Whitlock: Vermeil's staff gets picked apart

tk13 · 10-03-2005, 01:07 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12802698.htm

Vermeil’s staff gets picked apart
JASON WHITLOCK
Kansas City Star

You could waste the better part of the day sifting through the coaching errors that turned a predictable and understandable loss to the Philadelphia Eagles into a potentially lethal blow to the Chiefs’ 2005 season.

Dick Vermeil and his coaching staff blew an 18-point lead, handed the Eagles a 37-31 victory and totally demoralized 78,000 fans inside Arrowhead Stadium. We will have to wait to see what impact Sunday’s fiasco will have on Vermeil’s 53 players.

The Chiefs head into their bye week 2-2, a game behind Denver in the AFC West and well behind both the Broncos and the Patriots-blasting San Diego Chargers emotionally. The Kansas City team that started so promisingly at 2-0 has now melted down in consecutive weeks, and it’s fair to say the problems are bigger than the absence of Willie Roaf, Eric Warfield and John Welbourn.

After Sunday’s game, Vermeil did his best to turn the negative outcome into a positive, littering his postgame comments with praise for the Eagles and admiration for the Chiefs’ effort.

“For a long time I thought we played extremely well,” Vermeil said. “… You can see why they were in the Super Bowl last year…. They’re better than we are.”

The last comment might be true, but Philly’s talent advantage was rendered irrelevant once the Chiefs danced to a 17-0 advantage. At home, with a full house screaming, Priest Holmes ripping off 6- and 7-yard runs consistently and the Eagles throwing on every down, it’s inexcusable that Philly was comfortably ahead — 34-24 — with 9 minutes to play.

That shouldn’t happen to a good, competently coached football team. Dick Vermeil, despite the pervasive rumors, isn’t Gary Pinkel. On Sunday, Vermeil was actually something much worse.

There’s just no way to pretty up what we all witnessed:

1. Vermeil and his coaching staff botched two replay challenges. The second blown challenge cost the Chiefs what could have been a critical, second-half timeout.

2. Kansas City’s zone-heavy defensive scheme allowed Terrell Owens to frolic in the secondary as unencumbered and carefree as a third-grader on recess. T.O. had 11 receptions for 171 yards and a TD.

3. The Chiefs’ “running-back rotation” left their piping-hot running back, Priest Holmes, on the sideline when they had a chance to bury the Eagles in the second quarter. Holmes had 10 carries for 60 yards on KC’s first two possessions, which ended in a touchdown and a field goal. He ran the ball three times the rest of the half. Holmes, however, did have a beautiful sideline view of Larry Johnson’s crucial, end-of-first-half fumble that led directly to a Philly TD.

But all of those blunders pale in comparison to the coaching error that turned a would-be rout into a loss that could haunt the Chiefs for the rest of the year.

With the Chiefs up 17-0 thanks to an 8-yard pitch-and-catch between Trent Green and Eddie Kennison, offensive coordinator Al Saunders got a tad greedy and a bit lazy midway through the second quarter. On second and 14, Saunders remembered how easily Kennison scored when the Chiefs emptied their backfield and the Eagles went man-to-man deep in the red zone.

Perched on the KC 35 — 40 yards removed from the red zone — Saunders called for another empty-backfield set and another easy pitch to Kennison. This time Philly coach Andy Reid and his staff demonstrated why they’ve been to four straight NFC championships and the Chiefs haven’t won a playoff game since 1993. The Eagles adjusted to KC’s empty-back set and went zone. Sheldon Brown was waiting on Green’s toss to Kennison. Brown jumped the route and raced 40 yards into the end zone.

The pick-6 awakened the sleep-walking Eagles to the possibility of a rally. The interception infuriated Green. As he jogged to the sideline after the interception, Green flung his right arm in disgust.

After the game, Green tried his best not to talk about the interception.

“I don’t want to open a can of worms,” Green told me privately after a gaggle of reporters stepped away.

He said he wasn’t surprised at all that the Eagles adjusted their defensive look. You expected it?

“We all did,” Green said.

