Clark Judge loves Matt Cassel, and so should you.

[Hammock Parties]

Cassel proving to be difference-maker in K.C.

By Clark Judge CBSSports.com Senior Writer Nov. 30, 2010

Let's get this out of the way up front and admit what we should know -- namely, that the Kansas City Chiefs made the right move when they acquired quarterback Matt Cassel.

Matt Cassel's 2010 numbers put him among the league's elite passers. (Getty Images)

They thought they were getting someone who could stabilize the most important position in the game, and they did. They thought they were getting someone who was smart, accurate and reliable, and they did. They thought they were getting someone who could win, and they did. In short, they thought they were getting a quarterback they could trust. And they did.

Matt Cassel is having the best season of his career a year after he, the Chiefs and general manager Scott Pioli took heat for Cassel's underwhelming play -- with one local columnist so outraged that he characterized Cassel as "horrible."


Um, maybe not. Cassel has the Chiefs on top of the AFC West. He's won more games (7) in 11 starts than the club won the past two seasons (6). He hasn't lost at home. He leads the league in touchdown percentage. He's second only to Tom Brady in ratio of touchdowns-to-interceptions. And he's fourth overall in passer rating, ahead of luminaries like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan.

"Matt Cassel keeps setting the bar higher and higher," coach Todd Haley said after Kansas City's latest victory.

I'll second that. It's not just that the Chiefs continue to win under Cassel's direction; it's what Cassel's done to put them in that position, and the envelope, please: Over his last seven starts Cassel has 18 touchdown passes and one interception. Let me repeat: 18 and 1, a ratio that is better than anyone -- including Tom Brady -- over that period, and tell me that shouldn't put this guy front and center of the national spotlight.

It should. Only it hasn't. And one reason it hasn't is because there's a lingering feeling that Kansas City is overachieving and, well, that the Chiefs will eventually get caught by San Diego anyway. I don't buy into the overachieving argument, but after watching San Diego dissect Indianapolis the other night I do believe the Chargers, not the Chiefs, are the team to beat in the AFC West -- basically because the schedule falls their way in December, a month where they have won their last 18.

But that's a projection. Let's look at what we know, and what we know is that Matt Cassel is everything Pioli and the Chiefs envisioned when they acquired him. OK, so it took offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and a system with which Cassel was comfortable for him to flourish. But that happens. It took Brees four seasons before he started to feel comfortable in San Diego.

No question about it, Cassel struggled last season, but let's be honest: There were an abundance of reasons. One was the change of offensive coordinators immediately prior to the season, with Cassel forced to learn on the fly. Another was the Chiefs' mistake-prone receivers, with Kansas City two flubs away from tying an unofficial record for most drops in a year (51). Still another was the team's inability to run the ball until Jamaal Charles stepped into the huddle midway through the schedule.

Now fast forward to 2010, with Weis refining Haley's system to add a few wrinkles that Cassel might have known or practiced when he was with New England. It was there that Cassel first became a starter, stepping into the lineup for the first time in nine years when Brady was hurt in the 2008 opener. And it was there he was supposed to flop. Only he didn't, leading the Patriots to an 11-5 finish.

Surprising? Yes. But that was the guy Kansas City thought it was getting when it traded for Cassel. And that is the guy it has.

Look, I don't know that kicked in this season, but it's hard to ignore the results. What I do know is that Haley worked with Cassel on being more precise in his drops within the pocket, and Cassel has responded. I also know that having the league's top-ranked running game -- with the Chiefs shredding Seattle for 270 yards -- has helped. And I know the emergence of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe -- one of those guys who last season looked more like a backboard than a pass catcher -- has been a huge plus.

In the end, though, it comes back to Matt Cassel. The Chiefs had Larry Johnson to run the ball in 2007-08, and they couldn't win. They had Tony Gonzalez to catch it then, too, and they couldn't win. And they couldn't win because they didn't have someone, anyone, at quarterback to throw the right passes, avoid the big mistakes and make the smart decisions.
Now they do.

