The quarterback position has its origin in Scottish rugby, wherein backfield players, according to their customary distance behind the forwards, were designated “quarter back” (i.e. 1/4 of the way back), “half back,” and “full back.”
Dictionary.com defines an American Football Quarterback as the following: a back in football who usually lines up immediately behind the center and directs the offense of the team; the position played by this back; a person who leads or directs a group or activity. Webster’s Dictionary describes an American Football Quarterback as the following: an offensive back in football who usually lines up behind the center, calls the signals, and directs the offensive play of the team; one who directs and leads. Wikipedia explains that the quarterback receives the snap from the center on most plays. He then hands or tosses it to a running back, throws it to a receiver or runs with it himself. The quarterback is the leader of the offense and calls the plays that are signaled to him from the sidelines.
Matt Cassel doesn’t lead or direct, instead he looks confused. Examples of one who leads or directs in the NFL are John Elway, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Troy Aikman, Jim Kelly, Bret Favre, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Dan Marino, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, and Steve Young just to name a few.
Let’s quickly examine two quarterbacks who both had a pretty good year prior to being traded to another team the following year.
In 2008, the year before he was traded to Kansas City, Matt Cassel started in 15 games for the New England Patriots, completed 327 out of 516 passes with a 63.4% completion percentage. Also that year, Cassel passed for 3,693 yards, with 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The following year (after the trade), Cassel passed for 2,924 yards with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
In 2000, the year before he was traded to Baltimore, Elvis Grbac started in 15 games for the Kansas City Chiefs, completed 326 out of 547 passes with a 59.6% completion percentage. Also that year, Grbac passed for 4,169 with 28 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. The following year (after the trade), Elvis Grbac passed for 3,033 yards with 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. It was the last year Grbac played in the NFL.
In each case the following year was not as successful as the previous year. Matt Cassel in Kansas City and Elvis Grbac in Baltimore are very similar stories to me. I know that many may disagree with me on this subject, but the fact remains that they both stink. In my last article I discussed how the Chiefs have lost in the fourth quarter in almost every game against the Indianapolis Colts, and I stated that the Chiefs MUST prevent from losing the game in the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter is when good quarterbacks become great quarterbacks.
However, Cassel is an average quarterback with the potential to become a good quarterback. He is not capable of leading and directing the Chiefs to victory in the 4th quarter. For those that argue about his lack of a receiving corps/supporting cast, my response is that a good quarterback will work with what he has (i.e. Tom Brady). We’ve had great quarterbacks in Kansas City before, such as Joe Montanta, Trent Green, and Len Dawson. Therefore, we know what to look for in a true leader.
Roger Staubach had 23 fourth quarter comebacks in his career with the Dallas Cowboys. And how can we forget the week three game of the 1989 NFL season when the San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Joe Montana, bruised and battered, sparks a tough fourth quarter comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles. With the score 18-10 in the Eagles favor going into the fourth quarter, Joe Montana threw four touchdown passes to win the game 38-28.
Or how about “The Drive?” The superb 98-yard drive John Elway engineered in the closing seconds of the 1986 American Football Conference Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns, which ranks as one of pro football’s most talked about performances in the clutch. With 5:32 to play, Elway directed and led his team to victory when it mattered the most…………..the fourth quarter.
Matt Cassel is NOT not the lead and direct type of player, and some adjustments need to be made. Notwithstanding, Dwayne Bowe’s dropped pass in the fourth quarter against the Colts defines his career. However, dropped passes by Bowe are not enough to help Cassells argument that he is the franchise quarterback that the Kansas City Chiefs need right now.
In this past Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, Cassel couldn’t move the ball in the fourth quarter. In addition to this, he was sacked on the last play of the game, unlike Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets. In that game, Sanchez managed to throw a pass to Santonio Holmes on the last play of regulation, in which a pass interference penalty was called against the Denver Broncos that gave the Jets the ball on the Broncos two-yard line. As a result of this, the Jets scored on the next play and went on to win the game 24-20. This does not mean that Sanchez is a better quarterback than Cassel, but at least Sanchez was capable enough to give his team a last chance effort to win. Some may call it luck, some may not, but whatever it’s called Cassel doesn’t have it. At 3:34 left in regulation, the Chiefs had the ball kicked to them with a 31-28 lead over the Texans. The Chiefs offense was forced to punt giving the Texans the ball with 2:30 left to play in the game.
