Chiefs Ten Things From Today's Game

**gblowfish** · 09-26-2010, 04:47 PM

Ten Things About Today's Game

10. This morning I woke up around 6am. It was borderline cold outside, high 40's, a little foggy, very San Francisco-like weather. I took an old high school buddy to the game, along with Mrs. Blowfish. She is kicking my ass at NFL picks so far this year, btw. She is the 2009 Blowfish Family "Picking Poohbah" as well. So she seems to be able to forecast NFL games much better than my dad and me. You can see the battle here:
http://tinyurl.com/27rmvtb
Good crowd, and a loud crowd today. The sun broke in and out of the clouds most of the afternoon. Turned out to be a beau-ti-ful day for football.
9. Speaking of beau-ti-ful, a salute and good thoughts for Bill Grigsby, who was honored in the pre-game today. He's been in broadcasting sports for over 60 years. He's been on the Chiefs radio team since the very beginning, and is much beloved in KC as a legendary toast master and party animal. He is now 88 and is suffering from prostate cancer. Don't know how much time he has left on this mortal coil. He was taken out on the field in a wheelchair today, and looked pretty frail. I saw him close up, and he doesn't look well at all. But he's hanging in there, and they certainly gave him a great game today. If you don't know anything about Griggs (aka "The Prince of Parkville") you can read some of his work in the Chiefs site here:
http://tinyurl.com/2fyyfuy
Pics of Grigs here:
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/24...l-grigsby.html
8. Today was all about offensive balance. As we predicted, no reason to get panties up in a bunch about how many carries Jones or Charles got. Today they were a two headed monster, and the ball was run with great efficiency. Charles was 12 carries, 97 yards; Jones was 19 carries, 95 yards and a rushing TD. Jackie Battle got a few mop up carries at the very end. Everybody got into the act today. Props to the Offensive Line. They're getting better each week.
7. Cassel still is a slow starter, but played much better in the second half this week. QB iine was 16 for 27 for 250 yards, 3 TDs and one pick. The pick came in the second quarter. We got lucky and got it right back when Flowers snatched one on his back a few plays later. One TD pass was on YAC by McCluster on a swing pass and broken tackle. Second TD was on a Wildcat Sucker Play - a 45 yard bomb to Bowe wide open; and third was an acrobatic one handed catch for 15 yards by Moeacki. So, Cassel got the job done, didn't take a sack and made enough plays to not hurt the ball club. Today, that's more than fine. Cassel did a good job spreading it around today, seven different guys caught a pass (well, eight if you count Spencer for SF who got the pick). Cassel tends to hold the ball too long, tends to throw high on his missed passes, and too wide on others. His accuracy still needs a lot of work. I thought Cassel and Alex Smith looked a lot alike today. We'll give Cassel pass today and lighten up on him in a winning effort at home.
6. Coach Haley was in full tilt Wyle E. Coyote mode today. The fourth down punt chinese fire drill in the first half was hilarious. Run on the punt team, now quick...run them off...now SF burns a time out. After the time out run the on and off again...WHOO HOO! Looked like a line change in hockey! We went for and made a fourth and two with a Wildcat early on, tried an onside kick which almost worked if not for an offside penalty, and ran a flea flicker off the Wildcat today. Crazy man, crazy. Coach Haley has shown a bit of riverboat gambler during his time as KC's head man. Today nothing backfired. Last year, almost all this kind of stuff blew up in his face. I think since he's got much better coaching around him, outside the box thinking is much more do-able now compared to last year.
5. Arenas got a little dinged right before halftime. He got a good return that helped set up the field goal right before the end of the first half, but got an ankle bruise or twist. He kept trying to walk it off on the sidelines, but McCluster did all the punts after that. We're very fortunate to have two guys who are dangerous return men. The bye week will help Arenas heal up, he played a little bit of nickel back in the fourth quarter, so I don't think it's anything serious. Succop missed a kick from inside the 40 for the first time in his career, and had a kickoff go out of bounds. This was his worst day in a long time. If you're going to have a bad one, best to have it on a day where everything else is clicking. Colquitt was excellent today. Overall KC's special teams have to be in the top three or four units in the NFL. They've been money every game so far.
4. What can you say about Romeo's defense? Frank Gore held to 43 yards rushing? Excellent. Davis the Tight End only had three catches for 22 yards. SF's final touchdown was garbage time against prevent defense. KC has only given up 14 second half point this season in three games, and if you take away that garbage seven today, that's lights out second half football.
3. We had five sacks today. Yes... A PASS RUSH! Considering we had a season where we only got like twelve all year, that's a major improvement. And the front three on the D-line played great today. Smith #90 had a great first half, He looked like Neil Smith with a thyroid condition (he's a bit chubby). Tyson Jackson may have a hard time getting his starting spot back if Smith keeps playing this way. Dorsey was excellent against the run. Edwards played tough. Gilberry played well. Good thing about our D-Line, we can rest guys to keep a pass rush coming in the fourth quarter. Today Tamba Hali was the guy. He was moving from side to side, and beat both SF tackles with a speed rush. They were holding him a bunch today too. And he's playing on a bad wheel. The bye week will help him heal up.
2. Both Crennel and Weis were on the sidelines today. You can feel a lot more energy on the sidelines among the players right now. The players are really into it. The different groups -D-Line, Linebackers, D-Backs, O-Line, etc. talk and scheme during the down time, and just seem to have some confidence and a much better attitude this year. Chiefs won time of possession today by more than seven minutes, so the defense was kept relatively fresh. And since the weather was a lot cooler, heat and humidity was not a factor today. Perfect conditions for an almost perfect day, and the "trap game" we were mentioning all week came into being today for SF. Monday night hangover, buzz saw at Arrowhead. Perfect.
1. You could argue that we could have easily pitched a shutout today. The field goal SF got was a 51-yarder -hardly a gimme- and the TD was last play of the game during serious garbage time. It's almost a shame the bye has come so soon. If we have to play Indy on the road, I'd almost rather just go ahead and get them next weekend, because we'll be heavy underdogs no matter what. And since we'll be undefeated, they'll want to knock us down a peg as a reality check. Also, just three games in, our guys might be better suited to rest deeper into the schedule instead of now. But you can't really control for that. With two weeks to prepare for Indy, I suspect we'll play better than our previous nightmarish trips there, but I'm not expecting any miracles. If we can get the Donks, Bolts and Convicts to drop a few between now and then, we might be able to come out OK, and still leading the AFC West. It's great to be winning at Arrowhead again, isn't it? Win at home, go 50% on the road. It's been a great September. Let's hope it's not smoke and mirrors.

