Chiefs Whitlock:Chiefs’ play is scaring the wrong people - Page 7

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-04-2009, 10:16 PM

Chiefs’ play is scaring the wrong people
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

Scared yet?

An unintended consequence of Scott Pioli’s and Todd Haley’s master plan of inspiring fear and intimidation throughout the Chiefs franchise is that they’re scaring the (spit) out of us, too.

I’ll admit it. I’m scared. I’m afraid Pioli and Haley are on a ridiculous power trip, have no real clue how to fix the Chiefs and are going to spend the entire season hiring and firing players like 15-year-old fantasy-football owners.

Against the New York Giants, the Chiefs trotted out their third different starting right tackle, Ryan O’Callaghan, a Larry Johnson-led wildcat formation and some no-name special-teams player to replace Monty Beisel.

The result? The Giants toyed with the Chiefs, winning 27-16 in a game that was boring, uncompetitive and pointless for the boys in red.

If you’re not scared, you probably spent the afternoon at Kansas Speedway watching NASCAR.

A week after promising to establish a tough, physical, impose-our-will-on-the-ground identity, Haley spent the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Giants padding quarterback Matt Cassel’s stats with shotgun pass plays from inside the New York 10.

Cassel connected on fourth-quarter scoring tosses of 1 and 2 yards. Kansas City’s Sixty Million Dollar Man completed 15 of 32 passes for 127 yards and two TDs. He survived five sacks. The offensive line was leaky, and Cassel fell into the annoying habit of anticipating leaks that weren’t there.

Scared yet?

I am. I’m not sure if the players in the locker room are all that scared. Oh, they’re quiet, fearful of saying the wrong thing. But scared straight, scared into playing at a high level? I see no evidence. Do you?

Cassel throws behind his receivers on crossing routes and overthrows his receivers on any route more than 15 yards downfield. The offensive line can’t protect Cassel or open holes for Larry Johnson. Dwayne Bowe and Bobby Wade had little trouble dropping balls that hit them in the hands.

A pass rush from KC’s front four? Nonexistent. New York’s Steve Smith caught three more passes while you were reading the first 400 words of this column. Did the Chiefs ever cover Smith? Is he the second coming of Jerry Rice?

And please, someone tell me what linebacker Derrick Johnson did to the Chiefs’ coaching staff. Is he simply a high-profile example of Haley’s and Pioli’s willingness to target any player for embarrassment?

Johnson spent most of Sunday afternoon warming up on the sideline, jogging, stretching, trying to keep circulation in his legs. In terms of big plays this season, Johnson is responsible for the biggest — the long interception return against the Ravens. A team in desperate need of playmakers could certainly be helped by Johnson’s athletic ability.

He’s a bench-warmer. He’s a symbol in the my-way-or-the-highway army.

Haley’s highway, at some point, has to produce tangible results. His coaching Godfather, Bill Parcells, preached that you are what your record says you are. The Chiefs are 0-4 and gaining momentum. A winless know-it-all doesn’t garner much respect.

I believe Beisel was released in a futile effort to prove to the players in the locker room that Haley and Pioli weren’t strictly targeting holdovers from the Carl Peterson era. Haley and Pioli want to create the impression that they’re equal-opportunity jerks.

I’m not buying it. Neither, apparently, is Larry Johnson.

When asked after the game what the difference was between the Chiefs and the Giants, Johnson had a one-word response.

“Ego,” he said.

When asked to clarify, Johnson said “ego” again. He repeated it several times before reporters moved on to other questions.

It’s no secret in Kansas City or across the league. The No. 1 character trait/flaw driving the Chiefs organization right now is ego.

Pioli created the Sixty Million Dollar Man, and the Chiefs repeatedly went shotgun from the 1 in an effort to justify a few of those $60 million.

Rather than embrace and coach up the players they inherited, Pioli and Haley have treated Peterson’s leftovers as if they could be replaced by guys off the street. It’s just not a sound foundation. It’s a highway to nowhere.

HotRoute · 10-05-2009, 10:53 AM

can anybody see anything positive out of this game? if nothing else it would have to be the aggressive play calling. so far thats 2 surprise onside kicks i've seen this year. And how many times did we see that with herm? i've also seen 3 TERRIBLE calls against us[page, helmet to helmet, russel roughing the passer, and a pass interference call that was completely bogus], all of which kept the drive going and i think led to points everytime. its almost like the big city teams always get the calls. kinda funny how that works.

maybe one positive would have been hali forcing a fumble and dorsey recovering it. i literally jumped out of my seat and said "hell ya" we should be so lucky to get to the QB but it was good to see a little D.Thomas like KC strip, loved it

HotRoute · 10-05-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I would hope that the head coach who fired his OC a month or so ago, would be able to have something better than the league's worst ranked 3rd down conversion rate. Why dismiss Gailey if you can't improve on what he was doing?

cassel's inablility to know where the 1st down marker amazed me, the 3rd down conversion rate is 100% on him, its understandable to let it happen maybe once or twice a week. but on every third down, c'mon thats bush league matt, bush league.

