Looking for an Example of a RETURN OF GREATNESS

[dasher]

Of the last time a QB went from a Pro Bowl Season to a bad season and then came back to Pro Bowl level (on the same team)? The subject at hand is Matt Cassel's decline in Kansas City.

2010 Cassel = 3000+ Yards, 27 TD, 7 TD - PRO BOWL SEASON
2011 Cassel = 1700+ Yards 10 TD, 9 INT - injured at 9 games (5 losses)

[BigFin]

n/m

[IHT]

i guess this year will be another chance to see if a different coordinator is the answer KCs offense needs.
Gailey would've been great, but Haley fired him because he was too aggressive and the offense changed styles 3 times that year, the offense stunk in 2009.
Weis was far better than Haley, so the offense was dramatically better in 2010.
Haley back in control of the offense, and it stunk again.

[Breed]

I think a more on point question would be, "will Matt Cassel ever achieve greatness?"

[AdamJT13]

Of the last time a QB went from a Pro Bowl Season to a bad season and then came back to Pro Bowl level (on the same team)? The subject at hand is Matt Cassel's decline in Kansas City.

2010 Cassel = 3000+ Yards, 27 TD, 7 TD - PRO BOWL SEASON
2011 Cassel = 1700+ Yards 10 TD, 9 INT - injured at 9 games (5 losses)

I'm sure that there are plenty of examples like these --

Joe Montana made the Pro Bowl in 1985, then threw eight TD passes and nine INTs in eight games and had an 80.7 rating in 1986. The next year, his rating was 102.1, and he made the Pro Bowl again.

John Elway made the Pro Bowl in 1981, then threw 10 TD passes and 17 INTs in 12 games and had a 65.7 rating in 1992. The next year, his rating was 92.8, and he led the league in passing yards and made the Pro Bowl.

[Shananahan]

John Elway made the Pro Bowl in 1981

One of the most impressive feats on his resume, in my opinion.

[StillSwinging]

Apparently Matt Cassel needs an easy schedule + NE-style coaching (McDaniels, Weis) to come even close to anything that could be considered great. Let's just face it. The guy is another Scott Mitchell.

[Mongo Freebase]

One of the most impressive feats on his resume, in my opinion.

If I recall correctly, he is the only sophomore in college to ever make a Pro Bowl....iimpressive indeed.....

[Iggloo]

Did you really just cite Matt Cassel as an example of greatness?

[ItIsWhatItIs]

Eli had a pretty poor year in 2010 after a very good 2009 and prior to a great 2011. He had a 27/14 TD/INT and 7.9 YPA in 2009, then had a 31/25 TD/INT and 7.4 YPA in 2010, then followed that up with a 29/16 TD/INT and 8.4 YPA in 2011. He didn't dip anywhere near as badly as Cassel did from 2010 to 2011 though, and he's significantly more talented than Cassel (duh).

I do think Cassel will be better this year, if only because the Chiefs as a whole should get better. They'll have Charles and Moeaki back, the schedule should be easier, and I think the defense under RAC will continue to progress.

[Duke 21]

It was under when Eli's done in the past four years, but despite the high volume of picks he still had over 4,000 yards and 31 TD's. The entire Giants team in 2010 wasn't very good, plain and simple.

But at least on topic, I couldn't anoint Cassel that in any way. He was never great. If we're talking seasons where a player looks formidable and on the rise in one season then look like a total flop the next, sure.

[IHT]

Apparently Matt Cassel needs an easy schedule + NE-style coaching (McDaniels, Weis) to come even close to anything that could be considered great

or he just needs somewhat competent coaching from the OC, which Haley in '09, and Haley/Muir in '11 were not even close to good enough for a HS team.

**and i wouldn't call Cassel "greatness" either.
he shouldn't be considered a "pro-bowler" any more than McNabb was. neither were voted to the pro-bowl, only made it there due to other QBs pulling out.

i think what dasher meant was a QB that had a good year (like Cassels 2010 season under Weis), followed by crap (again under Haleys control, like in '09), and back to a good year.

[Chavezz]

If I recall correctly, he is the only sophomore in college to ever make a Pro Bowl....iimpressive indeed.....

That's even better than Ray Lewis being credited for tackles when he didn't even play in a game.

[Chavezz]

Take a look at Big Bens career stats, he's a good example of coming back from "bad" seasons. 1st it was the Motorcycle accident, then it was the "Illegal Touching" penalties" and various injuries. Regardless, he's always bounced back to have a good year.