Looney ... The Morning After: Philadelphia

[Mr. Laz]

The Morning After: Philadelphia

By Josh Looney
Posted 5 hours ago
Chiefs show grit, but still not a win

Mr. Kansas City himself called me shortly before kickoff last night. Bill Grigsby is the best. When it comes to re-living Chiefs history, there are few better sources than ‘Ole Grigs.
Anyway, he asked me if I had a Chiefs record book handy, which I did. Grigs wanted to test his Chiefs knowledge.

“Now correct me if I’m wrong,” Grigsby said. “But the first time that the Eagles and Chiefs played each other was in 1972, and the Eagles won that game 21-20.”

He was correct; and then, of course, went on to tell a story from that day in Chiefs history.

Grigsby’s tale involved the Chiefs being three-touchdown favorites against Philly. The Eagles were woefully bad that year, 0-5 when they visited Arrowhead (they’d finish 2-11). Unfortunately, for the Chiefs, there was a pre-game alarm as to what was about to come.

“I get out there and our United States flag that’s flying at the top of Arrowhead is upside down,” Grigsby explained. “(Former GM)Jack Steadman was running around like Catfish Hunter with a no-hitter in the ninth inning and the bases loaded.

“Now remember this,” Grigsby continued. “The teams had never played before and the Chiefs were three touchdown favorites with a flag flying upside down. That means, in international code, ‘distress.’”

The “distress” call went out early once again against the Eagles at Arrowhead on Friday night. This time in the first contest played at the Chiefs newly renovated home.

The Chiefs fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, giving Philadelphia the football on the Kansas City 22 yard line. When Eagles RB LeSean McCoy sprinted his way for an 18-yard touchdown just 50 seconds into the contest, things looked bad. When the Chiefs fumbled on their third play from scrimmage and punted on their fifth, things looked worse.

On the Chiefs next offensive series, QB Matt Cassel’s pass hit off of TE Tony Moeaki’s hands and landed in the arms of Eagles CB Trevard Lindley. That’s when it looked like the Eagles rout was on.

“I don’t know that it could start a lot worse than it did, both offensively and defensively,” head coach Todd Haley said after the game.

But in this instance, the rout wasn’t on.

The Chiefs defense came alive, forcing five consecutive punts after allowing an Eagles field goal near the end of the first quarter. Kansas City front-line players would notch their first turnover of the preseason, tally four sacks and exit midway through the third quarter holding a 14-10 lead; it was something that seemed improbable just a quarter and a half prior.

“They say in boxing that it’s not how hard you punch, it’s how you react after you’ve been punched,” Haley said. “We took a couple of pretty good body blows; they might have been a couple of head shots, hay-makers, whatever you want to say, but guys fought back and made plays.”

How many times have we seen the Chiefs start the game in a similar fashion over the past few seasons, only to get run out of the building?

Last year’s game against the Eagles immediately comes to mind, as does the game against the Giants and that 2008 drubbing in Carolina. There are other examples as well. Call it the “here we go again,” or “same old, same old” type of feeling, but things turned around differently at The New Arrowhead last night.

“I think it was just the ‘want to,’” LB Demorrio Williams said. “Early on we probably hung our heads down but I think the guys realized what type of team we have and guys came out and just fought to win the game. We are trying to win this year and trying to bring Arrowhead back.”

Whatever it was, it was something to build on.

While Williams and Andy Studebaker did their best to provide a spark with a pair of sacks, the Chiefs offense didn’t come alive until a bizarre penalty grounded the Eagles. Cassel connected on eight consecutive passes in a 16-play drive that was extended by the fourth-down delay of game penalty on Philadelphia’s punt return team. It was a play that finally kick-started the Chiefs offense.

The span of time between that penalty and when the Chiefs starters were removed from the game was the best that the Chiefs have looked as a team thus far in 2010. The team was physical on both sides of the football and made plays that amount to what it takes to win in the NFL.

The overall play before that penalty, and then after the removal of the starters, is what has to be nixed before the regular season begins.

Three to Like

QB Takedowns

Finally! The Chiefs recorded their first sack of the preseason, and they did it in pairs.

Demorrio Williams played like a maniac on Friday night, finishing with a pair of sacks, a diving pass breakup and five tackles. Andy Studebaker pitched in with two sacks of his own and DL Dion Gales added another quarterback takedown in the fourth quarter to give the Chiefs a quintet of sacks on the evening. It was the first time since September 23, 2007 (vs. Minnesota) that the Chiefs recorded five or more sacks in single game.

“That is really important,” Williams said of the Chiefs notching a handful of sacks. “Especially to put their offense in a second and long, third and long, things like that are huge. On third down we got some pressure on the quarterback and gave our other guys a chance to make plays.”

The numbers could have been even better, had the Chiefs finished off a few more chances at wrapping up Kevin Kolb, Mike Vick and Mike Kafka.

