Chiefs Whitlock: I LOVE YOU HERM - Page 3

BigRock · 11-10-2008, 12:18 AM

I was so looking forward to the reaction to these columns. But nobody's posting them! So I figured I gotta get on that.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/882946.html

Quote:

Chiefs are heading in the right direction

Bad news for devout Herm Haters:

In losing 20-19 to San Diego on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs played a near-flawless game and gave the strongest testimony to date Herm Edwards might deserve at least one more season to lead the Chiefs.

Sorry. I absolutely loved Sunday’s game, especially the decisive decision to go for two points and the victory in the final minute rather than a game-tying extra point. And, to be totally honest, I loved the fact the two-point conversion failed.

The Chiefs’ single mission this season is improvement. As fans, we should have two missions: 1. Improvement; 2. Securing a draft pick high enough to pluck the best quarterback in the 2009 draft (Ball State’s Nate Davis if we’re lucky).

For the third week in a row, the Chiefs demonstrated dramatic improvement without jeopardizing a shot at the league’s No. 1 pick. Only the irrational would argue the Chiefs aren’t making progress.

“Yes, yes, I think we are,” Edwards said.

“As a team we feel like we’re going the right direction,” Tyler Thigpen added.

“We feel like we’re going the right way,” Brian Waters said.

Playing with its junior-varsity defense due to injuries to Turk McBride, Derrick Johnson, Brandon Flowers and Tamba Hali, Kansas City throttled San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson-powered running game, baffled quarterback Philip Rivers, produced two turnovers and forced the Chargers into a critical three-and-out with the game on the line late in the fourth quarter.

Safety Bernard Pollard starred, grabbing an interception and delivering pulverizing hits throughout the afternoon.

Offensively, Kansas City’s playmakers — Dwayne Bowe, Tony Gonzalez, Mark Bradley and Chan Gailey — made plays.

Yes, I put offensive coordinator Chan Gailey in the same classification as KC’s receivers. Gailey’s a playmaker. His spread offense is the innovation of the season. More than a quarterback, the Chiefs have discovered a style of play since losing Brodie Croyle to an injury and Larry Johnson to thuggery.

Bowe, Gonzalez, Bradley and the spread should be a permanent part of Kansas City’s offensive philosophy. When/if Larry Johnson returns, he’ll need to make far more adjustments than KC’s playbook. Obviously he can no longer be the centerpiece of the Chiefs’ offense.

Gonzalez (10 catches, 113 yards and two TDs), Bradley (nine for 81 yards and a TD) and Bowe (six for 72) key the Chiefs’ offense this season and next.

As for Tyler Thigpen (266 passing yards and three TDs), I like what he’s doing, but I’m far from sold on him as anybody’s quarterback of the future. He’s not Rich Gannon. He’s a good backup. The ability to improvise and an instinctive swagger define starting NFL quarterbacks. I don’t see those qualities in Thigpen.

On the two-point conversion, he momentarily froze when the Chargers took away his primary target, Gonzalez, and then Thigpen floated a duck in Gonzalez’s direction. Nope. I can be convinced otherwise, but right now he’s a good No.2 at best.

A bogus defensive pass-interference call put the Chiefs in position to win the game, setting the Chiefs up at the 2.

The fortunate PI, KC’s one-win record and the injuries on defense made Herm’s decision to go for two points a no-brainer. There was no reason to throw Kansas City’s banged-up defense out on the field for overtime.

It was the perfect loss.

The last three weeks make me wonder how much of a role Johnson’s poor attitude and big contract played in Kansas City’s horrific start to the season. What we’ve witnessed since his absence is a clear case of addition by subtraction. With Johnson out of the lineup, Gailey was free to use his full imagination in reshaping Kansas City’s strategy. With Johnson either out of the locker room or demoted to scout team, it’s clear, too, that Herm has the attention of his young team.

We all need to take a step back and re-evaluate Edwards’ performance. He is not perfect. But he’s been hamstrung by a set of problems not his own making. He’s beginning to dig out from those problems.

The Chiefs are building an identity. We can afford to look at these final seven games with a fresh set of eyes. We have nothing to lose.

**007** · 11-10-2008, 08:53 AM

I still want carl and Herm fired. The improvements are coming from Chan the last two weeks. When Herm isn't handcuffing him.

