Chiefs Andy blames himself, not Alex, for Chiefs' sputtering offense - Page 9

ShowtimeSBMVP · 10-16-2013, 10:05 AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- When you're 6-0 and coming off a 2-14 season, there really shouldn't be any complaining.

There can't be a football fan or scout or executive anywhere on the planet who could have forecast the amazing turnaround general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid have conducted with the Chiefs -- certainly not to the extent of a 6-0 start.

But -- and isn't there always a but? -- there is one small area of concern that even Reid himself continues to address: a sluggish offense.

The Chiefs are 25th in the NFL in offense, chugging along at just 326 yards per game, a remarkably low figure for a team unbeaten this far into the season.

No one is more aware of the offense's struggles than Reid. The offense is his baby.

"Listen, I'm never going to make excuses," Reid said Monday. "That's not how we roll here. But the reality of it is we're a little young, but we have to get better.

"I see some phases we're getting better at. But I've got to do a better job of getting these guys in the right position to succeed. We've all got a little piece of the pie to get things right. We're learning on the fly, but we're going to get better."

The Chiefs likely will have to. Fans in this area have seen this script before. They've seen the Chiefs' teams of the 1990s soar through the regular season on the strength of their overpowering defenses and elite special teams.

Then those fans saw the same teams misfire in the postseason, mainly because the offense couldn't step up and contribute when it had to.

To avoid revisiting that script, the Chiefs must get more production out of quarterback Alex Smith, whose numbers keep sinking.

Smith is 26th in the league in passing yards at just 221.7 per game. He's also 20th in the league with a passer rating of 79.8.

But if you're looking for Reid to point any fingers toward Smith, you'll have a long wait.

Reid knows what kind of team he has. He knows, outside of Jamaal Charles and at times Dwayne Bowe, he doesn't have an explosive offense.

Reid also knows you can win in this league simply by not messing up, and letting the opponent beat itself. The Chiefs are No. 1 in the league in turnover ratio at plus-12, and don't have the appearance of a team that will beat itself anytime soon.

"Not turning the ball over is very important to us," Reid said, "especially when you have a solid defense like we have and the kicking game we have, both from our punter and our kicker."

In that respect, Smith is giving Reid all he needs, even if the offense has that familiar conservative look of the '90s. After all, there is a fine line between wanting more offensive production, and opening the offense up so much that more turnovers occur. Reid isn't likely to stand for that.

"You want to always start off by protecting the ball," Reid said. "There's no fine line there for me. ...

"Alex is doing that. And we need to point out the way Alex continues to manage this offense."

And that is the key in Reid's mind: He simply wants Smith to manage the game, which also includes managing the different personalities in the huddle.

"We've got a guy at quarterback, this kid, he's a stud," Reid said. "The things he does for this team is unbelievable. He's making people around him better. He takes the blame for things -- that's what good leaders do.

"At the same time, he's able to teach and explain to other guys with a clear head. Those are valuable things for us as coaches to see. I'm very pleased with the job (Smith) is doing."

In Reid's mind, let the other quarterbacks around the league possess the pretty passing numbers; Reid will take the ultimate one that counts. That is, for now, 6-0.

Still, Reid also has been around long enough to know that his offense will have to improve as the season wears on, even if it's just incrementally.

And that will be up to Reid himself as the play-caller and architect of the offense, something Reid has mentioned almost every week.

"I think we have done some good things, but we have plenty to work on," Reid said. "I don't think I've done a very good job of putting guys in position to make plays. That has been obvious at times. I have to do a better job."

http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/n...75&feedID=5117

Sorry if Q

keg in kc · 10-16-2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefs=Good

IF we had a top 5 offense led by a top 5 QB, yet had a weak defense, would we be more likely to challenge for the Superbowl than our current team?

Why does it have to be one or the other?

How about a top 15 offense led by a top 15 QB, with the defense they have right now?

Because that's basically what we're asking for here. There's no reason to talk extremes...

And I think that's what they should be, with Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles, Dwayne Bowe, Donnie Avery, Dextor McHemingway, (hopefully) Anthony Fasano, Anthony Sherman, and an offensive line that should be slowly adjusting to and gelling within the new scheme.

That's what I'd like to see by January.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-16-2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I'd say it was mostly because the Cowboys defense allowed 51 ****ing points.

Tony Romo in KC would make the Chiefs a real SB contender and perhaps the best team in the league.

Until he throws the inevitable back breaking INT

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-16-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Why does it have to be one or the other?

How about a top 15 offense led by a top 15 QB, with the defense they have right now?

Because that's basically what we're asking for here. There's no reason to talk extremes...

And I think that's what they should be, with Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles, Dwayne Bowe, Donnie Avery, Dextor McHemingway, (hopefully) Anthony Fasano, Anthony Sherman, and an offensive line that should be slowly adjusting to and gelling within the new scheme.

