Chiefs Q&A with MATT CASSEL - 10/8

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-08-2009, 05:11 PM

Q&A with MATT CASSEL - 10/8

Oct 08, 2009, 3:10:47 PM

Q: Was that one of the most intense indoor workouts you’ve ever had?

MATT CASSEL: “That’s exactly what it was. We got in there and we got after it today. We had a nice long practice, we were in the bubble, thankfully, because it is raining outside, but we had a great practice today.”

Q: How big of a point of emphasis has getting rid of the negative plays been?

CASSEL: “It’s been a huge point of emphasis for us, especially having a lot more production on first and second down. I know it was a crazy statistic that I heard that we are leading the league in negative plays or something, and if we can eliminate those and get some more production on first and second down, it’ll set us up to be in better position on third down and that’s when you start moving the ball and moving the chains.”

Q: How do you go about doing that?

CASSEL: “It’s hard to just pinpoint one thing. I think you start with eliminating the penalties, but then I think at the same time we have to work together as a unit, whether it’s running the ball, throwing the ball or whether it’s catching the ball. I really can’t pinpoint one thing for you that says this is the magic potion that will change everything for us or the outcome. I just think we have to be more productive and have to have more attention to detail as we move forward.”

Q: What problems do the Cowboys defense present?

CASSEL: “Well I think they’re a big, big, powerful group. You talk about LB DeMarcus Ware, LB (Anthony) Spencer and NT (Jay) Ratliff, they’ve got a very powerful front seven and they do a great job of stopping the run and creating pressure on the passer. They’re good in the secondary as well. But at the same time, like any defense, as long as you do your job and get hats on hats, you’ll have the ability to run the ball and hopefully we can throw the ball. Denver was a great example of that. They made big play opportunities when they had them. We’ve got to try and capitalize on those when those opportunities come up.”

Q: Do you continue to offer head coach Todd Haley any plays or ideas?

CASSEL: “You know, I try to, to a certain extent, but at the same time, Coach (Todd Haley) goes into each and every week with a certain point of emphasis or focus on how he wants to run the game and how he wants to call the game. It’s hard for me as a player to understand what mentally he’s going into the game thinking. Really, at this point, I’m just trying to let him coach and trying to do the best of my ability on the field and try to get ready and know the game plan come Sunday.”

Q: Do you have any kind of relationship with Dallas QB Tony Romo or do you watch him and take certain things from his game?

CASSEL: “I definitely watch QB Tony (Romo). He’s a great player. He’s a guy that took a very similar route, I guess – he wasn’t a starter right away and he worked his way up and he continued to work hard. Now he’s got his opportunity and he’s done a great job with it. He’s a guy that has tremendous athletic ability and he’s definitely one of the top-tier QBs. Any time I get the chance to watch him I like it because he does a lot of great things with the football.”

Q: A lot of people are waiting for your breakout game. Are you getting anxious for that, is it frustrating for you?

CASSEL: “Well, I would love to throw for 350 yards and have a big breakout game as well. I think if that happens we’re going to be winning a football game as well. I think more important than stats and more important than anything like that is to get a ‘W’ on the board, and that’s really what we’re looking for. Stats will come and stats will come with production, but at the same time, the biggest thing for this team is getting a W on the board, more than anything else.”

Q: Do you feel that with so many new components trying to work together that maybe it’s just a slower start than what you had hoped for?

CASSEL: “It’s definitely been a slower start than what we had all hoped for. Throughout my career, through college at least and my last four years in the pros, I haven’t been on a team that has lost more than two games in a row. Any time you’re in this profession, you’re in it to win, so that’s the frustrating part, but at the same time you just have to keep putting your best foot forward and hopefully you come out of this thing on the right side of it.”

Q: Coach said he wants to look at this season as 0-0 now. Is that so that guys don’t see the accumulation and let it start to beat them down?

CASSEL: “We can’t let it beat us down. We can’t start giving up four games into the season. There’s a lot of football to be played and we just have to continue to work hard and get better as a team.”

Q: After the last game, RB Larry Johnson made some vague references. Do you know what he was talking about?

CASSEL: “I don’t know what RB Larry (Johnson) was talking about, you’re going to have to go ask him about that to be completely honest with you. That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

Hog's Gone Fishin · 10-08-2009, 06:40 PM

we have no hope.

**Easy 6** · 10-08-2009, 06:45 PM

Aaah, yer a BUM!

Get back on the Bumville Express ya BUM! You had ya shot!1!

Quesadilla Joe · 10-08-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

We had a nice long practice, we were in the bubble, thankfully, because it is raining outside, but we had a great practice today.”

McDaniels made his team practice in the rain today.

**Easy 6** · 10-08-2009, 06:55 PM

Clean out ya locka Rock, Spider Rico's takin' it...

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-08-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Clean out ya locka Rock, Spider Rico's takin' it...

Rocky marathon was on last weekend BTW

**HemiEd** · 10-08-2009, 08:13 PM

Watching the game, Cassel missed some easy throws.

Is it time for Brodie?

Sorry is a repost, been gone for a week.

TheGuardian · 10-08-2009, 08:35 PM

So seriously, how many more games with Cassel throwing for -12.3 yards per attempt before Haley replaces him? I'm pretty patient but he hasn't shown me a whole lot thus far. Maybe when Bowe gets back to full strength I guess. He doesn't look comfortable throwing to anyone else besides Wade.

