SB Nation - Mike Vrabel

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/14

NJ Chiefs Fan — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:27:24 -0000

Well, that sucked. The wheels seem to be falling off, and with that observation, today's Arrowheadlines get kicked off with a little piece from Mr. Jason Whitlock.

That’s the only explanation for Chiefs coach Todd Haley opening his postgame news conference with a disingenuous thank you to the 30,000-plus Chiefs fans who filled 80,000-seat Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.

"Before I get started," Haley said in the aftermath of Kansas City’s 10th loss, a 16-10 snoozer to the Buffalo Bills, "publicly I want to thank the fans. I thought the fans were tremendous for us today."

Yes, this is the "process" to avoiding a blackout next Sunday.

In the minutes after Kansas City’s $63 million QB launched his fourth interception of the day, misfired on two more open deep balls and was caught by CBS television cameras telling someone — maybe booing Chiefs fans or Haley barking in his headset — to shut the (expletive) up, Haley campaigned for ticket sales.

"I just publicly want to thank the fans for making a lot of noise for us today," Haley said.

The boos were quite loud. And the silence was deafening at times. I can’t really blame the fans.

Chiefs should thank anyone who sat through this game from KC Star

KC Star Photo Gallery: Bills 16, Chiefs 10 | Sunday, Dec. 13

Cassel’s four interceptions led only to three points for the Bills. The Chiefs three takeaways on defense led to zero points for Kansas City. They were minus-one on turnovers and minus-three points off those giveaways. That was enough to make them minus-one in the victory column.

"We went into the game with a clear cut key that if we could win the turnover battle, we would have a very good chance to win the game," said Haley. "We were unable to capitalize on the turnovers we were able to create and then in the end our turnovers put us in a position where we couldn’t win."

Wasted was another good performance from RB Jamaal Charles...

Bills Make Fewer Mistakes and Beat Chiefs 16-10 from Bob Gretz

When this wretched season is mercifully finished, the Chiefs won’t need to watch video of every snap to relive their offensive futility.

They can merely review the final 8 minutes of Sunday’s 16-10 loss to Buffalo at Arrowhead Stadium. Even in that short time span, the Chiefs committed almost every offensive sin imaginable: two big dropped passes, two interceptions, two holding penalties and three receivers failing to get out of bounds when the Chiefs were desperate to save time.

Every one was a factor in the defeat.

Chiefs can't overcome offensive mistakes in 16-10 loss to Bills from KC Star

Walking out of the stadium a week ago, I ran into Roger, a big Chiefs fan I know who had watched the debacle against Denver. He had drowned his sorrows in a suite after the game and was stumbling his way out of the building.

"Hey Gretz," he yelled over his shoulder, as his long suffering wife Anne was dragging him to the parking lot. "There’s nothing as bad as losing to the Donkeys. It can’t get any worse than this."

Oh yes it can Roger. It did. It’s one thing losing to a Denver team that’s in the hunt for a wildcard spot in the playoffs. It’s another to go down to the Buffalo Bills, a 4-8 team with an interim head coach and a starting quarterback who might have a degree from Harvard but should not be starting for an NFL team.

Column: Yes It Can Get Worse And Did from Bob Gretz

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley had three critical fourth-down decisions to make Sunday.

Only one of them worked out in the 16-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium.

•Decision 1: The Chiefs faced fourth and 1 after recovering a fumble at the Buffalo 9 in the first quarter of a scoreless game. They decided to go for it and inserted backup offensive tackle Barry Richardson and linebacker Mike Vrabel as eligible receivers. Vrabel has 11 career touchdown catches from that formation.

Crucia l decisions on fourth downs don't pan out for Chiefs from KC Star

If the two key guys in the 2009 Chiefs offense were on escalators, they would pass each other going up, and going down.

Jamaal Charles is on the up escalator, as he continues to show that he has the ability to be a top-flight offensive threat in the NFL.

Matt Cassel is on the down escalator, as he continues to struggle to establish himself and the Chiefs passing game as a productive and consistent offensive force.

