Chiefs Mellinger: Chiefs’ gameplan gives Croyle a chance to sub in for consistent Cassel

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-12-2010, 12:29 AM

Chiefs’ gameplan gives Croyle a chance to sub in for consistent Cassel
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

SAN DIEGO | The man who will lead the Chiefs into their most important and most difficult game of the year looks a little bit like the guy behind the register at your local convenience store.

You would not pick this man out of a line at a movie theater as being an NFL quarterback. He looks more like the guy you’ll watch today’s game with, not like the guy you’ll actually be watching.

All of which means Brodie Croyle is perfectly qualified to quarterback this Chiefs team against the defending AFC West champion Chargers.

Look, there is plenty for Chiefs fans to be skeptical about. This would be a difficult game even with Matt Cassel: the Chiefs on the road against a more talented team playing for its season.

But let’s at least consider the possibility that the Chiefs are as well-positioned as any team in the league to make do with a backup quarterback. Even as well as Cassel has played — and he has been outstanding — the Chiefs’ offense is built around schemes and play-calls and running backs and receivers. Not the quarterback.

The Chiefs mostly just want the quarterback to not screw it all up. Cassel has been far better than any of us expected, but he’s still closer to riding with training wheels than being trusted for highway wheelies.

So as one of the defining stories of this Chiefs season has now stalled, Cassel’s absence might provide an answer to something else interesting, even if we no longer needed to ask:

Just how important is Cassel, anyway?

• • •

The other day, someone asked Chiefs coach Todd Haley about the difference between Cassel and Croyle.

Now, NFL coaches spend most of their news conferences dealing in clichés and generalities. Haley studies old Bill Parcells tapes to master the art, and even in just his second year, Haley is often frustratingly good at revealing nothing.

But it’s still interesting that he couldn’t come up with much.

“Matt’s a little bit bigger,” he said — and Cassel is officially listed as 2 inches taller and 24 pounds heavier.

If Haley had added that Croyle has a stronger arm, he would have had a somewhat complete list of the physical differences.

Can you think of a play Cassel made this year that Croyle would be physically incapable of? Or a play that, other than experience, the Chiefs can’t call with their backup in the game?

This is not New England losing Tom Brady in the 2008 season opener. The Patriots’ offense is absolutely built around Brady’s considerable talents, including an often overlooked strong arm, so like most teams, New England struggles without its centerpiece.

In 2007, the year before his knee injury, Brady threw 50 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, averaging more than 300 yards per game. The Patriots scored 589 points that year, and with Brady throwing deep, Randy Moss went for 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Then Cassel had to run an offense built for Brady’s strengths, and he threw 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, averaging about 230 yards per game. The Patriots scored 410 points that year, and with the new quarterback, Moss went for 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In Kansas City, there will be none of that for Croyle. Cassel has been making his reputation this year by not throwing interceptions, and that’s a valuable skill worth every penny the Chiefs are paying, but nothing that Croyle can’t do physically.

The point is that the more Cassel’s success can be attributed to a stripped-down offense focused on facilitation, the more it can be said that the Chiefs are losing nothing irreplaceable other than experience.

So how big of a deal is that?

• • •

The NFL does a lousy job of developing backup quarterbacks. Coaches stress preparation for all during news conferences, but at practice give nearly all their time to the starter.

Haley is as guilty of this as anyone. His intentions are good, but Croyle said last week he typically gets only two or three snaps with the first team in practice.

The Chiefs can bring in a game clock and pump the simulated crowd noise all they want, but there is absolutely no replacing the nearly 800 snaps Cassel has taken in games this year and at least a thousand more in practice.

Remember, it took three years backing up in New England, one starting, and another 27 games in Kansas City for Cassel to reach this point. He has improved his footwork and his confidence, all the while Croyle mostly quarterbacked the scout team.

Scott Mitchell, who played under Dan Marino for two years, described a backup quarterback’s life “like watching the U.S. borders for a Soviet missile attack. There are a lot of days you’re not getting much action.”

Not that recent NFL history isn’t full of backups instantly making good. Brady is the most famous example, getting a chance when Drew Bledsoe got hurt. Kurt Warner inherited the Rams’ job when Trent Green got hurt in 1999 and won an MVP award and the Super Bowl that year. Frank Reich relieved Jim Kelly and famously led the Bills back after they were down 35-3 in a playoff game.

Just this year, Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon led the Steelers to a 3-1 start while Ben Roethlisberger served a suspension. Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick has become a fantasy football darling — and while the situations are completely different, it’s worth remembering that Michael Vick began the year as Philadelphia’s backup.

Nobody can be sure whether Cassel will play next week, but let’s assume he won’t. The Chiefs effectively have a 1½-game lead in the AFC West, which means they only need Croyle to help win — or not screw up — one of the next two games to keep control.

Cassel’s stunning efficiency this year means nobody wanted to find out, but there are indications the Chiefs might be just fine.

• • •

Croyle could have been on another team, the Chiefs left to trust their season to someone else. It’s easy to forget that now, but Croyle was a restricted free agent after last season. General manager Scott Pioli gave Cassel the $63 million contract, so he obviously didn’t want Croyle as the starter. But as a backup? Sure.

So knowing that in most years two-thirds of the teams in the league need a backup to start at least a game or two, this is the moment that Pioli thought Croyle could handle.

He should be encouraged by an offense that’s allowed a physically ordinary quarterback to emerge as one of the league’s most effective passers.

He should also be reinforced by what Brian Waters said the other day after Croyle replaced Cassel for the first time in practice.

“Honestly,” he said, “I didn’t even notice until halfway through.”

