Memo To Cassel Critics: Chill Out

Jeremy:

I'll take a slice of that pie. Are we talking total yards, Td's or QB rating. I will bet you a 20 that he wont be top 10 in Yards or Td's. And another 20 says he won't start all 16 games. (No depth chart technicalities here, starter is first QB on the feild :P)

hey, and if he takes us to the play-offs by starting all 16 games and finishes top ten QB, i will make it 50 all up.

Also, im not trying to be negative, i just despise Matt Cassel thats all. Thigpen should be starter. mmm cant wait for the season to start.

Adam couldn't have said it better. I mean there is no way you can judge the guy on one preseason game. Thats how the whole NFL is, any team or player can have a breakout season.

Love the nay-saying, why not save it for the season? What is it proving right here, right now? I remember hearing Cassel was sacked over 40 times last year? Is that right? 40+? Crazy. And that was with the Patriots. And he did great. Wild. Will he get sacked here too? You bet! Probably as many times if not more.

Our OL isn't good, our receivers aren't the best, but he was getting them the ball, in the rain, on target, and they couldn't handle it. Have you ever seen Thiggs toss a ball from inside the redzone and swear it looked like he was trying to make a field goal? How much did his passing improve? It was better than his 1st few starts sure, but he consistantly made the same mistakes.

Thiggy's a good scrambler, but you can't teach accuracy or "the touch" where the QB is just in tune and in rythme. Cassel has both, and he CAN scramble too! It was on dispaly last season and last Saturday night! Nothing against Tyler, but I'll take my chances on an "unproven" that doesn't have to play in the shotgun every snap.

Gotcha DD poor Tony G still has the taste pretty strong I think.

Randy,

Normally I would agree with you about the meaningless-ness of preseason except for the fact that Pioli and Haley have both stated that winning games this pre-season is a priority. At some point, you have to get the taste of endless losing out of your mouth.

Tim, I will bet you that Cassel ends the year statistically in the top ten of QBs. Is that the bet, or that he starts 16 games?

Let me know

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THAT DETROIT HAS NOT LOST A PRESEASON GAME IN THREE YEARS? What does preseason mean, nothing as far as wins / losses.

Does anyone else know that the Texans had one of the best offenses last year? Our defense held them pretty well, considering they are all in a new system. Hali actually looked like he could become an outside linebacker. Everyone is leaner, faster, and by the time the season starts they will be more ready to play. I am excited to see what our defense can do against a bad offense, like the Ravens. I feel that Cassel just needs to not lose us games and be able to have success in that final drive in a close game. Of course there were a lot of negative things about the game, probably because it was the first preseason game. Those of you who are jumping up Cassel's ass and saying he will be bad haven't even seen him play with the number one receiving corp. This season is gonna be better and I see us easily winning 6 games this year, 4-2 in the division, one against Dallas, and that only leaves us needing to win one other game. Pretty good chance of that after what I saw on Saturday.

Tim I think I am a cherry picker. I think Matt is going to do great but I dont look for any negatives I focus on the positives I need to work on becoming more unbiased.

He Jeremy,
Willing to put some money behind that prediction?

I predict, no, garuntee an exaxt replay of last season. Cassel will start, and he may start alright, but he will get injured. Our Oline will not be able to properly protect him, and not to mention he took an absolute beating last season.

He will be replaced by Croyle. nuff said.

And again, it will be up to Thigpen to try and save our season. The man who truly deserves the starting spot, not some one hit wonder with a fat wallet.

Ive said it one to many times. Last year we changed our Offense partly because of Thiggys lack of Pro offense experience, but mostly for the fact our Oline cant block. Period.

As good as Jackson will ever be, we needed an OLineman in the first.

Im wondering if the Broncos would sign Farve?

I wasn't really too dissappointed with Saturday's performace. Sure, it could have gone better... but it's the first preseason game with new coaches, new systems, and many new players.

Cassel was hitting his receivers' hands. Not really his fault that they weren't catching the balls.

Though I will say that Brodie vastly outperformed Cassel. The main thing I noticed there was that Brodie is decisive and gets the ball out quicker. Cassel just tends to hold onto the ball too long sometimes, which is the only major concern I've had about him since we acquired him.

