A Broncos blogger's take on the Chiefs

[DaFace]

http://www.itsalloverfatman.com/bron...as-city-chiefs

Beware the Kansas City Chiefs
Ted Bartlett Sep 20, 2013 3:30 PM

Happy Friday, friends. I still haven’t had the four hours or so necessary to watch the All-22 of the Broncos-Giants game, and then write an article on it. I’m planning to do that tomorrow, so check the site on a Saturday. (I know you all have the capability.) I actually planned to watch the film last night, but I got caught up watching the Chiefs-Eagles game instead.

You’re not going to like this, but I thought it was time that we all came to the realization that the Chiefs are legitimate. Briefly, today, I’ll share some thoughts on this most regrettable of topics.

For Kansas City, it all starts with their ability to play defense, specifically man-to-man coverage on defense. They have two above-average man corners in Brandon Flowers and Sean Smith, and they also have safety Eric Berry, who’s proving to be very capable at covering TEs man-to-man.

When you can play man coverage (like the Broncos can, as well), you get more options tactically than you’d have if your guys could only hold up in zone. If you can play 5-on-5, with one high safety, you’re left with a free guy, to either use as an extra rusher, or as a robber type of player in coverage.

What’s maybe even more impressive about the Chiefs is that they’re getting dominant play off both edges (Justin Houston and Tamba Hali) and on the nose, with the vastly improved Dontari Poe. This Chiefs team can really generate some pressure on the QB, and that dovetails nicely with being able to lock down good receivers outside.

I saw some comments in the Lard today saying that the Chiefs looked like an average team. I don’t agree with that. As I watched them, I thought they looked a good deal like the 2011 49ers, and that team probably should have been in the Super Bowl.

Alex Smith has been doing an excellent job of managing the game, and the Chiefs have zero turnovers through three games. At this point, nobody can say that Smith is a fluke when it comes to protecting the football. In 2011, his interception rate was 1.1%, which led the NFL. In 2012, it was 2.3%, which tied with Matt Ryan for tenth. This year, obviously, it’s zero. He is good at not throwing the ball to the other team.

Smith isn’t really a big play guy, but with the defense Kansas City has, he doesn’t have to be. He can matriculate the ball down the field, and do well enough by getting the ball to the open guy short. He’s also added 115 rushing yards in three games, which is a good amount for a QB.

There’s a way to win in the NFL, by playing good defense (particularly against the pass), and by winning the turnover battle. That’s what the 49ers did the last couple years, and that’s what this year’s Chiefs team is doing.

I said in an email to the other IAOFM guys yesterday that the Chiefs were probably destined to regress to the mean on turnovers, but the more I think about it, the less I think they will. Smith is huge in that regard, as mentioned, but it’s notable that the team has only even fumbled the ball once in three games. (That was credited to Smith.)

Recovering fumbles is random, and highly dependent on luck, but not fumbling the ball isn’t random. It’s a skill, and a discipline, and a coaching priority. So far, it looks like this is another skill that the Chiefs have going for them.

I know what some of you are thinking - they haven't played anybody yet! How do you know? Is it fully clear yet who is a good team and who's a bad team? I'll grant you that Jacksonville is in rough shape this year. Dallas, though, has the talent to compete with anybody in the NFL. The fact that KC's corners mostly won against Dallas's WRs is compelling evidence of the quality of the Chiefs defense. As for Philadelphia, they have pretty good offensive talent too, and their scheme makes that talent a step better. (Admittedly, their defense isn't good.)

I don’t necessarily think that the Chiefs are ready to win a Super Bowl this year, but I do think they’ll give anybody they play a hard time on any given Sunday. To beat their defense, you have to run the ball well, and beat up on their nickel CB with good play from the slot. Philly got them for 260 yards rushing, and 9.3 yards per carry, and it's clear that the Chiefs can still be run on.

To beat their offense, it’s helpful to bottle up the running game, and to keep Smith in long yardage situations. If you let him get to 3rd-and-4 very often, he’s going to beat you. Over the long run of a game, Smith makes up for not being great at drilling the 20-yard deep out by almost always finding the right receiver on 3rd-and-4, and almost always putting the short throw right where it needs to be.

