Cassel: “I’ve Proven That I Can Play”
From the Truman Sports Complex
Matt Cassel says he’d like some stability and hopes that a long-term contract can get worked out between himself and the Chiefs.
“You always love the fact you have some stability,” Cassel said. “This to me isn’t a one-year deal. I want to come here and build this team and work towards a common goal of getting better, making the playoffs and winning championships.”
Cassel is playing under the $14.65 million franchise tender offer that was given to him by the New England Patriots. Without a new deal, Cassel will be a free agent again after the 2009 season. If there’s not a new agreement between players and owners, he will be a restricted free agent.
Does Cassel feel like he’s on a tryout basis as the Chiefs quarterback?
“No,” he said.
“If I go into the year with just the franchise tag, then I do. I’ve proven that I can play and I’ve proven that I can win. I just want to try to continue to do that here.”
Would Cassel like the whole thing settled by the start of the season?
“I would hope so, but whether it does or not, I don’t know,” said Cassel. “I really try to remove myself from it because I believe it’s a distraction for me. They’ve got guys upstairs that are working on it and I have an agent for a reason. I let them do that, so I can concentrate on the football side. That’s what I do, I play football, I don’t do contracts.”
Cassel says that no matter what happens with his contract, he will continue to prepare for the 2009 season.
“It’s not going to change my work ethic, how I go out and approach each and every day,” said Cassel. “I’m going to go out and give you 110 percent no matter if I’m on my rookie year salary, or a six-year or 10-year deal. It doesn’t really matter.”
He has shown that he is a winner, with a great team, with a defense that can hold a lead. We will see this year if he has what it takes to be a proven winner. im sure that the contract deal would be a distraction especially if he doesn’t do well this year because he knows he wouldn’t be in the running to make any more than what he got from his franchise tag this year.
hope he is a winner with the chiefs
Cassel: “I’ve proven that I can play”… and the condemned man ate a hearty meal.
The Sun also rises, Matt…except in KC the skies have in fact been known to be cloudy all day, all season even, for the last 40 some…not so much a matter home on the range as Arthur Brown’s “and I bring you – FIRE!”
Cassel has merely proven he was the #2 QB in New England last season – because #1 Brady got hurt.
Mike Livingston “proved” he could play in 1969 too when Len Dawson missed half the season … everyone remembers Mike that year, right…but aft? Not so much.
Best of luck Matt and remember: this is Missouri -the “Show Me” state…we’ll show ya/you’ll see.
There is a line of thought that there is still a shoe to drop, or more deals being worked on that is causing the delay in a long term deal, but of course no one can or, will, take a guess at what that might entail.
So until something happens, I’m going with my original thought, that Pioli is just being cautious.
Usually, I feel its best to wait, but I love his attitude, I love his work ethic, this is OUR guy, Finally. Pay him the 6 year 60 mil that some have calculated, and be happy that we have found a solid possibly great QB, then if he doesnt pan out, so be it, but there isnt a better guy in the NFL, and mentally, preparation wise, this is the guy.
Didnt mention I do feel part of it is the 14 mil we need against the cap this year, so it probably comes down to salary issues in the years following, front load it, and its a major advantage to a guy who has had 1 year as a starter…however, if it worked out that way, we dont need the cash now anyway, spend it now, then in a few years, he wont be such a big cap hit, and we can afford a few extra players.
I see a deal getting done to aid ticket sales by august.
I personally feel like King Carl is working on a contract…in the mean time pissing off our future quarterback! I get tired of hearing how Cassel hasnt proven Jack! You put ANY FLIPPING STAR QUARTERBACK BEHIND THE KC CHUMPS FRONT LINE LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE SAME SUCCESS AS THEY WOULD WITH A GRADE A LINE AND RECIEVING CORE!! Give him the contract he deserves and he does deserve it…get behind him and our Chiefs! Here’s an idea…SUPPORT OUR QUARTERBACK for a change! It is time for someone other than Dawson to be hailed as the KC Quarterback. Great googlely goo!! TURN THE FLIPPING PAGE PEOPLE! We have a guy that WANTS to be our quarterback and LEAD OUR TEAM TO THE PROMISED LAND!!!
Cassell will be a very good quarterback in the league. He’s got a good supporting cast w/ Bowe LJ Bradley and a solid coaching staff, he’s got the talent, and most importantly he’s got the work ethic that is going to make him a really good quarterback. No doubt we got a solid QB that is going elevate this franchise to greatness.
