Week 7 Takeaways

[azchiefsfan]

The passing game was effective. The interception from Cassel on a drive we were rolling on concerns me. But it is one pass and hopefully is an aberration. The defense was STOUT! Flowers and Carr were all over the receivers. Get Berry back this season and we could defend ANY offense. Breaston and Bowe brought it. The D line was impressive the first 3 quarters. I hope they weren't gassed in the 4th, but they got very little penetration. Battle is the real deal-we need to get back to running hard. Great win and it feels good.

[chief31]

The passing game was effective. The interception from Cassel on a drive we were rolling on concerns me. But it is one pass and hopefully is an aberration. The defense was STOUT! Flowers and Carr were all over the receivers. Get Berry back this season and we could defend ANY offense. Breaston and Bowe brought it. The D line was impressive the first 3 quarters. I hope they weren't gassed in the 4th, but they got very little penetration. Battle is the real deal-we need to get back to running hard. Great win and it feels good.

I have to say, Cassel was just plain terrible today.

The o-line was exceeding expectations, and Cassel was just not doing much right.

However, when one aspect of your team struggles, it is great to find that another can pick up the slack and dominate the way our defense did today.

I will also concede that The Raiders were not a team with everything together. But The Chiefs defense played extremely well, and The Chiefs have a chance to be in first place next week.

We have come a long way from the first two games. Now we just have to prove that we are capable of standing up to the "better" teams, and keep rolling.

[drstandley31]

Well I thought Cassel played fine today. So we watched it through different perspectives. I think he's starting to develop a good chemestry with the team around him, and will do just fine. Don't forget we have yet another guy calling plays, so it's different every year for these guys.

[Chiefster]

I didn't see the third quarter (I had to be somewhere) so I didn't see the interception, but I didn't have the feeling that Cassel's performance in the first half, while not stellar, was completely horrible.

[azchiefsfan]

He hooked up with Bowe and Breaston several times when we needed it. It was definitely not what I would call a bad game for him. But he actually had the one interception when he had literally zero pressure and just launched the ball to the wrong spot. I love that they gave him license to start taking shots down the field, though. And I think if the game were closer he would have been able to do a lot more.

[azchiefsfan]

Here's a supplemental question to the OP: what takeaways from this game will affect us against the Dolts next week? There was rythm between Cassel and the B's. Cassel made several accurate and quick throws to the B's. The defense was still on the field too long, but they seemed to get tougher as the game wore on. The goal line stand was the stuff of legends. Do we have another (emerging) Derrick to dominate the line?

[ctchiefsfan]

I'll admit....the interception Cassel threw in the 3rd quarter was disappointing. There was no pressure.

That kind of mistake can cost a championship.

But if he's going to make a mistake like that, when you are up big is the time to do it.

As I see it, our Chiefs are still getting their act together.

But we have gone from 0-3 to 3-3 and next week we play the Dolts at home for a share of 1st place in the AFC West!

We weren't perfect yesterday, but we were good enough and then some.

Here's to being even better next week!!!! :bananen_smilies046:

[OPLookn]

I'll admit....the interception Cassel threw in the 3rd quarter was disappointing. There was no pressure.

That kind of mistake can cost a championship.

But if he's going to make a mistake like that, when you are up big is the time to do it.

As I see it, our Chiefs are still getting their act together.

But we have gone from 0-3 to 3-3 and next week we play the Dolts at home for a share of 1st place in the AFC West!

We weren't perfect yesterday, but we were good enough and then some.

Here's to being even better next week!!!! :bananen_smilies046:

McClain saying he can see us at 5-3 mid-season isn't sounding as crazy as when he said it. Yipee-kay-ay mother****er!

I have to say after looking at the scores and seeing some other games I've got hope now. The Jets looked very beatable. Steelers...depends on which team shows up but they only beat a horrible Cardinals team by 12! The Patriots have shown they are beatable. Bears are on a streak...hopefully and the Packers, well they're the Packers.

[figcrostic]

I have to say, Cassel was just plain terrible today.

The o-line was exceeding expectations, and Cassel was just not doing much right.

However, when one aspect of your team struggles, it is great to find that another can pick up the slack and dominate the way our defense did today.

I will also concede that The Raiders were not a team with everything together. But The Chiefs defense played extremely well, and The Chiefs have a chance to be in first place next week.

