Ten Things About Today's Game
 

Ten Things About Today's Game

10. Took me awhile to sit down and compose my thought tonight. Mrs. Blowfish is not feeling well. She went to the game today -against my advice- and tonight she is paying for it. Nothing too serious, but I appreciate all the good thoughts sent her way. She didn't want to miss this game. This was the biggest upset of the NFL season, and a great example of why I never bet real money on NFL football. Needless to say, the 35,000 plus Cheese Heads in attendance were sent home with a taste of Arrowhead Magic Limberger. I actually like Packers fans. I admire them, they're not dill holes like Donk fans and not criminals like Faider fans. They're generally good folks and I didn't see any problems in the stands today. It was just a good hard fought game, and a big huge upset for the "home team."

9. I've been watching the replay of the game, and I can tell you first hand, this game was poorly officiated for both teams. For the Pack: The second OPI penalty on Nelson was total BS. And Pope may have fumbled a ball out of the back of the end zone. Packers should have red flagged that play and checked it closer. Chiefs were flagged more than the Packers. Packers should have been called for holding and hands to the face on both Hali and Houston or five or six different occasions. The holding on Hali was extreme and obvious all day long. Hali still managed to get three sacks, and he was a disruptive force all day. Orton was hit late several times, especially on the third and goal play that led to KC's first field goal. Matthews hit him real late on the pass to McClain, and the ref looked the other way. If we hit Rodgers like that, it's a sure roughing penalty, no doubt about it.

8. The Chiefs did some pretty stupid stuff today. Roughing the punter, twelve men on the field to give a second FG attempt -Crosby missed them both-, and leaving Finley open all day. Finley was thrown ten balls and only caught three. It could have been much worse. Finley had Slappy Pistachio beat in the end zone and just missed him by a finger nail. I know Jennings was out, but Driver is an All-Pro guy. KC's corners played tough man to man all day long, and made it work. Big props to our Brandons. They played one Hell of a game today.

7. Tamba Hali is the best rusher we've had since DT. He is relentless and he gives you everything he's got every week. I have come to really admire him as one of the greats. He'll be a ring of honor guy. DJ was outstanding stopping the run. Both of these guys should be All-Pro for 2011. Houston has a lot of work to do on pass coverage. But he should come a long way next year. If we can upgrade Belcher, we could have one of the best sets of four linebackers in the AFC next season. Belcher got pushed around today, and Grant ran right past him several times.

6. I'll admit I really didn't like it when Pioli signed Orton. He's an ex-Donk. I hate Donks. But he is a legit NFL veteran QB, and he played a gutsy, inspired game today. I tip my hat to him. I think since he was a former Bear QB, he's used to seeing Green Bay, and it's no big deal for him. On the sideline he showed some fire. He went to all the B's -Bowe, Breaston and Baldwin- and talked with them all during the game about routes, and what was going on from series to series. He was much more involved than Cassel. During the season, Cassel would always come to the bench, look at the end zone still pictures with Zorn, and rarely speak to any of his receivers. The other thing was Orton was on target. He hit guys between the numbers, or hit them in stride. He hit Pope wide open twice for 72 total yards; hit Becht for a big drive sustaining pass on the TD drive late, and guys like Bowe and Breaston fought for yards after the catch. Ten different Chiefs caught passes today. This game was important to Orton's future, as I'm sure he wants to improve his free agent stock with an eye towards 2012. Whether he stays or goes, he earned his money today with a truly memorable performance.

5. Whoever was calling the plays today, whether that was Grandpa Muir or Zorn, KC did a much better job making positive yards on first down. We were at second and six or second and five a bunch. KC got 23 first downs. With Palko, we've been constantly in second and nine or ten or worse, Better success on first down was key to the Chiefs drives. And since the Chiefs rarely went three and out, the defense was able to rest, and shut the Packers out for the first half for the first time this season. KC was only forced to punt twice. Today was Rodgers worst season day for passing yards (235 total yards) and the season's lowest QB rating at 80.1. He didn't get a lot of help early, Packers receivers dropped five passes in the first half alone.

4. Special teams were a bit of a mixed bag today. On the plus. Succop was money. He was four out of four, including a tough 47-yard line drive after a dangerously high snap from Gafford. Arenas misjudged a punt that ended up being a 71-yard roller for Green Bay, and KC still seems to hold on punt returns over and over again. This is all not to mention Horne's roughing the punter penalty. How in the Hell did he miss blocking that ball, anyway?

3. From my seat on the sideline, I can tell you who is into it and who isn't. Today I saw tremendous fire from Brandon Albert. I think he realizes that pretty soon he's going to be the old man on the line. Next year Lilja and Weigman will probably be gone; Richardson will be gone or a backup. Hudson will be center, and we'll probably have a rookie or free agent tackle and guard in the mix. Albert needs to be a leader. I think he gets that now. Breaston played with a lot of heart for yards after catch. Bowe was blocking downfield. I think these guys wanted to show Romeo and the rest of the NFL that they were pros, and that Arrowhead is our house -even with 35,000 Cheese heads in the stands.

