Tribal Warfare
09-01-2010, 12:54 AM
Chiefs Buzz | Cassel wants big plays; Chiefs release Long; injury update
(http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/31/2191432/chiefs-notebook-cassel-wants-to.html)
Cassel wants big plays
In 50 preseason pass attempts and 34 completions, Matt Cassel’s longest pass play is a paltry 20 yards. Many of those 20 yards came last week against Philadelphia after Cassel dumped a short pass to Jamaal Charles.
Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers each has a long preseason reception of 13 yards. In addition to the reception by Charles, the other long pass plays by Chiefs regulars are catch-and-runs: a 19-yarder to Jackie Battle; a 17-yarder to Dexter McCluster; and a 16-yarder to Thomas Jones.
Cassel indicated some frustration with the inability to get the ball down the field.
“Every offense wants to have the ability to make big plays and have production because when you get those big plays, it makes it a lot easier to not be on first, second and third down each and every time,” he said. “There have been a few opportunities where we’ve kind of missed the (chance) to have that happen throughout the preseason.” Hopefully that will become a positive for us.”
Cassel also said the Chiefs haven’t shown much of their playbook in the three preseason games.
“We haven’t really gone into a game in which we game-planned,” he said.
Chiefs release Long
Despite contributing to the biggest pass play of the preseason, Lance Long was let go by the Chiefs. After playing for Todd Haley with Arizona, he joined the Chiefs early last season and caught 20 passes.
But he became expendable when the Chiefs added among others Dexter McCluster and Jerheme Urban.
All five players released by the Chiefs in this round of cuts were offensive players. Quarterback Bill Stull, running back Kestahn Moore, tight end Cody Slate and offensive lineman Tyler Eastman were released over the weekend.
The Chiefs are now at 75 players. They must cut to the NFL-mandated limit of 53 by Saturday.
Injury update
Wide receiver Chambers didn’t appear to have an injury but left practice early to do some conditioning with his injured teammates. Haley routinely doesn’t comment on injured players but said regarding Chambers, “As far as I know, we’re in good shape. We’re doing a lot of different things with a lot of different guys right now. I wouldn’t read too much into anything.”
Two starters, linebacker Tamba Hali and offensive tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, did not practice. Hali had an ankle heavily taped as he worked out.
Linebacker Cameron Sheffield, defensive back Maurice Leggett and offensive lineman Darryl Harris are the other players who did not practice.
(http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/31/2191432/chiefs-notebook-cassel-wants-to.html)
Cassel wants big plays
In 50 preseason pass attempts and 34 completions, Matt Cassel’s longest pass play is a paltry 20 yards. Many of those 20 yards came last week against Philadelphia after Cassel dumped a short pass to Jamaal Charles.
Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers each has a long preseason reception of 13 yards. In addition to the reception by Charles, the other long pass plays by Chiefs regulars are catch-and-runs: a 19-yarder to Jackie Battle; a 17-yarder to Dexter McCluster; and a 16-yarder to Thomas Jones.
Cassel indicated some frustration with the inability to get the ball down the field.
“Every offense wants to have the ability to make big plays and have production because when you get those big plays, it makes it a lot easier to not be on first, second and third down each and every time,” he said. “There have been a few opportunities where we’ve kind of missed the (chance) to have that happen throughout the preseason.” Hopefully that will become a positive for us.”
Cassel also said the Chiefs haven’t shown much of their playbook in the three preseason games.
“We haven’t really gone into a game in which we game-planned,” he said.
Chiefs release Long
Despite contributing to the biggest pass play of the preseason, Lance Long was let go by the Chiefs. After playing for Todd Haley with Arizona, he joined the Chiefs early last season and caught 20 passes.
But he became expendable when the Chiefs added among others Dexter McCluster and Jerheme Urban.
All five players released by the Chiefs in this round of cuts were offensive players. Quarterback Bill Stull, running back Kestahn Moore, tight end Cody Slate and offensive lineman Tyler Eastman were released over the weekend.
The Chiefs are now at 75 players. They must cut to the NFL-mandated limit of 53 by Saturday.
Injury update
Wide receiver Chambers didn’t appear to have an injury but left practice early to do some conditioning with his injured teammates. Haley routinely doesn’t comment on injured players but said regarding Chambers, “As far as I know, we’re in good shape. We’re doing a lot of different things with a lot of different guys right now. I wouldn’t read too much into anything.”
Two starters, linebacker Tamba Hali and offensive tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, did not practice. Hali had an ankle heavily taped as he worked out.
Linebacker Cameron Sheffield, defensive back Maurice Leggett and offensive lineman Darryl Harris are the other players who did not practice.