ChiefsPlanet - Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs' first-team offense shows up New Orleans Saints' 3-4 defense

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf...irst_team.html

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Kansas City Chiefs' first-team offense shows up New Orleans Saints' 3-4 defense

Kansas City Chiefs first-year coach Andy Reid had his script for the first few offensive series all figured way before Friday night's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.

But not even he dared believe it could have gone so smoothly despite the 17-13 loss.

Facing the Saints' new-look 3-4 defense under first-year defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, the Chiefs first-team offense moved the ball with incredible ease and efficiency during their opening drive at the Merecedes-Benz Superdome.

With quarterback Alex Smith, fresh off being dealt from the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, in control the Chiefs put together an impressive 14-play, 80-yard opening drive that ended 6:23 later when running back Jamaal Charles slammed up the middle for a one-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.

"I think we all draw them up that way, not that they all turn out that way," said Reid, who came to Kansas City this offseason from the Philadelphia Eagles. "I thought it was important.

"They have a defense they have put a lot of emphasis on getting them going. Rob has spent a lot of time working with them. I figured they would be ready to go and give us a great challenge, and they did."

But it was almost stunning to see the relative ease with which the Chiefs moved the ball against a Saints defense that has been the emphasis of improvement since Ryan took over. In the first couple of series, however, it seemed like more of the same from last season as the Chiefs took a 10-0 lead after their first two offensive possessions.

Still the most shocking was the opening series when the Saints' defensive first team stood toe-to-toe with the Chiefs' first team and was picked apart.

Smith, who played only the first series, completed 7 of 8 passes for 68 yards and finished with a 102.1 rating. The Chiefs converted six first downs in the opening drive with Smith taking advantage of receiving targets like tight end Anthony Fasano, receiver Dexter McCluster but mostly to Charles out of the backfield.

In fact, Charles's 13-yard reception over the middle to the 1-yard line on third down set up the first touchdown to end a drive where the Chiefs converted just two third downs.

"We've been working hard, extremely hard," Smith said of the Chiefs' offensive efficiency. "Our defense has pushed us and given us a lot of different looks."

Reid said he was more pleased than surprised at offenses' efficiency in the opening drive in which the Saints' defense seemed completely out of synch.

"It's the first game, you don't know quite what to expect," Reid said. "You are expecting the best and the guys did that. I think they came out and did a pretty good job.

"I don't know if it surprises me, they been doing it in camp and it was nice to see them carry it over here."

The Chiefs weren't nearly as efficient on the second series of the night when former Saints backup quarterback Chase Daniel took over. But they didn't need to be after McCluster's 55-yard punt return all but put the Chiefs in range for Ryan Succoup's 42-yard field goal four plays later.

"It was a good start," Smith said. "You envision a situation like this to come out strong. You had a lot of components there, we moved the ball well, converted some third downs, got down there in a goal-line situation and punched it in. I thought we did a good job of mixing up the run and pass. It was a great start for us."

I love reading opposing teams' perspectives when trying to get a read on how your team did. I thought the bolded part was pretty neat to read, so I posted the article.