Some Apologies I Owe To The Chiefs (And A Few I Don't)
by MNchiefsfan on Oct 4, 2011 2:03 PM CDT
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The big W! Woo hoo! I knew all along that we could beat anyone if we scored more points than they did. And, as always, I was proven correct. I admit, this victory tastes especially sweet to me, as I spent the entire week being told by fellow students that the Vikings were going to win "by at least a couple of scores, maybe more" as though it was an obvious fact (is there anything worse than an extremely condescending fan of a bad team? I mean, good Lord, to hear some of those guys talk you'd think they're the Packers and we're a sorority's powder puff team. Homerism: not just annoying when we do it!).
So what's the word? Besides the bird, that is (that Family Guy episode has ruined my life. Or made it ten times better. I haven't made up my mind on that one. But haven't you heard... you know what, let's move on before I start singing and dancing in the middle of my Civ Pro class).
Well, the word in the street is that I've got some apologies to make to a few of our players. Because I've said and thought some pretty harsh things about some guys, and I need to make it right. Even for the negative thoughts. Because hey, who needs the bad ju-jitsu of negative thoughts (that's karma that's so bad it's like you're being put in an arm lock by a Gracie brother)?
Oh, also, I'm going to go out of my way to NOT apologize to a couple of players. In fact, I'll even go so far as to explain to them (again, you know they care. I heard Andy Studebaker cried after reading one of my preseason posts...not really) why neither I nor anyone else owes them an apology for being negative about them.
You're wondering if I'm going to apologize to Matt Cassel, aren't you? It's killing you, isn't it? At least a half dozen of you are already banging your head against the table waiting for me to get the point, aren't you? OK, fine, let's talk football...
Dexter McCluster, let's start with you. I'm sorry
I'm sorry I doubted you. After a rookie year in which you teased us (do I make an inappropriate joke here? I really want to... but the wife reads these... Ah, I'm a chicken. Can't do it) with flashes of playmaking ability but ended with much more of a dud than an explosion, I had my doubts about you. I even went so far as to at times bemoan the players we could've picked instead of you. I thought you were a bust at WR and too small to be a RB. So basically, a wasted pick.
Flash forward to this year. Jamaal Charles goes down. Uh oh. We're screwed. And yeah, it's been pretty rough watching our offense go at times. But without you, it would've been way, way worse. Sure, your stats don't jump out at us (only 164 rushing yards and 52 receiving yards over SEVENTEEN catches. Seriously, let's ease up on the super short throws to Dex, ok?), but you're averaging almost six yards a carry and you're one of the few guys moving the chains out there.
You're not JC, but you've proven that you need to be touching the ball at least 10 times a game. Now, if only we can get you some real opportunities in the passing game and not those (mentioned above) ridiculous dump-offs you've been getting. Although to be fair, those dump-offs might actually start working, in large part because of...
Steve Breaston, to whom I owe an apology
This one is for my lack of patience. Through the first couple games Stevie didn't do much out there. I gotta admit, I was getting a little antsy. I was starting to sweat. Objects were being picked up and tested for their breakability in preparation to throw. Where's the guy we signed? Were the doubters correct that you're overrated and incapable of performing without a great offense?
Then Dwayne Bowe got hurt, Cassel started to look your way, and things started picking up. You are clearly a baller, you just need to get some looks. I should've been more patient. Speaking of patient...
Tyson Jackson, the world and I owe you an apology
Now, I wasn't a doubter. I, along with the rest of us who break down film in our spare time, noticed that you've been playing some pretty respectable ball, regardless of claims to the contrary. However, I was a little embarrassed to not be in the hater club, since it had so many people and hey, I just want to be liked! I'm sorry I didn't defend you more passionately T-Jax. Because lately, since the coaches finally started playing you, Gregg, and Dorsey together with consistency (hey, note to Romeo. It's a good idea to play your 3 best linemen as much as you can. And it's a BAD idea to throw Wallace GIlberry and Allen Bailey in there when the other team might run the ball. Understand? You SEEM to be getting it, but I'm taking no chances. Remember, best 3 linemen? Good. Situational pass rushers being on the field too often? Bad. I'm glad we talked about this) you've been a beast.
You'll probably never be B.J. Raji, but this season you've jumped your game up a serious notch. In my opinion, let the Dorsey vs. T-Jax debate begin (OK, maybe wait one more week. But it's happening, mark my words). On a less cheerful note...
Cameron Sheffield, I most definitely do not owe you (or Romeo Crennel) an apology
I've been saying since preseason, and I'll say it again: there is no reason for anyone but Justin Houston to be out there at SOLB, especially on obvious passing downs. I don't know what you're doing that mesmerizes so many, but it sure isn't getting to the quarterback. That's four games now in which you've been in there on obvious passing downs across from Pass-Rushing Jesu... er, Tamba Hali. And you don't have a single sack to show for it. In fact, I've made it a point to watch you, thinking I was missing something.
I'm not. You're not that good of a pass rusher. Which we should've known in the preseason as Houston was dominating RTs, TEs, and RBs and you were merely looking "good" against said players. Houston isn't great yet, but he deserves those pass rushing downs. Because you sure aren't doing anything with them. Speaking of not doing anything...
