Preseason Game 4 Packers at Chiefs: Post-Game Report.
This game started with the Green Bay Packers making a few nice offensive plays. ILB Ramik Wilson looked good and was in on several tackles. You can tell he’s going to be a starter for the Chiefs one day. When the Chiefs had their chance, Tyler Bay went long on their first play for the Chiefs offense from scrimmage but Tyreek Hill couldn’t tuck the ball away. Bray’s pass went over 50 yards in the air and he actually hit Hill in the hands but Bray’s next two passes were off the mark and the three-and-out forced a punt.
One the third series of downs for the Packers, the defense came alive with a sack caused mainly by good coverage. Kenneth Acker provided good coverage on a go route down the sideline then turned around the next play and provided tight coverage on a tight end helping to force the sack. The next possession for the Chiefs didn’t change anything because Bray kept throwing the ball high and off the mark. When the Chiefs went to punt Dustin Colquitt bobbled the snap and had it blocked. A few plays later and the Packers ended up with a score on a corner pitch to their tight end. 0-6
Following the Packer TD Tyler Bray began to heat up with a pass in the flat to DeAnthony Thomas for a first down and then a slant to Rod Streater for another first down followed by a strike over the middle to TE Brian Parker as the 1st quarter came to a close.
All of a sudden Tyler Bray looks like Joe Montana (who can’t hit the side of a barn) but good enough to hit De’Anthony Thomas on a crossing pattern, a ball that was thrown high but DAT made a great attempt to go up and pull it in. Next, RB Knile Davis turns on the speed and makes it to the pylon. After a 75 yard drive it’s 6-6.
Following the kick-off one of my personal favorites, OLB Dadi Nicolas, had a sack to confirm my suspensions: he’s good and going to be even better. On the next drive by the Tyler Bray led Chiefs offense marched right down the field for another TD. What was most notable was that Bray and RB Darrin Reaves looked like the Chiefs wouldn’t miss a beat if they were running the offense.
The next Chiefs drive ended in a Feild Goal but one thing became perfectly clear: DeAnthony Thoams is not going quietly into the night. DAT had 4 receptions for 45 yards and he also had a 22 yarder. How John Dorsey will deal with the obvious re-emergence of DAT and the clear cut speed and talent that Tyreek Hill displayed throughout the offseason is a mystery that will be cleared up on or before next Tuesday.
When Aaron Murray took the field, he finally looked like the QB that teams would be interested in trading for. I’m sure too, if teams could steal Rod Streater away from John Dorsey they would. He had several very good catches and has shown he will be a weapon other teams will have trouble dealing with this season… giving #1 WR Jeremy Maclin the running mate he needs. Not to say the Chris Conley won’t fill that role too, but the Chiefs are going to have a number of excellent options for QB Alex Smith to go to this season. Exciting stuff!
Just when Aaron Murray was looking like he’d make John Dorsey’s phone ring a hole in his pocket he threw another INT this offseason with about 12:30 left in the 3rd quarter.
On the following drive… by the Packers… Dezman Moses made a move impressive enough to mention. He was rushing in Tamba Hali’s spot and gave the Packers LT a juke and went right around him to tackle their running back. On the very next play, Dadi Nicolas came up with a pursuit sack by rushing around the corner fast enough to flush the QB then came back to him, to get the sack before the QB could advance upfield. He’s got my vote for the 53.
As the Packers began to drive the ball they were having success with their running game. Once they went to the air, DL Nick William recorded his second sack of the day making his case… for the 53. The Chiefs are so loaded along the DL I have no idea what they’ll do.
QB Aaron Murray continued to impress… badly. He registered his 3rd INT of the preseason (2nd of the game) and doesn’t seem to be able to throw the ball away and would rather take a sack or throw it up for and INT instead of juspitchinggn it out of bounds.
Another player who has stood out is LB Dezman Moses. I’m not sure there is a place on the roster for him but his progress is undeniable and he made a number of plays in the backfield in this game.
Offensively, the 4th quarter belonged to QB Kevin Hogan… or I should say he was given the 4th quarter. His first few plays ended with a long incomplete pass down the middle to Da’Ron Brown. Dustin Colquitt came in and pinned the Pack back at the 4-yard line. Some things never change… and that’s a good thing here.
While this game had many of the tell-tale signs of a preseason game four… like penalties… and starters standing … the Kansas City Chiefs are deeper than I can ever recall dating back to the 1990s when Marty Schottenheimer was storming the sidelines.
With 4:11 left in the game Chiefs RB Darrin Reaves fumbled the ball away but that should not diminish his overall excellent night. He stands 5-foot-10 and 210 lbs. with 73 yards including long of 20 and a TD. He should get picked up by another team if K.C. chooses not to place him on their practice squad. Following Reaves fumble, the defense made a goal-line stand with 2:44 seconds left to secure this victory, 17-7. One more game note: with 21 seconds left punter Dustin Colquitt boomed a 75-yard punt which is a perfect way to kick off the new season 10 days from now!
Did anyone stand out to you? I would hate to be John Dorsey right now… except for……. the paycheck… the nice office… hanging out with Andy Reid and the boys…. well, just about everything… except having to make this final cut because the Chiefs have a boat-load of good players who won’t be with the team in a few short days.
My question is… who do you want to keep most?