Morning Update (1-3 Here We Come Edition)

by primetime 07 on Sep 26, 2008 8:58 AM CDT Comment 8 comments

Huard, in typical veteran fashion, is not saying whether his benching against the Raiders was fair.
Arrowhead Addict has an idea for this Sunday's game and it involves paper bags.
Adam Teicher looks at what's next for Tyler Thigpen.
Damion McIntosh knows he's the old guy on a young guy's team. [Ed. Note: More info on McIntosh here.]
Bob Gretz makes a case for this year's version of the Broncos being the best yet.
Good news for the health of our quarterback: Broncos search for sacks
From the mothership: Damon Huard and Herm Edwards interviews.
Mile High Report Chalk Talk Part 1 and Part 2.
Herm Edwards would be wise to mimic Shanahan and his quarterback.

More to come later today APers. Don't forget about the Game Day Thread on Sunday amongst other items this weekend.

0 recs | Comment 8 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Of Course

Cutler actually started during his rookie year. And he stayed healthy enough to play. And he posted better numbers his rookie season than Croyle’s posted in any pro season.

It’s important to be patient with your QB of the future. But it’s also important to have a QB of the future who’s actually got the talent to play at the NFL level and the ability to improve. So far the results are pretty dubious on both counts with Croyle. Not to mention that it also helps not to have a head coach who actually understands how to build an offense.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Sep 26, 2008 10:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Correction

“Not to mention that it also helps ~~not~~ to have a head coach who actually understands how to build an offense.”

Mmm…had my caffeine. All better.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Sep 26, 2008 11:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Difference between QBs

Cutler is on a completely different level than Croyle. Croyle has some talent but is a career backup. Cutler is a pro bowler. Patience or no patience in development.

Also, Shannahan is better than Herm in all aspects. He’s creative and embraces new ideas on both sides of the ball whereas Herm is same old same old.

Quick point – Dealing with Herm, his OCs and their strategies: Don’t you think it’s been one of the most difficult fan situations in sports for us to have gone from Al Saunders and his number 1 ranked offenses to where we are now. I HATED the Chiefs defenses under Vermeil but I still loved the team and always had hope because we were fun to watch. It’s almost unbearable to watch our offense. I honestly believe that a good football fan could call a better game on offense than Herm does/allows (We all know Chan Gailey isn’t free to do as he chooses) We do lack a top 20 Ofensive Line and a number 2 or 3 receiver but we do have 2 (potentially 3 when Bowe grows up) Pro Bowlers at skill positions – one of which is a Hall of Famer. I know QB is by far the most important position in football but I really believe with Huard or Croyle – even though neither is the solution – we have and had the potential to be a 12-18 ranked offense last year and this year. Just a thought. Let me know what you think.

by CBaller13 on Sep 26, 2008 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

For and Against

You make some good points. It’s fun watching a team that puts up gaudy numbers. And it hurts to go directly from that to the field-position and field goal scheme we have now. But as for the fans calling better plays than Herm, that’s hard to say. First, most fans are idiots and you would get an overabundance of deep pass calls, just hoping to get lucky. Second, our offense is very talent-limited. It starts with a disastrous O-line; without blocking up front, nothing works. Throw into that a starting “star” RB that can run the ball like crazy but can’t catch or block. That means every time LJ is on the field the D knows we’re going to run. It was the same last year when we put Dunn in; we were going to run to Dunn’s side (hello telegraphing). But then our backup RBs are still so green and nervous they drop anything tossed their way. This leaves Gonzo and Bowe as our only legit receiving threats. Turns out it is pretty easy to double-team two receivers every play. So, with the talent level we have, every series looks the exact same out of necessity:

1st Down: LJ’s in there “trying” to earn his paycheck. The defense sees #27 and crowds the line. We hand it to him anyway. Our O-line lays down and surrenders. LJ gets trounced in the backfield.

2nd Down: Still trying to get LJ going (to justify his ridiculous pay and establish the run to rest our defense), we try an off tackle run, which is quickly blown up. LJ goes to the sideline and pouts.

3rd and a Mile: We drop back to pass. Gonzo and Bowe are both double-teamed. Darling (or whoever) is out there somewhere but our QBs don’t have time to find them as the D is rampaging in from the right side of our line. So the QB tries to dump it off to the check-down back (Charles) who is so excited about getting to touch the ball, and scared of getting crushed, the ball falls helplessly to the ground. The TV announcers call it a failed screen to the RB and everyone in KC screams “why a short screen on 3rd and a mile?”, they all overlook the fact that it was intended to be a pass play but the O-line folded so quickly it looks like an intentional setup for a screen.

4th Down: Colquitt (our MVP is a punter!) comes in and kicks the daylights out of the ball, not just because he’s good but also because he’s angered by the futility around him.

by Chiefs4Life on Sep 26, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree to a certain extent

Haha I don’t mean the average fan who would throw bombs to DBowe every other play. I mean the type of fan who knows something about offensive football from either playing or studying the game.

As for LJ, I think his frustration is from more than just the team failing. I think he thrived in Al Saunders system that included shifting, trickery and misdirection. Herm has stated numerous times that he doesn’t want to turn the ball over — which correlates into conservative playcalling. If we ran your 3rd and a mile scenario on 1st down with LJ in the game, I think we might make some progress because its not predictable. Herm makes it clear to other teams that when LJ is in, we are running and when he’s out, we are passing. This is just plain stupid. LJ may not be a great pass blocker or a great receiver, but he has done it before effectively (‘05). Herm coaches like we are a high school team with 3 big prospects on offense (LJ, Gonzalez, and Bowe) who get the ball in their most effective scenario. That’s not what the NFL is about – having a defense back on their heels is one of the most important things in football and instead defenses attack us because they know exactly what is coming.

As for our OLine being terrible, I won’t deny that. However, I do think there’s more to a terrible offense than just the terrible OLine.

by CBaller13 on Sep 26, 2008 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Offense

However, I do think there’s more to a terrible offense than just the terrible OLine.

I think you’re definitely right about that.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Sep 26, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Got a kick

Out of your down scenarios, Chiefs4L. Lot of truth to it.

by sunny D on Sep 26, 2008 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

You got the 4 plays right, except #2. At least about the pouting. I honestly haven’t seen LJ pout on the sidelines this year. I have been impressed to have been seeing him standing right by herm’s side.
You’re 3rd and a mile analogy cracked me up… and brings back my frustation at the same time. (it’s funny cuz it’s true/ it sucks cuz it’s true)

P.S. We’re all frustrated with our team. We are all aware of how poorly we’re doing. But it’s literally gotten to the point where I don’t even check the comments hardly anymore (only did this time cuz there was only 4) because I’m tired of all the whining and “arm-chair/monday morning quarterbacking.” Which, ironically, is usually accompanied by complaining about the actual players’ statements of their own frustration. (This is NOT directed towards you at all C4L!)

by Dustin SLO,CA on Sep 26, 2008 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs