King: Edwards Keeps Faith in Solari

Deberg_1990 · 09-20-2007, 07:32 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/281337.html

Despite a handful of questionable play calls in Sunday’s loss to Chicago, Chiefs coach Herm Edwards indicated Tuesday that he hasn’t lost faith in offensive coordinator Mike Solari.

“Mike is like any other second-year coordinator who’s never done the job,” Edwards said. “They learn as they go.”

The Chiefs coaching staff — Solari, in particular — has been criticized for bungling a fourth-quarter possession that could’ve pulled Kansas City within one possession of the Bears.

Trailing 20-10 and facing a third-and-1 situation at Chicago’s 16-yard line, Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard attempted a fade pass in the corner of the end zone to 5-foot-11 receiver Samie Parker.

Huard’s pass was intercepted, and the Chiefs came away empty.

“It’s not as easy as people (think),” Edwards said. “It’s always easy (to criticize) after the game: ‘You should’ve called this or called that.’ But if we would’ve run the ball and not made it, people would’ve said: ‘Why did you do that? You should’ve thrown a pass.’

“That’s ball, and that’s fans being disappointed. But it’s part of a process.”

To be fair, Edwards said it was Huard — and not Solari — who made the decision to throw the fade pass. The pass to Parker, Edwards said, was actually supposed to be Huard’s third option in that situation, with the first two being a pass to either Tony Gonzalez or Dwayne Bowe.

Still, the decision to throw any kind of pass in that situation seems strange. For starters, the Chiefs didn’t sign running back Larry Johnson to a $45 million contract so they could throw a jump ball to Parker on third and 1 in a tight game.

But even more glaring was the fact that even if the Chiefs gave the ball to Johnson and he didn’t get a first down, Kansas City could’ve kicked a chip-shot field goal and pulled within a touchdown at 20-13.

Instead, they came away with zero points and never threatened again.

“That’s the process of giving guys opportunities,” Edwards said. “It’s not different than being a young player. It’s not different than when I was a young head coach. You learn as you go. That’s part of growth.

“But, hey, when you lose you magnify everything. They want you to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and we’re not going to do that.”

Huard’s fourth-quarter interception wasn’t the only time the Chiefs called for a low-percentage play on third and short.

Kansas City recovered a Chicago fumble on the 50-yard line early in the first quarter. A first down or two, and the Chiefs would’ve been in a position to convert the turnover into points. Instead, on third and 2 from the Bears’ 42, the Chiefs — instead of giving it to Johnson — called for a deep pass to Parker down the right sideline. Huard overthrew the pass, and Kansas City had to punt.

The Chiefs again faced third and 2 later in the quarter, and again, no Johnson. Instead Huard kept the ball and was stopped a yard short of the first down. In the third quarter Huard fired a pass on third and 2 to Jeff Webb that was incomplete.

“Mike is going to get better,” Edwards said. “It’s his second year of doing this, and he inherited an offense that’s in flux. He’s got a lot of new players playing over there.”

Indeed, veteran receiver Eddie Kennison is out because of a hamstring injury, and Bowe and Webb are new to the system. Kansas City’s offensive line has experience, but only center Casey Wiegmann and left guard Brian Waters have played together extensively.

Either way, Sunday’s play calling seemed to fly in the face of the conservative style that has defined Edwards’ teams in the past. With balls flying all over the field and all the high-risk passes, it actually resembled an Al Saunders-coached offense at times.

The funniest part? Just when things seemed as if they couldn’t get any kookier, the Chiefs ran the ball on third and 13 during a crucial third-quarter drive. Backup tailback Michael Bennett gained just 4 yards before being tackled.

“There’s no need to panic,” Edwards said. “We’ll get the offense going. Hopefully, a month from now, we won’t even be discussing this.”

FloridaMan88 · 09-20-2007, 08:23 AM

This sounds like Vermeil defending Greg Robinson

**RealSNR** · 09-20-2007, 08:28 AM

How many offensive plays does one call in a game? 40? Multiply that by 17. Then add in another 40 for the Houston game. That's about 720 offensive plays that Solari has called. If you can't figure out what's effective by then, then maybe you're just not any good period.