Both were on display Sunday as the Chiefs fell to the Bills 16-10. Charles and his legs kept the Chiefs in the game in the second half, when Cassel and his passes were taking them out of the action.

It’s not a good combination for producing victories, which probably explains the three straight losses the Chiefs have suffered.

Offense: One Guy Up, Another One Down from Bob Gretz

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles almost made the offensive and defensive plays of the game Sunday against Buffalo.

It wasn’t enough that Charles scored the Chiefs’ only touchdown of a 16-10 loss with a 76-yard touchdown dash in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, after a pass went in and out of the grasp of wide receiver Chris Chambers and into the hands of Bills linebacker Paul Posluszny, Charles came from behind and tore the ball from Posluszny’s grasp.

As Charles was ripping the ball out, Posluszny was on top of Chiefs guard Wade Smith, but not on the Arrowhead Stadium turf. The officials, however, ruled Posluszny was down by contact, awarding the ball to Buffalo at the Kansas City 35.

Charles has big day on offense and almost makes big play on defense from KC Star

The numbers jump off the statistical page from Sunday’s game between the Chiefs and Bills:

BUFFALO PASS RECEIVING: Terrell Owens, 2 catches for 15 yards; Lee Evans, 1 catch for 11 yards.

The best tandem of wide receivers that the Chiefs have seen this year were held to three catches for 26 yards. Put the clamps on a pair of receivers like that and a defense expects that they’ll be on the winning side in any game.

It didn’t happen as the Bills beat the Chiefs 16-10.

"I’ll have to wait to see the tape," said CB Brandon Flowers. "Coach (Haley) always talks about hidden yardage, so I’ll be anxious to see where we maybe gave up some hidden yardage. But we really didn’t let those two guys hurt us."

Defense: Good Enough To Win from Bob Gretz

After yielding 245 rushing yards to Denver in last week’s game, the Chiefs were looking for improvement in Sunday’s meeting with the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium.

They got it, but just barely. The Bills rushed for an even 200 yards in their 16-10 victory.

The Bills needed every one of those rushing yards, considering they passed for only 73. But the Chiefs once again weren’t strong enough to shut off both facets of an opposing offense.

Chiefs' defense gets run over once again from KC Star

Beauty is clearly in the eye of the beholding winning coach, because this game was uglier than the clothes pro golfers wore in the 1970s.

There was nothing stylish, nor relevant, about the game, which led Fox studio analyst Terry Bradshaw to preface his description of the game's few highlights with "If anybody cares."

Buffalo Bills defeat Kansas City Chiefs from The Democrat and Chronicle

Back in town last Sunday for the ceremonial retirement of Derrick Thomas' No. 58 jersey, Marty Schottenheimer roamed the Chiefs warm-up area. It must have seemed eerily familiar. I don't know what he thought, but I can guess what was on his mind: "What the hell happened to my program"?

That's a loaded question. Short answer: A lot, and very little of it good.

What is going on at Arrowhead these days in no way, shape or form resembles the start of the Schottenheimer-Carl Peterson turnaround; the comeback from back-to-back four-win seasons in 1987 and '88. If you recall, the Chiefs went 8-7-1 in 1989 and looked like a team on the rise with the infusion of new blood (Derrick Thomas) and the improvement of existing players (Neil Smith, John Alt, Albert Lewis, etc.).

Can you imagine the Chiefs losing the last two (or any two) AFC Westgames by a combined score of 87-27 when Marty was coach? Not on your life.

Honeymoon Over for Chiefs Todd Haley & Scott Pioli: Bring In Charlie Weis from The Post Chronicle

Chicago's Jay Cutler and Kansas City's Matt Cassel were the highest-profile quarterbacks traded in the offseason, and the Bears and Chiefs are learning to be careful for what they wish.

