Special Teams Struggles & Other Notes
From Arrowhead Stadium
The bloom fell off the Ryan Succop rose Saturday night.
Of the Chiefs 2009 Draft class, it was the last man taken who was performing. Succop, the final pick in the entire NFL Draft, had been solid all through training camp and the pre-season.
That ended against Seattle, and was just part of what was a poor special teams evening for the Chiefs.
Succop missed his first FGs as a pro against the Seahawks. He was wide left on a 28-yard attempt and then his 53-yard try was directionally perfect. Problem was it traveled only 52 ½ yards, hitting the cross bar and bouncing into the end zone.
He did come back and hit a 35-yard FG in the fourth quarter.
“Ryan has been a positive throughout camp and the preseason,” Haley said. “Tonight, he lined drive a kickoff which is something we don’t want, and he missed a FG that he should have made. He did bounce back and hit one. The one that hit the crossbar was not a negative at all.
“I’m not going to beat him up too bad.”
But Succop’s misses were just two of what was a bushel of problems in the kicking game. Several times they had just 10 men on the field for plays in the kicking game. One of Succop’s kickoffs was a line drive that killed any chance for coverage. Several kickoffs were mishandled. The Chiefs had a chance to down one of Dustin Colquitt’s punts deep in Seattle territory … the ball bounced into the end zone.
It was that kind of night for the Chiefs in the kicking game.
“It’s not demoralizing,” Haley said. “It’s discouraging; it’s disappointing because whenever you feel like you take a step back it is disappointing. We are going to be back to work tomorrow and do everything in our power to get it the way we want it.”
They are still in search of a returner. On punts, Maurice Leggett fumbled one return chance, but was able to fall on the ball. On kickoffs, RB Jamaal Charles broke one for 35 yards, the longest return of the pre-season for the Chiefs. But overall, he averaged 24 yards on two returns and CB Ricardo Colclough had an 18-yard return.
HELPING OTHERS BRINGS ONLY CHIEFS VICTORY
The game was the 26th annual Chiefs Charity Game, an event that has raised $6.5 million since it was instituted in 1984. In just the last five years the game raised over $2.5 million for local organizations. This year, the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired was presented with a check for $456,000 during half-time ceremonies. CCVI helps prepare children who are blind or visually impaired to function at their highest potential in the sighted world.
Also just before kickoff, the 33rd Len Dawson Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Forster of Oak Park High school. The funding will help Forster pursue a pre-law degree at the University of Miami. She accepted the honor at mid-field wearing a Derrick Thomas jersey.
PERSONNEL, PERFORMANCE, ETC.
Not dressed for the game were RB Kolby Smith, TE Jake O’Connell, ILB Zach Thomas, ILB Derrick Johnson and FS Jarrad Page. The first four missed practice time last week, but Page was a surprise. Haley indicated that Page, who was not on the field or the sidelines during the evening, was injured. “We’ve got a lot of guys beat up,” said Haley. “We’ve had a tough camp and we have a lot of guys who are trying to play through things (injuries).” … It’s probably not good for these guys that they did not play in this game: WR Terrance Copper, CB Londen Fryar, RB Javarris Williams, OL Colin Brown, DE Bobby Greenwood, OT Cameron Goldberg and OT Herb Taylor … QB Brodie Croyle also did not play, but that was because of the coaching staff’s desire to get Tyler Thigpen some time … the Seahawks held a 13:18 time of possession advantage.
Newly acquired offensive linemen Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe, got plenty of playing time, coming into the game in the second quarter at right guard and right tackle … Despite not starting all week in practice, Damion McIntosh did open the game as the starter at RT … With Derrick Johnson out, Demorrio Williams started at ILB next to Corey Mays. Williams was credited with 10 tackles in the game … the Chiefs defense got sacks from DE Tyson Jackson and OLB Andy Studebaker … CB Brandon Flowers pick six INT return was the Chiefs first interception of the pre-season.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen so many missed FGs in a game. Five total, three by SEATT and two more by KC (believe the last time was in 1995, some guy named Lin Elliott missed three.)
