Reid brings change in offensive philosophy to KC

[Mr. Laz]

Reid brings change in offensive philosophy


With Andy Reid now in charge as the head coach, the Chiefs' run-first mentality is about to change dramatically. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY SPORTS)

January 5, 2013

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – No team in the entire AFC passed the ball fewer times (475) than the Chiefs did in 2012.

And that is an astonishing fact for a team that didn't actually lead in a game in regulation until the ninth game of the season. It is also almost unfathomable for a team that finished 2-14 and lost nine of its games by 15 or more points.

But with Andy Reid now in charge as the new Chiefs' head coach, that run-run-run approach is about to change dramatically.

Chiefs fans should be prepared, and perhaps excited, for a seismic shift in offensive philosophy.

Reid will bring to Kansas City the West Coast version of offense he learned under Mike Holmgren in Green Bay, an offense Reid then personalized in 14 years as the Eagles coach.

Reid also will bring with him a personnel strategy he learned by watching Ron Wolf in Green Bay, a strategy that focuses more on acquiring beefy, pass-protecting offensive linemen and mobile, strong-armed quarterbacks than it does on flashy skill-set players such as running backs and wide receivers.

Under the Chiefs' last three coaches – Herm Edwards, Todd Haley and Romeo Crennel – the Chiefs steered away from putting the game in the hands of the quarterback.

That also will change, most likely immediately, as Reid will entertain his options with the No. 1 overall pick. In Green Bay, Wolf early on targeted a trade with the Falcons for a young, strong-armed quarterback named Brett Favre, whom Reid worked with as the Packers' quarterbacks coach.

Reid's first move in Philadelphia was spending his first draft pick on quarterback Donovan McNabb. Reid may do the same in Kansas City, perhaps using that first pick on West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith.

And don't be surprised if Reid also swings a deal for Seattle backup quarterback Matt Flynn, who tutored under Mike McCarthy in Green Bay. Reid is friends with Seahawks general manager John Schneider, who worked with Reid in Green Bay in the 1990s.

It seems more than likely that Reid will clean out the Chiefs' quarterback stable of Matt Cassel, Brady Quinn and Ricky Stanzi, none of whom seem suited to operate Reid's version of the West Coast offense, which not only emphasizes precision timing on slant and crossing routes but also requires touch on long, vertical throws.

It is an offense Chiefs fans will recall from the mid-1990s when Marty Schottenheimer was coach. Schottenheimer and general manager Carl Peterson not only brought in Joe Montana, but they also hired offensive coordinator Paul Hackett, another West Coast offense disciple, to change offensive philosophies.

“There are a lot of versions of that type of offense,” Schottenheimer told FOXSportsKansasCity.com. “We still had an emphasis on the run, but a lot of those short passes and completions were the same as a run. You want to keep gaining yards, keep the down and distance short, keep moving the chains.

“That's what we tried to do and that's what Joe was so good at. Then you take your shots down field.”

That is precisely Reid's philosophy, and Schottenheimer believes it will work with the Chiefs.

“They definitely have some talent on that roster,” Schottenheimer said. “Obviously it will have to start with the quarterback and (Reid) will determine what he wants there.”

Schottenheimer, by the way, gives the Reid hiring a thumbs up. Schottenheimer spoke with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt “a few times” over the last couple of months but said he wouldn't classify his role as a consultant during the coaching search.

“I presented my opinion on certain matters,” Schottenheimer said.

Reid, like Schottenheimer when he took over the Chiefs in 1989, will be in a hurry-up mode to install his system, starting with personnel.

Reid's approach in that area is similar to Wolf's – invest your resources in a quarterback and an offensive line to protect him. That strategy will be reinforced particularly if Reid and the Chiefs land Packers director of football operations John Dorsey as their new general manager. Dorsey tutored under Wolf and then later Ted Thompson.

One of Reid's early moves in Philadelphia was signing free-agent offensive tackle Jon Runyan to a six-year, $30 million contract, which at the time made Runyan the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history.

That becomes significant now as the Chiefs will have to decide on their own free-agent left tackle Branden Albert, who may be in for a huge payday with Reid in charge.

