Matt Cassel turned in a gutsy performance in Sunday's Kansas City Chiefs' 27-13 win on the road in St. Louis that thankfully didn't end with the quarterback's guts spilled on the field.
Not even a full two weeks after Kansas City's quarterback had emergency surgery to remove his appendix, Cassel was taking snaps and marching the Chiefs down the field. The second-quarter series in which Cassel dropped back to pass, spun out to find no options and scrambled for a 13-yard gain was one of the ballsiest plays I've seen. Cassel popped up and pumped his fist.
Cassel's proved he's the Chiefs leader on Sunday. Brian Waters said as much after the game: "After today, fans have to appreciate this guy. I know a lot of people doubted Matt, but they shouldn't doubt him anymore. There's no question he's our leader and he's a very good football player. I told him before the game that he didn't need to be Superman out here today ... but on a few plays, he actually looked like Superman."
After last week's whooping by the Chargers, it was clear the Chiefs needed Cassel to play. And for a guy who was one organ lighter, Cassel performed admirably: He completed 15-of-29 passes for 184 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Should he have played? It's easy to say yes now, but it's hard not to question the decision when you read ESPN's game recap: "Before the game, Cassel said one of the team doctors texted that he was probably more nervous than the quarterback about what might happen."
If a team doctor is that worried, should a player be on the field? Cassel made it out all right. But if one of those third quarter sacks had ended with him getting carted off the field, then we'd be hearing a different story. He didn't so we get to celebrate.
Cassel sounded like Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse ("Pain don't hurt") blowing after the win. "I felt 100 percent otherwise I wouldn't have been out there," Cassel said after the game (via Arrowhead Pride). "My family knows I wouldn't put myself in jeopardy but at the same time know I'm a competitor and want to be out there. They just gave me their blessings and said go get 'em."
Cassel certainly came through.
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