Breaking Down the Breakdowns: Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Game One – The reason the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans in game one is obvious: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire. It marks the first time in Patrick Mahomes brief history as an NFL QB that the Chiefs have run the ball more than they’ve passed it. The local, and national, press seems to be in agreement on CEH’s impact as well. So, let’s take a look at what some of them said, and of course, I’ll give you my take on their take.
Ryan Tracy at Rogue Analytics – RGR
Tracy says the heavy use of Edwards-Helaire was in part because there were no preseason games, in part because of the weather, in part because of the way the game went, and that this game showed what this offense can be when it has to be more well rounded. Regarding his last comment, I assume that Tracy means when the passing game is not up to par or the wide receivers aren’t performing well, as when they are dropping the ball a lot (are you listening DRob?).
What CEH does give K.C., if he continues to be successful, is a more balanced attack, and if the opposition pulls their Safeties or corners in to try and stop the bleeding run… Mahomes, Hill, and Hardman can make them pay over the top.
Baldy’s Breakdown: CEH
I’ve come to trust Baldinger’s breakdowns as much as any other national pundit’s analysis. Let’s take a look at his views on Clyde Edwards-Helaire in this game.
Baldy says CEH picked right up where he left off leading LSU to a National Championship, and while I’ll agree that his overall performance was stellar, he didn’t start out that way. Edwards-Helaire’s first three runs were for 3 yards, 3 yards, and 1 yard. After that, he was off the hook. In fact, after his first three runs, he averaged 5.95 yards per carry. Allow me to remind you that the NFL record for YPC is held by Jamaal Charles at 5.4. Yes, I know, one game does not a career make, however, if you thought CEH just needed to get his feet wet, I’d say CEH is up to his waist in flood waters… I guess you could call him a Soggy Bottom Boy.
Baldy said, “The only thing missing from [this game compared to] the LSU National Championship game was… the fans.” Love it! Now, let’s go to someone who’s been M.I.A. this offseason, because he moved on to take care of his family. What an excuse! Gotta love that too, but I’m referring to BJ Kissel.
Outside the Trenches: BJ Kissel and Nick Leckey
Nick and BJ pick up the conversation on Clyde E-H around the 13 minute mark. Leckey makes a great point about Clyde, that he ran patiently behind the OL allowing them to create the hole and sticking to the script of the play design. He said that allowed the offensive linemen to trust that the RB would be where he’s supposed to be and that trust, later in the game, was particularly important as players on the line knew exactly where he’d be, and what they could count on. You can be sure that the offensive linemen were more willing to continue to block for the CEH freight train, knowing that he was coming through.
Around the 20 minute mark BJ tells why he has Clyde Edwards-Helaire slated for Canton, HoF… already. Part of his logic is based upon the career of Terrell Davis. It’s a good listen and he says, “Now that I can do that” meaning, he’s not working for chiefs.com anymore so he can say whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Pretty darn cool and the whole clip deserves a listen. I don’t want to get carried away like BJ… who am I kidding, yes I do… but if CEH keeps up this pace all year long, he’ll rush for 2.208 yards and that would be more than 100 yards better than the best. Here’s a look at the only players in NFL history to surpass the 2,000 yards rushing mark:
On the more realistic expectations front, prior to game one, CEH would have had to average 83 yards per game for 16 games to beat out Kareem Hunt’s record for rushing yards in a season and he had 1,327 yards. Now, after his first game blowout of 138 yards rushing, CEH only needs 80 yards per game the rest of the way.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire Post Game Comments
CEH hits you as a polite gentleman first and foremost. It’s great knowing that the Chiefs have drafted a player who is a wonderful person, as well as a wonderful running back. His intelligence, savvy and apparent mastery of Andy Reid’s deep as well as complex playbook, is a testimony to that intelligence. Chris Simms call this: “The maturity of the player.” That, next.
ProFootball Talk on Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Both Chris Simms and Mike Florio offer their insight on the positive impact of CEH on the Chiefs offense. I’ve edited the following conversation down to the most relevant burbling dealing with CEH. If you must listen to the whole clip go here.
Simms perhaps said it best when talking about how any team will stop the Chiefs offense: “It’ll take a special defense.”
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: Game One Highlights
Summary: Clyde Edwards-Helaire Breakdown
Just as I thought the day after the Chiefs drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round, he was going to be a game changer for the offense. Yes, I was shocked and disappointed at first when they made the pick because I thought then, and still do think, that the Chiefs have a primary need that must be addressed at the cornerback position. Yet, what’s the old saying, “The best defense is a good offense”… and that’s much of what we experienced on Thursday evening vs the Texans. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the backfield, the rest of the offense opens up so much so that no matter what the Chiefs attempt… its bound to work.
Much of what we saw, that we as fans may not have liked, was the result of the coaches wanting to get the players some practice time. With a sizeable lead, and time on the clock, it’s easy to understand that approach, especially because there were no preseason games.
We should probably not conclude anything from the Clyde Edwards-Helaire centric Chiefs offense offered in game one vs the Texans. I’m reasonably sure the game played out, mostly the way Andy Reid wanted it to… minus the dropped TD by Demarcus Robinson at the 11:09 mark of the first quarter.
Good players make other players better. If you didn’t know that Patrick Mahomes could be even better, Clyde Edwards-Helaire makes that ever more clear. Not only that, by improving the offense, CEH has helped make the defensive approach a better one… thus making defensive players better, because they have to play from behind. It’s a win-win-win situation all the way around.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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