Chiefs Whitlock:Shoddy offensive line will hold Chiefs back

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-22-2009, 02:06 AM

Shoddy offensive line will hold Chiefs back
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

MINNEAPOLIS | There’s no such thing as an offensive-line controversy. Either you have a good one or you don’t. There’s no one standing on the sideline who can fix a broken line.

Short of Willie Roaf and Will Shields pulling a Brett Favre, it appears the Chiefs will go the entire 2009 season with a below-average line opening holes for Larry Johnson and protecting Matt Cassel.

Friday night inside the Metrodome, the Vikings’ defensive front toyed with Kansas City’s line during a 17-13 Minnesota exhibition victory. What’s really frightening about that fact is Minnesota didn’t play its two best defensive linemen, Pro Bowlers Jared Allen and Pat Williams.

The Vikings sacked and harassed The Sixty Million Dollar Man throughout the first half. To Cassel’s credit, he absorbed the beating and managed to put 10 points on the board, throwing a touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe and completing nine of 14 passes for 99 yards.

For a week, the Kansas City QB controversy is over. The Sixty Million Dollar Man earned his paycheck Friday night. The problem is we may never learn this season whether Cassel is any good.

The line isn’t good enough to allow time for a proper evaluation.

A good offense stretches a defense and makes a defensive coordinator defend the entire field. This is where the Chiefs are going to struggle. For a variety of reasons, the Chiefs can’t stretch a defense. There’s a small, definable box a defense will have to patrol when facing the Chiefs.

The deep ball is not Cassel’s strong suit. He couldn’t throw deep to Randy Moss, arguably the best long-ball receiver in NFL history, in New England. In two exhibition games, Todd Haley has not asked Cassel to thrown downfield. He’s thrown mostly short and intermediate routes.

Friday night, Haley probably didn’t dial up the long ball simply because he knew the line couldn’t keep Cassel dry long enough for Kansas City receivers to get more than 20 yards downfield.

Oh, and let’s not forget that the Chiefs don’t have a deep-threat receiver. Bowe is a slasher. Devard Darling is a special-teams player on a legit team.

You can stretch a defense with the run, too, as long as you have a back quick enough and sturdy enough to get to the corner, plant his cleat and turn up field.

That’s not Larry Johnson’s job. He’s a between-the-tackles runner. Jamaal Charles is supposed to attack the edges. Charles fell down for no reason Friday and fumbled the ball on KC’s first possession. He finished the night with three carries for 9 yards.

Bottom line: The opposition is going to walk its safeties up, jam the receivers and treat Cassel like a boxing heavy bag and Johnson like a speed bag.

The only thing that would change any of this would be spectacular improvement in the offensive line. I don’t see it.

Last week, I was unimpressed by free-agent pickup Mike Goff, the right guard. The Texans pushed him around. This week, the Chiefs tried a new right tackle, Barry Richardson. It didn’t go well.

A week after featuring running plays to the left, the Chiefs’ first-team offense ran almost exclusively to its right against the Vikings. I’m sure it was some sort of test for Richardson. He flunked.

He was not alone. At different times, every member of KC’s line looked awful. Center Rudy Niswinger spent considerable time in the backfield. He was joined by Brian Waters. A defensive back slipped past Branden Albert for a sack.

There was only one performance worse than Kansas City’s line Friday night: Brett Favre.

His Minnesota debut was a joke. He completed one of four passes. Minnesota coach Brad Childress was a fool for playing Favre after just three days of practice. Favre looked like a 39-year-old quarterback who spent the offseason and training camp fishing in Mississippi.

There was no reason to rush Favre into the lineup. He doesn’t need preseason games to get ready. Favre smells like a publicity stunt. The Vikings have been campaigning for a new stadium for the last two or three years.

The Metrodome is 27 years old, the seventh-oldest major-league baseball stadium and the 10th-oldest NFL stadium. It’s outdated. It’s time for it to go. Maybe Favre will create enough excitement to get Minneapolis a new downtown dome.

UsualSuspects · 08-22-2009, 02:12 AM

Nice cover whitless, it was MC last week.

Now it is an OL that has sucked for 3 + years and maybe not MC.

Meet the deadlines!

**Rausch** · 08-22-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UsualSuspects

Nice cover whitless, it was MC last week.

Now it is an OL that has sucked for 3 + years and maybe not MC.

Meet the deadlines!

I completely agree with Whit.

I thought it was ****ing stupid to go out and get your boy and do next to nothing to give him the tools for success (no FA/Drafted WR's of note, no FA/Drafted OL of note, trading Gonzo, etc.)

It's like sending a special ops guy out into the field with a slingshot and a sundial...

salame · 08-22-2009, 02:33 AM

thanks for the article captain obvious

chiefs1111 · 08-22-2009, 02:45 AM

gee tell us something we dont know

UsualSuspects · 08-22-2009, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

I completely agree with Whit.

