Tribal Warfare
08-28-2010, 01:11 AM
Chiefs preseason blitz
(http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/27/2182379/chiefs-preseason-blitz.html)
Highlight
When outside linebacker Andy Studebaker sacked Philadelphia’s Kevin Kolb in the second quarter — the second time Studebaker got to Kolb on Friday — it seemed to energize the Chiefs and the home crowd. The Eagles punted, and Kansas City responded with a 16-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a touchdown.
Lowlight
Running back Jamaal Charles fumbled on the Chiefs’ first play, the second time in two weeks that Kansas City’s opening possession was soured by a running back’s fumble. Thomas Jones lost the ball last week at Tampa Bay, and that mistake turned into a Buccaneers field goal. After Charles’ fumble Friday, the team surrendered a touchdown. Charles injured his arm in the second quarter and didn’t return.
What we learned
The Chiefs’ defense has some life in it yet. A week after the first-team defense looked lethargic against Tampa Bay, Kansas City’s defenders were energized and fast at home against the Eagles. The Chiefs entered Friday with zero sacks and zero takeaways in two games; they had five sacks and an interception against Philadelphia.
Next question
Can the defense keep this up? Friday’s performance was impressive, and that’s the kind of game the Chiefs need — particularly from lesser-known defenders such as Studebaker and Dion Gales, who also got to the quarterback in Kansas City’s five-sack evening. If the backups are doing this, that puts pressure on the starters — while they’re still starters, anyway.
The hot seat
Derrick Johnson had a good game, but his performance was lost in how well weak-side inside linebacker Demorrio Williams played against Philadelphia. Williams had two sacks and five tackles, the kind of game that could vault him past Johnson on the depth chart — again.
Stock watch
•Going up: Outside linebacker Andy Studebaker had two sacks in the first half, and that’s a big deal for a team that didn’t get to the quarterback in either of its previous two preseason games. Studebaker, in his third year, has been outstanding this preseason, and though Mike Vrabel remains the starter, Studebaker could make things interesting if he keeps this up.
•Going down: Left tackle Branden Albert was whistled for two holding penalties, and that was reminiscent of some of the forgettable performances he had in 2009. Albert, in his third year, hasn’t drawn much attention this preseason, usually a good sign for a blocker, but Friday night he got plenty of disappointed looks from his sideline.
•Staying the same: Quarterback Matt Cassel wasn’t bad, and he wasn’t great. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 85 yards, and he passed for one touchdown and threw one interception. Cassel’s performance resembled so many of his games last season, when he was just OK. The Chiefs need better from their quarterback if they are to make noticeable progress on offense.
(http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/27/2182379/chiefs-preseason-blitz.html)
Highlight
When outside linebacker Andy Studebaker sacked Philadelphia’s Kevin Kolb in the second quarter — the second time Studebaker got to Kolb on Friday — it seemed to energize the Chiefs and the home crowd. The Eagles punted, and Kansas City responded with a 16-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a touchdown.
Lowlight
Running back Jamaal Charles fumbled on the Chiefs’ first play, the second time in two weeks that Kansas City’s opening possession was soured by a running back’s fumble. Thomas Jones lost the ball last week at Tampa Bay, and that mistake turned into a Buccaneers field goal. After Charles’ fumble Friday, the team surrendered a touchdown. Charles injured his arm in the second quarter and didn’t return.
What we learned
The Chiefs’ defense has some life in it yet. A week after the first-team defense looked lethargic against Tampa Bay, Kansas City’s defenders were energized and fast at home against the Eagles. The Chiefs entered Friday with zero sacks and zero takeaways in two games; they had five sacks and an interception against Philadelphia.
Next question
Can the defense keep this up? Friday’s performance was impressive, and that’s the kind of game the Chiefs need — particularly from lesser-known defenders such as Studebaker and Dion Gales, who also got to the quarterback in Kansas City’s five-sack evening. If the backups are doing this, that puts pressure on the starters — while they’re still starters, anyway.
The hot seat
Derrick Johnson had a good game, but his performance was lost in how well weak-side inside linebacker Demorrio Williams played against Philadelphia. Williams had two sacks and five tackles, the kind of game that could vault him past Johnson on the depth chart — again.
Stock watch
•Going up: Outside linebacker Andy Studebaker had two sacks in the first half, and that’s a big deal for a team that didn’t get to the quarterback in either of its previous two preseason games. Studebaker, in his third year, has been outstanding this preseason, and though Mike Vrabel remains the starter, Studebaker could make things interesting if he keeps this up.
•Going down: Left tackle Branden Albert was whistled for two holding penalties, and that was reminiscent of some of the forgettable performances he had in 2009. Albert, in his third year, hasn’t drawn much attention this preseason, usually a good sign for a blocker, but Friday night he got plenty of disappointed looks from his sideline.
•Staying the same: Quarterback Matt Cassel wasn’t bad, and he wasn’t great. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 85 yards, and he passed for one touchdown and threw one interception. Cassel’s performance resembled so many of his games last season, when he was just OK. The Chiefs need better from their quarterback if they are to make noticeable progress on offense.