Thomas Jones, I don't owe you an apology
Hey, Jones had a slightly-less-than-pathetic game on Sunday. Good for you, man! I was pretty excited, until I realized that what I thought was a great game by you was an 11 carry, 37 yard yawner. You know it's bad when you think it's great your "feature" back was able to break a 12-yard run (Yeah, that's sad. When did a 12 yard run mean you "broke" anything? It doesn't).
You've got the vision, old man, and you've got the guts, but you just flat out don't have the speed. I was watching the game live with a few Vikings' fans buddies of mine, and one of them pointed out on three separate runs that TJ had a huge hole he just wasn't fast enough to get to. And he was right. Even Jackie Battle looked faster out there. And when you're a vision back who can't hit the holes fast enough, that's a bad thing. Your carries need to go to Dex and Le'Ron McClain ASAP, or even...
Jackie Battle, I MAY owe you an apology
Let's see what happens. But here's what I know: We needed yards on every touch you had, and you delivered in crunch time (anyone else notice it WASN'T TJ getting those crunch time carries? Apparently I'm not the only person who's noticed TJ isn't getting it done). You ran with power and conviction that I haven't seen from you since... well, every preseason ever played. I was screaming for your head this offseason. Take those carries from TJ and pound the rock. Keep those legs moving after impact for the extra couple yards. You did it in your limited chances on Sunday. Do it again next week, and I'll bump this to a full apology.
Now, how about some quick-hitter apologies?
-Tamba Hali, I'm sorry I thought your sack total and overall dominance might dip a little this season. You are ridiculous and made Rivers and McNabb miserable. You're carrying this defense.
-Derrick Johnson, I'm sorry I thought you might mail it in now that you got paid. Sunday was the most lights out I've ever seen you.
-Justin Houston, I just feel sorry for you, period. You know why. But don't worry, Percy Harvin does that to a lot of people. Learn from it, and move on.
And last but not least... Matt Cassel-
Sorry, Matt. I owe you nothing. One solid half of football doesn't make up for the crapfest that has been your play. Now, to your credit, you made some very good plays out there in the 2nd half. But you also got the ball back with the lead and 5:45 left in the game with the chance to ice. And you didn't close. At all. You want me to apologize to you? Here's a list of what you'll need to do: keep getting Breaston involved, go through your progressions faster, stop freaking out every time there's a pass rush, and play TICKED OFF. You were much, much better when you were mad. The second you lost that edge, you started playing scared (that last series, the change was obvious. You weren't mad anymore. You were scared of losing).
Do those things, and do them for the entire rest of the season, and I'll apologize. I'll even do it profusely.
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Comments
Well I’ll say one thing, you do write long intros.
I question why you “apologize” to Tyson for not defending him against those who were impatient yet harp on Sheffield for not being that good. Sheffield is really only a rookie as he’s had one off-season and a few games. I’d rather see Houston out there most of the time, but we have to find out if Sheffield is capable of improving.
As far as the RBs go, I’ve said Battle shouldn’t be on this team since two pre-seasons ago (when he was team MVP or whatever) and I haven’t changed my mind. But if anyone deserves fewer carries than Battle it is Jones.
"Hater" is a term used by weak-minded people in the face of legitimate criticism.
Flagged for the short intro to your comment
As far as Shef goes, I’m not sorry because what I said is that he didn’t belong out there instead of Houston, and he doesn’t. Whereas I didn’t bother to correct people on T-Jax because I was lazy. So I did something wrong for one, and not the other.
Shef may pan out, but he doesn’t belong out there instead of Houston. We want to see if he’s capable of improving, great. That’s what practice, preseason, and blowouts are for.
And I could not agree with you more on the Battle/Jones point. It seems that the coaches are starting to as well…
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Battle's a fine ball-carrier. The issue is the rest of his game, imo.
When a halfback isn’t all-around, you limit your offensive choices and defenses can tee off on you. I want to see him be a beast in pass pro and be a beast of a lead-blocker. So far, when he’s on the field, he pretty much gets the ball. Better-coached teams (than the Vikes) would be all over that shit and meet him in the backfield.
would of ≠ would've
An interesting view
I guess never even see him look decent running th ball in the regular season.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Sheffield might not be as good a pass rusher but he is way further along in the tackling, pass defense and run defense departments..
He’s getting spot pass rush duties because of how he’s excelled in the other areas. I’m with you in that I’d love to see more of Houston on obvious rushing the passer downs but before then I’m perfectly happy with the way Shef/Belcher/TJax have been locking down that side. Until Houston shows that he can do everything the position demands and shows that he can make even one open field tackle, he’s going to be listed as the starter but given limited reps.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you about Sheff
Houston’s been better against the run and in coverage. Mostly because Sheff’s hardly done any of that during the actual season. Houston looked much better in all aspects in the preseason, and we haven’t seen Sheff do much of anything but rush during the season.
And even if Sheff was better in those departments (which he’s not IMO), that’s hardly a justification to put him in as a pass rusher. Rather, that’d be a reason to have him in the game on first and second down.
Getting zero sacks playing opposite a dominant pass rusher is terrible. It’s Vrabel-esque. And I swear I’ve watched the tape. He’s not getting it done.
