Ten Things About Today's Game

[gblowfish]

Ten Things About Today's Game

10. Somebody needs to slap Katie Horner around -in a way she wouldn't enjoy, I mean. What happened to sunny and 63 degrees today? We had a little sun, but apparently she forgot to mention the howling 30 to 40 MPH winds. It may not have been quite as bad on the sunny side of the field behind the Buffalo bench. On the Chiefs side, it was downright chilly. And the wind was playing havoc with the kicking game. Colquitt had several squirelly punts. Luckily, Mr. Irrelevant got a chance to redeem himself today, where Lindell did not. I was glad Succop got his second chance and made it count, or he would have been masquerading as "the kicker who shall remain nameless" for Halloween. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

9. Since it's Halloween night, I had to rush home and get the house ready for the little trick or treaters. I'm in the bat cave writing this while the lovely Mrs. Blowfish is upstairs handing out fist fulls of Kit Kat Bars to the little neighborhood hoodlems. I have not read through the CP board, and I'm sure there will have been mucho discussion about many of the things I'm going to point out, but maybe without that filter you can let me know if you feel the way I do. Arrowhead had a few more empty seats today, not nearly as loud as previous weeks. Sam Mellinger wrote about that today here:

http://mellinger.kansascity.com/


8. First of all, why in the HELL are the Chiefs killing their own drives? There must have been five or six times where Charles and Jones were gashing the ball right up the field. Then Cassel would throw, mis-fire, put it into 2nd and long, then 3rd and 5 or 6, then incomplete on third down. WHY STOP RUNNING??? It's like Weis didn't figure that out until the overtime period. Charles ended up with 177 yards today -that's eight yards per carry friends-, Jones had 77 yards, and no turnovers. This game should have never, ever, EVER been this close. And the reason it was, was because the offense stalled its own drives by abandoning the run for no good reason, and for lapses on defense and in coaching.

7. Two unsung heroes on offense today: Moeaki and Asamoah. Let's start with #81. Moeaki has impressed me very much with his blocking ability. The Chiefs run left a bunch, especially with Moeaki on that side, so the line is Waters, Fat Albert and Moeaki. They are destroying people when we run. He also had some clutch catches in the OT, and you wonder why it took so long to find him. The guy simply catches everything that is thrown to him. If, and a big if, he stays healthy, he could be the Mack Lee Hill winner this year out of an incredibly talent crop of rookies. He's just been excellent.

6. Asamoah started his first NFL game today for Lilja. He did a fine job. Cassel was sacked three times today. At least two of those were his own fault for indecision with the football. Since the Chiefs only had given up five sacks all year before today, three was a lot, but you can't blame it on Asamoah. He helped the team rush for over 250 yards. Big props, because our O-line has some depth this year, and guys are stepping up and not embarrassing themselves when they get a chance to play.

5. I thought the Chiefs won today despite Coach Haley, who went full reerun in the first half. You never, ever, EVER pass up point opportunities, even against a winless team, at home, and especially in less than ideal weather conditions. Haley passed on a mid-30's range field goal in the first half, going on 4th and 3, for absolutely NO REASON. This was just rookie head coach stupidity. Luckily, it did not cost us a win today, but it very well could have. The Chiefs played a first half filled with blown opportunities, then failed to make any meaningful adjustments in the second half. We lucked out that Lindell missed his OT field goal opportunity. That guy is a good kicker, and the wind and distance, and a bit of a tip at the line of scrimmage, was just enough to foul up the attempt. Hopefully Coach Haley will learn something from having to squirm through an entire second half, plus a full overtime, thinking about passing up that one little field goal that could have made all the difference in second half game strategy today.

4. I think we missed McCluster today, although Charles was used a bit like McCluster at times with swing passes. I saw Dexter on the sidelines today in his warmups. He looks like he could play for a high school team. He's a little dude. Hard to believe he's endured the kind of NFL hits he's taken so far this year. It will be nice to have him back vs. Oakland next week. We need his versatility. He seemed to be moving around on the sidelines OK.

