Chiefs Teicher: Playoff loss illustrates Chiefs’ problems at wide receiver - Page 3

**Tribal Warfare** · 01-11-2011, 05:25 AM

Playoff loss illustrates Chiefs’ problems at wide receiver
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs were so disturbed about the state of their wide receivers heading into preparations for Sunday’s playoff game that they signed veteran Kevin Curtis, who was sitting at home looking for work.

The 30-7 loss to Baltimore showed their concern was in the right place. The Chiefs were outplayed to the extent that even having Roddy White and Reggie Wayne, the NFL’s two top pass catchers this season, wouldn’t have made much of a difference.

But the game showed how much that upgrading the position needs to be a point of emphasis during the offseason.

The Chiefs completed just six passes to their wide receivers, the longest for 8 yards to Dexter McCluster. Their Pro Bowl wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, not only didn’t catch a pass, but the Chiefs never threw one his way.

“It happened, but that’s over,” Bowe said Monday. “Their defense schemed around me to take me out of it, and that’s exactly what they did. We’ve just got to find ways to move the ball better.

“I felt like I was open some plays and could’ve gotten the ball. If I had another guy over there, who knows how the game could have gone?”

Quarterback Matt Cassel indicated the Chiefs were trying to get the ball to Bowe but the Ravens wouldn’t let them.

“Out of the first five passes or six passes we threw, he was the primary target on all of them,” Cassel said. “They just did an outstanding job of covering him.

“They tried to control the run game with their front seven and a lot of times they were able to roll a safety over the top of him and put a defensive corner right in front of him so he was double-teamed most of the day.”

Otherwise on Sunday, the Chiefs had the 32-year-old Curtis, who signed last Wednesday, as well as rookies McCluster and Verran Tucker and another veteran, Terrance Copper, playing at wide receiver. Tucker and Copper are with the Chiefs mainly because of their special-teams skills.

Unavailable Sunday was Chris Chambers, the Chiefs’ best wide receiver last season. Chambers finished an unusual season in a bizarre way: He was again healthy but not suited up for the game.

“I had kind of seen the writing on the wall a little bit because my (snaps) were being cut in practice and I still wasn’t getting any information about it from my receiving coach,” Chambers said. “I’m a veteran receiver with the most playoff experience, and you’d think they’d want me out there, and that wasn’t the case. I still haven’t talked to the coach about it yet.”

Coach Todd Haley was unavailable Monday to speak regarding Chambers. The Chiefs re-signed Chambers last offseason but have clearly given up on him. He was also scratched from the lineup three times during the regular season.

Chambers wasn’t getting open as often as he did last season. He caught 22 passes with one touchdown but was more productive toward the end of the regular season.

He said Monday that he would have given the Chiefs more had he not been yanked from the lineup so many times.

“I’m not the type of receiver that’s going to (play well) coming off the bench,” he said. “They started a rookie (Tucker) ahead of me for a couple of games. I know we’re trying to get other guys looks, but I feel I didn’t get a fair shake as far as being out there and making (catches). I know me. I know I can be extremely streaky at times, and if there was a game or two dedicated to just getting me the ball and getting me going, I think I would have done more towards the end here, but that wasn’t the case.

“I thought we started to get a little something going a few games ago. I thought I was getting back to form, and all of a sudden we get to the biggest game of the year and I’m not playing with no explanation. Zero. That’s nothing against Kevin, because I think he’s a good receiver and he did a good job for the most part. I thought (signing Curtis) was more about shoring up our receiving corps and bring in more experience (because) we had some guys who (weren’t) probably ready from a knowledge standpoint.

“I thought it had more of a negative effect on our team, me not being out there. Guys were wondering, ‘Why are you not playing?’ It’s guys that respect me, believe in me. I felt it was going to be my opportunity to (make up for) a disappointing season from a production standpoint.”

Bowe and McCluster will be back next season. Copper and Tucker will also probably at least go to camp with the Chiefs because of their special-teams skills. Curtis signed for just the playoffs, so his time with the Chiefs might already be finished.

The same could be said for Chambers.

“We didn’t see eye to eye on some things,” Chambers said, speaking of Haley. “I didn’t think I had too much of an opportunity. I didn’t get a lot of targets, maybe two targets a game. I don’t think any receiver can be productive doing that. I don’t know whether they gave up on me.

