Offense Continues Struggles … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs
The fans are unhappy. The offensive play caller has lost his job. The offense can’t score many points and has problems in both the running and passing game, largely because the offensive line is banged up and underperforming.
The head coach is from the offensive side of the football street and there’s a lot of pressure on him to fix his struggling offense.
Fans of the Chiefs saw this team on Sunday, except for that portion of the game where CBS-TV lost the signal coming from FedEx Field. But then they’ve seen them all season.
No, we are not taking about the Redskins here. We are talking about the Chiefs.
Redskins Nation is pondering the eminent departure of head coach Jim Zorn, who had his play-calling duties removed after losing to the Chiefs on Sunday. Washington has struggled on the offensive side of the football all season.
But get this: after six games the offensive numbers of the Redskins are better across the board than the Chiefs offensive numbers. Washington has thrown for more yards, run for more yards, provided better pass protection, picked up more yards per passing attempt and completed more passes than the Kansas City offense.
The only statistic where the Chiefs offense tops the Redskins is in touchdowns. They have scored eight, while the Chiefs have nine.
What’s the difference? Perspective. It’s always that way no matter what world or business we may exam. One team expected so much more; the Redskins haven’t used the term rebuilding, or process as Todd Haley likes to call what’s happened around the Chiefs.
So the Washington fans are grabbing pitch forks and carrying torches, they want the heads of the owner, GM and head coach. And Chiefs fans are enjoying the team’s first victory of the season.
That “W” came despite a pedestrian offensive performance. They had 268 yards in total offense; nothing special, although it was the third best offensive day of the season. The passing game produced 158 yards and allowed five sacks. That’s 14 sacks in the last three games. They were four of 17 on third down conversions, or 24 percent and they were 0 for 2 in the scoring zone.
Overall, the Chiefs ran among the worst offenses among the 32 teams in the league going into the Monday night game:
- 30th in offensive yards per game, averaging 259.7 yards. The worst offense in the league belongs to Oakland at 213.8 yards per game. The best offense is New Orleans at 430 yards per game. The NFL average is 332 yards per game.
- 25th in rushing yards per game, averaging 98 yards. The worst running game is San Diego, averaging 53.8 yards per game. The best rushing offense belongs to Miami at 177 yards per game. The NFL average is 112.6 yards per game.
- 27th in passing yards per game, with an average of 161.7 yards. That worst passing game is Oakland at 125.3 yards per game. The best pass offense is in Indianapolis at 326 yards per game. The league average is 219.3 yards.
- Tied at 30th in pass protection, allowing 22 sacks on the season. The team that’s allowed the most sacks is Green Bay with 25. Detroit has also allowed 22 sacks. The fewest sacks so far have happened in Indianapolis and Atlanta, as both teams have seen the passer go down just twice. The NFL average is 12.3 sacks.
- Tied at 30th in rushing touchdowns with zero. St. Louis and Buffalo also have no scores on the ground. The league average is 4.5 touchdowns.
We could go on with the team’s No. 30 ranking in average yards per attempt in the passing game and their position as the worst third-down conversion offense in the league. But by this point, you get the picture.
This is not what anyone expected from Haley, with his offensive background and the acquisition of Cassel in the off-season as the franchise quarterback. But two events conspired to hold back this offense: first, it was the time spent on Chan Gailey’s offensive scheme all through the off-season, training camp and three weeks of the pre-season. When Haley fired Gailey as the coordinator and took the duties himself, the offense started from ground zero with new terminology, new plays and a new attitude.
The other factor is this: other than the addition of Cassel, Haley and GM Scott Pioli did not add a single offensive weapon to the team. The top four RBs in yardage after six games were all part of the team in ‘08. Five of the top seven receivers were around last year.
A quarterback needs weapons and the Chiefs do not have an arsenal. That and a shaky offensive line have combined to leave the team struggling, with no obvious improvement in production based on Sunday’s performance against a good Washington defense.
“I think we finally have a core set of plays we go to in certain circumstances,” said Haley of t he learning curve over seven weeks for his offense. “I feel like we’re making progress. Has it been easy? No. Did I think it was going to be easy? No. It’s really hard, really hard for the players. We’ve asked them to do a lot in an effort to be further along as we go forward. But I think we’re making progress.”
