Caveat Emptor

[...] Caveat Emptor [...]

Boy, there is a lot of hand wringing and gnashing of teeth going on here. Basically for nothing, in my humble opinion. Cassel will come here and play in a pass oriented offense which will be designed to light up the score board. (Reminder: forget all about, "Whoa, that's a lot of Points.") Vrabel will come here and play (and lead) a much improved defense which will continue to improve during the course of the season. (Reminder: forget all about, the Cover Two and soft up the middle zone defense). The Chiefs will win from the git-go, and continue to build on the winning attitude. (Reminder: forget all about "keep it close and slug it out at the end"). Things are going along swimmingly Chiefs fans. No Kool Aid here, just the truth. There is much to be done, still, but it will happen. Keep the faith folks, winning is just over the horizon. Damn, it is GREAT to be a Chiefs fan once again.

Giving up a second round pick, to test drive a potential franchise QB for one year and get Vet leadership for our D is a good deal. If Cassel doesn't work out he can be gone and we can work the draft to get a much better new choice than the two clowns available this year.

I Like this kind of long term, steady improvement type of thinking. Build the base, and keep improving it, adding pieces as needed and as they come available.

ROLB D. Johnson averages 87tckl and 3sck per year.
MLB Mike Vrabel averages 75tckl and 6sck per year.
LOLB (Empty) D1-3 Aaron Curry
LDE Tamba Hali averages 57tckl and 6 sck per year.
NT (Empty)
RDE Glenn Dorsey slow start but moving to RDE will improve his sacks tackles where okay last year.
CB #1 Brandon Flowers Or Brandon Carr
CB #2 (Empty) we need a veteran for our rookies.
SS Bernard Pollard Pro Bowl Caliber averages 90tckl,2Int per year.
FS Jared Page Pro Bowl Caliber averages 85tckl, 4.5Int per year.
Kicker (Empty)FA Nugent.
Punter Dustin Colquit Pro Bowler

We need a kicker, NT and CB in the FA. LB Curry in the draft. Just bringing in Vrabel and Curry will improve our sacks from 10 to 28+ sacks put Dorsey on the outside and you got 3-6 more sacks get a good NT and you got 4 more sacks bringing the sack total to 35. If you guys have any ideas about a NT in the FA or CB post it. Thanks.

D. Bowe WR#1 Pro Bowl Caliber 2000 yards in Two seasons and 12 TDs

Brandon Alberts LT Pro Bowl Caliber. 3 sacks allowed 2008..

Brian Water LG (3)time Pro Bowler.

Center (Empty)D3 or trade for D2

Right Guard: (Empty) FA Mike Goff

Right Tackle: (Empty) FA Mark Tauscher

Tony G. Pro Bowler Greatest TE of all time...

WR# 2 (Empty) Crabtree D1-3 or FA TJ, Coles, and Washington

Larry Johnson HB Pro Bowler with the right O-line...

All we need is 3 FA and a good draft and we could be playoff contenders like Atlanta and Miami.

Merlin,

Steve Young played two seasons for Tampa going 2-14 for their horrid team- it wasn't his fault. Plus that was after he signed a 40 million dollar USFL deal that he is still getting paid on. They drafted Vinny Testaverde and Young became expendable so they traded him to SF to backup Montana.

You're insane too btw.

Look at it this way- Bill wanted to get rid of Vrabel, who he liked, so he traded him to the Chiefs were he can be used as an on the field mentor to our bunch of underacheivers at LB. With Cassel we get a QB who is 26, 4 yrs in training, 1 yr starter, a lot better than a USC QB who only started 16 games and would cost a fortune over six years to sign. The Chiefs can use their number 3 pick and take LB Curry. And, come one, guys, Brian Waters on just a guard. It takes tackles to win championships, not guards.

dont no if you guys have heard but the Giants signed Chris Canty.... another one bits the dust

if cassel is a bust...OH WELL we gave them a 2ND round pick...OH WELL. GO CHIEFS!!! Poili knows what he is doing.

Talk about being sick to your stomach? This post makes me sick to my stomach. At least we're not starting out the year with a dog and pony show at QB.

KC Still has Waters/Gonzo/LJ as trade bait, and frankly, if Waters gets the 3 and 5 like the Bills have offered(rumored)...why not...then basically KC could take Herman Johnson and fill that slot NO PROBLEM.

Realize that Tackle from Seattle is out there still Ray Willis...this team is not done yet.

