Whitlock: Dump this team and plan for next year

[Coach]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...357011-p2.html

Dump this team and plan for next year

By the end of the third quarter, Larry Johnson had seen enough.

With the Chiefs down two scores, Damon Huard woozily sitting on the bench, coming to grips with the end of his starting career, and Priest Holmes impressively shaking off two years of rust, Kansas City’s highest-paid player limped out the front door of Arrowhead Stadium to his $450,000 Maybach 62 and chauffer.

By the end of the third, you knew all you needed to know about these Chiefs. They’re going nowhere, and it’s time to make some very difficult decisions.

The AFC West standings might define the Chiefs as a first-place team, but Kansas City’s 4-5 record, stuck-in-neutral offense and impossible-to-watch-and-stomach, 27-11 loss to the injury-riddled-and-mediocre Broncos told an uncomfortable truth.

The Chiefs are rancid, and the only way to clean the stench is to make all decisions with next year in mind.

We know what happens when you back into the playoffs with a shoddy offensive line, washed-up quarterback and unimaginative, in-over-his-head offensive coordinator. You get eviscerated by a legitimate playoff squad. You fail to pick up a first down until late in the third quarter. You play offense so bad that Chris Berman can’t help but crack jokes when he shows the highlights on ESPN.

No one wants to see a KC-Indy sequel.

So it’s time to move on. Time to play the young guys, not just at quarterback.

Huard is done. I like him. He’s taken a beating playing behind a line that is just as ineffective blocking the run as it is in pass protection. Huard hasn’t complained. He’s absorbed the licks and tried to be more than what he is — a backup quarterback.

It’s now time to see whether Brodie Croyle is more than a backup. Now is the proper time. The pressure is off. Johnson is down for the season. Everyone, especially the veteran players, can accept that the Chiefs are not a real playoff team.

For the record, I don’t like Croyle’s footwork. He doesn’t step into his throws, and the ball sails on him. He threw an interception on Sunday for this exact reason. It’s an error that’s fixable, but it’s also an error that can cost you games and ruin a career.

It’s also clear that offensive coordinator Mike Solari is an outstanding offensive-line coach. He’s not a play-caller. He’s been elevated to his point of incompetence. Next year Solari should be reinstated as line coach and work on re-establishing that unit as a force. The center, right guard and right tackle all must be replaced.

On Sunday, Solari blew the game. The Broncos own the league’s worst run defense. Priest Holmes, to my surprise and probably the surprise of the coaching staff, looked damn good. He looked fresh. He looked shifty. He looked ready to carry the load and help the Chiefs win an ugly game.

Solari failed to take advantage. He chose odd times to throw the ball, especially opening the second half of a tight game with four straight passing plays, which resulted in a Huard interception and fumble.

When the game was over, I wanted to blame Holmes. I erroneously thought the Chiefs built a more aggressive game plan because Solari and Herm Edwards were unsure what Holmes could do in live action over an extended period. It’s hard for a coach to build a game plan around a guy who joined the team in late July, skipped the preseason and talks in circles.

I was wrong. After talking with several offensive players, I was assured the Chiefs built a Holmes-heavy game plan, and Solari failed to execute it. Holmes bounced outside for 11 yards in the first quarter, and Solari seemed to run Holmes inside too often the rest of the game.

I don’t remember any screen plays for Holmes. Solari didn’t make a concerted effort to get Holmes in space, let him use his vision and quicker-than-expected feet. Holmes’ numbers weren’t overwhelming (65 yards in 20 carries), but had Solari called the right plays at the right time, Holmes should’ve had about 24 carries for 85 yards and three or four receptions for an additional 40 yards.

There were moments in Sunday’s game when I had to remind myself to temper my outlook on Holmes’ play because Denver’s front seven is atrocious. But I am positive about one thing: even at age 34, Holmes is 10 times the back Johnson is in the passing game.

Holmes had little trouble and enthusiastically picked up Denver’s blitzes.

“I talked with Priest for about an hour this week, just about what the offensive line was seeing and trying to do,” guard Brian Waters told me. “He’s done a really good job of trying to understand what we’re doing.”

Ah, I’m off on a tangent talking about an old running back when the Chiefs’ entire focus needs to be on getting younger.

To reach Jason Whitlock, call 816-234-4869 or send e-mail to jwhitlock@kcstar.com. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.

[Calcountry]

Originally Posted by GOATSE

HTF did we beat the Chargers then? Or compete with the Packers?

This team just confuses me. The effort and execution level we saw last Sunday against the Packers was good enough to beat Denver.

WHERE DID THAT TEAM GO?

I'ts very simple to gameplan the Chiefs, that's how. All you have to do, is NOT turn the ball over on us.

Heck, you can even get a bunch of penalties and it won't matter, just don't turn the ball over.


The only way we have been winning is by getting turnovers.

Herm's game plan: run run pass punt, pray for turnovers.

[Chiefnj2]

The Chiefs competed with the Packers because the Packers had a bad game in the first half.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by bunnytrdr

Seriously. Do you think Croyle is looking forward to our tackles dealing with Dwight Freeney?

If he can get rid of the ball quick enough behind this O line to avoid getting sacked he can do it behind any O line.

I don't understand why people want us to miss the playoffs and tank the season. If we start Croyle and somehow blunder in it's only a positive. It means that not only did Croyle help turn the season around but he also gained playoff experience. This team doesn't have a ton of post-season experience...