**Buehler445** · 09-26-2010, 05:01 PM

Good stuff George. I like Haley's batshit crazy calls. I didn't hate them last year even though they didn't work. He's the antiHerm and that's OK in my book.
Posted via Mobile Device

donkhater · 09-26-2010, 05:08 PM

I too, like Haley's wierd calls. It's the sort of thing I always admired about Cowher's Steelers. They were always a tough running team, but at least a couple times a game he'd dial up a crazy special teams play or trick play that would make a huge difference.

That kind of stuff looks comical when a crappy team tries to do it (because it usually doesn't work), but onve you start getting weapons to do that stuff, it's pretty effective.

**the Talking Can** · 09-26-2010, 05:12 PM

winning is fun, for everyone

always enjoy the report, most always agree with the take

haley was indeed in wiley e coyote mode...i love that quality about him

milkman · 09-26-2010, 05:14 PM

If Parcells is the Tuna, can Haley be the Coyote?

KCUnited · 09-26-2010, 05:14 PM

This defense is down for each other. Copper on special teams is worth the roster spot.

RedThat · 09-26-2010, 05:18 PM

George, thanks for your takes. I love the fact you make a concerted effort everytime you post man. Good job.

Just want to say, I mentioned earlier, KC is very fortunate to have two guys that can return kicks. That is the greatest thing about our special teams. I hope Arenas will be healed asap. Teams are seeming to gear in and game plan around our special teams week-to-week. Makes every Chiefs fan feel good knowing we have weapons back there.

**gblowfish** · 09-26-2010, 05:42 PM

Meanwhile, all the rest of the AFC West loses today. Heh!

**gblowfish** · 09-26-2010, 05:57 PM

Photos from KC Star Website:
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/26...-in-31-10.html

**KcMizzou** · 09-26-2010, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Photos from KC Star Website:
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/26...-in-31-10.html

Even Haley's hand gestures have changed.

**Buehler445** · 09-26-2010, 06:15 PM

LOL @ the chargers for passing for 455 and losing. Sounds a lot like the Vermiel years.
Posted via Mobile Device

**Rain Man** · 09-26-2010, 06:27 PM

My ten observations:

1. Barry Richardson is a guy who's really impressing me. I've been worried about the right tackle position for 30 years and he's as good as we've had since John Tait or Irv Eatman.

