Chiefs Whitlock chimes in

SDChief · 10-26-2008, 10:49 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/859789.html

Put the blame for Chiefs’ last-minute blunder on Edwards
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | If Chan Gailey’s explanation is accurate, it still doesn’t absolve Herm Edwards of blame for an embarrassingly asinine end-game strategy that gave one of the NFL’s all-time closers a final shot at finishing the Chiefs.

“It was me,” explained Gailey, Kansas City’s offensive coordinator, when I questioned him inside the locker room. “It was my call.”

Ahead by three points with 5 minutes, 20 seconds to play, the Chiefs abandoned the shotgun-no-huddle-spread attack that kept them competitive with the New York Jets throughout the afternoon and placed Tyler Thigpen under center and their fate in the hands of running back Kolby Smith.

Why?

“That’s what we thought was best to win the game,” Gailey replied.

Did Edwards instruct you to do it?

“My call!” Gailey barked.

Was there a conversation with Edwards about KC’s approach?

“He could’ve overruled me,” Gailey said.

By now, you know what happened. On a day when Smith finished with 15 yards in 11 carries, he did not pick up 10 and a first down on his final three totes. He gained 9 yards, and the Chiefs punted with a little more than 3 minutes left on the clock.

Jets quarterback Brett Favre took full advantage of the strategic error, marching New York 46 yards in six plays for the go-ahead touchdown in a 28-24 victory.

While it is indeed noble for Gailey to take responsibility for a blunder Chiefs fans are unlikely to forgive or forget, the self-sacrifice in no way provides cover for Edwards.

Edwards is inept at managing and assembling a credible coaching staff. And based on his postgame comments, he’s still unaware that KC’s late-game plan flew in direct opposition to common sense.

“We thought we could make a first down,” he said. “We were backed up, and we felt we could run the ball and take time off the clock.”

Again, why?

Larry Johnson was at home on punishment, grounded for conduct detrimental to nightclubs. A high-ankle sprain sidelined Jamaal Charles, the only KC runner who had been remotely effective against the Jets. The previous 54 minutes, 40 seconds, the Chiefs had picked up just two first downs on the ground.

Besides the three gift interceptions offered up by Favre, the Chiefs were in Sunday’s game because Gailey had freed Thigpen to run the college-style offense he ran at Coastal Carolina. Thigpen moved the Chiefs the way Chase Daniel moves the Missouri Tigers. Operating from the spread, Thigpen completed 25 of 36 passes for 280 yards and two TDs.

There was no reason to dump a scheme that carried a horrid football team to within 5 minutes of its second victory.

Was it the right thing to do?

“No comment,” Thigpen said.

Do you think it was smart to run three straight times?

“I didn’t see it,” linebacker Donnie Edwards said.

Why did the Chiefs go away from what was working?

“No comment,” Tony Gonzalez said.

I wake up every day determined to support Herm Edwards. He’s an extremely likable football coach. He’s friendly and honest with the news media. He’s generous with his time.

But on Sundays he brings out my inner-angry columnist. I can’t defend what his teams don’t, and that means I can’t defend him. He’s miscast as a head football coach. You have to multitask. You have to have a feel for the flow of the game.

Standing in the fire along the sideline is just too much for him. He can’t see the big picture from there. (Most head football coaches would be wise to coach from the press box. I’m praying that Joe Paterno never again leaves the press box.)

Chan Gailey put together a brilliant game plan. The no-huddle spread simplifies a defense, makes a quarterback’s reads a bit easier. The easy reads lighten the load on the offensive line; it doesn’t have to protect as long.

Thigpen looked like an NFL quarterback, and KC’s line appeared competent.

With 5 minutes left, the Chiefs were playing with house money. No one expected them to win. They were going to get credit for spooking the Jets. Why not let Thigpen go down winging the football? He earned the right to win and/or lose the football game.

Had he tossed a pick-six, no one would’ve blasted Edwards, Gailey or Thigpen. There was only one way to ruin Sunday’s game, and Edwards and Gailey found it.

