"Really, they have so much reason to feel good in this place. The Chiefs played their best game of the season and even if that's a classic thinnest-kid-at-fat-camp compliment, there is enough that the large men in this locker room should be smiling and whooping about.

Instead, the silence is broken only by the muted shuffling of equipment managers and the hushed questions from reporters about a blown opportunity.

And to be clear, it's Matt Cassel who blew this opportunity.

The wake of the Chiefs' 20-17 loss to the Chargers is a good time to wonder how many more chances he should get.

Because no matter how much lipstick the Chiefs try to put on it, this is the kind of failure that can stick with a guy, can change hearts and minds — and not in a good way."