Cassel Q&A
 

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article...5-fed39903c27f

QB MATT CASSEL Q&A HIGHLIGHTS APRIL 7, 2010
PR Staff
Posted 36 minutes ago

Q: How do you feel about the new offensive line additions?


CASSEL: “You know, I’m just getting to know them. I’m excited about what we’re doing. Scott (Pioli) brought in two offensive linemen, obviously C Casey Wiegmann and G Ryan Lilja, and it’s going to just add competition at that position. That’s what Coach Haley always preaches – competition makes everybody better. It’s great to have two veteran guys in the locker room.”


Q: It seems like this project is about bringing in guys who have been part of successful programs and cultures. (G Ryan) Lilja fits that bill. How important is having a guy like that around?


CASSEL: “It’s always great to have people with experience and that also come from a winning culture. I think that kind of permeates throughout the locker room and everybody starts to feed off that. So, it’s great to have Ryan here. He’s also a guy that we’re all starting to get to know because it’s only the second week into the program. I think he’s still getting familiar with his surroundings and everybody else is kind of getting to know him right now.”


Q: With a new offensive coordinator, do you know anything about the direction of the offense or right now is this all just making sure that everybody’s in shape?


CASSEL: “Right now it’s more focused on the strength and conditioning part of the off-season. We’re focused on the body and getting in shape again. Guys have come in in great shape so far and we’ve got a new strength and conditioning coach that Coach Haley is highly involved with, with Mike Clark. Everything’s going great. We’re working out, we’re working hard, but in terms of the mental side of the ball and what we’re doing with the playbook right now, we really haven’t gotten too involved in that.”


Q: What does bringing WR Chris Chambers back mean to you?


CASSEL: “It’s great. Chris was a high-impact player for us last year; he made a lot of big plays. He’s a veteran guy; he’s a professional in every sense; he’s here right now working right now, so I think it’ll be great for us to spend a whole off-season working together and just build off what we were able to accomplish last year.”


Q: Chris was saying that the new strength and conditioning stuff was having you guys do stuff he’s never done before, and he’s been around the league for awhile. What kinds of things are you doing and are they different than anything that you’ve ever done?


CASSEL: “There’s a lot of different stuff going on and I don’t know exactly how to explain everything that we’re doing, but I’m sore in places that I haven’t been sore before. I’m walking around a little gingerly. We’re doing a lot of almost like circuit training, they call it complex training. It’s where you put a lot of different exercises together and it works not only your cardiovascular system, but it also works your muscles. It’s a great start for us. We’re only two weeks into the program, so I’m sure they’ve got a lot more coming our way.”


Q: What are your thoughts about WR Dwayne Bowe and what do you expect out of him this off-season?


CASSEL: “I think the next thing for all of us is that it’s a fresh start, it’s a new season and Dwayne is here, he’s working hard and I have high expectations for Dwayne. I think he can be a huge impact player for us. It’ll be our second year together and I think the more time we can spend together, the better. It’s just going to be one of those things where we want to get better and we’ll just continue to work at the things we need to.”


Q: Last year’s goal coming in the off-season program was weight loss. What is this year’s goal?


CASSEL: “Good question. I don’t know what the goal is. I think everybody is just collectively trying to make our team better and get prepared to go out there on the football field and win more games. Any time you win four games, that is a disappointment for us and our organization. We are getting ready to go out there and try and win more games this year.”


Q: What are your expectations for the offense out of the gate this year?


CASSEL: “It is hard to say right now. Obviously we have high expectations and we want to be as effective and efficient as we possibly can. Obviously our goal every week and every Sunday is to go out there and win ball games. I don’t think winning four games is acceptable around here and it will never be acceptable. So I think our main goal right now is to win our division and it is always going to be to win our division. Offensively speaking we have a long way to go, we have a lot to work on and that is what the off-season is about. Until we really get going and get closer to the season and do that, I will give you a better answer to that question.”


Q: As an individual, what is the most important thing you need to address this off-season?


CASSEL: “I have sat down with both Coach Haley and Coach Weis behind closed doors and we’ve talked about different things, whether it is mental or physical that we want to kind of work on this off-season and use as projects. I will keep those discussions to ourselves, but we have had those discussions and there are things that I want to do personally that will not only help myself, but also help the offense as we move forward.”


Q: What do you need to do personally?


CASSEL: “Like I said, those are discussions that have went on that I am not going to get into right now.”


Q: What has it been like for you to actually get to know offensive coordinator Charlie Weis?


