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.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I expect him to play well against Denver and struggle against San Diego..

I told Holthus last night that I want "revenge" and a win against the Donks, but I really want to sweep SD...that's the game right there.

[007]

Originally Posted by stevieray

no, it won't.

but it will tell us what we need to know about the team.

I find it funny how fans say..well, if he does this and this and this, then I'll give him praise, like their accepted level of praise actually validates him.

I don't give a crap what anyone thinks of my opinion of Cassel. The Chiefs will go as Cassel goes over these next 5 games. If he struggles the team will struggle. If he excels, the team will excel. Neither one means they will go 5-0 or 0-5. The pressure is on him and the team right now as the playoffs have already started for the Chiefs.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

The level of optimism for Cassel after two good weeks is staggeringly more impressive than the level of disdain for 1 1/2 seasons of mediocrity.

We'll see which is the "real" Cassel.

I don't agree. You have your homers who drank the kool-aid all season long but are just speaking louder today.

Everyone else is cautiously optimistic. The reason he's getting rave reviews for the past two weeks is how he did it. The Chiefs put up tons of points against SF and Jax, but I don't think Cassel was stellar in either of those games. The way he put up points against Arizona and Seattle was a completely different QB than one we've seen in those 1 1/2 years and yes, even his productive season in NE.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I expect him to play well against Denver and struggle against San Diego.

But, that doesn't mean that the Chiefs can't beat San Diego, even if he struggles somewhat.

Injuries and player availability will play a key role in determining who wins and loses that game.

Denver is a floundering team right now, in large part because of a lot of internal problems, and we should absolutely piss pound them at Arrowhead.

Cassel will need to play well in SD. Not doing so should be grounds for legitimate criticism because this will, essentially, be a playoff game for this team. All players, especially our most important ones, will need to elevate their game.

I expect to see the best from the likes of Bowe, Charles, Cassel, etc.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I told Holthus last night...

Is he the big spoon or the little spoon?

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

An average QB.

One that can beat the Sisters of the Poor in the NFL, but can't win the games that matter most.

The last two weeks have shown us that he has the ability to play like an elite QB against bad teams.

Can he replicate that ability against good teams?

Against good teams on the road?

Or in a game in which Charles/TJ get shut down?

Can Matt Cassel perform like a franchise QB when his team needs him the most?

...just like Peyton did against the Chargers...at home.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by jd1020

This.

Even Grossman had acouple of good games. I'll wait til Cassel actually does something on his own in a meaningful game.

When did Rex Grossman have a stretch of 18-1 TD's to INT? Florida?

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

I suppose this would be easier for "God" to grant than making your incredibly simple brain come to the realization that they are the same person. Cassel did not suddenly become something different 2 weeks ago. This has been ongoing the entire season.

If your head is up your ass, and you pull it out and then see light....it doesn't necessarily mean God turned on a light switch....it might mean your head was in your ass.

No, it hasn't.

Cassel has looked like a completely different QB starting with the 2nd half of the Denver game.

Anyone who knows anything about football and the QB position can determine this easily.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

An average QB.

One that can beat the Sisters of the Poor in the NFL, but can't win the games that matter most.

The last two weeks have shown us that he has the ability to play like an elite QB against bad teams.

Can he replicate that ability against good teams?

Against good teams on the road?

Or in a game in which Charles/TJ get shut down?

Can Matt Cassel perform like a franchise QB when his team needs him the most?

Like I said, if you're looking for him to do those things THIS season, He's going to let you down...or prove you right, however you want to word it.

I don't think he's that far developed yet. I expect him to do those things next season.

22 td's and 4 ints. He developing into a good game manager. He's taking the step from dogshit to game manager.

Hopefully next season he can take the step from game manger to "THE MAN".

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Guru

I don't give a crap what anyone thinks of my opinion of Cassel. The Chiefs will go as Cassel goes over these next 5 games. If he struggles the team will struggle. If he excels, the team will excel. Neither one means they will go 5-0 or 0-5. The pressure is on him and the team right now as the playoffs have already started for the Chiefs.

But the standard has to be clear. We have to get on Cassel's case for the right reasons.

Because an unfair standard is to expect him to continually carry a bad defense and special teams unit and expect him to consistently win games. I ripped on Cassel for his performance against Denver--thought he didn't make plays when he needed to. On the other hand, I think a LOT of people were very unfairly critical of Cassel's performance in Oakland even though the Chiefs got crushed in the running game, on defense, on special teams, and with stupid penalty mistakes. So I don't agree that it's fair to say that we go as Cassel goes. Cassel needs to be sharp in the remaining games, but if he's sharp and the defense gives up 30+ points, there's only so far you can take the blame.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by Guru

I don't give a crap what anyone thinks of my opinion of Cassel. The Chiefs will go as Cassel goes over these next 5 games. If he struggles the team will struggle. If he excels, the team will excel.

sure you do.. you keep repeating it...and you expect him to overcome subpar play from the rest of the squad. in year two of a rebuild...

excel, despite like the defense played against Houston?

hey matt, the defense just gave up four consecutive TD's in the forth qtr....it's your fault if we lose.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

No, it hasn't.

Cassel has looked like a completely different QB starting with the 2nd half of the Denver game.

Anyone who knows anything about football and the QB position can determine this easily.

...yup, because every franchise QB on a legit team doeasn't struggle, ever.

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Anyone who knows anything about football and the QB position can determine this easily.

Oh ok. Youre right....I just asked everyone who knew and they told me you were correct and Cassel sucks, Pioli is a moron etc...

I will never question you again.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Denver is a floundering team right now, in large part because of a lot of internal problems, and we should absolutely piss pound them at Arrowhead.

Cassel will need to play well in SD. Not doing so should be grounds for legitimate criticism because this will, essentially, be a playoff game for this team. All players, especially our most important ones, will need to elevate their game.

I expect to see the best from the likes of Bowe, Charles, Cassel, etc.

I agree that San Diego is a huge test for Cassel but I also believe that if he fails, that doesn't mean that he won't get "it" later this year or before next season.

Like I mentioned earlier, the guy was on the roster at USC and with the Patriots but he hasn't been put in that type of a situation before. He's getting better each week but it won't shock me if he falters because he's really never been in "playoff" type atmosphere in college or the NFL. He may not be prepared for that type of pressure.

If he doesn't perform at a higher level in San Diego but comes back to play at a high level against the final three opponents, I'll have more faith in him the next time he's put in that situation. He's still got a lot to learn but he's most certainly heading in the right direction.

Hopefully, he'll kick ass in San Diego and this entire conversation will be for naught.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by stevieray

...just like Peyton did against the Chargers...at home.

No offense, Steve, but that's ridiculous, and you know it.

Peyton Manning answered all the questions we have about Cassel in his rookie year, and is nothing less than a Top 5 QB in the history of the NFL.

Sorry, but he gets the benefit of the doubt for having a bad game or two every three years.

Maybe if Cassel shows, just once, that he can do any of the things Manning has been doing consistently for over a decade, you can make that comment again, and I'll only snicker instead of laughing so hard it hurts.