The Declaration Of Independence, MO - The People vs. Matthew Gus Brennan Cassel

[Hammock Parties]

The Declaration Of Independence, MO


The People vs. Matthew Gus Brennan Cassel

When in the course of football events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the fandom bands which have connected them with a Quarterback, and to assume among the Powers of the NFL, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Football and of the NFL's Goodell entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Quarterbacks are not created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain Unalienable Talents, that among these are Arm Strength, Accuracy and the Pursuit of Championships.

That to secure these talents, Quarterbacks are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the Consent of the Fanbase, That whenever any Form of Quarterback becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Quarterbacks, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Attendance At Arrowhead and Hope For A Championship.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Quarterbacks Long Established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably The Same Offense evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to Throw Off Such Quarterbacks, and to provide new Guards (however, neither left nor right) for their Future Rooting Interests.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Chiefs Fans; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Offense. The history of the present Quarterback is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an Absolute Run-First Offense over the State of Missouri.

To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Cassel 3:16

Spoiler!

Matt Cassel is 19-30 in his 49 career games with the Chiefs.

He is 15-9 in games where we ran the ball more than we threw it.

He is 1-1 in games where rushes and passes were equal. Rivers gifted us one win with a fumbled snap. We lost one other game where Ryan made Cassel cry.

However, in an NFL that is classified as a pass first league, he is 3-20 when we put the ball in the air more than we run it.

These games are - 2009 Steelers, 2009 Raiders, 2011 Vikings. The Chiefs have averaged 19.3 points in these wins. Gus threw 3 TD total.

Playoff Teams Beat Cassel At An Alarming Rate

Spoiler!

Gus Cassel has a career winning percentage of .158 against playoff teams (3-16), including a 30-7 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2010 playoffs, in which Gus threw for 70 yards and 3 INT

However, two of these wins came during Cassel's time as a Patriot (2-4 overall). He is 1-12 against playoff teams as a member of the KC Chiefs.

The only playoff team Cassel has defeated as a Chief was the 7-9 Seahawks, who surrendered 270 rushing yards and turned the ball over thrice.

Gus Cassel's Record Against Playoff Teams:

2012 - 0-3
2011 - 0-2 (includes home loss to Tim Tebow)
2010 - 1-2
2009 - 0-5
2008 - 2-4

IMPORTANT FACT #1: Cassel has a losing record against playoff teams for one reason: he can't lead the offense to scores. Check out his PPG against playoff teams as a Chief:

2012: 12.0
2011: 6.5
2010: 19.3
2009: 13.0

A dismal average at just 13.2 PPG overall. But the 2010 average is completely skewed due to a 42-point outburst against the Seahawks. If you remove that game, Cassel's career average PPG against playoff teams as a Chief plummets to 10.8 PPG. LOL

This proves that regardless of the quality of the team around him, Cassel is a liability. The 2009 Chiefs blessed Cassel with a horrendous supporting cast, yet scored MORE points per game against playoff teams than the 2012 Chiefs! Inconceivable!

Against playoff teams, for his Chiefs career, Cassel averages 148.1 yards passing per game. He has 13 TD and 16 INT in these games (13 games in total). His quarterback rating in these games is a hilarious 67.1.

IMPORTANT FACT #2: With better quarterback play, the Chiefs might have won some of these games. This includes:

1. A 2009 game against Dallas where Cassel failed to produce a game-winning drive in OT, given two chances. His second chance, from the 50, ended in a three and out after two incompletions.

2. A 2009 game against the Bengals where the Chiefs' running game produced 123 yards and the defense held Cincy to 274 total yards.

3. A 2010 game where Cassel threw for 153 yards in a loss to the Colts, as he watched the Chiefs run for 113 yards and hold Peyton Manning to 5.5 yards per attempt. This was against the league's 23rd ranked defense.

4. A 2010 playoff game that was scored 13-7 late in the third quarter. From this point forward Cassel committed a crucial intentional grounding penalty and threw an INT on the ensuing possession, ending the game.

5. A 2011 game where the Chiefs, even without Jamaal Charles, ran for 134 yards and held the Broncos to two completions. Cassel threw for 93 yards against the league's 24th ranked defense, and then sustained a hand injury and conveniently escaped judgment against the difficult part of our schedule.