Oooooh, Herm went for 2 he's the right guy. **** that.

chiefzilla1501 · 11-10-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duck Dog

Headed in the right direction? After two decent showings? I'll wait until the end of the season to make any judgments like that. Perhaps they finally feel they have a real QB with real potential driving the offense and perhaps not having Johnson distractions has helped, but the right direction is further away than two decent games.

And close loses like this might give Clark reason to give CP and HE another chance.

It's actually the third game in a row.

But during that time, we've seen major improvements from our young defensive tackles, still continuous improvement from our starting corners, a good young QB who could be our QBOTF (by the way, I can't believe people took Whitlock's joke about the Ball State QB seriously), 2 outstanding young receivers, vastly improved play from our offensive line...

Our mission this season was to improve, not win games. And if we lose games because of an injury to our long snapper, and where we are using our 4th string RB, 2nd string MLB, OLB, DE, and CB, then so what?

Reerun_KC · 11-10-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.B.A.

I WAS on the fire Herm bandwagon. Preseason, and first several games....no improvement. Numerous coaching miscues....we looked like Winnetonka High Schools, JV football team. Now we show significantly better coaching, our players are improving, hell even the guys that weren't on any team 3 weeks ago had flashes of ....well, at least goodness. I am off the bandwagon.

Whitlock was right. Our D is depleted due to injury. Thigpen and Bradley have improved extremely well, Bowe and Gonzales continue to be the studs they are. I see promise in our future. Is Thigpen the QOF...maybe, maybe not, but I am a fan of his. and Herms.......

So when our D was heathly and getting gashed earlier in the season or up as recently as 2 weeks ago.

Funny how people have very short selective memories...

We ran the option with Marcus Hagans against the Raiders at HOME who beat us down.... Please people....

chiefzilla1501 · 11-10-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I still want carl and Herm fired. The improvements are coming from Chan the last two weeks. When Herm isn't handcuffing him.

Oooooh, Herm went for 2 he's the right guy. **** that.

That's the X's and O's side. This is a 1-8 team riddled with injuries that is playing like they're fighting for the playoffs. They are playing very hard for him, and if you watch the Lions or the Bengals play, you'll see how big a deal that is.

Like I've said all along, Herm is the perfect coach for the rebuild. 1-2 years from now once this team's foundation is built, we'll see (and I'll need to be convinced).

I think you're downplaying the importance of motivation and also not giving him credit for stepping aside and letting Chan run his offense. There are a lot of coaches who would never let that happen.

RINGLEADER · 11-10-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcxiv

He's harsh on Thigpen. He's the only reason the Chiefs are even competitive.

Thigpen had Phillips coming on him fast becuase he knew the Boot was coming. WTF else was He supposed to do other then float one in there.

I agree completely. He is the reason for the Chiefs offensive turnaround. Yesterday he showed the ability to bring KC down the field when it mattered and punch it into the end zone.

It's all about improvement and in the last three games the Chiefs could have won them all on the last play. There are no more 34-0 blow-outs. And I think Thigpen should be given every chance to keep it going -- because he's showing improvement every game as well.

**007** · 11-10-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That's the X's and O's side. This is a 1-8 team riddled with injuries that is playing like they're fighting for the playoffs. They are playing very hard for him, and if you watch the Lions or the Bengals play, you'll see how big a deal that is.

Like I've said all along, Herm is the perfect coach for the rebuild. 1-2 years from now once this team's foundation is built, we'll see (and I'll need to be convinced).

I think you're downplaying the importance of motivation and also not giving him credit for stepping aside and letting Chan run his offense. There are a lot of coaches who would never let that happen.

Technically, I am giving him credit for letting Chan run his offense. Herm is still obviously getting in the way. How many punts in a row when we had the lead? come man, don't drink the herm koolaid.

**007** · 11-10-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

I agree completely. He is the reason for the Chiefs offensive turnaround. Yesterday he showed the ability to bring KC down the field when it mattered and punch it into the end zone.

It's all about improvement and in the last three games the Chiefs could have won them all on the last play. There are no more 34-0 blow-outs. And I think Thigpen should be given every chance to keep it going -- because he's showing improvement every game as well.

Thiggy is performing but it is Chan who is putting him in a position to succeed by changing the offensive style to fit his QB rather than Herm forcing his QB to fit his offensive philosophy.

Reerun_KC · 11-10-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That's the X's and O's side. This is a 1-8 team riddled with injuries that is playing like they're fighting for the playoffs. They are playing very hard for him, and if you watch the Lions or the Bengals play, you'll see how big a deal that is.