I’m curiious how you think Sheff has “excelled” at anything, given his limited snaps and almost exclusive pass-rushing duties (at which he’s failed rather miserably)
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
If Sheff was so much further developed at tackling, pass defense, run defense
Why is he not in the base sets then?
I don’t see the coaches being the type to toss a player out there to develop instead of putting the best players they can.
It makes no sense to take the better pass rusher of the 2 out of the game when you need to get the pressure, yet have the(at least according to your theory) worse of the 2 out there when that player is responsible for run defense, pass defense, etc.
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Oct 5, 2011 6:13 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dead on with the Battle/Jones thing
I too have disliked Battle, even when he was running for a million yards in preseason two years back.
As a fellow Minnesotan, I too am glad last week ended with a win.
Especially, due to my Viking loving father-in-law.
And, as far as Cassel:
stop freaking out every time there’s a pass rush
I don’t ever see that happening.
Something about the Cassel happy-feet that I'm wondering
I didn’t see that as much when he was filling in for Brady in NE.
Since he’s gotten here, it’s no secret that Haley’s mantra is the “no negative plays / no turnovers” that we’ve heard a few billion times.
I’m wondering if at this point, the happy-feet wasn’t really a problem with Cassel but he’s been over-coached maybe with so much fear of avoiding negative plays and turnovers that it’s worked against him in a way?
Who knows, I mean maybe the guy just had a career year in NE and what we’ve seen since is the real Cassel? Hard to say at this point.
We Don't Hear The Hate
It's too bad. I liked Cassel and had high hopes for him.
I would love to have a QBOTF with his devotion to the game.
Yeah, it's kind of sad in a way.
His whole story is one of “almosts” and missed opportunities.
We Don't Hear The Hate
True.
But how many “almosts” does he have to compile before the coaches finally realize that he is exactly that? An “almost”. He’s not a guy that will ever pan out and I don’t care if you paid him $63 Million Scott Pioli. SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE and MOVE ON! I would rather go through a string off misses in the draft than roll with a guy that never will be and we know it.
RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
by ARROWHEADSHANE on Oct 4, 2011 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe if Cassel played anywhere near as well as Manning
This would be a valid point. But since he doesn’t, I have to assume you are making a sly joke here.
Ancora imparo.
Why do we always have to be so sneaky when we run with McCulster? It seems like he never just gets a straight foward carry. I guess we don’t think he has the speed to get to the outside like Charles did. I wish we would try to run him out of the I form or single back some more.
Dex is much better in space
Not sure if he could take the beating of running between the tackles either
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Oct 4, 2011 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
That's why you lead block w/ McClain and pave the way.
With that happening, he probably won’t take a big hit going between the tackles – when he’s brought down it’s just usually going to be someone coming off of a block and getting an arm on the little guy.
We Don't Hear The Hate
You just pointed out the problem there though.
As you can see, I am a HUGE fan of Dex. That being said, Dex is an elusive guy in space, but you don’t see him breaking tackles. Not even arm tackles. He is a “one hit and down” kind of back I’m sorry to say.
RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
by ARROWHEADSHANE on Oct 4, 2011 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Disagree with both of you guys.
The kid has great balance and an amazing amount of power in that small package. Plenty of speed to get to the edge, too. And he’s more of a football player than JC between the tackles. Sure if the hole’s there, Jamaal could bust it wide open, but McCluster’s more fundamentally sound off of hits, imo.
would of ≠ would've
but McCluster’s more fundamentally sound off of hits, imo.
Considering JC’s been at the top of the league in yards after contact, I just can’t agree with this.
Dex isn’t bad up the middle as his slight stature would indicate, but to call him more of a football player between the tackles than JC is ludicrous, seeing JC’s extensive success running between the tackles and Dex’s total lack of it.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
McCluster is plenty fast
its the potential of being broken in two like a popsicle stick on what would otherwise be a normal tackle.
I agree
Let him run the ball on something other than a draw sometime. Weve seen him do it, and with success.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Good lord...
I love reading what you have to say, but the amount of parenthesis you use is actually quite distracting from your point. It’s borderline annoying, actually.
Nice post though, and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
I actually enjoy
MN’s writing style in the post.
Injecting some of his personal thought processes & humor make a good post even better.
Now that was a bad start.... Big finish ????
by Lucky777Luciano on Oct 4, 2011 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes. But when your parentheticals stretch for several lines, go ahead and make a paragraph out of it, and take
it out of parentheses.
would of ≠ would've
Let me think about it...
No. But thanks for playing :)
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I wasn’t trying to knock what he’s doing, I specifically said I enjoy reading what he has to say, and thanked him for doing it. It’s just in near every paragraph there’s a side note in parenthesis that distracts me from his actual point. :) That’s all.
Again, wasn’t bashing, just stating my opinion :)
Yep - I read your comment.
I was just giving my opinion that his writing style actually enhances his post, & others agreed.
Now that was a bad start.... Big finish ????
by Lucky777Luciano on Oct 4, 2011 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Seriously...
knock that shit off (only playing). I too enjoy the side notes and little quips you intersperse throughout your posts (some crack me up pretty good). All in all, I think you are one of the better ones on the site (don’t let it go to your head).
PICTURE ME SLAPPING THE TOUGHEST GUY YOU KNOW!!!