Cassel threw a career-high four interceptions against his old AFC East rivals the Bills on Sunday. Cutler had two more picks in a loss to Green Bay to push his league-leading total to 22.
All season, Cutler and Cassel have been pressing to compensate for problems elsewhere on offense. Chicago and Kansas City have fully invested in them as franchise quarterbacks; team officials must be patient while rebuilding around them, starting with the offensive lines.

Week 14 Checkdown: Scramble on for bottom seeds in AFC from Sporting News

This last one is because I like to stir the pot.

NFL.com Video Highlight: Bernard Pollard pick-6

Chiefs Trail Bills by Seven at the Half

Chris Thorman — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:26:28 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

2 days ago: Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Ron Edwards (95) gets to a fumbled ball before Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Kirk Chambers (73) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick fumbled the ball. Chiefs took over on the 26-yard line. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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Besides two turnovers, which the Chiefs did not turn into points, the first half of this game has been uneventful. It's 10 to 3 in favor of the Bills.

Here are some notes on the second quarter. My notes on the first quarter are here.

Positives

The direct snap to Jamaal Charles with the Cassel fake fumble was a good play call, if only because Matt Cassel fumbles so much.
Jamaal Charles is turning into a really solid red zone threat. The extra 2-3 yards he can get on a burst/dive at the end of a run are huge.
Brandon Carr's strip of Bills WR Nelson was awesome and the second turnover of the day for the Bills. It gave the Chiefs the ball at mid-field.
Leonard Pope getting some action - he's had a couple of catches this game already.
Two 4th and 1 conversions for the Chiefs. They faced 4th and 1 three times in the first half.
Matt Cassel, besides a few over thrown passes, is playing very well - 18/24 for 145 yards.

Negatives

Matt Cassel had Mark Bradley open on a deep pass but he overthrew it - twice.
Brandon Albert's false start penalty negated a big first down pass and catch from Cassel to Charles.
Chiefs gave up a sack on 3rd and 3 to force a punt.
Mike Vrabel dropped a sure interception with about four minutes to go in the half.
Glenn Dorsey left the game with two minutes left because of a knee injury. His return is questionable.

I think this is the game a lot of people expected - not too exciting and both teams playing a bit sloppy on both sides of the ball.

No Fine for Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel's Mile High Salute to Broncos

Joel Thorman — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:44:39 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel was not fined for his "Mile High Salute". (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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I told you after last weekend's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos that LB Mike Vrabel at one point in the fourth quarter "saluted" the opposing sidelines after head coach Josh McDaniels decided to go for it on a fourth down.

Of course, that salute was done with just one finger and it happened to be the one in the middle.

A league spokesman tells us that Vrabel was not fined for the incident.

Why?

In the past, players have been fined up to $10,000 for similar gestures. Just last month, Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for a double handed, um, gesture. Vrabel even admitted his mistake after the game telling me (and a group of reporters) that he did it out of frustration.

Ultimately, I'm not quite sure why he wasn't fined. I do have a guess, though, and it comes from a quote attributed to Vrabel in this morning's Kansas City Star.

"Maybe they don’t have it on film."

As simple as that. Maybe they don't.

Vrabel on Returning to Chiefs: 'If they want me back, I'd love to be back'

Joel Thorman — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:00:33 -0000

by Orlin Wagner - AP

Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel and QB Matt Cassel arrive for training camp. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Mike Vrabel is entering the final year of his contract. Being in Kansas City not by choice, but by trade, quite a few folks presumed he would be one and done in the barbecue capital of the world.

Well, that may not be the case.

Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs brass will likely try to retain Vrabel's services beyond 2009. Surprisingly (to me at least), Vrabel entertained the idea of returning to the Chiefs after his contract expires.

"If they want me back, I'd love to come back," Vrabel told the Star. "I don't feel bad physically. I did have that knee injury earlier in the year, but otherwise I feel good."

Vrabel injured his knee in the third quarter of a game against the Oakland Raiders on November 15th. He missed the next two games despite reports that said he could be out for up to five weeks.

