Chiefs Facing the Best 3-4 Coach in the Business
by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2009 11:03 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
4 comments
One of the reasons I'm anxious to see the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend is because it's a chance to face the defense the Chiefs are trying to be. Led by Dick LeBeau, the Steelers defense is near the tops in the league year after year.
LeBeau is largely considered one of the greatest 3-4 defensive minds in the NFL. He created the zone blitz and has attracted the admiration of players and coaches across the league.
"I'm gonna tell you right now, guys," former Chief Bill Maas told 610 Sports yesterday. "The best I've ever seen coaching up a 3-4 -- and I've been in a 3-4, Marty was really good at it, Bill Cowher was good at it -- but the best guy is in Pittsburgh. Hands down. He is unbelievable."
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Some Wondering if Chiefs Coach Deserves Blame in Bowe Suspension
by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2009 10:11 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
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In light of Dwayne Bowe's suspension earlier this week, I noted that I had received several responses from folks wondering what Todd Haley's role is in all of this. In fact, I spoke with two former players, one with the Chiefs, who also expressed some concern over the standards applied in the offseason.
Yesterday on 610 Sports, former Chief and two-time Super Bowl champion Mark Collins also wondered what Haley's role was in all of this. I was interested in his thoughts because his viewpoint is unique as a former player himself. Naturally, Collins aligned with the player on this one and articulated an argument that I think would resonate, whether good or bad, with a few players who have experienced offseason programs under similar conditions.
Per Collins, Haley shares in part of the blame for not preparing Bowe with the ability to meet the club's weight standards.
"If your coach is telling you to basically come in shape, be ready, don't be overweight," Collins said, "some players don't know how to work hard to lose weight, and I'm not saying that's Dwayne Bowe, but maybe he doesn't because he took a diuretic to do it quickly."
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Five Good Questions on the Chiefs and Steelers Matchup
by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2009 9:02 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
0 comments
As we continue to prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs 10th game of the season, we're bringing you five good questions with the good folks at Behind the Steel Curtain.
Blitzburgh, the man in charge at BSTC, answered a few questions I had for him on this weekend's game.
If you have any other questions about the Steelers, there's a post at BTSC if you have questions and there's one on AP where the Steelers folks are asking us questions on the Chiefs.
The game is one day away and here's our Q&A (nice rhyme). Definitely read the part on Charles against the Steelers run defense and definitely check out BTSC. The game preview is currently on the front page.
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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 11/21
by NJ Chiefs Fan on Nov 21, 2009 6:56 AM CST
3 comments
Studebaker will step into the starting spot that for nine games has belonged to Mike Vrabel. For the Chiefs defense, losing the veteran linebacker is a big blow; he’s been one of the unit’s most consistent performers and he provided on-field leadership that is impossible to replace.
When you put the numbers down on paper, it’s quite a change going from Vrabel to Studebaker:
- NFL games played — Vrabel 184, Studebaker 15.
- NFL games started — Vrabel 110, Studebaker 0.
- Total tackles — Vrabel 722, Studebaker 6.
- Sacks — Vrabel 56, Studebaker 0.
- Interceptions — Vrabel 11, Studebaker 0.
- Fumbles forced — Vrabel 16, Studebaker 0.
- Fumbles recovered — Vrabel 7, Studebaker 0.
- Passes defensed — Vrabel 35, Studebaker 1.
"He’s a great linebacker," Studebaker said of Vrabel. "I just have to go out and be in the right places and do the right things. Maybe over 13 years I can match his production."
Studebaker Gets Rolling … Saturday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz
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Friday Night Open Thread
by Chris Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 9:02 PM CST
in 2009 Campaign
47 comments
Here's a thread to talk about whatever you want.
We'll be back tomorrow morning with a Q&A with Michael from Behind the Steel Curtain and NJ Chiefs Fan will have his usual Arrowheadlines post up.
Chat away.
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Steelers C Hartwig Talks About Nearly Signing With the Chiefs
by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 5:04 PM CST
in 2009 Campaign
10 comments
The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line has been perhaps the biggest disappointment this season. From the running game to the passing game much of the blame is being heaped on the guys up front. For most of us, an offensive line upgrade usually includes the center, right guard and right tackle, in varying order of important.
Chiefs C Rudy Niswanger is one of the tougher players on the team but he has repeatedly been referred to by pundits as a player who could potentially be upgraded via the draft or free agency.
It almost wasn't like that though. Last year, veteran center Justin Hartwig entered free agency and narrowed his list down to two teams: Chiefs and Steelers.
"When I hit the free agent market," Hartwig told 610 Sports today, "it pretty much came down to the Chiefs and the Steelers. The Steelers persuaded me to come to Pittsburgh."
