Chiefs Q&A with QB MATT CASSEL - 3/2 - Page 3

royr17 · 03-02-2009, 05:08 PM

Q&A with QB MATT CASSEL - 3/2
Mar 02, 2009, 3:54:14 PM

INTRODUCTORY CONFERENCE CALL

Q: What is your reaction on the trade to Kansas City?

MATT CASSEL: “I am really excited about it. I am excited about the opportunity. I have been to Kansas City once before in 2005 and I know how impressive and how exciting the city and the fans can get. It is a great place to play for, not against when you come to this stadium, but I am really excited about everything.”

Q: Did you give the Patriots a list of teams you were interested in being traded to or was it done on their own?

CASSEL: “This was done on their own. They decided that this was the best opportunity for them. It just worked the way it did. I got the phone call yesterday.”

Q: Did you have any inclination that you were going to be traded to the Chiefs or were you resolved that it could be anywhere?

CASSEL: “I was resolved in the fact that I was going to get traded somewhere. I knew that there was probably going to be some kind of talks and transactions that probably took place. I didn’t know when or at what time, but I got the phone call yesterday and I was very excited.”

Q: Are you surprised that your contract had not been agreed upon before the trade was made?

CASSEL: “I didn’t know really how the whole thing works. I know that they are still trying to work everything out. This is my first day in the building and I kind of leave everything up to the agent and Scott (Pioli) to figure out all of that.”

Q: Do you plan on meeting with Bernard Pollard at all?

CASSEL: “Oh gosh. Now he is a teammate and I know that it wasn’t intentional. Nobody likes to see anybody go down, I’m sure including himself. I will talk to him and say hello, say thank you for the opportunity, but you never want to see anybody get hurt out there.”

Q: How do you feel about having this be your football team without having to worry about (QB) Tom Brady coming back from injury?

CASSEL: “I am excited about it. I have been working really, really hard for a long time now and I finally had the opportunity to play last year. I got a taste of what it was like to be out there and play, be on the field every snap. I am excited that I will have the opportunity here to do the same and get this thing going, get on the right track and win ball games.”

Q: How much did you progress from week one to the final week of the 2008 season?

CASSEL: “I think, like anything, the more you do it the more comfortable you become. You start to kind of get into a grove. The biggest thing for any quarterback, especially a young quarterback that just steps in, is getting used to the game speed. You cannot emulate that or simulate that in practice. From week one when you step in and a guy goes down, you don’t get any reps in practice but as the season starts to go, you start to build in your comfort level and start to understand what we need to get done out there it became a little bit easier. I grew in confidence and we got better as a team.”

Q: What is your relationship with GM Scott Pioli like? Did you know he was interested in you when he left New England to come to Kansas City?

CASSEL: “I have a great relationship with Scott Pioli. He was one of my biggest supporters throughout the year. He was always very encouraging. Anytime I needed some advice I would usually go to him as one of the guys who would always be willing to open his office door. We have a great relationship. I was hoping that there was some interest and obviously there was. I am excited to re-unite with him being a guy that is from the Patriots and is familiar with my style of play and a guy that does a great job at what he does.”

Q: What do you have to do to get your mind ready to potentially be the starting quarterback for the Chiefs next season?

CASSEL: “I think last year was probably the toughest year from the standpoint of being a backup quarterback and being thrust into a situation becoming the starter in week one. It wasn’t like I became the starter in week six. I had a full season. I obviously had my own stresses going with the MVP (Tom Brady) from the year before who threw 50 touchdowns and set all kinds of records going down. If I could handle last year with the stress and the adversity that I went through, to come here and be a starter and know that you are going into the thing being a starter, I can prepare better mentally and be on the same page. Obviously it brings its own adversities and its own difficulties but I think I will be ready for that.”

Q: How long have you been waiting for your time to come as a starting quarterback?

CASSEL: “It is funny. You go through five years of college and then three years as a pro, that is eight years of just sitting there and waiting. Everybody is always telling you, ‘you have to be ready; you are one ankle sprain away’. I was sitting there going, ‘gosh, nobody sprains their ankle anymore.’ Finally that opportunity comes about and you kind of say, ‘here we go,’ you take a deep breath, step out and play football. That is what I was there to do and I am just excited that I got that opportunity.”

