Chiefs vs. Chargers: Containing Antonio Gates Is Key
by Joel Thorman on Sep 7, 2010 12:48 PM CDT
in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season
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PrintAntonio Gates probably loves playing the Kansas City Chiefs. The San Diego Chargers tight end has caught more passes for more yards and more touchdowns against the Chiefs than any other team. It seems that the Chiefs have had trouble covering him for years (and, well, they have).
With the Chargers number one receiver, Vincent Jackson, not playing on Monday night against the Chiefs, the focus will come down to Antonio Gates.
The Chiefs have a pair of new defensive backs who will be helping out in coverage -- Eric Berry and Javier Arenas -- and each of them at some point will likely be stuck covering Gates. That's a tough matchup considering Gates is a long-time veteran who understands the game and, judging by his career yardage, how to manipulate matchups in his favor.
So what should the Chiefs goal be against Gates and the Chargers? Mine would be to keep him below his career averages against the Chiefs:
- 5.7 catches
- 70 yards
- .9 touchdowns
With Jackson out, both the Chiefs defense and the Chargers offense will be focused on Gates so this will be one of the biggest matchups to watch in the game.
Do you have any confidence the Chiefs can stop, or at least contain, Gates?
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Just do what other teams did to Tony G
HOLD HIM!
Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!
I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.
I say we just tackle him on the line of scrimmage.
Yeah, let's just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys! ...
by oldchiefsfan on Sep 7, 2010 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I was going to say that.
according to commentators, the new way the ref lines up (no longer on defensive side) will result in defenses adapting and holding way more because it will be more difficult for refs to spot it and flag it.
" 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 Sep 7, 2010 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions
This is where Berry shows his worth big time
the ability to cover a tightend with a safety is huge
You're dead on. KC drafted Berry for 1 reason - Stop Gates
Kansas City Chiefs will be the dark horse to make the playoffs in 2010
by 58 was my friend on Sep 7, 2010 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope that's not the only reason.
So you got the fax. So why didn't you add it to the resume? What do you mean? Of course martial arts training is relevant.
Containing Gates
Isn’t this what we drafted Berry for? I think we will be improved but not perfect. If the Chargers start slow like they have in the past, this is a VERY winnable game for us!
Double team him
Berry and Derrick Johnson should be enough. If we can prevent Gates from catching many passes, our defense will be doing pretty good. I think we can lock down there receivers pretty good and then we just gotta create a pass rush with Tamba going against some no-name LT taking McNeil’s place
I think our D will play well
vs. a weakened San Diego offense (missing LT, new RB, no V.Jack)
The focus can slide toward Gates to help shut him down.
Rivers is such a crybaby that if we get him rattled early on, he will have a bad day and end up sulking like the B on the sidelines.
Now – as long as our offense can put some points on the board, we have a great chance.
his jaw
or berry’s jaw?
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#24 on #85.
Champ Bailey would man up against Gonzalez and it was always great watching two top tier caliber players going head to head. If any of you all think that our rookie Eric Berry #29 can match up with Antonio Gates on his first pro game, then you all need to wake up.. Brandon Flowers is our best player on this team, and he will be for years. I’m sure Romeo Cremmel will use his same style defense when he would match up Ty Law on the best receiver to try and make the rest of the team win the game. This should be a great game, especially since VJ is out for the Dolts! GO CHIEFS!!
Who's going to cover Floyd?
My only problem with pulling Flowers over is that we then have nobody on Floyd. I don’t have confidence in Carr covering Floyd all game.
I think this is why people are recommending Berry to cover Gates – we need our corners to cover WRs. I trust Carr to cover Naanee well enough.
We may need a LB to chip Gates and then let Berry cover him. It’s not going to be easy no matter what. Gates will get some catches – just hoping he doesn’t make any BIG catches like he usually does against us.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 7, 2010 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Who the hell is Floyd?
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Malcom Floyd?
The 5th Dimension
#29 Eric Berry
by BAMFSpecialOps on Sep 7, 2010 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Malcom Floyd... SD's new #1 WR.
So you got the fax. So why didn't you add it to the resume? What do you mean? Of course martial arts training is relevant.
As BigRedChief said...
