WEEK 2 - Chiefs host East Bay Convicts
VENUE - The New Arrowhead
WEATHER - Overcast, but warm
SCORE - KC - 10, OAK - 13
OVERVIEW:
This was about as ugly a loss as I can recall in all my years watching this team. They "dominated" (in the sense that they were less statistically awful) the woeful Raiders. But they continued to make stupid mistakes, and shoot themselves in both feet. "The Toddler" (h/t to Chappy) needs to direct some of this week's tantrum at himself. What was that fire drill at the end of the first half? Why, on 3rd and 1, in the final seconds, with 3 timeouts and near field goal range, did he call a five-step drop pass play, and get his QB sacked? Then on 4th & 4, why did The Toddler have his best receivers on the bench, and a rookie, making his first start, as the primary receiver on what became the last play of the game for KC? There were forced throws, stupid penalties, blown assignments -- this team is not playing smart, they are playing scared. The difference is what we saw, yesterday.
OFFENSE:
The unveiling of the $60 million Quarterback of the Future didn't follow the script. Matt Cassel threw a few good balls, used his legs to get out of trouble a few times, showed some toughness. But he also threw two awful interceptions, let himself get sacked, by holding on to the ball too long, and failed to find wide-open receivers. In his defense, he spent much of the overcast afternoon running for his life, and his receivers didn't always help. There were far too many dropped balls, including the Chiefs final play. Still, Bowe and Wade, in particular, did make some plays. Wade had an immediate impact with 6 catches for 72 yards. The running game showed up, for the most part, with Johnson leading the pack. And this was the best use of running backs in the passing game I've seen out of the Chiefs in years, with Savage and Johnson both gaining over 40 receiving yards. That's a great way to neutralize a team like Oakland, with a vicious pass rush. The offensive line looked somewhat better - especially in running plays - but after a clean game last week, this week's bug-a-boo was the penalty monster. The right side of this line needs to get a lot better before Cassel can be fairly evaluated.
DEFENSE:
These guys can really put on a show for three-and-a-half quarters! They kept the awful JaMarcus Russell completely confused. Although, I think you could accomplish that with shiny objects. Is this big oaf not the worst quarterback bust since Ryan Leaf? Oakland's vaunted running game was stifled. In fact, four of Oakland's five first-half posessions, and 7 of their 11 posessions in the entire game, were 3-and-out. But it wasn't enough. There were at least three chances to pick off Russell that the D couldn't reel in. Sure, they recorded two sacks, but one of them probably cost them the game, when the appropriately named, Wallace Gilberry (I can't improve on that for a big, dumb lug), sacked Russell by spearing him, and drawing a personal foul penalty that took it from fourth and long to first and 10, on the drive that ultimately led to the winning touchdown. The corners look good. The run D looks solid, but the intermediate and middle pass coverage is a gaping black hole in this defense.
SPECIALS:
Took a step back. Punting and kicking were fine, but in the Raiders, we saw the best punter and kicker in the NFL. Lechler's punts went 60 and 66 and 70 yards -- with 4.5 to 4.9 second hang times. That is just insane. Seabass seemed to put every kick off nine yards deep in the end zone. Our guys are OK, they aren't like that. Coverage was generally fine, except for the bone-head mistake by Monte Beisel to let a perfect coffin-corner punt roll harmlessly over the goal line. Not the stuff of legend.
THE REST OF THE WEST:
Donkeys: Smacked around the pathetic Browns. The Donkeys scheduled more early cupcakes than K-State used to.
Criminals: See above
Bolts: Found out that, yes, the Ravens are that good.
AWARDS:
DOG: This was tough. There were so many to chose from, but "The Toddler" Haley has to stay on the porch tonight. The clock management at the end of the half plus the play calling and personnel decisions at the end of the game were killers.
BONE: I have to give it to Bobby Wade. On four days practice, in a completely new system, he was the leading receiver, posting over 70 yards.
Remember to check out tailgate recipes at the Dogg Dish
NEXT WEEK: The Griefs need to keep their puppies at home, as they go to play the Eagles in Philly on the week Michael Vick gets out of the commish's dog house.
Your faithful scribe,
Mr Doggity
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Movin' & Shakin' up
The Chiefs add WR Bobby Wade, and cut LB Turk McBride.
Wade is a 7-year veteran who has been the Vikings most reliable receiver the past two years. He should give Cassel the kind of go-to guy the Chiefs lost when they traded Tony Gonzales.
