Measuring the Chiefs Offensive Line Improvement

by Chris Thorman on Sep 18, 2009 9:03 AM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

It is my opinion that the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line is the still the scariest, most unstable position group on this team. And with the Raider's addition of defensive lineman Richard Seymour, I'm not exactly confident this weekend in this unit's ability to not only stop the Raiders pass rush but push our offense down the field.

Since I am so unsure about this unit, I want to track their improvement or (lack thereof) from week to week so I know I'm not just running my mouth off about them.

What o-line stats should we track?

Here are my suggestions, after the jump. Let me know what you think about them and what you think about the Chiefs' offensive line performance last week. Also give us your o-line stat predictions for this weekend.

Sacks

This is an easy one. Although sacks are only one piece of the puzzle, they can be a good indicator of o-line protection when coupled with some other info.

Rushing yards, TDs and first downs

If there is a hole created by the offensive line, Larry Johnson and Jamaal Charles have the talent to hit those holes and gain yards. Out of those three, I'm going to be looking most closely at rushing first downs. If you get a lot of rushing first downs, the yards and TDs will follow.

Penalties by the offensive linemen

While this stat may not be directly tied to talent, I'd still like to know from week to week how disciplined our guys are playing. Judging by the first game which had only one o-line penalty, I don't think penalties are going to be a big factor this season.

Tackles for a loss

The way I see it, if a running back gets tackled behind the line of scrimmage, that one is one the offensive line. Yes, there are exceptions this but I think tackles for a loss is another good stat to keep tracking.

Quarterback hurries

Another obvious one. I know Matt Cassel himself has said last season he hung on to the ball too long too often but we'll still use this stat as a o-line gauge.

I know that Football Outsiders goes into much more depth and complexity with their offensive line statistics but honestly, nobody really gets their stats. I've studied them but they're not exactly accessible to the casual football fan.

So I've put together this table that we'll update each week. I think it will provide an excellent snapshot of how our o-line is improving. Or not.

Stats	+/- Change	Week 1	Week 2
Sacks		3
Rush yds		29
Rush TDs		0
Rush 1st downs		1
Penalties		1
Tackles for loss		8
QB Hurry		2

Are there any other stats we should track? I want to get this right before we get too far into the season.

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Comments

Don't know how hard it would be

but if you could figure out some way to track our QBs time to throw it might help. Last week, Croyle had almost no time while Flacco had all day to throw. Just an idea.

by dethrat on Sep 18, 2009 9:10 AM CDT reply actions

That would be a nice stat to track but, it seems rather difficult. (time to throw that is)

This line is by far our biggest weakness. if the O-line was better, this team would have a legit shot at the division. right now, I don’t really see it.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 18, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Nice work

This will be a great way to track the performance of the O-line throughout the season.

It might be nice to see a break down for each position or player along the o-line that tallies the number of sacks given, QB hurries allowed, penalites, etc……. Which gap we run in to gain a first down…..etc….just an idea.

Thanks again, and look forward to seeing these stats after each game.

by skillet on Sep 18, 2009 9:17 AM CDT reply actions

Great idea

I like the stats as they are and I can’t think of any to add, especially when there are so few statistics for offensive linemen. I think the QB Hurry statistic works for gaging how much time the QB has to throw unless you want to keep a stopwatch handy for each offensive play. :P

by ZakInOmaha on Sep 18, 2009 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

Great Work Chris

Not sure how to do this, but thought I’d throw this out there…

I think there needs to be some measure of the talent of the defense that we’re playing against. Obviously, we’ll have to expect some sacks from talented defenses, but we shouldn’t have any sacks against the less talented defenses…

May be tough to accumulate, but how about adding a Def Sack Total? That is the total number of sacks registered by the defense to date or for last season. Not sure about this one… Any thoughts?

"Every day is an evaluation and if you’re not out there how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and you don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you?" Accountability -- Haley-style...

by Chief_Elmo on Sep 18, 2009 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Tough to judge that one from week to week I think

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by Chris Thorman on Sep 21, 2009 6:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Good thinking,

This should be a great way to view the progress (hopefully they do progress) the o-line makes. I wholeheartedly agree on the fact that Lj and Charles have the ability to hit the holes and gain some yardage. They are really a nice change of pace, and could wreak hell on a defense if only we had the o-line push that they need. Larry is back in great shape and has good speed to go along with good power. He can be a bull. And charles has top end speed along with some pass catching abilities. Anyway, thanks Chris for putting this up :)

by NlCK on Sep 18, 2009 9:28 AM CDT reply actions

There are too many variables

There will be some similarities from week to week, but rushing yards is not one of them.
If the defense misses a tackle, and LJ runs for 60 yards, the numbers will be off.

