49ers at Chiefs - Week 3 - Record: 3-0
Is this team fun or what?
For all the crazy Chiefs gymnastics out there that made Arrowhead -- err, 'scuze me, the NEW Arrowhead -- the place to be Sunday, I will tell you that the most satisfying thing was simply that
We got our first long sustained drive to result in a touchdown.
This offense is showing promise. Now yes, everything fell into place in this game. That just won't happen every game. We also benefitted from some spectacular big plays, so let's just get right into them.
- A phenomenal interception by Brandon Flowers -- the tip, the bounce off the foot, then into his hands while lying flat on his back.
- The screen pass to Dexter McCluster -- this guy in the open field is unbelievable. And the flyyy-ing into the end zone. How great is this! This is not even to mention his scintillating punt returns to set up great field position.
- The flea flicker out of that wildcat formation. Thomas Jones to Dexter McCluster to Matt Cassel coming from the wide receiver position. And Bowe with the nifty catch in the end zone -- too much!
- The one handed grab in the back of the end zone by Tony Moeaki. Please know that no Chiefs fan will every say "Tony who?" when it comes to Tony Gonzalez -- in fact he had a nice TD of his own for Atlanta today I found myself cheering for -- but is our new Tony great or what?!
I always glow about good Chiefs things in my classroom, and last week one of my students mentioned that we are getting great work from our rookies. No kidding. And we haven't even heard much from Eric Berry yet. Thing is, he is still part of a defense that thoroughly shut down San Francisco. Frank Gore, nothing until the second the last play of the game when it was meaningless. Victor Davis, one catch on the day. Alex Smith, every other pass an incompletion and he was constantly pressured. In fact I'm pretty sure we are already getting close to the number of sacks we had all of the season two years ago.
And our offense really shined today. Yes, again, those big plays were a part of it, but Haley is coaching this team to have a tremendous amount of confidence in their athletic abilities. He's really taking advantage of it. The key is our running game. Jones and Charles each had over 90 yards, and that tandem is gelling wonderfully. The Chiefs offense had 16 -- count 'em -- 16 plays of ten yards or more. What a splendid change from all those three-and-outs we've suffered through for years.
That means, yes, finally, we can give a rousing cheer for the offensive line! Hurray! Ahhhh... Not since the Willie Roaf Will Shields days can we do that. This new guy Ryan Lilja, what an addition. Brian Waters is still a stud. Branden Albert coming into his own. And how sweet is it to have Casey Weigmann back anchoring the line and standing people up.
All around, just a wonderful day for the Chiefs.
3-0 baby!
Bye week next week, so we can relish this for an extra week! We got Indy the week after, at Indy, so we'll see then if we're really for real. For now...
This was just pure fun.
_
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Chiefs at Browns - Week 2 - Record: 2-0
How sweet that is, to write "2-0" there at the beginning of a "Chiefs Game Today" blog post.
I will tell you that I'm still out here visiting my mother who has been in the hospital, that is why my post of last week was so abbreviated. I will say she is doing much better, and I have a minute to share some Chiefs oriented thoughts for this week.
I will say, however, that when I wanted to get over an watch this one at the local sports bar, I was completely occupied in being with my mom at one of the more significant junctions in her recovery, so I only caught snippets here and there. I did catch the highlight reel, as I must sometimes do, and caught some of the vital statistics, so I can offer a bit of a take.
I am extraordinarily impressed with our defense, which is the one thing that I didn't see much of at all. What I did see was Eric Berry chomping majorly on a play-fake allowing the Browns to go up top and get a long TD pass. At that moment I thought, "Wow does this rookie have a lot to learn." Apparently he learned quick because the Browns did not score a point for the rest of the game. Oh how I wanted to see that!
The offense did much better as well. Not only did Cassel engineer drives to get us field goals a number of times, but he made those clutch third down completions to keep the defense off the field enough to be rested to shut down the Browns offense. Oh oh oh how I wanted to see that!
Thing is, we did not score an offensive touchdown today. Yes, I did see Brandon Flowers' beautiful come-back-on-the-ball interception and TD return, but that's just another big play that helped get us a win. We absolutely must have sustained touchdown drives on a regular basis if we hope to be contenders. Two games so far -- zero sustained offensive drives resulting in touchdowns.
The fact that they mixed Jones and Charles up is a great thing, but that passing game has to click even better for us to get those drives. It was good to see the improvement after that wretched passing day against San Diego, but we still have a long way to go.
_
How sweet that is, to write "2-0" there at the beginning of a "Chiefs Game Today" blog post.