Haley wanted to celebrate what his offense did not do against the Redskins: turn the ball over and just two penalties on the offensive side.
“The thing I’m encouraged about offensively is to go into Washington and have two penalties and one of them being the quarterback going across the line and one holding call and to not turn the ball over,” Haley said. “That’s huge and that’s a good defense. They’re statistically a good defense. They play hard, they’re physical and tough. We protected the football. We did what we had to do to win.”
Is there light at the end of the tunnel for the Chiefs offense? Haley hopes that light isn’t a train coming to hit his quarterback again.
SIGNINGS, INJURIES, MOVEMENT, TRADES AROUND THE LEAGUE
- BENGALS – placed DE Antwan Odom on the injured-reserve list (Achilles tendon).
- CHIEFS – traded DT Tank Tyler to the Panthers for a fifth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
- 49ERS – signed LB Matt Wilhelm; placed LB Jeff Ulbrich on the injured-reserve list (concussion).
- JETS – placed DT Kris Jenkins on the injured-reserve list (ACL).
- PANTHERS – acquired DT Tank Tyler from the Chiefs for a fifth-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft; S Dante Wesley suspended by the NFL for one game due to hit on Bucs returner Clifton Smith on Sunday.
- PATRIOTS – released LB Tully Banta-Cain.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On October 20, 1963, the Chiefs lost to the San Diego Chargers 38-17 in front of a crowd of 30,107 at Municipal Stadium. The KC defense was unable to slow down the Chargers offense, as RB Keith Lincoln ran for 127 yards, including a 76-yard TD scamper. WR Lance Alworth caught nine passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns, including one that was a 72-yard play with QB Tobin Rote. San Diego RB Paul Lowe scored a pair of TDs on short runs. The Chiefs had trouble scoring points; scoring just two touchdowns. QB Len Dawson and RB Abner Haynes combined on a 73-yard TD pass and Dawson also threw a seven-yard scoring pass to TE Fred Arbanas. Haynes ended up with eight catches for 149 yards.
On October 20, 1968, the Chiefs beat the Oakland Raiders 24-10 in front of 50,015 fans at Municipal Stadium. It was the largest crowd for a sporting event in Kansas City history and was the first time the Chiefs had drawn over 50,000 fans for a game. The Chiefs rewarded the big crowd by jumping to a 24-0 lead before the Raiders knew what hit them. RB Wendell Hayes scored on a pair of one-yard runs and RB Robert Holmes had a four-yard TD scamper. Jan Stenerud added a 13-yard FG. The Chiefs ran for 294 yards on 60 carries, as QB Len Dawson threw only three passes, completing two for 16 yards. RB Mike Garrett had 24 carries for 109 yards, Holmes had 95 yards on 19 carries and Hayes finished with 89 yards on 14 carries. The Chiefs defense had three sacks of Oakland QB Daryle Lamonica, as LB Jim Lynch and DEs Jerry Mays and Aaron Brown took him to the ground. FS Johnny Robinson had an INT.
On October 20, 1974, the Chiefs lost to the Dolphins 9-3 at the Orange Bowl in Miami. The Chiefs only points came on a 21-yard Jan Stenerud field goal in the second quarter. The Dolphins then scored on safety on a blocked punt by CB Tim Foley and a one-yard run by FB Jim Csonka. The Chiefs had just 200 offensive yards in the game, as QB Mike Livingston completed five of 11 for just 64 yards passing. Defensively, the Chiefs had three interceptions of Miami QB Bob Griese, as S Mike Sensibaugh, CB Emmitt Thomas and DB Doug Jones picked off passes. DEs Marvin Upshaw and Wilbur Young contributed sacks.
On October 20, 1985, the Chiefs were shut out by the Los Angeles Rams 16-0 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs wasted a great performance by their defense that allowed the Rams led by RB Eric Dickerson just 184 total yards. Dickerson scored the game’s only TD on a one-yard run in the second quarter, but finished with just 68 yards on 26 carries. The Chiefs killed themselves thanks to a club record six interceptions thrown by QB Todd Blackledge. The other points came on three FGs by Mike Lansford of the Rams.