“I definitely have more left in the tank. I can still catch the ball extremely well. I wasn’t dropping balls. I wasn’t doing crazy things on the field, making mistakes like that.”

DBOSHO · 01-11-2011, 10:54 AM

I usually dont try my hardest even though i get paid millions to play a game too.

Chiefnj2 · 01-11-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Ummmmm he had the fewest amount of drops in his career this year and led the league in touchdowns???????

I mean, seriously. WTF are you guys smoking today?

In terms of receptions and yards, Bowe put up similar numbers as he did his first two years in the league.

He would have more TD's those first two years, except for the fact that the QBs went to their safety valve - TG in the red zone.

Bowe is a good, albeit occasionally inconsistent, receiver.

I don't think Haley has done a very good job with the receivers. I credit Bowe's "improvement" this year more to Weis than Haley.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 01-11-2011, 11:08 AM

It was always a stupid idea to re-sign Chambers, but it was an even dumber idea to sign a guy off the street before a playoff game and give him the majority of snaps at WR.

If you don't trust Chambers, fine, give the snaps to Tucker, at least he and Cassel have some chemistry.

FAX · 01-11-2011, 11:37 AM

I think that what a lot of people forget (or choose to forget) is that this was, no doubt, a 3 to 4 year project ... turning around the Chiefs, I mean. We just completed year 2.

The point is that no team can fill every slot every year with every need. There are 31 other teams out there who would love to do that, too.

Maybe the "right" WR hasn't been available. Maybe they're hoping to acquire Fritz. Maybe they thought they could develop one of the young guys and save a pick or two (the most likely theory, in my opinion).

It's like Shakespeare used to say all the time; "To behooves or not to behooves." Right now, it behooves us to be patient. We're way ahead of schedule right now with lots of room to grow.

I have some difficulty figuring out their approach,though. My main rebuilding question is basically this; why did we draft guys like Arenas and McCluster who are "sizzle" players and leave the "steak" guys (whom we also lack) on the board? I guess I resonate with the build a team inside-out (lines first) philosophy, maybe.

FAX

TheGuardian · 01-11-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

In terms of receptions and yards, Bowe put up similar numbers as he did his first two years in the league.

He would have more TD's those first two years, except for the fact that the QBs went to their safety valve - TG in the red zone.

Bowe is a good, albeit occasionally inconsistent, receiver.

I don't think Haley has done a very good job with the receivers. I credit Bowe's "improvement" this year more to Weis than Haley.

Bowe went from #1 in the league in drops to not even making the top 20 list for WR's with drops.

You can't turn chicken shit into chicken salad. What WR has Haley had to work here that has any talent at all besides Bowe? Really?

Again, you guys can't be serious with this shit.

Chiefnj2 · 01-11-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Bowe went from #1 in the league in drops to not even making the top 20 list for WR's with drops.

You can't turn chicken shit into chicken salad. What WR has Haley had to work here that has any talent at all besides Bowe? Really?

Again, you guys can't be serious with this shit.

Since Haley is the WR guru and head coach, I place part blame on him for not identifying and bringing in a WR worth a crap.

Demonpenz · 01-11-2011, 12:01 PM

thanks alot for reminding me of lance long

TheGuardian · 01-11-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Since Haley is the WR guru and head coach, I place part blame on him for not identifying and bringing in a WR worth a crap.

Oh really?

Well they brought in Chambers last year when he was released and he played well. So they resigned him. Then he dogged it and found himself in said doghouse.

So what other WR were we supposed to be after?

Fish · 01-11-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chambers

“They started a rookie (Tucker) ahead of me for a couple of games. I know we’re trying to get other guys looks, but I feel I didn’t get a fair shake as far as being out there and making (catches). I know me. I know I can be extremely streaky at times, and if there was a game or two dedicated to just getting me the ball and getting me going, I think I would have done more towards the end here, but that wasn’t the case.

A game or two dedicated to just getting him the ball? Seriously? He thinks this is a realistic request?

Deberg_1990 · 01-11-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Since Haley is the WR guru and head coach, I place part blame on him for not identifying and bringing in a WR worth a crap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Oh really?

Well they brought in Chambers last year when he was released and he played well. So they resigned him. Then he dogged it and found himself in said doghouse.

So what other WR were we supposed to be after?

Wasnt it widely speculated or a known fact the Chiefs went after Boldin..but the Ravens gave up more? I cant remember?

