Why the Chiefs will RUN away with the AFC West Title

by chief Stevie_k on May 27, 2010 3:55 PM CDT

Bored, I found myself scouring the AFC Blog on ESPN. There is an apparent series of weaknesses within the division, where ESPN claims the run defense of three of the four teams (Denver was the quarterback position) are a major weakness.

Now, whether ESPN doesn't say it or if Denver has gotten much better (an old Jamal Williams doesn't count for much of an upgrade), we all remember Jamaal Charles' almost record-breaking day against none other than the Denver Broncos defense. So we can include Denver in the discussion of having a weak run defense.

Personally, I would rank San Diego and oakland together as better than Denver and Kansas City (both gave up huge running games). Yes, I expect improvements from the defense, but won't the other teams improve too? So perhaps that isn't as big of a predictive factor of how the AFC West will shape up. Which leads me to my point....

I think it is safe to say that any team is in the running for the AFC West title (pun definitely intended). It is clear that as part of Pioli and Haley's building plan they are building the team to compete within the division first, and then later will tweak to compete with the top teams in the AFC.

We've already heard about how the defensive additions have been made as a counter-punch to the strong passing teams of Denver and San Diego. Although, you could (effectively) argue that Denver's passing game took a huge hit. Wait, does Denver have any offense now?? Anyway....

how does the running game shape up for all four AFC West teams?

Luckily, Mike Shanahan is no longer in Denver, with a system by which he substituted back after back after back and had great success. Now what? Peyton Hillis was traded. The zone blocking scheme is gone. Knowshon Moreno is the lead back now. Iowa Hawkeye fans had a saying about Knowshon Moreno last year at Heisman voting time: Knowshon Moreno is no Shonn Greene. What's my point? If I'm a Broncos fan, I'm not thrilled about the running game.

Is SD in much better position? They're in better position by stopping KC from signing Sproles. LT is gone, and that is big. Yes, he was injured at times, but he was still on the field. He was a huge leader. Sproles is a huge weapon, but I'm not sure many of us would consider him much of an upgrade over Charles....Yes, SD drafted another running back, but are we really scared of their running game? probably not really. Still, I'd put them way ahead of Denver.

And how about Oakland? They've had a stack of running backs, but like everything else in Oakland, they've underachieved in an underachieving scheme running behind ~~two offensive lines~~ an underachieving JaMarcus Russel and the underachieving offensive line. Darren McFadden was supposedly the second coming of Adrian Peterson. with Bush and Fargas, it is possible that Hue Jackson might be able to put Al's drunken mess together.

Much has already been said about our defensive line's incompetence last season. we all hope that the addition of Crennel, Smith, and growth lead us, but as I've already said, other teams hope to improve too. Will we have to be super strong to stop the run in our own division? maybe not. but it is going to take a while to get over the Jerome Harrison nightmares.

So for the Chiefs....it really doesn't need to be said, but just to finish off strong....

Our offensive line has a half season in the zone blocking scheme...with lots of improvement. We've added Lilja. Smith was okay, but Lilja is actually starter material. We now have mastermind Charlie Weis in place of Chan Gailey and coach Haley. We have JC (who could've broken that running record), added Thomas Jones, and drafted DMC. Although Dex will be runnin' with the receivers, he'll spend time in the back field. It remains to be seen whether Kolby and Jarvis make contributions in 2010.

Still, unless Oakland's backs live up to all the hype plus more, we have the best running backs in the AFC West. In a division that is a bit weak against the run, that is a good thing. One thing is for sure, the stats may not be pretty but it is certain that the only stat that matters will be prettier: the win column. Here's to you, 2010 season, hurry up and come!

Poll

Does the AFC West have weak run defenses?

Yes, and we're going to run all over them

108 votes

No, but we'll still run all over them

40 votes

No, and we're probablyl going to struggle to run this year

2 votes

Bonus answer: We have a great running game, but our run defense will be too bad for us to win

33 votes

183 votes | Poll has closed

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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Comments

Believe You Mean...

Jerome Harrison. You are referencing the Cleveland game, yes? And I concur, our RB tandem is not only the best in the AFC West, but one of the best in the NFL. I think the other ones include Panthers with Williams / Stewart and Dolphins with Williams / Brown. What are some of the others that even compare?