2. I thought DJ had a bad day today, but will forgive him since he's been a monster the rest of the time.

3. Brandon Flowers may be the top CB in the league right now. He's a shutdown corner who plays the run.

4. Cassel seems to be improving each week. I'm not saying he's great, but each week he gets better.

5. Moeaki - what else can you say about that catch? That may be the best catch I've ever seen from a Chief, and I've seen some good ones. I think a lot of people around here may be eating crow on him before it's all said and done.

6. Crennel has to be the difference maker on defense. I don't know what he did, but it was magic. If I ever see him in Denver, I'll buy his meal at Taco Bell.

7. Jones and Charles are a great one-two punch, but I'd still like to see Charles get more carries.

8. Glad to see them using McCluster more. We're adding weapons every week.

9. Dorsey is what I hoped we would be when we drafted him, and Smith is an eye-opener. What a nice free-agent pickup.

10. Not sure why our special teams can't block for the returners. If they can, we're going to be dangerous.

**gblowfish** · 09-27-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

My ten observations:

1. Barry Richardson is a guy who's really impressing me. I've been worried about the right tackle position for 30 years and he's as good as we've had since John Tait or Irv Eatman.
He's played better any anybody expected so far.

2. I thought DJ had a bad day today, but will forgive him since he's been a monster the rest of the time.
That's the biggest rap on DJ: he turns invisible sometimes.

3. Brandon Flowers may be the top CB in the league right now. He's a shutdown corner who plays the run.
He's getting better coaching from a hall of fame cover corner (Emmitt Thomas).

4. Cassel seems to be improving each week. I'm not saying he's great, but each week he gets better.
Still not sold on Cassel. We'll see in Indy.

5. Moeaki - what else can you say about that catch? That may be the best catch I've ever seen from a Chief, and I've seen some good ones. I think a lot of people around here may be eating crow on him before it's all said and done.
If and a big IF...he can stay healthy a whole season. Nice catch though.

6. Crennel has to be the difference maker on defense. I don't know what he did, but it was magic. If I ever see him in Denver, I'll buy his meal at Taco Bell.
Grande Burrito!

7. Jones and Charles are a great one-two punch, but I'd still like to see Charles get more carries.
They used these guys perfectly yesterday.

8. Glad to see them using McCluster more. We're adding weapons every week.
Team speed is a weapon for us now.

9. Dorsey is what I hoped we would be when we drafted him, and Smith is an eye-opener. What a nice free-agent pickup.
Tyson Jackson better pick up his game when he comes back, or he'll be second string.

10. Not sure why our special teams can't block for the returners. If they can, we're going to be dangerous.

If there's a criticism, yes, they've not blocked as well on returns the last couple weeks.

Hug it Out Dan · 09-27-2010, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

If there's a criticism, yes, they've not blocked as well on returns the last couple weeks.

Some of that has to do with the way the other team is punting the ball. If there's some considerable hang time, it's going to be hard to get any return yardage from that. The one long return RunDMC had was from a line drive punt. On those you're going to have a much better chance to return it.

**gblowfish** · 09-27-2010, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laces Out Dan

Some of that has to do with the way the other team is punting the ball. If there's some considerable hang time, it's going to be hard to get any return yardage from that. The one long return RunDMC had was from a line drive punt. On those you're going to have a much better chance to return it.

I agree. Also, last week vs Cleveland, those guys practice every week against one of the best in the league (Cribbs) so you get good from practicing against the best. I hope Arenas is going to be back to full strength after the bye week.

