Week One Analysis Preview: Chiefs - Ravens
by KU2010 on Sep 10, 2009 10:40 AM CDT
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PrintThe Ravens don’t have what you would call a “high powered offense.” If the Chiefs can put some points up on the board (17 or so), they have a shot at winning this game.
The Chiefs are really hoping Matt Cassel is going to be healthy enough to play Sunday, as that gives them a lot more options throwing the ball. If he is not ready to go, more than likely Brodie Croyle will get the start.
Even if Cassel’s leg is ready to go, the game plan will be the old cliché—“Run the ball, and stop the run.”
The left side of the offensive line (Albert, Waters, Niswanger) has been together for a year now, and they have developed some chemistry with each other. Look for the Chiefs to take advantage of this and run left much more than they run right. Running the ball effectively will keep the Baltimore defense on the field more than they want to be, and while they are very good, they are also old. Wearing them down will be easier now than in past years.
The biggest offensive key to the game for the Chiefs will be to protect the QB, and there are several ways to do this.
- This is probably the easiest to do, while still keeping the play calling relatively simple: keep the tight ends in to block more often than they are out running routes, in an effort to help the struggling offensive line. The Ravens also run a 3-4 defense, and are among the best at doing so; their outside linebackers are very good at getting to the quarterback, and our young tackles might need some help.
- Get the QB out of the pocket. Calling bootleg plays, especially off of play-action, will hold the linebackers, and give Cassel (or Croyle) more time to throw the ball. Both of them are young quarterbacks, and need that little extra time to find the open receiver.
- No seven-step drops for the quarterback. For most passing plays, the quarterback takes either three, five, or seven steps back after the ball is snapped. Obviously, the more steps backwards, the longer it takes for the QB to throw the ball, and the easier it is for the pass rush to get in the backfield. Limiting these long drops, and mostly having only three-step drops and quick reads will get the ball out of his hands faster, neutralizing the pass rush.
The defense has played well in the preseason, as you guys know, especially against the run. We will see if they are for real this weekend, as the Ravens had the fourth best rushing game in the NFL last season. The defense should prove to be more aggressive this year than under Herm Edwards, and should result in more turnovers.
The keys to the game on the defensive side:
- Stop the run. Easier said than done, right? The easiest way to do this, is to call run blitzes much more often than normal. The Ravens’ offensive line is very good, and keeping the linebackers up at the line of scrimmage will be advantageous in stopping the run. Also, keeping eight defenders in the box, that is, keeping a safety near the line of scrimmage also, will aid in stopping the run.
- Put pressure on Joe Flacco. While Flacco played well last year (for a rookie) he still threw almost as many interceptions as he did touchdowns.Blitzing him in passing situations will make him uncomfortable in the pocket and force him into making mistakes. Getting turnovers will greatly help out the Chiefs offense by giving them a short field.
Originally Posted by me, here
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
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Like you say, "easier said than done"
Everything you wrote was dead on except the bootleg and outside plays. The Ravens LB’s and DL are way too fast for that. Success running or passing will be over the middle and in between the tackles. Good luck running as I just can’t see it happening plus you will need quick long strikes to put points up as long drives are rare against us. If you get behind and can’t run, both of which I expect to happen by the second half, airing it out might be the only option and I’ve recommend slants and long passes to get that quick score, penalties to set up scoring opportunities.
Good luck getting it done, sort of,…not.
aka 'Rexx'
Definitely going to be a battle
I definitely didn’t expect to see any naked bootlegs, that would be suicide, but if you say the lb’s are too fast even after play-action, I’ll take your word for it. I would think the Chiefs would want to avoid Ray Ray. I mean they don’t want him to kill anybody, especially Cassel lol.
Honestly, I’m expecting something like a 21-10 score, realistically. I don’t think we have much more than a 20% shot at winning.
Actually, Ray-Ray's biggest weapon might be his reputation.
I think you definitely have to test him in space. If Cassel were 100%, it wouldn’t surprise me if he could get past Ray-Ray in the open field.
Chiefs can probably make the big men on the Ravens’ D run more than they want to, by running wide fairly regularly. I’d project 2 TEs as a strong possibility, only we haven’t seen/heard any great blocking rom the TEs, important as that was thought to be coming into the season.
It does look like the best opportunities for both teams to score touchdowns will be from a distance. But so much is unknown about what the Chiefs actually have. If the recent acquisitions are an upgrade to that right side, LJ is someone who can implacably shove the ball down your throat behind a good line. I just feel like KC’s TDs are more likely to come off a big play by Savage, Charles or Bowe (or the defense).
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
Ray Ray Killing somebody
.. was meant to be a joke. Apparently a poor one. Remember several years back when he was accused of homicide?
No way Cassel can run by Lewis. He may be older, but have you seen him? He’s still as ripped as ever. Plus the dude’s head is right, as well. There was a great interview of him that was on ESPN’s website a few months back, its like 20 min long, but worth the watch.