6. A 2012 game against the Baltimore Ravens, in which Cassel threw 2 INTs while the offense scored 6 points. The Chiefs lost 9-6.


IMPORTANT FACT #3: Gus Cassel has never won a close game against a playoff team. All 3 of his wins have been blowouts, 2 of which were aided by elite performances from Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles. In a third win, Kurt Warner was pulled before NE's defense had a chance to kill him.

Winning Teams Beat Cassel At An Alarming Rate

Spoiler!

It is important to note the distinction of Cassel's record against winning teams (9-7 or better) and playoff teams, since the only playoff team Cassel has ever defeated as a Chief was a losing team (the 7-9 Seahawks).

This also allows us to quantify his performance against good teams who miss the playoffs. It also allows us to see how he has succeeded only vs weak schedules.

Gus Cassel has a career winning percentage of 0.238 against winning teams (5-16). This includes a playoff loss to the 2010 Ravens. It also includes three wins with the Patriots, meaning Cassel is 2-11 as Chiefs quarterback against winning teams.

Gus Cassel's Record Against Winning Teams:

2012: 0-3
2011: 0-1
2010: 1-2
2009: 1-5
2008: 3-5

IMPORTANT FACT #1: One of Cassel's two victories as Chiefs quarterback against winning teams came at the beginning of the 2010 season, against the San Diego Chargers (9-7). Cassel threw for 68 yards in this game. The Chiefs scored based primarily upon:

1. A long run by Jamaal Charles.
2. A punt return by Dexter McCluster.
3. A fumble recovery, leading to a 3-play, 12-yard drive, orchestrated completely by The Magnificent Gus Cassel.

The Chiefs had exactly one third down conversion. It was also raining in this game, which could explain why Cassel chose not to complete passes. NOTE: Philip Rivers, who is waterproof, threw for 298 yards in this game, and KC's defense preserved a win with a goal-line stand.

IMPORTANT FACT #2: In Cassel's other victory over a winning team as a member of the Chiefs (vs 2009 Steelers), he made several excellent plays during the fourth quarter and overtime.

NFL historians remain skeptical, but it is possible a quarterback who makes plays late in games is key to a championship team, and may result in more wins over teams such as the 2009 Steelers, the defending Super Bowl Champions.

Cassel Lacks Deep Passing Ability

Spoiler!

In a league that is defined as a passing league (see above), throwing the ball down the field is important.

In 2011, the NFL's top seven teams in yards per attempt featured six playoff qualifiers (or half of the league's postseason field), including Super Bowl teams New England and New York. Of the last seven Super Bowl winners, five ranked 4th or higher in yards per attempt.

In 2012, 7 of the top 10 teams in yards per attempt qualified for the playoffs.

These are trends that cannot be ignored.

IMPORTANT FACT #1: No team "led" by Gus Cassel has ever finished higher than 16th in yards per attempt. Cassel's individual ranking in yards per attempt over the last four seasons is as follows:

Gus Cassel, Yards Per Attempt, By Year:


2012 - 29th
2011 - 29th
2010 - 19th
2009 - 30th
2008 - 15th

IMPORTANT FACT #2: In 2008, a season wherein Cassel played with perhaps the greatest deep threat in league history (Randy Moss), he hit only six completions to Moss that traveled over 20 yards. Only two of these completions traveled over 30 yards. This was less than half the number of deep completions Moss hauled in the year prior (14).

For the entire year, Cassel completed only 8 of 38 (21%) passes that traveled over 20 yards. For comparison, consider Tyler Thigpen, who completed 15 of 56 (27%) passes over 20 yards that season. NOTE: Thigpen was traded the following year in favor of Cassel.

Cassel's deep passing woes in 2008 began a trend that has not improved much during his time in Kansas City.

