Cassel Feels No Disrespect From Chiefs

[TRR]

Matt Cassel heads home after meeting with new Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and has his wife, Lauren, quiz him on the team’s new playbook.

Daboll’s playbook differs from terminology the team used last season, but it’s not as if Cassel hasn’t had to learn a new football language before. He’s going on his fifth offensive coordinator in four seasons as the Chiefs’ quarterback.

For now, however, the Chiefs are relying on Cassel to run and install the basics of Daboll’s new offense. New CBA rules prohibit coaches from taking part in any on-field instruction until April 30th, so Cassel is running the show with the team’s wide receivers over the next two weeks.

The circumstances have forced Cassel to become a quick learner, making each night a quiz night at the Cassel household. Lauren uses flash cards to test Matt’s playbook knowledge.

“It’s going to be a new offense, there is no doubt about it,” Cassel said following the second day of the Chiefs’ offseason program. “It’s going to take hard work, determination and putting in the time of learning the new offense.

“But at the same time I’m excited about working with Coach Daboll. He’s changed a lot since he was just a wide receivers coach in New England and it’s been fun to see him mature as a coach and to be reunited with him.”

It’s been an interesting offseason for Cassel. He’s endured a span of six months many quarterbacks wouldn’t have been able to handle.

Just think back to Jay Cutler’s exit from Denver when new Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels flirted with the possibility of bringing Cassel with him from New England. Cassel has endured Cutler’s 2009 offseason threefold.

Not even a year removed from a Pro Bowl season and an AFC West championship, Cassel’s future as Kansas City’s starter has been the biggest sports storyline surrounding the team since November. In many ways, the chatter continues as the draft approaches next week.

First there was Cassel’s season-ending hand injury and the claiming of Kyle Orton off waivers.

Next came the organization’s desire to increase competition at quarterback.

Finally, a very public courting of Manning and the team’s reported interest in selecting Ryan Tannehill with its top pick in next week’s draft.

“Scott Pioli was very open with me about the fact that they were going to reach out to Peyton and, for me, I didn’t take any disrespect in that,” Cassel said. “Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning. He’s one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game, so how can you take disrespect in that?

“I appreciated the fact that they were in communication with me. They didn’t’ want me to find out about it from somebody else. The great part about Scott and everybody here is that they are always seeking to go out and bring in the best players and I understand that Peyton Manning is one of the best players in the game.”

Behind the scenes, Cassel was able to keep his grasp as the team’s locker room leader.

He developed a friendship with Orton that didn’t go unnoticed inside the Chiefs facility, helping the new quarterback adapt as quickly as he could. When the Chiefs knocked off undefeated Green Bay in Orton’s first start, Cassel shared in celebration alongside Orton and his teammates.

Throughout his ups and downs of the past year Cassel has always commanded in-house respect, but the appreciation of his teammates seems to have grown with the way he’s conducted himself over the winter.

“Matt reached out to me after I signed, which was awesome that he took the time to call me and congratulate me,” said TE Kevin Boss, who signed a free agent deal with the Chiefs last month. “He said that he was looking forward to playing together and I really appreciated that. He didn’t need to do that, but it made me excited to get out there and play with him.”

As the team begins offseason work this week with players both new and old to the franchise, Cassel is the one out front setting up throwing schedules and serving as a vocal leader. He’s proven to be mentally strong throughout what has undoubtedly been the most difficult offseason of his NFL career.

With a new offense to install, the Chiefs can’t have it any other way.

“For me, I keep an open mind about what is going on,” Cassel said. “A lot of people don’t realize how much time these quarterbacks spend together and it’s all about what kind of room you have.* The guys who can contribute, hold you accountable and push you, competition really does make you better.”

And what if Tannehill were to join the room next week?

“Again, every offseason you go into it with an open mind,” Cassel said. “Whether we bring in a fourth quarterback, whoever comes in here, we’ll embrace them. It’s about the room and if you can get quality guys into that quarterback room, and we can push each other, then that’s what it’s all about.”

