I think that Palko is a better QB than most think. In that game last week, it seemed like he was getting no help from his WRs.
Not even close. No help from his receivers? He's lucky he has as good of receivers as he does, they've done essentially all the work with the limited success he's had. He makes awful decisions and has a poor arm. He underthrew a receiver by 15 yards. After every INT he started getting mad at the receivers when he's the one that fucked up.
Hes accurate enough, but he has a pretty weak arm. He also makes some absolutely terrible decision, but that's probably more due to inexperience than anything. Palko looks infinitely more comfortable in the pocket than Cassel, and Palko is relatively mobile which with the Chiefs craptastic o-line is desperately needed. Right now I would rather have Palko over Cassel. I was pretty sick of seeing Cassel line up under center.
Palko is worse than Cassel. I don't like Cassel, but Palko should not be in the NFL. Cassel could be an ok backup, but definitely is not starting level. I think the main reason it looks like he's better than Cassel is that Haley has opened up the playbook more (I think Haley was hoping Palko would come in and make it so Haley could have a legitimate argument for getting rid of Cassel). Or at least he did before the Chicago game. I think he was planning on Orton taking over, but then that went to hell. I wonder how long before they bring Brodie Croyle back in.
Palko does at least move around some (I think they probably spent so much time telling Cassel to look for the pass instead of run like he did in 2009, but now he never runs and just takes the sack), but he's had pretty good protection believe it or not, and he's still sucked it up.
Speaking of guys that shouldn't be in the NFL. The Chiefs line isn't bad other than Barry Richardson, but he's one of the worst tackles I've ever seen. As bad as the Tackles the Chiefs have tried to put out there since Roaf and Shields retired, he's the worst and that's saying something. But of course they wouldn't give Gaither a chance and then big surprise two QBs hurt, Palko probably will too. So it makes a ton of sense that they cut Gaither last week.
Even with Richardson, the line play has been good enough that its clearly poor QB play that is the issue with the offense.