CASSEL: “It has been a pretty easy process to be completely honest. Like you said, I have a lot of familiarity from New England going in there the year that he left and a lot of the offense was carry over from what Charlie had done. We started to meet and make introductions and he speaks the same language Coach Haley does and they come from similar backgrounds. It was pretty simple to get talking about football and start going over game plans, what we did and what they did, so that was pretty simple. Now it is just building that relationship and starting to understand things like, how does he call a game? And what plays do I like? That is a relationship that has to build over time.”


Q: Are things different at all this year? Last year there were a lot of new pieces. Do you think that things are starting to settle a little bit and the team is starting to get a little bit of an identity after so much transition last year?


CASSEL: “I believe so. Any time you’re around a program for a year and around a coach for a year, with Coach Haley, I think now all of us that have been here for at least a year understand the expectation level coming into it, we understand what he’s going to expect from us in the off-season program and as we move forward. That’s a little less stressful than what it was last year and we have at least a core group of guys that are here that understand their role. That’s what we need to do; we just need to continue to build on those roles.”


Q: Who do you want to see the team draft?


CASSEL: “I don’t make those decisions. I leave that stuff up to Scott Pioli and Todd Haley. That’s what they’re hired to do. I’m just here to try get better and make the team better.”


Q: Are you hoping for offense though?


CASSEL: “I’m always offense. Let’s go, offense all day long (pumps fist and laughs). I won’t be doing any of that. I’ll leave that job up to them.”


Q: At this time last year, you had Chan Gailey as your offensive coordinator. Then there were changes, but nobody made excuses last year. Are you looking forward to having this setup that you have now through the whole season?


CASSEL: “Absolutely. Like I said, it’s a fresh start for everybody. We’ll spend this whole off-season and we’ll just try to hone our skills, get better and build ourselves up and try to get better as an offensive unit, as a team and as we go into the season, hopefully build off the momentum we built up from last year in the last four games and just take that into the off-season and go with it.”


Q: Are you excited about possibilities when you look at some of the changes that have taken place?


CASSEL: “Absolutely, I’m excited. I’m excited for everything; I’m excited to be back here. I love coming here, working out; this is what we do for a job. To see everybody so enthusiastic and energized about the off-season program, it’s fun to see. As we move forward, I know these guys are going to give it their all and I’m excited to see what we can do in the future.”


Q: Is Todd Haley more mellow now?


CASSEL: “This time of year everybody’s more mellow.”


Q: Does it seem like he’s mellowed some, because once you know him, he’s got a sense of humor and he seems more gracious. Or is he just at a high 100 miles per hour all the time?


CASSEL: “Well, Coach, he’s got a fire about himself and I think as players, you appreciate that. He wants the best out of each and every player. So when he’s yelling and he sometimes gets in your face, at the end of the day, as a player, you have to realize that the only reason why he’s doing that is because expects a lot out of you and he wants you to be the best that you can be. Sometimes those lessons are tough on you and sometimes you just have to bite your lip; but at the end of the day, Coach Haley pushes us to be the best that we can be.”

Subtext: As long as they don't draft that douchebag Clausen.....:p

.

:LOL:

He's such a beeyatch.If he had any nuts he'd say I'd love to see an OL pick but hey whatever they think.He was asked for an opinion,and couldn't give one so he takes the bitch way out.Fukk him!:cuss:

That's nice. Now tell us how you truly feel about Cassel. :)

Well shit! He wasn't asked who they needed,just who he wanted to see.Grow a set of nuts and say 1 name CASSEL! 1 Goddamn name!

I bet Weis hates Cassel and his complete lack of potential.
Posted via Mobile Device

Cassel sucks. I wish Croyle wasn't made of ****ing glass.

+1

Then he either got assurances that Clausen would be brought in or he is a complete idiot for taking a job with a QB he hates. Hopefully it's the former

Q: What has it been like for you to actually get to know offensive coordinator Charlie Weis?


please don't draft Clausen innuendo

Of all the Cassel criticism, this may be the biggest reach yet. You are upset because he didn't name a person's name that he wants the team to draft?

I'm pissed cause he's such a bitch,he doesn't even have an opinion anymore.He could have named 4-5 guys just to prove that he actually knows someone in the draft,but even that is too hard for him.

two ways in looking at that, Pioli gave the team a gag order concerning the draft, and the second would be he is scared with his status with Weis and his plan for the QB position which could mean drafting Clausen.

Yeah I know about the whole PC thing and not stepping on peoples toes,but geez can the guy even come up with anything? I don't even care anymore.By time we spend the $200 million it will take to make him a good QB it'll be rebuilding time again anyway.

