Chiefs' offense: "one of the worst in the league, by nearly every measure"

[the Talking Can]

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2013/9...chiefs-offense

some numbers to chew on from arrowhead pride

The Chiefs are actually 12th in the league in PPG, at 23.7. But if you take away the 14 points the defense is directly responsible for, that number drops to 19 PPG, which would be tied for 23rd - with the Raiders. The Chiefs are relying on the defense to score points, which isn't good. Defensive scoring is random and shouldn't be part of the game plan. They didn't need Tamba Hali's pick-6 to beat the Jaguars, but they did need Eric Berry's against the Eagles.

They also are just not moving the ball; their 333 yds/gm is 21st in the league and their 4.9 yds/play ranks 25th. "Well Kyle," you may ask, " if the Chiefs offense is so bad, how are they undefeated this year?" That's an excellent question, thank you for asking. The answer is that the defense and special teams are much, much better than we thought.

The problem the Chiefs are having is getting to the Red Zone in the first place. They're 30th in yards per drive, with only Tampa Bay and Jacksonville behind them, and Cleveland directly in front of them (not good company to be in). This is a really, really bad offense. But here's the real kicker: the Chiefs' offense has the best starting field position in the NFL this year, and still can't score.

The Chiefs average 17 yards per drive better field position than their opponents (ok, ok, 16.95), the best mark in the NFL (2nd table). Only two other teams average more than 10 yards better starting field position than their opponents (New England and Chicago). The Chiefs' average starting line of scrimmage (LOS) is their own 36.97 yard line (best in the NFL), while their opponents average starting LOS is their own 20.02 yard line (also best in the NFL). What all of that means is the Chiefs's offense is handed consistently great starting field position and can't do anything with it, then they let the special teams pin opponents deep in their own territory. The defense bails out the offense by not letting opponents move the ball, giving the offense the ball back with great starting field position. Lather, rinse, repeat.

There's a nice breakdown of our defense against philly over there as well:
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/9/2...p-kelly-eagles

I have to reiterate and emphasize just how much the Chiefs played man to man -- like a ton of it. And they have the secondary to handle it, unlike most teams in the NFL. Specifically, they matched up Sean Smith on Cooper a lot on the outside. If this had been a prize fight, Cooper's corner would have thrown in the towel somewhere around the middle of the second quarter. Smith owned him right up until the end of the game when he started cramping up. Cooper just couldn't shake him, especially on those aforementioned deep routes Kelly had him running all game.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Untrue.

I feel it's because they felt Alex was a solid but flawed QB while the guy behind him had upside far beyond his. One of those reasons (I think) is that Kaep is more aggressive throwing the ball... but his running ability was also probably a big factor. In my opinion being replaced is a pretty good indication that your limitations have caught up with you. I don't know this, but I doubt it was 'just because'.

I'm not wringing my hands about Smith and I know what you're saying, and frankly you should be shoveling out some crow with KC sitting at 3-0.

I still think even Smith can manage more than 4 passes over 10 yards in 30+ attempts. The Dallas game was pretty brutal to watch our offense.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I don't think there's a single person in this forum that thinks he's the perfect QB. I doubt there are too many people that would rate him higher than the 15th best QB in the NFL.

Everyone is fully aware of his limitations but that doesn't seem to stop a few people from hammering the point home, in EVERY SINGLE THREAD.

Yay. Alex Smith is a limited QB.

Bitching about it won't change a ****ing thing.

The point I'm trying to make (you paraphrased my comment so I felt the need to respond) is that I really think Alex can make a lot of the throws he passes up. It's not like Cassel where I just wish he'd have only thrown 4 yard passes because anything more was a disaster.

It does have an impact on our offense though, because of his style he relies on the Tight end heavily. I'm actually doing more agreeing with you than anything man. I'm not dooming and glooming about it.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Actually the people that thought that were the ones on the Alex bandwagon.

Bullshit.

The people that were on his 'bandwagon' simply said there was no reason to expect this massive regression to the 70 some-odd rated passer he was prior to his time with Harbaugh.

Folks that have backed smith have, to a man, said that he's simply going to be exactly what he's for the latter 1/3 of his NFL career - a competent, risk-averse QB that's capable of winning a lot of games but not quite a franchise caliber QB.

But many of you fellas have a lot easier time knocking down straw-men of your own creation so you continue to make them.

That's fine, but you're 'rebutting' arguments that were largely never made.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Gifted a win?

Had Alex Smith made the same play PRIOR to the PF penalty, you'd be sniffing his asshole like a lost dog.

Christ, people are making too much already out of his throw to Avery in Philly - which was a throw you expect a starting QB to make.

Both teams are being carried by their defense, but you want to be picky about the Jets.

Just like what happened to Sanchez here.
A 4-2 record, 60% completion and a 9:3 ratio in those 6 playoff games, and all people could say was that his defense carried him.

