There is no question about Matt Cassel's skills. He is good and in time, he will be better.

At least that's the way the Kansas City Chiefs see it.

But when someone hands you a six-year, $63 million contract like the Chiefs did during the

offseason you instantly become a franchise quarterback, even when you aren't ready. Another

part of Cassel's continuing growth as an NFL quarterback will be tested this week, and it is

something that cannot be measured by any statistic. How will he react to being benched?

Chiefs coach Todd Haley pulled Cassel late in the third quarter during last week's 44-13

loss to the Denver Broncos, saying he felt the game was out of reach. Cassel completed 10 of

29 passes for 84 yards with two interceptions. Haley still has faith in his quarterback who

will start Sunday's game against the visiting Buffalo Bills.

"I'm happy where Matt is at and every day is an opportunity for him to improve and gain

experience," Haley said. "I believe we're headed in the right direction. It's not been pretty

at times, but that's been a collective effort so to speak."

,For the season, Cassel is completing just 53.9 percent of his passes with a passer rating of

72.3, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Not exactly the numbers of a franchise

quarterback. For the Chiefs to improve, Cassel must play better than he has this season.

"I don't read the media and I don't watch any shows as it relates to the Kansas City

Chiefs," Cassel said. "I'm sure there are high expectations and unfortunately we haven't had a

lot of success this year and any time you are the quarterback of the team, that comes with the

territory and I know that. I know that everybody is looking at me and putting all the weight

on my shoulders to turn this thing around."

There are a few reasons for the Chiefs' offensive woes. Haley said the Chiefs are last in

the league in yards to go on second down (8.7 yards), which he considers a significant

statistic. The Chiefs have also had difficulty overcoming minus plays: negative runs, sacks or

offensive penalties.

"When you get ourselves in that position, it's going to be hard to overcome," he said.

"When you get a team like us — a young team that's moving personnel and making changes

and trying to get better — it's even more difficult."

Aside from Chris Chambers, who was signed during the season, no one has been able to

replace suspended wideout Dwayne Bowe. Kansas City has 37 dropped passes. Although the running

game has improved in recent weeks, the Chiefs initially missed the presence of running back

Larry Johnson.

"Anytime you take away a guy like Dwayne Bowe out of the offense, being the No. 1 guy and a

guy who knows the offense and was continuing to get better every week, that definitely hurts

your offensive team," Cassel said.

To the Chiefs, Cassel is learning on the fly.

At USC, where he served behind two Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks in Carson Palmer and

Matt Leinart, Cassel threw just 33 passes. In the first three seasons of his career, all in

New England, he threw just 39 passes.

But last season when he replaced the injured Tom Brady, Cassel threw for 3,693 yards with

21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The rebuilding Chiefs needed a sure thing behind center

and $63 million seemed like a sure investment. To the Chiefs, it still does.

Cassel is playing in a new system with new personnel on a team still trying to find its

identity. In time, the team believes Cassel will play like a franchise quarterback.

"Matt has a bunch of the qualities that we're looking for in a quarterback," Haley said.

"He's a young guy experience-wise. He got 15 games under his belt last year. ... He's young

experience-wise for the position and it is a process."

Haley wants to see Cassel make improvements in his decision-making most of all. Haley is

trying to get him to understand he doesn't have to have a great play every snap even though

his contract suggests that he should.

"That's something that can get him in trouble at times," Haley said. "That's a great

quality. ... Through experience you learn when to say when and when a play is there to be

made. Sometimes his competitiveness has gotten him into trouble and it may lead to a sack or a

bad play. Sometimes you have to throw the football away."