Media starting to take "A Hard Look" at Andy Reid

[Chief Roundup]

http://profootballspot.com/_/nfl/afc...s-part-1-r5430



The latest loss for the Kansas City Chiefs may be the hardest to reconcile. When a team struggles like they did in Arizona the entire organization needs to be ready to find the issues and correct them. Nothing is more corrosive to a team’s confidence than not knowing why its losing. It is the responsibility of both the players and staff.
Today, Andy Reid is in looking glass. I’ll discuss the players later this week in a special 2-part Chiefs’ Truths.

Evaluate Team including Andy Reid
John Dorsey was brought to Kansas City after Andy Reid was hired as Head Coach, supposedly on the recommendation of Reid. Now, he will be in the possibly difficult position of evaluating Reid’s performance leading the team.

There are 2 very disturbing trends.

The 2013 Kansas City Chiefs started 9-0 there first season on Reid’s leadership. Then came the bye week. After the bye, the Chiefs lost 6 of their next 8 games, bouncing from the playoffs in the first round (again). They were swept by Denver and San Diego and lost twice in three weeks to Indianapolis. For a squad that was young and somewhat cobbled together after the final roster cuts, it was a solid first season.

It’s a very big red flag to see the last 3 contests all come out as losses. It hints at 2014 repeating the pattern of 2014’s last 8 games where the Chiefs had two runs of back-to-back-to-back losses. The team was playing for a share of the AFC West lead 3 weeks ago and now will have to claw their way to be in position for the last Wildcard slot. To the eyes outside of the building at Arrowhead Drive, this is looking like a systemic issue with Reid and his staff fading as the season closes. Positions and even careers cannot withstand that kind of trend for long.


Stop saying “Its Fixable” and Fix It
The second trend seen in Kansas City has been a lack of answers. Reid has been unable to correct any of the issues with his offense. Alex Smith has been sacked and average of 3 times per game in 2014. Even worse, he’s had to deal with 11 sacks in the last 2 contests alone. Yet, there have been no personnel changes and no apparent scheme changes along the offensive line. One notable change was made to the wide receivers by getting some fresh blood, some old and some new, into the lineup. That was generally successful. (more on the players later this week in part 2)

Sutton did get a much better performance from his defensive line in Arizona. While Joe Mays bolstered the run defense while he was on the field, Josh Mauga and James-Michael Johnson continue to have assignment breakdowns that allow huge chunks of yardage. Overall his defense still was gashed by the run and unable to get off the field when it counted most. The secondary still has Ron Parker playing out of position at cornerback. Chris Owens has not been as advertised in the slot and Sutton, Emmitt Thomas and Al Harris have not been able to rebuild Marcus Copper’s confidence. At this point in the season, they defense could really benefit from a re-built Cooper.


13
Yes, that is how many running plays Andy Reid called against the Cardinals. The imbalance in Reid’s offense has been a concern all season, regardless of how many men the defense puts in the box. However, it has hit critical mass in the last two contests. Against the Cardinals, he called only 21.8%

That is the lowest called run percentage of the season outside the opener versus the Titans.

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In fact, the called running play percentage has dropped in every contest since the last win versus Seattle. in Arizona, Charles was injured and had to leave the game. It was reasonable to not give him a full load the rest of the day.
That is why the Chiefs have Knile Davis. He is a more than capable stand-in for Charles and he’s proven it. He can catch and his more powerful running style can wear down a defense that is crowding the line with 8 men. Yet, Knile Davis got just 1 carry against Arizona.

After the Cardinals kicked a field goal to end their first drive of the second half, the Chiefs got the ball back leading 14-9. Charles gained 1 yard on first down. Then Reid proceeded to call 7 passing plays in a row. The last two plays resulted in the Fasano interference call and the Alex Smith interception. The play by Okafor to disengage and intercept a badly thrown pass was the turning point. Running the ball on any of the preceding 6 plays may have changed the outcome of the game. That fact rests squarely on Andy Reid.

[Imon Yourside]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

I'm not much of a fan of Reid, but I do agree with this to an extent.

Improving the OL would go a long way, but ultimately we need a QB.

We have FISHER, #1 overrall.

[ct]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Today's TMQ (Gregg Easterbrook):

Sweet Play Of The Week: Kansas City leading 14-9 late in the third quarter, the Chiefs had third-and-long on the Arizona 29. A draw play followed by a field goal would give the visitors a commanding position, putting the Cardinals in danger of losing their third straight.

In love with the pass, Andy Reid radios in a pass. For the game -- adjusting for sacks and scrambles -- Reid would radio in 47 passes and 14 rushes; the pass calls would average 6 yards gained, the rushes 7.4 yards gained. Alex Smith, with a defender in his face, makes a mental mistake, heave-hoeing the ball off his back foot directly into the hands of linebacker Alex Okafor, whose interception and run-back position the hosts for the go-ahead touchdown. Sweet for the home team!

Had Reid simply radioed in a rush, the likely outcome would have been a 17-9 Kansas City lead. Instead, the Chiefs became the contender that has lost three straight and the one the Go-Go's will sing "Fading Fast" to this week. Reid note: Specifically, he's in love with the super-short pass. Kansas City had the ball on its 36 trailing 17-14 with 22 seconds remaining, and on its final four downs threw super-short each time.

ok wait, so now we are critizing a HC for calling a pass play on 3rd&9, saying instead to play it safe with a draw and attempt a FG, in the 3rd freakin quarter to ensure victory!!

Give me a freakin break w/ that crap. That drive happened to be our best of the day, until a bad call and bonehead throw killed it.