Gus Cassel, Deep Passing, By Year:


2012 - 10 for 34 (29%)
2011 - 9 for 30 (30%)
2010 - 10 for 44 (23%) - BEST YEAR OF GUS CASSEL'S LIFE
2009 - 16 for 55 (29%)
2008 - 8 for 38 (21%)

For comparison, we present every 2011 playoff QB"

Deep Passing, 2011 Playoff QBs

Aaron Rodgers - 30 for 57 (53%)
Drew Brees - 31 for 61 (50.8%)
Andy Dalton - 24 for 56 (43%)
Eli Manning - 37 for 98 (38%)
Alex Smith - 13 for 36 (36%)
Matt Stafford - 22 for 63 (35%)
Matt Schaub - 11 for 32 (34%)
Tom Brady - 15 for 47 (32%)
Ben Roethlisberger - 16 for 55 (29%)
Tim Tebow - 14 for 57 (24.5%)
Joe Flacco - 18 for 78 (23%)
Matt Ryan - 11 for 47 (23%)

IMPORTANT FACT #3: During Gus Cassel's BEST SEASON (2010) he posted a lower deep completion percentage than Tim Tebow, who is now a backup for Mark Sanchez, who is not good.

IMPORTANT FACT #4: Using Tom Brady or Joe Flacco's deep passing statistics to defend Gus Cassel is not allowed.

IMPORTANT FACT #5: The NFL leader in deep completions (Eli) WON THE ****ING SUPER BOWL.

IMPORTANT FACT #6: The 2011 Chiefs missed the playoffs because Carson Palmer completed a 53-yard bomb.

IMPORTANT FACT #7: Gus Cassel once hit the crossbar attempting a hail mary.



IMPORTANT FACT #8 Sometimes Cassel doesn't even see wide open receivers down field.



IMPORTANT FACT #9 Even when he does...



IMPORTANT FACT #10 Ten yards?



IMPORTANT FACT #11:

As a Chief, in games where Cassel's team rushes for less than 135 yards he is 5-21. In the five wins, Cassel's defense holds the opposition to an average of 15.4 points.

Cassel Makes Offensive Linemen Worse

Spoiler!

Cassel apologists cite the Chiefs' pass protection woes as responsible for his generally poor production and often embarrassing play. While it is true the Chiefs have had offensive line issues (such as Fece Richardson, the worst tackle in NFL history), they are overstated.

IMPORTANT FACT #1: During the 2008 season with New England, Cassel was sacked once every 11 pass attempts. Behind the exact same offensive line Tom Brady was sacked once every 35 pass attempts. This is a particularly harsh indictment of Cassel's ability to detect, respond to and escape pressure considering Brady (who is less athletic) was operating an offense that was more wide open, featured more of an emphasis down the field and was less dependent on running.

IMPORTANT FACT #2: Despite the fact that the Chiefs' offensive line has improved in talent and performance every season he has started games in Kansas City, Cassel's sack rate doesn't really change.

Gus Cassel Sack Rate + KC/NE Pass Blocking Ranking, By Year (provided by PFF)


2012 - 1 sack every 14.5 attempts - 19th ranked pass blocking line. (editor's note - ranking skewed by Branden Albert leaving the lineup after Cassel was benched)
2011 - 1 sack every 12 attempts - 5th ranked pass blocking line.
2010 - 1 sack every 17 attempts - 16th ranked pass blocking line.
2009 - 1 sack every 12 attempts - 30th ranked pass blocking line.
2008 - 1 sack every 11 attempts - 18th ranked pass blocking line.

IMPORTANT FACT #3: It should be noted that Cassel's 2010 "improvement" in sack rate directly coincided with the Chiefs #1 running game. Also, at the conclusion of the season, he was sacked three times, while attempting 18 passes, against the Baltimore Ravens, who had the league's 28th rated pass rush (credit: PFF).

IMPORTANT FACT #4: Per their usual brilliance, PFF assigns sack responsibility to quarterbacks on certain plays. In just nine games last season, Cassel was credited with "sacking himself" five times.

IMPORTANT FACT #5: Tyler Palko, who probably doesn't belong on anyone's NFL roster, let alone in a huddle, had a sack rate (1 sack every 12 attempts) identical to Cassel's.

IMPORTANT FACT #6: Kyle Orton, who is not known for elusive ability, was sacked once in three games as Kansas City's starter. GM Scott Pioli refused to re-sign him for unknown reasons, perhaps relating to brain damage or an overdose of Cannoli.

IMPORTANT FACT #7 Even when he successfuly eludes pressure, Cassel manages to unsuccessfully elude pressure.



