Baby, We Were Born to Run (Too Bad The Chiefs Didn't Realize That)
by Matt Conner on Dec 14, 2009 10:43 AM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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PrintI'm not sure what reasons will be offered up. I'm not sure they will even add up when they discuss it. Let me perhaps beat them to the punch:
Our roster is particularly thin at the position.
Jamaal Charles is still becoming used to being a feature back.
It's Larry Johnson's fault.
In all seriousness, I get it that the first two could be completely true, but that doesn't make any difference. The reality is that despite FOUR interceptions on Matt Cassel's record versus the Bills, the Chiefs still ran Charles only 20 times all game in a contest where it was the only thing that was working. There's so much to talk about here, but it all points to the same conclusion: That Kansas City's play calling lost yet another game that was completely theirs for the taking.
Exhibit One: Charles averaged a sick 7+ yards per carry in the game and displayed the only game-breaking potential out there with his ridiculous runs. To not stick with Charles in a game in which so few points were already scored (and where the Chiefs should have had many more with some FG chances by Ryan Succop) is missing the point completely and an exercise in insanity for the fan base (sparse as it was on Sunday). The reality was that Haley was putting the word "video" in front of "game management" against the Bills. That's the only reason you throw the ball 43 times.
Exhibit Two: The Bills have the single worst run defense unit in the league. They allow 5.0 yards per carry on the season - by far the worst. They've allowed 2,217 rushing yards on the season, a full 300 more than Kansas City and the Chiefs are fifth-worst in the league. In fact, the Bills have allowed DOUBLE what the Steelers and Packers have allowed on the season. That kind of disparity should affect every aspect of the game plan. Instead, we come out rushing one third of the time against a defense with a strong secondary and no ability to stop the running game. Absolutely maddening.
This isn't even a matter of the fourth down play calls, the lack of trust in Ryan Succop, the weird use of timeouts, etc. This is about a team will multiple candidates for "who's the biggest goat this week?" actually having a strong chance to win... and still finding a way to refuse such a gift.
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Yup.
When you have an emerging game changer like Charles running as effectively as he is, you have to feed him the ball.
We still need to get ourselves another effective back who can help shoulder the load. I don’t really see any of the other guys on the team being a good solution. Jamal Charles is going to be a superstar by next season. Right now, he looks like he may be one of the best in the league
Absolutely maddening
I was frustrated from the beginning with our lack of run plays. And it only got worse as the game went on. Along with the points we left on the board by not kicking FG’s, and the poor use of timeouts…Time to start getting excited about the draft…..is it April yet?
I agree, we could have established the run early but didn't.
But I am cautious about running him TOO much…I dont want him to get injured since he’s a bit on the small side and this season is lost. Plus, we barely have a backup RB so Charles is it right now….
I'm not a Cassel fan or a Tamba Hali Fan or a Jamaal Charles fan. I'm a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs.
by jk86 on Dec 14, 2009 11:02 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
absolutely correct
as much as we love watching charles, and want to win, this season is lost. we don’t need to risk losing charles with a serious injury just to get a worse draft position.
better to let haley and the other players learn and grow than sacrifice charles just to get a win and keep our high spirits and pride.
now next year is a different story….
"We're not losers, we just can't win!"
by chief Stevie_k on Dec 14, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
Wow! It kinda is Haley's fault then...well shit Matt...tks a lot
now I gotta go back and apologize to RDO for being an idiot! Great! LOL! I gotta run then I’ll be back after humbling myself to RDO…tks for the humility!
first possession
all pass plays, it means that the coaching staff doesnt look at stats of opposing teams. I knew that we were in for a long day. Todd tried to be too cute against a team that struggles to score points and has an awful run d.
Haley appears to be a horrible
at calling plays. No team likes to kick a FG when you drive the ball to the one, but this team has been so inept on offense that you have to take the points when you can get them. How many passing plays the last 3 weeks have lost yardage as a result? I’ve been listening to the games on the radio and have not followed the entire game, but it seems everytime I’m listening their is a pass play that results in lost yardage. Throw the freaking ball passed the LOS!
ok, hes not horrible at play calling, its why arizona went to the super bowl.
but, as ANY former head coach will tell you…as a first year coach, you are overwhelmed…as a first year coach with the job of offensive coordinator AND Qb Coach? you are just flat out taking on too much….this staff was a last minute thing…he will be much better with less to do next year…few understand what the head coach has to do…there is a LOT of admin type stuff…I saw it first hand in 94 with june jones and in 99 with vermeil…its not as easy as it may look…
over coaching?
