Ten Things About Today's Game

[gblowfish]

Ten Things About Today's Game

10. My dad passed away two years ago, about a week after the Chiefs playoff loss to Baltimore. He was my best Chiefs buddy and my reason for being a life long Chiefs fan. A few weeks before he died he asked our family to bury him in his favorite suit and his favorite Red and Gold Chiefs Socks - which we did. As they say in the commercials, "He was fan enough." In 1977 one of the Christmas presents my dad got me was a Chiefs coffee cup. It's one of those odd items that has survived the journey all these years. Every game day, if I am at home, I have my morning coffee from this same cup, which I only use on Chiefs game days.

Win or lose, the cup's been with me for 35 years. As we start another season, I just wanted to give props to my dad for giving me this passion. I thought of him a lot today, especially with that first sip of Joe this morning.

9. I'm looking at this season through the prism of where we exited, and that's recovering from the ashes of a 2-14 season with NO AFC West wins, only one home win and that coming the day after a player killed his wife, then himself, in front of the head coach in the team parking lot. With the record setting futility of last year's offense, the inept coaching, the fan revolt and front office house cleaning, I don't think there's been a darker, angrier, more depressing season. I think everyone has been skeptical this summer as to what we'd get with so much upheaval in all phases: coaching, front office and roster. If my count is right, 31 of the 53 are new guys this year. Six guys picked up on pre-season final waivers were in Chiefs uniform today. On offense, we saw a new starting QB, new starting wideout, two new starting linemen, new tight end and new fullback. Plus, KC has historically been TERRIBLE playing in Florida, period; and worse on opening day on the road. The last time the Chiefs won their season opener on the road was 2002 at Cleveland (The Dwayne Rudd Helmet Game) under a former Philadelphia Eagles head coach, Grandpa Dick Vermeil. The Chiefs ended up 8-8 that season, which is what a lot of folks expect for this season.


8. The Jacksonville crowd was pathetic. They had several areas closed off, and there were tons of empty seats between the 30 yard lines. I know it was a hot, muggy day, but this is a season opening home game, people. Here's a screen shot of half time. Either everyone went up to get some shade, everyone went home, or both. By the fourth quarter it looked like there were mostly Chiefs fans left in the building. I can't see how they can keep a franchise in Jacksonville for many more years without moving to LA or London. Jacksonville doesn't deserve an NFL team with that kind of backing, even one that sucks as bad as the Jags sucked today.



7. What was the opening night review for Alex Smith? I thought Alex Smith was a combination of the best of Rich Gannon and Trent Green. I thought his first half was excellent. Looked like Green because he hit guys in stride, where they could do something with the ball once it was caught. He avoided turning the ball over; no picks, 21 of 34 for 173 and two TDs. He looked like Gannon with four scrambles for 25 yards. And he spread the ball around. Nine different guys caught passes today. That's what game management is; getting everybody involved, not turning the ball over and keeping the defense off the field. The pass to Avery hit him right in stride, and gave him the angle to break a tackle headed for the corner pylon -nice hit by the Jags mascot at the end of that play, btw... The pass to Hemmingway for the second TD was perfect, right where it needed to be, when it needed to be. Those two passes alone we never saw from Cassel or Quinn, ever. And think about this: Although we didn't score a single offensive point in the second half, our point total of 28 is more than we scored in ANY GAME last year. That's reason for optimism.

6. What can you say about the defense? They essentially pitched a shutout. Granted, Gabbert sucks like a Hoover. We're fortunate the Jags didn't start Henne, or the game may have been more competitive. Six Sacks -including three for Houston and one each for Jackson and Poe- and a pick six for Hali; our all-pro defensive players showed up today. DJ led the defense with seven tackles, but how about Poe's day? Five tackles, a knocked down pass and a legit bull rush sack? Awesome. I think Andy Reid should make the entire defense swear off BBQ if that's the results with Poe.

