The Good Stats from the Kansas City Chiefs Second Preseason Game
by Chris Thorman on Aug 22, 2009 3:59 PM CDT
in 2009 Training Camp
28 comments
So I'm toying with the format of an overall game recap and I haven't really a way I want to do it yet. So, Joel and I will be delivering various tidbits of info we find interesting over the next couple of days and then maybe I'll get my act together and figure out the best way to do a game recap and make it interesting.
Third Down Percentage
The Chiefs did a really solid job on offense last night converting third downs. They were 8/15 (53%) compared to the Vikings' 4/11 (36%). And some of those third downs were the best plays of the day for the Chiefs:
- 3rd & 8, Cassel to Bowe for 13 yards
- 3rd & 15, Cassel to Charles for 20 yards
- 3rd & 10, Croyle to Toomer for 16 yards
I just really like seeing a 3rd down conversion percentage above 50% because it means drives aren't dying like they have been around KC for the last couple of years. It means an offense actually has the means to move the ball when they want to.
The Shotgun, 3 & outs and balance are after the jump...
The Shotgun
The Chiefs ran 75 offensive plays yesterday and 35 of those plays came out of the shotgun. Here's how the shotgun formation broke down by QB:
- Matt Cassel - 34 plays, 17 out of the shotgun
- Brodie Croyle - 23 plays, 9 out of the shotgun
- Matt Gutierrez - 18 plays, 10 plays out of the shotgun
Compare Cassel's numbers last year - 516 plays and 405 were from the shotgun - and it's clear that he's going to be comfortable taking as many snaps out of the shotgun as possible. The Chiefs are ran the shotgun ~50% of the time yesterday so Brodie better get more comfortable in that formation. He's probably had the least exposure to the shotgun out of any of the Chiefs' QBs.
I like this stat because I feel like the shotgun is a lot more versatile than lining up directly under center and because I think the more the Chiefs run the shotgun, it might be a good barometer of where the coaches think the offensive line and Matt Cassel are progressing in this offense.
No Three and Outs on Offense
One of my big frustrations with the Herm Edwards' offenses over the last few years was that they seemed to get stopped after three plays a lot. Not so with the new offense.
The Chiefs never went three plays and punted, although they did turn the ball over after three plays on Jackie Battle's fumble in the third quarter. And Brodie Croyle did basically have a three and out at the end of the third. But still, that is a vast improvement over the last couple of years. Huge improvement.
The offense had drives of 16, 13 and 9 plays which would have been great over three games for Herm Edwards' Chiefs.
Defensive Three and Outs
Even though the Chiefs forced a couple of three and outs against Brett Favre and a Vikings' offense that really had no idea what they were doing with him, the Chiefs' defense had moments that made me hopeful.
The Chiefs started off the game by stuffing Adrian Peterson on fourth down to turn the ball over on downs. Then, they forced two consecutive three and outs against Favre and co. In the second half, they forced drive of three plays, four plays and five plays in the second half.
Sure, the defense had it's moments of weakness but at least one of those weaknesses wasn't a swiss cheese defensive line. The defense didn't have a consistent pass rush either but we'll save that for the stats we didn't like from the game.
Balancing the Two Halves of Football Out
I know that there were lots of different combinations of players playing together at different times but it was still nice to see a balanced football game. The Chiefs spread their 298 total offensive yards well over the game - 133 yards in the first half and 165 in the second.
Remember last season, when the other team had our offense completely figured out by the third quarter? I don't think we're going to have that problem this season which should be a normal thing but for the Chiefs it's huge.
Penalties Went Down
The Chiefs had 8 penalties last week against the Texans and only 5 this week against the Vikings. This is a stat I really like to see improve during the preseason, especially when you have a lot of new guys playing together. As long as this number doesn't go back up by 4 or 5 penalties next week, I'd hand it to Todd Haley for instilling proper discipline early on in this team.
Check out the game center and let me know if you come up with anything else interesting. I'll come out with the stats I didn't like soon.
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Cassel
9 completions for 99 yards. I will take an 11 yard per pass average over the pass to the flat for one yard we have seen in recent years
by birddaug on Aug 22, 2009 4:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
if we can figure out
a way to stop LJ from being hit in the backfield or line of scrimmage we should have a decent offense……Please let Pioli get us a new RT
by KCCheeze on Aug 22, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Much better
Than having more attempts than yards. Didn’t Huard do that last year?
"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech
by ArrowSpread on Aug 22, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just a thought for ya, Chris
You bring up an awesome point about the multiple 3 and outs we had under the Herm Edward era. What would be interesting to see is the comparison of the Chiefs offensive statistics from ‘07-’08 to ‘08-’09 to these last 2 preseason games, especially in regards to how many snaps were taken at shotgun. Even though we obviously have different personnel now all across the board, it would be interesting to see how these 3 years contrast to each other and why we might be a little more successful this year than the last 2. Just a thought. Great article!
GO CHIEFS!
Eric
by Chief Fan Forever on Aug 22, 2009 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought about that
I had done some fairly extensive stat posts, especially in 2007.
I think that post will be good for after the Chiefs preseason is over so we have a couple more games to compare.
by Chris Thorman on Aug 22, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
3rd down for the D
What I go tired of last year was the 3 and 7+ that were converted by the opposing O. last night on the TD drive by the Vikes we gave up a 3rd an 8 and a 3rd an 9… Those really need to be looked at as make or break downs… Both of those plays went for 16 yards and 13 yards (TD)
We also lack the exp to understand when you get through the line unblocked ITS A SCREEN!!! Last year we gave up CHUNKS of yards on screens. If any team watches last nights game they will hit us with 10 screens a game.
