My grade on the Chief's first quarter.

coach_L · 10-11-2004, 05:17 PM

The season is a quarter of the way finished and while 1-3 does calculate to 4-12, I still see the Chiefs earning a wild-card spot despite the tough up-coming schedule. Catching the Broncos is not unrealistic, but I think too many wins agianst the other West opponants will make it too difficult to catch them. Our schedule won't make it any easier either, but there are some bright spots to build on. So here's my attempt at the grades on the Chief's first quarter of the season. Take it easy on me if you don't agree, I'm just trying to spark some discussion.

OFFENSE: B
The first two games saw the Chiefs offense put up little numbers. Two Denver turnovers in the third quarter TD int. return by Warfield actually kept us in the early games. In what used to be comfort in knowing our offense could/would make big plays to prevail defensive mistakes, our offense often sputtered on key late drives.

Some blamed Green. Others blamed the depleted recieving core. I have even heard Vermeil mention the lack of developement in the last two preseason weeks to fault. I trust what coaches say, and I'm sure he is right, but I also think the loss of Tait hurt a little more than expected (atleast in the first two games).

The offensive line has shown old form however during the last games and that's part of the reason why I gave the offense a 'B'. We've been physical and able to run between the tackles, taking away the strength in today's defense. SPEED.

Trent Green has made some costly mistakes, but he made some huge plays last week. Plays that leaders make. The team likes him, the effort he puts out rubs off.

Preist continues to amaze, the O-line is getting back to form, and the return of Kennison and eventually Wilson will help the passing attack to improve.

DEFENSE: C -
If our offense can continue to get back on track our defense does not have to be 'A' caliber for us to win games.

Poor tackling, weak safety play, and the lack of ability to stop 3rd and long situations have hurt. Fantasy owners to RB's salivated early when their back played the Chiefs. Griffin and Foster racked up the yards making would be tacklers look like Olympic divers, but the last two games has seen improved run defense. Why? Our offensive line actually has a lot to do with it from ball control, but the interior D-line also has a lot to do with that. L. Dalton has provided some up-field movement along with accasional help from others to free up the LBs.

Pass defense has been shaky, especially on 3rd and long situations. Why? Remarkable catches don't help the cause, but other things contribute more: Timing on stunts, inability of MLB coverage, lack of depth at CB, and inconsistent saftey play. The pass defense was good last week, but it's just too bad we can't play Kyle Boller every week.

So why not a 'D' or 'F'? The defense has managed to make some big plays. Turnovers and stopping the running game are huge, and if the defense can continue to improve on that, they'll get where we need them. A 'B-'. After all, a flea flicker and a punt return negated what would have been a 17-3 halftime lead last week.

SPECIAL TEAMS: 'D+'
Tynes shows promise getting us 3 points, but that's where my satisfaction stops with the ST. Are my expectations too high for Hall and the return teams? I know teams aren't kicking to him, but I feel we should be getting better field position than what we're starting with. While the offense lacks the punch it once had, Hall lacks the spark he once gave us. Too much time spent on the offensive plays during practice or is it injuries? I don't know. I would like to see him used a little less on offense during the games. Iknow the offense is looking for fire power and he can provide it, but I'd rather have his fire power on returns. The weapon he once provided us as a return man was dangerous. Even when he didnt touch the ball it lead to good field position.

What really bothers me the most with the special teams is the coverage. This is much to do with the kicks. I'm glad we have Tynes and I think he'll improve, but the distance doesn't matter when kick offs are line drives. I also realize that the absence of Cheeks was the biggest reason why we saw a punt returned for a touchdown last week. No hangtime, no chance of coverage.

So overall I give the Chief's a 'C' on the first quarter. Average. One and three is not average I know, but there are some bright spots. We're just a few plays away from 3-1 or 2-2. We're also a few plays away from 0-4, but the team has shown some resiliancy.