Arguing that Cassel isnt worth the pick is funny considering 3 other offers were BETTER but just too late...I guess we arent the only ones who think Cassel is the future...

Personally, Im more concerned with the defense, I thought Thiggy was decent, now the offense turns to good...Curry needs to come in, and dominate...

Also, I worry about the contract situation, Cassel has no reason to sign a deal right now unless he feels he should take it while its there if he were to have a bad season his value dips...however he cant get 14 mil in a season of base salary without the tag.

This trade has me feeling very conflicted. It certainly could have been a worse deal for us. I had a sinking feeling that we were going to give up a 3rd rounder for vrabel alone. However, the second pick of the second round can be very valuable to a team since they'll likely get first round talent at a second round price.

When Brady went down last year, one of my buddies pointed out that they had no back-up,"the guy didn't even start in college!" I agreed, but half jokingly remarked that the Pats would prop this guy up, make him look like a stud, and trade him to some shmucks for a nice draft pick next year. It was funny at the time.

Yet, as I have posted before, who would know more about this guy than Pioli? I never once thought we would actually trade for Cassel, but having Pioli and possibly his old offensive coordinator (at Denver) go after him, gives me some hope.

Best of all, Arrowhead is trying to do something significant about the quarterback position! That is exciting! I'm not buying a Cassel jersey tomorrow, but Cassel, Thigpen, Croyle has to be the most promising young group we have had in some time. We can close the book on the QB position for at least a year or two, and work on other areas.

So, Merlin, there's a better than average chance that you can look back and say you told us so. And my friends will never hear the end of how I called it, should Cassel flop. But, for now, let's trust that this Pioli guy knows more that our guts are telling us and be happy that our Chiefs are making moves. Even if the moves aren't perfect, we have undoubtably improved overall at the QB position.

Go Chiefs!! Go Pioli!!! Go Cassel!!!!

Consider this about Matt Cassel: He threw a total of 16 passes while at USC (102 total passing yards) and then comes in and performs after a few years on the bench behind Brady. The jump totally amazes me and says something about the ability this guy has.

More work to be done, but dang its looking better isn't it. To the complainers ... ha ha ha ha... I love being in a great mood and people with bad attitudes not being able to spoil it.

merlin i agree with zach on all his comments/trust stop readind statements from bitter execs.pioli is not here to loose.cassel and mitchel a are diff people,its not fair to stereotype him cause of past loosers it all has to with the make up of the man.

I personally was and still am thrilled by this. But Merlin human factors are unpredictable. Even if you could make a case that it hasnt worked in the past doesnt mean it wont work now. Pioli isnt an uninformed new car buyer, he is the one guy I could name that isnt involved with the Patriots that would know enough about this deal to be confident that its a good one. I think he might have a little more insider info that you sir.

Time for a new post. We need something more sensible and positive to discuss. Even if Cassell struggles or is a bust, there is no one that knows his abilities more than Pioli and to get him and Vrabel for #34 is an absolute no brainer. Any GM in our position would have pulled the trigger on the deal. This may blow up and be a horrible deal but with a 6-24 team and 4 QBs on the roster with 1 win in 19 tries, you HAVE to take risks and HAVE to make this deal. Comparing this move to Scott Mitchell playing for the horrible Detroit Lions hardly seems worth these 30+ comments.

This is a great off season for our beloved Chiefs...absolutley no debating it. Especially not before they take the field.

Adam...I'm thirsty and tired of this bitter beer. Hook us up with some Kool Aid!

Wow, you're sick to your stomach for getting A starting QB and a veteran LB for a second round pick? Doesn't make sense at ALL, please drink some more kool-aid, it'll make you feel better and maybe think straight.

I may be wrong about the history with Trent. He is the closest case to Cassel that has worked out.

Matt Hasselbeck took his team to the Super Bowl in the past four years and has been a Pro Bowler.

You say Scott Mitchell, I say Matt Hasselbeck. Considering that it's more recent and that both players followed their former team's brain trust (or at least one of the main cogs), it's a much more fitting comparison.

Merlin, I appreciate your opinion and the willingness to defend it, BUT we just gave away very little for Cassel and Vrabel. There is always a chance that the 34th pick could turn out to be a bust.

Matt Schaub was a great pick up for Houston. They tried to take a top 5 QB before but realized they made a mistake. pioli just took 3 years off the rebuilding of our team by not taking Stafford/Sanchez and going with a winning QB.

We now have a legitimate shot at winning the West next year. Could you have said that with Thigpen there. BTW, I liked Thigpen. If nothing, he was fun to watch.

