Signs
by hmills110 on Nov 24, 2011 1:11 AM CST
Email
PrintI don't know enough to say anything definitive. Half of my overall impressions don't stand up to later film study. Here are some observations from the Patriots game, mostly from the KC defensive side, but one biggie from the offensive side.
On D, KC comes out in 2-4-5, with Amon Gordon and Wallace Gilberry in the middle, Houston, Hali, Belcher and Johnson at LB, Flowers, Carr, Washington, Lewis and Arenas in the secondary. Pretty much 8 guys in the box from the get-go. A lot of Arenas blitzing, early, but mostly 7 guys up and around the line at the snap.
It's a pretty good mix of stout and speed against New England's 2 TE package. Weak link that jumps out right away is Belcher, whose job appears to be to run to the nearest blocker and at least try to take him out of the play so somebody else can make a tackle. I'm ready to see some more Cory Greenwood, there.
Chiefs mix in Jackson inside in that same nickel. It's still looking good. The main thing seems to KEEP 5 or 6 guys at least up at the line, even if they're dropping out of it. But mixing in enough blitzes, and very active play by Hali and Houston as the upright bookends seems to be effective.
Awesome sack off the 3-man rush by Hali, Gilberry and Houston. Another Awesome sack, this time with Bailey and Gilberry in the middle. I think New England will figure out pretty quick just to hand it off when Gilberry and Bailey are together. Heh.
But even so, crashing the line with 6 or 7 defenders on every play appears to work quite well against the Patriots. And so long as they do it THROUGH the TEs and RBs, they're doing fine. When they have no answer to motioning the TE, things get a little sticky. But they're letting the TEs get off free quite a bit. It works pretty well, until Brady stops making unforced errors and people start catching the ball for him.
I think Houston's a very good all-around LB. I think Hali and Houston are both surprisingly good at covering the back out of the backfield, when they zero in and attack him, rather than waiting for him and hoping, in vain, to run with him down the field successfully. Same with TEs. They're both big enough to mix it up with OTs. They can sure as hell keep a TE out of the pattern for a couple ticks, and you can use that nickel back or safety as a blitzer, to good effect. Just don't blitz the DB AND let the TEs and RBs off the line free, OK?
On O, I'd just like to say that Lilja looked to me like the weak link. I'm sorry he got his bell rung, but I'm ready to see if Hudson can hold down the job. There are times when both tackles do a solid job of keeping the outside pass rusher from turning the corner, but end up giving up the sack, because the interior 3 are losing a 3-on-2 up the gut. That should NEVER happen when you've got the hard part right: neutralizing outside pressure 1-on-1 with your OTs.
Hudson must really SUCK if he can't crack the inside lineup. I hope Monday's game marks the beginning of a long starting career for Hudson. I'm not really interested in seeing any more Lilja.
As for QB, the concerning thing to me is the seeming obliviousness by Cassel AND Palko to do simple arithmetic and look for where the numbers favor his guys. Either Palko sucks, or coaches are hurting his game by trying to over-call things. Urban and Breaston on the right side in something close to a 2-on-1, but the ball is forced into Baldwin in a sea of blue jerseys. I know he's capable of coming down with the ball, but the best receiver on a given play is the open receiver. Stick to that (and maybe Orton will get an early chance to show how it's done), and the BBBs will get their catches. But you have to stay on the field to generate those opportunities.
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.
62 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Personally, Proff ...
I LOVED! LOVED! LOVED! when Romeo FINALLY came out with the ATTACKING defense! He even did some of the things I was calling for him to do. I posted my list in this article Heh, heh! A little arrogant bragging on my part. http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2011/11/18/2568697/kansas-city-chiefs-new-england-patriots
Anyway, I was ecstatic watching it while it lasted. My dogs already think I’m EFFING nutzzz. But I think they evacuated the premises pronto … and went out the door into hiding in the barn until I went to bed after it was over. lol
Anywho. This is the thing that drives me so nuts about Romeo (even though I get overly emotional being fed up with his conservatism. A then I shoot my stupid mouth off about things I know nothing about in regards to him): I now know beyond all unreasonable doubt he has the brains to scheme and play-call any damn D he wants to. So WHY in the hell doesn’t he do this all the time!?!? I also think I know he knows he doesn’t have the talent to do so without them eventually getting torched by good QB’s like Brady in doing so. But … so what? Die slowly, or die quickly.
