The Chief Complaint

Everything continues to go wrong in Kansas City, and the fans want answers.  However, those answers seem to stop with quarterback Matt Cassel. While Cassel is part of it, the real problem is bigger.  We have been handcuffed to a quarterback by Scott Pioli.  Pioli, who has made numerous notably bad picks, has adopted the "New England Method" of acquiring draft picks and young sleepers when in fact the Chiefs should be selling those picks for an upgrade at the most important position, quarterback. Matt Cassel continues to force the ball into tight areas, but his lacking accuracy has led to interceptions.  Other than Bowe, the Chiefs' receivers have been near irrelevant, and the fact that they are one of the most talented receiving cores in the NFL makes it all the worst.  Historically, to get to, and win a Superbowl a team needs either a great quarterback or an elite defense.  The Chiefs have just the opposite: a great rushing attack, a great receiving core, and great special teams play.  Forming an elite defense requires years of rebuilding and some luck, but finding a quarterback is as easy as trading up in the draft, just look at the Washington Redskins.  Besides, the Chiefs defense is far from elite, allowing 30+ points in three of the four games, including 40 points against Atlanta and 37 against San Diego.  The only win the Chiefs have came against a winless Saints team that is down to its third choice coach after Head Coach Sean Payton and Defensive Coordinator Joe Vitt were suspended due to the bounty scandal. Most points that the Chiefs have scored have been in "garbage time," and it is the fault of the coach, the general manager, and the quarterback.

Romeo Crennel is a head coach with a TERRIBLE career record.  As head coach, he seems out of place.  From his press conferences, where he consistently states obvious facts and sidesteps questions, to his play calling, where his very conservative calls in tough situations show his lack of faith in the team, Crennel is the wrong choice for the job.  At best Crennel is a very good coordinator, but he is far to lenient to be a head coach in the NFL. It doesn't help that Pioli makes picks that set Crennel up with a pour team.  From Tyson Jackson, to Glen Dorsey, the Chiefs have made horrendous picks under Pioli, spending valuable time, picks, money, and effort on inadequate players.  However, there is a way around inadequacy... DRAFT AN ELITE QUARTERBACK.  Pioli seems unwilling or unable to see that the "Matt Cassel experiment" is simply not working.  The Chiefs need to be very concerned, because short of finishing 1-15 or 2-14 and getting the top pick in the draft, they could be stuck with mediocrity, and should have no reason to believe that Pioli will do the necessary thing and trade up to get Geno Smith or Matt Barkley.  While Matt Barkley may not be better than Matt Cassel, the fans have turned on Cassel, making his future, or lack thereof, a near certainty.

Ultimately Matt Cassel is limited, but he can't be blamed for lacking greatness, because in fairness he is one of the top 50 quarterbacks in the world.  That being said, the Chiefs and their fans could be in for some long losing seasons if a new quarterback doesn't come to Kansas City this off season.