Hammock Parties
09-04-2010, 04:20 AM
Now the fun begins for the Chiefs
http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/09/03/10/Now-the-fun-begins-for-the-Chiefs/landing.html?blockID=303701&feedID=5070
By Nicholas Athan
FoxSportsKansasCity.com / WarpaintIllustrated.com
Within minutes of the Chiefs 17-13 victory over the mighty Packers on Thursday night, optimism began to flow. I’m convinced after watching this team since the opening day of training camp at the end of July, that this team will be better than the one we saw a year ago.
To some, that might not be saying much. But I don’t care. I’m going to drink a heavy dose of the Chiefs Kool-Aid. In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb. This team will win…. Nope you’re going to have to wait until the end of the article for that answer.
In the interim, it’s very obvious that the Chiefs are an improved football team. They are better in every phase of the game and they have the coaching staff to get the most out of every player on the 53-man roster.
Offensively, despite an average preseason showing by Quarterback Matt Cassel, this team is going to run over its opponents. In the preseason, they averaged over 150 yards rushing. They have arguably the best foursome of running backs in the NFL.
Veteran Thomas Jones leads the way with speedsters Jamaal Charles, Dexter McCluster and goal line specialist Jackie Battle. Opposing defensive coordinators are going to go sleepless trying to scheme a defense that’s going to stop this group of runners.
In fact, it’s almost unfair. Because if opposing defenses think they can put eight men in the box to stop KC’s lethal rushing attack, they’re going to be sadly mistaken. Because when they gamble, the Chiefs are going to gain even bigger chunks of yards by bouncing outside.
If that does happen, Cassel will have the ability to suck the defense in by using play actions passes that could result in big gains by his receivers and tight ends. That strong running game should help the young quarterbacks’ confidence to slice open a defense if it’s relying on playing man on man coverage down the field. It will also make his new offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, look even smarter than he already is.
But the key for the Chiefs might rest along the offensive line. They’ve been an under-achieving group the last four seasons. However in short order, they’re evolving into an efficient unit.
On Thursday night, the continued development of right tackle Barry Richardson could be the final building block. He’s taken advantage of the injury to Ryan O’Callaghan. There’s no question Richardson is better but he’s really never been given a chance until now to show he can be a starter.
Lastly if the receivers can rid themselves of the stigma of dropping balls at a record pace like they did a year ago, guys like Dwayne Bowe and rookie Dexter McCluster might elevate this offense to a level we’ve not seen around these parts since Dick Vermeil was the head coach.
Defensively you can already see the impact Romeo Crennel has had on this football team. He’s already come to grips with the fact his defensive line isn’t going to provide many sacks this year. So he’s had to improvise.
As we’ve seen in the teams final two preseason games, he’s going to unleash his linebackers to blitz the quarterback. In the preseason this group had five sacks, three of them from Demorrio Williams. Crennel can afford to be aggressive with his backers thanks to a very young but very talented secondary led by rookie safety Eric Berry and third year corners Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr.
In short order, he’s convinced veteran linebackers Mike Vrabel, Derrick Johnson, Corey Mays, Tamba Hali, Andy Studebaker and the aforementioned Williams to trust the scheme. He’s convinced them when they attack that this defense is at its very best.
And if that’s not enough to get you pumped for the regular season opener a week from Monday, then just think about the potential of the Chiefs special teams.
With the addition of talented rookie return men, Javier Arenas and Dexter McCluster, it’s clear each possesses the ability to bring it to the house every time they touch the ball.
Simply put the Chiefs have a luxury with Arenas and McCluster that doesn’t exist on any other NFL roster. And because of their homerun abilities, they’re going to help Kansas City win the battle of field position. Which should directly lead this team to more wins than losses in 2010.
So how many games will Kansas City win this year?
I’ll answer that two ways.
If the Chiefs can win their season opener on Monday Night against the San Diego Chargers, they’re a lock to win nine games.
