Matt Cassel News: Pro Sports Daily

Chiefs' Cassel has expectations as high as his salary

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February 16

Kansas City Star

"Todd Haley watched the Super Bowl with the idea that someday Matt Cassel will take the Chiefs where Drew Brees and Peyton Manning carried their teams. "I can see him in that role," Haley said. "I don't have any doubt." That's fortunate for Haley, because this year Cassel certainly will get paid like one of the NFL's top quarterbacks. Cassel's base salary of $11.75 million ranks third among 2010 projected starting quarterbacks, behind only former Super Bowl champions Manning of Indianapolis and Brett Favre of Minnesota. Players are often compensated with bonuses given when a contract is signed and at other times, so base salaries tell only part of a player's financial situation. Cassel, for ..."

Chiefs' Cassel back to work

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February 14

Kansas City Star

"Matt Cassel rubbed his eyes with his fingers when he talked about last week's Super Bowl. He watched it at home, the same as so many of us. Cassel has been part of a Super Bowl, a backup quarterback in 2008, when New England lost to the New York Giants. Cassel said the memory of that game makes it no easier for him to admit that, now that he's the starting quarterback for the Chiefs, another title-game appearance seems little more than a fantasy. "I'll catch myself thinking about that stuff," he said last week at Chiefs headquarters, "playing in that big game, making the big throw. I go through it in my mind constantly." He said he wants to make it seem more like reality. The Chiefs have ..."

Having a coordinator of his very own should help Cassel

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January 21

Kansas City Star

"Rich Gannon had an immediate thought when he heard the Chiefs hired Charlie Weis as their new offensive coordinator, relieving head coach Todd Haley of the play-calling chores. "If anybody's ecstatic about this," said Gannon, the former Chiefs quarterback, "it should be Matt Cassel." Gannon's comment was rooted less in the abilities of Haley or Weis, even though Weis has the reputation as something of a quarterback guru. As the Patriots' offensive coordinator, he helped develop Tom Brady. As the Notre Dame head coach, he worked with Jimmy Clausen, who will be one of the top passers available in this year's draft. To Gannon, it's more about the needs of Cassel. Gannon, now a CBS analyst who ..."

Carson Palmer of Bengals, Matt Cassel of Chiefs find friend is foe on Sunday

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December 26

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Twice a year Carson Palmer is used to playing one of his former college roommates, Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu. But with the AFC North facing the AFC West this year, Palmer will take on another old roommate Sunday, Kansas City's Matt Cassel. The two lived together when they were at the University of Southern California. Though Cassel's road to becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL was much longer, Palmer is not surprised to see Cassel's rise over the past 15 months. "He was just in the wrong situation at the wrong time. We all knew that when he got his opportunity, he would take advantage," Palmer said. Cassel served as the backup to Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC before being ..."

Cassel encouraged by progress from last game

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December 25

Kansas City Star

"Matt Cassel's performance didn't lead to a victory Sunday, but it did lead to some much-needed encouragement. Cassel, the quarterback who underwent perhaps his most loudly criticized two weeks before Kansas City's 41-34 loss to Cleveland, said this week that he thought the Browns game was his best showing of the season. He passed for two touchdowns and didn't throw an interception. The game would have been more memorable had Cassel's receivers not dropped 10 passes, according to coach Todd Haley's strict criteria, but at least Cassel showed something that other positions have not: signs of improvement. "When you look at it and you look back at the film," Cassel said, "it was a very good ..."

Haley doesn't consider Cassel among Chiefs' shortcomings

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December 16

Kansas City Star

"Todd Haley hasn't left much doubt, and he started this week by trying to quiet suggestions that Matt Cassel isn't up to the job as the Chiefs' starting quarterback. No, Cassel didn't respond well a week after being benched in a blowout loss to Denver. No, he didn't avoid the one thing that Haley has suggested is a quarterback's mortal sin — failing to protect the football — in Sunday's loss to Buffalo. The losses keep coming, and the questions have grown louder. But Haley reiterated during his weekly news conference that Cassel's ability and long-term prospects are not among the Chiefs' many shortcomings. "I thought Matt did some real good things in that game," Haley said of Kansas City's ..."

