Chiefs Ten Things About Today's Game - Page 8

**gblowfish** · 04:57 PM

Ten Things About Today's Game

10. The NFL is a cruel, unforgiving place. The season is a 16 game grind. Injuries take a toll. Weak players on the roster get exposed. Bad losses come home to roost in December, forcing teams to win during desperate circumstances. KC hasn't been a very good road team this season. Their one signature road win was beating San Diego early in the year. So going to Pittsburgh in December -a place where the Chiefs haven't won since 1986- was a pretty tall order. And of course, they failed because they did nothing but kick field goals. If you can't score TDs, you don't deserve to go to the playoffs. If you can't score TD's, you'll always get beat by teams that do. If you can't score TDs, you cannot compete, period. Both teams scored four times today. Two of Pittsburgh's scores were TDs, the Chiefs kicked four field goals. Crunch time games like today show a lot about a team, their true heart, and what they're made of. I'm going to speak to the truth about this years team. Many of you may not like what I have to say, especially the rose colored glass homers, but I think hard truths are in order after today's loss.

9. This team will never be much more than a borderline "maybe make the playoffs" type of team with Alex Smith at QB. He is Matt Cassel with better scrambling ability. He is incapable of bringing your team back once behind. He consistently loses must win games. Maybe that's the "consistent quality," that Andy Reid admires. But he is not a difference maker. He cannot put a team on his back and will them to win. Who can, and who continues to do that? Manning. Brady. Rodgers. Luck. Roethlisberger. Rivers. Breese. Wilson. You know...guys who get to the playoffs and get to Super Bowls. Smith had Wilson wide open on a potential 60 yard bomb in the first half. He missed him, badly. Smith has no deep ball accuracy-at all. Passes from ten to fifteen yards is his effective range. Even in the fourth quarter down by two scores, Smith is still dinking and dunking the ball down the field. Yeah, he had a 300 yard passing day, but so what? That's on 45 passing attempts. Until we get a guy who is more than a "game manager," we're doomed to this type of year forever. The Chiefs seem to be complacent with this type of QB at the helm, and have been with every QB since Montana. It's engrained in the organizational DNA. They will never win until they find a difference maker at QB. And since they're committed to Smith for the forseeable future, this fact will not change soon.

8. Jamaal Charles may be the best running back in Chiefs history. But he is not a big game player, and is not a clutch player. He is injury prone, and he is mistake prone. He does not shine when most needed. Today he fumbled at a critical point in a 10-6 game, bringing about a potential 14-point swing; killing a Chiefs drive at the Pittsburgh 25. Then Pittsburgh marches the ball right down the field for seven and moves to a 17-6 lead, and game over. Charles could only manage 29 yards on nine carries, that's less than three yards a carry. Meanwhile, Bell runs for 63 yards and a TD. That's not great production, but he did score a TD in a critical game at a critical time. Charles has to prove to me he can be a difference maker in a game that means something important. He's never done that. Unfortunately, he's been beat up, or had a concussion, or for whatever reason couldn't rise to the occasion. His inability to stay healthy was a major reason we lost the Colts playoff game last year. Wasn't his fault he got hurt, but I'm just saying, the great ones rise to the occasion. Charles has never done that as a Chief. The NFL is a cruel, results oriented business. So by the standards of measurement in the NFL, it makes him a very good player. Not a great player compared to other backs in clutch situation. He may be in the Hall of Fame someday, but his lack of post season production will temper the discussion.

7. Dwayne Bowe has stolen his bloated paycheck this year. Yeah, he's had the flu this week. But in the second quarter, second and goal from the Steeler five yard line, Smith throws a back shoulder fade to Bowe, one on one on a backup Steelers cornerback. Bowe knows the ball is coming. He's supposed to be a strong, fight for the football type of possession receiver. The ball hits him in the hands, he drops it. Chiefs settle for three. Bowe catches six passes, but averages less than ten yards per catch. He never impacts the game. Meanwhile, Brown, his Steeler counterpart, goes for 72 yards and a TD, contributing to his team's victory in a must have game. Bowe should be cut or traded. He does not help this team win, he sucks up salary cap, and does not make the big play. Wilson, an undrafted free agent, has outplayed him two weeks in a row.