McBride was a 2nd-round draft pick of Herm Edwards, in 2007, as a defensive lineman. He never had the expected impact on the line, and was moved to OS linebacker when the Chiefs installed the 3-4 defense this year. McBride had never played linebacker in the pros or college, and struggled with the transition.
Wade is a 7-year veteran who has been the Vikings most reliable receiver the past two years. He should give Cassel the kind of go-to guy the Chiefs lost when they traded Tony Gonzales.
McBride was a 2nd-round draft pick of Herm Edwards, in 2007, as a defensive lineman. He never had the expected impact on the line, and was moved to OS linebacker when the Chiefs installed the 3-4 defense this year. McBride had never played linebacker in the pros or college, and struggled with the transition.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
WEEK 1 addendum
THE REST OF THE REST OF THE WEST:
THE EAST BAY CRIMINALS: Who are these guys, and what have they done with the Raiders? They played poised, focused and with heart. Sure, they were badly out-gunned, but the defense was stifling. They stayed in their lanes, and didn't melt down. JaMarcus Russell is a bigger, stronger Tyler Thigpen. Unless the Chiefs put more pressure on him, and find a way to patch that leak in the middle, Zach Miller will have a big day next Sunday.
THE NORTH MEXICO BOLTS: Every time I get all tingly about the truck load of talent on this team, I am reminded that they are still coached by Norv Turner. They should have won by 30, with the talent disparity, but they had to eek out a win in the final 18 seconds. The Chargers looked like the Raiders, melting down, turning the ball over, killing drives with stupid penalties.
Your faithful scribe,
Mr Doggity
THE EAST BAY CRIMINALS: Who are these guys, and what have they done with the Raiders? They played poised, focused and with heart. Sure, they were badly out-gunned, but the defense was stifling. They stayed in their lanes, and didn't melt down. JaMarcus Russell is a bigger, stronger Tyler Thigpen. Unless the Chiefs put more pressure on him, and find a way to patch that leak in the middle, Zach Miller will have a big day next Sunday.
THE NORTH MEXICO BOLTS: Every time I get all tingly about the truck load of talent on this team, I am reminded that they are still coached by Norv Turner. They should have won by 30, with the talent disparity, but they had to eek out a win in the final 18 seconds. The Chargers looked like the Raiders, melting down, turning the ball over, killing drives with stupid penalties.
Your faithful scribe,
Mr Doggity
Monday, September 14, 2009
WEEK 1 - Chiefs 24 at Balitmore Ravens 38
WEEK 1 - Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens
VENUE - Taxpayer Bailout Field, Baltimore, MD
WEATHER - Beauuuuutiful.
SCORE - KC - 24, BAL -38
OVERVIEW:
I went in to this game expecting a double-digit loss. I came out of this game with exactly that. A bunch of weird happened in between. I did not think Croyle would start. I had been convinced all week that Cassel was going to go, and Haley was just messing with our heads. I was even more confident that Brandon Flowers was fine, and would start. Neither did. Knowing that at kickoff, I thought this would a trouncing of epic proportions. How can you say the offense held it's own when it' first four possessions were 3 & out, and the only first half points were by the special teams? How can you say the defense held it's own when they were lit up for 38 points and 500 yards? And yet....
OFFENSE:
You could say they're slow getting started. You could say that a glacier is, too. The first time they made a first down in the game was the last play before the 2:00 warning in the first half. And it was reviewed to see if they actually got that far. They held the ball for just 10 minutes in the first 30. The running game was non-existent - between Johnson and Charles, there were 15 totes for 28 stinking yards - 1.8 yards per carry. Inexcusable. On the other hand, Mark Bradley stepped up, and made the case to be the #2 wideout, with 73 yards and a gaudy 18 yards-per. The play calling, especially early, was just bad. I won't candy coat it. What I did like was the overall lack of stupid mistakes. They played basically free from penalties and turn-overs. Croyle's numbers were not glossy, but he threw 2 TDs and no picks, and posted a 116 QB rating. Once again, however, the line was not up to the task, when it mattered. Croyle had the ball in his hands at the 2:00 warning, down by one score. Any team in the NFL would be happy with that position on the road against a top-tier opponent. But instead of marching for the score, the line let Brodie get eaten, the Ravens had a short field and they drove the stake through the heart with :38 on the clock. Until we have an O-line, the opposing D-coordinator's task is pretty easy. Stack 8 in the box, stuff the run and then mow down the quarterback.
