Babb: Haley says Cassel looks better

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs notes: Haley says Cassel looks better
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

Chiefs coach Todd Haley hasn’t made a decision on quarterback Matt Cassel’s status for Sunday’s home opener against Oakland, but the coach did say Wednesday that the injured passer’s sprained left knee appeared to have progressed since last week.

“To my eye, he was improved some,” Haley said. “The player is doing everything under his power to be ready, which is usually a good thing.”

Coaches held Cassel out of the regular-season opener at Baltimore, a 38-24 loss, after the quarterback failed to prove he was healthy during a Sunday morning workout. Cassel was injured in the first quarter of the Chiefs’ third preseason game when he was tackled from behind. He practiced last week but appeared to run with a limp.

Cassel was limited in Wednesday’s practice, Haley said, and his left knee was wrapped after the workout.

“As I felt that he would,” Haley said, “(Cassel) moved around a little better than he did at the end of (last) week. Again, this is going to be an evaluation deal with him.”

Haley promotes rivalry

Kansas City’s first-year coach didn’t shy from his thoughts this week when asked about his feelings toward Oakland, one of the Chiefs’ top rivals and a team Haley doesn’t have much love for himself.

Haley, whose father worked for decades in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ organization, said Tuesday that he grew up with sour feelings toward the Raiders. He used the word “hate” a handful of times. He didn’t back down a day later, playfully saying that rivalries make some games more intense — and help him stoke the competition with the Chiefs’ players.

“I don’t think it goes away,” he said with a smile, “but I wouldn’t want anyone to take it personal over there.

“That being said, I don’t care if it’s Oakland, San Diego or Denver — those games obviously weigh in the playoffs different than the other games. … It’s a big game.”

Lions claim McBride

A day after the Chiefs waived Turk McBride, the third-year defender was claimed by Detroit — and will be reunited with former Kansas City coordinator Gunther Cunningham.

McBride, a second-round draft pick in 2007, was waived Tuesday to open a roster spot for free-agent wide receiver Bobby Wade.

McBride was at his best as a defensive end last year under Cunningham. McBride led the Chiefs in sacks during the ’08 preseason before a shoulder injury ended his season early. He was moved to outside linebacker this past spring to accommodate Kansas City’s move to the 3-4 defensive front.

Detroit plays a 4-3 defense, and McBride could return to defensive end.

Injury report

Cassel was listed as questionable after Wednesday’s practice, and so was cornerback Brandon Flowers. Flowers has a hurt shoulder, and Haley wouldn’t say whether he expected him to be ready to participate Sunday.