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.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

gannon made plays when he was running around

all i've seen from smith when he runs around is that he runs out of bounds...i'm waiting to see him identify WRs downfield under pressure

I feel like everybody needs to read Urban Myers comments/criticism of Alex Smith.

It really does explain a ton and coming from his college coach it carries a lot of weight with me.

Smith's not going to make those plays while running until he feels 100% comfortable in the offense. Sure, we'd like him to be there immediately, but you can see that he isn't. With SF - he got there. There's a reason the guy was able to complete 70% of his passes last season (and Kap is at 56% this year under the same 'guru').

He's not gonna hammer the accelerator if he can't see the apex and the exit to the corner. It's just not who he is.

But his history does suggest that he'll make those plays, just like Gannon, when he feels like he knows the offense. He's a poor-man's Manning; he doesn't want to 'feel' the offense, he wants to run it according to the script. He's the Anti-Favre.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by crossbow

Chiefs Tight Ends are all injured too. Think that could have an impact on the running game?

No. McGrath is a better blocker than Fasano. I guess it's be nice to see what Kelce could do as a blocker.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

They maybe similar in style but can't we all agree the NFL has changed into basically the CFL? Passing records are going to be shattered this year. This is a completely different league than 10-12 years ago.

That is no guarantee that you're going to win deep in the playoffs. Seattle, Baltimore, Houston, the Giants, the Alex Smith niners, and now KC and Tennessee... these are teams that are doing really well playing more of an efficient game. The Steelers (pre-Arians) did as well.

So much attention is paid to this electric passing game. But the fact is that efficient teams have been just as successful in the playoffs of late as explosive offenses. I brought up before that apart from one Super Bowl run, both Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees have a really lousy playoff win-loss record.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

it is telling that the best we can do is compare him to dilfer and gannon...for 2 sceond round picks

What QB has been as good or better that has been traded for less?

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

it is telling that the best we can do is compare him to dilfer and gannon...for 2 sceond round picks

Come on man, we are chipping away that the True Fan. We've gotten them to move off the Trent Green comparisons. Baby steps.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

What QB has been as good or better that has been traded for less?

It's similar value for what we have up for Green.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Come on man, we are chipping away that the True Fan. We've gotten them to move off the Trent Green comparisons. Baby steps.

You're chipping away at a straw man.

Nothing more.

But keep patting yourself on the back.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Holy shit, did you really just say this?

Maybe I'm imagining things, but people who worship at the altar of mediocrity spent all summer saying that AS was their first choice, because "there was no one better".

People were more worried about getting the fans back to Arrowhead, and wanted to win now, instead of developing a guy for the future.

Now you have that guy, and you claim that he was NOBODY'S first choice?

Holy shit.

I meant in the grand scheme of things, not just this offseason.

You sure have an itchy trigger finger as of late, ready to jump anyone. What's up with that?

Who was the better choice this offseason, BTW?

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I feel like everybody needs to read Urban Myers comments/criticism of Alex Smith.

It really does explain a ton and coming from his college coach it carries a lot of weight with me.

Smith's not going to make those plays while running until he feels 100% comfortable in the offense. Sure, we'd like him to be there immediately, but you can see that he isn't. With SF - he got there. There's a reason the guy was able to complete 70% of his passes last season (and Kap is at 56% this year under the same 'guru').

He's not gonna hammer the accelerator if he can't see the apex and the exit to the corner. It's just not who he is.

But his history does suggest that he'll make those plays, just like Gannon, when he feels like he knows the offense. He's a poor-man's Manning; he doesn't want to 'feel' the offense, he wants to run it according to the script. He's the Anti-Favre.

and this is why QB's are referred as a "field general".

AS is just more meticulous about how each player fits into the game and he expects blockers to perform with success, to some degree.

I'd appreciate any links or quotes re your "Urban Meyer" comment.

[Frosty]

I don't see the Hasselbeck/Smith comparisons made earlier. If anything, Hass was too reckless throwing the ball downfield. He definitely wasn't a safe and conservative QB.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

But his history does suggest that he'll make those plays, just like Gannon, when he feels like he knows the offense. He's a poor-man's Manning; he doesn't want to 'feel' the offense, he wants to run it according to the script. He's the Anti-Favre.

We're patiently waiting to develop, in a sense, our 29-year-old QB.

I love change in KC.

This year is going to be fun because at least we'll see some wins and a playoff loss. No bullshit. It beats 2-14, and I don't think this team will ever bottom out again under Reid's watch because he's too damn good.

But man I'm tired of seeing middling shit at QB. The first 3 1/2 quarters in Philly were flat painful. One great throw changed the entire point of discussion for the night.

But at least we had that moment, so we cannot discredit it.

[Hammock Parties]

The Rich Gannon comparisons need to stop.

His first season in Oakland they were 8th in points and 5th in yards. We aren't close to that.

They were also sixth in net yards gained per pass attempt. Currently we're 27th.

Whee, ****ers.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I meant in the grand scheme of things, not just this offseason.

You sure have an itchy trigger finger as of late, ready to jump anyone. What's up with that?

Who was the better choice this offseason, BTW?

Duh, Hoyer.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That is no guarantee that you're going to win deep in the playoffs. Seattle, Baltimore, Houston, the Giants, the Alex Smith niners, and now KC and Tennessee... these are teams that are doing really well playing more of an efficient game. The Steelers (pre-Arians) did as well.

So much attention is paid to this electric passing game. But the fact is that efficient teams have been just as successful in the playoffs of late as explosive offenses. I brought up before that apart from one Super Bowl run, both Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees have a really lousy playoff win-loss record.

You make a good point but I would add you have to be able to move the ball in chunks at various times and you have to put up points. I just don't believe dinking and dunking down the field isn't going to cut it in the NFL anymore.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

You're chipping away at a straw man.

Nothing more.

But keep patting yourself on the back.

No, sadly these strawman are alive and well strolling down the red and gold brick road of CP.