Q: Were you getting tired of being the second or third guy on the depth chart?

CASSEL: “There is no doubt. You want to play as any football player does. You want to be competitive and as a competitor you want to be out on the field. Any time you can get out there, you welcome the opportunity.”

Q: Have you had a chance to meet with head coach Todd Haley yet?

CASSEL: “I did get a chance to meet with coach this morning. It went well. I really liked him as a person and as a coach. We were able to talk some X’s and O’s and then just kind of set a foundation to where we want to go this offseason and into the season.”

Q: Were you planning on contacting (RB) Larry Johnson, (G) Brian Waters or (TE) Tony Gonzalez to convince them to stay with the Chiefs?

CASSEL: “I hope to be able to have conversations with all of them. I hope to get to know everybody, all of my new teammates. Everything is so new right now. This is only my first day in the building. I hope I will get a chance to talk to those guys and build a relationship with them because they are all great players.”

Q: How much do you know about the Kansas City Chiefs and what has transpired over the last few years?

CASSEL: “I have followed them a little bit over the course of my career obviously. For the most part I had my own situation up in New England and I was just trying to continue to make the team and continue to try and put my best foot forward up there. My concentration really went to putting all my efforts into being the best football player I could be in New England. Now I will try and transition that over to Kansas City.”

Q: What does being in the locker room with former teammate (LB) Mike Vrabel mean to you and what will he mean to the Chiefs?

CASSEL: “I couldn’t say more about the character he brings to the locker room. He is a guy that has great integrity, he is a great leader. He leads not only by example but by his words. He works hard each and every day and gives 110 percent. He is a guy that, when I got into the league, really helped me and showed me how to be a professional and step up. I am excited to have Mike come here with us and he is a great ball player as well.”

Q: Would you be willing to not take a long term deal here and …

CASSEL: “At this point it is all so fresh, it is all so new. I just learned at 12 o’clock my time (PT), 2 o’clock your time (CT) that I was traded. Right now I am just taking it all in and figure out what direction we are going to go. Like I said, it is really Scott and my agent Dave that will figure it all out and we will go from there.”

philfree · 03-02-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Yes, you do.

Quite a bit, I might add.

And I really don't assume all that much and when I do a state it as such. So what's wrong with that?

PhilFree

**KcMizzou** · 03-02-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Why would you assume that?

So you think it was all for show? Haley states that Cassel will compete for the job, Cassel thinks that he is the starting QB.

The interviews are in direct contradiction, yet you believe that Haley called him just after the interview to clarify that Cassel IS the starting QB?

If so, why say otherwise while on the radio?

That's quite a leap you're taking.

Again, per the interviews, it appears that the coach and QB are NOT on the same page regarding starting status.

I think it's all about public perception (no reason to send the hard core Thiggy fans into a tizzy.), and restructuring Cassel into a long term deal. (Don't tell the guy he's your idea of a franchise QB heading into contract negotiations.)

I'd be absolutely floored if he weren't the Starting QB next season.

**SAUTO** · 03-02-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

I thought he said 12:00 yesterday.

PhilFree

i didnt hear it live but it doesnt say that in the OP last paragraph

**KcMizzou** · 03-02-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Could be a negotiating strategy for the upcoming contract.

This is similar to what happens after a draft pick. Peterson was downplaying Dorsey, for example, after taking him last April.

Though this isn't the only possibility, the brass can't exactly drool all over the guy and then go to the table and not expect to be ****ed.

Exactly.

philfree · 03-02-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Yet in the interview, Haley had an opportunity to publicly state that Matt Cassel was the starting QB in 2009, yet he refused to do so.

I really think that this is much about nothing.

PhilFree

chiefsfanintx · 03-02-2009, 08:20 PM

They said on 810 this afternoon that Cassel had been on vacation this past week so he did not know until he got back.

**KcMizzou** · 03-02-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

I really think that this is much about nothing.

PhilFree

Agreed.

And really, what would be the point in doing that? We know these guys aren't gonna tell us a damned thing until they have to. Personally, I don't mind it all that much.

