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.
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.