If we had the O that could’ve gotten back out on the field and cut them in return, we’d have a better shot at winning. I think I know that, too. Furthermore: the young guys need to learn how to make a game a brawl anyway. The practice at rushing, blitzing and playing some press-man, jamming the hell out of the TE’s and RB’s ect. is best learned in a real game, so let them take the rest of this season to learn how for next year.
And … what the hell!?!?! Attacking every QB gives you the best chance of beating him! No QB LIKES being rushed and blitzed. Why didn’t he do all this against worse QB’s, HC’s and teams that we had a chance of beating earlier this year doing it? I know our D guys can’t go all out all game blitzing and smacking the hell out of their opponents at the line. But at least alternate this attacking D in and out more throughout the game. I’m going to be sooooo bummed if I see Romeo go back to his conservative ways against the Steelers Sunday night. Their OL is even worse!
Also, I never thought in a 1,000 years I’d say I want freaking Amon Gordon starting for us doing anything – but I’ll take him over Dorsey now, somewhat sadly. Dorsey needs to go to a 4-3 team wanting an under-tackle. I did admire how D-Wash was giving it everything he had, but the guy just doesn’t have body control, and can’t learn how to tackle and cover, sadly. I think Houston is going to be a good SOLB as well. I just hope Romeo will let him pass-rush more as he becomes better at doing everything … and let EB clean up everything behind him next season. That, and like you always say – let him smack the hell out of the TE or RB as he’s going to get the QB.
Did you notice how Powe did in the few snaps he got at the end? Did he look more powerful than Gregg? Who do you think blew the coverage on Gronk for his first TD? Was DJ supposed to slow him down off the line, and blew it? Anyway, nice write-up about your observations. I have to get some more sleep now. Have a good one!
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
Powe
He looks good to me; stout, but very active and quick. He was always an inch away from making the play, but I think with time he’ll start finishing.
That being said, he was in on the drives late in the game where the pats ran all over KC… but i think some of that was on the LBs
by stagdsp on Nov 24, 2011 6:27 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Some? Quite a lot.
But not so much on the ‘backers as on the relative passivity of the play call and the pre-snap formation. Chiefs were inviting the run, playing SOFT nickel against the 2 TE sets. Even with Solder playing some FB, I’m not convinced that the Chiefs needed to go with Gregg in the middle, so much as they needed to cheat another player or two up to the line and USE them at the line.
would of ≠ would've
I'll go thru the rest of the game. I remember suddenly realizing Powe was out there, but being a bit out of sorts.
Heh. You and I see it a lot the same. I knew as soon as I saw the long com whose signature I’d find at the bottom. What a friggin’ nutcase.
I know it’s conventional wisdom that you can’t keep blitzing all day long, and all it takes is one big play against the blitz and DC’s start worrying about their job security, and everybody says “See? You can’t blitz Manning.” But I’d rather trade 1 out of 3 quick-strike TDs, if my guys jam EVERY play, and keep the chance for big plays THEIR way open, instead of waving the white flag, and taking away their ONE chance of making life miserable for the SOB.
I think if you stay committed to the jam, your changeup gains potency, because you can line up aggressively and the jam gives your D an edge on expanding ahead of the pattern. But positioning anybody more than 10 yards off the line at the snap, to me, is an unneccessary and foolhardy concession.
I’ve been ranting on this forever and a day, now. It’s especially bad during a hydrocodone evening, when, unlike most folks and narcotics, the absence of aches and pains energizes me. Here it is, 5 a.m., and I decided to get back up, after lying around for hours, just feeling good, and letting the brain slip out of gear. Weird. But I’m having fun and I don’t reckon I’m hurtin’ anybody.
Anyhoo, I’m going to put some videos together. Been turning out 2 or 3 a week, for work, and I don’t see why I can’t do some x’s and o’s in a fun way, with Smart Tech and Camtasia voiceover. I’m thinking about buying some toys and playing with that stuff at home, anyway. It’ll help me put into words and pictures what I’m failing to describe in prose.
I agree with you about Amon Gordon, and mayhap Dorsey would be happier in a new home. I’m becoming less a fan of the 3-4, at least as it is practiced by most DCs. Dick Lebeau is an exception, but even his D is overly mutant-safety dependent.