Rin predicted a 26-13 win for the Seahawks before tonight’s game. Adding in the 2 KC misses and the three SEATT same, SEATT 14-10 becomes 23-16.
Small solace; an L is an L, a W be a W, & 0-3 is 0-3 no matter how many times you rewind the tape.
Glass half-full. Running game looked good. Run defense looked good. With actual bump-n-run coverage, the corners will be fine.
Read most posts, interesting. My turn. Offense was not good, Thigpen showed nothing so he or Gut. can get cut or whatever. Still do not know what we have at WR. TE did not do much poor blocking and not open. OL stinks, I blame Pioli for this one, he chose to try to fix the offense and ignorred the OL and this is what you get (just like Vermeil did with the O and ignorred the Def and herm ignorred vet players and took kid who could not carry the team). Pioli got Cassel hurt and that really hurts.
Defense had some moments but not many. When a team is throwing quickly with short routes, def. must jump the receivers and disrupt the routes. The KC defense GAVE seahawks 4 to 10 yards cushions for a free pass day in the passing dept. TV announcers must of pointed this out a hundred times, DBs get on the line of scrimage. Sorry but that is on the coaching, Pendergas you are an idiot at least for most of this game. Pass rush did not get there much. Back up LB had moments but D. Williams (53) made most of his tackles 5 yards down field. Defense could not get off the field after the 1st quarter.
Special teams was mostly poor. Forget the missed field goal, what about field position? Punt after punt had 15 yard returns, speed guys had no control just ran down the field.
Bottom line is a poor job done by players and coaches. Better than last year, butnot a lot of hope with Sat nites game. By the by any 22 guys CAN win 2 games but I want more than 2 wins every year (thanks, herm).
It looks like the Chiefs have a ways to go before they are competent…..and I’m not confident that they can get there with this group yet. It might be a rough start to the season.
Congratulations Rin on predicting the loss…..what a feat that was.
KC Mutt: Good observations.
Succop missed one short FG, but we haven’t had anyone on the team who even could attempt a 53 yarder in a long time. He will be fine.
Kick coverage is awful. It may help when we cut some guys and the regular teams can get all the practice time. Or not.
I thought some WR’s stood out. Bowe and Lelie fought hard and didn’t put a ball on the ground. Big drop off after that, but I would start them for now. Not sure why Toomer didn’t get more reps.
With our lack of talent, I expect we will have 5-7 faces on our 53 that aren’t even here now. There really isn’t a position that couldn’t be upgraded. Wonder if Dorsey has been discussed in trade talks? Nothing against him, but he just doesn’t fit. He might be great in a 4-3. Trade him for a 3rd and a quality O-Lineman if possible. I would think Pioli would listen to anything at this point. We really suck for now.
Hate to keep beating this dead horse but Toomer looks done, dead, kaput (no legs left). Possibly same with Engram, might be same guy. DL do not know how to fix this, we just do not have the players to run a 3-4, so why are the Chiefs? Learn that in HS football.When you has a QB who could chuck it, you team was a throwing one, if the QB had no great arm, you were a running one. Our current Chiefs do not buy that, we are running the 3-4 and talent be damned. I do not see how Thigpen can be traded, our QBs are going to get killed at least for the first half of the year. I fear we are weak at RB, TE, and C so the OL will suck for the near future. On and on it goes, I need to shut and wait to see if Pioli/Haley can put something together by the end of 09.
PS for all the conditioning we heard was about the team was so much BS, the team was dead on their collective feet by the 4th qtr or quit. Sorry just cannot calm down, it was so pizz poor last nite.
We took an ugly step backwards. I guess we’ll have to wait to see how serious the injuries are. The O-line is a major problem. It’s also an area that takes longer than most to establish consistency and rhythm. but as many have pointed out we need a serious talent upgrade there. There were some bright spots but not enough to outweigh the negatives. Hopefully Cassell’s injury isn’t serious. I didn’t think it would be a great jump from what we are to what we want to be and am not surprised by the outcome in light of the fact that we lost our starting QB and receiver and had 3 defensive starters not in the game and lost another early. The injuries are going to be a major concern all year as we can ill afford to be without our starters with the lack of depth we have. It’ll be ugly before it gets better but I guess we’ll have to wait to see how ugly ugly is.
I meant a great jump or leap forward! Don’t give up the ship fans!
The 5 players I think that are going to get cut are:
DE Gales
ILB Smith
CB Fryar
WR Johnson
LT Goldberg
Bates could get released instead of Fryar, Greenwood instead of Gales, Wright instead of Johnson, Herb Taylor or Harris instead of Goldberg.
I think they might try and pick up a couple of guys after these cuts. Some teams might release a KR/PR that didnt win the returner job. I can see more olineman signed, OLB could be another position.
Wow… Rin thought he’d woken up this morning and gone to reality central – football Heaven. Chiefs fans actually talking realistic terms rather than rolling themselves & each other in the doughy goo that be “yup, you betcha by golly wow- things are gonna be a different this year”, “we believe” and “the right 53″ and “scooby dooby doo” – & are here as in ‘Patriot Way’ and “any 22 will do”… maybe he meant 23 skidoo, KC’s short- but only one player. Right. ‘check’
PLOP PLOP FIZZ FIZZ OH THIS TEAM’S DISEASED IT IS
Turns out its the same old hell afterlife-er, all.
‘Butterfield’s Lullaby’…’Day is Done’… ‘TAPS’ by any other, as performed by the Greater Kansas City Fandom Chowder & Marching Society, w/Norman Vincent Peale (’The Power Positive Thinking’) on lead bugle.
Una vez mas: in 2009 as it was in 2008 and so it will (still) be in 2010, IT’S THE PLAYERS -NOT THE COACHES.
Wasn’t Herm & Co. in ‘08, nor is it for the most part et al in ‘09. You can’t put lipstick on a pig of a roster/ expect to have it come out looking like Sarah Palin (Chiefs look more like Obuma’s health care plan or his ‘dog’ in a pair of shorts… a shambles. Believe Rin now or pay Him later.
If [ hold on now, Rin is going to make nice ] Pioli & Haley are ever going to succeed, they will need copious doses of talent that cannot possibly arrive KC afore ‘nother 2 years/more.
Forget ATL, forget MIA, forget everything you ever thought you knew: ‘This is Termination’ – circa Iron Butterfly, 1968.
It is ‘not’ so much a matter of the former GM’s bereft talent cupboard – it’s that too – ’tis a matter a brand new system, the same old players and a determination to see square pegs as they do not fail to disappoint fitting round holes.
Thigpen is one example: last year Gailey used him at his strength, the firing pin in the pistol. CG played to his player’s fit not the opposite. ‘IF’ as has claimed it is about “winning now” – then ‘Whoa, Nellie!’ (Keith Jackson, maybe throw in some Lyle Bremser too) ‘Mother, Woman & Child’.
God help us all…the Devil’s already in the details.
I saw Herm covering a high school game on ESPN on Friday night. I couldn’t hear him as I was at a restraunt and the sound was too low. Just kinda funny. I was hoping for a 8-8 season. After the Seahawk game 2-14 might not be bad. I’ll wait till the real season to freak but, like most people that are posting, I’m thinking we still have plenty of improvement needed. I’d rather be 0-4 in the pre-season and then 10-6 in the season. I remember when we were 4-0 in the pre-season and then started the season 0-3! Who knows. After last night, 8-8 doesn’t look to shabby!
My biggest disappointment might be Herb Taylor, he did some pretty decent things last year especially when Albert was out early. If he had stepped up that would have fixed a lot of line woes.
same thing happened with Gotskowski his first preseason…is what it is…field goals 1/6 combined last night…
Succop will be fine
I was encouraged with Tyson Jackson, late he got tired, but early on he ended 3 drives with a tip, putting his hand up and forcing a late pass to be 1 yard short on a 3rd down, and tipping the flowers pick 6….he also blew apart a screen play while being held and wouldve had a pick if he wasnt. Great instincts.
One must wonder just how many roster moves will take place beyond the norm….So many problems with this team, and a 6 win season wont be possible with this schedule facing the NFC East if Mcintosh/Goff are starting due to Cassel getting mauled.
plus, since most cuts take place all at once, and the waiver wire is a 24 hour system, we will see where the chiefs really feel they have a weakness….
Interested to see if Ike starts next week.
I think considering Thigpen had cracked ribs and has been in treatment for two week, advised not to play, but got out there under a tremendous amount of preasure to preform well, says a lot for the guy.
I’m sure Haley and the staff understand that our beloved Chiefs wont get fit through drills. Those drills are designed to set a base to build on. The only way you get into game shape, is playing or simulating games. The good news is that we will have one of the most fit defenses in the entire league by the end of the season. Cuz I’m pretty sure they will be on the field most of the time.
Cheers!
Kenny
“Chicklets” & “Clippers” aka Alleman & Ndukwe came to the Chiefs from MIA – just like “Cheeseburgers” McIntosh (Damion was considered the best FA LT out there at the time, if anyone remembers).
Where this Chiefly KC offensive line epidemic is concerned, Florida be no panacea, Ponce de León…
Kenny said
“The good news is that we will have one of the most fit defenses in the entire league by the end of the season. Cuz I’m pretty sure they will be on the field most of the time.”
- yes, shall be fit to be tied…
daddy-o
The offense hasn’t found itself yet and the defense is still evolving.There will be times we will be happy for this team and there will be times you feel like giving up your seasons tickets. Just hang in there.Those who stay faithful will be rewarded.
For what said’s worth former Chiefs/NFL offensive lineman (OT/OG) Rich Baldinger was ‘not’ effusive in his praise (none) regards the pass blocking of new RT Ike “Clippers” Ndukwe formerly a clipperin down Miami way (Patriot Way still not in evidence Kaycee – – the ’search’ goes on, appears.
Said Rich did he to expect some new face(s) at RT next week/perhaps beyond. Meanwhile, the usual RT Barry Richardson was tried at LT hopes his being the swing… well, he did look like a gate at any.
“I can take any 22 guys-”
‘oh shutup!’
Im a loser who writes abunch of crap that 80% of the people on here skip over. Im one of those “fans” thats always negative even when things start to turn around. I should put shot in the face and left in a field to rot.
Daddy-o
I saw a post in AP that said Cassell’s injury wasn’t thought to be that serious but have seen nothing from anybody who would know to corroborate that. Has anybody heard anything reliable?
Im a loser who writes abunch of crap that 80% of the people on here skip over. Im one of those “fans” thats always negative even when things start to turn around. I should put shot in the face and left in a field to rot.
Daddy-o
ESPN is reporting that the x-rays were negative, and that there is suppose to be more news following Monday’s practice.
NFL Network reporting the same..x-rays on Cassel’s left leg were negative…doubt he’ll play vs. St. Louis…it’ll be interesting to see who starts vs Ravens 9-13…
pft saying mcl and ankle sprains….not sure on the severity of the mcl sprain or the ankle sprain…
such a bummer, hate hate hate injuries.
Darling has a torn ACL
ESPN radio reported more tests for Cassel on Monday to determine just how bad it is. This just shows different sources report the same story differently. Who knows what the truth is?
“Don’t give up the ship fans!”
We could just trade the steering wheel and the motor for a 2nd round pick next year.
“The 5 players I think that are going to get cut are:”
Why do you think that there are just going to be five players cut? We’re going to have to be the masters of the garbage list/waiver wire…
Emotions can swing too wide…way too wide. Some folks see the team do some good things, and immediately predict Super Bowl. Others see the team do some negative things, and immediately predict a winless season.
It is a work in progress, and yes, there’s a ways to go. Calm down.
Actually, both Leggett & Charles fumbled on returns… Charles recovered his but Leggett’s was recovered by Seattle.
Jody, you are an idiot.