I warned in the last sentence of my last column that this game might suck. It did, and mightily so. We saw every one of the Chiefs’ weaknesses exploited.
Questionable pass blocking? Four sacks.
Questionable pass rush? No sacks.
Questionable kickoff/punt coverage? An average starting point for a Saints drive was their own 36-yard line, despite two Dustin Colquitt punts inside the 20.
Questionable kick/punt return blocking? An average starting point for a Chiefs drive was their own 26-yard line, despite zero Glenn Pakulak punts inside the 20.
Questionable offense? 3.5 yards per carry from our starting halfback (more on that in a moment).
Questionable defense? Well hey, they only handed out one career day to a New Orleans receiver. Could be worse, right?
There are no more moral victories. Just losses. The losses of the last three weeks were moral victories because we saw progress. We saw young players (and sometimes old players) rise to the occasion and keep a team that had no business being competitive…. competetive. We saw ascension from the hell that was the Carolina game. We lost by a few fewer points each week. 34 points to Carolina. 24 points to Tennessee. 4 points to New York. 3 points to Tampa Bay. 1 point to San Diego. The next logical step in that progression is a tie, followed by a win, right?
No. The real next step is being discovered for what we really are: a team with far too many bad players to ever be good. A team that just started eight players that shouldn’t be starters, about half of whom would struggle to even work as backups anywhere else in the league. We just gave Ricardo Colclough his first ever NFL start. That’s a problem. Damion McIntosh gave up two sacks and missed most of his run blocking assignments but was never benched. That’s a problem. Brandon Carr made Maurice Leggett look viable. That’s a big problem.
But hey, I talk about those guys every week. Let’s talk about someone I don’t get a chance to talk about every week: Larry Johnson. Larry is our own Frank Sinatra: a boozing, womanizing one-man show whose mantra is “at least I did it my way.” His way, of course, is clearing out on pass coverage and letting his quarterback take the sack. I’ll give credit where credit is due–Larry had two great carries and one great catch. Aside from that it was business as usual–3.5 yards per carry and more missed blocks than you can shake a cheeseburger-gripping Damion McIntosh fist at. Without Will Shields, Larry is nothing special. The same can be said for Derrick Blaylock, but it didn’t cost the Jets tens of millions of dollars to figure that out.
So while we, the fans, were discovering that the belief that victory would come with the return of the centaur was nothing more than horseshit, another animal metaphor also came to light: Herm will feed his lambs to the lions. With a winnable game in hand, he’ll punt on a 4th and 2 in enemy territory and rely on our #32 defense to hold off the Saints’ #1 offense. Hey Herm, how come?
“You go for some of them, but you’ve got to know what the situation in the game is and, at that point, with 10 minutes and all your timeouts, you just figure to hold them here and make them punt.”
So just to recap, you just figured to field the worst and most injured defense in the NFL, then just figured that they could stop an offense that scored on five of its last six drives? Damn. I just figured after last week’s game that you had developed some winner’s ethos. I guess I just figured wrong.
I know this is sad but Im getting to the point where I just dont care. The Chefs are going to be bad for long, long time because Clark thinks Herms doing the right things.
Comment by Brian — November 17, 2008 @ 11:39 pm
I agree completely. We need a coach that wants to win more than he wants to lose on his terms. Sure would be nice to have a Kawika Mitchell right about now, Tony Richardson would come in handy too. What is it with KC franchises being fucking tightwads. I mean the owner of the largest company in the world won’t even spend a couple million on some decent baseball players and some asshole living in the past named Carl Peterson has somehow manipulated one of the most historic NFL families into believing bold faced lies. All with a smile on his Caribbean tanned face. I don’t see how Clark can allow this to play out another year, unless Thigpen saves everyone’s ass. The future does not rest with the King regardless so I say get rid of him yesterday, But if we were somehow to finish 6-10, I think that would be enough evidence for Clark to buckle his seat belt for a fast drop in fan base of what was once the best place to be fan became the place of broken promises and lost dreams.
