Our Faithful GM and What he Thought About Trading For Matt Cassel

[Ryfo18]

This a great article from the KC Star about Cassel's tenure here. You can read it for yourself, but I wanted to pull out one quote (thanks to @ChrisWesseling on Twitter for pointing this out):

"Shortly after making the trade that would come to define his time as general manager of the Chiefs, Scott Pioli began telling friends he wasn’t sure how good Matt Cassel would be as a starting NFL quarterback.

“But I know he’ll work like a great one,” Pioli said.

In that way, Cassel has lived up to his side of the deal. He has been promoted and paid like good starter, and it turns out he has the ability of a good backup. The gap is not because of a lack of effort, or caring. That’s not his fault. Neither is his tie to Pioli."

Read more here: Sam Mellinger | Cassel sets example despite abuse - KansasCity.com (http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/29/3940674/sam-mellinger-cassel-sets-example.html#storylink=rss#storylink=cpy)

Sam Mellinger | Cassel sets example despite abuse - KansasCity.com (http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/29/3940674/sam-mellinger-cassel-sets-example.html#storylink=rss)

[MissingTBone]

Good article, He seems like an awesome guy, and I really wanted him to be a great qb for us. I wish his ability was half of his willingness.

[Lord-Chiefy]

I'd live to keep Matt as a back up.. with a huge pay cut...

[Guru]

NO. I want Matt gone. PERIOD.

[Chiefster]

NO. I want Matt gone. PERIOD.


It could have been worse; we could have kept Brodie Croyle. :lol:

[MyManHali]

Yeah sure, fat scott knew cassel wouldn't work out, it's why he paid him 60 mil.

[Chiefster]

Yeah sure, fat scott knew cassel wouldn't work out, it's why he paid him 60 mil.

That's a valid point, however, I was under the impression, for some reason, that the big contract came after turning in his Pro Bowl season.

[MyManHali]

That's a valid point, however, I was under the impression, for some reason, that the big contract came after turning in his Pro Bowl season.


I am pretty sure, although not certain, Cassel's contract was 5 mil in 09, 20 in 10 and 11 and then 5 this year. We, (well clark) already took the biggest hit.

Fat scott is nothing but a politican who will say anything to keep his job. I thought for sure he would be fired after this year, but now after this Belcher thing, I am not so sure.

[Guru]

That's a valid point, however, I was under the impression, for some reason, that the big contract came after turning in his Pro Bowl season.

Nope. idiot Scott signed him to that ridiculous contract without him even playing a down as a Chief. What he should have done was keep him on his franchise tender for the year to see how well he did.

[#58ChiefsFan]

Not to defend Pioli but Cassel just came off an 11-5 year where he was 10-5 as a starter. He was supposedly recreating the exact same thing. I'm not convinced Cassel was the wrong choice at the time, the major fault was the lack of coaching. You know the same damn problem we still have four years later.

[Guru]

Not to defend Pioli but Cassel just came off an 11-5 year where he was 10-5 as a starter. He was supposedly recreating the exact same thing. I'm not convinced Cassel was the wrong choice at the time, the major fault was the lack of coaching. You know the same damn problem we still have four years later.

Without Wies the kid is uncoachable.

[MyManHali]

Not to defend Pioli but Cassel just came off an 11-5 year where he was 10-5 as a starter. He was supposedly recreating the exact same thing. I'm not convinced Cassel was the wrong choice at the time, the major fault was the lack of coaching. You know the same damn problem we still have four years later.


No, the problem was that he sucks. He beat one winning team with a team that went 19-1 the previous year.

[#58ChiefsFan]

No, the problem was that he sucks. He beat one winning team with a team that went 19-1 the previous year.

I'm just sayin he was a first year starter and there was little reason to think he would never get better, well actually regress. Lucky for us Scott made that happen at our expense.

[Lord-Chiefy]

I say keep Matt and upgrade coaches. Draft teo. And pick up wr and o-line depth and a 2nd or 3rd rd qb.

[Ryfo18]

I say keep Matt and upgrade coaches. Draft teo. And pick up wr and o-line depth and a 2nd or 3rd rd qb.

"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

Te'o doesn't magically turn this team into a competitor year in and year out. He's probably going to be a solid LBer in this league, but a lot of hype comes because he is 1.) Playing in the national championship game and 2.) was in the Heisman race. He's a great college player, but he's not going to be a difference maker for the Chiefs when their offense continues to put up 15 points a week.

[matthewschiefs]

I say keep Matt and upgrade coaches. Draft teo. And pick up wr and o-line depth and a 2nd or 3rd rd qb.

