Playing down to their level? -Jag.com - Page 2

C-Mac · 10-06-2007, 07:22 AM

http://www.jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=6367
Playing down to their level?
At home, KC is a cut above

By Vic Ketchman, jaguars.com senior editor
10/03/07

If this was one of those cloudless, 70-degree days in January, I could understand it. Those kinds of blissful days, when most of the rest of the country is layered by snow, have a way of making you feel a cut above. So what’s the excuse this week?

How is that we have the audacity to be so smug to suggest that the Jaguars have to avoid playing down to the level of their competition this Sunday? It certainly can’t be because of the weather, unless, of course, you have an affection for flooded yards, leaky roofs and torrential rains that moved in off the ocean as though the sea was attempting to relocate.

Smug? About what? One win in Denver?

Hey, folks, take a look around. Kansas City is number three in defense. They’re coming off a win at San Diego, which had the league’s best record last season. The Chiefs are 2-2, on a two-game winning streak and tied for the AFC West lead. They’ve won seven of their last eight home games, one of which was against the Jaguars, and they are 9-2 at Arrowhead in the month of October since 2002.

“Big challenge on the road,” Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said. “They have playmakers. They have one of the elite running backs in the league. It’s rare that you see such a combination of power and speed,” Del Rio said, referring to Larry Johnson, the league’s second-leading rusher last season.

Have we forgotten what Johnson did to the Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium on last New Year’s Eve? He rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns; caught five passes for 22 yards.

The Chiefs have a playmaking linebacker in Derrick Johnson, two high-energy defensive ends in Jared Allen and Tamba Hali, and Ty Law and Patrick Surtain represent one of the league’s better cornerback tandems.

They have something on offense now that they didn’t have last season: a big-time speed receiver. That’s what rookie Dwayne Bowe is. He’s caught 18 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns, and his speed opens the field for Johnson to run between the tackles.

So what’s with the smugness? Somebody please tell me why the Chiefs represent a level beneath the Jaguars. All I see is a big-time challenge in one of the league’s toughest places to play.

Apparently, however, that’s not the consensus opinion because the most asked question during media time in the Jaguars locker room on Wednesday was about the Jaguars’ penchant for playing down to the level of their competition. Apparently, this one has already been put into the win column.

Forget about it. You don’t waltz into Arrowhead Stadium and claim victory without playing your best football. Maybe Damon Huard doesn’t make your heart beat faster, but Herman Edwards has the Chiefs playing his kind of football and the one thing that was clearly evident in Del Rio’s tone of voice is his regard for Johnson.

The Chiefs are going to pound the ball at the Jaguars on Sunday. They’re going to try to do what the Titans did. Then, after a lot of pounding, they’re going to put it in, take it out and throw it downfield for Bowe. It’s called play-action football and it’s what teams do that have a big-time between-the-tackles running back who can make safeties peek, and a big-time speed receiver who can makes safeties that peek pay the price.

Smug? Play down to their level? That’s not the attitude that’s going to win for the Jaguars on Sunday. This is a Chiefs team on the rise and they have always been a cut above in Arrowhead.

RP_McMurphy · 10-06-2007, 03:38 PM

If your a realistic Jaguar fan you should know that the Jaguars leave you scratching your head at times. In all honesty as a Jaguars fan I don't know which team will show up Sunday. It could be the one that beat the hell out of the Colts last year or it could be the one that couldn't beat the Texans at all last year.

KChiefs1 · 10-06-2007, 03:43 PM

At least some Jag writers get it.

keg in kc · 10-06-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP_McMurphy

If your a realistic Jaguar fan you should know that the Jaguars leave you scratching your head at times. In all honesty as a Jaguars fan I don't know which team will show up Sunday. It could be the one that beat the hell out of the Colts last year or it could be the one that couldn't beat the Texans at all last year.

One of the reasons I see them as sort of a mirror-image of KC...

I'm mystified why virtually everyone nationally (including Vegas) is chalking this down as an automatic Jags victory. You'd think in a game with two teams that are so similar, the edge should go to the one playing on their home field.

KChiefs1 · 10-06-2007, 04:06 PM

Is this all about having Damon Huard as the Chiefs QB?

**Easy 6** · 10-06-2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Is this all about having Damon Huard as the Chiefs QB?

IMO, its that & a combination of other meaningless factors.

Yeah, Garrards having a good year so far...but Huard had an equally solid year in 06 & looks to be rounding into that form again.

LJ & TG alone should garner this team more headlines than it gets, i honestly dont get it.

6-7 335 · 10-06-2007, 05:58 PM

As a Jags fan.. I say the Chiefs should beat us at Arrowhead. I am surprised by us being the favorite.. but some people are acting as though we're 10 point favorites..

Its gonna be a good game. Clashing, crashing, bashing.. Leave the finesse at the door. These teams are gonna beat down on each other.

Can't wait.

