Chiefs Gretz: Special Teams Struggles & Other Notes

**Tribal Warfare** · 10:50 AM

Special Teams Struggles & Other Notes
August 30, 2009 - Bob Gretz |

From Arrowhead Stadium

The bloom fell off the Ryan Succop rose Saturday night.

Of the Chiefs 2009 Draft class, it was the last man taken who was performing. Succop, the final pick in the entire NFL Draft, had been solid all through training camp and the pre-season.

That ended against Seattle, and was just part of what was a poor special teams evening for the Chiefs.

Succop missed his first FGs as a pro against the Seahawks. He was wide left on a 28-yard attempt and then his 53-yard try was directionally perfect. Problem was it traveled only 52 ½ yards, hitting the cross bar and bouncing into the end zone.

He did come back and hit a 35-yard FG in the fourth quarter.

“Ryan has been a positive throughout camp and the preseason,” Haley said. “Tonight, he lined drive a kickoff which is something we don’t want, and he missed a FG that he should have made. He did bounce back and hit one. The one that hit the crossbar was not a negative at all.

“I’m not going to beat him up too bad.”

But Succop’s misses were just two of what was a bushel of problems in the kicking game. Several times they had just 10 men on the field for plays in the kicking game. One of Succop’s kickoffs was a line drive that killed any chance for coverage. Several kickoffs were mishandled. The Chiefs had a chance to down one of Dustin Colquitt’s punts deep in Seattle territory … the ball bounced into the end zone.

It was that kind of night for the Chiefs in the kicking game.

“It’s not demoralizing,” Haley said. “It’s discouraging; it’s disappointing because whenever you feel like you take a step back it is disappointing. We are going to be back to work tomorrow and do everything in our power to get it the way we want it.”

They are still in search of a returner. On punts, Maurice Leggett fumbled one return chance, but was able to fall on the ball. On kickoffs, RB Jamaal Charles broke one for 35 yards, the longest return of the pre-season for the Chiefs. But overall, he averaged 24 yards on two returns and CB Ricardo Colclough had an 18-yard return.

HELPING OTHERS BRINGS ONLY CHIEFS VICTORY

The game was the 26th annual Chiefs Charity Game, an event that has raised $6.5 million since it was instituted in 1984. In just the last five years the game raised over $2.5 million for local organizations. This year, the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired was presented with a check for $456,000 during half-time ceremonies. CCVI helps prepare children who are blind or visually impaired to function at their highest potential in the sighted world.

Also just before kickoff, the 33rd Len Dawson Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Forster of Oak Park High school. The funding will help Forster pursue a pre-law degree at the University of Miami. She accepted the honor at mid-field wearing a Derrick Thomas jersey.

PERSONNEL, PERFORMANCE, ETC.

Not dressed for the game were RB Kolby Smith, TE Jake O’Connell, ILB Zach Thomas, ILB Derrick Johnson and FS Jarrad Page. The first four missed practice time last week, but Page was a surprise. Haley indicated that Page, who was not on the field or the sidelines during the evening, was injured. “We’ve got a lot of guys beat up,” said Haley. “We’ve had a tough camp and we have a lot of guys who are trying to play through things (injuries).” … It’s probably not good for these guys that they did not play in this game: WR Terrance Copper, CB Londen Fryar, RB Javarris Williams, OL Colin Brown, DE Bobby Greenwood, OT Cameron Goldberg and OT Herb Taylor … QB Brodie Croyle also did not play, but that was because of the coaching staff’s desire to get Tyler Thigpen some time … the Seahawks held a 13:18 time of possession advantage.

Newly acquired offensive linemen Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe, got plenty of playing time, coming into the game in the second quarter at right guard and right tackle … Despite not starting all week in practice, Damion McIntosh did open the game as the starter at RT … With Derrick Johnson out, Demorrio Williams started at ILB next to Corey Mays. Williams was credited with 10 tackles in the game … the Chiefs defense got sacks from DE Tyson Jackson and OLB Andy Studebaker … CB Brandon Flowers pick six INT return was the Chiefs first interception of the pre-season.

**ChiefGator** · 08-30-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Gretz

The bloom fell off the Ryan Succop rose Saturday night.

...

But Succop’s misses ...

I am getting tired about hearing the miss in the plural. The 53 yarder was damn close, and that is always a crap-shoot from that distance. The short miss is the only problem.

Delano · 08-30-2009, 10:48 AM

I thought Charles was good on ST. The decent return and he also made a great tackle on a punt.

MIAdragon · 08-30-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefGator

I am getting tired about hearing the miss in the plural. The 53 yarder was damn close, and that is always a crap-shoot from that distance. The short miss is the only problem.