**Skip Towne** · 03-02-2009, 08:21 PM

Is Brokie Croyle going to take all this laying down?

**KcMizzou** · 03-02-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Is Brokie Croyle going to take all this laying down?

I dunno, but he'll probably take it sitting down.... on the bench, as a pretty good 3rd string QB.

**SAUTO** · 03-02-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfanintx

They said on 810 this afternoon that Cassel had been on vacation this past week so he did not know until he got back.

there werent any tvs where he was at

Hammock Parties · 03-02-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Is Brokie Croyle going to take all this laying down?

He has to, knee still isn't right.

**DeezNutz** · 03-02-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Is Brokie Croyle going to take all this laying down?

As long as his wife is on top of him, I'm sure he's just fine.

**DaneMcCloud** · 03-02-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

I think it's all about public perception (no reason to send the hard core Thiggy fans into a tizzy.), and restructuring Cassel into a long term deal. (Don't tell the guy he's your idea of a franchise QB heading into contract negotiations.)

Yeah, but it just doesn't make sense to me why the head coach wouldn't state unequivocally when given the chance that Cassel is his starter going into 2009. It's just weird to me, regardless of people's "assumptions".

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

I'd be absolutely floored if he weren't the Starting QB next season.

Me, too. So why not just say it?

All I'm pointing out is that at the time of the interviews, the head coach and newly acquired QB were not on the same page regarding his status.

And I find that odd.

**Skip Towne** · 03-02-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

He has to, knee still isn't right.

OK. Probably doesn't matter.

**DeezNutz** · 03-02-2009, 08:28 PM

Contract, dude.

