Sam Mellinger

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Well, Todd Haley says criticism of Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel is “over the top,” and he’s probably not entirely wrong.

Whatever Cassel’s shortcomings, he has limited his mistakes and drastically cut down on sacks this season. Plus, his team is 3-1, and if his knucklehead receiver makes a catch in the end zone last week, heck, maybe 4-0.

My thoughts about Cassel are layered and too long to get into here. The quick version is that the problem with him isn’t as much what he is now, but that it doesn’t appear that he is getting any better. The problem isn’t as much that he appears utterly incapable of squeezing out a win for his team, but that he and the coaching staff appear completely satisfied with his performance.

But those are thoughts for another day.

Today, here’s a positive Cassel thought: this weekend is as good an opportunity to begin winning Kansas City over as any he’s had.

The Texans have the NFL’s No. 31 defense. Their best defensive back is Bernard Pollard. They’re giving up 329 passing yards per game. The conditions will be clear — literally and figuratively.

Houston is a good team, but they’re also reeling a bit, worked last week by the Giants. Arian Foster struggled last week, but still leads the NFL in rushing which fits perfectly into a surprisingly stellar Chiefs defense that specializes in stopping the run.

The whole thing presents nicely for Cassel to have a breakout game, a signature win of sorts on the road, and if he throws for, say, 220 yards and two touchdowns (which would be the worst game for a QB against the Texans this year) the narrative will be much more positive next week.

The opportunity is there. Let’s see what he does with it.

Comments

1. 

   Joe Nucci

   2 years, 7 months ago

   It’s a shame that we hope Cassel can gain two touchdowns this Sunday! Any starting quarterback with adequate receivers should always score at least two each week to earn their pay. Time is running out for Cassel. He does not read the whole field and misses #2 & #3 receivers over & over. His habit of throwing it away because #1 receiver is covered is getting old. Brody is waiting to be the Star that Cassel is being paid to not be. BRKC

2. 

   Matt Herbster

   2 years, 7 months ago

   Sam, you are a “one trick pony” writer. You have to find something to write about and this is your little “golden egg” story for almost everything you write about the Chiefs. It is always about Matt Cassell. You tell me what is different about Matt than when he was in New England? Was he good that year? Why not now? We have a good quarterback. Try to be patient while we are 3-1 and the surprise of the league.

3. 

   Marc M

   2 years, 7 months ago

   “Any starting quarterback with adequate receivers should always score at least two each week to earn their pay.” Two touchdowns per week would equal 32 for the season. Peyton Manning has achieved this only twice in his career, and Tom Brady only once, (and only about 30 times in the history of the NFL) so I think a two touchdown per week and 32 touchdowns per year average is not a realistic expectation.

4. 

   Lee Eldridge

   2 years, 7 months ago

   So if the Chiefs are running well and get a lead, the Chiefs should start throwing the ball so that the fans will like Cassel more?

   I have a theory about what Weis is doing with Cassel that I wrote about on my blog earlier this week. I’m probably not supposed to put a link here, so to read it go to:

   www dot leeeldridge dot com

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