We have come a long way from the first two games. Now we just have to prove that we are capable of standing up to the "better" teams, and keep rolling.

Really I thought Cassel did fine he had 2 interceptions one was kind of BS at the end of the 1st half and he was probably just told hit try and get a TD before the half ended. He had another interception which was his fault for trying to hit mccluster who was double covered by guys that are like 5-6 inches taller then him. Other then that i'd say he played well.

[chief31]

Really I thought Cassel did fine he had 2 interceptions one was kind of BS at the end of the 1st half and he was probably just told hit try and get a TD before the half ended. He had another interception which was his fault for trying to hit mccluster who was double covered by guys that are like 5-6 inches taller then him. Other then that i'd say he played well.

Well, perhaps I should have clarified by mentioning that I missed the entire first half.

But what I saw of him in the second half was a QB rushing his throws, and making some really bad decisions in the second half.

He seemed to be reading the blitzes well, but was unable to trust the blocking, and was rushing himself, unnecessarily.

I may have been assuming too much from the first half numbers. But completing 50% of his passes, with 0 TDs and 2 INTs looks pretty bad.

Hopefully I will find some time to re-watch the entire game in the next couple of days. But, until then, what I saw of him was aweful.

Although, I am not the guy who's going to be praying for my team to lose to replace him for a single poor game.

[azchiefsfan]

Well, perhaps I should have clarified by mentioning that I missed the entire first half.

But what I saw of him in the second half was a QB rushing his throws, and making some really bad decisions in the second half.

He seemed to be reading the blitzes well, but was unable to trust the blocking, and was rushing himself, unnecessarily.

I may have been assuming too much from the first half numbers. But completing 50% of his passes, with 0 TDs and 2 INTs looks pretty bad.

Hopefully I will find some time to re-watch the entire game in the next couple of days. But, until then, what I saw of him was aweful.

Although, I am not the guy who's going to be praying for my team to lose to replace him for a single poor game.

Actually, you hit the nail on the head. If you were a masochist and read through the game thread, you'd see where I wrote exactly that. He seemed nervous in the pocket and was hurrying passes, when there was clearly no need to. The good part of it was that he was throwing some serious lazers to the B's enough of the time to have won us the game. There was only one interception that was serious and it was when we were rolling into Oakland territory and he had a good 7-10 seconds with no pressure at all-no Raider within 6 yards of him and they seemed to give up on the rush even. Then he just lobbed the ball 20 yards down the field to a Raider-closest Chief was 4 yards up the field. That's the one that has me mildly concerned. It was when we were up by 14, so it could have been a game breaker.

[Hayvern]

The passing game was effective. The interception from Cassel on a drive we were rolling on concerns me. But it is one pass and hopefully is an aberration. The defense was STOUT! Flowers and Carr were all over the receivers. Get Berry back this season and we could defend ANY offense. Breaston and Bowe brought it. The D line was impressive the first 3 quarters. I hope they weren't gassed in the 4th, but they got very little penetration. Battle is the real deal-we need to get back to running hard. Great win and it feels good.

That interception scared me too, mainly because out offensive line did its job and Cassel had tons of time to get that ball out there. The commentators said almost too much time and I wonder if don't agree with them.

We have been screaming for the O-line to hold up well, and when it does, our offense really could not move the ball.

I am still a little worried about this offense. When you look at the numbers, it was clearly a defensive showdown for us yesterday, the offense scored once on a short field, aside from that, they did not move the ball the way they need to.

[Hayvern]

Actually, you hit the nail on the head. If you were a masochist and read through the game thread, you'd see where I wrote exactly that. He seemed nervous in the pocket and was hurrying passes, when there was clearly no need to. The good part of it was that he was throwing some serious lazers to the B's enough of the time to have won us the game. There was only one interception that was serious and it was when we were rolling into Oakland territory and he had a good 7-10 seconds with no pressure at all-no Raider within 6 yards of him and they seemed to give up on the rush even. Then he just lobbed the ball 20 yards down the field to a Raider-closest Chief was 4 yards up the field. That's the one that has me mildly concerned. It was when we were up by 14, so it could have been a game breaker.

I agree and add to that the missed throw where he had Breaston over the middle wide open and he dumped it off short for minus yardage. He still seems intent to bird-dog the receivers and is not looking at the field.

