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.”

[mikey23545]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

No.

I doubt you are correct, but even if you are, do you think it would be ok for him to learn the terminology of the new offense at night with his wife (using flashcards) so when he meets during the day with the receivers he'll be able to teach it to them? And of course at that time begin to learn it "kinesthetically"...

I really feel a lot of posters should be capable of learning to post better kinesthetically by practicing pulling their heads out of their asses.

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Our starting QB is learning the new playbook by playing flash cards with his wife.....

Don't know if to or at this point...

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Our starting QB is learning the new playbook by playing flash cards with his wife.....

He still wear Granimals so that he can choose his wardrobe.

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by ChiefsNow

Actually he kind of looked different to me in that interview. I had to do a double take. I didn't recognize him right off for some reason. He seemed to have more confidence or something to me. He is who we have (again) I'm gonna start the year with a better attitude. Positive thoughts. If he can finally learn to look defenders off, learn how to sell the play action, not telegraph his throws, quicker throws. Most of all he has to be a good teacher (mentor) for the quarterback that we bring in. No matter how much we don't like it, he will be the one mentoring the new qb.

Grasping at straws.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by mikey23545

I doubt you are correct, but even if you are, do you think it would be ok for him to learn the terminology of the new offense at night with his wife (using flashcards) so when he meets during the day with the receivers he'll be able to teach it to them? And of course at that time begin to learn it "kinesthetically"...

I really feel a lot of posters should be capable of learning to post better kinesthetically by practicing pulling their heads out of their asses.

You're missing the point. I'm saying that Cassel telling us how he "learns" the offense is a big clue to how he learns overall, and how his mind works. The point is that flash cards shouldn't be necessary for a professional QB. The fact that he would use flash cards to learn anything, tells me that his mind requires/prefers visual memorization and processing. A slow thinker, so to speak. It's really only an effective learning tool for dumb people. It was a small observation and not intended to be a point of argument.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

You're missing the point. I'm saying that Cassel telling us how he "learns" the offense is a big clue to how he learns overall, and how his mind works. The point is that flash cards shouldn't be necessary for a professional QB. The fact that he would use flash cards to learn anything, tells me that his mind requires/prefers visual memorization and processing. A slow thinker, so to speak. It's really only an effective learning tool for dumb people. It was a small observation and not intended to be a point of argument.

Visual learning = mentally reeruned/moron. Gotcha.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

You're missing the point. I'm saying that Cassel telling us how he "learns" the offense is a big clue to how he learns overall, and how his mind works. The point is that flash cards shouldn't be necessary for a professional QB. The fact that he would use flash cards to learn anything, tells me that his mind requires/prefers visual memorization and processing. A slow thinker, so to speak. It's really only an effective learning tool for dumb people. It was a small observation and not intended to be a point of argument.

How exactly do you think most NFL players learn their playbooks?


This was Michael Bennett's playbook when he was with the Chiefs.

Imagine how much bigger a QB's playbook is.

This is a sample of a play:

Using flash cards, his wife could hold a flashcard with a play on it and no terminology and Cassel has to describe the play.

I really don't think you understand how hard an NFL playbook is to memorize and how many visual aides NFL players use to memorize them. Here is how some other players memorized playbooks http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/24/me...ing-playbooks/

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by -King-

How exactly do you think most NFL players learn their playbooks?


This was Michael Bennett's playbook when he was with the Chiefs.

Imagine how much bigger a QB's playbook is.

This is a sample of a play:

Using flash cards, his wife could hold a flashcard with a play on it and no terminology and Cassel has to describe the play.

I really don't think you understand how hard an NFL playbook is to memorize and how many visual aides NFL players use to memorize them. Here is how some other players memorized playbooks http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/24/me...ing-playbooks/

So what you're saying is.....he's going to choke again this year? Thought so. Thanks for playing.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Setsuna

So what you're saying is.....he's going to choke again this year? Thought so. Thanks for playing.

Yes.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Yeah, but what does he feel from the fans?

I would guess a size 13, to the nuts.

[mikey23545]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Visual learning = mentally reeruned/moron. Gotcha.

I hope I never again see a QB looking downfield to read the defense visually...He should be doing it kinesthetically...

[Chiefs Pantalones]

This was my great grandpa and grandma waiting on the Chiefs to draft a franchise QB...

[BigRichard]

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

This was my great grandpa and grandma waiting on the Chiefs to draft a franchise QB...

I am so turned on right now!

[</post>]

According to Jeff Chadiha, his study habits don't matter. He'll still be calling out Patriot terminology

[beach tribe]

I bet Cassel can get more than a #2 receiver and a TE to show up for a throwing session.