12-12-2010, 12:29 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2957187	Mellinger: Chiefs’ gameplan gives Croyle a chance to sub in for consistent Cassel Chiefs’ gameplan gives Croyle a chance to sub in for consistent Cassel By SAM MELLINGER The Kansas City Star SAN DIEGO \| The man who will lead the Chiefs into their most important and most difficult game of the year looks a little bit like the guy behind the register at your local convenience store. You would not pick this man out of a line at a movie theater as being an NFL quarterback. He looks more like the guy you’ll watch today’s game with, not like the guy you’ll actually be watching. All of which means Brodie Croyle is perfectly qualified to quarterback this Chiefs team against the defending AFC West champion Chargers. Look, there is plenty for Chiefs fans to be skeptical about. This would be a difficult game even with Matt Cassel: the Chiefs on the road against a more talented team playing for its season. But let’s at least consider the possibility that the Chiefs are as well-positioned as any team in the league to make do with a backup quarterback. Even as well as Cassel has played — and he has been outstanding — the Chiefs’ offense is built around schemes and play-calls and running backs and receivers. Not the quarterback. The Chiefs mostly just want the quarterback to not screw it all up. Cassel has been far better than any of us expected, but he’s still closer to riding with training wheels than being trusted for highway wheelies. So as one of the defining stories of this Chiefs season has now stalled, Cassel’s absence might provide an answer to something else interesting, even if we no longer needed to ask: Just how important is Cassel, anyway? • • • The other day, someone asked Chiefs coach Todd Haley about the difference between Cassel and Croyle. Now, NFL coaches spend most of their news conferences dealing in clichés and generalities. Haley studies old Bill Parcells tapes to master the art, and even in just his second year, Haley is often frustratingly good at revealing nothing. But it’s still interesting that he couldn’t come up with much. “Matt’s a little bit bigger,” he said — and Cassel is officially listed as 2 inches taller and 24 pounds heavier. If Haley had added that Croyle has a stronger arm, he would have had a somewhat complete list of the physical differences. Can you think of a play Cassel made this year that Croyle would be physically incapable of? Or a play that, other than experience, the Chiefs can’t call with their backup in the game? This is not New England losing Tom Brady in the 2008 season opener. The Patriots’ offense is absolutely built around Brady’s considerable talents, including an often overlooked strong arm, so like most teams, New England struggles without its centerpiece. In 2007, the year before his knee injury, Brady threw 50 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, averaging more than 300 yards per game. The Patriots scored 589 points that year, and with Brady throwing deep, Randy Moss went for 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns. Then Cassel had to run an offense built for Brady’s strengths, and he threw 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, averaging about 230 yards per game. The Patriots scored 410 points that year, and with the new quarterback, Moss went for 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns. In Kansas City, there will be none of that for Croyle. Cassel has been making his reputation this year by not throwing interceptions, and that’s a valuable skill worth every penny the Chiefs are paying, but nothing that Croyle can’t do physically. The point is that the more Cassel’s success can be attributed to a stripped-down offense focused on facilitation, the more it can be said that the Chiefs are losing nothing irreplaceable other than experience. So how big of a deal is that? • • • The NFL does a lousy job of developing backup quarterbacks. Coaches stress preparation for all during news conferences, but at practice give nearly all their time to the starter. Haley is as guilty of this as anyone. His intentions are good, but Croyle said last week he typically gets only two or three snaps with the first team in practice. The Chiefs can bring in a game clock and pump the simulated crowd noise all they want, but there is absolutely no replacing the nearly 800 snaps Cassel has taken in games this year and at least a thousand more in practice. Remember, it took three years backing up in New England, one starting, and another 27 games in Kansas City for Cassel to reach this point. He has improved his footwork and his confidence, all the while Croyle mostly quarterbacked the scout team. Scott Mitchell, who played under Dan Marino for two years, described a backup quarterback’s life “like watching the U.S. borders for a Soviet missile attack. There are a lot of days you’re not getting much action.” Not that recent NFL history isn’t full of backups instantly making good. Brady is the most famous example, getting a chance when Drew Bledsoe got hurt. Kurt Warner inherited the Rams’ job when Trent Green got hurt in 1999 and won an MVP award and the Super Bowl that year. Frank Reich relieved Jim Kelly and famously led the Bills back after they were down 35-3 in a playoff game. Just this year, Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon led the Steelers to a 3-1 start while Ben Roethlisberger served a suspension. Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick has become a fantasy football darling — and while the situations are completely different, it’s worth remembering that Michael Vick began the year as Philadelphia’s backup. Nobody can be sure whether Cassel will play next week, but let’s assume he won’t. The Chiefs effectively have a 1½-game lead in the AFC West, which means they only need Croyle to help win — or not screw up — one of the next two games to keep control. Cassel’s stunning efficiency this year means nobody wanted to find out, but there are indications the Chiefs might be just fine. • • • Croyle could have been on another team, the Chiefs left to trust their season to someone else. It’s easy to forget that now, but Croyle was a restricted free agent after last season. General manager Scott Pioli gave Cassel the $63 million contract, so he obviously didn’t want Croyle as the starter. But as a backup? Sure. So knowing that in most years two-thirds of the teams in the league need a backup to start at least a game or two, this is the moment that Pioli thought Croyle could handle. He should be encouraged by an offense that’s allowed a physically ordinary quarterback to emerge as one of the league’s most effective passers. He should also be reinforced by what Brian Waters said the other day after Croyle replaced Cassel for the first time in practice. “Honestly,” he said, “I didn’t even notice until halfway through.”
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