Chiefs Covitz: History says Reid will rest Chiefs players - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-23-2013, 08:28 PM

History says coach Andy Reid will rest Chiefs players now that playoff position is assured
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

With the Chiefs locked into the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs, coach Andy Reid said he has not determined whether he’ll sit some of his starting players in next Sunday’s regular-season finale at San Diego.

History suggests Reid will rest key players such as quarterback Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles and keep them out of harm’s way before the first round of the playoffs on Jan. 4-5.

The Chiefs, 11-4, cannot improve their position in the playoffs after losing 23-7 Sunday to Indianapolis. San Diego, 8-7, has a chance at a wild card spot by beating the Chiefs, coupled with losses by Miami and Baltimore in earlier games that day.

“I’ll evaluate all the different situations,” Reid said on Monday. “I have sat people before … quite a few times, actually, and benefited from that. But I’ll look at everything and make sure I have that part evaluated.”

Reid faced this situation four times in Philadelphia — in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2010 — and each time he either limited his starters to a handful of snaps or sat them altogether. The Eagles won their first playoff game in three of those seasons.

In 2004, the Eagles, 13-1, had the NFC East and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs clinched with two games remaining. Reid pulled his starters after one series in a 20-7 loss to St. Louis in the penultimate game and sat quarterback Donovan McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook, wide receiver Terrell Owens, safety Brian Dawkins and defensive end Jevon Kearse in the season-ending 38-10 loss to Cincinnati.

Those players also had an extra week off when the Eagles had a bye in the playoffs before beating Minnesota and Atlanta en route to the Super Bowl.

“The one thing I did then, and I’m going to do now is take the time I have to evaluate it and make sure I do what I think is right,” Reid said. “It’s a bit of a gut feeling you go with. I’ll go off of that.”

One factor in deciding whether to rest players or play them in these situations is whether the week off will affect their timing.

In 2011, Green Bay, assured of the No. 1 seed, rested quarterback Aaron Rodgers, among others, for a regular-season finale against Detroit, and Packers backup Matt Flynn threw for a franchise-record 480 yards against Detroit, capping a 15-1 season. The Packers, whose only regular-season loss that year was to the Chiefs, would be upset in playoffs by the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

In Reid’s last trip the playoffs, in 2010, he sat quarterback Michael Vick, running back LeSean McCoy and wide receiver DeSean Jackson in a season-ending 14-13 loss to Dallas. Philadelphia lost its wild-card game 21-16 to eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay.

“If you look at the history of it, it’s been a 50-50 shot over the last three or four years by people who have done it,” said Reid. “It’s what you feel most comfortable with as a coach. The obvious benefit is to rest your guys and get them back to feeling a little bit fresher than what they are at the end of the season.

“You take the risk of the timing part of it. Sometimes that’s there, sometimes it’s not. Those are things you evaluate.”

In the cases of outside linebacker Justin Houston, who may be ready after missing the last four games with an elbow injury, and offensive tackle Branden Albert, who has missed the last three with a knee injury, they may need to play on Sunday in order to get their timing back.

“I’ll look at that, too,” Reid said. “I’ll take that into consideration as I go through the process.”

Charles may be the one player who could use a week off to rest from the pounding against a physical team like the Chargers. Charles has carried 259 times — 26 short of his career most — and caught a career-most 70 passes this season.

He’s touched the ball on 36 percent of the Chiefs’ offensive plays, and that doesn’t count shots he has taken while pass-protecting, carrying out fakes, and even delivering a big hit in tackling Colts linebacker Jerrell Freeman after an interception on Sunday.

If Reid decides to rest Charles, he said he is comfortable with rookie Knile Davis, despite Davis’ critical lost fumble against the Colts and another fumble he recovered while returning a kickoff.

“We have to feel that way because until this point, that’s what we have done,” Reid said. “If Jamaal ever went down, he’s the guy who steps in and goes.

“You can’t touch the ball four times in a game and have two of them on the ground. He knows that. He’ll be the first to tell you. He’s a smart kid, a conscientious kid, I trust he’ll get that taken care of.”

Outside linebacker Tamba Hali could be another candidate to sit out this week. Reid said Hali had some swelling in his knee, but “he should be OK down the road.”

That was an indication that Hali’s next action will be in the playoffs.

SPchief · 12-24-2013, 02:17 AM

I doubt Poe gets more than one series

Warrior5 · 12-24-2013, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

If no Smith and JC then rest them all. Defense as well.

Strategically, we also move up several places in the 2014 draft...

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-24-2013, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPchief

I doubt Poe gets more than one series

He has pretty much taken every snap but a few I think so resting him and some of the others will be huge for the following week.

Dunerdr · 12-24-2013, 06:30 AM

Rest poe period anyone of any significance sits hell i wouldnt fly em out if i didnt have too. Let our scrubs jenkins,hall(if hes here) deknile, gray ect. Start cooper and dunta at cb demps and abdullah at s. let nico have a shot in djs place. Its like a preseason for the post season!

**LoneWolf** · 12-24-2013, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pam Oliver's Forehead

my mother is dead you asshole

Did she leave you the basement in her will?

**Lzen** · 12-24-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Because teams that go 2-4 in their division make deep playoff runs all the time.

What about teams that are 3-3 in their division? I mean, one could make the argument that the Chiefs could go 3-3 if they don't rest some starters.

ChiefRocka · 12-24-2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

What about teams that are 3-3 in their division? I mean, one could make the argument that the Chiefs could go 3-3 if they don't rest some starters.

Especially in arguably the 2nd best division in football.

Ceej · 12-24-2013, 09:03 AM

None of this matters since the NFL is rigged anyway.

**Lzen** · 12-24-2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

You do know that Charles is still a chronic fumbler, right?

Charles has fumbled 4 times this year. Well, at least the ones that have been lost. He has carried/received the ball 329 times.

So you're saying once every 82 touches is chronic?

**penguinz** · 12-24-2013, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Charles has fumbled 4 times this year. Well, at least the ones that have been lost. He has carried/received the ball 329 times.

So you're saying once every 82 touches is chronic?

No, he is saying Charles fumbles chronic. That is how it ended up in Bowes car.

jd1020 · 12-24-2013, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Charles has fumbled 4 times this year. Well, at least the ones that have been lost. He has carried/received the ball 329 times.

So you're saying once every 82 touches is chronic?

Only 1 RB in the league has more fumbles than Charles.

If Davis gets the start this week he might not end up with the most on the team, though.

CaliforniaChief · 12-24-2013, 11:05 AM

I like the idea of resting key players, but even more the idea of getting key backups and other players meaningful playing time.

Chase Daniel/Tyler Bray
Knile Davis/Cyrus Gray
A.J. Jenkins/Junior Hemingway
Marcus Cooper
Nico Johnson
Mike Catapano
Ron Parker

**notorious** · 12-24-2013, 11:09 AM

There is one positive:

Maybe Danielsssssssssss will get blasted out of the game.

Deberg_1990 · 12-24-2013, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

I heard a stat on the radio yesterday that the last seven Super Bowl champions are exactly .500 in their last four games of the season. I just confirmed this to be true.

