Chiefs Offensive Woes Are Deep
From Arrowhead Stadium
Matt Cassel seldom drops his guard when he speaks to the media. His answers to questions are generally programmed, very obvious and always quite bland. There are no headlines after a Cassel press conference; that’s just the way the head coach and quarterback want things to happen.
That made one of Cassel’s answers after the 27-16 loss to the Giants quite telling.
Question: After four games are you comfortable with the offense right now?
Cassel: “When you’re 0-4 you’re trying to find a comfort level somewhere. We’ve got to continue to make strides to do that. I don’t know what you would say we’re hanging our hat on right now, but as we move forward we need to figure out our identity pretty quickly and get better at the things we do well.”
Of course, it would be nice to identify something the Chiefs offense does well, but good luck finding that.
 OK, there is one thing – they are fantastic on fourth down. This season they’ve converted eight of 11 fourth down plays, or 72.7 percent.
Everything else needs a lot of improvement – running game, passing game, protecting the passer, converting on third down, Wildcat – we’ll stop there.
“We played good at times, we played bad at times,” Cassel said of Sunday’s performance. “Overall as an offense we were definitely inconsistent and you can’t be inconsistent against a good team like the New York Giants.”
The offensive woes are nothing new for the Chiefs. Here are the lowlights:
RUNNING GAME – The Chiefs ran for 105 yards, or 4.2 yards per carry. Cassel had 25 of those yards on scrambles away from pass rush pressure, so the running backs produced just 80 yards on 21 carries. Larry Johnson had 53 yards on 18 carries and now has 189 yards in four games. The Chiefs are averaging 101.5 yards per game.
There was something about that performance that Todd Haley liked.
“I think running the football has been an encouragement to me,” Haley said. “We set out today to try and run the football a little bit and I thought we did that some. I would say running the football is starting to show up as something we can do.”
PASSING GAME – This was ugly against the Giants. Cassel was 15 of 32 for 127 yards, with two TD passes and no interceptions. The longest pass play of the game for the Chiefs was a 43-yard pitch from Cassel to TE Sean Ryan. The longest catch by a wide receiver was an 18-yarder by WR Bobby Engram. On the season, the Chiefs are averaging 145 yards passing per game. As a team, they are averaging 5.8 yards per attempt.
PASS PROTECTION – The Giants defense came into the game with three sacks in three games. Everyone knew that type of production wouldn’t last long. Against the Chiefs, New York got five sacks in 37 passing plays or one every 7.4 passing plays. Cassel was hit many more times and at one point looked like he may have dinged that bad left knee of his.
How was the protection Matt?
“I think they’re doing a good job,” Cassel said. “They’re out there giving 110 percent each and every play.”
And here was the key line from Cassel: “We’re just going to continue to work at it until we get it right.”
In four games, Chiefs QBs have been sacked 13 times in 127 passing plays, that’s a sack every 10 times the Chiefs go back to pass.
CONVERTING THIRD DOWNS – Last week it was 0 for 11 against the Eagles. Sunday against the Giants they were two of 15. That’s two of 26 or just about as bad as you can get.
Here is the third down tale of woe:
- 3rd-and-8 at the KC 23 – Cassel was flushed from the pocket ran for six yards and fumbled the ball. Cassel recovered but the Chiefs were two yards short.
- 3rd-and-5 at NY 16 – Cassel’s throw to WR Bobby Engram bounced off the helmet of LB Michael Boley.
- 3rd-and-9 at KC 21 – TE Sean Ryan caught Cassel’s throw but gained just four yards.
- 3rd-and-10 at KC 30 – Cassel to RB Larry Johnson went for minus-one yard.
- 3rd-and-9 at KC 11 – WR Bobby Wade caught a pass but was tackled for a six-yard gain.
- 3rd-and-8 at KC 26 – Cassel to Engram for 18 yards and a FIRST DOWN.
- 3rd-and-13 at KC 41 – Cassel’s pass to WR Mark Bradley was good for nine yards.
- 3rd-and-18 at KC 16 – Bradley caught a pass for 10 yards.
- 3rd-and 7 at KC 45 – Cassel was sacked for a 10-yard loss by DE Osi Umenyiora.
- 3rd-and-11 at NY 30 – Incomplete pass to WR Dwayne Bowe.
- 3rd-and-11 at NY 10 – Incomplete pass to Engram.
- 3rd-and-7 at KC 44 – Cassel scrambles for 12 yards and a FIRST DOWN.
- 3rd-and-11 at NY 11 – Incomplete pass to Johnson.
- 3rd-and-2 at NY 2 – Incomplete pass to Wade.
- 3rd-and-27 at KC 15 – Incomplete pass to Wade.
On 11 of those 15 third downs, the distance to move the sticks was eight yards or more. Those kind of distances does not provide good chances to succeed.
On third down, Cassel was six of 12 for 46 yards.
WILDCAT & MORE – The Chiefs came out on their first series in the Wildcat formation. Cassel was lined up at wide receiver on the left side and Johnson was in the backfield and took the direct snap. On the first play, Johnson ran for two yards.
On the second play, Johnson handed off to RB Jamaal Charles, who had gone in motion to the left. Charles was stopped for no gain.
Two Wildcat plays, two yards … not exactly the production that the Miami Dolphins get out of the scheme.
“Coach thought there was a place for it this week in the game plan, so we went ahead and put it in,” said Cassel. “We didn’t have much success.”
Also, for the first time since he joined the Chiefs, OLB Mike Vrabel lined up at tight end on offense. The play was called for him, but the Giants defender held him in the end zone and was flagged for a penalty. The Chiefs scored on the next play. “He is a definite threat down there,” Cassel said of Vrabel.
Bottom line if you look at those 3rd downs their all 3rd and long. Haley isn’t doing a good job calling the plays at all. He’s looks as bad as Mike Solari right now. Running the wildcat was foolish. In the first half of the game 1st and 2nd downs if we wasn’t trying to run Larry up the middle we were attempting 30 yard bombs down the field being overthrown or screen plays by Sean Ryan. Don’t get me started on the shotgun on the goal-line.
Haley has to get an F as offensive coordinator right now. He didn’t find ways to get the ball in Bowe hands today or try to get Charles more involed in the passing game. Charles reminds me of Sproles in that in open space he can make plays with his speed and quickness. In order to have success on 3rd downs you have to have good 1st and 2nd down. Why not let Cassell throw some passes across the middle for 3 or 4 yards. To get him in some type of rythem before just allowing him to heave the ball downfield. Until Haley improves as a play caller this team will continue to struggle on offense.
I think the key to success is Cassel. He misses too many open receivers. If Cassel hit the guys that were open, if he gave them easier balls to catch and if the receivers held on to the ball, this offense would be FAR better.
I haven’t been crazy about the play calling, but I know Haley is outstanding in that capacity. I’ve seen it. Cassel is the problem, IMHO. He must become a play-maker and a leader. The Chiefs identity is tied to the QB’s performance.
The only thing missing today KC? Marques Hagans lining up behind center; he’ll be resigned Wed., count on it (rollin’ rollin’ rollin’, keep that roster turnin’, players stomachs churnin’ 0-5!)
Odd, that in his bag gadget plays – which is all
has appears – he trades away a Thigpen so that he can… put Larry Johnson in the wildcat.
Creativity or stupidity? 0-8 screams the latter. HBs ‘hind center, onside kicks and running plays off fake punts, WR passes to RB (last week PHIL), revolving RTs…12 chances left avert ignominy – their names answering to “slim” & “none.’
69,000 some announced attendance, 20,000 of them disguised as empty seats; Hunt Jr. can’t ‘afford’ much more of this…
Haley – Cassel or both ? I feel that our fans have forgotten the Ravens game already …..go back look at the score . Did the OF look better in that game……I think the answer is yes . So if you agree …..what was the difference….. QB Brodie. To me Cassel looks just off ……I think Haley would like too start Brodie . That doesnt look like it well happen ……because that would make Pioli look bad in his 1st pick/money deal. I hope i am wrong but I don’t think so. Give it time …..we didnt think we could win these games…. did you. PnS
True that anonymous we couldn’t win these last two games. To me Cassell is doing his best under the circumstances he’s working with. The only passes he’s been missing are the ones thrown down the field. Other than that receivers have been dropping balls. And Haley hasn’t been using Cassell biggest strength his accuracy. Cassell is very accurate throwing the underneath routes why not call more plays like that on first down. Instead of heaves down the field or screen plays to Sean Ryan. Get Cassell to develop some chemistry with the receivers on the short routes and then let him throw it downfield with some deep routes.