Haley sticking with Cassel as Chiefs QB

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December 8

Kansas City Star

"Having 24 hours to watch the game video and collect his thoughts on Sunday's blowout loss to Denver didn't change Todd Haley's mind on the Chiefs' quarterback situation. Matt Cassel, who struggled through his worst game with the Chiefs in the 44-13 loss to the Broncos, will start Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium. "I'm going to play the guys that give us the best chance to win, and Matt is one of those guys right now," Haley said. "I feel pretty confident in Matt and his abilities, and he'll bounce back and have another great week of preparation and give us a chance to beat Buffalo." Cassel completed just 10 of his 29 pass attempts for 84 yards and threw a couple ..."

McDaniels had a vision that better fit Cassel, Orton

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December 4

Denver Post

"Hindsight has brought greater understanding of the Broncos' flirtation with Matt Cassel. What nobody knew then, but what everybody can guess at now, is that experience alone wasn't going to cure Jay Cutler of his flaws as an NFL quarterback. Cutler's talent is off the charts. So are his NFL-high 20 interceptions. Josh McDaniels, the Broncos' new head coach, must have seen then what he won't talk about now. McDaniels' offensive system demands a disciplined quarterback. A great arm helps, sure, but not at the expense of taking unnecessary risks. A trade that would essentially swap Cassel for Cutler as the Broncos' quarterback? McDaniels decided it was worth investigating, if nothing more, ..."

Cassel, Haley's growth bigger than score

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November 29

Kansas City Star

columnist Jason Whitlock

"As best I can, I'm going to ignore the score today. It's irrelevant. The Chiefs don't need to knock off San Diego and win a third game in a row to legitimize what we saw last week in their victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. All I want to see is Matt Cassel and Todd Haley pick up where they stopped last week. I'll start with Cassel, Kansas City's quarterback. I'm not calling for Cassel to throw multiple touchdown passes or for 300 yards or a completion percentage approaching 70. I'm calling for the continuation of the courage Cassel displayed after he nearly fumbled the Pittsburgh game away. Cassel was a different player after his fourth-quarter fumble. He ..."

Cassel comes through under pressure again for Chiefs

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November 23

Kansas City Star

"If the Chiefs have learned anything through this unusual season, it is that Matt Cassel is capable of stunners and letdowns, and his place on that spectrum seems dictated by time and circumstances. When immediacy matters, Cassel is terrific. When he has time, he needs help. He proved both of those things Sunday, when he led two terrific scoring drives late in a 27-24 overtime win against Pittsburgh. "He's been able to step up in some really big situations. This whole team has," wide receiver Bobby Wade said. "It seems like we play really well when our back is against the wall." And as Cassel goes, so go the Chiefs. Cassel was on point Sunday for two drives, and those happened to come late ..."

Chambers, Cassel try to be on the same page

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November 13

Kansas City Star

"Chris Chambers had achieved something rare in his career. He was released last week by San Diego, and that was the end of a good run. Chambers, now a Chiefs wide receiver, and quarterback Philip Rivers had played together for more than two seasons. They knew each other's tendencies and strengths. They had learned the boundaries of trust. They knew where not to go, too. Time together does that, especially for a wide receiver who has played now for three teams and with, he estimated Thursday, a dozen quarterbacks in nine seasons. "I kind of was getting used to Philip a little bit," Chambers said. "I at least got two years with one quarterback." There's a new one now to learn. Chambers said ..."

Game against Raiders will be emotional for Cassel

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November 13

Kansas City Star

"Last season's New England Patriots, then quarterbacked by Matt Cassel, were preparing for a December game against the Raiders in Oakland when Cassel's father, Greg, died. Cassel eventually played anyway, throwing four touchdown passes in a New England victory. Now with the Chiefs, Cassel will return to Oakland for Sunday's game against the Raiders. He said the game will be emotional for him for that reason. "It brings back memories already," Cassel said. "I've talked with my wife a little bit. It was a tough game last year. It's a tough go anytime you lose your father, but it was a great way to honor him by getting a win out there in Oakland. I thought the team rallied around me and it was ..."