Well there you go then. thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

RippedmyFlesh · 12-24-2013, 11:46 AM

The last 10 SB champs last 6 games of regular season

Balt 2-4
NYG 3-3
GB 3-3
NO 3-3
Pitt 5-1
NYG 3-3
Ind 3-3
Pitt 4-2
NE 5-1
NE 6-0

12-23-2013, 08:28 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $952813	Covitz: History says Reid will rest Chiefs players History says coach Andy Reid will rest Chiefs players now that playoff position is assured By RANDY COVITZ The Kansas City Star With the Chiefs locked into the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs, coach Andy Reid said he has not determined whether he’ll sit some of his starting players in next Sunday’s regular-season finale at San Diego. History suggests Reid will rest key players such as quarterback Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles and keep them out of harm’s way before the first round of the playoffs on Jan. 4-5. The Chiefs, 11-4, cannot improve their position in the playoffs after losing 23-7 Sunday to Indianapolis. San Diego, 8-7, has a chance at a wild card spot by beating the Chiefs, coupled with losses by Miami and Baltimore in earlier games that day. “I’ll evaluate all the different situations,” Reid said on Monday. “I have sat people before … quite a few times, actually, and benefited from that. But I’ll look at everything and make sure I have that part evaluated.” Reid faced this situation four times in Philadelphia — in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2010 — and each time he either limited his starters to a handful of snaps or sat them altogether. The Eagles won their first playoff game in three of those seasons. In 2004, the Eagles, 13-1, had the NFC East and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs clinched with two games remaining. Reid pulled his starters after one series in a 20-7 loss to St. Louis in the penultimate game and sat quarterback Donovan McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook, wide receiver Terrell Owens, safety Brian Dawkins and defensive end Jevon Kearse in the season-ending 38-10 loss to Cincinnati. Those players also had an extra week off when the Eagles had a bye in the playoffs before beating Minnesota and Atlanta en route to the Super Bowl. “The one thing I did then, and I’m going to do now is take the time I have to evaluate it and make sure I do what I think is right,” Reid said. “It’s a bit of a gut feeling you go with. I’ll go off of that.” One factor in deciding whether to rest players or play them in these situations is whether the week off will affect their timing. In 2011, Green Bay, assured of the No. 1 seed, rested quarterback Aaron Rodgers, among others, for a regular-season finale against Detroit, and Packers backup Matt Flynn threw for a franchise-record 480 yards against Detroit, capping a 15-1 season. The Packers, whose only regular-season loss that year was to the Chiefs, would be upset in playoffs by the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants. In Reid’s last trip the playoffs, in 2010, he sat quarterback Michael Vick, running back LeSean McCoy and wide receiver DeSean Jackson in a season-ending 14-13 loss to Dallas. Philadelphia lost its wild-card game 21-16 to eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay. “If you look at the history of it, it’s been a 50-50 shot over the last three or four years by people who have done it,” said Reid. “It’s what you feel most comfortable with as a coach. The obvious benefit is to rest your guys and get them back to feeling a little bit fresher than what they are at the end of the season. “You take the risk of the timing part of it. Sometimes that’s there, sometimes it’s not. Those are things you evaluate.” In the cases of outside linebacker Justin Houston, who may be ready after missing the last four games with an elbow injury, and offensive tackle Branden Albert, who has missed the last three with a knee injury, they may need to play on Sunday in order to get their timing back. “I’ll look at that, too,” Reid said. “I’ll take that into consideration as I go through the process.” Charles may be the one player who could use a week off to rest from the pounding against a physical team like the Chargers. Charles has carried 259 times — 26 short of his career most — and caught a career-most 70 passes this season. He’s touched the ball on 36 percent of the Chiefs’ offensive plays, and that doesn’t count shots he has taken while pass-protecting, carrying out fakes, and even delivering a big hit in tackling Colts linebacker Jerrell Freeman after an interception on Sunday. If Reid decides to rest Charles, he said he is comfortable with rookie Knile Davis, despite Davis’ critical lost fumble against the Colts and another fumble he recovered while returning a kickoff. “We have to feel that way because until this point, that’s what we have done,” Reid said. “If Jamaal ever went down, he’s the guy who steps in and goes. “You can’t touch the ball four times in a game and have two of them on the ground. He knows that. He’ll be the first to tell you. He’s a smart kid, a conscientious kid, I trust he’ll get that taken care of.” Outside linebacker Tamba Hali could be another candidate to sit out this week. Reid said Hali had some swelling in his knee, but “he should be OK down the road.” That was an indication that Hali’s next action will be in the playoffs.
Posts: 42,033

12-24-2013, 02:17 AM	#46
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $1882905	I doubt Poe gets more than one series __________________ http://give.somo.org/site/TR/Plunge/...nal&fr_id=1244 ^^^^^^^^^^ Click here to help with a special cause. Please help me out
Posts: 36,007

12-24-2013, 06:30 AM	#49
Dunerdr MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $2469677	Rest poe period anyone of any significance sits hell i wouldnt fly em out if i didnt have too. Let our scrubs jenkins,hall(if hes here) deknile, gray ect. Start cooper and dunta at cb demps and abdullah at s. let nico have a shot in djs place. Its like a preseason for the post season! __________________ Adopt-A-Chief- Rachel Santschi
Posts: 10,587

12-24-2013, 09:03 AM	#53
Ceej BOOM!1! Join Date: Aug 2004 Casino cash: $9505541	None of this matters since the NFL is rigged anyway.
Posts: 18,765

12-24-2013, 11:05 AM	#57
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12422899	I like the idea of resting key players, but even more the idea of getting key backups and other players meaningful playing time. Chase Daniel/Tyler Bray Knile Davis/Cyrus Gray A.J. Jenkins/Junior Hemingway Marcus Cooper Nico Johnson Mike Catapano Ron Parker
Posts: 17,319

12-24-2013, 11:09 AM	#58
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2965884	There is one positive: Maybe Danielsssssssssss will get blasted out of the game.
Posts: 83,260

12-24-2013, 11:46 AM	#60
RippedmyFlesh Veteran Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Casino cash: $10005817	The last 10 SB champs last 6 games of regular season Balt 2-4 NYG 3-3 GB 3-3 NO 3-3 Pitt 5-1 NYG 3-3 Ind 3-3 Pitt 4-2 NE 5-1 NE 6-0
Posts: 4,848