10-08-2009, 05:11 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3057187	Q&A with MATT CASSEL - 10/8 Q&A with MATT CASSEL - 10/8 Oct 08, 2009, 3:10:47 PM Q: Was that one of the most intense indoor workouts you’ve ever had? MATT CASSEL: “That’s exactly what it was. We got in there and we got after it today. We had a nice long practice, we were in the bubble, thankfully, because it is raining outside, but we had a great practice today.” Q: How big of a point of emphasis has getting rid of the negative plays been? CASSEL: “It’s been a huge point of emphasis for us, especially having a lot more production on first and second down. I know it was a crazy statistic that I heard that we are leading the league in negative plays or something, and if we can eliminate those and get some more production on first and second down, it’ll set us up to be in better position on third down and that’s when you start moving the ball and moving the chains.” Q: How do you go about doing that? CASSEL: “It’s hard to just pinpoint one thing. I think you start with eliminating the penalties, but then I think at the same time we have to work together as a unit, whether it’s running the ball, throwing the ball or whether it’s catching the ball. I really can’t pinpoint one thing for you that says this is the magic potion that will change everything for us or the outcome. I just think we have to be more productive and have to have more attention to detail as we move forward.” Q: What problems do the Cowboys defense present? CASSEL: “Well I think they’re a big, big, powerful group. You talk about LB DeMarcus Ware, LB (Anthony) Spencer and NT (Jay) Ratliff, they’ve got a very powerful front seven and they do a great job of stopping the run and creating pressure on the passer. They’re good in the secondary as well. But at the same time, like any defense, as long as you do your job and get hats on hats, you’ll have the ability to run the ball and hopefully we can throw the ball. Denver was a great example of that. They made big play opportunities when they had them. We’ve got to try and capitalize on those when those opportunities come up.” Q: Do you continue to offer head coach Todd Haley any plays or ideas? CASSEL: “You know, I try to, to a certain extent, but at the same time, Coach (Todd Haley) goes into each and every week with a certain point of emphasis or focus on how he wants to run the game and how he wants to call the game. It’s hard for me as a player to understand what mentally he’s going into the game thinking. Really, at this point, I’m just trying to let him coach and trying to do the best of my ability on the field and try to get ready and know the game plan come Sunday.” Q: Do you have any kind of relationship with Dallas QB Tony Romo or do you watch him and take certain things from his game? CASSEL: “I definitely watch QB Tony (Romo). He’s a great player. He’s a guy that took a very similar route, I guess – he wasn’t a starter right away and he worked his way up and he continued to work hard. Now he’s got his opportunity and he’s done a great job with it. He’s a guy that has tremendous athletic ability and he’s definitely one of the top-tier QBs. Any time I get the chance to watch him I like it because he does a lot of great things with the football.” Q: A lot of people are waiting for your breakout game. Are you getting anxious for that, is it frustrating for you? CASSEL: “Well, I would love to throw for 350 yards and have a big breakout game as well. I think if that happens we’re going to be winning a football game as well. I think more important than stats and more important than anything like that is to get a ‘W’ on the board, and that’s really what we’re looking for. Stats will come and stats will come with production, but at the same time, the biggest thing for this team is getting a W on the board, more than anything else.” Q: Do you feel that with so many new components trying to work together that maybe it’s just a slower start than what you had hoped for? CASSEL: “It’s definitely been a slower start than what we had all hoped for. Throughout my career, through college at least and my last four years in the pros, I haven’t been on a team that has lost more than two games in a row. Any time you’re in this profession, you’re in it to win, so that’s the frustrating part, but at the same time you just have to keep putting your best foot forward and hopefully you come out of this thing on the right side of it.” Q: Coach said he wants to look at this season as 0-0 now. Is that so that guys don’t see the accumulation and let it start to beat them down? CASSEL: “We can’t let it beat us down. We can’t start giving up four games into the season. There’s a lot of football to be played and we just have to continue to work hard and get better as a team.” Q: After the last game, RB Larry Johnson made some vague references. Do you know what he was talking about? CASSEL: “I don’t know what RB Larry (Johnson) was talking about, you’re going to have to go ask him about that to be completely honest with you. That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
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10-08-2009, 06:40 PM	#2
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1569523	we have no hope.
Posts: 40,649

10-08-2009, 06:45 PM	#3
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $-242225	Aaah, yer a BUM! Get back on the Bumville Express ya BUM! You had ya shot!1!
Posts: 98,550

10-08-2009, 06:55 PM	#5
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $-242225	Clean out ya locka Rock, Spider Rico's takin' it...
Posts: 98,550

10-08-2009, 08:13 PM	#7
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $-569436	Watching the game, Cassel missed some easy throws. Is it time for Brodie? Sorry is a repost, been gone for a week.
Posts: 34,915

10-08-2009, 08:35 PM	#8
TheGuardian MVP Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $6305299	So seriously, how many more games with Cassel throwing for -12.3 yards per attempt before Haley replaces him? I'm pretty patient but he hasn't shown me a whole lot thus far. Maybe when Bowe gets back to full strength I guess. He doesn't look comfortable throwing to anyone else besides Wade.
Posts: 9,564