The Touchdown(s) definitely won’t be coming as a result of 10-play drives, that’s for sure.
Test Ray in space
Good strategy, to beat us make our LB’s cover your faster RB’s and TE’s. Look for turnovers and big plays, even on Special Teams.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 10, 2009 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Sarcasm font
Good strategy, to beat us make our LB’s cover your faster RB’s and TE’s. Look for turnovers and big plays, even on Special Teams.
Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying
by Steve_Chiefs on Sep 10, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Failed but gist :)
or are you agreeing?
Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying
by Steve_Chiefs on Sep 10, 2009 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions
You mean like the football on the helmet fake punt trick play?
Negative Ghost Rider the pattern is full...
Thing about Ray-Ray is you don't want to catch the ball headed toward his part of the field.
Cuz if he’s comin’ in the opposite direction when you make the catch, it can get really ugly.
But I really do think that Baltimore is stout enough in the middle that the only way to set ‘em up is to make ’em pursue laterally, rather than running at ’em. It may not produce yards right away, but it’s about the only way to set yourself up to get those interior runs of which you speak. And if KC can run wide and get 2+ yards every time on their first possession, they stand a chance of wearin’ down the Ravens, and finding lanes inside, because the d-line is pumped up to pursue laterally. Still prob’ly have to pass to convert many early 1st downs, but I definitely think the only way to run at Baltimore is to start by tryin’ to run around ‘em, with some sweeps and such to make the d-linemen feel good about the job they’re doing while they run themselves out.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
Among a myriad of other things
I used the word, “myriad,” pretty good eh?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 10, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
As of right now...
The Chiefs are #1 against the run in the NFL through the preseason and we had more rush attempts against our D than almost any team in the league. (Even better than your precious Ravens D!) Our starting defense SHUT DOWN Adrian Peterson and he is waaaay better than the pussies you call Running Backs. Their line is better than yours too. if you have questions about our pass rush, ask Brett favre, I’m sure he’ll tell you… as soon as his ribs heal.
Admittedly, our offense has some question marks but, our OC took his team to the Super Bowl last year so, I am pretty sure he’ll find a way to move the ball. Hell, he might have even won the Super Bowl if your punk ass team could’ve beat the Steelers at least one of the three times you played them. I guess the best team actually did win though.
I hope Flacco does have a sttrong arm though because he’s gonna need it to pick himself up off the turf come Sunday!
by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 10, 2009 12:34 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Easy
Raffel has been pretty cool with us Chiefs fans on this forum and I respect a lot of what he has had to say. He has predicted a raven’s win, as well he probably should, but he still thinks the chiefs have quite a few weapons to worry about, unlike most in the media.
That being said, I agree with most of what you said (much of it simply fact) just not the neg BS
Kudos to you!
Lots of good-natured banter going on between the AP & BBD (?) groups & a lot of good information being given back & forth. No need to get off-color with anything to anybody!
Geaux Chiefs!
No problem with any of those comments
Steelers punk’d us three times and everyone can remind us of that until we can prove we can beat them. But remember about Haley: Brian Billick was the offensive coordinator in Minnesota when they scored a record amount of points but he had Cunningham throwing to Moss, Carter and others. In Baltimore he had Kyle Boller and Trent Dilfer and did squat offensively. Haley has no “Warner” nor “Fitzgerald” on KC. Sorry.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 10, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Ya it's interesting
how “geniuses” on either side of the ball go somewhere else and can’t do what they did previously – You mentioned Billick. He was this “offensive genius”, and went to B-more and had the most feared D in the league. Marvin Lewis was in charge of that Defense, was a demi-god there, and went to Cincinnati where they had one of the most explosive offenses in the league for a while with Palmer, Ocho, and Hoosh.
Haley is another ‘offensive guru’, and yet it’s our defense that’s looked damn good so far, not our offense.
Maybe its time to shift expectations?
Peterson had a lot of room to run left on the cutback.
If the Vikes were in any danger of losing, that was there all day for Peterson (and may have been part of why Pollard ain’t a Chief anymore).
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
while I do like the 3 offensive ideas...
passing on 1st down once in awhile wouldn’t hurt….gotta mix it up…especially against a solid 3-4 defense. Maybe a few “trick” plays……like faking a reverse and hitting someone in the middle during the confusion…chit like that….never know what it could lead to.
"The receivers are an integral part of the passing game." - Hank Stram
Agreed.
Can’t run no vanilla offense against them. Also, LJ is going to need to look for the cutback lanes.
On stretch plays, it seems to me (Raffel, let me know if I’m wrong) the Ravens D is primed to over-pursue, leaving cutback lanes open. While the LB’s are fast (not as fast as they used to be though) they are extremely aggressive, especially when Ray Ray gets them pumped up, like hmills was talkin about.
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