I will tell you that I'm still out here visiting my mother who has been in the hospital, that is why my post of last week was so abbreviated. I will say she is doing much better, and I have a minute to share some Chiefs oriented thoughts for this week.
I will say, however, that when I wanted to get over an watch this one at the local sports bar, I was completely occupied in being with my mom at one of the more significant junctions in her recovery, so I only caught snippets here and there. I did catch the highlight reel, as I must sometimes do, and caught some of the vital statistics, so I can offer a bit of a take.
I am extraordinarily impressed with our defense, which is the one thing that I didn't see much of at all. What I did see was Eric Berry chomping majorly on a play-fake allowing the Browns to go up top and get a long TD pass. At that moment I thought, "Wow does this rookie have a lot to learn." Apparently he learned quick because the Browns did not score a point for the rest of the game. Oh how I wanted to see that!
The offense did much better as well. Not only did Cassel engineer drives to get us field goals a number of times, but he made those clutch third down completions to keep the defense off the field enough to be rested to shut down the Browns offense. Oh oh oh how I wanted to see that!
Thing is, we did not score an offensive touchdown today. Yes, I did see Brandon Flowers' beautiful come-back-on-the-ball interception and TD return, but that's just another big play that helped get us a win. We absolutely must have sustained touchdown drives on a regular basis if we hope to be contenders. Two games so far -- zero sustained offensive drives resulting in touchdowns.
The fact that they mixed Jones and Charles up is a great thing, but that passing game has to click even better for us to get those drives. It was good to see the improvement after that wretched passing day against San Diego, but we still have a long way to go.
_
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Chargers at Chiefs - Week 1 - Record: 1-0
The Chiefs are vibrantly important, certainly, but there are other things that rival and indeed surpass the Chiefs. Major stuff happening now precludes me from putting down the typically vast amount of Dave take on the Chiefs even with our inspired New-Arrowhead play Monday night.
With that in mind, here are the bullet takes of my myriad thoughts:
- Exhileration. A big-play Chiefs win on national television was definitely fun.
- D.J. That's two games in a row now that Derrick Johnson has been a beast on defense. (Remember last year's final game in Denver?) How great would it be for him to be coming into his own.
- The Dee. The whole defense was stellar. They all were beasts out there, really clamping down on a strong San Diego offense. That last minute stop was simply splendid.
- The passing game. Yeah, what passing game. It was shameful to say the least. Matt Cassel and his receivers should be apologizing profusely to the defense for never getting a first down to give them a rest in the second half. (I mean, really, did they even get a first down in the second half?)
- Dexter. Let's hope Haley can finally figure out how to use this guy.
- Injuries. Good to hear Tyson Jackson will be okay. I know Brandon Flowers was down but back up again, I just don't know what his situation is though.
There are a few other scintillating things I could punch in here as well, but I've got to move out. Next week should be better. Look to see you then.
_
The Chiefs are vibrantly important, certainly, but there are other things that rival and indeed surpass the Chiefs. Major stuff happening now precludes me from putting down the typically vast amount of Dave take on the Chiefs even with our inspired New-Arrowhead play Monday night.
With that in mind, here are the bullet takes of my myriad thoughts:
- Exhileration. A big-play Chiefs win on national television was definitely fun.
- D.J. That's two games in a row now that Derrick Johnson has been a beast on defense. (Remember last year's final game in Denver?) How great would it be for him to be coming into his own.
- The Dee. The whole defense was stellar. They all were beasts out there, really clamping down on a strong San Diego offense. That last minute stop was simply splendid.
- The passing game. Yeah, what passing game. It was shameful to say the least. Matt Cassel and his receivers should be apologizing profusely to the defense for never getting a first down to give them a rest in the second half. (I mean, really, did they even get a first down in the second half?)
- Dexter. Let's hope Haley can finally figure out how to use this guy.
- Injuries. Good to hear Tyson Jackson will be okay. I know Brandon Flowers was down but back up again, I just don't know what his situation is though.
There are a few other scintillating things I could punch in here as well, but I've got to move out. Next week should be better. Look to see you then.
_
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Chiefs 2010 Preview - The New Arrowhead Era Begins!
Since I've been doing this blog for a few years, and each year I've assembled at least a handful of thoughts about our beloved team before the season starts, I thought this year shouldn't be any different. I do forewarn you, I've paid the teensiest attention to any Chiefs off-season activity. The only nibbles are those that my Chiefs radar just can't help but pick up wherever however.
Why then should you read any further? Because I believe I have the most unadulterated persepective about what I think about this team. My thoughts are not unduly colored by the highs and lows of things Chiefs personnel have done in the off-season, things that would make a rich and full projection of Chiefs future success haplessly distorted.
