Print edition: 
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Matt Cassel's performance didn't lead to a victory Sunday, but it did lead to some much-needed encouragement.
Cassel, the quarterback who underwent perhaps his most loudly criticized two weeks before Kansas City's 41-34 loss to Cleveland, said this week that he thought the Browns game was his best showing of the season. He passed for two touchdowns and didn't throw an interception.
The game would have been more memorable had Cassel's receivers not dropped 10 passes, according to coach Todd Haley's strict criteria, but at least the quarterback showed something that other positions have not: signs of improvement.
"When you look at it and you look back at the film," Cassel said, "it was a very good game.
"We were operating well at moving the ball. We were running the ball well, so the play-action was there, and then the passing game was crisp. Guys were getting open, and we were getting them the ball, and we put up points."
It wasn't close to perfect, but then that hasn't been what the Chiefs have hoped for from their quarterback. Haley has said that, more important than any other statistic, he wants Cassel to avoid turnovers. That hadn't been the case the previous two Sundays, when Cassel combined for six interceptions in home losses to Denver and Buffalo. That led to doubts surrounding Cassel, and he spent much of the time in between games defending himself and his skills. Haley defended Cassel, too, often to a point that it was clear the coach was trying to soothe Cassel's confidence.
Both found out this week that the weeks are easier when Cassel's ability and viability as a starter are not constantly questioned.
"As a group," Cassel said, "we have played better, and we're going to try to continue to do that."
For that to happen, the Chiefs have to find help for Cassel. His pass protection has improved since early in the season, and the Chiefs have tweaked the offensive scheme to force the unit to move quicker and help Cassel release the ball in more timely fashion.
But the drops seem to have worsened, and Haley spent part of this week talking about the dread he faces in approaching the NFL record for drops. A statistics service tallies Kansas City's drops at 46, and Haley counts 49. The NFL doesn't record drops as an official statistic, so there's some debate on what constitutes a drop.
There's little debate, though, on the potential fallout the drops have on a struggling offense and its quarterback. Haley has expressed concern that Cassel's poise might be shaken if the drops continue, but the coach said this week that he was encouraged Sunday when Cassel stayed cool despite the loss and the many drops.
Still, the Chiefs have continued the renovation of their receivers corps, if for no other reason than to protect whatever confidence Cassel has left.
"When you drop balls like we did on Sunday and throughout the year at times," Haley said, "they cost us victories and an opportunity to feel a little better about ourselves; for the quarterback to feel a little better about what he's doing."
The Chiefs released veteran receiver Mark Bradley on Tuesday and signed two more wide receivers to their practice squad. Haley has made it clear that the project will continue — and because Cassel isn't going anywhere, the coach will find receivers who will ease the quarterback's growth instead of making it more difficult.
"We're trying to find a nucleus of guys we're going forward with," Haley said. "We've got to formulate an idea of who those guys are sooner rather than later."
Cassel's solid performance came at a good time for him and the Chiefs. It quieted the doubts, even if temporarily, and put the blame on other positions. But, as usual, blame remained.
At this point in a disappointing and unsatisfying season, Kansas City is interested in encouragement, however large or small.
"It has been a challenge at times," Cassel said, "and I don't think that we've played up to the ability that we want to. . We need to continue to build that relationship with those receivers and the tight ends and everybody else; it's a constant work in progress.
"I'm just going to continue to work hard and do my job, and hopefully we can continue to get better."
