New Whitlock: CHIEFS SHOW GUTS - Page 2

RINGLEADER · 10-09-2006, 01:15 AM

That was beautiful.

Ty Law jumping a route and intercepting a fourth-quarter pass. Greg Wesley spiraling into Anquan Boldin and dislodging the ball on third and 13.

Larry Johnson motoring 78 yards with a screen pass that set up the game-winning field goal. Offensive coordinator Mike Solari mixing patience with aggression and producing 23 points.

The Chiefs digging out from a 14-point first-quarter deficit and a 10-point fourth-quarter disadvantage. Lawrence Tynes kicking field goals with the precision of Tiger Woods swinging a 9-iron in a major on Sunday. Samie Parker caressing a well-thrown Damon Huard lob and tapping two feet in the back of the end zone.

Herm Edwards stoically pacing the sideline confident that his defense would strike, his punter would pin Arizona deep, Matt Leinart would crack, and Larry Johnson would snap the Cardinals’ back before they snapped his neck.

Call it Martyball, call it Herminator, but just make sure you put a checkmark in the win column for the Chiefs.

Kansas City 23, Arizona 20.

It was beautiful, man. I hope you watched.

No offense to Dick Vermeil, but Carl Peterson hired Edwards because for the previous five years, the Chiefs hadn’t been tough enough to win these types of games on the road.

Playing inside Arizona’s brand-new, sold-out stadium, the Chiefs nearly gave the game away in the first 6 minutes. On their first possession, the Cardinals called the right play and caught Kansas City in the wrong defense. Safety Sammy Knight faked a blitz and then tried to hustle back and give corner Lenny Walls deep help over the top against Boldin. Too late. Leinart taxed Gunther Cunningham for the mistake, connecting with Boldin on a 49-yard score.

Three minutes later, Huard and Johnson mishandled an exchange that the Cardinals recovered at the KC 41. Seven plays later, the Chiefs were down 14-0, staring 1-3 in the face, and JoPo and I were playing rock, paper, scissors on future road trips.

The season appeared to be over.

“We did everything you’re not supposed to do on the road,” guard Brian Waters said.

Well, they did stay calm.

“We got over to the sideline and we just said, ‘Everybody just calm the (expletive) down,’ ” defensive end Jared Allen remembered. “And that’s what we did.”

Punter Dustin Colquitt pinned Arizona inside its 10, and KC’s defense responded by forcing a three-and-out and giving Huard a short field. The Chiefs traveled 25 yards and kicked a field goal.

Two series later, rookie Bernard Pollard blocked a punt, handing KC’s offense the ball at the Arizona 6. Johnson caught a touchdown pass, and suddenly the Chiefs trailed just 14-10.

Arizona somewhat re-established control with a couple of field goals and jumped back ahead 20-10. But it was different. The Chiefs were never out of the game.

“Really, we felt if we could just make a play or two, they weren’t going to score on us anymore,” Edwards said.

Down two scores in the final seconds of the third quarter, Edwards punted from the Arizona 38. You probably cussed and screamed that he was being too conservative.

It was textbook, beautiful football, man. With Huard at quarterback and Johnson slowed in the running game, Herm knew he needed field position more than he needed to roll the dice on fourth and 6.

His defense rewarded him by forcing another Arizona three-and-out. Kansas City’s offense rewarded Edwards by marching 66 yards for a touchdown.

Law’s interception set up KC’s score-tying field goal. Wesley’s hit on Boldin set the stage for Johnson’s 78-yard romp down the Arizona sideline and Tynes’ game-winning boot.

This was a beautiful team victory. Solari’s play-calling was masterly. In the second half, Huard’s primary receivers seemed to always be open (it’s too bad Parker and Eddie Kennison dropped a couple of passes).

“He (Solari) never panicked,” Waters said.

Neither did the Chiefs. For three quarters, they played the way you have to play to win on the road. Of course, it will take a full four quarters to win next weekend in Pittsburgh.