I don't think we need to keep Matt at all. I don't think he's ever going to be the guy. And with the money we would have to pay him to be a #2 it would be insane. Brady I would be open to. And I really doin't care how else we get anther QB. But I think we have seen enough of Cassel in KC.

But for any QB to have a real shot at being great on this team we would have to upgrade the coaches. Matt Cassel isn't a great QB but he's not as bad as he has looked this year. And you can say that about a number of guys. Coaching is going to be the biggest need this offseason fallowed a close 2nd by someway getting a QB.

[nigeriannightmare]

"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

Te'o doesn't magically turn this team into a competitor year in and year out. He's probably going to be a solid LBer in this league, but a lot of hype comes because he is 1.) Playing in the national championship game and 2.) was in the Heisman race. He's a great college player, but he's not going to be a difference maker for the Chiefs when their offense continues to put up 15 points a week.

Not true. He was getting press before notre dame made their run. What he has done at the university and the person he is, is frankly amazing. I know you are sayin qb qb qb qb.

He is a rare individual, he is just special. Very similar to rgiii and luck. Athletes like manti do not come around very often. Good people make good things happen and he is a better person than he is athlete. He will change a franchise, wherever he goes. Pretty sure ray Lewis won a Super Bowl with no offense and they have been competitive year in year out with a mediocre offense.

[doobs_05]

To me, I think its stupid to reach for a QB with the 1st-3rd pick in the first round, i honestly think Geno is worth a late 1st round pick, we could easily get any player that is considered a top 3 pick and just trade back up.

But the only problem i see is that Philly, Jax, Pitt, and Arz may be looking for QBs (Philly and ARZ might go for O-line)

[jap1]

To me, I think its stupid to reach for a QB with the 1st-3rd pick in the first round, i honestly think Geno is worth a late 1st round pick, we could easily get any player that is considered a top 3 pick and just trade back up.

But the only problem i see is that Philly, Jax, Pitt, and Arz may be looking for QBs (Philly and ARZ might go for O-line)

You may want to add in the Jets and Buffalo. Then there are wild cards like Dallas (who knows what Jerry Jones wants to do), Cleveland-if they clean house may want a different QB, and Oakland may want to go after someone to replace Palmer in a year or two.

[Ryfo18]

To me, I think its stupid to reach for a QB with the 1st-3rd pick in the first round, i honestly think Geno is worth a late 1st round pick, we could easily get any player that is considered a top 3 pick and just trade back up.

But the only problem i see is that Philly, Jax, Pitt, and Arz may be looking for QBs (Philly and ARZ might go for O-line)

I think it's stupid to "reach" for a Linebacker in the 1st-3rd pick. Only one inside linebacker ever, Aundray Bruce to the Falcons in '88, was drafted first overall. He went on to start 42 games in 11 years.

Since 1999, 3 inside linebackers have been drafted within the top 5: Aaron Curry, A.J. Hawk, and Lavarr Arrington. Curry is a HUGE bust, Hawk about as mediocre as you can get, and Arrington was probably the best of the 3. During Arrington's 7-year career w/ the Skins, they went on to finish w/ the following records:

2000: 8-8
2001: 8-8
2002: 7-9
2003: 5-11
2004: 6-10
2005: 10-6 (playoffs)
2006: 5-11


I mean it when I say taking Te'o in this draft would be one of the worst ideas ever given the state of this team and the offense. I'm sorry. I will be extremely disappointed if this happens. No inside linebacker is going to come in and just transform this team. You can talk about his intangibles all you want. Eric Berry had all of these same intangibles (leader, hard worker, blah blah blah). And that's what it boils down to, Te'o is the Eric Berry of this draft: the sexy, fan-favorite pick.

[brdempsey69]

"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

Te'o doesn't magically turn this team into a competitor year in and year out. He's probably going to be a solid LBer in this league, but a lot of hype comes because he is 1.) Playing in the national championship game and 2.) was in the Heisman race. He's a great college player, but he's not going to be a difference maker for the Chiefs when their offense continues to put up 15 points a week.

This analysis is a stone cold fact whether anyone likes it or not. People simply need to discern the difference between somebody giving their opinion & someone telling it like it is.

The ILB position is NOT as important to the Chiefs right now as bolstering the QB position and trying to get the type of quality QB that they haven't had since Trent Green.

Wanting Te'o smacks more of hero-worship than from a football standpoint. The Chiefs can address the ILB position either via FA or draft one in later rounds or draft in 2014. It is NOT the teams biggest need at this point in time. Bolstering the QB position is. Quinn is still an unknown commodity, Cassel isn't the guy and Stanzi hasn't even shown that he warrants playing time.