Thig Lyfe · 10-11-2004, 05:19 PM

I say A for offense if only because of how they busted out against the Cravens. They've been steady if not spectacular all year.

coach_L · 10-11-2004, 05:23 PM

I tried to grade on the first games, not just the last one. Not to negate their efforts last week against Baltimore. To see the line be that physical with Lewis and the boys was fun. The score didn't show how much we controlled that game.

**Bowser** · 10-11-2004, 05:24 PM

IMHO:

Offense - C+. They are capable of so much more

Defense - C. The last two weeks pulled this grade up from an F.

Special Teams - D+. Kickoff/Punt coverage has sucked, plain and simple.

Coaching - C-. VermeilCo. have pulled some real head scratchers, but the game plan against Baltimore was as good as they have done thus far.

coach_L · 10-11-2004, 05:37 PM

I just about put a grade for the COACHING, but I changed my mind. Hind sight is 20-20. It's just too easy to second guess some of the decisions that are made during the game.

Decisions they made that were impressive? Deciding to run right at Lewis. Double tight-end package more often. Giving Holmes the ball more than 30 times.

Cannibal · 10-11-2004, 06:29 PM

Offense: If you just look at the Baltimore game, it looks good B-B+. But through the 1st 4 games taken as a whole its a C.

Defense: Started out as an F, but through the last two games the pulled themselves up by the boot straps and have elevated to a C.

Special Teams: D-.

Coaching: C- Hope to see fewer rotations on the D-line. They need to quit taking Dalton out after he makes a couple of great plays. Also need to bench Holliday. Need to see better playcalling on O.

OldTownChief · 10-11-2004, 06:40 PM

I doubt we'll see a wildcard team come out of the AFC West this season, It's catch the Donkeys or sit out the playoffs. The Dolts may be a force this year too.

coach_L · 10-11-2004, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Hope to see fewer rotations on the D-line. They need to quit taking Dalton out after he makes a couple of great plays. Also need to bench Holliday. Need to see better playcalling on O.

The injury to Simms is effecting this. If Simms doesn't play, Browning goes back to DL and Holliday back to DE.

The only play calling I didn't like was throwing the ball late against Baltimore. That's Monday morning coaching though.

Cannibal · 10-11-2004, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coach_L

The injury to Simms is effecting this. If Simms doesn't play, Browning goes back to DL and Holliday back to DE.

The only play calling I didn't like was throwing the ball late against Baltimore. That's Monday morning coaching though.

I believe Vermeil said in his most recent Q/A that Vonnie will start the next game. I don't like it. I'd rather see the back-up D tackles in and Browning playing at End with a Jared Allen getting some reps as well.

Holliday sucks...

Cannibal · 10-11-2004, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coach_L

The only play calling I didn't like was throwing the ball late against Baltimore. That's Monday morning coaching though.

BTW, I thought the play calling against Baltimore was pretty good. But in the other 3 games it was not up the Chiefs standards of last season.

Need to keep pounding the ball and use the playaction as we did against Baltimore. I thought in the 1st 3 games, we trying to be too cute. We also did not run in the Red Zone enough in the 1st 3 games. When you have 1st and 10 inside the Red Zone you should ALWAYS run with Priest. We passed way too many times in the Red Zone the 1st 3 games.

Gaz · 10-12-2004, 07:12 AM

The Offense does not deserve a B. B is above average. Our Offense has not been above average. It underperformed in 75% of the games. That is hardly B performance. The Offense played well against Baltimore. That is it. Yes, Holmes put out a massive effort in the Carolina loss, but we are grading the whole unit, not just Holmes. The Offense had a D going into the Baltimore game. They raised it to a C in that game. Average, with a fine performance on the last exam.

The Defense started out as an F, carried over from last semester. Over the space of [4] games, the D has gone from “career day” to shutting down a premiere RB. The passing Defense is still weak and will probably remain so for a while to come. At this point, the Defense gets a C-. Average, but improving.