TRR · 10-09-2006, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Van Halen

Solari's play calling may have been beautiful, but the execution was often excrutiating. Was anyone else ready to break the television if Huard threw to the flat?

I agree with you, and diagree with you. A couple of times, I caught myself, goin, "throw the ball downfield, will ya." But you have to remember that Huard is going to do what is comfortable, and not force things. In the end, it payed off pretty well.

stevieray · 10-09-2006, 07:57 AM

Best team win in years. The list of people who made plays is pretty long.

Herm said his focus was defense and road record. Nice start.

FAX · 10-09-2006, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

Best team win in years. The list of people who made plays is pretty long ...

Amen, Mr. stevieray.

FAX

HC_Chief · 10-09-2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jidar

That was not a beautiful game, that was an ugly game.

No doubt. It was gawdawful. We need to clean it up... sloppy play will lose more games than win. If we play like that over the next 4 games, we're done; 2-6 guaranteed.

LanceHunter · 10-09-2006, 09:00 AM

I will say that looks like the Cardinals have an excellent QB now , and he showed a lot of poise for his first start . It does make me wonder how Brodie would handle the same situation . I can't help being anxious to see what Brodie can really do , as he has a strong arm as well . the D came through , credit them with this win .

**Iowanian** · 10-09-2006, 10:13 AM

It wasn't a thing of beauty....It was an ugly game the Chiefs should have lost and would have vs a better opponent. Play like that next week in Pitt, and they'll get blown out.

The defense is holding its own and doing well...making plays when they need them, but you can only live off of that so many times.

Len Dawson agreed with my take on Huard and the offense on 810 just a big ago......

I don't agree that it was 'masterful playcalling'....Dawson concurred with what i've thought and said, and that is that early on, the Chiefs have to throw the ball deep downfield...just to keep the safeties honest...even if its an incompletion.

I'm glad the Chiefs won, but it was anything but a thing of beauty.

FAX · 10-09-2006, 10:19 AM

Perhaps not a thing of beauty, Mr. Iowanian, but the win showed heart and determination.

I don't care how "bad" a team is. When you're down 14 points on the road in the NFL, it's difficult to come back and win. The Flaming Tacks got up on the Mannings yesterday and Indy barely escaped with a win.

We overcame critical turnovers, some peculiar officiating, and a two touchdown deficit to win on the road against a team that came out ready to play some football.

Regardless of the quality of this week's opponent, this team deserves props from we of the homer persuasion.

FAX

**DaFace** · 10-09-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

It wasn't a thing of beauty....It was an ugly game the Chiefs should have lost and would have vs a better opponent. Play like that next week in Pitt, and they'll get blown out.

The defense is holding its own and doing well...making plays when they need them, but you can only live off of that so many times.

Len Dawson agreed with my take on Huard and the offense on 810 just a big ago......

I don't agree that it was 'masterful playcalling'....Dawson concurred with what i've thought and said, and that is that early on, the Chiefs have to throw the ball deep downfield...just to keep the safeties honest...even if its an incompletion.

I'm glad the Chiefs won, but it was anything but a thing of beauty.

Agreed. They came back and won it, but it certainly wasn't a masterful display of football technique.

On the other hand, they put themselves in a huge hole early. I always wonder in games like this what the game might have been like had we stopped them on that first drive instead of giving up the big TD...

chiefsfan1963 · 10-09-2006, 10:25 AM

great to win this one, but painful to see a weak O not making TD's and putting the game out of reach by the 4th qtr. This team can not be a playoff team with out a better O. Cards are not that good, the fact that they almost won tells you more about how far we must improve to make any noise this season.

keg in kc · 10-09-2006, 10:27 AM

Hated seeing us pull that one out didn't ya, '63.

Poor fella. Waiting, fingers poised over the keyboard, for your opportunity to gloat over Herm losing, only to have the rug pulled out from under you in the 4th quarter.

Maybe next time.

ChiefsFanatic · 10-09-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I still didn't like it. We gained 18 yards in field position.

