Gaz, Wolfman, Morph and everyone else...

[Mile High Mania]

I've been out for most of the last 4 days celebrating my 1 year anniversary with Mrs. Mile High Mania (actually, she's not totally converted to the NFL religion, but I'm trying) and I've read a lot of stuff concerning Denver.

I didn't get to watch the game b/c I was driving, but I did listen to most of it on the AM dial as I drove home yesterday.

Denver is 3-3. They're still in the chase for the division title. I think this is a great achievement b/c this is a team still searching for their post-Elway identity. Griese is playing pretty well and I think he will be a solid QB in the NFL and I think he will give Denver many great memories.

However, I realize that Denver won't win any superbowls any time soon. They can still win the West and I'd bet most of you guys would be happy with that for KC as well. If KC does win the AFC West though, I hope they try and win a playoff game too.

Denver beat a horrible San Diego team. Yes, Harbaugh gave them 'gifts' with the INTs, but doesn't that mean the Broncos' defense was doing their job? I mean, when Hasty or one of the rookies snags an INT, then it's that ferocious KC defense. If it's Denver, then they're gifts. Kinda odd. Didn't the Rams let San Diego put up 30+ points? Ok, so Denver's defense sucks, but maybe not as bad as the Rams.

Anywho, I realize that most of the things said about Denver are direct responses to some jacka$$ making a fool of himself, so I know where you're coming from. Trust me.

I think the division is definitely a 3-team race. Should be a fun season!

[morphius]

Mile High - Most of the smack is not directed at you, you are much more realistic then some of the other Donx fans. The one INT I saw was pretty much a gift, they didn't show the game here but they showed some highlights during the raider game. Harbaugh tried to throw a corner endzone route from the 5 and didn't even get it over the defenders head, it was pathetic.

Griese has been playing pretty well this year, he will need to work on game winning drive and red zone offense, but that will come with time, he has been surrounded with the players to get it done.

The Chiefs and the Raiders both appear to learn that there is a first half and that it is OK to score on something other then the first drive. Both of our kickers are missing FG's like blind men playing darts.

[KCTitus]

On that throw, Morph, Harbaugh's arm was hit so the front 4 of Denver did their job to force the INT. I didnt see the other INT's. The game was in 'doubt' until that point.

[Mile High Mania]

Believe me, I understand. Did you guys see what Nedney did with Carolina? Damn!

Anywho, it's all in fun, but some people just like to talk out of their butts for no reason. I don't understand it.

Denver is a young team coming into their own, so there will be more bumps in the road. I'm just enjoying watching the young guys.

[b-squared]

Mile High:

I watched pretty much the whole game on the dish with a few switch overs to the Raiders game. My impression was that both teams really were struggling for offensive rhythm. Both teams were playing without some important starters that really challenged the timing and continuity of their packages. That made the defenses look a little better than they are. However, after the first quarter, Denver was able to sustain pretty good pressure on Harbaugh. All in all, it was not a particularly pretty game to watch. Denver did what they had to do to win, which you would expect. San Deigo was unable to take advantage of a lackluster day for the Broncos, more of what you would expect from an o-fer team.

B^2

[morphius]

Titus - I wasn't watching closely enough appearntly, thanks for the correction. That would definitly be a forced INT in my book.

Morphius
not afraid to say he was wrong.

[Gaz]

MHM-

None of the AFC West teams will win a Super Bowl this year, sad to say.

I am disappointed to see Seattle dropping out of the race. I had visions of a four-way dogfight in the AFC West. It's kinda sad that Holmgren will have them whipped into shape just about the time they get realigned out of the AFC West.

Completely without smack, I rate the teams in the AFC West as follows:
1. Oakland. If the Raiders can avoid the usual fade, they should take the AFC West crown. Their schedule is not as soft as Denver's, but they are [this season] a better team. They have the most balance. Other teams may have a better WR or TE or HB or CB, but Oakland has good players at most positions.
2. Kansas City. The lack of a franchise HB continues to haunt the Chiefs. They struggle against a tough schedule without the firepower in the backfield to get the job done [see the Colts game] and with an occasionally impaired coaching staff [see the Titans game]. If Oakland fades and KC continues their new aggressive approach to football, they can take the AFC West, but they will have to sweep at least three AFC West teams to do so.
3. Denver. Will be very good with some more seasoning for Griese and some serious upgrades to the Defense. I love an attacking Defense, but Denver lacks the personnel to make the aggressive D succeed. You probably have a better idea what is lacking than I do. If Oakland fades [possible] and the KC coaching staff stumbles [very possible], the Denver coasts into the AFC West crown.

There is very little distance between the top three teams in the AFC West. Each team has weaknesses [how funny is it that the PK is a weakness for the Raiders?] in different areas of the game. There is no AFC West powerhouse this season.

· If KC obtains the services of a stud HB and the coaching staff does not revert to knuckle-dragging goons, the Chiefs become an AFC West powerhouse next season.
· If Denver fixes their broken Defense and Griese continues his steady improvement, the Broncos become an AFC West powerhouse next season.
· If Oakland obtains the services of a QB who can stretch the field, the Raiders become an AFC West powerhouse next season.
· If Seattle obtains the services of a steady, dependable QB, the Seahawks become an AFC West powerhouse next season.
· If San Diego mortgages its soul to the Devil, the Chargers become an AFC West powerhouse next season.

xoxo~
gaz
congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. MHM.<BR>

[Mile High Mania]

Thanks Gaz. I agree with your assessment of the division. The three teams are pretty even, and each has it's own unique glaring weaknesses.

I'm surprised that Holmgren has been as bad as he has been over the last 2 years. No real QB to talk about, WRs are all right, but nothing extraordinary across the board.

[Mi_chief_fan]

I see one major difference between the chiefs & raiders: The raider defense looked tired at the end of the game yesterday; the chiefs defense sems to get better as the game wears on.

[Gaz]

Mi_chief_fan-

Good point.

Of course, a Raiders Homer could claim that our Defense is not tired in the fourth quarter because they don't do anything in the first quarter…

xoxo~
gaz
taking a swat at his boys.<BR>

[bkkcoh]

Gaz,

Another point worth making. I think for whatever reason, the Chiefs defense has been making adjustments or just plain executing better in the second half of games. I am not sure if a tip of the cap needs to go to Curt/Willie or to the actual defense for doing what it needs to.




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bk

[Gaz]

bkkcoh-

We have been over-pursuing something fierce in the first quarter. We are also committing way too many penalties up front. We kept the Seahawks' first drive alive despite their best efforts to put themselves in punt formation.

Do we calm down after the first couple of drives or does that aggressive attack force the enemy Offense to change their tactics?

xoxo~
gaz
willing to accept some over-pursuit in exchange for some QB-crushing.<BR>

[bkkcoh]

Gaz,

Is there any place where we can easily see the breakdown of the stats between the first and second halves? I think it would be very intersting to see the difference not just in the Chiefs, but the other teams as well.



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bk

[Gaz]

bk-

I dunno.

Hey you statmongers! A little help, please.

xoxo~
gaz
stat-impaired.<BR>

[One Arrowhead Dave]

"If KC does win the AFC West though, I hope they try and win a playoff game too."

What is that?

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CHIEFS