Matt Cassel will be fine. There is a reason we are paying him 60 million dollars and Josh McDaniels was willing to alienate Jay Cutler in an attempt to snag him.

I don't think there should be any concerns about LJ. He's leaner, faster, and more determined. He is going to have a studly year.

I thought Cassel did well enough with what he had around him (not to mention playing in the monsoon). He did his job, got the ball there, after that its up to the WR's and I'll be honest, Bowe was the only one that impressed. Who is Terrance Copper? I did question some of the play calling, and again, our OL could've and should've been shaken up and quality players brought in but hey, that'll come in time. Nay saying on Cassel after 2 quarters is about as pointless as a Jason Whitlock article.

Why is everyone skimping on Matt Jones I wonder? He's the best talent available and I'd WAY prefer him over Lelie. I don't like this move but after seeing our WR corps it can't really be any worse.

MERLIN I would not disagree with your assessment of the qb performances Saturday, I think thats fairly accurate. Lelie is too inconsistent to help us with anything in my opinion.

DD:

We need a deep threat, true. Lelie leaves me uninspired, but our WR corps is shaky, so no harm in giving him a extended look. I am not sure why teams are not looking at Matt Jones. There might be a side to that story the fans don't know.

What I like most about the move is that Lelie is a guy who has the ablility to get separation downfield - something we haven't seen here in a while.

Ashley Lelie? Tough call. He's an upgrade over Jeff Webb (and maybe a couple other guys on the roster) but bringing him in is also an act of desperation - something that Haley may regret later in the season given Lelie's performance/attitude issues of the past. To be honest, I'd rather have Matt Jones. Anyway, let's all hope he (Lelie) might once again become what he once seemed to be.

Remember most of you predict 6 wins this year. So we lost our first pre-season game, big deal. We were actually in the game and could have one it.

Adam, and other commenters, you are right. Cassel did not look bad. In fact, if Sean Ryan (TE) caught that pass, who knows what would have happened. I blame the receivers not Cassel. Don't get down on Cassel

Tim, Not only will Cassel play 16 games, he will also be in the top ten QB statistically for the year. How's that for a prediction.

Pretty good assessment Double, what do we think about Ashley Lelie coming to KC?

I saw positive, negative, and "jury's still out" moments.

Among the positives I would include names like Ryan Succop, Dustin Colquitt, Corey Mays, Jackie Battle (anybody else wonder if Battle, instead of LJ, might be the better option as feature back?), DJ, Bernard Pollard, Jon McGraw, D. Bowe, Mark Bradley, Brandon Flowers, and last but not least, special teams coverage units.

Based strictly on Saturday's performance, I would have to put D-Mac, Goff, (well, maybe the starting OL in general), LJ, Sean Ryan, second & third team OL & DL, LB depth, return blocking, returners, and the final score as either players to worry about or areas of major concern.

My "jury's still out" candidates include all LBs other than DJ and Mays, Dantrell Savage, Jamaal Charles, the rest of the receiving corps, coaching choices (e.g., Bowe repeatedly proved himself to be #1 WR), our QBs, and Brad Cottam.

Randy:

I am not judging Matt. However, he played four series and generated zero points and very few first downs. The first series was not played in a downpour. I keep saying it, Matt is not the problem, but folks are getting way too defensive about him. As much as this pains people, Brodie outplayed him. Matt is our starting QB, there is no competition, but facts are facts.

YOU CANT JUDGE MATT BECAUSE IT RAINED HARD! There I mentioned it again.

Forgot to say if theres a differance in opinion its actually talked about, not steamed and heated into an arguement. The calm and cool discussion over whether its a coaching issue, a player, or a differant view from a fan makes for easier reading and a more enjoyable experience whether its a loss on a freaking preseason game, or a whitlock comment that is being talked about! This is what being a chiefs fan is all about!