Geno Smith, to me is a guy they have to consider because of his huge upside & he did turn in a big-time performance in a big-time game ( Orange Bowl, January 2012 ). Wanting him has nothing to do with hero worship, it's from a football standpoint to try and address a desperate need at the most important position.

[Ryfo18]

I wanted to share a couple of tweets from a fellow Chiefs fan I follow on Twitter. His handle is @TheFilmRoom:

"There was a time when the MLB defined a defense. That pesky 3rd WR in favor of a FB kinda diminished that value for me."

"Superbowls used to be about stopping Emmitt/Terrell Davis/etc... Now it's about stopping NO/GB/NE/NYG and I can barely name the running back."

I can't even begin to elaborate on how true this is.

[chiefnut]

This analysis is a stone cold fact whether anyone likes it or not. People simply need to discern the difference between somebody giving their opinion & someone telling it like it is.

The ILB position is NOT as important to the Chiefs right now as bolstering the QB position and trying to get the type of quality QB that they haven't had since Trent Green.

Wanting Te'o smacks more of hero-worship than from a football standpoint. The Chiefs can address the ILB position either via FA or draft one in later rounds or draft in 2014. It is NOT the teams biggest need at this point in time. Bolstering the QB position is. Quinn is still an unknown commodity, Cassel isn't the guy and Stanzi hasn't even shown that he warrants playing time.

Geno Smith, to me is a guy they have to consider because of his huge upside & he did turn in a big-time performance in a big-time game ( Orange Bowl, January 2012 ). Wanting him has nothing to do with hero worship, it's from a football standpoint to try and address a desperate need at the most important position.

you won't find an ILB close to Teo's ability in the 2nd or 3rd rounds but you will find QBs rated just below geno in the 2nd, so from a pure football value standpoint picking Teo over Smith is not a bad move, or even addressing the CB hole we have. getting a jones or wilson in the 2nd to fill the QB is not as much of a step down from smith or barkley. who we "should" pick will depend on where we draft more than what our biggest need is right now.

[jap1]

This analysis is a stone cold fact whether anyone likes it or not. People simply need to discern the difference between somebody giving their opinion & someone telling it like it is.

The ILB position is NOT as important to the Chiefs right now as bolstering the QB position and trying to get the type of quality QB that they haven't had since Trent Green.

Wanting Te'o smacks more of hero-worship than from a football standpoint. The Chiefs can address the ILB position either via FA or draft one in later rounds or draft in 2014. It is NOT the teams biggest need at this point in time. Bolstering the QB position is. Quinn is still an unknown commodity, Cassel isn't the guy and Stanzi hasn't even shown that he warrants playing time.

Geno Smith, to me is a guy they have to consider because of his huge upside & he did turn in a big-time performance in a big-time game ( Orange Bowl, January 2012 ). Wanting him has nothing to do with hero worship, it's from a football standpoint to try and address a desperate need at the most important position.

As someone who REALLY likes Manti Teo (and is a huge ND fan, I agree. I like him because of him, not because the Chiefs NEED him. I dont think anyone on here will argue that a good QB will have a bigger effect on our team than an amazing ILB. Especially in a 3-4 where there are two ILBs. ILB is very low on our list of NEEDS. IMO our needs, biggest first, are: QB, CB, speed WR, safety, interior line (depth), and THEN ILB). So while, I would love to have Te'o, I wouldnt be upset

However I think a lot of people on here are worried that the top QBs in this year's draft wouldnt have been good enough to even go in the top 3 rounds last year. Basically, they (myself included) are worried that Geno Smith, Barkley, et al are NOT going to improve our QB play. If that is the evaluation coming from everyone, then wouldnt we be better off NOT drafting a QB. I wouldnt be surprised if I see us drafting a CB in the top 10 (especially with Manning in Denver back in full form it is clear the AFC west division winner has to get through them).

The more I think of it, I hope there are a bunch of teams that want OLB/DEs. If that is the case, then hopefully we can trade down.

[MyManHali]

I say keep Matt and upgrade coaches. Draft teo. And pick up wr and o-line depth and a 2nd or 3rd rd qb.



http://lonewolfsden.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/FacePalm_picard.jpg

[MyManHali]

JFC, can we DRAFT A QB PLEASE? What is all of this linebacker talk, we are fine in the lb position, we NEED a qb.

It is no coincidence you see great qb's winning super bowls, what do we need, another DJ or an Aaron Rodgers?

