The Quarter System … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs

Todd Haley likes to break down the schedule into four quarters, four games each. Haley thinks breaking up the season makes it easier for him and his players to take on the marathon that is an NFL season.

An example of what the quarter system can do for a team’s thinking is the Chiefs improved record in each quarter of the season, from 0-4, to 1-3 and finally to 2-2 in the most recent four-game period. Haley can sell his team on the idea that improvement is tangible by looking at record from quarter to quarter rather than getting stuck on the ugly 3-9 number.

We decided to go beyond the victories and defeats, and look at the offensive and defensive numbers of each quarter for this 2009 season. The numbers paint a pretty good picture of what’s happened over the last three months with this team, and what areas have to improve over the last quarter of the season beginning on Sunday against Buffalo.

What comes as no surprise is this: the Chiefs must improve in all areas on the field. Plays like the early third down catch that WR Bobby Wade (right) couldn’t make have to be counter-balanced by production and consistency somewhere else. That’s simply not happening.

There’s one thing that must be taken into account when looking at any team’s statistics: just who did this team play? The Chiefs have faced 10 different opponents in 12 games. Only three of those games came against teams with a losing record: two against the 4-8 Raiders and a game against the 3-9 Redskins. The ‘09 Chiefs have played a tough schedule, one that has two of their last four games against clubs with losing records in Buffalo and Cleveland.

Here are the numbers on offense and defense by quarters:

OFFENSE                                                                                                            DEFENSE

Games

1-4

5-8

9-12

  Games

1-4

5-8

9-12

1st Downs

62

60

57

  1st Downs

85

65

88

3rd Down %

17.6 %

25.8 %

27.6 %

  3rd Down %

43.1

40.7

27.5

Average Yards

246.5

269

281.3

  Average Yards

379

398

406.8

Avg. Rush Yards

101.5

90.8

101.8

  Avg. Rush Yards

128.5

144

158.8

Avg. Pass Yards

145

178.3

179.5

  Avg. Pass Yards

250.5

254

248

Sacks

13

17

10

  Sacks

5

5

7

Attempt/Comp.

114/70

137/73

140/70

  Attempt/Comp.

139/77

121/71

130/83

Interceptions

2

3

4

  Interceptions

2

1

5

Penalties

29/230

19/131

17/113

  Penalties

26/184

34/243

29/244

Fumbles/Lost

10/2

3/0

12/7

  Fumbles/Lost

5/2

9/4

6/4

Offensive TDs

7

5

6

  TDs Allowed

13

9

12

A more in-depth look at the numbers on offense: the Chiefs have gotten better at converting third downs from quarter, to quarter, to quarter. They have also gotten better with their pass protection; in the third quarter they allowed just 10 sacks in 150 passing plays or one every 15 plays. That’s much better than the second-quarter number of a sack every nine pass plays.

But there have been some important numbers where the performance level has dropped and it’s causing the Chiefs problems. Quarterbacks Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle completed just 50 percent of their passes in the third quarter. That continues a downward trend that began with a completion percentage of 61.5 percent in the first quarter, to 53.2 percent, down to the 50 percent of the last four games.

Plus, fumbling by the Chiefs has increased significantly. They had 12 fumbles in the third quarter and lost seven. In the first two quarters combined, they had 13 fumbles and lost just two. Those recent turnovers were factors in the Chiefs most recent defeats to San Diego and Denver.

A more in-depth look at the numbers on defense: the Chiefs have improved their third-down defense in each quarter, going from 43.1 percent, to 40.7 percent in the second quarter and 27.5 percent in the third quarter. The defense’s sacks are up and so are the interceptions, with five in the third quarter, or more than the first two quarters combined.

Not so good has been a drop in stopping the run, as the Chiefs gave up 30 rushing yards a game more in the third quarter than they did in the first quarter. The completion percentage by opponents has gotten better and better in each quarter; the last four passing foes completed 63.8 percent of their passes.