09-26-2010, 04:47 PM	Topic Starter
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17666178 VARSITY	Ten Things From Today's Game Ten Things About Today's Game 10. This morning I woke up around 6am. It was borderline cold outside, high 40's, a little foggy, very San Francisco-like weather. I took an old high school buddy to the game, along with Mrs. Blowfish. She is kicking my ass at NFL picks so far this year, btw. She is the 2009 Blowfish Family "Picking Poohbah" as well. So she seems to be able to forecast NFL games much better than my dad and me. You can see the battle here: http://tinyurl.com/27rmvtb Good crowd, and a loud crowd today. The sun broke in and out of the clouds most of the afternoon. Turned out to be a beau-ti-ful day for football. 9. Speaking of beau-ti-ful, a salute and good thoughts for Bill Grigsby, who was honored in the pre-game today. He's been in broadcasting sports for over 60 years. He's been on the Chiefs radio team since the very beginning, and is much beloved in KC as a legendary toast master and party animal. He is now 88 and is suffering from prostate cancer. Don't know how much time he has left on this mortal coil. He was taken out on the field in a wheelchair today, and looked pretty frail. I saw him close up, and he doesn't look well at all. But he's hanging in there, and they certainly gave him a great game today. If you don't know anything about Griggs (aka "The Prince of Parkville") you can read some of his work in the Chiefs site here: http://tinyurl.com/2fyyfuy Pics of Grigs here: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/24...l-grigsby.html 8. Today was all about offensive balance. As we predicted, no reason to get panties up in a bunch about how many carries Jones or Charles got. Today they were a two headed monster, and the ball was run with great efficiency. Charles was 12 carries, 97 yards; Jones was 19 carries, 95 yards and a rushing TD. Jackie Battle got a few mop up carries at the very end. Everybody got into the act today. Props to the Offensive Line. They're getting better each week. 7. Cassel still is a slow starter, but played much better in the second half this week. QB iine was 16 for 27 for 250 yards, 3 TDs and one pick. The pick came in the second quarter. We got lucky and got it right back when Flowers snatched one on his back a few plays later. One TD pass was on YAC by McCluster on a swing pass and broken tackle. Second TD was on a Wildcat Sucker Play - a 45 yard bomb to Bowe wide open; and third was an acrobatic one handed catch for 15 yards by Moeacki. So, Cassel got the job done, didn't take a sack and made enough plays to not hurt the ball club. Today, that's more than fine. Cassel did a good job spreading it around today, seven different guys caught a pass (well, eight if you count Spencer for SF who got the pick). Cassel tends to hold the ball too long, tends to throw high on his missed passes, and too wide on others. His accuracy still needs a lot of work. I thought Cassel and Alex Smith looked a lot alike today. We'll give Cassel pass today and lighten up on him in a winning effort at home. 6. Coach Haley was in full tilt Wyle E. Coyote mode today. The fourth down punt chinese fire drill in the first half was hilarious. Run on the punt team, now quick...run them off...now SF burns a time out. After the time out run the on and off again...WHOO HOO! Looked like a line change in hockey! We went for and made a fourth and two with a Wildcat early on, tried an onside kick which almost worked if not for an offside penalty, and ran a flea flicker off the Wildcat today. Crazy man, crazy. Coach Haley has shown a bit of riverboat gambler during his time as KC's head man. Today nothing backfired. Last year, almost all this kind of stuff blew up in his face. I think since he's got much better coaching around him, outside the box thinking is much more do-able now compared to last year. 5. Arenas got a little dinged right before halftime. He got a good return that helped set up the field goal right before the end of the first half, but got an ankle bruise or twist. He kept trying to walk it off on the sidelines, but McCluster did all the punts after that. We're very fortunate to have two guys who are dangerous return men. The bye week will help Arenas heal up, he played a little bit of nickel back in the fourth quarter, so I don't think it's anything serious. Succop missed a kick from inside the 40 for the first time in his career, and had a kickoff go out of bounds. This was his worst day in a long time. If you're going to have a bad one, best to have it on a day where everything else is clicking. Colquitt was excellent today. Overall KC's special teams have to be in the top three or four units in the NFL. They've been money every game so far. 4. What can you say about Romeo's defense? Frank Gore held to 43 yards rushing? Excellent. Davis the Tight End only had three catches for 22 yards. SF's final touchdown was garbage time against prevent defense. KC has only given up 14 second half point this season in three games, and if you take away that garbage seven today, that's lights out second half football. 3. We had five sacks today. Yes... A PASS RUSH! Considering we had a season where we only got like twelve all year, that's a major improvement. And the front three on the D-line played great today. Smith #90 had a great first half, He looked like Neil Smith with a thyroid condition (he's a bit chubby). Tyson Jackson may have a hard time getting his starting spot back if Smith keeps playing this way. Dorsey was excellent against the run. Edwards played tough. Gilberry played well. Good thing about our D-Line, we can rest guys to keep a pass rush coming in the fourth quarter. Today Tamba Hali was the guy. He was moving from side to side, and beat both SF tackles with a speed rush. They were holding him a bunch today too. And he's playing on a bad wheel. The bye week will help him heal up. 2. Both Crennel and Weis were on the sidelines today. You can feel a lot more energy on the sidelines among the players right now. The players are really into it. The different groups -D-Line, Linebackers, D-Backs, O-Line, etc. talk and scheme during the down time, and just seem to have some confidence and a much better attitude this year. Chiefs won time of possession today by more than seven minutes, so the defense was kept relatively fresh. And since the weather was a lot cooler, heat and humidity was not a factor today. Perfect conditions for an almost perfect day, and the "trap game" we were mentioning all week came into being today for SF. Monday night hangover, buzz saw at Arrowhead. Perfect. 1. You could argue that we could have easily pitched a shutout today. The field goal SF got was a 51-yarder -hardly a gimme- and the TD was last play of the game during serious garbage time. It's almost a shame the bye has come so soon. If we have to play Indy on the road, I'd almost rather just go ahead and get them next weekend, because we'll be heavy underdogs no matter what. And since we'll be undefeated, they'll want to knock us down a peg as a reality check. Also, just three games in, our guys might be better suited to rest deeper into the schedule instead of now. But you can't really control for that. With two weeks to prepare for Indy, I suspect we'll play better than our previous nightmarish trips there, but I'm not expecting any miracles. If we can get the Donks, Bolts and Convicts to drop a few between now and then, we might be able to come out OK, and still leading the AFC West. It's great to be winning at Arrowhead again, isn't it? Win at home, go 50% on the road. It's been a great September. Let's hope it's not smoke and mirrors.
Posts: 40,834

