Clayton: 'Chiefs Could Be Dangerous'

by Joel Thorman on Oct 8, 2009 3:29 PM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

You know, I've always kinda liked ESPN's John Clayton. He seems fairly analytical and isn't afraid to go to the opposite field when it comes to voicing the mainstream opinion. I liked him even more this offseason when he predicted the Denver Broncos would go 3-13. Even though he's already wrong on that account, it doesn't change my mind about his opinions.

That said, he's got an interesting take on this weekend's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys.

Clayton was critical of Tony Romo for some ill-timed mistakes in the Cowboys two losses this season and argues that his erratic play could spell trouble for Jerry's kids. He says that the Chiefs could be facing the perfect storm because of all the pressure Romo is under to perform.

"The Chiefs could be dangerous," Clayton writes. "Even though they are 0-4, they have great fans and their 3-4 defense could gain confidence if Romo doesn't get off to a good start."

Romo is a pretty accurate passer thus far in his career. However, 2009 hasn't been as kind to him. He's only surpassed his career completion percentage (63%) once this season. He has four interceptions in two games, both losses. It's pretty obvious to me what the Chiefs have to do to win this game.

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was previously the passing game coordinator in Dallas and was on the staff when there was a roundtable vote to determine whether the unheralded Eastern Illinois kid would take Drew Bledsoe's job. Judging by his statements on Romo, I think it's fairly obvious how he voted.

"You know, he has a unique skill set for the quarterback," Haley said of Romo. "He’s very athletic, extremely athletic, great vision. The athleticism allows him to move around. He doesn’t always use the athleticism to run; he uses it to keep the play alive and get away from pressure.

"But he keeps his eyes down the field and, again, you’d better be defending the whole field longer when he’s in there. You might think the play is over and he’s whipping it across the field breaking all the rules."

Haley definitely was and is high on Romo. That much is clear when asked about his former quarterback. But based on the statistics four games into the season, granted a small sample size, Clayton's perception that he has regressed as a quarterback is more accurate.

The key to a Chiefs victory this weekend is in the hands of Tony Romo and I think plenty of people know that.

(Thanks to GenericBrand for the link)

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Comments

the problem is

Even when we force turnovers…we still lose. I’m sure he will throw a pic or 2, but it all depends on if we capitolize on them. Something we have yet to do this season besides againts baltimore.

by BiiG_C on Oct 8, 2009 3:36 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Yeah

I dont think we’ll win, but I appreciate Clayton for being at least observant. so many analysts just go “Oh, the Chiefs are 0-4 they suck” … when we were CLEARLY “in the game” for at least two of those games. I think the only thing we lack at this point is a certain degree of luck. we have tools to win a few games, its just getting a couple of plays in our favor. Maybe this is the week?

by jk86 on Oct 8, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm sorry but who cares if we were "in the game" for two games

That doesn’t mean anything..

We’re 0-4…Teams who start out 0-4 don’t get respect in this league unfortunately for us..

by CALIFAN1986 on Oct 8, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions

IMO, I think you are wrong.

In all the games besides Philly, I think we could have won. At Baltimore we were in it until the final 4 minutes, the Raiders game was a joke and we were in it all the way, Philly sucked, and the Giants game we were in it. If Page hadn’t been screwed for that PI call we would have only been down by 4 and i consider that to be in the game.
Luck can swing both ways, If it doesnt hit you in the beginning of the season then it will definately hit you by the end. This will be a huge game and i think the pressure on Romo will cause some mistakes on his parts and we can turn it around real quick. With the way our Rushing was against Oak and NY, im pretty sure we can establish the run on Dallas….I don’t think it will be close, really, i say 24-10 Chiefs.

by Wrestler189s on Oct 8, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Chiefs win Sunday

Clayton’s right. It is the perfect storm. I don’t expect a pretty game by KC, but I have a gut feeling they’ll pull it off. We couldn’t ask for a more inconsistent team to come in to give us a chance to turn this team around.

About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist

by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 8, 2009 3:40 PM CDT reply actions

No link to Clayton's prediction?

