Hootie
11-10-2006, 09:05 PM
Kansas City Chiefs
Three weeks ago, this was a 2-3 team playing very uninspired football under Herm Edwards, with a major injury to QB Trent Green. The Chiefs had the look of a group just going through the motions after an embarrassing loss at Pittsburgh. However, that has all changed with excellent wins over San Diego and Denver (another ESPN error, what do you know?!), and this now has the look of a very explosive team, one capable of beating anybody.
Offensively, Edwards made a smart coaching adjustment three weeks ago by moving TE Tony Gonzalez out wide in motion, in the slot or just on the perimeter. It changed the way defenses lined up versus the Chiefs. With Gonzalez at the normal TE position, KC would see a lot of eight-man fronts, which made it tough for Larry Johnson to run the ball.
When Gonzalez goes wide, defenses usually walk out a linebacker at least halfway and are forced to move a safety out wide to cover him, opening things up for Johnson. After a lackluster start, Gonzalez has 17 receptions for 317 yards and two touchdowns in the past three games, and Johnson has exploded in the same stretch, rushing for 439 yards and six touchdowns.
Even with an offensive line in transition, this offense is back, especially the running game. Under Huard, the Chiefs have thrown the ball very well and lead the NFL in red zone offense, converting 17 touchdowns in 25 opportunities.
The offense will continue to be solid whether Huard remains at the helm or Green steps back into the lineup. Defensively, the Chiefs are starting to really show signs they are a playoff contender. Although ranked only in the middle of the pack, the defense is starting to make more big plays.
The Chiefs are flying to the football and not making a lot of critical mistakes. They are getting off the field on third down, which not only keeps them fresh but also gives Johnson more offensive possessions.
However, the Chiefs find themselves in arguably the best division in the NFL, as San Diego and Denver are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The Chiefs also have a very tough second-half schedule. They play Denver and San Diego one time each and have two tough home games in December against Baltimore and Jacksonville.
Both of the latter opponents likely will be playing with huge playoff incentives, so the Chiefs will have to be finishers themselves. They must win their home games and at least split the games with San Diego and Denver. Even if the Chiefs go into the playoffs as a wild card, with Johnson running the ball in January weather, this team is capable of beating anybody.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Theismann on Huard:
The third guy on my list is Damon Huard. Talk about a guy coming completely out of nowhere. Everyone counted the Kansas City Chiefs out after Trent Green went down, but Huard has stepped in and played phenomenal football. He may have also played himself into being the heir apparent starter for this position.
Three weeks ago, this was a 2-3 team playing very uninspired football under Herm Edwards, with a major injury to QB Trent Green. The Chiefs had the look of a group just going through the motions after an embarrassing loss at Pittsburgh. However, that has all changed with excellent wins over San Diego and Denver (another ESPN error, what do you know?!), and this now has the look of a very explosive team, one capable of beating anybody.
Offensively, Edwards made a smart coaching adjustment three weeks ago by moving TE Tony Gonzalez out wide in motion, in the slot or just on the perimeter. It changed the way defenses lined up versus the Chiefs. With Gonzalez at the normal TE position, KC would see a lot of eight-man fronts, which made it tough for Larry Johnson to run the ball.
When Gonzalez goes wide, defenses usually walk out a linebacker at least halfway and are forced to move a safety out wide to cover him, opening things up for Johnson. After a lackluster start, Gonzalez has 17 receptions for 317 yards and two touchdowns in the past three games, and Johnson has exploded in the same stretch, rushing for 439 yards and six touchdowns.
Even with an offensive line in transition, this offense is back, especially the running game. Under Huard, the Chiefs have thrown the ball very well and lead the NFL in red zone offense, converting 17 touchdowns in 25 opportunities.
The offense will continue to be solid whether Huard remains at the helm or Green steps back into the lineup. Defensively, the Chiefs are starting to really show signs they are a playoff contender. Although ranked only in the middle of the pack, the defense is starting to make more big plays.
The Chiefs are flying to the football and not making a lot of critical mistakes. They are getting off the field on third down, which not only keeps them fresh but also gives Johnson more offensive possessions.
However, the Chiefs find themselves in arguably the best division in the NFL, as San Diego and Denver are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The Chiefs also have a very tough second-half schedule. They play Denver and San Diego one time each and have two tough home games in December against Baltimore and Jacksonville.
Both of the latter opponents likely will be playing with huge playoff incentives, so the Chiefs will have to be finishers themselves. They must win their home games and at least split the games with San Diego and Denver. Even if the Chiefs go into the playoffs as a wild card, with Johnson running the ball in January weather, this team is capable of beating anybody.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Theismann on Huard:
The third guy on my list is Damon Huard. Talk about a guy coming completely out of nowhere. Everyone counted the Kansas City Chiefs out after Trent Green went down, but Huard has stepped in and played phenomenal football. He may have also played himself into being the heir apparent starter for this position.