Wyche: Chiefs Could be Activating WR Lance Long This Week

by Joel Thorman on Sep 28, 2009 1:23 PM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

The Kansas City Chiefs acquired wide receiver Lance Long off waivers and promptly placed him on the practice squad. Two weeks later and the team is reportedly looking into activating him to the 53 man roster.

A credit to Long or a shot at the Chiefs current crop of receivers? We're not quite sure but two receivers, Dwayne Bowe and Quinten Lawrence, were not active last week.

NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports that the former Arizona Cardinals receiver is highly regarded by head coach Todd Haley and, citing a team source, the Chiefs may be calling him up to add a spark to the offense.

What's interesting is that the Chiefs actually looked into trading for Long in the offseason.

Haley thought so highly of the diminutive Long that the Chiefs actually discussed during the preseason trading a seventh-round pick to the Cardinals for Long — an offer that was rebuffed, according to the source.

There you have it, Chiefs fans. Another day and it appears another roster move may be coming soon. If Long is indeed activated, a player currently on the 53 man roster will be released or, depending on eligibility, placed on the practice squad.

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Nothing will change...

…until we get an offensive line that can work in unison.

by jbj8609 on Sep 28, 2009 1:25 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Long Shot?

When I first read this, I though you were making a great pun:

“A credit to Long or a shot at the Chiefs current crop of receivers?”…or just a long shot

Maybe you were?

By the way, I posted something in another forum and wondered if the stats had been checked yet: how many short yardage pass attempts does Cassel have that were obvious check downs where receivers were covered vs. designed plays? It seems like we are throwing many short pass plays that are not designed screen plays. Is it really the receivers being blanketed down field, is Cassel getting rid of the ball too early, or is he being simply rushed too often?

by mls21 on Sep 28, 2009 1:27 PM CDT reply actions

In the Eagles game, the O-Line was ridiculously porous

In one play, the Eagles only rushed their 4 down linemen and 3 of 4 made it into the backfield in 2 seconds. A ridiculously fast 40 time is 4 seconds, so it is pretty hard to get down field.

What was disturbing on that play though, was their were two O-linemen that were just staning there like they didn’t have an assignment. There were 6 blockers on 4 guys, no way 3 should get into the backfield.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 28, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

missed assignments

that’s what I’ve been saying all season… I truly believe that the OL isn’t as physically overmatched as most people think… but they aren’t even getting a body on the guys they are supposed to block.

When pressure comes in the Ravens or Eagles games… it comes quick and untouched.
Cassel said “they were sending more than we could block”… that’s happened a LOT.

Somehow, they have to communicate better, make adjustments, and find ways to pick up blitzers. That’s coaching and scheme as much as it is OL talent.

* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season

by stagdsp on Sep 28, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Part of my depression after the Philly game was the strong impression that the O-Line didn't give a shit.

Like a knife in the gut, the penalties had me thinking maybe 1 Arrowhead is a Jason Shitlock soap opera, and Waters is a surreptitious saboteur, hiding in plain sight.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Sep 28, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions

ugh

so THATs what i haven’t been letting myself think.

by ExtraMetal on Sep 28, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Check downs?! CHECK downs!? You kiddin' me!? ... CHECKDOWNS???!?

Those are hot routes, every one of ‘em. Hell, they’re PANIC routes. No question of seeing whether or not the downfield WR is covered. That’s a luxury Cassel is rarely afforded.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Sep 28, 2009 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Get rid of Engram or Copper

Engram hasn’t done anything. Wade and Bradley are both younger and better at this point.

I am ok with Bowe and Bradley and Wade in the slot or in a 3 receiver set maybe Long or Lawrence in the slot.

D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.

by Patrick Allen on Sep 28, 2009 1:47 PM CDT reply actions

Bradley

made a fantastic catch yesterday btw.

D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.

by Patrick Allen on Sep 28, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep

Bradley stepped up his game, but Wade damn near disappeared

"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 28, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

Except for that TD catch he had.

Be fair here. There wasn’t a lot of passes to go around. 90 yards.

D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.

by Patrick Allen on Sep 28, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

good point, PA

Bowe, Wade, Bradley are all good WR at this point.

I agree that there’s no need for Engram or Copper, and I’d like to see young, quick guys like Lawrence and Long get a shot.

by stagdsp on Sep 28, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Engram has really surprised me

I would rather cut Copper just because I wonder if Engram has some wisdom for slot guys like wade and long. But outside of that I have been very surprised at how invisible Engram has been

by Bashman on Sep 28, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Hard to say with Engram or ANY KC WR.

Cassel hasn’t been getting a whole lot of good looks. And let’s not forget he had far fewer problems (between the 20s) against the Faders. The TD to Bradley was a blind timing pass to a spot. When it’s well-executed, it’s virtually unstoppable, which is cause for hope. But I don’t think Cassel’s had time to find Engram in the progression very often. And just when I’m counting Engram out, I realize how far he has to jog back to the huddle from the depth he got on his route. I think most of his issues are QB-pressure-related. For what they have time to attempt, Engram’s mostly the guy trying to drag middle-of-the-field defenders away from other guys.