Things to get the Chiefs back on the winning side of football:

1. Haley resign as offensive coordinator or do the following;
a. Feed JC more
b. Take the cuffs off of Cassel and let him air it out
2. Fire Clancy "Calls" Playslikeass

by kcchiefsfan72 on May 27, 2010 4:11 PM CDT reply actions

I'd include the Ravens, and the Giants if they still have their backs....

if healthy, Seattle might have acquired two great backs in Washington and White.

Barber and Jones in Dallas?

I really like Baltimore’s running backs.

" It was great for me to get out of that city, because it was just a lot of jealousy, envy and hate that came with being a part of that city."
- LJ, after taking denial lessons from our current President

by chief Stevie_k on May 27, 2010 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Then there's the Jets, with Shonn Green, LT, and that other kid.

Don’t put too much stock in who has what RB. Look at who’s serious about OL, and not only serious, but gets it RIGHT, and that’s not something you can predict in May, imo.

by hmills110 on May 27, 2010 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions

disagree.

JC ran for over 1000 yards last season with an inferior line and not even a full season starting.

I’m not saying the line doesn’t have an affect, but charles himself showed that there is way more.

I would even argue that zone blocking is more important than a good o-line.
besides, our o-line doesn’t have to be right or serious, just at the same level or close to the defenses we’ll be playing in the AFC West. We’re not talking playoffs or deep in the playoffs this year, we’re talking about trying to win the division.

by chief Stevie_k on May 27, 2010 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions

YOU'RE talking about winning the division. I just threw out another RB duo that's at least the match of KC's.

by hmills110 on May 27, 2010 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I can't remember who 'that other kid' is.

I like Greene, as you can see from my original post, but he is a power back w/ good acceleration, but lacking great speed. LT….it is hard to knock LT because of what he has done, but it seems like for the past few years people have waited for him to turn into LJ. He is getting up there. If we include FB, which I didn’t, there is T Rich, who we all respect.

Still, I don’t see them as even close to a match to KC’s ~~duo~~ trio of Charles, Jones, and Dex.

The Ravens, on the other hand, do have a pretty fearsome threesome.

But yes, we can’t really predict much in May. but june is just a few days away…

by chief Stevie_k on May 28, 2010 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Green is special. Isn't there also that kid who was hurt and whining about money, not that long ago?

I guess I can look it up. Don’t see him on the roster. Maybe he’s in Jarrad Page land?

I think that given similar situations to the ones Jones faced last season, there are some where LT might’ve fared better. I’d place Jones between LJ (v 2.7) and LT in the shiftiness, ball-skills and without-the-ball skills. There’s a lot been said about LT’s diminishing skills, but he’s still explosive enough for me to attribute his dwindling numbers to scheme changes and OL changes. I mean, wasn’t Mike Goff his RG the year before he was LJ’s?

I’ve seen Jones look very very good as a receiver out of the backfield and I’ve seen him look below-average. LJ’s surprised me a time or two, as well. But both have looked a step slow, here and there, in adjusting to the ball and making their first couple football moves after the catch.

Also, it’s hard to say how hard those last 1,000 yards were on Jones, who played on a (great run-blocking) team that everybody played run D against, because they were protecting Sanchez (and the team) from rookie blunders. When they say a guy’s indestructible, that says he took a beating, and those beatings have a cumulative effect. And I’ve heard the word “indestructible” in reference to Jones (and LJ).

The thing about LT is he is STILL a boy wonder, psychologically. Even as a vet, I don’t see him as a leader, so much as a very very good player, who will do very good things for you if things are clicking, but he’s no longer a PHEnom who can take a team on his shoulders. Put him behind an offense that regularly gives him the ball in good situations, and he can still put up some huge numbers.

by hmills110 on May 28, 2010 2:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I think you're talking about Leon Washington.

He is fast (but was injured) and was their return man. but they traded him to Seattle during the draft.

As for Jones, I’m openly skeptical about him, but I don’t think he will be carrying the ball more than ten times a game (which hopefully 100%= the chiefs goal line carries). Still, our left side is good to run behind. If Moeaki is the starter, we’ll no doubt see him in motion to the side they run behind.

by chief Stevie_k on May 28, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for fixing my brain fart, chief Stevie_k

Washington’s the kid I was thinking about, and I didn’t remember the trade. I think my memory left off with his being signed after something of a dispute.

by hmills110 on May 28, 2010 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah, I don't remember whether they got that deal signed. I think he was hurt and the jets didn't want to give him money.

if so, can’t say I blame them. the thoughts were that he was still hurt, and probably not healthy at all, as they traded him for a 5th round? i think. but yeah, if he was healthy and his pre-injury self and back with the jets, Greene and Washington would be a great one-two punch.

by chief Stevie_k on May 28, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Greene and LT is nothing to sneeze at, which brings us full-circle.

