Chiefs Chiefs notebook | Succop’s long kick puts him in elite company

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-13-2009, 10:20 PM

Chiefs notebook | Succop’s long kick puts him in elite company

The Kansas City Star

Rookie kicker Ryan Succop made a 53-yard field goal look easy Sunday, and his leg strength continues to make this year’s final pick in the NFL draft look anything but irrelevant.

The Chiefs have struggled during the last three years to find a reliable kicker, and Succop’s kick at least placed him alongside a legendary name in Kansas City history. It was the longest field goal by a Chiefs rookie since Hall of Fame kicker Jan Stenerud hit a 54-yarder in 1967.

Including preseason games, Succop has made eight of 10 field goals, but Sunday’s was his longest.

Familiar face works for Baltimore

Former longtime Chiefs assistant coach Al Saunders, who spent 15 years in two stints in Kansas City, now is an offensive consultant for the Ravens.

Saunders spent years with the Chiefs under former head coaches Marty Schottenheimer and Dick Vermeil, who hired Saunders to be his offensive coordinator after they won a Super Bowl together in St. Louis.

Saunders had most recently been back in St. Louis as its coordinator.

Ball carriers battle slick turf

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles said he noticed several Baltimore ball carriers slipping on the artificial turf at M&T Bank Stadium, so he didn’t feel as bad when he slipped on it, too.

“It’s hard to run on that kind of turf,” said Charles, in his second year.

He said the playing surface, a synthetic surface that was installed in Baltimore in 2003, was similar to the artificial turf the Chiefs played on at Minnesota’s Metrodome.

Inactive players

In addition to injured quarterback Matt Cassel, the Chiefs played without Dantrell Savage, who might be their best punt returner.

So the Chiefs struggled to return punts. Maurice Leggett dropped one and was fortunate to recover. Rookie Quinten Lawrence, who was shaky during training camp and the preseason, was deep for one, and the Chiefs eventually used 36-year-old Bobby Engram to make a fair catch in the fourth quarter.

Starting cornerback Brandon Flowers missed Sunday’s game because of a shoulder injury. Leggett started in his place.

Also inactive for the Chiefs: linebackers Turk McBride and Pierre Walters, offensive lineman Andy Alleman and tight end Jake O’Connell.

A costly fumble, almost

A botched play almost cost the Chiefs a chance to play catch-up in the final 2 minutes. Quarterback Brodie Croyle changed the play, apparently to a handoff to Charles.

Charles didn’t seem to get the message, and Croyle was left alone in the backfield with nowhere to go. He was sacked, and the ball came loose.

Baltimore recovered, but the play was reviewed, and the Chiefs retained possession when referee Gene Steratore ruled that Croyle was down before the ball came out.

The play came on first down after the Ravens scored to take a 31-24 lead. It didn’t matter because the Chiefs couldn’t make a first down anyway. “We just had a miscommunication,” Croyle said.

Harbaugh explains late TD

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he chose to run for a late touchdown instead of a victory-sealing field goal because he has seen botched kicks hurt a team too often.

With a seven-point lead and 31 seconds to play, Harbaugh elected to have quarterback Joe Flacco hand off to running back Willis McGahee, who rushed for a 1-yard score on fourth and goal.

“I’ve seen it before,” Harbaugh said, “when you go for that field goal there, more things can happen on a kicking play than any other kind of play.

“We’re fourth and 6 inches; I think we have a better chance of making the touchdown than we do of something bad happening on the field goal.”

This and that

•Baltimore ran 85 offensive plays Sunday, the most a Kansas City defense has allowed since an overtime game against the New York Jets in October 1988. The Jets ran 97 plays in that game, which ended in a 17-17 tie.

•Outside linebacker Tamba Hali’s sack of Flacco was No. 19 1/2 for Hali, a 2006 first-round pick, but it was his first since moving from defensive end during the offseason. Hali also forced a fumble on that sack, the 12th time he has caused a fumble.