In the third quarter, the Chiefs defense allowed 406.8 yards per game in total offense to Oakland, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Denver. That’s an increase of 28 yards per game in offense compared to the first quarter.

Balance is what any team seeks, whether on offense, defense or special teams. As Chiefs fans learned earlier in this decade, a team with a high powered offense can get derailed if it has a bad defense. Right now, neither side of the ball is very powerful or dominating with the Chiefs. In the four major areas of offense and defense with the run and pass, there’s no visible improvement in the numbers from the first quarter to the third quarter. In fact, the run defense has shown a significant drop in production, giving up 30 yards per game more in the third quarter than the first quarter.

For the Chiefs, their run defense has to be one of the strengths of the team and that’s not the case, as was seen when the Broncos ran for 245 yards last Sunday. The franchise has too much invested in the front seven of this defense with three first-round draft choices (Tamba Hali, Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson) and another first-rounder coming on the field for the nickel defense (Derrick Johnson).

That part of their team regressed in the third quarter, while the weaker unit on the offensive line appears to be getting stronger and more productive, with the reduction in sacks. Some of that credit must go to Wade Smith at right guard where he’s been an upgrade in performance over early season starter Mike Goff.

The most important statistics in football are points allowed and points scored and the Chiefs have not made progress in either area. They were minus-48 in the first quarter, minus-31 in the second quarter and despite winning half of the games in the third quarter, they were minus-51 points.

SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE

  • BRONCOS – lost RT Ryan Harris for the rest of the season after he re-injured his toe in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.
  • BUCCANEERS – placed Clifton Smith on injured-reserve list (concussion); promoted RB Kareem Huggins from the practice squad.
  • DOLPHINS – released TE David Martin from injured-reserve list
  • EAGLES – reinstated CB Joselio Hanson from the suspended list; released WR Jordan Norwood.
  • FALCONS – placed LB Tony Gilbert on the injured-reserve list (hamstring); re-signed RB Verron Haynes and TE Jason Rader.
  • RAMS – signed S Clinton Hart.
  • REDSKINS – placed RB Clinton Portis on the injured-reserve list (concussion); released K Shaun Suisham; signed K Graham Gano.
  • SAINTS – released CB Chris McAlister; signed CB Marcus McCauley

FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY

On December 9, 1962, the Dallas Texans beat the Denver Broncos 17-10 before a crowd of 19,137 fans at the Cotton Bowl. The Texans scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and controlled this game from the opening period. RB Curtis McClinton ran 69 yards for the first touchdown and RB Abner Haynes had a two-yard scoring run. Later, Tommy Brooker added a 44-yard FG. The Texans offense had a big day on the ground, racking up 227 yards with McClinton finishing with 105 on 15 carries and Haynes had 98 yards on 24 carries. QB Len Dawson was 11 of 20 for 118 passing yards, but he threw three interceptions. The Dallas defense picked off four Denver passes and had three quarterback sacks. S Bobby Ply (right) had three of those interceptions.

On December 9, 1979, the Chiefs beat the Baltimore Colts 10-7 at Memorial Stadium. Jan Stenerud’s 43-yard FG early in the fourth quarter allowed the Chiefs to win this defensive battle in front of just over 25,000 fans. The teams combined for 600 offensive yards, but both teams were able to put just one touchdown on the scoreboard. For the Chiefs, that score came on a four-yard run by Ted McKnight midway through the first quarter. Baltimore’s TD came on a 43-yard pass play from Greg Landry to Joe Washington, also in the first quarter. McKnight finished with 97 yards on 14 carries. The Kansas City defense forced four turnovers, as Gary Barbaro had a pair of interceptions and Gary Spani (left) and Don Parrish both recovered fumbles.

