Kansas City Chiefs vs Broncos: Breaking Down The O-Line Film
by Bewsaf on Nov 14, 2011 10:14 AM CST
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Week #10
The Kansas City Chiefs lose to the Denver Broncos, 10-17. The Chiefs drop to 4-5 on the season and are currently on a 2 game losing streak in which they have only scored a total of 13 points.
The Chiefs ended up averaging 5.6 yards per carry in the Broncos game...but that is no indication on how the offense did or how the line blocked. This week the Chiefs offensive line come away with pedestrian grades in the running game. My biggest disappointment during the Broncos game was the performance of Casey Wiegmann in the pass blocking game and the effort of Johnathan Baldwin when blocking (TE grades and Baldwin's comments, here).
Jon Asamoah has the best game of all the Chiefs' lineman, by far. He ends the day with a 95% run blocking assignments grade and a 93% pass blocking assignment grade. A nice bounce back from his performance last week against the Dolphins.
Let's take a look at the rest of those grades...
| Team Run Blocking |
Power Blocking |
Power Blocking Score |
2nd Level Blocks |
||||
| Did the lineman get the job done or not? These grades are good for understanding value for a team and not necessarily for comparing across teams. A game in the mid 80s to 90% is a decent score. |
How often did the offensive lineman dominate the block or how often did he get dominated? These scores are good for comparing across teams and finding the most dominant lineman in the league. |
Anything over zero is a good score. The more over zero the more the lineman dominated the defender. Each lineman is scored a minus for being dominated, a zero for a draw, or a plus for dominating the defender. |
The number of successes over failures for the lineman when blocking linebackers and safeties on the second level. The lineman must be athletic to accomplish a high second level score. |
Run Blocking Grades
| Percent |
Grade Bar |
Power |
Pull |
2/Level |
|||||||||||
| Grade |  |
|
Blocking |
Blocks |
Blocks |
||||||||||
| Albert |
89% |
 |
+2 |
0 |
0 |
||||||||||
| Lilja | 80% |
|
0 |
0 |
+1 |
||||||||||
| Wiegmann | 85% |
|
-1 |
0 |
0 |
||||||||||
| Asamoah | 95% |
 |
0 |
+1 |
+1 |
||||||||||
| Richardson | 80% |
|
-1 |
0 |
0 |
||||||||||
Run Blocking Notes:
- At 6:48 in the 1st quarter, Jon Asamoah has a nice motor after he engages and drives the defender 5 yards down field.
- Ryan Lilja picks up a nice 2nd level block at 11:38 in the 3rd quarter. That block spring Jackie Battle for a nice run. Lilja ends the day with a 80% run blocking grade.
- There is one thing I see on other AFC West teams when I grade them that I don't see when I look at the Chiefs...double team drive blocks. I have not seen the Chiefs do many of these, and when they have done them they haven't driven the defender off the ball like the other teams.
- I love Ryan Lilja's motor on the back side of a sweep at 6:20 in the 3rd quarter.
- Like I said in the intro, the Chiefs averaged 5.6 yards per carry against the Broncos. Those numbers in isolation would indicate the Chiefs had a good run blocking day. But after grading the lineman, it appears that some of them scored in the low 80s.
- If you would like to see how the Chiefs linemen have done over the past games, then look here.
| Team Pass Blocking |
Passing Power Blocking |
Pressures | Combo Help |
||||
| Did the lineman get the job done or not? These grades are good for understanding value for a team and not necessarily for comparing across teams. A game in the 90% is a good score for pass blocking. |
How often did the offensive lineman dominate the block or how often did he get dominated? Each lineman is scored a minus for being dominated, a zero for a draw, or a plus for dominating the block. | How often did the offensive lineman give up pressure on the quarterback? Every once and a while a lineman can do his job but give up pressure on the QB. This stat will help glean more info from the line grades. |
How often did the offensive coordinator provide help for a tough defender or a struggling lineman. Yea, two lineman ended up with the same grade...but how much help did either of them get? |
Pass Blocking Grades
| Percent |
Grade Bar |
Power |
Pressures |
Sacks |
Combo |
|||||||||||
| Grade | |
|
Blocking |
Allowed |
Allowed |
Help |
||||||||||
| Albert |
82% |
 |
-4 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
||||||||||
| Lilja | 79% |
|
-4 |
6 |
0 |
10 |
||||||||||
| Wiegmann | 80% |
|
-5 |
7 |
0 |
15 |
||||||||||
| Asamoah | 93% |
|
0 |
1 |
0 |
14 |
||||||||||
| Richardson | 80% |
|
-5 |
6 |
1 |
10 |
||||||||||
Pass Blocking Notes:
- For the second week in a row, the Chiefs pass blocking was not good...and the TEs and Backs pass blocking was worse. Only Jon Asamoah can say he did a good job pass blocking this week.
