Chiefs: The Ex-Files and a “Do Not Do” List

Chiefs: The Ex-Files and a “Do Not Do” List – I am not going to focus on the previous game except in the following form: The Chiefs “To Do” List (which is really a “Do Not Do” list). No point to it. I keep adding to the list of Titan game failures.

I could take the tact that this was just a glitch. Problem is, that with a very good roster, there have been four glitches already. I could trot out the injury list for 2019 of all the Ex-Active-Players and will do so but not to make an excuse. I am tired of excuses.

The Ex-Files

The Do Not Do List

1. Anchor the Defensive Line with Mike Pennel. He surely was missed and that could not have been better exemplified by the need of Derrick Nnadi who played poorly. You can’t have a stump do much good watching the game as a fan and who is unable to play and we really needed that in the Titans game.

2. Fail to use Linebackers effectively. In fact, use Reggie Ragland like you did this past week (17 snaps), or the Chiefs will surely fail on defense again.  Spagnuolo turned the page back four games to play as poorly as the defense play last Sunday versus the Titans. We couldn’t stop the run. This week? If you fail to stop the run, Phil Rivers and play action passing off the run will pick the Chiefs apart. At the same time, see item 2a. The chargers use Running backs (RB’s) as primary aerial targets. Shut down the run game for the Chargers means Phillip Rivers must throw the ball. Then ensure that item 2a is handled.

2a. A caveat to shutting down the run puts a lot of pressure on the Linebackers. They MUST STOP THE RUN AND COVER RB’s as they run their routes as receivers. Rivers has thrown 85 passes to RB’s thus far this season. Only Drew Brees uses them more. KC only 58 times. Stop the Run game and Stop the passes to the Running Backs. If you take away the running backs either on the ground or as receivers, the Chiefs will win this game.

3. Penalties – We just cannot match up if we give up a bunch of yards (and possessions) putting the team in a hole that is difficult to overcome on both sides of the ball. This is most easily correctable problem and the Chiefs had 2 weeks in a row with five penalties or under. I thought a corner had been turned but nope. See item four.

4.a. It is difficult to play NFL Football when your whole team is stuck on stupid. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was with the penalties. The first series of penalties resulted in a TD called back that would have made the score 14-0. If the next score is then a FG, you are up 17-0 forcing the Titans to throw the ball. Their run game suddenly is not a factor. Period. End of Story.

4.b. Mental errors – It is difficult to compete in the NFL with a team making so many stuck on stupid mental errors. This has been rehashed all week. I am not over it, but I just cannot make myself detail this again. Special Teams was a “Special” culprit.

4.c. Get Cam Erving off the field. Oh. That is going to be a 2020 task due to offensive line player injuries. Let’s hope that by Monday Night, Eric Fisher is ready to play. Why? Martinas Rankin is out of play for the rest of the regular season (or 8 weeks, to be able to play).

4.d. Andy? Playcalling? Making real time adjustments. So you have the best QB in the game and you throw a pass behind the LoS when all you need is two yards? What on earth are you thinking? That is stuck on stupid and Andy thinking too much of himself — all the time.

5. Drops – this was catching. Players just plain lost focus or never really got with it. Watkins 1st half drop is a perfect case. He later redeemed that, but it was one of about 450 dropped passes in this game.

6. Tackling – what happened to the gang tackling? It just disappeared. What happened to wrapping up the ball carrier with an open field tackle instead of throwing a tackle or a body at the ball carrier with your eyes closed (Whiff! Mr. Thornhill?) I just cannot understand this or item 2. I am nonplussed.

7. No Blitz’s Mr. Spagnuolo? Where are your aggressive tactics? Aggressive defense uses the blitz to keep the other team honest — they won’t know when you are going to bring it. You have a QB sacked all over the US and we can’t sack Ryan Tannehill? Great Caesar’s Ghost.

8. Andy Reid’s lack of kick butt and take names, keep the pedal to the metal for all four quarters. Andy? You are stuck on stupid. Further, your team came out unfocused, lacking intensity on defense, and the whole team acted like a bunch of prima donna’s. That’s on you. Failure to adjust to the other team’s shifting and adjusting to what you are doing as a team. The Titans did that and you, Andy, did not and Spagnuolo didn’t either.

8. Dave Toub? You have been great until now with Special Teams? What in “H” is going on? I am disgusted. I mean, tearing my own veins out with my own teeth, disgusted.

Outlook: Get on Out There

My previous focus has been positive. This was, apparently a great error on my part. As soon as you have a very good team assembled that should have won 13 or 14 games I am now seeing a team that will be lucky to win nine. Andy Reid has led this team to play down to the level of the competition. The best we saw were three games where Pat Mahomes was hurt and the two games following. The defense knew he was out. He returned with a top level game against the Titans and the defense totally fell apart — they looked like they did early in the season instead of a group of hard nosed competitors who but bruises on the other team and played them even or far better. That, Mr. Spagnuolo, is unacceptable.

After watching a lackluster game I am reminded of winning a tourney coming from behind and the coach was disgusted so much that he said: “I am ashamed of the way you are playing.” The game was opening the fourth quarter so we had 8 minutes to catch up from 8 points down. He finally sent us out on the floor muttering: “Ah, “H”, I don’t care what you do. Get on out there”… then I made the final basket of the game to win the 7th grade first place trophy vs. Midway Jr HS in Cass County, MO.

Some credos deserved? Sure. Mahomes, Kelce, Hill and Jones. The rest of the team? Meh. “Ah “H”… I don’t care what you do. Get on out there.”

An aside: I am looking at the 2020 draft already.

My prediction? Yeah. Wait for it… Chiefs 36 – Chargers 38.

David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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