Chiefs-Giants game breakdown of KC LBers
 

I've watched the game in it's entirety a couple of times now and realized things look alot different the second time around, at least in my observations. Here's how I view our LBers performance from last night...

Intially, I thought Derrick Johnson had a great game, but upon further review, he was used way too much in coverage and it cost us some yardage. I believe Plaxico was DJ's responsibilty and the Giants took advantage of it. It looks likes the cover two has put more responsibility on our LBers to cover WRs-not the best utilization of our squad, IMO, but DJ should improve in coverage. That said, the golden boy missed a couple of tackles and needs to wrap up better if we want to help shore up or defense. I like DJ, but he needs to BRING IT if our defense is going to turn the corner. The majority of the snaps he played well, but he still has some work to do in coverage. Grade:B-

Kendrell Bell-some have bagged on his performance, but the Giants chose DJ's side to exploit on the majority of plays we were in cover 2 in the 1st qtr. I saw Bell slip on one play and miss a tackle, but he helped slow down the player. I also saw him in on alot of tackles. He played the ball carrier well. Grade:B

Kawicka Mitchell- Kawicka played nearly every play well. He showed his he has the skills to become a dominant MLBer, especially in coverage. Mitchell also got in there tackled very well. Mitchell is on the rise. Grade:A-

Keyaron Fox- I liked what I saw out of Key Fox. He brought intensity. He tackled very well except for one blown assignment which resulted in a major whiff by him. I believe Fox still needs some refinement, but he should be an asset in the 3-4 alignment we will use from time to time.
Grade:B

Rich Scanlon-played very well. I can see major imrovement from him. Last year I thought he was questionable to make the team. This year he looks like a quality back-up. Scanlon has become more of a sure tackler. He looked decisive. Grade: B

Boomer Grigsby: Did Boomer actually go to training camp this year? Boomer looked lost on several plays and missed tackles. Boomer is lucky to be on the roster after that performance. Grade:D-

William Kershaw: I only saw him in on a few plays, but he tackled when it was his man. He's on the outside looking in, but this team could use more sure-tackling. Grade:C+


Thoughts?

Boomer will be fine.

Thanks BigChiefFan. I don't have TIVO but from what I understand Kawika was damn near the back of the endzone when the ball was on the 10 yd line. Did you see that?

You bet. Are you referring to the Giants first TD?

I think so but I can't be for sure.

I believe it was a blown play by DJ-if you are thinking of the 1st TD.

you are to kind to them BCF.

to kind.....

I too was impressed with Kawika, but I would have to agree with Mo. It's hard to give decent grades to the LBs when the defense couldn't stop anyone. I blame that problem mostly on the defensive line, but it would've been nice to see DJ break up one of the 25 passes that were completed against him.

If possible could you rewatch that series again?

It believe it was IMHO. Mitchell was playing back, and he had 2 men to try to cover. It was a lose-lose position for Mitchell, even though it wasn't his fault. Nothing he could do. At least that's what I saw.

Nice report.

Yep. DJ blew the assignment. That being said WTF were we running the cover 2 in the ENDZONE?

I like Scanlon better on the outside in the cover 2.

I also think Kershaw could push to make the roster.

Good question why were we? hmmm They were inside 5yd line maybe goaline?

I don't know enough about KC's D to say I'm 100% sure it was KM or DJ's man on the first TD. I can say that BOTH linebackers were out of position and KM was 2/3 deep in the EndZone and didn't appear to be covering anyone but just the deep middle. Benny Sapp had Shockey and the receiver who scored ran a square in along the endzone line and that was it.

Do you guys remember back when we had Montana and JJ Birden ran the same route against ( I think houston maybe Pitt) in the playoffs back in the 90's? He caught the ball but got royally jacked up by the D back/LB. What really bugs me is that KC didn't make the receiver pay bigtime for coming across the middle on the goalline. It's like letting someone post you up too deep in basketball.