Like it or not, the Trinity has made our football team better this weekend. Not every team can make that claim.

Maine:

I may be wrong about the history with Trent. He is the closest case to Cassel that has worked out.

Merlin,

You are wrong about Green. Frerotte was already a 3 year established starter the year Green came in (1998). He hurt his shoudler in the 2nd game of the year and Green played the rest of the year. I'd be willing to bet that amongst St.Louis fans in 1999, there were at least a few fans saying "This Trent Green guy is just a one year wonder we are overpaying for".

There is so much coming out right now about other trade scenarios and teams in the mix. I'm glad Pioli pulled the trigger when he did. It's looking more and more like a great deal. Ultimately we'll have to just wait and see how Cassel performs this season.

Crane:

Not bad, but Steve Young didn't have one hot year for the Bucs then step into a starting job with SF. Not a bad try though.

Merlin:

Then we get mack or unger at 34 and you tell us that we gave them to big a contract for an unproven ol that is playing on the right side. I really think there is no pleasing you. We need a QB plain and simple. The biggest thing Moss gave Cassel in NE is a deep threat, anything inside the red zone a Tony G can be just as effective as Moss. The biggest thing Cassel will need to learn this year is to make quick reads and get the ball out, shouldn't be too hard with Charles ot LJ out of the back field and a big strong WR like Bowe, and a Pro-Bowl TE, Cassel is gonna have weapons, and there are still UFAs out there that could really improve our team. You need to have a little faith that maybe our front office might actually have some football minds in it now.

Adam:

Throwing labels at me? Is that the best argument you have?

So who do you guys think we will draft? Crabtree? Monroe or Smith? Curry?

"My Plan" - one armchair QB to another - John Kitna is 36 and limited at best - the NFL is a win now leaugue - and the Chiefs can win their division next year...they have a tough schedule (as it looks today) but so too does the rest of the division - I would admit a wild card birth is a longgg shot. We have a leader at a weak position on defense and the potential (not the guarantee) of a big, strong armed quarterback for our 2nd rounder...and you find fault with that? Draft a QB in the 4 or 5th round? Really? The odds are you get nothing there as this is a weak year for QB's anyway - it took Cassel 4 years. You do not draft future QB's in the 5th round - you squander draft picks...you want to plan for the future Merlin - but the future is right now in the NFL...on top of all this, we now have the best backup QB in the division. An OT or Curry - a shrewd signing here and there----plus the growth of some of the Chiefs young talent and you have the recipe for a division champ. I would not bet on it, but it is possible in todays game (See Miami)- however, I would also not want to watch John Kitna under center.

Sounds like your asking for some pretty specific examples there. Who is a running back that came off the bench with nine toes and an afro who did any good switching to the 49ers. Well hell i don't know the answer to that either but im still looking forward to Cassel next year so sue me you will be eating your words next season!!!!! So next time try writing an article that makes sense.

Well since we pretty much know for a fact that Detroit offered at least the 33rd pick...and they didnt take it...I don't doubt at all that Belichick would do Pioli a favor after reading his biography The Education of a Coach...

So Merlin, you're using a quote from the Boston Herald, and they're trying to defend the trade to Pats fans in Boston who read everywhere that they got hammered on the trade. You might want to use someone a little more subjective next time. I'd expect any hometown newspaper to say the same thing. I'd be convinced if EVERYONE else was disagreeing with you two.

Yes we have drafted Turk McBride, Kris Wilson, Junior Savii, and a bunch more of avg joes in round 2.

Ok and Stafford/Sanchez can be the next Leaf....whats the point?

All KC dealt was a 2nd round pick...I mean...if you look at the past 10 second round picks out of KC, find 5 starters....

Its a risk, sure...but this guy goes all out, all the time...

I like Thigpen, but I wasnt sold on the guy no matter how much tape I watched, Ive watched even less of Cassel, so he may be the next Mitchell...thing is...for a 2nd round pick, its worth finding out....

LITO SHEPHARD WENT FOR A 2 aND a 5...CMON

Merlin, I respectfully disagree. I have no doubt that Cassell's numbers will be down this year with the Chiefs. Different weapons, although we may be one good reciever away, but also a different system to learn. However, he has the tools to learn and perform better than any other QB on our roster who share a combined record of 1-18.

"When I got news of this trade, I was sick to my stomach." - I get the same feeling about the thought of Thigpen starting for us next season. He's not the answer. No other teams are destroying bridges with their all pro QBs to bring in Thiggy. Isn't Thiggy the very definition of a one year wonder? Minus the very minor detail of actually winning the games.

