Chiefs vs Broncos: Breaking Down The O-Line Tape

Week #10

Just about every fan in Chiefs nation is wondering what went wrong this past Sunday when the Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 49-29. 

The Broncos, fresh off a bye week, took a page out of Oakland's win over the Chiefs just one week earlier:  Stacking the box, physical play in the middle, and aggressive defensive pressure on the edges.

Many fans have wondered how the line would hold up if the Chiefs had to drop back and pass the ball more than 40 times in a game.  Well, Cassel made 53 attempts during the Denver game and the offensive line didn't do that bad.  A small bright spot in an otherwise bleak Sunday afternoon.

Later this week Bewsaf will break down just what made Oakland and Denver so successful against the KC running attack.  But first, let's take a look at those O-line grades.

	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	00
Percent Scale

• Please refer to the Chiefs Preseason: Breaking Down The O-Line Tape - Primer at the bottom of this article for any inquiries into the method used to grade the lineman.
• Click on Bewsaf Past Posts at the bottom of this post for any past o-line articles you might have missed.

Performance Perspective

	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100			10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100
Percent Scale												Percent Scale
Albert												Albert
Waters												Waters
Wiegmann												Wiegmann
Lilja												Lilja
Richardson												Richardson
O'Callaghan												O'Callaghan
Asamoah												Asamoah
Pope												Pope
Moeaki												Moeaki

Run & Pass Blocking Notes:

• Many fans wondered who would be the best right tackle when O'Callaghan was healthy.  Well, we have seen both now...and I'll take Richardson.  Barry has actually become a decent lineman the last couple of weeks.  When I say "decent" I mean at least NFL average.  Not sure if Barry will hold his job into next year...but I think he deserves the spot right now.
• Run blocking numbers are low again.  Basically, a lot of the lineman had poor days in the run blocking area. 
  
• With 5:41 left in the second quarter O'Callaghan and Asamoah both came into the game and play right tackle and left guard, respectively.
  
• Asamoah can reach block effectively.  At least in this game...he reach blocked better than Waters.
• Asamoah also pics up one defensive line stunt and one twist stunt.  Looks like the coaches and veteran players have helped him come along in his rookie year.
  
• Passing grades were high.  Lilja and O'Callaghan did the worst statistically, both scoring in the upper 80% range.  O'Callaghan had a tight end next to him 12 times which improved his passing grade.  When he did not have a tight end next to him he earned a 64% passing grade.
• O'Callaghan picked up 2 defensive line loop stunts also.  He didn't seem to have any problems with line communication or cohesion.  He did have trouble with the the bull rush however.
• Jake O'Connell got into the game and was asked to pass block twice.  Both times he was beat by his defender.  After the second time, at the end of the game, the Chiefs put Pope back in.

	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100			10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100
Percent Scale												Percent Scale
Albert												Albert
Waters												Waters
Wiegmann												Wiegmann
Lilja												Lilja
Richardson												Richardson
O'Callaghan												O'Callaghan
Asamoah												Asamoah
Pope	N/A											Pope
Moeaki	N/A											Moeoki

Graphic bars from draftboardinsiders.com

Second Level Blocking Notes:

• The Chiefs really didn't get to the second level that much.
• Not only was the point of attack blocking down this week but the number of defenders at the point continued to be up.  The tight ends have had a hard time at the point of attack for the past two games.  Usually their numbers are higher than the lineman.
• The Broncos run a 5 man front with two linebackers and a safety 5-6 yards off the ball.  Later this week I will put out an article that shows this a little better.
• Cassel got sacked 4 times in the in the first half.  One off of Lilja's mistake, but 3 off Cassel's inability to throw the ball away after missed blocks by backs and holding the ball to long (IMO).    Something he corrected in the second half.

OTHER SEASON STATS

Click On " Bewsaf Past Posts " for more past articles