Haley does seem to over-coach. He thinks too much and then whacky things happen. The 4th and goal for example. We had to call a timeout? 1 yard away? J Charles up the middle, J charles sweep, Vrabel, decoy Vrabel and throw to someone else. No! We fake a run and let Cassel try to run it in! I about died! I laughed so hard it was silly! A 6-7 yard loss to top it off! That’s over-coaching. Gunther use to do that with blitz packages too! Drove me crazy!
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
that seems to be the only option...
that this year was a throw away year, an extended preseason if u will…that or haley truly is a terrible coach.
by MountainManMike on Dec 14, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
Well according to Matt Conner the specific play he disliked the most was...
everything after the 4th and goal…lol!! So….there you have it friends! That’s awesome Matt!
Another thing?
14 weeks in and we still have NO identity. I feel Haley isn’t being consistent. These players deserve some consisitency, some structure. He came out with several screens to Long and others. He tries to add a new wrinkle each week and the players havent gelled! Its not their fault though! I’m looking forward to gettign an OC that has a game plan. With J Charles speed our new OC can really create a game plan next yr!
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
You mean like all the shifting bullshit he implemented this week?
I agree. It’s like he’s throwing darts at a dartboard at times.
that argument falls short...
the reason is that even backs who are not workhorses, per se, can kick it up a notch in ONE game where their presence is the only thing working right. To not go to Charles a few more times in this game simply because he doesn’t have that label is stupid coaching
by Matt Conner on Dec 14, 2009 11:45 AM CST up reply actions
One game is why NOT to do it.
20 – 25 carries should be the max for Charles in conjunction with all of the passes they throw him. To say he could have taken more for one game is crazy. For what? If this was a playoff game or a chance at the division, sure. To be a 4 wins instead of 3? You don’t risk your best player for that. Get Cassle to deliver an accurate long ball and this discussion is moot.
Not an important game, not work the risk
I agree that Charles is not built to take the punishment of 25-30 touches per game for any year, much less 2009, and KC’s not going to the playoffs this year, nothing special was riding on the game. He had more carries than I would have wanted for him, given the injury concerns. Yes, there’s a problem, but it’s that KC doesn’t have anyone else either good enough (or prepared to play) to run the ball, apparently.
Earlier in the year I thought the biggest goal of the 2010 Chiefs draft should be on defense, but I’m starting to think that maybe a more attainable goal would be getting another top-tier RB and developing the O-line more so that the running game can continue to blossom. If the head guys are really from the ‘School of Parcells’ they have to believe that a potent running attack is absolutely essential. It carried Miami to the playoffs last year, and might do the same this year.
Completely Disagree
Jamaal Charles: 5’11" and 199lbs, age 22
Chris Johnson: 5’11" and 200lbs, age 24
Chris Johnson has become a workhorse and it is paying dividends. He is the premier RB in the NFL right now. JC can be our workhorse as well, and trust me, it will also pay dividends. The main difference between the two? Titans actually have a good offensive line. We get that, and it’s on baby…
Things to get the Chiefs back on the winning side of football:
1. Haley resign as offensive coordinator or do the following;
a. Feed JC more
b. Take the cuffs off of Cassel and let him air it out
2. Fire Clancy "Calls" Playslikeass
by kcchiefsfan72 on Dec 14, 2009 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
Charles was hurt
Seperated shoulder last week and it popped out again this week. That is why we took him off ST duties for this week.
I think JC can be a featured back, but he is pretty banged up this year.
I hope he is just unlucky
Kind if proves that point he is not a feature back if he instantly starts falling apart once he starts getting the rock ~20 times a game.
I will say this about Charles he is tough as hell. I’d be ought for weeks if I got a separated shoulder, not going back into play the same freaking game.
Check out my blog on software development:
http://www.turnleafdesign.com/
by Scaryclouds on Dec 14, 2009 1:02 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I am.....
totally without any kind of explanation for this….I’ve tried to analyze the numbers and rationalize some of the seemingly irrational things we do on the field and I have reached the conclusion that losing does wierd things to players and coaches. There is no sense to be made from a lot of the stuff we see on field. It’s almost like we are holding training camp all year, we are just trying out players to see who’s tradeable/cuttable/viable for next season. At this point I am just supporting the team, I am done trying to make sense out of all this.