- At 12:55 in the 1st quarter Leonard Pope and Johnathan Baldwin team up and allow the defender to beat them both for a sack. Not very good blocking by Pope and poor effort by Baldwin. See TEs and Backs Film Breakdown, here.
- At 4:09 in he 1st quarter, the offensive line lets a defender go free. There were 3 rushers and 2 lineman to block. The back in the backfield never looks in the direction of the blitz.
- At 13:44 in the 2nd quarter, Barry Richardson gets beat on the rush. LeRon McClain is there to pick the defender up, but he fails to stop the rusher and gives up a sack.
- At 11:16 in the 3rd quarter, Jon Asamoah pulls for a dummy run and play action pass. Richardson must step inside to fill the vacated spot that Asamoah just left and a defender rushes past his right shoulder (Rich stepped left). In that situation, Pope has to pick up the defender that shoots the gap...but he doesn't. On the same play, Branden Albert misses a linebacker loop stunt to his outside.
- 13:26 in the 1st quarter, Branden Albert gets beat and then gets a holding call.
- The Chiefs need to work on their cut blocks. Both their tackles, especially Albert, are the worst cut blockers in the AFC West. They frequently miss or don't get enough of the defender. 3:38 in the 4th quarter is a good example where Albert misses a quick pass cut block and the defender drills Cassel after the throw.
- As always, the tight ends and backs grades are, here.
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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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Rec'd as always, thanks for the detailed info
Not that you need recs being a contributor. But still, a little token of appreciation.
We’ve got a lot of improving to do.
Bewsaf, do you think that having our O Line coach take over as OC and still be O Line coach is negatively affecting the line play? Seems like they needed a dedicated coach to keep things running smoothly, and to keep the youngsters developing. OC Is a big plate full of responsibilities that take away from that, I think.
We Don't Hear The Hate
I'm not sure about that
The running backs behind the offensive line, IMO, are just average (if that). And this line is built for a home run hitter. They are going to struggle (have ups and downs) all year due to that fact.
I don't know
JC is great, but if he’s getting hit in the backfield all the time like Dex/Battle/Jones even he will struggle.
Me and Matt Cassel just - you up, dog!
by ChiefWarPaint on Nov 14, 2011 10:32 AM CST up reply actions
Asamoah
is going to be a beast for the Chiefs for a very long time. Love the kid. He needs an easier name to spell though.
I like Smith or Brown.
Very easy IMO.
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 Nov 14, 2011 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
Very pumped.
I hope Rodney Hudson can be brought in to the starting lineup next season much the same as Big Jon has. He’s been a very bright spot in the season IMO
I hear...
they’re printing up milk cartons with pictures of our offensive line. Now been missing two weeks, last seen playing with some guys in Oakland.
Blame my wife!
Just because I haven't responded, doesn't mean you won the argument!
by sir eccles on Nov 14, 2011 10:15 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
yes the Oline is not looking good
Team moves the football, but gets stopped after a couple of downs. Palko was same as Cassel.
I may be time for hudson in, and Wigman out.
by Bigcherokeechief on Nov 14, 2011 10:17 AM CST reply actions
I'm ready to see Lilja and Weigmann on the bench and replaced by Albert at LG and Hudson at C
Gaither to LT. Now if there was only a replacement for B-Rich at RT. The older, undersized O-lineman are only going to get more worn down by younger, bigger, stronger D-lineman as the season progresses. There’s a reason those two guys were cut by their previous teams before ending up on the Chiefs roster
I was thinking the same thing.