I don’t know a possible GM that would be satisfied with Herm’s Head coaching abilities, but would likely be more suited defensive coordinator. Need a clean sweep. I don’t know who calls the shots on defense, but if is Gunther he has changed from the German man I once respected. He has simply lost touch.
I think we truly need a college head coach to be the next Chiefs head coach. It would be very entertaining to have a true spread offense with Kolby and Jamaal, Larry shouldn’t be back if a new GM is brought in. Franklin is spread guy and Bradley and Bowe are proving themselves to be highly valuable. Tony G. will play two or three more years if the next two improve. We could use a replacement for Larry if he does not not use his fifth and final chance to make something of himself. Offense has enough talent with O-Line development, we just really need some Chicago style linebackers, who are not only fast enough, but the type you try to dive in front of just to not be crushed from all angles. DJ is still only B player but good enough to keep for years to come.
So that makes it:
LB #1
RE #2
RG #3 Taylor should already be playing right tackle
The rest is adding depth to LB RB WR CB and QB
Reason for not going after QB #1 is because we have two qb’s who can play the spread. We need Coaches that are more creative with it.
The positives from this loss are hard to see but they are there. The players might need a win, but they don’t deserve until they play like winners. Unfortunately that requires to be coached by winners, and all we have are losers and nobody’s. I don’t want a somebody I want someone to become somebody by taking a lost franchise and lifting it to greatness. Someone has to be out there who can.
Change is inevitable at this point. A five percent winning margin 1 win/20 games should be grounds for immediate termination without compensation.
Comment by jake — November 17, 2008 @ 11:48 pm
wow the chiefs suck balls
Comment by P.Oed chiefs fan — November 18, 2008 @ 11:11 am
There are certain aspects of the team that have shown obvious improvement, although that may have more to do with Chan Gailey and Herm taking the cuffs off. Others have not. With improvement in the development of the offensive line, we should be able to realize an improved running game by next season. The progression at the QB and WR positions makes me feel very comfortable, not to mention the abilities of Charles and Smith in the backfield running a spread offense. Due to LJ’s legal issues, it reduces the length of his contract, making the rest of the contract optional, making him a free agent at the teams discretion, and hopefully relieving any cap hit his release would cause.
As mentioned in the original post, our special teams are horrid. Terrible coverage for one of the best punters in the league, as well as poor return average. Savage can be a quality returner and an asset, but he needs help. Kickoffs remain a problem as there are apparently less than 30 kickers who can kickoff into the endzone, or they simply don’t like KC (or a more obvious reason, no names necessary).
The defense has shown brief glimpses of their true ability. It all comes down to physicality. We have virtually no pass rush, and the linebackers have proved unable to fill gaps accordingly. The only big hits you see come from the secondary which has been making a majority of the plays as of late. The secondary has huge potential, but without a pass rush, it is hard to evaluate them accurately. I love having Donnie Edwards back but we need a couple big, strong linebackers, with speed and attitude.
Having said that, the players may not be totally to blame. Gunther’s schemes have not been consistently effective. Great in some games, poor in others. I am sure he feels he is doing the best he can with what he is working with.
I would like to see Mike Holmgren come in as GM since this is his last year in Seattle, with someone from his tree as coach. He has always ran a balanced attack utilizing his teams tools, not to mention usually having a good defense.
Comment by Travis — November 18, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
I would like to start with a thought, if we are going to play “Marty Ball” shouldn’t we at least get the man himself? You must admit at least we were a “Playoff Team” when he was here. Herm can spin his little catch phrases all he wants but he still can’t coach. The bone headed calls the last week make me wonder if he is tanking all the games he can to move up the draft chart. His patented “You Play To Win The Game” is just as much crap now as it was in NY! It would be the perfect time to hire a real coach at the end of the season, we will have a base of young players to mold, a crack pot of money to spend under the cap, and at this pace the Chiefs are now on the clock if you know what I mean. Hunt should grow a pair and clean house all the coaches and that worthless “King Carl.” We have the best fans in the league and Carl takes advantage of that because he knows no matter how bad we still support our team. As fans we have taken the crap long enough its time the Hunts return the favor to our loyal fans and give us something to be proud of. Here is my idea Marty as a GM and talk Bill Cowher into taking over as a coach. This would be a win win situation the players get a likeable coach that knows what it takes to win, and they also get a GM that cares about his franchise, team and the player’s. Marty would never crap on his players like Carl does bullying them around when it’s a contract year. I think our new slogan should be lets help Herm, Carl, and their staff pack. Definitley don’t let the door hit you in the backside on the way out!! Go Chiefs “you are now on the clock” lol
Comment by slap2414 — November 18, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
Jake…………did you have a stroke or something??? Is this the same “Jake” that defended Herm so vigerously with all your heart and sole?? Just dont get it! If this is the “true” Jake…..welcome to the “we hate herm fan club”.