03-02-2009, 05:08 PM
royr17 MVP Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Lovin my kids Casino cash: $-1641324	Q&A with QB MATT CASSEL - 3/2 Q&A with QB MATT CASSEL - 3/2 Mar 02, 2009, 3:54:14 PM INTRODUCTORY CONFERENCE CALL Q: What is your reaction on the trade to Kansas City? MATT CASSEL: “I am really excited about it. I am excited about the opportunity. I have been to Kansas City once before in 2005 and I know how impressive and how exciting the city and the fans can get. It is a great place to play for, not against when you come to this stadium, but I am really excited about everything.” Q: Did you give the Patriots a list of teams you were interested in being traded to or was it done on their own? CASSEL: “This was done on their own. They decided that this was the best opportunity for them. It just worked the way it did. I got the phone call yesterday.” Q: Did you have any inclination that you were going to be traded to the Chiefs or were you resolved that it could be anywhere? CASSEL: “I was resolved in the fact that I was going to get traded somewhere. I knew that there was probably going to be some kind of talks and transactions that probably took place. I didn’t know when or at what time, but I got the phone call yesterday and I was very excited.” Q: Are you surprised that your contract had not been agreed upon before the trade was made? CASSEL: “I didn’t know really how the whole thing works. I know that they are still trying to work everything out. This is my first day in the building and I kind of leave everything up to the agent and Scott (Pioli) to figure out all of that.” Q: Do you plan on meeting with Bernard Pollard at all? CASSEL: “Oh gosh. Now he is a teammate and I know that it wasn’t intentional. Nobody likes to see anybody go down, I’m sure including himself. I will talk to him and say hello, say thank you for the opportunity, but you never want to see anybody get hurt out there.” Q: How do you feel about having this be your football team without having to worry about (QB) Tom Brady coming back from injury? CASSEL: “I am excited about it. I have been working really, really hard for a long time now and I finally had the opportunity to play last year. I got a taste of what it was like to be out there and play, be on the field every snap. I am excited that I will have the opportunity here to do the same and get this thing going, get on the right track and win ball games.” Q: How much did you progress from week one to the final week of the 2008 season? CASSEL: “I think, like anything, the more you do it the more comfortable you become. You start to kind of get into a grove. The biggest thing for any quarterback, especially a young quarterback that just steps in, is getting used to the game speed. You cannot emulate that or simulate that in practice. From week one when you step in and a guy goes down, you don’t get any reps in practice but as the season starts to go, you start to build in your comfort level and start to understand what we need to get done out there it became a little bit easier. I grew in confidence and we got better as a team.” Q: What is your relationship with GM Scott Pioli like? Did you know he was interested in you when he left New England to come to Kansas City? CASSEL: “I have a great relationship with Scott Pioli. He was one of my biggest supporters throughout the year. He was always very encouraging. Anytime I needed some advice I would usually go to him as one of the guys who would always be willing to open his office door. We have a great relationship. I was hoping that there was some interest and obviously there was. I am excited to re-unite with him being a guy that is from the Patriots and is familiar with my style of play and a guy that does a great job at what he does.” Q: What do you have to do to get your mind ready to potentially be the starting quarterback for the Chiefs next season? CASSEL: “I think last year was probably the toughest year from the standpoint of being a backup quarterback and being thrust into a situation becoming the starter in week one. It wasn’t like I became the starter in week six. I had a full season. I obviously had my own stresses going with the MVP (Tom Brady) from the year before who threw 50 touchdowns and set all kinds of records going down. If I could handle last year with the stress and the adversity that I went through, to come here and be a starter and know that you are going into the thing being a starter, I can prepare better mentally and be on the same page. Obviously it brings its own adversities and its own difficulties but I think I will be ready for that.” Q: How long have you been waiting for your time to come as a starting quarterback? CASSEL: “It is funny. You go through five years of college and then three years as a pro, that is eight years of just sitting there and waiting. Everybody is always telling you, ‘you have to be ready; you are one ankle sprain away’. I was sitting there going, ‘gosh, nobody sprains their ankle anymore.’ Finally that opportunity comes about and you kind of say, ‘here we go,’ you take a deep breath, step out and play football. That is what I was there to do and I am just excited that I got that opportunity.” Q: Were you getting tired of being the second or third guy on the depth chart? CASSEL: “There is no doubt. You want to play as any football player does. You want to be competitive and as a competitor you want to be out on the field. Any time you can get out there, you welcome the opportunity.” Q: Have you had a chance to meet with head coach Todd Haley yet? CASSEL: “I did get a chance to meet with coach this morning. It went well. I really liked him as a person and as a coach. We were able to talk some X’s and O’s and then just kind of set a foundation to where we want to go this offseason and into the season.” Q: Were you planning on contacting (RB) Larry Johnson, (G) Brian Waters or (TE) Tony Gonzalez to convince them to stay with the Chiefs? CASSEL: “I hope to be able to have conversations with all of them. I hope to get to know everybody, all of my new teammates. Everything is so new right now. This is only my first day in the building. I hope I will get a chance to talk to those guys and build a relationship with them because they are all great players.” Q: How much do you know about the Kansas City Chiefs and what has transpired over the last few years? CASSEL: “I have followed them a little bit over the course of my career obviously. For the most part I had my own situation up in New England and I was just trying to continue to make the team and continue to try and put my best foot forward up there. My concentration really went to putting all my efforts into being the best football player I could be in New England. Now I will try and transition that over to Kansas City.” Q: What does being in the locker room with former teammate (LB) Mike Vrabel mean to you and what will he mean to the Chiefs? CASSEL: “I couldn’t say more about the character he brings to the locker room. He is a guy that has great integrity, he is a great leader. He leads not only by example but by his words. He works hard each and every day and gives 110 percent. He is a guy that, when I got into the league, really helped me and showed me how to be a professional and step up. I am excited to have Mike come here with us and he is a great ball player as well.” Q: Would you be willing to not take a long term deal here and … CASSEL: “At this point it is all so fresh, it is all so new. I just learned at 12 o’clock my time (PT), 2 o’clock your time (CT) that I was traded. Right now I am just taking it all in and figure out what direction we are going to go. Like I said, it is really Scott and my agent Dave that will figure it all out and we will go from there.”
Posts: 6,244

03-02-2009, 08:20 PM	#36
chiefsfanintx Starter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: texas Casino cash: $10004900	They said on 810 this afternoon that Cassel had been on vacation this past week so he did not know until he got back.
Posts: 60

03-02-2009, 08:21 PM	#38
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Is Brokie Croyle going to take all this laying down?
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