May 16, 2012

Cassel will be a game time decision

Will he play or will he sit?  The decision on whether or not Matt Cassel will start at quarterback for the Chiefs on Sunday in Baltimore looks like it’s going to be a game time decision.  Cassel is practicing, but the biggest issue will be whether his sprained knee will allow him to do everything needed on the field.

Cassel has noticed that as the week as gone on and he’s been able to loosen up before practice, he’s able to do a little bit more each and every day.  I’m not sure if in his mind he feels he’s physically ready to go.  He’s been going through the game planning all week and mentally is there.  He couldn’t give a straight answer as to if he would be ready to go if the season started today.

Once Cassel is set to play, whether it’s this week or next, the biggest adjustment to make has been learning the new offensive terminology that head coach Todd Haley uses since he fired Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator.  Scheme wise things are basically the same, but getting the words for the different plays and formations is taking some extra effort.

As to whether or not Cassel plays, that decision will be based on the input of three;   the training staff, Cassel himself, and then ultimately, the coaching staff.  Listen to Matt Cassel’s comments from his Thursday press conference.

Listen to Matt Cassel

Haedo wins Stage 4, Cavendish withdraws

9-11 Haedo.JPG

Argentina’s Juan Jose Haedo is on top of the Tour of Missouri with the win at Stage 4.   He finished the 109.2-mile trek from St. James to Jefferson City in 4.07’55". Stage 3 winner, Thor Hushovd, finished second, and Italy’s Dario Cataldo was third again. 

J.J. Haedo will wear the leader’s yellow jersey going into Stage 5′s Individual Time Trial in Sedalia.

Steve Walsh of the Missourinet caught up (literally) with Haedo after the race.  "It was my first year ever (to wear yellow jersey). I’ll be processing it all night. Today I reached the right energy level at the right moment ," said Haedo.

Great Britain’s Mark Cavendish who won the first two stages, had to withdraw due to an infection in his lungs.  Cavendish is one of the tour’s top sprinters.

For the first time since its inaugural year in 2007, the 2009 Tour will route east to west, starting in St. Louis and finishing in Kansas City. The past two years, the race routed west to east, starting in Kansas City and finishing in St. Louis. There will be two circuit races (St. Louis, Kansas City), one individual time trial (Sedalia), and four point to point road races (Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau; Farmington to Rolla; St. James to Jefferson City; Chillicothe to St. Joseph). The overall mileage for the course is 612 miles. For all event information, visit www.tourofmissouri.com .

Listen to J.J. Haedo