Chiefs A Broncos blogger's take on the Chiefs - Page 11

**DaFace** · 09-20-2013, 01:55 PM

http://www.itsalloverfatman.com/bron...as-city-chiefs

Beware the Kansas City Chiefs
Ted Bartlett Sep 20, 2013 3:30 PM

Happy Friday, friends. I still haven’t had the four hours or so necessary to watch the All-22 of the Broncos-Giants game, and then write an article on it. I’m planning to do that tomorrow, so check the site on a Saturday. (I know you all have the capability.) I actually planned to watch the film last night, but I got caught up watching the Chiefs-Eagles game instead.

You’re not going to like this, but I thought it was time that we all came to the realization that the Chiefs are legitimate. Briefly, today, I’ll share some thoughts on this most regrettable of topics.

For Kansas City, it all starts with their ability to play defense, specifically man-to-man coverage on defense. They have two above-average man corners in Brandon Flowers and Sean Smith, and they also have safety Eric Berry, who’s proving to be very capable at covering TEs man-to-man.

When you can play man coverage (like the Broncos can, as well), you get more options tactically than you’d have if your guys could only hold up in zone. If you can play 5-on-5, with one high safety, you’re left with a free guy, to either use as an extra rusher, or as a robber type of player in coverage.

What’s maybe even more impressive about the Chiefs is that they’re getting dominant play off both edges (Justin Houston and Tamba Hali) and on the nose, with the vastly improved Dontari Poe. This Chiefs team can really generate some pressure on the QB, and that dovetails nicely with being able to lock down good receivers outside.

I saw some comments in the Lard today saying that the Chiefs looked like an average team. I don’t agree with that. As I watched them, I thought they looked a good deal like the 2011 49ers, and that team probably should have been in the Super Bowl.

Alex Smith has been doing an excellent job of managing the game, and the Chiefs have zero turnovers through three games. At this point, nobody can say that Smith is a fluke when it comes to protecting the football. In 2011, his interception rate was 1.1%, which led the NFL. In 2012, it was 2.3%, which tied with Matt Ryan for tenth. This year, obviously, it’s zero. He is good at not throwing the ball to the other team.

Smith isn’t really a big play guy, but with the defense Kansas City has, he doesn’t have to be. He can matriculate the ball down the field, and do well enough by getting the ball to the open guy short. He’s also added 115 rushing yards in three games, which is a good amount for a QB.

There’s a way to win in the NFL, by playing good defense (particularly against the pass), and by winning the turnover battle. That’s what the 49ers did the last couple years, and that’s what this year’s Chiefs team is doing.

I said in an email to the other IAOFM guys yesterday that the Chiefs were probably destined to regress to the mean on turnovers, but the more I think about it, the less I think they will. Smith is huge in that regard, as mentioned, but it’s notable that the team has only even fumbled the ball once in three games. (That was credited to Smith.)

Recovering fumbles is random, and highly dependent on luck, but not fumbling the ball isn’t random. It’s a skill, and a discipline, and a coaching priority. So far, it looks like this is another skill that the Chiefs have going for them.

I know what some of you are thinking - they haven't played anybody yet! How do you know? Is it fully clear yet who is a good team and who's a bad team? I'll grant you that Jacksonville is in rough shape this year. Dallas, though, has the talent to compete with anybody in the NFL. The fact that KC's corners mostly won against Dallas's WRs is compelling evidence of the quality of the Chiefs defense. As for Philadelphia, they have pretty good offensive talent too, and their scheme makes that talent a step better. (Admittedly, their defense isn't good.)

I don’t necessarily think that the Chiefs are ready to win a Super Bowl this year, but I do think they’ll give anybody they play a hard time on any given Sunday. To beat their defense, you have to run the ball well, and beat up on their nickel CB with good play from the slot. Philly got them for 260 yards rushing, and 9.3 yards per carry, and it's clear that the Chiefs can still be run on.

To beat their offense, it’s helpful to bottle up the running game, and to keep Smith in long yardage situations. If you let him get to 3rd-and-4 very often, he’s going to beat you. Over the long run of a game, Smith makes up for not being great at drilling the 20-yard deep out by almost always finding the right receiver on 3rd-and-4, and almost always putting the short throw right where it needs to be.