On October 20, 1991, the Chiefs lost to the Broncos 19-16 at Mile High Stadium in Denver. This game was tied at 16-16 when Broncos QB John Elway took the Denver offense down the field and set up a 27-yard FG by David Treadwell that won the game with less than three minutes to play. The Chiefs got three FGs from Nick Lowery and their only touchdown came in the fourth quarter, when RB Harvey Williams scored on a 14-yard run to tie the score. The Chiefs defense sacked Elway five times, with six different defenders involved. QB Steve DeBerg hit 21 of 35 passes for 241 yards. Williams ran 14 times for 84 yards.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on October 20, 1943 in Jackson, Mississippi was WR-Returner Noland “Super Gnat” Smith. He was selected in the sixth-round of the 1967 NFL-AFL Draft out of Tennessee State. Smith played three seasons with the Chiefs (1967-69), appearing in 32 games. He caught two passes for 57 yards, returned 32 punts for an 11.1-yard average and one TD and took back 68 kickoffs for a 26.8-yard average and one TD, a 106-yard return in his rookie season. In that ‘67 season, Smith had 1,148 yards on kickoff returns. He left the Chiefs during the ‘69 season and played seven games with the San Francisco 49ers before his career came to an end.
Born on October 20, 1958 in Iola, Wisconsin was QB Dave Krieg (left.) He joined the Chiefs as a Plan B free agent in 1992 after playing 12 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Krieg went to Seattle as an undrafted college free agent in 1980 out of Milton College. He played two seasons with the Chiefs (1992-93), appearing in 28 games with starts. Krieg was the team’s starting QB for all 17 games during the ‘92 season and in his time at Arrowhead; he completed 335 of 602 passes for 4,353 yards, 22 TDs and 15 INTs. He also scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground. Kansas City was the second stop o a career that would take him Detroit, Arizona, Chicago and Tennessee before he retired after the 1998 season. Krieg played 19 seasons and threw for 38,147 yards, with 261 TD passes and 199 INTs. His career passer rating was 81.5.
The Chiefs’ O certainly needs improvement, but it’s hard to tell at this point how good/bad they really are.
When comparing the Chiefs offensive production to the Redskins it helps to keep in mind that the Skins have played, except for the Giants, pretty much bottom-of-the barrel teams. The Chiefs, on the other hand, have played some of the top D’s in the league.
I always liked Jon Yoon’s slant on the Chief’s ,and he has a good artical on Arrowhead Pride .
Good point—> ILChiefsFan
Thats true ILChiefsfan. We’ve played defenses that would make any good offense strugle. Though I believe our offense stinks because of lack of talent at the o-line position and lack of good receivers. I think the offense will continue to gell. At least you’re starting to see LJ be productive getting some creases opened in the run game and Cassell now being able to get the ball more than 5 yards down the field.
Haley just will have also stop calling draw plays. They don’t work. LJ just needs more creative run plays. Not run up the middle or draw plays. He needs more misdirection run plays. Something to confuse the defense. In the passing game we need to get Cassell out of the pocket at times with bootlegs to keep the defense from penning their ears back. It also wouldn’t hurt to run shorter routes early to help Cassell get the ball out quicker. Eventually those def lineman will get tired of rushing the passer with the ball coming out early in the game. Then as the game wears on we can start throwing the ball downfield.
I would say about 50% of our offensive struggles come from playing some of the best D’s in the NFL and the rest break down like this:
20% OL – Lack Of
10% HC – Bad play calling
5% RB – Lack of speed & power by LJ
5% OL – Penilties
5% WR/RB – Dropped Balls
5% QB – Holding the Ball to Long
So in short, it’s 50/50 with room to grow and I think we will, or at least hope so.
Go Chiefs!!!
Until the Oline gets some semblace of continuity, stability and more talent, the Chiefs will continue to struggle on offense and I don’t care if Vince Lombardi’s ghost crawls out of the crypt to coach the team.
The FOUNDATION lads. It’s the Oline foundation that needs shoring up, first and foremost.
I know our O-line is not good, so I’m not making excuses. But, just how many games have the same 5 guys played? Together…as a “unit”? I think that may be hurting the Chiefs O-line as much or more as lack of talent there. Just a thought.
