Colts Will Have Big Edge on the Chiefs in Playoff Experience

greg63 · 01-04-2007, 05:05 AM

01-03-2007 2:32 AM
By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- If experience counts for much in the NFL playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs could be in trouble.
The Chiefs haven't come close to making the postseason seven of the past eight years. Many key starters have never appeared in a playoff game; even fewer have won one.
That's a lot of wide-eyed, fuzzy-cheeked playoff newcomers to toss into the roar of the RCA Dome on Saturday against a confident Indianapolis team that's unbeaten at home and a virtual postseason fixture.
"We have seven starters who have never been in a playoff game. Seven starters," coach Herm Edwards said Tuesday. "This team we are playing has been in the playoffs five years in a row. They understand the tempo, they understand the mode. They understand what's getting ready to take place.
"We have some players who have been in playoff games. But when you say seven of your starters never have, that's kind of new."
The only starter among the Chiefs (9-7) with significant playoff success under his belt is cornerback Ty Law, who was on New England's three Super Bowl winners.
Quarterback Trent Green, although he's 36, has started only one game in the playoffs, Kansas City's 38-31 loss to the Colts in 2003. The Chiefs' major weapon on offense, running back Larry Johnson, was a rookie that year and didn't even get in the game.
It's been a long time since the Chiefs actually won a playoff game _ when coach Marty Schottenheimer and quarterback Joe Montana beat the Houston Oilers in January 1994. The Oilers have since relocated to Tennessee as the Titans and replaced in Houston by the Texans.
The only current Chiefs player who appeared in that playoff win is right guard Will Shields, who was a rookie that year.
Law and the handful of others who have actually experienced all the pressure and stepped-up tempo of the postseason will be called upon for locker room leadership this week.
"Ty's been in a bunch of them. And he's won three Super Bowls, so he's been in this environment," Edwards said. "We have some guys who have been in some big-time games, and it's good to have some veteran guys like that."
Even the coaching staff is inexperienced as a group. Mike Solari will be facing his first playoff experience as an offensive coordinator.
For Edwards, it's different. He played in the Super Bowl as a cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles and coached the New York Jets to the playoffs three of his five years there.
It's valuable experience he was determined to impart when the Chiefs get back Wednesday for their first full practice since everything around the league broke in their favor on Sunday and they became the AFC's sixth and final seed.
"You just change your approach," Edwards said. "I think the players will realize that when they come in. I need to let my coaches know that today, too. It's a whole different mind-set. It's a whole different way of conducting your business."
The intensity of the playoffs will be drilled into everyone's head.
"I don't know if our guys right away are going to understand the importance of withstanding the first 5 minutes of the first quarter and the third quarter," Edwards said. "Because this thing is real fast in playoff games, very, very fast. The tempo, everything becomes magnified. You have to be very, very diligent when you make calls, the play-calling on offense and defense.
"The speed of the game changes. That will be the first thing I think a lot of these young guys will witness."

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Amnorix · 01-04-2007, 06:08 AM

Bill Russell, the winninest man in team sports history, basically said it best: "experience counts for $%#&".

Pats in 2001 win Super Bowl. Ravens in 2000. Rams in '99. etc.

Besides, what is the Colts playoff experience other than losing quickly?

Kerberos · 01-04-2007, 06:10 AM

I hope the hell the Chiefs don't come out and lay down and die on us.

If Da'Preacher can work up some magic to get these guys motivated it should be an interesting game.

.

greg63 · 01-04-2007, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Bill Russell, the winninest man in team sports history, basically said it best: "experience counts for $%#&".

Pats in 2001 win Super Bowl. Ravens in 2000. Rams in '99. etc.

Besides, what is the Colts playoff experience other than losing quickly?

Good point!

greg63 · 01-04-2007, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxrider

I hope the hell the Chiefs don't come out and lay down and die on us.

If Da'Preacher can work up some magic to get these guys motivated it should be an interesting game.

.

Motivation is half the battle; if our guys need to be preached at to motivate them then they don't belong in the playoffs.

Chief Chief · 01-04-2007, 06:52 AM

That vast quantity of playoff experience the Dolts have really paid off last year when Manning tossed an INT to Polamalu (despite what the ref said) and Vanderjagt kicked really wide right.

StcChief · 01-04-2007, 08:34 AM

Experience. ?
Just do your job on the field.

B_Ambuehl · 01-04-2007, 11:02 AM

Herm sounds like he's preparing his guys to get their ass kicked.

Take a football team that never plays with confidence on the road to begin with....then tell them they're going into a sitaution where they don't have the experience of the other team....sonds like a good motivational tactic to me.

Kweens · 01-04-2007, 11:26 AM

If Trent can get the offense to the 20-yd line everytime he gets the ball then it'll be a long day for the Colts' D.

Ari Chi3fs · 01-04-2007, 11:35 AM

There are a lot of players here who want to avenge that 2003 debauchle. I guarantee they are motivated to win.

**BigRedChief** · 01-04-2007, 12:02 PM

Claytons espn article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playof...ohn&id=2719812

greg63 · 01-04-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Claytons espn article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playof...ohn&id=2719812

Good read.

scott free · 01-04-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Claytons espn article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playof...ohn&id=2719812

That was an outstanding analysis by 'ol Mr.Martian head.

LJ cant bury'em alone, QB play & how well the D can step up are as vital as anything.

But if Trent can muster all he has, and i believe he will, we have a GREAT shot. All D starters are a go as well.

To go from being SoOO down in the mouth about the season, to breaking down a playoff game that we could really surprise in......