3. DJ was killing me today. He dropped one sure pick six in the first quarter, and dropped another sure pick in the fourth quarter that would have prevented the game tying drive. You HAVE to make those plays. Seemed like every fumble or tipped pass or pick-able ball went Buffalo's way this game. Except for the pass that hit Berry right between the 2 and the 9. Even with that, he almost lost it, and fell down when he caught the ball. That was a big pick. Berry is playing better as each week has gone by. He lead the defense with ten tackles today. He's excellent on run support. He still has some coverage issues, but I think he's smart enough to overcome that eventually. I believe he could be another Deron Cherry.

2. I'm going to play Mr. Pessimistic Chiefs fan here for just a minute. I don't believe the Chiefs have beaten a team with a winning record. It was a goal line stand to survive San Diego, a first down made by the nose hair of the football to ice the game in Cleveland, and today we let a winless team take us to the final three seconds of OT before eeking out a home win. Well, better lucky than good, I suppose. But the win today does bode well for the long run, as now there's a bit of a cushion going on the road vs. Oakland and Denver. If KC can can gain a split, we'll still be in pretty decent shape in the AFC West. Makes me wish the defense could have held onto that ten point lead with seven minutes left in Houston. How huge would have been to be 6-1 right now? I'll take 5-2. Game pics from KC Star website are here:

http://tinyurl.com/2bol6cp

1. Today was Military Appreciation Day at Arrowhead. Everybody got a little American Flag upon entering the stadium. At halftime they swore a bunch of kids into the Marine Corps, and showed the cameo pictures of dozens of service men and women from Kansas and Missouri who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. I always get a lump in my throat when we have a military fly over, today it was a big tanker jet. Nothing better than the Arrowhead crowd chanting U-S-A for all the guys in uniform on the field today. It always makes me thankful to have those guy protecting our freedom so we can enjoy our way of life, including our Chiefs games.

[EyePod]

Originally Posted by milkman

Against the Texans, the chiefs failed to convert 3rd or 4th and short on 4 of 7 plays running the ball.

They converted 6 of 8 attempts passing the ball in those same situations.

I have no problem with the idea of passing on either down, but do it out of a play action, which worked well against the Texans.

Also, we don't need to throw the ball 30 yards on 3rd and 1. A simple 5 yard out, screen pass, or just a quick hitch would work just as well!

(Granted, JC was totally open and Cassel missed him. Also would like to point out that his throw to Bowe was a good one, but it was a solid defensive effort. Didn't get a good look as to when the guy started grabbing Bowe's arm though...).

[milkman]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I'm surprised they haven't used Battle more in these situations. I think he adds a dimension they never previously tried before and it's worked whenever we've used him. I also find it curious we don't sneak the ball more.

I agree that our line wasn't necessarily built for power running, but it seems like we try to get way too cute. If the Chiefs can be ultra successful up the middle when defenses are loading 8 to 9 in a box, I don't see why they couldn't be just as successful in short yardage situations.

In 3rd and short, these guys aren't simply in the box, they are lining up at the line.

It becomes a test of brute strength and sheer force.

[KC native]

Great takes gblow.

Anyone who still supports Castle can go blow a ****ing goat. On just about every one of the 3rd and 4th and short plays there was an open receiver that Castle just flat out didn't see.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by CupidStunt

Far as point 2 goes, they're not as good as their record; HOWEVER, 9, 10 or 11 wins would be HUGE progress for a 4-win, rebuilding team, no matter who they come against. The hope is that they can then build on that with another good offseason filling more holes.

The other thing I'd say is that they're not 5-0 against bad teams while getting blown out by Indy/Houston; they were right in those games and outplayed Houston. They SHOULD be 6-1 with a couple solid wins (SD, @HOU).

I would be way, way less positive if they had been wrecked by those 2 AFC South teams. The losses were actually supportive of KC's progress as a team.