The thing I really liked about the 2-4-5 was how close they were, finally, to a defense that allowed them to rotate ALL their guys (except, ironically, the true NTs!) on the d-line onto the field, and still keep the same themes in force in the LB corps. This is tough to explain, and may be why I keep coming back to it. It’s how I’ve learned just about everything I learned on my way to PhD. You just keep writing about it and writing about it, until it crystallizes and is a permanent part of you.
Anyway, I think they’re on to something with that nickel – 2 down linemen and 2 upright ’tweeners. If they and the pair of ILBs take a hunk out of the nearest eligible player, they pretty much stuff anything on the ground and pulverize the QB before the pattern has any chance of expanding, they can play a lot more aggressively on every down. But no more allowing any receiver to cross from outside to inside in front of a DB.
If a QB can throw the perfect out route all day long, my scheme might be in trouble, but then again, once that’s the staple of the offense, you’re in prime position for the pick-6 in the flat. Riskier? Maybe. But you’re making sure the deck is stacked with face cards and aces for BOTH sides, and the payoff on the defensive score is double. I also like the fact that big play or die gets your D off the field in a hurry.
would of ≠ would've
Vermeil could have won a dozen more games...
if we had just left the other team score and got the ball back. Instead our defense would bend and bend and bend until the clock ran out.
I also like the fact that big play or die gets your D off the field in a hurry.
"An atheist is a man who watches a Notre Dame - Southern Methodist University game and doesn't care who wins." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
by electriclight on Nov 25, 2011 11:56 AM CST up reply actions
agreed
Romeo needs to amp it up. I think he’s only done it for SD and Pats. Hmm. So, they only figure they have to risk blitzing the very good qbs?
CHIEFS DYNASTY – we’re kind of a big deal
Seems like they have a concept for the 2-4-5 that'll work pretty well against 'most anybody.
Seems like between Gordon, Gilberry, Jackson and Bailey, they have a 4-man rotation for the 2 spots. Maybe put the straight 3-4 on hold until they get Berry back, or just in short yardage. Could probably mix in some Powe or Gregg occasionally, but keep 4 LBs on the field at all times.
One of the things I didn’t like about how they were hybridizing was that they had an either-or situation, and needed to pretty much carry two different defenses, with the back 7 guys having to master totally different styles and/or have no depth for the one or the other. But with that 2-4-5, it seems like they could mix it up pretty good, and pretty much 2-deep across the board, without being stuck with a personnel grouping that’s good at the one thing but poor at the other.
would of ≠ would've
Why is it we see our D get aggressive once in a blue moon? I'm starting to ? our DC.
This scheme of checking the TE is a little late in my book, and not only did I, but it seems the players as well, enjoy being the aggressor and attacking Brady and Co.. This season seems to reveal more holes with starting caliber players. I have been harping on BRich,Belcher and Lewis for awhile now. Lilja wasn’t one, but the move to the left side seemingly disconcerted his abilities. I think both him and CW are having problems with their legs, which is common in pro ball and a sure indicator that their career is baked.
I like Lewis, I think he has too much on his table right now
It’s good when he can sit back and read the QB, but without Berry and whoever we try to throw in at SS Lewis is trying to do both safties jobs IMO.
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 24, 2011 8:06 AM CST up reply actions
I think more speed around him and he would be better.
But you really want that FS to BE the speed that makes the OTHER guys better. Cuts down on the area the LBs must cover in zone. Allows you more freedom pre-snap. Allows you to bait QBs into ill-advised deep throws. Etc.
Not surprisingly, I see some upside in Lewis as a bump-and-run corner. I think he’s a natural at engaging receivers at the line. Just from watching him get a mini try-out in that role as a rookie, I saw the basics of what I look for, in a pure press corner. I think he can do enough with the early contact to make beating him over the top a very low-percentage proposition, if his skills are complemented with enough pressure to force the ball out quickly. Put a speed demon at FS, and play more physical at the line, sez I.
would of ≠ would've
Yeah he does have some upside at both
Just with McGraw/Sabby/Washington back there, Lewis is trying to do too much IMO. I like him back deep letting him play forward towards the ball.
Brown was up and down in his role as well, what stuck out to you about his play?
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 24, 2011 8:49 AM CST up reply actions
I like Jalil Brown a lot.