How does one get better at calling plays? Either you know what works or you don't. It's simple.

**petegz28** · 09-20-2007, 08:29 AM

No Herm, it's realy easy to know not to throw high risk passes on 3rd and short to the leagues top defense.

boogblaster · 09-20-2007, 08:35 AM

Im ashamed, Solari learned everything from me while I was under the influence of controlled-substances .....

Sure-Oz · 09-20-2007, 08:41 AM

I like how our OC can learn as he goes but not our QBOTF

chagrin · 09-20-2007, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I like how our OC can learn as he goes but not our QBOTF

Bam - exactly what I was thinking, I don't believe that wasting 3-5 years of vomitous play calling with no strategy is worth it - I hate that guy.

Sure-Oz · 09-20-2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chagrin

Bam - exactly what I was thinking, I don't believe that wasting 3-5 years of vomitous play calling with no strategy is worth it - I hate that guy.

Agreed, i think the play calling would open up if they had faith in huard, or he had faith in passing 10-15 yards straight down the field. Croyle needs to learn, id be pissed if he barely got time and we draft another QB that won't play.

chagrin · 09-20-2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Agreed, i think the play calling would open up if they had faith in huard, or he had faith in passing 10-15 yards straight down the field. Croyle needs to learn, id be pissed if he barely got time and we draft another QB that won't play.

That flea flicker was a good pass though, fuggin illegal shift call

Sure-Oz · 09-20-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chagrin

That flea flicker was a good pass though, fuggin illegal shift call

Agreed, but there is always a flag when we get an awesome play, its like hell freezing over.

**petegz28** · 09-20-2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chagrin

That flea flicker was a good pass though, fuggin illegal shift call

And the illegal shift was more of an illgeal liningup on the line before the shift. Which comes from practice.

But hey Herm feels we need shorter practices.

**RealSNR** · 09-20-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

And the illegal shift was more of an illgeal liningup on the line before the shift. Which comes from practice.

But hey Herm feels we need shorter practices.

I think that's so guys like Tank don't nod off.

**petegz28** · 09-20-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

I think that's so guys like Tank don't nod off.

So then send the defense home. Obviously our O can't even line up right so maybe they need to stay after practice and line up correctly 100 times before they go home?

Wile_E_Coyote · 09-20-2007, 09:12 AM

Trent took the heat for Saunders first year. Football Jesus Al was not perfect. I bet there is several threads on here ripping him good. We forget quickly

I want to see what Solari would do with Croyle. I see Huard as limiting your options. Sorry Hootie

**the Talking Can** · 09-20-2007, 09:28 AM

The second Croyle enters, Solari starts going downfield. Same in preseason.

Solari is being thrown under the bus to protect the bigger problem - Damon Huard.

09-20-2007, 07:32 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3624454	King: Edwards Keeps Faith in Solari http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/281337.html Despite a handful of questionable play calls in Sunday’s loss to Chicago, Chiefs coach Herm Edwards indicated Tuesday that he hasn’t lost faith in offensive coordinator Mike Solari. “Mike is like any other second-year coordinator who’s never done the job,” Edwards said. “They learn as they go.” The Chiefs coaching staff — Solari, in particular — has been criticized for bungling a fourth-quarter possession that could’ve pulled Kansas City within one possession of the Bears. Trailing 20-10 and facing a third-and-1 situation at Chicago’s 16-yard line, Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard attempted a fade pass in the corner of the end zone to 5-foot-11 receiver Samie Parker. Huard’s pass was intercepted, and the Chiefs came away empty. “It’s not as easy as people (think),” Edwards said. “It’s always easy (to criticize) after the game: ‘You should’ve called this or called that.’ But if we would’ve run the ball and not made it, people would’ve said: ‘Why did you do that? You should’ve thrown a pass.’ “That’s ball, and that’s fans being disappointed. But it’s part of a process.” To be fair, Edwards said it was Huard — and not Solari — who made the decision to throw the fade pass. The pass to Parker, Edwards said, was actually supposed to be Huard’s third option in that situation, with the first two being a pass to either Tony Gonzalez or Dwayne Bowe. Still, the decision to throw any kind of pass in that situation seems strange. For starters, the Chiefs didn’t sign running back Larry Johnson to a $45 million contract so they could throw a jump ball to Parker on third and 1 in a tight game. But even more glaring was the fact that even if the Chiefs gave the ball to Johnson and he didn’t get a first down, Kansas City could’ve kicked a chip-shot field goal and pulled within a touchdown at 20-13. Instead, they came away with zero points and never threatened again. “That’s the process of giving guys opportunities,” Edwards said. “It’s not different than being a young player. It’s not different than when I was a young head coach. You learn as you go. That’s part of growth. “But, hey, when you lose you magnify everything. They want you to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and we’re not going to do that.” Huard’s fourth-quarter interception wasn’t the only time the Chiefs called for a low-percentage play on third and short. Kansas City recovered a Chicago fumble on the 50-yard line early in the first quarter. A first down or two, and the Chiefs would’ve been in a position to convert the turnover into points. Instead, on third and 2 from the Bears’ 42, the Chiefs — instead of giving it to Johnson — called for a deep pass to Parker down the right sideline. Huard overthrew the pass, and Kansas City had to punt. The Chiefs again faced third and 2 later in the quarter, and again, no Johnson. Instead Huard kept the ball and was stopped a yard short of the first down. In the third quarter Huard fired a pass on third and 2 to Jeff Webb that was incomplete. “Mike is going to get better,” Edwards said. “It’s his second year of doing this, and he inherited an offense that’s in flux. He’s got a lot of new players playing over there.” Indeed, veteran receiver Eddie Kennison is out because of a hamstring injury, and Bowe and Webb are new to the system. Kansas City’s offensive line has experience, but only center Casey Wiegmann and left guard Brian Waters have played together extensively. Either way, Sunday’s play calling seemed to fly in the face of the conservative style that has defined Edwards’ teams in the past. With balls flying all over the field and all the high-risk passes, it actually resembled an Al Saunders-coached offense at times. The funniest part? Just when things seemed as if they couldn’t get any kookier, the Chiefs ran the ball on third and 13 during a crucial third-quarter drive. Backup tailback Michael Bennett gained just 4 yards before being tackled. “There’s no need to panic,” Edwards said. “We’ll get the offense going. Hopefully, a month from now, we won’t even be discussing this.”
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09-20-2007, 08:23 AM	#2
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $2772906	This sounds like Vermeil defending Greg Robinson
Posts: 38,957

09-20-2007, 08:28 AM	#3
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $1970208	How many offensive plays does one call in a game? 40? Multiply that by 17. Then add in another 40 for the Houston game. That's about 720 offensive plays that Solari has called. If you can't figure out what's effective by then, then maybe you're just not any good period. How does one get better at calling plays? Either you know what works or you don't. It's simple.
Posts: 90,738

09-20-2007, 08:29 AM	#4
petegz28 Supporter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Olathe, Ks Casino cash: $2404127	No Herm, it's realy easy to know not to throw high risk passes on 3rd and short to the leagues top defense.
Posts: 128,325

09-20-2007, 08:35 AM	#5
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	Im ashamed, Solari learned everything from me while I was under the influence of controlled-substances ..... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

09-20-2007, 09:12 AM	#14
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	Trent took the heat for Saunders first year. Football Jesus Al was not perfect. I bet there is several threads on here ripping him good. We forget quickly I want to see what Solari would do with Croyle. I see Huard as limiting your options. Sorry Hootie
Posts: 6,009

09-20-2007, 09:28 AM	#15
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	The second Croyle enters, Solari starts going downfield. Same in preseason. Solari is being thrown under the bus to protect the bigger problem - Damon Huard. __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585