Originally Posted by
chief31
Name .........Compl% ...TD/Int QB Rat x-sack
Cassel - .............55% .....12/6 ..77.9 ....34
P. Manning - ....62.1% ....26/15 ..90.7 ....14
E. Manning - ....52.8% ....24/17 ..75.9 ....28
Roethlisberger - 62.7% .....17/9 ..98.6 ....23
Brees - ...........57.6% ....11/15 ..67.5 ....21
Tom Brady - ....62.1% ....28/14 ..85.7 ....31
Rogers - .........64.8% ....19/5 ..102.6 .....43
Favre - ..........60.9% ....19/24 ..72.2 ....30
Pennington - ...63.6% ....13/12 ..82.9 ....25
Ryan - ...........59.3% ....16/12 ..80 ....14
Warner - ........67.7% ....21/18 ..98.3 ....20
McNabb - .........58% ....21/13 ..77.8 ....45
Cutler - .........63.6% ....20/14 ..88.1 ....27
Palmer - ........67.8% ....32/12 .101.1 ....19
Romo - ..........64.4% ....36/19 ..97.4 ....24
Comparable - lesser
While many of these players had excellent second seasons, several, obviously did not.
With the numbers shown, for a second year starting, one could very easily argue that Cassel is better than Drew Brees. That he is better than Bret Favre. Better than Donovan McNabb. And better than Eli Manning.
Obviously...
That is not a real fair way to make the comparisons between Cassel and Favre, or Brees.
Why? Because those guys have played since their second year as starters.
But, Just as that is unfair, it is equally as unfair to compare Cassel to Warner, P. Manning and Romo.
However, it is far more fair than trying to compare him to guys who have had the extra years to improve (Favre/Brees/McNabb/E.Manning) who were no better during their second season as starter.
Now...
I didn't like the trade when it happened. And I will never like the immediate long-term contract that we gave Cassel.
I was one who immediately pointed to his tendancy to hold the ball too long. And yes... He still does have that problem.
But that is something that he can improve upon. And I have been very impressed with what he has done here, considering the horrible atmosphere that we have created for a QB.
Maybe you aren't impressed. That's fine.
But if you maybe look at it from this angle...
Cassel had very good numbers last season, with alot of talent around him. And he was holding onto the ball for far too long then.
If, in two years, we are able to put similar talent around him, to what he had with NE, having spent this season with precious little time to get rid of it, do you think that it is likely that he may actually get used to having little time to get rid of the ball and learn to release it quickly, more often, and prosper?
One might guess that a player with two more years of experience would be able to learn either way. But learning in an atmosphere of alot of pressure, only to go to a less pressure situation would seem to be quite benefitial to that lesson.
Also...
IF Cassel does improve on getting rid of the ball, do you think that improvement will show in his other satistics?
Bottom line...
He is a second year starter with a bad situation. (No OC, no QB coach, terrible blocking, questionable offensive system, questionable recieving corps, lack of a running game, etc.)
If we improve that situation, and allow him time to grow, are you really convinced that he can't be a great QB?
Bookmarks