Mitch Holthus

The win over the Broncos was the result of heroic plays by many of the Kansas City Chiefs. Most were obvious; Larry Johnson running for 198 yards (4th best rushing day in Chiefs history), Tony Gonzalez' Hall of Fame catch, Derrick Johnson's dominating defensive performance and Damon Huard not throwing interceptions. However, EVERY winning team in the NFL has the "unseen" heroes. Those players who contribute in more subtle ways. Like the following:

BRAD COTTAM: The Chiefs have used two tight end formations lately and the massive rookie from Tennessee has shown he can block. The resurgance in the running game is helped by his presence.

MIKE COX: Okay, he might not be a pit bull, but he's a bulldog. His blocks have been key in allowing Larry Johnson to get big runs and little runs to move the chains.

JAMAAL CHARLES: His third down pass blocking prevented three sacks in the Denver game. Most fans see his world class speed, yet it is easy to overlook the little things he does well that saves negative plays.

BRANDON CARR: He held Brandon Marshall to 77 yards. Carr was playing Division II NCAA football last year against Northern Michigan, last Sunday he contained Marshall from going "crazy" like Marshall had done the two weeks prior.

TURK MCBRIDE: Turk continued his ascending play at defensive end. His "chase down" of Eddie Royal and forced fumble of Royal after Royal had a 20 yard gain showed Turk's intensity and speed. It was a huge early play in the Denver win.

GLENN DORSEY: Dorsey had his best game yet against the Broncos. Indeed, he registered tackles on the defensive chart, but his control of the line of scrimmage ESPECIALLY THE CUT BACK LANES was most impressive. Denver had pulverized the Chiefs in recent years with cut back runs. Dorsey protected against that in the Bronco win.

DAMION MCINTOSH, ADRIAN JONES AND HERB "THE LOVE BUG" TAYLOR: The often criticized McIntosh and Jones had their best games. D Mac's block was huge to allow LJ's 65 yard run. Jones was consistent and nearly knocked Denver safety Marlon McCree out with a crushing pulling block. Taylor did more than held his own filling in for the injured Brandon Albert. The experience that Taylor received during the pre-season paid off vs. the Broncos.

There were signs of life from the Kansas City Chiefs in the game against Atlanta. It is now a matter of the team being more consistent and putting those signs together at the same time.

DEFENSIVE LIFE SIGNS: There were young defenders who were all over the stat sheet. The leading tackler was CORNERBACK Brandon Carr with 9 tackles. Carr did a good job of protecting his outside areas on certain runs. He blew his assignment on the 19 yard touchdown run by Darren McFadden of Oakland the week before. Carr showed progress in the Atlanta game. In addition, Tank Tyler and Turk McBride continue to ascend. Turk had six tackles, including two for losses, and made a huge play to prevent an Atlanta reverse. Tank had 5 tackles along with Glenn Dorsey who had 5 tackles. It is a good sign when your first line of defense is making that many tackles. The defense crushed Atlanta in the first three series of the game and allowed only 8 total yards on 3 possessions.

AND THEN....: The big play is killing this defense. In three weeks, the defense has allowed a 51 yard pass on 3rd and long vs. New England, runs of 50 and 32 yards vs. Oakland and plays of 44,38,30 and 70 yards vs. Atlanta. The defense did a great job early when the offense wasn't producing, but when the offense started to click, the defense couldn't stop the Falcons. The Falcons advanced the ball 48 times in the game and only 7 tackles were made by the Chiefs starting linebackers.

OFFENSIVE LIFE SIGNS: For the first time this season, the Chiefs started to run the ball with some measure of success. They averaged 5.6 yards a rush, usually a winning number. It was fueled by
121 yards from Larry Johnson, including 48 yard run. Jamaal Charles also took a step forward advancing the ball 10 times for 62 yards. Tyler Thigpen showed improvement at the end of the half on a nice slant to Dwayne Bowe for a touchdown. In the second half, his best throw came on a 4th and 2 situation where he hit Bowe for a 13 yard out. Thigpen was the quarterback for back to back touchdown drives and nearly led drives for two more scores, but Nick Novak missed a 32 yard field goal and the Chiefs couldn't convert a 4th and goal play late in the game. There were times when the offensive line showed some spark, especially on the first drive of the third quarter.

AND THEN....: Just when you thought Thigpen was gaining some much needed confidence for next week's game against Denver, he threw a pick six at the end of the game. He is young, but his mobility gives the offense a chance this week against the Broncos. Also, the kickoff coverage unit has to be better. The Chiefs had actually turned the momentum around with back to back touchdown drives, but then Atlanta returned a kickoff for 36 yards. Also, the 32 yard missed field goal is inexcusable.