SD’s #1, 6’5", 225 lbs, high jumping beast of a WR. - stats/bio
He is a size mismatch for Flowers, but there’s really nobody else we can put on him. Berry can probably cover him if necessary in some situations.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 7, 2010 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Also have to worry about Crayton now
Patrick Crayton got traded to SD last week, and he been a pretty legit reciever in Dallas. Romo has other targets besides Gates, we aren’t going to win this game if Berry has to dedicate himself to Gates the whole way- Floyd and Crayton and run the deep route well.
"They should expect everything..." -Eric Berry
Wow, freudian slip- Rivers not Romo
"They should expect everything..." -Eric Berry
Not too far off...
Rivers is a whiny B that throws tantrums when things aren’t going his way.
Romo is a 30 year old man that still insists on wearing his hat backwards.
Last names start with an R and they act like High School kids – easy to confuse.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 7, 2010 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, but he's so new...
They won’t be able to really work him into the scheme at this point. It’s not that he can’t be effective – I just don’t expect him to have a break-out game with his 1st game of the season on a new team that he’s been with for less than 2 weeks.
I expect Crayton to challenge Naanee for the #2 spot eventually… but who knows.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 7, 2010 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm just surprised no one else has mentioned him...
he average 16.8 yards per catch last year with 5 scores… competing within a group of very talented wide outs. He only started 6 games.
"They should expect everything..." -Eric Berry
I agree, he's a solid add for SD
He adds experience and is an improvement (health-wise) over Davis and I think he’s comparable if not better than Naanee. We’ll have to see if Naanee takes a step forward this year with the added responsibility and facing better defenders.
I won’t be surprised if Crayton works his way up and posts some decent stats this year.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 7, 2010 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
sadly enough
He will be the most veteran reciever on that roster, with the most in game experience and success. I bet he finds the field plenty against us and going forward. I don’t think he has more upside than Floyd (Cratyon is after all getting old at 31) but I think he is definitely a more consistent option at this point than Naanee. It will be interesting to see how (and how often) they line them up on Monday.
"They should expect everything..." -Eric Berry
The other player I'm concerned with is RB Ryan Mathews. We have to stop him as well.
The dolts will be a very pass happy team though.
Yeah, let's just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys! ...
Stop the run and get pressure on the QB
Easier said than done. We need to make Rivers throw the ball earlier than he wants. Berry will take car of the rest in regards to Gates….
Vrabel is the key - if he's healthy, Gates stays under average.
Just like TG, you can’t really keep Gates down completely, but you can contain him with good LB coverage. Vrabel is the key.
Don’t believe me? Look at the stats from Gates’ games against us last year:
Game 1: 5 catches, 55 yards, 0 TD.
Game 2: 7 catches, 118 yards, 2 TD.
What’s the difference? Vrabel was out for game 2.
by Keyser Sose on Sep 7, 2010 1:04 PM CDT reply actions 5 recs
Wow. Rec'd
For finding that statstic. I had no idea.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
You could argue that it's just a fluke, but ....
…. Vrabel has underrated coverage skills, and I always remember how TG would be contained by tough LBs (eg, Julian Peterson when he was at SF). Look at this example from TGs run in 2000, and note the game against Peterson:
10/15/2000 Oakland 7 for 100yds 1td
10/22/2000 St. Louis 5 for 117yds 1td
10/29/2000 @Seattle 8 for 101yds 0td
11/05/2000 @Oakland 9 for 134yds 1td
11/12/2000 @San Fran 4 for 46yds 0td
11/19/2000 Buffalo 9 for 76yds 2td
12/04/2000 @New Eng 11 for 147yds 1td
12/10/2000 Carolina 10 for 96yds 1td
Wow was that an ungodly run for TG
Good example of the difference a good LB can make in coverage.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I remember that game
Peterson was almost superhuman that game. That game kind of put him on the map, as I recall.
Yeah, I seem to remember that game really well for some reason.
I guess it was the feeling of frustration because we were all so used to big games from TG. But you’re right – it was a big ‘coming out’ game for Peterson.
The DJ we drafted
Could run down anyone and defend the pass very well once upon a time… Maybe that’s part if their thinking with DJ getting the early start. Simply a matchup thing. Who knows. I’m optimistic given Jackson is out. No more LT. Isn’t their starting Left Tackle McNeil out. Cromartie is gone.. Heard Merriman might not play. First game of year, so Arrowhead will be full strength! Sure, I think we have a CHANCE.
by KCLonghorn on Sep 7, 2010 1:12 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
last year in SD I said "watch, gates will be open all day, no safety help, no LB help"
he ruined us.
