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.

I have been using my Sony HDR-SR12 camcorder for several years now (here is a link to that post). As much as I love this camcorder and storing straight to a hard drive, AVCHD footage presented some workflow challenges with my editing system – Final Cut Pro.  And since Sony’s archiving software is Windows only and I work on a MAC, archiving was no picnic either. But the solution I’m currently using is achieving good results for both, so I thought I would share my process for anyone else facing these issues.

In general encoding algorithmns are design to balance the need for real-time dataflow against file compression.  In AVCHD, the files are encoded to maximize files size and processing of a very narrow processing set.  Transcoding the footage for non-linear editing (i.e. Apple ProRes, etc.) offloads the need for processing by decompressing the files for fast retrieveal.  While this retains the quality, it significantly increases the file size (4-10 times).  So, my main objective was to develop a workflow that would offload footage from the cameras internal drive for permanent storage without quality loss or increasing the file size, while still allowing for easy loading of any footage into Final Cut projects for editing.

For workflow, I use Final Cut Pro’s “Log and Transfer” function (not “Log and Capture”) to transcode the files to my desired editing format.  The trick was to copy the data off the camera to a structure that Final Cut Pro would still read within the Log and Transfer function.  To do this, I used Retrospect to clone/copy the internal drive of the Sony Camera.  Using Restrospect I was also able to syncronize the the cameras drive with a folder stored on an external firewire drive.  This feature allowed me to just copy over files that had been added since the last compare.  It should be noted, I’m not making a backup of the drive…but a copy.  The AVCHD file structure must remain intact for this to work.

So, here is my workflow was my solution:

1. After a shoot, I mount the camera to the MAC via the built in USB connect function.
2. Run a Retrospect script that syncs the cameras drive to a matching folder/
3. Mount the matching folder in Final Cut’s LOG & TRANSFER
4. Transcode to ProRes422 and edit.

Once I’ve completed offloading the storage of the camera, I can reformat the Camera’s drive for the next shoot.  Archiving the camera’s footage can be done simply by any Data Backup routine.

Enter the HDR-SR series.  I won’t cover the specs – cause it’s been done…but this verson is a 120 Gig internal hard drive.  This new camera had everything I was intrested in except, a 20x optical zoom and HDV versus AVCHD.  The 20x just isn’t happening.  I believe due to the sensor size and format, it’s just too expensive to produce this – for now.   Nevertheless, the 12x smaller Carl Zeiss lense is very good.

Waiting for HDV was ignorance on my part.  I’m stunned how good AVCHD format looks.  My first playback straight out of the camera (not compressed to DVD), left me speechless.  And AVCHD’s storage capabaility is remarkable.  I’ve been using the camcorder for personal footage for nearly six months.  While I’ve downloaded everything, I’ve not erased anything from the camera’s internal hard drive.  And it still has nearly 10 hours of recording capacity left.  Seriously, this camera will pay for itself inside of two years through saved tape cost.  Given this, I think the AVCHD format is more than capable for consumer and semi-pro use.  It seems as though more and more apps are becoming compatible with it as well.  There is something about the concept of compression (and throwing away data) that offends the pro in me.   But AVCHD does a nice job.  Afterall MP3 sounds good at 190kbps and above.

If you have an Intel Mac, Final Cut Pro 6 can read the files straight off the camera.  It must convert to ProRes to edit.   You CAN use the motion picture browser that comes with it for maintaining the oringal files.  This is windows only – I run mine through a virtural Vista instance (Parallels Windows for the MAC).  This software allows for quick burn to DVD and the facial recognition feature. 

ONE-BUTTON DVD BURN
This is cool concept, but the conversion from AVCHD to DVD (which requires MPG2 format) is less than speedy.  Easy, yes!  Quick, no!  A typical DVD might take 1 to 2 hours to convert and burn.