6. There was a big article in the KC Star today about how Eric Fisher has been mentored by John Alt over the past few weeks. Fisher was an embarrassment against a geriatric James Harrison today. Harrison beat Fisher for two sacks, and was in on several other tackles for loss. Fisher was basically awful. Right before the half, Charles tried to run behind Fisher on a fourth and one, and got stuffed because Fisher blocked the wrong guy. Sherman got his block. Fasano got his block Fisher blocked down on the nose tackle, leaving the linebacker -who he should have blocked - free to step up on the hole, completely clear to stuff Charles. Zero points, and a complete change in the complexion of the game. Next year will be Fisher's third year. If he doesn't improve, he will just be a journeyman line player, and will be a monumental waste of the first pick in the draft. If you can't run behind the first pick in the draft, with the blocking help of a fullback, and the blocking help of a tight end, and can't make one yard, you don't deserve to win.

5. Andy Reid made Alex Smith throw 45 times today. He only ran the ball 14 times. If Charles was too banged up to run, then pound Knile Davis. Davis is a capable big back. He's a lot like.....oh, say BELL of Pittsburgh. This kind of offensive imbalance is why we lose. If you are going to throw the ball all day, where is Kelce? Four catches? The only play Kelce was involved in that meant anything was a fake field goal. Then after showing the stones to try to sustain a drive for seven, they run Charles up the middle, Fasano gets beat on his block and Charles makes a yard. Then Bowe drops the fade in the end zone, then on third down Alex gets chased around the right side with no time to throw, because Fisher got beat by Harrison again. Alex meekly runs out of bounds at the five, and we kick a field goal. Then the Steelers march right down field to score their first TD. I think Andy knew that we'd need TDs to hang today. I think that's why he went for the fourth and one right before halftime. He gambled on Fisher and lost.

4. The real reason this is a mediocre team -either an 8-8 or 9-7 team as we'll see after next week- is because this defense was gutted. Losing DJ and DeVito the first game of the season hurt. Losing Berry hurt more. That's two All-Pro's and a legit run stopper right up the middle. The rest of our "All-Pro's" didn't do enough to change the course of this game. Hali's bad knee is making him ineffective. He had two tackles, no sacks, was not a factor at all. Houston had four tackles and one sack. That's not good enough. Poe? No sacks, one tackle. That's not good enough. Nobody forced a fumble or pick. Not good enough. Not good enough when the Steelers get five sacks and force a critical fumble on Charles. Steelers averaged seven yards on every first down play. Not good enough, defense. That said, the players who desperately needed to be our leaders did not show up on offense. Giving up 20 points in Pittsburgh is not terrible, but the Steelers kept the Chiefs at a good arm's length most of the game. They knew Smith would not rally the team once down by two scores.

3. Because of injuries, the Chiefs are down to a lot of bottom of the barrel guys seeing the field. Fleming, Owens, Parker, all not good enough. None should be kept on this roster next year, we have to do better. Gaines was out with the flu today (I suppose). He better have been puking his socks up in the locker room not to suit up and play. Mauga should be a special teamer like Zombo. He would only start for some of the worst teams in the league. On the offensive line, Linkenbach, Harris, not good enough. A wide receiver corps with Bowe, Avery, Hemmingway and Hammond? Not good enough. I'm OK with Avant and Wilson, we know who they are. Bowe would make a fine number three or four receiver for somebody, but his contract is a boat anchor. Cut him loose, let's get somebody in here who's a fighter and a winner.

2. Special teams contributed all the points (sadly) and made one nice play on a fake field goal for a first down. The final on-side kick was totally botched. Chiefs had no chance to recover. That's what you get with a rookie kicker. Santos has no prior experience in such a situation, and it showed. DAT could break nothing in kick coverage. We needed something extra from the specials to have a chance today, and didn't get it. They didn't beat us, they just didn't help that much.

