Hammock Parties
10-06-2006, 08:44 AM
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/10/chiefs-cardinals-preview061006.html
When the Kansas City Chiefs pass: Kansas City finally got its air attack off the ground last weekend against the 49ers. Backup quarterback Damon Huard was poised and accurate, and pass protection was solid.
This week, the Chiefs appear to be getting another break as they face Arizona's 25th-ranked secondary. The Cardinals have major problems at cornerback. Former first-round pick Antrel Rolle has not been the impact player he was drafted to be thus far. The real problem is at the other corner spot, however. The Cardinals benched incumbent starter David Macklin after just one week. Second-year man Eric Green and third-year man Matt Ware have replaced him since. Neither has been very effective. Look for the Chiefs to try and get speedster Samie Parker the ball on deep routes against either player, regardless of who starts.
Kansas City will most likely miss left tackle Kyle Turley for the second straight game, but reserve Jordan Black played surprisingly well last week. Black will be tested by defensive end Bertrand Berry, although Berry hasn't exactly flashed the pass rush skills (zero sacks) that made him a dominant force in 2004.
If Trent Green was in the starting lineup, the Chiefs would have a clear advantage, but because Huard has to yet to prove he can throw the ball downfield in a road game, call this one a push, especially with veteran safeties Robert Griffith and Adrian Wilson providing support.
Edge: Even.
When the Arizona Cardinals pass: Kurt Warner out, Matt Leinart in. Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham must be salivating. Kansas City tortured Alex Smith at Arrowhead Stadium a week ago, and the Chiefs' secondary has been a major surprise this year, ranking second overall. Warner's play hasn't been pretty, but the real problem is Arizona's offensive line. At home, it has shown flashes of being a decent unit, but more often than not it's an adventure every time an Arizona quarterback drops back to pass.
Center Alex Stepanovich struggles with anyone who gets in his face, and the line as a whole has a real problem in picking up blitzes (or not picking them up, as the case may be). Oftentimes, a linebacker or defensive back will have a completely free shot at the quarterback.
The Chiefs will have to be wary of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, perhaps the finest wide receiver tandem in the NFL. Boldin in particular is very tough to tackle after the catch. But with an experienced pair of corners in Patrick Surtain and Ty Law, and a coordinator who is sure to attack Leinart relentlessly in his first start, look for Kansas City's secondary to have another fine game. The Chiefs will be without fourth corner Benny Sapp, but it probably won't matter.
Edge: Chiefs
When the Kansas City Chiefs run: On the surface, this looks like a total mismatch. Arizona gave up 260 yards rushing to Atlanta last week, ranks 27th overall against the run and gets to face Larry Johnson this week! You fantasy players might be drooling, but if one digs a little deeper, the real picture becomes clear.
The Cardinals' run defense did an admirable job against Seattle's Shaun Alexander in Week 2 and shut down Rams running back Steven Jackson in Week 3. The real problem for Arizona comes when it spends too much time on the field due to an inept offense that has turned the ball over 11 times already.
Chiefs left guard Brian Waters should clash with Arizona defensive tackle Darnell Dockett in an interesting matchup.
The Chiefs will most likely struggle to run the ball early as they did against San Francisco, but if Arizona's offense can't get on track, Johnson may find himself ripping off some huge gains in the second half against a tired defense.
Edge: Even
When the Arizona Cardinals run: As bad as Arizona's offensive line is in pass protection, it might be worse when Edgerrin James gets the ball. James is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry this year, and has constantly found himself fighting with defenders who penetrate into the backfield almost immediately after the snap.
Atlanta defensive tackle Grady Jackson dominated Arizona's line last week, and James had just 41 yards rushing on 20 carries.
At times, Arizona's linemen even impede the progress of whoever has the ball. The Cardinals' play calling isn't really ideal, either. They attempt stretch running plays every week with, perhaps, the slowest offensive line in the league. With a rookie quarterback in the lineup, it's probably only going to get worse for James and Arizona this week. Look for the Chiefs to stack the box and dare Leinart to beat them with his arm, but even that aggressive approach might not be necessary.
In the interest of objectivity, it's fair to point out that 370-pound left tackle Leonard Davis might have a significant advantage against Kansas City's Jared Allen, but as Troy Aikman once said, "get real!"
Edge: Chiefs
Special teams: Both teams have excellent placekickers, but the Chiefs have a huge advantage in the return game this week. Scott Player has not punted well for Arizona this year, and opponents have ripped the Cardinals for 153 yards on 10 punt returns. Dante Hall will probably provide the Chiefs with good field position all game. J.J. Arrington is averaging just 20.7 yards per kickoff return for Arizona.
Edge: Chiefs
Intangibles: Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards has preached the value of winning road games to his team for months. After losing a close one at Denver in Week 2, the Chiefs won't be looking past the Cardinals this week, even with Pittsburgh looming next Sunday. Arizona will undoubtedly get a boost with Leinart's first NFL start. Edwards is 1-0 lifetime against Cardinals head coach Dennis Green.
Edge: Even
Prediction: ESPN will showcase Leinart on Sunday evening no matter how he plays. Odds are he is not the magic bullet that will fix Arizona's offensive line or defense.