Finally. Monday evening. Starting to see silver linings, again.

But I still can’t get past the feeling that the o-linemen just aren’t buying in. I don’t think they’re shitty athletes. But they’re either stupid, or they just don’t care whether or not they get it right. OR Muir’s just doing a sucky job talking about hand techniques and they’re not playin’ with their feet under ’em, headed in the right direction.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Sep 28, 2009 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions

... not headed toward the right spot - just not playin' like they have their eyes open, or have a clue what they're seein'.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Sep 28, 2009 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Can Long play RG or Center?

Because if he can’t then this move is more re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic

by Ryan in Nixa on Sep 28, 2009 1:48 PM CDT reply actions

(Insert Other Doomsday Cliche Here)

by Ryan in Nixa on Sep 28, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL

Winning begins with Attitude - 2009 Chiefs 12-4

by Lanier63 on Sep 28, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Yay Lance Long...

All the problems are solved!

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 28, 2009 1:50 PM CDT reply actions

Not all problems are solved but he's an immediate upgrade on KR at the very least.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 28, 2009 1:53 PM CDT reply actions

Quick Passes

Anyone else thinking… Quick 3 step drops in the future for Cassel?

Wade, Long, Bowe and Bradley.

I am seeing a bunch of slants, 5-yard curls and WR screens in out game plan… If you cant block the pass rush for longer than 3 sec than you have to do dink and dunks all damn day long!

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:09 PM CDT reply actions

Maybe Cassel can set the record for most games with under 100 yards passing then

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 28, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

As

opposed to what?

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Touche...

but I think I saw enough passes behind the line of scrimmage to last me until 2011.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 28, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions

WR quick pass

This is one of the worst plays in the NFL!!! A corner with half a brain will see it coming and CRUSH YOU!!! WR screens are a bit different because it is like a quick slant but you have pulling lineman to get out in front of you…

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Thats because WR's were still on the line when Cassel already have rushers in his face.

Cassel has something to prove 3TD's against Eagles

by bringbacktheglory on Sep 28, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

That is the point of the pass play.

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

To get sacked?

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

by BinSC on Sep 28, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Pass Rush

doesnt matter on a quick pass! The ball will be out of your hands in less than a second… That is the point…

None of his Sacks came on the “WR Quick Pass” which is what we are talking about.

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

everyone so serious

I was just saying the WR’s didn’t even have time to move off the line before Cassel already have rushers in his face.

Cassel has something to prove 3TD's against Eagles

by bringbacktheglory on Sep 28, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Not being serious

We are just talking about what the gameplan might be if we have 2 slot guys on our active roster.

Also with the way we are blocking getting more than 3 sec to throw the ball aint going to happen :(

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions

i got you, man

just still too angry to chuckle at it. three eagles sharing cassell on a four man rush… that’s just beyond pathetic.

by ExtraMetal on Sep 28, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions

WR quick pass

On a quick pass you have 1-1 coverage with another WR next to you basically picking your guy… The bad part was we got called twice for blocking with our WR on the CB while the ball was in the air…

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Seemed a bit ticky-tack.

The thing is, flyin_squirl, that if those screens and quick-passes are all you’re going to try or think will work, defenses can feast on that. You have to be able to beat that pressure coverage by getting behind it, or you’ll see a plethora (whoo-hoo!) of quick passes for loss or minimal gain, kinda like we saw against Philly.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Sep 28, 2009 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Go look his stats up in 08

Cassel is a short range QB.

Passes behind the line 81 for 95 (85.3%)
Passes from 1-10 yards 184 for 267 (68.9%)
Passes from 10-20 yards 54 for 116 (46.6%)

It just keeps getting worse… Now that is normal in the NFL but not 22%!!! Most QB’s drop off around 10%-15%

Haley might be thinking that with our line and our WR core… Short passes might be the way to go!

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Keep in mind that last year, Matt had Welker

Everybody talks about Moss, but Welker was the go to guy when the going got tough (111 receptions). You could use a quick slot guy with good hands.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 28, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Thats my point.

I’m not saying Long or Wade are Welker by any means but with those “type” of WR’s you need to get Matt to his strength… Quick passes.

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

One guy compared Welker to death by a thousand small cuts

He gets open faster than the pass rush. We just call them long handoffs.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 28, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

LJ

I really think LJ is going to get less touches every game because of our OL play!!! Maybe around week 10 if they are playing as a unit we might get him more but if we want wins LJ needs to be on the pine!

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

There's always screens to get him out in the flat.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 28, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

LJ or Charles?

Which would you rather have in the flat?