I would say that the Chiefs are probably the second-most impressive team I’ve seen in the AFC so far this season. It’s a credit to Andy Reid, and the smart moves they made, like keeping LT Branden Albert, signing Sean Smith and DE Mike DeVito, trading for Alex Smith, and picking up Donnie Avery (who has skills) off the scrap heap. I think they may have erred in taking RT Eric Fisher first overall (I thought the best players in the class were DT Star Lotulelei and OLB Jarvis Jones), but Fisher is still likely going to be a good player.

It’s early, but we should watch out for the Chiefs. If they can beat Houston at home in Week 7, there’s a pretty good chance we could see 8-0 Kansas City visiting Denver on November 17th (coming off a bye) to play a 9-0 Broncos team. How exciting would that be?

ReynardMuldrake · 09-21-2013, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Where IAOFM fails to realize is the other teams KC played turned the ball over and played rather crappy football. Wow, just wow. This is not hard stuff to understand. But whatever, if you like that site, then keep soaking it up because apparently, that's all you got.

What an amazing coincidence that all the teams KC has played so far have had multiple turnovers. Since forcing turnovers is simply the luck of the draw and has NOTHING AT ALL to do with things like talent, coaching, and technique on defense. We have been just so lucky every week. We need to find a rabbits foot or something to get us some more turnovers!

Mother****erJones · 09-22-2013, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

wtf are you talking about? Tons of fans were pissed the Shanny got axed, especially right after drafting Cutler and having a productive offense. And fans like myself wanted a defensive minded HC, not a offenses minded HC like McD.

Dude, the McD hire was far from popular. The very fact you are disputing this tells me you don't know what you are talking about. I read the posted article by IAOFM and it doesn't take a genius to acknowledge the defense is good. I've been saying that the defense is good. big deal.

Where IAOFM fails to realize is the other teams KC played turned the ball over and played rather crappy football. Wow, just wow. This is not hard stuff to understand. But whatever, if you like that site, then keep soaking it up because apparently, that's all you got.

You're ****ing pathetic. We've taken the ball away. Look at Vicks INTs. We read them and took it.

splatbass · 09-22-2013, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manila-Chief

Also, this is a new coaching staff/new offense ... give it a few weeks and things will be better in tune.

Yeah, I actually expected them to struggle more for the first few games because of the new coaches/new systems. I expected 1-2 at this point, so I'm very pleased. I guess at the start of training camp when Reid said the team was farther along than he expected he wasn't BSing.

Walrus · 09-22-2013, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Where IAOFM fails to realize is the other teams KC played turned the ball over and played rather crappy football. Wow, just wow. This is not hard stuff to understand. But whatever, if you like that site, then keep soaking it up because apparently, that's all you got.

Other teams the donks played turned the ball over and played rather crappy football.

milkman · 09-22-2013, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

While I appreciate the ability to protect the football, I still feel smith is too timid with the ball. I really think it's mental.. he could probably make a lot more plays if he was just willing to pull the trigger. I still feel he puts a cap on our potential to get to a championship, but it WILL beat sloppier teams.

Reid indicated that he was pushing him to be more aggressive, so I'm hoping as the offense's chemistry progresses he shows more willingness to throw some of the deeper stuff. I don't expect Smith to throw over defenses all day. I'd like to see more passes traveling 15-20 yards in the air.

We are in agreement.

I've said it numerous times in the last months.
Alex Smith has better arm strength than he is given credit for, and sh9uld have the ability to "throw his receivers open".

There is some risk involved in that, and timid is the absolute best descriptor to use in discussing Smith's aversion to make those throws.

**DaFace** · 09-22-2013, 08:21 AM

What a bizarre thread this became. I feel proud.

