Chiefs Pete Prisco, Please pass the crow Mr. Cassel

**sd4chiefs** · 12-29-2010, 04:29 PM

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/powerrankings

Power Rankings: Please pass the crow, Mr. Cassel

By Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com Senior Writer Tell Pete your opinion!

Updated Dec. 29

Who has the best barbecue sauce in Kansas City?

Whoever it is, I need some. I have to put some on the crow I'm about to eat regarding the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Matt Cassel.

Doesn't Kansas City barbecue sauce make anything taste good? I imagine BBQ sauce in K.C. is like red sauce for my Italian family. You throw it on anything and it makes it taste good.

Crow? That could be tough, but I'll give it a try.

After all, I have to gobble down a plate of the stuff for being so wrong all season about the Chiefs, and especially Cassel.

Kansas City will be in the playoffs as AFC West champions and I really believe Cassel will get some MVP consideration. He won't win it -- that will go to Tom Brady -- but he has had a special season.

Cassel has 27 touchdown passes and five interceptions. He has been on fire in the second half of the season, even missing one start, a game Kansas City lost. Cassel was 24 of 34 for 314 yards and three touchdowns in the Chiefs' 34-14 victory over the Titans on Sunday.

I'll be honest. I wasn't sure about Cassel. In fact, I didn't see the arm strength to power the football the way NFL quarterbacks need to do. That's why I was skeptical about him as a long-term starter.

I was wrong. Cassel does what you need NFL quarterbacks to do, which is to see the field. He finds the right guy more often than not. That's more important than arm strength.

NFL -- Week 17
Related links
Prisco: Week 17 picks | Expert Picks

Uncertainty about him was the reason why I kept the Chiefs down low in my initial Power Rankings, much to the chagrin of the many e-mailers from K.C. who came with the venom you would expect from East Coast fans. It made me wonder how many East Coast transplants live in Kansas City. You people can be nasty.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley deserves to be mentioned in the Coach of the Year race. I'm not sure he will win it -- and I do have a vote in the Associated Press balloting -- but he will get consideration.

At 10-5, the Chiefs are assured of having a home playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. There's a chance I could do that game. If I do, I need to find some good barbecue sauce. Any ideas?

That crow can be tough to get down.

FringeNC · 12-29-2010, 04:51 PM

Strange. I can understand having reservations about Cassel, given his performance last year. But arm strength was Prisco's biggest concern? Really? Whatever.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-29-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd4chiefs

Uncertainty about him was the reason why I kept the Chiefs down low in my initial Power Rankings, much to the chagrin of the many e-mailers from K.C. who came with the venom you would expect from East Coast fans. It made me wonder how many East Coast transplants live in Kansas City. You people can be nasty.

Planet?

**chasedude** · 12-29-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROR

Planet?

He has to be a lurker.

ModSocks · 12-29-2010, 05:27 PM

If Haley doesn't win coach of the year, then who the **** does?

I know what you'll say, belicheck, but i don't think he deserves it more than Haley. No Way.

Belicheck did some good things in NE, but he didn't do a rebuilding job like Haley has. Haley has successfully changed the culture of this team.

**Gonzo** · 12-29-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Strange. I can understand having reservations about Cassel, given his performance last year. But arm strength was Prisco's biggest concern? Really? Whatever.

Really? It sure seemed like he was throwing some wobblers last year. From what I recall, his strongest throw was the one vs Cleveland when he overthrew the ****ing goal post on the last play.
It sure seems to me that his arm strength has improved. I.E. that td pass to Bowe last week when he threw it between 3 defenders on 3rd and 17.
Maybe arm strength has something to do with confidence?
Posted via Mobile Device

ModSocks · 12-29-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Really? It sure seemed like he was throwing some wobblers last year. From what I recall, his strongest throw was the one vs Cleveland when he overthrew the ****ing goal post on the last play.
It sure seems to me that his arm strength has improved. I.E. that td pass to Bowe last week when he threw it between 3 defenders on 3rd and 17.
Maybe arm strength has something to do with confidence?
Posted via Mobile Device

Has much more to do with mechanics and stepping into his throws. Charlie is fixing the QB.

LaChapelle · 12-29-2010, 05:38 PM

Weis said the first thing he had to do was fix the QB
yet all the praise for Cassel goes Todd Haley's way
I wonder where the truth lays

**Gonzo** · 12-29-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Has much more to do with mechanics and stepping into his throws. Charlie is fixing the QB.

Agreed.
Posted via Mobile Device

RINGLEADER · 12-29-2010, 05:40 PM

Anyone who doubted Cassel early on was justified. Whether it was Haley/Weis opening things up or Matt just finding his groove, however, he is a completely different player the past 10 games...

311 Attempts,
193 Completions,
62.08% Completion Percentage,
2371 Yards,
23 TDs,
2 Ints,
107.54 Passer Rating
18 Sacks Taken

On Edit:

Contrast with his first four games...

106 Attempts,
58 Completions,
54.72% Completion Percentage,
650 Yards,
4 TDs,
3 Ints,
74.02 Passer Rating
3 Sacks Taken

**Gonzo** · 12-29-2010, 05:43 PM

I'm sure a big part of it has got to be going from, "Don't lose the game Matt" to, "Go win this mother****er, Matt."

