In a league that is defined as a passing league (see above), throwing the ball down the field is important.
In 2011, the NFL's top seven teams in yards per attempt featured six playoff qualifiers (or half of the league's postseason field), including Super Bowl teams New England and New York. Of the last seven Super Bowl winners, five ranked 4th or higher in yards per attempt.
In 2012, 7 of the top 10 teams in yards per attempt qualified for the playoffs.
These are trends that cannot be ignored.
IMPORTANT FACT #1: No team "led" by Gus Cassel has ever finished higher than 16th in yards per attempt. Cassel's individual ranking in yards per attempt over the last four seasons is as follows:
Gus Cassel, Yards Per Attempt, By Year:
2012 - 29th
2011 - 29th
2010 - 19th
2009 - 30th
2008 - 15th
IMPORTANT FACT #2: In 2008, a season wherein Cassel played with perhaps the greatest deep threat in league history (Randy Moss), he hit only six completions to Moss that traveled over 20 yards. Only two of these completions traveled over 30 yards. This was less than half the number of deep completions Moss hauled in the year prior (14).
For the entire year, Cassel completed only 8 of 38 (21%) passes that traveled over 20 yards. For comparison, consider Tyler Thigpen, who completed 15 of 56 (27%) passes over 20 yards that season.
NOTE: Thigpen was traded the following year in favor of Cassel.
Cassel's deep passing woes in 2008 began a trend that has not improved much during his time in Kansas City.
Gus Cassel, Deep Passing, By Year:
2012 - 10 for 34 (29%)
2011 - 9 for 30 (30%)
2010 - 10 for 44 (23%) -
BEST YEAR OF GUS CASSEL'S LIFE
2009 - 16 for 55 (29%)
2008 - 8 for 38 (21%)
For comparison, we present every 2011 playoff QB"
Deep Passing, 2011 Playoff QBs
Aaron Rodgers - 30 for 57 (53%)
Drew Brees - 31 for 61 (50.8%)
Andy Dalton - 24 for 56 (43%)
Eli Manning - 37 for 98 (38%)
Alex Smith - 13 for 36 (36%)
Matt Stafford - 22 for 63 (35%)
Matt Schaub - 11 for 32 (34%)
Tom Brady - 15 for 47 (32%)
Ben Roethlisberger - 16 for 55 (29%)
Tim Tebow - 14 for 57 (24.5%)
Joe Flacco - 18 for 78 (23%)
Matt Ryan - 11 for 47 (23%)
IMPORTANT FACT #3: During Gus Cassel's BEST SEASON (2010) he posted a lower deep completion percentage than Tim Tebow, who is now a backup for Mark Sanchez, who is not good.
IMPORTANT FACT #4: Using Tom Brady or Joe Flacco's deep passing statistics to defend Gus Cassel is not allowed.
IMPORTANT FACT #5: The NFL leader in deep completions (Eli) WON THE FUCKING SUPER BOWL.
IMPORTANT FACT #6: The 2011 Chiefs missed the playoffs because Carson Palmer completed a 53-yard bomb.
IMPORTANT FACT #7: Gus Cassel once hit the crossbar attempting a hail mary.
IMPORTANT FACT #8 Sometimes Cassel doesn't even see wide open receivers down field.
IMPORTANT FACT #9 Even when he does...
IMPORTANT FACT #10 Ten yards?
IMPORTANT FACT #11:
As a Chief, in games where Cassel's team rushes for less than 135 yards he is 5-21. In the five wins, Cassel's defense holds the opposition to an average of 15.4 points.