Chiefs Whitlock:Chiefs’ play is scaring the wrong people - Page 5

**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.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 10-05-2009, 08:12 AM

It's not the losses, it's the performance during them.

And if anyone has a ****ing problem with that take, you can absolutely go **** yourself.

Hammock Parties · 10-05-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

It's not the losses, it's the performance during them.

27-16 is better than 34-0

**TrebMaxx** · 10-05-2009, 08:18 AM

It does amaze me what some CP'ers expectations for this team has been around here. The cupboard was bare when Pioli and Haley took the reigns of this team. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will this team. The only disappointment thus far for me was the Oakland game. The other three I expected a loss.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-05-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

27-16 is better than 34-0

When you take into consideration that the 34-0 game was played on the road, with the 3rd string QB, and not at home, with a supposed franchise QB, as the 27-16 game was, is it really better?

bobbything · 10-05-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

It's not the losses, it's the performance during them.

And if anyone has a ****ing problem with that take, you can absolutely go **** yourself.

This.

4 regular season games. 4 preseason games. 8 total games on which to improve and I've seen nothing. I've seen the defense play good at times all year. But, I haven't seen any real improvement. I've seen the offense suck in all aspects all year. They mount one good drive a game. That's it.

I'd expect some kind of improvement in this time. I guess the O-line didn't play as horrible as they have been. So, that's a plus.

Getting a TD when you're down 27-3 in the 3rd quarter doesn't really make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And having to convert two 4th and longs in the process doesn't really help. It took a pass interference call, defensive holding call, 6 plays, -4 yards from the 1, and a (what appeared to be) overthrown pass to the wrong player to score a TD.

Ugh. It's ugly.

Hammock Parties · 10-05-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbything

This.

4 regular season games. 4 preseason games. 8 total games on which to improve and I've seen nothing. I've seen the defense play good at times all year. But, I haven't seen any real improvement.

This team takes baby steps every week. Remember when we couldn't get a first down in Baltimore?

I think we've definitely improved. Playing against Super Bowl contenders isn't easy.

LaChapelle · 10-05-2009, 08:24 AM

THis team is getting better, a smidgen at a time. Playing against far superior opponents

After the opening fumble and the onside kick disaster. They didn't just fold their tents and surrender.

The wildcat was an abortion. 3 straight kicks in the gut. The odds were stacked.

They need a win, very badly. Haley needs to look less like a n00b, very badly.

But they are inching forward.

bobbything · 10-05-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I think we've definitely improved.

That must be exciting for you.

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-05-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

When you take into consideration that the 34-0 game was played on the road, with the 3rd string QB, and not at home, with a supposed franchise QB, as the 27-16 game was, is it really better?

I really do believe by mid-season if Cassel doesn't have his shit together by then he'll be benched.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 10-05-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

This team takes baby steps every week. Remember when we couldn't get a first down in Baltimore?

I think we've definitely improved. Playing against Super Bowl contenders isn't easy.

No it doesn't, and that's the ****ing problem. These guys need to take a half step on whatever their main individual weaknesses are, and HOLD IT instead of trying to fix the entire ****ing car on a Sunday.

Hammock Parties · 10-05-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbything

That must be exciting for you.

What did you really expect with new systems on offense and defense being executed by a bunch of no-talent bums?

The fact we did not get blown out 50-0 shocks me.

Hammock Parties · 10-05-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

No it doesn't, and that's the ****ing problem. These guys need to take a half step on whatever their main individual weaknesses are, and HOLD IT instead of trying to fix the entire ****ing car on a Sunday.

We're averaging over 100 yards rushing per game.

That's progress.

The longest run we've surrendered all year is only 22 yards.

That's progress.

I expected us to be down 24-0 or something at halftime yesterday...17-3 was a surprise.

You guys expect way too much. This team isn't going to be in a dogfight with teams like the Giants this year. We're going through the brutal part of our schedule. We'll look better against the other bottom feeders.

Baby steps.

Otter · 10-05-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrebMaxx

It does amaze me what some CP'ers expectations for this team has been around here. The cupboard was bare when Pioli and Haley took the reigns of this team. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will this team. The only disappointment thus far for me was the Oakland game. The other three I expected a loss.

The coaching staff before Haley and team have ruined careers.