Hartwig is a KU grad so he had local connections.
"It would have been nice to be in my backyard in Kansas City but, obviously, things really worked out for me last year," he said.
Hartwig played all 16 games last season for the Steelers Super Bowl season. Prior to that, he had been on four consecutive losing teams.
He also said he's hoping the Steelers run the ball more against the Chiefs. The Pittsburgh offense has gone 82 rushing attempts, dating back to week six, without a rushing touchdown.
That's currently the longest streak in the NFL....now that the Chiefs finally scored a rushing touchdown last week.
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Chiefs Owner Hunt, Coach Haley Admire the Steelers
by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 12:30 PM CST
in 2009 Campaign
1 comment
Early on in the Kansas City Chiefs search for a new GM last winter owner Clark Hunt referenced the Pittsburgh Steelers as an organization that was doing it right. The Steelers have had three head coaches since the 70s and consistently produce playoff teams and championships.
When Arrowhead Pride interviewed Mr. Hunt at the end of September, we asked him about his admiration for the Steelers.
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Chiefs Will be Without Vrabel, Several Others Against Steelers
by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 11:38 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
30 comments
With each passing day it's looking like we should be more concerned with Mike Vrabel's availability for the Kansas City Chiefs the next several weeks than just this weekend. Vrabel once again did not participate in practice due to a knee injury.
Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star thinks he might miss a few weeks.
He's almost assuredly going to be out this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Andy Studebaker appears in line to get his first NFL start in Vrabel's absence.
Three other Chiefs are in jeopardy of missing Sunday's game:
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Steelers S Polamalu Will Not Play Against the Chiefs
by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 11:19 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
7 comments
Looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers play the secrecy game as well. This week S Troy Polamalu would not answer questions about his injured knee. Head coach Mike Tomlin instructed him not to speak on the topic.
"Who says there's even a real knee, first of all?"
Well, okay then. Knee injury or not Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Polamalu will not play against the Chiefs.
This is a major plus for the Chiefs. The Steelers have only allowed 100 rushing yards on two occasions this season - both were games Polamalu missed.
So, one of the top safeties in the game will not play this weekend. His replacement will be Tyrone Carter, who Polamalu says is a solid player.
"There are a lot of strengths that Tyrone has that I lack and vice versa," Polamalu said. "That's why every time I'm in the game, I come to the sidelines, he's in my ear about the previous drive and each play, and where I can improve and what to look out for."
This weekend, it'll be Polamalu on the sidelines getting in Carter's ear.
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The Chiefs Second-Half Scheduling Looking Harder Than Originally Thought
by Matt Conner on Nov 20, 2009 11:00 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
13 comments
It's amazing how quickly the tides change in the NFL. What once seems destitute and unsalvageable can quickly become exciting and promising. Yet for the Chiefs, one glimmer of hope - namely, the second half of the schedule - has morphed into something rather unsightly.
In the months leading up to the 2009 season, it was quite obvious that the early season rotation through the NFC East was going to be a scheduling beast. After all, in all time head-to-head match-ups against various franchises, teams like the Giants, Cowboys and Eagles rank among the toughest. In fact, if you include the Steelers and Jaguars, the Chiefs literally face the five teams with the worst all-time winning %:
Team, Chiefs All-Time Record Against (Win. %)
New York Giants, 2-10 (.167)
Jacksonville Jaguars, 2-6 (.250)
Pittsburgh Steelers, 8-17 (.320)
Dallas Cowboys, 3-6 (.333)
Philadelphia Eagles, 2-4 (.333)
So Chiefs fans braced themselves early for this, knowing the storms of this season would prove rough-going in various weeks. But as we watch the season unfold, some things only become more difficult.
Before the season, KC fans scoffed at the drama unfolding in the preseason in Denver. The Broncos were the laughingstock of the NFL after Jay Cutler successfully wormed his way out of the Mile High City and Brandon Marshall tried to follow suit. And we dreamed of playing Kyle Orton twice a year. Many believed that was a possible two wins on the schedule and opened up the AFC West wide open. Now, the Broncos sit atop the standings, even with the current losing streak.
Another game that seemed to bring hope was the second to last game - a road trip to Cincinnati to play the Bungles, er, Bengals. Once a desperate franchise that housed every shady character this side of the Mississippi (i.e. the Portland Trailblazers from five years ago), now they are dominating the absolutely brutal AFC North division and just defeated the Steelers twice this season. That late game could now have home turf playoff implications for Cincy and that spells bad news for Kansas City.
Of course, the Browns and Bills still linger on the schedule and you just never know what can happen week to week in the NFL. But what once was a beam of light on the back nine of 2009 now becomes as potentially frustrating as the front.
13 comments | 1 recs |
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