"I think he's an NFL starting quarterback you can win with and win championships with," Pioli said at training camp last summer. "Matt adjusted to a lot of change, showed his competitiveness, resiliency and his ability. Beyond the mental and emotional (aspect) and his competitiveness, he showed the physical ability to be able to win."

Pioli was right. Kansas City is not where it is today without Matt Cassel, and it's high time the club, its G.M., its head coach, its assistants and Matt Cassel himself are recognized for what is working with the Chiefs. And what is working is their quarterback.

Adding Matt Cassel not only was a good move; it was a necessary one. And it has the Chiefs where they haven't been in years. Good for them. Good for Pioli. And, most important, good for Matt Cassel.

[TheGuardian]

Dane has pretty much said anything I was going to say.

Even if Cassel shits the bed against the Chargers it doesn't change anything. So did Manning. What really matters is the whole body of work. If the guy has a 30 TD - 10 INT season, uhhhhh he's our guy. about drafting some guy or trading for someone else. This whole "the numbers lie" stuff is bullshit at this point in the season. Do some of you **** faces understand that? Sure, numbers can lie for a few games, but not over the course of a whole ****ing season. If he goes 3400 for 30 TD's and 8-10 picks, his numbers are bullshit? **** you. That's insane and ****ing stupid to reach like that.

I think Cassel will continue to ascend as well. I think he's probably our guy and some people better ****ing get used to it.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

I still say he turns back into a pumpkin against the Chargers.

We can't be this lucky.

This will definitely show where he's truly at ! And nice article. Hey , I was on the Cassel Sucks bandwagon too. It's OK to change opinions. Cassel changed so we can too.

[TheGuardian]

I will say it again.

1 game is not going to say what/where Cassel is. It's so ****ing stupid I can't believe some of you are really hanging your hat on that.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

No He didn't.

You're wrong. He wanted the Chiefs to fail so that Cassel would lose his job.

He wanted the Chiefs to stop winning IN SPITE of Cassel who was failing in order for him to get fired. Yes. This is exactly what I've been saying this whole time. If logic was water, your mind would be the Sahara desert.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

No He didn't.

You're wrong. He wanted the Chiefs to fail so that Cassel would lose his job.

First, you're dead wrong.

Second, you've found 1 post from 1 member on a forum that hosts over 10,000 members.

One poster saying something that you can't comprehend doesn't make it universally so.

Your argument is full of holes, and pointless.

Move on.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Dane has pretty much said anything I was going to say.

Even if Cassel shits the bed against the Chargers it doesn't change anything. So did Manning. What really matters is the whole body of work. If the guy has a 30 TD - 10 INT season, uhhhhh he's our guy. about drafting some guy or trading for someone else. This whole "the numbers lie" stuff is bullshit at this point in the season. Do some of you **** faces understand that? Sure, numbers can lie for a few games, but not over the course of a whole ****ing season. If he goes 3400 for 30 TD's and 8-10 picks, his numbers are bullshit? **** you. That's insane and ****ing stupid to reach like that.

I think Cassel will continue to ascend as well. I think he's probably our guy and some people better ****ing get used to it.

I will agree he is our guy by default. He's the best option we have and he's played well enough this season to assure himself of that bonus he's owed. However I still dont believe that we'll do anything beyond a playoff berth with him under center.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

I will say it again.

1 game is not going to say what/where Cassel is. It's so ****ing stupid I can't believe some of you are really hanging your hat on that.

Cassel has shown incredible progress. I think people are just going to look at his mechanics during the SD game. If the Chiefs lose the game but Cassel doesn't revert to locking onto one receiver, shitting himself under pressure and running away at the slightest sign of pass rush and throwing ****ing ducks, people will remain hopeful for the future.

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by Pants

He wanted the Chiefs to stop winning IN SPITE of Cassel who was failing in order for him to get fired. Yes. This is exactly what I've been saying this whole time. If logic was water, your mind would be the Sahara desert.

Look man, here is the post. It has nothing to do with Cassel failing. The guy just doesnt think Cassel can win a ring....Please, it is painfully obvious you didnt read this thread....so here, here it is.

