Carucci: Wake-up Call: Are . . . Chiefs turning the corner?

[Jenson71]

Kansas City 30, San Diego 16: Let's just dispense with the notion that the Chargers are actually a good team performing poorly. At 1-3, they are what their record says they are -- a poor team.

The Chargers' offense continues to spin its wheels without having much to show for it. Their defense can't stop anyone.

And let's give the 2-2 Chiefs some credit. Although they entered the game with the better record, they were widely regarded as a significant underdog. However, Herm Edwards has a solid defense that plays its best in crunch time; it has yet to allow a second-half touchdown this season.

Frustrated running back Larry Johnson finally broke loose for 123 yards. Damon Huard wasn't spectacular; he threw two interceptions, but he also had two scoring throws.

Granted, the Chargers have plenty of issues. The weight of the controversial decision to fire Marty Schottenheimer after last season's 14-2 finish and replace him with Norv Turner grows heavier by the week. Fans in San Diego began chanting, "Mar-ty! Mar-ty! Mar-ty!" as the game came to a close.

But the Chiefs have shown steady progress. They are getting by without a premier quarterback. Johnson finally had a breakout game. And their defense, which was ranked fourth in the NFL after three weeks, is solid.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d802d8b85&template=with-video&confirm=true

[HemiEd]

I am not very happy about my team being mentioned with these other two.


Wake-up Call: Are Browns, Cardinals and Chiefs turning the corner?

[chagrin]

Well, as usual the articles are silly - but I am happy our Defense is picking it up. Let's not get crazy though, it took 2 very bad weeks of losing, and 100,000 people screaming at Herm to throw tha damn ball, before he changed his ways a little bit.

[Warrior5]

If the Chiefs win these next two games at home, I'll believe they're turning the corner.

BTW, it would be outstanding if Gonzales gets the record-breaking TD catch this week at Arrowhead.

[TEX]

I am not very happy about my team being mentioned with these other two.


Wake-up Call: Are Browns, Cardinals and Chiefs turning the corner?

I agree. We made the playoffs last year. When was the last time the other two did? :hmmm:

[Dartgod]

I think it's quite an accomplishment that despite the fact that our O leads the league in three and outs, our defense is ranked so high. They're doing an outstanding job!

[TEX]

I think it's quite an accomplishment that despite the fact that our O leads the league in three and outs, our defense is ranked so high. They're doing an outstanding job!

Yep.

[C-Mac]

And let's give the 2-2 Chiefs some credit. Although they entered the game with the better record, they were widely regarded as a significant underdog. However, Herm Edwards has a solid defense that plays its best in crunch time; it has yet to allow a second-half touchdown this season.

:hmmm:

[JohninGpt]

:hmmm:
Oh well, they may not have entered with a better record, but they sure as hell left with one!

[trndobrd]

Well, as usual the articles are silly - but I am happy our Defense is picking it up. Let's not get crazy though, it took 2 very bad weeks of losing, and 100,000 people screaming at Herm to throw tha damn ball, before he changed his ways a little bit.


But Herm did change, and Huard went from "Checkdown Charlie" to "The Mad Bomber".

Now the question is, will Herm crawl back into his shell now that the heat is off?

[BigRedChief]

I think it's quite an accomplishment that despite the fact that our O leads the league in three and outs, our defense is ranked so high. They're doing an outstanding job!
Yeppers its like the DT led teams of the 90's. The defense is bailing out the offense.

[CupidStunt]

Like last year, the defense was always going to start off at its worst and get better all season. That's not to say we won't have a bad game or two, but we had another FIVE new starters (similar to last year), including an almost entirely new middle with Boone, Harris and the two safeties.

The unit, as a whole, has gotten a lot better as the season has progressed. A part of that which shouldn't be forgotten is that the offense is now opening up a bit and the defense isn't always on the field thinking, "we have no shot at winning, why even bother?". The defense is playing with the attitude of a winning team; it almost says to you, "we've got a lead and we sure as hell aren't giving it up".

Offensively, it's similar. The line needs to gel, especially the right side, and Huard is building confidence in and chemistry with Bowe and, to a much lesser degree, Webb.

Honestly, we're probably not a playoff team for a few reasons, but I think we all, myself absolutely included, overreacted to a bad start (which happened last year, too).

I think, come December, teams won't wanna play us, especially at Arrowhead. We might not be in the hunt, but teams that are won't look at us as an easy win.

[Extra Point]

When we become a first-half AND second-half team, when the offense matches the defense in play-making, we'll be where we need to be.

[RINGLEADER]

When we become a first-half AND second-half team, when the offense matches the defense in play-making, we'll be where we need to be.

When we get there we'll be unbeatable. Huard and the O-Line will temper those goals this year but provided we can get Jared Allen wrapped up long-term and get a stud OLT I think we'll have a great team for a couple of years.