Mr. Bob Gretz, could you please ask Mr. Hunt if he’ll consider going back to the old school black cleats. Maybe do a Poll? I just thought it looked good when they played in the Dallas Texan gear. Here’s a stat for you, the Chiefs haven’t been back to a Superbowl since. A jink maybe?
ThunderChief——– WHERE DO YOU GET OFFENCE LINEMEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON ?
CORN-FIELDS ?
China
South America
U.K.
NO one disagrees , Just only one place, US colleges with AA Football——–
I wonder who the newest Chiefs will be. We have a roster spot open…and a practice squad postion open.
I’m also curious to see if any more trades are made before the end of the day today. Last chance for this year.
I agree with many of the points being made, it is what it is.
Our o-line is devoid of talent and injuries and a lack of continuity has exacerbated the issue.
I think Pioli & Haley were looking at this season as a sort of red shirt year and once they decided to ditch Gailey and start over with Haley’s system the die was cast. I also think they’ve been surprised by the talent level, or lack thereof of the team they inherited.
I expect wholesale changes this offseason. I wouldn’t be surprised if Albert gets moved inside and they draft a LT. I don’t think LJ will be back next year.
If we don’t trade for someone with immediate impact, then I want to see Lance Long and Kolby Smith promoted from the practice squad.
Stiv says:
“I don’t think LJ will be back next year.”
I think you’re 100% correct there. In hindsight, I think it was a mistake having him here THIS year.
It wouldn’t hurt my feeling at all if he was traded today. How about LJ and a pick to the Patriots for Adalius Thomas? Hmmmmm…
I’d be fine with whatever they end up doing today…even if that’s nothing.
Its always been clear the O-line needed significant repair. I’m encouraged by O’Callahan though. I believe he’s a “keeper” either for depth or a starter should he prove he’s that guy. I believe we have depth at G now. What we really need is a quality C & starting G or T depending on whether things get shifted around.
I believe Wade will prove to be a good slot guy/#3. Still need that speed threat opposite Bowe.
Need a quicker RB with better “vision” than LJ. In this offense, you have to have that burst to get into the hole more quickly. Notice we ran a similar “stretch” play like in the Vermeil days that LJ had some productivity on. I like Charles as a change of pace. We’ll see if Colby is able to get back to where he was. He had very good vision & footwork in the hole.
Wow! Bob, you really can’t handle the Chiefs win can you, donkey lover?
I heard Josh Looney is working on a fan site.
Bob, you remind me of somebody who isn’t here anymore….hmmmm.
Ludacris says:
“Wow! Bob, you really can’t handle the Chiefs win can you, donkey lover?”
I think what Bob is pointing out is that, yes the Chiefs won the game. But, the fact is…we beat a team that isn’t very good. And we didn’t really look all that impressive in doing it. The win is great, don’t get me wrong. But it’s not like we took it to a good (or even decent) team. There’s still a lot of work to do. We won’t win many games without scoring a touchdown, that’s for sure.
I dont think tradig LJ would do ANYTHING! Look how much better game he had this past week, ONLY due the o-line getting a few holes opened up. It doesnt matter if its lj, charles, allen, okoye, ward, ect ect….no one would make good numbers behind this line right now.
gorillafan,
Yes, LJ had a better game this past week. My point was, that I don’t think he will be here next season. So, if they could get something for him now in a trade…I’d be all for it.
As far as no one getting good numbers behind this line? Maybe…maybe not. But, it doesn’t look like we’re ever going to find out…because Haley doesn’t seem to want to give anyone else the chance. Which is fine, I guess. Personally though, I’d like to see what one of the other guys could do with 20+ touches a game.
Id like to see charles get alot more carries and lj in other situations. however, i kinda have the feeling that haley is high on lj. he must be working real hard in practice, ect. i would personally be shocked if they traded him. his attitude is better, he running hard, i just think that rb will not be adressed. o line, recievers, and d lineman will be top on the list
people say the same thing about l.t. and sproiles monday night. they havent produced this season. another example of good backs with not a great o-line. look at rookie moreno in denver, yes he seems legit, but he has the line, like denver always does. Us trading lj would not benefit anything, and we would only get a late round pic for him anyway. keeping lj seems to be our best scenario to me
actually, washington is talented, we were on the road, and had lost some 28 of 30
bob has sour grapes over not getting inside info anymore
ill RUN to looneys site the way negativity has been around here in the ARTICLES.maybe rin was bob.
