Chiefs Chiefs sticking with spread offense? - Page 3

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 08:55 AM

I am sick of talking about Hali and DJ fitting into the 3-4 and whether the Chiefs are going to draft an ILB, a RT or an injured WR.... so, why not bring up something that will make Mecca's head explode.

First, I am not saying the Chiefs will use the spread offense as extensively as they did last year.

However, if you watched the Cards under Haley last year, they used a ton of the spread.

And, if you watched the Pats, Cassel played his best from the shotgun in the spread offense.

For those of you who don't think the spread has much of a future in the NFL... much of what the Pats have run over the last two years has been based on the spread.

In fact, after further examination, I think Cassel and Thigpen's playing style is more similar than it is different. Cassel is clearly more polished and tended to make quicker better reads, and of course is two inches taller.

But, he was more comfortable in the shotgun, similar to Thigpen. He is also a scrambler, similar to Thigpen. And, he was the most comfortable using the spread formation, simialr to Thigpen.

Could the Chiefs have picked him up BECAUSE he will make a good spread QB?

Gailey and Haley are very similar in that they will not force the issue, they will do what their players do best. I think the spread will be a large part of the offensive package utilized in KC.

What I don't know is why the 'spread' has such a negative conotation. Teams have used versions of this in the NFL for a long time.

I have even come up with a name for the offense that I think we will see this year, the 'West Coast Spread'. I believe they will combine many of the pilosophies of the west coast sytem: Larger receivers, shorter passes, slants, etc. I think they will be a primarily zone running team. And, finally, I think that Cassel will see a larger part of the time in the shotgun spread formation.

Now, that I have laid out what I think will happen..... based on nothing more than what I think the talent on the team will be good at as well as what the coaches have done in the past.... you guys can flame me.

Yes... this is a stab in the dark. No, I am not an insider. But, frankly, I would rather get flamed on something new and interesting than continue to argue whether Hali can be an OLB or whether positional value should outweigh actual player evaluation.

RustShack · 03-10-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcbubb

I think it is a little early to say definitively what Thigpen can or can't do. Last year, Cassel was a guy that hadn't started a game since high school and most thought he couldn't do anything.

Cassel is a classic Pro Style QB and Thigpen is a classic spread QB, you have to be an idiot to argue that or just plain don't watch football.

RustShack · 03-10-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

I do think the bashing of Thigpen is a little premature. Yeah, he still has much to work on, and he wasn't 'great' last year, but he had pretty good numbers on a suspect team, and he was only in year two.

Cassel was in his fourth year with a ton of talent.

I liked the move for Cassel because I don't think you can go wrong trying to stockpile promising young talent at the QB position. But, I won't be totally shocked if Thigpen beats him out.

Croyle and Gray could both beat out Thigpen in TC if its wide open...

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Cassel is a classic Pro Style QB and Thigpen is a classic spread QB, you have to be an idiot to argue that or just plain don't watch football.

Really? Then I wonder why the classic pro style QB played his best in the spread offense?

Honest question here: Did you actually watch Cassel play much last year?

I am not saying he was running the option like Thigpen did at times, but they looked similar at many times last year.

Sully · 03-10-2009, 09:56 AM

Neither of those teams ran the "spread."
They also didn't run the "Run 'n' Shoot."

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-10-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Croyle and Gray could both beat out Thigpen in TC if its wide open...

I've been saying the same thing, especially if he's asked to run a pro-style offense.

Wouldn't shock me in the least to see Thigpen as #3, or off the roster completely.

CrazyHorse · 03-10-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I respectfully disagree.

It gets progressively harder to run a passing offense the closer you get to the goal line, because the opposing defense doesn't have to cover as much ground. It's a huge advantage for the defense to only have to cover 20 yards instead of 70. It's an even bigger advantage when the defense knows you can't run the ball, as we witnessed last year.

Let me explain the post further.

It's easier to pass the football inside the 20 in a passing situation from the shotgun, than it is to pass the ball from behind center inside the 20 in a passing situation.

Sorry for not being clearer.

Your post is common knowledge. I assumed most understood that concept.

RustShack · 03-10-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Really? Then I wonder why the classic pro style QB played his best in the spread offense?

Honest question here: Did you actually watch Cassel play much last year?

I am not saying he was running the option like Thigpen did at times, but they looked similar at many times last year.

I take it last year was the first time you've ever heard of Cassel then. But since this is the NFL and most QB's have their first pro success from the Shotgun I guess I see no reason for Cassel to be any different.