I think this is still him worried about the offensive line and not really trusting their work. The Raiders had very little pressure on Cassel yesterday, but Cassel still could not seem to slow down a little and take advantage of opportunities.

[Three7s]

I guess Haley needs to yell at him at least once a game. I think Cassel has David Carr syndrome. He gets scared of even the slightest bit of pressure and unloads it. He missed a wide-open Baldwin that would've gone for a TD too.

He plays scared.

[figcrostic]

I guess Haley needs to yell at him at least once a game. I think Cassel has David Carr syndrome. He gets scared of even the slightest bit of pressure and unloads it. He missed a wide-open Baldwin that would've gone for a TD too.

He plays scared.

I'm not sure why everyone is throwing all the negativity on Cassell, we won, he only threw one interception in my opinon. Did he have a great game? No, but he also didn't lose the game for us he actually threw quite a few really nice passes. Listen I'm all for the best for the team but right now he is our best QB by far, the good thing is in the next couple years if we find a bette qb we have 3 young WR's in Bowe,Breaston, and Baldwin right now Cassel is good enough I'm more worried about our DL and OL to be honest.

[azchiefsfan]

I'm not sure why everyone is throwing all the negativity on Cassell, we won, he only threw one interception in my opinon. Did he have a great game? No, but he also didn't lose the game for us he actually threw quite a few really nice passes. Listen I'm all for the best for the team but right now he is our best QB by far, the good thing is in the next couple years if we find a bette qb we have 3 young WR's in Bowe,Breaston, and Baldwin right now Cassel is good enough I'm more worried about our DL and OL to be honest.

Can't speak for others, but I'll quote myself:
The good part of it was that he was throwing some serious lazers to the B's enough of the time to have won us the game.

For me this is nothing more than using what we saw to see areas we need to improve on. As far as the O and D line, I covered that. The D line was great for 3 quarters and then couldn't get any penetration in the 4th. The O line was fantastic. Cassel was given plenty of time to throw most of the game. I actually walked away from this game more confident of both lines. We can win even the toughest games if these same guys show up consistently.

[azchiefsfan]

To follow up on your other Cassel point; I feel great about Cassel. That one interception worries me. It was a pass that didn't need to be thrown and it was thrown in the complete wrong area with him having an unobscured view of the entire field. I love Cassel and am still high on the guy, but that kind of thing is often the difference between a win or loss against good teams. It doesn't mean I think he needs thrown under the bus, but he needs to be more aware there are speeding Greyhounds in the area.

[chief31]

All-in-all, it was one game. And Cassel's inability to trust his protectors, while seeing countless blitzes, is not the least bit surprising.

I think that the o-line will have to prove the ability to perform as well consistently before Cassel can learn to trust them.

I hope they do.

[chief31]

Actually, you hit the nail on the head. If you were a masochist and read through the game thread, you'd see where I wrote exactly that. He seemed nervous in the pocket and was hurrying passes, when there was clearly no need to. The good part of it was that he was throwing some serious lazers to the B's enough of the time to have won us the game. There was only one interception that was serious and it was when we were rolling into Oakland territory and he had a good 7-10 seconds with no pressure at all-no Raider within 6 yards of him and they seemed to give up on the rush even. Then he just lobbed the ball 20 yards down the field to a Raider-closest Chief was 4 yards up the field. That's the one that has me mildly concerned. It was when we were up by 14, so it could have been a game breaker.

That particular play gives me more optimism than caution.

Cassel has done a fabulous job, for the most part, with a serious lack of protection, for more than a year.

If this front group is capable of actually providing that kind of time, and space, in the pocket, more and more often, then I have little doubt that Matt Cassel will be able to perform at a very high level.

He certainly didn't seem to be expecting so much protection Sunday. But, if it starts happening more often, I expect that he will grow used to it.

[OPLookn]

I'm not sure why everyone is throwing all the negativity on Cassell, we won, he only threw one interception in my opinon. Did he have a great game? No, but he also didn't lose the game for us he actually threw quite a few really nice passes. Listen I'm all for the best for the team but right now he is our best QB by far, the good thing is in the next couple years if we find a bette qb we have 3 young WR's in Bowe,Breaston, and Baldwin right now Cassel is good enough I'm more worried about our DL and OL to be honest.

