GRETZ: Say Goodbye to the Circus

C-Mac · 06-11-2007, 08:28 AM

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2007/06...to_the_circus/
GRETZ: Say Goodbye to the Circus
Jun 11, 2007, 9:02:54 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

The circus has left town.

Last week’s trade of Trent Green to the Miami Dolphins was the very public end to an offensive era around Arrowhead Stadium. The truth is that the circus ended last year with the arrival of Herm Edwards and the departure of Dick Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders.

What will the Chiefs offense look like in 2007? Take a trip back to the arrival of Marty Schottenheimer as the head coach of the Chiefs, because if you saw the offense the team ran in 1989 through the 1992 seasons, then you are about to see something very close to that again.

The Chiefs offense in 2007 will feature a lot of this:

Running the ball, behind Larry Johnson and especially since the Chiefs believe they’ve found two talented youngsters this year in Kolby Smith and Marcus O’Keith.
The play-action passing game, hopefully to push the ball down the field more often than they were able to do last year.
Throwing to the running back, to make use of Johnson’s speed, and that of Michael Bennett and Smith.
Quick passes, with the quarterback getting rid of the ball out of his hands to help the protection.
Passes to Tony Gonzalez, allowing the tight end to make some plays, especially in the red zone.
Protecting the football, meaning no interceptions and fumbles.
If all that sounds familiar, then you’ve been a Chiefs fan for at least the last 20 years. With the exception of throwing to the backs and Gonzalez, it was called Marty Ball and that’s how the Chiefs moved the ball in the early years of Schottenheimer’s time as head coach.

For some reason that became a derogatory description. Heaven knows why. The Chiefs offense of that era did not set records. But the team went to the playoffs in 1990, 1991 and 1992. They would have gone to the playoffs in 1989 and would have won a post-season game in 1990 had kicker Nick Lowery not blown a couple of field goal tries at Cleveland (’89) and at Miami (’90.)

Ultimately, Schottenheimer changed his offense in 1993, when he brought in Paul Hackett and the team traded for Joe Montana. They installed the West Coast scheme of the San Francisco 49ers that was heavy on passing, especially short passes to the running back, fullback and tight end.

The Chiefs are simplifying what they do offensively. No longer will they have game plans with 100-plus plays, certainly not the 200-plus that sometimes were part of the week’s preparation under Vermeil/Saunders. They will rely less on the shifting and motion that was so much a part of the Chiefs offense in the last six years.

Is all this a step backwards for the offense and the Chiefs? If the goal is to make the playoffs, then no, it’s not a step to the rear. Here’s a comparison of numbers from the 1989-92 Marty Ball offense to the 2002-05 Flying Circus. Those four seasons were selected because last year was not the Vermeil-Saunders offense and the first year (2001) was a transition season for that scheme:

The Flying Circus had 14 games where it scored 40 points or more, compared to three times for Marty Ball. Under Schottenheimer in that four-season span, the Chiefs had three 1,000-yard rushers and a single 1,000-yard receiver. Under Vermeil, they had three 1,000-yard rushers and three 1,000-yard receivers.

Analysis: more points and more yards do not mean more victories and more trips to the playoffs. It may mean more excitement on a week-to-week basis, although that’s the eye of the beholder, but it guarantees nothing in the post-season. The Flying Circus averaged 73 yards a game more and 7.5 points per game more and won one less game and made two less post-season appearances.

Supposedly, one of the problems with a Marty Ball offense is scoring in the playoffs; in four post-season games, the Chiefs scored 16,10, 14 and 0 points. Their record in those games was 1-3.

The Flying Circus had one visit to the playoffs and scored 31 points. Its post-season record was 0-1.

This is not to lay the blame for the lack of post-season participation in the Vermeil Era on the offense. They didn’t get a lot of help from the defense. Teams make the playoffs and win games in the post-season because they are balanced, with offense, defense and special teams all aware of their roles and how they fit together to create a team.

