It was a frustrating weekend, to say the least, to watch the second round of the playoffs yet again without our beloved Chiefs on the field. Then again, that fate seems about as certain as death and taxes.So what did we really learn this weekend from the most recent playoff games?
- The Colts are a lot better than the fans gave them credit for being. Like the Colts or hate them, they handled Baltimore as much as they handled the Chiefs. There was one major difference: the Colts played the Chiefs at home, where they were virtually unbeatable during the regular season; the Colts played the Ravens on the road
- The Seahawks' fans have it right. Matt Hasselback also struggled through much of the second half of the season. He had some struggles early against Chicago this weekend as well. Like the Chiefs, the Seahwaks' receivers were dropping catchable balls. The difference? The Seahawks' fans booed the receivers, not the quarterback
- Marty Schottenheimer lost a game he had every business winning. Hopefully, the Marty curse is exclusive to San Diego and does not apply to teams he has left his fingerprints on, like Kansas City.
- While we're on the subject of Schottenheimer, the Chargers basically dominated the Patriots and still found a way to lose. Paging Herm Edwards: if Marty can open up his offense and ditch Marty-ball, so can you.
- Fans can change their tune overnight when their quarterback performs well under pressure. Rex Grossman was terrific this weekend. I still can't help but wonder how Green would have done if his receivers showed up on Sunday
- The Saints have two very good running backs. One of their backs is a bruiser; the other is a slasher with the ability to catch passes out of the backfield. The Chiefs are no different. LJ is a Deuce McCallister type player, only a heck of a lot faster; Bennett is a Reggie Bush type player, a quick slasher with terrific receiving skills. The Chiefs should watch a lot of tape of the Saints to see how they can better utilize their split back
- #1 - Nate Kaeding is still overrated. He has lost Marty two playoff games by not nailing a game-winning kick. I realize that Kaeding's miss was from long-distance, but he wasn't even close. The Patriots and Colts showed exactly why kicking has become a much more important part of the game. The Chiefs have to think long and hard about whether Tynes can be that guy, because he sure didn't look that way in 2006.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-16-2007 @ 5:25PM
drum said...
one super glaring problem the chiefs have is the fact that their coach (your hero) Herm is toooo arrogant to listen to anyone.I'm sure you listened to his last interview.I did, I dont know why he is pissed off at the media, they're just doing their job thats more than I can say about Hermie. Jim Rome told it like it is on his show wondering how Herm came out with such a crappy offensive game plan.Herm must have been late for his vacation or something, because that was the worst offensive game plan in the history of the NFL playoffs period!!!!!!!
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1-16-2007 @ 2:05PM
drum said...
one super glaring problem the chiefs have is the fact that their coach (your hero) Herm is toooo arrogant to listen to anyone.I'm sure you listened to his last interview.I did, I dont know why he is pissed off at the media, they're just doing their job thats more than I can say about Hermie. Jim Rome told it like it is on his show wondering how Herm came out with such a crappy offensive game plan.Herm must have been late for his vacation or something, because that was the worst offensive game plan in the history of the NFL playoffs period!!!!!!!
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1-16-2007 @ 3:44PM
Nasty M said...
Hi Jon: Thanks for giving us foder to chew on while we no longer have a home team to root for.
1) Defense does not win championships - look at the teams that are left in the play-offs and other than the Bears, every team left has depended upon their offense to get them there. Herm Edwards is still stuck in the 80's. Herm, if you don't score you don't win.
2) Marty was trying so hard to change his style of play that he looked uncomfortable and made very out-of-character choices (going for 4th & 11 in field goal range.
3) Marty's real weakness is the need to win it all so badly that he allows players with questionable character play on his teams. The end doesn't always justify the means. Here in KC he brought in Dale Carter, Tamaric Vanover, Bam Morris, and many others and he allowed the same to happen in San Diego.
4) Along on the questionable thought - how many times when Marty was still in KC did we see our defense stop the opposing offense on a crucial 3rd down to have it nuified by a stupid "unsportsman like conduct" foul? We saw it agin this weekend in San Diego.
5)When the fans in KC were booing Trent Green, they in reality were booing Herm for not taking control, for the offensive coordinator not giving his team a chance to win, for receivers dropping the ball and LJ's inability to block for Trent. Trent just seemed to be the brunt of the boos. It was a combination of many things.
6) Lastly, while other teams talk about winning the SuperBowl, the Chiefs are over-joyed to just make the playoffs. They accomplished their goal both in the players and coaches expectations. The players didn't play and the coaches didn't coach to win against Indy. They had already accomplished their goal. Herm stated that we finished at 9 & 7 and made the play-offs -somehow that isn't very fulfilling to the fans. This is just the 1st year for Edwards in KC so he doesn't understand the frustration and long suffering the Chiefs fans have endured. While he doesn't have a sense of urgency the fans deserve a quick response and respect. I don't think we can tolerate another 3 year plan or a re-building but that is what we are going to have to live with.
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