They are EXACTLY as good as thier record says they are.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

5. I thought the Chiefs won today despite Coach Haley, who went full reerun in the first half. You never, ever, EVER pass up point opportunities, even against a winless team, at home, and especially in less than ideal weather conditions. Haley passed on a mid-30's range field goal in the first half, going on 4th and 3, for absolutely NO REASON.

I really think the winds were his reason.

Originally Posted by gblowfish

4. I think we missed McCluster today,....

It's funny, I made the same comment to my son while we were watching the game.


Also, three points, IMO, that you didn't address:

1- I think you should have given some love to Tamba Hali. The sacks and that pass batted down in the passing lane were something else.

2- I think the Bills are a much better team than their winless record. Don't forget they did the same to the possibly Super Bowl bound Ravens last week.

3- There seems to be a lot of Brett Farve in FitzWhatever, the Bills QB. He might actually be for real. In the past our D has often made another team's backup QB look like a pro-Bowler, but our D wasn't responsible for it today. I think the guy is a dangerous QB.

[Frankie]

In the 1st half, I saw Bowe drop an apparent TD pass. I got called on a quick errand and missed the replays. Was that a catchable ball? Whose bad was it, Bowe's or Cassel's?

[ChiefsrGood]

Originally Posted by Frankie

In the 1st half, I saw Bowe drop an apparent TD pass. I got called on a quick errand and missed the replays. Was that a catchable ball? Whose bad was it, Bowe's or Cassel's?

underthrown by cassel. bowe had a play on it but couldn't reel it in.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yeah, this. Especially when the game is on the line.

Late in the game, we had at least two drives where Charles would carry for 10 or 15 yards a couple of times, and then we'd pull him and put Jones in. Jones would then get 3 yards, carry again for 3 yards, and then we'd have to onvert a third down. Charles consistently gained 10 yards, so it seemed like when it was late in the game we should've just ridden the hot hand. We won, so it's all good, but it was frustrating to see the same pattern repeated more than once.

I think the psychology of it is that after 2 tries of the same thing people wise up and adjust.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

He was dressed as a Chiefs Wide Receiver for Halloween.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

My good pal Mr. Doggity went to the game with me today. He still supports Cassel. I think Cassel is somewhere in the caliber of Bono/Grbac. He thinks he's more like Huard or Krieg.

Jesus, that's insult to all of those quarterbacks, especially Krieg, who had like 200 TD passes if memory serves. Cassel is never going to be Grbac. Grbac had major ****ing talent and could throw frozen ropes. His problem was being a jerk and a headcase in the clutch. Grbac NEVER looked as lost as Cassel looked against Buffalo.

Cassel is a shitty version of Jake Plummer. In fact, he plays almost exactly the same way - mobile, no downfield accuracy, shits his pants at the first sign of pressure and needs MAJOR talent around him to succeed.

[Hootie]

the only thing I like about Cassel is he keeps coming and never gives up...and truly wants to win/be good...

Whether or not he'll ever be good or successful I do not know...but I do know he'll at least go down swinging...

[Silock]

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

I do know he'll at least go down swinging...

Or, you know, holding onto the ball too long.

[HIChief]

[Cassel is a shitty version of Jake Plummer. In fact, he plays almost exactly the same way - mobile, no downfield accuracy, shits his pants at the first sign of pressure and needs MAJOR talent around him to succeed.[/QUOTE]

He must have had major shit stains on the final winning drive then.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Yea, his ball secruity has been excellent. He always looks like hes just on the cusp of breaking one, but never does.

Yep, he hasn't broken one, but he almost always either gets past the first arm tackler or he stays on his feet and drags/leans for another few yards. He's surprisingly hard to bring down.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

The reason DJ drops alot of INT's is because he is a good linebacker with great speed. I can't fault him for dropping shit when many normal linebackers in the league wouldn't even be there.

Right on. And that second one where DJ was running away from the line of scrimmage when he got his hands on the ball would have been a tough catch because the ball was on him just after he turned his head back.