With Andy Studebaker, Chiefs Don't Miss Mike Vrabel in Win Over Steelers
by Joel Thorman on Nov 22, 2009 6:00 PM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
112 comments
When the news on Kansas City Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel came down that he wouldn't play today, and other hints that he might be out for several more weeks began to seep out, I'll admit it -- I really thought this defense was toast. I know how much the players, especially the linebackers, respect and lean on him for support and guidance.
Remember, it's a pretty young unit so a guy like Vrabel is a huge tool for those guys.
However....a funny thing happened today. Vrabel's replacement turned out to be pretty good. He's from a D-III school and has been nicknamed "Venice Beach" by the head coach for his, um, body (and his tendency to take his shirt off).
In fact, Studebaker made what I would argue was the biggest defensive play, heck biggest play period, in the second half today.
After the jump, more on Studebaker's two interceptions, why Derrick Johnson will razz him and why Studebaker not scoring made Todd Haley cringe (in a good way).
Down 17-10, and the Steelers driving, the Chiefs pretty much had to hold Roethlisberger and Co. to a field goal to even think about having a shot in this game. The fourth quarter was just around the corner and there hadn't been any indication that the offense would get in enough of a rhythm to overcome a two score deficit.
Well, you forgot Mr. Studebaker was playing.
As Roethlisberger dropped backed to pass on a 1st and 10 in the red zone, he was pressured causing an errant throw into the hands of Wheaton College's finest.
Not only did Studebaker intercept the pass, he hauled you-know-what 94 yards, the fifth longest interception return in franchise history. He took it all the way down to the two yard line, which set up a Chiefs field goal.
Man, how do you not score on a 90+ yard return? Derrick Johnson isn't sure how he didn't score but is ready to razz him about it.
"We're going to give him heck about it but he should have scored," DJ said. "But it was a good play on his part."
As for Todd Haley? Well, let's say that Studebaker's interception and subsequent return reminded him of another big play.
You remember the Super Bowl last year? Haley's Cardinals were driving at the end of the half and a Kurt Warner pass was picked off by Steelers LB James Harrison and taken for a 100 yard return.
"I wish Studebaker would have scored on the interception," Haley said today smiling. "That would have been full retribution [for last year's Super Bowl]. I was thinking I'd finally be able to put that interception return away."
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When Flowers came up and got in Holmes' way
I thought he was going to get it, but then Mendenhal came out of nowhere and got him
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Nov 22, 2009 6:05 PM CST reply actions
Andy cut in
He stays straight and it is a TD
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
by bonesjackson on Nov 22, 2009 6:05 PM CST up reply actions
+1
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Nov 22, 2009 6:15 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, don't think he realized Flowers had gotten the block
on the defender directly behind him and was trying to avoid him. As a result though he ran right into the angle Mendenhall had taken. Either way, it was a damn good return and some serious hustle by Flowers to make that block on Holmes (believe that’s who it was).
Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...
Flowers Speed
I was really impressed with Flowers…He switched into another gear he came from no where to catch Holmes. Holmes is known for his speed and was trying to stop a touchdown. Flowers is my MAN!
by groundedchevy on Nov 23, 2009 9:01 AM CST up reply actions
Mike meet Wally
Pipp that is..
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
Im not sure why he turned it in towards the middle of the field...
I dont remember the full return, but if he would have hugged the sideline more, would Mendenhall had a shot at him?
This space for rent.
He was probably looking at the score board
And didn’t realize Brandon Flowers knocked Holmes off course.
Check out my blog on software development:
http://www.turnleafdesign.com/
aye like the stills/hall mixup of years past that was worse
plus, venice beach was simply a beached whale by the end of that run back…surprised….wait a minute…are the raiders stealing our thunder?
If he'd stayed straight it would have been a TD
He just didn’t realize Flowers had gotten a block on Holmes.
Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...
Breaking News on Raiders-Bengals game
pending EP, Raiders have tied it up with 30 seconds left
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Nov 22, 2009 6:09 PM CST reply actions
Raider hate aside
would be great for LJ to lose after Chiefs win today
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Nov 22, 2009 6:10 PM CST up reply actions
Larry's toxic cloud left KC & is now suffocating the Bengals.
Mr. 2.7 drags everyone under around him.
by WyattChief on Nov 22, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Cincy fumbles kick-off
Raiders should be able to kick winning FG
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Nov 22, 2009 6:12 PM CST up reply actions
It's a hard game to pick.
We want both the Raiders and 2.7 to lose.
because LJ dislike > Raider dislike
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Nov 22, 2009 6:15 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure that's possible though.
I’d almost wish for him to play for them, but that’ll never happen with his 40 time.
Guess I’d just rather he not play then.
