Cassel is starting on Sunday. Will anything change??

[The Breeze]

I really can't say that Cassel is any better than Ponder. Both are backup material IMO.

The quote from the Chiefs fan is spot on. We look a lot like last years Chiefs right now.

Maybe just having Cassel under center will slow down the way defenses attack the LOS, due to his experience. That could loosen up things for AD.

But for reals this team has scored enough points to win games. TOs and weak defense is what needs to be fixed.

[yezzir]

Having Jerome Felton back Sunday could prove to be a good boost for this team.

[Webbfann]

This is a very tactful way of admitting you were wrong while insisting you were right.
You're right about Ponder's runs but I am very cynical of him. I'm done with him. I was done with him a year ago. I overlook his few good plays because his hope is all false hope. Time to move on. On the bright side, I think he could be a good backup QB if used very sparingly. I think he deserves a chance to show what he can do coming off the sidelines, and he has definitely earned a position on the sidelines.

There are many people hoping we lose. Its become an epidemic here and on other boards. Losers wanting to lose so we can win the draft. Thing is if we lose all our games and get the high draft, we will get a great qb perhaps but nobody else will be around to support him. If we lose all our games, a lot of heads will roll. Its a foolish, idiotic, losing mindset and it makes me rather sick to hear it over and over.

As much as I'd love a franchise QB, I'd rather win now with an average QB who is better than terrible. And that's all we need.

Cassel in NE and first year or so in KC is not the same Cassel as today. His last few years were miserable sans one great year. Every other year in KC he was just about 1:1 TD:INT and before he got pulled last year he threw double the amount of INT's than TD's. So yes...His frequency of throwing interceptions is much higher.

Call it what you want on the mobility front, but a run with + yards even though from a lack of throwing is still greater than that same play, but a throw down the field and an INT.

Ain't nobody hoping they lose, but pointing out that the grass isn't always greener. It's not like the Vikings just inherited the second coming of Steve Young or anything. He's stepping in and hopefully can lead to a win, but long-term..Forget it.

[PacificNorseWest]

Well, I'm a tactful dude, but I had his last seasons in mind when I posted about his higher frequency of turnovers. I remember being a very avid supporter of Cassel in his move to KC and was upset at his collapse. It was seriously the kind of putrid play that makes an entire fanbase feel hopeless. Over throw, under throw, sack, INT, dazed looks...Bad in every sense. Worse than what Bradford looked like last night. I never was a fan of Ponder myself, but I'm just mentioning that his worst isn't as bad as I've seen from Matt.

Having said that, a lot of times a change of scenery does these guys wonders and I hope hope hope that that is the case for Cassel. If not, it's back to Ponder and the season is in the toilet and that's the worst feeling to have before Halloween.

[King James]

The only reason fans are so high on Cassel now is because many of them are DESPERATE for a QB change. Cassel was one of the worst talked about QBs last year. Even fans cheered after he got injured. It sucks that the Vikings have sunk themselves this deep in a whole at QB.

In my honest opinion, I think Cassel and Ponder both have different ways of sucking. While Cassel is probably slightly better than Ponder, I don't think he better to where he makes the offense better. Like I said, they both suck in different ways. Ponder throws inaccurate passes, stares down his first read, and is feeble in a collapsing pocket. Cassel holds on to the ball much longer, forces throws that aren't there, and not able to escape pressure.

Im just saying, don't get your hopes up to high for Cassel yet. He could play better with us but I wouldn't be surprised if he does just as bad this sunday.

[The Breeze]

The only reason fans are so high on Cassel now is because many of them are DESPERATE for a QB change. Cassel was one of the worst talked about QBs last year. Even fans cheered after he got injured. It sucks that the Vikings have sunk themselves this deep in a whole at QB.

In my honest opinion, I think Cassel and Ponder both have different ways of sucking. While Cassel is probably slightly better than Ponder, I don't think he better to where he makes the offense better. Like I said, they both suck in different ways. Ponder throws inaccurate passes, stares down his first read, and is feeble in a collapsing pocket. Cassel holds on to the ball much longer, forces throws that aren't there, and not able to escape pressure.

Im just saying, don't get your hopes up to high for Cassel yet. He could play better with us but I wouldn't be surprised if he does just as bad this sunday.

That deep hole you speak of is common around the league.

Green bay and Indy are prime examples. Neither team could do anything after the careers of Starr and Unitas...for 20 years!

Same with the 49ers from Brodie to Montana.

What they have done with Ponder is the correct way...he's just not the right guy.

Cassel could shift some things in the present....but the long term needs to be filled through the draft.

That hole could be filled by this time next season. They have to take another shot in he draft....keep moving forward.