1. So, it's come down to -realistically- all we can do is hope to spoil San Diego's season next week. I predict 20,000 or more no-shows. The ticket brokers were already dumping seats for dirt cheap. Phyllis has a bulging disc in his neck, but he'll find a way to slice and dice us. Once he sees our shit coverage on Heath Miller, Antonio Gates will run crazy against us. This team is mediocre. It's going to be mediocre. Yeah, there's some weird mathematical stuff that could still happen where the Chiefs would sneak in as a "playoff team," but do you really think they'd win anything? They're lumped in with all the other mediocre teams like Buffalo, and San Diego, and Baltimore. We lost to two of the teams who'll be picking in the top four slots in the 2015 draft. That's enough to send you home for New Years, and deservedly so. This team got what it deserved today.

Well, that's my rant. It's hard to be Mr. Jolly Pants when your team's season just went down in flames.

Finally, I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas. As for me, My mom was just released from a week's stay in the hospital yesterday to go home. My beautiful little kitty Mama Cat is quickly fading away from illness and old age, but I'm hoping she makes it another week to spend one more Christmas with us. My wife gets to retire after this school year concludes. My company laid off two people in the last month, and to my relief, neither of them was me. So I have much to be guardedly grateful for. I hope your world -family, health and profession- are calm, care-free and joyous. God Bless Us, every one.

KC Star Game Photos are Here:
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...le4770033.html

**MahiMike** · 12-21-2014, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

You're talking about when the defensive back knocked the ball away? You can't get hung up on that, sometimes defensive players make plays.

I was (pleasantly) surprised Smith threw that ball to be honest. Really good coverage on that play.

I could name a dozen WRs that make that catch. Including a couple rookies. If he positions his body properly, the DB can't get his hand on it.

GloryDayz · 12-21-2014, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsChoke010414

If Charles underwhelms in big games, it's really a product of the Chiefs always underwhelming in big games. This team can't win a big game, most notably in playoff games.

His injuries and his fumbles have always been his biggest weakness. He does both in untimely moments. That's a fair criticism.

But in the end, this is not a league where a RB can carry a team by himself. Barry Sanders tried and could never do it in the playoffs. Just in regular season games.

Nobody on this team has the shoulders to carry this team. It's not part of the franchise's DNA makeup. They're more of a "do just enough to get by and get paid" sort of team. The exact tone the owner projects by never letting the public know how he's feeling. Heck, I'm not sure they even bothered to zoom in on him today, or did I miss it?

**gblowfish** · 12-21-2014, 08:15 PM

I knew there would be a great deal of argument over Charles. I don't make my comments lightly.

He's a great back. Maybe the best Chiefs back ever. That includes Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, Mike Garrett, Ed Podolak, Joe Delaney, Cakn Patna, the Nigerian Nightmare and others.

There's no doubt the guy is tough. He's proven that this year. He probably shouldn't have played at all today with his bad knee and ankle. He may still be concussed as well.

But there is something about great backs, where they show up in big games.

Franco Harris, Riggins, Czonka, Fauk, Emmit Smith, Tomlinson, Roger Craig, Beast Mode, these kind of guys came up HUGE in must win games, in playoff games, in Super Bowls. They shine on the biggest stage, at the most important times, in the most important games.

Let's review JC's rushing production in the crucial games this year: The loss to Tennessee, the loss to Oakland, and losses to Denver, Arizona and today:

Ten 26, KC 10
Charles 7 carries, 19 yards, 0 TDs

Oak 24, KC 20
Charles 19 carries 80 yards, 1 TD (pass reception)

Denver 29, KC 16
Charles 10 carries, 35 yards, 0 TDs.

Arizona 17, KC 14
Charles 10 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD
(63 yards on one carry)

Pittsburgh 20, KC 12
Charles 9 carries, 29 yards, 0 TDs

Hey, Derrick Thomas is a hall of famer. He was also guilty of disappearing in important games. He never had a memorable playoff game, and oftentimes when Marty and the Chiefs lost, it was in part due to DT disappearing. It was a rap that followed DT his whole career. He was a great individual player, he was not a difference maker in big money, important do or die games. That's just the truth.