Not being picky just pointing out some of the only bad things I saw. I gave us a B for last nights game. I was pretty happy overall with KC!!!
GO CHIEFS!!!
by flyin_squirl on Aug 22, 2009 5:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good point about screens.
I’m goin’ with the B, too. An A, considering the issues I had after the monsoon game versus Houston.
I still don’t expect to give out any A’s before regular season, though.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Aug 22, 2009 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Watching Cassel scamper around
and the 50% shotgun, some of what we were saying about Cassel fitting some of the spread ideas makes sense.
While the Chiefs were mostly futile running out of the spread, it did look like they had more than one guy (Tony G) who could catch a pass. Bradley caught one with a defender draped on his back.
Still rootin’ for Battle, but he didn’t switch the ball to his outside hand and he didn’t put both hands on it in traffic.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Aug 22, 2009 5:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually...
I thought the RT posittioon in that game was far less glaring an issue than Goff’s terrible play. I have watched the game 3 times Goff was washed out or flat out beaten 80% of the time. There was some promising blocking from both the first 2 RTs. But it is hard for them to look good when our interior right side is constantly falling down or getting pushed back, Yes Niswanger got beat on that one sack and one or two others but he had no help from the guy on his right. He didn’t play as poorly as it seemed. Albert actually did well except for that corner blitz that he had a shot at but did miss the block. But that happens. That instance and maybe one or two other was the only negatives I noticed on the left side of the line.
by fixitquick79 on Aug 22, 2009 5:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Also...
The one long run that LJ had was actually off a good block by McIntosh so maybe Mac just needs some motivation.
by fixitquick79 on Aug 22, 2009 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice observations
Thanks. You should do an o-line post about what you just said. Flesh it out.
by Chris Thorman on Aug 22, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Against Houston, Goff was actually knocked ass over teakettle.
I recall the announcers saying how the left side of the line messed up, and I wanted to tell them they were missing a pretty good game.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Aug 22, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
Albert, Waters, Niswanger, McIntosh, Richardson
Would make a solid line?
Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying
by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 22, 2009 5:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
See Steve?
I put McIntosh at RG and there’s SILENCE! Heh.
I’m still not sure that Brown/Richardson won’t eventually become the mauler we want at RT, and with a couple weeks to go, Levi’s looking pretty good, if he’s ready to play.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Aug 22, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's a pretty damn good idea
wreck you mills
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
by Buck'O on Aug 22, 2009 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love that now that we’ve avoided time warner, I can actually watch the game, even if it’s at 4pm the next day. Couple thoughts:
I believe it was #76 that just stood there while Sapp bum rushed Cassel, that was really pathetic.
- (forgive me for not being able to match names to numbers for everyone) looked great at times, there was a long run that he had to race back from the backfield and still made the tackle.
Succop looks like the real deal, and Gutierrez impressed me with his ability to run an offense.
Also, the team needs to have a behemoth on goal line situations, that was really pathetic. You see a guy like Lendale White and realize that is luxury that is really needed.
Finally, Turk McBride at linebacker?? Either keep him at DE on 4-3, or trade him to Carolina, he looked horrific out there.
by Topchief1 on Aug 22, 2009 8:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Don’t know why it did that but I put #31 in there, and it did 1. for some reason.
by Topchief1 on Aug 22, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
#76 is Branden Albert, left tackle.
I thought he was worrying about the outside pass rush by a LB/DE. When the slot defender blitzes like that, it’s supposed to be a hot read between QB and slot receiver. The receiver sees the blitz and looks for the quick pass. I’ll look again, but the blitzing nickel back / safety is either picked up by RB or you do the hot read to the undefended receiver. Maybe you’re right. Sounds like you were watching carefully.
Point of fact: The QB didn’t see him coming. Might be his fault, might be Albert’s fault, might’ve just been a brilliantly designed zone blitz combo.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Aug 22, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Turk McBride should be traded if you can get anything for him.
This guy played DT in college and now they are trying to play him at linebacker. They should try and move him to a 4-3 team. I actually thought prioir to his injury last year he was our best D-lineman, but he does not fit this defense (especially at OLB)
by saskwatch on Aug 23, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Long as we're breakin' it down.
Lookin’ at KC’s 2nd series on D, it’s Jackson, Tyler and Dorsey in there, with Dorsey in 5-tech and Tyler in 0-tech. I’ve been telling you guys this was how it was gonna go – NOT. I’ve been saying Tyler and Dorsey would be edging toward the strong side – WRONG!
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Aug 22, 2009 9:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was quite impressed with Jackson, he seems to have a knack for getting in the backfield, he’s just gotta make the plays.
by Topchief1 on Aug 22, 2009 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK. I see the Benny Sapp DB blitz play.
Charles was supposed to help in the protection, went wide of Dorsey, and it LOOKED like he was trying to get a bead on Sapp, who, in turn, looked like he was going to blitz around the outside shoulder of the end, but Sapp hid behind the DE and cut it back to the inside. You could see that Charles was still trying to track Sapp.
You could also see that Albert was slow to react to the situation. But if he’d abandoned the DE, Charles would’ve been a road mat.
Mostly Charles’s fault for not tracking the blitzer, and Albert was too slow to shift and react to the inside move by the DB.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Aug 22, 2009 9:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
on goff
i agree fixquick79 that mike goff played poorly in the game and ive been watching rudy niswanger and he has been decent from what i have seen from him and expect him to keep improving as the season goes on.hes got to be at least 10lbs heavier then last year and his technique ihas improved as well.in no way i am saying he will be good but he can in time develop into a decent center and next year draft a true center and move rudy to rg.
by chiefs7227 on Aug 23, 2009 3:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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