FACIAL RECOGITION INDEXING
This feature was an unexpected suprise.  When this is turned on, the camera idenifies faces while shooting.  It then provides a list of faces as indexes for each clip.  While you are viewing it in browser mode, you can browse through faces, not just locations or dates.  At first glance, this seemed to be somewhat silly.  But it works well and is actually quite useful.

10 MEGA-PIXEL STILLS
Keep in mind, I love my Canon 40D.  Seriously, I love SLRs, high dollar lenses, and controlling depth of field.  I’m very excited about Canon’s new 5DmarkII - which shoots video in HD format.  With that said, having a quality camera built into a camcorder, is extremly convient and sound idea as well.  I would suspect for the non-discriminating photographer, this camera is more than enough. And even for the more discriminating, the ability to grab a still while shooting (even if the quality isn’t pro) is very cool…and inviting.

LOW LIGHT
Two steps forward, one step backward!  This might be Sony’s worst low-light performer in years.  It doesn’t get a failing grade here, just a low one.  Don’t expect to shoot stunning footage in a dimily lit room or outdoors at night.  It does have the “night vision” mode – but I’m referring to color shooting.

CONCLUSION
I would highly recommend this camcorder for personal use to anyone, even pros.  And given the smaller hard drive versions are farily cheap…the savings realized from not having to purchase blank tapes allows anyone to shoot in High Def for little expense.  Do it.  Seriously, explain to your wife how much savings you’ll realize, and do it!

The mighty-mighty Titans were…well…mighty-mighty. I’m not talking about the score. I’m referring to their physical strength. We just weren’t strong enough (or probably tough enough) to beat them. Both sides of the Titans lines were using their arm strength to control the shoulders of the Chiefs. And as the song goes, ‘dem bones is connected.

This is why players must keep their feet moving. Once a player’s upper body is turned, his hips will follow. And if a player has his feet planted when this happens – game over! Thanks for playing. Better luck next time! Allowing someone else to direct where one’s body goes is in direct opposition to the goal of a lineman – defense or offense.

But there are lessons to be learned from this loss.

Offense
After reviewing the offensive plays, you can spread the blame around pretty good. However, the likely truth is the Titan defense was just too strong and fast for most of our offense. But there are still a few stand-out issues. Sorry to harp on this some more…but Adrian Jones and Damion McIntosh are still not getting it done. I thought there was improvement when Herb Taylor was in at Right Tackle. But this needs a solution. Jones needs to start battling up-close – not trying to punch and shove at an arm’s length (see “how to help the defense below). McIntosh needs to lose 10-15 pounds. The weight does him no good, if he can’t get it there.

Defense
It is absurd to think a blind man could play this game despite his physical prowess. You cannot stop…what you cannot see. What good is it for 3 men to be 6-10 yards deep in the back field, when the ball carrier has already gotten back to the line of scrimmage?

(stand on soap box now)

Just as an offensive lineman has to get up and under the shoulder pads of the defense, the defense has to keep his arms locked-out – denying the offensive linemen control. Furthermore, keeping the offensive linemen at an arm’s length, allows him to see around the o-linemen, and thus to keep site of the ball carrier. Otherwise, it’s a total eclipse of the helmet. COME ON NOW…BASIC FOOTBALL! You can’t tackle what you can’t see!!!

Did someone say tackle? Bernard Pollard had several good wraps Sunday. Unfortunately, he had even more where he just threw his shoulder towards the effort. And Pat Thomas is over pursuing and getting trapped. Both guys are committing to uncertainty. Thomas to a spot he thinks the runner is going. And Pollard to a trajectory he believes will allow his shoulders to intercept the breast of the runner.

See the ball! Pursue the Ball. Breakdown and Tackle.
See the ball! Pursue the Ball. Breakdown and Tackle.

In my opinion, this team was better than us. They were stronger, tougher, as fast, and more polished. This game was a loss. And although a 17-13 loss would have felt better, we would still be 1-5. I just hope we are learning lessons.