Hootie · 12-21-2014, 08:15 PM

very disappointing season

I'll remember it for losing to the Titans, the Raiders and then losing games against Arizona, San Fran and Pittsburgh where we just shot our ****ing selves in the foot in all three games, repeatedly.

The only two games where we were outmatched was Denver. Twice. Oh shit, and Tennessee week 1

we'll be 10-6 or 11-5 next year, by default, and lose our 1st round playoff game

real ****ing exciting time to be a Chiefs fan

hurry up baseball

GloryDayz · 12-21-2014, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I knew there would be a great deal of argument over Charles. I don't make my comments lightly.

He's a great back. Maybe the best Chiefs back ever. That includes Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, Mike Garrett, Ed Podolak, Joe Delaney, Cakn Patna, the Nigerian Nightmare and others.

There's no doubt the guy is tough. He's proven that this year. He probably shouldn't have played at all today with his bad knee and ankle. He may still be concussed as well.

But there is something about great backs, where they show up in big games.

Franco Harris, Riggins, Czonka, Fauk, Emmit Smith, Tomlinson, Roger Craig, Beast Mode, these kind of guys came up HUGE in must win games, in playoff games, in Super Bowls. They shine on the biggest stage, at the most important times, in the most important games.

Let's review JC's rushing production in the crucial games this year: The loss to Tennessee, the loss to Oakland, and losses to Denver, Arizona and today:

Ten 26, KC 10
Charles 7 carries, 19 yards, 0 TDs

Oak 24, KC 20
Charles 19 carries 80 yards, 1 TD (pass reception)

Denver 29, KC 16
Charles 10 carries, 35 yards, 0 TDs.

Arizona 17, KC 14
Charles 10 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD
(63 yards on one carry)

Pittsburgh 20, KC 12
Charles 9 carries, 29 yards, 0 TDs

Hey, Derrick Thomas is a hall of famer. He was also guilty of disappearing in important games. He never had a memorable playoff game, and oftentimes when Marty and the Chiefs lost, it was in part due to DT disappearing. It was a rap that followed DT his whole career. He was a great individual player, he was not a difference maker in big money, important do or die games. That's just the truth.

Don't forget Larry, 3rd on the list...

						Rushing
Rk		From	To	G	AV	Att	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/A	Y/G	Fmb
1	Jamaal Charles	2008	2014	93	54	1227	6773	38	91	5.5	72.8	23
2	Priest Holmes	2001	2007	65	74	1321	6070	76	56	4.6	93.4	11
3	Larry Johnson	2003	2009	75	55	1375	6015	55	65	4.4	80.2	15
4	Christian Okoye	1987	1992	79	36	1246	4897	40	59	3.9	62.0	27
5	Ed Podolak	1970	1977	100	63	1157	4451	34	65	3.8	44.5	39
6	Abner Haynes	1960	1964	70	66	794	3814	39	80	4.8	54.5	30
7	Marcus Allen	1993	1997	77	36	932	3698	44	39	4.0	48.0	15
8	Mike Garrett	1966	1970	58	51	736	3246	24	77	4.4	56.0	22
9	Curtis McClinton	1962	1968	93	54	762	3124	18	69	4.1	33.6	27
10	Herman Heard	1984	1989	87	27	651	2694	13	69	4.1	31.0	22

**SAUTO** · 12-21-2014, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

hurry up baseball

I never thought I would think this before the super bowl was over, but this.

ThaVirus · 12-21-2014, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'm going to say something nice about Andy Reid, which is hard today, of all days, but he had the right gameplan for today's game. That was obvious every time we tried to run the ball. Every time we got stuffed. And you can't argue that they didn't move the chains all day long through the air. The problem was the red zone offense. (And trying to run the ball on 4th down instead of either kicking the goddamn field goal since we wouldn't have had time to score a TD anyway, or going with what had worked the entire first half, namely the pass.)

