Work In Progress … Friday Cup O’Chiefs
From River Falls, Wisconsin
“It’s a work in progress.”
Those were the words of Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel as he talked about the team’s offense, or more specifically the team’s passing game.
What was evident and visible in the team’s off-season workouts in Kansas City has continued here in the northwoods: the passing game is out of synch. Some days it’s pretty ugly and inefficient. Other days there’s a flicker of things coming together.
What Chiefs fans will see Saturday night in the pre-season opener at Arrowhead Stadium is anybody’s guess.
“We are making a lot of progress,” Cassel said. “There are a lot of things being thrown at us right now in the terms of concepts; we are trying to look at a bunch of different things. Overall, we are definitely making a lot of strides.
“It’s a work in progress. We are trying to build that rapport and chemistry every day. Every day that we spent out there together is another day that we get to build on that. You go into the pre-season games and hope to build that chemistry even more. You are under pressure, it’s not a controlled environment like practice and it’s good to see how people perform.”
There has been a lot of focus on the wide receivers as a group and their contributions to the struggling passing game. But the quarterbacks should not be kept out of the circle of blame. The top trio on the roster – Cassel, Brodie Croyle and Tyler Thigpen – has not had great camps in any manner. Croyle was rusty coming out of the chute, which was expected given his inability to work with the offense during the off-season. Thigpen really seems to be pressing. The spread offense that was his comfort zone last year has not been seen in the off-season work or during training camp.
Cassel has shown all the intangibles and attributes a team seeks in a franchise quarterback, but on the field, with these receivers, there hasn’t been much in the way of offensive magic.
There are contributing factors to the passing game problems. There is a blending of last year’s offensive playbook by Chan Gailey with ideas and attacks that Haley wants incorporated. There’s been a lot of shuffling of receivers, as Dwayne Bowe has fallen to the third team and a guy like Terrance Copper has jumped to the starting unit.
“That’s what camp is, there are a lot of guys going in and out of the huddle, there are a bunch of different guys on the field at any one time,” Cassel said. “You are trying to build a relationship with all the guys that are in there. You’ve got to do a lot of adjusting on the move because sometimes people get injured in this game and the next guy has to be ready to step in and play and you have to be ready to go with him.
“It’s part of training camp. There are days when the offense is going to win and days when the defense is going to win, especially when you get into the second week and the defense has seen some of your concepts and they start jumping routes. It’s inevitable that they are going to have some success and they are playing better, which is great to see.
“We’ve made a tremendous amount of progress from where we were earlier in the spring.”
That point may be debated. But there’s no doubt that Saturday night’s game against Houston is very important for the development of the offense and especially the passing game. Todd Haley will certainly be closely watching his starting quarterback.
“I think Saturday night will be a good indicator to see how far he’s come along,” Haley said of Cassel. “I think he’s continued to work hard, knows what’s going on. He’s made some real good throws and some poor throws. Saturday will be a good chance to evaluate where he’s at along with the rest of the quarterbacks.
“We evaluate the quarterbacks like anybody else. Now, you have a little more to hold onto statistically because we chart them every practice. Every time they’re throwing it’s charted whether the ball was completed, dropped, poor throw, poor decision, intercepted, all those things. So, you have some statistics to help you along in that area.”
The Chiefs passing game needs a good night against the Texans to push forward the evaluation of this 2009 offense.
SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
- BROWNS – WR Donte Stallworth suspended by the NFL for the 2009 league season.
- BUCCANEERS – signed P Dirk Johnson; released DE Greg Peterson.
- COLTS – signed DE Rudolph Hardie; released WR Roy Hall; activated WR Sam Giguere from mPUP list.
- EAGLES – signed QB Michael Vick to a two-year contract, the second year being at the club’s option.
- LIONS – signed OL Milford Brown and S Calvin Lowry; released TE Jake Nordin.
- PACKERS – reached an agreement with first-round draft choice DT B.J. Raji on a five-year contract; signed DE Stryker Sulak; placed TE Tory Humphrey on injured-reserve list.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On August 14, 1960 the Dallas Texans won a pre-season game at Boston against the Patriots 24-14 at Harvard Stadium. (More details later today.)
On August 14, 1964 the Chiefs beat the Bills 24-21 in a pre-season game at Buffalo’s War Memorial Stadium. The winning points came when QB Len Dawson hit RB Abner Haynes with a 42-yard TD pass with 1:39 to play. The victory was then sealed moments later when FS Johnny Robinson’s interception at the KC 5-yard line. Rookie Paul McPherson out of Arkansas A&M caught 54-yard TD pass from Dawson and rookie RB Preacher Pilot’s 54-yard run set up the first Chiefs touchdown. Haynes finished the game with five catches for 140 yards.
On August 14, 1971 the Chiefs beat the Atlanta Falcons 12-10 in a pre-season game at Municipal Stadium. K Jan Stenerud had four field goals, from 18, 15, 43 and 50 yards. It was that last kick that proved to be the winning points. The Chiefs defense had four interceptions, with FS Johnny Robinson getting two and the others coming from LB Willie Lanier and SS Jim Kearney. The longest play of the game for the Chiefs offense was a 32-yard pass from QB Len Dawson to WR Frank Pitts.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on August 14, 1975 in Akron was LB Mike Vrabel. He joined the Chiefs in a trade with the New England Patriots late in February 2009. Vrabel has played 12 years in the NFL with the Steelers and Patriots and joins the Chiefs with 681 career tackles, 55 sacks, 11 interceptions and eight catches on offense, all for touchdowns.
Born on August 14, 1985 in Flint, Michigan was CB Brandon Carr. He joined the Chiefs as the team’s fifth-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Grand Valley State. Carr started all 16 games last year with the Chiefs, contributing 77 tackles, two interceptions and two recovered fumbles.
Born on August 14, 1939 in Miami was G Bill Diamond. He joined the Chiefs in 1963 out of the University of Miami. Diamond played that season with the team, appearing in five games.
Born on August 14, 1940 in Redding, California was QB/P Eddie Wilson. He was a third-round choice (19th selection) of the Dallas Texans in the 1962 AFL Draft out of the University of Arizona. Wilson spent three seasons with the Texans/Chiefs (1962-64), appearing in 42 games, with one start. That came against the Boston Patriots during the 1963 season and he led the Chiefs to a 24-24 tie. Wilson completed 70 of 140 passes for 994 yards with four TD passes and three INTs. He ran the ball 15 times for 55 yards and a TD. He punted 50 times for a 35.1 average. Wilson finished his career p laying the 1965 season in Boston.
Born on August 14, 1958 in Jacksonville, North Carolina was DE Frank Case. He was an 11th-round selection in the 1981 NFL Draft out of Penn State. Case played seven games for the Chiefs in that 1981 season. He did not play again in the league.
Born on August 14, 1966 in Alvin, Texas was CB Stan Petry. He was a fourth-round selection in the 1989 NFL Draft out of TCU and played three seasons with the Chiefs (1989-91), appearing in 34 games with one start. Petry had three interceptions during the 1990 season, including one he returned 33 yards for a touchdown. He wrapped up his career in 1991 playing two games with the Saints.
Four more teams needed in the “IN PIOLI WE TRUST” league for a live draft on 8/30/09 at 8:30pm.
Go CHIEFS!!!
Sometimes I get the feeling that Bob is Anti Cassel. Plus look at the receivers and it is no wonder quarterbacks are struggling. Opening day I predict Bowe and Toomer starting with Engram slot receiver
Bob misses the good ‘ol days when he worked for kcchiefs.com as propaganda…I mean information minister, when Thigpen was qb, and Herm and CP ruled the roost.
The passing game is an intricate thing, because it has to do with timing, speed, and trust. So many things have to work out just right for a pass to be completed. The OL has a part in it. The RB’s have a role. And throw on top of that eleven guys (the defense)trying to mess the whole thing up. There really is little room for error. QB’s and WR’s that work well together have not only the confidence and skill in themselves, but also the confidence and trust in each other. That is obviously yet to happen in KC. If you remember, it took a year for Trent Green to get comfortable and start looking like he was worth the 1st rnd choice we gave up for him. Let’s hold off on the judgment, and give the coaching staff and the athletes some time to figure things out.
I LOVE FIG NEWTONS!
Real Rin ® daddy-o
“It’s a work in progress.” Those were the words of Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel.”
- it’s a progress to (yet further) decline. Those are the words of Rin Tin Tin, w/ & affirming via theirs – as well deeds and inaction since they took squat nee brought their tired act into Kaycee a few (seems like years) months ago.
“What was evident and visible in the team’s off-season workouts in Kansas City”
- was that we’re doomed as a viable NFL team… but we’ll be entertaining (in a keystone kops sort of way, nod toward his handpicked Patriot Way’rs as well his band of “any 22″ will do. Pay special attention to the WRs – ‘check’s been coaching as well working personally with them – and it shows.
“has continued here in the northwoods”
- yes…it’s been an uphill climb – both ways – alright. Watching grown men tread water never was so funny to watch…
“the passing game is out of synch.”
- sort of, yes it has been; more so it’s been in the toilet than the sink…
“Some days it’s pretty ugly and inefficient.”
- but then there are those days – most of them – when things really get ugly…
“What Chiefs fans will see Saturday night in the pre-season opener at Arrowhead Stadium is anybody’s guess.”
- thanks for the invitation Uncle Bob: Mutt will throw 2 INTs, Larry Johnson will whiff on a block or 3, ‘Q’ will finally get a handle on the ball- after the opposition tosses it at him aft having recovered his muffed return attempt and the D… well, the D will be mighty…mighty…weak.
Final score: Texans 459 chiefs 8
We are making a lot of progress” Cassel said.
- translation: I only threw 10 INTs during practice this week, down from 15 last week…
“I think Saturday night will be a good indicator to see how far he’s come along” Haley said of Cassel.”
- translation/cue Bobby Bare tribute – “Mutt’s 500 miles away from (home) mediocre…”
“There are contributing factors to the passing game problems.”
- an utter lack of leadership from – good news is he finally managed to locate the whistle around his neck yesterday; today, he blows…it.
Mutt summed it up best when he said –
“It’s part of training camp. There are days when the offense is going to win and days when the defense is going to win”
- and then there are days, nights more so the preseason portending long days regular same – when it all comes together… and then lands right on top of you, crushing team, spirit & resolve all in one fell swoop.
The initiation begins Saturday night the new Arrowhead – where these new Chiefs will go to die, just like the old. Yes, some things never change but come 2010 they will, least at Head Coach & GM…
daddy-o, & affirming…
Red Zone Blog said Ring of Honor was vanished at Arrowhead. If true, that is a terrible decision. This would be something rin would be in favor of so he can babble about his own intel. Anyone with pull out there tell Hunt to get it right and put the names back up there (not a tickertape printout).
The Raider’s moved the ball at will— There’s going to be a lot of team’s up and doing good this year , that have not been there before— that’s the reason I don’t think there is a game KC can’t win .
A lot of this has to do with Clark , Scott and Todd putting the right people at the right place’s at the right time .
These are the things that will make it flow !!!
What I saw last night was Oakland playing good .
There’s going to be a LOT of good football this year .
The names are taken off because of the new video banner that wraps around arrowhead. I think it will be cool. The names, and pics, will be in the hall that they built
Yeah, tm1946,
I was a little upset when i first heard about the Ring of Honor going away. I’m willing to give this a chance though…who knows, they could have something set up that will allow them to put the names up between advertisements and touchdown graphics…pretty much anything is possible with those boards.
If not, I’m sure they’ll make the HOF breathtaking and worthwhile. If it’s like the one at the K, it’ll be pretty amazing.
Jim Lloyd – I wouldn’t get too shook up by the Raiders. Don’t forget the Lions were undefeated in pre-season last year and looked great. Didn’t work out so well when real bullets were flying.
Giving up old traditions is hard, but give it a chance before passing judgement. It might be better. Or not.
I don’t suppose anyone knows if the game Saturday is streamed on-line anywhere? Sunday Ticket only covers regular season games (pi##es me off). I would like to see it, but will only be on local stations there I’m sure.
Bin SC…if you have nfl network they will replay the game sunday morning…10 ET i think.
last year it took till week 4 for the offense to have some life.
It may very well be that long, they wont be as bad as the atlanta game however.
I love it, Rin if you think Cassel with throw 2 picks, ill never post here again if thats true for saturday only…It wont happen…
he wont be in long enough to get picked twice…if hes pressured enough and getting hit, they will yank him, if hes picked, the next time he shows life, they will yank him…
We will see wont we.
I agree on the LJ missed blocks however…thats a given.
alex k said
“I love it, Rin”
- I can understand that…it’s a gift mine.
“if you think Cassel with throw 2 picks, ill never post here again if thats true for saturday only…It wont happen.”
- trying to micro-manage my blogs again, eh al(ex)?
“he wont be in long enough to get picked twice…if hes pressured enough and getting hit, they will yank him, if hes picked, the next time he shows life, they will yank him…
We will see wont we.
I agree on the LJ missed blocks however…thats a given.
“- translation: I only threw 10 INTs during practice this week, down from 15 last week…”
nonetheless…an improvement from your own words.
Rin wouldn’t want to blog without running it by you first for your approval…al(ex).
If the Chiefs defense can pick of Mutt regularly – you know, those 4 all pros they got back there, and budding HOF’s like Bates, Washington & Price, well…2 ought to be a cinch for the Texans.
For a guy ballyhooed as being ’so accurate’ Mutt appears more smoke and mirrors… if he throws 2 passes there’s a better chance than not one will end up in the arms a Texan…based on his ‘work’ to date.
When/if they do pilfer Mut’s pockets nee passes, ya’ll come back now here anyway, hear? Ol’ Rin wouldn’t know what to do without you (to kick around). Well, that’s not entirely true- there is still ‘Q’ (until the practice squad is set.)
Any bold ‘Q’ predictions the game Saturday night? Is ‘Q’gonna light it up or stink it, same?
daddy-o
“On August 14, 1971 the Chiefs beat the Atlanta Falcons 12-10 in a pre-season game at Municipal Stadium. K Jan Stenerud had four field goals, from 18, 15, 43 and 50 yards. It was that last kick that proved to be the winning points. The Chiefs defense had four interceptions, with FS Johnny Robinson getting two and the others coming from LB Willie Lanier and SS Jim Kearney. The longest play of the game for the Chiefs offense was a 32-yard pass from QB Len Dawson to WR Frank Pitts.”
We’d like to see some of these type stats on Saturday.
Yes SG, and the sun also rises…
But will Mut rise to the occasion?
Nyet.
daddy-o
Rin Tin Tin says:
NO REAL RIN VERIFICATION.
Rint-tint-toot-
Please remember your smileys! I almost started to read some of your garbage, hermraider.
I well predict that the Chiefs well win Sat. Haleys/Pioli first game in KC ………. Look Out !!!! SP teams is the only thing that has me worried . The market is down so had to buy ……Hope You Did Too . Go Chiefs My new handle……. PufnStuf …Thanks Dog
Will Rin be quiet if the Chiefs shut out the Texans Saturday night and Mutt throws 2 TDs with no picks and the offense plus the defense look 10 times better than last year? That would be really nice.
I’m a little fairy.
RIN we know you are one stop playing with yourself and using others name. Little girl.
“Final score: Texans 459 chiefs 8″
- well, looks as if Rin will have to revise this final score prediction his: turns out the Texans will be minus their two best CBs, a starting LBr and will have a new QB under center.
hmm…ok. Texans 458 chiefs 9
daddy-o
Bakjon said
“Rin”
- hello little fairy…
WHAT FANTASY SITE IS THE “IN PIOLI WE TRUST”LEAGUE ON ?