Try to realize that Pioli and Haley have more information then you
Then you don’t fret about situations that don’t make sense on the surface.
I have realized that fact but...
the question is whether to trust that Haley and Pioli are doing the correct things to make us successful in the future. Trust is earned, and for me it hasn’t been earned yetm, but I am content to see if they are able to show and prove.
I also
want to argue that what trust did we have in anyone here before? we havent won a playoff game in the past 2 coaching staffs…so something has to change…We were LUCKY hali is a warrior and made a transition…Flowers/Carr/Charles/Albert all have a big future here along with some of the pioli picks…but I still say THIS draft pioli has his people in place, not the old scouts like this past draft…he also has more picks to work with to start off, he has a lot of money to work with as well…possibly we can entice a former pat(wilfork) to KC….Id throw a lot of money at him…that would instantly make this rebuild a quicker one.
I still believe if we get an OL, a few targets, and cassel will be fine…I think you get some safeties, another corner(could be washington?) inside linebacker help…and Wilfork at NT…and you have a team that can compete….also, you will need a new OC/QB coach combo that fits what we want to do.
I think its totally possible, but I trust that we have a QB to put a team around, and a HB that just needs a guy to come take some goal line carries and short yardage stuff
I am also...
Under the impression that this entire season was a “tryout”. Yet we still win more games than last year. I had us going 6-10 this year but if haley can win 4 games (twice as many as last year!) Than its ok. But I will have higher expectations next year! 8-8 is the minimum goal! We will have 6-8 new starters next year and much needed depth. For xmas I want 3 o-lineman, a safety, a lb, a nose tackle, a wr and a partridge in a pear tree!
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
by Mr J on Dec 14, 2009 11:58 AM CST via mobile reply actions
My take
I thought the play calling early in the game was done to try and get Cassel back in rhythm after that terrible game last week. I know they didn’t go for much, but Cassel did start out the game 6 for 6 because of all the short passes that were called. I agree that they should of run the ball more but I didn’t see the play calling as “too cute” or “over thinking” I just saw it as him trying to build up some confidence in our QB who has been taking an absolute beating both on the field and in the press.
Feeling "The Love" and "Drinking the Kool AId"
NO REC on this one
We have ONE RB ONE yes that is ONE running back there is NO WAY we can use a run heavy attack on offense. Charles is banged up already and I HATE to even think what this em would look like without him. Yes it sucks but 20 carries is maximum workload for a banged up Charles so. My explanation Haley can’t be expected to make chicken soup out of chicken shit. We had a chance to win with all the variables a 3rd down catch by Chambers and we probably WIN against Buffalo.
I personally think it was a pretty good game plan and with the exception of maybe three plays I think it was a well called game. Take it how you want but our team is pretty thin with depth. I hope having Bowe back will make a big impact because we have to throw the ball to be effective. Charles is our best player but can’t be asked to have more than 28 touches in a game witch is what he had Sunday.
I don't think you can run Charles 25+ per game without theatening his career.
He is such a game changer that he needs to be available for every game. He is a smallish back and already has some shoulder issues. We need another back to step up and become a dominate power back to “shoulder the load” (get it) and keep Charles healthy. Quite honestly, if we could get another feature back I would love to see the Chiefs move Charles to the slot recever/kick off return specialist. He is a Damn Fine Recever! He would become a threat to go the distance everytime he touched the ball because of his speed and wouldn’t take near the punishment he is taking now. I am afraid that if we continue to use him the way we are (or use him more) in a couple years he will become a memory instead of a threat!
So you think you are so important that no one can replace you? Put your finger in a bucket of water and pull it out. Does it leave a hole? Nope, just some ripples that eventually calm themselves!
by Fan of the Red And Gold on Dec 14, 2009 12:03 PM CST reply actions
I agree we could use Charles like NO uses Bush
However I think Charles is much more like Chriss Johnson and should be our #1 back with a power back to split carries 50-50.
So...several things wrong with this that I see...
One, of course, is that in the first half of the game Cassel was 18-24, which is a high percentage and at least forces the defense to honor the past. His passing yardage in the first half was good for the average gain of about 6 yards.
