|
09-08-2013, 04:50 PM | |
Be Kind To Your Pets
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Glorious Independence, MO
Casino cash: $17706178
VARSITY
|
Ten Things About Today's Game
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. Last edited by gblowfish; 09-09-2013 at 08:25 AM.. |
Posts: 40,812
|
09-08-2013, 08:27 PM | #61 |
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Billings, Montana
Casino cash: $2139833647
|
This is what you do best, good work.
__________________
Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you. |
Posts: 69,703
|
09-08-2013, 08:42 PM | #62 | |
Sprinkle in some Mahomes
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Butte Montana
Casino cash: $7678507
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 8,270
|
09-08-2013, 08:47 PM | #63 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Johnson County
Casino cash: $10013802
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 3,341
|
09-08-2013, 08:55 PM | #64 |
Supporter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liberty
Casino cash: $1951251
|
Enjoyed as always...
Thanks George |
Posts: 16,678
|
09-08-2013, 09:29 PM | #65 |
Integralist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Murrieta, CA
Casino cash: $10006370
|
I don't think I've ever replied to your "10 Things..." series, but I've always read them and always enjoyed them. One of the things I always look for on this board.
__________________
You'll see it's all a show, keep 'em laughing as you go, just remember, the last laugh is on you, and always look on the bright side of life! |
Posts: 3,875
|
09-08-2013, 09:36 PM | #66 |
Supporter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Casino cash: $3653904
|
It is an official part of my football Sundays
__________________
2017 Adopt-A-Chief:TYREEK HILL |
Posts: 10,759
|
09-08-2013, 10:14 PM | #67 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
Casino cash: $3274284
|
That Poe bull rush sack is my favorite Chiefs play in recent memory. Thanks for the writeup.
|
Posts: 27,154
|
09-09-2013, 12:12 AM | #68 |
Niner Trash
Join Date: Mar 2013
Casino cash: $10013638
|
On top of that, the Ravens HC never has to worry about competing with the 49ers HC before the super bowl. I don't think he wanted Boldin to go to an AFC team. Dumping Boldin's salary off on the 49ers was both a favor to Jim and a defensive move to insure he wouldn't face Boldin in the playoffs.
|
Posts: 2,911
|
09-09-2013, 01:25 AM | #69 |
Mahomes Dynasty
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Parts Unknown
Casino cash: $8072254
|
Fisher playing RT means he's leaning and planting your feet for leverage opposite of what he's always been doing...so naturally he's not going to be as strong at it, because his muscles and their repetition are used to doing it a certain way. So he's gonna struggle against bull rushes....big time, he's having to block and plant for leverage from his weak side if you will. I bet when Albert leaves next season, and when he moves back to LT, we'll see an even improved (in terms of technique and w/ a year of NFL under his belt) and a much better and stronger Eric Fisher. Wonder if Schwartz would be our RT or Allen? Stephenson? Or would they go via FA or draft?
__________________
|
Posts: 39,152
|
09-09-2013, 02:00 AM | #70 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Parts Unknown
Casino cash: $1853166
|
|
Posts: 21,054
|
09-09-2013, 04:36 AM | #71 | |
Huh
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: KC, Mo
Casino cash: $10004900
|
Quote:
Thanks for sharing the story or your coffee cup and your Pops.
__________________
Last edited by Craqhead; 09-09-2013 at 04:37 AM.. Reason: TYPO.... thats what I get for laying on the sofa using a laptop. HATE laptop keyboards. |
|
Posts: 416
|
09-09-2013, 05:08 AM | #72 |
The pizza king of kansas
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a.
Casino cash: $1930900
|
Great job george. Make it a win.
__________________
When it's grim, be the grim reaper and go get it. Adopt a chiefs Travis Kelce. You woke up the wrong mother****er! |
Posts: 18,763
|
09-09-2013, 05:41 AM | #73 |
Rockin' yer FACE OFF!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Casino cash: $4124937
|
I usually stay off the web Sundays, too much football. So Monday morning, I run to the Planet for George's 10 Things. Goddam classic! Excellent read as always.
Did anyone else notice that the announcers in this game for CBS were seriously slobbering some Jaguar cock? I mean, they so wanted Jacksonville to win, made excuses for Gabbert the whole game, and were just generally annoying to listen to. Maybe it was the whiskey, but they seemed pretty biased to me...
__________________
We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!! |
Posts: 25,675
|
09-09-2013, 05:49 AM | #74 |
Stroking to the SB Champs!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Flatlands of Kansas
Casino cash: $3583962
|
Love these, George. Oh, and Cheers to Dad's! Those that are with us, and those that are gone
__________________
|
Posts: 39,290
|
09-09-2013, 05:54 AM | #75 |
Field General
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Freeport,Ks
Casino cash: $2515067
|
Kudo's, great write up!
|
Posts: 2,294
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|