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.

[Brock]

Ttc owning this thread

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

It really stood out to me at the Cowboys game when I was trying to draw comparisons between his effort and Bryant's. I watched him in his routes quite a bit to see if he was giving up when it wasn't designed for him (like Bryant was).

He doesn't, first and foremost. But I also noticed that he was getting a shitload of attention.

Smith's just not forcing throws to him, though perhaps on occasion he should. But like I said, when he has the results haven't been there so he's just not comfortable with him yet.

Give it time. We all know that Smith is a programmed QB and he just doesn't have that part as part of his code yet. I think it'll come.

Hrrm. Well that makes a lot more sense, then.

I knew Bowe wasn't lazy. He never has been. And he's played on some really, really poor teams and hasn't given up.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

That's not what is happening.

KC is struggling to move the ball and convert on 3rd down.

We're not pulling players in the 4th quarter of a blowout.

If the offense doesn't improve, then it will catch up to us. I doubt we can go 13 more games without a turnover.

3rd down conversions are squarely on the play calling.

3rd and 1 we go 4 wide or shotgun? **** that line up Sherman and Davis get the 1 yard.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

WTF was MCCluster doing returning the kick off in the 4th quarter when Demps had been tearing it up all game?

WTF was that?

Demps took himself out due to fatigue.

More critically, what was McCluster doing running the goddamn option with Smith inside the 5? That was the biggest headscratcher of a McCluster moment for me thus far this season.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

That's not what is happening.

KC is struggling to move the ball and convert on 3rd down.

We're not pulling players in the 4th quarter of a blowout.

If the offense doesn't improve, then it will catch up to us. I doubt we can go 13 more games without a turnover.

That's fair enough... but I expect the offense to improve. Not just being a homer when I say that... I think it is natural to expect improvement the longer they play together in the system.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Demps took himself out due to fatigue.

More critically, what was McCluster doing running the goddamn option with Smith inside the 5? That was the biggest headscratcher of a McCluster moment for me thus far this season.

The coaches haven't figured it out yet. They don't understand that all that spinning and gyrating doesn't translate to NFL yards.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

3rd down conversions are squarely on the play calling.

3rd and 1 we go 4 wide or shotgun? **** that line up Sherman and Davis get the 1 yard.

This is the Andy Reid offense. It's what we all heard about and should have expected.

He prefers short passes to short runs; and will tend to choose those options throughout the game.

The way our line has been run blocking; I honestly don't think we could get a yard if the defense stacked the box. I really don't.

The line has been putrid; and it's poor play has filtered through to the rest of the offense.

Honestly, if Charles can't run well behind you; then you're absolutely worthless. That guy needs very little to work with and he'll gained positive yards.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

3rd down conversions are squarely on the play calling.

3rd and 1 we go 4 wide or shotgun? **** that line up Sherman and Davis get the 1 yard.

Like I said, we are 1-6 on 3rd and 2 or less running the ball. Thats pathetic.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

My view is that if the Chiefs had a viable TE threat (i.e. Gronk, Graham, Gonzalez, etc.), Bowe would have more "looks".

As it stands, Avery is getting those looks because Bowe's doubled up or in traffic. Not having an even average tight end is really hurting this offense, IMO.

Bowe's never had a viable TE threat, and it's never been an issue before now.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

My view is that if the Chiefs had a viable TE threat (i.e. Gronk, Graham, Gonzalez, etc.), Bowe would have more "looks".

As it stands, Avery is getting those looks because Bowe's doubled up or in traffic. Not having an even average tight end is really hurting this offense, IMO.

I still find it hilarious that Tony Gonzalez is still kicking ass and taking names while the 2nd rounder our 'rebuilding' squad grabbed for him isn't on the roster anymore.

I never had a huge problem with moving TG (though I wouldn't have; he's always been a diva and then his bitching blows over) - but to trade him for what we got for him was just not enough.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Shit, if the Chiefs had any three of those guys I have no doubt our offense would be viable.

What's the word on Fasano anyhow? Is he playing Sunday?

http://www.kcchiefs.com/team/injury-report.html

Fasano and Kelce did not practice yesterday so I'm guessing their both questionable for Sunday.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If the risk entails losing a close game, it's not worth the risk.

I would rather take that risk, and have a chance at a comfortable win, than to not take it and be left with the risk inherent in playing games close. Because I think it's a far greater risk to leave yourself in situations where a single bad bounce can cost you everything.

Now, that obviously hasn't happened yet. But it will happen. That's the nature of conservative football.

(Although, as I've said a couple of times, I don't think we're intentionally playing conservative football. I think we're playing aggressive football so badly right now that it gives the illusion of being something other than what it actually is. 1-2 good drives a game and 7-10 punts is not good offense, however you slice it....)

Also, I'm with you on Hemmingway. He should be the starter and McCluster should be traded for a sixer of PBR.

One M! Like the writer!

By God, I'm on a mission to civilize! You people will learn how to spell Hemingway!

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by jspchief

What kind of psychological disorder is it when a person refuses to accept that he simply isn't wanted? I mean, it's inherent with every internet BB troll. For some unknown reason, they elect to hang around somewhere where they clearly aren't welcome. Are you such a social reerun that you just take what you can get? Even negative attention is better than the pathetic isolation that is your real life? Surely if your insights are even remotely accurate, there is a message board out there with like minded people that don't hate on every word you type. Is it some personal crusade to convince people that you really aren't a pathetic ****ing waste hair. Are you lying to yourself about being a "good guy" that we'll all learn to like? I mean, why the **** are you here? A giant majority of active posters think you're an insufferable dipshit. People can't be any more clear about their loathing of your every post. This site can't possibly be enjoyable enough to endure that unless you are seriously socially ****ed in the head. I'm sorry daddy didn't pay attention, but you came to the wrong place to get your fix. Please **** off and get the **** out.

[Beef Supreme]

Originally Posted by Pablo

This is the Andy Reid offense. It's what we all heard about and should have expected.

He prefers short passes to short runs; and will tend to choose those options throughout the game.

The way our line has been run blocking; I honestly don't think we could get a yard if the defense stacked the box. I really don't.

The line has been putrid; and it's poor play has filtered through to the rest of the offense.

Honestly, if Charles can't run well behind you; then you're absolutely worthless. That guy needs very little to work with and he'll gained positive yards.

They've actually been run blocking pretty good at the end of games when they run the ball from a realistic running set. It's trying to run from a shotgun spread that is kicking their ass.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Bowe's never had a viable TE threat, and it's never been an issue before now.

Gonzalez in 2007 and 2008.

Moeaki was certainly a threat in 2010.