KCCHIEFSFAN72!!!!
by kcchiefsfan72 on Oct 4, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree.
Oops, sorry, I mean…. (I agree)
RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
by ARROWHEADSHANE on Oct 4, 2011 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Too late
My head’s now so swelled I can’t even get through the door now. Thanks to you, I’m gonna need to take the wall out of my apartment…
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Just read a little bit of James Joyce
And you’ll see MN is (possibly aspiring to be the next great stream of consciousness writer with Nobel dreams, or) not really so bad after all.
Ancora imparo.
Haha yeah right
More like Bill Simmons Lite, and even that is vastly overstating my ability. Thanks though.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Great write up MN.
I rarely if ever come across a post that I agree with 100%, and this one is no different. (I thought you would appreciate that). But the only thing I would add is an apology that you forgot. I think we all owe an apology to Barry Richardson. He has arguably been our most consistent lineman. I can’t see the players faces on the field when they have helmets on so I am not sure if that was actually Barry in the preseason (Or maybe that’s not Barry playing now? Hmmm). Anyway, we must apologize to Barry. Great post though.
"If ifs mattered, everyone would be undefeated." Enite
I agree
Not hearing his name called or him talked about is quite different. I hope it keeps up.
You Play to Win the game!!!
by Wichita Chief on Oct 4, 2011 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions
um...no
Read Bewsafs articles sometime…he has been AWFUL in pass protection. He has gotten better at 2nd level blocking, but he is absolutely terrible in most passing situations.
I thought about it, because he HAS played better than in the preseason
Time contraints got in the way. It’s not easy to type up a post in between taking notes in class…
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I understand that.
"If ifs mattered, everyone would be undefeated." Enite
Cassel
I am not apologizing.
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Oct 4, 2011 2:23 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I KNEW there was a faster way to say that...
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
There is a faster way to say something than paragrpahs with parenthetical asides?
Perish the thought!
Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.
by nateforchiefs on Oct 4, 2011 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I like what you said about Dex and I agree
To get Dex more yards in the passing game, the coaches should look at how Sproles was used in SD and NO. He runs a lot of those wheel routes out of the backfield and there is no way that a LB will stay with him. Also since teams like to blitz Cassel up the middle since he is a little jumpy that can turn into a bunch of middle screen and kill defenses for blitzing.
Men succeed when they realize that their failures are the preparation for their victories.
Agreed
Unfortunately, up until now Dex has had a bullseye on him when in the game. Clearly opposing coaches fear him, because he’s always accounted for and they’re always watching for short throws to him.
That’s why I’m hoping the downfield passing we did against the Vikings, the emergence of Breaston, and the return of Baldwin can help him. Loosen things up a little to where they can’t key on Dex so much.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Return of Baldwin?
is he playing this weekend? Link?
PICTURE ME SLAPPING THE TOUGHEST GUY YOU KNOW!!!
KCCHIEFSFAN72!!!!
by kcchiefsfan72 on Oct 4, 2011 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm just thinking out loud
It’s gotta be soon, right?
Sorry for the tease…
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I know, right?
Yes, I am hopeful he plays this weekend too. I cannot wait to see that dude on the field. Especially if the staff continues to open up the playbook a little more, getting Cassel heavily involved in the passing game. I mean, besides the dink-and-dunks. And hell, he already has a rapport with Bowe and is currently building one with Breaston. That, in and of itself, is dangerous. If we can add Baldwin to the mix, this might be a recipe for disaster for upcoming defenses…
PICTURE ME SLAPPING THE TOUGHEST GUY YOU KNOW!!!
KCCHIEFSFAN72!!!!
by kcchiefsfan72 on Oct 5, 2011 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions
That last line is one of the many reasons I refuse to give up on this season this early
Sure, we’re missing Moeaki, Berry and Charles.
If those were the only bright spots on this team, I could see wanting to pack it in.
But we still have too many good players and playmakers to just roll over and die right now.
I really really REALLY want to see some 3 WR sets with the Killer B’s. I’m getting giddy just thinking about it.
We Don't Hear The Hate
Me three, fellas...
PICTURE ME SLAPPING THE TOUGHEST GUY YOU KNOW!!!
KCCHIEFSFAN72!!!!
by kcchiefsfan72 on Oct 5, 2011 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions
im with you on Houston....AGAIN
If you have two players doing absolutely nothing at OLB (stud and sheff) the least you can do is start your rookie even if he’s just as bad for the sake of growth. Houston looked better than anyone at OLB all preseason so if Crennel is gonna put him in the starting line up, keep him on the field when he is at his best.
by JC25FoMVP on Oct 4, 2011 2:43 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I agree
His specialty is pass rushing, yet we’re sitting him on those downs. Makes no sense.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
And keep him on the field WITH the best...He's too often teamed up w/ "The B Teamers"...
An all “B” Level Defense out there @ one time or another is what has absolutely killed us…
Thanks
It’s good to agree with me. Every time you do it, an angel gets his or her wings. Every time you disagree, someone kicks a puppy.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Ha! nice pic...
Not cassel’s best look there..
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Yeah, but you can tell the next word that is coming out of his mouth.