Was weather a factor? I see Mare missed 2.

Dante84 · 08-30-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Was weather a factor? I see Mare missed 2.

I think he missed 3? Maybe i was too drunk at the game, but it seemed like God was blocking kicks all night.

Yes, I was too drunk at the game.

08-30-2009, 10:40 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3077187	Gretz: Special Teams Struggles & Other Notes Special Teams Struggles & Other Notes August 30, 2009 - Bob Gretz \| *From Arrowhead Stadium* The bloom fell off the Ryan Succop rose Saturday night. Of the Chiefs 2009 Draft class, it was the last man taken who was performing. Succop, the final pick in the entire NFL Draft, had been solid all through training camp and the pre-season. That ended against Seattle, and was just part of what was a poor special teams evening for the Chiefs. Succop missed his first FGs as a pro against the Seahawks. He was wide left on a 28-yard attempt and then his 53-yard try was directionally perfect. Problem was it traveled only 52 ½ yards, hitting the cross bar and bouncing into the end zone. He did come back and hit a 35-yard FG in the fourth quarter. “Ryan has been a positive throughout camp and the preseason,” Haley said. “Tonight, he lined drive a kickoff which is something we don’t want, and he missed a FG that he should have made. He did bounce back and hit one. The one that hit the crossbar was not a negative at all. “I’m not going to beat him up too bad.” But Succop’s misses were just two of what was a bushel of problems in the kicking game. Several times they had just 10 men on the field for plays in the kicking game. One of Succop’s kickoffs was a line drive that killed any chance for coverage. Several kickoffs were mishandled. The Chiefs had a chance to down one of Dustin Colquitt’s punts deep in Seattle territory … the ball bounced into the end zone. It was that kind of night for the Chiefs in the kicking game. “It’s not demoralizing,” Haley said. “It’s discouraging; it’s disappointing because whenever you feel like you take a step back it is disappointing. We are going to be back to work tomorrow and do everything in our power to get it the way we want it.” They are still in search of a returner. On punts, Maurice Leggett fumbled one return chance, but was able to fall on the ball. On kickoffs, RB Jamaal Charles broke one for 35 yards, the longest return of the pre-season for the Chiefs. But overall, he averaged 24 yards on two returns and CB Ricardo Colclough had an 18-yard return. *HELPING OTHERS BRINGS ONLY CHIEFS VICTORY* The game was the 26th annual Chiefs Charity Game, an event that has raised $6.5 million since it was instituted in 1984. In just the last five years the game raised over $2.5 million for local organizations. This year, the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired was presented with a check for $456,000 during half-time ceremonies. CCVI helps prepare children who are blind or visually impaired to function at their highest potential in the sighted world. Also just before kickoff, the 33rd Len Dawson Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Forster of Oak Park High school. The funding will help Forster pursue a pre-law degree at the University of Miami. She accepted the honor at mid-field wearing a Derrick Thomas jersey. *PERSONNEL, PERFORMANCE, ETC.* Not dressed for the game were RB Kolby Smith, TE Jake O’Connell, ILB Zach Thomas, ILB Derrick Johnson and FS Jarrad Page. The first four missed practice time last week, but Page was a surprise. Haley indicated that Page, who was not on the field or the sidelines during the evening, was injured. “We’ve got a lot of guys beat up,” said Haley. “We’ve had a tough camp and we have a lot of guys who are trying to play through things (injuries).” … It’s probably not good for these guys that they did not play in this game: WR Terrance Copper, CB Londen Fryar, RB Javarris Williams, OL Colin Brown, DE Bobby Greenwood, OT Cameron Goldberg and OT Herb Taylor … QB Brodie Croyle also did not play, but that was because of the coaching staff’s desire to get Tyler Thigpen some time … the Seahawks held a 13:18 time of possession advantage. Newly acquired offensive linemen Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe, got plenty of playing time, coming into the game in the second quarter at right guard and right tackle … Despite not starting all week in practice, Damion McIntosh did open the game as the starter at RT … With Derrick Johnson out, Demorrio Williams started at ILB next to Corey Mays. Williams was credited with 10 tackles in the game … the Chiefs defense got sacks from DE Tyson Jackson and OLB Andy Studebaker … CB Brandon Flowers pick six INT return was the Chiefs first interception of the pre-season. Last edited by Tribal Warfare; 08-30-2009 at 10:50 AM..
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08-30-2009, 10:48 AM	#3
Delano [b]Supporter[/b] Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A Hypnagogic Landscape Casino cash: $7625015	I thought Charles was good on ST. The decent return and he also made a great tackle on a punt.
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