5. Special teams got off to a scary start with the blocked punt. If you go back and look at that play, Cyrus Gray was the protector. He broke left to pick up a guy on the edge. Akeem Jordan releases early, and a guy squirts between the hole Jordan leaves behind and comes right where Gray had been in protection. With a bunch of new guys picked up off the waiver wire starting on punt team, it's not surprising. Coach Toub will get that fixed. Otherwise, Colquitt was pretty good today with nine punts and a 58 yarder among the kicks. Jacksonville only crossed the fifty on offense once the entire game, and never scored. Field position was a big part of that result. For the Chiefs, McCluster fielded seven punts and did OK, but he needs to get north-south and not dance around so much. He did have one nice return for 36 yards. Overall, our special teams are light years better than last year, and Toub is the reason.

4. Charles got hit hard in the third quarter on the running play that eventually put him out. He took a knee to the quad, and I think it was smart to get him out and keep him out with the game out of reach.
View My Video
He should be OK for the Dallas game.
Sitting Charles was a good chance to see what Knile Davis could do in a real game situation. Of all the backs, I was most impressed with the fullback Sherman. He was the leading receiver today with four for 44 yards. He also blocked well on short yardage. He's what we got for the Javier Arenas trade to Arizona. Looks like a good move.

3. Fisher v. Joeckel: I think its safe to say Fisher wins this matchup. The Chiefs ran behind Fisher several times today. He did get beat for one sack in the fourth quarter, where Smith held the ball too long.
View My Video
But Joeckel got smoked by Houston on two sacks, and he missed chopping Hali down on the play that ended in a pick six.
View My Video
Match to Mr. Fisher.

2. After an entire season of negativity, it's refreshing not to have to look for things to complain about after a win. My only concern from this game is how the offense continually stalled between the Jags' 50 and 40 in the second half. We had no second half offensive points, and went three and out with excellent field position too many times. The defense was so good today that it didn't matter. But somewhere down the road Smith is going to need to sustain drives and run clock. He'll need to keep the defense off the field, especially later in the year as players get dinged up. Looks like the only guys who were affected today were Charles and Albert, and both should be OK next week for Dallas.

1. Jacksonville isn't a good team. Today they looked like the Chiefs looked last year and the year before. It was a mismatch. What a nice change to be on the other side of the equation. I believe we'll have a fighting chance in most of our games this year. The offense is diverse enough where you can't just key on Charles. There's enough legit targets where you can't just concentrate on stopping Bowe. This defense looks awesome, especially in passing downs where you don't know who's coming. Special teams are greatly improved -save for one glitch today- and the team played with energy and discipline, very few penalties, no pass interference, no holding, no unsportsmanlike stuff. And next Sunday, I'll get up early and tip my coffee mug to the old man, and get ready for the home opener. He never liked Dallas.

[TEX]

I have a coffee cup exactly like that one. DONT ever put it in the microwave because the gold rings are metalic and will SPARK!

[jjchieffan]

I feel for you with your .missing your Dad. You never do stop .missing someone you was so close too. As for the game review, it is, as always, fantastic reading. I agree whole heartedly with everything you wrote. We need more posters like you here.

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Pete is going to bitch at you for this.

Pete should just bring down the meatloaf then go back to the kitchen.

[tecumseh]

Always look forward to your "Ten things". This one was exceptional. Coincidently, I was at the Dwayne Rudd helmet game and my brother wanted to leave early since we we're rolling back to Chicago. I told him" We stay until the end of the game." and what an end.
Take care of that mug.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Ten Things About Today's Game

10. In 1977 one of the Christmas presents my dad got me was a Chiefs coffee cup. It's one of those odd items that has survived the journey all these years. Every game day, if I am at home, I have my morning coffee from this same cup, which I only use on Chiefs game days.Win or lose, the cup's been with me for 35 years. As we start another season, I just wanted to give props to my dad for giving me this passion. I thought of him a lot today, especially with that first sip of Joe this morning.
Nice tribute and a cool memento. I have a small gold cross that my Mom gave me when I graduated high school and I still wear it to this day, even though I don't practice any religion anymore. I think of her every time I see it in the mirror when I'm getting dressed.

9. I'm looking at this season through the prism of where we exited.
Hard to go anywhere but up from last year's debacle but to win in Florida in our road opener as well was a quick start to erasing the awful memories.