Insert witty yet thought provoking phrase here.
by Fozzyboyd on Oct 4, 2011 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Making a beaver face
RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
by ARROWHEADSHANE on Oct 4, 2011 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Cassel Speaks...
The playcalling sucks ass, and I wll not gopher it any longer…
.
PICTURE ME SLAPPING THE TOUGHEST GUY YOU KNOW!!!
KCCHIEFSFAN72!!!!
by kcchiefsfan72 on Oct 4, 2011 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
TJ is tellin Matty ...
“Hey, Hollywood! I’ll break your fuckin thumbs clean off if you keep cussing at Coach. Now shut the fuck up! And get out there and make plays the next half!”
I attribute Matty’s improved play in the second half to TJ’s “PROMISES” backed by persuasive precedent if he kept on sucking and blaming the coaches for it. TJ is THE ENFORCER, baby! ;+)
A Dog's Heart
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
Author Unknown
by LocoLoboChico on Oct 4, 2011 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Enforcer?
If by enforcer you mean, washed up asshole that put out #1 pick on the shelf and probably set his development back an entire season, … then yeah. Enforcer it is I guess.
RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
by ARROWHEADSHANE on Oct 4, 2011 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ironic that Jones is the one breaking them up.
Why the hell didn’t he just break Cassel’s thumb?
Would have done us all a favor.
RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
by ARROWHEADSHANE on Oct 4, 2011 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Me too
When he plays with an edge he looks like a different QB.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Rec, rec, rec
a million times, REC!
I too owe an apology to TJax, but not for everything. He still has some splainin to do.
I also need to say a meek “sorry” to Dex, but it too is conditional.
Otherwise, I don’t think anyone is owed anything after the Sucktember we, as fans, endured. Maybe in a few weeks I can have my own crow-eating party. Not yet. I’ll certainly never apologize to Jackie Battle (well, there may be completely astronomical circumstances) and KC QB#7 will first have to earn his name back before I apologize to him.
Great post, brotha! Love it!
Yeah, Battle is a stretch
But he actually looked like an NFL caliber power back out there. I’ve never seen him do that before in a game that actually counted.
I find it very, very interesting that he got the carries at the end of the game, and not TJ. I’m praying Haley sees what we’re all seeing (well, not all of us, but most of us).
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
by MNchiefsfan on Oct 4, 2011 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The fact that he can actually run
made the choice over TJ almost automatic, to be honest. I was about to puke knowing the game was on the line and butterfingers was toting the rock.
TJ most likely told Battle he'd break his thumbs too.
And to give TJ some credit – he did a helluva job helping Albert double-team J-Allen. I saw at least 3 times he helped Albert shut down Jared in the 2nd half. Of course, he was probably trying to break Jared’s thumbs while he was at it. But … heeeyyyyy … whatever works, my man. TJ is the best RB we got at pass pro. And I think having a RB that’s a good pass pro/blitz pick-upper is often overlooked and under appreciated. We especially need one blocking for Matty. Hell, we need a whole Pit Bull Pack protecting Matty in the backfield alone.
A Dog's Heart
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
Author Unknown
by LocoLoboChico on Oct 4, 2011 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions
McClain is there to block
We don’t need TJ around just to block. McClain is a better runner IMO, and can do just as good of a job as TJ in protection. He’s a respected veteran, and will remain with the team the rest of the season, but he’s basically dead weight as far as on field production. This is obviously his last hurrah before he hangs the cleats up next offseason
by Chiefs08Matt on Oct 4, 2011 5:27 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
As usual, Loco, you're taking the words out of my mouth.
And I believe that the enhancement in pass pro makes him a better runner, because it’s harder for defenses to pigeonhole the offense with the personnel package you’re using. They need to use Battle sparingly, because of that. If I could get ‘em at decent rates, I’d have all my HBs in the Jones mold, and spend the excess on better linemen and wide receivers.
Chiefs ran and threw the ball out of that offset ‘I’. Gotta love it.
would of ≠ would've
If I could get ‘em at decent rates, I’d have all my HBs in the Jones mold, and spend the excess on better linemen and wide receivers.
Two years ago, sure. But he’s too slow to be anything but decent without a great O-line. Go back and watch some of his carries. He left at least another 30 yards on the field out there by being too slow to hit the hole.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Being from the same mold doesn't mean being the same old
He’s pretty obviously saying he prefers a more all-around complete back.
Jones’ skillset that made his career: Great vision, patience / willingness to cutback / solid blocker / good at reading blitz in pass pro
He’s not a one-trick pony sort of back, and that’s led to his longevity. That’s the skill set that really makes an E-P style offense click. He’s just too far past prime now to be the threat he once was.
Putting his skill set into a 25 year old body without the wear and tear makes an ideal HB in the offensive system we’re trying to run. Versatility to do anything asked.
We Don't Hear The Hate
Being from the same mold doesn’t mean being the same old
I have to bow to the awesomeness of that retort. Absolutely wordless. That. Was. Awesome.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Good thought on the pass protection
A very undervalued aspect to being a RB. But like ChiefsMatt said below, why not just have McClain in there?
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Yeah
But at least he came through. We’ll see what happens this next week.
If I’m Haley I’m divvying up the carries between Dex, Battle, and McClain. Just to see how Battle does. Then go back to TJ only if you have to.