09-13-2009, 10:20 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3077187	Chiefs notebook \| Succop’s long kick puts him in elite company Chiefs notebook \| Succop’s long kick puts him in elite company The Kansas City Star Rookie kicker Ryan Succop made a 53-yard field goal look easy Sunday, and his leg strength continues to make this year’s final pick in the NFL draft look anything but irrelevant. The Chiefs have struggled during the last three years to find a reliable kicker, and Succop’s kick at least placed him alongside a legendary name in Kansas City history. It was the longest field goal by a Chiefs rookie since Hall of Fame kicker Jan Stenerud hit a 54-yarder in 1967. Including preseason games, Succop has made eight of 10 field goals, but Sunday’s was his longest. Familiar face works for Baltimore Former longtime Chiefs assistant coach Al Saunders, who spent 15 years in two stints in Kansas City, now is an offensive consultant for the Ravens. Saunders spent years with the Chiefs under former head coaches Marty Schottenheimer and Dick Vermeil, who hired Saunders to be his offensive coordinator after they won a Super Bowl together in St. Louis. Saunders had most recently been back in St. Louis as its coordinator. Ball carriers battle slick turf Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles said he noticed several Baltimore ball carriers slipping on the artificial turf at M&T Bank Stadium, so he didn’t feel as bad when he slipped on it, too. “It’s hard to run on that kind of turf,” said Charles, in his second year. He said the playing surface, a synthetic surface that was installed in Baltimore in 2003, was similar to the artificial turf the Chiefs played on at Minnesota’s Metrodome. Inactive players In addition to injured quarterback Matt Cassel, the Chiefs played without Dantrell Savage, who might be their best punt returner. So the Chiefs struggled to return punts. Maurice Leggett dropped one and was fortunate to recover. Rookie Quinten Lawrence, who was shaky during training camp and the preseason, was deep for one, and the Chiefs eventually used 36-year-old Bobby Engram to make a fair catch in the fourth quarter. Starting cornerback Brandon Flowers missed Sunday’s game because of a shoulder injury. Leggett started in his place. Also inactive for the Chiefs: linebackers Turk McBride and Pierre Walters, offensive lineman Andy Alleman and tight end Jake O’Connell. A costly fumble, almost A botched play almost cost the Chiefs a chance to play catch-up in the final 2 minutes. Quarterback Brodie Croyle changed the play, apparently to a handoff to Charles. Charles didn’t seem to get the message, and Croyle was left alone in the backfield with nowhere to go. He was sacked, and the ball came loose. Baltimore recovered, but the play was reviewed, and the Chiefs retained possession when referee Gene Steratore ruled that Croyle was down before the ball came out. The play came on first down after the Ravens scored to take a 31-24 lead. It didn’t matter because the Chiefs couldn’t make a first down anyway. “We just had a miscommunication,” Croyle said. Harbaugh explains late TD Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he chose to run for a late touchdown instead of a victory-sealing field goal because he has seen botched kicks hurt a team too often. With a seven-point lead and 31 seconds to play, Harbaugh elected to have quarterback Joe Flacco hand off to running back Willis McGahee, who rushed for a 1-yard score on fourth and goal. “I’ve seen it before,” Harbaugh said, “when you go for that field goal there, more things can happen on a kicking play than any other kind of play. “We’re fourth and 6 inches; I think we have a better chance of making the touchdown than we do of something bad happening on the field goal.” This and that •Baltimore ran 85 offensive plays Sunday, the most a Kansas City defense has allowed since an overtime game against the New York Jets in October 1988. The Jets ran 97 plays in that game, which ended in a 17-17 tie. •Outside linebacker Tamba Hali’s sack of Flacco was No. 19 1/2 for Hali, a 2006 first-round pick, but it was his first since moving from defensive end during the offseason. Hali also forced a fumble on that sack, the 12th time he has caused a fumble.
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