Cassel's secret weapon against concussions

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November 6

Kansas City Star

"Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel has taken a beating at times this season, but he remains confident that he has an advantage when it comes to avoiding a concussion. His mouthguard. It was developed by Gerald Maher, the team dentist for the New England Patriots. Cassel spent the first four seasons in the NFL with New England before being traded to the Chiefs earlier this year. The Patriots are believed to have had the fewest concussions of any NFL team last season. "Dr. Maher's work with the Patriots is pretty well documented," Cassel said. "The guys in that locker room trust the protection that his mouthguards provide, and once I tried it, I won't wear anything else. As quarterback, you want ..."

Haley defends some of his questionable decisions

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"Todd Haley's game management had belied his status as a rookie head coach until Sunday's game against the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. Some of Haley's first-half decisions contributed to a 20-0 Chiefs deficit and, eventually, a 37-7 loss. With the Chiefs trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Haley ordered the Chiefs to try to convert facing fourth and 1 from their 41. Matt Cassel's quarterback sneak was stopped for no gain, and the Chargers used the short field to drive for another touchdown and a 14-0 lead. "It's a yard," Haley said later in defending the decision. "Would I like to have that one back? I might. I was aggressive-minded. It's a play we practiced. I know it's just a ..."

Chiefs hope to give Cassel better protection

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October 24

Kansas City Star

"Todd Haley tried everything he could think of to get the Chiefs to better protect quarterback Matt Cassel. He screamed and yelled, he ran offensive linemen into and out of the lineup. None of that worked well, so this week he tried appealing to the basic human instinct of pity. During the video review of last week's game in Washington, Haley stopped the video whenever Cassel took a big hit, which was often, in an effort to drive home how much physical punishment the quarterback has been taking. "It kind of makes you want to make sure no one ever touches him or gets shots on him in a game," running back Larry Johnson said. Haley will find out in Sunday's game against San Diego at Arrowhead ..."

Cassel comfortable in hurry-up offense

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October 17

Kansas City Star

"For all but 2 minutes of last week's overtime loss to Dallas, it was just another day for Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel. He was part of an offense that again was struggling to find its way. But those 2 minutes had everyone talking this week at Chiefs headquarters. With the Chiefs needing a touchdown to send the game to overtime, they got one on a 10-play, 74-yard drive that would have made any NFL quarterback proud. Included were two pressure passes, one to Bobby Wade on third and long and the other to Dwayne Bowe in the end zone on fourth down with 24 seconds left. The drive provided some hope for the 0-5 Chiefs heading into Sunday's game at Washington. "That's what quarterbacks who make ..."

Cassel not a major contributor to offense against Eagles

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September 28

Kansas City Star

"It wouldn't qualify as a day off for Matt Cassel, not after he hit the deck three times in the first half alone because of Philadelphia's fierce pass rush. But Cassel threw just 18 passes in the Chiefs' 34-14 loss to the Eagles on Sunday, a tiny amount given the double-digit deficits the Chiefs faced in the game's final 2 1/2 quarters. He was asked to throw just eight times in the second half, but handed off to Larry Johnson 12 times in that span. "As a quarterback, you don't second-guess anything," Cassel said. "You just try to execute the offense and try to have success at what you're doing." The Chiefs' biggest pass play came from wide receiver Mark Bradley, who after taking a lateral ..."

Cassel will continue to compete for his job

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September 25

Kansas City Star

"The world of a starting quarterback regularly reveals all manner of new and interesting wonders to the Chiefs' Matt Cassel, and he can now check another off his list. After making one start for the Chiefs, last week's 13-10 loss to the Raiders, Cassel has already been left hanging by coach Todd Haley, who declined to commit to his quarterback for the long term. Haley continued to insist he will treat his quarterback just like any of the other players who have to continually prove their value to keep a starting spot. So in addition to carrying the weight of what has been a sluggish offense, Cassel has to worry about his job security, too. "I hope he's in my corner," Cassel said Thursday. ..."