That's what I'd like to see by January.

The issue is that the line isn't gelling, Hemingway hasn't seperated himself and Fasano has barely been on the field.

Alex Smith is a limited game manager but he's even more limited when the line sucks and there's no one to catch the ball.

keg in kc · 10-16-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Until he throws the inevitable back breaking INT

I don't like Tony Romo. At all. I think he's overhyped and has done little of real substantial note in the league. But I also find it funny how people point about the int while ignoring the 500 yards and 5 TDs that were the only reason Dallas was even in the game at all in the first place.

O.city · 10-16-2013, 08:38 PM

While the Oakland game was obviously the ols worst game, I thought they had been gradually getting better each game.

And I thought they played pretty well int he second half Sunday?

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-16-2013, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I don't like Tony Romo. At all. I think he's overhyped and has done little of real substantial note in the league. But I also find it funny how people point about the int while ignoring the 500 yards and 5 TDs that were the only reason Dallas was even in the game at all in the first place.

But in the end, as he's proven so many times, it doesn't matter how many yards and TD's, he inevitably costs Dallas the big win.

O.city · 10-16-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

But in the end, as he's proven so many times, it doesn't matter how many yards and TD's, he inevitably costs Dallas the big win.

It's kind of a chicken and egg thing.

Yeah he's had some bad plays, but he's also been the reason they're in the position.

IMO, he's carried a shitty roster in Dallas for the past 3 or 4 years.

keg in kc · 10-16-2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The issue is that the line isn't gelling, Hemingway hasn't seperated himself and Fasano has barely been on the field.

Alex Smith is a limited game manager but he's even more limited when the line sucks and there's no one to catch the ball.

The line was adequate from about midway through the 1st quarter Sunday, Hemingway isn't going to get a real shot because they keep throwing the useless midget on the field, and Fasano will hopefully be back Sunday.

And Alex Smith's problems right now appear primarily to be his own. His accuracy has abandoned him, and he's so risk-averse that he's not giving anyone a chance to catch the ball.

I'm also sure there's more to it, since I also don't know what routes are being run, or what the comfort level is between receivers and QB. But he's the guy they traded for and he's the guy they've made the face of the team, so he gets to shoulder the load. It's part of the job, as much as we try to make it everyone's fault but his.

Chiefshrink · 10-16-2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I don't like Tony Romo. At all. I think he's overhyped and has done little of real substantial note in the league. But I also find it funny how people point about the int while ignoring the 500 yards and 5 TDs that were the only reason Dallas was even in the game at all in the first place.

Romo is Brett Favre without the big wins plain and simple.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-16-2013, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

The line was adequate from about midway through the 1st quarter Sunday, Hemingway isn't going to get a real shot because they keep throwing the useless midget on the field, and Fasano will hopefully be back Sunday.

And Alex Smith's problems right now appear primarily to be his own. His accuracy has abandoned him, and he's so risk-averse that he's not giving anyone a chance to catch the ball.

I'm also sure there's more to it, since I also don't know what routes are being run, or what the comfort level is between receivers and QB. But he's the guy they traded for and he's the guy they've made the face of the team, so he gets to shoulder the load. It's part of the job, as much as we try to make it everyone's fault but his.

First off, I've never excused Smith. He had an awful game on Sunday.

But it's been clear since the Dallas game that the interior line is struggling to pas protect and open holes for Charles. Fisher has been awful and the team rarely runs to the right side of the line.

Losing Fasano was a killer, especially coupled with the loss of Kelce.

All of these factors have further exposed Smith, which is why the team is struggling offensively.

keg in kc · 10-16-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

But in the end, as he's proven so many times, it doesn't matter how many yards and TD's, he inevitably costs Dallas the big win.

You're not going to win many games when you give up 51. He's sort of the one legged-man that lost the ass-kicking contest.

Here's an interesting question to ponder: what would the Chiefs record be with Tony Romo? Would he have cost them games to this point because of his predilection towards head-scratching picks? Or is the defense good enough that it wouldn't matter? Would the offense be scoring more? And have we won games because of key plays by Alex Smith that could only be made by Alex Smith? Has he been a difference maker in the 6-0 start beyond "he doesn't turn it over"?

Deberg_1990 · 10-16-2013, 08:49 PM

Ive been very disappointed in the O-line. It feels like almost every pass play Smith is under pressure or rushed.

Deberg_1990 · 10-16-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

You're not going to win many games when you give up 51. He's sort of the one legged-man that lost the ass-kicking contest.

