On paper, 83 yards rushing doesn’t sound bad. Top 10 rushing teams average 125 yards a game or better. Most teams run some form of a two-man platoon at tailback these days, so if the top dog pulls down 83, his backup only needs 42. Any additional ground yardage from reverses or broken pass plays is icing on the cake.
When the starter needs 22 touches to get that 81 yards, however, it doesn’t sound good.
Don’t get me wrong. I like Thomas Jones. He’s the third best skill position player on Kansas City’s offense right now. I’m just not sure why he’s starting. He doesn’t move the chains the way a starting running back should. First string tailbacks usually average a 1st down every four carries – 25%. Jones’s career average is 19.4%. Jamaal Charles’s, on the other hand, is 27.6%. That disparity, applied to a starter’s workload of 300 to 350 carries, equals 24 to 28 1st downs over the course of a season. That’s far too many to leave on the bench.
Strong offenses can neutralize some of that sort of disparity in the passing game. With a quarterback averaging a sub-Byron Leftwich 122 yards per game, there isn’t much hope for that with the Chiefs. Today’s game illustrates a very simple, basic truth about the team: they can’t start both Matt Cassel and Thomas Jones and expect to score touchdowns.
A friend of mine from Baltimore once said this about the Ravens’ offense during Kyle Boller’s tenure (I’m paraphrasing here, because this has been easily five years): “Brian Billick once went 4-0 without scoring a touchdown on offense, and he liked it so much he decided he’d try it every month.” The Chiefs sit at 2-0 by the grace of solid defense and special teams play, but I can’t say that I expect it to last. I don’t. There isn’t a Ray Lewis or a Tony Siragusa on this squad to stop bigger running backs. Peyton Hillis demonstrated that today, just as Mike Tolbert did last week. Once teams discover this weakness and begin to exploit it, I foresee a fair amount of heartbreak on the horizon.
The solution, of course, is simple: outscore the other team. It’s the very most basic principle of any sport. The team with more points tends to win. As with the offense during the Vermeil era, don’t expect the defense to carry the team. Todd Haley has to figure out some way other than pick-sixes and punt returns to score. The best way is to put the ball in the hands of the team’s best players. For the Chiefs, that player is not Thomas Jones. It’s Jamaal Charles.
Whether or not this is an issue of a coach’s ego, as jilted ex-Star reporter Jason Whitlock has stated, is of no concern to me at this juncture. It’s not a theory without merit, but I’ll save my speculation for sometime other than immediately after a win.
Whitlock will no doubt justify his errant prediction of the outcome of this game as the consequence of a subpar opponent playing with a subpar backup quarterback (I happen to like Seneca Wallace, but that’s another discussion altogether), just as he justified his errant prediction of Week 1′s game the outcome of inclement weather. This too is not a theory without merit, but by the same token, subpar offense or not, this was another solid performance by an emerging defense. Romeo Crennel, no doubt motivated to some extent by a desire for vindication, has coached this group – nearly the same unit Clancy Pendergast had a year ago – into a solid, cohesive unit with a propensity for overcoming its inherent flaws. In every aspect of play they’re a little better than they were last season, and they’re no longer playing as if the whole was less than the sum of their parts. It’s been a long while since I could say what I’m about to say: it’s fun to watch the Chiefs on defense again.
In particular, it’s fun to watch Derrick Johnson play somewhere in the ballpark of his potential. Maybe it’s nothing more than customary contract year elevation of play, but I’d like to think it’s something more. I’d like to think that the new coach – one whose skills are more commensurate to Johnson’s – has him motivated to play better for the sake of playing better. With such a limited sample to work with, it’s hard to judge whether or not the change is permanent; thus, it’s hard for me to say whether or not I want Johnson back next season. For now, I’m just content to enjoy the ride.
Matt Cassel continues to be an embarrassment. I haven’t looked at enough stats from this week to discern whether or not he’ll move out of his lowly position of 33rd best passer in the NFL, but I do know this: aside from one decent drive in the second half, he played as poorly as (if not worse than) he did last week. His highest realistic aspiration this season may be to move out of the 30s. It’s time to start Brodie Croyle. I don’t care about his injury history. If games are to be won, a better signal caller must be at the helm. This year’s “Fire ______” at the end of each of my articles has been dedicated thus far to Tyler Palko, but I’m not above making a midseason switch. If today’s performance is in any way indicative of how Cassel intends to play out the season, I’ll be doing just that.