Chiefs' Cassel can't count on starting if he doesn't produce

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September 23

Kansas City Star

"Chiefs coach Todd Haley liked some of what Matt Cassel did on Sunday, but there wasn't enough of it for Haley to say that Cassel will be Kansas City's starting quarterback for the rest of the season and beyond. Haley said that, like all other positions, the quarterback job will remain available to the most proficient player - regardless of salary, name or background. "You've got to ultimately do what gives your team the best chance to win," Haley said Tuesday. "If that means another quarterback being in there other than Matt Cassel, then sign me up." Cassel played every snap for the Chiefs in Sunday's 13-10 loss to Oakland. It was his first game back in the lineup after spraining his ..."

Cassel to start at QB for Chiefs

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September 20

ESPN.com

"The Matt Cassel era is ready to begin with the Kansas City Chiefs. Cassel, who injured his left knee in a preseason game Aug. 29 and sat out the season opener at Baltimore, is starting at quarterback against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Cassel's left knee was still braced this week in practice, but the slight limp he had last week was not evident."

Cassel continues to make progress

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September 18

Kansas City Star

"Matt Cassel reported progress regarding his injured left knee, but the decision whether he will start at quarterback for the Chiefs on Sunday when they play the Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium will be made by coach Todd Haley. Haley, again, wouldn't commit one way or the other. "We've got to make sure we get it right, and we'll make an evaluation that includes (today)," Haley said. Cassel was again listed on the league's injury report as not being a full participant in Thursday's practice. But Cassel said he had a sense he would be ready to go. "I feel like I'm leaps and bounds ahead of where I was last week at this time," he said. That progress, Cassel said, is evident by the fact his ..."

Chiefs aren't shedding any light on Cassel's status

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September 11

Kansas City Star

"Matt Cassel doesn't know whether he'll be healthy enough to be the Chiefs' starting quarterback Sunday, but he was at least healthy enough to answer questions Thursday about his sprained left knee - and what that means for his immediate future. In the time normally set aside for the starting quarterback's news conference, Cassel said he was making progress since suffering the injury early in the Chiefs' third preseason game. He has participated in practices this week. But in individual drills on Thursday, Cassel still appeared to run with a limp. "I wouldn't be out there if I didn't feel up for the challenge," Cassel said. "It's up to the trainers to say whether or not I'm ready to go, ..."

Cassel still uncertain for opener

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September 10

Baltimore Sun

"Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Wednesday that quarterback Matt Cassel probably is questionable for Sunday's regular-season opener at Baltimore, and he was listed on the first injury report as having been limited in practice. Cassel wore full pads and appeared to be unhampered by his sprained left knee during individual passing drills. "He was out there, which was good," Haley said. "That's better than not being out there, and he was able to get through some. That's going to be the situation that we're going to evaluate as the week goes on, and don't know that we'll have an answer right up to until we play." Cassel is the centerpiece of an offense that seems to be constantly changing. The ..."

Injured Chiefs quarterback Cassel returns to practice

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September 8

Kansas City Star

"With the Chiefs and their forlorn offense badly in need of some good fortune, they received some with quarterback Matt Cassel's return to the practice field Monday. "He's our leader," fullback Mike Cox said. "It was good to have his presence back in the huddle and on the field." It remained unclear whether the Chiefs would receive whatever lift Cassel could provide in Sunday's season opener in Baltimore. Coach Todd Haley would not commit to Cassel being ready to play against the Ravens. "I think as the week goes on, we'll know a little bit more with Matt," Haley said. "It was good that he was out there and he was able to get through some things. "I think it was positive he was on the ..."

Coaching change strange, QB absent

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September 1

Kansas City Star

"It was the most bizarre day in what has been a year of upheaval for the Chiefs. With three days left until the final preseason game, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey was fired on Monday. Matt Cassel, the new quarterback with a big contract and injured knee, not only was nowhere to be seen, but because he was unavailable to practice, head coach Todd Haley would not acknowledge his existence. And scatter-armed quarterback Tyler Thigpen, who last week was the subject of trade rumors and presumably had one foot out the door, was running the first-team offense in preparation for Thursday night's game at St. Louis. Cassel's status for the season opener is unknown. Even running back Larry ..."