8. The Jacksonville crowd was pathetic.
It was shocking for a home opener to see so few people, even if they suck

7. What was the opening night review for Alex Smith? Although we didn't score a single offensive point in the second half, our point total of 28 is more than we scored in ANY GAME last year. That's reason for optimism.
I didn't realize we never scored 28 or more last year but it certainly makes sense when we only win 2 games. He made throws Cassel NEVER could make. That's a big plus IMHO

6. What can you say about the defense? They essentially pitched a shutout. Awesome.
It sure was

5. Special teams got off to a scary start with the blocked punt. Overall, our special teams are light years better than last year, and Toub is the reason.
Since we had one blocked in preseason as well, I worried someone is missing their assignment bigtime but I'm sure it will be fixed ASAP.

4. Sitting Charles was a good chance to see what Knile Davis could do in a real game situation. Of all the backs, I was most impressed with the fullback Sherman.Looks like a good move.
Agreed, Sherman was a big unknown surprise for me.

3. Fischer v. Joeckel: Match to Mr. Fischer.
Not even close-Fisher crushed vs Joeklel

2. After an entire season of negativity, it's refreshing not to have to look for things to complain about after a win. My only concern from this game is how the offense continually stalled between the Jags' 50 and 40 in the second half. We had no second half offensive points, and went three and out with excellent field position too many times.
Was easily my biggest concern as well as the poor clock management.

1. Jacksonville isn't a good team. And next Sunday, I'll get up early and tip my coffee mug to the old man, and get ready for the home opener. He never liked Dallas.
Jacksonville is a BAD BAD TEAM. Possibly one of the worst I've seen in a long time and much worse than us last year so even though it was a huge win, they ain't the Niner's or Seahawks or Pats or Packers.
I think our game against Dallas will depend a lot on how they play tonight against the G-Men. If they lose, they will be a lot tougher for us. I hope they win and then relax against us next week. I know Arrowhead will be rocking better than it has in a long time.

Well once again I am happy to wait for your "Ten Things" as we begin a new season. Let's hope it's as good as we believe it can for a change!

Nice job as always!

[MahiMike]

Both teams have been mirror images of each other for years. Both got new HC's and front offices.

Today we saw the difference between a defensive-minded HC and an offensive one.

No contest.

[xztop123]

To me the most concerning part is Bowe's continued struggle to get open.

[King_Chief_Fan]

Good job George

Arenas has looked like a clown today. Brings the ball out twice only to give his team poor field position

[Bearcat]

They said it was 95 at kickoff and we're talking about two 2-14 teams... no reason to pay for that, especially when the home team did even less to improve itself than the other team.

I remember that Browns game well, sitting in my dorm, then running out into the hallway yelling "HOLY SHIT!"

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by MahiMike

Both teams have been mirror images of each other for years. Both got new HC's and front offices.

Today we saw the difference between a defensive-minded HC and an offensive one.

No contest.

You are absolutely shitting me.

You believe the difference in these two teams is the head coach?

Not Houston, Berry, Hali, Flowers, Charles, Bowe, DJ and Poe? Because all 8 of those guys are better than every single player on the Jaguars roster. Those guys could all go on the IR tomorrow and the Chiefs would still have a better team than the Jags.

Bradley vs. Reid has very little bearing on today's outcome.

But hey, when you have a message to deliver, don't ever miss a chance to deliver it, By God - accuracy be damned.

[Rukdafaidas]

Great read, I enjoyed it.

[gblowfish]

CBS kept showing this poor Jags fan every time Gabbert would do something stupid.

I felt his pain. I really did.

[dannybcaitlyn]

I was waiting for your post George. Thanks enjoyed.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Loved it. Have really come to look forward to reading these every week. Jax crossed the 50 twice though. We pushed them back the 1st time, which got me jacked up, but they did make it across twice.

[DTHOF]

I was in that crowd today that you show that screenshot. As a Chief fan I definitely felt for the Jag fans. It was like a graveyard after it was 14-2.

It was also a very bad stadium. Smelled like mildew and there was nowhere to hide from the heat which was brutal.