Chiefs' Gailey Ranked as NFL's Second Best Offensive Coordinator
by Joel Thorman on Jun 3, 2009 9:21 AM CDT
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Offseason
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The last time The Sporting News compiled a set of rankings, the Kansas City Chiefs didn't fare so well. This time, however, the Chiefs did just fine. TSN created a list of the top 20 offensive coordinators in the NFL. Coming in at No. 2, and rightfully so, was the Chiefs' Chan Gailey, who is entering his second season with the team.
Gailey's shotgun-heavy attack is a perfect philosophical fit with new coach Todd Haley. It also will limit the learning curve of QB Matt Cassel, who played in a similar system last season in New England. The Chiefs will attack through the air and could have the NFL's most improved offense in '09.
Chan Gailey, their Offensive Coordinator, came up with an idea. "Let’s make him a slash," he said.
"What’s a slash?" people asked
Chan Gailey said, "You’ll see."
Right now the Chiefs have a luxury with Matt Cassel and Tyler Thigpen. For a variety of reasons, whether it be talent or money, we all expect Cassel to be penciled in as the starter. This leaves the Chiefs with a luxury in a mobile, athletic player in Thigpen, in a time when the wildcat is all the rage.
For those of you upset that Cassel will likely be given the starting job, remember Gailey's time with Kordell Stewart. Thigpen will get on the field. He may not be lined up as a traditional quarterback but he'll get on the field.
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January 17th: Following the hiring of Scott Pioli as GM, and with the future of Herm Edwards in doubt, we asked if the Chiefs offensive coaches would be sticking around.
January 28th: Following the departure of Herm Edwards, I argued the Chiefs should hire Gailey as head coach.
February 3rd: I faced off against Adam of Arrowhead Addict arguing the Chiefs should hire Gailey over Todd Haley as head coach.
February 11th: Should Haley call his own players or defer to Gailey?
February 12th: A statistical look at the similarities between Haley and Gailey's playcalling (includes graphs!).
February 25th: Talking about the Chiefs spread offense.
March 2nd: What to do with Tyler Thigpen? This question became relevant only because of the offense Gailey instilled for Thigpen last season.
March 16th: Gailey will coach quarterbacks along with being the offensive coordinator.
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Best in the West: No other AFC West coordinator showed up on the list until the Oakland Raiders' Ted Tollner at No. 19.
H/T ttownmikey for the link in the comments
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I'm excited!
This leaves the Chiefs with a luxury in a mobile, athletic player in Thigpen, in a time when the wildcat is all the rage.
If nothing else, we should be fun to watch!
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 3, 2009 10:18 AM CDT reply actions
It will be interesting to see how Chan Gailey
fares with Matt Cassel in the backfield and no one to hold him (Chan) back from doing the things he wants to do on offense. Chan pretty much invented the Arrowspread offense on the fly after the disastrous start to last season utilizing Herm Edwards idiot offense. I think this year could be very productive for the Chiefs offense.
Not a big fan of the spread in the NFL. It didn’t work for the Lions and they had a back named Barry Sanders. The Chiefs backs are suited better for the traditional drop back NFL offense, not the spread. This will hurt the running game. I was hoping Cassel would be able to get under center, the spread was only installed because Thigpen couldn’t. NFL defences have proved over the years to adjust and destroy offenses that work in college. The spread and wildcat are short lived in the NFL.
by drinkanotherbeer on Jun 3, 2009 10:20 AM CDT reply actions
I think the only thing that will hurt the running game is if the offense becomes predictable..
If the Chiefs are mixing up the looks between pro- set/shotgun plus run/pass then the opposing defenses will not know what we are doing.
There needs to be passing plays that are out of the pro set formation as well as running plays out of the shotgun to keep the defense guessing.
Predictability will kill any scheme. That is why Herm’s offense never worked.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Jun 3, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
LOVE it
I thought hiring Gailey was a great move by Herm last year, and I think keeping him will be one of Pioli/Haley’s best moves this year. Haley will have input, but I think Chan will run the offense. He has been OC on Super Bowl teams in both Denver and Pittsburg. He really is the real deal.
chan was the best move we made last year no doubt . The guy just makes players shine
I know he will help cassel blow up this year I cant wait to see what he brings to the table.
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Chan deserves that recognition.
He probably scoots up this list a bit with Haley and McDaniels moving to head coaches and Tom Moore “retiring” but still a great job. Oakland shouldnt be at #19 because they don’t have an offensive coordinator as Tollner has some other floofy title but Cable said they would run the offense by committee.
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