With the Flying Circus, the Chiefs were an unbalanced football team. All Herm Edwards is trying to do is even up the scales and push the team to a more balanced state. History tells us that could give them a better chance of regularly making the playoffs.

Kerberos · 06-11-2007, 08:43 AM

Barnum&Bailey have NOTHING on Vermeil&Sauders

DMAC · 06-11-2007, 08:47 AM

I won't miss the motion and shifting.

Hammock Parties · 06-11-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMAC

I won't miss the motion and shifting.

Uh, why? There's nothing wrong with it.

Brock · 06-11-2007, 08:50 AM

Marcus O'Keith? WTF?

Reerun_KC · 06-11-2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMAC

I won't miss the motion and shifting.

YEAH I am not a big fan of creating mis-matchs and give your offense a better chance to beat the opposing defense...

I prefer running up the centers ass all game...

Hammock Parties · 06-11-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Marcus O'Keith? WTF?

Rookie FA.

Reerun_KC · 06-11-2007, 08:52 AM

Agian, another piss poor article...

OH by the way Gretz? We are 0-1 in the playoffs with the new MartyBall approach...

This is going to be an exciting year...

DMAC · 06-11-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Uh, why? There's nothing wrong with it.

I know there is nothing wrong with it. I just was never big on it.

Just like I'm not big on Mizzou's constant shotgun 5 wide.

**Buehler445** · 06-11-2007, 08:57 AM

I think it is pretty unreasonable to say that Herm will play like Shottenheimer. There are so many aspects to the game, coaching styles, and different players to think that it will be the same.

Furthermore, this paints a picture of a team that can't win in the playoffs no matter what they do.

Maybe I'm just cranky because it is monday.

Splat420 · 06-11-2007, 09:00 AM

This article didn't say any thing that 90% of Chiefs fans didn't all ready know.

FAX · 06-11-2007, 09:00 AM

People pay to go to the circus. People don't pay to go to funerals.

FAX

InChiefsHeaven · 06-11-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

People pay to go to the circus. People don't pay to go to funerals.

FAX

Chiefs fans do...have done so for the better part of 20 years now...

InChiefsHeaven · 06-11-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Marcus O'Keith? WTF?

My thoughts exactly. Never even heard of this dude. What about Ross? I guess they're not impressed with him? He was lighting it up in Europe as I recall...

FAX · 06-11-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

Chiefs fans do...have done so for the better part of 20 years now...

Point.

Probably the last one we'll score in a while, though, Mr. InChiefsHell.