Here's an interesting question to ponder: what would the Chiefs record be with Tony Romo? Would he have cost them games to this point because of his predilection towards head-scratching picks? Or is the defense good enough that it wouldn't matter? Would the offense be scoring more? And have we won games because of key plays by Alex Smith that could only be made by Alex Smith? Has he been a difference maker in the 6-0 start beyond "he doesn't turn it over"?

i go back in forth on Romo....but im mostly with Dane. It doesnt matter if he threw 5 passes a game or 50, he would find a way to screw up at a critical point in the game.

chiefzilla1501 · 10-16-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Ive been very disappointed in the O-line. It feels like almost every pass play Smith is under pressure or rushed.

I feel like we have lightweight guys who would have been fine zone blocking running a power scheme. Strangely, Fisher is one of those guys, and he's a Dorsey guy.

Bulk Fisher up and phase our interior line out of the offense.

keg in kc · 10-16-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

i go back in forth on Romo....but im mostly with Dane. It doesnt matter if he threw 5 passes a game or 50, he would find a way to screw up at a critical point in the game.

I'm not a fan of Romo either. I wouldn't have signed him were he available. But that wasn't the question.

10-16-2013, 10:05 AM
ShowtimeSBMVP Chiefs Join Date: Feb 2009 Casino cash: $3656009	Andy blames himself, not Alex, for Chiefs' sputtering offense KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- When you're 6-0 and coming off a 2-14 season, there really shouldn't be any complaining. There can't be a football fan or scout or executive anywhere on the planet who could have forecast the amazing turnaround general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid have conducted with the Chiefs -- certainly not to the extent of a 6-0 start. But -- and isn't there always a but? -- there is one small area of concern that even Reid himself continues to address: a sluggish offense. The Chiefs are 25th in the NFL in offense, chugging along at just 326 yards per game, a remarkably low figure for a team unbeaten this far into the season. No one is more aware of the offense's struggles than Reid. The offense is his baby. "Listen, I'm never going to make excuses," Reid said Monday. "That's not how we roll here. But the reality of it is we're a little young, but we have to get better. "I see some phases we're getting better at. But I've got to do a better job of getting these guys in the right position to succeed. We've all got a little piece of the pie to get things right. We're learning on the fly, but we're going to get better." The Chiefs likely will have to. Fans in this area have seen this script before. They've seen the Chiefs' teams of the 1990s soar through the regular season on the strength of their overpowering defenses and elite special teams. Then those fans saw the same teams misfire in the postseason, mainly because the offense couldn't step up and contribute when it had to. To avoid revisiting that script, the Chiefs must get more production out of quarterback Alex Smith, whose numbers keep sinking. Smith is 26th in the league in passing yards at just 221.7 per game. He's also 20th in the league with a passer rating of 79.8. But if you're looking for Reid to point any fingers toward Smith, you'll have a long wait. Reid knows what kind of team he has. He knows, outside of Jamaal Charles and at times Dwayne Bowe, he doesn't have an explosive offense. Reid also knows you can win in this league simply by not messing up, and letting the opponent beat itself. The Chiefs are No. 1 in the league in turnover ratio at plus-12, and don't have the appearance of a team that will beat itself anytime soon. "Not turning the ball over is very important to us," Reid said, "especially when you have a solid defense like we have and the kicking game we have, both from our punter and our kicker." In that respect, Smith is giving Reid all he needs, even if the offense has that familiar conservative look of the '90s. After all, there is a fine line between wanting more offensive production, and opening the offense up so much that more turnovers occur. Reid isn't likely to stand for that. "You want to always start off by protecting the ball," Reid said. "There's no fine line there for me. ... "Alex is doing that. And we need to point out the way Alex continues to manage this offense." And that is the key in Reid's mind: He simply wants Smith to manage the game, which also includes managing the different personalities in the huddle. "We've got a guy at quarterback, this kid, he's a stud," Reid said. "The things he does for this team is unbelievable. He's making people around him better. He takes the blame for things -- that's what good leaders do. "At the same time, he's able to teach and explain to other guys with a clear head. Those are valuable things for us as coaches to see. I'm very pleased with the job (Smith) is doing." In Reid's mind, let the other quarterbacks around the league possess the pretty passing numbers; Reid will take the ultimate one that counts. That is, for now, 6-0. Still, Reid also has been around long enough to know that his offense will have to improve as the season wears on, even if it's just incrementally. And that will be up to Reid himself as the play-caller and architect of the offense, something Reid has mentioned almost every week. "I think we have done some good things, but we have plenty to work on," Reid said. "I don't think I've done a very good job of putting guys in position to make plays. That has been obvious at times. I have to do a better job." http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/n...75&feedID=5117 Sorry if Q
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10-16-2013, 08:38 PM	#125
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2744064	While the Oakland game was obviously the ols worst game, I thought they had been gradually getting better each game. And I thought they played pretty well int he second half Sunday?
Posts: 81,246

10-16-2013, 08:49 PM	#132
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Ive been very disappointed in the O-line. It feels like almost every pass play Smith is under pressure or rushed. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
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