Why were we forced to punt? On first and ten, Thomas Jones ran up the middle for four yards. On second and six, Cassell completed a pass to Mike Cox for another four yards. Then on third and two at the Chiefs own 41-yard line, Cassel threw an incomplete pass to tight end Tony Moeaki. Thus, the Chiefs were forced to punt. Cassel is not a bad quarterback, but he just can’t make the big play when it counts the most. He is the type of quarterback that does well at times, but he never finishes when it counts the most.
In the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts, Cassel was unable to lead and direct as well. The following is a list of what happened to the Chiefs during the fourth quarter of the game at Indianapolis: At 14:40 left in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs ran three plays for a gain of two yards. During that drive Cassel threw an incomplete pass to Dexter McCluster on third and eight. At 11:09 left in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs ran three plays for a gain of seven yards. During that drive Cassel threw an incomplete pass to Jamaal Charles on third and three. Does anybody notice the pattern here? At 4:02 left in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs ran the shotgun for twelve plays for a gain of 57 yards that ended with a missed 51-yard field goal by Ryan Succop. From this point forward Peyton Manning simply took a knee, and walked off the field a winner, while Matt Cassel walked off a loser as usual.
To Chiefs Nation, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. We drafted Brodie Croyle (in the 3rd round) out of Alabama in 2006 for a reason; and although at any given moment Croyle can break his clavicle while loading his dishwasher, I still say bring in “the kid.” Yes, he is winless as an NFL quarterback, but I think that the change will cause Matt Cassel to think about his future in the NFL and eventually force him to play like a leader. As unrealistic as it sounds, I want Matt Cassel to become great overnight; or go to the front office and ask to be traded.
Really? Your puting blame on Cassel for this weeks loss?..Maybe the defense should have stepped up in the 4th quarter and not allowed 21 points? Cassel did his job for most of the game. The RBs did their jobs for most of the game, so did Bowe..Our defense all season has done a 180 from last year, and in the 4th they let Schaub and Johnson do what they wanted. Ive seen teams with great rushing attack and defenses win ball games, KC had done it so far this season…Cassel is not going to be John Elway or Peyton Manning..Agreed. However, I blame the D on this loss, not Matt Cassel.
Comment by Dan B from Ohio — October 20, 2010 @ 12:38 pm
Dan B, I agree with you that the Defense did play a role in the loss against the Texans. However, Matt Cassell has to do a better job as well. You can’t give up 21 points in the 4th quarter and expect to win, but if he had completed that pass on 3rd and 2, then he would have let the Defense off the hook. Dan, I just don’t like how Cassell is playing. You are right, Cassell will never be a John Elway or Manning, but dam he has to do something MORE.
Comment by Argin — October 20, 2010 @ 1:28 pm
Not to mention that the Defense played so well in the first 3 games that they let Cassell off the hook. When it came time for him to let the Defense off the hook, he couldn’t get it done.
Comment by Argin — October 20, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
The Chiefs can win with a average QB…As long as their D and RBs stay in the game..Also, I want to see a play making WR on our team and D Bowe isnt imo he less productive then Cassel. You seen what kinda of numbers Cassel can put up if he has talent to throw to(Moss/Welker), real field stretching talent..Bowe isnt the answer…Moeki is awesome, but he isnt a Tony G and you cant expect to always have your TE your #1..I would have liked to seen KC make a move for Vincent Jackson, but highley doubt that happens…So the big question is..Next years draft who do they pick with their 1st pick? QB or WR?…
Comment by Dan B from Ohio — October 20, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
Dan B………great comment and analysis!! And as far as the draft, I don’t know who to draft first. OL, QB, WR, LB. Probably a QB.