On December 9, 1984, the Chiefs beat the Seattle Seahawks 34-7 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Kansas City offense exploded for 416 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair of scoring passes thrown by QB Bill Kenney. He connected with WR Henry Marshall (right) for a 26-yard TD and then threw a 25-yard pass to WR Carlos Carson that ended up in the end zone. RB Herman Heard started the scoring with a two-yard run. LB Scott Radecic intercepted a pass by Settle QB Dave Krieg and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown. K Nick Lowery added a pair of FGs and missed two other kicks. The Kansas City defense had six interceptions, coming from Radecic, LB Jerry Blanton, LB Calvin Daniels, DE Ken Kremer, FS Deron Cherry and CB Kevin Ross.

On December 9, 1990, the Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 31-20 in front of 74,347 fans at Arrowhead Stadium. A strong game by Steve DeBerg and a top-notch performance by the defense gave the Chiefs the victory. DeBerg hit 18 of 27 throws for 254 yards and touchdown passes to Stephone Paige (49 yards), Dante Whitaker (one-yard) and Robb Thomas (27 yards.) The defense harassed John Elway (left) all night, as Kevin Ross had an interception and there were five sacks, led by Derrick Thomas with two.

On December 9, 1996, the Chiefs lost to the Raiders 26-7 in a Monday night game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Raiders defense dominated this game, allowing the Chiefs only 169 yards in total offense and a fourth-quarter touchdown. They had an interception of QB Rich Gannon and three sacks, two by DT Chester McGlockton. The Chiefs only score came on a 12-yard TD pass from Gannon to WR Sean LaChapelle. Raiders RB Napoleon Kauffman (right) had 109 rushing yards on just eight carries. The KC defense got a sack from DE Neil Smith.

On December 9, 2001, the Chiefs lost to the Raiders 28-26 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Despite a double 100-yard performance and two touchdowns from RB Priest Holmes (left), the Chiefs were unable to beat the Raiders in front of 60,784 fans. Holmes ran for 168 yards on 28 carries and scored a TD on a 10-yard run. He caught five passes for 109 yards, including a 67-yard score on a pass from QB Trent Green, who also found TE Tony Gonzalez for a 24-yard touchdown pass with 1:44 left in the game. The Chiefs went for two points, but Green was sacked on the attempt and they were unable to tie the score. The Chiefs turned the ball over five times and gave up three sacks. Raiders QB Rich Gannon scored on a five-yard run and threw an eight-yard Td pass to WR Jerry Rice. Oakland also got a score on special teams, as Tim Brown returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown.

SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …

Born on December 9, 1955 in Beaufort, South Carolina was CB M.L. Carter. He joined the Chiefs in 1979 out of Cal State-Fullerton. Carter spent three seasons with the Chiefs (1979-81), appearing in 33 games, with nine starts. He intercepted three passes in his rookie season.

Born on December 9, 1958 in Muskogee, Oklahoma was LB James Walker. He joined the chiefs in 1983 after spending two seasons with the Vikings. Walker played in four games with two starts during the ‘83 season. He played his college football at Kansas State.


34 Responses to “The Quarter System … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs”

  • December 9, 2009  - Lee says:

    Hey Bob. Good analysis. Chiefs certainly can go 2-2 in this final quarter as well. And they need to.

    I think one thing I’m most frustrated about as a fan is that I don’t think we’re ANY closer to knowing who our core players are, other than the QB. And there are still plenty of questions about him as well. The 2009 draft so far has been really unimpressive. (I know it’s early to judge.) And we seem to have even MORE holes than we thought we had last year. There’s not a single position group you can point to right now and say “Well that’s been fixed”.


  • December 9, 2009  - MenInRed says:

    With very little to no improvement as a Team in a whole. One would have to think that, yes we have below average players in some of the key positions on this Team, they should be getting the new system/scheme down by now on both sides of the ball after 12 games in 13 weeks of practice and playing in this system unless maybe its the System/Coaches them selves that aren’t very good to start with. Makes you wonder doesn’t it?

    OFFENSE: Poor plays or poor play calling, maybe a little of both? Yes better talent would help but is that all thats wrong on this side of the ball? Look at last years talent and what Chan did with it, case in point!