Love to see them just let him play outside the hashes, with inside leverage to impede the inside move. I think he has the speed to keep up, but is at a disadvantage in man-off, because of what people call “stiff hips.” But I think if he can get his hands on a wideout, he’s one that could use the contact to
- slow the receiver
- mitigate his stiffness, by using the receiver’s desires to sort of carry him along. The one angle he’d be giving up is the one that places him between the receiver and the QB, necessitating some elevation to the ball, and I think he has the closing speed and size to finish those plays, or make it an extremely tight window that opens unpredictably on every play, because he’s slowing the receiver a lot or a little, every time.
It’s hard for me to describe, that #2. But James Hasty at his best wasn’t a real speed demon. But in combo with a strong pass rush, he made it almost impossible for the QB to complete a pass to his guy, because 2 out of 3 plays, Hasty’s holding the guy up enough for the QB to overthrow, so when they adjust to that, every 7 or 8 tries would be UNDERthrown to a James Hasty who saw it coming and just started legging it down the field, and getting an extra 5 or 10 yards beyond where he was getting on the hard jams, and the UNDERthrown ball was his.
But then I’m a “play soft on the changeup,” and not “play aggressive on the changeup.” It’s like DCs who try to set up their batters with breaking balls and off-speed pitches, before sending a heater. I’m more about straight-up challenging everybody with the heat, and you bring out the off-speed pitch after the batter is trying to get ahead of the pitch. You don’t use the 3-man rush to set up a blitz, later. You send the blitz to set up your 3-man rush.
would of ≠ would've
His future seems to be outside, not inside
However there were a few times I noticed he didn’t get a good job nor did he change direction quickly and led to a pretty open TE, othertimes he did get good hand placement and pretty much nullified the window
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 24, 2011 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
He has to be there to meet 'n' greet his opponent before the opponent gets into his route.
Squared-up to the oncoming receiver at speed, he’s at a disadvantage, imo. But then all but a very few DBs are, in that situation. But if they both start at the same spot and he initiates contact, he looks like he can run with just about anybody.
My biggest gripe about the coverage, though, was not paying EXTRA attention to everybody lined up off the ball or in motion. They’re worth taking the trouble to engage as early and aggressively as possible. 2 guys devoted to that task beats 2 safeties and a pair of LBs trying to cover 30 yards of field, from sideline to sideline, which is apparently what Crennel and Thomas think their guys do better than just going belly-to-belly with the opponent and assert their physicality (of which they have plenty, imo). Motioning the TE across the formation at the snap was like a free 5 yards Brady had in his hip pocket that whole 2nd half. I could NOT understand
would of ≠ would've
I agree with the lack of attention as you put it to motioning receivers
I didn’t catch much of the second half, so I can’t really comment on what all happened however I did like the start of the game with the physical-ness the D showed along with bringing the heat finally. That is what I want to see out of the defense, and I’m hoping we see more of it with Berry back. I can’t help but still feel the defense is just being ’wing’d out there trying to find work arounds without Berry
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 24, 2011 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
Hali got a grounding call on Brady by greeting the HB in the backfield, rather than waiting for him for a footrace.
It all just works better for the D, especially with offenses built to exploit the free release with timing routes and timing throws.
would of ≠ would've
I like Lewis a lot alos
but I wish he’d learn how to tackle. I hate when he just dives at someone to tackle, which doesn’t work too well usually.
CHIEFS DYNASTY – we’re kind of a big deal
I know what you mean.
He needs to wrap up better. But going against a guy who outweighs him by 30 or 40 pounds, and who already has a running start can be a tall order for any DB. People diss him for missing on Gronk (or was it Hernandez) on that 3rd and 2, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why he was the only guy in the vicinity of the deadly motioning TE. Hell, if it’d been a run, it was an easy first down. As it was, it was a guaranteed 1st down that went for big yards after the late-arriving tackler missed.
Blown assignment very likely. Also very likely is just a poorly designed defense for 3rd and 2.
would of ≠ would've
If it was the 3rd down missed tackle that led to the TD, that was Gronk and Washington
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 24, 2011 2:55 PM CST up reply actions
There was one by #23 being too late and another by Washington, I THINK.
