Good morning! Here is today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy.
Since making the trade with New England for Matt Cassel three years ago, the Chiefs committed to him in a way that teams do for a franchise quarterback.
They rewarded Cassel with a long-term contract before he'd ever taken a snap in Kansas City. They haven't brought in a serious threat to take his job.
Cassel said through it all, he never believed he was entitled to be the starter. He also indicated he would be willing to compete for the job if that's what the Chiefs ask him to do.
Cassel Never Felt 'Entitled' To Be Chiefs' Starter from KC Star
Romeo Crennel's Kansas City Chiefs gave the Green Bay Packers their only defeat this season with Kyle Orton at quarterback. Which seems impressive only if you don't remember that Crennel won 10 games with the Browns with Derek Anderson at quarterback in 2007.
That was the highlight of Crennel's four seasons here. Maybe the Packers game will be the same for him in Kansas City, where he is now the head coach. But I hope not.
Perhaps Romeo Crennel Has Found An NFL Team To Match His Own Character from The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Orton is headed for free agency while incumbent Matt Cassel, who went on injured reserve in November with a hand injury, is under contract for three more seasons. Cassel was a Pro Bowler in 2010 as the Chiefs rode to the AFC West title, but he was erratic in 2009 and 2011.
Yet Cassel's struggles can be partially attributed to the season-ending injuries to RB Jamaal Charles and TE Tony Moeaki, who were gone by mid-September. Having them back will help whoever is under center in 2012.
Crennel addressed the situation on WHB radio in Kansas City ... sort of.
Crennel Won't Be Drawn Into Cassel vs. Orton Debate from USA Today
Will Jonathan Baldwin be the receiver and first-round talent the Chiefs thought he could be after coming out of Pitt and dealing with injuries (and fights) this season? What about the rest of the draft class?
Mel Kiper Re-Grades The Kansas City Chiefs 2011 NFL Draft from SB Nation Kansas City
In my previous post I told you the 22 Chiefs players who could soon become free agents. Now, as promised, here's what the Chiefs should do about that.
What To Do About The Chiefs Free Agents from The Red Zone
The Chicago Bears have received permission to interview four candidates for their general manager job.
The team reported on its website Wednesday that it will interview Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery, New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht, San Diego Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye and New York Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross.
Bears To Interview Chiefs' Emery, Patriots' Licht, Chargers' Raye, Giants' Ross For GM Job from The Associated Press via The Washington Post
In 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Brian Waters never tasted playoff victory. And while the Patriots have had their own playoff struggles in recent seasons, Waters can sense a difference in the confidence as he prepares for his first playoff game with New England.
Waters Wants Taste Of Postseason Success from ESPN
Well, if you can go back 42 years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings squared off for the first Super Bowl ever played in New Orleans...
...I remember that game for another reason besides that fact it was the city's first Super Bowl. As a young high school student, I served as an usher for Saints home games, a great job at the time. I was paid to watch the NFL live by just showing people where they were going when they were looking for their seat. By the third game of the season, most fans knew where their seats were. So I enjoyed a lot of football. I also enjoyed a job during that Super Bowl.
January 11: A 'Super' Day For Me And New Orleans from Sports NOLA
Last October, the ABC series began its historic project of building seven homes for seven families in seven days in the city devastated by a mile-wide EF5 tornado last May 22, an event that killed approximately 160 people and destroyed nearly 8,000 homes...
...On the show, viewers will see that the design team, the volunteers and the builders also refurbished a local park, created a new playground and created a memorial site dedicated to those who came to the aid of others during and after the tornado. Special guests include LA Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Kansas City Chiefs' Matt Cassel and Clark Hunt.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Series To End With Joplin Tornado Finale from The Tulsa World
As a pro, Lawrence would be cut twice by the Kansas City Chiefs. He would kick again in Scotland with the Claymores of NFL Europe, play in the Canadian Football League, and finally make it with the Chiefs before a 2007 trade brought him to the Giants, who nearly fired him during the season for not putting enough points on the board.
Tynes' Toughness A Family Trait from ESPN
Shawn Ducey from Barre, VT wants to know why I think the Chiefs could address safety this year in the draft.
BW: I don't necessarily think safety will be a huge draft priority, but I could see Kansas City adding a safety in the middle rounds if they like a certain player.AFC West Mailbag from ESPN
0 recs | 67 comments
I have nothing but respect for Cassel
I appreciate and am very happy the team went after him and took care of him like they have. I harbor no ill-will towards trying to find a franchise QB.
However, in 3 seasons as the unquestioned starter, Cassel just has not shown the ability to consistently compete against the better teams in the league from year to year. He is not improving the majority of the major flaws in his game, which is preventing him from competing with said better teams.
If he had shown improvement, even slightly, in those flaws (accuracy, pocket presence, throw progression, confidence) in 3 seasons, I would be glad to see him keep trying to improve. But it just ain’t happening.