The second, and bigger issue, is that if you take out Charles’ 76-yard run, he rushed for about 3.5 yards per carry, and you really need more than that to say that your running game was clearly better.
Third, Charles is excellent at catching out of th backfield, and has the added bonus of being able to get the ball in space and use his speed and agility without the huge linemen in the middle.
Fourth, too many Chiefs runs are stopped in the backfield – how many times this year have we seen 1st and 10 turn into 2nd and 13 because the back was hit immediately?
Fifth, Charles has had to leave the game due to his shoulder in a few games – no sense getting him killed over a lost season.
I will agree with the idea that the play calling was questionable, and it’s generally good sense to take the field goals early. Succop’s a bright spot on the team, may as well use him.
I totally agree, except...
you can’t say “if you take out Charles’ 76-yard run”. If you take out the longest run of a RBs carries in any game their average is going to drop significantly (the vast majority of the time anyway).
In any case, I agree…he wasn’t underutilized at all. He did his part to set up the passing game, it’s just that the passing game didn’t do it’s part in return.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
whoops...damn keyboard
it’s important to have that threat – the issue is that the original post makes it seem like Charles gained 7+ yards on every carry, when the reality is it was closer to 3.5, with a few longer gains and a few stuffs.
If he’s averaged 4-4.5 yards a carry without the long run and hadn’t gotten the ball enough, than it’s worth looking at. 3.5, that’s just not enough. Hmills makes a great point about how teams can gang up on the Jamaal and force KC to try and beat them with the pass.
Cassel needs to hit his receivers when he has chances downfield – having Bowe back should give him more chances to do that – I’d rather have Chambers or Bowe getting free in the secondary than Mark Bradley or Bobby Wade, who as far as I’m concerned are scrubs. In the NFL these days you really have to pass to set up the run.
The most sensible comment, including the main Post, itself.
I think others are confusing symptoms with causes.
YES, big runs factor into other RBs’ averages. But you need to get positive yards on a regular basis in order to move the chains and increase the number of big play opportunities. Hats off to Jamaal for being so tough when he tangled with the widebodies in a phone booth. Showed some real Marcus-type body control to squirm for positive yardage. But this is no way to treat him on an every-down basis.
Fact is, nobody fears KC’s passing game, and everyone figures that you gang up on Cassel and take your chances down the field. That’s why the WRs are so often open down the field when he DOES get time to set up. To win, the Chiefs must prove that they can win with the pass when you power up to stop the one thing they’d LOVE to do all day – hand it to Jamaal. On his big 76 yard score, they were bunched up at the line, and, for once, he busted through. But 99% of the time, that play is snuffed for a loss or no gain. More likely a loss. Kudos to Jamaal for bustin’ one, but running into the teeth of the run blitz is going to get THIS team MAYbe one big play in the whole game, with 3-and-out the rest of the day.
Prediction for '09: Chiefs are looking like a .500 team, especially considering Denver's inattention to D-Line, Chokeland's disarray, and a San Diego team that looks like it's on the decline. With a weak schedule, Chiefs steal a few and win between 7 and 9 games, and if .500 or better, will contend for supremacy in a weak division.
Great analysis of his run and how teams are scheming vs. the Chiefs offense.
Wish I could actually watch the games…it seems like the last couple of weeks teams could blanket Chambers with a corner and safety and then dare Wade and Bradley to win one-on-one, and they just couldn’t get it done.
While I see your point entirely,
Charles was playing with an injured shoulder. He still touched the ball 27 times. 27! 20 carries, and 7 receptions. That’s asking a LOT of a player that is injured. And behind OUR o-line, I’m a little surprised JC even carried the rock that often. Every play call can’t be to give Charles the ball, and especially when Charles is injured, you have to play him somewhat conservatively (which Todd didn’t, and luckily he didn’t get hurt worse.) I agree that we need another back who can carry more than FOUR times for NINE yards (I’m looking at you, Castille). On the field goal opportunities, I agree with you as well. We had two kick opportunities in Succop’s range that we punted away, plus the aforementioned 1-yard line folly that lies on Todd’s shoulders.
yep
We really need another dynamic RB to mix in w/ Charles. If it’s not addressed & he has a major injury next season, the team will be in the tank yet again.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
but...
