Re: Cassel signs long term deal with Chiefs today (Reported $63M 6 Years 28M guarante
Scott Pioli had a leg up on the other GM's since he drafted this kid and watched him mature over the course of 4 seasons and knew what others in the organization who are smarter than the average FO personnel, not to mention fan base, knew.
Someone over on Lombardi's site had a good piece up a while back about young QB's and how the league catches up to many of them after an impressive start. He said that usually happens after 8-10 games. The fact that Cassel got better as the year went on, long after DC's had time to assess his strengths and weaknesses, told him that Matt was already prepared to make the adjustment to their adjustments.
The sky's the limit for this kid if Pioli can teambuild around him. It won't be easy since he's starting from scratch, not just with players but with coaches and personnel people who while they may have some familiarity with Bill and his system haven't exactly run it. Save for the QB. But I guess if you had to choose which position to be most secure about, that's it. Lots of people said a BB/Pioli disciple in Atlanta would never take a QB with that their top 3 pick. But they did and it's finally really turned that franchise around. They may not win it all any time soon, but they are on the right track to tweek rather than scrap over the next couple of seasons. And that's really all Pioli is counting on. Believe me, that was all Bill dared hope for here in 2000/2001. He was as shocked as anyone that this team came together as fast as it did.
And while Josh will likely be under more pressure to win sooner, he too ultimately understood that he needed a QB who could be a disciplined system player and leader at the helm in Denver. Just not sure he didn't wait too long and have to settle for the best remaining option. But he's still better off without a malcontent gunslinger with delusions of grandeur whose been there longer than him potentially sulking in the locker room post game if they don't turn it around there in a season.
Teambuilding is all about forming partnerships and building on a foundation of trust and mutual respect. GM, HC, QB, core defenders. Pick the right guys for those jobs and they will bring the rest of the crew into line.