I would say that the Chiefs are probably the second-most impressive team I’ve seen in the AFC so far this season. It’s a credit to Andy Reid, and the smart moves they made, like keeping LT Branden Albert, signing Sean Smith and DE Mike DeVito, trading for Alex Smith, and picking up Donnie Avery (who has skills) off the scrap heap. I think they may have erred in taking RT Eric Fisher first overall (I thought the best players in the class were DT Star Lotulelei and OLB Jarvis Jones), but Fisher is still likely going to be a good player.

It’s early, but we should watch out for the Chiefs. If they can beat Houston at home in Week 7, there’s a pretty good chance we could see 8-0 Kansas City visiting Denver on November 17th (coming off a bye) to play a 9-0 Broncos team. How exciting would that be?

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

lol, whatever. Then you'd know these idiots loved McD. Defend that assclown. And, when you spend more time on a kc fan board that the Broncos fan boards, then you got issues.

and you sally, have issues.

I do my Broncos talk in person with fellow fans. Anyone that likes McKid, and I don't know anyone, would be dead to me. I would literally smack that ****er in the mouth.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

lol, whatever. Then you'd know these idiots loved McD. Defend that assclown. And, when you spend more time on a kc fan board than the Broncos fan boards, then you got issues.

and you sally, have issues.

Still talking out of your ass? I guess you've got not choice when you keep your head there, eh? Everybody loved McD when we started out with a win streak. Including you as I recall. But keep flip flopping along. You wouldn't want to hurt that pretty head of yours by keeping an idea in it for longer than six seconds. Speaking of which, isn't it time for you to run back to the Mane to explore Mexican real estate opportunities? You wouldn't want to hurt those delicate sensibilities of yours by staying outside of your homertard shield for too long. Run, run back to the herd.

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by listopencil

Still talking out of your ass? I guess you've got not choice when you keep your head there, eh? Everybody loved McD when we started out with a win streak. Including you as I recall. But keep flip flopping along. You wouldn't want to hurt that pretty head of yours by keeping an idea in it for longer than six seconds. Speaking of which, isn't it time for you to run back to the Mane to explore Mexican real estate opportunities? You wouldn't want to hurt those delicate sensibilities of yours by staying outside of your homertard shield for too long. Run, run back to the herd.

everyone didn't love McD because they were pissed about Shanny getting the ax. IAOFM went to great lengths to show how innovative McD's offense was just like it's now giving kc's offense credit. Like I said, it's not a good website and in time it will look stupid, again.

[Coach]

Anyways....

Chiefs going 8-0 before the Denver game? I don't think I'd buy that. 6-2 seems more realistic.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

A buddy (who is not at all a Chiefs fan) texted me this exact same thing during the game.

The one part of this blog I disagree on is the "Chiefs can be run on" bit. Sure VICK can run on us, but that's really it. I think we'll continue to dominate on rush D when playing teams that don't have a running QB.

McCoy is so good. He's really one of my favorite players in the NFL. I'll watch Eagles games just to see him run.

I'm not really too ashamed that he burned us in that game. He's a special talent like JC. Sometimes you can't do ANYTHING right to stop him.

When you rush a guy with Vick's speed you shouldn't be surprised when he breaks off a few long runs. The stats are skewed because of our approach to Vick. The team was willing to sacrifice a few potential long runs for pressuring him in the pocket and overall it paid off with 2 INT's and a very poor completion %.

[Mother****erJones]

Wow...49er fans fight with each other now Bronco fans

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by milkman

I don't have a problem with the Martyball philosophy as defined by most.

You can win a lot of games, and championships, I believe.

But you have to have a QB, and you have to attack.

Martyball will move the chains.
A QB and coach that aren't afraid to take some risks and make big plays will score you points.

While I appreciate the ability to protect the football, I still feel smith is too timid with the ball. I really think it's mental.. he could probably make a lot more plays if he was just willing to pull the trigger. I still feel he puts a cap on our potential to get to a championship, but it WILL beat sloppier teams.

