Chiefs To Get Keys To The Cassel?
While most Chiefs fans hold their collective breath waiting for a new head coach announcement out of Kansas City, they might be surprised by another announcement that appears imminent. The rumors are swirling that new G.M. Scott Pioli isn’t taking long to loot his old team in New England of their backup to Tom Brady, QB Matt Cassel. Word on the street is the Chiefs are having talks with Cassel and might bring the former USC benchwarmer in with a new coach very soon.
Some KC locals think Tyler Thigpen is the answer going forward. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion of course, but two wins compared to 11 pretty much seals the argument in Cassel’s favor. Could he be the next Scott Mitchell? Sure, or he could be the next Tom Brady. Cassel might end up like other QB’s who weren’t drafted by their current teams like Kurt Warner, Drew Brees, or even Brett Farve. (Farve was drafted by Atlanta originally in case your brain stuttered over that one.)
Considering KC’s track record of developing drafted QB’s, making a play for Cassel wouldn’t be a bad idea. The Patriots have until Feb. 19 to franchise Cassel, so circle that date on your calendar. The long and the short of it is that the Chiefs can afford Cassel, and they definitely have a need at QB despite Thiggy Smalls performance last season. Having two starting-caliber QB’s is becoming vogue in the NFL now due to the massive amounts of injuries at the position. Chiefs fans would have to consider themselves lucky to have a Cassel and a Thigpen considering the ridiculous Brokie Croyle circus Herm brought to town the last few years.
In addition to potentially signing Matt Cassel, there are also rumors O’ plenty about shipping Larry Johnson and even Tony Gonzalez out of town on rails. One, a malcontent RB who may well not have a lot left in the tank after signing a hefty contract. The other, a wily veteran TE whose value may never be higher after another Pro Bowl season. Public sentiment seems to be keep Citizen Tony and boot crybaby L.J. — diapers and all. However, these opinions are formed with three parts emotion and one part logic considering LJ’s legal “issues” (which would maybe be non issues outside the KC fishbowl), and Tony G’s local celebrity status.
Don’t unbuckle those football helmets just because the Super Bowl is over just yet Chiefs fans…we have quite a few more things to look forward to this season, and expect them to come soon.
If we get him we better get some major OL help in free agency or he is going to get killed. As for LJ, ship him out. I still say shipping out Tony would be a bad idea for the team and the teams image, but who am I? I am just a fan….atic. Plus why would you take away one of Cassel’s BEST offensive weapons? Let me guess, to pick up Crabtree in the draft right? Ugh, please don’t tell me we are going to turn into the freaking Lions!!! Tons of WR depth, but a dead QB because nobody except maybe Albert and Waters can block for him!
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:09 amWhat happens if they slap the franchise tag on Cassel? Is he worth it then? I’m on the fence. Maybe they wont do that as a favor to Pioli? Get LJ out of here, the Penn State curse continues in my opinion. Keep Tony.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:38 amGreat to see your stuff again Eric, It gets a little insane without the Crane. UPDATE I moved back four rows and my seats dropped forty dollars per seat, $20.00 cheaper per seat than last year. Who can make sense of it?
If we go after Matt Cassel, that would make three starting quarterbacks on the roster. No, I’m not saying Croyle is starting quarterback material. I’m saying don’t forget about Grey. He was in for only one drive that I can remember, and he promptly drove down the field in no time at all and scored a touchdown. He didn’t play much last year cause he didn’t know the offense that well. This next year, his stock might go up cause of his size and arm strength. The man’s a beast with an arm. Oh, and did I mention he can scramble as well.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:34 amIf we do it try to trade 34d overall pick and LJ to get him…You bet your sweet ass LJ would take a considerable pay cut to play along-side Tom Brady and Randy Moss…not a doubt in my mind…
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:34 amThat’s a very interesting thought, Woody.
Chiefsfan32, as one of thieves said to the Joker in The Dark Knight, “where’d you learn ta count?” (“All Along the Watchtower” and the Caped Crusader in the same reference — gotta love it.)
Buy my count we’d have one starting QB with Cassel.
I’m all for this. Matt “Cameron Frye” Cassel needs to step out of Ferris’ considerable shadow.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:48 amAdam, if the Chiefs don’t address the o-line problems in FA or the draft, Cassel is toast. Thigpen and Grey can at least escape for the most part. The Chiefs should at least spend their extra cash on the o-line before they go after quarterbacks who play mainly in the pocket.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:53 amThanks Adam, I didnt realize til now how much I was speaking in an absolute there at the end. It was late and I had assumed a Sith/Bush attitude lol.
I hope Cassel would be solid, and definitely agree he is a much safer option than anyone in the range we will be at. It is also interesting to ponder whether New England would even want to be as high as our 3rd overall pick…I dont know who they would want at that position. But you would have to love to be in their position, taking a QB in late rounds and when he plays out of his mind you can trade him for at LEAST a 1st rounder, ridiculous.
I agree with 32 that O-Line needs more attention but I think that with some FA work we could make it a survivable season for Cassel. I have obviously dropped my dream of Jordan Gross since I heard Schefter say that Carolina is likely to make him the highest paid O-Lineman in the league. And I dont want any part with that bidding war.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:20 amI wonder if they would take Tony G and LJ for Cassel. Watson has been a bust and they need a workhose rb pretty badly. That would get LJ outta here and give Tony G a chance to win a ring.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:46 amWouldn’t it be ironic if we ended up with Cassel seeing how Pollard is the reason he is in such a great position! It seems to me that our defense already has Cassel’s back, I like that. I hope he remembers to send Pollard a thank-you note whenever he gets franchised/signs a long-term deal. It’s merely the polite thing to do.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:46 amHey dbk wouldn’t it be funny as hell if they took that trade and we went to the SB and not New England! I would do that trade. I think Cottnam is going to fill TG shoes just fine .
And how well would TG take that as a slap in the face.
I know the chances are slim but a very funny thought
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:38 pmGood to see the Chiefs know they need a QB. I’m not familiar with the trading rules but I can’t see why the Chiefs wouldn’t try to ship out LJ and a FUTURE draft pick(s). That would leave us with Cassel and a new O-lineman at number 3. Try to sign Derrick Ward and we’re right on our way.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:43 pmI don’t have a problem sending LJ and Tony to NE for Cassel, but I think we should get their third rounder too. Were sending a HOF TE and RB that when he has blocking is a top three RB in the league. No way do I give a 1st rounder #3 for Cassel. Remember NE is in a bit of a corner, if they franchise him his salary skyrockets past what he would bring in FA. They have to sign and trade him or let him go and get nothing. If it is a poker game I would call the bluff, they could franchise him and get stuck with 20mil+ in one position (wouldn’t most of the other teams hate that lol).
Also, who else can NE work a deal with? Tampa,Minnesota,San Fran. You can forget a deal with the Jets!!
If your Cassel, he is going to get paid no matter what—-so he can pick a place or maybe a place with a certain GM.
I still say LJ and Tony could be moved to Arizona, Philly or New England.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:41 pmI predict Cassel walks, signs with Tampa or KC (both have cap room and the need)
For some reason, I’m getting a serious deja vu vibe regarding this Cassel situation. It’s almost a note for note replay of – dare I say – The Steve Bono debacle…
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:01 pm[...] If the Patriots decided to not franchise tag quarterback Matt Cassel and allow him to walk, the Arrowhead Addict speculates he could eventually wind up in Kansas City with former New England front office guru [...]
February 4th, 2009 at 7:00 pm