RP_McMurphy · 10-07-2007, 08:13 AM

Vic Ketchum is not repeat not ever a homer. He has total independence from the Jaguars and is allowed to write as to what he see's as the truth. He is not a house organ like all the hacks that write for the Chiefs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

At least some Jag writers get it.

10-06-2007, 07:22 AM
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $-1156301	Playing down to their level? -Jag.com http://www.jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=6367 Playing down to their level? At home, KC is a cut above By Vic Ketchman, jaguars.com senior editor 10/03/07 If this was one of those cloudless, 70-degree days in January, I could understand it. Those kinds of blissful days, when most of the rest of the country is layered by snow, have a way of making you feel a cut above. So what’s the excuse this week? How is that we have the audacity to be so smug to suggest that the Jaguars have to avoid playing down to the level of their competition this Sunday? It certainly can’t be because of the weather, unless, of course, you have an affection for flooded yards, leaky roofs and torrential rains that moved in off the ocean as though the sea was attempting to relocate. Smug? About what? One win in Denver? Hey, folks, take a look around. Kansas City is number three in defense. They’re coming off a win at San Diego, which had the league’s best record last season. The Chiefs are 2-2, on a two-game winning streak and tied for the AFC West lead. They’ve won seven of their last eight home games, one of which was against the Jaguars, and they are 9-2 at Arrowhead in the month of October since 2002. “Big challenge on the road,” Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said. “They have playmakers. They have one of the elite running backs in the league. It’s rare that you see such a combination of power and speed,” Del Rio said, referring to Larry Johnson, the league’s second-leading rusher last season. Have we forgotten what Johnson did to the Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium on last New Year’s Eve? He rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns; caught five passes for 22 yards. The Chiefs have a playmaking linebacker in Derrick Johnson, two high-energy defensive ends in Jared Allen and Tamba Hali, and Ty Law and Patrick Surtain represent one of the league’s better cornerback tandems. They have something on offense now that they didn’t have last season: a big-time speed receiver. That’s what rookie Dwayne Bowe is. He’s caught 18 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns, and his speed opens the field for Johnson to run between the tackles. So what’s with the smugness? Somebody please tell me why the Chiefs represent a level beneath the Jaguars. All I see is a big-time challenge in one of the league’s toughest places to play. Apparently, however, that’s not the consensus opinion because the most asked question during media time in the Jaguars locker room on Wednesday was about the Jaguars’ penchant for playing down to the level of their competition. Apparently, this one has already been put into the win column. Forget about it. You don’t waltz into Arrowhead Stadium and claim victory without playing your best football. Maybe Damon Huard doesn’t make your heart beat faster, but Herman Edwards has the Chiefs playing his kind of football and the one thing that was clearly evident in Del Rio’s tone of voice is his regard for Johnson. The Chiefs are going to pound the ball at the Jaguars on Sunday. They’re going to try to do what the Titans did. Then, after a lot of pounding, they’re going to put it in, take it out and throw it downfield for Bowe. It’s called play-action football and it’s what teams do that have a big-time between-the-tackles running back who can make safeties peek, and a big-time speed receiver who can makes safeties that peek pay the price. Smug? Play down to their level? That’s not the attitude that’s going to win for the Jaguars on Sunday. This is a Chiefs team on the rise and they have always been a cut above in Arrowhead.
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10-06-2007, 03:38 PM	#16
RP_McMurphy Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Excelsior Springs, Mo Casino cash: $10004900	If your a realistic Jaguar fan you should know that the Jaguars leave you scratching your head at times. In all honesty as a Jaguars fan I don't know which team will show up Sunday. It could be the one that beat the hell out of the Colts last year or it could be the one that couldn't beat the Texans at all last year. __________________ United States Navy December 3rd, 1986- December 31st, 2006 USS Brumby (FF-1044) June 87- March 89 USS Nicholson (DD-982) May 89-February 90 USS Elmer Montgomery (FF-1082) February 90-February 92 Naval War College April 92-July 95 USS Gettysburg (CG-64) October 95- January 00 Fleet Training Center Mayport January 00-October 00 USS Nassau (LHA-4) October 00-October 02 Naval Reserve Center Kansas City January 03- January 06 USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) February 06- December 06
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10-06-2007, 03:43 PM	#17
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	At least some Jag writers get it. __________________
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10-06-2007, 04:06 PM	#19
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	Is this all about having Damon Huard as the Chiefs QB? __________________
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10-06-2007, 05:58 PM	#21
6-7 335 Starter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DUVAL COUNTY! Casino cash: $10004900	As a Jags fan.. I say the Chiefs should beat us at Arrowhead. I am surprised by us being the favorite.. but some people are acting as though we're 10 point favorites.. Its gonna be a good game. Clashing, crashing, bashing.. Leave the finesse at the door. These teams are gonna beat down on each other. Can't wait.
Posts: 127