Yeah, I had that thought too. Throwing a deep pass, and letting it get intercepted would have been better.

chiefsfan1963 · 10-09-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Hated seeing us pull that one out didn't ya, '63.

Poor fella. Waiting, fingers poised over the keyboard, for your opportunity to gloat over Herm losing, only to have the rug pulled out from under you in the 4th quarter.

Maybe next time.

you're setting yourself up for a big fall my man. don't get too cocky and confident. This is not a great team. Our O is a shell of its former self. The D is solid and I'm happy about this. I'm just beside myself that we couldn't put it all together with DV/AS offensive power house.

Now we are going to be tantalized all season with this solid D, but heartbreak ending because we don't have the octane on O.

Even if we manage to make the postseason, the odds of being a threat during the playoffs are nil.

I want Herm to succeed, but like you when DV was our HC I'm not confident he can produce a complete team when it's all said and done.

picasso · 10-09-2006, 10:59 AM

First off I liked that we got more people involved such as Kris Wilson and Ronnie Cruz and Gardner. Hey you can think that the O is but a shell of it's former self (fact is we have a bunch of backups on the Oline) but the playmakers are still there and I was quite impressed with the protections that Huard was receiving. He played it safe somewhat but the man was 25 for 30 and 230 some yards and 2 TDs. Pretty damn good if you ask me. Didn't blow them out, didn't have to. For you guys wishing we had this in the past with the DV offense geez man I wish I could go back and do a lot of things but that's not being realisitic.
What I'm sick of is seeing everyone talk about Lienart like he won the game.
He got sacked like 5 times and intercepted once. Don't mention the Chiefs though cause it's better to fly under the radar anyway.

Wile_E_Coyote · 10-09-2006, 11:10 AM

Peter N Crisco:

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/featur...o/grades/week5

Kansas City Chiefs 23, Arizona Cardinals 20

B+ Chiefs: Give them a ton of credit for fighting all game long. Larry Johnson came up big when they needed him to do so. Hopefully, his injury isn't too bad.

C Cardinals: Mart Leinart had a good game, but this team doesn't know how to win. They blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. That should never happen.

keg in kc · 10-09-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfan1963

you're setting yourself up for a big fall my man. don't get too cocky and confident. This is not a great team. Our O is a shell of its former self. The D is solid and I'm happy about this. I'm just beside myself that we couldn't put it all together with DV/AS offensive power house.

Now we are going to be tantalized all season with this solid D, but heartbreak ending because we don't have the octane on O.

Even if we manage to make the postseason, the odds of being a threat during the playoffs are nil.

I want Herm to succeed, but like you when DV was our HC I'm not confident he can produce a complete team when it's all said and done.

Setting myself up for a fall? How exactly? I don't have a boner for DV or HE either one. I call things how I see them, instead of whining and crying like a schoolgirl that lost her dolly nomatter what happens. We lose...you bitch. We win...you bitch. Bitch bitch bitch. Jesus Christ.

DV couldn't get the defense together. Period. No matter how you try to spin it, he's the one that built half a team. He drafted poorly, he hired (and retained) bad assistants. And then he retired. Saunders went elsewhere to coordinate. They left us, not vice-versa. We didn't "get rid of them". It was their choice to leave. Edwards had nothing to do with either one.

Herm, on the other hand, is a victim of circumstance, so far. Roaf was not expected to retire. Green was not expected to miss half the season with a concussion (although to the team's credit Huard has done a great job). I'm sure that Solari didn't script plays that had receivers dropping passes and LJ fumbling virtually every week.

If you think DV or AS or anyone else would have done any better with the offense under these circumstances, you're delusional. The team's playing the hand they've been dealt, and they've gotten better each week. They've showed an attitude, a heart that this team never had under Vermeil. They've faced adversity since the start of training camp, they've had injuries mounting all season, and instead of crying about how tough it all is, they go out and take care of business.

Maybe you're too blind with bias to see that or to respect that.

I'm not.

We'll see if it continues.

