After Trent Green had taken Chiefs to the playoffs everyone was gaga for the guy but after Cassel led the Chiefs to the playoffs everyone dogs the guy…Why is this?
Both QBs have never been considered elite QBs, both have decent arm strength, both are great guys on and off the field, Green is slow as balls, Cassel has a little speed, both guys started their NFL careers on the bench, and both guys are known for their hard work and devotion to the Chiefsss.
Now lets break down the numbers. Cassel has had 4 NFL seasons and Green has had roughly a solid 8 seasons. So lets compare their first 4 years of their careers.
FIRST 4 NFL SEASONS:
Trent Green
1 AFC West Championship with a first round bye (13-3) 4,039 yards 24TDs 12Ints
1 (8-8) season without playoffs 3,690 yards 26TDs 13Ints
Green’s other 2 seasons as a true starter were losing seasons. 3,441 yards, 23 TDs 11Ints, (Redskins) 3,783 17TDs, 24Ints. (Chiefs)
Matt Cassel
Cassel in his first 4 seasons had
-1 AFC West Championship with a first round playoff loss (10-6), 3,116 yards, 27TDs, 7Ints
Cassel’s other good season was (11-5) without making the playoffs 3,693 yards, 21TDs, 11Ints. (Patriots)
Cassel’s other 2 seasons were losing seasons. 2,924 yards 16TDs 16Ints. 1,713 10TDs 9Ints (injured half way through season)
When looking at these stats these guys seem to be very similar. Both guys had 1 playoff appearance, won their division, 2 winning seasons, 2 losing seasons in their first 4 years. The stats aren’t all that far off from each other either.
Also look at both their stats for the first 3 years with the Chiefs. Both guys made it to the playoffs once and won an AFC West crown. Cassel was injured in his 3rd year and Green wasn’t. Cassel wins in TD vs Int ratio while Green wins in yards. Chiefs in Green’s years were 2nd in the NFL with yards after catch. Green wasn’t throwing bombs, he was throwing screen passes to Holmes and dumps to Tony G that went for mega yards after catches. Green had one of the greatest offensive lines ever. Cassel has had Barry Richardson blocking for him. Both guys had/have awesome running backs. Cassel has had multiple offensive coordinators including psycho Coach Todd. Green had sweet AL and fatherly Vermeil. Green had no defense and Cassel has had some solid defenses.
Where am I going wrong here? But these guys in their first 4 years and their first 3 years with the Chiefs are extremely similar. So why in the hell do Chiefs fans let Green sip on Cavasia in the penthouse and make Cassel sip porridge in the doghouse?
All I can think is that Green led an offensive powerhouse that everyone thought was going to win a Super Bowl in 2003 so Green by many was considered an elite QB. Green also had a great playoff game, but lost to an incredible Manning and a shitty Chiefs defense. Cassel on the other hand shit the bed in the playoffs against the Ravens. I also think the radio, media, blogasphere, and twitter make it much harder on a QB now then it did 10 years ago for Green. What are the other reasons why Cassel gets dogged and Green was praised because the arm strength, stats, and games won are too similar for that to be the reason?
All I know is judging from the stats and how everything is playing out. I predict a huge year from Matt Cassel if he can stay healthy. This is the year Chiefs fans stop hating Cassel and start respecting his play like they respected Trent Green’s play.
Cheeeeeese, you better take that photo down before you get yelled at.
That photo is awesome. What are you talking about?
Last good Chiefs QB that acutally played was Bill Kenney.
I think Cassel is good.
So Chiefs never have good QBs, but somehow Chiefs have more victories in the head to head rivalry against the the Donkeys
Chiefs fans, I can solve this ongoing debate. Both suck balls. Neither one has won a playoff game. Shit, even Tebow won a playoff game in his first 1/2 year as a starter. What a joke. The best QB the Chiefs have is Jim freaking Zorn and he is about 50 and left handed. GET REAL
Worry about keeping your criminals out of trouble.
Oh, they are all out and they are coming for you! Bad Boys Bad Boys! Whatcha gonna do??
W&C – i was just thinking we should have a mothership 1 year celebration and all go float either the Niangua or Quadlupe rivers! Good idea?? Let me know what you think. That shat was fun.
Love the idea…IN
As long as Hawkster and his Donkey boyz aren’t packing heat…Im inskee
Cheeeeese and I have already argued this at great lengths in another medium. At this point I stick to my guns and say Green is the better QB of the two. However……Cassel still has the potential to rise above Green before his career is over.
Trent Green did in fact have a stronger & quicker release. This is a widely known fact among those that follow the Chiefs, and the NFL in general. Many of the stats you mentioned do bring up a good question as to why Cassel is not respected as much as Green.
I would point to completion percentage. In years with the Chiefs, Green’s was rougly 3-4% higher each year – that’s huge. Green was a more rythmic QB and the offensive system he played in highlighted that. I think Cassel can have a monster year in 2012, but I would still give the nod to Green as to who is the better of the two.
A ‘rhythmic’ quarterback? All offenses are based on rhythm. However, there are certain concepts in the passing game that are rhythm based and others which are not. For example, some throws must be thrown on rhythm. What is means is this…If it’s a 5 step drop: punch step then 1) reach step, 2) Cross over 3) reach 4) short cross over 5) Brake and the ball must be thrown on RHYTHM right after that 5th step (brake step) plants. This is what the entire west coast offense was based off of…rhythm throwing. Of course, there a plethora of 3 step, 5 step, and some 7 step drops based off rhythm. And, of course shoulder angle, inertia, etc. all come in to play.
Matt Cassel in my opinion is quite underrated in regards to mechanics and knowledge of the game. Where Cassel needs to improve is one VERY important area…accuracy. However, I don’t believe this is as much an actual ‘accuracy’ issue as it is the fact that he’s had 4 OC’s in his last 4 years of football. He needs to be comfortable and know the offense like the back of his hand. He seems to have found a nice fit with Daboll. I expect a great season out of Matt.
Yes, a fucking rhythmic quarterback. Cassel is very hesitant in every offense he has been in. I don’t need Bill Walsh’s WC offensive steps to make evaluation that Trent was better.