Appreciate the effort on the field, Matt, as well the effort of trying to bring a franchise changing QB to this team, Scott, but its time for a fresh start for everyone
RememberDelaney37 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Mobile Rec.
Couldn’t say it any better myself. Class guy, top-shelf backup, case closed.
go_saleaumua - January 12, 2012 via mobile
But delaney!
There’s a highlight video of him throwing touchdowns to Dwayne Bowe, which proves his other stats and reality totally wrong.
bossmanham - January 12, 2012 via mobile
But But But
He’s a Pro Bowl QB! He can handle anything! He had 27 TDs and 7 INTs! Reality says Bowe had a lot of yards after catch, but who cares about Reality?!?
NJChieffan16 - January 12, 2012
Psh, yards!
Who needs more than 3,000 in a season? Not pro bowler Matt Cassel!!!
Seriously, though, when previously ardent supporters are now calling for QB change, it’s pretty freaking obvious there’s an issue. I’m with RD37, I was willing to support the guy when it looked like he was improving on his faults. But this year he came in doing the same things, and being just as ineffective. He was the reason we lost games, like the Lions game, the Buffalo game, and the Denver game.
bossmanham - January 12, 2012
That's the thing about his "supporters"
I was one of them. I didn’t support him because I blindly thought he was a great QB. I supported him because I figured he could grow and improve, especially given his lack of experience. When they signed him, I figured I’d give him 2-3 years before judging him. Well it’s been 3 years, and I’ve seen enough. Not only did he not improve this season, he regressed. I don’t see his ceiling being any higher than 2010, and it wasn’t all that impressive even though he made the pro-bowl.
CapsLockKey - January 12, 2012
Kind of in that boat, in a way.
Wasn’t really a supporter or a detractor. I just wanted to give the guy a fair shot over a reasonable amount of time.
Turns out, he’s probably never going to be “the guy”. It was worth a shot, but it just doesn’t look like it’s going to work out.
TRSChief - January 12, 2012
\
I disagree…in the 4 game winning streak this season I saw Cassel doing a better job of looking for #2 and/or #3 before bailing and going to his checkdown. In 2011 he also did a better job of not getting happy feet in the pocket as frequently as he did in 2010.
I don’t know where his ceiling is, and I don’t know if it’s high enough to be the QB on a Super Bowl winning team, but I don’t think Cassel has hit his ceiling just yet…
PVChiefsfan - January 12, 2012
That’s part of his point. It’s no coincidence that Cassel’s only “good” games this season came against defenses ranked 25th, 27th, 26th, and 29th. Look at the season before and the story is the same; the guy only plays well against bad teams.
JComp11 - January 12, 2012
This
SCKSChief - January 12, 2012
Very well said
It’s hard to argue much of what you said, but since he will most likely be here for one more year, I will play devils advocate.
When he took over for Brady in 2008 he did very, very well.
Then in 2009 he comes here and takes over Herm Edwards team, and nobody had too many expectations, and we were all correct. Hard to judge him, Pioli or anyone on that year. Larry Johnson was here, for a while, then Charles finally came in when he was returning punts and kick offs and the top receiver? Chris Chambers. That should say all you need to know about that.
He threw for just about 3,000 yards, 16 td’s and 16 int’s. Not very good, but on that team, at least average and they doubled their win total, all the way to FOUR!!!!
Then in 2010, it’s simply unfair and not realistic to say he didn’t make strides and improve. Simply ridiculous.
The Chiefs won as many games as they had in the past three years combined.
He threw 27 td’s and 7 int’s and threw for over 3,000 yards with a completion % of just about 60% on a team that ran the ball over 550 times, which does help the QB, but also cuts down on what he does, obviously. Look at how often Brady/Brees/Rogers throw the ball, and we all know he is NOT one of those guys.
That gets us to 2010. I think there are very, very few players that should be judged on this year. I even think Haley got a bit of a raw deal, but it is definitely the right move.
Barring a blockbuster move of bringing in Manning or Griffin, I’ll stand behind Cassel for one more year and see if he makes those strides you talk about, provided that Pioli also does HIS job and gets the supporting team any QB needs.
If he improves slightly or not at all, I’ll be the first to say trade him for a six pack and a pizza.
Zayla - January 12, 2012
Won 10 games against some pretty terrible competition
We do not have the NFC West to play against next year. The AFC South’s best teams handed us losses too. How will he fair against the NFC South and AFC North? In 09, we went 1-3 against the AFC North with a fluke win over Pittsburgh
NJChieffan16 - January 12, 2012
They said the same thing this year
They had to play the NFC North which looked like the best division in football going in. You can’t judge from one year to the next what will happen.
The Chiefs were 3-1 against the NFC.
You can always look at the bad, I’m looking for the good.