I thought it was ****ing stupid to go out and get your boy and do next to nothing to give him the tools for success (no FA/Drafted WR's of note, no FA/Drafted OL of note, trading Gonzo, etc.)

It's like sending a special ops guy out into the field with a slingshot and a sundial...

Last week toooooo?

Or move the goal post each week?

I agree this week because same input equals same output.

I was just pointing out that last week was MC and now its the OL this week.

Last week was just a space filler for a deadline IMO.

HonestChieffan · 08-22-2009, 05:39 AM

JW still in a pissy mood cause Pioli doesn't know who JW is. QB Controversy, OLine sucks, and he probably doesnt like the french fries in the press box.

keg in kc · 08-22-2009, 05:59 AM

For a week, the Kansas City QB controversy that never existed is over.

Ebolapox · 08-22-2009, 06:23 AM

jesus ****ing christ. blow it out your ass, shitlock.

**the Talking Can** · 08-22-2009, 07:02 AM

whitlock didn't know that our ol sucked until last night?

this article mainly sounds like an effort to avoid saying, "holy shit was i wrong about cassel, **** me i am stupid"

Marcellus · 08-22-2009, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

For a week, the Kansas City QB controversy that never existed is over.

Yup.

Warrior5 · 08-22-2009, 07:07 AM

No shit Whitlock, ya think? Are you going to write an article next week predicting Pioli will hire Todd Haley as HC?

How the hell do you get paid for this?

InChiefsHeaven · 08-22-2009, 07:40 AM

Last nights performance by Cassell should make all the critics

. he performed QUITE well considering the dismal offensive line, which looks every bit as bad as the last few seasons. Ther are a lot of positives to take from this game, but I don't see the OLine being anything to write home about, but we have to hope that they will get their shit together and at least be adequate at some point this season. I just hope Cassell and LJ are still alive by the time that happens...

Extra Point · 08-22-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

JW still in a pissy mood cause Pioli doesn't know who JW is. QB Controversy, OLine sucks, and he probably doesnt like the french fries in the press box.

If I were Pioli, I'd give him the "special vinegar" on his french fries.

Chief Faithful · 08-22-2009, 07:54 AM

The offensive line needs work, but they already look much improved over last year. Fewer mental errors and open rushers. The linemen are in better shape and it shows in the pass blocking. They look a little out of sync in the run game on the right side, but it is the first time Goff and Richardson has started a game together. I did notice Niswanger cannot be counted on to pass block a DT one on one because he just ends up in the QBs lap.

After last night I think the biggest needs are now RG then Center. Richardson looks a little green, but very promising. The conditioning has made a big difference in his game and his pass blocking looked good. A little more strength and experience in the run game and he could be the long term answer the team has been looking for at RT since Taint left.

08-22-2009, 02:06 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $922813	Whitlock:Shoddy offensive line will hold Chiefs back Shoddy offensive line will hold Chiefs back JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY MINNEAPOLIS \| There’s no such thing as an offensive-line controversy. Either you have a good one or you don’t. There’s no one standing on the sideline who can fix a broken line. Short of Willie Roaf and Will Shields pulling a Brett Favre, it appears the Chiefs will go the entire 2009 season with a below-average line opening holes for Larry Johnson and protecting Matt Cassel. Friday night inside the Metrodome, the Vikings’ defensive front toyed with Kansas City’s line during a 17-13 Minnesota exhibition victory. What’s really frightening about that fact is Minnesota didn’t play its two best defensive linemen, Pro Bowlers Jared Allen and Pat Williams. The Vikings sacked and harassed The Sixty Million Dollar Man throughout the first half. To Cassel’s credit, he absorbed the beating and managed to put 10 points on the board, throwing a touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe and completing nine of 14 passes for 99 yards. For a week, the Kansas City QB controversy is over. The Sixty Million Dollar Man earned his paycheck Friday night. The problem is we may never learn this season whether Cassel is any good. The line isn’t good enough to allow time for a proper evaluation. A good offense stretches a defense and makes a defensive coordinator defend the entire field. This is where the Chiefs are going to struggle. For a variety of reasons, the Chiefs can’t stretch a defense. There’s a small, definable box a defense will have to patrol when facing the Chiefs. The deep ball is not Cassel’s strong suit. He couldn’t throw deep to Randy Moss, arguably the best long-ball receiver in NFL history, in New England. In two exhibition games, Todd Haley has not asked Cassel to thrown downfield. He’s thrown mostly short and intermediate routes. Friday night, Haley probably didn’t dial up the long ball simply because he knew the line couldn’t keep Cassel dry long enough for Kansas City receivers to get more than 20 yards downfield. Oh, and let’s not forget that the Chiefs don’t have a deep-threat receiver. Bowe is a slasher. Devard Darling is a special-teams player on a legit team. You can stretch a defense with the run, too, as long as you have a back quick enough and sturdy enough to get to the corner, plant his cleat and turn up field. That’s not Larry Johnson’s job. He’s a between-the-tackles runner. Jamaal Charles is supposed to attack the edges. Charles fell down for no reason Friday and fumbled the ball on KC’s first possession. He finished the night with three carries for 9 yards. Bottom line: The opposition is going to walk its safeties up, jam the receivers and treat Cassel like a boxing heavy bag and Johnson like a speed bag. The only thing that would change any of this would be spectacular improvement in the offensive line. I don’t see it. Last week, I was unimpressed by free-agent pickup Mike Goff, the right guard. The Texans pushed him around. This week, the Chiefs tried a new right tackle, Barry Richardson. It didn’t go well. A week after featuring running plays to the left, the Chiefs’ first-team offense ran almost exclusively to its right against the Vikings. I’m sure it was some sort of test for Richardson. He flunked. He was not alone. At different times, every member of KC’s line looked awful. Center Rudy Niswinger spent considerable time in the backfield. He was joined by Brian Waters. A defensive back slipped past Branden Albert for a sack. There was only one performance worse than Kansas City’s line Friday night: Brett Favre. His Minnesota debut was a joke. He completed one of four passes. Minnesota coach Brad Childress was a fool for playing Favre after just three days of practice. Favre looked like a 39-year-old quarterback who spent the offseason and training camp fishing in Mississippi. There was no reason to rush Favre into the lineup. He doesn’t need preseason games to get ready. Favre smells like a publicity stunt. The Vikings have been campaigning for a new stadium for the last two or three years. The Metrodome is 27 years old, the seventh-oldest major-league baseball stadium and the 10th-oldest NFL stadium. It’s outdated. It’s time for it to go. Maybe Favre will create enough excitement to get Minneapolis a new downtown dome.
Posts: 42,061