It was the first quarter! It was 4th and 1! Charles had not been used up yet! The play was absolutely a case of over coaching. He outricked himself and the play looked like a circus act. Someone above said we wre trying to build Cassel’s confidence?! He was 6-6 on short screens and we drive to the 1 yard line. So to build his confidence we want him running 15 yard on a bootleg to try and gain 1 yard! That, to me, shows a lack of confidence in your o-line and an excuse to try qnd run trickery vs a poop run defense!
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
by Mr J on Dec 14, 2009 12:51 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I don’t think Cassel was supposed to run it in. It was likely meant to be a roll out throw to Vrabel but Schobel was in the backfield so fast it never had a chance.
Haley said the play was designed as a Cassel carry
in the postgame press conference
John
"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"
Exhibit One A YPC that was inflated by the one big play. Yes, if you take away the big plays a lot of players’ averages drop dramatically. But when all you look at is the average, you totally miss the ebb and flow of offense and defense. Fact is that the Chiefs have been ineffective moving the chains when relying on the run game to get it done. Would I like to see more stretch plays and sweeps? Yes. But I saw them fizzle, too.
Exhibit Two Do you think the Chiefs operate in a vacuum? Do you think the Bills don’t know that Jamaal is the main threat? Typically one or three open receivers in the pattern, with the defense ganging-up at the line against a weak Chiefs team. Cassel needed to PROVE he could move them with his arm, and he DID move them between the 20s. As they got into scoring position, the field shortened, and the true impotency of the KC offense once again revealed itself.
Prediction for '09: Chiefs are looking like a .500 team, especially considering Denver's inattention to D-Line, Chokeland's disarray, and a San Diego team that looks like it's on the decline. With a weak schedule, Chiefs steal a few and win between 7 and 9 games, and if .500 or better, will contend for supremacy in a weak division.
+1
Cassle hits Bradley and this discussion doesn’t happen. Instead, the running game was great and Haley used Charles wisely.
Agree
Better O-line, draft an elite receiver prospect, get a good short-yardage between-the-tackles back, then you have a more efficient red zone offense as the field gets smaller and receivers have to get doubled.
a better o-line will give the team improved short yardage gains
the line tends to make or break running backs unless you are a Barry Sanders
"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer
by Bad Medicine on Dec 14, 2009 8:49 PM CST up reply actions
You're looking for obvious fixes to systemic problems.
Fix the O-Line, upgrade the WRs (and I include Chambers in this), and re-visit the questions you’re raising.
This is like a gardener tinkering with fertilizers to improve his corn crop, when the field is covered in a blanket of snow…
Prediction for '09: Chiefs are looking like a .500 team, especially considering Denver's inattention to D-Line, Chokeland's disarray, and a San Diego team that looks like it's on the decline. With a weak schedule, Chiefs steal a few and win between 7 and 9 games, and if .500 or better, will contend for supremacy in a weak division.
You guys notice in that pic....
Charles is looking at himself in the jumbotron? do guys do that so they can see when they are getting ready to be tackled? Or is he just turning into an ego freak who likes to watch himself?
It's the former.
Rather than break momentum/stride, he used the screen to his advantage.
Track athletes (Runners/sprinters) do this all the time in the homestretch, and since he was a sprinter, it’s quite possible he may have picked it up there.
"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris
man, if jc has shoulder problems...
then we need to get this man swimming 30 to 60 minutes a day. there is no better way to strengthen up those shoulders. i play a lot of hockey and started out having terrible shoulders with dislocations galore but after starting my swimming regimen, i havent had any problems in the years since.
by MountainManMike on Dec 14, 2009 3:21 PM CST reply actions
didnt' he get 20 carries and 7 catches?
that doesn’t sound like he was under-used to me…
* "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
How about this?
With our high 1st round pick, we take a RB and make Charles the constant Return Man and use him sparingly as an occasional weapon on the offense. At 199 lbs, I’m not seeing him as a true feature back without shortening his career.
Our Special Teams would rock! (Colquitt, Succop and Charles.)
And Charles is depth at RB (if the rookie gets injured, Charles is your RB and someone else takes over return duties).
In the bigger picture, find a Return Man down the road and shift Charles back to being more of an offensive weapon.
Any takers?
Or...
We could just try to get a WR/KR in the draft and utilize JC as the emerging superstar he deserves to be. Maybe find ourselves decent power back to compliment his running style.
either way!
* "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
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