"With a simple proclamation, Matt Cassel tried to put to rest any doubt he would be the Chiefs starting quarterback Sunday in their regular-season opener against Buffalo at Arrowhead Stadium.

Let us remind ourselves that Cassel has made quick recoveries before.

Last season, when the Chiefs needed him down the stretch in December, Cassel started against the Rams in St. Louis only 11 days after an emergency appendectomy.

And he led the Chiefs to a 27-13 victory that helped his team make the playoffs.

So maybe when Cassel says he's ready to go, well, he's ready to go.

"I'm good," Cassel said after Monday's practice. "I'm ready to roll."

The process may not be quite that simple. The decision rests with coach Todd Haley, who predictably wouldn't say whether Cassel's assessment of the situation was correct."