I am not saying DJ is bad, he is a good LB, but it is a passing league, you need a great qb to compete. Is there an aaron rodgers in this year's draft? I dont know, but I would much rather try and fail instead of being conservative, which is what we have done the past 3/4 seasons and look where we are now.

Think about it.

[matthewschiefs]

JFC, can we DRAFT A QB PLEASE? What is all of this linebacker talk, we are fine in the lb position, we NEED a qb.

It is no coincidence you see great qb's winning super bowls, what do we need, another DJ or an Aaron Rodgers?

I am not saying DJ is bad, he is a good LB, but it is a passing league, you need a great qb to compete. Is there an aaron rodgers in this year's draft? I dont know, but I would much rather try and fail instead of being conservative, which is what we have done the past 3/4 seasons and look where we are now.

Think about it.

While I agree that we are in much more need of and Aaron Rodgers then an Dj I don't see anther Aaron Rodgers in this draft. Could one turn out to be that sure but there's no clear cut can't miss guy out there.

It's not about "taking anther LB" for most it's finding the guy that can help us win more games. If Tao shows that he is much closer to being anther DJ then any QB is to being anther Aaron Rodgers then I think we should take Tao. And the other way around. If it's a tie I think we should go with the QB. I just don't see a QB who has stood out as much as Tao has

[Chiefster]

I am pretty sure, although not certain, Cassel's contract was 5 mil in 09, 20 in 10 and 11 and then 5 this year. We, (well clark) already took the biggest hit.

Fat scott is nothing but a politican who will say anything to keep his job. I thought for sure he would be fired after this year, but now after this Belcher thing, I am not so sure.


Nope. idiot Scott signed him to that ridiculous contract without him even playing a down as a Chief. What he should have done was keep him on his franchise tender for the year to see how well he did.

I see, yeah, not the brightest move in the whole world.

[brdempsey69]

As someone who REALLY likes Manti Teo (and is a huge ND fan, I agree. I like him because of him, not because the Chiefs NEED him. I dont think anyone on here will argue that a good QB will have a bigger effect on our team than an amazing ILB. Especially in a 3-4 where there are two ILBs. ILB is very low on our list of NEEDS. IMO our needs, biggest first, are: QB, CB, speed WR, safety, interior line (depth), and THEN ILB). So while, I would love to have Te'o, I wouldnt be upset

However I think a lot of people on here are worried that the top QBs in this year's draft wouldnt have been good enough to even go in the top 3 rounds last year. Basically, they (myself included) are worried that Geno Smith, Barkley, et al are NOT going to improve our QB play. If that is the evaluation coming from everyone, then wouldnt we be better off NOT drafting a QB. I wouldnt be surprised if I see us drafting a CB in the top 10 (especially with Manning in Denver back in full form it is clear the AFC west division winner has to get through them).

The more I think of it, I hope there are a bunch of teams that want OLB/DEs. If that is the case, then hopefully we can trade down.

Geno Smith would have been taken ahead of Weeden in last years draft. Look where Tannehill was taken -- at #8. Many didn't think he was even a 1st rounder. Smith is considered a 1st rounder as of right now. He's said to have a very good work ethic, although there might be some maturity issues -- he'll learn and mature. Nobody can question his ability to throw the football. He can throw it every bit as well as Luck or RGIII or any QB that was taken in the 2012 draft & it's said he can read defenses very well.

The Chiefs can't afford to NOT try. They really need to double-dip at the QB position in this draft.


you won't find an ILB close to Teo's ability in the 2nd or 3rd rounds but you will find QBs rated just below geno in the 2nd, so from a pure football value standpoint picking Teo over Smith is not a bad move, or even addressing the CB hole we have. getting a jones or wilson in the 2nd to fill the QB is not as much of a step down from smith or barkley. who we "should" pick will depend on where we draft more than what our biggest need is right now.

Not under the new CBA. See my reference to Tannehill. Things have changed, and teams are leaning more towards filling positions of need because they can afford to now.

[swochief]

Not to defend Pioli but Cassel just came off an 11-5 year where he was 10-5 as a starter. He was supposedly recreating the exact same thing. I'm not convinced Cassel was the wrong choice at the time, the major fault was the lack of coaching. You know the same damn problem we still have four years later.

There really wasn't alot out there at the time if i recall right. Its not all on the bad coaching , at least half the fact is that Cassel does not have the talent. Seems like a great guy and i hear alot that he works hard but there is no improvement at all. I wish him the best after the season where ever he ends up.