The 34th pick is a small price to pay for the upside Cassell offers.

Well I am saying that two guys that have worked with Brady obviously could compare Cassel to one of the best QBs in the league. They both feel confident that he has what it takes to be a starting QB in this league.

Lets realize that Belichick was going to trade Cassel from the get go. They only franchised him to get compensated. He flipped a 7th rounder for a 2nd rounder. Plus he freed up around 20 mil in cap space and his best friend Pioli was on the other end of the deal.

Merlin - We couldn't get the caliber of player in either Vrabel or Cassel with that 2nd rounder. Both of these guys can make an immediate impact on our roster that a rookie wouldn't be able to do.

And besides if he is the next "Scott Mitchell" then they don't have to resign him.

The way I understand it they did not redo his 1 year contract and will be playing under it.

Zach:

Of course McDaniels and Pioli don't think Cassel is Scott Mitchell. You don't make the trade if you feel that way. I don't understand what you are getting at.

and since we are quoting people, Bill Willamison from ESPN:

"In one trade, the Chiefs just improved in several areas: They got better at quarterback, backup quarterback, linebacker (in the form of Vrabel) and whichever position they'll use the No. 3 pick on.

There's no denying it. The Chiefs had to make this trade."

Maine:

What I was asking for is a QB who came off the bench, had one hot year then moved to another team. None of the players you mentioned fit that criteria. Garcia was a star in SF for years, them moved on. Gannon played well for the Vikings and Chiefs before moving to Oak. Green is the closest. However he was battling another rookie in Gus Ferrote in training camp. What I am looking for is soemthing similiar to the Cassel/Brady situation. Someone who came off the bench to replace an established QB i.e Mitchell for Marino, Schaub for Vick, Volek for... I forget who. The market value goes up for that player. They get traded and what happens to them. Schaub seems to have done the best, but he hasn't been great and he certainly wasn't worth what he was traded for. I worry about these one year wonders.

Matt Schaub had a great year last year. If he didn't get hurt he would've been pro bowl bound.

Merlin why would McDaniels and Pioli both want Cassel if they thought he was Scott Mitchell? Why would McDaniels trade away Cutler (A PRO-BOWL QB) to get Cassel?

Off the bench and had a good career with another team:

Trent Green (WAS, KC), Rich Gannon (KC, OAK), Jeff Garcia (SF, many teams). These are just 3 off the top of my head.

Many, many QBs were backups on a team, flashed some potential in limited time, and went on to star for other teams. Trent Green is probably the best comparison. He was an 8th rd pick who ended up starting in WAS due to injuries and had a solid year. That got him a big money contract with STL but you all know what happened there. The next year he was our starter and lit up the Chief record books for the next several years.

Yes, apple and oranges. But does Mack or Unger at 34 make our team better than Cassell and Vrabel at 34? I think OL can be and will be addressed in FA. Mack or Unger would make a fine addition, but our GM, the shrewd evaluator of talent (another OPINION)did what he felt would make the team better. And this kool aid drinking trusts him.

Merlin, it is always good to have alternate views, but the wisdom of the crowd and many 'sport pundits' view this as an exceptional move.

Time always validates the decisions of today, so we shall see. But for now, I view this as very positive.

kcdan:

I don't agree with the question. The goal of the #34 pick does not have to be to bring in a QB to start over Thigpen. My plan was to bring in Jon Kitna to backup Thiggy while drafting a QB in rounds 4-5. With the #34 pick I would have been looking at a Center like Alex Mack or Max Unger.

I agree sthall20. Can you believe how much better this franchise is now? People seem to forget about Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards ... The Chiefs are already improving and trying to get better as opposed to constantly using the "rebuild" excuse. I think the trade for Cassel was a good deal, and Pioli, Hunt, and Haley know what they are doing.

Perhaps Merlin. This is all opinions at this point. I'm not ready to call him the savior, but there is no reason (save a few OPINIONS) to believe he will be a bust. Please educate me and my inferior football mind. How do the Chiefs accomplish bringing in a legit starter to play ahead of Thiggy and a vet LB to help our young guys with the #34 pick otherwise? Let us at least reserve judgement for when he is under center.

You are pretty much the most pessimistic person on here next to that tim guy. Why can't we be excited because we have a qb that has shown he can be THE guy. I am pretty sure that even if things whent the way you thought they would you would find a reason not to like it.