of one defender, usually one of the safeties. If Cassel becomes available in a trade before the 2009 season, it is imperative that interested teams perform a methodical and systematic breakdown of his play and tendencies from this past season. They must have a complete understanding of what Cassel is and what he is not, what he does well, and what he struggles with. Always remember that if you do not see it on film, there's a reason for it. If Cassel is the guy you want, you must structure your offense based on his strengths and not force him to overcome his limitations. Greg Cosell of NFL Films analyzes coaching tape and is executive producer of State Farm NFL Matchup. He is a frequent contributor to Sporting News. Last edited by Quesadilla Joe; 05-10-2009 at 09:27 PM..
Posts: 19,625

05-10-2009, 09:22 PM	#2
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	Pioli saw something in Cassell..... I'm going with that. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

05-10-2009, 09:25 PM	#3
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4726954	Most first year starters do operate from the shotgun more often. __________________
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05-10-2009, 09:29 PM	#4
Dante84 Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: ATX & OPKS Casino cash: $1811996 VARSITY	'member how your coach wanted Cassel? That was neat. He must be bummed. Oh, well at least you have two first round draft picks next year. wait. 'member how you traded a first round pick next year for a 5'9" corner? That was neat.
Posts: 19,597

05-10-2009, 09:37 PM	#5
FD Veteran Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Casino cash: $9502813	Interesting article. Does anyone know the stats on snaps from shotgun that Brady took the year before, or for Kurt Warner last year in Haley's offense?
Posts: 4,576