We would be very strong up the middle with Albert at LG and Asamoah at RG. The next five games are tough. I think I would wait to put Hudson in until the last two games.
I wouldn't mind seeing them call up Mims
there is no way he could do any worse
Men succeed when they realize that their failures are the preparation for their victories.
Oh yes there is.
Mims was getting destroyed by 3rd and 4th teamers in pre-season, he would not be able to handle1 st stringers
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 Nov 14, 2011 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
I didn't get why they had Baldwin in the backfield blocking
McClain should have been back there
Men succeed when they realize that their failures are the preparation for their victories.
agreed
And McCluster shouldn’t be pass blocking either, he’s too small to stop a blitzing LB. Let McClain or Battle stay back to pass block.
by Lee Gardner III on Nov 14, 2011 10:30 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
A little misdirection
Upgrade the rookie’s repertoire a little bit, he didn’t do half-bad once he got more snaps in.
He’s a toy for Haley specifically to play with, if he’s coming off the edge like Moeaki what LB could cover him?
Me and Matt Cassel just - you up, dog!
by ChiefWarPaint on Nov 14, 2011 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
You need to have a QB who will find him as an outlet, and not only when the pass to McCluster is called in the huddle.
There’s been very little “taking what’s given” in this offense. Some of that’s on the O-Line, for sure, but a lot of it’s on the QB, especially when it comes to what I call the pick ‘n’ roll game with the ‘backs. Those throws to the ’backs seem either designed or nonexistent. There’s rarely an instance where the QB buys time, the defense expands, and there’s little-ole runningback in space.
That’s why I’m sort of excited to see what Palko can do. He has more streetball in his game. The issue with HIM is going to be if he can hit anybody down the field.
would of ≠ would've
This is what I don't understand.
And how many times do they run that formation ? The coaches just have me baffled as to what’s going on. I don’t understand how they don’t make changes. Clearly something needs changed, yet they do the same exact CRAP every week. Shit I think we could get any 22 guys from AP, to go and coach more wins than what we have.
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by dbakerku on Nov 14, 2011 11:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
How can i apply :)
Go luck yourself.
by ottawachiefsfan on Nov 14, 2011 12:05 PM CST up reply actions
I think they're also trying to get Baldwin off the line untouched.
Starting him out behind the line achieves this.
but with ANY of those formations, I really want to see the Chiefs run and throw successfully out of the same looks.
would of ≠ would've
It's because those are Tony Moeaki plays that they've inserted Baldwin.
Problem is Moeaki is the best blocking, non-lineman on the team.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Nov 14, 2011 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
Why isnt Gaither playing?
Why sign the guy and then don’t play him?
by Lee Gardner III on Nov 14, 2011 10:26 AM CST via mobile reply actions
question of the day
I saw him come in for a few snaps…
and he plays on ST…
it sure seems like he’s an upgrade over Barry
i agree
At this point what would it hurt to put Gaither in over Barry?
by Lee Gardner III on Nov 14, 2011 10:33 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
or put him in the backfield
that would be awesome.
weigmann looked awful the whole game. i’m surprised they didn’t take him out.
Tony Richardson, we hardly knew ye...
can he even plat RT?
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by HIV 2 Elway on Nov 14, 2011 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
He's played RT
It was one of the reasons for the fallout in Baltimore. He wanted to play LT but they got “Blind Side” and wanted him there which moved Gaither to RT.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Nov 14, 2011 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
IMO the Chiefs are too often the victim to speed on outside loops and bull rushes up the middle.
Also very susceptible to blitzes from tackle to tackle. This has got to stop. We also don’t seem to be able to execute anything that takes advantage of weaknesses exposed when an opponent blitzes. You would think practice and coaching would cure some of these ills by now. I am beginning to suspect a woefull lack of talent and skill level at several key positions as well as a need to re think our x’s and o’s. I would think a well versed coaching staff would have come up with better schemes or better adjustments.
