Chiefs LB Vrabel Talks About Bengals Key Third Down Conversion

by Joel Thorman on Dec 28, 2009 11:55 AM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Kansas City Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel was frustrated after Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. That's likely because of a play that really stung for the Chiefs.

On the Bengals final scoring drive of the game, the Chiefs had them backed up inside their own five yard line. Two plays netted three years for the Bengals as they lined up on a 3rd and 7. The call was a shovel pass to RB Brian Leonard who scampered his way eight yards for the first down.

"It was third-and-long," Vrabel said. "They made a good call. The back ran for the first down. We will look at the film and find out what happened. It’s one of those things that you have to rally to stop. You’re not counting on a shovel pass on third-and-eight."

If the Chiefs had stopped them, it would have set up a fourth down for the Bengals inside the 10 yard line and excellent field position in the final quarter of the game.

The Bengals have been good this season because of their ability to run the football on offense, something they haven't been able to do in recent years.

"Carson used to throw the ball 50 times, and if he completed 30 or 40 passes, they would win," Vrabel said. "If he didn’t, they would lose. They are a lot more balanced now.

Vrabel said that third down conversion late in the game was one of several failed third down conversions for the Chiefs defense.

"They are able to dictate the flow of the game," Vrabel continued. "We were able to hang in there for a few quarters. We gave up one huge drive with one third down conversion after another."

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Comments

Personally I think the Chiefs already have a new LB coach already here.

I know he would like to retire and coach elsewhere, but he’s been the assistant LB coach here all year in my opinion. He has shown great leadership, knowledge and intelligent football skills. He doesn’t have much tread left and has lost a step but could provide to be invaluable to the Chiefs as a excellent coach.

Yeah, let's just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys! ...

by oldchiefsfan on Dec 28, 2009 12:04 PM CST reply actions

Agree 100%

Zach Thomas was supposed to fill a similar role…I think Vrabel is more selfless though.

Vrabel wants to coach at Ohio St. I wish he would coach our LB Corp for a couple years first…get these guys on track. Right now I would take Vrabel as DC over Pendergast anyday!

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Dec 28, 2009 12:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Id bet if the Chiefs offered him the job he wouldnt pass it up.

by tomahawk44 on Dec 28, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

Dc or lb?

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Dec 28, 2009 12:55 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

LB

by tomahawk44 on Dec 28, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

LB Matty...I know he's got a head full of knowledge, but

his experience as a coach in the NFL is nil. Save for the type he’s doing now…OJT coaching. He needs experience coaching first. So he would serve him and us well to start as LB coach and learn the ropes and work his way up

by krayfish on Dec 28, 2009 2:09 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, we need to make sure Vrabel get's resigned this year.

He’s been a huge help to this young defense.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 28, 2009 12:10 PM CST reply actions

How about having Vrable as,,,

by BBell78 on Dec 28, 2009 1:29 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

How about having Vrable as,,,

Linebackers coach?

by BBell78 on Dec 28, 2009 1:29 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Vrabel has class and is a stand up guy

I appreciate his comments and taking some of the blame for the loss yesterday but the truth is they played one of their best games defensively and giving up 17 pts to the Bengale offense is not bad at all. Our inability to score more than 10 pts and come close that “arena league” 21+ pts mark is what’s keeping this team down.

by zachm on Dec 28, 2009 12:15 PM CST reply actions

It is what it is

A GREAT play call. You always (almost) want to run the plays that the defense isn’t expecting. That call covered what the Bengals needed to do at the time, which was:
- not lose any ground (at worst it was no gain)
- not get Carson sacked
- surprise the d.
There were eleven other plays during the drive that could have been stopped. It was just a good call.

We are building a fighting force of extwaordinary magnitude.

by Ozarks on Dec 28, 2009 1:32 PM CST reply actions