2. Romeo got a Gatorade bath from Hali and Houston. I saw a lot of joy on the sidelines. I think the guys really wanted to win this one for Romeo. I also noticed the coaches on the sidelines were much more engaged and hands on during this game. I think Emmitt Thomas and some of the other defensive coaches were stepping it up with the defensive guys because Romeo now has a lot more on his plate. Should Romeo be our head coach next year? Jury is still out, but this is a great opening act, that there is no denying. I worry about Romeo's age and health.

1. It might be a good thing for the Packers that they finally lost one, The undefeated pressure is now off of them. The Packers have a lot of problems. They can't stop the run. They lost two starting offensive linemen today, and once those guys went out, Rodgers was running for his life. Green Bay will probably be the number one seed in the NFC, but they need the next two weeks to heal up. It wouldn't surprise me if they lose another one before the playoffs start. BTW: KC is very good against the NFC at Arrowhead, and this year, we went 3-1 against the NFC North, only losing in Week Two to Detroit on the road. Maybe the AFC West isn't so awful after all? Also, remember back to pre-season, and how bad the Packers made the Chiefs look in September? So sweet to beat them when it counts, and to ruin their perfect season. Christmas Eve against the Raiders now has some real meaning. I hope the Chiefs faithful will pack the house. We owe the Raiders after losing to them here in Arrowhead the last couple years. Sweeping them would be as sweet as the win today, maybe even sweeter.

Love reading these. Hope the mrs gets better.
Go chiefs!

Really hoping Crennel gets the job. The players will play their asses off for him.

As always another great read George.

Makes a world of difference when the head coaching isn't an ill-accomplished douchebag with a penchant for being a dick.

It was a battle of the fans today too. We had to be close to half and half. Whenever they would chant Go Pack Go, a bunch of people started chanting Go Chiefs Go in order to drown them out. Today was a lot of fun. Win was icing on the cake.

Hope Mrs Blowfish starts feeling better too.

On point, as usual. This was, without a doubt, the best Chiefs game I ever attended.

This.


If the players are gonna give effort like this for Romeo, its gonna be tough not to bring him back.

If we could bring in a good OC and a DC that has the same beliefs as Romeo...I dunno I'm still riding a high from today.

I do know that the Chiefs played their balls of for him today and he concocted a scheme that held a team averaging 35 points a game to 14.

No one has done that to the Packers this year.

As always a good write up.

Here is the thing.

People want to make a lot of players wanting to play hard for Crennel or talk him up.

I have zero issue with that but against popular opinion I don't see that as a knock on Haley judged at face value.

Here is why-

You work somewhere and your boss gets fired. You like your boss but he just got shit canned.

Now you have another manager who you have liked as well and he may replace your old boss as opposed to a new boss you don't know.


Who do you root for to be the new boss? It is a no brainer but does that mean you hate the old boss?

Good stuff, Mr. gblowfish.

Sometimes I wish I was a mult.

FAX

New boss same as the old boss.

Still, I think that when an organization fires somebody important, it garners the attention of everybody else.

FAX

Hope the Mrs is feeling better soon! She's a tropper for being out there and supportin our beloved Chiefs!
Great facts and solid points (: I hope all Arrows (see what I did there, Chiefs, Arrows... Gosh I'm to funny) point up :D

Good writeup George. Best wishes to Mrs. Blowfish.

The biggest thing I took from this is that Orton is average. Mediocre. Not really special. However, he is so much better than anyone we've trotted out this year it is damn embarrassing. We picked up a scrub off waivers after 2/3 of the season and he is lightyears ahead of our $60M starter. Embarrassing.

This, good take dude.

However as management when you see the workers work that hard for the replacement, what are you likely to do?

Outside of Orton I saw the same effort.

Haley needed to go I get that.

Was he the biggest issue? Not at this point.

Hope the Mrs. gets better!

Another good read!

I believe each gave up a quick slant, and nothing more. Pretty impressive against a talented GB squad.

NFC Central? What millennium are you living in George?

Right you are. I should have called it the "Norris Division." It's NFC North now.

Aw I'm just funnin' ya. Glad you got treated to a good game after all the garbage you've been served up at Arrowhead as of late. Best to the Mrs as well.

I always look forward to reading your "Ten Things" .... Excellent as always....Great W by KC...and QB play today was $$. Romeo moved up in my book. Really enjoyed being a Chiefs fan today.

All the best to your wifey, Mr. gblowfish.
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Good stuff, as always, George.

Best wishes to the ball and chain.

The only thing I would have like to have seen was to kick the FG at around the 2:00 marker in the first half. I know it was gutsy to go for it, and maybe I'm so used to conservative play as to take the points when you can get them, but I would have kicked that one, and then went for it when we were in a similar situation in the third quarter.