Special Teams is failing and failing badly. Penalties, lousy coverage, poor punts. Sure, some of that is injury, but ST is clearly the weakest point of this team, responsible for giving favorable field position to The Enemy on a regular basis. D-. Below average and just a scooch above utter failure.

Coaching is a puzzler. DV & AS made some really confounding moves in the first couple of games. DV apparently let the howling of the mob influence his decision on going for it on 4th down. Bad idea, Dick. Ignore the rabid mob and do what your years as a Coach tell you to do. Al, stop being so darn cute and use the play action to help out your WRs. Give up the sweep when we need a yard. Teams have caught on and have the speed to string it out. Pound it up the gut. Another C. Average.

So, on the whole, the Chiefs get a C- for the first semester.

The good news:
• Some of our injured players will be coming back.
• Gunther’s new Defense is improving every game.
• The Offense finally showed up at Baltimore.
• Average is probably good enough to win the AFC West this year.

xoxo~
Gaz
Has seen a very mediocre team so far.

**BigRedChief** · 10-12-2004, 07:16 AM

The Chiefs get a D for the first quarter from me. They had one game out of 4 that they played like the Super Bowl contender they were suppose to be. Now I'm grading on the expectation curve so don't be dissing me. I still think they will go 9-7 or 10-6 and make a wild card berth. If Gun has the defense clicking by then....you never know

DaWolf · 10-12-2004, 07:41 AM

1-3 in my book = F

Chiefnj · 10-12-2004, 07:59 AM

Offense: C- Holmes has looked good when he has gotten the ball. Horn emerged as a nice 3rd down receiver. But other than those two guys, the rest of the offense has fluctuated wildly over the first 4 games. Since the offense was supposed to carry the team again, they get rated on a tougher scale because they didn't live up to expectations.

Defense: First game an F. Second game an F+. Third game a C. Fourth game a B+. average that together and you get a D+.

Special Teams. C-. Field goal kicking has been good. Punting with Cheek was very good. Without Cheek the special teams has been an F. I
Coaching: C. It gets a higher grade for getting the team pumped up for Baltimore and not letting the players wallow in self pity.

Gaz · 10-12-2004, 08:04 AM

If you are grading on an “expectation” curve, the Offense and Special Teams both get an F.
The Defense gets a C.

xoxo~
Gaz
Never a big fan of grading on the curve.