IMPORTANT FACT #8 Sometimes, Gus is capable of missing open receivers and walking himself into a sack all on the same play.

Cassel Struggles Against Good Defenses At An Alarming Rate

Spoiler!

While it is true that Gus Cassel occasionally turns in a nice game or does something "heroic" (such as the time he valiantly played a few days after a co-conspirator induced a potentially debilitating rupture within his appendix), he more often than not struggles against good defenses. In a conference with teams like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston, New York and Cincinnati, can Cassel beat such defenses? How else would he advance to, or even win playoff games?

For his career, when facing a top 10 defense (measured by yards or points allowed), Cassel is 5-11.

Gus Cassel's Record Against Top 10 Defenses, By Year:


2012: 0-3
2011: 0-1
2010: 1-1
2009: 3-3
2008: 1-3

That doesn't seem so bad (relatively speaking), although Cassel seems to have ducked good defenses the last two seasons (perhaps the best he's ever been able to avoid pressure his whole career).

What about his statistics?

Cassel's 185 yards per game in those 16 contests isn't bad (for Gus). His TD/INT ratio (11/16) is horrible. His team averages 16.1 offensive points per game.

Even worse: His Chiefs teams average 12.6 offensive points per game.

IMPORTANT FACT #1: Cincinnati, Baltimore, Houston and Denver all qualified for the AFC Playoffs this season. All ranked in the top 10 on defense.

QUERY: Do you feel more comfortable pitting Gus Cassel against a Top 10 defense, or would you rather have him face Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Choose wisely, because...

Cassel Struggles Against Elite Quarterbacks At An Alarming Rate

Spoiler!

A short list of quarterbacks Gus Cassel has faced throughout his career that might be considered "elite," or "definitely not Cassel in any way":

Rivers, P. Manning, Roethlisberger, E. Manning, Romo, Schaub, Flacco, Stafford, Ryan, Brees

Cassel's record against this group: 4-17 (.190).[/B]

IMPORTANT FACT #1 In one of these wins, Cassel threw for 68 yards.

IMPORTANT FACT #2 In one of these wins, Philip Rivers fumbled a snap for no apparent reason, giving the game away.

Gus Cassel's Record Against Elite Quarterbacks, By Year:


2012: 1-5
2011: 1-2
2010: 1-3 68 HOT SHIT YARDS
2009: 1-4
2008: 0-3

IMPORTANT FACT #3 In these 19 games against the elite quarterbacks of the NFL, Cassel's teams have averaged 15 offensive points per game.


IMPORTANT FACT #4 The last NFL team to win a postseason game without scoring at least 17 points was the 2008 Ravens. They had the #2 defense in the league. They lost the next week to a team with a fat-faced franchise quarterback.

IMPORTANT FACT #5 As Chiefs QB, Cassel is 0-20 against teams that score more than 24 points.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of Chiefs Fans, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme GM of Arrowhead for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Chiefs, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Chiefs fans are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent of Matthew Gus Brennan Cassel.

That they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the Patriot Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of New England, is and ought to be totally dissolved.

And that as Free and Independent Chiefs Fans, they have full Power to levy Boos, conclude Peace, contract Alliances with Dwayne Bowe, establish Commerce with Top Five Picks, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent Fans may of right do.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Playoff Fortunes and our Sacred Fandom.


SIGN BELOW


This post made possible by SNR, Coogs and The Gang Of 14.
Statistics compiled by ESPN, PFF and PFR

Dedicated to 'Hamas' Jenkins, our Patrick Henry, who said "Give Me Sanchez, Or Give Me Death."









For further details, please review The Pioli Facts.

The Declaration has been updated with statistics from 2012 and FINALIZED. Remove Matt Cassel from Kansas City. FOREVER.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Look how terrible Matt is at quarterbacking. He could easily hit Hillis for a first down. Instead he's nearly picked. Matt, you dumbass.

This GIF illustrates how Cassel doesn't understand cvgs or goes through reads. The on time checking down would be excellent, it doesn't happen.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Look how terrible Matt is at quarterbacking. He could easily hit Hillis for a first down. Instead he's nearly picked. Matt, you dumbass.

a legit NFL Qb hits Baldwin on that play for really big yardage.

Bottom of screen, next to midget...who is also open for a guy with a strong enough arm to make the pass.