DEFENSE:
At times they look completely lost. At times they look like a squad that can carry the team. The over all numbers were ugly - Over 300 yards and 3 TDs through the air. Over 150 yards and 1 more TD on the ground, with a 5+ yard per carry average. A 100-yard back. Two 70+ yard receivers. Over 500 total yards and 38 points. In their "defense" (sorry), they spent nearly 40 of the 60 minutes on the field. And while the starters are pretty good, there is little depth. They held their ground until the fourth quarter, and even then, the game wasn't decided until the Ravens put up 14 points in the final 3 minutes. Tamba Hali recorded a sack and a forced fumble and Derrick Johnson got a pick that he returned 70 yards. Still, Cory Mays and Derrick Johnson were drowning in pass coverage most of the day, and the safeties provided little support over the middle. They made washed up TE Todd Heap look like Tony Gonzales. Despite Hali's sack, Flacco consistently had time in the pocket. The best broadcast line came from CBS analyst, Rich Gannon, who said, "Flacco has time to balance his checkbook back there." Ouch. To his credit Maurice Leggett, after doing his "Toasty" impersonation in the first half, held his own in the second, despite being picked on all day, as he stood in for the injured Brandon Flowers.
SPECIALS:
This unit really stepped up. All phases, except punt returns, performed well. Obviously the big play was former K-State Wildcat, Jon McGraw's blocked punt and TD recovery. But Mr. Irrelavent, Ryan Succop, nailed a 53-yard field goal, and consitently kicked deep kick offs. With the exception of one deliberate squibber, he put all of his kick offs inside the 10, and one even went out the back of the end zone. Coulquitt shanked one badly, but otherwise boomed his punts. Jamaal Charles and Quentin Lawrence handled kick off returns with Charles having a 23 yard average, and Lawrence 17. Any thing over 20 is considered solid. On the other hand, punt returns are still awful. Maybe if the guys got more practice, by, say the defense forcing more punts, it might help. Coverage is one area that doesn't get a lot of love, but it was consistently strong yesterday. Especially the punt coverage unit, which allowed an average of just 2.5 yards per return. Kudos.
THE REST OF THE WEST:
Donkeys: Managed to somehow beat the hapless Bungles, with some last-second miracle play. Denver is really bad.
Criminals: Play the Bolts tonight.
Bolts: Play the Criminals tonight.
AWARDS:
DOG: Larry Johnson. I know the line is bad, but 11 carries for 20 yards? I think you could find people off the street capable of that.
BONE: Goes to Jon McGraw. Who else? This team showed as much life as the morgue fridge, until McGraw gave them a spark with that blocked punt and scramble for a TD.
Remember to check out tailgate recipes at the Dogg Dish
NEXT WEEK: The East Bay Criminals invade The New Head for the home opener!
Your faithful scribe,
Mr Doggity
VENUE - Taxpayer Bailout Field, Baltimore, MD
WEATHER - Beauuuuutiful.
SCORE - KC - 24, BAL -38
OVERVIEW:
I went in to this game expecting a double-digit loss. I came out of this game with exactly that. A bunch of weird happened in between. I did not think Croyle would start. I had been convinced all week that Cassel was going to go, and Haley was just messing with our heads. I was even more confident that Brandon Flowers was fine, and would start. Neither did. Knowing that at kickoff, I thought this would a trouncing of epic proportions. How can you say the offense held it's own when it' first four possessions were 3 & out, and the only first half points were by the special teams? How can you say the defense held it's own when they were lit up for 38 points and 500 yards? And yet....
OFFENSE:
You could say they're slow getting started. You could say that a glacier is, too. The first time they made a first down in the game was the last play before the 2:00 warning in the first half. And it was reviewed to see if they actually got that far. They held the ball for just 10 minutes in the first 30. The running game was non-existent - between Johnson and Charles, there were 15 totes for 28 stinking yards - 1.8 yards per carry. Inexcusable. On the other hand, Mark Bradley stepped up, and made the case to be the #2 wideout, with 73 yards and a gaudy 18 yards-per. The play calling, especially early, was just bad. I won't candy coat it. What I did like was the overall lack of stupid mistakes. They played basically free from penalties and turn-overs. Croyle's numbers were not glossy, but he threw 2 TDs and no picks, and posted a 116 QB rating. Once again, however, the line was not up to the task, when it mattered. Croyle had the ball in his hands at the 2:00 warning, down by one score. Any team in the NFL would be happy with that position on the road against a top-tier opponent. But instead of marching for the score, the line let Brodie get eaten, the Ravens had a short field and they drove the stake through the heart with :38 on the clock. Until we have an O-line, the opposing D-coordinator's task is pretty easy. Stack 8 in the box, stuff the run and then mow down the quarterback.