The problem is Saunders’ “system” doesn’t allow the quarterback to audible or for receivers to adjust their routes. Green and Kennison could see the zone defense and anticipate the danger, but they were powerless to do anything about it.

“He can’t do what Peyton Manning does at the line of scrimmage, even though (Green) could,” said tight end Tony Gonzalez.

I’m not making excuses for Green. But the reality is that Sheldon Brown didn’t get the best of Trent Green. Andy Reid’s coaching staff got the best of Dick Vermeil’s coaching staff on a play that turned the game.

Of course, there were other breakdowns and strategy errors. Fear of Philly’s pass rush eliminated Gonzalez from KC’s passing attack. He caught two meaningless passes and spent a great part of the afternoon pass blocking and running “hot” routes in the flat.

The Chiefs would have survived all of their gaffes — Johnson’s fumble, Dante Hall’s fumble, Vermeil’s misuse of replay challenges, the disappearance of Holmes and Gonzalez — had they not committed the original, pick-6 sin that allowed McNabb and Owens to contemplate a rally.

keg in kc · 10-03-2005, 01:15 AM

Potentially lethal blow? Four weeks into the season?

Sheesh. Beat Washington and all will be forgotten.

royr17 · 10-03-2005, 01:17 AM

This loss is Al "Fuggin" Saunders fault, wont let Green audible, who the hell you think you are Saunders .......

kcxiv · 10-03-2005, 01:59 AM

If the Chiefs bomb this year, There is no way DV or AS stays on this team. It just wont happen.

**Rausch** · 10-03-2005, 02:38 AM

I like Saunders offense but I hate his play calling.

FlightPhan · 10-03-2005, 04:00 AM

Green isn't allowed to audible?! yeah, they should be getting ripped for that. Friggen Eli Manning can probably audible out of an obvious defensive adjustment. For a 12 year vet QB, that's insane.

We all wondered why he was so pissed after the INT. Even more pissed than a QB usually is after an INT.

Wow. What does that say about their confidence in their QB??? That's terrible.

Boyceofsummer · 10-03-2005, 05:07 AM

“I don’t want to open a can of worms,” Green told me privately after a gaggle of reporters stepped away.

He said he wasn’t surprised at all that the Eagles adjusted their defensive look. You expected it?

“We all did,” Green said.

For a so-called veteran QB unwilling to expose this insane coaching strategy is itself, insane. TELL THE PRICKS I'M THE QB AND YOUR PLAN IS reerunED! DV-AS, you don't like it, BENCH MY ASS! Explain that to the media.

Some Chief player or players MUST take control of this team now. The coaches are out of control. Quit bitchin and use the media to take control if necessary. This coaching staff, GM and owner have completely lost their minds. It's been obvious for several years.

Red Dawg · 10-03-2005, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Potentially lethal blow? Four weeks into the season?

Sheesh. Beat Washington and all will be forgotten.

No it won't be forgotten. You have to adjust to win games and we can't do it. We can get to the QB, stop the pass nor protect Green. This keeps us at mediocre even if we sneak into the playoffs.

Earthling · 10-03-2005, 06:43 AM

We have found the enemy and it is us.

MichaelH · 10-03-2005, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Potentially lethal blow? Four weeks into the season?

Sheesh. Beat Washington and all will be forgotten.

That won't be as easy as it sounds. Washington has no offense but their defense is very good. Hopefully after this weeks vacation, the team will realize the season has begun and it's time to get to work.

Brock · 10-03-2005, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Potentially lethal blow? Four weeks into the season?

Sheesh. Beat Washington and all will be forgotten.

Seems unlikely.

**dirk digler** · 10-03-2005, 07:50 AM

I am surprised that Green can call his own plays but can't audible. DV and AS are fuggin stupid if that is the case.

cookster50 · 10-03-2005, 07:51 AM

Ummm, what does that say about Green's intelligience if he knew that making that throw would end up in an interception????

Hammock Parties · 10-03-2005, 07:53 AM

**** AL SAUNDERS!

**ChiTown** · 10-03-2005, 07:55 AM

Coaching.

Say what you want about the players, but when you can't find a way to keep a 24-6 lead at home, this is about coaching.