YOu are going to get his answer from about 90 percent of all NFL players though. You are just hating on him, because you dont like him. Hell, either do i, but because he didnt name names, doesnt make him a bitch. What makes him a bitch, is he sucks at being an NFL quarterback or at least a Starter.

Because Croyle's 70.8 rating, 5.5 YPA, and 0-9 record represent an improvement?

Good enough for me.

Here's how it went:

Haley: Come in Matt. Sit down.
Matt: Um, what's up?
Haley: Look Matt, shut up, sit down and listen. Don't **** up. THis is your last chance this season. You made us all look pretty stupid last year, paying a one hit wonder all that dough.
Pioli: Yeah, you made me look like a damn rookie GM or some shit. I'm supposed to be a goddam talent genius, and you made me look like Al ****ing Davis!
Haley: Well, that and the Jackson pick...
Pioli: Shut it Todd...you were no ****ing gem last year either. I'm letting you both know that Charlie Weis has agreed to come in and straighten out this mess. You will both do as he says. Got it?
Haley: ...yes sir...
Matt: Just glad to have a job sir. Whatever we need to do...

So, you think that Brodie Croyle is the guy of 2006 (11.6 QB rating) and 2007 (69.9) and not the guy of 2008 (81.3) or 2009 (90.6)?

Really?

Huh. I thought QB's were supposed to improve, especially as the team around them improves.

:shake:

Brodie Croyle's got more talent in his pinkie than Cassel does in his entire doofus body. He just hasn't been able to stay healthy.

:bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo:

I agree that his "I'll keep those discussions behind closed doors" comments were unwarranted. He clearly could have said "I'm working on improving my footwork, or deep ball, or understanding the offense". His response was just lame.

It's better than him saying that Weis told him he blows elephantiasis dick as a QB

Not surprising, considering he once said he made no mental errors in a game in which he threw 4 INT's and had a QB rating of 14.6.

This.

If Croyle could ****ing stay healthy.....Cassel would be out of a job.

Cassel's a joke.

Pioli better shock the world and take Clausen if he ever wants to see this franchise win a ****ing thing while he's here.

Dude.....HE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING!!!!! The offensive line didn't block.....and the WRs didn't catch the ball. And the other team's defense knew what play they were running. HE'S JUST ONE MAN!!!!

I'm hoping and praying that this new strength coach can help Croyle out a little bit. Put some more ****ing weight on his body.....

That just makes me sick!:mad:

Croyle's body has certainly changed over the years and theoretically, knees are supposed to be stronger after ACL surgery. He's certainly not the same stick-boy as in 2006.

He should weigh about 225-230 with his height and frame. Maybe, just maybe, he'll add the necessary muscle this year to take a beating.

Here was Orton's answer to a similar question.

It's a fuggn shame that Aborton has more goddamn sense then Cassel!:facepalm:

He said that he'll keep those discussions behind closed doors because Weis told him that he (Weis) has to find a way to combine the West Coast Offense with the college spread because Cassel has a weak arm and hasn't shown he can make quick reads.

He can't give away Charlie's innovative plan, now can he?

So essentially he said he's got to be a better leader and the offense needs to score more.

So he really didn't say a ****ing thing either.

Like, where Ryan Lilja going to lineup.

That would have been nice.

Yes, let's look toward Kyle Orton as the example of what we want our quarterback to be.

**** off with that nonsense. Your QB is almost as shitty as ours.

I was talking about Orton's answer to the same kind of question.

Ah.

Well, Orton and Cassel seem to be the same guy, so it's not unexpected.

1) A sample size of 69 passes in 08 and 09 combined aren't going to convince me that he's significantly improved. And he's never been able to step up and prove he deserves the job in the preseason. He was handed the job and never got anything done either. Does he have more pure talent than Cassel? Of course, which is why one guy was a 4th rounder and the other a 7th rounder. But he's never shown that he can put those talents to use in a franchise QB type fashion, or that he can be an effective franchise leader.

2) Wishing Brodie would be able to stay healthy is like wishing Cassel would get rid of the ball quicker. It could happen, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I understand the desire to want to upgrade over Cassel, but to me, Brodie has had enough shots to indicate that he's probably best suited to be a backup and will never be a difference maker at QB over a season. Sure, he may improve, but he and Cassel are the same age, so with that logic, Cassel could improve too.

If we want to talk about the potential of someone like Jimmy Clausen, then fine. But I don't think the answer to Cassel is Brodie Croyle...

It's silly to be upset that our QB didn't name a specific player he wants the Chiefs to draft.