DEFENSE:
At times they look completely lost. At times they look like a squad that can carry the team. The over all numbers were ugly - Over 300 yards and 3 TDs through the air. Over 150 yards and 1 more TD on the ground, with a 5+ yard per carry average. A 100-yard back. Two 70+ yard receivers. Over 500 total yards and 38 points. In their "defense" (sorry), they spent nearly 40 of the 60 minutes on the field. And while the starters are pretty good, there is little depth. They held their ground until the fourth quarter, and even then, the game wasn't decided until the Ravens put up 14 points in the final 3 minutes. Tamba Hali recorded a sack and a forced fumble and Derrick Johnson got a pick that he returned 70 yards. Still, Cory Mays and Derrick Johnson were drowning in pass coverage most of the day, and the safeties provided little support over the middle. They made washed up TE Todd Heap look like Tony Gonzales. Despite Hali's sack, Flacco consistently had time in the pocket. The best broadcast line came from CBS analyst, Rich Gannon, who said, "Flacco has time to balance his checkbook back there." Ouch. To his credit Maurice Leggett, after doing his "Toasty" impersonation in the first half, held his own in the second, despite being picked on all day, as he stood in for the injured Brandon Flowers.
SPECIALS:
This unit really stepped up. All phases, except punt returns, performed well. Obviously the big play was former K-State Wildcat, Jon McGraw's blocked punt and TD recovery. But Mr. Irrelavent, Ryan Succop, nailed a 53-yard field goal, and consitently kicked deep kick offs. With the exception of one deliberate squibber, he put all of his kick offs inside the 10, and one even went out the back of the end zone. Coulquitt shanked one badly, but otherwise boomed his punts. Jamaal Charles and Quentin Lawrence handled kick off returns with Charles having a 23 yard average, and Lawrence 17. Any thing over 20 is considered solid. On the other hand, punt returns are still awful. Maybe if the guys got more practice, by, say the defense forcing more punts, it might help. Coverage is one area that doesn't get a lot of love, but it was consistently strong yesterday. Especially the punt coverage unit, which allowed an average of just 2.5 yards per return. Kudos.
THE REST OF THE WEST:
Donkeys: Managed to somehow beat the hapless Bungles, with some last-second miracle play. Denver is really bad.
Criminals: Play the Bolts tonight.
Bolts: Play the Criminals tonight.
AWARDS:
DOG: Larry Johnson. I know the line is bad, but 11 carries for 20 yards? I think you could find people off the street capable of that.
BONE: Goes to Jon McGraw. Who else? This team showed as much life as the morgue fridge, until McGraw gave them a spark with that blocked punt and scramble for a TD.
Remember to check out tailgate recipes at the Dogg Dish
NEXT WEEK: The East Bay Criminals invade The New Head for the home opener!
Your faithful scribe,
Mr Doggity
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Kansas City Chiefs Release....
CB Jackie Bates
TE Tom Crabree
DE Dion Gales
DE Bobby Greenwood
G Darryl Harris
WR Taurus Johnson
WR Ashley Lelie
DT Derek Lokey
S Bernard Pollard
S Ricky Price
LB Zach Thomas
RB Javarris Williams
WR Rodney Wright
Placed on IR...
G Colin Brown
TE Tom Crabree
DE Dion Gales
DE Bobby Greenwood
G Darryl Harris
WR Taurus Johnson
WR Ashley Lelie
DT Derek Lokey
S Bernard Pollard
S Ricky Price
LB Zach Thomas
RB Javarris Williams
WR Rodney Wright
Placed on IR...
G Colin Brown
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Chiefs trim to 75
Chiefs make roster moves to trim down to just 75 guys, 73 of whom can't play offensive line in the NFL.
We don't know who the opening day starters at wide receiver are, but we now know it's not a Toomer.
We don't know who the opening day starters at wide receiver are, but we now know it's not a Toomer.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Haley Whacks Gailey
They ain't messing around at 1 Arrowhead Drive.
The Kansas City Chiefs have fired offensive coordinator, Chan Gailey after just 3 preseason games.
More to come.
Your faithful scribe,
Mr. Doggity
The Kansas City Chiefs have fired offensive coordinator, Chan Gailey after just 3 preseason games.
More to come.
Your faithful scribe,
Mr. Doggity
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