**Easy 6** · 01-11-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

A game or two dedicated to just getting him the ball? Seriously? He thinks this is a realistic request?

I was going to point out that passage if you didnt, it just smells funny. IMO, if he was out for the game, Haley had good reason for it. I didnt like benching him for a Ultra Rusty Kevin Curtis though, like Hamas said atleast put Tucker in, a guy thats been here & been active.

It'd be nice to know what we dont know, maybe Chambers has really been f'n up behind the scenes & with nonsense quotes like that its not hard to believe.

**BigMeatballDave** · 01-11-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Bunch of ****ing morons.

Chris Chambers sucked ass this year.
He didn't show up this season and now, suddenly, Haley is an arrogant bastard because he decided make him officially inactive, as opposed to the unofficially inactive player he's been.

There it is.

RippedmyFlesh · 01-11-2011, 08:13 PM

2 good wr's is no longer a luxury but a necessity . Getting just a slightly better than average wr opposite Bowe would change the whole look of the offense.
Bowe makes the pro bowl with nothing opposite him. A little help and the sky is the limit for Bowe.

TEX · 01-11-2011, 09:07 PM

For more than two decades, the Chiefs have had thier problems at WR. Wish they would fix it already...

TEX · 01-11-2011, 09:12 PM

“I had kind of seen the writing on the wall a little bit because my (snaps) were being cut in practice and I still wasn’t getting any information about it from my receiving coach,” Chambers said. “I’m a veteran receiver with the most playoff experience, and you’d think they’d want me out there, and that wasn’t the case. I still haven’t talked to the coach about it yet.”

_________________________________________________________________

Well Mr. Chambers, if you didn't suck ass all season, maybe you might have been playing...Go play the victim somewhere else - LOSER.

01-11-2011, 05:25 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $582813	Teicher: Playoff loss illustrates Chiefs’ problems at wide receiver Playoff loss illustrates Chiefs’ problems at wide receiver By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The Chiefs were so disturbed about the state of their wide receivers heading into preparations for Sunday’s playoff game that they signed veteran Kevin Curtis, who was sitting at home looking for work. The 30-7 loss to Baltimore showed their concern was in the right place. The Chiefs were outplayed to the extent that even having Roddy White and Reggie Wayne, the NFL’s two top pass catchers this season, wouldn’t have made much of a difference. But the game showed how much that upgrading the position needs to be a point of emphasis during the offseason. The Chiefs completed just six passes to their wide receivers, the longest for 8 yards to Dexter McCluster. Their Pro Bowl wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, not only didn’t catch a pass, but the Chiefs never threw one his way. “It happened, but that’s over,” Bowe said Monday. “Their defense schemed around me to take me out of it, and that’s exactly what they did. We’ve just got to find ways to move the ball better. “I felt like I was open some plays and could’ve gotten the ball. If I had another guy over there, who knows how the game could have gone?” Quarterback Matt Cassel indicated the Chiefs were trying to get the ball to Bowe but the Ravens wouldn’t let them. “Out of the first five passes or six passes we threw, he was the primary target on all of them,” Cassel said. “They just did an outstanding job of covering him. “They tried to control the run game with their front seven and a lot of times they were able to roll a safety over the top of him and put a defensive corner right in front of him so he was double-teamed most of the day.” Otherwise on Sunday, the Chiefs had the 32-year-old Curtis, who signed last Wednesday, as well as rookies McCluster and Verran Tucker and another veteran, Terrance Copper, playing at wide receiver. Tucker and Copper are with the Chiefs mainly because of their special-teams skills. Unavailable Sunday was Chris Chambers, the Chiefs’ best wide receiver last season. Chambers finished an unusual season in a bizarre way: He was again healthy but not suited up for the game. “I had kind of seen the writing on the wall a little bit because my (snaps) were being cut in practice and I still wasn’t getting any information about it from my receiving coach,” Chambers said. “I’m a veteran receiver with the most playoff experience, and you’d think they’d want me out there, and that wasn’t the case. I still haven’t talked to the coach about it yet.” Coach Todd Haley was unavailable Monday to speak regarding Chambers. The Chiefs re-signed Chambers last offseason but have clearly given up on him. He was also scratched from the lineup three times during the regular season. Chambers wasn’t getting open as often as he did last season. He caught 22 passes with one touchdown but was more productive toward the end of the regular season. He said Monday that he would have given the Chiefs more had he not been yanked from the lineup so many times. “I’m not the type of receiver that’s going to (play well) coming off the bench,” he said. “They started a rookie (Tucker) ahead of me for a couple of games. I know we’re trying to get other guys looks, but I feel I didn’t get a fair shake as far as being out there and making (catches). I know me. I know I can be extremely streaky at times, and if there was a game or two dedicated to just getting me the ball and getting me going, I think I would have done more towards the end here, but that wasn’t the case. “I thought we started to get a little something going a few games ago. I thought I was getting back to form, and all of a sudden we get to the biggest game of the year and I’m not playing with no explanation. Zero. That’s nothing against Kevin, because I think he’s a good receiver and he did a good job for the most part. I thought (signing Curtis) was more about shoring up our receiving corps and bring in more experience (because) we had some guys who (weren’t) probably ready from a knowledge standpoint. “I thought it had more of a negative effect on our team, me not being out there. Guys were wondering, ‘Why are you not playing?’ It’s guys that respect me, believe in me. I felt it was going to be my opportunity to (make up for) a disappointing season from a production standpoint.” Bowe and McCluster will be back next season. Copper and Tucker will also probably at least go to camp with the Chiefs because of their special-teams skills. Curtis signed for just the playoffs, so his time with the Chiefs might already be finished. The same could be said for Chambers. “We didn’t see eye to eye on some things,” Chambers said, speaking of Haley. “I didn’t think I had too much of an opportunity. I didn’t get a lot of targets, maybe two targets a game. I don’t think any receiver can be productive doing that. I don’t know whether they gave up on me. “I definitely have more left in the tank. I can still catch the ball extremely well. I wasn’t dropping balls. I wasn’t doing crazy things on the field, making mistakes like that.”
Posts: 42,161

