Chiefs notebook | Cassel a game-time decision
 

Chiefs notebook | Cassel a game-time decision

Cassel is game-time decision again

Chiefs coach Todd Haley stopped short Friday of a ruling on quarterback Matt Cassel, saying after the team’s practice that he still couldn’t guarantee Cassel’s sprained left knee is healthy enough for a game-day load.

Haley said he would make a decision on Cassel’s availability Sunday morning.

“That’s the safest,” Haley said. “This will be a deal where we will have to make sure they’re good to go.”

Haley said early this week that he hoped to know about Cassel’s availability earlier this week than last, when Haley decided to deactivate Cassel after a morning workout in Baltimore. Brodie Croyle started in Cassel’s place.

Cassel practiced each day this week, and he has worn a brace on his left knee during each day’s workouts. The knee has been wrapped after practices. Cassel said Thursday that he was “leaps and bounds” better than he was at the same time last week, and Haley has said he thought Cassel had made noticeable progress.

Still, Haley said Cassel might have developed some rust after leaving after three plays in the team’s third preseason game and missing its preseason finale and last week’s regular-season opener. Haley said that Cassel has taken enough snaps but that game action is a different challenge for a quarterback.

“We’ve made some pretty drastic changes around here offensively,” Haley said, “and that includes terminology. And even though he was in the meetings, it’s not quite the same when you’re out there and going through the huddle.

“I would say it set him back a little bit, and he’s got to accelerate himself and study extra and put extra time in to catch up.”

Ryan seems at home in Kansas City

After five previous teams, veteran tight end Sean Ryan seems to have adjusted his game to fit Kansas City’s plans.

Ryan is in the unexpected role as the Chiefs’ starter after an unimpressive preseason by second-year tight end Brad Cottam, and Ryan has proved himself a strong blocker and an available receiver. He had a 10-yard touchdown catch in last week’s loss to the Ravens.

He said the receiving part of his job remains a work in progress, even in his sixth season.

“Throughout my career,” he said, “what I’ve been asked to do is be a blocker. I pride myself on being a blocker, and I enjoy it. If, at some point in my career, I’m considered a great receiver, that’s a blessing, too.”

Ryan said he and Cassel spent time playing catch during the offseason, trying to establish timing and trust.

As has been the custom for each of the Chiefs’ promising tight ends, Ryan was asked Friday whether he expected to replace Tony Gonzalez.

“I can’t fill Tony Gonzalez’s shoes,” Ryan said. “(If) Tony Gonzalez wears a size 30; I wear a size 15. There’s no way I’m filling Tony Gonzalez’s shoes, and I’m not trying to do that.”

Injury report

Cornerback Brandon Flowers also will be listed, along with Cassel, as questionable for Sunday’s game. Haley wouldn’t say whether Flowers, who has an injured shoulder, would be ready by Sunday. Flowers told reporters Friday that he felt certain he would play against Oakland.

I still don't know how Flowers injured himself. You can't see shit in the replay, just a bunch of bodies in front of the whole mess.

Stay down bitch curse that's how

I don't recall him getting stupid on Flowers. Did I miss something?

It always happens aafter gochiefs recants the phrase concerning another team's player then the next week key players on the Chiefs drop like flies. I always remind him of that and he always replies your "FOS" then I prove it when I said it with his quote highlighted and the link where I said that bad juju will fall upon KC because of that ill will.

Yes, we know you're stupid.

Well, it IS your fault GC. Gosh.

Injury prone, just being honest.

not so sure about that. maybe if he gets injured again this season and misses a game or two i would agree but until then ill just think your crazy..... or hope anyways :)

He was sacked 47 times last season, and remained standing throughout.

I believe that suggests, rather than being injury prone, he's one tough SOB.

Matt McCassel.

My Prediction: Croyle time again!

Flowers

Meh! Cassel is going to be game time decision until he plays his first game.

I think he was talking about Flowers.
Posted via Mobile Device

I think he already pointed that fact out to me, but thanks for playing.

I agree with this.

Yes you are...

FYP

Almost.

You forgot the "Mc" like in McNair, one tough SOB.

Croyle is due a win, hopefully if Cassel can't go Croyle gets his first W ...

So Mark Castle changed his name like Chad Johnson did?

So now its Mark McCastle?

Absolutely.

That way we know he's a tough SOB, see.....