Chiefnj2 · 10-05-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC111110

cassel's inablility to know where the 1st down marker amazed me, the 3rd down conversion rate is 100% on him, its understandable to let it happen maybe once or twice a week. but on every third down, c'mon thats bush league matt, bush league.

Why is it all on Cassel? Why aren't the receivers being asked to run patterns beyond the 1st down marker?

htismaqe · 10-05-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

If Haley is trying to build an identity, if he is running the ball to 'prove a point', then you pound the ball there.

The problem I have with Haley is I see no consistency. He takes stupid chances like an onsides kick in the Raider game, but doesn't go for it from inside the five yard line.

He runs it to prove a point against Philly... but passes the ball down at the goal line the next week.

He runs draws with LJ when Charles would be the better option.... with the assumption being that he fumbles, but he still gets to return the kickoffs.

It is one thing to show confidence and build an identity. It is another to look as if you are floundering......

He's obviously experimenting. Consistency at this point is pretty useless. I mean, Herm and Carl were CONSISTENT. Is that what we're looking for?

PunkinDrublic · 10-05-2009, 11:07 AM

I think Whitlock got his feelings hurt by Pioli and now he's trying to set a storyline of Haley and Pioli being egomaniacs. He got a one word quote from LJ which could be interpreted to mean different things. I'll bet he ran around interviewing several players trying to find the words to use against the GM.

In reality I believe Whitlock is the one with the ego. In one of his other columns he said "I run these corners". I think he said it tongue in cheek but I think there is a kernal of truth in what he is saying. I think Whitlock has fallen into the trap of many sports writers in other cities. He seems to have developed this sense of entitlement that he should be given unfettered access into the Chiefs organization because I'm Jason Whitlock I've been a columnist in KC over 15 years and my ass should be kissed. When it doesn't happen his columns turn into a personal vendetta.

htismaqe · 10-05-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Why is it all on Cassel? Why aren't the receivers being asked to run patterns beyond the 1st down marker?

Why can't the WR's get separation? Why can't the line block for longer than a 1-step drop?

SDChiefs · 10-05-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Matt Cassel has thrown alot of garbage time TD's this year and has nice looking numbers despite the blowouts...I do wonder if that is being done on purpose.

In 3 games he is 0-3 with 331 yds 3 TDs and 2 INTs. Im too lazy to look up his completion percentage but im guessing its around 50. How are these good numbers?

PunkinDrublic · 10-05-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Why can't the WR's get separation? Why can't the line block for longer than a 1-step drop?

Cassel is also out of synch with his recievers a lot. Bowe missed a lot of time in practice last week so that's understandable.

beach tribe · 10-05-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

We already know that won't work, so why try it?

Maybe I'm missing something. I don't know that won't work.
1st, and goal from the 1. It better work. It has to work. Every team in the league needs to be able to pound it in from the 1. If they can't, they need to do it over, and over, until they can. That's just fundamental football. It's something that a team must be able to do..
Not risking an INT, or a fumble, or sack.
Cassel almost threw an INT 1 of those times. you can't take those kinds of risks from there. Line up, and have Larry do what he did against the Raiders when Dicky V went for it. I would almost guarantee that Larry would get that TD in 2 tries, and damn sure in 4.

htismaqe · 10-05-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Maybe I'm missing something. I don't know that won't work.
1st, and goal from the 1. It better work. It has to work. Every team in the league needs to be able to pound it in from the 1. If they can't, they need to do it over, and over, until they can. That's just fundamental football. It's something that a team must be able to do..

So when Haley does EXACTLY what you were asking, people bitch. But when he doesn't do it, people bitch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

I would almost guarantee that Larry would get that TD in 2 tries, and damn sure in 4.

This team loses yardage on running plays more than any team I've ever seen. I don't see how you could even be reasonably confident in that outcome, let alone guarantee it. If I were to offer a guarantee, it would be that they'd find SOME way to make sure they didn't get 7 points, no matter what plays were called.

penchief · 10-05-2009, 11:28 AM

Accountability does not equate to scare tactics and intimidation. Whitlock is just feeding the false narrative he's been trying to create. He needs to stop being so childish and act like a real journalist. There is nothing wrong with legitimate criticism but the faux drama that he is constantly trying to stir up has got to stop. All he's doing is catering to his personal agenda.