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't know

I’d probably line one of them up in the slot, just to see the look on the defenses eyes.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 28, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions

True

But from what I have seen if Charles is in the slot everyone knows we are running a quick pass or screen to him… I think it would be more effective if he is actually slipping into the flat like Sproles does.

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Or put him in the slot

and send LJ the other way on a screen and see who they cover

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 28, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

That might work

That is kinda cool… 1 TE on the opposite side in the slot covered by a LB. Bowe/Wade/Charles on the other side. Late release by the LT and LG… Someone have Haley’s email address? :) Start in Shotgun and quick fake the screen to Charles…

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Glad I could help

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 29, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

no way

that record will live and die with jamarcus the hut.

Cassell can throw for as many yards as the OL and playcaller let him.

by stagdsp on Sep 28, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Just saying...

He had a pretty damn good OL in NE and had WR with great hands and couldnt complete more than 41.5% of passes over 10 yards.

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions

their OL wasn't that good

what’s the league average on passes over 10 yds?

by stagdsp on Sep 28, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

He actually got sacked more in NE than Thigpen did here.

by GonzosDirtyTrailer on Sep 28, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Not because of the OL

As we all have seen he holds the ball too long… That OL had not given up more than 28 sacks with Brady and have given up 1 sack in 3 games this year…

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

that's a factor, but it doesn't mean it was a good OL

by stagdsp on Sep 28, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I pointed this out the other day

That OL has been in the top 13 four out of 5 years in rushing yards. They have been in the top 8 four out of 5 years in Rushing TD’s.

When you spend 5 years blcoking for TB you know where he is going to be in the pocket on pretty much every play… Cassel was all over the place(not a bad thing) but it was a VERY hard transition for the OL. He was only sacked 8 times in the last 4 games when the OL figured out where he was going to be… They gave up 28 sacks in the first 7 games with Cassel… Thats 4 per game compared to 2 per game in the last 4 games.

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions

You could see the protections unraveling the deeper they got into that perfect season of theirs.

It was a tribute to the skill players that they came up one game short of perfection, but the lack of dominance of the O-Line was clearly demonstrated by the dominant D-Line fielded by the Giants (who still needed a miracle to win). Brady was already pretty insecure behind that line in late ‘07, got hurt behind that line Game 1 ’08, and shake ’n’ bake with Cassel outmaneuvering the front 7 became their modus operandus.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Sep 28, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions

rather see Jamarcus on our OL

by ExtraMetal on Sep 28, 2009 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions

So would Oakland.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Sep 28, 2009 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Cant really look at another OL/WR core

But with the same OL/WR core and play caller Brady completed 51.3% compared to Cassel’s 41.5%

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

As

opposed to what?

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:16 PM CDT reply actions

Im ok with this

i dont get a “just playing musical chairs” feel from this move. I get the feeling that Haley is trying to gradually put together the team he wants. Just because he is making a move that isnt fixing every problem with the o-line in one transaction doesnt mean its a bad, stupid, or wrong move. Take it for what it is: a process

by Bashman on Sep 28, 2009 2:42 PM CDT reply actions

I think Long is the kind of QUICK player that this offense could use right now.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Sep 28, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions

At this time of year, your not going to pick up a great O-lineman

Everyone is keeping their starters and best couple backups. They might as well fix what they can.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 28, 2009 2:44 PM CDT reply actions

+1

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Pennington

Pennigton is reportedly done for the season… Thiggy to Mia? Could be interesting. They like the Wildcat with White/Brown/Williams but White isnt ready to actually play this year.

Just thinking we need to unload a QB and Parcells is down there!

by flyin_squirl on Sep 28, 2009 2:52 PM CDT reply actions

Probably as Return on the Conditional Linemen

Don’t forget we “owe” the Dolphins a conditional pick etc for those two lumps we received.

by Ryan in Nixa on Sep 28, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

at least

we can be fairly confident that it’ll be on the low side of whatever the conditions were.

by ExtraMetal on Sep 28, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions

lots of possibilities

there r a lot of teams hurting right now for a qb…im thinking this definitely could mean one of our qb’s is getting traded for a pick. i would guess, bones is not going to miami though…they’ve invested too much with the qb’s they already have and need to see if they will pan out. i would put that with the “thiggy to the raiders” chances. with pioli, its possible but highly unlikely.

by MountainManMike on Sep 28, 2009 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Not that my opinion carries any weight in KC, but...

… I wouldn’t be in any hurry to part with Thigpen until I was pretty sure Cassel was gettin’ an even break behind the O-Line.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Sep 28, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Trade

They just traded Thiggy… Damn I am good :)

by flyin_squirl on Sep 29, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

preseason?

Anyone else get the feeling that our coaching staff is still acting as though this is the preseason? Still moving around playersn bringing up practice squad guys, getting backup o-lineman from other teams. I swear that we just witnessed preseason game number 7 yesterday.

David Janssen
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Sep 28, 2009 4:40 PM CDT via mobile reply actions