Are you ****ing kidding me? But it's "okay" to include 2006 & 2007? What the ****?

Croyle was thrown out on the field in 2006 while down 40 points to the Steelers.

In 2007, he was forced to play behind a shitty offensive line without the luxury of Larry Johnson as his running back.

In 2008, he was injured each time he started because the line was so ****ing bad and the only reason the Chiefs weren't a scoreless, true disgrace is because of the legs of Tyler Thigpen.

Croyle had to start on a moments notice in Week 1, 2009 IN Baltimore and played rather well. He didn't shit his pants, nor did he make any crucial errors.

If it were truly an open competition, Croyle would beat out Cassel each and every time.

At the end of the day, I don't care how a player answers a question. They just need to go out on the field and perform, or, in the words of Carl Peterson, they need to sit the **** down and shut the **** up...

How about some leadership? Some confidence? Something that says "I'M THE ****ING QB".

Too Bad Cassel doesn't have the excuse of the shitty offensive line.

When you're sacked eight times in six games and your lead running back has nearly 1,000 yards from scrimmage in that same exact time frame, your QB should not have a QB rating of 14.1 or 35.4 in consecutive weeks.

The offensive line is the least of Cassel's problems.

Hell, Cassel's QB rating was 65.8 against Denver in the final game.

65.8.

He's a complete and total bitch, a less talented Grbac/Bono.

Croyle's game against BAL (a team w/ great defense) was better than almost anything Cassel did all season. And that was a week after Gailey was canned, Cassel got hurt and Croyle was thrown to the wolves.

Okay, so Brodie isn't the answer.

What QB do you least like in this draft?

LMAO

Being a dumbass again?

The day Cassel is off the roster, will be the same as when Herm got fired and Carl resigned. Glorious day in Chiefs Nation!

Well, I could point out that he had the shot to beat out Damon Huard, and he couldn't do it. But that's beside the point. We can make excuses for guys like Croyle and Cassel all day long, bottom line is that they haven't performed in a Chiefs uniform.

But in your opinion then, Croyle is a franchise QB that you would move forward with and build your 2010 Chiefs team around, and he would lead them to an eventual championship? Because if we're talking about someone to replace Cassel, that's the type of QB I'd be looking for. I just really don't see Croyle being that guy...

Take it however you want to see it, but you didn't answer the question.

Croyle was a second year, third round draft choice with a history of injury. He had Dick Curl and Mike Solari as his offensive mentors. That alone would be difficult for a QB of ANY talent level.

Croyle most certainly performed in Baltimore last year. This offense is perfect for his skills. His inability to stay healthy has always been his issue, not talent or skill level.

Would I build a franchise around Croyle, with his inability to remain healthy week in and week out? Hell no. But he's got far more talent and upside than Matt Cassel.

The Chiefs should draft Clausen, hands down, no question asked. I just doubt they do it.

Just to be replaced with another backup.

Rinse. Repeat.

I guess the problem I have with Croyle is that he never stepped up when given a shot and took the proverbial bull by the horns. He's always appeared too laid back to me to be an effective franchise leader. I always look for those fiery, intense guys who have the drive to succeed, and that's why someone like Clausen is someone I'd take a hard look at if I were taking someone in the top 5 this year. I have no doubt that Croyle has a great amount of talent. Haley obviously has a high opinion of him, listing him as a key piece of the puzzle. Who knows, if Cassel struggles again this year, he may get another shot...

WOW exaggerate much?

I'll celebrate.

Honestly, I dislike everything that bitch represents.

I'd buy everyone a round of beer!

You guys and your pie in the sky bullshit. We HAVE a franchise QB. And as soon as we draft Russell Mother****ing Okung, you'll see what's up. 105 QB rating this year bitches. Mark Castle FTMFW!

ok man, thats just crazy imo though.

comparing him to herm and carl??? wow
Posted via Mobile Device

Yeah, that's hyperbole.

But a bitch is a bitch, you know...

As bad as I hate to say it,even Herm and carl would have known better than the whole Cassel circus.

Furthermore, shut your ****ing pie holes when we trade up to number 1 to get Okung. We can't have Detroit stealing our LTOTF.

Now come on, dude. Herm stupidly hitched his own wagon to Croyle's glass body.

And Carl never drafted a franchise QB...didn't even try.

Exactly right,but in either case they wouldn't have brought in Cassel.

No, I would rather Herm coach the team than have Cassel at QB.