Reid also will have to find a replacement for guard/center Ryan Lilja, who announced his retirement after this season.

Another player heading for free-agency is wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, whom the Chiefs franchised last year. At 6 feet 2 and 221 pounds, Bowe fits the mold of receivers Reid prefers – big and physical.

But it remains to be seen whether Reid believes he can cure Bowe of his tendency to drop passes and play soft, or if he chooses to look for a No. 1 receiver elsewhere.

Jamaal Charles' role is likely to be affected the most under Reid.

Charles ran the ball 285 times last season with Crennel as coach but there's virtually no chance Charles will run the ball that many times again in a season under Reid.

Instead, Charles likely will become a bigger threat out of the backfield as a receiver. The most passes Charles has caught in a season is 45. That number may virtually double in Reid's offense.

That versatility is key for any running back playing for Reid, whose favorite all-time back was Brian Westbrook.

“I never coached a running back as smart as him,” Reid once said of Westbrook.

Speedy wideout Dexter McCluster may also see his role change under Reid, who may take McCluster out of the slot and insert him more in the backfield.

“The key for any coach coming in is get the system you want in place and get the people you want in place,” Schottenheimer said. “You change the culture.”

And change is starting now at One Arrowhead Drive.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

This.

At the very least....he'll have a much better redzone offense.

That is pretty far out on the limb!

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

I wonder if Baldwin has gained weight?

sometimes WR either get fat or bulk up too much and lose their burst.

Baldwin's feet look slow as shit

You mean there might be more to it than "just playing good football?"

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Groves

If I'm choosing between Matt Schaub and Tom Brady I'm taking Tom Brady.

Is that who were picking between or is it really between Flynn and another QB in the draft?

I hear what you're saying, just don't agree.

What DJ is saying is DRAFT GENO

Then.....

Blow a 4th on Flynn.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Andy Reid expected to employ West Coast offense with Chiefs

By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
Published: Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 - 12:00 am

The Chiefs' hiring of new head coach Andy Reid, who is expected to bring his West Coast offense from Philadelphia to Kansas City, conjures memories of the mid-to-late 1990s at Arrowhead Stadium.

That's when coach Marty Schottenheimer and general manager Carl Peterson, frustrated by falling short in the playoffs, ditched their smash-mouth offense in 1993, brought in offensive coordinator Paul Hackett, acquired Joe Montana, signed Marcus Allen, drafted Tony Gonzalez and implemented the West Coast offense made famous by Bill Walsh with the San Francisco 49ers.

I didn't know we drafted Tony Gonzalez when he was 17.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by O.city

This.


Geno is your Brady, now you gotta find your experienced Mark Brunnel type guy who can keep the ship on course for small amounts of time.

And in Flynn you're actually getting one with a little upside thrown in.

It's essentially the aggressively pro-upside way to deal with the backup QB position. A younger veteran with upside and skills, not to mention a little bit of good tape.

If he's your answer to the starting QB role, it's a chickenshit move. But if he's an acquisition in addition to your high-value QBOTF and a potentially top-shelf fallback, I think that's just smart football.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

And in Flynn you're actually getting one with a little upside thrown in.

It's essentially the aggressively pro-upside way to deal with the backup QB position. A younger veteran with upside and skills, not to mention a little bit of good tape.

If he's your answer to the starting QB role, it's a chickenshit move. But if he's an acquisition in addition to your high-value QBOTF and a potentially top-shelf fallback, I think that's just smart football.

Yep.

People wanna look and point at the Skins this year with Cousins and RGIII, but thats really not the way to go IMO.

Although now they are looking pretty good with RGIII going down I guess.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Bowe and Charles are perfect players for a WCO. Besides, Reid's WCO isn't Gruden's. It has more of a vertical element to it, not just dink and dunk down the field.

It all depends on who the QB is.

For most of Reid's career he had 2 QB's who had below average to bad accuracy on short routes. He really had little choice. Vick and McNabb aren't precision passers and you're not going to be successful if you ask them to be.

I have little doubt that Reid will run an offense best suited to the particular talent he puts at QB.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by O.city

Yep.