We weren't going to run the ball today. And there was zero wrong with Alex Smith throwing 44 passes against that defense. The offensive line was getting their shit pushed in by Pittsburgh's front seven, and that wouldn't have changed with more carries. They did the right thing going pass heavy. The stats show it: they outgained Pittsburgh by 50 yards and had a 3 minute advantage in time of possession. That's exactly what you want.

What you don't want is kicking field goals every time you're inside the ****ing 20 yard line. And unfortunately Andy Reid has always had problems in the red zone, say all you want about being the "#2 red zone team" this year, and we saw that again today.

I think the biggest issue is that the kind of east west brinksmanship that allowed us to move the ball between the 20s is very difficult to execute in that part of the field. But they did also try to go vertical several times in the red zone, they just failed to execute. Maybe they could have tried another run play or three, but I don't think that would have made an iota of difference. They just couldn't open up running lanes. The line play was much worse in that aspect than even the stats would indicate.

So I would say 20 to 20, Reid did a good job. Kept the chains moving, kept Pittsburgh off the field. It was the right strategy and it would have been a winning strategy except that LeBeau owned him where it counted, in the red zone.

We had every opportunity to win.

There is definitely some truth to this. We're a team that needs to pass to open up the run while also including some form of misdirection in order to consistently open up running lanes.

But the thing about is, we have Jamaal ****ing Charles. Sooner or later, he's going to bust one. We saw that today after the Kelce "fumble" challenge. Had they not blown that one dead, it's likely a long TD for Jamaal.

9 carries just will not do. Especially with a HOF caliber talent at RB.

keg in kc · 12-21-2014, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahiMike

I could name a dozen WRs that make that catch. Including a couple rookies. If he positions his body properly, the DB can't get his hand on it.

I think that's a load of bullshit, but you're entitled to your opinion.

**gblowfish** · 12-21-2014, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think that's a load of bullshit, but you're entitled to your opinion.

What's more bothersome to me is that they only targeted Bowe in the end zone once in all those trips into the red zone. If they only try him once, that means Alex or Andy or both don't trust him to get open, and make the catch. And that's a problem with what he's being paid to do.

**SAUTO** · 12-21-2014, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think that's a load of bullshit, but you're entitled to your opinion.

Exactly

**SAUTO** · 12-21-2014, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

What's more bothersome to me is that they only targeted Bowe in the end zone once in all those trips into the red zone. If they only try him once, that means Alex or Andy or both don't trust him to get open, and make the catch. And that's a problem with what he's being paid to do.

Or Alex shit his pants too quickly

Hammock Parties · 12-21-2014, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

What's more bothersome to me is that they only targeted Bowe in the end zone once in all those trips into the red zone. If they only try him once, that means Alex or Andy or both don't trust him to get open, and make the catch. And that's a problem with what he's being paid to do.

Bowe was nails on red zone targets before Alex.

Alex just sucks.

Lonewolf Ed · 12-21-2014, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gosampel

Sry didn't watch the

today but I will tell yah the season is over for the

Thanks for clearing that up.

InChiefsHeaven · 12-21-2014, 08:44 PM

It's the Chiefs. We should be used to this.

Look, I never thought we were a playoff team. But we won some games that we just never should have. And then, we lost games we never should have. It's the ****ing Chiefs.

I honestly want them to win next week. **** draft position at this point. We won't go to the playoffs, but we are not a two win team. I dunno...Go Chiefs. You ****ers.

Nice writeup at always George. Merry Christmas and God bless brutha.

Go Chiefs. You ****ers.

WilliamTheIrish · 12-21-2014, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Don't forget Larry, 3rd on the list...