The opening game vs. SD is a testament to that. What did he have, 85 yards? Now he's almost always good for 250+ and 2 TD's.
Posted via Mobile Device

Hoover · 12-29-2010, 05:46 PM

Good BBQ doesn't need sauce you dumb fu@k

**cabletech94** · 12-29-2010, 07:01 PM

i'd never wish ill towards a man.

but this is pete prisco.

12-29-2010, 04:29 PM
sd4chiefs error 404 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bizarro World Casino cash: $8820445	Pete Prisco, Please pass the crow Mr. Cassel http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/powerrankings Power Rankings: Please pass the crow, Mr. Cassel By Pete Prisco CBSSports.com Senior Writer Tell Pete your opinion! Updated Dec. 29 Who has the best barbecue sauce in Kansas City? Whoever it is, I need some. I have to put some on the crow I'm about to eat regarding the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Matt Cassel. Doesn't Kansas City barbecue sauce make anything taste good? I imagine BBQ sauce in K.C. is like red sauce for my Italian family. You throw it on anything and it makes it taste good. Crow? That could be tough, but I'll give it a try. After all, I have to gobble down a plate of the stuff for being so wrong all season about the Chiefs, and especially Cassel. Kansas City will be in the playoffs as AFC West champions and I really believe Cassel will get some MVP consideration. He won't win it -- that will go to Tom Brady -- but he has had a special season. Cassel has 27 touchdown passes and five interceptions. He has been on fire in the second half of the season, even missing one start, a game Kansas City lost. Cassel was 24 of 34 for 314 yards and three touchdowns in the Chiefs' 34-14 victory over the Titans on Sunday. I'll be honest. I wasn't sure about Cassel. In fact, I didn't see the arm strength to power the football the way NFL quarterbacks need to do. That's why I was skeptical about him as a long-term starter. I was wrong. Cassel does what you need NFL quarterbacks to do, which is to see the field. He finds the right guy more often than not. That's more important than arm strength. NFL -- Week 17 Related links Prisco: Week 17 picks \| Expert Picks Uncertainty about him was the reason why I kept the Chiefs down low in my initial Power Rankings, much to the chagrin of the many e-mailers from K.C. who came with the venom you would expect from East Coast fans. It made me wonder how many East Coast transplants live in Kansas City. You people can be nasty. Chiefs coach Todd Haley deserves to be mentioned in the Coach of the Year race. I'm not sure he will win it -- and I do have a vote in the Associated Press balloting -- but he will get consideration. At 10-5, the Chiefs are assured of having a home playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. There's a chance I could do that game. If I do, I need to find some good barbecue sauce. Any ideas? That crow can be tough to get down.
Posts: 3,982

12-29-2010, 04:51 PM	#2
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $1726014	Strange. I can understand having reservations about Cassel, given his performance last year. But arm strength was Prisco's biggest concern? Really? Whatever.
Posts: 10,173

12-29-2010, 05:27 PM	#5
ModSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $4234563	If Haley doesn't win coach of the year, then who the **** does? I know what you'll say, belicheck, but i don't think he deserves it more than Haley. No Way. Belicheck did some good things in NE, but he didn't do a rebuilding job like Haley has. Haley has successfully changed the culture of this team. __________________ Life is like a dick. Sometimes it gets hard for no reason, but it can't stay hard forever.
Posts: 64,354

12-29-2010, 05:38 PM	#8
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	Weis said the first thing he had to do was fix the QB yet all the praise for Cassel goes Todd Haley's way I wonder where the truth lays
Posts: 8,588

12-29-2010, 05:40 PM	#10
RINGLEADER In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Confusion, USA Casino cash: $8610503	Anyone who doubted Cassel early on was justified. Whether it was Haley/Weis opening things up or Matt just finding his groove, however, he is a completely different player the past 10 games... 311 Attempts, 193 Completions, 62.08% Completion Percentage, 2371 Yards, 23 TDs, 2 Ints, 107.54 Passer Rating 18 Sacks Taken On Edit: Contrast with his first four games... 106 Attempts, 58 Completions, 54.72% Completion Percentage, 650 Yards, 4 TDs, 3 Ints, 74.02 Passer Rating 3 Sacks Taken Last edited by RINGLEADER; 12-29-2010 at 05:54 PM..
Posts: 46,696

12-29-2010, 05:43 PM	#11
Gonzo Stuff & Things Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Yukon Casino cash: $10126924	I'm sure a big part of it has got to be going from, "Don't lose the game Matt" to, "Go win this mother***er, Matt." The opening game vs. SD is a testament to that. What did he have, 85 yards? Now he's almost always good for 250+ and 2 TD's. Posted via Mobile Device*
Posts: 21,498

12-29-2010, 05:46 PM	#12
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1588179	Good BBQ doesn't need sauce you dumb fu@k
Posts: 17,371

12-29-2010, 07:01 PM	#13
cabletech94 Everything is Awesome!!!!! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Pitt Casino cash: $2026805	i'd never wish ill towards a man. but this is pete prisco.
Posts: 10,895