Chiefs Teicher: Playoff loss illustrates Chiefs’ problems at wide receiver - Page 2

**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.”

MVChiefFan · 01-11-2011, 09:07 AM

Maybe it's just the simple fact that everyone but Bowe sucks.

Chiefnj2 · 01-11-2011, 09:12 AM

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.

The coaches are the morons.

Last 3 weeks of the season:

Moeaki - 9 catches.
Chambers - 8 catches.
McCluster - 4 catches.
Copper - 1 catch.
Tucker - 0 catches.

Chambers isn't very good, but at least there was a little bit of chemistry between he and Cassel down the stretch.

FloridaMan88 · 01-11-2011, 09:49 AM

Todd Haley's coaching career originated as a WR coach... it is pretty pathetic that the Chiefs are so weak in the area that is supposed to be Haley's area of expertise.

As horrific as Herm was, the one thing he was able to do was upgrade the secondary, his specific area of coaching expertise, with the likes of Carr and Flowers.

FloridaMan88 · 01-11-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVChiefFan

Maybe it's just the simple fact that everyone but Bowe sucks.

Exactly... the Chiefs are trying to get by with undrafted players and washed up has beens at the WR position. Sooner or later that will catch up with you and it did against Baltimore.

Wallcrawler · 01-11-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsfan88

Todd Haley's coaching career originated as a WR coach... it is pretty pathetic that the Chiefs are so weak in the area that is supposed to be Haley's area of expertise.

As horrific as Herm was, the one thing he was able to do was upgrade the secondary, his specific area of coaching expertise, with the likes of Carr and Flowers.

Yeah, Bowe hasnt shown ANY improvement since Haley got here. Its not like he led the NFL in TD catches for the WR position or anything.

Bring in someone with some actual TALENT, and you will get results.

**ChiTown** · 01-11-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsfan88

Todd Haley's coaching career originated as a WR coach... it is pretty pathetic that the Chiefs are so weak in the area that is supposed to be Haley's area of expertise.

As horrific as Herm was, the one thing he was able to do was upgrade the secondary, his specific area of coaching expertise, with the likes of Carr and Flowers.

Bowe has turned a corner - a lot of that is due to Haley

As for his impact on the other WR's, we have a massive bowl of shit for WR's after Bowe. Name one other WR, not named Bowe, on our team that would start for another NFL team....................Exactly, there aren't any. We have to draft another WR, preferably in the first 2 rounds, and/or pick up a quality WR in FA. It is an absolute must for this team.

Chiefnj2 · 01-11-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Bowe has turned a corner - a lot of that is due to Haley

As for his impact on the other WR's, we have a massive bowl of shit for WR's after Bowe. Name one other WR, not named Bowe, on our team that would start for another NFL team....................Exactly, there aren't any. We have to draft another WR, preferably in the first 2 rounds, and/or pick up a quality WR in FA. It is an absolute must for this team.

Bowe was talented before Haley came to KC. He's still inconsistent.

You would think that if Haley is the QB guru that some think he is, he would have been able to scout, identify and develop someone on his own over the last two years.

TheGuardian · 01-11-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Bowe was talented before Haley came to KC. He's still inconsistent.

You would think that if Haley is the QB guru that some think he is, he would have been able to scout, identify and develop someone on his own over the last two years.

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?

milkman · 01-11-2011, 10:14 AM

The Chiefs drafted two talented CBs while Herman ****ing Edwards was the coach here, one of those a raw small school product, who has just this season really begun to shine.

Maenwhile, in two years here for Haley, only one receiver has been drafted.

Deberg_1990 · 01-11-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Maenwhile, in two years here for Haley, only one receiver has been drafted.

I think Quentin Lawrence is technically a WR right? Is he the one?

milkman · 01-11-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I think Quentin Lawrence is technically a WR right? Is he the one?

That's the one.

Did I miss someone?

**ChiTown** · 01-11-2011, 10:25 AM

When Haley/Pioli got here, this team was a ****ing mess. It's one of the reasons they decided to part ways with Tony G - too many parts to fix while worrying about an aging TE. I think they would have loved to have focused on WR initially, but you generally don't work that way when you need an overhaul. This year, it's plain as day that they will be going after another 1-2 WR's in the draft and/or FA.

The one thing I fault them for is bringing back Chris Chambers. The guy has proven time and again that he is nothing but trouble.

Deberg_1990 · 01-11-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

That's the one.

Did I miss someone?

no..was just thinking out loud. : )

DBOSHO · 01-11-2011, 10:45 AM

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

**** chambers.

Coogs · 01-11-2011, 10:46 AM

I would go after Santana Moss to put opposite of Bowe. He is an unrestricted FA, which means no draft picks would have to be given up. He was 4th in the NFL with 93 receptions, and 10th in the NFL in yardage with a total of 1,115. The guy still obviously has some gas left in the tank, and with his speed, he would be a perfecct compliment opposite of Bowe.

01-11-2011, 05:25 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $742813	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: 42,139

01-11-2011, 09:07 AM	#16
MVChiefFan Veteran Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Here Casino cash: $1434975	Maybe it's just the simple fact that everyone but Bowe sucks. __________________ I haven’t slept for ten days straight… because that would be way too long.
Posts: 3,490

01-11-2011, 09:49 AM	#18
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $2992906	Todd Haley's coaching career originated as a WR coach... it is pretty pathetic that the Chiefs are so weak in the area that is supposed to be Haley's area of expertise. As horrific as Herm was, the one thing he was able to do was upgrade the secondary, his specific area of coaching expertise, with the likes of Carr and Flowers.
Posts: 38,504

01-11-2011, 10:14 AM	#24
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	The Chiefs drafted two talented CBs while Herman ****ing Edwards was the coach here, one of those a raw small school product, who has just this season really begun to shine. Maenwhile, in two years here for Haley, only one receiver has been drafted. __________________
Posts: 70,769

01-11-2011, 10:25 AM	#27
ChiTown Stroking to the SB Champs! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Flatlands of Kansas Casino cash: $3123962	When Haley/Pioli got here, this team was a ****ing mess. It's one of the reasons they decided to part ways with Tony G - too many parts to fix while worrying about an aging TE. I think they would have loved to have focused on WR initially, but you generally don't work that way when you need an overhaul. This year, it's plain as day that they will be going after another 1-2 WR's in the draft and/or FA. The one thing I fault them for is bringing back Chris Chambers. The guy has proven time and again that he is nothing but trouble. __________________
Posts: 39,350

01-11-2011, 10:45 AM	#29
DBOSHO trap champ Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	He said Monday that he would have given the Chiefs more had he not been yanked from the lineup so many times. **** chambers. __________________ Orginator of the group repost
Posts: 5,445

01-11-2011, 10:46 AM	#30
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1434349	I would go after Santana Moss to put opposite of Bowe. He is an unrestricted FA, which means no draft picks would have to be given up. He was 4th in the NFL with 93 receptions, and 10th in the NFL in yardage with a total of 1,115. The guy still obviously has some gas left in the tank, and with his speed, he would be a perfecct compliment opposite of Bowe. Last edited by Coogs; 01-11-2011 at 10:59 AM..
Posts: 21,622