Still, those completions were after zero contact at the line, IIRC. Nicce catch.
would of ≠ would've
Although I want to believe that both of those missed tackles that led to Gronk TDs
One by Lewis on the blown coverage by DJ, one by Washington. Would have brought down most other TEs, Gronk has just some amazing body control for being so big
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 25, 2011 1:55 PM CST up reply actions
well, speaking for mills
I thought Hudson was fantastic on Monday
He is the future for sure… and his position versatility gives KC some great options.
Ideally, the Chiefs need to upgrade LG, RT and C… they have Hudson, Gaither sitting there… so I am hopeful that one high-ish draft pick and maybe one for depth, and they’ll be in good shape.
That pick could be a LT:
Rook*Albert*Hudson*Asamoah*Gaither
Or LG:
Gaither*Rook*Hudson*Asamoah*Albert
Or RT:
Gaither*Albert*Hudson*Asamoah*Rook
Or C:
Gaither*Hudson*Rook*Asamoah*Albert
There are plenty of good possibilities when you have 4 guys under 26 that can play more than 1 position
by stagdsp on Nov 24, 2011 6:44 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
A lot of my previous issues with Richardson are starting to evaporate.
I think the real dysfunction is inside. At least one of LG and C needs to be BIGGER, plain and simple. Since BIGGER alone isn’t enough, I think that means spending a high pick for big, with feet.
Since Albert can play at a very high level at LG, I’d be OK with a Kalil pick, if he were still on the board when the Chiefs’ turn came.
Boy, the questions about Gaither. Oh to be a fly on the wall when the coaches are talking about what they have, there. It’d be wonderful to have something like Gaither-Albert-Hudson-Asamoah-Richardson, when the weakest link would be at RT, but not so weak as people think, especially if it’s THE weak link and not just one of 2 or 3 weak links. Besides, when I look at a lot of those no-love-for-Richardson plays, my initial reactions were a bit off, and Richardson was just a symptom of other problems.
would of ≠ would've
Your spelling has unintended double meaning.
I don’t know if Albert would re-sign or resign if asked to play LG. I’m not even sure it’s an optimal scenario. I’m just speculating on what might happen with Gaither, and the spinoffs from that.
would of ≠ would've
I don't know, CWP. I just know that I don't much care for the present.
Lilja needs help on almost every single passing down. ZBS mitigates against some of that, but it is very limiting to the offense to have such a glaring weak link. Since Haley’s come to KC, there’s been a G who gets run over on a regular basis. I’m up and down on my KC QBs, but I’m tired of getting down on Barry Richardson and Branden Albert, when the more I watch, the more I see the OTs fighting edge rushers to an uneasy draw, 1-on-1, while the interior 3 are failing to win against 2.
The sooner Hudson is a regular starter, the better. I think Wiegs is done and Lilja ought to be 2nd-string (until somebody bigger can be found).
LG? C? I don’t know. Whatever makes the team the best possible. I just know that I want at least ONE and preferably TWO new starters inside, next season. I think if the middle were solidified, then maybe our tackles could use some help, now and then, but at least our QB would be able to actually step forward against ANY 4-man pass rush. There’s just no excuse for the 5- and 6-on-4s that they’re losing on a regular basis. And if that middle were truly sealed-up tight, I think we’d find ourselves a lot happier with what a pair of pretty damn good OTs are giving them.
Some of those sacks being laid at the feet of Albert and Richardson are direct results of the QB not having any pocket in front of him to climb. If he hangs back an extra second, the pincer-movement from the edges will close on the QB.
would of ≠ would've
i hear ya
I am just more hopeful than most that Gaither will be able to come in as a starter in 2012
I don’t agree with those who say “he must suck if he’s not already starting”. To me, it’s clear that Haley is slow to make lineup changes, until his hand is forced, and likes to let new OLinemen get a year to sit and develop before starting
by stagdsp on Nov 24, 2011 6:56 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Good point, as always, stags.
I can see where he might not be able to come in and impress in 2012. Kind of like Mims, where the wingspan advantage is ultimately a disadvantage. Just too lanky of a frame? A little too slow to pick ’em up and put ’em down?
I think the Chiefs have been changing rapidly enough that Haley’s apparent (to me, too) reluctance to promote is an overall strategy for maximizing continuity in a game where injuries do PLENTY to force you to work new guys into the 11 on the field. I suppose it’s possible that’s a piece of Haley’s thinking. Doesn’t mean I agree with it, or at least not to the degree that he seems to do it.