Thank you for saying what I tried telling my friend saturday night after he made the comment "same ole chiefs" I was infuriated. i know we aren't going to be great, I ofcourse wish we were, I hope we have a turn around like the dolphins, but whos to say that isn't happening after one freaking game? Whos to say we completely suck either? Thank you Adam, the words glorified practice put it all into perspective, I do wish other fans would practice alittle patience, honestly thats why I read AA anymore because im tired of all the bashing on other websites. Here everyone seems to look for good rather than bad, here they stick up for chiefs, how true frans should, rather than bash a team that lost a freaking preseason opener under new management. Keep it up addicts, youve got me hooked!

Well, I almost agree. First off there is never an acceptable excuse to fumble a snap. Either way. Water and rain are not an excuse for a piss poor performance EVER! The other team is playing in the exact same conditions. It's equal. So that should never be mentioned again. However, Houston has a team that has played together for some time now and know each other and their scheme. We don't. It was a first preseason game PERIOD!! We didn't even have players that started the game who I believe will end up being on the team. They were life lessons, inserted to prove a point and make a statement. I applaud Haley for his commitment to discipline and a team mentality. It's that type of atmosphere that keeps NE Pats in it to win it every year. No matter who's injured or who starts or what the weather is like. They always contend and always have a shot at the big game. ALWAYS!! So loosen up KC fans. Really what did you expect to see from a team that has practically zero experience together. It's going to take time. You reall won't see how this machine is going to run until about the fifth game of the season folks. Matt is not playing behind a Superbowl team any longer. He doesn't have a team that has mostly long standing players who understand the system their working in. EVERYONE is essentially starting over here this year. Our former rookies were drafted by Herm for God sakes. How can you expect them to understand what it takes to succeed in the NFL when they started their careers with Herm as their teacher. GIVE IT TIME!! No one promised us a superbowl run this first year. Remember, the first step in cleaning up any disaster is evaluate the situation first, come up with a game plan, clean up the existing mess first to make room to rebuild. That's true of any disaster, including floods and tornadoes. Last year was a natural disaster in KC. Let the new guys have a little time to see what they've inherited and how badly damaged it is. Let them have some time to clean up the destruction left behind for them. Then they can see clearly how to proceed with a CLEAN slate. It will work. Just be patient and supportive. ENJOY the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for us.

Oh come on Merlin Saturday told us nothing about anybody.

Adam:

I agree 100% that it is way to early to call Cassel a bust. However, I think it is also way to early to call him a franchise QB. Already, you are making excuse after excuse for him. I don't think he is going to be a liability for us. Each time something doesn't go well, you blame everyone but him. Niswanger was at fault for the exchange problem. his receivers were poor. I guess the threat of the rain affected the first drive. Yes, it was not a downpour during Cassel's first drive. I am not sure it was even raining then. Things will get better, but this was not a great start. We have lots of work to do on both sides of the ball.

Tim we love you on this side of the rock but I'd never take a bet like that even if I thought it had merit. You win a bet like that and you lose. Mushi RIGHT ON RIGHT ON that rain was dangerous, I didnt want to see anyone we are going to depend upon playing in it.

Tim, if MaCinSack wasn't the RT, I'd take that..

Adam,
Dead on. I mean seriously. He had the true 2nd and 3rd string WR's and it showed. Besides, wasn't NE fans calling for his job last year around this time. Cassel looked HORRIBLE in preseason last year. Then he went on to win 11 games as a starter. In the tone of Iverson "Preseason!? We're talkin bout preseason!?"

i want to make a bet with anyone willing. A proper bet, verified by everyone on this site. Just one person though :P

For $20,

That Matt Cassel will not last a full season as starter and that he will not start all 16 games. Wether by injury or competition, doesnt matter, my money is on Injury though.

If i lose I will send by air mail to the winners address as im in Australia, but i expect the winner to do the same.

Reply if your interested and for further bet stipulations.

Hey guys, poor weather is an understatement. I have never seen it pour on Arrowhead like it did Saturday and for so long. I am not sure anybody who watched it on TV understood that (or watched it from the press area). I was very impressed with Matt.

I hear you Adam. I mean the guy did have to deal with poor weather and receivers dropping a ton of passes. He was throwing to guys that have never really been starters in the NFL. He made some throws that I was very impressed by and think with his more talented WRs he will show what he can do.