Matt Cassel Named 2nd Worst Starting QB In The NFL
By Adam Carlson
Lately, there hasn’t been a lot of love for Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel. Despite not having an absolutely terrible year last year, many fans and experts seem to feel that Cassel has no place even competing for a starting job in the NFL.
Wall Street Cheat Sheet is one of those sites that is highly skeptical of Matt Cassel’s ability to lead the Vikings this year. Matt Reevy wrote a piece titled “The 7 Worst Quarterbacks Set To Start In 2014” where he had these words to say about Cassel when he ranked him the #2 worst 2014 starting quarterback:
Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) claps following the game against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Lions 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
"Similarly to Jacksonville, Minnesota fans (including Prince) have had to suffer through years of wasted Adrian Peterson watching a series of underperforming quarterbacks traipse in and out of their locker room to no avail. What separates Minny from Jacksonville, though, is that they’ve got Adrian Peterson and playoff aspirations, and while MJD was a great running back, he’s no All Day. In that regard, then, Cassel — who had his best years in New England and Kansas City going 10-5 with both teams — is an even worse eventuality than Henne, or anyone else listed here so far. The Vikings have said that Cassel, Christian Ponder, and newly drafted Teddy Bridgewater will battle for the starting spot, and that’s just depressing when we look at the phenomenon they’re squandering:"
(then he inserted a highlight video of Adrian Peterson)
I might be one of the few people left that see Cassel as a better option than many of the others on this list. Last year, Cassel played in 9 games for the Minnesota Vikings where he ended up with a record of 5-4. He threw more touchdowns than interceptions. He was even named FedEx Air Player of the Week for his week 12 performance against the Philadelphia Eagles.
While I’m firmly on the Teddy Bridgewater bandwagon, I wouldn’t feel as horribly uncomfortable with the idea of Matt Cassel starting. The writer of that article did make a valid point about the window closing on Adrian Peterson, but that’s no reason to rush a quarterback into the fray before he is ready and risk the long term development. Whoever ends up winning the competition in camp to be the Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback will have some great weapons, a new system, and a new offensive coordinator to help him this year.
Still, I’d rather have Matt Cassel at the helm than Chad Henne, Jake Locker, or several other quarterbacks slated to start this year.