Changes
QB Quinn Gray (no, you shouldn’t recongnize that name) may be coming to town soon. We have a punter from New Orleans, Steve Weatherford to fill in for the injured Dustin Colquit. Them’ are some big shoes to fill. Conner Barth returns for a second (or should I say fourth) chance at kicking as Novac is released – those shoes, not so big!

Brett Farve
I really wish we didn’t have to play #4 again. Last year’s game against Green Bay started a spiral we’re still stuck in. If he throws that deep post over us again, I’m going to puke….

I think what makes this so disappointing is the loss of momentum and confidence gained from the Denver victory.  Had the Chiefs just lost a tough fought battle to the Panthers on Sunday, our record would be identical to what it is now.  However, mentally it is a completely different place!

Regardless, I’ve been preaching you can’t know until you review film…so here it is.  I reviewed the first 10 offensive plays.  Let’s face it.  Defense doesn’t matter for this game – because you can’t win if you don’t score!!  Here is the first series:

1. 1st and 10 from the 18 – Jones  flinches.  (False start -5 yards)
2. 1st and 15 from the 13 – Jones doesn’t punch down enough on the DL for Niswanger to seal an angle.  McIntosh plants his feat and loses his block on the DE.   Hole closes and 27 falls over backwards when he runs into it.  Johnson misses the cut-back.  (-2 yards)
3. 2nd and 17 from the 11 – Jones is so slow off the ball that the DL runs straight through the A gap and sacks Huard (for those non x’s & o’s…that’s the worst place to leave open…as it is the closest most direct path to the backfield).   Huard doesn’t fumble… Johnson recovers.  (loss of 8 yards)
4. 3rd and 25 from the 3 – Screen pass under the goal post.  Jamaal doesn’t do much to slow down the DE, but it is a screen pass.  Huard waits to long looking left and by the time he turns to throw the screen the DE is there to knock it down.
   The second series is not much better, but the same 4 players struggle all day.

Adrian Jones
In general Jones is not quick enough.  In situations where he progresses from a chip block to the linebacker, he just can’t get there to seal the linebacker.  And because he can’t get to the linebacker quickly, he is unable to spend enough time chipping or punching down coming off the line.  This extra half second of double team is what it takes to get a defensive linemen turned and sealed.
 
Damion McIntosh
Slow feet.  Slow feet.  Slow feet.  Slow feet.  No feet!!!   Whenever a linemen stops moving his feat…he’s done!   Damion is too slow to get up and turned in.  Then when the DE starts to move left or right, he just leans with him until he slides off….and WHOOP!   Slow feet!
 
Damon Huard
Beside the obvious freight, I noticed a few mechanical items with Damon.  First he carrys the ball low.  This requires a lot of time to bring the ball up and throw it.  Furthermore, he pats the ball just before doing this.  These two habits combine to around ¾ of a second.  And that is enough time for the defense to react.  Three of the Panthers front four were 6’4” or better.  But I question if this wasn’t a factor in the batted passes all day.
 
LARRY JOHNSON
Despite Larry’s previous stats, he isn’t running well in my opinion.  He isn’t making good reads.  He isn’t running efficient routes.  He isn’t selling the fake.  And he isn’t sure footed!  Several times including the first play of the game (second after the penalty), the cut-back is open.  He just missed it.   And this offense requires he make reads. 

I also think he is taking some wasted extra steps, either bending routes or shifting left and right.  This is drawing the linebackers straight into the gaps.  It also makes it difficult for the offensive linemen to set their blocks as they can’t tell where Larry is going.  Good running backs excel at setting their blocks and making clean – sharp cuts around them.  Larry isn’t doing that right now.

And it is almost eerie how easily this 230lb running back comes down.  He often gets one foot swept out and he falls forward.  Or he runs into a pile and falls backwards or sideways.  Michael Turner is only 10lbs heavier, but he would not come down.  Barry Sanders was 30lbs lighter, and he would not come down.  2 yards rushing?  As our Director of Master Control Eric Townsend said, “that’s not rushing, that’s falling forward!”

