Rams-Chiefs injury report: Cassel confusion, Rams ready to roll

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 17, 2010 3:01 PM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Quarterback Matt Cassel is expected to play for the Kansas City Chiefs this week.

What's the line...bush league psyche out, er, stuff? That's exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs are doing this week ahead of their trip across the state to take on the St. Louis Rams.

This morning, it was the temperature inside the Ed Jones Dome. Um, you guys are a pro football team, sometimes you play in the 90 degree September sun, sometimes you play in a sub-zero January white out. You're concerned about whether grandma or grandpa are controlling the thermostat at a dome stadium?

The status of QB Matt Cassel has been the bowl game of head games this week, with the Chiefs tight lipped on whether or not Cassel will play. He practiced again today, and is officially listed as questionable on the injury report, a step up from doubtful. Game time decision or not, you can probably count on him to play. With San Diego's thumping of the 49ers last night, KC needs every win they can get to secure the AFC West.

For the Rams, LG Jacob Bell is ready to play this weekend after hitting his knee last week. CB Ron Bartell took in a complete practice today, consistent with his recent assurance that he will play this weekend. That's good, because the Rams' d-backs will have a bigger role to play with Cassel in the game.

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I don't wish injury on anyone

but they’d better be certain that Cassel is up to snuff if they’re considering him for Sundays game, because I see us dialing up the pressure and whoever is QB needs to get knocked about unless they rush for 300 yards.

"Tread lightly, lest the Big Goat Eats."

by Brawnwitch on Dec 17, 2010 4:46 PM CST reply actions

it is kind of a difficult decision for them

because they really need him for this game, their season is on the line. However, you put him out there too soon after surgery…heck I am a really fair style person and my helmet would be going for the gut every qb hit. Look at how people went after sj’s paw.

by stlfan2004 on Dec 17, 2010 9:19 PM CST up reply actions

This is just dumb.

Of course the Chiefs are not going to tip their hand if they don’t have to.

by Budd Jones on Dec 17, 2010 4:52 PM CST reply actions

Gimpy quarterback spells lots of run plays. You can’t throw a football without involving the abdominal muscles and Cassel’s are sure to be tender. I hope Spags n Company are working hard this week to find schemes to shut down that run game KC has.

by hlaw on Dec 17, 2010 5:19 PM CST reply actions

No matter who is playing QB this week, our defense has got to put some pressure on him.

If our front four is asleep at the wheel like last week, we gotta big problem. We better be planning on blitzing some (or maybe alot) anyway. The Rams control their own destiny. If we beat KC and the 49ers at home, more likely than not we’re the NFC West Champs. Conversely, if the Seahawks, who don’t just lose but typically get blown out this year, can beat Atlanta, Tampa and us to finish 9-7, they deserve the title. And, the 49ers know they could still sneak in with a 2nd win over us next week and a gimme against the Cards to close out the season. SF will view the game against us as a playoff. While I’m thrilled to even have 6 wins this year, I’m continually frustrated that we could’ve already clinched the division title with an excellent record had we not given away games we had in the bag to the Cards, Raiders, Tampa and SF.

by RamChop on Dec 17, 2010 5:45 PM CST reply actions

lol you guys hear about the moss thing as woody? im so glad we didnt get him

by markg1127 on Dec 17, 2010 6:14 PM CST via mobile reply actions

what are you talking about?

I am obviously one of the people who didn’t hear…haha

by stlfan2004 on Dec 17, 2010 9:21 PM CST up reply actions

Bush league?

Hardly bush league. There’s absolutely no point or value in putting anything but “questionable” next to Cassels name. Every team in the league would do the same thing. The temperature thing is being blown out of proportion here too as I’m sure Haley was kidding around. The important part to take from it is that he wanted to try to duplicate the environment to better prepare his team and it’s worked on multiple occasions this year so pretty hard to call him bush league.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Dec 17, 2010 8:12 PM CST reply actions