Brandon Flowers played awesome today, never was mentioned the entire game

Jermy Horne is a waste of space. That was one of the ugliest attempts I have seen and this from a guy who has spent two years on special teams.

I think it's great the players tried really hard for Romeo today... But I disagree with the notion that makes it a good reason to retain him as head coach in 2012 for the following reasons:
1. Players are paid premium dollar to play hard every Sunday. If a guy isn't trying hard, get rid of him. He's not part of the right 53.
2. Anybody can get players to play hard for game #1. Doesn't mean those same players are going to put it all out on the field for game #28. Sustain that motivation in years 3, 4, 5 and 6. How are you going to do that, Romeo?

Excellent write up as always!!! I to look forward to reading each week, take good care of the wifey!

I was kinda leaning towards the "Hiring Crennel as permanent HC" notion before todays win. Not that there aren't other coaching candidates I would like to see here. But I think he's probably one of the best choices that Pioli would be comfortable with.

Couldn't agree more. That guys motor is incredible.

As always, your review is excellent!
:clap:

I've been thinking about the officiating during the game. Blowfish has said over and over, 'win and you get the calls,' or some or something similar. But that wasn't really the case, in fact, I commented in the chat that maybe Mercury Morris paid off the refs. Hali got held bad, like usual, but that's really the only bad call going our way that I can remember. In fact, the OPI calls going against Green Bay were bad. Really bad.

It was really weird. Normally we can count on bad calls at opportune times, like the OPI calls, or roughing the passer against a big time QB, or defensive holding or some crap.

Not saying I'm ready to go all tin foil hat, but it is definitely a dissent from what we are used to.

I want to see how we do vs the Raiders and Donks in our last two games before deciding whether Romeo should be the guy, or if we should broaden the coaching search. I think Romeo would be OK, but I worry about his age and health. He's not in as bad a shape as Charlie Weis, but pretty close.

:I may not be as good as I once was, but I am as good once as I ever was" What is there to make us believe that Romeo isn't the same guy who finished 4-12, 4-12, 6-10, and 10-6 in Cleveland. He is a great Defensive coordinator, but what evidence is there that that translates into a good HC. Yesterday was an amazingly called game. Possibly the best executed gameplan by the Chiefs in years.

If they win out, it is going to be tough not to give him the job, but even so, Carson Palmer and Tebow aren't the best measuring sticks. I am pulling for him.

... that Romeo frankly admitted he had little or nothing to do with. Of course, that could be false humility.

I like Romeo. If he can string just a couple of wins together, he'll probably be our next HC since he's one of a very few people who fit the criteria people are assuming Pioli will require.

But I think the Chiefs need a young head coach who can grow and stay with the team for a sustained period of time. My only problem with Romeo is that he's old. And round. Very, very round.

FAX

He's calorically challenged.

How do you feel about Jay Gruden?

Embarrassing, yes. However, I'd take Orton over at least 14 Week 15 starters in the NFL. The entire league is suffering from a severe quality-QB drought.

I know a lot of people are concerned with Romeos age but I think one difference may be that this team is very assistant coach heavy. I believe Romeo made some good fundamental changes in the team during the week that helped the team. I think Romeo can succeed if he isn't burdened with too much coaching responsability.

Team played their ass off for a coach they respect. I hope pioli finally gets that

The Chiefs front office has already been accused of age discrimination, so hiring old guys doesn't match their corporate culture right now. They might be forced to make an exception in this case.

The warm glow of victory is like unto an airbrush filter which masks the ugly wart of reality on the tittah of truth. Remember that, guys. It will serve you well.

When the offense gets first downs, the defense can rest. When the defense rests, the defense doesn't get as tired and can bring the freaking pain. When the offense scores points after time-consuming drives, it gets even better.

I give this game ball to Orton, frankly.

FAX

The "Tittah of Truth?"

This team has a lot of weapons on offense it could be that all we needed was a guy who could read defenses and get the ball to the guys who are open.

Game Pictures from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel can be seen here:
http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/p...135825823.html

Another great read.

Hope MrsGBlowfish gets to feeling better.

That's good, Mr. gblowfish. Real good.

But it's better if you remember the whole thing and not just that part.

FAX

Is it true before the game started that someone shouted, "Have fun storming the castle."

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZO-jweRZje...iracle+Max.jpg

Thanks for another great write up George. If I only read one thread every week, this is it. Best wishes to the Mrs as well, and Merry Christmas.

good read ... again ......

Did you see that part where the QB threw the ball forward? That was awesome.

And often. REP.

Always appreciate your insight, my man. Hope the Mrs. is feeling better real soon!

I'm just saying... if every team in the afc west ends 8-8 after their above average schedules, they are an above-average division with parity amongst its members.

One thing I'm noticing KC i using two down lineman sets more, and thus rushing Houston more.