10-11-2004, 05:17 PM
coach_L Starter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $10004900	My grade on the Chief's first quarter. The season is a quarter of the way finished and while 1-3 does calculate to 4-12, I still see the Chiefs earning a wild-card spot despite the tough up-coming schedule. Catching the Broncos is not unrealistic, but I think too many wins agianst the other West opponants will make it too difficult to catch them. Our schedule won't make it any easier either, but there are some bright spots to build on. So here's my attempt at the grades on the Chief's first quarter of the season. Take it easy on me if you don't agree, I'm just trying to spark some discussion. OFFENSE: B The first two games saw the Chiefs offense put up little numbers. Two Denver turnovers in the third quarter TD int. return by Warfield actually kept us in the early games. In what used to be comfort in knowing our offense could/would make big plays to prevail defensive mistakes, our offense often sputtered on key late drives. Some blamed Green. Others blamed the depleted recieving core. I have even heard Vermeil mention the lack of developement in the last two preseason weeks to fault. I trust what coaches say, and I'm sure he is right, but I also think the loss of Tait hurt a little more than expected (atleast in the first two games). The offensive line has shown old form however during the last games and that's part of the reason why I gave the offense a 'B'. We've been physical and able to run between the tackles, taking away the strength in today's defense. SPEED. Trent Green has made some costly mistakes, but he made some huge plays last week. Plays that leaders make. The team likes him, the effort he puts out rubs off. Preist continues to amaze, the O-line is getting back to form, and the return of Kennison and eventually Wilson will help the passing attack to improve. DEFENSE: C - If our offense can continue to get back on track our defense does not have to be 'A' caliber for us to win games. Poor tackling, weak safety play, and the lack of ability to stop 3rd and long situations have hurt. Fantasy owners to RB's salivated early when their back played the Chiefs. Griffin and Foster racked up the yards making would be tacklers look like Olympic divers, but the last two games has seen improved run defense. Why? Our offensive line actually has a lot to do with it from ball control, but the interior D-line also has a lot to do with that. L. Dalton has provided some up-field movement along with accasional help from others to free up the LBs. Pass defense has been shaky, especially on 3rd and long situations. Why? Remarkable catches don't help the cause, but other things contribute more: Timing on stunts, inability of MLB coverage, lack of depth at CB, and inconsistent saftey play. The pass defense was good last week, but it's just too bad we can't play Kyle Boller every week. So why not a 'D' or 'F'? The defense has managed to make some big plays. Turnovers and stopping the running game are huge, and if the defense can continue to improve on that, they'll get where we need them. A 'B-'. After all, a flea flicker and a punt return negated what would have been a 17-3 halftime lead last week. SPECIAL TEAMS: 'D+' Tynes shows promise getting us 3 points, but that's where my satisfaction stops with the ST. Are my expectations too high for Hall and the return teams? I know teams aren't kicking to him, but I feel we should be getting better field position than what we're starting with. While the offense lacks the punch it once had, Hall lacks the spark he once gave us. Too much time spent on the offensive plays during practice or is it injuries? I don't know. I would like to see him used a little less on offense during the games. Iknow the offense is looking for fire power and he can provide it, but I'd rather have his fire power on returns. The weapon he once provided us as a return man was dangerous. Even when he didnt touch the ball it lead to good field position. What really bothers me the most with the special teams is the coverage. This is much to do with the kicks. I'm glad we have Tynes and I think he'll improve, but the distance doesn't matter when kick offs are line drives. I also realize that the absence of Cheeks was the biggest reason why we saw a punt returned for a touchdown last week. No hangtime, no chance of coverage. So overall I give the Chief's a 'C' on the first quarter. Average. One and three is not average I know, but there are some bright spots. We're just a few plays away from 3-1 or 2-2. We're also a few plays away from 0-4, but the team has shown some resiliancy.
Posts: 85

10-11-2004, 05:19 PM	#2
Thig Lyfe Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Thigpen's America Casino cash: $10004900	I say A for offense if only because of how they busted out against the Cravens. They've been steady if not spectacular all year.
Posts: 25,680

10-11-2004, 05:23 PM	#3
coach_L Starter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $10004900	I tried to grade on the first games, not just the last one. Not to negate their efforts last week against Baltimore. To see the line be that physical with Lewis and the boys was fun. The score didn't show how much we controlled that game.
Posts: 85

10-11-2004, 05:24 PM	#4
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3481616	IMHO: Offense - C+. They are capable of so much more Defense - C. The last two weeks pulled this grade up from an F. Special Teams - D+. Kickoff/Punt coverage has sucked, plain and simple. Coaching - C-. VermeilCo. have pulled some real head scratchers, but the game plan against Baltimore was as good as they have done thus far.
Posts: 100,554

10-11-2004, 05:37 PM	#5
coach_L Starter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $10004900	I just about put a grade for the COACHING, but I changed my mind. Hind sight is 20-20. It's just too easy to second guess some of the decisions that are made during the game. Decisions they made that were impressive? Deciding to run right at Lewis. Double tight-end package more often. Giving Holmes the ball more than 30 times.
Posts: 85

10-11-2004, 06:29 PM	#6
Cannibal Better to burn out... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bible Thumping Country Casino cash: $10010618	Offense: If you just look at the Baltimore game, it looks good B-B+. But through the 1st 4 games taken as a whole its a C. Defense: Started out as an F, but through the last two games the pulled themselves up by the boot straps and have elevated to a C. Special Teams: D-. Coaching: C- Hope to see fewer rotations on the D-line. They need to quit taking Dalton out after he makes a couple of great plays. Also need to bench Holliday. Need to see better playcalling on O.
Posts: 9,306