Dude is way too immature to be a professional journalist. Why hasn't the Star canned his ass yet?

beach tribe · 10-05-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

So when Haley does EXACTLY what you were asking, people bitch. But when he doesn't do it, people bitch.

This team loses yardage on running plays more than any team I've ever seen. I don't see how you could even be reasonably confident in that outcome, let alone guarantee it. If I were to offer a guarantee, it would be that they'd find SOME way to make sure they didn't get 7 points, no matter what plays were called.

Fair enough. But I would not have been pissed had they tried to dive over the top from the 1. Now if we were on the 5 or something that's one thing, but 1st, and goal from the 1, IMO you have to be able to pound it in from there, and I honestly do believe that we could have gotten in. I really do. FB dive HB dive, QB dive whatever. I thoroughly believe that a team MUST be able to do this to be able to win anything.

keg in kc · 10-05-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

This team loses yardage on running plays more than any team I've ever seen. I don't see how you could even be reasonably confident in that outcome, let alone guarantee it. If I were to offer a guarantee, it would be that they'd find SOME way to make sure they didn't get 7 points, no matter what plays were called.

I said this all through the game yesterday.

The problem is not playcalling. Because it doesn't matter what plays they call. The offensive line can't open up running lanes and it can't sustain a pocket. So you can call whatever the hell you want, the results will ultimately be the same. The Chiefs are going to get stuffed. The only difference play calling makes at this point is deciding whether the play that probably isn't going to work involves running or throwing.

My guess is a year or two from now, when the offensive line is fixed and there's at least 2 solid receivers, Cassel's gonna look like an all pro and Haley (or whoever the OC is - I think he'd be willing to hand the job over if there was somebody he trusted) will look like a genious.

SDChiefs · 10-05-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Why is it all on Cassel? Why aren't the receivers being asked to run patterns beyond the 1st down marker?

They are. Hes just throwing to the one that goes short of it because he has no deep ball.

htismaqe · 10-05-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penchief

Accountability does not equate to scare tactics and intimidation. Whitlock is just feeding the false narrative he's been trying to create. He needs to stop being so childish and act like a real journalist. There is nothing wrong with legitimate criticism but the faux drama that he is constantly trying to stir up has got to stop. All he's doing is catering to his personal agenda.

Dude is way too immature to be a professional journalist. Why hasn't the Star canned his ass yet?

It's not gonna change with Jason.

He likes to take credit for the Peterson dismissal because he was so "hard on the guy". Nevermind the fact that Peterson was here for TWO DECADES and weathered EVERYTHING Keitzman, Whitlock, and the rest threw at him.

When NOBODY takes your detractors seriously, your detractors are actually HELPING you, not hurting you.

Whitlock's agenda is ultimately counterproductive.