Im hoping Eric Berry can make a big difference at times
without vincent jackson, their pass attack isnt that tough, it allows us to focus on gates, and let them beat us with mathews or sproles, if we watch the screens, we should be prepared for their gimmick stuff
Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt
I just hope the crowd stays in it.
I don’t want the crowd being out of it if the Chargers get to an early lead. I remember Arrowhead being so loud I couldn’t hear my dad standing right next to me. I hope its jammed packed and rockin! Got my tickets and CAN’T WAIT!
This won’t be the first time Peter King was wrong and I know it won’t be the last.
wow ... getting ready to blame the fans already?
if the team gives the fans a reason to stay pumped, they will
I got your back there...
I am the fan in the upper level that everyone thinks is wasting his time and voice…but I don’t care. We used to be the best 12th man in the NFL and it’s time return there. Here’s hoping not only will I be without a voice, but Rivers too, trying to tell Gates that Berry is giving him the stank eye! I can’t f’n wait!
What's the difference between jelly and jam?
Gates is just one problem.
You have Malcom Floyd (who torched you in game two last year), Legadu Nanee, and… oh yeah, the one guy the Chargers drafted in the first round. What’s his name? Oh yeah, Ryan Mathews. Yeah, that kid is pretty good. Not sure if if you’ve seen him play in the preseason. He’s going to hurt a defensive back or two this year, the kids delivers blows. With that visor, he’ll looks like a bigger, more violent version of LT.
In your defense, Hali vs. Dombrowski is going to be a key match up. He played well in pre-season but the jury is definitely still out on him. If he struggles in pass blocking, expect a heavy dose of the run. Most reports say he’s a better run blocker than McNeil. I’m sure Norv wants to test out what he’s got with the rookie anyway.
I think the Chargers defense will be improved this year and so will the running game. I think that might just be the difference for them. They could blow teams away in shootouts but they haven’t had the ability to grind it out for the last few years. I think the offense will be more balanced.
Having said all that, the Chargers under Norv like to give away a few games early in the season, so you do have a chance at home on MNF. Either way, I CAN’T WAIT for some REAL FOOTBALL!!!
And thats...
… why they play the game. I expect Norv to give him some help with a back. During the preseason they’ve been throwing quick slants like their going out of style. J. Peppers said Rivers was getting rid of it so fast the Chargers didn’t even need to assign a blocker to him since he couldn’t get there fast enough anyway. Who knows what they’ll do… fortunately, the coaching staff is a lot smarter about these these than I am. I can guess they won’t keep Dombroski out on an island for his first NFL start at LT like they would with McNeil. My guess is they’ll mix it up, with more running than the last two years. The long shots they’ll take to Floyd, et al., will probably be off of play action instead out of a basic dropback. That’s what I expect to see anyway.
It'll be interesting
Matthews does sound like the real deal, but we’ll see if he’s ready to make the jump in his first NFL game. KC’s D has been much more aggressive so far under Crennel, and they can afford to be with the new additions to the secondary. Rivers should expect a lot less time to sit back in the pocket than he has in the past couple years against KC. It’ll be interesting to see if this affects him.
As for the Charger’s D, well…good luck trying to contain Charles and McCluster :)
Predictions:
This year will be better
Mathews threw up before his first preseason game
And he gets so anxious he runs up on the legs of his blockers at times. He’s a rookie, for sure so it’s a crap shoot how he does in his first real NFL game. I think you’ll run the ball more than we do on Monday. I don’t like the match up with your small, speedy backs. Our safeties over pursue at times and it drives me crazy.
Willie Beamin!
“I keep the ladies….” STRAIGHT CREAMIN!
What's the difference between jelly and jam?
by WestonK on Sep 7, 2010 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
If Gates has 6 catches, for 70 yards and a touchdown, that won't kill us as long as
their running game and the rest of their passing game is shut down.
The key to me is not Gates
It’s pressuring River’s, cover Gates but give Rivers time and he just throws to another receiver. Who cares who catches them if they rack up yards.