This is a win to be happy about, but not one to be proud of. San Diego’s pedigree is proven. Cleveland’s lack thereof is also. Kansas City looks closer to being a good team than most anybody would have expected, but right now the lion’s share of points isn’t coming courtesy of the side of the ball from which it’s should. This is not a small matter, and should not be treated as such. Quarterbacks are difficult to acquire midseason, and given the trade fodder it would require to acquire one of any consequence, it’s probably inadvisable for the Chiefs’ front office to even try. Long term answers on offense will be difficult to address until the offseason, but for now, focus on what might work in the short term: give the ball to Jamaal Charles. Give the ball to Jamaal Charles. Give the ball to Jamaal Charles.
Did I mention I’d like to see Jamaal Charles get more carries?
Croyle sucks. You just used career stats to compare RBs, but you never use career stats when comparing QBs, Cassel and Croyle? No QB will be successful in KC until they get some better receivers. We need some WRs that can create some separation. Bowe is a bigger flop than Cassel is.
I agree with you on Charles. Maybe Coach is saving him for the second half of season or maybe he thinks he wearing them down with Jones then brings in Charles. Who knows?
Comment by Jeff in VA — September 19, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
I have to disagree with Jeff, Croyle doesnt suck. He is just made of glass. He has a great arm and I think with our somewhat improved line, he might last a few more games than he has in the past. He at least doesnt wait forever and a day to decide who to throw to, giving the defense time to get there as cassle does.
What I like most about our team is that I have seen an adjustment at half time. when they come back they are doing something different than when they went in. This shows me that the coaches are watching and making changes they think are needed. This will help us win games this year.
Comment by Rick — September 20, 2010 @ 7:58 am
I agree with on 1 thing only, and that is that the coach is wearing defenses down with Jones, only to speed it up a little with Charles to break the big one. Second, I agree with Rich, Croyle is a good dam Quarterback that is made of glass. I suggest a switch at Quarterback NOW! Bring Croyle in and let him have at it!! We have weapons, but we just can’t get them the ball. And to NATHAN KENT, you couldn’t be more correct. Why the hell isn’t Charles getting the workload. This is his team, and Jones is a new comer. Please, read my article which I just sent late last night entitled, “FOCUS, FINISH.” I touch on many subjects that NATHAN KENT touched on, but from a different perspective. And Nathan, I got an idea. Let’s do something that has yet to be done. Let’s write an article TOGETHER. You can pick the topic, I don’t care. But, for now, let’s just enjoy the ride. GO CHIEFS!!!!!
Comment by Argin — September 20, 2010 @ 9:40 am
Good arm doesn’t make a good QB. Look at Croyles NFL record as a starter–compare it to Cassels. We need WRs that can get open and linemen that can protect. Even Tom Brady would have difficulty with our receivers and line. How many games has Croyle won anyway?
Look, I’m not saying Cassel is a great or even good QB, he’s just the best on this team.
Comment by Jeff in VA — September 20, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
Argin, we might try reviving the Kansas City Crossfire articles Barry and I used to do. It’s basically one-paragraph opinions of how a certain player is playing.
Comment by nathanKent — September 20, 2010 @ 6:52 pm
Kent, I’m game. But what is Kansas City Crossfire?? Jeff, Brodie Croyle has 0 wins. And aside from Croyle staying hurt all of the dam time, he has become a better Quarterback than Cassel. I’m just saying.
Comment by Argin — September 20, 2010 @ 8:42 pm
I kinda am on the fence here. First of all, its only week 2. And I for 1 am freakin extactic that we are 2 – 0. Let me say that again. 2 – 0. How many people outside of the greatest fanbase in the nfl wouldve guess Chiefs would be on top of the AFC West, at any point this season? Second, {please, by all means corrim wrong here} but didnt brodie croyle play behind 1 of the greatest lines of all time when Trent went down? and I believe that went horribly bad, right? I have been a believer in Cassel and Croyle before him, but I have to agree that Cassel is the better of the 2. We gave Croyle a chance, and he Im not so his best day is as good as what we have already seen from Cassel. By NO means am I saying that Cassel is THE guy to take this team to its potential, but rather him than Palko or Croyle. I will say that if Mr. Thigpen were still here, he would def get my vote. And finally, yes we need more Jamaal Charles. The man is a beast. But remember Chiefs fans, WE are 2 – 0. Division leaders. It is a great day to be in red.
Comment by chief fogg — September 20, 2010 @ 11:12 pm
sorry, my keyboard sucksi meant correct me if im wrong, and i really meant that, no sarcasim. ……..and i the part about , i meant to say he blew it, and im not so sure his best day is as good as what we have already seen from cassel. my bad for the typo.
Comment by chief fogg — September 20, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
sorry, my keyboard sucksi meant correct me if im wrong, and i really meant that, no sarcasim. ……..and i the part about , i meant to say he blew it, and im not so sure his best day is not as good as what we have already seen from cassel. my bad for the typo.
Comment by chief fogg — September 20, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
I would think my coach was out of his damn mind if he pulled the current QB while the team was 2-0..Unless it was something like the starting QB was injured, and the backup led the team to 2-0 and the starter got healthy and came back, but to pull the main starting QB and put in an unproven winner??!! If it aint broke dont fix it.
Comment by Dan B from Ohio — September 21, 2010 @ 12:40 am
Dan, Please tell me what part of the Chiefs offense is not broke right now.Oh did you say Jamaal Charles 6.4 average?, yeah we benched him for making everybody else look bad. Croyle an unproven winner? yeah your right, he’s not, but Cassel IS a proven looser. Unless you consider 30th in passing and an average of .5 touchdowns game winning material. The Chiefs are lucky to have two wins under their belt, who doesn’t agree? anyone? I predict that they finish the season 3-13 unless serious changes are made. How can Coach Todd not see this too? (this would explain his lack of post game enthusiasm). Please coach Todd do something and not let this season go to crap. If I was King of KC I would let Cassel go, pick up Vick, and V.Jackson, and actually play Charles. Wow could you imagine? And as much as I enjoy watching this seasons train wreck, its our train. Oh and please secondary, fix those gaping holes before Payton gets here, NFL plays on Sundays, Monday is your day of rest now.
Comment by Brett05 — September 21, 2010 @ 9:34 am
At what point did Charles get benched? He has 22 carries in two games, Jones has 33. I think they are doing a great job with the running backs. Remember a certain Larry Johnson who carried the ball a 1000 times in one season and was never the same? Thomas Jones had over 1500 yards last season, let him get used to the playing with this o-line and his stats will improve. It’s not like Charles isn’t playing at all, they are just making sure they dont make him the next Larry Johnson.
Comment by Ben — September 21, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
We need a QB………….please!
Comment by Glen — September 22, 2010 @ 2:23 pm
I agree with Brett. We are 2-0 and that is great, but we look like a train wreck out there on offense. We are so lucky we played SD in front of the Arrowhead crown on Monday night in the rain, and a Cleveland team with their backup QB, unless we would be 0-2. We have two problems….1) Our idiot coach, and 2) A dear in the headlights QB. Coach Haley needs to switch the RB up. Give Charles 22 carries and Jones 11. I am willing to bet that if Charles has 22 carries he breaks 1 or 2 of them for a TD. Jones will never break away for a TD. As for Cassel, he looks lost out there. He holds the ball too long and just seams like he has been sitting the bench for 10 years….. Oh wait…. he has!
I am excited the Chiefs are 2-0, but they are far from perfect.
Comment by HuskerMagic — September 23, 2010 @ 6:10 am
I was reading Haley’s Q&A session and he was talking about how stats like time of possession became skewed due to big plays like the long run and the punt return for the touchdown. You don’t think he is purposely trying to time when he puts charles in there for run purposes do you? Another words he doesn’t always want the big play???
Comment by David — September 23, 2010 @ 10:54 pm
dont you all look dumb now, cassell looked amazing against the 49ers and so did jones and charles did as well. you all arent real chiefs fans,stop your whining and let them play. idiots
Comment by me — September 27, 2010 @ 10:42 am
Wow. That was not nice to talk to fellow Chiefs fans that way. Cassell had 1 good game the other day. Probably his best game ever in 2 years as a Chief, and you wanna talk smack. And it was against the bum ass 49ers. You my friend need a hug.
Comment by Argin — September 29, 2010 @ 12:18 pm