Well, according to the “official” story, Gailey found the road to ruin, and Edwards wasn’t smart enough to redirect his assistant. I blame Edwards more than Gailey.

Hammock Parties · 10-26-2008, 10:52 PM

YES YES WHITLOCK YOU STUD

**007** · 10-26-2008, 10:55 PM

**007** · 10-26-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

YES YES WHITLOCK YOU STUD

I hate that bitch.

suds79 · 10-26-2008, 11:05 PM

can't say it much better than that.

We had that game won. And Herm fouled it up for us.

blueballs · 10-26-2008, 11:09 PM

do you see Clark
a head coaching change could make a difference
there is some talent to be found here

kcpasco · 10-26-2008, 11:12 PM

"You play to win the game"

/Herm

Fish · 10-26-2008, 11:14 PM

In another thread people were saying it was Herm's fault because he overruled the offensive coordinator on that series...

Gailey comes out and says he called it.

And Whitlock comes along and says it was Herm's fault because he didn't overrule Gailey on the playcalling, like he's been accused of so heavily....

And people cheer...

He's hated either way....

**007** · 10-26-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

In another thread people were saying it was Herm's fault because he overruled the offensive coordinator on that series...

Gailey comes out and says he called it.

And Whitlock comes along and says it was Herm's fault because he didn't overrule Gailey on the playcalling, like he's been accused of so heavily....

And people cheer...

He's hated either way....

Personally, I don't believe Chan.

blueballs · 10-26-2008, 11:20 PM

IF Chan squeeled on Herm
his days at calling ANY plays at will would end
every call through Herm through Curl

Hammock Parties · 10-26-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueballs

IF Chan squeeled on Herm
his days at calling ANY plays at will would end

Hence the " " from Whitlock at the end.

Gunther said it best during the offseason when Chan was hired:

"He understands our top priority is to protect the head coach, at all costs."

'Hamas' Jenkins · 10-26-2008, 11:27 PM

Here's Herm at the podium doing his little shimmy. It makes the women in KC puke.

**007** · 10-26-2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Here's Herm at the podium doing his little shimmy. It makes the women in KC puke.

I can see the movie already.

who will play Herm?

**Dylan** · 10-26-2008, 11:36 PM

Great article!

Hammock Parties · 10-26-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan

Great article!

I'm glad he FINALLY has your approval. He really knocked this one out of the park, though. Some of his finest work.

