Teicher: No sign yet that Bowe will bounce back

[FringeNC]

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs made their decision on Dwayne Bowe for better or for worse last year when they signed him to a lucrative, long-term contract.

They didn’t get their money’s worth from their No. 1 wide receiver last year, when he had the worst statistical full season of his career. Bowe failed to lead the Chiefs in receiving for the first time since they traded Tony Gonzalez after the 2008 season.

But in part because of Bowe’s big contract, the Chiefs were limited in their ability to pursue a receiver in free agency. The only wide receiver likely to make the regular-season roster who wasn’t with the Chiefs last season is rookie Albert Wilson, an undrafted free agent.

So their best chance to see dramatic improvement at the position may rest with Bowe. He had a tough day at practice on Wednesday, dropping a pair of passes and deflected another for an interception.

That’s hardly an indication that Bowe won’t rebound this season. But he hasn’t had a great camp and the Chiefs may be guilty of wishful thinking when it comes to their top wide receiver.

Bowe in September will turn 30, the age when the skills of many receivers start their decline. Could it be that process has already started with Bowe?

We’ll find out soon. Chiefs wide receivers coach David Culley said Bowe is in much better shape than he was last summer. Bowe said he’s in the best shape of his career.

“I know from last year, it’s completely different,’’ said Culley, who in his second season with the Chiefs. “Thirty is a mindset. There’s old 30s and there’s young 30s. Which 30 do you want to be? When he came back, he came back as a young 30 and that’s what you have to do to play in this league for a long time.’’

The Chiefs need Culley to be right. If he’s not, it would be obvious the Chiefs made the wrong decision last year on Bowe.

http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-...ll-bounce-back

[Discuss Thrower]

Linemen miss blocks. Corners get outran. Linebackers miss tackles. Halfbacks get stuffed at the line of scrimmage. Quarterbacks throw incompletions. Wide receivers drop passes.

"Put up empty numbers"

Every goddamned player in red and yellow since 1971 has put up "empty numbers' for ****s sake.

Bowe has the fourth best career as receiver in Chiefs' history behind Tony Gonzalez, Otis Taylor and Henry Marshall. He's top 20 among active players in career yards and TDs.

Most importantly: Bowe has had GARBAGE throwing to him over the course of his career. Alex Smith is the most talented QB he's dealt with outside of playing in Hawaii. Last year was his worst since the first year of the Pioli regime, and that's a product of Alex's aversion to throwing at guys he doesn't completely trust (Vernon Davis) and Reid's HB centered passing offense that happens to use a HoF caliber guy in Jamaal Charles.

I'll take that sustained production every day of the week. Is he overpaid? Most likely. Has he made bad decisions off the field? Abso-****ing-lutely. Has he "underachieved?" Sure. But really only if you expect a team's #1 WR to put up Dez Bryant or Megatron numbers on a regular basis.

In short, Dwayne Bowe deserves a pass from everyone -Chiefs fans in particular- for the resume he's established in the league.

[Bowser]

Yeah, that "put up a lot of rather empty numbers up during his time in KC" line gave me the LOL's.

[Coogs]

According to Tiecher's camp report today, Reid said Bowe has an injured finger. Says it has popped out about 15 times, and that is the reason for the drops.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Coogs

According to Tiecher's camp report today, Reid said Bowe has an injured finger. Says it has popped out about 15 times, and that is the reason for the drops.

It must have started back at LSU.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

It must have started back at LSU.

[ChiefsCountry]

Bowe's numbers went down because Smith doesn't throw to WRs. Not hard to see, the track record in San Francisco speaks to this as well. Bowe is the same player he always has been. Best WR the Chiefs have had since Otis Taylor.

[Sandy Vagina]

I like what I'm hearing these days about Bowe's effort level and conditioning. That said, his QB was right to not trust him all that much early in 2013. Remember when he did? Lots of drops, lazy routes, and I'm sure everyone remembers the CB interception on the slant route? That was pathetic of Bowe to get out-muscled for inside position.

Hope Bowe is going to bring it... really do. KC can't afford to cut him loose, so we just have to hope he keeps the intensity and focus high.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Bowe's numbers went down because Smith doesn't throw to WRs. Not hard to see, the track record in San Francisco speaks to this as well. Bowe is the same player he always has been. Best WR the Chiefs have had since Otis Taylor.

I would agree with this.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Bowe rules, all other opinions can suck it.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

I like what I'm hearing these days about Bowe's effort level and conditioning. That said, his QB was right to not trust him all that much early in 2013. Remember when he did? Lots of drops, lazy routes, and I'm sure everyone remembers the CB interception on the slant route? That was pathetic of Bowe to get out-muscled for inside position.

Hope Bowe is going to bring it... really do. KC can't afford to cut him loose, so we just have to hope he keeps the intensity and focus high.