WHAT NEXT
Having to play Tennessee next feels like starting the season in NE all over again.  I do know this.  What veterans are left (a.k.a TG!!!!!) need to stop worring about being on a great team…and start making THIS team great.  The veteran playmakers have to become stronger leaders.  The have to show these young men how to WIN in the NFL.

With that said…enough drama already! 3 games in what is supposed to be a two – three year rebuilding process seems hardly worth throwing Herm Edwards under the bus…NO WAIT! A train…a bus isn’t big enough…we need a train!!!!

No, I don’t like watching the team lose in this fashion. But football is different than other sports. It requires perfection in its teamwork. That comes through reps.

NOVEMBER 2008 will provide us a glimpse to the true potential of our future team. The seed planted by reps, will begin to grow and take shape. Can’t wait? Hop off the wagon. Hopefully you can hop back on. That what other cities fans do.

Ask yourself this one question. If the team goes 3-13 this year, 8-8 in 2009, 11-5 in 2010 making it back in to the playoffs, and 13-3 in 2011 winning the Super Bowl…is a two year sacrifice worth it? New England sacrificed 3 years. Tampa 4 years.

Of course, I reserve the right to jump off the wagon with you at some point. I just want give the youth planting time to grow, before I do.

RULE NO. 2
The force-out has been eliminated to allow both the receiver and defender an equal opportunity to complete the play. Tell me every DB isn’t smiling over that one! And I dare you to find a wide-out who isn’t wrinkling his forehead like he just took a bite of bad cheese.

RULE NO. 4
When a team wins the coin toss, it must choose either a) to receive the kickoff, or b) which goal to defend, or c) defer. This change essentially gives the winner of the coin toss a third option to defer choosing until the second half. College fans are used to this, and we got to see our first use of this last Saturday as Arizona elected to defer to the second half. I like it…strategy never hurt pro sports.

RULE NO. 8
This revision eliminates the foul for “incidental grasp and release of the facemask.” So forget the “Face-masking 5 yards.” They are all 15 yard penalties now – or it’s not a foul at all. I know this is terribly subjective on the part of the referee, but overall I like this change. If it was unintentional, it shouldn’t be a foul. And before you say, but the deterrent is gone…I think it’s even greater now. If a player is willing to risk getting his hands in there, he takes a chance it will cost him 15 yards.

RULE NO 5, Section 3
This is resolution! Don’t ask me the difference between a revision and a resolution, besides $600 an hour attorney fees. But…this resolution is a biggie. One defensive player is now allowed a wireless radio in his helmet similar to the Coach-to-Quarterback. I’ve always considered defense a matter of reacting. So, I think the results of this will be very interesting. If you are not aware, the C-to-Q radio is cut off when the play-clock reaches 15 seconds remaining. This is done by a league official (what a job!). The same rule will govern and apply to the defensive radio. In some ways it will be interesting to see if offenses change habits accordingly.

UMPIRE POSITION
The committee also reviewed moving the umpire (ref standing near the middle linebacker). This has been discussed much, because this official often gets hurt or interferes with the play. However, without saying why, the committee simply stated “After reviewing the comments, the Committee recommends leaving the umpire in his current position.”

OVERTIME RULES
And of course, the college overtime scheme died yet another NFL death. “By a significant majority…!” Their words, not mine. In case you were wondering, the “significant majority” analyzed the 15 overtime games from 2007. The winner of the coin-flip winning the game actually rose to 60%. That seems fair :~ Way to go competition committee!!!. The committee seems completely okay with the reward for two hard fighting teams to be in the hands of gravity and dumb luck. In all deference to Yogi, tails can fail!

Does anyone else think there is a dark shawdowed smoking man in the corner, from the television networks, during these meetings?