Ten Things About The End

[gblowfish]

Ten Things About The End

10. I thought about this game a lot this week. I was so happy in the afterglow of last week's historic and satisfying playoff win to break that two-decade losing hex, that I was unusually clear eyed and even keel coming into today. This morning I went through my usual road game ritual; coffee from my 40 year old Chiefs coffee cup; flew the Chiefs flag from the front porch, set the DVR, then I just puttered around this morning doing house work, yard work, a couple errands, trying to distract myself up to game time. But I've been calm all day. I wanted to wait a few minutes before putting thoughts to electronic paper tonight, because I wanted to make sure I held that clarity together for a disappointing, yet not unexpected final outcome. I was thinking about the movie "Hunt for Red October" where Captain Ramius is having dinner with his officers, and in a very manner of fact voice, says he believes their chance survival was one in three.



One in three was the chances I gave the Chiefs going in today. As a wild card team, you're going to draw tough assignments on the road. You can arguably say that few stadiums in the AFC over the past decade have been tougher to win in than at Foxboro. I heard a stat that Brady for his career is 103-2 with a lead at halftime in Foxboro. Not sure if that is true, but the man definitely has a whole hand full of Super Bowl rings, and his win today sends him to his fifth straight AFC Championship Game. Considering this is the first time in more than twenty years the Chiefs organization has been this close, compared to how much experience the Pats have hosting successful playoff games at home, it was a true David and Goliath match-up. The only problem with David and Goliath is most times Goliath just kicks the weakling in the balls, stands over him and laughs. David was the only guy who got lucky with a slingshot. David didn't suit up today. Alex did.

9. The fire alarm pulling stunt at the hotel was weak sauce, and maybe that was Pats fans attempt at cheating on Hoodie's behalf this time around. The weather cleared before kickoff, and field conditions seemed reasonable for New England in January. Was it just me, or did you hear the coin toss this way?: Ref to Chiefs: "What do you choose?" Chiefs: "Tails." Ref flips the coin: "It's Tails, New England Wins the Toss..." Knew it was going to be a rough day from the Zebras with that little Freudian Slip. Chiefs barely laid a hand on Brady all day. When they did, they got there late and were served with a roughing penalty that sustained the Pats second TD drive. Each possession review seemed to go New England's way. And Hoodie, for chrissake, get that red flag out of your shoes, you're sweaty stocks are stinking up the flag! Oh, and **** YOU Dan Fouts. When I saw we drew him as the network analyst, I knew it would be a long day. He's always hated the Chiefs because we used to remind him every time he came here how he never made it to the big one. I listened to Len and Mitch on Chiefs Radio, which is the best way to follow the game anyway.

8. The defensive stats are especially ugly from this one. When your four leading tacklers are DB's, its not a good day. The defensive line was non-existent today: Poe is an All-Pro: No tackles, no sacks. The only defensive lineman to register a tackle was Howard with one. Nothing from DeVito, nothing from Bailey. Another All-Pro, Hali -who was being effectively held all day long once again- one tackle, one tipped pass at the very end of the game. Another All-Pro - Houston, in the game for eight snaps, absolutely no effect on Brady, absolutely no pass rush, no tackles, no positive plays for KC's defense. He was hurt, tried to go, couldn't do his job today. That's the breaks. Kudos for trying. Derrick Johnson, leader of the defense, two tackles, generally not a factor. Nobody had a pick, although Smith and Peters both dropped one. Nobody forced a fumble. KC stopped the run pretty well, only gave up 37 yards rushing on 14 carries. Bad news is Brady threw for just over 300 yards to eight different receivers; two TD's to Gronk, 100 yards to Edelman, and I still don't think Bob Sutton has ever seen a slant pattern in his entire ****ing life. Sutton's plan was destroyed by Brady and Hoodie. His defense was dissected from the very first drive, Chiefs never adjusted, when they did blitz they were too slow getting to Brady, and he burned them every single time. Brady would have had 400 yard passing if his receivers didn't have the dropsies in the first half. Sutton has shown a disturbing stubbornness not to adjust his game planning on the fly. That's one of Hoodie's strengths. And as we all know, if you can get a lead on KC and make Alex play catch up, it does not end well. I'm thinking Sutton may be at the end of his road, might be time to retire.