I believe gb stated:

Quote:

Cakn patna

12-21-2014, 04:27 PM
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16876178 VARSITY	Ten Things About Today's Game Ten Things About Today's Game 10. The NFL is a cruel, unforgiving place. The season is a 16 game grind. Injuries take a toll. Weak players on the roster get exposed. Bad losses come home to roost in December, forcing teams to win during desperate circumstances. KC hasn't been a very good road team this season. Their one signature road win was beating San Diego early in the year. So going to Pittsburgh in December -a place where the Chiefs haven't won since 1986- was a pretty tall order. And of course, they failed because they did nothing but kick field goals. If you can't score TDs, you don't deserve to go to the playoffs. If you can't score TD's, you'll always get beat by teams that do. If you can't score TDs, you cannot compete, period. Both teams scored four times today. Two of Pittsburgh's scores were TDs, the Chiefs kicked four field goals. Crunch time games like today show a lot about a team, their true heart, and what they're made of. I'm going to speak to the truth about this years team. Many of you may not like what I have to say, especially the rose colored glass homers, but I think hard truths are in order after today's loss. 9. This team will never be much more than a borderline "maybe make the playoffs" type of team with Alex Smith at QB. He is Matt Cassel with better scrambling ability. He is incapable of bringing your team back once behind. He consistently loses must win games. Maybe that's the "consistent quality," that Andy Reid admires. But he is not a difference maker. He cannot put a team on his back and will them to win. Who can, and who continues to do that? Manning. Brady. Rodgers. Luck. Roethlisberger. Rivers. Breese. Wilson. You know...guys who get to the playoffs and get to Super Bowls. Smith had Wilson wide open on a potential 60 yard bomb in the first half. He missed him, badly. Smith has no deep ball accuracy-at all. Passes from ten to fifteen yards is his effective range. Even in the fourth quarter down by two scores, Smith is still dinking and dunking the ball down the field. Yeah, he had a 300 yard passing day, but so what? That's on 45 passing attempts. Until we get a guy who is more than a "game manager," we're doomed to this type of year forever. The Chiefs seem to be complacent with this type of QB at the helm, and have been with every QB since Montana. It's engrained in the organizational DNA. They will never win until they find a difference maker at QB. And since they're committed to Smith for the forseeable future, this fact will not change soon. 8. Jamaal Charles may be the best running back in Chiefs history. But he is not a big game player, and is not a clutch player. He is injury prone, and he is mistake prone. He does not shine when most needed. Today he fumbled at a critical point in a 10-6 game, bringing about a potential 14-point swing; killing a Chiefs drive at the Pittsburgh 25. Then Pittsburgh marches the ball right down the field for seven and moves to a 17-6 lead, and game over. Charles could only manage 29 yards on nine carries, that's less than three yards a carry. Meanwhile, Bell runs for 63 yards and a TD. That's not great production, but he did score a TD in a critical game at a critical time. Charles has to prove to me he can be a difference maker in a game that means something important. He's never done that. Unfortunately, he's been beat up, or had a concussion, or for whatever reason couldn't rise to the occasion. His inability to stay healthy was a major reason we lost the Colts playoff game last year. Wasn't his fault he got hurt, but I'm just saying, the great ones rise to the occasion. Charles has never done that as a Chief. The NFL is a cruel, results oriented business. So by the standards of measurement in the NFL, it makes him a very good player. Not a great player compared to other backs in clutch situation. He may be in the Hall of Fame someday, but his lack of post season production will temper the discussion. 7. Dwayne Bowe has stolen his bloated paycheck this year. Yeah, he's had the flu this week. But in the second quarter, second and goal from the Steeler five yard line, Smith throws a back shoulder fade to Bowe, one on one on a backup Steelers cornerback. Bowe knows the ball is coming. He's supposed to be a strong, fight for the football type of possession receiver. The ball hits him in the hands, he drops it. Chiefs settle for three. Bowe catches six passes, but averages less than ten yards per catch. He never impacts the game. Meanwhile, Brown, his Steeler counterpart, goes for 72 yards and a TD, contributing to his team's victory in a must have game. Bowe should be cut or traded. He does not help this team win, he sucks up salary cap, and does not make the big play. Wilson, an undrafted free agent, has outplayed him two weeks in a row. 6. There was a big article in the KC Star today about how Eric Fisher has been mentored by John Alt over the past few weeks. Fisher was an embarrassment against a geriatric James Harrison today. Harrison beat Fisher for two sacks, and was in on several other tackles for loss. Fisher was basically awful. Right before the half, Charles tried to run behind Fisher on a fourth and one, and got stuffed because Fisher blocked the wrong guy. Sherman got his block. Fasano got his block Fisher blocked down on the nose tackle, leaving the linebacker -who he should have blocked - free to step up on the hole, completely clear to stuff