Chiefs mum on Cassel

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August 31

Kansas City Star

"Even before quarterback Matt Cassel left Saturday's exhibition game because of an apparent left knee injury, coach Todd Haley came to a realization about the way the Chiefs will need to play. "I don't think we're going to be a high-powered group right now," Haley said, "so we're going to have to find ways to win games." That feat might take every trick in the arsenal. An already sluggish offense ground to a halt without Cassel in the 14-10 loss to Seattle. The Chiefs kept the status of Cassel's injury under wraps Sunday. Yahoo! Sports reported that Cassel could miss two to four weeks because of a strained medial collateral ligament. The mystery will be unveiled today when the Chiefs return ..."

Cassel leaves with injury in Chiefs' 14-10 loss to the Seahawks

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August 30

Kansas City Star

"It was familiar and troubling, another Chiefs starting quarterback being helped off the field because of an injury. And there was Kansas City, turning to Tyler Thigpen again as the replacement. Matt Cassel was supposed to be the answer. The Chiefs traded for him in March, signed him to a big contract in June, and hoped he'd emerge as something the team didn't have last year: a healthy, reliable quarterback with a bright future. Now, the questions are back. "I don't think we're going to be a high-powered group right now," Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. Cassel was helped to the locker room after the Chiefs' third offensive play in a 14-10 loss to Seattle on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. ..."

Chiefs' line problems mean Cassel will have to get used to scrambling

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August 24

Kansas City Star

"Chiefs coach Todd Haley saw Matt Cassel get sacked three times and then have to either run for his life or throw quicker than he'd prefer on most of his pass attempts in Friday night's preseason game in Minnesota. Rather than cringe at the possibility of injury to his quarterback, Haley liked how Cassel responded to the constant pressure. He also acknowledged that because of offensive-line problems, it may be something Cassel has to get used to. "That's going to be life for Matt a little bit early on," Haley said. "He needs to be able to get out and make plays like that. That's one of the things I said about him from the start that I was excited about that maybe I didn't have where I came ..."

Cassel needs to step up tonight against Vikings

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August 21

Kansas City Star

"Matt Cassel wanted to be the quarterback of every Chiefs fan's dreams right from the start of training camp. "He wants everything to happen great right now," offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said. "He wants to be a great player right now, which is great. That's what you want from a quarterback. But these things take time." Cassel hasn't often been a star on the practice field as the Chiefs wind down the northern portion of their training camp with tonight's preseason game at Minnesota. Between multiple turnovers, errant throws and four scoreless possessions in last week's preseason opener against Houston, Cassel's camp has been uneven at best. That adds a sense of urgency for Cassel and ..."

Haley not talking about Cassel's play

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August 19

Kansas City Star

"Matt Cassel's play has slipped since the early portion of training camp, and Tuesday's practice wasn't his best. He missed some throws, including one when he had Quinten Lawrence open deep. The ball was slightly underthrown and intercepted by Brandon Flowers. Cassel's struggles began during an intrasquad scrimmage two weeks ago when he committed three turnovers. He has had a problem with turnovers since and lost a fumble during last week's preseason opener against Houston. Asked whether Cassel has been the best quarterback in camp, coach Todd Haley deferred. "I think I'll hold out on answering that right now," he said. Richardson starts again at right tackle For the second straight day, ..."

Cassel making himself at home with the Chiefs

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August 3

Kansas City Star

"Matt Cassel confessed Sunday that even though he's been with the Chiefs for five months, he didn't truly feel like it until three weeks ago. That's when Cassel signed his new long-term contract and realized the Chiefs didn't just trade for a quarterback but were also committing to him for the foreseeable future. "I'm honored and humbled by the commitment they've made to me," Cassel said in his first comments since signing the contract. "Obviously, I'm excited to be here for the long term. "Throughout the entire offseason, you have to deal with that: Is it going to be a one-year deal or is it going to be a long-term deal? Now I can move forward and concentrate on football." Cassel has ..."

