Chiefs Mellinger:Crennel’s bad decisions key to latest Chiefs debacle - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-07-2012, 08:12 PM

Crennel’s bad decisions key to latest Chiefs debacle
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs have been pathetic already, so that’s not the surprising part. And they’ve looked hopeless, so that’s not new, either.

What we see now is worse, somehow, a bit further from respectability than even fans calling the team an “embarrassment” on a sign in the parking lot, or demanding the general manager be fired on a banner flown over the stadium before the game.

What we see now is a disjointed mess of a football team that was supposed to compete for the division title but is instead sinking toward the bottom of the league, with a head coach unable to make it stop and an offensive lineman making national headlines for destroying fans who cheered their quarterback’s injury.

If this isn’t rock bottom, then we could all save ourselves some trouble by guzzling Drano.

Because in losing 9-6 to the Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, the Chiefs missed what even folks on the payroll have to admit is probably their last chance to salvage the season. Instead, the Chiefs dunked their fans’ heads even deeper under water.

This time, it’s Romeo Crennel’s turn to face charges of incompetence because, honestly, did Todd Haley ever mismanage a game this badly?

A defense-first man by nature, and still the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator, Crennel blew a fabulous performance against the league’s No. 2 offense because he couldn’t get anything else right.

The only thing Crennel appears willing to risk in his game plans is Jamaal Charles’ future — coming off ACL surgery, the Chiefs’ star running back is the only player in the league to go over 30 touches twice this season — and the result diminished the Ravens’ risk of losing.

A bizarre decision to punt instead of try for a first down or Hail Mary at the end of the first half, more will-breaking penalties and a team presumably coached to value the ball instead padding its league lead in turnovers sucked the possibilities from a game the Chiefs otherwise should’ve won.

Even by Kansas City standards, the idea of losing at home while rushing for 214 yards and outgaining one of the league’s premier offenses is extreme. But Crennel pulled it off by showing appropriately little faith in Cassel — but refusing to bench him.

The decision was no longer Crennel’s after Cassel got hurt in the fourth quarter, but by then it was too late. Cassel threw two interceptions — including one into heavy coverage to Dwayne Bowe while Steve Maneri didn’t have a defender within 10 yards — and fumbled the snap on a quarterback sneak at the goal line. Damage done.

Spirit squashed.

Crennel might be the only coach in NFL history to be so loyal to a game-manager quarterback who has 13 turnovers in five games.

“No,” Crennel said when I asked after the game if he considered benching Cassel before the injury.

This is a problem, especially after Crennel talked openly last week of giving backup Brady Quinn a chance if Cassel continued to falter. Quinn has been behind Charlie Frye, Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson in his career, so we’re not talking about Len Dawson here, but at some point a coach needs to be willing to make a change.

For Crennel, that point didn’t come until he had no other choice.

He is instead the coach of a team that can’t quit a quarterback who both averages nearly three turnovers a game and provides such minimal playmaking that the entire game plan centers on minimizing Cassel’s impact.

Crennel is a smart man and one of the most respected defensive coordinators in recent league history. But when the Chiefs promoted him to head coach, the team’s decision-makers made the behind-the-scenes case that Crennel’s 24-40 record in Cleveland was more a reflection of a dysfunctional franchise than the man’s ability.

Five games into the season, and Chiefs fans are left with this disheartening dilemma: Crennel really is that bad of a coach, or the Chiefs are now as dysfunctional as the Browns.

Actually, after a 12th loss in their last 15 games and a group of players and fans who share a strong mutual distaste for each other, it’s pretty clear that the worse of those two possibilities is now Kansas City’s sad reality.

mcaj22 · 10-07-2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

I saw Tyson Jackson jump on a pile and get up and celebrate

early on in the game it was so dead on television you could hear the announcer say

"tackle by Tyson Jackson gain of 7"

lol it's so sad.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 10-07-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

I didnt cheer, but I can understand why some did.

Question:

Did you cheer when Osama Bin Laden was killed?

That is a terrible comparison. one of the men responsible for 9/11 vs. one of the men responsible for a losing football team.