I think the barrier that puts the onus on the new guy to win the job should be lowered a bit. I’d be putting Hudson out there MUCH sooner than the Chiefs did. Not even because I thought Hudson was hot shit, but because it’s pretty clear that Goff-Niswanger-Ndukwe-Alleman-Lilja didn’t do a very convincing job. Try SOMEthing different, especially when you have a 2nd-round pick waiting in the wings.
would of ≠ would've
Very good observation.
Case inpoint – we had to put up with D. Williams for the better part of one year while Haley messed with D.J.’s head.
We all know how that turned out..
Angry Red, 'nuff said.
by chiefsfan62 on Nov 24, 2011 7:33 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
That's one of the things about having an incomplete defense, too.
I think it was pretty hard for DJ to be DJ in his first seasons in the league. We always knew he was a beast, but I think the early attempts at 3-4 and hybrid asked too much of the ILB, when the whole point was to let the WILB, especially, get the bit in his teeth.
Still, DJ DID have an issue with wanting to FINISH plays, and overestimating his athletic ability like a LOT of young, uber-athletic young players. Just doing his JOB was a big issue. It wasn’t helped by the fact that his JOB was complicated so much by inconsistent and anemic line play in front of him.
would of ≠ would've
I think DJ met the team halfway, and the team's starting to meet HIM halfway.
The better the team around him, at this point, the more instinctively and aggressively he can play. Still some of the best highlights of DJ this season, he probably didn’t take more than 20 steps the whole play. D-Line did their job and he stayed at home and the play broke his way.
would of ≠ would've
Nice thoughts
I agree completely, our middle three can be downright terrible at times. Asamoah not so much, he’s been great, but LG & C are killers especially because they work together with the LT most of the time.(RG is more of a lone wolf position, well as much of a lone wolf as you can get on the OL) I’m so glad we chose Hudson in the draft, probably my favorite pick outside of Houston.
I wouldn’t mind multiple OL picks in this draft, potential starters too Gaither be damned.
Me and Matt Cassel just - you up, dog!
by ChiefWarPaint on Nov 24, 2011 6:48 PM CST up reply actions
I suspect they aren't in a hurry to go high at tackle, considering what they've done so far.
And I’m not sure they NEED to, if Gaither comes along and they get bigger/stronger in the middle. Right now, I think Wiegs’ first concern is helping Lilja, which leaves the right side to its own devices, and that can present Asamoah and Richardson with some Hobson’s choices.
would of ≠ would've
Always willing to read breakdowns
Especially when I didnt catch much of the second half
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 24, 2011 8:50 AM CST up reply actions
My overall impression of the 2nd was they were trying to cover everybody with extra downfield help.
Gave Brady a lot of easy short throws that ate up the yards (especially when the late-arriving tackler whiffs, which Lewis did). Not only that, but there were a few nice downfield throws that underlined Lewis’s less-than-elite speed. The man-off coverages were pretty infuriating to me, especially.
The passivity also opened up the running game. KC tried to counter this by putting 3 fatties in the middle, but they basically stopped crashing the line with an extra hat. That 2 TE set is a 7-man front, and it’s the sheer NUMBERS that were defeating the KC D at the line. Yes, there was a 3-man fence, for the most part, but there weren’t enough hats attacking the line to slam the gate at the end of the fence, or worse, close the gate on the back-side of the moving fence/knot.
Every time I looked at Tyson Jackson, he was either winning his fight, or drawing 2 blockers. And even then, that mostly meant he couldn’t move forward. His sheer push is pretty dominating, imo.
Palko made some non-reads and some just-barely-too-late throws. Some of his passes were clearly dictated to him pre-snap. Palko throws a more catchable ball, than Cassel does in similar situations. Palko’s also too slow to deliver that touch pass.
I’m not SURE about how good Palko is, just yet. I saw something very similar in Carson Palmer’s first two games with the Raiders. I think it’s within the realm of possibility that Palko, with a game’s worth of film to agonize over, and another week to plot and scheme with his receivers and backs, will be MUCH better, assuming he even gets the start. One concerning thing about him that jumps out is he seems to have no kick-slide, if that’s the term.