10-04-2009, 10:16 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3027187	Whitlock:Chiefs’ play is scaring the wrong people Chiefs’ play is scaring the wrong people JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY Scared yet? An unintended consequence of Scott Pioli’s and Todd Haley’s master plan of inspiring fear and intimidation throughout the Chiefs franchise is that they’re scaring the (spit) out of us, too. I’ll admit it. I’m scared. I’m afraid Pioli and Haley are on a ridiculous power trip, have no real clue how to fix the Chiefs and are going to spend the entire season hiring and firing players like 15-year-old fantasy-football owners. Against the New York Giants, the Chiefs trotted out their third different starting right tackle, Ryan O’Callaghan, a Larry Johnson-led wildcat formation and some no-name special-teams player to replace Monty Beisel. The result? The Giants toyed with the Chiefs, winning 27-16 in a game that was boring, uncompetitive and pointless for the boys in red. If you’re not scared, you probably spent the afternoon at Kansas Speedway watching NASCAR. A week after promising to establish a tough, physical, impose-our-will-on-the-ground identity, Haley spent the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Giants padding quarterback Matt Cassel’s stats with shotgun pass plays from inside the New York 10. Cassel connected on fourth-quarter scoring tosses of 1 and 2 yards. Kansas City’s Sixty Million Dollar Man completed 15 of 32 passes for 127 yards and two TDs. He survived five sacks. The offensive line was leaky, and Cassel fell into the annoying habit of anticipating leaks that weren’t there. Scared yet? I am. I’m not sure if the players in the locker room are all that scared. Oh, they’re quiet, fearful of saying the wrong thing. But scared straight, scared into playing at a high level? I see no evidence. Do you? Cassel throws behind his receivers on crossing routes and overthrows his receivers on any route more than 15 yards downfield. The offensive line can’t protect Cassel or open holes for Larry Johnson. Dwayne Bowe and Bobby Wade had little trouble dropping balls that hit them in the hands. A pass rush from KC’s front four? Nonexistent. New York’s Steve Smith caught three more passes while you were reading the first 400 words of this column. Did the Chiefs ever cover Smith? Is he the second coming of Jerry Rice? And please, someone tell me what linebacker Derrick Johnson did to the Chiefs’ coaching staff. Is he simply a high-profile example of Haley’s and Pioli’s willingness to target any player for embarrassment? Johnson spent most of Sunday afternoon warming up on the sideline, jogging, stretching, trying to keep circulation in his legs. In terms of big plays this season, Johnson is responsible for the biggest — the long interception return against the Ravens. A team in desperate need of playmakers could certainly be helped by Johnson’s athletic ability. He’s a bench-warmer. He’s a symbol in the my-way-or-the-highway army. Haley’s highway, at some point, has to produce tangible results. His coaching Godfather, Bill Parcells, preached that you are what your record says you are. The Chiefs are 0-4 and gaining momentum. A winless know-it-all doesn’t garner much respect. I believe Beisel was released in a futile effort to prove to the players in the locker room that Haley and Pioli weren’t strictly targeting holdovers from the Carl Peterson era. Haley and Pioli want to create the impression that they’re equal-opportunity jerks. I’m not buying it. Neither, apparently, is Larry Johnson. When asked after the game what the difference was between the Chiefs and the Giants, Johnson had a one-word response. “Ego,” he said. When asked to clarify, Johnson said “ego” again. He repeated it several times before reporters moved on to other questions. It’s no secret in Kansas City or across the league. The No. 1 character trait/flaw driving the Chiefs organization right now is ego. Pioli created the Sixty Million Dollar Man, and the Chiefs repeatedly went shotgun from the 1 in an effort to justify a few of those $60 million. Rather than embrace and coach up the players they inherited, Pioli and Haley have treated Peterson’s leftovers as if they could be replaced by guys off the street. It’s just not a sound foundation. It’s a highway to nowhere.
Posts: 43,455

10-05-2009, 10:53 AM	#91
HotRoute Veteran Join Date: Aug 2009 Casino cash: $9605656	can anybody see anything positive out of this game? if nothing else it would have to be the aggressive play calling. so far thats 2 surprise onside kicks i've seen this year. And how many times did we see that with herm? i've also seen 3 TERRIBLE calls against us[page, helmet to helmet, russel roughing the passer, and a pass interference call that was completely bogus], all of which kept the drive going and i think led to points everytime. its almost like the big city teams always get the calls. kinda funny how that works. maybe one positive would have been hali forcing a fumble and dorsey recovering it. i literally jumped out of my seat and said "hell ya" we should be so lucky to get to the QB but it was good to see a little D.Thomas like KC strip, loved it Last edited by HotRoute; 10-05-2009 at 10:56 AM.. Reason: fix
Posts: 2,274

10-05-2009, 11:07 AM	#95
PunkinDrublic Stay down bitch! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $4340670	I think Whitlock got his feelings hurt by Pioli and now he's trying to set a storyline of Haley and Pioli being egomaniacs. He got a one word quote from LJ which could be interpreted to mean different things. I'll bet he ran around interviewing several players trying to find the words to use against the GM. In reality I believe Whitlock is the one with the ego. In one of his other columns he said "I run these corners". I think he said it tongue in cheek but I think there is a kernal of truth in what he is saying. I think Whitlock has fallen into the trap of many sports writers in other cities. He seems to have developed this sense of entitlement that he should be given unfettered access into the Chiefs organization because I'm Jason Whitlock I've been a columnist in KC over 15 years and my ass should be kissed. When it doesn't happen his columns turn into a personal vendetta. __________________ Disappointing my parents since 1976
Posts: 9,557

10-05-2009, 11:28 AM	#101
penchief MVP Join Date: Feb 2003 Casino cash: $6085286	Accountability does not equate to scare tactics and intimidation. Whitlock is just feeding the false narrative he's been trying to create. He needs to stop being so childish and act like a real journalist. There is nothing wrong with legitimate criticism but the faux drama that he is constantly trying to stir up has got to stop. All he's doing is catering to his personal agenda. Dude is way too immature to be a professional journalist. Why hasn't the Star canned his ass yet?
Posts: 17,045