Dan Israel

Haley’s men got there first win as they wrap up an NFC East gauntlet.  But there is no doubt, the state of the Redskins, makes this “W” less than impressive.  Which leaves many asking, are they improving?  I think they are.  But in an effort to determine this, I thought I’d review a couple of items from the Washington game that I believe need improvement.  And then reassess it over the next few games. 

PASSING GAME
Matt seems to be having trouble seeing receivers that are or are becoming open.  There are more than a half dozen plays he misses deeper opportunities that are WIDE open.  And another half dozen in which the ball could have been thrown safely, where the only one able to catch the ball would have been a Chiefs receiver.

I don’t believe this is a lack of time.  There were several instances, when the wide-out had already begun to break open (having already beaten the corner or safety) and Matt decides to throw to a check down or keep and run with the ball…well after he could have launched a pass to the deeper and more open receiver.  This may indeed be internal pressure he feels from having been pounded to the ground every other play…but this will be a point that Cassel can learn from reviewing game film.   No interceptions should be achieved by WHERE you throw the ball, not by declining to throw it.

One other item to watch is “eye discipline.”  On several plays, the deep safety breaks hard towards his intended target, even abandoning a receiver on the other side.  Since he is doing this BEFORE Cassel starts to throw, I assume Cassel’s eyes are taking him there. 

Mechanically set them, then create a passing lane, and THROW!  D-Bowe…catch it!

RUNNING GAME
Larry is running hard this year, IMHO.  But he gives up on the hole too often.  Plays are mostly designed for a specific spot on the line.  The blockers are attempting to create a lane, by sealing defenders to one side of the other.  If I am a blocker, and I expect the running back to run by my left side, I’ll attempt to turn the defender to my right.  If the running back mysteriously changes route and runs to my right, we have a slight problem.  My first reaction is why the defensive lineman is all of a sudden trying to go to my right.  My next reaction is, because that is where the running back is now.  And since I setup on the left, I have no leverage to prevent him from going right, except to hold.

Larry needs to run through the designed hole.  If a read is involved, he needs to set the block hard, by not giving away a direction until the very last second…nearly running through the blocker.

BLOCKING
Sean Ryan had a very rough game last week. In blocking, the idea is not to necessarily catch the rabbit.  It’s to keep the rabbits away.  So, when it comes to blocking, chasing two rabbits is a good thing!

Sean, keep your head on a swivel.  I will say he got better as the game progressed. 

TACKLING
On the other hand, tackling is NOT like blocking.  You MUST catch the rabbit.  When you chase both, you catch neither.

Hard to win a football game if you turn it over.  And by now, we’ve all rehashed the final moments of the 1st half.  So the W slipped through our fingers on a handful of mistakes.  While, I’m not excusing ANY mistakes, today the Oakland Raiders demonstrated how good special teams can keep you in a game that your offense barely plays in.

The Chiefs defense had their work cut out for them today.  And it wasn’t because of the powerful running game of the Raiders.  It is because the Raiders only play on half the field.  If you get the ball near your opponent forty…Sebastian Janikowski is dangerous.  But today, Shane Lechler put on a Pro Bowl demonstration of punting.  His net average yards were impressive.  The play of the entire special teams left the Raiders a chance to win this game at the last minute, and that is exactly what they did – practically on one play.

Enough about getting beat.  It was encouraging to see the play of Bobby Wade, acquired this week off waivers.  I thought both he and Dwayne Bowe were playing tough, especially across the middle (You know, the area of the field Tony Gonzalez used to play in).  Speaking of Dwayne, I thought today it was evident that he is indeed maturing.  Also playing better IMHO was Tank Tyler.  And DJ … that’s two!    And of course, the other Johnson, Larry was hitting the holes faster and running tougher.  Last season he seemed to come down if someone thought about touching him…today – you had to hit him hard and low.  But, man do I miss T-Rich.  Imagine LJ behind a T-Rich lead.

One thing is for sure.  True accountability in the clubhouse…or office place…makes a difference.  We’ve seen it week after week from this coach.  A player can’t even get off the field without finding out the coach’s feelings about his performance.

OFFESNSIVE COORDINATOR

While we’re on the subject…I liked Chan Gailey as a person.  He was an extremely polite and pleasant person.  But watching the new blocking schemes today in conjunction with the breadth of play calling (moving pockets, screens, etc.), I must say I think Todd Haley is a better O-Coordinator.  Larry Johnson obviously has talent, and Todd seems to be finding a way to use it.  Now let’s see if he can dodge the freight training coming on the NFC East Railroad.

A friend of mine, Eric Townsend (who also happens to be a rock star with the Chiefs Radio Network!) found this intresting post from Adam Schefter, regarding the end of the 2008 NFL season.

“Nobody ever could have, or would have, predicted that one play could cost multiple teams playoff spots and Super-Bowl winning coaches their jobs and change the course of NFL history.   But it did…”  

Sliding doors….

We interrupt this message…. Scott Pioli former Vice President of Player Personnel for the New England Patriots becomes General Manager for the Kansas City Chiefs!

IMHO, this is a home run from both Clark Hunt and Denny Thum.  Certainly Pioli is the man with the greatest pedigree.   He is a four time NFL Executive of the Year.  He has three rings.  His assistant, former Chiefs,Thomas Dimtroff was responsible for getting Atlanta back on track this year.   And perhaps most important, is (more…)

This year’s NFL playoffs might have reinforced two football axioms:

1. Defenses win championships.
2. That’s why they play ‘em!

Ironically, it seems to also be saying ”Home-Field Advantage” is not necessarily so.  In fact, this year home-field tag is synonymous with turnovers!  Both number one seeds now at home playing Guitar Hero (more…)

Every year, I continue to believe that I have finally “seen it all” in the NFL.  Yesterday I watched the Wildcard games with great anticipation.  I’ve always believed that December’s momentum was more powerful than a team’s win/loss record.  But it’s hard to deny that a 12-4 should be able to handle an 8-8 team, regardless of momentum. 

Personally, I don’t like (more…)