Whitlock: Softly, they melted down - Page 4

Hammock Parties · 12-18-2005, 12:41 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/13432731.htm

Softly, they melted down
JASON WHITLOCK

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It’s not just Larry Johnson. The Chiefs — as a group — are soft.

Given a 24-hour head start to put pressure on Pittsburgh, San Diego and Jacksonville in the AFC wild-card race, the Chiefs exposed a soft underbelly inside Giants Stadium, calling into question whether they’re really a playoff-caliber squad.

Giants 27, Chiefs 17.

Kansas City’s defense surrendered a career-high 220 rushing yards to Tiki Barber and couldn’t take advantage of an opposing quarterback who desperately wanted to give the game away… if only KC’s defenders would’ve cooperated and hit Eli Manning.

Kansas City’s tackling was embarrassingly bad. How bad? Larry Johnson allegedly could be heard along the sideline telling KC’s defenders that he could block them. Kendrell Bell agreed.

But we’ve grown used to Kansas City’s defense melting down in crucial and inconsequential games. What we’re not used to is Kansas City cranking up its ground game and being held to 17 points.

Johnson kept his 100-yard streak alive, running for 167 yards and two TDs. His streak is now at seven games. When Kansas City’s ground game is rolling, that almost always means its play-action-passing game will click.

Not on Saturday. Trent Green threw for just 176 yards. Kansas City’s receivers — Eddie Kennison, Chris Horn, Tony Gonzalez, Tony Richardson and Johnson — repeatedly dropped passes that hit them in the hands. Kennison and Samie Parker lost fumbles after catches.

Given the importance of the game, the performance of Green’s receivers was unprofessional. They gave the game away.

The only thing worse was the offensive strategy that relegated Johnson to sideline-watcher on obvious passing downs. “Larry Lite” is the best description of KC’s offensive game plan. “Larry Lite” tastes great and is a lot less filling.

I don’t blame Dick Vermeil and Al Saunders for the “Larry Lite” offense. It seems quite obvious now that Johnson is refusing to block. After scoring just 10 points in the opening half running the “Larry Lite” offense, Vermeil and Saunders stuck Johnson in the game on a couple of passing downs in the second half. Johnson’s blocking effort was soft.

It’s impossible to properly explain just how limited Kansas City’s offense is when its most-explosive player, its most-consistent scorer has to stand on the sideline on third and 4.

Priest Holmes was brilliant at turning third and 6 into first and 10 by catching a screen pass, a swing pass or running a draw. Tony Richardson is a tremendous blocker. He did an awesome job of picking up free rushers. Richardson, however, did not pick up one first down on Saturday.

Johnson’s refusal to block handicaps Kansas City’s offense. Pretty much, when he’s on the field, the defense knows he’s going to carry or catch the ball 90 percent of the time. The other 10 percent, the Chiefs will fake a handoff to Johnson and throw the football.

The key to Saunders’ offense is unpredictability. He’s constantly sending guys in motion and switching formations trying to fool the defense. He likes to run when people think he’s going to throw. And he likes to throw when the defense is keying the run.

Before implementing “Larry Lite,” the only thing predictable about Saunders’ offense was its reliance on running behind Willie Roaf and Brian Waters.

Again, you can’t pin this loss solely on Johnson’s refusal to block. Saturday’s meltdown was a group effort. The Chiefs failed to tackle, failed to catch the ball, failed to hold onto the ball and were flagged for a couple of foolish, critical penalties.

Maybe the Chiefs can back their way into the playoffs. Right now, they’re not quite tough enough to earn their way.

CupidStunt · 12-05-2006, 02:03 AM

The title is so appropriate, so perfect that the thought of this being an article from a year ago didn't even cross my mind.

Mr. Laz · 12-05-2006, 05:15 PM

LJ doesn't try very hard to block or catch ..... that's why he's not out there.

not to mention that the defense has a good idea whether or not it's a passing play by how much Johnson is pouting coming out of the huddle.

you can tell run or pass my LJ's body language.