[S197]

I really don't believe we'll find any answers in this game although Cassel certainly could put up a W. For one, it's the Steelers who are also struggling so this game looked winnable whether it was Cassel or Ponder starting. Two, I expect to see the running game closer to last year's form with the return of Jerome Felton. And three, Cassel has had about a day and a half of reps with the 1's so I don't think he's had enough time to be evaluated fairly. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe Cassel is the long-term solution but I wish this "change" came at the bye week.
The most likely scenario to me is Cassel has a similar Jekyll and Hyde performance we see from Ponder every week and Ponder will be returned as starter in week 6.

On a moderator note, I edited the title slightly for proper spelling of his name.

[indianation65]

All this opining, all the opining, but nothing will be known about Cassel and the offense until the games are played, despite his bad and good seasons. The real question is how long will his starts last. One game doesn't mean much. Three for the starter with little to no growth was given, Cassel should warrant the same, but if Frazier gets his way...and he will. Let's just pull for that overall "impressive team first win."

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[mondry]

Here are the keys for Cassel imo.

1. TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL!! The most simple factor of course, but also the most important. This is an area Ponder has been particularly bad in as of late. The defense is getting us turnovers but we're giving them right back!

2. 3rd down conversion rate. Another area we've been fairly weak in. If Cassel can move the chains and keep the offense driving that will be huge.

3. Hitting Receivers in stride so they can pick up YAC.

4. Trusting his Receivers to come up with contested balls like Kyle Rudolph.

5. Not doing too much / forcing things. Biggest difference from the Chiefs is we have AD, it's not all on him!

[dreamerjohn]

I hope we get a miracle and get the 2008 version of Cassel. I just wanna win.

[Mothman]

Here are the keys for Cassel imo.

1. TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL!! The most simple factor of course, but also the most important. This is an area Ponder has been particularly bad in as of late. The defense is getting us turnovers but we're giving them right back!

2. 3rd down conversion rate. Another area we've been fairly weak in. If Cassel can move the chains and keep the offense driving that will be huge.

3. Hitting Receivers in stride so they can pick up YAC.

4. Trusting his Receivers to come up with contested balls like Kyle Rudolph.

5. Not doing too much / forcing things. Biggest difference from the Chiefs is we have AD, it's not all on him!

The Chiefs had Charles so it wasn't all on Cassel in KC either.

I agree that good placement of passes could make a huge difference and taking care of the ball will start with Cassel but it obviously extends to everybody. No more tips for INTs, no more fumbles... avoid those turnovers!

I think the biggest key for Cassel is beyond his control: the need to protect him. They've done a lousy job of that for most of this season and if that doesn't change, the offense will continue to be inconsistent at best.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

I wasn't a fan of giving Cassel a sizeable contract this past offseason, but ####, I am glad he is here now. I wanted us to get Jason Campbell, Ryan Fitzpatrick, or Hasselbeck instead. I wanted a solid back up because I had a feeling Ponder was going to tank this year. My fears were correct and the time has come for us to play the backup.

Will anything change? Hard to say. I know for a fact Cassel will make a few more throws that Ponder could never make. Other than that, as long as Brandon Fusco is continued to get a free ride at guard and as long as Charlie Johnson continues to play suspect, Cassel is gonna be under duress all day. Hopefully Greg Jennings has a good game.

Oh, and for the love of all things, can we please, please play Cordarrelle Patterson? I get sick to my stomach every time I see Jarius Wright and Jerome Simpson line up while Patterson sits. I don't buy that #### talk that he isn't ready to play. Patterson is ready to play and he is better than everyone not named Greg Jennings.

[The Breeze]

Funny, I wanted Jason Campbell too.

[Webbfann]

Why protect Ponder? Don't you think the Oline wants him gone even more than the rest of us do ?

I think the biggest key for Cassel is beyond his control: the need to protect him. They've done a lousy job of that for most of this season and if that doesn't change, the offense will continue to be inconsistent at best.

[losperros]

Here are the keys for Cassel imo.

1. TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL!! The most simple factor of course, but also the most important. This is an area Ponder has been particularly bad in as of late. The defense is getting us turnovers but we're giving them right back!

Cassel can get INT happy, too. The Vikings as a team really need to cut down on committing turnovers. I hope Cassel, AD, and everyone else takes care of the football.

3. Hitting Receivers in stride so they can pick up YAC.

Yes, absolutely! This is not talked about that much but it should be. The Vikings have WRs that can run well after a catch. Hitting them in stride would lead to more yardage and TDs.

I also agree with Moth that the OL is a major factor here. The QB, whoever it is, has to be protected. If Cassel takes a lot of hits, he could get knocked out of the game.