Just got done watching the Chiefs/Rams game, and decided to break down some OL play from this game and the last one.

My unscientific method, again, is watching each offensive play on the DVR, hitting pause right after the snap to see if anyone got blown off the line, then pausing again to see who misses or makes blocks.

I looked at the first 3 series vs Seattle and the first 4 series vs StL.  I know it's a smallish sample size, but at least we know it was the first unit, and not a hodgepodge of backups.

Here's the link to my similar look at the Vikings game http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2009/8/23/999557/play-by-play-analysis-uncovers-the

It's a little limited by the camera work (which is awful on the preseason broadcasts) and my untrained eye... I don't always know who is supposed to be blocking whom.

That being said, I will give my analysis of each play after the jump.

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But, first my overall observations about the Chiefs after the last preseason game:

* This team can Run the ball and Stop the run.  Teams that can do both usually win a good amount of games.

* I thought the defense played very well overall.  I'm excited to see what they can do with the first team on the field all day

* The first teams on Offense and Defense are likely going to be solid, the backups on defense looked good... not as good on offense.

* The offense just isn't clicking yet.  The timing is off, and they just aren't executing on every play. 

* Of course, when they do execute... big plays happen.  I don't remember this many big plays last season... both long runs and long passes.

* Yes, the OL is the biggest weakness right now.  Specifically the RG and RT... but again, I say it's NOT as bad as you think.  I counted 24 plays with good or acceptable blocking, only 9 where the blocking wasn't good.  Only 1 sack in those plays.

* A close 2nd weakness against StL was the kick/punt return and coverage units.  They have to settle on a returner, and work on setting up blocking and coverage better.  (although, both were better vs Seattle than StL)

* This may come as a surprise... I didn't see the OL getting physically dominated... the problems were mostly missed assignments and bad timing.  The blockings schemes looked very complex, with linemen pulling or moving on every play.  Rarely did they just line up head to head and duke it out.

* When I say the timing was off... there were 3 areas where that caused issues.  1) The QB holds the ball too long, and adequate pass protection eventually breaks down  2) The RB beats the OL/FB to the hole, so the blocking isn't set up 3) The QB misses open receivers

* McIntosh missed a couple of blocks, as did Goff, so I'm still calling them the weakest links.  However, Rudy Niswanger played OK, from what I could tell.  He didn't get physically dominated or pushed back into the QB at all that I could see. 

* The TE blocking wasn't as big of a problem in these 7 drives as it was in the prior game.

Offensive drive #1 vs Seattle:

LJ runs left for 3, Waters had a decent block

LJ runs left for 7, good blocking

Cassel gets hurt-  I blame Ryan, Goff and Cox... but the whole line was standing around looking for who they were supposed to hit, so missed assignments were the main issue

False start

Pass to Engram complete, pocket was good

Thigpen scrambles, pocket collapses.  Again, the linemen didn't seem to know who to block

Offensive drive #2

Charles runs left, Goff tried to pull, but got pancaked

LJ runs right for 3 yds, OK blocking

LJ fumbles on the exchange, Cottam missed his block

Offensive drive #3

LJ runs for 7 yds to the right, good blocks by Waters and Cox pulling, and Darling had a good block on the right side

LJ runs for 10 yds to the right, Bowe had a good block

Charles runs for 3 yds to the right, Niswanger missed his block

Charles runs for 6 yds to the right, good blocking

Bowe caught a 3 yd pass, good blocking

LJ runs to the right, but outruns Waters and Cox, who were pulling but couldn't get to the hole before LJ ran into it

Charles runs to the right for 28 yds, GREAT blocking

Charles runs for no gain, Goff missed block

LJ runs for 3, Collins had a good block

Almost an interception in the endzone, good blocking

missed FG

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First Offensive drive vs StL

Croyle rolls out to the right, no one was open, OK blocking

Charles ran to the left, but outran Waters and Niswanger

Charles hit for a loss, good defensive play, sent too many people to block

Second Offensive drive

LJ runs up the middle for 5 yds, good blocking

Ryan makes a big catch, good blocking

LJ runs to the right for 6, good seal by McIntosh

LJ runs for 2 yds, Goff could have made a better block, but LJ also missed the hole

Incomplete pass- great protection, Croyle missed the throw

Third Offensive drive

starting from the endzone, pass complete to Bradley, Goff and McIntosh got pushed back, but held their blocks

LJ runs to the right for 2 yds, Waters and Cox came around, but didn't get to block anyone

Ryan catchs a 40 yd pass, Goff was pushed back but held up

LJ runs for 41 yds, to the left behind Albert, Cox and Waters

Savage runs for a TD, Great blocking, but Ryan was called for a hold

delay of game penalty

Incomplete pass- OK blocking, but Croyle was hit after the pass from the right side

Incomplete pass- good blocking, Coyle missed Bowe

Savage screen to the left on for 8yds, OK blocking

FG

Fourth Offensive drive

OK blocking, throw came out late and missed

Croyle had all day to throw, but missed

McIntosh beaten badly, Croyle sacked