If Cincy (LJ) loses
it would be the icing on the cakn.
yessir
he had 2 carries for 5 yards
haha
AND, the Chiefs are 2-0 without him, Cincy is 0-1 with him
* "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
* Stats are for losers
Cant believe the "class" of the AFC North got beat by the bottom feeders of the AFC West
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
And even worse...
Jamarcus Russells career may be over now so no more handicap when we play the Raiders.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Nov 22, 2009 6:19 PM CST up reply actions
Soooooo
We cut LJ and win two in a row and Cincy signs him and loses to the Raiders. I’m not saying he is a loser, but….I’m just sayin.
I remember Dawson to Taylor, Kenney to Carson, and Blackledge catching the snap in his facemask. Seen it all...
In oakland
Chiefs win after cutting LJ
Cincy Loses after signing LJ
coincidence????
I'm not a smart man
Do you guys think Studabaker will be a backup from now on?
He sure as hell impressed me.
I cant believe the Raiders are about to win…LJ sorry bud but you just made that team worse by just signing with them.
Oh thats right...well at least i feel safe with Studabaker.
Maybe only 1 LB in this draft and we will be set for a little while :)
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:21 PM CST up reply actions
I have a definite
mancrush on Belcher
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Nov 22, 2009 6:24 PM CST up reply actions
I was so stoked when Belcher blew through and tackled him. I honestly thought it would be the end of the game.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:25 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, we're getting a good group of guys together.
Just have to get consistant, then things will really start looking up.
Future LB line-up ?
Studabaker, Mays, Belcher, Hali?
Ehh...
Im sold for Mays and possibly Belcher to be backups…But i want at least 1 true starter from this draft….
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:32 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe
Hali, DJ, draft pick, Studabaker.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions
I'm all for DJ...
Just want to see the consistancy. That didn’t seem to be there today.
I thought i saw more consistancy than i have from him all year.
Then again he hasnt played all year. But i hope we keep him unless we can get a 2nd for him.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe.
Except for the last few minutes, I was stuck on the radio for most of the game. Most of the times he was mentioned was negative.
The sack that got called back was absolutely hilarious though.
You should have seen it...He sacked the QB along with the lineman lol.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:49 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I caught it on highlights.
Absolutely loved it. Maybe that’s the trick to taking Ben down now in the age of the Protect-a-QB rules. Just bash the blockers into him.
Were the guys (on the radio) going crazy when
Chambers caught that 60+ yard pass?
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:53 PM CST up reply actions
brandon spikes?
I am a Nebraska Fan for life, and I live in Florida. Everytime anyone talks about Florida Football (happens alot here) and I just think 1995.
But really, spikes. if he slips to us in teh second, I would love that pick. We could use a nasty eye gouger in the middle.
And of course, Lagarett Blunt in the 4th or so.
by jakethesnake27 on Nov 22, 2009 8:06 PM CST up reply actions
Not saying we shouldn't draft LBs.
Just that I’d rather the personnel we have now develop into real players. Always draft though, have to keep the talent level up or we end up back where we were/are.
I agree on keeping the ones we have now. No doubt about it.
I just want a LB that will be a future pro bowl.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:35 PM CST up reply actions
Again, agreed.
I think we’re on the same page, I’m just a little more up on our guys right now. The better they are the less we have to build, and then we can develop new guys instead of throwing them to the wolves cause they’re the best we’ve got.
im just glad its one less hole to fill for right now :)
S, CB, C, RG, RT, are the major ones…
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions
Well i like Carr
but i think if we got a true #1 CB and flowers went to #2 we would have a great group of guys
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:41 PM CST up reply actions
Carr over Flowers?
That’s an interesting assessment. I won’t argue it, I’m more a fan than a strategist. I generally get the impression the other way though.
Either way though, if somebody is an improvement over what we have at any position, I can’t argue it too much.
Well i always see Flowers covering the #1 WRs
and sticking with them…when usually Carr is just there to tackle the #2 WR instead of breaking up the play. They both are good but maybe they would just need more experience. I wont complain if we dont draft a CB…i just think it could help. But i guess our BIGGEST need is OL lol.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:47 PM CST up reply actions
Ohh, I read that wrong.
Sorry about that. I thought you were saying Flowers needed to be doing back-up duties. Got it this time around. Makes much more sense.
it over.
time for whos who in kc……
studebaker. charles. haley…..pioli.
f#$%k 2.7. we are moving in the right direction and i knew…just knew we were gonna get the win today. first game i was able to watch all season, and first game after never missing a game for 15 yrs. woke up today with a good feeling that the team i have loved with a passion my entire life was gonna send the defending world champs home with a big fat L. congrats boys……i love ya!
Just like novocaine. give it time; always works..
Several possibles.
Chambers, Succop, and Colquitt are all in the leaders stats on ESPN.