Chiefs 23, Cardinals 10
Comments? Suggestions? Criticism? Contact C.E. Wendler at cwendler@realfootball365.com
When the Kansas City Chiefs pass: Kansas City finally got its air attack off the ground last weekend against the 49ers. Backup quarterback Damon Huard was poised and accurate, and pass protection was solid.
This week, the Chiefs appear to be getting another break as they face Arizona's 25th-ranked secondary. The Cardinals have major problems at cornerback. Former first-round pick Antrel Rolle has not been the impact player he was drafted to be thus far. The real problem is at the other corner spot, however. The Cardinals benched incumbent starter David Macklin after just one week. Second-year man Eric Green and third-year man Matt Ware have replaced him since. Neither has been very effective. Look for the Chiefs to try and get speedster Samie Parker the ball on deep routes against either player, regardless of who starts.
Kansas City will most likely miss left tackle Kyle Turley for the second straight game, but reserve Jordan Black played surprisingly well last week. Black will be tested by defensive end Bertrand Berry, although Berry hasn't exactly flashed the pass rush skills (zero sacks) that made him a dominant force in 2004.
If Trent Green was in the starting lineup, the Chiefs would have a clear advantage, but because Huard has to yet to prove he can throw the ball downfield in a road game, call this one a push, especially with veteran safeties Robert Griffith and Adrian Wilson providing support.
Edge: Even.
When the Arizona Cardinals pass: Kurt Warner out, Matt Leinart in. Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham must be salivating. Kansas City tortured Alex Smith at Arrowhead Stadium a week ago, and the Chiefs' secondary has been a major surprise this year, ranking second overall. Warner's play hasn't been pretty, but the real problem is Arizona's offensive line. At home, it has shown flashes of being a decent unit, but more often than not it's an adventure every time an Arizona quarterback drops back to pass.
Center Alex Stepanovich struggles with anyone who gets in his face, and the line as a whole has a real problem in picking up blitzes (or not picking them up, as the case may be). Oftentimes, a linebacker or defensive back will have a completely free shot at the quarterback.
The Chiefs will have to be wary of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, perhaps the finest wide receiver tandem in the NFL. Boldin in particular is very tough to tackle after the catch. But with an experienced pair of corners in Patrick Surtain and Ty Law, and a coordinator who is sure to attack Leinart relentlessly in his first start, look for Kansas City's secondary to have another fine game. The Chiefs will be without fourth corner Benny Sapp, but it probably won't matter.
Edge: Chiefs
When the Kansas City Chiefs run: On the surface, this looks like a total mismatch. Arizona gave up 260 yards rushing to Atlanta last week, ranks 27th overall against the run and gets to face Larry Johnson this week! You fantasy players might be drooling, but if one digs a little deeper, the real picture becomes clear.
The Cardinals' run defense did an admirable job against Seattle's Shaun Alexander in Week 2 and shut down Rams running back Steven Jackson in Week 3. The real problem for Arizona comes when it spends too much time on the field due to an inept offense that has turned the ball over 11 times already.
Chiefs left guard Brian Waters should clash with Arizona defensive tackle Darnell Dockett in an interesting matchup.
The Chiefs will most likely struggle to run the ball early as they did against San Francisco, but if Arizona's offense can't get on track, Johnson may find himself ripping off some huge gains in the second half against a tired defense.
Edge: Even
When the Arizona Cardinals run: As bad as Arizona's offensive line is in pass protection, it might be worse when Edgerrin James gets the ball. James is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry this year, and has constantly found himself fighting with defenders who penetrate into the backfield almost immediately after the snap.
Atlanta defensive tackle Grady Jackson dominated Arizona's line last week, and James had just 41 yards rushing on 20 carries.
At times, Arizona's linemen even impede the progress of whoever has the ball. The Cardinals' play calling isn't really ideal, either. They attempt stretch running plays every week with, perhaps, the slowest offensive line in the league. With a rookie quarterback in the lineup, it's probably only going to get worse for James and Arizona this week. Look for the Chiefs to stack the box and dare Leinart to beat them with his arm, but even that aggressive approach might not be necessary.
In the interest of objectivity, it's fair to point out that 370-pound left tackle Leonard Davis might have a significant advantage against Kansas City's Jared Allen, but as Troy Aikman once said, "get real!"
Edge: Chiefs
Special teams: Both teams have excellent placekickers, but the Chiefs have a huge advantage in the return game this week. Scott Player has not punted well for Arizona this year, and opponents have ripped the Cardinals for 153 yards on 10 punt returns. Dante Hall will probably provide the Chiefs with good field position all game. J.J. Arrington is averaging just 20.7 yards per kickoff return for Arizona.
Edge: Chiefs
Intangibles: Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards has preached the value of winning road games to his team for months. After losing a close one at Denver in Week 2, the Chiefs won't be looking past the Cardinals this week, even with Pittsburgh looming next Sunday. Arizona will undoubtedly get a boost with Leinart's first NFL start. Edwards is 1-0 lifetime against Cardinals head coach Dennis Green.
Edge: Even
Prediction: ESPN will showcase Leinart on Sunday evening no matter how he plays. Odds are he is not the magic bullet that will fix Arizona's offensive line or defense.
Chiefs 23, Cardinals 10
Comments? Suggestions? Criticism? Contact C.E. Wendler at cwendler@realfootball365.com