OR just sign Slaton and release TJ.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Slaton was picked up already
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Oct 5, 2011 6:15 AM CDT up reply actions
I had a Vikings fan with a green mohawk come up to me at halftime...
And laugh at my 2010 division champions shirt and say “Congratulations, your team won the worst division in football last year! What’s that get you?” In a condescending sort of voice. I had to laugh at him considering his hairdo And one of the fellow ‘viking’ fans in his little group was wearing a Raiders hat with his Vikings jersey. Real classy peeps there…
by Chiefs08Matt on Oct 4, 2011 3:48 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
What's it get you?!
Seriously? My response probably would have been “A Division Champions Tee Shirt”. But I would have extended my middle finger and also added that his team was sitting at home.
RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
by ARROWHEADSHANE on Oct 4, 2011 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Believe me, i felt like it
But I’m not even gonna glorify that dudes idiotic comment with a response. He didn’t deserve it. Our play on the field did all the talking IMO
by Chiefs08Matt on Oct 4, 2011 5:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Its only one game
We played like crap the first two and half games. The Vikings are rebuilding and not ready for prime time. Were a work in progress and trying to find our identity. I remember after the first two games everybody want to fire Crennel. Last week everybody wanted to cut Succop. We can’t get on players band wagons when they have one ,two or three good games and we can’t have their heads on a silver platter when they have a bad game. I think the post was good to point out who is playing good and who deserves a chance to play more.I’m just saying we shouldn’t get to high on players when they do good and get mad at players when they make a mistake. Were still a work in progress.
Very good thought on moderation
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
imo sheff has shown some ability, and has missed less tackles than 3rd rounder justin houston, I consider both to be rookies at this point
cassel is a nice QB with heart…but with the game on the line, I dont trust him. period.
dex was a massive overreaction by fans, I dont get how people hopped off that bandwagon so quickly. he was a key part of why we won the division with that punt return, and then had basically a year long high ankle sprain…..People calling for him to be cut should be ashamed. way early for that. I can sort of understand succop, but I do NOT understand mccluster before year two.
T-jax, those of us who stayed strong supporting him feel good, but typically those who did also supported cassel heavily, like me, and feel a bit silly to buy in
I think as a whole everyone including media needs to stop making big judgements off one game
as for battle, I thought he earned his pink slip, but hey, heck of a couple plays at the end of the viking game
Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt
Agree and rec'd.
And not just the punt return for Dex. It was great to see a FOOTBALL player and a PLAYMAKER in that little package. We forget how many times, even in those first couple games before the ankle injury, that the Chiefs went to him in clutch situations, converting on 3rd downs when nobody else had been the entire year, before. And it wasn’t like they helped him a whole lot. Gave him the ball with a LB in his face, and he faked the guy out of his shoes and got those 4 yards.
Dex is a money player. I’d say even more so than Jamaal, which is heresy in these parts, but he’s a better receiver, and secures the ball better than Jamaal. I’ve even go so far as to say he’s better in protections than Jamaal. More instinctive. Jamaal’s an athlete who molded himself into a great football player. McCluster’s a football player who happens to be a freak athlete.
would of ≠ would've
whoa
and secures the ball better than Jamaal
Jamaal has fumbled 10 times on 667 touches (runs + receptions + returns) during his career. That’s only 1.5% of his total touches. Dex has fumbled 4 times on only 131 touches, or 3% of the time. The numbers argue Dex is twice as prone to give up the ball than Jamaal.
He's a better receiver
Who’s averaging about 3 YPC?
He’s better with securing the ball… despite fumbling way more than JC?
I love Dex, and I’m excited about his contributions, but he doesn’t have JC’s vision or patience, nor does he have the ability to shake tackles that JC does.
All things told… Dex has rushed for barely over 150 yards this season. To anoint him as better than a guy who put up 1400 last year and tied the NFL all time record for YPC in a season is a stretch that no yoga could prepare you for.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
To be fair, YPC is a silly stat to bring up here
When it seems like every other pass play this year has been a screen behind the LOS to Dex with 2 people in his face.
I love screens as a change of pace to slow down an aggressive defense. But when you can count on 2-3 screens per drive, it’s getting very very old.
We Don't Hear The Hate
I did read the context.
The first line is “He’s a better receiver” – immediately followed by “Who’s averaging about 3 YPC?”
Now if you mosey on over to NFL.com and look at Dex’s stats on the year, (and here’s a convenient link ) you’ll note the following:
Receiving, Dex is averaging 3.1 yards per reception on the year.
Rushing, Dex is averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
5.9 is decidedly farther from 3 than 3.1 is.
We Don't Hear The Hate
I mean, did I miss something? (always possible, esp in the a.m. before full coffee fuel injection)
mills calls Dex a better receiver than Charles
MN says “better receiver” then cites his YPC of 3 – when dex’s per carry average while rushing this year is double that.
If I missed it, I’ll gladly take my lumps. I’m literally still bleary-eyed this morning (just can’t get going today for some reason).
But that’s sure how it looks from this end.
We Don't Hear The Hate
Here is the context
“To anoint him as better than a guy who put up 1400 last year and tied the NFL all time record for YPC in a season is a stretch that no yoga could prepare you for.”