Oh, I will include some of those things I've discovered here and there, I can't help but. I will emphasize, however, that this is all about game day analysis. I just want to see, hear, and know of what goes on out there on the field.
For instance I did see very short parts of the Green Bay exhibition game. I never pay any attention to pre-season because that always presents the most warped picture of how a team will do in the regular season. I saw that we got two quick scores (yay!) but then did diddly the rest of the way (boo!) I noted that we beat a Green Bay team that I'd learned had clocked Indianapolis (yay!) but I also saw we did it to a Packers team that didn't even play their starting QB (boo!) Really, what can you tell from that?
So here is the reality of our prospects this season, as I see it.
We do have very strong people at key positions. My son told me he'd completed his fantasy draft and picked up Jamaal Charles, who'd been widely ranked in the 15th to 20th spot of all fantasy players. That's great. I was also initially disappointed that we'd gotten a DB, Eric Berry, with our very first very high draft pick this year. I thought our D-backfield was one of our strengths, but I'm getting word that this guy is a true game changer and simply could not be passed up.
I also know that everyone is excited that we've got all the parts in place front office and coaching-wise. Scott Pioli is taking no prisoners in building a fine team. Todd Haley is fully utilizing the very high learning curve and was able to bring on board top former Patriots coaches to make that horsepower in the Chiefs engine really go.
What really has to happen in real life real regular-season real play starting right at the gun on Sept 13th are two key things. To me these are the real keys of real everything. They are simply
1. Our very very very highly drafted defensive linemen simply have to dominate the line of scrimmage. You know who I'm talking about. This is the year Glenn Dorsey must finally shake off any remnant of knee trouble and anchors the defense right at the snap of every play. Tyson Jackson looks like a monster on that line but he's really got to have much much more than a gentle shove against the opponent's lineman.
2. Matt Cassel has to show that he's the real deal. As last year wound down (I think I wrote about this in a blog post), my uncle sent me a very troubling report from an observer noting that the offensive line problems may simply not be with the line but with the quarterback. I'd mentioned that I was concerned that Cassel was throwing a heavy ball, but the further concern was that he just wasn't getting rid of the ball in time. When you and your receivers aren't in sync, that makes the whole offense lethally sluggish. Charlie Weis has really got to have the Bill Walsh touch with this guy for us to have a shot.
Those are my main concerns, and they are not insignificant. For the first time in a long time I'm really not so worried about the offensive line, because I know it was one of Pioli's off-season priorities, and it did pick it up a bit at the end of last season.
The other major item to address is the biggest Chiefs deal of the off season, really. That would be the major renovation of Arrowhead stadium. I hear it's spectacular, but the most important thing is that maybe this "New Arrowhead" will bring a completely new wave of luck for our Chiefs.
As if we need reminding, since Arrowhead opened in 1972, the Chiefs have played a grand total of five post-season games there.
Five.
38 years of Chiefs professional football games, and Chiefs players have been blessed to step on the Arrowhead turf to do playoff battle a teensy-weensy five times.
Oh, and they've won two of them.
In 1991 defeating the Raiders 10-6, and in 1993 defeating the Steelers 27-24.
Thuh end. That's it.
So yeah, a brand spankin' new NEW NEW Arrowhead can't come any sooner.
This brings up the most important factor in the entire mix, really. That would be the owner, Clark Hunt. One thing I happened to see was a link on Yahoo for a page ranking NFL team owners. It was Friday, but I didn't look at it, though I was really tempted.
To be honest I can't see how Clark can't rank highly. He has given so much to make sure Arrowhead remains one of the premier sites to see NFL football. In what I've seen he's gone above and beyond to proudly carry on his dad's legacy. And that's one of the reasons I didn't look at what Yahoo pundits thought about NFL owners.
I think he should rank reasonably well, but I'd just be ticked off if he didn't. I'd be even more ticked off if he had a poor ranking for good reasons which I just don't know about. This kind of scenario is precisely why for these kinds of things, ignorance is the sweetest bliss. It is why you'll only hear from me again after September 13.
It simply does my heart no good to presume things. I only need to know what's happening on the field.
And this year that means our boys take the field in a new Arrowhead with a few years under our belts of what I see is a new, committed, experienced, group of managers, coaches, and players.
See you next week!
_
Since I've been doing this blog for a few years, and each year I've assembled at least a handful of thoughts about our beloved team before the season starts, I thought this year shouldn't be any different. I do forewarn you, I've paid the teensiest attention to any Chiefs off-season activity. The only nibbles are those that my Chiefs radar just can't help but pick up wherever however.