7. I think any time it's announced that one of your coaches is going to leave "the minute we lose" to become a head coach somewhere else, that's a distraction and a bad, bad omen. The first half of the game reminded me a lot of the KC-Cincy game. That's the one where Santos kicked seven FGs in one game. As my dad use to say with great gusto back in the 80's screaming at his TV 'THREE'S DON'T BEAT SEVENS!" I thought the Chiefs moved the ball fairly well and actually did a decent job of keeping Brady off the field -KC won TOP by 16 minutes, that's an entire quarter! Imagine what Brady would have rolled up in passing yards had KC's offense not kept the ball away from him? I also thought we ran the ball effectively -we had around 135 yards rushing between West, Smith and Davis. But as we know, Alex is the king of the "never comeback." When Davis fumbled in the second half, at that point KC was only down by eight points. Brady gets the ball, and less than two minutes later, KC is down by 15. That was the watch the tail lights blowing by you on the highway moment. The game was essentially over from that point forward. Pats were never put in a seriously uncomfortable position.

6. Credit to Maclin for gutting it up and trying to play hurt. He only had two catches. Alex was high on lots of throws. Avant was the leading receiver. Wilson and Conley had more yards than Kelce, another All-Pro who was neutralized by Hoodie. There was no doubt who the better tight end on the field was today. Hopefully a lesson for young Mr. Kelce, and something he'll take to heart next year.

5. Andy's weakness -poor time management- showed up again. First half we burned two time outs on a drive that only netted a field goal. The last score at the two minute mark at game end was a cluster ****, and a clinic in how NOT to run a hurry up scoring drive. Some of the penalties I think were attributable to Mitch Morse being out. This was only Fulton's third or fourth game starting at center, and I think he had some trouble snapping the ball in a timely manner and making some line calls.

4. The end comes abruptly, and it offers some interesting questions about what happens now. I believe Berry is a potential free agent. Do we pay him big bucks and bring him back? Or has he lost a step or two on pass coverage? Gronk beat him bad for his second TD. Who's the number two QB next year? I'd be willing to bet that Daniel signs with Philly to have a shot at being their starting QB. Who becomes OC? What about Knile Davis? He was in the doghouse until last week; he goes to the penthouse for a week, then torpedoes any possible comeback today with a killing turnover. Will Charles be able to be Charles again? If not, are you good with West and Ware as a one two punch? What about Derrick Johnson? How much longer can he play effectively at his age and with his injury history? What about Howard? Will he resign here? Is DAT done? Who will return kicks next year?

3. At this point, we can choose to be positive and optimistic, or depressed, critical and pessimistic. I can see some credence in both sides. For positivism, look at how many players grew in their skill sets this year. Kelce is All-Pro. So is Peters as a rookie. Santos had booming kickoffs and for the majority of the year, he was money inside 50 yards. Colquitt had a great year flipping the field. Fisher seems to be getting the hang of being a big, bruising NFL tackle with some nasty attitude. We know Fulton is a good center, and if Morse can't get over the concussion problems, Fulton can play in that spot. The entire offensive line actually played well the second half of the season, and we have tremendous flexibility there if injury happens. Alan Bailey has become a valuable defensive lineman. Poe overcame back issues to have a good second half. Ware and West proved they are serviceable NFL running backs. Most of all, this team pulled together when down 1-5 to be the first team EVER to make the playoffs and WIN a playoff game after a start like that. They ran off eleven straight victories, the longest winning streak in KC history. You have to give them mad props for that. They didn't quit, they fought until they got beat by a more experienced, more rested, higher seeded team on the road. No shame in that.

2. Here's my only pessimistic observation, and I think it's the elephant in the room -it's always been the elephant in the room. Why can't Kansas City ever succeed in the playoffs? It's simple. This organization refuses to draft and develop a franchise QB. We've been defeated by a litany of Hall of Fame QBs: Elway, Marino, Manning, now Brady knocks us out. What QBs tend to wind up in the Super Bowl? All of the afore mentioned plus Rapistburger, Breese, Rodgers, Eli Manning, Russell Wilson, all home grown, all franchise QBs. KC has always had cast offs and retreads. Brady was just better than Alex today. Nothing against Alex, but when the tournament gets to this level, the special QBs win, the game managers seldom do. Sure, there's been some exceptions like Trent Dilfer, but they're very rare. Until we get another Lenny the Cool, this, today's result, is the high water mark we can expect from our Kansas City Chiefs. And that sucks.