This refers to Charles’ rushing yards last season. Not receiving. The point MN is making is that supposing Dex to be superior to this is a large stretch.
Did he mention receiving yards in his statement? Yes. They were not the context of the final argument though.
And you'll note the whole reason I posted was pointing out bringing up his receiving yards per catch was skewed
You may be stuck on the “Charles YPC” part. I was pretty clearly talking about Dex’s receiving this season of 3 yards per catch. And why that’s kind of a fallacy due to all the screens.
He brought up the point of receiving yards. I discussed that point. If you don’t want that part of his comment discussed, maybe convince him that he shouldn’t post it at all in his argument if you feel it doesn’t matter in the context?
Plus, it still says nothing about your jumping on me for the YPC = Yards Per Carry! bit, when it clearly wasn’t on the part I was refuting.
We Don't Hear The Hate
The reason I was "jumping on" you
as you put it, was because you said the stat was silly and immediately went to the passes behind the LOS.
MN was saying that the comparison can’t be made on those things especially when Charles had 1400+ yards and led the league with 6.4 (give or take) yards per carry last season.
I certainly wasn’t jumping on you. I was pointing out what I thought was a misunderstanding on your part. Continue arguing, if you must. My apologies for offending your delicate sensibilities.
Receiving yards were very much a part of the ongoing discussion
Mills brought them up. MN continued on with them.
I showed why citing Dex’s yards per reception (which you still incorrectly tried to correct me on) were misleading due to screens. That’s it. It really was that simple.
Didn’t misread anything or take anything out of context. The discussion is that mills thinks Dex has a more complete skill set than Charles. That goes beyond just rushing yards per carry.
I actually happen to agree with MN that Charles is as complete (or moreso) skill-wise as Dex. But using Dex’s receiving yards per catch this year should be thrown out as any form of “proof” of his receiving ability, which is exactly the point MN was trying to make while refuting mills’ point about Dex as a receiver vs Charles as a receiver.
And when you get right down to the “delicate sensibilities” crap, you’ve finally devolved into being condescending in an attempt to – do what, I have no idea. But it’s pretty obnoxious considering you butted in trying to point out how wrong I was reading something that I wasn’t misreading at all.
So, thanks?
We Don't Hear The Hate
Just looking at the argument from two separate angles
I guess.
Sorry for coming off as condescending.
Again, as stated before, I was replying to what appeared to me as a misunderstanding. I wasn’t trying to turn it into a big debate.
It's all good man.
Plus it’s the a.m. – half the time I’m pretty lucky to find my own feet in the morning. Probably because I sleep way less than I should.
At the end of the day, we should all track down MN and burn his village and steal their horses (people still do that, right?) for saying “YPC” of 3 when really he means “YPR” – which I should have probably clarified instead of repeating.
Though in looking all this up, I did learn something. Dex is still averaging 5.9 yards per rushing attempt. We need to get the little dude more touches dammit!
I mean, I knew he was doing well. But I didn’t realize he was still hovering around 6.
Instead of screens, we should just run sweeps / stretch plays / cutbacks instead if they want to get him the ball on the edge. Apparently it’s paying off far better.
We Don't Hear The Hate
I agree
the inside zone concepts would/should work very well with Dex. Allow him to use his vision and make shit happen. He’s so sudden in his cuts that if we can get any movement/create lanes by the o-line, inside zone should be HUGE with him. That makes it possible to NOT head straight for the edge every time.
I'm also anticipating Dex having more open space
As teams are more likely to plan around Bowe AND Breaston after the last couple of weeks…
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Hey, it's relevant in that JC saw some passes like that too
And made them work with more success. But yes, a LOT of his poor yards per catch is due to the poor playcalling. But it’s still at least a little relevant when someone’s trying to claim Dex is a better receiver than JC (which is, as I’m sure you see, the point I’m arguing against).
I’m not saying Dex is a bad pass catcher. I’m just saying (with a lot more words) that there’s no evidence that he’s better at it than JC.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
And I agree. I think they're pretty equal.
Just saying that quoting his 3 YPR this season is a little skewed.
I swear the first two games especially the idea of throwing the ball any deeper than 1 yard behind the LOS was a concept that hadn’t occurred to anyone.
It was mindboggling and frustrating as hell.
We Don't Hear The Hate
Yep
Teams have clearly geared towards stopping Dex when he’s in the game. We need to do 3 things about that
A) use him as a decoy more often
B) Continue to get the ball to Bowe AND Breaston
C) Get Baldwin healthy
Do those 3 things, especially the last 2, and teams will have to game plan for things besides Dex. Which gives him a significantly better chance to break big plays on those little screens and tosses.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I'm excited to see 3 WR sets with the Killer B's
Then run some scissor type routes with Bowe and Breaston crossing a few times, alternating who heads deep down the sideline and who shoots across the middle.
As soon as coverage softens up after doing that a couple of times – the outside run to that side is going to have a lot of space for a little burner like Dex.
We Don't Hear The Hate
Good God
When JC and Meaki are healthy, if Baldwin reaches even 75% of his potential, we have a great great offense…
IF we solve the QB issue, whether that’s Cassel or someone else.