I’m disappointed AP.

About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist

by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 8, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions

It's in there now

Thought I had it in there already. Or just click here.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Oct 8, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks JT

About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist

by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 8, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I think we will win.

To do so, we will have to be in Romo’s face. We will also have to defend the middle where we have been getting burned on slants/crossing patterns (still). We need to put a decent effort together on both offense and defense. It hasn’t happened yet, but it will. What better time than at Arrowhead while wearing the throwback uniforms?

by G.L. on Oct 8, 2009 3:42 PM CDT reply actions

Old school unis for a n old school beatdown.

Cantaloupe? More like wontaloupe. Lazy ass melons.

by cucuybird on Oct 8, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Cowboy's offense has been bad in general

not just Romo’s fault, the recievers haven’t been spectacular and with an injured Williams, we have a shot of not getting our asses kicked in the passing game. Say what you will about Owens but he always produced and it was a mistake getting rid of him and it was a prime example of how Jerry Jones always does what is in the best interest of the fans and not the team. The Cowboys’ running game is a strong point and I think Barber is back this week if I’m not mistaken. The good news is, our defense is semi-decent against the run when they know it’s coming and, despite our pitiful pass defense, we can probably hold off the Dallas air attack because of what I mentioned above.
As for the other side of the ball, I haven’t seen too much of Dallas this year but I know that against the run, they’re pretty good but their secondary has been historically bad as of late, kind of like us. If Haley realizes this and doesn’t try to run it every down, we could match up pretty well against the ’boys.

by jonnyu on Oct 8, 2009 3:45 PM CDT reply actions

Didnt someone

Post something last week about the Giants being the perfect storm?…come on guys…..they have a D line with a bunch of studs….chances are they are going to dominate our O line and have cassel running for his life

by KCinAZ on Oct 8, 2009 4:07 PM CDT reply actions

yeah but the Cowboys aren't as good as the Giants

there’s no doubt about that.

by jonnyu on Oct 8, 2009 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I would have laughed my ass off.

Hindsights 20/20 but I seriously had the Chiefs getting spanked last week. I think Joel (maybe Chris) put it best when he said “The Chiefs would have to play a perfect game AND the Giants would have to not show up”. There was essentially NO chance for a KC win last week. Or the week before. There IS a chance this week.

With that said, I seriously have the Chiefs beating DAL this Sunday. This is their best chance for a win since OAK, and I think they’ll take advantage of it.

About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist

by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 8, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm calling a Chiefs win too

Cowboys aren’t that good and I’m hopeful KC comes together with lesser competition in front of them. If they can somehow get to 3-4 (which I don’t think is out of the question) by the bye week they may be in decent shape with an easier second half schedule and the division being so lousy. Denver still needs to play all the hard teams we already faced, San Diego is breaking down by the week, and the Faiders are well, the Faiders.

by golfbard on Oct 8, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

lots of IFs

but… IF they got to 3-4, an 8-8 or 9-7 season would be possible.

that’d be real nice, Clark, real nice

* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season

by stagdsp on Oct 8, 2009 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions

And if we lose this one?

We’ll have to put the moose out in the parking lot with a sign that says the stadium’s closed. Honestly though, I think this week sparks a new direction. And I’m referencing one going forward, not backward. Roy Williams is out, their RBs are not 100%, and the line is finally starting to block for us. Clancy’s main focus should be on Witten. If you take him out of the equation and put some pressure in Homo’s face, we’ve got a recipe for a win, people…

Put this in your pipe and smoke it:
1. Chiefs will be at least 8-8 and vie for division champs
2. DJ will break out and finally have his year
3. LJ returns to form
4. DBowe drops will reduce

by kcchiefsfan72 on Oct 8, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions

WHAT?

I like listening to John Clayton his info is usually pretty good. But based on his comments about our games against the Cowboys, I’m convinced that he have not seen one minute of our games. But can you blame him.

vajazz24

by vajazz24 on Oct 8, 2009 7:01 PM CDT reply actions