Comment by dennis — November 18, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
just a quote from a couple of days ago:
The biggest fact about this gMe is number one offense vs the 32 defense and in my oppinion our defense will play better than their offense. Not just because we wil not allow a running game no big deal for the best passing team, but because they are coming to our house and will not leave with a win. I hate you fuckers who care more about CP and herm than you do about your team and how they play on Sundays.
We will win with coverage and turnovers. We are the more physical team and have more talent. Instead of hoping our team loses so your fantasy about regime change might happen just put on your long johns and show up like a real fan.
Comment by Jake — November 16, 2008 @ 1:33 am
Such a turnaround. But WE TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by dennis — November 18, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
There’s got to be two Jakes.
Comment by Jeff in VA — November 18, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
A GIMICK OFFENCE, NO DEFENSIVE LINE CARL PETERSON HASNT BUILT SHIT.CLARK SHOULD FIRE HIS ASS AT SEASONS END I ACTULLY FEEL SORRY FOR HERM YOU CAN ONLY COACH THE PLAYERS YOURE GIVEN AND CLARK AND CARL HAVENT GIVEN HIM SHIT.
Comment by Chris — November 18, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
How can you feel sorry for Herm he has picked who he wanted from the get go not unlike other coaches we have had in the past. This whole season has been done on cue. Carl let Herm play young so he had an excuse if things went bad why he wasn’t being fired. If Herm had seasoned players and failled there would be no excuse not to fire him. I get tired of this going young and rebuilding crap look at Miami they were in the same boat but they are knocking on a playoff spot. Herm is a nioe guy and an emotional speaker who when talks gets your attention, but a coach he is not. The Rev. Billy Graham does the same thing but he doesn’t claim to be a football coach. It’s time KC got a coach that leads this franchise back to the playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by slap2414 — November 18, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
One last thing I think Clark was the one who stood up to the other two when they wanted to give away Tony G. just to say the got another draft pick. You don’t trade just to say hey look I traded. Clark needs to finish the deal and fire them both. The fans are waiting Clark show us that you do care about this franchise not just steady the course like normal.
Comment by slap2414 — November 18, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
I completely agree with having Marty as GM, although I’m not sure about the head coach. The success that Marty has had in his career, not to mention the loyalty he forged in his teams, would be a welcome change. He learned how not to do things from Snyder in Washinton and AJ Smith in San Diego. Peterson is probably the reason he left KC in the first place.
The biggest difference we would realize would be improved special teams and most likely an improved defense. His passion for the game was contagious and he brought the best out in his players, stars and role players alike.
The thing that concerns me about this scenario is the offense. Defense wins championships, but you have to score points along the way. I did my share of complaining during Marty’s tenure about the conservative play calling, but the Chiefs were always in playoff contention. Not to mention never having off field issues, until the Vanover, Bam Morris thing.
I don’t agree with Cowher, but it has nothing to do with coaching, probably my dislike for the Steelers. He was on the hot seat every other year in Pittsburgh, so I’m not sure he is a solid pick, although you would have a coach/GM combo that had identical philosophies. I don’t have a suggestion, I just think we need to look far and wide. The success in Baltimore, Miami, and Atlanta are nothing short of amazing with virtually unknown coaches.
Comment by Travis — November 19, 2008 @ 8:19 pm