Reid indicated that he was pushing him to be more aggressive, so I'm hoping as the offense's chemistry progresses he shows more willingness to throw some of the deeper stuff. I don't expect Smith to throw over defenses all day. I'd like to see more passes traveling 15-20 yards in the air.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

While I appreciate the ability to protect the football, I still feel smith is too timid with the ball. I really think it's mental.. he could probably make a lot more plays if he was just willing to pull the trigger. I still feel he puts a cap on our potential to get to a championship, but it WILL beat sloppier teams.

Reid indicated that he was pushing him to be more aggressive, so I'm hoping as the offense's chemistry progresses he shows more willingness to throw some of the deeper stuff. I don't expect Smith to throw over defenses all day. I'd like to see more passes traveling 15-20 yards in the air.

I can see why Smith is timid because the O-line has some issues that they need to resolve.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

everyone didn't love McD because they were pissed about Shanny getting the ax. IAOFM went to great lengths to show how innovative McD's offense was just like it's now giving kc's offense credit. Like I said, it's not a good website and in time it will look stupid, again.

No, not everyone was pissed about Shanny getting fired. Everyone was surprised. IAOFM posted exactly what our O was doing under McD. And they just credited the KC D in that article, as well as the O's ability to hold onto the ball. You're either failing badly at trolling or you just don't read well.

[KcMizzou]

Smith can and will throw the ball deep with accuracy, when he needs to. He's done it before.

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by listopencil

No, not everyone was pissed about Shanny getting fired. Everyone was surprised. IAOFM posted exactly what our O was doing under McD. And they just credited the KC D in that article, as well as the O's ability to hold onto the ball. You're either failing badly at trolling or you just don't read well.

wtf are you talking about? Tons of fans were pissed the Shanny got axed, especially right after drafting Cutler and having a productive offense. And fans like myself wanted a defensive minded HC, not a offenses minded HC like McD.

Dude, the McD hire was far from popular. The very fact you are disputing this tells me you don't know what you are talking about. I read the posted article by IAOFM and it doesn't take a genius to acknowledge the defense is good. I've been saying that the defense is good. big deal.

Where IAOFM fails to realize is the other teams KC played turned the ball over and played rather crappy football. Wow, just wow. This is not hard stuff to understand. But whatever, if you like that site, then keep soaking it up because apparently, that's all you got.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Coach

I can see why Smith is timid because the O-line has some issues that they need to resolve.

This for sure.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Tons of fans were pissed the Shanny got axed, especially right after drafting Cutler and having a productive offense.

I live out here and I won't say they were pissed about the firing of Shanny but rather "not surprised" is what I experienced with the majority of Bronco fans.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by milkman

Vick does impact things, but Chip Kelly's offense really subcribes to the orignal design of spread concepts.

Spread the defense and widen gaps to create bigger lanes to run the ball.

The Eagles are going to run the ball on everyone.
Shady McCoy might lead the league in rushing.

Michael Vick, with his inaccuracy as a passer, is actually the weak link and likely the reason that the Eagles will struggle to win games on offense.

This and especially Vick being the weak link !! I never felt once a bit of anxiety about Vick because you knew he was going to turn it over at some point at the worst time.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

wtf are you talking about? Tons of fans were pissed the Shanny got axed, especially right after drafting Cutler and having a productive offense. And fans like myself wanted a defensive minded HC, not a offenses minded HC like McD.

An ineffective Offense that put up yardage but had problems scoring. A Head coach that appeared to be burned out. The only shock was that Bowlen/Ellis had the will to pull the plug.

Dude, the McD hire was far from popular. The very fact you are disputing this tells me you don't know what you are talking about. I read the posted article by IAOFM and it doesn't take a genius to acknowledge the defense is good. I've been saying that the defense is good. big deal.

Disputing what? I said: "IAOFM posted exactly what our O was doing under McD." Seriously, can you read?

Where IAOFM fails to realize is the other teams KC played turned the ball over and played rather crappy football. Wow, just wow. This is not hard stuff to understand. But whatever, if you like that site, then keep soaking it up because apparently, that's all you got.

If you could read, you'd see that this was mentioned in the article. I understand why you stick to the Mane now. You don't actually know what's on there. Good for you, I guess.