He doesnt even try to look anywhere else but at Bowe...which is the exact reason that so many of his passes have been intercepted when throwing in Bowes direction. Teams know that if you bracket him and get people in the vicinity, Cassel is so innacurate that you will get lots of ints on passes that are "dropped"

[AussieChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Look how terrible Matt is at quarterbacking. He could easily hit Hillis for a first down. Instead he's nearly picked. Matt, you dumbass.

[Sorter]

If Matt is going to throw that ball to Bowe, it needs to be out of his hands in around 2.5 seconds.

He has two other more simpler receiving options in Baldwin and Hillis that could pick up the first down.

I don't understand why the guy forces the ball when he doesn't need to and then when he needs to force it, he checks down. Doesn't make any kind of sense to me. I am empathetic that it's hard to survey 3 or 4 reads quickly with 300 lbs men running towards you but there are plenty of guys paid way less than Cassel who do a competent job of it on Sundays who haven't been in the league 8 years.

[Hammock Parties]

There's a safety over the top that's cut out that is making a throw to Baldwin risky.

No question he should have looked off Bowe and dumped it to Hillis though.

He lacks any ability to manipulate a secondary.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Phobia

I don't understand why the guy forces the ball when he doesn't need to and then when he needs to force it, he checks down. Doesn't make any kind of sense to me. I am empathetic that it's hard to survey 3 or 4 reads quickly with 300 lbs men running towards you but there are plenty of guys paid way less than Cassel who do a competent job of it on Sundays who haven't been in the league 8 years.

This is why I think Pioli isn't that smart. I mean, WTF do youis this what they say to Cassel when they go over this on film?

"well, you had a cover 2 look and went to your curl too early. This totally isn't something to expect with a LeBeau D, and I think you did great. Really unlucky that the SS jumped that route, I doubt it happens in the future.".


And then later " Wait, that wasn't Troy? WTF? How did he know to jump that? WTF"

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

There's a safety over the top that's cut out that is making a throw to Baldwin risky.

No question he should have looked off Bowe and dumped it to Hillis though.

He lacks any ability to manipulate a secondary.

NVM, then it's a cov 3/6 look. From the GIF, it looks like cover 2 and the safety jumps it. If there is another safety over Baldwin, then it is cover 3/cover6 and Matt needs to go straight to Hillis. Could probably fit it into Baldwin, but that would mean you have a QB with a quick release and good accuracy.

Keep in mind I'm posting at 2:30 and this could be completely wrong.

Why wouldn't somebody jump a route versus Cassel? It's not like he's going to hit more than 10% of his guys deep. He'd check down way before somebody could clear. I don't really have a problem with Cassel's release. I mean, he's no Marino but he's not Leftwich either. There are more glaring problems.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Why wouldn't somebody jump a route versus Cassel? It's not like he's going to hit more than 10% of his guys deep. He'd check down way before somebody could clear. I don't really have a problem with Cassel's release. I mean, he's no Marino but he's not Leftwich either. There are more glaring problems.

I agree. What I meant by his release issues isn't necessarily his throwing motion/release point as un-aesthetically pleasing as it is, it is the timing of his throws. A quicker release might get the ball there, but it is really due to his decision making.

Seriously, when was the last TD throw Cassel completed over the top? Anything I remember was a RAC result or something already in the red-zone. He doesn't scare anybody. There's no such thing as stretching the field with this guy behind center.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Seriously, when was the last TD throw Cassel completed over the top? Anything I remember was a RAC result or something already in the red-zone. He doesn't scare anybody. There's no such thing as stretching the field with this guy behind center.

Believe it or not his best season throwing deep was 2009.

This year again he's near the bottom over 20 yards.

[Hammock Parties]

Matt aims for Dexter's big toe and hits it with perfect accuracy. OH NOES SAYS TRUE FANS HE HAD A PASS RUSHER IN HIS FACE.

[The Franchise]

If he hits McCluster in stride.....that would have been a huge gain. Moeaki could have easily tripped....got hurt.....and had his defender stop to help him.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Matt aims for Dexter's big toe and hits it with perfect accuracy. OH NOES SAYS TRUE FANS HE HAD A PASS RUSHER IN HIS FACE.