Cassel looked more than just OFF—
I’m not a Brodie , whatever, but they need to park Cassel—Brodie can do better than what happened today .
Where do you get the NO–HOLDING Passes the Giant’s had ????????
Or was I watching somthing eles .
Cassel only played 1yr under a great team with all day to survey the field . That isn’t the case with the chiefs ….now Cassel has to make quick decisions that he hasn’t been able to make …..so far .Well it change I sure hope so. PnS
Cassel was horrid today. His protection was generally OK, but he was seeing pressure before there was any. He was quitting on plays and the pocket too early. He was checking down far, far too much. His performance was extremely discouraging. He needs to improve greatly. I am MOT calling for his benching. He’s the QB for this team, now that Thigpen’s gone, but he needs to examine himself. Is he gunshy? Is he over protective of his knee?
I also believe Haley is calling plays to take pressure off Cassel /OF line with terrible results . If Cassel is to be Moses then let him part the sea ……. or sink to the bottom of it . Sink /swim or drown as we all well with this team. PnS
phhssss moses?? more like ghandi….
“I WILL NOT ENGAGE IN CONFLICT!”
Honestly, what more can go wrong? Nothing works on offense or defense. Hopefully we will see some kind of improvement on some level against Dallas. If not, this team may never know any success.
Cassel wans’t very good today but neither was Haley. I don’t know if Brodie would give us a better chance of winning but I would like to see him play. I know Cassel has an injured knee but he seems so jumpy, more so than Brodie. We are probably not going to see Brodie as long as Cassel is healthy. These are probably not viewed as winnable games so it is pretty hard to argue that Brodie gives us a better chance to win.
This team is worse right now than it was at the end of last season. Hopefully that changes before this season is over.
I have watched Cassel play for three games now, and I am convinced more than ever that he is not a starting QB in this league. He holds the ball far to long and is the king of checkdown. If it’s 3rd and 7, 3rd and 10, 3rd and whatever, you have to throw the ball close to the marker to give your team a chance. If your not going to throw to the marker then give it to someone in space who has a chance to get there. Cassel consistently throws it to players in tight coverage, that are on average 5 yards shy of the marker. Those are his decisions, and are inefficiency on 3rd down is his burden, and a reflection of his inability to be a starter in this league.
I don’t know if Brodie would be better, but I’m in favor of seeing what he’d do as the starter. Cassel has given us no chance to win these games, whereas Brodie did give us a chance against the Ravens. This is what happens when you present someone as the leader of your team without making him earn it. If Haley truley believes that you should bench/demote players who are not playing well then Cassel should be benched.
Well said Buffalo Jay. I’m in total agreement.
I see your point but I am not quite ready to give up on Cassel. Having said that I would love to see Brodie play. I said all along that Haley was not being truthful when he said that every position would have to be earned. The QB job has always been Cassel’s to lose and they will give him every opportunity to do just that.
LOL… Well if brodie becomes the starting QB what would that say to all the chiefs fans and Pioli/haley/Hunt?? Maybe they made the wrong decision in letting Herm go? Maybe not, but still I think brodie looked way better in the pocket then cassell has so far.
Also as part of my argument against Cassell as it showing now, he had the leading WR’s in Yards after catch last year in New England, so yea you could throw a 5 yard out and expect to come up with a first down. The chiefs offense isn’t setup for that and their WR’s aren’t those type of players. So it’s almost like he is going back to his roots and throwing the checkdown. I personally thought last year he was lucky enough to be on a great team and go 11-5, it’s a damn shame that the patriots know what they have and can get almost anything from any other team for their junk players because it is a system they run. Plug-N-Play…