Outside of fantasy football circles, it seems as though Matt Cassel’s appendix has garnered more attention than how the Chiefs quarterback has been playing over the last two months. Just goes to show what a quarterback has to do to get noticed during this current era of great quarterbacks.
The Chiefs continue to be validated in their trade for Cassel, and the six-year, $63 million contract they gave him before he ever played a down for the team.
Cassel’s numbers add up. He has a touchdown to interception ratio of 23-4, and with four games to go that projects to 31-5. Over the last eight games, he has 19 touchdowns and one interception. He’s completing 59.9 percent of his passes, and only Tom Brady, Michael Vick, Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers have better passer ratings.
Most importantly, though, the Chiefs are 8-4 and on the verge of the AFC West title. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock says a big part of it is Cassel.
“The Chiefs are a ball security team and he is a major reason they are plus-seven in turnover differential,” Mayock said. “They are an inside-out team, meaning the tight ends and running backs form a critical component of their passing game as well as the running game.
“Cassel is for real, and people need to start talking about him.”
Cassel has the benefit of playing for the league’s top rushing team, but statistically he’s in very good company. Under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, he appears well on his way to becoming the quarterback everyone thought he eventually would be. And when Mayock dishes out endorsements such as these, it’s a good bet it’s worth paying attention to.
Follow The NFL Network on Twitter @nflnetwork.
Posted in: NFL Network
No comments:
Post a Comment