09-20-2013, 01:55 PM
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2036899	A Broncos blogger's take on the Chiefs http://www.itsalloverfatman.com/bron...as-city-chiefs Beware the Kansas City Chiefs Ted Bartlett Sep 20, 2013 3:30 PM Happy Friday, friends. I still haven’t had the four hours or so necessary to watch the All-22 of the Broncos-Giants game, and then write an article on it. I’m planning to do that tomorrow, so check the site on a Saturday. (I know you all have the capability.) I actually planned to watch the film last night, but I got caught up watching the Chiefs-Eagles game instead. You’re not going to like this, but I thought it was time that we all came to the realization that the Chiefs are legitimate. Briefly, today, I’ll share some thoughts on this most regrettable of topics. For Kansas City, it all starts with their ability to play defense, specifically man-to-man coverage on defense. They have two above-average man corners in Brandon Flowers and Sean Smith, and they also have safety Eric Berry, who’s proving to be very capable at covering TEs man-to-man. When you can play man coverage (like the Broncos can, as well), you get more options tactically than you’d have if your guys could only hold up in zone. If you can play 5-on-5, with one high safety, you’re left with a free guy, to either use as an extra rusher, or as a robber type of player in coverage. What’s maybe even more impressive about the Chiefs is that they’re getting dominant play off both edges (Justin Houston and Tamba Hali) and on the nose, with the vastly improved Dontari Poe. This Chiefs team can really generate some pressure on the QB, and that dovetails nicely with being able to lock down good receivers outside. I saw some comments in the Lard today saying that the Chiefs looked like an average team. I don’t agree with that. As I watched them, I thought they looked a good deal like the 2011 49ers, and that team probably should have been in the Super Bowl. Alex Smith has been doing an excellent job of managing the game, and the Chiefs have zero turnovers through three games. At this point, nobody can say that Smith is a fluke when it comes to protecting the football. In 2011, his interception rate was 1.1%, which led the NFL. In 2012, it was 2.3%, which tied with Matt Ryan for tenth. This year, obviously, it’s zero. He is good at not throwing the ball to the other team. Smith isn’t really a big play guy, but with the defense Kansas City has, he doesn’t have to be. He can matriculate the ball down the field, and do well enough by getting the ball to the open guy short. He’s also added 115 rushing yards in three games, which is a good amount for a QB. There’s a way to win in the NFL, by playing good defense (particularly against the pass), and by winning the turnover battle. That’s what the 49ers did the last couple years, and that’s what this year’s Chiefs team is doing. I said in an email to the other IAOFM guys yesterday that the Chiefs were probably destined to regress to the mean on turnovers, but the more I think about it, the less I think they will. Smith is huge in that regard, as mentioned, but it’s notable that the team has only even fumbled the ball once in three games. (That was credited to Smith.) Recovering fumbles is random, and highly dependent on luck, but not fumbling the ball isn’t random. It’s a skill, and a discipline, and a coaching priority. So far, it looks like this is another skill that the Chiefs have going for them. I know what some of you are thinking - they haven't played anybody yet! How do you know? Is it fully clear yet who is a good team and who's a bad team? I'll grant you that Jacksonville is in rough shape this year. Dallas, though, has the talent to compete with anybody in the NFL. The fact that KC's corners mostly won against Dallas's WRs is compelling evidence of the quality of the Chiefs defense. As for Philadelphia, they have pretty good offensive talent too, and their scheme makes that talent a step better. (Admittedly, their defense isn't good.) I don’t necessarily think that the Chiefs are ready to win a Super Bowl this year, but I do think they’ll give anybody they play a hard time on any given Sunday. To beat their defense, you have to run the ball well, and beat up on their nickel CB with good play from the slot. Philly got them for 260 yards rushing, and 9.3 yards per carry, and it's clear that the Chiefs can still be run on. To beat their offense, it’s helpful to bottle up the running game, and to keep Smith in long yardage situations. If you let him get to 3rd-and-4 very often, he’s going to beat you. Over the long run of a game, Smith makes up for not being great at drilling the 20-yard deep out by almost always finding the right receiver on 3rd-and-4, and almost always putting the short throw right where it needs to be. I would say that the Chiefs are probably the second-most impressive team I’ve seen in the AFC so far this season. It’s a credit to Andy Reid, and the smart moves they made, like keeping LT Branden Albert, signing Sean Smith and DE Mike DeVito, trading for Alex Smith, and picking up Donnie Avery (who has skills) off the scrap heap. I think they may have erred in taking RT Eric Fisher first overall (I thought the best players in the class were DT Star Lotulelei and OLB Jarvis Jones), but Fisher is still likely going to be a good player. It’s early, but we should watch out for the Chiefs. If they can beat Houston at home in Week 7, there’s a pretty good chance we could see 8-0 Kansas City visiting Denver on November 17th (coming off a bye) to play a 9-0 Broncos team. How exciting would that be?
Posts: 51,767

09-22-2013, 08:21 AM	#156
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2036899	What a bizarre thread this became. I feel proud.
Posts: 51,767