I prefer my way.
Zayla - January 12, 2012
Well you take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have
The facts of life.
The facts of life.
TRSChief - January 12, 2012
Thank you for the "life advice"
But it has nothing to do with outlook. Plus, it’s only football which doesn’t count for much in actual life.
Zayla - January 12, 2012
I am now sad.
No fun when it has to be explained.
TRSChief - January 12, 2012
lol
bossmanham - January 12, 2012
+1
NJ Chiefs Fan - January 12, 2012
But it CAN be fun..
Example: Explain this!
severn58 - January 12, 2012
Not sure what explains...that...
What is it?
SCKSChief - January 12, 2012
thinking the same thing...
Zayla - January 12, 2012
Al Davis sucked some soul out of his progeny in order to sustain his own life?
Brsrkr - January 12, 2012
Sorry it had to be. You're welcome
Zayla - January 12, 2012
Anyone not getting blatant 80's sitcom references must immediately be recycled
Sorry. That’s just how it has to be.
TRSChief - January 12, 2012
True
but Cassel didn’t beat the Packers, he didn’t beat the Bears (who were in a complete mess without Cutler and losing Forte early in the game), he/we got lit up versus the Lions and his one win came against the Vikings, who were a train wreck this year.
kc_radrh8r - January 12, 2012
Pittsburgh is about to collapse anyway
I see that team going through some serious turmoil next season…
cheapham - January 12, 2012
I'm amazed how Roethlisberger
can still move with that o-line. I strongly doubt he lasts until his mid-30s like most QBs do. His body has to be shutting down soon.
kc_radrh8r - January 12, 2012
I do NOT understand
why Cassel can’t be judged on this year. Cassel has been with this team for 3 yrs and didn’t look that good at all. Orton came in after being with the team 3 weeks and was the best QB we’ve had on the field since Trent Green. The injuries didn’t seem to affect his numbers or production. He moved the ball very well and actually ‘ran’ the offense. Now, he had some troubles in the red zone, but part of that is attributed to poor play-calling, no true RB, and dropped passes by McClain and Bowe.
crazychiefsfan - January 12, 2012
I'll support him as the starter one more year IF
they bring in legitimate compition and/or reasonable draft pick to develop. This year he had absolutely none. Tyler Palko was never a threat to take the starting job, and neither was a 5th round rookie.
CapsLockKey - January 12, 2012
Agree completely
I like that Cassel doesn’t want to be automatically deemed the starter. But that’s not really up to him. If there is no major attempt to sign Orton, that tells me Pioli has deemed Cassel the starter.
Pioli also mentioned upgrading the offensive line which may indicate the push for giving Cassel another shot with more protection. But I can’t stress enough that the best O line in football isn’t going to give Cassel a stronger arm or suddenly make him more accurate. I’m not buying that his inaccuracy is due to pressure alone. Even with time, his passes are shitty and off target.
old_school - January 12, 2012 via mobile
One thing I think Pioli has done VERY well in his 2 full offseasons
Is identify the needs/holes of the team and address them in free agency and the draft. While he may not get the exact players the fans want, or give the length of contract fans think should be given, he does go after the positions of needs.
So if Pioli believes the o-line needs some attention, I believe him.
RememberDelaney37 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Oh I agree that offensive line needs attention, who wouldn't?
But I want him to upgrade the O line and the quarterback position. I’m not against Pioli’s decisions to address holes in this team and think he did a better job in the drafts than a lot of critics do. But I will disagree on his plan at quarterback if no competition is brought in or if Orton is not re-signed.
old_school - January 12, 2012
No one accused QB#7 of not trying
he just aint got it
ArrowDread - January 12, 2012
Something, something, definition of insanity, something, something, different results..
Yes, but, something, something, Pro Bowl Quarterback, something, something, 27 TD’s to 7 int’s.
True, however, something, something Kyle Orton, something, something, Green Bay Packers.
Ugggggh, fine, something, something, Scarlett Johansson, something, something Mark Davis’ haircut.
severn58 - January 12, 2012
I love it...
Insanity: Doing the same thing over an over and over and over and over and over again and expecting different results.
This comment explains it nicely.
NJChieffan16 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
I always thought that was the definition.
FrankPitts - January 12, 2012 via mobile
of practice
FrankPitts - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Wouldn't it be nice
If we could do the same thing! But we get a new OC around here every 3.7 games, a new coaching staff every 10 games … Only thing we do with any consistency is run the draw on long yardage situations!
bakerlee - January 12, 2012
All I remember from that comment is "Scarlett Johansson"
And really, that’s all I need.
TRSChief - January 12, 2012
Best mental image from it, that's for sure
SCKSChief - January 12, 2012
Who the hell are you? And why are you now in my head, trying to derail my train of thought from the Scarlett Johansson line?