Is Cassel the one player the Chiefs have sought all these years?

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July 19

Kansas City Star

"The last true franchise quarterback to wear a Kansas City Chiefs jersey is already here, sitting where important men sit: in a nearly enclosed, oversized booth, watching waitresses with pleasant smiles hum by and men in business suits strain to catch his words. "They've been unable to draft or develop a quarterback," Len Dawson says. "They've tried. They've just been unable." This is how far back you have to look to catch a glimpse of what Matt Cassel might become: All the way to the 1960s and Lenny The Cool, he of the Super Bowl ring, the bronzed-tan glow of the good life, the loving looks of folks who remember winning ways and the special place you get to inhabit if you earn the mantle ..."

Chiefs sign QB Cassel to multi-year deal

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July 15

Kansas City Star

"The decision has been made, the contract is signed, and the Chiefs have their potential franchise quarterback locked up for the long haul. Kansas City signed Matt Cassel, a 27-year-old passer with a mountain of expectations ahead and a grain of experience behind him, to a multi-year contract that makes him the team's face well into the next decade. "I am honored and humbled," Cassel said, "by the faith that the Chiefs organization has displayed in me." Faith is what the Chiefs appear to have plenty of in their new quarterback and how he'll handle shouldering the praise and the criticism of a team deprived of recent success and a fan base starved for progress. Before taking over for Tom ..."

Chiefs' Cassel cashes in

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July 15

Boston Globe

"Former Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel has parlayed his one season as an NFL starter into a lucrative longterm contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs announced yesterday that they've signed Cassel to a multiyear deal. A source close to Cassel confirmed that he signed a six-year, $63 million deal that includes $28 million in guarantees. The 27-year-old Cassel was scheduled to play this season under the franchise tag, which the Patriots placed on him following the 2008 season. The tag produced a one-year contract that would have paid Cassel $14.65 million this season. This new deal replaces the franchise tag contract. The Patriots traded Cassel and outside linebacker Mike Vrabel ..."

Cassel has Moss to thank for his good fortune

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July 15

Kansas City Star

columnist Jason Whitlock

"Matt Cassel's new contract makes me appreciate Randy Moss, arguably the greatest football player of our lifetime. Check that. Moss might be the most influential football player of any lifetime. You could argue he's better than Jim Brown, John Elway, Reggie White, Lawrence Taylor, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana. I know. No one likes Randy Moss. He's aloof and lazy. He plays with a swagger that comes off as disrespect. He's never won a Super Bowl. None of that justifies overlooking or minimizing his impact. Matt Cassel, a backup at Southern California for five years, a backup in the NFL for four years, just cashed in for $60 million thanks to Randy Moss. Cassel joins a crew of well-known ..."

Chiefs lock up Cassel

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July 14

ESPN.com

"Matt Cassel, a career backup in college and in the pros, parlayed a great 2008 season into a lucrative franchise tag. Now, he's locked himself into a deal to be the long-term quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs. Cassel and the Chiefs worked out a six-year deal that will pay him in excess of $10 million a season, according to a source. The contract will keep Cassel with the Chiefs until 2014. The deal is for $63 million, with $28 million guaranteed, according to a source. He's going to make $40.5 million in the first three years of his contract. Cassel was designated as the New England Patriots' franchise player in February and signed a one-year deal that paid him $14.561 million. He was ..."

Chiefs sign Matt Cassel to multi-year contract

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July 14

Kansas City Star

"Kansas City has the player it sees as a potential franchise quarterback, and now the Chiefs have Matt Cassel locked into a long-term deal. The Chiefs have signed Cassel to a multi-year contract, a source told The Star on Tuesday. Terms of the deal have not been released, although the team is expected to announce the deal today. Kansas City acquired the 27-year-old Cassel in March when it traded this year's second-round draft pick to New England. The Chiefs also acquired linebacker Mike Vrabel in that deal."

