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Scott Pioli is tasked with turning around the Chiefs, a franchise that backed into the playoffs in 2006 but has since won just six times in 32 tries.
There are reasons for optimism, however; Kansas City's 2008 draft class was one of the best in recent memory; Dwayne Bowe is quickly becoming one of the AFC's best wideouts; and Tyler Thigpen, a draft-day afterthought with the Vikings in '07, played like a legit NFL quarterback for most of the season. And, of course, Pioli is now running the show.
But here's the thing: is there any chance Pioli -- who watched a former college backup replace the supposedly irreplaceable Tom Brady, and succeed while doing it -- tries to work a deal for Matt Cassel? Seems like a longshot, particularly since Pioli just left the Patriots and sending a couple high-round picks there way for a still unproven quarterback might appear a tad shady.
Perceptions aside, the Chiefs won two games last year; they're in no position to squander draft choices on the hopes that Cassel doesn't suddenly turn into Brodie Croyle. Not only that, but Thigpen's earned the chance at keeping the gig; after taking over the starting job in Week 8, his passer rating was north of 75.0 in every game but one. Not Trent Green-in-2003-type numbers, but other than Tony Gonzalez and the fancy uniforms, not much about the current squad is reminiscent of the team that won 13 games.
This might all be moot, anyway. If, in the coming weeks, New England thinks Brady won't be ready to go by training camp, Cassel will get franchised. Yeah, $14 million is a lot to give a potential part-timer, but the alternative -- going with unproven second-year player Kevin O'Connell -- is a non-starter. (Or at least it should be; Bill Belichick has a history of giving conventional wisdom the finger.)
Last-ditch rationalizing, via Rotoworld: "The Patriots never selected a QB higher than 94th overall during new Chiefs GM Scott Pioli's eight-year run in New England's personnel department." So, Tyler, put up Tommy Terrific-like numbers and you'll have nothing to worry about.