But say that about Alex Smith and everyone's vags all start bleeding at the same time.

The double standard is mind-numbing.

Alex isn't he biggest issue with the offense. Believe what you want.

Geno was gifted a win. Sorry.

And I dont really care because he is Jet other han I am tired of seeing his ****ing name on CP.

Sanchez worked out great BTW. All those SB wins look nice on his resume.

[philfree]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Actually the people that thought that were the ones on the Alex bandwagon.

Nobody thought that.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

holy shit, I read this and thought you were referencing me at first...totally blew my circuits for a second, just about yelled in my office

Well, he's certainly not referencing ME, twat.

Brodie Croyle!

[FringeNC]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

no, it makes you look stupid

we can discuss our offense and our QB without crybabies like you and Marcellus showing up to complain about it...

jesus, what are we supposed to do on a message board, just clap like seals all day?

it was interesting article from Arrowhead pride and the usual people just shoe up to complain people talking football...

Sure, our offensive isn't very good right now. Who thinks it is? But those claiming this is Marty 2.0 -- that's ridiculous. Andy Reid has, you know, a real history. And that history is not one of playing not to lose.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by vailpass

It's the little things in life.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Yeah, you're right. The Chiefs would be much better off if Smith played carelessly and had 3 or 4 INT's right now.

1-2 sounds so much better than 3-0.

Yummy.

Again, you're being an obtuse prick. Or maybe you're just ignorant.

It's called refusing to see the forest for the trees.

Can you honestly say that you believe our current offense gives us the best chance to win games in the playoffs? Do you believe a sub 300 yard passing game is typical of a Superbowl team?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

The double standard is mind-numbing.

Why anyone on a Chiefs forum would care about Geno Smith is mind-numbing.

[Beef Supreme]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Alex isn't he biggest issue with the offense. Believe what you want.

Geno was gifted a win. Sorry.

And I dont really care because he is Jet other han I am tired of seeing his ****ing name on CP.

Sanchez worked out great BTW. All those SB wins look nice on his resume.

Five turnovers and Alex wasn't also "gifted a win?"

[FringeNC]

Originally Posted by jspchief

Again, you're being an obtuse prick. Or maybe you're just ignorant.

It's called refusing to see the forest for the trees.

Can you honestly say that you believe our current offense gives us the best chance to win games in the playoffs? Do you believe a sub 300 yard passing game is typical of a Superbowl team?

Who thinks are current offense is good? It's a new offensive system with a rookie RT who can't yet play. If they play like this at the end of the year, it'll most likely be one and done in the playoffs. But until we can run and pass block, throwing short passes seems to be a pretty good strategy.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Five turnovers and Alex wasn't also "gifted a win?"

That's reeruned.

When a guy makes a unusually bone-headed play at the very end of a game that would be decided is different than the defense playing well.

Defenses play well all the time. Multi turnover games happen all the time.

That was the dumbest play I've seen since Rudd threw his helmet on Tait's run.

Yes, KC was GIFTED that win all those years ago, just like the Jets were here. We didn't earn it because some dipshit threw his helmet during a play.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by jspchief

Again, you're being an obtuse prick. Or maybe you're just ignorant.

Yeah, that's it: I'm ignorant. Let's go with that.

Originally Posted by jspchief

It's called refusing to see the forest for the trees.

Alex Smith is the QB for the Chiefs. He's a risk-averse, efficient game manager. No one claimed he was Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees.

I find it completely unnecessary to bring that up in every conversation.

Originally Posted by jspchief

Can you honestly say that you believe our current offense gives us the best chance to win games in the playoffs? Do you believe a sub 300 yard passing game is typical of a Superbowl team?

Our current offense is a gigantic cluster****. There's no true slot receiver, the tight ends were literally signed off the street, the rookie right tackle woudn't be starting had he not been the number one overall selection and the interior offensive line has issues.

In all honesty, it's hard to believe that this team is 3-0, let alone, talk about a Super Bowl.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Five turnovers and Alex wasn't also "gifted a win?"

Yea we have had a game lost and someone committed a ridiculous penalty to get us in FG range. Great ****ing comparison.

No wait, the only game we have been behind in the offense drove down and scored to take the lead back.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Bullshit.

The people that were on his 'bandwagon' simply said there was no reason to expect this massive regression to the 70 some-odd rated passer he was prior to his time with Harbaugh.

Folks that have backed smith have, to a man, said that he's simply going to be exactly what he's for the latter 1/3 of his NFL career - a competent, risk-averse QB that's capable of winning a lot of games but not quite a franchise caliber QB.

But many of you fellas have a lot easier time knocking down straw-men of your own creation so you continue to make them.

That's fine, but you're 'rebutting' arguments that were largely never made.

Not that I recall. I remember using the "He's not going to magically become something he has never been" arguement an ass load of times with people here and other places. Most people though Reid would turn him into more than a game manager.