Chiefs' offense: "one of the worst in the league, by nearly every measure"

[the Talking Can]

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2013/9...chiefs-offense

some numbers to chew on from arrowhead pride

The Chiefs are actually 12th in the league in PPG, at 23.7. But if you take away the 14 points the defense is directly responsible for, that number drops to 19 PPG, which would be tied for 23rd - with the Raiders. The Chiefs are relying on the defense to score points, which isn't good. Defensive scoring is random and shouldn't be part of the game plan. They didn't need Tamba Hali's pick-6 to beat the Jaguars, but they did need Eric Berry's against the Eagles.

They also are just not moving the ball; their 333 yds/gm is 21st in the league and their 4.9 yds/play ranks 25th. "Well Kyle," you may ask, " if the Chiefs offense is so bad, how are they undefeated this year?" That's an excellent question, thank you for asking. The answer is that the defense and special teams are much, much better than we thought.

The problem the Chiefs are having is getting to the Red Zone in the first place. They're 30th in yards per drive, with only Tampa Bay and Jacksonville behind them, and Cleveland directly in front of them (not good company to be in). This is a really, really bad offense. But here's the real kicker: the Chiefs' offense has the best starting field position in the NFL this year, and still can't score.

The Chiefs average 17 yards per drive better field position than their opponents (ok, ok, 16.95), the best mark in the NFL (2nd table). Only two other teams average more than 10 yards better starting field position than their opponents (New England and Chicago). The Chiefs' average starting line of scrimmage (LOS) is their own 36.97 yard line (best in the NFL), while their opponents average starting LOS is their own 20.02 yard line (also best in the NFL). What all of that means is the Chiefs's offense is handed consistently great starting field position and can't do anything with it, then they let the special teams pin opponents deep in their own territory. The defense bails out the offense by not letting opponents move the ball, giving the offense the ball back with great starting field position. Lather, rinse, repeat.

There's a nice breakdown of our defense against philly over there as well:
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/9/2...p-kelly-eagles

I have to reiterate and emphasize just how much the Chiefs played man to man -- like a ton of it. And they have the secondary to handle it, unlike most teams in the NFL. Specifically, they matched up Sean Smith on Cooper a lot on the outside. If this had been a prize fight, Cooper's corner would have thrown in the towel somewhere around the middle of the second quarter. Smith owned him right up until the end of the game when he started cramping up. Cooper just couldn't shake him, especially on those aforementioned deep routes Kelly had him running all game.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Ace Gunner

no no no -- you can't watch games and evaluate, you must only use statistics text and that is the motherload.

Yeah, because that's what folks are doing. Rather than using stats to back up what they think they're seeing with their own eyes.

And the fact that people are bringing up the Jaguars in the same discussion is pretty telling.

Anyway, I think most of us believe they'll improve in some facets. But that's conveniently ignored because OMG SOMEBODY MENTIONED ALEX SMITH DEFEND DEFEND DEFEND

[Mav]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Yeah, because that's what folks are doing. Rather than using stats to back up what they think they're seeing with their own eyes.

And the fact that people are bringing up the Jaguars in the same discussion is pretty telling.

Anyway, I think most of us believe they'll improve in some facets. But that's conveniently ignored because OMG SOMEBODY MENTIONED ALEX SMITH DEFEND DEFEND DEFEND

Sad but true. Its a defense mechanism at this point. When you have been doing it for 5 years non stop. Becomes habit.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Yeah, because that's what folks are doing. Rather than using stats to back up what they think they're seeing with their own eyes.

And the fact that people are bringing up the Jaguars in the same discussion is pretty telling.

Anyway, I think most of us believe they'll improve in some facets. But that's conveniently ignored because OMG SOMEBODY MENTIONED ALEX SMITH DEFEND DEFEND DEFEND

Mentioned?

It's 70 pages of bitching about Alex Smith.

Christ man, redundant group-think is redundant.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

Can someone sum up all 76 pages?

Skeptics: "The Chiefs defense is great, and so are special teams. They are carrying the offense so far, which is a troubling trend. Unless the offense improves, this formula is not good enough to win in the playoffs, based on recent historical evidence, unless the Chiefs' D is legendarily good.

It's the same ride I've been on multiple times. I can enjoy games again, but I realize there probably is an expiration date (end of regular season) on this being a winning approach."

Non-skeptics: "Well, but the offense is probably going to get better once it is healthy and gels more! Gotta give it time. And the defense/special teams are great!"

Skeptics: "That's fine, but many offenses have hit the ground running in a similar situation as the Chiefs. It's possible/likely this is what the Alex Smith-led offense is. And while making the playoffs might be more fun than earning the No. 1 overall pick, I've ridden that bus many times before. It doesn't do much for me."

Non-skeptics: "3-0! 22-5-1! He just wins!"

NINERS fans: "We are giant douchebags and should have been universally banned a few weeks ago. You guys should be SO HAPPY to just win 10 games! We have struggled so much! We know what it is like, how can you not be happy now? We would be!"

Rinse, repeat, devolve.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

Mentioned?

It's 70 pages of bitching about Alex Smith.

Christ man, redundant group-think is redundant.

All Alex Smith. Except for the talk about the offensive line. And the talk about the injuries at tight end. And the talk about the playcalling. And the talk about the wide receivers.

Interesting how selective eyesight can be.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by lcarus

That being said, with all of Alex Smith's weaknesses, we need our line to play better to have a chance of winning anything substantial. Mainly in the run game.

Yeah, we better spend another 4 round one picks on O-line so we can get our asses handed to us on the off chance we reach a Championship.