And, for the record, I liked DV when he was here. I liked the hire, and I thought he'd get us somewhere. I respect that he built the statistical wonder of an offense. I wish he'd built a contending team, or even a playoff-calibre one. Fact is, he had 5 years to do it and he didn't. End of story.

Now Herm gets the same chance to prove himself that DV did.

10-09-2006, 01:15 AM
RINGLEADER In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Confusion, USA Casino cash: $8590503	New Whitlock: CHIEFS SHOW GUTS That was beautiful. Ty Law jumping a route and intercepting a fourth-quarter pass. Greg Wesley spiraling into Anquan Boldin and dislodging the ball on third and 13. Larry Johnson motoring 78 yards with a screen pass that set up the game-winning field goal. Offensive coordinator Mike Solari mixing patience with aggression and producing 23 points. The Chiefs digging out from a 14-point first-quarter deficit and a 10-point fourth-quarter disadvantage. Lawrence Tynes kicking field goals with the precision of Tiger Woods swinging a 9-iron in a major on Sunday. Samie Parker caressing a well-thrown Damon Huard lob and tapping two feet in the back of the end zone. Herm Edwards stoically pacing the sideline confident that his defense would strike, his punter would pin Arizona deep, Matt Leinart would crack, and Larry Johnson would snap the Cardinals’ back before they snapped his neck. Call it Martyball, call it Herminator, but just make sure you put a checkmark in the win column for the Chiefs. Kansas City 23, Arizona 20. It was beautiful, man. I hope you watched. No offense to Dick Vermeil, but Carl Peterson hired Edwards because for the previous five years, the Chiefs hadn’t been tough enough to win these types of games on the road. Playing inside Arizona’s brand-new, sold-out stadium, the Chiefs nearly gave the game away in the first 6 minutes. On their first possession, the Cardinals called the right play and caught Kansas City in the wrong defense. Safety Sammy Knight faked a blitz and then tried to hustle back and give corner Lenny Walls deep help over the top against Boldin. Too late. Leinart taxed Gunther Cunningham for the mistake, connecting with Boldin on a 49-yard score. Three minutes later, Huard and Johnson mishandled an exchange that the Cardinals recovered at the KC 41. Seven plays later, the Chiefs were down 14-0, staring 1-3 in the face, and JoPo and I were playing rock, paper, scissors on future road trips. The season appeared to be over. “We did everything you’re not supposed to do on the road,” guard Brian Waters said. Well, they did stay calm. “We got over to the sideline and we just said, ‘Everybody just calm the (expletive) down,’ ” defensive end Jared Allen remembered. “And that’s what we did.” Punter Dustin Colquitt pinned Arizona inside its 10, and KC’s defense responded by forcing a three-and-out and giving Huard a short field. The Chiefs traveled 25 yards and kicked a field goal. Two series later, rookie Bernard Pollard blocked a punt, handing KC’s offense the ball at the Arizona 6. Johnson caught a touchdown pass, and suddenly the Chiefs trailed just 14-10. Arizona somewhat re-established control with a couple of field goals and jumped back ahead 20-10. But it was different. The Chiefs were never out of the game. “Really, we felt if we could just make a play or two, they weren’t going to score on us anymore,” Edwards said. Down two scores in the final seconds of the third quarter, Edwards punted from the Arizona 38. You probably cussed and screamed that he was being too conservative. It was textbook, beautiful football, man. With Huard at quarterback and Johnson slowed in the running game, Herm knew he needed field position more than he needed to roll the dice on fourth and 6. His defense rewarded him by forcing another Arizona three-and-out. Kansas City’s offense rewarded Edwards by marching 66 yards for a touchdown. Law’s interception set up KC’s score-tying field goal. Wesley’s hit on Boldin set the stage for Johnson’s 78-yard romp down the Arizona sideline and Tynes’ game-winning boot. This was a beautiful team victory. Solari’s play-calling was masterly. In the second half, Huard’s primary receivers seemed to always be open (it’s too bad Parker and Eddie Kennison dropped a couple of passes). “He (Solari) never panicked,” Waters said. Neither did the Chiefs. For three quarters, they played the way you have to play to win on the road. Of course, it will take a full four quarters to win next weekend in Pittsburgh.
Posts: 46,706