I was mystified by the 23-8 loss to the Raiders. I didn't think I would ever see a Chiefs defense give up 300 rushing yards to the Raiders or any other team. This week, Gunther Cunningham, Tim Krumrie and David Gibbs will go back to the basics of stopping the run. When a team gouges your team with the running game like the Raiders did to the Chiefs, all phases of the run defense need to be examined. Is it the defensive front? Is it the linebackers? Is it aligning properly? The answer is yes on all accounts when you allow 300 rushing yards in the NFL. This weeks opponent, Atlanta is a young team like the Chiefs but one thing the Falcons established in week one was a running game with former Charger Michael "the Burner" Turner.
Offensively, Chan Gailey is tugging at his hair trying to figure out what to do. He has a proven track record of creating offensive situations to fit his personnel. It's why he uses Larry Johnson in certain situations, Jamaal Charles in certain situations and why he used Marques Hagens as a "slash" in the Oakland game. He HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD of being a game planner and play caller, so I know he will try to create a situation to be successful. However, no matter the "sub group" that is in the game, the Chiefs still need to block effectively in the running game. The blocking responsibility extends beyond the offensive line and includes the wide receivers and tight ends.
Finally, this is the sixth time in the past nine seasons that the Chiefs have started 0-2. What is more alarming is that 6 of the 12 losses have been at Arrowhead. In the 1990's, the Chiefs always won in September at Arrowhead. The Chiefs won 18 of 20 September home games in the decade of the 1990's. The record for September home games in the 2000's is 6 wins and 8 losses.
This week the young Chiefs head to Atlanta to meet the equally young Falcons. Yet, before going to Atlanta, the team will go back to the basics.

The Chiefs played the mighty Patriots off their feet but still lost the game and both teams lost their quarterbacks. The uncertainty with Brodie Croyle's injury now has lead to speculation about long term decisions at the position. Be that as it may, the Chiefs will have to find another quarterback if Brodie is out for any length of time. The team only carried three quarterbacks throughout all pre-season (usually one short, the norm is four) and need to find at least a third quarterback since the Croyle injury only leaves the team with two signal callers.
However, if you are a die-hard Chiefs fan there were some very encouraging signs in the Pats game. First of all, twelve rookies played in the game and six rookies started. All of the Chiefs rookies who played in the game accounted for themselves very well, perhaps none better than LOT Brandon Albert who fought like a veteran against Patriot star Richard Seymour. The rookies showed courage, skill and poise in a difficult situation. It was a situation where the rookies could "let it fly" and there were little external expectations. The Chiefs were supposed to get drilled by the Patriots anyway.
That changes BIG TIME this week. This week is a HUGE challenge for the rookies and bigger than last week. Why? The NFL is physical pressure, MENTAL pressure and PSYCHOLOGICAL pressure. This is Raaaaiddrrrrrs Week baby. The Chiefs need to win this game and restore Arrowhead magic. Last year, KC was a woeful 2-6 at home, the worst home record since the 80's, and that trend must change this year. There will be tension around the new Arrowhead practice facilities this week. The coaches will feel it, the veterans will feel it and the rookies will feel it for the first time. The feeling will be different than last week. This week is about handling the external "expectation" to win. Many, many NFL players who had great talent melted under the pressure of external expectations. It will be interesting to see how this vaunted rookie class handles the pressure to win at home against a bitter rival. Last week, the Chiefs were expected to get blown out, this week they are expected to take care of business. A different dynamic than last week, but a dynamic that must be mastered if long term success in the NFL is desired.

Let the 2008 season finally begin...it's on now! Here are some "Did You Know" facts to get the Chiefs season started in earnest:

Did you know?...That the Patriots are 45-11 at home in the past seven years, BUT six of those 11 losses have come at the hands of only three coaches. (Meaning: three coaches have won twice at Foxboro in the past seven years) Those three: Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts and Herm Edwards when he coached the New York Jets. Herm Edwards was the last coach to hand New England a defeat in its home opener (2001).

Did you know?...The 2008 calendar is the exact calendar of the following years: 1969, 1986, 1997 and 2003. 1969 was the year the Chiefs won their only Super Bowl title. 1986 was the "miracle" playoff season featuring the great Chiefs special teams of Frank Gansz.(It was the only playoff appearance in a 15 year period. 1997 was a 13-3 finish for the Chiefs and a division title. (Who knows what would have happened if Rich Gannon would have started in the playoff loss to the Broncos?). 2003 was Dick Vermeil's only playoff team, it too finished 13-3.

Did you know?...The Chiefs have 15 rookies on their 53 man roster. 10 of the rookies are draft picks, 5 are rookie free agents. Four of the rookies will start this Sunday vs. New England (if Brandon Albert is healthy). 9 of the 53 man roster are second year players and 3 of them will start Sunday. 8 are third year players and 5 of them will start. Conversely, 13 of the 53 man squad are sixth to 13th year players and only 5 of them will start. (The Chiefs have gone from the oldest team in the NFL to one of the youngest in 18 short months). Only 21 players on the Chiefs 53 man roster have more than four years experience.

That should be some "coffee talk" starters for this first NFL week. Let the season begin!

Did you know?...