When the pass rush IS deflected past the better QBs, there’s this maneuver that looks like a fencer, lunging forward, with that left foot out in front. Peyton Manning has it. Jay Cutler has the same thing, only he covers twice as much ground as Peyton does in one of his lunges. Palko sort of scampers (or strolls?) forward, but he’s not set to pass, like he needs to see the spot and then has to tell his body to throw it, while everybody waits, the defense closes on the open guy, and it’s a pick.
would of ≠ would've
Did you noticed Brady takes what the defense gives you.
He throws a lot of short passes when nothing is open.
It's all about the guy who gets the free release and is where Brady expects him to be.
I think that’s why the Steelers enjoyed success against him, and, to the extent that the Chiefs did the same, also enjoyed the same success.
would of ≠ would've
I liked the up tempo more aggressive team we saw on Monday
It might only be in my head, but my impression was that both the defense and offense were flat out plain attacking it in the beginning. I think the advantage of showing you’re not afraid to blitz is that if you unnerve the quarterback enough, you can keep him rattled and making mistakes by just threatening to blitz.
I know they couldn’t keep that up all game or they’d probably be completely exhausted pretty quickly, but was fun to watch. I hope they are more aggressive more often.
Which is more tiring? Blitzing a lot or staying on the field for a long time?
But you have a point about it being a high-energy kind of D. That’s why I’m concerned about the 2-tone defense. Be nice to be able to find a style that allows them to rotate guys in and out without serious drop-off. Using different pairings inside for the down duo is a big step in the right direction. I think they lose some continuity with a lot of their substiitution habits.
would of ≠ would've
Prof you're really starting to convince me with the pressure defense
Watching the Cowboys today, I almost wish we had gotten Rob Ryan for our DC instead of Crennel. Definitely loves to bring constant pressure, only he doesn’t have the corners or 2ndary in general to make it an elite Defense, something he’d have in KC.
Me and Matt Cassel just - you up, dog!
Rob Ryan would make Haley look absolutely GQ.
Can’t have that.
"An atheist is a man who watches a Notre Dame - Southern Methodist University game and doesn't care who wins." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
by electriclight on Nov 25, 2011 12:15 PM CST up reply actions
Don't get carried away, CWP. I just have opinions and too much time on my hands for carrying on about 'em.
But with or without the “great corners,” I think you’re better off cutting down their exposure, and that means pressure.
I mainly think in terms of getting more of my guys around the ball, and I always see that deep safety as somebody you’re taking away from the action at the line, and, if he’s not super-duper-fast, a QB with time can use the geometry down the field to exploit his lack of speed, ANYway. Not that you can’t learn to execute an excellent zone defense that gives you excellent coverage, but you need to be able to get to the QB AND stop the run with the handful of guys you’re not spending down the field in coverage.
would of ≠ would've
Sadly the new Head coach might want what you want and Romeo hits the street
then we have to can a 3rd of the roster to make the new Head Coach happy
and down the re-build forever we go
by Steve_Chiefs on Nov 25, 2011 8:20 PM CST up reply actions
I like Rob Ryan as a HC
He would bring an attitude to the team.
Pioli would never hire a Ryan for HC
They talk to much ;)
Me and Matt Cassel just - you up, dog!
by ChiefWarPaint on Nov 27, 2011 2:20 PM CST up reply actions
Nice re-cap.
missed this one, but it’s good to hear they are attacking some. Can’t figure out why they don’t put Hali on the TE and have him crash those good TE’s all the time. I’m not a Lilja fan. There was a good reason Indy let him go. He couldn’t handle the bigger D-lineman. I’d like to see them get, say, Jason Peters in FA, move Albert to guard, and draft a RT. We could have a killer o-line quickly.
Peters doesn't fit a ZBS scheme at all
Indy let Lilja go because they were moving to a power blocking scheme which Lilja can not handle, he fits well in the ZBS if the C plays well.
I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee
by BAMFSpecialOps on Nov 26, 2011 10:22 AM CST up reply actions
Peter's has good foot work,
and is a decent looking athlete. It’s what I’d like to see, but that ain’t worth 2 cents. Hard to say what scheme we’ll be running next year at this point. I hope it’s closer to John Madden than to Todd Haley’s.
One or the other of LG/C has to have more lead in his ass.
Or, KC needs to keep an extra TE or a pair of big backs on the field. With our TEs’ inconsistency as blockers, I’m partial to keeping McClain and Battle/Jones on the field.