Why then should you read any further? Because I believe I have the most unadulterated persepective about what I think about this team. My thoughts are not unduly colored by the highs and lows of things Chiefs personnel have done in the off-season, things that would make a rich and full projection of Chiefs future success haplessly distorted.
Oh, I will include some of those things I've discovered here and there, I can't help but. I will emphasize, however, that this is all about game day analysis. I just want to see, hear, and know of what goes on out there on the field.
For instance I did see very short parts of the Green Bay exhibition game. I never pay any attention to pre-season because that always presents the most warped picture of how a team will do in the regular season. I saw that we got two quick scores (yay!) but then did diddly the rest of the way (boo!) I noted that we beat a Green Bay team that I'd learned had clocked Indianapolis (yay!) but I also saw we did it to a Packers team that didn't even play their starting QB (boo!) Really, what can you tell from that?
So here is the reality of our prospects this season, as I see it.
We do have very strong people at key positions. My son told me he'd completed his fantasy draft and picked up Jamaal Charles, who'd been widely ranked in the 15th to 20th spot of all fantasy players. That's great. I was also initially disappointed that we'd gotten a DB, Eric Berry, with our very first very high draft pick this year. I thought our D-backfield was one of our strengths, but I'm getting word that this guy is a true game changer and simply could not be passed up.
I also know that everyone is excited that we've got all the parts in place front office and coaching-wise. Scott Pioli is taking no prisoners in building a fine team. Todd Haley is fully utilizing the very high learning curve and was able to bring on board top former Patriots coaches to make that horsepower in the Chiefs engine really go.
What really has to happen in real life real regular-season real play starting right at the gun on Sept 13th are two key things. To me these are the real keys of real everything. They are simply
1. Our very very very highly drafted defensive linemen simply have to dominate the line of scrimmage. You know who I'm talking about. This is the year Glenn Dorsey must finally shake off any remnant of knee trouble and anchors the defense right at the snap of every play. Tyson Jackson looks like a monster on that line but he's really got to have much much more than a gentle shove against the opponent's lineman.
2. Matt Cassel has to show that he's the real deal. As last year wound down (I think I wrote about this in a blog post), my uncle sent me a very troubling report from an observer noting that the offensive line problems may simply not be with the line but with the quarterback. I'd mentioned that I was concerned that Cassel was throwing a heavy ball, but the further concern was that he just wasn't getting rid of the ball in time. When you and your receivers aren't in sync, that makes the whole offense lethally sluggish. Charlie Weis has really got to have the Bill Walsh touch with this guy for us to have a shot.
Those are my main concerns, and they are not insignificant. For the first time in a long time I'm really not so worried about the offensive line, because I know it was one of Pioli's off-season priorities, and it did pick it up a bit at the end of last season.
The other major item to address is the biggest Chiefs deal of the off season, really. That would be the major renovation of Arrowhead stadium. I hear it's spectacular, but the most important thing is that maybe this "New Arrowhead" will bring a completely new wave of luck for our Chiefs.
As if we need reminding, since Arrowhead opened in 1972, the Chiefs have played a grand total of five post-season games there.
Five.
38 years of Chiefs professional football games, and Chiefs players have been blessed to step on the Arrowhead turf to do playoff battle a teensy-weensy five times.
Oh, and they've won two of them.
In 1991 defeating the Raiders 10-6, and in 1993 defeating the Steelers 27-24.
Thuh end. That's it.
So yeah, a brand spankin' new NEW NEW Arrowhead can't come any sooner.
This brings up the most important factor in the entire mix, really. That would be the owner, Clark Hunt. One thing I happened to see was a link on Yahoo for a page ranking NFL team owners. It was Friday, but I didn't look at it, though I was really tempted.
To be honest I can't see how Clark can't rank highly. He has given so much to make sure Arrowhead remains one of the premier sites to see NFL football. In what I've seen he's gone above and beyond to proudly carry on his dad's legacy. And that's one of the reasons I didn't look at what Yahoo pundits thought about NFL owners.
I think he should rank reasonably well, but I'd just be ticked off if he didn't. I'd be even more ticked off if he had a poor ranking for good reasons which I just don't know about. This kind of scenario is precisely why for these kinds of things, ignorance is the sweetest bliss. It is why you'll only hear from me again after September 13.
It simply does my heart no good to presume things. I only need to know what's happening on the field.
And this year that means our boys take the field in a new Arrowhead with a few years under our belts of what I see is a new, committed, experienced, group of managers, coaches, and players.
See you next week!
_
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