12-18-2005, 12:41 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1030478	Whitlock: Softly, they melted down http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/13432731.htm Softly, they melted down JASON WHITLOCK EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It’s not just Larry Johnson. The Chiefs — as a group — are soft. Given a 24-hour head start to put pressure on Pittsburgh, San Diego and Jacksonville in the AFC wild-card race, the Chiefs exposed a soft underbelly inside Giants Stadium, calling into question whether they’re really a playoff-caliber squad. Giants 27, Chiefs 17. Kansas City’s defense surrendered a career-high 220 rushing yards to Tiki Barber and couldn’t take advantage of an opposing quarterback who desperately wanted to give the game away… if only KC’s defenders would’ve cooperated and hit Eli Manning. Kansas City’s tackling was embarrassingly bad. How bad? Larry Johnson allegedly could be heard along the sideline telling KC’s defenders that he could block them. Kendrell Bell agreed. But we’ve grown used to Kansas City’s defense melting down in crucial and inconsequential games. What we’re not used to is Kansas City cranking up its ground game and being held to 17 points. Johnson kept his 100-yard streak alive, running for 167 yards and two TDs. His streak is now at seven games. When Kansas City’s ground game is rolling, that almost always means its play-action-passing game will click. Not on Saturday. Trent Green threw for just 176 yards. Kansas City’s receivers — Eddie Kennison, Chris Horn, Tony Gonzalez, Tony Richardson and Johnson — repeatedly dropped passes that hit them in the hands. Kennison and Samie Parker lost fumbles after catches. Given the importance of the game, the performance of Green’s receivers was unprofessional. They gave the game away. The only thing worse was the offensive strategy that relegated Johnson to sideline-watcher on obvious passing downs. “Larry Lite” is the best description of KC’s offensive game plan. “Larry Lite” tastes great and is a lot less filling. I don’t blame Dick Vermeil and Al Saunders for the “Larry Lite” offense. It seems quite obvious now that Johnson is refusing to block. After scoring just 10 points in the opening half running the “Larry Lite” offense, Vermeil and Saunders stuck Johnson in the game on a couple of passing downs in the second half. Johnson’s blocking effort was soft. It’s impossible to properly explain just how limited Kansas City’s offense is when its most-explosive player, its most-consistent scorer has to stand on the sideline on third and 4. Priest Holmes was brilliant at turning third and 6 into first and 10 by catching a screen pass, a swing pass or running a draw. Tony Richardson is a tremendous blocker. He did an awesome job of picking up free rushers. Richardson, however, did not pick up one first down on Saturday. Johnson’s refusal to block handicaps Kansas City’s offense. Pretty much, when he’s on the field, the defense knows he’s going to carry or catch the ball 90 percent of the time. The other 10 percent, the Chiefs will fake a handoff to Johnson and throw the football. The key to Saunders’ offense is unpredictability. He’s constantly sending guys in motion and switching formations trying to fool the defense. He likes to run when people think he’s going to throw. And he likes to throw when the defense is keying the run. Before implementing “Larry Lite,” the only thing predictable about Saunders’ offense was its reliance on running behind Willie Roaf and Brian Waters. Again, you can’t pin this loss solely on Johnson’s refusal to block. Saturday’s meltdown was a group effort. The Chiefs failed to tackle, failed to catch the ball, failed to hold onto the ball and were flagged for a couple of foolish, critical penalties. Maybe the Chiefs can back their way into the playoffs. Right now, they’re not quite tough enough to earn their way.
Posts: 296,721

12-05-2006, 02:03 AM	#46
CupidStunt offense > defense Join Date: Jul 2005 Casino cash: $-666668	The title is so appropriate, so perfect that the thought of this being an article from a year ago didn't even cross my mind.
Posts: 9,016

12-05-2006, 05:15 PM	#47
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	LJ doesn't try very hard to block or catch ..... that's why he's not out there. not to mention that the defense has a good idea whether or not it's a passing play by how much Johnson is pouting coming out of the huddle. you can tell run or pass my LJ's body language. __________________
Posts: 95,626