Peters is a decent OT. You can almost track the rise and fall of Philly’s fortunes by his injury report.
would of ≠ would've
Agree with crashing on TEs.
Make that the staple of the nearest OLB, taking turns with a safety attacking the QB. I just think in today’s league, your most consistent D, that works for the widest range of players, engages anybody eligible at the line. The extra hats you see in that deep umbrella can come up and help the guys who are mismatched in space.
The thing about defenses that play cover-2 principles successfully is the kinds of guys they have playing in the front 9, starting with, for instance, a Julius Peppers at DE, or a Warren Sapp in the middle. The closest thing the Chiefs have to that is Tyson Jackson, and most any offense can afford to double-up the one guy.
I think the gist of Romeo’s calculus is defend the EZ, and hope for a mistake. As the field shortens, having guys trained-up to play the cover-2 makes it tough sledding inside the 20, especially since the shorter field gives Romeo more confidence to send more hats up the field.
I don’t really have a calculus for defensive football. I just go by what my eyes and my guts tell me about what looks sound, and my intuition about matchups and the tactics that suit. I believe you have to get to the QB FAST and that means Hali is about the slowest guy on the team you’re expecting to help you break an offense’s will. Not that linemen shouldn’t garner their share of pressures and sacks, but you have to set them up to get their hands on QBs, most (or at least many) of whom are quicker and faster than they are.
Sure, if you luck or spend your way into a Julius Peppers or Ndamukong Suh, you can scheme in other ways, which is why guys like that are so highly sought-after. It allows DCs to cleave to their deep-seated beliefs on how D should run. It’s just tough to put together any kind of rotation or have any kind of backup plan when those guys need a blow or worse, get hurt. That’s why I kind of like 3-4 and 2-4 schemes, where you try to field a 6-man rotation that can get certain things done in terms of stout, but maybe doesn’t wow you with jackrabbit pursuit.
So I turn to the LBs and DBs for the REAL heat. Hali and Houston are the kinds of guys I’d be adding all day and half the night. You really want to develop your own cadre of ’tweeners, and it looks like the Chiefs believe that.
The MNF game showed how the Patriots eventually found a balance of speed and power that the Chiefs couldn’t quite match or DIDN’T quite match. I liked what the Chiefs did early against the spread, just blitzing Arenas off the slot. But when New England started bunching-up, more, it seemed like KC’s response was to go with the 3 bigs and that opened up passing opportunities and outside runs. Not sure my reaction to Gronk and Hernandez wouldn’t be to stick with the 2-man middle, but go with 3 ‘tweeners, most likely at the expense of Jovan Belcher. With or without immediate help, there’s always a ‘tweener there to engage either of those two big receivers, and still at least one big LB there to attack the QB. Until and unless KC goes for a real mutant d-lineman, they’re not big enough to just push people around, nor are they fast enough to really give NFL QBs any real fears, without being sided by speed.
I LOVED the 3-man pass rush consisting of Hali, Gordon (or was it Gilberry) and Houston. I liked the 2 down lineman middle, as long as they were also crashing the line with DBs and ILBs, and keeping enough hats in tight to finish those outside runs and swing passes at the line.
would of ≠ would've
Lilja is not a LG
I know he has played LG before, he did a solid job at RG last year. The problem is, we have our RG with Asamoah. Next year Lilja has to accept being a back up or he needs to be released. I would like to keep him as a back up if he would accept the position.
Depending on how good and how BIG Hudson can play at LG, Lilja might be a nice starting C.
I think he’d play a lot like Wiegs, only be sided by bigger guys than Wiegs is sided by, right now.
But I agree that I’d like to see a more physically dominant LG. Would’ve been nice to get more games out of Brian Waters, but more power to him. Played out his contract and parted ways civilly, if not exactly amicably, with KC FO. Did he leave the MNF game? Seems like he got nicked-up, but it also seems like I saw him back in the game, later.
I’m not sure about the exact traits people want in LG versus RG. To me, the better interior lineman plays either one better, period. What is it that makes Lilja a better RG than LG, and if he is a better RG, why is Asomoah playing there?
would of ≠ would've
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Arrowhead Pride
Related FanShots on Arrowhead Pride
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley arrested again; now has more NFL arrests than NFL sacks
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