Can’t see any one thing that can be cured easily. IMO it is a few glaring hole in skill sets plus a lack of x’s and o’s to overcome those weaknesses. I see this on both Offense and Defense sides.
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
scheming
I agree that the coaching staff HAS to find a way to adjust on the fly and take what the defense gives them.
The Broncos CLEARLY realize their weaknesses and strengths, and have adjusted accordingly.
KC SHOULD be able to do the same…
- Keep extra blockers in and run quick routes, screens, etc. when the pass rush/blitz is too much
Isn’t it common to run screens when the pass rush is beating you? Why doesn’t KC do that more?
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especially when Denver was blitzing over and over again..
they were in our backfeild all day..especially Miller…..and it usually wasnt just one guy that didnt get picked up, it was 2-3-4 of em….then you add Cassel who sees the blitz coming and thinks he should hold the ball for a few more seconds because his recievers dont have their defenders beat by 5 yards yet….
Playoffs are a REAL possibility in 2010...just need few tweeks here and there.
I think a big chunk of it's on Cassel.
They dialed up a screen and it was poorly executed.
I really want to see Dex/McClain being used better in that part of the KC offense. I think both ‘backs are up to the challenge, if there’s a QB who understands that game and can execute it. My confidence in Cassel’s ability to do that is quite low.
would of ≠ would've
It's weird
We were running way too many screens early in the season when people were only rushing their front four. And the screens were getting killed for no gain or negative yards.
Now that people are sending the house, we don’t run the screens.
Odd.
We Don't Hear The Hate
they can't block long enough...
to even run a screen….maybe they could long snap it to Cassel.
That's what appeared to happen to them the one time they had the screen dialed-up
But I’ve seen Dex give a good ENOUGH chip to give a decent QB eNOUGH time to find him in the soft spot. I’m hopeful that Palko has “it.”
would of ≠ would've
Timing and Trust??
When was the last time we ran a simple quick slant to one of our huge WR’s? When was the last time we have seen a true timing throw from Cassel? Cannot expect defense to allow 4 to 5 seconds to throw each time we drop back.
talk about adjusting
i’m no coach but when the other team is in your backfield all day, is it the right move to be running the play action all the time(or so it seems to be)?
Go luck yourself.
by ottawachiefsfan on Nov 14, 2011 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
the future of the OL...
I still think 80% of the pieces are there for a GREAT young OL
Gaither*Albert*Hudson*Asamoah*Rookie
or
Albert*Lilja/Rookie*Hudson*Asamoah*Gaither
or
Rookie*Albert*Hudson*Asamoah*Gaither
by stagdsp on Nov 14, 2011 10:39 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Isn't Gaither just on a one year deal?
Will he want to resign here if he doesn’t even get to start over Barry Richardson?
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I'm guessing there's a long term plan in the works
like, they are bringing Gaither along slowly this year, but will re-sign him as a starter going forward.
IMO (or best guess) Gaither's back is still not right.
Chiefs may be waiting for time to heal it and then sign him to a longer deal. That could be best and free up a high pick or FA signing that will be put to good use in one of several other areas of need.
I like Lilja but he gets caved in way too often and is not effective at drive blocks needed in many short yardage situations.
You would think a ZBS team would excel at screen plays where they rely on timing , footwork and getting out in space at the next level. This team seems to have feet of clay when it comes to executing screens. Either they just don’t practice them or the players don’t have the skill set. Seems a waste of opportunity as is our lack of quick opening pass plays when opponent blitzes.
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
a dude that large with a back injury
is going to need a LOT of recovery time. it’s probably pretty taxing for him to even get out of bed in the morning. 300+ pounds is a lot of weight to carry around.
also, screens would work better if they were able to mask them better. whenever the chiefs run them they always seem about 1 second too slow or not effectively blocked.
Tony Richardson, we hardly knew ye...
His ideal weight is less than the 340 the Ravens wanted from him.
Much smaller than 320, with that height, and he may not be an effective all-around tackle. Hard to say if there’s a sweet spot for him that he can sustain a career.
would of ≠ would've
We have to do something about this line
It has been absolutely terrible the last two games. It is the primary source of all offensive woes. Cassel is only an average QB, he doesn’t have the ability to overcome or to a real degree, help his o-line play better.