If Cassel doesn’t play the entire rest of the year like the 2nd half of that Vikings game, we have to go QB in the draft. We just have to. Because our offense has plenty of weapons, and we just can’t sit back and let mediocre QB play hold it back.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Yeah, I think it should be a foregone conclusion at this point honestly.
If Cassel doesn’t take the next step this year and take the offense by the horns and make it his – it’s time to move on in 2012.
If he does, then we win. If he doesn’t, at least we know where we are and we’ll get someone who will.
We Don't Hear The Hate
Yeah, Sheff's missed fewer tackles
And has also been on the field a lot less. And completely sucked at rushing the passer, the only thing he’s been asked to do consistently.
I do not get everyone’s obsession with Sheff. He’s shown some ability, but was vastly outplayed by Houston in the preseason in every single aspect of the game, ESPECIALLY pass rushing.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I'm with you on Sheff
Houston should be seeing the snaps.
But, on a positive note, at least (to quote Loco) Hot Rod the Stud has proven to be the ST player of the year we all knew he was. At least that experiment is over.
Yeah Studie is a good depth guy and great ST guy
But i’m glad Houston jumped up to the top of the depth chart, and did it early.
I’m still torn on Sheff. Part of me really wants that feel-good story to unfold: late round pick, scary neck injury his rookie year in the pre-season that makes him miss his first season, heals up – makes a real mark on the league despite adversity, RU-DY! RU-DY! RU-DY!
But my eyes tell me Houston has better tools over all, and Sheff is probably at most a good depth OLB.
We Don't Hear The Hate
Your eyes and my eyes
Are seeing the same thing
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Crap! I know that too...
Thanks
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
No Problem
The version you used is used too, but typically relates to Japanese “Jujitsu” but with the Gracie Brothers reference, it led to the “Jiu Jitsu”
Definitely appreciate the analogy though
Hey, I appreciate having knowledge dropped on me!
Learn something new every day…
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Big MMA fan? :)
Who is the greatest PFP fighter in the world? And who wins between Silva and Jones?
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
You can apologize all you want....
It’s much better than hearing the coach do it every week. (No apologies needed for the ( )).
Tend to disagree about Sheffield.
I don’t think he’s an elite player, with as much potential flash as Houston, but he plays with very good leverage and, as advertised, he has a real nose for the ballcarrier. I like him in the nickel, in ADDITION to Hali and Houston, as an enforcer against those pesky draws, and a potential pass rusher.
The kid’s going to notch a few sacks before all is said and done. But I think the other threats on defense have to mature and gain some notoriety. And I REALLY like him as the 3rd OLB. Simply a better athlete than Studebaker, imo.
would of ≠ would've
He has a real nose for the ball carrier
As evidenced by what, exactly? In the preseason Houston was much stronger against the run. Since then, Shef hasn’t been asked to do much run support. So what are you basing that opinion on? (not trying to come off like a jackass, just genuinely curious. Where are people getting all this “he’s shown so much ability” stuff with him?).
Now, having all 3 on the field at one time may work. And I do like Sheff better than Stude.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Will not argue that he's a better athlete than Studebaker
Just about everyone is (that might include Gregg!). I think he’s another guy that is going to be in the mold of Demorrio Williams and be a second-and-a-half tier player who is good at STs. Still have too many of those on our roster.
I agree
What’s encouraging is that just last year, 2.5 players were still dotting our roster.
A few years ago, 2.5 players were some of our BETTER players, with many of our starters being 1.0 or 1.5 players (remember Pat Thomas as our starting MLB? He made Belcher look like a Pro Bowler)
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Quick correction..
By “dotting our roster,” I meant in starting spots. Now, it seems at every position we have guys who are better than “ST guy,” with an argument to be made regarding Belcher and slot WR (get well Baldwin! I want Breaston in the slot!)
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Yessir.
And that overall roster progress is why I’m still not convinced we should roll over this season.
We have a much better team top to bottom. We just got off to a terrible start out of the gate this year because we didn’t handle that twilight zone episode (rod serling, not sparkly vampires – for all you kiddies out there) that was the offseason.
If we can get our feet back under us and go, say, 3-1 in the next 4 games, we’re sitting at .500 halfway through the season. And that will pretty much always leave a team in the hunt in the AFC West.
We Don't Hear The Hate
For that to happen
Cassel will have to play like he did in the 2nd half agains the Vikes (not including his choking when we had the chance to ice the game), and do it consistently.
If that happens, I can see it. And wouldn’t that be AWESOME to be good enough to compete without 2 of our best 3 players, and another of our better offensive players?
But I don’t have much faith in Cassel.
Lord, please let me be wrong… Let Cassel suddenly “get it” and Haley/Muir suddenly open up our offense… Please? PLEASE?
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Its Okay, SC
You can refer to KCQB#7 as “The Beav” from now on. (chompy, chompy, chompy!!!)
He wants to do good! He really, really, really, really does!
A Dog's Heart
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
Author Unknown
by LocoLoboChico on Oct 5, 2011 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions
No Apology to Belcher?
Guy’s been as solid as I’ve ever seen him. Has more tackles than anyone on the team. Always around the ball.
There are two kinds of worries - those you can do something about and those you can't. Don't spend any time on the latter.
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