...

01-04-2007, 05:05 AM
greg63 Homer go crazy!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $13497	Colts Will Have Big Edge on the Chiefs in Playoff Experience 01-03-2007 2:32 AM By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- If experience counts for much in the NFL playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs could be in trouble. The Chiefs haven't come close to making the postseason seven of the past eight years. Many key starters have never appeared in a playoff game; even fewer have won one. That's a lot of wide-eyed, fuzzy-cheeked playoff newcomers to toss into the roar of the RCA Dome on Saturday against a confident Indianapolis team that's unbeaten at home and a virtual postseason fixture. "We have seven starters who have never been in a playoff game. Seven starters," coach Herm Edwards said Tuesday. "This team we are playing has been in the playoffs five years in a row. They understand the tempo, they understand the mode. They understand what's getting ready to take place. "We have some players who have been in playoff games. But when you say seven of your starters never have, that's kind of new." The only starter among the Chiefs (9-7) with significant playoff success under his belt is cornerback Ty Law, who was on New England's three Super Bowl winners. Quarterback Trent Green, although he's 36, has started only one game in the playoffs, Kansas City's 38-31 loss to the Colts in 2003. The Chiefs' major weapon on offense, running back Larry Johnson, was a rookie that year and didn't even get in the game. It's been a long time since the Chiefs actually won a playoff game _ when coach Marty Schottenheimer and quarterback Joe Montana beat the Houston Oilers in January 1994. The Oilers have since relocated to Tennessee as the Titans and replaced in Houston by the Texans. The only current Chiefs player who appeared in that playoff win is right guard Will Shields, who was a rookie that year. Law and the handful of others who have actually experienced all the pressure and stepped-up tempo of the postseason will be called upon for locker room leadership this week. "Ty's been in a bunch of them. And he's won three Super Bowls, so he's been in this environment," Edwards said. "We have some guys who have been in some big-time games, and it's good to have some veteran guys like that." Even the coaching staff is inexperienced as a group. Mike Solari will be facing his first playoff experience as an offensive coordinator. For Edwards, it's different. He played in the Super Bowl as a cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles and coached the New York Jets to the playoffs three of his five years there. It's valuable experience he was determined to impart when the Chiefs get back Wednesday for their first full practice since everything around the league broke in their favor on Sunday and they became the AFC's sixth and final seed. "You just change your approach," Edwards said. "I think the players will realize that when they come in. I need to let my coaches know that today, too. It's a whole different mind-set. It's a whole different way of conducting your business." The intensity of the playoffs will be drilled into everyone's head. "I don't know if our guys right away are going to understand the importance of withstanding the first 5 minutes of the first quarter and the third quarter," Edwards said. "Because this thing is real fast in playoff games, very, very fast. The tempo, everything becomes magnified. You have to be very, very diligent when you make calls, the play-calling on offense and defense. "The speed of the game changes. That will be the first thing I think a lot of these young guys will witness." Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posts: 16,944

01-04-2007, 06:08 AM	#2
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $195915	Bill Russell, the winninest man in team sports history, basically said it best: "experience counts for $%#&". Pats in 2001 win Super Bowl. Ravens in 2000. Rams in '99. etc. Besides, what is the Colts playoff experience other than losing quickly? __________________ "I love signature blocks on the Internet. I get to put whatever the hell I want in quotes, pick a pretend author, and bang, it's like he really said it." George Washington Last edited by Amnorix; 01-04-2007 at 06:17 AM..
Posts: 31,088

01-04-2007, 06:10 AM	#3
Kerberos Purple Pride Baby Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Casino cash: $1035253	I hope the hell the Chiefs don't come out and lay down and die on us. If Da'Preacher can work up some magic to get these guys motivated it should be an interesting game. . __________________ ____________________________________________ She aint a hoe if you don't get laid, and it aint a show if I don't get paid-- Everlast
Posts: 5,505

01-04-2007, 06:52 AM	#6
Chief Chief Veteran Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City MO Casino cash: $1436	That vast quantity of playoff experience the Dolts have really paid off last year when Manning tossed an INT to Polamalu (despite what the ref said) and Vanderjagt kicked really wide right.
Posts: 3,072

01-04-2007, 08:34 AM	#7
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $1024708	Experience. ? Just do your job on the field. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,902

01-04-2007, 11:02 AM	#8
B_Ambuehl Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Casino cash: $16815	Herm sounds like he's preparing his guys to get their ass kicked. Take a football team that never plays with confidence on the road to begin with....then tell them they're going into a sitaution where they don't have the experience of the other team....sonds like a good motivational tactic to me. __________________ Who's decision was it to fire Romeo" - Coleman C Hunt: "It was my decision but it was one that Scott agreed with" LOL
Posts: 2,056

01-04-2007, 11:26 AM	#9
Kweens Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Casino cash: $250	Nothign beats experience. If Trent can get the offense to the 20-yd line everytime he gets the ball then it'll be a long day for the Colts' D.
Posts: 40

01-04-2007, 11:35 AM	#10
Ari Chi3fs Winners Pick Up Wrappers. Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: University of Kansas Casino cash: $1013767	There are a lot of players here who want to avenge that 2003 debauchle. I guarantee they are motivated to win. __________________ ☮ ♥
Posts: 27,000

01-04-2007, 12:02 PM	#11
BigRedChief Brainwashed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Swims with fishes Casino cash: $2264722	Claytons espn article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playof...ohn&id=2719812 __________________ "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain - and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 37,871

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