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by Scaryclouds on Nov 14, 2011 10:51 AM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
I'm over football!
The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred!
by wwJamaalCharlesdo on Nov 14, 2011 10:59 AM CST reply actions
I know it's a lot of work
but I’d like to see how other teams grade on this system. Like, how the team that dominated us did, for example.
I took the headline the wrong way ...
I thought the Broncos already broke down the offensive line.
by Hank44 on Nov 14, 2011 11:02 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I can't wait to replace brich
And lilja
by chiefsman! on Nov 14, 2011 11:27 AM CST via mobile reply actions
J Charles
Really covered up a multitude of weaknesses on the line. Give him a crease and he could make a big play. Remember how awful the line was with LJ? Well, Charles had huge days with the same line. This O line just isn’t talented enough to be used as a weapon. They can’t carry the day with average running backs and an average QB. Richardson doesn’t cut it. I think he was trying to apply suntan lotion to a DE running around him at one point. Or maybe it was just a gentle massage. Right now, the Chiefs are afraid of the blitz. Every good offense WANTS a defense to blitz because you can get big plays. They need the backs and TEs to attack on blitz pickups. They need to change their approach. Ah, forget it. They’ll be lucky to win 1 or 2 games the rest of the year. Bring on the draft.
Chiefs need to
bag this zbs & get some horses up front that can take on these huge D-fronts.
John Soellner
The oline wasn't great but Cassel made them look a whole lot worse then they actually were.
Some games his pocket presence is ok and others(like yesterday) its awful. Yesterday he constantly kept stepping up into pressure instead of going to the openings.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
Yesterday it was definitely not vice versa.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Nov 14, 2011 12:54 PM CST up reply actions
Baldwin needs to step it up.
I love his skills and I’m glad he gets fired up about going down the field to make bog catches, but he needs to get fired up about blocking and running precise routes. Or else he’s gonna be a giant, lanky waste of space.
by bamachief5558 on Nov 14, 2011 12:37 PM CST via mobile reply actions
he's not a tight end
and shouldn’t be asked to do the work of a tight end
The only measure of true success in the NFL is the Vince Lombardi trophy. Anything less is a rationalization.
dominated
this was a really poor effort from the offensive linemen, especially in pass blocking. they looked undersized and outmanned, especially wiegmann and richardson. hudson should come in and learn in game situations, as we’ll probably lose the next 5 in a row anyway. i can’t name the number of times i saw wiegmann on the ground at the end of a play. i’m no offensive lineman expert, but i would put the line as the number 1 reason the offense has been so inept lately. we need major upgrades this offseason at RT and C (C we have, Albert could move to RT if we draft a premium LT with the 5th or 6th pick (5-11).
I'm surprised Wiegmann rated so high
It seemed like every time Cassel dropped back, I saw Wiegmann get shoved backwards like he had been shot with a cannonball. He looked horrendous.
I’m glad to see Asamoah bounced back. He can be an anchor as he matures.
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Yeah, he got pushed back, but he also stayed engaged. When it's 5 on 4, and all your guys are staying engaged,
the QB should have a pretty easy time maneuvering back there. But he needs to have some pocket awareness and an understanding of how the bodies are flying around. Cassel doesn’t seem to have that instinct/vision.
would of ≠ would've
Agreeed Gentry
Wiegman numbers are way overrated like Richardson he’s getting pushed around by def tackles I’ve never heard of. In both Dolphins and Broncos game he just kept getting bull rushed into Cassel lap. We need move Gaither into right tackle and go ahead put Hudson in as starter its not like Wiegman making an impact he’s getting beat every Sunday this week he’s got big Wilfork.
That's the thing, though. Against a guy BIG enough to push your C around, your QB should have the advantage in space.
Anyone big enough to push Wiegs around like that ought to look slow as molasses against an athletic QB. But the QB needs to have SOME idea of how the pass rush is structured and how his protections are structured. I’m not saying Wiegs is having a pro bowl season, but a good QB knows how to make something out of what his guys are giving him.
would of ≠ would've
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