King of Cassel

[mansquatch]

That to me was always the giant question mark with Ponder last year. He made a lot of stupid throws, but aside from Rudolph and Harvin he had nobody to run routes. So it made sense to me to see if he could do better this season with competent pass catchers. As you pointed out, at least be a Silver.

He obviously was total trash. But Cassel is showing signs of life. I think this a great opportunity given the talent on Offense. Get healthy on defense, add a young QB prospect and infust talent into the D. Maybe a run in 2014 or 2015 depending on the injury situation.

[jackal]

I don't get people Cassel has played great for us ..

The two picks he has had were a deflection from the DT and
our own player not catching the ball and bouncing it in the air
for a pick.. I am hoping Cassel is our version of Rich Gannon
rebirth for the raiders and their Superbowl run about 12 years
ago..

I don't care about what happened with and the chiefs either..
They were a lousy team and he still had one good year with them ..

WE CAN WIN WITH CASSEL !!!

[headless_norseman]

..... just stating that, in my opinion, Cassel is probably not a championship-caliber quarterback. If I'm wrong about that, I'll gladly eat crow. I certainly haven't missed anything in regards to his game this year. I see the leadership, I see the way he's been in control on the field lately, making good decisions, avoiding the pass rush, finding open receivers, etc. It's impressive and if he keeps that up, maybe he will eventually be a championship QB. My mind isn't closed on the subject but I still see him as a good, solid journeyman quarterback at best, not an outstanding player. He just had an outstanding game though, and that's to his credit.

I'm sure ownership is not thinking along these lines, but what if we resigned Cassel to a 3 year contract, if he plays well the next two games?

That could cover us if we drafted a young Manziel and or give us 2-3 years to find that next QB. I only pose this question because I don't think it would be a surprise at all if Cassel was more than a servicable QB, along the lines of say a Andy Dalton. I mean, he has done it before on two different teams under the right circumstances. And a new coaching staff could finalize such circumstance.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I don't get people Cassel has played great for us ..

The two picks he has had were a deflection from the DT and
our own player not catching the ball and bouncing it in the air
for a pick.. I am hoping Cassel is our version of Rich Gannon
rebirth for the raiders and their Superbowl run about 12 years
ago..

I don't care about what happened with and the chiefs either..
They were a lousy team and he still had one good year with them ..

WE CAN WIN WITH CASSEL !!!

His record and ratings have proved that. Some people just cant admit they were wrong about him. He isn't an elite QB. But he can get us to places we haven't been to in a while, like out of the cellar. He is a leader as well, something we haven't seen from a QB here since the packer dude played QB here.

[Purple Reign]

His record and ratings have proved that. Some people just cant admit they were wrong about him. He isn't an elite QB. But he can get us to places we haven't been to in a while, like out of the cellar. He is a leader as well, something we haven't seen from a QB here since the packer dude played QB here.

So what is your definition of 'in a while'? In case you have forgotten, we made the playoffs last year.

[Funkytown]

He is a leader as well, something we haven't seen from a QB here since the packer dude played QB here.

Sure does feel different...and nice.

[Hunter Morrow]

I bet if you compared the times Jennings was thrown to, the yards he caught and the yards he got after catch with
Ponder and Cassel the difference has to be night and day. Half of his receptions and more than half of his yards happened
in Cassel started games. All of his touchdowns (4) happened in Cassel-started games. If you were Jennings I think you'd
be making some overtures to the media to get Cassel to stay. I'd do it if I was him.

Cassel last 3 games...

63-of-106 (59.4 percent) for 890 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Ponder first 3 games...

59-of-100 (59 percent) 691 yards passing, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 rushing touchdowns 5 interceptions 2 fumbles (both lost)

I'm not even cherry picking Ponder's "worst games." His typical game in his career is about 220 passing or worse, 20 rushing, a touchdown
and a turnover or two. Statistically, the 3 first games are some of his best!

:/

[Webbfann]

Jennings has already said he wants Cassel to return to the media.

I bet if you compared the times Jennings was thrown to, the yards he caught and the yards he got after catch with
Ponder and Cassel the difference has to be night and day. Half of his receptions and more than half of his yards happened
in Cassel started games. All of his touchdowns (4) happened in Cassel-started games. If you were Jennings I think you'd
be making some overtures to the media to get Cassel to stay. I'd do it if I was him.

Cassel last 3 games...

63-of-106 (59.4 percent) for 890 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Ponder first 3 games...

59-of-100 (59 percent) 691 yards passing, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 rushing touchdowns 5 interceptions 2 fumbles (both lost)

I'm not even cherry picking Ponder's "worst games." His typical game in his career is about 220 passing or worse, 20 rushing, a touchdown
and a turnover or two. Statistically, the 3 first games are some of his best!

:/

[Mothman]

Vikings: Can Matt Cassel be the franchise quarterback?

Matt Cassel's NFL career perhaps hit bottom Oct. 7, 2012. Someone had hired a plane to fly above Arrowhead Stadium during a game against Baltimore with a banner calling for the Kansas City quarterback to be benched.

Then Cassel, after throwing two interceptions and losing two fumbles, took a hard hit in the fourth quarter. While he was on the ground in pain, many in the Chiefs' home crowd cheered, an act Kansas City tackle Eric Winston later called "100-percent sickening.''

Six weeks later and just two years after a Pro Bowl season, Cassel was benched and never played another game for the Chiefs. His career was at a crossroads.

Was Cassel bound mostly to be a backup? Or would he get another opportunity to show he can be a mainstay NFL quarterback?

That chance has come. Now can he do enough to prove it with Minnesota?

Much more at the link.

[Webbfann]

I guess we're too nice in Minnesota to hire planes pulling "Bench Ponder" banners.

[Angels Wings]

I guess we're too nice in Minnesota to hire planes pulling "Bench Ponder" banners.

Well, for the time being, we are in a dome(until the last game there against the Lions) so he wouldn't see it anyway

[Webbfann]

I think a skilled pilot could get through the crack.

[Webbfann]

What? It doesn't even open except in heavy snows? Shows what I know. I avoid the Twin Cities like the plague.

[MikethePurple]

Its interesting to hear him say that he hasn't thought about the escape clause yet and won't until the end of the season. Obviously he is saying the right things but I wonder what has gone on behind the scenes and whether there is any bad blood between Cassel and the team based on how things have been handled this year. I suppose there is no way to know without insider knowledge but hopefully we can hang on to him for next year (again, possible coaching changes could have an effect on the decision as well).

It would provide a great amount of insurance depending on how the draft plays out and I wouldn't have a problem starting Cassel next year and hopefully developing a long term solution if he is not ready to go right away. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple games. He could increase his stock considerably if he plays like he did the last game. It would be a shame if he were to leave as Freeman seems to be very unlikely to be back and Ponder is most likely gone too. This position could see a lot of shake up in the off season and some stability heading into next season would provide a good bridge.

[Purple Reign]

I think the 2 games Cassel has played against good defenses this year (Carolina and Cincy) has shown that he isn't the qb of the future. He has done ok against suspect defenses, but we need a qb that will perform against the good defenses. For those of you who want to see Cassel be our starting qb next year, then you must be willing to settle for mediocrity. He has been very inconsistent that last 2 years and also this year and is a good backup at best, not a starter. IMHO