Or, Smith could throw it more often to Bowe just like Cassel and Huard did and Smith could throw for an additional 500 yards, 7TDs and 3 INTs. Maybe even have the same success as the first half of the playoff game.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Or, Smith could throw it more often to Bowe just like Cassel and Huard did and Smith could throw for an additional 500 yards, 7TDs and 3 INTs. Maybe even have the same success as the first half of the playoff game.

How cool. You got it all figured out then. Stupid ass QB.. can't believe he is said to be so smart, yet couldn't even figure out that all he needs to do is chuck it up to Bowe! So simple yet brilliant!

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

How cool. You got it all figured out then. Stupid ass QB.. can't believe he is said to be so smart, yet couldn't even figure out that all he needs to do is chuck it up to Bowe! So simple yet brilliant!

Oh noes. There is a defender within 4 yards of Bowe - I can't throw the ball, it would be too risky. If I throw a few INT's I will be labelled a first round bust again. If I tuck it and run to the right for a yard, I am a great game manager. Game Manager > Bust, time to tuck and run. /s Alex Smith.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Bowe's numbers went down because Smith doesn't throw to WRs. Not hard to see, the track record in San Francisco speaks to this as well. Bowe is the same player he always has been. Best WR the Chiefs have had since Otis Taylor.

Chiefs start 9-0 = its all the defense.

OL struggles early = Its Smith's fault

OL plays better later = OL got better.

Chiefs go 2-5 late in season when defense collapses while offense takes off = Losses are Smith's fault. (including the SD game which is just crazy)

Chiefs lose playoff game while Smith puts up record numbers = its the whole teams fault including Smith.

Bowe's numbers drop off = its 100% Alex Smith's fault.

I am starting to understand all this now.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Oh noes. There is a defender within 4 yards of Bowe - I can't throw the ball, it would be too risky. If I throw a few INT's I will be labelled a first round bust again. If I tuck it and run to the right for a yard, I am a great game manager. Game Manager > Bust, time to tuck and run. /s Alex Smith.

I would think that if Bowe would-

A. Catch the ball when thrown to him.
B. Not jump up in the ****ing air evrerytime a pass is thrown at his shoulders.
C. Not deflect more balls than Kristy Mack causing potential turnovers.
D. Fight for the ball in traffic.

He may get more passes.

Some of you have very selective memory. I can think of many times Bowe stopped short on a slant, deflected a ball into the air, or just let a guy get under him and snag a ball last season.

Its called EFFORT and he lacked it.

And I am a Bowe fan. I hope he pulls his head out this year.

[saphojunkie]

Some of Bowe's drop in production has to be tied to the offensive scheme as well. He had fifteen fewer receptions last year than 2010, and FOUR HUNDRED fewer yards.

So, let's look at:

In 2010, Bowe had:

37 catches 1-10 yds (362 yds, 5td)
25 catches 11-20 yds (532 yds, 5td)
7 catches 21-30 yds (219yds, 4td)
1 catch - 41+ yds (45yds, 1TD)

In 2013, Bowe had

38 catches 1-10 yds (357 yds, 4td)
15 catches 11-20 yds (279 yds, 1td)
1 catches 21-30 yds (26yds, 0td)

Okay, so clearly two things happened in 2010 that didn't last year:

1. Bowe was targeted downfield quite a bit more;
2. Those targets resulted in touchdowns at an alarming rate.

I think, however, those touchdown numbers either need to be dismissed as outliers (it's very difficult to repeat or predict TDs for receivers). That, or Charlie Weis is a mother****ing genius and all must bow down. Let's go with option A.

Okay, so what happened after 2010? Was this the scheme? Or did Cassel just have the balls to go downfield?

Let's look:

In 2011 Bowe had:

11 catches behind LOS
40 catches 1-10 yds (402 yds, 4 TD
24 catches - 11-20 yds (487 yds, 0TD)
4 catches - 21-30 yds (97 yds, 0TD)
1 catches - 31-40 yds (52yds, 0TD)
1 catches - 41+ (45 yards, 0TD)

Once again, roughly 25 targets in the intermediate (11-20 yd range). But this time 5TD turned into 0TD. So, we might be right to ignore scores.

However, the ball was clearly being thrown downfield more. Bowe's effectiveness in the short range hasn't dropped at all. His production in the intermediate routes took a small hit (23.4 YPC in 2010, 20 YPC in 2011, 18 YPC in 2013).

It's the deep/intermediate (11-30 yards) where Bowe has taken his production to the next level. And that is exactly where the dropoff in production has come from.

The idea that Bowe suddenly sucks or had a bad year is ridiculous. He has historically been productive in the deep passing game and there frankly weren't nearly enough deep passes last year.

Part of that is Alex Smith and part of that is the offensive scheme. Hopefully both change this year and you'll see Bowe kicking ass just he's always done.

EDIT: Here's 2012, which I think is an abortion and should never be spoken of, but whatever:

6 catches behind LOS (60 yds, 0 TD)
35 catches 1-10 yads (329 yds, 1TD)
13 catches 11-20 yds (255yds, 0 TD)
5 catches 21-30 yds (157 yds, 2 TD)