Chiefs are working out Joey Galloway. WTF
what wrong with that
gorillafan says:
“what wrong with that”
I agree. If he’s better than what we have, then keep him. If he’s not, then don’t. We’ve already seen a lot of that. Besides…could Joey Galloway possibly be any less productive than Engram?
They’re not going to trade away LJ because running backs are a dime a dozen on draft day. You use them up and throw them away. Signing them to long term contracts like they did with LJ is foolish. I expect them to take on the offensive line this next draft day, with maybe a couple of running backs taken late.
Of course the Redskins offensive numbers look good, they’ve played winless teams. duh. The Giants, Cowboys, Eagles and Raiders will gladly count their win against the Chiefs. A win is a win, no matter how bad the other team sucks.
We won! Yay! Be friggin happy about it!
yes, this next draft with a bunch of 5th round picks, they will get some interior lineman I would hope….Maybe a nose tackle in the first…2 2nds to look at a RT, or a WR..maybe a LB or S
Lenny I’m down with the black cleats, make it happen. White on white=not a fan.
Bottom line: fix the oline and a lot of our other offensive problems will be diminished.
LJ is playing because he probably is earning it in practice. Yes I think Jamal Charles needs more carries, I even think he should start the game. I think his speed would help set up Larry’s power running style.
But every time he gets a chance he fumbles it away. He hasn’t earned the right to do it yet.
Curious, Did Rin get banned? Does anyone know, i stopped coming because of him and the fact that bob would not ban him….
Really the win was a nice change, but not scoring a TD kinda sucked. Now that the chiefs have kicking FG’s down pat they hopefully will work on TD’s.
Galloway wasn’t good enough for the patriots so Pioli thinks that he will be a perfect fit on the Chiefs? Hmmm, I dont like the idea of bringing every player in that the patriots drop. The chiefs should have made a trade with the dolphins for Camarillo, he would be a decent no. 2 and he can catch…
Really? Redskins offense outranks CHIEFS? What a shock. They have played the Giants, Chiefs, Panthers, Bucs, Lions, and the Rams. Notice a differenc there? Four of those teams are in the bottom six in the league as far as defense goes.
Enjoy your articles Bob, but spend a little more effort next time.
We are not a great team, this part you got right, but we are building for the future, fantasy football owner Dan Snyder promises his fans the moon every year.
Still all and all, a win is what this team needed and should be enjoyed by all. Do not want Mad Chief angry but it is interesting that Jeff Chadea (sorry spelling), ESPN, made some interesting comment today. First the owner are very different, Denver’s want to be in the superbowl or you can get fired and KC’s Hunt family has other interests. HC, looking backwards Denver’s HC is better prepared for the job than KCs. Denver’s offense and OC stayed from last year and except for a change at QB ahead of the Chiefs. On defense, both have new DCs and went to 3-4. Denver brought in 8 new starters and it is working, 30th in 08 and top level so far this year. His only complaint was that Denver brought in free agents and traded player to WIN games and KC brought in theirs to improve the atmosphere in the locker room. KC, looked to him to be building for a team in 5 years and that does not work in the NFL. Teams have to win each year and forget the distant future. His words not mine so do not shoot the messenger. Still a good win last sunday.
They traded Tank b/c he refused 2 give up the number 93 jersey 2 a rookie who is underachieving for a top 3 pick! Well Jackson u got your number back, lets see if u can turn into superman.
There are now reports that Galloway is not coming here for a workout. I wasn’t that excited about him coming here anyway. I wonder who they will pick up as a backup nose tackle. i don’t think they have a nose tackle on the practice squad. I guess they could bring back Derek Lokey or perhaps McGee could fill in. They have to have someone if Edwards is injured.
el cid says:
” Do not want Mad Chief angry ”
No sweat, el cid. While you and I may disagree a lot…nothing you can say will make me “angry”. It’s all cool. Different opinions are what makes the world go around. Besides, I don’t have to agree with an opinion to respect it.
