TJB Scout: Kansas City Chefs
The Chefs?! Great googly moogly!!!
Chiefs, Chefs, whatever. For a lot of Jets fans (and beat writers), the actual team doesn’t matter as much as its head coach, “Harm” Edwards. (Sorry, but if you prematurely end Curtis Martin’s storied career by needlessly running him into the ground, you get no love here.) The Preacher, as he’s affectionately known by some, returns to the site of the crime, the Meadowlands, and to the team he jumped ship on in 2005 after having led it to a 4-12 record and into general disarray.
Much like the Jets, after a playoff appearance last season, the Chiefs have struggled this the season, including having lost their eight in a row. They also have had an offense which has gone missing at times, and have been inconsistent on defense. (Sound familiar?)
So who will be playing to win the game this week?
Cheerleader check: Straight from Arrowhead to you.
Record: 4-11, tied with the Oakland Raiders for last in the AFC West.
Barometer: Falling — what else can you say after losing eight in a row?
Old friends: Edwards has assembled a New York Jets Midwest Chapter with cornerback Ty Law, safety Jon McGraw, defensive tackle James Reed and center Casey Wiegmann, and recently has added offensive tackle Adrian Jones. Assistant coach “Father Time” Dick Curl is also still helping him figure out how to manage the clock, but without much success.
Questions: Will the Chiefs play to win the game? Who will be the Chiefs quarterback when the music stops? Can their defense put together a consistent four-quarter effort? What will the reception be like for Edwards? Will RAJ be at the game with a “Welcome Back Harm” banner?
Key injuries: Not surprisingly, after being run into the ground last season by Edwards who gave him an NFL-record 416 carries, running back Larry Johnson has missed the majority of the season with a foot injury and was finally put on IR this week. Quarterback Brodie Croyle has a hand injury and will be a game-time decision. Linebackers Napoleon Harris and Donnie Edwards have nagging leg injuries but are expected to be on the field against the Jets this week.
What to expect from the Chiefs offense: Not much. The Chiefs have rotated quarterbacks Damon Huard and Croyle throughout the season without much success. Like at the beginning of this season, Edwards recently declared Croyle as the starter going forward, despite Croyle’s weak play and terrible decision-making. The once-vaunted line has rapidly deteriorated (no more Will Shields or Willie Roaf), and after going through Larry Johnson, Priest Holmes and a cast of dozens, rookie Kolby Smith now leads the once-feared, now-anemic running attack, currently dead last in the NFL at 79.7 yards a game. All-World tight end Tony Gonzalez is still the team’s best playmaker (92 receptions, 1,108 yards, 5 TDs), although rookie wideout Dwayne Bowe (982 yards, 5 TDs) has flashed at times throughout the season. Much like the Jets, points have been hard to come by, as the offense has been averaging 14.4 a game — which fits the Edwards philosophy of low-scoring, ball-control, defensive-minded football, maybe more than he intended.
Jersey watch (offense): The #88 of Gonzo is well-known for spiking footballs over goalposts, but the #82 of Bowe is gaining notoriety for getting into the endzone.
What to expect from the Chiefs defense: Gunther Cunningham’s 4-3 defense, despite stretches of inconsistency, has been solid this year, currently ranking 13th overall and giving up 318.3 yards a game. Pro bowl end Jared Allen has been a monster this year, notching 14 sacks and 2 TDs while terrifying offensive lines around the AFC. (Note to D’Brick: Hold him if necessary!) His partner at the other end, Tamba Hali, has shown good improvement in his second season and has registered 6.5 sacks. Veterans Edwards and Harris anchor the linebacker corps, while old friends Law and Patrick Surtain man the corners. The unit has shown a propensity to start strong then fade near the end of the game. (Again, sound familiar?) Unlike previous defenses under Edwards, the Chiefs have not taken the ball away from opponents much, only 22 times (14 picks, 8 fumbles).
Jersey watch (defense): The #69 of Allen will probably be stamped on Kellen Clemens back by the time the game — and the season — ends.
What to expect from the Chiefs special teams, especially since they don’t have Mike Westhoff: How much does Edwards wish he had Westhoff now? The Chiefs special teams have been — to be kind — an absolute mess. They spent a 5th-round pick on kicker Justin Medlock, only to cut him after one game to bring in Dave Rayner, who made field goals at a less than 70% rate. After finally cutting Rayner, they turned to old reliable Jon Carney, who has at least given them consistency, if not distance. The returners have been equally a carousel; finally, the team has Eddie Drummond returning both kicks (21 yard average) and punts (6.9 average). Only punter Dustin Colquitt has been anything resembling a bright spot, averaging 45.6 yards a punt, netting 38.6 and dropping 22 inside the 20.