I'm done with Vermeil and staff - including & especially CP. I'm not bitter, I'm just ready to move on.

10-03-2005, 01:07 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1882500	Whitlock: Vermeil's staff gets picked apart http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12802698.htm Vermeil’s staff gets picked apart JASON WHITLOCK Kansas City Star You could waste the better part of the day sifting through the coaching errors that turned a predictable and understandable loss to the Philadelphia Eagles into a potentially lethal blow to the Chiefs’ 2005 season. Dick Vermeil and his coaching staff blew an 18-point lead, handed the Eagles a 37-31 victory and totally demoralized 78,000 fans inside Arrowhead Stadium. We will have to wait to see what impact Sunday’s fiasco will have on Vermeil’s 53 players. The Chiefs head into their bye week 2-2, a game behind Denver in the AFC West and well behind both the Broncos and the Patriots-blasting San Diego Chargers emotionally. The Kansas City team that started so promisingly at 2-0 has now melted down in consecutive weeks, and it’s fair to say the problems are bigger than the absence of Willie Roaf, Eric Warfield and John Welbourn. After Sunday’s game, Vermeil did his best to turn the negative outcome into a positive, littering his postgame comments with praise for the Eagles and admiration for the Chiefs’ effort. “For a long time I thought we played extremely well,” Vermeil said. “… You can see why they were in the Super Bowl last year…. They’re better than we are.” The last comment might be true, but Philly’s talent advantage was rendered irrelevant once the Chiefs danced to a 17-0 advantage. At home, with a full house screaming, Priest Holmes ripping off 6- and 7-yard runs consistently and the Eagles throwing on every down, it’s inexcusable that Philly was comfortably ahead — 34-24 — with 9 minutes to play. That shouldn’t happen to a good, competently coached football team. Dick Vermeil, despite the pervasive rumors, isn’t Gary Pinkel. On Sunday, Vermeil was actually something much worse. There’s just no way to pretty up what we all witnessed: 1. Vermeil and his coaching staff botched two replay challenges. The second blown challenge cost the Chiefs what could have been a critical, second-half timeout. 2. Kansas City’s zone-heavy defensive scheme allowed Terrell Owens to frolic in the secondary as unencumbered and carefree as a third-grader on recess. T.O. had 11 receptions for 171 yards and a TD. 3. The Chiefs’ “running-back rotation” left their piping-hot running back, Priest Holmes, on the sideline when they had a chance to bury the Eagles in the second quarter. Holmes had 10 carries for 60 yards on KC’s first two possessions, which ended in a touchdown and a field goal. He ran the ball three times the rest of the half. Holmes, however, did have a beautiful sideline view of Larry Johnson’s crucial, end-of-first-half fumble that led directly to a Philly TD. But all of those blunders pale in comparison to the coaching error that turned a would-be rout into a loss that could haunt the Chiefs for the rest of the year. With the Chiefs up 17-0 thanks to an 8-yard pitch-and-catch between Trent Green and Eddie Kennison, offensive coordinator Al Saunders got a tad greedy and a bit lazy midway through the second quarter. On second and 14, Saunders remembered how easily Kennison scored when the Chiefs emptied their backfield and the Eagles went man-to-man deep in the red zone. Perched on the KC 35 — 40 yards removed from the red zone — Saunders called for another empty-backfield set and another easy pitch to Kennison. This time Philly coach Andy Reid and his staff demonstrated why they’ve been to four straight NFC championships and the Chiefs haven’t won a playoff game since 1993. The Eagles adjusted to KC’s empty-back set and went zone. Sheldon Brown was waiting on Green’s toss to Kennison. Brown jumped the route and raced 40 yards into the end zone. The pick-6 awakened the sleep-walking Eagles to the possibility of a rally. The interception infuriated Green. As he jogged to the sideline after the interception, Green flung his right arm in disgust. After the game, Green tried his best not to talk about the interception. “I don’t want to open a can of worms,” Green told me privately after a gaggle of reporters stepped away. He said he wasn’t surprised at all that the Eagles adjusted their defensive look. You expected it? “We all did,” Green said. The problem is Saunders’ “system” doesn’t allow the quarterback to audible or for receivers to adjust their routes. Green and Kennison could see the zone defense and anticipate the danger, but they were powerless to do anything about it. “He can’t do what Peyton Manning does at the line of scrimmage, even though (Green) could,” said tight end Tony Gonzalez. I’m not making excuses for Green. But the reality is that Sheldon Brown didn’t get the best of Trent Green. Andy Reid’s coaching staff got the best of Dick Vermeil’s coaching staff on a play that turned the game. Of course, there were other breakdowns and strategy errors. Fear of Philly’s pass rush eliminated Gonzalez from KC’s passing attack. He caught two meaningless passes and spent a great part of the afternoon pass blocking and running “hot” routes in the flat. The Chiefs would have survived all of their gaffes — Johnson’s fumble, Dante Hall’s fumble, Vermeil’s misuse of replay challenges, the disappearance of Holmes and Gonzalez — had they not committed the original, pick-6 sin that allowed McNabb and Owens to contemplate a rally.
Posts: 54,967