Simply Red · 10-07-2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

That is a terrible comparison. one of the men responsible for 9/11 vs. one of the men responsible for a losing football team.

**J Diddy** · 10-07-2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Matt Cassel knows the risks involved and made the decision to play football.

Yes he made that choice. What does that have to do with the tastelessness of cheering for his injury?

Simply Red · 10-07-2012, 09:05 PM

i understand Manning's stats are good, Bearcat - i originally framed my post wrong, possibly. My point is; we're not missing out on as much as we thought we were, at the PM hiring by the Broncos.

Marcellus · 10-07-2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smed1065

I did not wish for it beforehand. When it happened I would be a liar if I said I was not excited.

You can only control your actions, not your thoughts. FYI

This X 1000.

Marcellus · 10-07-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Diddy

Yes he made that choice. What does that have to do with the tastelessness of cheering for his injury?

You need to step back for a minute and think big picture. While I don't think there was a ton of cheering for the injury as much as it was for a chance to see Quinn, what does it tell you about what is going on in KC?

tredadda · 10-07-2012, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

so one guy. While 6 of Herm and Carls guys made plays or contributed in some form.

Would have been 7 guys but you know, Scott Pioli doesnt want to pay Brandon Carr and would rather settle for the cheap version that gives up two costly penalties.

Not disagreeing with you, just wanted to highlight that Houston who is a Pioli guy had two sacks.

O.city · 10-07-2012, 09:19 PM

Even the good picks and signings Pioli has made, look bad because his handpicked QB can't get them the ball where they can make plays.

tredadda · 10-07-2012, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Even the good picks and signings Pioli has made, look bad because his handpicked QB can't get them the ball where they can make plays.

If we had an elite QB, Pioli's picks would not look so bad.

CaliforniaChief · 10-07-2012, 09:23 PM

This is great. The revolution is underway and now gaining national attention. We won't stand for this steaming pile of crap any longer.

Don't back down now...don't cow-tow to the loyalty police. WE are the loyal ones, because we're willing to go through whatever it takes to change this franchise.

mcaj22 · 10-07-2012, 09:24 PM

yea and thats how good the Carl and Herm players are, they can still look somewhat good and talented even with a shitty QB.

they are not ROLE players. Pioli is good at drafting and acquiring average complimentary role players.

Great, he needs Tom Brady for the guys he evaluates to succeed. That doesnt help the Chiefs any

DaBluntman · 10-07-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredadda

If we had an average QB, Pioli's picks would not look so bad.

FYP

mr. tegu · 10-07-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

what did Piolis guys do? How was Arenas? McCluster? I think I saw Jon Baldwin have a catch, that was neat? How about Tyson Jackson? Eric Berry did he even suit up? Tony Moeaki is he hurt or is he actually out there? Peyton Hills surely did something? I think I saw Stanford Routt hold a guy... twice? Scott Pioli players ladies and gentleman.

I'm not sure after the defensive performance today, that calling out anyone on defense today is exactly good timing on your part.

mcaj22 · 10-07-2012, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

I'm not sure after the defensive performance today, that calling out anyone on defense today is exactly good timing on your part.

seeing as how the entire defensive foundation rests on Carl/Herms players, it actually proves me right. So yes, good timing by me. Because it proves a point