10-26-2008, 10:49 PM
SDChief Starter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Rapid City, SD USA Casino cash: $9997775	Whitlock chimes in http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/859789.html Put the blame for Chiefs’ last-minute blunder on Edwards EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. \| If Chan Gailey’s explanation is accurate, it still doesn’t absolve Herm Edwards of blame for an embarrassingly asinine end-game strategy that gave one of the NFL’s all-time closers a final shot at finishing the Chiefs. “It was me,” explained Gailey, Kansas City’s offensive coordinator, when I questioned him inside the locker room. “It was my call.” Ahead by three points with 5 minutes, 20 seconds to play, the Chiefs abandoned the shotgun-no-huddle-spread attack that kept them competitive with the New York Jets throughout the afternoon and placed Tyler Thigpen under center and their fate in the hands of running back Kolby Smith. Why? “That’s what we thought was best to win the game,” Gailey replied. Did Edwards instruct you to do it? “My call!” Gailey barked. Was there a conversation with Edwards about KC’s approach? “He could’ve overruled me,” Gailey said. By now, you know what happened. On a day when Smith finished with 15 yards in 11 carries, he did not pick up 10 and a first down on his final three totes. He gained 9 yards, and the Chiefs punted with a little more than 3 minutes left on the clock. Jets quarterback Brett Favre took full advantage of the strategic error, marching New York 46 yards in six plays for the go-ahead touchdown in a 28-24 victory. While it is indeed noble for Gailey to take responsibility for a blunder Chiefs fans are unlikely to forgive or forget, the self-sacrifice in no way provides cover for Edwards. Edwards is inept at managing and assembling a credible coaching staff. And based on his postgame comments, he’s still unaware that KC’s late-game plan flew in direct opposition to common sense. “We thought we could make a first down,” he said. “We were backed up, and we felt we could run the ball and take time off the clock.” Again, why? Larry Johnson was at home on punishment, grounded for conduct detrimental to nightclubs. A high-ankle sprain sidelined Jamaal Charles, the only KC runner who had been remotely effective against the Jets. The previous 54 minutes, 40 seconds, the Chiefs had picked up just two first downs on the ground. Besides the three gift interceptions offered up by Favre, the Chiefs were in Sunday’s game because Gailey had freed Thigpen to run the college-style offense he ran at Coastal Carolina. Thigpen moved the Chiefs the way Chase Daniel moves the Missouri Tigers. Operating from the spread, Thigpen completed 25 of 36 passes for 280 yards and two TDs. There was no reason to dump a scheme that carried a horrid football team to within 5 minutes of its second victory. Was it the right thing to do? “No comment,” Thigpen said. Do you think it was smart to run three straight times? “I didn’t see it,” linebacker Donnie Edwards said. Why did the Chiefs go away from what was working? “No comment,” Tony Gonzalez said. I wake up every day determined to support Herm Edwards. He’s an extremely likable football coach. He’s friendly and honest with the news media. He’s generous with his time. But on Sundays he brings out my inner-angry columnist. I can’t defend what his teams don’t, and that means I can’t defend him. He’s miscast as a head football coach. You have to multitask. You have to have a feel for the flow of the game. Standing in the fire along the sideline is just too much for him. He can’t see the big picture from there. (Most head football coaches would be wise to coach from the press box. I’m praying that Joe Paterno never again leaves the press box.) Chan Gailey put together a brilliant game plan. The no-huddle spread simplifies a defense, makes a quarterback’s reads a bit easier. The easy reads lighten the load on the offensive line; it doesn’t have to protect as long. Thigpen looked like an NFL quarterback, and KC’s line appeared competent. With 5 minutes left, the Chiefs were playing with house money. No one expected them to win. They were going to get credit for spooking the Jets. Why not let Thigpen go down winging the football? He earned the right to win and/or lose the football game. Had he tossed a pick-six, no one would’ve blasted Edwards, Gailey or Thigpen. There was only one way to ruin Sunday’s game, and Edwards and Gailey found it. Well, according to the “official” story, Gailey found the road to ruin, and Edwards wasn’t smart enough to redirect his assistant. I blame Edwards more than Gailey.
Posts: 292

10-26-2008, 10:52 PM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4320478	YES YES WHITLOCK YOU STUD __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 279,007

10-26-2008, 10:55 PM	#3
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $13920126 VARSITY	nice __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,558

10-26-2008, 11:05 PM	#5
suds79 MVP Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $10005036	can't say it much better than that. We had that game won. And Herm fouled it up for us.
Posts: 5,747

10-26-2008, 11:09 PM	#6
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	do you see Clark a head coaching change could make a difference there is some talent to be found here
Posts: 14,233

10-26-2008, 11:12 PM	#7
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7593463	"You play to win the game" /Herm
Posts: 15,541

10-26-2008, 11:14 PM	#8
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $1888919	In another thread people were saying it was Herm's fault because he overruled the offensive coordinator on that series... Gailey comes out and says he called it. And Whitlock comes along and says it was Herm's fault because he didn't overrule Gailey on the playcalling, like he's been accused of so heavily.... And people cheer... He's hated either way.... __________________
Posts: 47,707

10-26-2008, 11:20 PM	#10
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	IF Chan squeeled on Herm his days at calling ANY plays at will would end every call through Herm through Curl
Posts: 14,233

10-26-2008, 11:27 PM	#12
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7939572	Here's Herm at the podium doing his little shimmy. It makes the women in KC puke. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,853

10-26-2008, 11:36 PM	#14
Dylan The Lede Join Date: Aug 2007 Casino cash: $10016591	Great article!
Posts: 33,643