Originally Posted by CrazyPhuD

I'm always torn, I recognize that so long as we have cassel we will never win a super bowl. Given that does it really matter than much the record is? The only acceptable outcome to a season is a super bowl victory. If losing the rest of the games the season forces us to acknowledge that we will never go anywhere with cassel and dump him then this season will be a winning one. But then again you like to see improvement and breeding a winning culture because you will never win without that either.

So I'm torn I want us to lose the rest to be forced to dump cassel, but losing the rest can also set back player development for those we need stick around.

If you can't acknowledge that this guy wanted the CHiefs to lose games to get rid of cassel....Then I really can't say much more. You are looking at the same words I am. The guy made this post THIS MONTH.

[doomy3]

I haven't read this thread and just jumped to the last page.

So I'm not sure exactly what the discussion is, but there were definitely people on this board who flat out said they would prefer the Chiefs get blown out of games if it meant that Cassel would be shown the door.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

I will say it again.

1 game is not going to say what/where Cassel is. It's so ****ing stupid I can't believe some of you are really hanging your hat on that.

Who said one game defines everything?

I've seen people say that it will have a huge influence - and it should - he's never won a meaningful game, much less on the road in a must win situation.

You're right, we all need to get used to him as the QB, because he's going nowhere.

That doesn't mean he's capable of leading this organization to a championship.

If at some point, he wins a big game against a playoff caliber team, especially on the road, I think more people will believe that he "might" be the answer.

Until then, he' still just a guy with gaudy stats earned against the bottom of the NFL barrel.

FWIW, I'm praying this guy becomes a franchise QB and wins us a SB.

[zonachief]

Would it be safe to say that most Cassel haters here were Trent haters too? I like(d) them Both. I like the leadership and intangibles they offer. Trent had an awful first year in KC.. 24 ints if i recall correctly.

[tonyetony]

Originally Posted by Pants

Cassel has shown incredible progress. I think people are just going to look at his mechanics during the SD game. If the Chiefs lose the game but Cassel doesn't revert to locking onto one receiver, shitting himself under pressure and running away at the slightest sign of pass rush and throwing ****ing ducks, people will remain hopeful for the future.

I agree with that but...I also think that if our D can hold the Chargers to less than 24 points and we run for over 130 yards Cassel will probably hold up his end of the deal.

It's a team sport deal with it.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Pants

Cassel has shown incredible progress. I think people are just going to look at his mechanics during the SD game. If the Chiefs lose the game but Cassel doesn't revert to locking onto one receiver, shitting himself under pressure and running away at the slightest sign of pass rush and throwing ****ing ducks, people will remain hopeful for the future.

Very much this.

[TheGuardian]

Originally Posted by jd1020

I will agree he is our guy by default. He's the best option we have and he's played well enough this season to assure himself of that bonus he's owed. However I still dont believe that we'll do anything beyond a playoff berth with him under center.

A lot of people didn't think he'd progress like he has this season either.

If someone told you after 11 games that Cassel would have 22 Td's and 4 picks you would have said bullshit.

We have a top 5 QB for the 2010 season. Can he continue that learning curve upward? I think he has a good chance. He's a hard worker and wants to win. That goes a long ways.

I mean, I have to remind myself that even after a very solid first season at OLB some people here said Hali had already reached his ceiling and wasn't very good. So......

[Pants]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

Look man, here is the post. It has nothing to do with Cassel failing. The guy just doesnt think Cassel can win a ring....Please, it is painfully obvious you didnt read this thread....so here, here it is.




If you can't acknowledge that this guy wanted the CHiefs to lose games to get rid of cassel....Then I really can't say much more. You are looking at the same words I am.

Yes. Once again, Cassel was failing as the QB with no signs of progress at the time. I'm assuming the post was made before the AZ game. A failure of a QB would not be able to win a SB and as such the guy was half-willing (on ONE HAND) to sacrifice ONE season in order to get a chance at a franchise QB who might eventually lead us to the promise land. You're dense, bro. I mean ****ing 'neutron star' dense.