Originally Posted by
TopekaRoy
You're making my point for me as to why Cassel is a good QB for this offense. His style of play allows for longer, more time consuming drives and that helps keep the offense fresh. You say the offense held their ground? lets look at those first 3 games.
In game 1 McCluster fumbled the opening kickoff at the Chiefs 26 and the Bills took advantage of the short field to score a quick TD before Cassel ever touched the ball. That wasn't Matt's fault. In the Chiefs first 3 drives, they ran the ball 6 times for 9 yds. That wasn't Matt's fault either. The Chiefs have to establish the run to be effective passing the ball but because of poor O-line play they couldn't run the ball and Cassel had no time to pass. That wasn't Matt's fault. The defense gave up two TDs in the first quarter (while they were still "fresh") and the Chiefs were forced to abandon the run down 14-0. Again, not Matt's fault.
In game 2 the Lions scored on their opening drive (against our "fresh" defense) and the Chiefs were down 7-0 again before Cassel ever touched the ball. On the Chiefs 1st possession they ran the ball 6 times for 65 yds to set up a FG. Cassel never threw the ball. What did he do wrong there? Jamaal Charles was injured on the last play of that drive and without him the Chiefs never scored again, but the Chiefs offense held the ball for 10:06 to the Lions 4:54 in the first quarter so they were moving the ball.
In the 3rd game The defense gave up 10 points in the 2nd quarter, 7 in the 3rd when the Chiefs scored 7 and only 3 in the 4th when the Chiefs scored 10, so you are right: the defense held their ground. What you are missing though is the fact that the defense was able to play better as the game went on because the Cassel led offense was keeping them off the field. You blame Cassel for not coming through when you should be giving him credit for helping the defense stay fresh.
The fact is that in the last 3 1/2 games, both the offense and defense has played better and Cassel deserves some of the credit for the improvement of both. O line and the Defensive secondary also deserve a lot of the credit for their improved play.