Gritty Defensive Effort

The defense as a whole turned in an extremely solid performance, especially in the second and third quarters.

They weathered an early storm from Philadelphia; a storm that was trying to turn ugly in a hurry. Physicality was at a pre-season high with big hits all over the field, including a wicked stick by Derrick Johnson. The defense was blue collar, gritty, gutsy…whatever you want to call it…they played the game the way that it is meant to be played.

“Defensively we played together as a unit,” said S Kendrick Lewis, who had an interception. “Everyone was on the same page and we blitzed them a little. Guys were getting free and making plays and applying pressure. On the back end we did our thing as far as coverage is concerned but as a unit, it all worked in our favor.”

In the end, holding Philadelphia to just 5-of-17 on third down made a big difference in the way the night went defensively.

Rushing Roles

The offense didn’t have its best day as a unit, but the Chiefs run game offers something to look forward to heading into the regular season.

Both of the Chiefs speedsters, Dexter McCluster and Jamaal Charles, averaged around six yards a carry and got loose in the open field. Situationally, the Chiefs bigger backs turned in some solid runs too. Thomas Jones was able to convert third-and-short situations, as was Jackie Battle, and Jones found the end zone on an 11-yard carry to get the Chiefs back on top in the third quarter.

It’s clear that the Chiefs are aiming to be a running football team.

Three for Improvement

Finding a Way to Win

How much better would Chiefs fans feel if Kansas City’s reserves could have just forced a three-and-out on Philadelphia’s final series? Or even a turnover on down in the Red Zone?

Instead of kneeling on a win, the Chiefs were dealt a loss in the game’s final minute.

For some, it doesn’t matter. The starters dug their way out of an early hole, took the lead and brought some swagger back to Arrowhead. For others, it doesn’t matter who was on the field; the Chiefs found a way to lose a tight game. Preseason or not, we’ve seen this outcome before and it’s not any fun.

Wherever you stand, there’s something to be said for the confidence that is built in successfully finishing off an opponent.

Turnovers Crush Chances

Before the Chiefs were on the board, they had already dug themselves into a two turnover hole. Kansas City’s turnover ratio is now at -7 (eight giveaways, one takeaway) this preseason. Dick Vermeil used to have some sort of turnover chart built with winning percentages based off of negative, positive and neutral finishes in the turnover department.

I don’t have that chart handy, but the Chiefs have lost the turnover battle in all three preseason games of 2010 and own a 0-3 record in those contests.

Philadelphia, by the way, scored their first 10 points on series’ that followed a Chiefs turnover.

Starting Fast

The Chiefs need to fix this broken record before the regular season gets under way.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Serious question Jason... Do you really like what you see in Cassel?

not all the time. i see some things he does right. i see some he does wrong.

im not naive enough to blame it all on him. in this case chambers was covered. he made the right read, nothing to complain about unless you blame him for the dlineman that albert was blocking knocking it down.

helll i said the other day that he needs to shit or go. not play good enough to save his job.

step up when the bullets fly or die and be gone after this season.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

not all the time. i see some things he does right. i see some he does wrong.

im not naive enough to blame it all on him. in this case chambers was covered. he made the right read, nothing to complain about unless you blame him for the dlineman that albert was blocking knocking it down.

helll i said the other day that he needs to shit or go. not play good enough to save his job.

step up when the bullets fly or die and be gone after this season.
Posted via Mobile Device

Fair enough. I have not had time to read everything... everyweek. There seems to be a small faction of the Planet that seems to be defending Cassel at every turn. Didn't know if you were one of those or not, but I have seen you defend him quite a bit.

I just see a lot more to not like that to like. Wished it wasn't that way, but the guy just does not make me feel good about our offense.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Fair enough. I have not had time to read everything... everyweek. There seems to be a small faction of the Planet that seems to be defending Cassel at every turn. Didn't know if you were one of those or not, but I have seen you defend him quite a bit.

I just see a lot more to not like that to like. Wished it wasn't that way, but the guy just does not make me feel good about our offense.

i do end up defending him quite a bit.

if i agree about a bad play he had i usually just dont chime in. what would be the point? 100 posts say the same thing.

if people are bitching and totally off base i put my opinion out there.

i also say something when every thread turns into a cassel bashing. even unrealated threads. THAT takes away from the planet IMO.
Posted via Mobile Device

[milkman]

A flea flicker takes a long time in to develop, relative to most plays in the NFL, and that play, because Chambers didn't get open and Matt Cassel drifted toward the LOS to checkdown even took longer, and we are expected to blame an O-Lineman for not sustaining his block for that amount of time?

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Cassel hasn't been anywhere near as bad as he's been portrayed on this board.