1. So that's it. It ends in a blink of an eye. Now we'll watch somebody else get to be in the 50th Super Bowl. Personally I hope Green Bay makes it back. It would be really cool if one of the original two teams that were in the first one could make it to the 50th Anniversary. Thanks for reading my rants and rambles again this year. We don't always agree on everything, but I enjoy sharing my thoughts with you as the season rolls on. All in all, with the Royals and Chiefs making the post season for the first time in the same year, it was a Hell of a Ride.

See you for the next Ten Things in September.

[SAUTO]

Thanks a ton for writing these up every week.


Great job

[Buzz]

Thanks George, it was a hell of a ride, I appreciate your takes and taking the time to write them out.

[Bwana]

George well done buddy. I always look forward to your recap thread, win or lose.

[chokeartist]

not sure brady really makes some stand-out performance this week that a qb of alex's calibur couldnt have made all day long. They attacked an incredibly soft middle field with quick strikes to neutralize the pass rush. No long bombs down the line, no slips up the seams for huge yardage. Just methodical execution on very manageable throws. It didnt even always work out for them with plenty of drops and near interceptions. The last deflected pass caught for the final first down was exemplary of the performance of the day by the patriots. shaky but effective enough to work, with a touch of good fortune.

When you line up edelman, amendola, gronk and lafell with white out of the back field against a cast of wilson, connely, avant and kelce with knile out of the backfield running the same type of gameplan, the results should be pretty clear.

[Baby Lee]

I said it earlier in the week. The thing that had me most nervous was how soberly Brady and Belichick seemed to be taking their task today. They left nothing to chance and we were still in it outside home cooking from the refs and a few bad bounces.

That was probably the best performance you'll see in the playoffs this year. It's certainly the best to this point.

[jd1020]

Definitely want Berry back.

Brady beat Berry more than Gronk did. Berry bit on the pump fake. But he had 10 PDef's and 2 INT's this season. Other than his tackles being down I'd say he was pretty Berry-like this season.

[displacedinMN]

Great. Thanks.

Refs almost blew it.
I need a new coffee cup too.
I still listen to KCFX even though it is behind with streaming. TV people stink
Davis is gone. Time to bring on the two headed Wonster.
Not depressed. Just wonder what I will do with my Sundays.

You need to give a 10 things for the SB and once in a just for the hell of it.
10 things that happen to CP members.

[Sandy Vagina]

haha, wow... I was listening, unfortunately... until this garbage:

I think it's the elephant in the room -it's always been the elephant in the room. Why can't Kansas City ever succeed in the playoffs? It's simple. This organization refuses to draft and develop a franchise QB.

Brady was just better than Alex today.

welcome back, Claynus. May not actually be Claynus... but whatever.. you are just a prettier, less overt version after all. Just another lesson that... regardless of reputation.. you are just another poetic writer as you smear the wall with feces.

Meh... go with that then I guess...

[Lonewolf Ed]

It is sad that this is the final Ten Things for this season, but I was glad to have two more than I thought we would. I look forward to more in August! Hats off to you, George.

[2bikemike]

I sure am going to miss you next week George. Thanks for giving us your perspective every week.

This one hurts because of missed opportunities and missing everything that got us to this point.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

haha, wow... I was listening, unfortunately... until this garbage:

So you don't agree that Brady was better than Alex and that retread QBs dont win SBs?

[Buzz]

I think the elephant in the room was stringing together that many wins in a row. Not many teams do that, ever.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by jd1020

So you don't agree that Brady was better than Alex and that retread QBs dont win SBs?

well, when ya put it like that....

.... but STEVE YOUNG! with an elite surrounding!

[GloryDayz]

Very well done, as always.

Any chance we can have you do this for the Royals too?