Exactly
Which is why I think the Hali/Dombrowski match up is going to be key. Hali is going to be coming, you know that. So it will be interesting to see how much help Dombrowski gets or if they run and/or throw screens to that side to slow him down. If Rivers has time, he’ll find the open guy, even if it’s the water boy on the sideline. As ugly as he looks throwing the ball, Rivers is a smart and accurate QB. He’s not afraid of taking a hit and he doesn’t get rattled, either. If I was a QB, the last thing I would be doing is talking smack to a bunch of 300lb guys who are trying to slam me into the ground. But I suppose it works for him.
Preseason
In the last couple games the chiefs D has shown the ability to get sacks outside of the production of Tamba Hali. There were some nice blitz packages that gave LBs a free run at the QB and there were times when the sack was a product of great coverage. I think the defense will surprise alot of people who expect them to play similar to last year
Our receivers are pretty decent.
Malcolm Floyd isn’t a burner but he isn’t slow and he can get down the field for a guy who’s 6’5’’. You might remember him outrunning two of your DBs before he out them jumped them on a 50 yard pass to the 1 yard line last year.
Buster Davis, a first round pick who has had a number of injuries, is really fast. We’ll probably use him more out of the slot though as a possession receiver. We held on to this kid despite his injury history because of his raw skills. He’s a burner. And he’s finally healthy. When he’s played, he’s been effective. I think he diminishes the VJax factor a bit, but we’ll only find out a few games into the season. Regardless, I doubt VJax will ever play another down for the Chargers again and management has clearly moved on. Congrats to you guys for that. You won’t have to see Rivers throwing TDs to him anymore. The guy is a beast in every sense of the word. Mentally, he a bit primitive. Did you know he had TWO penalties last year for kicking things? Once, he kicked a football (I think against the chiefs) and once for kicking the flag in the playoffs.
Well, I'm glad that you could be optimistic about your WR corp...
Because I feel sorry for you. Losing Vince is gonna sting, and you’ll feel it all season long. You really wanna sit there and sing the praises of Legadu Nanee and Malcom Floyd?? Ok, remember that… Because NOW OUR Shutdown corner will have an easier time defending a lesser WR (than Jackson) in Floyd and Carr could totally handle your boy Nanee. With Berry and Lewis making plays, it totally makes the deep ball obsolete. Everything will be right in front of us (unless there is a blown assignment).
Ryan Matthews still has A LOT to prove before you start crowning him better than LT. And without Cromartie (and you cut Vasher) and Merriman, your D will struggle against the run (Thomas Jones, Charles, and Dexter)…
Please dog, go toot your horn somewhere else.
I know that you're afraid... you're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin.
Mathews is not LT
There’s no comparison. The new kid can catch balls out the backfield and he can get tough yardage, but I’m not ready to crown him into the hall of fame. In fact, if the kid doesn’t learn to let up soon, he’s not going to have a long career. I think it’s fair to say he’s initiated more contact with defensive players this preseason than LT has his entire career. Fortunately, this team is deep enough that we don’t need Mathews to have an MVP season like LT had in 2006 for us to win games. He just has to make teams respect the run and fear getting knocked flat on their backs. That’s it. I will say that Ryan Mathews is MUCH BETTER than the 2009 version of LT. There’s no doubt about that. You’ll find out on Monday night as well.
Yes, losing VJax sucks. But, obviously, he did nothing for us in the postseason except almost get arrested while driving to the game. That may have been better for the team, actually since he was shut down and then he kicked a flag causing a crucial 15 yard penalty. So, while he’s an incredible down field threat, we have other options. We clearly relied on passing to him too much in the game against the Jets, and that’s why we lost.
I wasn’t aware you had a shut down corner. Can you remind me who that is? Didn’t we put 80 points up on you last year? Was this corner playing those games? Sure, VJax is a weapon. But so are Gates, Floyd, Mathews, Sproles.
Charles is a good runner. I’m more worried about him than anyone else. Our D swarms and over pursues, at times. If I had him on my fantasy team, I would start him. He’ll get yards, but I don’t think you’ll take the game. It’s possible though. The Monday crowd will be crazy, I’m sure.
Merriman is still hurt. Let him sit. Cromartie is a head case, let him rot too. Our team has been preparing for life without Merriman. I think defense is one crucial area we will improve.