Thank you and I agree. Seriously he hasn't been good but good god people try to act like like a frikking adult not a 2 year old. We are stuck there is nothing better out there we can get. He's so far been below average and has acted scared. I say good if that's the way he ends the season we will part ways with him and get a new possible QBOTF in here and hopefully we will finally hit on one.

Myself I'm still hoping that he improves and proves all of us wrong. I refuse to get my dander up over it till there is a better option. If we get somebody better then I'll get upset if he's still playing, till then psssfft...

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Thank you and I agree. Seriously he hasn't been good but good god people try to act like like a frikking adult not a 2 year old. We are stuck there is nothing better out there we can get. He's so far been below average and has acted scared. I say good if that's the way he ends the season we will part ways with him and get a new possible QBOTF in here and hopefully we will finally hit on one.

Myself I'm still hoping that he improves and proves all of us wrong. I refuse to get my dander up over it till there is a better option. If we get somebody better then I'll get upset if he's still playing, till then psssfft...

I love this. "Yeah, he's stunk the joint up, but we're stuck with him, so why complain". Some of you have clearly been eating shit for so long you're learning to like it.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by milkman

A flea flicker takes a long time in to develop, relative to most plays in the NFL, and that play, because Chambers didn't get open and Matt Cassel drifted toward the LOS to checkdown even took longer, and we are expected to blame an O-Lineman for not sustaining his block for that amount of time?

You think Albert just stopped trying to block because the clock in his head said "stop" even though the play was still going on right in front of him?

What team coaches that?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

You think Albert just stopped trying to block because the clock in his head said "stop" even though the play was still going on right in front of him?

What team coaches that?

Did I say he stopped trying to block, dumbass?

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by milkman

Did I say he stopped trying to block, dumbass?

No, you posted something idiotic. I asked a question in response.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

No, you posted something idiotic. I asked a question in response.

So let me see if I understand this.

You think it's reasonable to expect an O-Lineman to hold and maintain his block for 6 seconds?

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by milkman

A flea flicker takes a long time in to develop, relative to most plays in the NFL, and that play, because Chambers didn't get open and Matt Cassel drifted toward the LOS to checkdown even took longer, and we are expected to blame an O-Lineman for not sustaining his block for that amount of time?

no and sorry if i implied that. the broken play caused it. time.
Posted via Mobile Device

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Just Passing By

I think it's reasonable for an offensive lineman to play as hard as he can until the ball's out or the whistle blows. When it comes plays like the flea flicker, those linemen know that they might have to hold their blocks longer than usual.

You deleted this originally, so it's a good thing I saw it before you did.

That leads me back to the question I asked earlier.

Did I say he stopped trying to block?

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by milkman

So let me see if I understand this.

You think it's reasonable to expect an O-Lineman to hold and maintain his block for 6 seconds?

I think it's reasonable for an offensive lineman to play as hard as he can until the ball's out or the whistle blows. When it comes plays like the flea flicker, those linemen know that they might have to hold their blocks longer than usual.

I think it's reasonable for a QB to look at "checkdown" options, even on a trick play, when the first look is covered.

I think one can question whether Albert quit too soon, and one can answer that however one wishes (again, I'd love a list of teams that tell the offensive linemen to quit battling before the ball is out or the play is over), but it doesn't somehow make Cassel to blame for the initial receiver not being open and his finding an underneath man who's route meant that Cassel had to throw over a D-lineman, and that's essentially what Baby Lee is trying to do.

[milkman]

The funny thing is that you dumbasses don't even know what the hell you are talking about.

Albert was initially doubling down when he saw the D-Lineman break away from the middle and work around to the edge.

He came off his initial block and was just preparing to engage the D-Lineman when Cassel released the ball.

He hadn't even had a chance to fully engage him in a block yet.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

I think it's reasonable for an offensive lineman to play as hard as he can until the ball's out or the whistle blows. When it comes plays like the flea flicker, those linemen know that they might have to hold their blocks longer than usual.

I think it's reasonable for a QB to look at "checkdown" options, even on a trick play, when the first look is covered.

I think one can question whether Albert quit too soon, and one can answer that however one wishes (again, I'd love a list of teams that tell the offensive linemen to quit battling before the ball is out or the play is over), but it doesn't somehow make Cassel to blame for the initial receiver not being open and his finding an underneath man who's route meant that Cassel had to throw over a D-lineman, and that's essentially what Baby Lee is trying to do.

Besides the switch in coverage MM mentioned, what lineman on earth expects the QB to be throwing over his [the lineman's] shoulder at a low trajectory on a ****ING flea flicker, . . . unless they've been playing with captain checkdown Cassel.

All day, and no one has come up with a flea flicker in the history of the NFL that resulted in a batted down checkdown pass with the QB back up in the pocket, until last week.

Unless you count the 'numerous times' in 'recent years' the best QB of the area did that.