[the Talking Can]

yeah, it's been real rough on ol' Matty

held to no standard, shielded from any competition, and handed 60 million for accomplishing jack shit....

my heart breaks for the pain he has endure...

jesus has any QB anywhere been as coddled as this puss?

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by whoman69

Or monkeys could fly out my butt.

Yeah I know. But, hope springs eternal in the heart of a Chiefs fan.

[Mr. Arrowhead]

I personally feel disrespected that Matt Cassel is the quarterback of my favorite NFL team

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

I personally feel disrespected that Matt Cassel is the quarterback of my favorite NFL team

This makes no sense, but think know what mean.

EDIT: Dammit, you fixed it RIGHT as I was making my witty smartass remark...

[OnTheWarpath15]

0 right, 4 wrong during the flashcard quiz, and Matt Cassel thinks he graded out perfectly.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by -King-

A lot of football players use flash cards to memorize the playbooks. I know a lot of college players that do it and their playbooks are basically pamphlets compared to nfl playbooks.
Posted via Mobile Device

That doesn't really matter to me. I'd just prefer that the supposed leader of my favorite NFL team didn't have to resort to a 4th grade method of learning administered by his wife. The fact that he has to resort to flash cards makes me weep. That's strong indication of a strictly visual learning style. Meaning that he doesn't think well on his feet in the heat of the moment. It's greatly preferred for a QB and team leader to have a kinesthetic learning style. The best QBs are kinesthetic learners. They learn best by doing, and they take charge and think quickly on their feet. Just another little example of why Cassel was never meant to be a great QB.

[tredadda]

That is what bothers me about Cassel. He has all the intangibles to be a great QB. But he has backup talent.

[TRR]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

That doesn't really matter to me. I'd just prefer that the supposed leader of my favorite NFL team didn't have to resort to a 4th grade method of learning administered by his wife. The fact that he has to resort to flash cards makes me weep. That's strong indication of a strictly visual learning style. Meaning that he doesn't think well on his feet in the heat of the moment. It's greatly preferred for a QB and team leader to have a kinesthetic learning style. The best QBs are kinesthetic learners. They learn best by doing, and they take charge and think quickly on their feet. Just another little example of why Cassel was never meant to be a great QB.

Wow...Now your slamming him for his method of preparing for the new offense? Some people are to the extreme with this Cassel stuff. Quit reading into it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Chiefs Pantalones]

I'm sorry, but winners don't say, “Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning. He’s one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game, so how can you take disrespect in that?"

Winners say how the **** can you go out and look at somebody else? I'm gonna work my hardest to prove everyone wrong and I'll be laughing at all of you in the AFC Championship game this year. I'll make you wish you never looked at another QB this year, Peyton Manning or anyone else.

Cassel is a boy playing pick-up football after school.

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

0 right, 4 wrong during the flashcard quiz, and Matt Cassel thinks he graded out perfectly.

In fairness, his wife wasn't holding the cards properly. But they'll work on that this week and get better, because that's all you can do.

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

I'm sorry, but winners don't say, “Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning. He’s one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game, so how can you take disrespect in that?"

Winners say how the **** can you go out and look at somebody else? I'm gonna work my hardest to prove everyone wrong and I'll be laughing at all of you in the AFC Championship game this year. I'll make you wish you never looked at another QB this year, Peyton Manning or anyone else.

Cassel is a boy playing pick-up football after school.

yeah. Name me one QB that would say that.

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

yeah. Name me one QB that would say that.

I'm saying that has to be his attitude.

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

I'm saying that has to be his attitude.

How do you know it isn't? He ain't gonna say that shit in an interview...

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

How do you know it isn't? He ain't gonna say that shit in an interview...

I hope it is his attitude. If not, we're ****ed. Actually, either way we're ****ed because he just doesn't have what it takes. I tried to believe in him for a couple minutes there...

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

I hope it is his attitude. If not, we're ****ed. Actually, either way we're ****ed because he just doesn't have what it takes. I tried to believe in him for a couple minutes there...

I'm with you there. I bet it IS his attitude. Sadly, he can't back it up no matter how hard he tries. And he DOES try. Hard. 63 million worth, give or take. He tries really really ****ing hard...