Let’s see…
Last time Flowers (was healthy and) went up against SD, Jackson only had 2 catches for 27 yards and no TDs. I was at that game, Rivers kept trying to go deep on Flowers, but he kept shutting it down.
Why do you think this post is talking about Antonio Gates being the key? Because HE is the guy who really beats us everytime. Last year, our Safeties were atrocious, but it’s a whole different situation this season.
And you should be worried about Jamaal Charles, because if you averaged 4.5 yards a carry last season, and you’ve done virtually nothing to help your run D this season, it’s looking kinda scary for you, brother.
I know that you're afraid... you're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin.
Great pic...
A nice slap to da face! It appears Carr has solid jumping and karate skills there!
What's the difference between jelly and jam?
MNF tickets
Running last minute trying to secure some cheap tickets for the game. Any ideas guys?
Help appreciated
craigslist?
Smile, its the second best things you can do with your lips!
STUUUB hub.
So you got the fax. So why didn't you add it to the resume? What do you mean? Of course martial arts training is relevant.
Play nickel and put Arenas on him.
Chargers won’t be a run dominate team with Turner coaching. Even when LT was in his prime a lot of his yards were from screens and swing passes. Stay mainly in the nickel with Arenas as a spy for Gates and let Berry run free in support of the run and pass.
Playoff predictions? Really? From 4 wins?
I don't care if Gates gets his average
I don’t think that will matter. As long as Malcom Floyd doesn’t have a Vjax type of game.
Smile, its the second best things you can do with your lips!
which he did last year....
But, number 29 wasn’t around either.
What's the difference between jelly and jam?
i see it like this..
Brandon Flowers will guard Floyd nearly the whole time in man coverage with Berry’s help over the top because Floyd has 7 or 8 inches on Flowers
Carr sticks Naane
DJ and stays on Gates
Yes i understand that Vrabel “held” gates to sub par stats in the 1st match, but thats because Legget and Carr were getting burnt up by Floyd and VJax deep
I guess I'm being too cocky (since I root for one of the worst teams in the last 3 seasons) but...
I find it interesting that noone is talking about SD match up problems to our offense. They have 0 CBs that can cover consistently and their safety situation reminds me alot of our own last year.
We already know what JC can do againts them, but I think this is the perfect test to see how much progress has been made in the passing game. I think the new additions on the line match up favorably for us and I think we provide some real matchup nightmares for their DBs. Who’s going to cover Bowe, Chambers and not to mention Dex!
So… OUR quandry: if the O-line can provide time andour receivers should have the upper hand… do we have a QB that will be able to deliver thr football consistently and take advantage?
No matter the outcome, this will be a very telling game for our Chiefs!
Stop Chargers - Stop Gates - Chiefs answer = Eric Berry
If we look back and see when KC started dropping games to the Bolts, you’d notice that the same time Gates emerged. Ever since Antonio arrival, KC could not get any LBs or SS or FS to cover him. Then 2010 NFL draft provided our answer. IMO, Pioli knew that to win again, we needed to win the division and beat the best team in our division. Flowers/Carr can cover VJ but we never had an answer for Gates until now – Eric Berry is gonna use his god given talent to neutralize AG. As soon as Rivers realized he lost both his safety valve in VJ and AG, its game time for Hali – SACK SACK SACK
Kansas City Chiefs will be the dark horse to make the playoffs in 2010
by 58 was my friend on Sep 7, 2010 3:58 PM CDT reply actions
Berry is about to make a huge name for himself in one night…cudos to him. SD will have their huge pass plays. KC will gamble big in this game and blizs their tail off and Hali will have a Sack and 2 or 3 pressures. SD is going to go deep and Matthews is going to have about a 4.5 average carry…but SD starts slow and KC will smack them with a divsion loss…shocker for the haters!
KC wins this early AFC West battle.
Kansas City will use the Monday Night atmosphere I believe to defeat the San Diego Chargers. Pay no attention Chiefs fans to a 1 and 3 preseason as the Chiefs were working on a lot of things. The only question for Monday Night’s game is the 3-4 defense. I have never like this format!
Prediction: Kansas City 31 San Diego 24. The renevation of Arrowhead Stadium will play in the decision as the Chiefs or any team, always want to win their first game in a new or renevated stadium.
by Infinite Kcland on Sep 11, 2010 1:46 PM CDT reply actions
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