08-22-2009, 02:12 AM	#2
UsualSuspects Starter Join Date: Aug 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	Nice cover whitless, it was MC last week. Now it is an OL that has sucked for 3 + years and maybe not MC. Meet the deadlines!
Posts: 220

08-22-2009, 02:33 AM	#4
salame Under the Sofa Join Date: Apr 2009 Casino cash: $10010607	thanks for the article captain obvious
Posts: 4,907

08-22-2009, 02:45 AM	#5
chiefs1111 In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $1553166	gee tell us something we dont know
Posts: 21,062

08-22-2009, 05:39 AM	#7
HonestChieffan Seeking the Truth daily Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the Country in MO Casino cash: $2234309	JW still in a pissy mood cause Pioli doesn't know who JW is. QB Controversy, OLine sucks, and he probably doesnt like the french fries in the press box. __________________ “Make no mistake. If you try anything to raise the cost of vishessavatubs, I will veto it.” - Joe Biden, SOTU 2023
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08-22-2009, 05:59 AM	#8
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	For a week, the Kansas City QB controversy that never existed is over.
Posts: 58,682

08-22-2009, 06:23 AM	#9
Ebolapox remember, remember Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: como Casino cash: $2099903	jesus ****ing christ. blow it out your ass, shitlock.
Posts: 26,428

08-22-2009, 07:02 AM	#10
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	whitlock didn't know that our ol sucked until last night? this article mainly sounds like an effort to avoid saying, "holy shit was i wrong about cassel, ** me i am stupid" __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"**
Posts: 51,585

08-22-2009, 07:07 AM	#12
Warrior5 Stram was Cav Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $9164010	No shit Whitlock, ya think? Are you going to write an article next week predicting Pioli will hire Todd Haley as HC? How the hell do you get paid for this? __________________ The best pass defense is attacking the passer.
Posts: 5,232

08-22-2009, 07:40 AM	#13
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3884937	Last nights performance by Cassell should make all the critics . he performed QUITE well considering the dismal offensive line, which looks every bit as bad as the last few seasons. Ther are a lot of positives to take from this game, but I don't see the OLine being anything to write home about, but we have to hope that they will get their shit together and at least be adequate at some point this season. I just hope Cassell and LJ are still alive by the time that happens... __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 25,727

08-22-2009, 07:54 AM	#15
Chief Faithful Predicting Chiefs Victory Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9966500	The offensive line needs work, but they already look much improved over last year. Fewer mental errors and open rushers. The linemen are in better shape and it shows in the pass blocking. They look a little out of sync in the run game on the right side, but it is the first time Goff and Richardson has started a game together. I did notice Niswanger cannot be counted on to pass block a DT one on one because he just ends up in the QBs lap. After last night I think the biggest needs are now RG then Center. Richardson looks a little green, but very promising. The conditioning has made a big difference in his game and his pass blocking looked good. A little more strength and experience in the run game and he could be the long term answer the team has been looking for at RT since Taint left.
Posts: 4,315