Like I've said all along, Herm is the perfect coach for the rebuild. 1-2 years from now once this team's foundation is built, we'll see (and I'll need to be convinced).

I think you're downplaying the importance of motivation and also not giving him credit for stepping aside and letting Chan run his offense. There are a lot of coaches who would never let that happen.

There are more coaches who out there who let their coordinators coach more than not... Come on dude, not every coach is a dictator like we have seen here in KC...

So what coach couldnt go 1-18 over his last 19 games given the same circumstances Herm has?

RINGLEADER · 11-10-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That's the X's and O's side. This is a 1-8 team riddled with injuries that is playing like they're fighting for the playoffs. They are playing very hard for him, and if you watch the Lions or the Bengals play, you'll see how big a deal that is.

Like I've said all along, Herm is the perfect coach for the rebuild. 1-2 years from now once this team's foundation is built, we'll see (and I'll need to be convinced).

I think you're downplaying the importance of motivation and also not giving him credit for stepping aside and letting Chan run his offense. There are a lot of coaches who would never let that happen.

Agree.

If the Chiefs can pull off some wins at the end of the year I think we'll be in great shape with another top-five pick, the loot to fill some holes in free agency, and a QB who can play the game.

Whitlock needs to understand that we have a QB who has posted a 104 QB rating against two top-ten defenses while being on the road for two of the three games. He's playing very well and getting better.

Reerun_KC · 11-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Thiggy is performing but it is Chan who is putting him in a position to succeed by changing the offensive style to fit his QB rather than Herm forcing his QB to fit his offensive philosophy.

Bingo, lets see how this works when LJ comes back? Is Herm still going to allow the players to be put in positions to succeed? Or are we going to clam up and R2P2?

RINGLEADER · 11-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Thiggy is performing but it is Chan who is putting him in a position to succeed by changing the offensive style to fit his QB rather than Herm forcing his QB to fit his offensive philosophy.

Don't disagree. Hopefully Herm is smart enough not to meddle.

Reerun_KC · 11-10-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That's the X's and O's side. This is a 1-8 team riddled with injuries that is playing like they're fighting for the playoffs. They are playing very hard for him, and if you watch the Lions or the Bengals play, you'll see how big a deal that is.

Like I've said all along, Herm is the perfect coach for the rebuild. 1-2 years from now once this team's foundation is built, we'll see (and I'll need to be convinced).

I think you're downplaying the importance of motivation and also not giving him credit for stepping aside and letting Chan run his offense. There are a lot of coaches who would never let that happen.

Another thing, IF Herm is so great, why did it take this long to see that the talent is not suited for his offense he wants to run? Why did it take the whole offseason, preseason and 5 regular season games to realize that his right side of the Offensive line sucks? Did he have to kill 2 QB's to realize that?

Just asking?

RINGLEADER · 11-10-2008, 09:07 AM

Whitlock should also give some love to the O-Line -- they've been playing great for the most part (notable exception of McIntosh who should start next year as a back-up on this team, if at all).

Reerun_KC · 11-10-2008, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

Agree.

If the Chiefs can pull off some wins at the end of the year I think we'll be in great shape with another top-five pick, the loot to fill some holes in free agency, and a QB who can play the game.

Whitlock needs to understand that we have a QB who has posted a 104 QB rating against two top-ten defenses while being on the road for two of the three games. He's playing very well and getting better.

That I agree with... Just imagine if we had a QB coach that understood the position... I am sure Father time is well known throughout the league in the QB ranks...

chiefzilla1501 · 11-10-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Technically, I am giving him credit for letting Chan run his offense. Herm is still obviously getting in the way. How many punts in a row when we had the lead? come man, don't drink the herm koolaid.

How many times did we run the ball during that stretch? And how many times were we running plays out of the shotgun?

11-10-2008, 08:53 AM	#31
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $12090126 VARSITY	I still want carl and Herm fired. The improvements are coming from Chan the last two weeks. When Herm isn't handcuffing him. Oooooh, Herm went for 2 he's the right guy. **** that. __________________ 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.
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11-10-2008, 09:07 AM	#43
RINGLEADER In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Confusion, USA Casino cash: $8070503	Whitlock should also give some love to the O-Line -- they've been playing great for the most part (notable exception of McIntosh who should start next year as a back-up on this team, if at all).
Posts: 48,491