teedubya
12-22-2009, 12:41 AM
http://uponfurtherreview.kansascity.com/?q=node/1734
A Black Hole
On Friday, I made the argument that it was the darkest day in Chiefs history. Of course that was the day they made it official that the Chiefs would be blacked out after all these years of sell-outs and home field domination. It couldn’t get any worse, but … it did. And, it was, appropriately, on the Winter Solstice (the shortest – darkest - day of the year). Well, yes, that’s technically tomorrow, but since KC isn’t invited to play on MNF (duh), today is as close as they could get.
Not only was today the official blackout day, but the Chiefs lost one of saddest games in their 50 years… to a 2-11 team… at home. You know the deal. You watched the game… Uh, ok, you probably didn’t watch it and neither did I, but I found myself following every play on line and listening to the game on radio. It was almost equivalent to vegging in front of the tube. It was definitely more cerebral.
I will be doing an analysis this week (or soon) about which are the worst Chiefs teams over the years, but you can bet 2009 will challenge for the dishonor.
Obviously, you know the Chiefs allowed two kick-off returns for touchdowns – both over 100 yards. But, that was small potatoes compared to Jerome Harrison who had the third highest rushing total in NFL history – missing Adrian Peterson’s 296 yards by only 10. Jerome Harrison is your basic average running back. He had 301 yards in 2009 before this game and he almost doubled his total. And, the 301 was the highest of his four-year career. KC’s rushing defense will probably drop from 28th to 30th or worse. Their total defense will probably drop from 30th to (dare I say it?)… 33rd.
There just isn’t much to talk about. They allowed 269 return yards by Cribbs and 286 rushing yards by Harrison. Add another 131 yards rushing and passing. The result? An abysmal defense. Who’s to blame? Obviously, Carl. He raped the organization and left it talently bankrupt. But, that’s old news. Nevertheless, I’m putting up a back-fire against the inevitable Pioli/Haley bashes.
Were there some good things? Sure. Despite being behind two possessions, they caught up and took a two possession lead. Again, they fell behind two possessions and again they caught up. But, they lost!
Yes, Charles had a “great” game rushing (154 yards), but he was only 132 short of his counterpart. Yes, Chambers had some excellent catches for 114 yards, but that gets dwarfed by Cribbs’ exploits. Yes, Cassel had a 99.1 QB rating to Quinn’s 27.7, but … the Chiefs lost! Yes, KC had a net +2 on turnovers and 491 yards on offense (their best since 2006) and scored the most points they have put on the scoreboard since 2006, but (you guessed it), they lost. They lost one of the most embarrassing games in club history. They allowed 41 points to a 2-11 team at home! I’m not sure it’s possible to get worse than that!
I’m sorry I’m so negative, but what emotion is left?
I refuse to play the what-if game. What if the receivers hadn’t dropped eight (assuming the announcers are correct) passes? (KC entered the game worst in the NFL with 39 drops). What if Haley had not used two of his timeouts during the last Cleveland drive? (I consider it the right decision). What if the first quarter fumble had been overturned? (etc.)
The bottom line is that what-ifs and 50 cents will buy you a copy of tomorrow’s Star. By the way, it’ll be a fantastic edition. Everything you ever wanted to know.
The last time Kansas City scored 34 points and lost was 1998. The last time they allowed 40+ points in three of four games was 1983. They have now allowed 400+ yards 10 times in 2009 – a record number for the franchise.
I’m passing out clothes pins if you need one.
The one saving grace is that IMO, it really cannot get worse than this. Next year almost has to be better. Whether fans will wait another year in a lousy economy??? I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out. But, so ends a really, really bad home season which ended 1-7 and included two of the three worst home defeats in club history - and that doesn't even count losing to Buffalo and Cleveland.
If you are a glass half-fuller, feel free to offer me a drink. I'm very thirsty.
A Black Hole
On Friday, I made the argument that it was the darkest day in Chiefs history. Of course that was the day they made it official that the Chiefs would be blacked out after all these years of sell-outs and home field domination. It couldn’t get any worse, but … it did. And, it was, appropriately, on the Winter Solstice (the shortest – darkest - day of the year). Well, yes, that’s technically tomorrow, but since KC isn’t invited to play on MNF (duh), today is as close as they could get.
Not only was today the official blackout day, but the Chiefs lost one of saddest games in their 50 years… to a 2-11 team… at home. You know the deal. You watched the game… Uh, ok, you probably didn’t watch it and neither did I, but I found myself following every play on line and listening to the game on radio. It was almost equivalent to vegging in front of the tube. It was definitely more cerebral.
I will be doing an analysis this week (or soon) about which are the worst Chiefs teams over the years, but you can bet 2009 will challenge for the dishonor.
Obviously, you know the Chiefs allowed two kick-off returns for touchdowns – both over 100 yards. But, that was small potatoes compared to Jerome Harrison who had the third highest rushing total in NFL history – missing Adrian Peterson’s 296 yards by only 10. Jerome Harrison is your basic average running back. He had 301 yards in 2009 before this game and he almost doubled his total. And, the 301 was the highest of his four-year career. KC’s rushing defense will probably drop from 28th to 30th or worse. Their total defense will probably drop from 30th to (dare I say it?)… 33rd.
There just isn’t much to talk about. They allowed 269 return yards by Cribbs and 286 rushing yards by Harrison. Add another 131 yards rushing and passing. The result? An abysmal defense. Who’s to blame? Obviously, Carl. He raped the organization and left it talently bankrupt. But, that’s old news. Nevertheless, I’m putting up a back-fire against the inevitable Pioli/Haley bashes.
Were there some good things? Sure. Despite being behind two possessions, they caught up and took a two possession lead. Again, they fell behind two possessions and again they caught up. But, they lost!
Yes, Charles had a “great” game rushing (154 yards), but he was only 132 short of his counterpart. Yes, Chambers had some excellent catches for 114 yards, but that gets dwarfed by Cribbs’ exploits. Yes, Cassel had a 99.1 QB rating to Quinn’s 27.7, but … the Chiefs lost! Yes, KC had a net +2 on turnovers and 491 yards on offense (their best since 2006) and scored the most points they have put on the scoreboard since 2006, but (you guessed it), they lost. They lost one of the most embarrassing games in club history. They allowed 41 points to a 2-11 team at home! I’m not sure it’s possible to get worse than that!
I’m sorry I’m so negative, but what emotion is left?
I refuse to play the what-if game. What if the receivers hadn’t dropped eight (assuming the announcers are correct) passes? (KC entered the game worst in the NFL with 39 drops). What if Haley had not used two of his timeouts during the last Cleveland drive? (I consider it the right decision). What if the first quarter fumble had been overturned? (etc.)
The bottom line is that what-ifs and 50 cents will buy you a copy of tomorrow’s Star. By the way, it’ll be a fantastic edition. Everything you ever wanted to know.
The last time Kansas City scored 34 points and lost was 1998. The last time they allowed 40+ points in three of four games was 1983. They have now allowed 400+ yards 10 times in 2009 – a record number for the franchise.
I’m passing out clothes pins if you need one.
The one saving grace is that IMO, it really cannot get worse than this. Next year almost has to be better. Whether fans will wait another year in a lousy economy??? I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out. But, so ends a really, really bad home season which ended 1-7 and included two of the three worst home defeats in club history - and that doesn't even count losing to Buffalo and Cleveland.
If you are a glass half-fuller, feel free to offer me a drink. I'm very thirsty.