Chiefs Fans: For Those Who Need
Symbols, or Cymbals! PART II
by David Bell
If you’d like to read “Chiefs Fans: For Those Who Need Symbols, or Cymbals! PART I” follow –> this link.
Linebackers and Corners
Our linebackers did not cover the Tight End well at all nor did the secondary handle George Kittle well at all. Our linebackers did not pursue to the ball well when run to the outside lanes. Our Outside players did not set the edge and even when they did, they did not turn inside and make plays as well as my expectation of this years’ play when compared to 2015, for example. You know how pleased as punch I was with the acquisition of Anthony Hitchens. Even his play and number of tackles fell off from the levels of the first two games.
The 49ers presented Marquise Goodwin and Kittle as the top targets for Garoppolo and used them well. Kittle was the threat that got Frisco on the board first and Goodwin opened the 3rd quarter with a good catch that closed the gap and started the 49ers comeback which essentially didn’t end until Garoppolo left the field. The 49ers kicked a field goal and kicked away on subsequent possession. The Chiefs offense, using the run game and Hunt was able to chew down the clock from about the 5:20 second mark to end the game.
You might state that this was the second game in a row where Hunt and the run game was used effectively to run out the clock against defenses set to stop the run — and that is a good sign for the offense.
I am not pleased at all by the defense. I do know part of the problem is that they have so many new players for the moving parts of the defense. It takes time playing together to make things work. I would give our defense a failing grade of “C” this time out — both pass defense and run defense. Last week it was C-. It was improved over the previous week because of what worked in the first half. That success was totally flagging in the second half so the overall view of the defense is that it is not succeeding in doing it’s job.
Perhaps Sutton is dealing with the “newness” of so many players being added to the defensive roster and this is then a good portion of the problem. I do know that, as I called for, Sutton went to the base 3-4 a greater percentage of the time in this game. On the other hand, Sutton dialed up the 2 down linemen front 40% of the time or more. He used far too much zone coverage but that may be a factor that is covered below.
The Chiefs, were able to get the offense off the field on all but one possession of the first half. It was not so in the second half. The Chiefs only had 3 possessions in the second half to work with and came away from that with only 3 points. This was disappointing. Stupidity by the defense led to their failure to get the ball back in the hands of the offense twice.
Penalties Really Hurt
Two second half stops should have turned the ball back over two the offense. Both were dumb penalties that should have negated 49er drives and did not. Both ended in points on the board for the 49ers. Without those two penalties, the 2nd half time of possession and snap count numbers would have been completely different. Indeed, the ability of the 49ers to mount a momentum swing and comeback would also not have been possible. This is also a big problem for Sutton, it hurt the offense as well and was a reason the defense was on the field for so much of the second half.
The defense was unable to stop the bid for a comeback by the 49ers who kept it alive to their last possession and kicked the field goal. They did not attempt an onside kick and the Chiefs ran out the clock. It was still a two possession game which does end on a positive upside.
The Eric Murray Factor
I think part of the problem with much of the secondary coverage lies at the feet of Eric Murray, although Ron Parker was out of position for one particular play and that ended up being a score. The headline for this paragraph might well should be “The Eric Berry’s Not Here Factor.”
Both Safety’s played 100% of the snaps on defense and Berry was not dressed. Nor had the Chiefs hired on another top safety though Earl Thomas news and rumors have been a feast for those looking for just one more important move to get this team and roster over the top. We “FAN (ANTICS)” Are Getting Desperate.
One last Point: The defense was on the field for 68 snaps. That is horrid.
Finale With Symbols Or Cymbals
Such are the woes of the “Big Circus” for the first three games of the season.
After Monday night? The Chiefs should be looking at securing the division and winning it. I don’t mean the players or coaching staff but perhaps up in Andy’s office. With a victory It would be tough for them to fall apart and not win their third division title if they defeat the Broncos.
If you think about that, they would have only one more away game within the AFCWest and that would be against the Las Vegas Raiders whom they have yet to face. They will have won 2 games on the road, thus they would own the tie breaker if they defeat Denver. In the division then, they would have remaining home games against all three division foes. Also, they will have 7 more home games overall and that looks good for this season’s future.
Is there a damper for this outfit? “Ya Damned Betcha!”. The defensive woes loom in the background and last season, Reid and Company rolled to a 5-0 start. Think about that! If you ask me though. The Chiefs will win the division for the 3rd season in a row, while securing a record of 4-0 at Mile High Stadium.
Monday? It’s the Big Circus of the NFL, center ring under the lights and the waning Gibbous Moon.
Chiefs 45-Broncos 31
Are there enough cymbals for you to make noise after the win or… enough symbols for one article for you? Symbols are for people who need symbols. I just want a Chiefs win and a defense whose woes are in the waning Gibbous of woes for the season.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne
If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-fans-for-those-who-need-symbols-or-cymbals-part-ii/#disqus_thread)
…
…