Chiefs
Chatter
New
era off to bad start
Green injured;
Edwards' game management skills obviously shaky
Posted
9/12/06
by
Eric Lewis of The Landmark staff
- Trent Green sustained a very severe concussion from
a viscous hit that slammed Green’s head into the
ground. Cincinnati’s Robert Geathers was the one
that delivered the cheap shot. The Two-time Pro-bowler
and core of the Chiefs offence is listed as questionable
for the next 2 games. This is a devastating loss to the
Chiefs and the Edwards era.
- In my opinion it was a cheap shot and Geathers should
pay a fine for his actions. When a QB goes down feet first,
the defensive player is suppose to back off. The officials
claim that Kennison had pushed him into Green’s path,
yet everyone saw Geathers lay his shoulder into Green’s
helmet. My prayers go out to Trent Green and his family,
a torn muscle or broken bone can be fixed, but the human
brain is too delicate to suffer such a blow.
- Losing Green is as devastating loss to the Chiefs and
will prove to be a true struggle for the organization
to come back and try and find some kind of positive outlook
for this season. Journeyman Damon Huard, who until Sunday
had not completed a pass in the NFL since 2000, will now
take the reigns. He in my opinion is not a proven veteran
worthy of starting for any team. His unsuccessful career
in the NFL will only anchor the Chiefs attempt to salvage
what’s left of the 06 season.
- What Edwards needs to do is give the ball to L.J and
Michael Bennett at least 40 times a game. Even though
L.J was held under 100 yards this weekend and his streak
broken, he had some decent runs. And KC's offensive line
which couldn’t pass block any better than the local
high schools did show some skill at giving L.J some room
to work with. After Green’s injury, Cinci knew that
all KC had was L.J, so they stacked 9 guys in the box
to stop the run. This is where the play action is a beautiful
thing. But somehow the Chiefs could not recognize this
and tried to desperately throw Huard into a comeback mode
without even setting a tone.
- On a good note the Chiefs held the Bengals to under
300 total yards. The front four showed dominating potential
when it came to pass rush and stopping Rudi Johnson. The
Jared Allen sack that caused the Carson Palmer fumble
really fired up the sidelines. The Chiefs are going to
need this kind of big play action if they have any hope
in winning the next few games.
- Sammy Knight was taken out of the action early in the
game and replaced by late round draft pick Jarred Page.
Page made some solid tackles and didn’t give up any
big plays in the secondary. Who knows if this is permanent
or not but I like the look Page gives the Chiefs defense.
He shows a good nose for the ball and great speed, something
I think Knight has lost in the past few years.
- Miscommunication, bad calling, and lack of enthusiasm
is all I saw from the new Chiefs personnel. The very first
drive in which the Chiefs had to settle for a field goal
was said to be because of confusion in the booth from
Chiefs new offensive coordinator Mike Solari. He thought
it was second down, when in reality it was third down.
So a dive play to L.J that was stuffed in the backfield
just showed how shaky Edwards' game management skills
are. If you are the head coach and you know you are in
the red zone on your first drive of the season opener.
Weapons like Tony Gonzalez should ring a bell. And when
the call comes down from the booth for a run play out
of a passing formation, there should be a need for a timeout
to clear up any confusion. But instead he let the play
call stand and the three points that followed was the
result. The Chiefs are always dangerous in the redone,
or at least they were. Maybe we are just going to have
to face the facts that the Chiefs of old, our beloved
high scoring, and high-energy offense are in a rebuilding
phase.
- As far as Denver goes, I truly hope the team rallies
around Huard as much as possible…if at all possible.
Our one-dimensional offence will have to make some big
plays if our days of losing at Mile High are going to
be at an end.
- The Chiefs hopefully should be so fired up over their
loss that they go into Denver and dominate. Defense flying
to the ball causing turnovers. The offense pounding the
ball on the ground, old-fashioned football if you will,
I’m probably just dreaming, but if Huard can manage
the game with a few dump offs, some out routes to Kennison
and gives the ball to L.J with a mistake free day. Maybe,
just maybe, KC can come out next Sunday with a victory.
- The action is on Sunday, September 17th at 3:15 PM.
On CBS! Chiefs vs. Broncos!
(Eric Lewis provides Chiefs' commentary
for The Landmark. Reach him at Platte County's most powerful
newspaper by emailing eric@plattecountylandmark.com)
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