10-09-2006, 07:57 AM	#17
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2355273	Best team win in years. The list of people who made plays is pretty long. Herm said his focus was defense and road record. Nice start.
Posts: 71,337

10-09-2006, 09:00 AM	#20
LanceHunter Guido the killer pimp Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Topeka Casino cash: $10004905	I will say that looks like the Cardinals have an excellent QB now , and he showed a lot of poise for his first start . It does make me wonder how Brodie would handle the same situation . I can't help being anxious to see what Brodie can really do , as he has a strong arm as well . the D came through , credit them with this win .
Posts: 90

10-09-2006, 10:13 AM	#21
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4658454	It wasn't a thing of beauty....It was an ugly game the Chiefs should have lost and would have vs a better opponent. Play like that next week in Pitt, and they'll get blown out. The defense is holding its own and doing well...making plays when they need them, but you can only live off of that so many times. Len Dawson agreed with my take on Huard and the offense on 810 just a big ago...... I don't agree that it was 'masterful playcalling'....Dawson concurred with what i've thought and said, and that is that early on, the Chiefs have to throw the ball deep downfield...just to keep the safeties honest...even if its an incompletion. I'm glad the Chiefs won, but it was anything but a thing of beauty.
Posts: 61,554

10-09-2006, 10:19 AM	#22
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Perhaps not a thing of beauty, Mr. Iowanian, but the win showed heart and determination. I don't care how "bad" a team is. When you're down 14 points on the road in the NFL, it's difficult to come back and win. The Flaming Tacks got up on the Mannings yesterday and Indy barely escaped with a win. We overcame critical turnovers, some peculiar officiating, and a two touchdown deficit to win on the road against a team that came out ready to play some football. Regardless of the quality of this week's opponent, this team deserves props from we of the homer persuasion. FAX
Posts: 44,492

10-09-2006, 10:25 AM	#24
chiefsfan1963 Veteran Join Date: Oct 2001 Casino cash: $10005060	great to win this one, but painful to see a weak O not making TD's and putting the game out of reach by the 4th qtr. This team can not be a playoff team with out a better O. Cards are not that good, the fact that they almost won tells you more about how far we must improve to make any noise this season.
Posts: 1,948

10-09-2006, 10:27 AM	#25
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Hated seeing us pull that one out didn't ya, '63. Poor fella. Waiting, fingers poised over the keyboard, for your opportunity to gloat over Herm losing, only to have the rug pulled out from under you in the 4th quarter. Maybe next time.
Posts: 58,682

10-09-2006, 10:59 AM	#28
picasso That's a GOOD boy!! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattle Casino cash: $10004900	First off I liked that we got more people involved such as Kris Wilson and Ronnie Cruz and Gardner. Hey you can think that the O is but a shell of it's former self (fact is we have a bunch of backups on the Oline) but the playmakers are still there and I was quite impressed with the protections that Huard was receiving. He played it safe somewhat but the man was 25 for 30 and 230 some yards and 2 TDs. Pretty damn good if you ask me. Didn't blow them out, didn't have to. For you guys wishing we had this in the past with the DV offense geez man I wish I could go back and do a lot of things but that's not being realisitic. What I'm sick of is seeing everyone talk about Lienart like he won the game. He got sacked like 5 times and intercepted once. Don't mention the Chiefs though cause it's better to fly under the radar anyway.
Posts: 871

10-09-2006, 11:10 AM	#29
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	Peter N Crisco: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/featur...o/grades/week5 Kansas City Chiefs 23, Arizona Cardinals 20 B+ Chiefs: Give them a ton of credit for fighting all game long. Larry Johnson came up big when they needed him to do so. Hopefully, his injury isn't too bad. C Cardinals: Mart Leinart had a good game, but this team doesn't know how to win. They blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. That should never happen.
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