[donkhater]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Bob Dole is pretty sure that if he can sit on his couch in Texas and successfully call out the next play Solari is going to call at about an 80% success rate, the opposing defenses (who, incidentally, get paid to study tendencies all week) are doing even better. Did anyone happen to notice how frequently Denver seemed to have the perfect defense for the play called before our guys even broke the huddle?

Funny you should say this. Yesterday I called about 5 plays in a row and my wife (who watches NO football) just sat there in awe. She said, "You watch too much football". I just shook my head. It's pretty sad how obvious it's become.

I basically did the same thing last week. The only time I was wrong was the screen to LJ for a touchdown.

Let me repeat that: The only time a schmuck on his couch in Indiana incorrectly called a play, it resulted in a TD.

[suds79]

For as much as I am a believer that players make coaches look good or bad, I saw something in Solari I didn't like yesterday.... Perhaps I should of caught this before...

Every time the Chiefs line up, go through an elaborate shift, it was a run to Priest. If you Tivoed the game just watch the 1st drive. I promise you that they run Priest on the same play 3 times... Just to different sides. Just watch it.

If I can pick that up, how could DCs not?

O-line needs replaced & Solari needs to demoted.

Furthermore, McIntosh needs to be moved to RT. He's not good enough to be the LT of a quality team. That should be your best O-linemen.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by suds79

go through an elaborate shit

- just trying to visualize the logistics, TP prefolded, a crisp new copy of the New Yorker, maybe a cup of cocoa on the ledge of the bathtub, candles naturally.

[Lancetastic]

I don't know that Solari was ever the best OL coach either. Roaf was already established when he came to KC. We just got lucky that his knee was not as bad as the Saints thought. Shields was already in his prime and Waters was just entering his. We definitely did not develop any offensive linemen during his tenure or we would not be in the shape we are today. Even Roaf was quoted (though admittedly I cannot find it) as saying Solari was not great at developing new talent.

[suds79]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

- just trying to visualize the logistics, TP prefolded, a crisp new copy of the New Yorker, maybe a cup of cocoa on the ledge of the bathtub, candles naturally.

Didn't see that. thx

[xbarretx]

as much as it pains me to agree with Whitlock.......i agree with 97% of what he said.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Rausch

If he can get rid of the ball quick enough behind this O line to avoid getting sacked he can do it behind any O line.

I don't understand why people want us to miss the playoffs and tank the season. If we start Croyle and somehow blunder in it's only a positive. It means that not only did Croyle help turn the season around but he also gained playoff experience. This team doesn't have a ton of post-season experience...

Having watched Croyle in college (somewhat more than I'd like, by the way), I know this about him. He's not a china doll. Much has been made about his injuries, but he's been sacked more that Mr. Redrum_69's mother and lived to tell the tale.

And, not only is he a tough little bastard, he is a competitor - a fighter, a scrapper, a battler - whatever you wish to call it. If people remember Saleaumua, they will recall that, off the field, he was a genial guy - always smiling and laughing. But, on the field, he was a friggin' monster who brought death and destruction. Croyle seems to be like that. During the day, he is a slow talkin' good ol' boy. But, between the chalk, he likes the taste of fresh blood.

If Hermoine hasn't lost the team yet (I count this as a real possibility), I think that Brodie can generate some enthusiasm and some energy with his on-the-field approach and attitude. And, if the three stooges don't ruin him by forcing him to checkdown in every situation, I think he can and will win games for us.

FAX

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Lancetastic

We definitely did not develop any offensive linemen during his tenure

Brian Waters

[xbarretx]

Originally Posted by FAX

Having watched Croyle in college (somewhat more than I'd like, by the way), I know this about him. He's not a china doll. Much has been made about his injuries, but he's been sacked more that Mr. Redrum_69's mother and lived to tell the tale.

FAX

[StcChief]

KC Star - Dump Fatlock and build for the future.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by FAX

Having watched Croyle in college (somewhat more than I'd like, by the way), I know this about him. He's not a china doll. Much has been made about his injuries, but he's been sacked more that Mr. Redrum_69's mother and lived to tell the tale.

And, not only is he a tough little bastard, he is a competitor - a fighter, a scrapper, a battler - whatever you wish to call it. If people remember Saleaumua, they will recall that, off the field, he was a genial guy - always smiling and laughing. But, on the field, he was a friggin' monster who brought death and destruction. Croyle seems to be like that. During the day, he is a slow talkin' good ol' boy. But, between the chalk, he likes the taste of fresh blood.

If Hermoine hasn't lost the team yet (I count this as a real possibility), I think that Brodie can generate some enthusiasm and some energy with his on-the-field approach and attitude. And, if the three stooges don't ruin him by forcing him to checkdown in every situation, I think he can and will win games for us.

FAX

THIS IS SPARTA

Originally Posted by Lancetastic

I don't know that Solari was ever the best OL coach either. Roaf was already established when he came to KC. We just got lucky that his knee was not as bad as the Saints thought. Shields was already in his prime and Waters was just entering his. We definitely did not develop any offensive linemen during his tenure or we would not be in the shape we are today. Even Roaf was quoted (though admittedly I cannot find it) as saying Solari was not great at developing new talent.

I disagree with this thought. A line coach's job is to develop players, yes but there's so much more than that. For many years during Solari's tenure the Chiefs were thought to have one of the best if not THE best line in the NFL. Solari deserves credit for that. He's clearly a great line coach. I don't think we can take that away from him no matter how poorly we think he does as a coordinator.