Look at all the defensive linemen that just failed horribly and became nothing, absolute turds. Look what Derrick Johnson has become. Do you think any of them would be this bad if they played for a decent team like the Steelers?

The people running the show before these guys were clowns. Horrible.

If you tried to put together the worst coaching staff in the NFL you couldn't have done any better. It was disaster. And that's what these guys have to try and fix.

Peterson if four games out the door. And Peterson was an eyelash away of becoming on par with Al Davis.

This team ruined people.

Tiger's Fan · 10-05-2009, 08:45 AM

WOW

The same group of girls, worshiping at the trough of fatlock, a hack that they would normally trash as being a hack, unless his unfounded comments support their agenda of hate for the new regime.

Who'd a thunk that shit?

Coincidently, this same group of ladies were front and center with gems like this...

"The Chiefs fanbase can't stomach a rebuild. They long for 8-8, and endless mediocrity."

The one consolation in this weekend is that it should temper some of the Sanchez worship, but I doubt it.

beach tribe · 10-05-2009, 08:55 AM

I have always hated Whitlock, but after what i witnessed Haley doing that shit from inside the 10, well among tons of other things, I'm starting to agree with Twitlock.
There is absolutely no excuse for that BS Haley did to pad Cassels stats.
Cassel is looking horrible. Dude couldn't even hit a guy 10 yards in front of him on a screen pass. I'm still willing to give him some time, He's only started like 20 games, but if he doesn't get better than this shit, we're gonna need a QB.
I'm extremely worried that this o-line is going to ruin him. He's going to be looking at the pass rush every time he takes a snap. He will never succeed this way.
I really wish Brodie wasn't so fragile, and am also pretty pissed at him for not building the **** up. Eat some peanut butter sandwiches, and pump some iron country boy! I have a feeling we are going to need him once Cassel gets broken by someone coming by the RT.

10-04-2009, 10:16 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2987187	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: 43,452

10-05-2009, 08:12 AM	#61
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	It's not the losses, it's the performance during them. And if anyone has a **ing problem with that take, you can absolutely go yourself. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
Posts: 77,135

10-05-2009, 08:18 AM	#63
TrebMaxx Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Peoples Republic of CoMo Casino cash: $-2412748	It does amaze me what some CP'ers expectations for this team has been around here. The cupboard was bare when Pioli and Haley took the reigns of this team. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will this team. The only disappointment thus far for me was the Oakland game. The other three I expected a loss.
Posts: 4,457

10-05-2009, 08:24 AM	#67
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	THis team is getting better, a smidgen at a time. Playing against far superior opponents After the opening fumble and the onside kick disaster. They didn't just fold their tents and surrender. The wildcat was an abortion. 3 straight kicks in the gut. The odds were stacked. They need a win, very badly. Haley needs to look less like a n00b, very badly. But they are inching forward.
Posts: 8,588

10-05-2009, 08:45 AM	#74
Tiger's Fan Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ks Casino cash: $10004900	WOW The same group of girls, worshiping at the trough of fatlock, a hack that they would normally trash as being a hack, unless his unfounded comments support their agenda of hate for the new regime. Who'd a thunk that shit? Coincidently, this same group of ladies were front and center with gems like this... "The Chiefs fanbase can't stomach a rebuild. They long for 8-8, and endless mediocrity." The one consolation in this weekend is that it should temper some of the Sanchez worship, but I doubt it. __________________ Rock Chalk! The San Diego SuperChokers! DaneMcCloud: where cowardice meets dishonesty
Posts: 1,832

10-05-2009, 08:55 AM	#75
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $3898036	I have always hated Whitlock, but after what i witnessed Haley doing that shit from inside the 10, well among tons of other things, I'm starting to agree with Twitlock. There is absolutely no excuse for that BS Haley did to pad Cassels stats. Cassel is looking horrible. Dude couldn't even hit a guy 10 yards in front of him on a screen pass. I'm still willing to give him some time, He's only started like 20 games, but if he doesn't get better than this shit, we're gonna need a QB. I'm extremely worried that this o-line is going to ruin him. He's going to be looking at the pass rush every time he takes a snap. He will never succeed this way. I really wish Brodie wasn't so fragile, and am also pretty pissed at him for not building the **** up. Eat some peanut butter sandwiches, and pump some iron country boy! I have a feeling we are going to need him once Cassel gets broken by someone coming by the RT.
Posts: 21,429