Covitz: Chiefs’ turnover problems get even worse

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs’ turnover problems get even worse
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
This is the formula that best describes the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs.

Minus-13 = 1-3.

By turning the ball over six times and taking it away just once in Sunday’s 37-20 loss to the San Diego Chargers, the Chiefs plummeted to minus-13 in turnover differential for the season and dropped into last place in the AFC West with a 1-3 record.

“With that setup, it’s almost surprising that we’ve gotten one (victory),” offensive tackle Eric Winston said. “It’s obviously unacceptable. It’s on everybody. Everyone has to share their blame for it. Until we stop turning the ball over, we’re not going to beat many teams.”

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel threw three interceptions, and running backs Jamaal Charles (two) and Shaun Droughn (one) lost three fumbles, all of which the Chargers converted into 24 points.

The last time the Chiefs committed six turnovers (also three picks and three fumbles) was in a 48-3 loss at Detroit in week two of the 2011 season. They have now turned the ball over 15 times (seven interceptions and eight fumbles) in four games while taking it away just twice.

“Turnovers have been killing us, and I have to take better care of the ball,” said Cassel, who also came close to losing a fumble, but the officials ruled his arm was in motion and a pass was incomplete in the second quarter.

“Obviously it starts with me, but the whole offensive unit needs to do a better job of taking care of the ball. We’ve got to solve it, and we’ve got to solve it quick.”

• Turnover one came on the Chiefs’ third offensive play of the game. Cassel telegraphed a pass to the left intended for Dwayne Bowe, and Chargers safety Eric Weddle jumped in front, picked it off and returned it 21 yards to the Chiefs’ 28. The Chargers converted the interception into a field goal for a 10-0 lead.

“He did a great job,” Cassel said of Weddle, who has four interceptions in the last three games against Kansas City. “He slipped out underneath the comeback (pattern), and he was in the right position at the right time.”

• Turnover two came on the Chiefs’ first play on the next possession when Chargers linebacker Takeo Spikes stripped Charles of the ball, and linebacker Shaun Phillips recovered at the Chiefs’ 5, setting up Jackie Battle’s 1-yard touchdown run and a 17-0 lead before many of the Arrowhead Stadium tailgaters found their seats.

“When you get turnovers like that, and the offense turns it into points, it’s great not only for the defense, but for the whole team,” said Weddle. “It (forces) the opponent to pass the whole game. It takes away the running game, and that’s what you want to do when they have a great back like Charles. We did that.”

• Turnover three also came on the first play of a possession in the second quarter when Charles was hit by defensive lineman Vaughn Martin, and teammate Corey Liget recovered at the Chiefs’ 28. But that play didn’t prove costly as Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers intercepted a Philip Rivers pass for Kansas City’s lone takeaway of the day.

• Turnover four was a killer. Cassel’s pass intended for tight end Tony Moeaki was behind the receiver, the ball caromed off Moeaki’s hands and into the arms of linebacker Donald Butler, who returned it 21 yards for a touchdown and a 27-6 lead late in the second quarter.

“I have to get him a better ball,” Cassel said. “It starts with me. I’ve got to do a better job of protecting the football and putting our team in a better situation to be successful.”

• Turnover five wasn’t entirely Cassel’s fault. He angled a pass intended for slot receiver Dexter McCluster from the Chargers’ 22 with 49 seconds left in the first half. But the ball went right through McCluster’s hands and to cornerback Antoine Cason, snuffing the Chiefs’ chances at making it a two-score game.

“He threw the ball right, I just have to hold onto it,” McCluster said. “It’s my job as a receiver to catch the ball, so I own up to it. I knew I was open because of the coverage they were playing. I dropped the ball. It’s on me.

“We could have got some points on the board; unfortunately we didn’t.”

• Turnover six was Droughn’s fumble early in the fourth quarter when the Chiefs were still part of the game. He lost the handle at midfield, the Chargers took over on the Chiefs’ 49 and converted that into a 4-yard pass from Rivers to Jackie Battle for an insurmountable 34-13 lead.

“There are a lot of faults,” said offensive tackle Branden Albert. “Everybody is at fault. We all had a fault in this loss. Not Matt … that’s unfair for him. There were breakdowns in protection, guys fumbling, it’s not just one person. Don’t put the whole blame on Matt.”

[Chiefs Pantalones]

**** you Cassel.

[qabbaan]

Hold their feet to the fire of accountability, media

[Reerun_KC]

Charles. Hold on to the ball. K? Thanks.

[Titty Meat]

Franchise record for passing yards after 4 games.

suck it.

[L.A. Chieffan]

Two of those picks werent even his fault.

[L.A. Chieffan]

Originally Posted by billay

Franchise record for passing yards after 4 games.

suck it.

And could be even more if he had a little time and some receivers that could catch.

Boom.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Two of those picks werent even his fault.

Huh? 2 were most certainly his fault.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

And could be even more if he had a little time and some receivers that could catch.

Boom.

You're trolling, yes?

[L.A. Chieffan]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Huh? 2 were most certainly his fault.

Nah just one, ill give em that

[L.A. Chieffan]

Originally Posted by petegz28

You're trolling, yes?

Your the troll dude

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Your the troll dude

That's a yes

[siberian khatru]

Originally Posted by petegz28

You're trolling, yes?

Are you new here?

[Dayze]

"what do you think about the pre game? Do you think the fans were into it"? : Fescoe

[Noss]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Two of those picks werent even his fault.

Sure its never Cassholes fault since he ALWAYS places the ball into the numbers EVERY single time.