Ummmmm….Mortis….did you miss the news? King Carl is gone.
I think Cassell will be fine too.
Rin Tin Tin says:
Cassel has merely proven he was the #2 QB in New England last season – because #1 Brady got hurt.
Yeah, true. But go ahead and compile a list of every starting QB in the entire NFL and you tell me how many of those QBs would start AHEAD of 3 time SB champion, 4 time Pro-Bowler, Tom Brady. I can assure you that it won’t be many. I can only think of one that MIGHT start ahead of him and that is Peyton Manning. So to say that Cassel was a #2 to Tom Brady truly means nothing. If he was a #2 to say Rex Grossman or Marc Bulger, you might then have a point.
Hey Brian,
I think the ol’ boy down in New Orleans could give Brady a run for his money too.
Hey Harold C…Ummmmmm no kidding? That was my attempt at sarcasm.
Brian says:
“Rin Tin Tin”
- yes, what is it now?
“Yeah, true.”
- natch; Rin said it…
“But go ahead and compile a list of every starting QB in the entire NFL and you tell me how many of those QBs would start AHEAD of 3 time SB champion, 4 time Pro-Bowler, Tom Brady. I can assure you that it won’t be many. I can only think of one that MIGHT start ahead of him and that is Peyton Manning.”
- wonderful… so much for analytical thinking, and totally non sequitur to what transpired as well what Rin addressed – Rin lives in reality, not a “what if” world. Tom fell, Cassel was the next in line, he survived…nothing more.
“So to say that Cassel was a #2 to Tom Brady truly means nothing. If he was a #2 to say Rex Grossman or Marc Bulger, you might then have a point.”
- if you could but raison you might understand – as you cannot, didn’t, will not you may go now… and sin no more.
# anonymous says:
Hey Brian,
I think the ol’ boy down in New Orleans could give Brady a run for his money too.
Yes, that would be Drew Brees and he is a very good QB. He could give Brady a run for his money. The only problem that I have with Brees is that although he does throw for a lot of yards and a lot of TDs, he also throws for a lot of interceptions. Nonetheless though, my main point is that you aren’t going to find too many QBs in this league that wouldn’t sit behind Brady.
I see, that Rin avoided my point. It’s okay. I can understand why…especially after having seen you post on this site…
Brian says:
“I see
- only as far as my myopia allows…”
“that Rin avoided my point.”
- that teapot Brian is the very kettle he renounces…
“It’s okay. I can understand why”
- step one, acceptance…step two: do something about it…
“especially after”
- a last resort; it is always preferable to do so in advance…
“having seen you post on this site.”
- the adulation line mine forms to the right…no pushing!
Rin, methinks you squander whatever credibility you may have when you refuse to address counters to your analysis. I spend most of my time here scrolling past your self-indulgent posts, but you obviously consider yourself knowledgeable… Brian has a good point. Defend your position like a big boy instead of hiding behind this “you all love me” act. Childish.
Matt says:
“Rin”
- yes, what is it now?
“methinks you squander whatever credibility you may have when you refuse to address counters to your analysis.”
- it’s nice the way you consider my credibility’s well being – I’ll rest easier now knowing you are there to ponder said, ponderously…thank you.
“I spend most of my time here scrolling past your self-indulgent posts”
- oh, so you’re the one!
“but you obviously consider yourself knowledgeable.”
- can’t get anythin’ past you, huh…even when you’re busily scrolling past (wink wink) Rin’s posts…
“Brian has a good point.”
- yes, and it looks good there atop his head too (it’s all relative to the size of your steeple.)
“Defend your position like a big boy instead of hiding behind this “you all love me”Âť act.”
- you must be talking about that poster Brian… he’s the one who failed to address; too, you are the one who never reads my posts, remember? So… how could you know? You must be ‘special.’
“Childish.”
- oh, and don’t forget impertinent, irreverent, witty, charming… stop me anytime or we’ll be here all day.
As Brian you too appear to suffer from a failure to analyze; Rin did so, and left no doubt of the reality: cassel is a one year wonder to this point, nothing more.
He was #2 in NE, fact. What you/another blogger thinks he ‘may’ become is irrelevant. I believe he will become no more than he is now: and that reality: he’s a journeyman caliber talent…his future awaits.
Oh, and thanks for the offer to be my manager… but you couldn’t afford me.
Typical response. I will resume scrolling.