Matt Cassel: Good or Bad?

[melbar]

I'm not knocking Sanchez here, I'm just honestly asking what in your opinion what makes Sanchez the better choice?

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by melbar

I'm not knocking Sanchez here, I'm just honestly asking what in your opinion what makes Sanchez the better choice?

He has off the charts intangibles, he has a strong arm, solid build, he's accurate, he plays his best against the best competition, he's a good natural athlete, he's smart, confident but not cocky, and he was productive with an offense that lacked a lot of elite talent (USCs offensive talent is nowhere near Oklahoma's, for example).

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

He has off the charts intangibles, he has a strong arm, solid build, he's accurate, he plays his best against the best competition, he's a good natural athlete, he's smart, confident but not cocky, and he was productive with an offense that lacked a lot of elite talent (USCs offensive talent is nowhere near Oklahoma's, for example).

In other words, a promising NFL prospect, right?

As opposed to a guy who did pretty darn well in the NFL last year, by nearly all accounts. And a guy who should be ready to start, Game 1 next year.

Maybe Cassel will be the next Scott Mitchell, but I'm not thinking so at this point.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

He has off the charts intangibles, he has a strong arm, solid build, he's accurate, he plays his best against the best competition, he's a good natural athlete, he's smart, confident but not cocky, and he was productive with an offense that lacked a lot of elite talent (USCs offensive talent is nowhere near Oklahoma's, for example).

He plays in the Pac-10. How does he play against the best competition? He played no more than 3 ranked teams last year. And a majority of his TDs were to WIDE THE HELL open WRs. I dont know why you say the USC offense lacked elete talent because the WRs on just about every long play had 5-10 yards off the CB. He maybe had 10 plays where he had to squeeze the ball into tight coverage. And according to his last throwing performance, his arm isn't that strong . Cassel has a strong arm, he has played in the NFL. Hell, he played more games in the NFL in one year than Sanchez did in his whole career at USC.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by KcChiefsKing

He plays in the Pac-10. How does he play against the best competition? He played no more than 3 ranked teams last year. And a majority of his TDs were to WIDE THE HELL open WRs. I dont know why you say the USC offense lacked elete talent because the WRs on just about every long play had 5-10 yards off the CB. He maybe had 10 plays where he had to squeeze the ball into tight coverage. And according to his last throwing performance, his arm isn't that strong . Cassel has a strong arm, he has played in the NFL. Hell, he played more games in the NFL in one year than Sanchez did in his whole career at USC.

They stomped the piss out of Oregon, Penn State, and OSU, and Sanchez had phenomenal performances in those games (not just Sam Bradford Madden fests).

And Cassel does not have a strong arm.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

He has off the charts intangibles, he has a strong arm, solid build, he's accurate, he plays his best against the best competition, he's a good natural athlete, he's smart, confident but not cocky, and he was productive with an offense that lacked a lot of elite talent (USCs offensive talent is nowhere near Oklahoma's, for example).

But here's what I dislike about that analysis: you are assuming that Sanchez has better intangibles because of what he did against college competition versus what Cassel has done against NFL competition. So in terms of ability to do more with less and the ability to play at his best against the best competition, you have to factor in that the competition he faced was significantly easier than what Cassel did. Playing your best against Penn State is different from playing your best against Pittsburgh.

But to the greater point, you are still leaving out a bunch of intangibles and assuming they're given. Sanchez is smart, but Cassel is an absolute film room fiend--will Sanchez have the dedication to put more time into that than Cassel? I'm going to guess probably not, given that Cassel puts a lot more time than most QBs in the NFL probably do. Furthermore, do you know how Sanchez will respond once he gets his big contract? He's young and is about to be surrounded with a bunch of cash he never had. How do we know he won't become distracted (and when I say "distracted" that means any even small distraction that might take him away from not just showing up to practice, but putting extra time after practice)? Given that he went after the big dollars of the NFL even though most of his advice told him he wasn't ready, who's to say that he's not heavily enamored by money? And given that he has had charges in the past of rape, breaking windows at parties, etc..., who's to say that he won't be distracted by an attractive social life?

Because here's the deal: almost every scout and expert believes that Sanchez is going to have to work hard to become better. I agree with that. How do we know he has the work ethic to not only become better, but to become the best? Cassel doesn't carry that risk. Sanchez does. Therefore, when we speak of upside, why doesn't the drive to get better and the work ethic to become smarter than the competition factor in?

[Johnny Vegas]

I was actually pulling for Sanchez to be drafted by the Chiefs.

[warrior]

Originally Posted by badmajama

I was actually pulling for Sanchez to be drafted by the Chiefs.

Me to but Cassel's the Chiefs QB now time to move on.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by badmajama

I was actually pulling for Sanchez to be drafted by the Chiefs.

Sanchez could pan out. But he's a unknown commodity.

Cassel, potentially, puts this franchise on the "fast-track" to rebuilding.

Honestly, one of (if not THE) most important position on an NFL team just went from a "weakness" to a strength for the Chiefs.

Think about it. How many teams have TWO QBs with the youth, potential, experience, and improvisational ability we saw from Cassel and Thigpen last year? Maybe 4 or 5 teams? At best.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Honestly, one of (if not THE) most important position on an NFL team just went from a "weakness" to a strength for the Chiefs.

I don't know if I'd go that far.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I don't know if I'd go that far.

Yeah, I'll have to see him throw with the players we have before I say it's a strength, but it's a start.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I don't know if I'd go that far.

Sorry, I'm a bit giddy right now though.

From an age, experience, mobility/improvisational ability, proven NFL ability....I'd bet there can't be more than 4-5 teams with a better 1-2 punch at QB--especially with the offensive system Haley is likely to use.

I was tepid about Thigpen as a starter; but I'm dang excited for he and Cassel to be our 1-2....especially in exchange for a SECOND round pick.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Think about it. How many teams have TWO QBs with the youth, potential, experience, and improvisational ability we saw from Cassel and Thigpen last year? Maybe 4 or 5 teams? At best.

And yet, you still see Thigpen as a valuable part of this team. He's done, and it's the ONE thing I like about this trade.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

And yet, you still see Thigpen as a valuable part of this team. He's done, and it's the ONE thing I like about this trade.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty confident Thigpen will be our back-up next year.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty confident Thigpen will be our back-up next year.

If the Bucs offer a 4th or better, I would gladly take it and not look back.