I think they had to sign Washington b4 trading him. But yeah, it was coming off an injury, after showing some real flashes.

by hmills110 on May 28, 2010 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree that Jamaal made a big difference. Made me re-think RB-vs-OL in terms of importance to the team.

But I still come down on the side of the widebodies and their level of play as being ultimately more decisive, else Barry would have a ring for each finger and Sweetness would have more than just the one.

by hmills110 on May 27, 2010 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Great play from the O-line can do nothing but help right?

Imagine what JC can do behind a line that can actually tie up the defenders at the 2nd level. The kid is going to break out this year in a big time way. I believe JC brings home the rushing title this year. Write it down.

by Chiefsfan1970 on May 28, 2010 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Wrote It Down Last Year...

Concur completely. I will take it a step further and claim that he will squash CJ’s totals from last year. I believe Jones is going to be utilized more for goal line carries and intermittent breathers for JC. Yeah, love me some TJ, but JC is the shiznit and will be a vital component to our potent offensive attack. He is going to make everyone around him perform at the next level…

Things to get the Chiefs back on the winning side of football:

1. Haley resign as offensive coordinator or do the following;
a. Feed JC more
b. Take the cuffs off of Cassel and let him air it out
2. Fire Clancy "Calls" Playslikeass

by kcchiefsfan72 on May 28, 2010 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Hard to say what the exact mix will be.

I think that stressing more mobility by OL is a better fit for our big, but mobile QB, too. To my eye, Indy is wanting to get bigger in part to allow Manning to operate out of a more stationary pocket, and set up more conventionally off the play-fake. We’ll see how that works out, but I think they MIGHT be on the decline in Indy, no matter what they do. But Polian’s one of the best, so I ain’t countin’ ’em out, just yet.

by hmills110 on May 28, 2010 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I voted yes

I feel that with JC/Thomas Jones/Castille/Cox/McCluster/and hopefully Javarris Williams we are going to run all over the AFC West. With the different looks out of the backfield we are probably going to run all over the NFL!!!!

Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.

by jrcnc on May 27, 2010 4:16 PM CDT reply actions

If AZ is any indication, the purpose of Haley's run game is to keep things honest for the passing game.

We’ll see just how much this offense is Haley’s and how much is Weis’s. I expect it’ll be a collaboration among equals. I don’t think Weis would’ve come on board if he’d lorded it over Haley when Haley was the young turk, although I think, before all is said and done, there will be some heated exchanges on the sideline that they won’t think twice about, but we’ll talk about for months.

Anybody know? Will Weis call from sideline or in the booth? From the sideline, I hope.

by hmills110 on May 27, 2010 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions

probably sideline

and I dont care if they get into 3000 heated exchanges during the game as long as we win and afterwards they are both smiling and happy about the victory!

Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.

by jrcnc on May 28, 2010 3:59 AM CDT up reply actions

That's the thing about those exchanges.

If you care, you’re going to speak up. If you care more about winning than about looking good, you’re going to be unfazed by these exchanges. I think Haley’s the kind of guy who will tolerate those exchanges, if it helps their chances of winning. And I think one of the things about Pioli’s leadership style is that it’s OK to disagree, as long as everybody has a thick skin, and none of the BS is taken personally.

You WANT your guys on the field (and the sideline) to have input, even if you overrule them in the moment. My smartest moves tend to be the ones I make when I change my mind after being told off by a colleague. If you surround yourself with the right people, you start getting congratulations for your cleverness, when really all you did was set your ego aside, and listen. Another key aspect is the protecting of confidences, and keeping ALL private conversations private. Part of wanting to be right all the time is a willingness to change your position when you’re on the wrong side, rather than defending something stupid just to save face.

Of course, the WRONG people make this sort of approach unworkable. The climbers, the politicians, and the pathological egotists will eat you alive. That’s why it’s good to have a Pioli at the top, with Haley 2nd-in-command. It sets the right tone.

by hmills110 on May 28, 2010 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm afraid of Lilja

I have a feeling he might let us down playing RG, his weakness is in the run game. The backs I have total faith in, but I have a feeling we’ll struggle on the right side until Asamoah takes his place at RG.