FAX

06-11-2007, 08:28 AM
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $2253699	GRETZ: Say Goodbye to the Circus http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2007/06...to_the_circus/ GRETZ: Say Goodbye to the Circus Jun 11, 2007, 9:02:54 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ The circus has left town. Last week’s trade of Trent Green to the Miami Dolphins was the very public end to an offensive era around Arrowhead Stadium. The truth is that the circus ended last year with the arrival of Herm Edwards and the departure of Dick Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders. What will the Chiefs offense look like in 2007? Take a trip back to the arrival of Marty Schottenheimer as the head coach of the Chiefs, because if you saw the offense the team ran in 1989 through the 1992 seasons, then you are about to see something very close to that again. The Chiefs offense in 2007 will feature a lot of this: Running the ball, behind Larry Johnson and especially since the Chiefs believe they’ve found two talented youngsters this year in Kolby Smith and Marcus O’Keith. The play-action passing game, hopefully to push the ball down the field more often than they were able to do last year. Throwing to the running back, to make use of Johnson’s speed, and that of Michael Bennett and Smith. Quick passes, with the quarterback getting rid of the ball out of his hands to help the protection. Passes to Tony Gonzalez, allowing the tight end to make some plays, especially in the red zone. Protecting the football, meaning no interceptions and fumbles. If all that sounds familiar, then you’ve been a Chiefs fan for at least the last 20 years. With the exception of throwing to the backs and Gonzalez, it was called Marty Ball and that’s how the Chiefs moved the ball in the early years of Schottenheimer’s time as head coach. For some reason that became a derogatory description. Heaven knows why. The Chiefs offense of that era did not set records. But the team went to the playoffs in 1990, 1991 and 1992. They would have gone to the playoffs in 1989 and would have won a post-season game in 1990 had kicker Nick Lowery not blown a couple of field goal tries at Cleveland (’89) and at Miami (’90.) Ultimately, Schottenheimer changed his offense in 1993, when he brought in Paul Hackett and the team traded for Joe Montana. They installed the West Coast scheme of the San Francisco 49ers that was heavy on passing, especially short passes to the running back, fullback and tight end. The Chiefs are simplifying what they do offensively. No longer will they have game plans with 100-plus plays, certainly not the 200-plus that sometimes were part of the week’s preparation under Vermeil/Saunders. They will rely less on the shifting and motion that was so much a part of the Chiefs offense in the last six years. Is all this a step backwards for the offense and the Chiefs? If the goal is to make the playoffs, then no, it’s not a step to the rear. Here’s a comparison of numbers from the 1989-92 Marty Ball offense to the 2002-05 Flying Circus. Those four seasons were selected because last year was not the Vermeil-Saunders offense and the first year (2001) was a transition season for that scheme: The Flying Circus had 14 games where it scored 40 points or more, compared to three times for Marty Ball. Under Schottenheimer in that four-season span, the Chiefs had three 1,000-yard rushers and a single 1,000-yard receiver. Under Vermeil, they had three 1,000-yard rushers and three 1,000-yard receivers. Analysis: more points and more yards do not mean more victories and more trips to the playoffs. It may mean more excitement on a week-to-week basis, although that’s the eye of the beholder, but it guarantees nothing in the post-season. The Flying Circus averaged 73 yards a game more and 7.5 points per game more and won one less game and made two less post-season appearances. Supposedly, one of the problems with a Marty Ball offense is scoring in the playoffs; in four post-season games, the Chiefs scored 16,10, 14 and 0 points. Their record in those games was 1-3. The Flying Circus had one visit to the playoffs and scored 31 points. Its post-season record was 0-1. This is not to lay the blame for the lack of post-season participation in the Vermeil Era on the offense. They didn’t get a lot of help from the defense. Teams make the playoffs and win games in the post-season because they are balanced, with offense, defense and special teams all aware of their roles and how they fit together to create a team. With the Flying Circus, the Chiefs were an unbalanced football team. All Herm Edwards is trying to do is even up the scales and push the team to a more balanced state. History tells us that could give them a better chance of regularly making the playoffs.
Posts: 5,632

06-11-2007, 08:43 AM	#2
Kerberos Chiefs Baby Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Casino cash: $10000632	Barnum&Bailey have NOTHING on Vermeil&Sauders __________________ ____________________________________________ She aint a hoe if you don't get laid, and it aint a show if I don't get paid-- Everlast
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06-11-2007, 08:47 AM	#3
DMAC MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $10008735	I won't miss the motion and shifting.
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06-11-2007, 08:50 AM	#5
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Marcus O'Keith? WTF?
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06-11-2007, 08:52 AM	#8
Reerun_KC Rock Chalk Jayhawks! KU!!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $8301160	Agian, another piss poor article... OH by the way Gretz? We are 0-1 in the playoffs with the new MartyBall approach... This is going to be an exciting year...
Posts: 934

06-11-2007, 08:57 AM	#10
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $2214734	I think it is pretty unreasonable to say that Herm will play like Shottenheimer. There are so many aspects to the game, coaching styles, and different players to think that it will be the same. Furthermore, this paints a picture of a team that can't win in the playoffs no matter what they do. Maybe I'm just cranky because it is monday.
Posts: 56,843

06-11-2007, 09:00 AM	#11
Splat420 I can't spell Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Clinton Casino cash: $10004900	This article didn't say any thing that 90% of Chiefs fans didn't all ready know.
Posts: 478

06-11-2007, 09:00 AM	#12
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	People pay to go to the circus. People don't pay to go to funerals. FAX
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