But if they lay an egg in primetime, count me in for seven victories.
http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/09/03/10/Now-the-fun-begins-for-the-Chiefs/landing.html?blockID=303701&feedID=5070
By Nicholas Athan
FoxSportsKansasCity.com / WarpaintIllustrated.com
Within minutes of the Chiefs 17-13 victory over the mighty Packers on Thursday night, optimism began to flow. I’m convinced after watching this team since the opening day of training camp at the end of July, that this team will be better than the one we saw a year ago.
To some, that might not be saying much. But I don’t care. I’m going to drink a heavy dose of the Chiefs Kool-Aid. In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb. This team will win…. Nope you’re going to have to wait until the end of the article for that answer.
In the interim, it’s very obvious that the Chiefs are an improved football team. They are better in every phase of the game and they have the coaching staff to get the most out of every player on the 53-man roster.
Offensively, despite an average preseason showing by Quarterback Matt Cassel, this team is going to run over its opponents. In the preseason, they averaged over 150 yards rushing. They have arguably the best foursome of running backs in the NFL.
Veteran Thomas Jones leads the way with speedsters Jamaal Charles, Dexter McCluster and goal line specialist Jackie Battle. Opposing defensive coordinators are going to go sleepless trying to scheme a defense that’s going to stop this group of runners.
In fact, it’s almost unfair. Because if opposing defenses think they can put eight men in the box to stop KC’s lethal rushing attack, they’re going to be sadly mistaken. Because when they gamble, the Chiefs are going to gain even bigger chunks of yards by bouncing outside.
If that does happen, Cassel will have the ability to suck the defense in by using play actions passes that could result in big gains by his receivers and tight ends. That strong running game should help the young quarterbacks’ confidence to slice open a defense if it’s relying on playing man on man coverage down the field. It will also make his new offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, look even smarter than he already is.
But the key for the Chiefs might rest along the offensive line. They’ve been an under-achieving group the last four seasons. However in short order, they’re evolving into an efficient unit.
On Thursday night, the continued development of right tackle Barry Richardson could be the final building block. He’s taken advantage of the injury to Ryan O’Callaghan. There’s no question Richardson is better but he’s really never been given a chance until now to show he can be a starter.
Lastly if the receivers can rid themselves of the stigma of dropping balls at a record pace like they did a year ago, guys like Dwayne Bowe and rookie Dexter McCluster might elevate this offense to a level we’ve not seen around these parts since Dick Vermeil was the head coach.
Defensively you can already see the impact Romeo Crennel has had on this football team. He’s already come to grips with the fact his defensive line isn’t going to provide many sacks this year. So he’s had to improvise.
As we’ve seen in the teams final two preseason games, he’s going to unleash his linebackers to blitz the quarterback. In the preseason this group had five sacks, three of them from Demorrio Williams. Crennel can afford to be aggressive with his backers thanks to a very young but very talented secondary led by rookie safety Eric Berry and third year corners Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr.
In short order, he’s convinced veteran linebackers Mike Vrabel, Derrick Johnson, Corey Mays, Tamba Hali, Andy Studebaker and the aforementioned Williams to trust the scheme. He’s convinced them when they attack that this defense is at its very best.
And if that’s not enough to get you pumped for the regular season opener a week from Monday, then just think about the potential of the Chiefs special teams.
With the addition of talented rookie return men, Javier Arenas and Dexter McCluster, it’s clear each possesses the ability to bring it to the house every time they touch the ball.
Simply put the Chiefs have a luxury with Arenas and McCluster that doesn’t exist on any other NFL roster. And because of their homerun abilities, they’re going to help Kansas City win the battle of field position. Which should directly lead this team to more wins than losses in 2010.
So how many games will Kansas City win this year?
I’ll answer that two ways.
If the Chiefs can win their season opener on Monday Night against the San Diego Chargers, they’re a lock to win nine games.
But if they lay an egg in primetime, count me in for seven victories.