Colin Brown stepping up and pushing O’Callaghan would also be nice if he can play up to his size.

by mcclanahanman on May 27, 2010 4:52 PM CDT reply actions

being afraid of rudy, lilja, and o'cally in the running game (and rudy and o'cally in the passing game is just normal).

It remains to be seen if Weis can coach them up. that said, it didn’t seem to hurt us last year with wade and ryan on the right side when jamaal was running. i don’t expect it to hurt jamaal or dex this year.

I am a little concerned about whether a bigger back (Jones) will have success behind OUR line in zone blocking.

by chief Stevie_k on May 27, 2010 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

Lilja is not a run-blocker. A lot of people have him playing RG for us. I think we’d be better like this:
LT: Albert
LG: Waters
C: Wiegmann
RG: Asamoah
RT: Lilja
Gives us strength on the interior and quick-feet on the outside.

by hornetchiefsfan on May 27, 2010 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm hoping for something more like this

Week 1
LT – Albert
LG – Waters or Lilja, not too concerned with either one of these guys at LG
C – Weigmann, still a better C than Niswanger, even when he’s showing a NT his AARP card
RG – Ndukwe, He was a solid RG in Miami
RT – Brown, Hopefully he can push O’Callaghan out of a job

Week 8
LT – Albert
LG – Waters or Lilja
C – Weigmann or a Rookie C
RG – Asamoah
RT – Brown

by mcclanahanman on May 27, 2010 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm lukewarm on Brown until I see something for real from him.

Then again, I’m lukewarm about O’Callaghan.

by hmills110 on May 27, 2010 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I feel way better about O'Call at this point.

At the very least, I know what we can expect from him. Solid yet unspectacular with some room to improve even if just from team chemistry and starting experience.

I’m reasonably sure O’Call will be our starter this year

by Chiefsfan1970 on May 28, 2010 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions

if he can't run block, he won't be at RT either

LT: Albert
LG: Waters
C: Wiegmann
RG: Asamoah
RT: O’Callaghan

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most all major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6?

by stagdsp on May 27, 2010 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions

somehow I doubt Pioli brought Lilja in to be a back up.

either he can run block- Indy obviously wasn’t a run team- or he can’t. either way, I doubt it will affect his status as a starter. JC had over 1000 yards running behind this line. He doesn’t need Lilja to do much. matter of fact, with charles’ speed, if Lilja gets in the way of the guy across from him, charles will do the rest.

we’ll know a lot more after training camp and the pre-season.

by chief Stevie_k on May 27, 2010 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Word on the Colts blog at the time of his release was they ran better to Lilja's side.

Nobody over in Colts land considered Lilja a weak link. I think the Colts just needed to go another direction, because Peyton’s been feeling more heat of late. One of Manning’s best weapons over the years has been fear of what he can do if you blitz him. Thing is, he does even MORE against you when you DON’T blitz, and teams are bringin’ the heat and stuffing the run along the way.

I don’t really see Lilja as a RG. That’s one of the puzzling things about what KC’s doing up front. Let’s hope it’s not like last year and that my puzzlement be because KC got it wrong, again.

by hmills110 on May 27, 2010 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I kind of feel like Waters will end up on the right side by the time the season starts.

I think Lilja is our long term LG and Waters will be moved to help bring along Asomoah on the right side. I honestly think Waters will be unseated as a starter by years end.

by Chiefsfan1970 on May 28, 2010 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

I think he'd be traded before that happens.

besides, if they were even thinking of moving him to the other side, he’d be taking reps there now to get used to the move.

by chief Stevie_k on May 28, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

It's all wait-and-see, for me.

Maybe you guys are right. Maybe we’ll hear from some wiser heads, soon.

by hmills110 on May 28, 2010 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I just think back to last year.

Love Waters, but he showed his sensitive side. I think the organization has class AND brains, so I don’t see Waters switching sides unless he begins getting reps now and he doesn’t throw a hissy.

I can see him being traded if he chiefs are underachieving or even before the season.

I could be wrong. It has happened before, but I just don’t see a Clark Hunt owned regime being classless.

by chief Stevie_k on May 28, 2010 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Aren't they going to continue the zone blocking scheme?

If that is the case, then you want smaller linemen. The zone blocking scheme is designed for smaller quicker linemen. Probably a reason why they bought Wegman back as well. He isn’t very big either. A lot of spread offenses run this as well for quickness and also creating running lanes.

We have a shot...at what...we don't know yet.

by cmpotter on May 28, 2010 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions