OUR CHIEFS.....THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY
I have to admit I was impressed for about 2 1/2 quarters yesterday. Unfortunately, it was the 2nd, 3rd & about half of the 4th. The 1st quarter & the last five minutes of the game was precisely what I was expecting to see. But I'll give them some credit since they played with some backbone, some fire & the play calling was sometimes creative. I'll bet the Ravens & their fans got their panties in a bunch when Brodie Croyle led the Chiefs downfield on an 80-yard drive culminating in a 10-yard TD pass to tight end Sean Ryan, that tied the score 24-all with 5:21 left. The Ravens became a little sloppy in the second half, but when the game was on the line, quarterback Joe Flacco hit Mark Clayton with a beautiful 31-yard touchdown pass for the winning score. The Chiefs defense that gave up 501 yards, 303 passing & 198 rushing, couldn't get off the field when it counted.
But there was some good. Kicker Ryan Succop booted a 53-yard field goal, Tank Tyler put up the best fight of all the D-linemen & once Todd Haley decided to unshackle his offense, the line played a little better & Brodie Croyle knew he had to get the ball out quickly. He made some good throws yesterday, two for scores, I think you would have to agree this was Croyle's finest game as a Chief. John McGraw's punt block & recovery for a touchdown was huge as was Derrick Johnson's interception & 70-yard return to the six. Tamba Hali recorded the only sack for K.C., also stripping the ball from quarterback Joe Flacco.
On the bad side, Mark Bradley twice rounded off a 3rd down pass route & missed getting the first down by inches. That's sloppy & it's unacceptable. Once again Maurice Leggett made catching & returning punts a thrill ride. Leggett, subbing for the injured Brandon Flowers, was picked on for about 2 1/2 quarters, then he tightened up the rest of the way. On the last play of the 1st half, the Chiefs sent 4 receivers deep on a "Hail Mary" play. But Croyle threw the ball in the flat to RB Jamaal Charles who had clear sailing up the sideline for 20-30 yards if he could beat linebacker Jameel McClain. He couldn't, a 200-pound speedster who knew where he was going couldn't beat a 250-pound linebacker in space. The Chiefs drafted Charles to be a 3rd down back. My definition of a 3rd down back is someone who can get open short of the 1st down marker, someone who can make the first defender miss & someone who can get to that marker, making the first down. Todd McNair was that kind of back, so was Marcus Allen & Priest Holmes. It's a very important role, one Charles rarely does successfully.
For the ugly, how about no Chiefs' 1st downs until late in the 2nd quarter? How about 17 carries for 29 yards? For you lip readers out there, Todd Haley's mini-meltdown after Croyle called a timeout coming out of a timeout. Cornerback Brandon Carr gave up one reception all day, the 31-yard game winning toss. Tight end Todd Heap ran seam & circle routes all afternoon. He caught 5 passes for 74 yards, all of them good for 1st downs.
But there was some good. Kicker Ryan Succop booted a 53-yard field goal, Tank Tyler put up the best fight of all the D-linemen & once Todd Haley decided to unshackle his offense, the line played a little better & Brodie Croyle knew he had to get the ball out quickly. He made some good throws yesterday, two for scores, I think you would have to agree this was Croyle's finest game as a Chief. John McGraw's punt block & recovery for a touchdown was huge as was Derrick Johnson's interception & 70-yard return to the six. Tamba Hali recorded the only sack for K.C., also stripping the ball from quarterback Joe Flacco.
On the bad side, Mark Bradley twice rounded off a 3rd down pass route & missed getting the first down by inches. That's sloppy & it's unacceptable. Once again Maurice Leggett made catching & returning punts a thrill ride. Leggett, subbing for the injured Brandon Flowers, was picked on for about 2 1/2 quarters, then he tightened up the rest of the way. On the last play of the 1st half, the Chiefs sent 4 receivers deep on a "Hail Mary" play. But Croyle threw the ball in the flat to RB Jamaal Charles who had clear sailing up the sideline for 20-30 yards if he could beat linebacker Jameel McClain. He couldn't, a 200-pound speedster who knew where he was going couldn't beat a 250-pound linebacker in space. The Chiefs drafted Charles to be a 3rd down back. My definition of a 3rd down back is someone who can get open short of the 1st down marker, someone who can make the first defender miss & someone who can get to that marker, making the first down. Todd McNair was that kind of back, so was Marcus Allen & Priest Holmes. It's a very important role, one Charles rarely does successfully.
For the ugly, how about no Chiefs' 1st downs until late in the 2nd quarter? How about 17 carries for 29 yards? For you lip readers out there, Todd Haley's mini-meltdown after Croyle called a timeout coming out of a timeout. Cornerback Brandon Carr gave up one reception all day, the 31-yard game winning toss. Tight end Todd Heap ran seam & circle routes all afternoon. He caught 5 passes for 74 yards, all of them good for 1st downs.
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