mondry wrote:
Don't you know when you're trying to make your argument you can conveniently ignore things that hurt your guy and things that help the other. jeeze!
9 more touchdowns and 1 fewer interception. Along with 200 more passing yards. I have a feeling he contributed more to that offense then Ponder did to the Vikings. (Especially considering the number of bubble screens!)
A solid signing, especially considering the alternatives. The best available, imo, aside from if Kolb ended up getting released. Definitely heads and shoulders above all those worthless bums that were listed off as possibilities earlier in the offseason.
I live in KC and the guy was public enemy #1 here! I mean HATED!! The fans here blamed him when it snowed.
Probably a bit unfair but he did really struggle this past season on a miserable team.
I agree that he's probably the best option available as a backup. I'm actually pretty pleased with the signing. With less pressure on him - if he does have to come in - he may actually flash some form closer to what he showed in NE and in 2010 with Charlie Weiss as his OC.
But I'd say he absolutely comes here as the backup, no matter what ESPN and other media idiots try to stir up. Spielman has said that Ponder is the guy going into 2013. And that's what they need to say and follow through on for Ponder's confidence. If they want him to have the best opportunity to be successful, he doesn't need to be looking over his shoulder.
It HAS to be Ponder's job until he plays his way out of it. I don't care if Cassel has a QB rating of 150 during the preseason and looks like Tom Brady. Ponder starts the season #1.
chicagopurple wrote:Cassel COULD be better then Ponder....time might tell if they make it a fair competition. BUT neither guy will be able to show his ability with the current Viking Team as we have NO quality WR to throw to.....Spielman better get his #### in gear. Rookie draft choices rarely become instant stars. Next to QB, WR is the slowest position to master. We need some quality WR's via trade or free agency and I am not hearing any whispers.....
Seriously? No whispers?
I guess the Vikings' battle with Green Bay for Greg Jennings would technically not be a whisper. He's visiting the Vikings today, so it's more like a bullhorn.
Well thats just par for the course......overpaying for under performing players has pretty much been the standard for this team in free agency when it comes to filling the needs of the offense.
Anyone who thinks Matt Cassel is the de facto starter is probably wrong, and if the Vikings organization thinks he's the new starter, then this organization is never going to deliver Minnesota a Super Bowl. He's a very good backup, a great guy in the locker room, and probably an excellent influence on Christian Ponder...but even at his best, he's average as a starter and certainly not a franchise quarterback for an organization that is trying to win.
The way I'd put it, though, is that KC is a terrible team that decided a good backup quarterback was their franchise guy. The end result was that they were still a terrible team. Matt Cassel got big money because he did well in a fairly quarterback friendly system in New England. He had one or two good seasons in KC before injuries and (basically) playing on a crappy team led him to being signed by the Vikings. I think he's possibly a better quarterback than Alex Smith, though they're really about even. I think KC just wanted to change things...and to be honest, they're a lousy organization these days that doesn't seem to be going anywhere. That Pioli really injected a lot of badness into the system and it'll take a few years to shake it all out.
I don't think Cassel will do any better than Ponder if the Vikings don't sign at least one dependable receiver (fingers crossed for Jennings). I don't think there will be the amazing dropoff that seems to occur when Webb has to step in for Ponder in tough situations. I feel a whole lot more comfortable about that, and I think they added an excellent guy to the locker room that should help Ponder be a better player. If not, then Cassel is a fine stopgap until the Vikings manage to suck their way into drafting a franchise quarterback. Although, Cassel may have to get injured and the team may have to start Joe for that to happen.
radar55 wrote:
Well thats just par for the course......overpaying for under performing players has pretty much been the standard for this team in free agency when it comes to filling the needs of the offense.
For a reliable, one-time starter backup quarterback, that's pretty average for most NFL teams. There are a lot of teams that pay more for their backup...though admittedly that's usually the result of signing a hyped free agent to be a starter, then watching him get outplayed by a backup. If you want garbage for a backup quarterback, then you end up with same situation that all the teams that fall completely apart after their starter goes down has...and there's at least one of those every year.
Spielman obviously wants to fill most of those needs through the draft, anyway. I have to say that's probably the best way to do it, too, given what's on the market as far as free agents. You probably want an experienced quarterback that won't totally suck, but you probably don't want your backup to be a rookie or a near rookie. The Vikings got burned hard on that one last year, obviously. But you can find some good talent on the line and among wide receivers in the draft that can help right away.
PurpleKoolaid wrote:Man did you see what Kolb got from the Jets? He isnt that much better then Cassel. Kolb is starting but theres no way hes worth that.
PurpleKoolaid wrote:Man did you see what Kolb got from the Jets? He isnt that much better then Cassel. Kolb is starting but theres no way hes worth that.
The main difference is that Kolb hasn't done anything, and everywhere he goes, quarterback controversies follow him. Cassel has actually had a couple good years starting. All Kolb has ever had were two coaches saying that he was good, and that's about it. Tarvaris Jackson has proven more in the NFL.
radar55 wrote:
Well thats just par for the course......overpaying for under performing players has pretty much been the standard for this team in free agency when it comes to filling the needs of the offense.
Overpaying is basically what free agency is now in general. That is why the draft has become so important.
I liked Cassel a lot going back a few years ago now. Not necessarily a world beater or anything, but when he's on (his stretches), he's the epitome of an extension of the coach on the field. He gets the ball where it needs to go and limits mistakes.
At least, that's how he played as a starter in NE and his second year in KC. I mean, he put up some really good numbers. I think he's great for the backup spot.
personally i am frustrated by the signing. when your primary qb goes down, your season is probably sunk. i don't see the need for a high paid back up and neither do most of the successful teams in the league. bad signing (for the price). I typically like speilman's move, but this comes with at least a million too high for my blood.