Comment by Argin — October 20, 2010 @ 7:31 pm
QB seems logical if deemed fit. If we make the playoffs and Cassel has average ball control #s…(Trent Dilfer style) I dont think we go QB with our #1. However if Cassel the remainder of the season loses us many games and we miss playoffs then yes we go QB w/ our #1. The thing is even if we make the playoffs Thomas Jones wont be here much longer. So itll be Jam Charles, and I really think he will best used with another good RB..So we need another playmaker on offense besides RB…Im torn, id like to draft a QB with our 1st pick but that hasnt happend since what the early 80s? I think KC goes either QB or WR, unless this is one of those years where we trade it away to gain another 2nd and later pick.
I enjoy your articles and Nathan Kents reguardless if he hates Kansas City.
And Brodie doesnt need to come off the bench yet, that is if he doesnt get hurt coming off the bench in the first place.
Comment by Dan B from Ohio — October 21, 2010 @ 2:07 pm
Dan, what makes you think I hate Kansas City? I like Kansas City so much that I even like the Kansas side.
Comment by nathanKent — October 21, 2010 @ 10:33 pm
Thank you, Dan !!
Comment by Argin — October 22, 2010 @ 9:50 am
I would not think we would have to get a QB in the first round of the draft. Look at couple of the greats in the game for instance Joe Montana was selected in the late rounds also Tom Brady was a 6th round pick. Sometimes you can actually find a better OB in the late rounds that play with a chip on their shoulders. I would pick an OL in the first round to help the offense out or even a WR that can help the passing game.
Comment by Robert — October 22, 2010 @ 10:42 am
Very nice article. I see the love you have for the CHEIFS…KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!
Comment by Tami M. — October 23, 2010 @ 1:31 am
I dont see KC taking a OL in the 1st round. The line is doing pretty good and we can probably find a OL with more of a success rate then a QB in the later rounds(Although Brian Waters is getting older)..The Chiefs have taken 5-6 QBs since 1990 ALL after the 1st round and they never amounted to anything. Brodie Croyle will never lead a team either. The last 1st rounder KC took a chance on was in 1983 Todd Blacklege. I think its time for KC to draft a franchise QB.If not in 2011 then whenever Cassel is kicked out. Like I said earlier, If Cassel plays decent and has good ball control numbers KC will refrain from drafting a QB 1st round, but if he tanks the season he will be the fall guy. I think KC goes either QB,WR or DT pending how the season goes..IMO DT/NT is our weakest spot on Defense..QB/WR is our weakest on Offense.
Comment by Dan B from Ohio — October 23, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
OMG. Nathan, you are truely talented in your writing skills. I was disappointed to come on here and have to listen to our QB getting bashed after he had a pretty good game. I thought for sure you wouldn’t bash him this week.
It’s not only my judgement that Cassel is better than Croyle, the coaching staff feels that way too. In the third paragraph, you mention 12 QBs who are probably, if not already, HOF QBs. Your suggesting that Cassel should be as good a leader as those QBs? Well, we’re not that lucky. But you can’t bash him because he’s not as good as they are. Croyle isn’t as good as they are either.
I would like to see the Chiefs get a top QB in the 1st round next year and sign a very good receiver.
Then you compare him to Grbac. Both had good years, then went to a new system and struggled. The Chiefs were near the bottom in defense that year too.
Then you compare one play in one game with Cassel to one play in one game with Sanchez. That blows me away. Every QB has had an incomplete pass on 3rd down in the 4th qtr. Those QBs you mentioned didn’t complete every pass in the 4th qtr.
Please find something else to comment on. No one wants to come on here and read about our QB getting bashed every week, especially after they have a passer rating of over 110 in the last game. It’s getting old.
Comment by Jeff in VA — October 23, 2010 @ 10:15 pm
First of all, @ Jeff, my name is Argin Henry not Nathan Kent. That’s the first thing. Second, our defense has bailed Cassell out in the first 3 games, so it would have been only fitting for Cassell to bail out his defense for a chance. And Jeff, Matt Cassell stinks !!! I wish him the best, and I hope like hell that he proves me wrong!! @ Dan B, we have drafted Tyson Jackson, and Glen Dorsey at DT, so I doubt that we will draft another DT. I think that you are right when you said that we would draft a WR in the 1st round. I like Mark Dell a senior, and B.J. Cunningham a junior of Mich. St, and Justin Blackmon or Oklahoma State, but he’s a sophmore. Blackmon is one of the best wide outs in college football. I also like Julio Jones of Alabama, but he to is a junior.