[QUOTE=Archie Bunker;6658304]http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article...5-fed39903c27f

QB MATT CASSEL Q&A HIGHLIGHTS APRIL 7, 2010
------>PR Staff<--------

~quick scan
move on

Well he's our starter for better or worse hopefully better .. if they strenghten the OL maybe he can produce more points .. I think he needs more work on his game-day reads .. that and D improvement we might win a few more games this year ..

Exactly.

It's been 27 years since we drafted a QB in the 1st round.
Late in the season as the players became more comfortable in the newly installed offense (including protection / blocking schemes), the running game improved but the passing game did not match that improvement.
Cassel's guaranteed money is mostly by end of the upcoming season (from what I remember).
Fan morale is at an all-time low, especially after such a disappointing first year, season ticket sales are low.

I'm hoping the stars are lining up to take Clausen. The only slight regret I will have about the pick will be that it probably lessens our ability to get Golden Tate since we have so many defensive needs in a defensive-heavy draft.

If we take Clausen, my opinion of this regime may take a 180.
If we pass on Clausen, my opinion will mostly stay the same, depending slightly on the rest of the draft.

If we pass on Clausen AND Berry, I will go freakin' NUTS!

Besides, didn't we hear the other day we want competition at EVERY position, that's how you improve as a team?

Doesn't that start at the most important position?

Someone should make a gif of Charlie laughing and saying something like "Im glad hes on the team" while consistently looking back at Haley for approval and damn near going into full bore laugh his ass off mode thinking about MC.

It would be a good one for whenever the topic comes up...

this

I don't know why anyone thinks that the Baltimore game was anything to write home about. I didn't remember it being that good and I think people have a tendancy to look at just the stats. Since everyone keeps talking about it I decided to take a look at ESPN's recap of the game, just to see how well he did.

My conclusion: Those that are in love with him are because he is the backup and they hate Cassel. Brodie did nothing spectacular in that game. He was really very ordinary. We benefited from a couple of big turnovers where we wouldn't have been in the game otherwise. As some have said, "he didn't shit himself", but he didn't do a whole lot either.

Our time of possession was 20:11 and we punted 5 times. Not exactly sustaining drives.

We scored once on a Jon McGraw blocked punt, where he recovered it for a TD.
We scored once following a DJ interception, that he returned to Baltimores 6, and Brodie ultimately threw a 2 yard TD to Bowe, thanks to a Baltimore "illegal use of hands" penalty after a incomplete pass.

He threw another incompletion later where the play was called back for "roughing the passer".

ESPN's game log labels each passing play as "deep" or "short".

He threw "short" 24 times in all, 2 were called back for penalties on the defense.

Everyone talks about his strong arm, yet he threw "deep" only twice in the game. The one 50 yard completion to Bradley and an incomplete pass to Ryan to end the game. Thanks to his rocket of an arm he picked up 50 yards on one pass, getting us to the Baltimore 34, then he threw 2 incompletions and we had to kick a 53 yard field goal.

He gained 65 of his 177 yards and 1 TD pass on the next drive. Solid drive, he threw 7 straight passes, completing 5. Both incompletions were to Bradley, and one was called back with a 15 yard penalty for roughing the passer.

We got the ball in the 2nd quarter with 3:49 on the clock at our own 31 and failed to get past Baltimores 47 yard line. Brodie threw 3 times for 32 yards on the drive and the half ended. It didn't help that we had a 5 yard holding penalty and 2 runs for negative yardage.

He was sacked 3 times in all and lost 22 yards.

In the 4th quater, he was sacked twice on one drive where we started at our own 21 yard line. He fumbled both times he was sacked. The first one was overturned and we maintanied possession, but lost 8 yards. Then he threw 2 incomplete passes, 1 to Bowe and 1 to Ryan. Then he got sacked a second time, they recovered and their offense scored a TD.

We got the ball back with 31 seconds on the clock on our own 34, he threw 2 short passes for 12 yards, getting us up to the 46. Deep incomplete pass to Sean Ryan to end the game.

I'm a fair guy and I like Brodie, but I don't think his performance was anything to suggest that he would do better than Cassel if given the opportunity.

Croyle played decent against Baltimore. A recap doesn't do the game justice.

Yessir.

I think RB has a point, though.

He played ok, but nothing stands out about his performace, except that he didn't shit his pants and he made it through the game without breaking his vagina.

But Brodie does have the kind of talent that Weis could make the most from, if he could make it through more than a couple of games.

I'm not understanding why everybody thinks Croyle is good ??????

Because he's got a laser rocket arm, and can throw a ball through a car wash without it getting wet.

No, I think RalphyBoy pretty much surmized the game as it was. Croyle has a quick release, but other than that, he's back-up material.

Which is better than what we have as our starter.