JFC.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Skeptics: "The Chiefs defense is great, and so are special teams. They are carrying the offense so far, which is a troubling trend. Unless the offense improves, this formula is not good enough to win in the playoffs, based on recent historical evidence, unless the Chiefs' D is legendarily good.

It's the same ride I've been on multiple times. I can enjoy games again, but I realize there probably is an expiration date (end of regular season) on this being a winning approach."

Non-skeptics: "Well, but the offense is probably going to get better once it is healthy and gels more! Gotta give it time. And the defense/special teams are great!"

Skeptics: "That's fine, but many offenses have hit the ground running in a similar situation as the Chiefs. It's possible/likely this is what the Alex Smith-led offense is. And while making the playoffs might be more fun than earning the No. 1 overall pick, I've ridden that bus many times before. It doesn't do much for me."

Non-skeptics: "3-0! 22-5-1! He just wins!"

NINERS fans: "We are giant douchebags and should have been universally banned a few weeks ago. You guys should be SO HAPPY to just win 10 games! We have struggled so much! We know what it is like, how can you not be happy now? We would be!"

Rinse, repeat, devolve.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Thanks, Halfcan.

[ViperVisor]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

All Alex Smith. Except for the talk about the offensive line. And the talk about the injuries at tight end. And the talk about the playcalling. And the talk about the wide receivers.

Interesting how selective eyesight can be.

There was nearly identical back and forth in 2011/2012 dealing wit Alex Smith.

61.3% 3144 Yards 17 TDs 7.1 YPA 90.7 Rating

ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH ALEX SMITH

Reasonable people didn't HYPER FOCUS on pissing and crapping their pants over Alex Smith not being an elite QB.

Those reasonable people said Alex Smith was part of a things that needed to improve for the team to be one of the few favorites to win.

WHAT HAPPNED??

70.2% 1737 Yards 13 TDs 8.0 YPA 104.1 Rating

WHY?

Either Smith got better or the guys around him got better or it was a combination of the 2.

It was obvious to those to saw the games and was not blinded by hate and ignorance there was obvious improvements to be made.
I'm not talking about 'Man I wish we had this'.
They were obtainable things that only avg players could accomplish because the team was not even mediocre at doing it.
The 49ers didn't make many changes from a personnel standpoint. The glaring issues were improved upon from within.

So...
WHY CAN'T IT HAPPEN AGAIN IN KC?

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Yeah, because that's what folks are doing. Rather than using stats to back up what they think they're seeing with their own eyes.

And the fact that people are bringing up the Jaguars in the same discussion is pretty telling.

Anyway, I think most of us believe they'll improve in some facets. But that's conveniently ignored because OMG SOMEBODY MENTIONED ALEX SMITH DEFEND DEFEND DEFEND

I don't see folks "defending" the QB as much as pointing to much much larger weakness in the offense -- blocking. What this really amounts to IMO is the statisticians that want A better QB constantly roll in those positional stats without acknowledging the fact basic blocking is a necessary function of good QB stats.

Andy Reid is actually being dictated by this OL's poor play as evidenced in the video thread. This QB can only hope to find plays they can execute. As much as folks in the QB - bator camp like to talk like they know something about the position, it often gets lost in ignorant ranting.

I'd appreciate a weekly thread focusing on the OL. If wendler were to put his stat comp skills to work on the five guys up front, I might have more respect for his posts re the QB.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Ace Gunner

I don't see folks "defending" the QB as much as pointing to much much larger weakness in the offense -- blocking. What this really amounts to IMO is the statisticians that want A better QB constantly roll in those positional stats without acknowledging the fact basic blocking is a necessary function of good QB stats.

Yeah, pretty much.

If a QB is in the same system with the same players in his 3rd or more seasons? He will be better able to overcome shoddy blocking or other deficiencies around him.

A quarterback in a year 1 system with new players really must have adequate blocking to look good out there. The KC run blocks have been awful at times, as have the pass blocks. This is the one and only area that must improve, if people really want to see an offense improving from 14th ranked efficiency in the league so far.

Smith is a pretty clutch guy at times, but he like most can get rattled into playing sloppy football in stretches of games when he's constantly getting put on the ground.

[mcaj22]

with the 28th pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Joe Blowwhatevername, Guard out of Cal University of Pennsylvania

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Skeptics: "The Chiefs defense is great, and so are special teams. They are carrying the offense so far, which is a troubling trend. Unless the offense improves, this formula is not good enough to win in the playoffs, based on recent historical evidence, unless the Chiefs' D is legendarily good.

It's the same ride I've been on multiple times. I can enjoy games again, but I realize there probably is an expiration date (end of regular season) on this being a winning approach."

Non-skeptics: "Well, but the offense is probably going to get better once it is healthy and gels more! Gotta give it time. And the defense/special teams are great!"

Skeptics: "That's fine, but many offenses have hit the ground running in a similar situation as the Chiefs. It's possible/likely this is what the Alex Smith-led offense is. And while making the playoffs might be more fun than earning the No. 1 overall pick, I've ridden that bus many times before. It doesn't do much for me."

Non-skeptics: "3-0! 22-5-1! He just wins!"

NINERS fans: "We are giant douchebags and should have been universally banned a few weeks ago. You guys should be SO HAPPY to just win 10 games! We have struggled so much! We know what it is like, how can you not be happy now? We would be!"

Rinse, repeat, devolve.

/thread

Cut. Print. That's a wrap.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

with the 28th pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Joe Blowwhatevername, Guard out of Cal University of Pennsylvania

\Bank it.

[KCTitus]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

with the 28th pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Joe Blowwhatevername, Guard out of Cal University of Pennsylvania

KC sure could use a good guard