Since our big win Sun. no1 has given LJ his props. I guess Haley finally realized we needed 2 run a couple of strech plays for that slow, no burst washed up RB of ours. If it werent for him and Succopp we would have lost. I’m still waiting for the big game from our highly paid super star QB…boy does that guy look good, even when he looks average which is “rarely” we have an excuse for him dont we guys.
arrowhead1978 says:
“Galloway wasn’t good enough for the patriots so Pioli thinks that he will be a perfect fit on the Chiefs?”
Well, look at the competition he had at WR in New England. And then look at the competition he would have at WR here. A little different picture, I’d say.
Just a rumor, anyway. Personally, now that the trade deadline has passed…I wish they would stop effin’ around with the roster and let the guys they have play. Finding somebody just sitting around, unsigned, at this point…that’s going to make much of a difference? Not likely.
IT Guy,
bob posted an article saying that people on this site that are blogging need to clean it up. it wasnt in the direction of one person, but everyone. Rin after that posted very view now we do not see him at all. we dont have people logging in as other people either, not saying it was rin, because it probably wasnt. so for now, its like the old days!!
hope it continues. now if only colby was here all the time, johnNdalls, even old chuck diesel and alot others were here again it would even be better. no i dont post all the time but im busy during the day so i may post more times than others, but i always come to this site everyday and read the post everyday.
keep it up everyone!!
Alex – LJ had his best game in a long time, props to him. Do not get your dislike of Cassel. Unless you want him to run with the ball, he did ok sunday. He is not John Unitas but did you expect him to be? Since T. Green left, average looks pretty good. He sure got pounded by the Skin’s defense and lived thru it. We do not have the finest WR in the NFL, not sure we even have enough to fill the roster properly.
Alexthe”GREAT” says:
“Since our big win Sun. no1 has given LJ his props.”
LJ had a better game Sunday, no doubt. But it was hardly what I would call a “breakout” game. When he hits 100+ yards in a game, and scores a TD or two…then I’ll be impressed.
Well, it looks like LJ will get another chance to impress Mad Chief this weekend; despite doing a pretty good job against Denver, the Chargers statistically have a run defense comparable to Oakland.
Matt and L.J. will only look average intill the line improves. The line needs an upgrade, but having said that, it will be better with increased familiarity throughout the year. Scott and Todd have only had one off season so far, I am giving them three years, but I am a patient man. Strange to think that I was only eleven when they won it all, still root for them, must be patient, or foolish.
Steve that is a lot of bunk. Pioli did not do enough when he get here. Mike Goff is not the way to fix any offensive line. On defense, I remind you Denver got a new DC and went 3-4 like KC. They also have 8 new starters. Pioli decided to get guys to build a locker room while Denver got players to win games. If that is the way to do it, I do not know. But Pioli/Haley’s seem a little lame in comparison.
No patience or enjoyment of the process, huh?
If you were a top flight free agent, who would you rather play for, a playoff contender or a team in the middle of yet another rebuild. It’s no wonder guys like Tony G. and Brian Waters wanted out. We also hired the GM and Head coach late and so I kind of expected a slow start with the schedule we got. Not that I am happy with the results but I see they are improving (baby steps). I am going to be real interested in seeing how they do with a bit better schedule and with time to play together as a group. I think over the long haul that we should be better than the Broncos who are going with a lot of older players. It just seems funny to me that some were complaining about no veterans last year and now they aren’t happy with the ones that were brought in, interesting.
I think the big number we need to focus on with regard to our offense and our defense this season is this…the score. If we get more points than the other team…we win. We controlled the game against the Raiders…only…to lose the game.
mr awsome says:
“Im bummed we didnt do anything in free agency on the last day, i mean we shoulda traded dj or something”
It takes two parties to make a trade. If you can’t get decent value for your guy…then you’re better off not doing the deal.
“ohh yeah and bob gretz was tottaly rin seriously what an ass clown.”
You guys that think Bob was Rin Tin Tin? LMAO! Come on. Seriously…you really think that? Listen, why would Bob basically take a sh*t in the middle of his own living room…and stink up his own house? That makes no sense at all.
The chiefs had the money and if they had the GM that could influence people to come here then they should have brought in players that can change a locker room and influence wins (dawkins).