DJ
I don’t think he has much room to talk. He missed his fair share of plays today, not to mention over his career he’s dropped a few INT’s that hit him right in the hands.
Most improtant thing with this win...
Is we were in a tight game with a good team and didnt fold and ended up pulling it out. We blew it late against Baltimore, we came back and lost in OT against a good Dallas team and now we pulled it out against the Steelers. There is a clear progression there.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
McGraw
Did anyone else notice that McGraw was solid today? I saw him save several runs for a huge gain as the last man back in the secondary with an absolutely stout 1-on-1 tackle.
I know this thread is on Studebaker, who looked great as well, but McGraw was the guy I noticed more than anyone else.
agreed
sack them groceries baby
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Nov 22, 2009 6:31 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Hell yeah...and he was layin people out too and not blowin tackles.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:34 PM CST up reply actions
No big plays for once!
Mcgraw was stoning those backs!
Anyone thrilled that the Falcons are reeling?
I mean, I love TG, but dude he missing out not being on the Chiefs ;)
Indeed.
Gonna have to go take a look at the rest of their schedule and figure out how it might go.
heck yeah
every Falcon lose is great for our draft
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Nov 22, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions
Im not saying this will happen...
BUT wouldnt that be hilarious if we made the playoffs and the falcons didnt? or even if the falcons had a worse record…:P
We should run the December approval poll tomorrow and see how it comes back.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
a little off topic but...
so far this year succop may be the best draft pick…..
by chief in colorado on Nov 22, 2009 6:38 PM CST reply actions
...of the whole draft?
Just kidding. He’s damn good though.
I agree. I think he will be a GREAT kicker in a year or 2. Hell hes already a good kicker after 9 games
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:40 PM CST up reply actions
Absolutely.
I’m looking forward to when the announcers/networks actually start to look at him close enough to quit putting his range starting at the 35. Not saying it should be a whole lot further, but it’s annoying when he’s better with the other kicker is worse but they talk about him being better.
It is annoying but until we start to have winning seasons they will always talk like that.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I know.
Also he needs time to prove himself to those that don’t follow the team and have no clue.
I'll admit I couldn't believe it during the draft
I was shocked that they selected a Kicker as the final selection, and was nervous during the OTAs, but that kid has really come through and shown his talent. Congrats to Pioli and Haley for selecting and retaining him.
Great job Ryan, and may God continue to bless you!
Yup.
I still chuckle over the day during camp when one of the headlines said something about him kicking it into the woods.
I opened the article thinking “What the hell kind of shank is that” and then realized it went into the woods after it went through the uprights.
Haha...I stuck around and watched who we would draft because i was thinking it would have been crazy then they were like
And with the last pick of the NFL draft the KC Chiefs select……K Ryan Succop….
HAHAHAHAH i laughed my ass off because NOBODY expected it.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:50 PM CST up reply actions
the best part is
he makes the kicks that he is supposed to. he has not missed an extra point or a kick under 40 and only one under 50. he is 2 of 5 over fifty with a long of 53. imo a field goal over 50 is a bonus not something that should be an expectation. of the guys we drafted this past year how many of them would you say are doing their job exactly the way it should be done? and not just what is expected of a rookie but what is expected of an nfl player?
by chief in colorado on Nov 22, 2009 9:20 PM CST up reply actions
No, the best part is he hits the goal line on almost every kickoff
That is actually huge for field position rather than them starting the return at the 5.
STUDebaker for Def Player of the Week
He deserves it
Yup...or Charles....
or even succop lol.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:44 PM CST up reply actions
Charles for Def player of the week might be difficult.
I’d say Special Teams, but there was another 97-yard return too.
oops i meant general Player of the Week.
Didnt see the Def part.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:48 PM CST up reply actions
I'll accept that
Studebaker = Def Player of the Week
Charles = Offensive Player of the Week
Succop = ST Player of the Week
We have all bases covered!
Just his knee?
Surprised he didn’t get hurt there too, so kudos to him for toughing it out. Bet he’ll be bruised tommorow though.
Ok you guys...
IF OAKLAND could be Cinci, WE could be them….after all…they have LJ…
by Wrestler189s on Nov 22, 2009 6:52 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I hear you there.
I’d say of course we can, we just beat the Steelers, but then Cinci swept them. But then, we did beat the Raiders once.
We beat Oakland twice
we just got credit for one win.
by mcclanahanman on Nov 22, 2009 9:40 PM CST up reply actions
I thought the exact same thing as Haley about the interception...
I text my Steeler fan friend about that…It was exactly like Harrison’s….except he failed to score…
Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...
Studabaker
Hey coach dickhead! Demote Andy now too. I mean he made a couple of good plays like Derrick Johnson!
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