AFC West: Chiefs Fans calling for Cassel’s ouster

The AFC West is beginning to be a two team race between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos. On Sunday, the Chargers easily defeated AFC West rival the Kansas City Chiefs 37-20 to improve their record to 3-1 and take sole possession of first place in the division. The Denver Broncos destroyed the Oakland Raiders 37-6 on Sunday to improve to 2-2 on the season and are now in second place alone in the division. Both the Raiders and Chiefs fell to 1-3 on the year.

Many people in the Kansas City organization thought with the return this season of Matt Cassel from injury would mean the Chiefs would return to being playoff contenders. That has not happened and after four games of the 2012 season, some are calling for Cassel to be replaced.

Since his arrival, Cassel has not been the most popular Chiefs player. The fans in Kansas City want playoffs, championships and Super Bowls and often times voice their displeasure and pray for a dynamic, versatile quarterback to replace Cassel.

Many are calling for Cassel’s ouster after the drubbing the team took at the hands of the Chargers. The subject seemed to be on every local television and radio station following the offensive showing by Kansas City that can only be described as embarrassing. The pressure will now start to increase and will continue increasing until he is either replaced during the season or leaves the team at the end of the season.

This season much was expected of the Chiefs, but after 25% of the season has passed, playoff hopes are quickly fading away. During the first four games of the season, the Chiefs have been outscored by their opponents 41-6. The Chiefs have not scored any touchdowns to open a game since 2010 and they are the only team in the league to never play a second of any game this season with a lead.

After defeating the New Orleans Saints in overtime in week three, the Chiefs could have tied San Diego for the division lead with a win on Sunday. That hope lasted less than the first 15 minutes of the game, as the team committed three first quarter turnovers and trailed after the first quarter 17-0. On the game, the Chiefs committed six turnovers, with Cassel throwing three interceptions.

The San Diego defense suffocated the hapless offense of Cassel and his fellow teammates. The loss should not be blamed entirely on Cassel. The Chiefs’ running backs fumbled the ball three times, including two by Jamaal Charles the starting running back.

Following the game, Chiefs’ head coach Romeo Crennel was asked if he was thinking of changing his quarterback, he quickly replied no. He said he stayed with running back Charles even though he fumbled twice and was sticking with his starting quarterback Cassel as well.

Many NFL experts believe it is too early to switch QBs at Kansas City, as starters are usually benched when they are completely lost and that has not taken place yet with Cassel. In addition, his backup Brady Quinn is not exactly a Joe Montana in the making.

Others are saying let Cassel stay and draft a great college quarterback like Matt Barkley from USC or Geno Smith from West Virginia.

Pulling Cassel and throwing in another quarterback in his place at this point is premature and will certainly end the season for Kansas City.