Back field tackles for loss is a good one though.
Sacks, hurries, batted balls and penalties also.

by HaySoose on Sep 18, 2009 9:33 AM CDT reply actions

But it should average out

Most running backs will have a handful of big runs because of a blown tackle. But it will average out over the long. All the same it can still be said that the oline still provided the otuer blocks to spring the back

by Scaryclouds on Sep 18, 2009 10:41 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Only one way to track Offensive line...

You have to grade each play for each lineman. Did he make his block or not? Did he sustain his block or not? Was he able to drive his defender out of the hole or not? Was he able to sustain the pocket or not.

You also have to take into account how many times each lineman requires help from someone else because they cannot handle a defender. For example, sacks may go down because we have to keep in our TEs and RBs in on passing downs. But the drop in sacks may not reflect that we will not be able to move the ball as well and our offense suffers due to a poor line.

Bewsaf

by Bewsaf on Sep 18, 2009 9:37 AM CDT reply actions

Headaches

The Chiefs OL handed out some headaches last week. Just ask Suggs. Acording to PFT he is recovering from a concussion. He also made a comment about a young LT hitting him and turning him around earier this week. If these guys continue to be physical and learn the scheme I think we have the makings of a good, not graet OL

Jerome

by easyjb on Sep 18, 2009 9:39 AM CDT reply actions

I hope you are right cuz I am very skeptical at this point.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 18, 2009 9:41 AM CDT reply actions

Please no more stats.

Those ones are depressing enough.

by saskwatch on Sep 18, 2009 10:01 AM CDT reply actions

sacks manybe

Sacks aren’t always the best stats, the steelers are a good example, if cassel tries to take 8 seconds in the pocket, sacks are going to be high, like last week Ravens QB was working on a three step drop and 4 seconds in the pocket, sacks are going to be next to none. Cassel’s not a 3 or 4 second passer so I’m thinking he’s going to have his butte handed to him a lot this weekend.

by johnnieb on Sep 18, 2009 10:01 AM CDT reply actions

Nice thought.

You might want to add a line for rushing attempts somewhere. If the 8 tackles for loss & 29 rushing yards were on 9 carries is much different then say 25 carries. Just a thought, to help measure the effectiveness or efficiency. And maybe passing attempts: sacks as opposed to attempts or such? They could just be of the / variety in the cell for sacks & yards or something.

by ttownmikey on Sep 18, 2009 10:02 AM CDT reply actions

you could show

of sacks/TFL and % plays resulting in sacks/TFL

"The life of a (Royals) fan must be lived forward but can only be understood backward" -- Kierkegaard (more or less)

by benfunke on Sep 18, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

that should have said "# of sacks/TFL"

"The life of a (Royals) fan must be lived forward but can only be understood backward" -- Kierkegaard (more or less)

by benfunke on Sep 18, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I think this is our line for the year, unless someone becomes available they love.

Haley said in an interview that he thought this line could be good and now is the time to get them all on the same page. I hope he is right.
We do know Haley has been moving player all over this team so they haven’t had a lot of time to get the trust you need in the guys playing next to you. I don’t think they will be great but we can hope they will get better the more they play together.

Herm is gone things are better with that one move!!

by bringbacktheglory on Sep 18, 2009 10:03 AM CDT reply actions

Goff is a weak link. And I'm not feeling too god about Rudy either.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 18, 2009 10:05 AM CDT reply actions

Oops-good.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 18, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

It isn't perfect...

but the way you have this setup will gauge how well the line works together as a unit. It should differentiate how they are working together on running and passing plays. You could go into many more stats but it is fine the way it is.

If anything adding stats about the individual positions… ie running plays at each position, and ypc. I’m interested in what part of the field the QB is throwing the ball when hurried and sacked. If anything this will pinpoint more of individuals on the line, but has factors of QB and WR’s.

by ravenhawk on Sep 18, 2009 10:09 AM CDT reply actions

Chris, I think your approach will be a good measure. Just looking at our

personel, the OL is at least somewhat improved and we know that Pioli and Haley are still looking. Also, I believe that our depth, quality and potential-wise, is a little better too. Has anything developed yet on Runyon or any others?

by jcox31mc on Sep 18, 2009 10:10 AM CDT reply actions

Add 3rd Down Conversions

This will gauge how well the line handles the pressure. So far, we haven’t done very well and this is one area that Haley has been harping on. If we step up in this area, it will show drastic improvement along the line.