Charles. Zero points, and a complete change in the complexion of the game. Next year will be Fisher's third year. If he doesn't improve, he will just be a journeyman line player, and will be a monumental waste of the first pick in the draft. If you can't run behind the first pick in the draft, with the blocking help of a fullback, and the blocking help of a tight end, and can't make one yard, you don't deserve to win. 5. Andy Reid made Alex Smith throw 45 times today. He only ran the ball 14 times. If Charles was too banged up to run, then pound Knile Davis. Davis is a capable big back. He's a lot like.....oh, say BELL of Pittsburgh. This kind of offensive imbalance is why we lose. If you are going to throw the ball all day, where is Kelce? Four catches? The only play Kelce was involved in that meant anything was a fake field goal. Then after showing the stones to try to sustain a drive for seven, they run Charles up the middle, Fasano gets beat on his block and Charles makes a yard. Then Bowe drops the fade in the end zone, then on third down Alex gets chased around the right side with no time to throw, because Fisher got beat by Harrison again. Alex meekly runs out of bounds at the five, and we kick a field goal. Then the Steelers march right down field to score their first TD. I think Andy knew that we'd need TDs to hang today. I think that's why he went for the fourth and one right before halftime. He gambled on Fisher and lost. 4. The real reason this is a mediocre team -either an 8-8 or 9-7 team as we'll see after next week- is because this defense was gutted. Losing DJ and DeVito the first game of the season hurt. Losing Berry hurt more. That's two All-Pro's and a legit run stopper right up the middle. The rest of our "All-Pro's" didn't do enough to change the course of this game. Hali's bad knee is making him ineffective. He had two tackles, no sacks, was not a factor at all. Houston had four tackles and one sack. That's not good enough. Poe? No sacks, one tackle. That's not good enough. Nobody forced a fumble or pick. Not good enough. Not good enough when the Steelers get five sacks and force a critical fumble on Charles. Steelers averaged seven yards on every first down play. Not good enough, defense. That said, the players who desperately needed to be our leaders did not show up on offense. Giving up 20 points in Pittsburgh is not terrible, but the Steelers kept the Chiefs at a good arm's length most of the game. They knew Smith would not rally the team once down by two scores. 3. Because of injuries, the Chiefs are down to a lot of bottom of the barrel guys seeing the field. Fleming, Owens, Parker, all not good enough. None should be kept on this roster next year, we have to do better. Gaines was out with the flu today (I suppose). He better have been puking his socks up in the locker room not to suit up and play. Mauga should be a special teamer like Zombo. He would only start for some of the worst teams in the league. On the offensive line, Linkenbach, Harris, not good enough. A wide receiver corps with Bowe, Avery, Hemmingway and Hammond? Not good enough. I'm OK with Avant and Wilson, we know who they are. Bowe would make a fine number three or four receiver for somebody, but his contract is a boat anchor. Cut him loose, let's get somebody in here who's a fighter and a winner. 2. Special teams contributed all the points (sadly) and made one nice play on a fake field goal for a first down. The final on-side kick was totally botched. Chiefs had no chance to recover. That's what you get with a rookie kicker. Santos has no prior experience in such a situation, and it showed. DAT could break nothing in kick coverage. We needed something extra from the specials to have a chance today, and didn't get it. They didn't beat us, they just didn't help that much. 1. So, it's come down to -realistically- all we can do is hope to spoil San Diego's season next week. I predict 20,000 or more no-shows. The ticket brokers were already dumping seats for dirt cheap. Phyllis has a bulging disc in his neck, but he'll find a way to slice and dice us. Once he sees our shit coverage on Heath Miller, Antonio Gates will run crazy against us. This team is mediocre. It's going to be mediocre. Yeah, there's some weird mathematical stuff that could still happen where the Chiefs would sneak in as a "playoff team," but do you really think they'd win anything? They're lumped in with all the other mediocre teams like Buffalo, and San Diego, and Baltimore. We lost to two of the teams who'll be picking in the top four slots in the 2015 draft. That's enough to send you home for New Years, and deservedly so. This team got what it deserved today. Well, that's my rant. It's hard to be Mr. Jolly Pants when your team's season just went down in flames. Finally, I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas. As for me, My mom was just released from a week's stay in the hospital yesterday to go home. My beautiful little kitty Mama Cat is quickly fading away from illness and old age, but I'm hoping she makes it another week to spend one more Christmas with us. My wife gets to retire after this school year concludes. My company laid off two people in the last month, and to my relief, neither of them was me. So I have much to be guardedly grateful for. I hope your world -family, health and profession- are calm, care-free and joyous. God Bless Us, every one. KC Star Game Photos are Here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...le4770033.html Last edited by gblowfish; 12-21-2014 at 04:57 PM..
Posts: 41,020