Chiefs, QB Cassel agree on six-year deal

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April 25

NFL.com

"The Kansas City Chiefs and QB Matt Cassel have reached an agreement on a new six-year deal, NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reports. Complete financial details weren't immediately known, but the deal will include $36 million in guaranteed money. That's $5.7 million less than Matthew Stafford, who hasn't taken an NFL snap, will receive in guaranteed money from the Detroit Lions as the No. 1 draft pick. Cassel led the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record in 2008 after Tom Brady was lost for the season in the opener. Cassel completed 327 of 516 passes for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. The Patriots placed the franchise tag on Cassel and then traded him to the Chiefs, ..."

Matt Cassel: Straw that stirs the drink

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March 19

Boston Herald

"The NFL's free agency and trading period isn't even three weeks old and already we can safely declare this the winter of Matt Cassel. Tom Brady's former backup has been front and center for the last month, and has directly or indirectly altered the course of no fewer than four franchises, not to mention numerous individuals. The Kansas City Chiefs took what they hope is a huge step toward contention by acquiring Cassel (last month in a trade package with Mike Vrabel that sent the No. 34 overall pick to the Patriots). The Denver Broncos, meanwhile, pray they didn't ruin their season before it started by pursuing Cassel. And the Carolina Panthers wouldn't have a potential trade partner if ..."

Cassel ready to compete for starting job with Chiefs

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March 3

Kansas City Star

"Quarterback Matt Cassel waited a long time - five years in college at Southern California and four more with New England - to find a football team to call his own. So a delay of another six months or so for the official designation doesn't figure to bother him. The Chiefs traded their second-round pick in the upcoming draft to the Patriots for Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel on Saturday. The Chiefs are unlikely to hand over a premium selection and then pay a salary of $14.65 million for a backup quarterback, but coach Todd Haley said Cassel will compete for the starter's job with Tyler Thigpen. "I don't know that you can say the quarterback position is secure," Haley said Monday in his ..."

Matt Cassel deals with change

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March 3

Boston Herald

"Matt Cassel yesterday offered his first remarks about leaving New England and joining the Chiefs as their new starting quarterback. Cassel, who was sent to Kansas City on Saturday along with Mike Vrabel in exchange for a second-round pick, touched on a number of subjects. Included was the fact he now is teammates with Bernard Pollard, the guy who crashed into Tom Brady’s left knee, ending the quarterback’s season and opening the door for Cassel. By the sound of it, Cassel really wasn’t sure how to handle that subject. “Oh gosh. Now he is a teammate and I know that it wasn’t intentional,” Cassel said. “I’m sure I’ll talk to him and say hello, say thank you for the opportunity, but you never ..."

Cassel is traded to Chiefs

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March 1

Boston Globe

"The Kansas City Chiefs changed the course of Matt Cassel's career by injuring Patriots franchise quarterback Tom Brady in the 2008 season opener, and now the Patriots have sent the franchise-tagged Cassel to Kansas City to be the Chiefs' franchise quarterback. Striking a deal with former Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli, the Patriots traded Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel to Kansas City in exchange for the Chiefs' second-round pick (the 34th overall selection) in April's NFL draft. "I have a long history with both players," Pioli, Kansas City's general manager, said in a statement yesterday. "Mike and Matt are men that I respect both personally and professionally. ..."

Patriots package Matt Cassel

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March 1

Boston Herald

"Based on what transpired yesterday, not only does it appear the Patriots are comfortable going forward with the state of Tom Brady’s surgically repaired left knee, but they’ve also freed up enough cash to surround him with an even more star-studded cast. While the debate will rage whether the Pats got enough for what turned out to be a combination package of quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second-round pick (34th overall) in April’s draft, what can’t be overlooked is the cap space gained by eliminating the weight of Cassel’s $14.65 million franchise tag. The bigger questions to be asked: Might this deal be setting the stage for something ..."