10-11-2004, 06:40 PM	#7
OldTownChief Bobble Taco Join Date: May 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	I doubt we'll see a wildcard team come out of the AFC West this season, It's catch the Donkeys or sit out the playoffs. The Dolts may be a force this year too.
Posts: 5,362

10-12-2004, 07:12 AM	#11
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	Mediocrity abounding... The Offense does not deserve a B. B is above average. Our Offense has not been above average. It underperformed in 75% of the games. That is hardly B performance. The Offense played well against Baltimore. That is it. Yes, Holmes put out a massive effort in the Carolina loss, but we are grading the whole unit, not just Holmes. The Offense had a D going into the Baltimore game. They raised it to a C in that game. Average, with a fine performance on the last exam. The Defense started out as an F, carried over from last semester. Over the space of [4] games, the D has gone from “career day” to shutting down a premiere RB. The passing Defense is still weak and will probably remain so for a while to come. At this point, the Defense gets a C-. Average, but improving. Special Teams is failing and failing badly. Penalties, lousy coverage, poor punts. Sure, some of that is injury, but ST is clearly the weakest point of this team, responsible for giving favorable field position to The Enemy on a regular basis. D-. Below average and just a scooch above utter failure. Coaching is a puzzler. DV & AS made some really confounding moves in the first couple of games. DV apparently let the howling of the mob influence his decision on going for it on 4th down. Bad idea, Dick. Ignore the rabid mob and do what your years as a Coach tell you to do. Al, stop being so darn cute and use the play action to help out your WRs. Give up the sweep when we need a yard. Teams have caught on and have the speed to string it out. Pound it up the gut. Another C. Average. So, on the whole, the Chiefs get a C- for the first semester. The good news: • Some of our injured players will be coming back. • Gunther’s new Defense is improving every game. • The Offense finally showed up at Baltimore. • Average is probably good enough to win the AFC West this year. xoxo~ Gaz Has seen a very mediocre team so far.
Posts: 5,911

10-12-2004, 07:16 AM	#12
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3189627 VARSITY	The Chiefs get a D for the first quarter from me. They had one game out of 4 that they played like the Super Bowl contender they were suppose to be. Now I'm grading on the expectation curve so don't be dissing me. I still think they will go 9-7 or 10-6 and make a wild card berth. If Gun has the defense clicking by then....you never know __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 78,968

10-12-2004, 07:41 AM	#13
DaWolf Cry havoc... Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10007725	1-3 in my book = F
Posts: 6,798

10-12-2004, 07:59 AM	#14
Chiefnj MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Willis, Harris and Davis. Casino cash: $10004900	Offense: C- Holmes has looked good when he has gotten the ball. Horn emerged as a nice 3rd down receiver. But other than those two guys, the rest of the offense has fluctuated wildly over the first 4 games. Since the offense was supposed to carry the team again, they get rated on a tougher scale because they didn't live up to expectations. Defense: First game an F. Second game an F+. Third game a C. Fourth game a B+. average that together and you get a D+. Special Teams. C-. Field goal kicking has been good. Punting with Cheek was very good. Without Cheek the special teams has been an F. I Coaching: C. It gets a higher grade for getting the team pumped up for Baltimore and not letting the players wallow in self pity. __________________ "I always tell (the assistant coaches), 'Make it simple, 'cause I'm stupid,'" Edwards said. "This ain't computer football." Herm Edwards, 3-20-07 Q: Herm, back on December 25th you were asked if Trent Green was your starter going into next season and you said, ‘yeah, why wouldn’t he be?’ Have you changed your mind on that? EDWARDS: No, I have not.” (1-11-07)
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10-12-2004, 08:04 AM	#15
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	Expectation, eh? If you are grading on an “expectation” curve, the Offense and Special Teams both get an F. The Defense gets a C. xoxo~ Gaz Never a big fan of grading on the curve.
Posts: 5,911