Great. Now she’s gone.
Jerk.
TRSChief - January 12, 2012
My bad
LOL
My advice; when on a “date” with Scarlett (inside your head or otherwise), don’t look at this site.
SCKSChief - January 12, 2012
Mark Davis. Porn Star.
Spiderwomn69 - January 12, 2012
The Cleveland writers...
also ran Bellichick out of town somehow nothing works in Cleveland
FrankPitts - January 12, 2012 via mobile
surprising Cleveland isn't the city with the biggest championship drought.
San Diego owns that honor. That makes me feel so happy
trentchiefsfan - January 12, 2012
KC better move their ass
so the distinction doesn’t fall to 1 Arrowhead.
SCKSChief - January 12, 2012
They need to just go after Peyton Manning
We go straight to the super bowl!
njchiefs - January 12, 2012 via Android app
Wow, three NJ Chief fans on the same page
Where are you from?
Zayla - January 12, 2012
We are all over the place
njchiefs - January 12, 2012 via Android app
oh yeah we are ...
some of us prefer Orton, a few still prefer Cassel, others want Manning, some think only RG3 will do and a few are still ready to trade the next 3 drafts for Luck …
all over the place indeed
upamtn - January 12, 2012
hahaha yes indeed
njchiefs - January 12, 2012 via Android app
Here's another Nj Chief fan!
CHIEFFAN82 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Watching Baldwin
He just looks too big for a wide-out. Does he have enough burst off the line (watching replays in slo-mo, Dwayne Bowe looks like he’s shot out of a cannon) or quickness in making his cuts? Does he have the speed and body movement to separate from defenders?
He is a big guy and a tremendous athlete but it seems like the jury is out on his ability to consistently get open in the NFL.
Would he benefit from shedding a few pounds or even being used as a WR/TE?
Chief Farmer - January 12, 2012
Bowe is also on his 5th year
Baldwin is on his first. The issues WR have coming out of college is the fact that most of the time in college they are given a 7 yard cussion. They dont have to learn how to seperate at the line. Not to mention they rarely face an NFL level CB. Some players have that fluid motion some need to adapt their game. I dont think he needs to lose any weight at all. He just need to work hard in the offseason on getting quicker hands (to remove the jam)
KSU-Chief - January 12, 2012
They wont spend the money
We all know their not going to spend the money for another quarterback like Peyton Manning.Cassel needs some compition to show him that his job isnt safe.Orton would be the right man to do that job.If romeo has any say in the matter he will bring kyle back.but if they choose not,and stick with Cassel,then we all know it will be the same old crap again,and just be a medioker team at best.
chiefsfool - January 12, 2012
How come we are not hearing about any assistant coach movement?
Surely Romeo had some ideas before even getting the fulltime job. Does this mean we are going to stand pat on the offensive side of the ball? Who is gonna be our dc?
Eric Allen - January 12, 2012 via mobile
No way on the offensive coordinator
That’s one of the most important moves. That’s been one of the big problems. They’ve had what, five OC in the last three years. Needs stability very badly.
Zayla - January 12, 2012
How about Hue Douglass for OC.
Why not ,he could be a big help for us especially against those Raiders.How about spags for DC job,what are they waiting for?
chiefsfool - January 12, 2012
There is some speculation on Hue
But I wouldn’t be surprised if Zorn gets it, which I don’t think is a bad idea.
Zayla - January 12, 2012
Now if only Zorn had a good QB to work with...
5280ChiefsFan - January 12, 2012
Jackson?
SCKSChief - January 12, 2012
Sort of what I thought
Unless he meant former Eagles DE and current ESPN football analyst Hugh Dousglas.
TRSChief - January 12, 2012
I would like to see
Gibbs as DC, Greg Manusky brought back to KC as linebackers coach. He was a scapegoat in SD. Talk about motivating guys to get after Rivers! Enough with an o-line coach as oc, that has been tried here before with the same result. We need a proven coordinator to make this go. We have some weapons, boost the o-line lets go!
Eric Allen - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Agree completely on the Defensive coaches
Those would be good moves. To be honest, I’m at a bit of a loss for what to do on the Offensive side of the ball though. We need to shake things up, but I don’t know how best to do so.
cheapham - January 12, 2012
Two thoughts occurred to me while reading the USA Today article...
First the poll shows that 65% of Chiefs fans/voters want Orton re-signed for next year…large percentage.
Second – and supports wanting Orton re-signed – there are now screws in Cassel’s throwing hand, so how will that affect his ability? He could wind up being a lame duck….and we’d need an experienced QB to mentor Stanzi or any other guy we might draft.
WorL4Chiefs - January 12, 2012
Darth Cassel
He’s more machine now, than man.
TRSChief - January 12, 2012
ahahahahahaha
WorL4Chiefs - January 12, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Arrowhead Pride to post a comment.