Chiefs get Cassel, hoping quarterback will be a standout

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March 1

Kansas City Star

"The cost of a franchise quarterback in the NFL is usually astronomical. In Matt Cassel, the Kansas City Chiefs might have obtained one for a second-round draft choice - and picked up a starting linebacker as well. Saturday's trade came not a moment too soon for the Chiefs, who have suffered through bad luck and injuries at quarterback recently. In fact, the Chiefs' current four quarterbacks have a combined 1-18 record the last two seasons. Now Chiefs fans can look for hope in the 26-year-old Cassel. He had never started a game before last season, yet replaced injured superstar Tom Brady and won 11 games for the New England Patriots. If Cassel proves to be the young star quarterback the ..."

Chiefs' trade for Cassel puts Thigpen in backup role

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March 1

Kansas City Star

"All Tyler Thigpen could do as the Chiefs entered the player acquisition phase of the offseason was hope his play last season was enough to persuade Scott Pioli and Todd Haley that he deserved at least a chance to be the starting quarterback next season. That hope was shot down Saturday when the Chiefs traded with New England for Matt Cassel, who is the new starting quarterback. Thigpen instead becomes one of four backup candidates, joining Brodie Croyle, Quinn Gray and Ingle Martin. Veteran Damon Huard was released last week. Thigpen is the most accomplished player of the bunch, but that may or may not count for much. Thigpen put a spark into a lifeless Chiefs offense after becoming their ..."

Trade for Cassel, like Pioli and Haley, looks good on paper

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March 1

Kansas City Star

columnist Jason Whitlock

"Pardon my caution. I've been disappointed often enough to temper my optimistic enthusiasm and wait for the results. It's been quite a week for the Twin Bills: Kansas City's Belichick and Parcells knockoffs, Scott Pioli and Todd Haley. They disrespected and alienated a potential loyal soldier, Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters, and began the process of relocating New England's spare parts to Arrowhead Stadium, trading for quarterback Matt Cassel and outside linebacker Mike Vrabel. Pioli and Haley are doing exactly what they promised. They're shaking the foundation of the Chiefs organization and transforming the culture of the locker room. Congrats! We've seen this before. Fresh off a Super Bowl ..."

Cassel expected to be dealt to Chiefs

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February 28

NFL.com

"The Kansas City Chiefs appear to have found their starting quarterback. NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reports the Chiefs are expected to trade for New England Patriots QB Matt Cassel on Saturday. The teams have agreed on compensation, according to Schefter, but no details of the deal were immediately available. Cassel was designated as the Patriots’ franchise player on Feb. 5, guaranteeing him $14.65 million next season. The signed tender was officially submitted to the league earlier this week. Cassel saw the first significant action of his career last season, taking over as the starter for the injured Tom Brady in Week 2 and starting 15 games, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for ..."

For some teams, Cassel could be viable option

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February 21

Boston Globe

"It's the time of year when teams start to find faults - real and imagined - with the top prospects in the NFL draft. But the scrutiny of this year's quarterback crop has extended to Patriot Matt Cassel. After his successful stint filling in for Tom Brady in 2008, Cassel, on whom the Patriots used the franchise tag at a cost of $14.65 million, would seem to be a viable alternative for teams entering April's draft in need of a franchise quarterback, such as the Lions and 49ers. However, whispers heard in NFL circles suggest Cassel's success is more a byproduct of the Patriots' system, the presence of wideouts Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and the guidance of departed offensive coordinator Josh ..."

Will Patriots ship out Matt Cassel?

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February 20

Boston Herald

"One week from today, NFL teams will again be free to trade players. With that in mind, might Tom Brady have dropped a not-so-subtle hint about the future of Matt Cassel when he appeared at the West End House Boys & Girls Club in Allston on Wednesday? After all, there are two schools of thought regarding Cassel, the backup quarterback who currently holds a $14.65 million franchise tender. One has him sticking around this season as a highly compensated and much-needed insurance policy given there are no guarantees with Brady’s reconstructed left knee. The second has him being dealt to the highest bidder. So was anyone swayed by Brady’s glowing report on his health or the fact that he heaved ..."