09-26-2010, 05:01 PM	#2
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $2294734	Good stuff George. I like Haley's batshit crazy calls. I didn't hate them last year even though they didn't work. He's the antiHerm and that's OK in my book. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 56,790

09-26-2010, 05:08 PM	#3
donkhater Brilliant!! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Indiana, USA Casino cash: $10014051	I too, like Haley's wierd calls. It's the sort of thing I always admired about Cowher's Steelers. They were always a tough running team, but at least a couple times a game he'd dial up a crazy special teams play or trick play that would make a huge difference. That kind of stuff looks comical when a crappy team tries to do it (because it usually doesn't work), but onve you start getting weapons to do that stuff, it's pretty effective. __________________ The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants
Posts: 3,994

09-26-2010, 05:12 PM	#4
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	winning is fun, for everyone always enjoy the report, most always agree with the take haley was indeed in wiley e coyote mode...i love that quality about him __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

09-26-2010, 05:14 PM	#5
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	If Parcells is the Tuna, can Haley be the Coyote? __________________
Posts: 70,769

09-26-2010, 05:14 PM	#6
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2268244	This defense is down for each other. Copper on special teams is worth the roster spot.
Posts: 33,928

09-26-2010, 05:18 PM	#7
RedThat Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Casino cash: $10004900	George, thanks for your takes. I love the fact you make a concerted effort everytime you post man. Good job. Just want to say, I mentioned earlier, KC is very fortunate to have two guys that can return kicks. That is the greatest thing about our special teams. I hope Arenas will be healed asap. Teams are seeming to gear in and game plan around our special teams week-to-week. Makes every Chiefs fan feel good knowing we have weapons back there.
Posts: 6,666

09-26-2010, 05:42 PM	#8
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17666178 VARSITY	Meanwhile, all the rest of the AFC West loses today. Heh!
Posts: 40,834

09-26-2010, 05:57 PM	#9
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17666178 VARSITY	Photos from KC Star Website: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/26...-in-31-10.html
Posts: 40,834

09-26-2010, 06:15 PM	#11
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $2294734	LOL @ the chargers for passing for 455 and losing. Sounds a lot like the Vermiel years. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 56,790

09-26-2010, 06:27 PM	#12
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3298491 VARSITY	My ten observations: 1. Barry Richardson is a guy who's really impressing me. I've been worried about the right tackle position for 30 years and he's as good as we've had since John Tait or Irv Eatman. 2. I thought DJ had a bad day today, but will forgive him since he's been a monster the rest of the time. 3. Brandon Flowers may be the top CB in the league right now. He's a shutdown corner who plays the run. 4. Cassel seems to be improving each week. I'm not saying he's great, but each week he gets better. 5. Moeaki - what else can you say about that catch? That may be the best catch I've ever seen from a Chief, and I've seen some good ones. I think a lot of people around here may be eating crow on him before it's all said and done. 6. Crennel has to be the difference maker on defense. I don't know what he did, but it was magic. If I ever see him in Denver, I'll buy his meal at Taco Bell. 7. Jones and Charles are a great one-two punch, but I'd still like to see Charles get more carries. 8. Glad to see them using McCluster more. We're adding weapons every week. 9. Dorsey is what I hoped we would be when we drafted him, and Smith is an eye-opener. What a nice free-agent pickup. 10. Not sure why our special teams can't block for the returners. If they can, we're going to be dangerous. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,448