:)

HardMcCastle and McCormick. This fall on ABC!

Snake Rassle is a baaaaaaaaaad mother-
Shut Yo Mouth!

It's the age old question about gimpy QBs, is it not? OR, any key injured player. You don't want to eat up a gameday roster spot if the guy goes out and can't go after a play or two, but you also want to give yourself the best chance to win.

So you weigh the up vs down sides of the decision to play the guy or let him heal another week. Pressure to win, being what it is with first year head coaches and GMs, I think Cassel will be thrown out there and hopeful that he's able to operate at near full strength.

Well, I don't know how much pressure Pioli and Haley have to win this year.

I'm thinking they have a free pass for this season because the roster is so talent depleted, and they have to completely eliminate the stink of the last regime.

There's a ton of work to get accomplished.

I'm sure some of you heard, but I haven't seen it here yet. Yesterday on Chris and Cowboy, Bill Maas mad the prediction that the qb job was Croyle's to lose. I thought they were joking. That's what Billy Bob said. He even repeated himself.

Probably the nuttiest story IMO, EVAH!!!!

Or Billy Boy's on the sauce.

The way he was reportedly moving in practice, I'd think they might activate Cassel but not start him. Or they might even have him as the third, emergency, QB.

Really, though. It's in Arrowhead. It's the frickin' Raiders. Even Croyle or Thigpen should be able to beat them.

Well,

That would be something. Pay out a huge multi-million $$$ contract to Cassel and then have the 2d team guy as the one to beat out? I suppose stranger things have happened in the past in the NFL.

There was this 6th rounder in NE who...(you know the rest). If Croyle becomes all that and a bag of chips, beating out Cassel, it will create long hours for Thum but the outcome is the outcome.

My way of saying, let the games begin and the best stud win. Can I get an Amen?

http://home.granderiver.net/~capnjim/zot/AwJeez.jpg

Croyle threw for 177 yards, and 2 TDs. In a losing effort.

Cassel got a bazillion dollar contract.

Croyle could come out and throw for 500 yards and six TDs against Oakland, and he STILL wouldn't be anointed the starter.

Even if Croyle is lights out for three or four games in a row, Cassell will get his chance. And if he sucks in a game, he'll get another chance. And if he sucks in another game he'll get ANOTHER chance. Cassell will have to stink it up big-time for at least three games in a row before they (i.e. Chiefs management) call him a failure in KC...

Don't kid yourself cable, the pressure to get those W's is perhaps more important in the maiden voyage year of the 'new Chiefs' than those seasons in the future. Look for Pioli/Haley to pull out all the stops to get that done in 2009, lest leave little hope to the fandom and Clark that this deal isn't all that.

well Cassel's injury didnt look like much either-I was surprised he was hurt

This mother ****er got a big ass contract, he better stop acting like Elvis Grbac and get his ass out there and ****ing play...

What the FUKC? Huh? Seriously? This back up ass clown gets paid, now he is pampering his knee?

****ing show up and play or start giving money back. Your not worth this contract anyway...

So signing a bunch of washed free agents, rather than going after guys like Chris Canty and Igor Olshansky is "pulling out all the stops"?

I think if it were up to him he would have played last week and wants to play this week.

It's got nothing to do with him babying his knee.

I don't think there was ever any intention of pulling out all the stops and I don't think they were going to sign a shit ton of players for a short term fix. That's not the plan.

I do think they were too far behind on player evaluation when this whole process got started and thought they were going to be able to improve the play of some of the existing players.

Some of that could still happen and I believe it will.

The fact they drafted 2 DE early tells you this is a long term project.

I agree with you.

I'm just questioning the n00b's reasoning.

we would be 1-0 if we would have drafted Sanchez-Mecca

JFC, give it a ****ing rest.

Your right, I was just ranting.. Feel much better now.

I hope someone gang rapes you with a dirty aids stick...

Without Cassel playing I feel like I am watching the same damn team as last year. It has got to be bugging the hell out of Haley to keep his precious on the sideline.

LMAO

that was a quote not my opinion :)

CASSEL!

LMAO

That's pretty much all I can say without tearing your anal tissue

LMAO

HE GON' BE IN TRUH-BAL WHEN CLARK GET HOME!ROFL

Who?

You mean McCastle?

Mo Kessel.

Dear god man, put that thing away, your scaring the childern.