People wanna look and point at the Skins this year with Cousins and RGIII, but thats really not the way to go IMO.

Although now they are looking pretty good with RGIII going down I guess.

I think Flynn is better than Cousins...

{runs away again}

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I think Flynn is better than Cousins...

{runs away again}

Yeah, he is.


I'll probably have to run with you on this, but the whole Josh Freeman thing had me pretty intrigued.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

And in Flynn you're actually getting one with a little upside thrown in.

It's essentially the aggressively pro-upside way to deal with the backup QB position. A younger veteran with upside and skills, not to mention a little bit of good tape.

If he's your answer to the starting QB role, it's a chickenshit move. But if he's an acquisition in addition to your high-value QBOTF and a potentially top-shelf fallback, I think that's just smart football.

I'm not seeing anything at all to disagree with here, common sense move to have a vet (even better if its a youngish vet) onboard in case "the kid" falters or gets hurt.

[Groves]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

What DJ is saying is DRAFT GENO

Then.....

Blow a 4th on Flynn.

Yes of course, but he was likening Flynn to Schaub and then using Schaub as a comparison to the draft picks.

I was just making apples to apples.

With Flynn or a QB, I'd take a QB.

Overall, I'm just going to trust our front office. It's an exciting time to be a chiefs fan and I'm loving it.

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

And in Flynn you're actually getting one with a little upside thrown in.

It's essentially the aggressively pro-upside way to deal with the backup QB position. A younger veteran with upside and skills, not to mention a little bit of good tape.

If he's your answer to the starting QB role, it's a chickenshit move. But if he's an acquisition in addition to your high-value QBOTF and a potentially top-shelf fallback, I think that's just smart football.

I agree. Gotta be worth it, value wise. But I do not want all my hopes pinned to one vet or one rookie, bring in a legit competition. Geno or Wilson, a Flynn or or freeman and a project or two.

[Chiefaholic]

Originally Posted by Groves

Lets make it really simple.

We would not be ok with that because one of those choices (rhymes with "rat grin") has a known and not super high ceiling, while the other (draft pick) has what we call a "possibly Tom Brady" ceiling.


We've spent our years playing it safe, and now we're going to do something else.

I'm not disagreeing with your OPINION, but the guy that makes that decision (rhymes with Candy Lead) has a history of finding QB's with a "super high ceiling". While the others (rhymes with Farmchair Porterback) have what we call "post season stress disorder".

I respect your opinion and agree with the majority of it. I just find it hilarious reading some people's responses as if they actually play a legitimate role in personnel decisions. Clark proved many people here wrong again by going out and getting the best possible head coach available on the market. To prove to everybody he's not "a cheap soccer fan who doesn't care about the Chiefs", he went out and talked to multiple advisers on who and what to look for. Then gave the man a huge contract with control of who and what he wants to build a successful franchise.

[Groves]

Originally Posted by Chiefaholic

I'm not disagreeing with your OPINION, but the guy that makes that decision (rhymes with Candy Lead) has a history of finding QB's with a "super high ceiling". While the others (rhymes with Farmchair Porterback) have what we call "post season stress disorder".

I respect your opinion and agree with the majority of it. I just find it hilarious reading some people's responses as if they actually play a legitimate role in personnel decisions. Clark proved many people here wrong again by going out and getting the best possible head coach available on the market. To prove to everybody he's not "a cheap soccer fan who doesn't care about the Chiefs", he went out and talked to multiple advisers on who and what to look for. Then gave the man a huge contract with control of who and what he wants to build a successful franchise.

You Speak Truth.

I trust Andy.

It's amazing, because I barely know any facts about the guy much less know the guy himself, and yet because of him I not only trust every coach he's brought in, but also the GM that he's not even in charge of bringing in.

Full support. Feels good. May this honeymoon last forever.

[MeatRock]

I would give a 4th for Flynn but nothing higher than that.

[Chiefaholic]

Originally Posted by MeatRock

I would give a 4th for Flynn but nothing higher than that.

Sounds about right. Given our draft position, the top pick of the 5th might be an option as well.