01-11-2011, 10:54 AM	#31
DBOSHO trap champ Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	I usually dont try my hardest even though i get paid millions to play a game too. __________________ Orginator of the group repost
Posts: 5,445

01-11-2011, 11:08 AM	#33
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7959572	It was always a stupid idea to re-sign Chambers, but it was an even dumber idea to sign a guy off the street before a playoff game and give him the majority of snaps at WR. If you don't trust Chambers, fine, give the snaps to Tucker, at least he and Cassel have some chemistry. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,848

01-11-2011, 11:37 AM	#34
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I think that what a lot of people forget (or choose to forget) is that this was, no doubt, a 3 to 4 year project ... turning around the Chiefs, I mean. We just completed year 2. The point is that no team can fill every slot every year with every need. There are 31 other teams out there who would love to do that, too. Maybe the "right" WR hasn't been available. Maybe they're hoping to acquire Fritz. Maybe they thought they could develop one of the young guys and save a pick or two (the most likely theory, in my opinion). It's like Shakespeare used to say all the time; "To behooves or not to behooves." Right now, it behooves us to be patient. We're way ahead of schedule right now with lots of room to grow. I have some difficulty figuring out their approach,though. My main rebuilding question is basically this; why did we draft guys like Arenas and McCluster who are "sizzle" players and leave the "steak" guys (whom we also lack) on the board? I guess I resonate with the build a team inside-out (lines first) philosophy, maybe. FAX
Posts: 44,492

01-11-2011, 12:01 PM	#37
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2902136	thanks alot for reminding me of lance long __________________
Posts: 54,307

01-11-2011, 08:13 PM	#43
RippedmyFlesh Veteran Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Casino cash: $10005817	2 good wr's is no longer a luxury but a necessity . Getting just a slightly better than average wr opposite Bowe would change the whole look of the offense. Bowe makes the pro bowl with nothing opposite him. A little help and the sky is the limit for Bowe.
Posts: 4,848

01-11-2011, 09:07 PM	#44
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $2033127	For more than two decades, the Chiefs have had thier problems at WR. Wish they would fix it already... __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"
Posts: 34,770

01-11-2011, 09:12 PM	#45
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $2033127	“I had kind of seen the writing on the wall a little bit because my (snaps) were being cut in practice and I still wasn’t getting any information about it from my receiving coach,” Chambers said. “I’m a veteran receiver with the most playoff experience, and you’d think they’d want me out there, and that wasn’t the case. I still haven’t talked to the coach about it yet.” _________________________________________________________________ Well Mr. Chambers, if you didn't suck ass all season, maybe you might have been playing...Go play the victim somewhere else - LOSER. __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"
Posts: 34,770