Thoughts on The Chiefs Quarterback Situation

The latest rumor following the Chiefs around this off-season is that now they are going to trade for Matt Cassell of New England.  This is a mistake for several reasons.

1) The System.  Cassell was plugged into a system that featured Randy Moss and Wes Welker at wide receiver.  After those two receivers joined the Patriots, Tom Brady's passer rating increased by 30 points!  30!!!  In other words, if a QB has great receivers, he's going to be a better player.  Cassell's 2008 rating was nearly 30 points less than Brady's 2007 rating (117 vs 89).  Plug in any QB into the Pats system and they will put up good numbers.

2) Experience.  He's only played one year since high school.  You hear draft critics say that a players stock will drop if he's only been a starter for one year in college.  This should be true in the pros, too.

3) Expectations.  Cassell had zero expectations to fulfill in Boston last year.  Brady is face of the team.  When he went down, many people dismissed the season.  Kansas City has more rabid fans than New England.  The Chiefs have been average for several years now.  The city wants a winner and if they don't see results after four games, things will get nasty.

4) Pride.  Former Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson was run out of town partly because people felt he was too stubborn and did things just to prove he can.  Examples include not paying draft picks and holding on to players that he drafted just to try and show people he didn't make a mistake by drafting them (Larry Johnson, anybody?).  Bring in new general manager Scott Pioli.  He drafted Cassell with the last pick of the draft.  By bringing him to Kansas City, he starts off the bat with a "pride player."  If Cassell were brought in and was a bust - this would be bad for the credibility of the new GM.

These are all reasons why the Chiefs should look elsewhere or stick with Thigpen at quarterback.  Thigpen isn't the stereotypical superstar QB, but he did put up huge points with a suspect offensive line.  If the Chiefs keep their draft picks, enhance the offensive line and maybe pick up another receiver then their offense will be good enough to win games.  The defense is the real problem with the team and should require most of the focus this off-season.