Criticize the super short pass all day, I agree, but this guy's analysis is shit, plain and simple.

[Imon Yourside]

Originally Posted by ct

ok wait, so now we are critizing a HC for calling a pass play on 3rd&9, saying instead to play it safe with a draw and attempt a FG, in the 3rd freakin quarter to ensure victory!!

Give me a freakin break w/ that crap. That drive happened to be our best of the day, until a bad call and bonehead throw killed it.

Criticize the super short pass all day, I agree, but this guy's analysis is shit, plain and simple.

but his name is Easterbrook!

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

He's wins 60% of his games. He's a 9-7 / 10-6 coach. Perfect for KC fans.

If I gotta choose between Reid and Smith, Reids the easy choice IMO.

He had some excellent years in Philly, but his team was far more talented overall and having Jim Johnson didnt hurt either, dude was like Dick LeBeau 1-B.

[lcarus]

Do you think Reid is looking out for Jamaal by not running the shit out of him? I mean, it still doesn't mean that we shouldn't run wayyyy more (we still have Knile so we don't have to Herm Jamaal Charles to death). I'm just really curious what goes through Andy's head.

[Red Dawg]

Andy is doing what he thinks is best with the guys he has. Slamming JC into a brick wall because our OL is crap is not going to help anything. The OL is so bad it has killd our offense and any plan Andy can make. The man did not get to the NFC champ game and the SB because he is stupid. Dorsey is the player personnel guy that should be under fire for the OL and WR mess.

It's a pathedic mess.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

Andy is doing what he thinks is best with the guys he has. Slamming JC into a brick wall because our OL is crap is not going to help anything. The OL is so bad it has killd our offense and any plan Andy can make. The man did not get to the NFC champ game and the SB because he is stupid. Dorsey is the player personnel guy that should be under fire for the OL and WR mess.

It's a pathedic mess.

You just basically answered my question as I posted it

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by lcarus

Do you think Reid is looking out for Jamaal by not running the shit out of him? I mean, it still doesn't mean that we shouldn't run wayyyy more (we still have Knile so we don't have to Herm Jamaal Charles to death). I'm just really curious what goes through Andy's head.

If he was worried about overworking JC then we'd atleast be seeing more Davis and Thomas.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

If I gotta choose between Reid and Smith, Reids the easy choice IMO.

He had some excellent years in Philly, but his team was far more talented overall and having Jim Johnson didnt hurt either, dude was like Dick LeBeau 1-B.

I chose neither. If one fails they both fail.

Too much invested in both to give them too much leeway.

But as long as smith is here cp will give reid a free pass.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I disagree..

of course you do

[scho63]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Kansas City Chiefs at 01:09
1-10-KC 24
(1:09) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short right to 25-J.Charles pushed ob at KC 26 for 2 yards (57-A.Okafor).
2-8-KC 26
(1:04) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 81-J.Avant to KC 30 for 4 yards (25-J.Powers) [57-A.Okafor].
3-4-KC 30
(:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short middle to 81-J.Avant to KC 36 for 6 yards (25-J.Powers).
1-10-KC 36
(:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass incomplete short right to 25-J.Charles.
2-10-KC 36
(:19) (Shotgun) PENALTY on KC-72-E.Fisher, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at KC 36 - No Play.
2-15-KC 31
(:19) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass incomplete short left to 12-A.Wilson.
3-15-KC 31
(:16) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass incomplete short right to 12-A.Wilson.
4-15-KC 31
(:11) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass incomplete short middle to 81-J.Avant (93-C.Campbell).

Inexcusable.

Inexcusable is too kind. That was the WORST display of a two minute offense I've ever witnessed in 45 years of watching the NFL.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

I'm not much of a fan of Reid, but I do agree with this to an extent.

Improving the OL would go a long way, but ultimately we need a QB.

Its all fixable.....

[keg in kc]

It actually makes sense to pass when everybody is overcommitted to stopping Charles. The problem is that every pass they execute is an extended handoff and they put zero pressure on anybody down the field. Teams basically only have to defend 10 yards beyond the los. And bring regular pressure, because the line can't handle it and the quarterback can't overcome it with anything but his legs.

I'd love to see almost any other qb at this point, just to try to ascertain if the problem is systemic or specific to AS. Although at the same time I don't necessarily believe that Daniel is capable of doing anything different or that Murray is further enough along to try.

In any case I'm not sure the end result would be a whole lot different if they ran the ball more. I'm not convinced the line can consistently open lanes the way defenses are currently stacked, Charles seems to be taking enough punishment already and while I like Davis he still feels like a fumble waiting to happen. I think we basically see what we've been seeing until they start to execute some lengthier intermediate passes. In other words when we take advantage of what defenses are giving us.

[Eleazar]

Starting at 2nd and 15, to never get a pass beyond the first down marker is sad, given 3 attempts. But the problem we can't see on television is whether people are getting open downfield pursuant to the progressions. If people are running bad routes and/or not getting separation, that's part of the issue. If pressure is coming within a second of the snap as it usually has this year, that's part of the issue.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by Cochise

Starting at 2nd and 15, to never get a pass beyond the first down marker is sad, given 3 attempts. But the problem we can't see on television is whether people are getting open downfield pursuant to the progressions. If people are running bad routes and/or not getting separation, that's part of the issue. If pressure is coming within a second of the snap as it usually has this year, that's part of the issue.

It will be an on going blame fest between the Alexcuses and the Blowe Pops until the jank ass OL gets addressed...

Once that happens then one of those sides will be right, until then its just a typical day on CP.