12-21-2014, 08:15 PM	#108
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16876178 VARSITY	I knew there would be a great deal of argument over Charles. I don't make my comments lightly. He's a great back. Maybe the best Chiefs back ever. That includes Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, Mike Garrett, Ed Podolak, Joe Delaney, Cakn Patna, the Nigerian Nightmare and others. There's no doubt the guy is tough. He's proven that this year. He probably shouldn't have played at all today with his bad knee and ankle. He may still be concussed as well. But there is something about great backs, where they show up in big games. Franco Harris, Riggins, Czonka, Fauk, Emmit Smith, Tomlinson, Roger Craig, Beast Mode, these kind of guys came up HUGE in must win games, in playoff games, in Super Bowls. They shine on the biggest stage, at the most important times, in the most important games. Let's review JC's rushing production in the crucial games this year: The loss to Tennessee, the loss to Oakland, and losses to Denver, Arizona and today: Ten 26, KC 10 Charles 7 carries, 19 yards, 0 TDs Oak 24, KC 20 Charles 19 carries 80 yards, 1 TD (pass reception) Denver 29, KC 16 Charles 10 carries, 35 yards, 0 TDs. Arizona 17, KC 14 Charles 10 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD (63 yards on one carry) Pittsburgh 20, KC 12 Charles 9 carries, 29 yards, 0 TDs Hey, Derrick Thomas is a hall of famer. He was also guilty of disappearing in important games. He never had a memorable playoff game, and oftentimes when Marty and the Chiefs lost, it was in part due to DT disappearing. It was a rap that followed DT his whole career. He was a great individual player, he was not a difference maker in big money, important do or die games. That's just the truth.
Posts: 41,020

12-21-2014, 08:15 PM	#109
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	very disappointing season I'll remember it for losing to the Titans, the Raiders and then losing games against Arizona, San Fran and Pittsburgh where we just shot our **ing selves in the foot in all three games, repeatedly. The only two games where we were outmatched was Denver. Twice. Oh shit, and Tennessee week 1 we'll be 10-6 or 11-5 next year, by default, and lose our 1st round playoff game real **ing exciting time to be a Chiefs fan hurry up baseball
Posts: 56,356

12-21-2014, 08:44 PM	#119
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $585437	It's the Chiefs. We should be used to this. Look, I never thought we were a playoff team. But we won some games that we just never should have. And then, we lost games we never should have. It's the **ing Chiefs. I honestly want them to win next week. draft position at this point. We won't go to the playoffs, but we are not a two win team. I dunno...Go Chiefs. You ers. Nice writeup at always George. Merry Christmas and God bless brutha. Go Chiefs. You **ers. __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 27,260