10-07-2012, 08:12 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1002813	Mellinger:Crennel’s bad decisions key to latest Chiefs debacle Crennel’s bad decisions key to latest Chiefs debacle By SAM MELLINGER The Kansas City Star The Chiefs have been pathetic already, so that’s not the surprising part. And they’ve looked hopeless, so that’s not new, either. What we see now is worse, somehow, a bit further from respectability than even fans calling the team an “embarrassment” on a sign in the parking lot, or demanding the general manager be fired on a banner flown over the stadium before the game. What we see now is a disjointed mess of a football team that was supposed to compete for the division title but is instead sinking toward the bottom of the league, with a head coach unable to make it stop and an offensive lineman making national headlines for destroying fans who cheered their quarterback’s injury. If this isn’t rock bottom, then we could all save ourselves some trouble by guzzling Drano. Because in losing 9-6 to the Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, the Chiefs missed what even folks on the payroll have to admit is probably their last chance to salvage the season. Instead, the Chiefs dunked their fans’ heads even deeper under water. This time, it’s Romeo Crennel’s turn to face charges of incompetence because, honestly, did Todd Haley ever mismanage a game this badly? A defense-first man by nature, and still the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator, Crennel blew a fabulous performance against the league’s No. 2 offense because he couldn’t get anything else right. The only thing Crennel appears willing to risk in his game plans is Jamaal Charles’ future — coming off ACL surgery, the Chiefs’ star running back is the only player in the league to go over 30 touches twice this season — and the result diminished the Ravens’ risk of losing. A bizarre decision to punt instead of try for a first down or Hail Mary at the end of the first half, more will-breaking penalties and a team presumably coached to value the ball instead padding its league lead in turnovers sucked the possibilities from a game the Chiefs otherwise should’ve won. Even by Kansas City standards, the idea of losing at home while rushing for 214 yards and outgaining one of the league’s premier offenses is extreme. But Crennel pulled it off by showing appropriately little faith in Cassel — but refusing to bench him. The decision was no longer Crennel’s after Cassel got hurt in the fourth quarter, but by then it was too late. Cassel threw two interceptions — including one into heavy coverage to Dwayne Bowe while Steve Maneri didn’t have a defender within 10 yards — and fumbled the snap on a quarterback sneak at the goal line. Damage done. Spirit squashed. Crennel might be the only coach in NFL history to be so loyal to a game-manager quarterback who has 13 turnovers in five games. “No,” Crennel said when I asked after the game if he considered benching Cassel before the injury. This is a problem, especially after Crennel talked openly last week of giving backup Brady Quinn a chance if Cassel continued to falter. Quinn has been behind Charlie Frye, Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson in his career, so we’re not talking about Len Dawson here, but at some point a coach needs to be willing to make a change. For Crennel, that point didn’t come until he had no other choice. He is instead the coach of a team that can’t quit a quarterback who both averages nearly three turnovers a game and provides such minimal playmaking that the entire game plan centers on minimizing Cassel’s impact. Crennel is a smart man and one of the most respected defensive coordinators in recent league history. But when the Chiefs promoted him to head coach, the team’s decision-makers made the behind-the-scenes case that Crennel’s 24-40 record in Cleveland was more a reflection of a dysfunctional franchise than the man’s ability. Five games into the season, and Chiefs fans are left with this disheartening dilemma: Crennel really is that bad of a coach, or the Chiefs are now as dysfunctional as the Browns. Actually, after a 12th loss in their last 15 games and a group of players and fans who share a strong mutual distaste for each other, it’s pretty clear that the worse of those two possibilities is now Kansas City’s sad reality.
Posts: 42,027

10-07-2012, 09:05 PM	#50
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	i understand Manning's stats are good, Bearcat - i originally framed my post wrong, possibly. My point is; we're not missing out on as much as we thought we were, at the PM hiring by the Broncos.
Posts: 71,691

10-07-2012, 09:19 PM	#54
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Even the good picks and signings Pioli has made, look bad because his handpicked QB can't get them the ball where they can make plays.
Posts: 81,176

10-07-2012, 09:23 PM	#56
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12422899	This is great. The revolution is underway and now gaining national attention. We won't stand for this steaming pile of crap any longer. Don't back down now...don't cow-tow to the loyalty police. WE are the loyal ones, because we're willing to go through whatever it takes to change this franchise.
Posts: 17,319

10-07-2012, 09:24 PM	#57
mcaj22 MVP Join Date: Feb 2010 Casino cash: $10014454	yea and thats how good the Carl and Herm players are, they can still look somewhat good and talented even with a shitty QB. they are not ROLE players. Pioli is good at drafting and acquiring average complimentary role players. Great, he needs Tom Brady for the guys he evaluates to succeed. That doesnt help the Chiefs any
Posts: 11,886