What to expect from the broadcast booth: Never-ending praise, a glossed-over history about his ugly New York departure and a few “Hallelujahs!” as all the media loves the quotable Preacher.
What’s being said in the Chiefs blogosphere:
- Arrowhead Addict plays the blame game for this season.
- Arrowhead Pride looks back at the 2007 season.
- Michael David Smith at AOL Fanhouse labels the Chiefs’ signing of Kendrell Bell as a bust.
- The Kansas City Star profiles former Missouri hero Brad Smith.
The pressure is on: The Chiefs offense to “move the chains” and help out the defense.
Bottom line: If there are more than 5 points scored this week, it’ll be a shocker.
Kansas City Chiefs Quick NFL Ranks:
Overall offense – 29th (280.7 yards per game)
Overall passing – 20th (201 yards per game)
Overall rushing – 32nd (79.7 yards per game)
Overall scoring – 30th (14.4 per game)
Overall defense – 13th (318.3 yards per game)
Overall passing – 6th (192.3 yards per game)
Overall rushing – 26th (126 yards per game)
Overall scoring – 15th (21.5 per game)
Turnovers: -11
Takeaways – 22 (14 interceptions, 8 fumbles)
Giveaways – 33 (20 interceptions, 13 fumbles)
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Edwards and Mangini have identical records as HC’s in the NFL, 13 W’s 16L’s and a first round exit from the playoffs in last year.
The Chiefs lost a Pro Bowl QB and a HOF offensive lineman in year one. In year two the Chiefs lost another HOF offensive Lineman, a Pro Bowl RB which explains the dropoff of the offense.
Mangini has only self-inflicted wounds, failure to sign Pete Kendall, dumping two Pro Bowl players (John Abraham, Kevin Mawae), poor drafts, including the overrated D’Turnstile Ferguson and Kellen Clemmons.
Mangini has to win Sunday against the injury depleted Chiefs to avoid the ignominy of having coached the Jets to their worst record since the 1-15 Kotite Jets. A win will enable Mangini to match Edwards 4-12 record in 2005, a year where the Jets lost 11 starters to IR.
Mangini supporters can’t even invoke the injury excuse to explain his failures as HC of the NYJ’s.
I guess mangini should have magically clicked his heels to up the level of talent on the team. what a mangidiot.
The fact of the matter is, this season is a carbon copy of last season with a few differences.
One-the overall health of the team, chad was healthy the entire year and there were no other key injuries across the board. this year chad went down early, coles and cotch have been hurt, vilma, clemens, justin miller, etc etc etc.
Two- The jets essentially played perfect football more often last year than they did this year. Every time there was a chance to make a big play, the catch was made, the tackle was broken, the ball squeezed out of the opposing rb’s hands. This year, every time there was a game changing opportunity, it has been botched(see Mccareins, Justin), I love revis, but how many INT’s have just bounced of his hands?
Finally- I didnt think it would be as big a deal as others going into the season, but in light of the first two points, the tougher schedule has had an impact.
Maybe I drank the Kool-aid, but I’m not going to call for a coaching staff/front office’s head after 2 seasons.
Bob, your first comment makes no sense. How can Edwards and Mangini have identical records? Please clarify, (not that you’ll read this).
The losing of the Pro Bowl RB *WAS* a self-inflicted wound. You expect injuries amongst veterans on a Herm-coached team because he persistently underuses his backups, which is why his teams suck so badly when the injuries do happen.
You can’t really compare the 4-12 Jets to the current team. That team was getting crushed every week in the second half, whereas these Jets have been competitive all year. I would put my mortgage on the 2007 Jets if there was any way they could take on the 2005 team from the end of that season. By the way, that team was supposed to contend for a superbowl.
Drop the agenda. Ferguson has been pretty good more often than not, against some decent players. Clemmons (sic) must be struggling because he played the “run and shoot” in college.
Thank god Mangini dumped Abraham. Another guy who didn’t play hard for Herm… “I think I’ll sit out this playoff game because I am a free agent”. The Jets have actually drafted well, but I don’t see how Mangini can get blame or credit for that anyway, because he doesn’t draft the players.
About half of the 11 starters the Jets lost to injury in 2005 simply quit on the team. Another example of players not playing hard for Herm despite the fact he somehow has that reputation.
Of course Mangini supporters can use injuries as an excuse. The starting QB was hurt in week one and the position (the most important on the team) has been in flux ever since. Despite that, the Jets almost won in 10 of the 12 games they have lost.
Mangini may ultimately fail to bring any success here, but I’m much happier with where we are now that where we were two years ago.
Mangini has a 3-12 team playing hard down the stretch – that’s impressive. Do you recall how the 2005 Jets played down the stretch? They liked a bunch pansies and were embarrassed week in and week out. I couldn’t even watch the last two or three weeks, it was an unmitigated disaster. I don’t want to hear about injuries either – they were losing by 25-30 points on a seemingly weekly basis.
Due to that disaster of a season and the mismanagement of the cap, the Jets had to make a zillion player moves just to field a roster in 2006. Not only did they field a roster, but they made the freaking playoffs! And, they beat the Patriots so badly that the Pats had to change their home turf.
This season has certainly been a disappointment, but this is nothing like 2005. This team has had two stinkers all season and they were against the “best team in the history of the world” and the the best team in the NFL – not bad. Naturally, I won’t accept a 3-12 season next year, but seeing that the effort is there this year, I can’t be too upset.
Lastly, RAJ, your “self-inflicted” wounds theory is a mess. First, the drafts have actually been good – if Mangold and Ferguson didn’t have to block for the LG as well as their own positions, the line would be much better off. Letting Kendall go was a terrible move, but that doesn’t mean the drafts have been bad. Also, letting Mawae and Mr. Injury go was very necessary. Mangold is playing just fine at center and Abraham would have killed our cap while not playing, ever.
Really lastly, Herm can certainly be blamed for LJ’s injuries – you may remember that Johnson ran the ball 400+ times last year, a ridiculous number. Herm has a history of doing that which is probably why LaMont Jordan is in Oakland and why Curtis is no longer playing.
Anyway, I’m not anti-Herm, he found a way to lead the team to the playoffs 3 out of his first 4 seasons (he had luck, but you need that in the NFL). However, I Mangini has done well in my eyes and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in Year 3 when he and Tannenbaum are able to fill a few more holes that were left over from the previous regime.
Abusing your Pro Bowl RB with an NFL-record 416 carries and, then, not signing him to a close-to-market extension (so he’s rusty and susceptible to injuries) are self-inflicted wounds. Harm has done a much better job with the Chiefs defense (although Allen was not a Harm pick and he let Kawika Mitchell leave for basically nothing…sounds like when he let Farrior go); however, letting 2 HOF caliber OL retire (isn’t curious that they opted to retire just as Harm came on board?) without drafting/signing adequate replacements is a Harm trademark. I don’t want to repeat my earlier posts, but always waiting for the 6th round or later to draft OL (as the Chiefs have done the last 2 drafts under Harm) is a recipe for disaster. With Johnson, Bowe and Gonzalez, all the Chiefs need is an average QB and a decent line to prosper. Instead, the Chiefs OL is terrible, right after being its strength. Sound familiar?
I like how the crosshairs are aimed straight at Herm’s jugular vein …
SD 99 is absolutley sticking it to RAJ/ZEL and everyone knows it.
what is it with this insane man crush on herman edwards?
herm took over the same team in 2001 that wade phillips has taken in dallas this year. it was a no brainer that he went to the playoffs three times. cmon, kotite could have the same success herm did.
its what is always left behind that is the guage of a regimes success.
Thanks, muff. After my post, I read that Harm picked up Adrian Jones. That’ll fix the Chiefs’ OL problems. You just can’t make up stuff that’s any more ridiculous.
[...] The Jets Blog — long one of our favorite NFL team blogs out there — took a long look at our Chiefs today. Quite the entertaining read, even for us homers who know the team and its struggles better than we’d like to admit. Here are some of the highlights: [...]
Mangini parlayed a decent team of mostly Herm’s holdovers and some skillful coaching on his part into a playoff spot in 2006. Imagine that, a theory does does not look to denigrate either coach just because it is fashionable. Ultimately however, Herm’s holdovers were at the tail-end of their usefulness combined with their inability to really play Mangini’s 3-4. That, combined with a) a much harder schedule and b) a year of preparation by their opponents, along with the NFL law of averages caught up with the Jets this year. Does it mean that Herm was a joke? No (despite the obvious Martin-Jordan screw-up). It also doesn’t mean that Mangini is a fool. Getting this team to play for him through game 15 is a good sign. The real fun (and future) begins this off-season, as Mangini and Tannenbaum get the chance to really put “their” team together. Failure to do that right will be legitimate reasons for the salivating fans and media to blow them out of the water in due time.
Thank God the Falcons threw all that money at Abraham that the Jets refused to. Bet they’re thrilled with the huge difference those dollars have made.