Comment by Argin — October 24, 2010 @ 8:18 am
Oh, and I can’t forget Johnathan Balwin, 6’5″ of Pittsburgh, and A.J. Green 6’4″ of Georgia. Or DeAndre Brown, 6’6″ of Southern Mississippi. All great college WRs,
Comment by Argin — October 24, 2010 @ 9:25 am
First I will apologize to Nathan–sorry. Second, I apologize to Argin for not paying closer attention to who wrote it. I appreciate reading commentary on this website and the opportunity to write down my opinion. The great thing about this country is we are able to have and voice our opinions.
This is my opinion. I have never stated that Cassel was anything above an average QB. I believe that he is the best on our team and regardless of his skills, he is less likely to lose a game for us than the others. He is not one of those HOF QBs that is going to have several come from behind wins. I accept that. Everyone wants a HOF QB and there just aren’t that many that come along and the planets have to line up for your team to end up with one. You either get lucky in the draft or you catch a player at the end of his career like we did with Montana. People have complained about us getting Cassel a couple years ago, but really, what were the options then. Who was available then that was proven or unproven that would have been better? There is no denying that Cassel can lead a team that can finish 11-5, he’s done that before. I think there is a possibility it could happen again this year (Knock on wood).
Again sorry ot both of you for the mix up. I will pay closer attention next time and thank you both for your opinions.
Comment by Jeff in VA — October 24, 2010 @ 11:52 am
Thank you, Jeff! And we enjoy reading your comments, and everyone elses too. It keeps us on our toes !!!
Comment by Argin — October 25, 2010 @ 10:43 am
I don’t understand how any one can be so hard on Matt Cassel.
He ranks 9th in the NFL in QB rating ahead of these players who I am sure that people would rather have:
Drew Brees
Matt Ryan
Aaron Rodgers
Jay Cutler
Donovan Mcnabb
Brett Favre
To me it shows that Matt Cassel is a good QB and with a team around him is one of the top Qb’s in the league. Any one know what Tom Brady’s stats looked like in his first 3 years?
1st season – 64%, 2843 yards, 18 td’s, 12 int, 6.9 att, 86.5 QB rat. Super Bowl
2nd season – 62%, 3764 yards, 28 TD’s, 14 Ints, 6.3 att, 85.7 QB rat.
3rd season – 60%, 3620 yards, 23 td’s, 12 ints, 6.9 att, 85.9 QB rat. Super Bowl
These were all with Charlie Weis.
Here is Cassel with year 3 as a predicted total.
1st season – 63%, 3693 yards, 21 td’s, 11 ints, 7.2 att, 89.4 QB rat.
2nd season – 55%, 2924 yards, 16 td’s, 16 ints, 5.9 att, 69.9 QB rat.
3rd season – 60%, 2784 yards, 24 tds, 8ints, 6.8 att, 91.5 QB rat.
Now brady stayed in a stable system and put up decent numbers. Eventually he caught confidence and striked big. Now he lost Moss and looks back to his first few year numbers. No doubt Tom Brady is great but i dont see much difference between him and Matt Cassel. Can any one honestly tell me that Tom Brady isnt much different from Cassel at the beginning of their careers? brady had a top 5 ranked defense every year that he won the super bowl. His 2nd year he went 8-8.
Until Matt Cassel starts throwing 3 or 4 interceptions a game like Jay Cutler or Brett Favre. he is our guy. He is a smart Qb and will take a sack over turning the ball over. Or overthrows a guy instead of a pick. If we make the playoffs we will get a true feeling of what kind of QB he is. Until then he is our guy and we should appreciate the fact that we have such a smart QB.
Comment by JamesJ — October 25, 2010 @ 2:46 pm