    DEFENSE: Poor players or poor system/coaching? Yes safty is a area of major concern but the rest of the positions have average or above talent at them, so what is it here?

    One thing I’ll give them is their off-season work and conditioning has keep us in games as strong at the end of the 4th quarter as at the begining of the game and the same can be said about the season as well as alot less injury’s. Our Team is in shape but the rest leaves me in question. What next?

    Go Chiefs!!!


  • December 9, 2009  - ThunderChief says:

    I’ll give Bob credit for providing a comprehensive statistical overview of the Chiefs’ performance over the course of the 2009 season thus far, give him credit for…

    Attempting to put lipstick on a pig. I mean, either you’re improving or you’re not. Guess which way the improvement arrow is pointing after the SD and Denver games? Getting back to an earlier in the week column by Bob, the real issue about to be either confirmed or denied by their play is:

    Has Haley lost the locker room and, by extension, are the players tired of his act and tuning him out? I suspect this factor as much as any will determine the team’s fate over the next 4 games.


  • December 9, 2009  - phred says:

    This team is SLOW, slow linebakers, slow safeties,
    slow receivers, slow rbs (except Charles).
    We need SPEED at the skill positions.
    Hell even the waterboy is slow.

    Last years talent+Chan Gaily= 2 wins.

    A 5-11 finish will be about what this team is capable of.

    8-8 in 2010


  • December 9, 2009  - Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/9 « wire2 says:

    [...] The Quarter System … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz [...]


  • December 9, 2009  - el cid says:

    I hope all the “everything is good” guys read this article. The bottom line is BAD teams in the NFL do not have one problem. It is like the little Dutch boy trying to plug a dike. Stick a finger in one hole and another one pops open. If the Chiefs only had one problem, I am certain Haley could and would concentrate to fix it. There are multiple issues with this team. Where do they start, beats me? BUT you need to start somewhere. For some reason Pioli chose to starting QB and basically sat on his laurels after that. Give Haley credit, he has tried every live body of the street, but not one seem part of the future or even 2010. Even with one more win than last year, this team lood desparate for anything good to happen (I know I am).


  • December 9, 2009  - Mad Chief says:

    If there’s one thing I can fault Pioli (and probably Haley, too) for, is that I think they underestimated how bad this team was last offseason. I think they figured a few players here and there, and doing things “their way” would be enough to field a competitive team. Didn’t work, and we all know it.

    On the plus side, I don’t think they’ll make that mistake again. The big question now is, will they be able to fix it THIS offseason. It’s a huge task, and I hope they’re up for it…because much last last offseason, there’s no possible way to fill every need the team has.


  • December 9, 2009  - Uncuffed says:

    Why are people so surprised by the quarter system? Vermeil, among others, used to talk about it all the time.


  • December 9, 2009  - el cid says:

    If you think they are learning from their past mistakes, consider what Kent Babb says. They are using Charles as KR, RB, blocking B on pass plays and for a guy who weighs less than 200 lbs, it is to much. No anwers because they do not have anyone else, RB from draft should not be there. Also most of the management decisions have blown up in their face. My buddy T. Jackson looks like a bust compared some nose tackle who played monday nite and was destroying offensive lines, while Jackson is just a guy. Babb also said the team has not added 5 guys for the future.


  • December 9, 2009  - el cid says:

    Consider this – If a team adds less than 6 players from the draft or free agency in any given year, it is because the team is set or even good enough to not need new bodies (we will not talk about management who just do not do their jobs). Denver who was a much stronger team than the Chiefs added about 14 new players, over half starters. Yet Pioli/Haley did not find those guys. I am sure you did not think the Herm team was a monster just waiting for Haley to guide them. So how did they miss the boat??


  • December 9, 2009  - craig says:

    This team needs to learn to cover the opponets tight end. I can see no tangible improvement from last year. In fact last years team was much more entertaining than this poor excuse for a football team. I thought that there should be more improvement this year considering the expeience of the GM . However, these geniuses could not even give us a good draft. So far not one of their draft picks has panned out. And I do not think it is too early to say that. Tyson Jackson was a 3rd pick OVERALL,and has not even shown any potential. cannot tackle, sack the QB or make any kind of big play.


  • December 9, 2009  - ThunderChief says:

    el cid,

    re: Your post about Pioli/Haley missing the boat on acquiring talent?

    My answer: Unmitigated hubris on the part of P/H. Perhaps this reality left hook to the gut experienced in 2009 will wake them both up to certain realities, among them, that P/H really can’t walk on water, so to speak.

    I was on board for and hoping they’d take BJ Raji at #3 overall last draft but that ship has sailed and we now find ourselves on the rolling TJack94 seas looking for a port.

    As to the RB issue. I would think the priority position needs have to have a legitimate NFL RB up there in the top 3 which could and should be addressed in either the draft or off-season free agency. Charles is a nice change-up utility guy to use, very much the way New Orleans now uses Reggie Bush.

    So many holes in this roster. So many…..


  • December 9, 2009  - Mad Chief says:

    el cid says:
    “Yet Pioli/Haley did not find those guys. So how did they miss the boat??”

    Do we know for a fact that Pioli didn’t try to sign other guys? Maybe, maybe not. But, we know he wouldn’t tell us if he did.

    Made this point many times: It’s a lot easier for a “contender” to sign good FA’s…than it is for one of the worst teams in the league. Good players do not want to play for crappy teams…plain and simple. It’s not always about the money. Guys want to end their careers with a shot at a Super Bowl…not spend them teams that have no chance at all.


  • December 9, 2009  - craig says:

    This team keeps getting worse. And apparently Clark Hunt does not give a damn. I have watched or listened to every Chief game since 1967 and am about throw in the towel. This is worse than the late 70s/early 80s. It’s going to be hard, but I think I’ll have to find something else to do on my sunday afternoons.


  • December 9, 2009  - Mad Chief says:

    craig says:
    “And apparently Clark Hunt does not give a damn.”

    I don’t think that could be any further from the truth. I doubt he likes to see all the empty seats at Arrowhead, which costs him money…or thousands of fans from the opposing team in our stadium, which is an insult to what his father built.

    He went out and got the most sought after GM in the business to turn this team around. Will Pioli get the job done? We’ll see. But, to say that Clark Hunt doesn’t give a damn about fielding a winning team is insane.


  • December 9, 2009  - Mad Chief says:

    Craig,

    Check out this link:
    https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2009/12/4/1185523/hey-chiefs-fans-just-wanted-to

    Still think Clark doesn’t care?


  • December 9, 2009  - el cid says:

    Mad Chief – always like your positive but still see some warts view of the chiefs. But on Cheap Hunt, you may be your own worst enemy. You talk about how Hunt would not like to “see aal the empty seats” or “fans from the opposing team” or in the link you suggested how he was smuzzing with fans “a class organization”. DOES HUNT GIVE A DAMN? Absolutely, yes. He cares about butts in the seats or blackouts or income to the Hunt family or the Chiefs organization. DOES HUNT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT WINNING? It about as important as a pimple on his rear. And hiring Pioli or doing whatever, means nothing if the team does not turn into a winner. It is a billion dollar business and that type always have a mission statement to set in writing just what they will achieve. It is not open to the public but “winning a superbowl” cannot be part of it because any business giant who missed on its corporate goals for over 20 years would have made numerous changes and much screaming and yelling. The Chiefs are all about the money and that is the Hunt famlies goal, giving a damn is not necessary.


  • December 9, 2009  - Mad Chief says:

    el cid,

    But, winning IS money. You don’t think that being in the playoffs every year, or going to a Super Bowl would make the Hunt’s more money?

    And yes, the Hunt’s are in the “business” of making money. As are all NFL owners. As are all BUSINESS owners. It’s kinda’ hard to stay in a business if you’re not making money.

    I still say Hunt does care about winning. As far as coming out before the game and meeting with some fans? How many team owners do you think would do that kind of thing? Did he have to? What would meeting with some fans and thanking them for coming out possibly have to gain for Clark, if it wasn’t genuine?

    We have one of the “classiest” organizations, and best owners, in all of pro sports. Winning or losing. Lamar was one of the best ever…and I think Clark will carry on the tradition. Call it “rose-colored galsses” or whatever. But, there’s nothing that’s going to change my mind on that.


  • December 9, 2009  - Merwin in NY says:

    It would be an interesting post from Bob to point out the players about to enter the last year of their contract. I have a feeling that Dwayne Bowe and Derrick Johnson will be on the trade block this off season. I would say there will be a big turnover in talent if the next four games don’t pan out well. After watching Bolden play against the Vikings last week, I wish we had traded for him last off season. I do not want to see the Chiefs take yet another DL in this years draft, but I don’t see a better choice for the probable high pick. I would say Suh is gone with the first pick, but maybe the guy from Oklahoma? Then a rt in the second round as well as a good WR or rb to help out there. Colby, I’d like to hear your thoughts at this point. One further note, I find it interesting that Jackson is credited with 17 tackles, BJ Raji also has 17 tackles, but has one sack. I bet with a really stud NT that both Jackson and Magee, as well as Dorsey become better players. Give it another year to develop, with some more players and a OC as well as a new DC, the Chiefs should be better.


  • December 9, 2009  - jimbo says:

    craig,
    Like you, I’ve been a fan of the Chiefs since 1967. Contemplating the towel issue, turning off the TV or mentally trying to not care about the Chiefs. Try as we may, It’s impossible.

    Bob, Good job with the stats, easy to read & understand, as bleak as it looks. Cold hard facts are painful, alot like the weather today.
    The last 4 games are what interests me the most, as it is a barometer of the Chiefs getting better. Stats don’t always reveal improvement. Sometimes we must look outside the box. I’m seriously suffering a concussion from the mighty hits we took from San Diego & Denver. They are division rivals, they study & know the Chiefs more so than other divisions, & they rightfully capitalize on our weakness’s. The Chiefs have the talent & physical ability to beat any team in the NFL on any given Sunday. What we do lack is the Mental ability to win many games. . Overall we are too young, when we loose & loose big, it is usually because we get flustered early & often.
    I think Todd Haley is fully aware of this & has a firm grasp on the teams mental aspect.(Pittsburgh for example). Like he has stated before, he stays conservative in the first half to keep us in the game & a chance to win. He then opens up the playbook in the second half. The fake punt attempt with Denver was brilliant. If that play had worked & (it should have), the outcome of the game would have been more palpable. Mental, Mental, Mental. It’s all about mental toughness. Limit turnovers & penalties & most importantly all players must properly execute the plays that can ultimately change the game. For the young Chiefs to win more games, they must toughen up mentally.

    No single player can turn a game around. But one single play can.
    Go Chiefs.


  • December 9, 2009  - TimR says:

    Great stats, Bob BUT you’ve left out one glaring one: dropped balls. That significantly affects all other offensive numbers. On defense, I enjoy watching the replays on tv. Its VERY clear our LBs are VERY inconsistent in their gap responsibilities, filling the hole (its different than merely being in the correct gap), getting off their blocks effectively & pass coverage. Teams are really exploiting the LBs & when we try to adjust, they’re going over the top taking advantage of our slow Safeties. We miss Page badly. The LB problems are making the DL look worse than they are. Some of our guys don’t react to meet the ball carrier in the hole & “stone” them there. Vrabel doesn’t seem to have the strength to wrap up consistently anymore.

    To rectify this, We’ve got to add at least one consistent player with adequate speed at ILB & Safety. On the O, we all know we need linemen, especially the middle 3 (C & G) But we must have a stable WR group to develop chemistry with people that CATCH THE BALL! Another RB will have to be acquired & hopefully a player that not only really plays a position, but can return as well. Look at Phil. They have at least 2 quality return men in L. Jackson & Maclin, both of whome play significant parts in their Offense. A recieving TE would be a luxury.

    How these things are acquired will be interesting. I foresee a VERY active offseason involving every imanginable transaction now that our front office & coaching staff is in place.


  • December 9, 2009  - el cid says:

    Everyone has their own view of what is needed from Hunt down to the cheerleaders. Probably most have a point but the chiefs management must chose a priority of what direction to take and what the fix. We all have favorites and most hated.

    After 12 games the chiefs are one game better than last year. I view that as just plain sad. Free agents have mostly been unwanted in the rest of the league. The draft, other than Succop (even a blind squirrel), has shown nothing yet. Poor Cassel is suffering after being left out to dry from day one. WRs, TEs, DL, Ss, and LBs just are not even adequate. Frankly, without a lot of anger, most everything Pioli/Haley have tried has been a resounding flop so far. Maybe the 2010 season will be better but we still have the 09 to suffer thru. My worst fear is these two are not equipped to fix what they have assembled and then the chiefs stay at the bottom for the future while everyone else gets better (even Oakland seems to have found a QB that made them a different team, while the chiefs tread water with what?).


  • December 9, 2009  - colby says:

    Fantastic analysis Bob! You are still the best in the biz at breaking down the stats.

    My opinion on how the Chiefs can make a major jump next year? Invest heavily in the O line with combination of vets and draft picks, and bring MULTIPLE players with a pass rushing M.O. If we block better and put more pressure on the QB, we can be very successful very quickly. Case in point, the Steelers win.

    We’re 2-1 against bad teams, should be 3-0 with two wins against Oakland. We also beat Pittsburgh. This says to me that we just aren’t ready to beat playoff teams yet, but we are still better than the bottom of the barrel as well. With a less brutal schedule, we may well be a 5-7 team right now, and I don’t think people would be quite so up in arms over that.

    Finally, a few of you guys said it earlier. We need more SPEED on the field. On offense we have Charles and Lawrence as the only true blazers and on defense? No one really. Flowers and Carr are our best defenders, but they aren’t speed guys, they win on technique and tenacity. Hopefully we rebound with a win over a pretty mediocre Buffalo team, and then follow that up with a win over the putrid Browns and go into our final two road games with a 5-9 record.


  • December 9, 2009  - gorillafan says:

    Mad Chief,

    I agree, I got my pic with him too that day!! I have never seen the owner of anything walking around the parking lot. He went into that bus and signed it for the pirates of arrowhead. we were tailgating close by and asked if i could have a pic with him and he said absolutely, and after that he gave me free season tickets,,ha jk about that part

    Now just because clark came out into the parking lot doesnt just mean that he cares….however you got to give your fans a spiff if you want to keep seeing them in your seats


  • December 9, 2009  - Mad Chief says:

    gorillafan says:

    “Now just because clark came out into the parking lot doesnt just mean that he cares….however you got to give your fans a spiff if you want to keep seeing them in your seats”

    You had me…right up until this part. If it doesn’t mean that he cares, then what does it mean? That he had a few extra minutes to kill…and that was the best thing he could think of? Clark going out and hanging out with those guys isn’t going to fill any seats. They’re “diehards”…and will be there no matter what.

    He does care. He cares about the fans, and he cares about winning. That’s why he brought Pioli here, to go in a different direction. Hopefully, a winning direction.

    I just get a little steamed when people talk smack on the Hunt’s. Do they not realize what this family has done for the game of football? Would you rather have Al Davis or Bud Adams as owners? Seriously. We are damn lucky to have good ownership. We may not have a whole lot else the last couple of years…but we DO have that.


  • December 9, 2009  - gorillafan says:

    Mad Chief, I 100% agree with ya, I was just being a smart ass!!

    If I didnt agree or thought he didnt care I wouldnt have wanted my pic with him in the first place. I was pretty pumped about it for some reason….and yes he does care, probably most than any of us die hard fans do and im not about to argue that point.

    WE care, clark cares, haley cares pioli cares, we will all see some success in the near future, we need to just hang on and ride out the storm. with all the people that care, it will and it has to happen

    liek colby said, if we can get to 5-9 with out schedule this year, thats way better than we have been in the last few years


  • December 9, 2009  - Mad Chief says:

    Sorry, gorillafan. I missed the sarcasm on first read. Duh! Damn…I wasted a rant. Good thing I have more.


  • December 9, 2009  - Hank says:

    I came across an interesting quote from John Elway which almost mirrored Joe Montana. Both said what helped them the most to translate a good practice into performance was the GREAT defenses they practiced against (when DEN and SF had great ones).

    Haley talks much about good practices that don’t translate into good performance. Could it be that our offense doesn’t practice against a good enough defense?

    One statement Montana made mentioned how helpful it was to have Ronnie Lott type players “get into your head” during practice to develop mental toughness for game time. Just a thot!


  • December 9, 2009  - el cid says:

    Actually gorillafan about caring “it will and has to happen”. Since the Chiefs won a superbowl, the team has never repeated or came real close to it…..So are you saying no one really cared about what the team did in all the following years? Of course, not. Since you are such a fan of the Hunts, did they not care to repeat their superbowl win in 35 years? Of course not. Caring will get you an ulcer, depressed, or whatever, but it does not mean a thing in regard to what the team does on the field. I care about the Chiefs but I cannot coach, aquire talent for the team, I can only purchase season tickets and go to games. As much as I think I matter, my caring amount to didly.


  • December 9, 2009  - gorillafan says:

    I agree with your point el cid,

    hell we all care, from Clark to us, hell all op us are on this site everyday talking about a team that has won 3 games this year, if we dont care I dont know who would.

    Point is its stupid for us to argue that clark or someone done care, because we all do….Too bad caring so much didnt equal wins


  • December 9, 2009  - ED says:

    The team has improved but in the offseason Pioli needs to improve the roster that is the only way we’ll see more wins next season. From offensive line to wide receiver offensively. Defensively another outside linebacker opposite Tamba and a nose tackle.


  • December 9, 2009  - el cid says:

    Ed probably correct but I do not see many free agents coming to a franchise with a raver HC. Also there are only so many culls from NE or Ariz or MIA. I cannot explain last years draft so have no idea what to expect next year. Need lots of help but do not see where it will come from


  • December 9, 2009  - Bakjon says:

    This year has been frustrating because just when the Chiefs give you something positive to hang your hat on then they get kicked in the mouth. The Ravens,1st Raiders game, and the Cowboys game all came down to execution on one play. If the Chiefs had executed possibly they are 5-7 or 6-6. The Chargers, Broncos, Giants, Eagles, and Jaquars (even though the Chiefs made it close at the end) were discouraging because they got in a hole early and could not make it close.

    Pioli, Haley, and Hunt are going to have to sit down at the end of this season and plan what direction this team is going. New coordinators and coaches will be needed as well as players. Free agents will need to be sprinkled in with draft choices to make the Chiefs competative in 2010. Also, I think by Haley hiring a OC will help him to focus on managing the team. If Cassell gets some help along with someone to work him with him on his mechanics just like Stram did with Dawson then the Chiefs may be ready to take off next year.


  • December 9, 2009  - el cid says:

    Got a sneaking idea that if Haley loses more than 2 games during his last qtr, he may not be here to decide what to do next. But if he is still here for 2010, fully expect a new OC and DC and maybe a special assistant to the GM, an older coach to try to bring balance to a team in transition. If he is forced to list his other coaches by ability, some of the bottom one may also be out of here. I expect a lot of movement in coaching ranks. Remember Marty got here with a bad team and still won 8 his first year. I do not compare Haley to Marty but 09 has not been the smoothest transition you ever saw.


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