10-03-2005, 01:15 AM	#2
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Potentially lethal blow? Four weeks into the season? Sheesh. Beat Washington and all will be forgotten.
Posts: 58,682

10-03-2005, 01:17 AM	#3
royr17 MVP Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Lovin my kids Casino cash: $1918676	This loss is Al "Fuggin" Saunders fault, wont let Green audible, who the hell you think you are Saunders .......
Posts: 6,193

10-03-2005, 01:59 AM	#4
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8807996	If the Chiefs bomb this year, There is no way DV or AS stays on this team. It just wont happen.
Posts: 29,110

10-03-2005, 04:00 AM	#6
FlightPhan Rookie Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	Green isn't allowed to audible?! yeah, they should be getting ripped for that. Friggen Eli Manning can probably audible out of an obvious defensive adjustment. For a 12 year vet QB, that's insane. We all wondered why he was so pissed after the INT. Even more pissed than a QB usually is after an INT. Wow. What does that say about their confidence in their QB??? That's terrible.
Posts: 4

10-03-2005, 05:07 AM	#7
Boyceofsummer That Doyle, he's a mean-un Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Salina, Kansas Casino cash: $10004900	QUIT WHINNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! “I don’t want to open a can of worms,” Green told me privately after a gaggle of reporters stepped away. He said he wasn’t surprised at all that the Eagles adjusted their defensive look. You expected it? “We all did,” Green said. For a so-called veteran QB unwilling to expose this insane coaching strategy is itself, insane. TELL THE PRICKS I'M THE QB AND YOUR PLAN IS reerunED! DV-AS, you don't like it, BENCH MY ASS! Explain that to the media. Some Chief player or players MUST take control of this team now. The coaches are out of control. Quit bitchin and use the media to take control if necessary. This coaching staff, GM and owner have completely lost their minds. It's been obvious for several years. __________________ ALL YOU GIMPS & reerunS..........GET THE OUT!
Posts: 970

10-03-2005, 06:43 AM	#9
Earthling MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Casino cash: $10008447	We have found the enemy and it is us. __________________ AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT SO EASY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR ONLY FRIEND TALKS SEES LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE YOU AND YOU DO JUST THE SAME AS HIM -Jiimi Hendrix
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10-03-2005, 07:50 AM	#12
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3164644	I am surprised that Green can call his own plays but can't audible. DV and AS are fuggin stupid if that is the case.
Posts: 66,340

10-03-2005, 07:51 AM	#13
cookster50 Supreme Commander of My House Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $3123622	Ummm, what does that say about Green's intelligience if he knew that making that throw would end up in an interception????
Posts: 3,431

10-03-2005, 07:53 AM	#14
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4610478	**** AL SAUNDERS! __________________ Chiefs game films
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10-03-2005, 07:55 AM	#15
ChiTown Stroking to the SB Champs! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Flatlands of Kansas Casino cash: $3193962	Coaching. Say what you want about the players, but when you can't find a way to keep a 24-6 lead at home, this is about coaching. I'm done with Vermeil and staff - including & especially CP. I'm not bitter, I'm just ready to move on. __________________
Posts: 39,346