Put this in your pipe and smoke it:
1. Chiefs will be at least 8-8 and vie for division champs
2. DJ will break out and finally have his year
3. LJ returns to form
4. DBowe drops will reduce

by kcchiefsfan72 on Sep 18, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

and/or short yardage conversions

3rd and 2, 4th and 1, etc.

"The life of a (Royals) fan must be lived forward but can only be understood backward" -- Kierkegaard (more or less)

by benfunke on Sep 18, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Looks like you're concerned about the run, Chris. :)

You might add a few categories for passing statistics. My hunch is that we’ll start the year being pass happy and IF the line play improves, we’ll see more from the running game. I also think overall time of possession is a very telling stat in terms of how effective the line is.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!

by Buck'O on Sep 18, 2009 10:48 AM CDT reply actions

+1000

Good points Buck’o and I agree with you about us being a little pass happy early this season. At this point, the passing game should be our biggest strength.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 18, 2009 10:53 AM CDT reply actions

Out of necessity, many teams have been successful at using the pass to set

up the run and I’ve never seen any problem with it. We need to move the ball anyway we can and I was impressed with Croyle’s TD drive. They were short passes but he was very accurate and got rid of the ball very fast too.

by jcox31mc on Sep 18, 2009 11:31 AM CDT reply actions

Don't leave out batted down passes

If the D-line forces his O-line counter part back far enough to get his hands on an outbound pass, it might not show in the stat line as a hurry, but it would still be a failing of the line

by mushin on Sep 18, 2009 11:43 AM CDT reply actions

Make that batted down passes

by mushin on Sep 18, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

I can add that

It’s a recorded stat – deflected passes.

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by Chris Thorman on Sep 18, 2009 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Average yards per rush on 1st down.

If you’re successfully running when they expect you to, you are blocking well.

I remember Dawson to Taylor, Kenney to Carson, and Blackledge catching the snap in his facemask. Seen it all...

by BinSC on Sep 18, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

I would like to see more passes than runs on first down

Just look at the sucessfull teams in the league it starts with getting the D on thier heals and not knowing whats comming. In my opinion every team in the NFL can stop the run early in games if they know its comming. Confusing the D or making them guess what is comming is the most important part of making an offence effective. Once again last weak we were very predictable 90% of the plays I knew what was comming before it happened. I have a nak for picking up tells from players, but 90% is way to high. One more knock on Rudy he sets up diff on run plays compared to pass plays, He also sets up diff when a guard is going to pull major prob.

by kcchiefstd on Sep 18, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

it's tough because you can make an argument as to why things are or are not the o line's fault

but having said that, i think you have to evaluate them some how (other than individual grading which we can’t do effectively unless we know their assignments) i like the categories you have but i would add avg yds per rush. that way if we are getting killed and have to throw the ball to catch up and only end up with 30 yds of rushing, you can still see if they were effective when we did run

Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day.
Harry S. Truman

by kcguy on Sep 18, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

sacks and tackles for loss

how well is the QB being protected and How well is the line making room for the RB seems like 2 big things to me

by redmedicone on Sep 18, 2009 1:18 PM CDT reply actions

My take

I agree to most, but overall I think it would be -

Sacks
Hurries
Tackles for loss
Yards per rush by down
Penalties
Average time in the pocket

by TXChiefan on Sep 18, 2009 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

Problems

Goff once again played like the first three games of pre season he sucked plain and simple and next to rudy its a major problem seems how rudy needs help most of the time. I still say put Wade in at Center as every time ive seen him at that position he has looked much better than Niswanger, and lets see Alleman at guard. Maybe move Ndukwe to guard and lets see O’Callaghan at Tackle. Either way Wade Smith needs to be at Center havn’t we seen enough of Niswanger getting physiclly dominated I don’t care how smart he is strenth and leverage are major issues with him. I do think that a good O-Line can be made out of the players on the roster but realignment is necessary. I like this idea of weak to weak evaluation great idea!

by kcchiefstd on Sep 18, 2009 3:06 PM CDT reply actions