RustShack · 03-10-2009, 09:58 AM

I love how people think lining up in the shotgun is the "spread' too

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Croyle and Gray could both beat out Thigpen in TC if its wide open...

Croyle could beat out Cassel too if he could ever stay healthy. He has a better arm than Cassel, Thigpen, Gray or Sanchez. The only guy the Chiefs could have gotten this year with a better arm would be Stafford.

Unfortunately, that great arm is attached to a very frail body.

And, for that reason, I don't think the Chiefs go into another season with him as the starter, even if he is playing better than the other QB's.

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

I take it last year was the first time you've ever heard of Cassel then. But since this is the NFL and most QB's have their first pro success from the Shotgun I guess I see no reason for Cassel to be any different.

Not just talking about the shotgun, talking about the spread offense.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-10-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Really? Then I wonder why the classic pro style QB played his best in the spread offense?

Honest question here: Did you actually watch Cassel play much last year?

I am not saying he was running the option like Thigpen did at times, but they looked similar at many times last year.

Randy Moss.

Wes Welker.

Josh McDaniels.

Solid OL play.

6th best rushing offense in NFL.

Tell me, how were Cassel and Thigpen similar?

Don't bother responding if all you have is "took snaps from the shotgun."

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

I love how people think lining up in the shotgun is the "spread' too

Do you understand that there is a difference between the spread offense and the spread option? You can run the spread offense without the spread option. I think that is largely confused.

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Randy Moss.

Wes Welker.

Josh McDaniels.

Solid OL play.

6th best rushing offense in NFL.

Tell me, how were Cassel and Thigpen similar?

Don't bother responding if all you have is "took snaps from the shotgun."

You pointed out the differences in the teams' players... not the offensive schemes.

And, I agree, that Thigpen had inferior talent around him.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-10-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

You pointed out the differences in the teams' players... not the offensive schemes.

And, I agree, that Thigpen had inferior talent around him.

Those players made that scheme possible and successful.

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

I take it last year was the first time you've ever heard of Cassel then. But since this is the NFL and most QB's have their first pro success from the Shotgun I guess I see no reason for Cassel to be any different.

You raise a good point..... most QB's do have their first success from the shotgun.

It gives the QB a better view of the field and more time to get rid of the ball.

But, I am talking about the actual offense that the Pats were running, not just how the QB got the ball.

03-10-2009, 08:55 AM
SenselessChiefsFan MVP Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $10005450	Chiefs sticking with spread offense? I am sick of talking about Hali and DJ fitting into the 3-4 and whether the Chiefs are going to draft an ILB, a RT or an injured WR.... so, why not bring up something that will make Mecca's head explode. First, I am not saying the Chiefs will use the spread offense as extensively as they did last year. However, if you watched the Cards under Haley last year, they used a ton of the spread. And, if you watched the Pats, Cassel played his best from the shotgun in the spread offense. For those of you who don't think the spread has much of a future in the NFL... much of what the Pats have run over the last two years has been based on the spread. In fact, after further examination, I think Cassel and Thigpen's playing style is more similar than it is different. Cassel is clearly more polished and tended to make quicker better reads, and of course is two inches taller. But, he was more comfortable in the shotgun, similar to Thigpen. He is also a scrambler, similar to Thigpen. And, he was the most comfortable using the spread formation, simialr to Thigpen. Could the Chiefs have picked him up BECAUSE he will make a good spread QB? Gailey and Haley are very similar in that they will not force the issue, they will do what their players do best. I think the spread will be a large part of the offensive package utilized in KC. What I don't know is why the 'spread' has such a negative conotation. Teams have used versions of this in the NFL for a long time. I have even come up with a name for the offense that I think we will see this year, the 'West Coast Spread'. I believe they will combine many of the pilosophies of the west coast sytem: Larger receivers, shorter passes, slants, etc. I think they will be a primarily zone running team. And, finally, I think that Cassel will see a larger part of the time in the shotgun spread formation. Now, that I have laid out what I think will happen..... based on nothing more than what I think the talent on the team will be good at as well as what the coaches have done in the past.... you guys can flame me. Yes... this is a stab in the dark. No, I am not an insider. But, frankly, I would rather get flamed on something new and interesting than continue to argue whether Hali can be an OLB or whether positional value should outweigh actual player evaluation.
Posts: 5,540

03-10-2009, 09:56 AM	#34
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	Neither of those teams ran the "spread." They also didn't run the "Run 'n' Shoot." __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
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03-10-2009, 09:58 AM	#38
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $3036954	I love how people think lining up in the shotgun is the "spread' too __________________
Posts: 15,126