We had a goal line stand from less than a foot from the goal line, we held a run first Raider team that averages 266 yards to 167 yards and the D-Line has seeminly gelled. How do we need to worry about our DL right now? The OL I'd say we only need to worry about Richardson, with a good RT I'd say that Lilja is just fine at RG. Past that depth is the only concern but depth at any position is a concern team wide.

[Chiefster]

All-in-all, it was one game. And Cassel's inability to trust his protectors, while seeing countless blitzes, is not the least bit surprising.

I think that the o-line will have to prove the ability to perform as well consistently before Cassel can learn to trust them.

I hope they do.

This...

[chiefnut]

the int was a poor throw, he missed a wide open baldwin, threw one behind a well covered bowe, and on a scramble chose the short throw[missed] instead of a wide open uncovered breston downfield for a sure six. was not one of his better days.

[BigChiefTablet]

How the hell are so many of you ok with Cassell? Dude has no pocket presence at all and goes fetal at the first sign of pressure. He curls up in a ball instead of stepping up in the pocket. He consistently doesn't even SEE wide open guys down the field.

My god I want a new quarterback.

[azchiefsfan]

Hey, San Diego has a pretty good QB. There's a QB for you to cheer for.

[TopekaRoy]

How the hell are so many of you ok with Cassell? Dude has no pocket presence at all and goes fetal at the first sign of pressure. He curls up in a ball instead of stepping up in the pocket. He consistently doesn't even SEE wide open guys down the field.

My god I want a new quarterback.
Pocket? There's a pocket? Where is this pocket you speak of?
http://www.ctpost.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1591806&width=628&height=471

[BigChiefTablet]

Hey, San Diego has a pretty good QB. There's a QB for you to cheer for.

Yeah, I have been a Chief fan for 25 years so I'm going to cheer for Phillis Rivers. Matt Cassell is holding this team back. If you can't see that, then you are an idiot. I want the Chiefs to win a championship, and that just isn't going to happen with Matt Cassell. Telling me to cheer for someone else doesn't change that fact.

[azchiefsfan]

Oh yes, only an idiot would disagree with your professional analysis. You don't think highly of yourself or anything, now do you, Genius?

[azchiefsfan]

I'm sorry. That's no way to respond to a MENSA member.

[chief31]

Yeah, I have been a Chief fan for 25 years so I'm going to cheer for Phillis Rivers. Matt Cassell is holding this team back. If you can't see that, then you are an idiot. I want the Chiefs to win a championship, and that just isn't going to happen with Matt Cassell. Telling me to cheer for someone else doesn't change that fact.

You should figure out what a fact is.

Watching people spout lame opinions, and label them as fact is like watching a mentally challenged person hold up a raccoon and tell everybody that it is a cow.

[ctchiefsfan]

Cassel may not be the second coming of Christ, but one thing is certain.....with the right team behind him he could bring us to a SB. Not because he is so great, but because with the right team any good quarterback can win a Superbowl.

Maybe it is just me, but I'd rather have a TEAM that can win SuperBowls rather than a Quarterback that can win SuperBowls.

Just look at Indy this year.

To my mind the Chiefs have made GREAT STRIDES in the last 3 years and are within 1-2 years of being the kind of team that can DOMINATE the AFC. With Cassel.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have one of the truly elite QBs leading our team. But trading for one who had more than a year or two left in him would cost far too much and leave us with a depleted team.

All we would get out of it would be a lot of cheap thrills, a couple of playoff appearances and then we would be back where we were 3 years ago. IN THE CELLAR.

Cassel is what we have now. And he is good enough to get us to the SuperBowl if he has the right team around him. So we go with what we've got and in the meantime we spend some later draft picks and hope we pick up a "sleeper" who can be that STAR we'd all like to have 3-4 years down the road when Cassel runs out of gas.

[KristofLaw]

And here I thought this thread was about our takeaways. :D That game was a joy to watch, I have been holding out high hopes we'd begin catching up on the team takeover battles... here's to many, many more. :bananen_smilies046: :chiefs:


Matt Cassel's one pick was truly disappointing but our team is turning around the way they should and I still hold out hopes he can return to his 2(+) -1 TD / INT ratio soon. He can be efficient as proven in many games with the Chiefs, never-the-less, I too would like to be dominant in every aspect of the game. By our recent scores maybe that is just upon the horizon.

More INT's and fumble recoveries D, PLEASE!!!!!!! Go Chiefs!!! :chiefs: :punk: