Chiefs fans have been waiting for some time for this matchup
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 1:49 am
Just want to say good luck to you guys this week! NFCE really looks up in the air, and about as competitive as the AFCW. Could be the best two divisions in football, and we have to play each other this year...
Anyways, as Chief fans I must say we've been looking forward to this entire defense being on the field, since this will be Eric warfield's first week back. And we are also looking forward to the return of Willie Roaf who has been absent in each of our losses, as well as the return of John Wellbourne who provides some depth to the OL.
Just thought I'd give you guys a position by position breakdown of what to look forward to this Sunday!
QB:
Trent really hasn't put up any numbers this year. In the first two games, he didn't need to for the wins, but in the last two it seemed the opposing Ds really put some pressure on him and made him look uncomfortable.
I don't want to make it sound like this offense is totally dependent on Roaf, but he is a big part. Trent wasn't as comfortable in the pocket without big Willie on the blind side, and his absence also made our right side weaker. Another key was that the Chiefs had to keep Gonzo back in max protect, to help the tackles in pass coverage. His absence really limited our offense, but now I think we'll be able to do the things we need to do to move the ball.
RBs:
LJ seems to be back in the doghouse a little. He had a costly fumble, and didn't seem to do as well against Philly as Priest did. The Chiefs were going with a set patter (2 series for Priest, 1 for LJ. 2 for Priest, 1 for LJ, etc...). They don't want to be as static from now on, and will be more apt to keeping the guy in there who seems to be hot for the moment. I like the fact they are getting away from the set series, and putting who they feel most confident with for that situation.
Tony Richardson was a bit dinged up in the first couple weeks, and the extra week off should of been beneficial to him.
O-Line:
Back to full strength with our 3 Pro-Bowlers, and C casey Weigmann a former Pro-Bowler as well. Jordan Black moving back to RT also improves that position on the line.
Wide Receivers:
An area that needs to improve. Kennison has played well, but Samie Parker on the other side has not. I am hoping the fact that Gonzo will have more of a presence in the passing game might help what is basically our No. 3 receiver.
Tight Ends:
I've mentioned how Gonzo should be utilized more in the passing game this week. Also worth mentioning is that our best blocking TE, Jason Dunn, was a bit dinged up and should benefit from the extra week off.
D-Line:
This is the area I am most concerned with. Watching the Denver game, I saw your O-Line dominate their D-Line and give Brunell time to throw. That scares me, because our D-Line isn't as good as Denver's line.
What should help (this is a reoccurring theme here) is that Carlos Hall (who we acquired in the offseason) should be back at full strength this week. Something he hasn't been thus far. But if we want to slow down your offense, we have to get some pressure on Brunell. This may well be the key to victory for the Chiefs right there. And on the contrary, if the Skins O-Line can protect Brunell, and open holes for Portis, that may well be their key to victory.
LBs:
Much improved unit from what we had a year ago. Drafted Derrick Johnson in the first round, signed FA Kendrell Bell, and have Kawika Mitchell in the middle now leading this defensive unit.
These guys can play and have a lot of speed. They are going to have to play well this week, as I've seen before what Portis has done to our defense.
Corners:
Biggest news this week is that we get last year's top corner, Eric Warfield back from a 4 game suspension. The kicker is that they may not just hand the job over to him right off the bat. I wish they would, because IMO Dexter McCleon sucks. Patrick Surtain on the other side has played well this season, and now that we have Warfield back I like the talent we have at corner (all the way down to the Dime). It'll be interesting to see what they do with Warfield.
Safeties:
Nice unit here as well. Went out and got SS Sammy Knight in the off-season, moved Greg Wesley back to his natural position (FS), and Jerome Woods is still in the mix pressing those guys to play well.
Kicker:
Lawrence Tynes has been making field goals and booting the ball on kickoffs.
Punter:
Drafted a punter in the third this year, and really has been a solid contributer. He has been booting the ball, and more importantly, giving the return guys fits. Before the season, Dante Hall said he had trouble fielding his punts, and Vermeil said there would be a couple instances throughout the year in which we'd get a couple balls back because of the way he kicks. Both return guys for the Eagles and Raiders muffed a punt each thus far in the season.
HFA:
Huge plus. the crowd will be loud and fired up. We want to see our team back in the playoffs, and now that we have everybody at full strength there are no excuses.
Good luck this week, and the rest of thw way. Look forward to chattin with you guys throughout the week...
Anyways, as Chief fans I must say we've been looking forward to this entire defense being on the field, since this will be Eric warfield's first week back. And we are also looking forward to the return of Willie Roaf who has been absent in each of our losses, as well as the return of John Wellbourne who provides some depth to the OL.
Just thought I'd give you guys a position by position breakdown of what to look forward to this Sunday!
QB:
Trent really hasn't put up any numbers this year. In the first two games, he didn't need to for the wins, but in the last two it seemed the opposing Ds really put some pressure on him and made him look uncomfortable.
I don't want to make it sound like this offense is totally dependent on Roaf, but he is a big part. Trent wasn't as comfortable in the pocket without big Willie on the blind side, and his absence also made our right side weaker. Another key was that the Chiefs had to keep Gonzo back in max protect, to help the tackles in pass coverage. His absence really limited our offense, but now I think we'll be able to do the things we need to do to move the ball.
RBs:
LJ seems to be back in the doghouse a little. He had a costly fumble, and didn't seem to do as well against Philly as Priest did. The Chiefs were going with a set patter (2 series for Priest, 1 for LJ. 2 for Priest, 1 for LJ, etc...). They don't want to be as static from now on, and will be more apt to keeping the guy in there who seems to be hot for the moment. I like the fact they are getting away from the set series, and putting who they feel most confident with for that situation.
Tony Richardson was a bit dinged up in the first couple weeks, and the extra week off should of been beneficial to him.
O-Line:
Back to full strength with our 3 Pro-Bowlers, and C casey Weigmann a former Pro-Bowler as well. Jordan Black moving back to RT also improves that position on the line.
Wide Receivers:
An area that needs to improve. Kennison has played well, but Samie Parker on the other side has not. I am hoping the fact that Gonzo will have more of a presence in the passing game might help what is basically our No. 3 receiver.
Tight Ends:
I've mentioned how Gonzo should be utilized more in the passing game this week. Also worth mentioning is that our best blocking TE, Jason Dunn, was a bit dinged up and should benefit from the extra week off.
D-Line:
This is the area I am most concerned with. Watching the Denver game, I saw your O-Line dominate their D-Line and give Brunell time to throw. That scares me, because our D-Line isn't as good as Denver's line.
What should help (this is a reoccurring theme here) is that Carlos Hall (who we acquired in the offseason) should be back at full strength this week. Something he hasn't been thus far. But if we want to slow down your offense, we have to get some pressure on Brunell. This may well be the key to victory for the Chiefs right there. And on the contrary, if the Skins O-Line can protect Brunell, and open holes for Portis, that may well be their key to victory.
LBs:
Much improved unit from what we had a year ago. Drafted Derrick Johnson in the first round, signed FA Kendrell Bell, and have Kawika Mitchell in the middle now leading this defensive unit.
These guys can play and have a lot of speed. They are going to have to play well this week, as I've seen before what Portis has done to our defense.
Corners:
Biggest news this week is that we get last year's top corner, Eric Warfield back from a 4 game suspension. The kicker is that they may not just hand the job over to him right off the bat. I wish they would, because IMO Dexter McCleon sucks. Patrick Surtain on the other side has played well this season, and now that we have Warfield back I like the talent we have at corner (all the way down to the Dime). It'll be interesting to see what they do with Warfield.
Safeties:
Nice unit here as well. Went out and got SS Sammy Knight in the off-season, moved Greg Wesley back to his natural position (FS), and Jerome Woods is still in the mix pressing those guys to play well.
Kicker:
Lawrence Tynes has been making field goals and booting the ball on kickoffs.
Punter:
Drafted a punter in the third this year, and really has been a solid contributer. He has been booting the ball, and more importantly, giving the return guys fits. Before the season, Dante Hall said he had trouble fielding his punts, and Vermeil said there would be a couple instances throughout the year in which we'd get a couple balls back because of the way he kicks. Both return guys for the Eagles and Raiders muffed a punt each thus far in the season.
HFA:
Huge plus. the crowd will be loud and fired up. We want to see our team back in the playoffs, and now that we have everybody at full strength there are no excuses.
Good luck this week, and the rest of thw way. Look forward to chattin with you guys throughout the week...
matchup though. Anybody know off hand when we last played the Chiefs? It has to have been a while!