The Chiefs acquired Vrabel not only because of his physical skills but also because of the intangibles he brings. That's been demonstrated in the way he works with Andy Studebaker, a second year pro. That's also been shown in his consistency, something that recently got him named to the All-Fundamentals team.

"Every year, I try to be that guy," Vrabel said. "That's how I've tried to define myself as a player. I'm going to play consistently, not make a bunch of mistakes, give the same kind of effort every time I play."

It's things like this that landed him on Peter King's All-Decade team. And the following words are why all of a sudden a return to the Chiefs isn't so unlikely.

"I'd like to be able to see this thing through."

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/11

NJ Chiefs Fan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:03:57 -0000

via KansasCity.com

Happy Friday! Can't say more as the room is still spinning a little. Good time last night. There are a million stories out there, but nearly all of them are rehashing the looming blackout. Nothing new. Now your news.

Over his 13-year NFL career, linebacker has been Mike Vrabel’s football home.

But every once in awhile, Vrabel gets to play tight end; it started in 2002 with the Patriots and has continued through this season. He has caught 11 passes over his career, all for touchdowns. He was thrown a 12th pass. Vrabel actually made that catch, but officials ruled he was out of bounds at the back of the end zone.

A dozen passes to a linebacker and he caught them all. Not a single dropped pass.

Maybe it’s time to have Vrabel start working with the Chiefs receivers. At this point, Todd Haley would welcome any help.

The Chiefs are leading the NFL in dropped passes with 37 in 12 games.

Dropping The Ball … Friday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz

"Anybody can play for a 12-2 team in December," Vrabel said. "When things are good, it’s all fun and games. This is not fun and games. But we’re going to stay professional about it.

"Has it been different? Yes. But I expected it to be different. It’s not that I like it any less. There are good guys here. This can be a humbling business. We’re all measured by the success of the team.

"You can’t really sit there and wallow in it. We’ve got to finish strong and start developing a program around here that people want to be a part of."

Vrabel adjusts to being out of contention from KC Star

The Chiefs, in conjunction with the Marine Corps, will continue its 44th annual Toys for Tots campaign during Sunday’s game.

The Marines are asking Chiefs fans to bring new and unwrapped toys for children up to 13 years old to the Arrowhead Stadium turnstiles between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Fans may choose to make a financial contribution in lieu of a toy. Cash or checks made payable to "Toys for Tots" will also be collected at stadium entry points by the Marines.

Chiefs notebook | Flowers sits out of practice from KC Star

Not everybody gets handed the keys to a team that won 18 games the year before.

When Matt Cassel bolted off the bench for an injured Tom Brady in New England's 2008 opener, he was living a quarterback's dream. Humming, purring and rolling along, the Patriots were a nearly perfect football machine compared to the mess he found when he got traded to Kansas City.

It was instant football culture shock. Where Cassel and the Patriots won 11 games in 2008, the woeful Chiefs won two. In the three previous seasons combined, they hadn't won 18.

Cassel Learning Tough Quarterback Lesson in KC from Sports Illustrated

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/10

NJ Chiefs Fan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:47:23 -0000

via KansasCity.com

Here it is, your daily dose of Chiefs news from across the internet.

Cassel has 26 games as a starting quarterback in the NFL. That’s 15 in New England last season and 11 this year. His record as a starter is 13-13. That’s better than most.

For all those who have already decided Cassel isn’t capable of being the franchise quarterback for the Chiefs, I’m here to tell you that assessment is premature. And, for all those who think Cassel is the man to eventually be the replacement for the long retired Len Dawson, I say not so fast.

Any evaluation of Cassel at this point has to take into account many factors, some of which are out of his control. The hardest part of divining whether a young quarterback is capable of leading a team is the team itself. Who is he playing with? What kind of situations is he asked to handle? What type of game plans is he given? What’s the coaching staff like? How much patience does the organization have?

Problems In Evaluating Cassel … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz

Unless Santa Claus shows up by noon today and buys the remaining 3,500 tickets for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, it will be blacked out within a 75-mile radius of Kansas City, including satellite services at sports bars. That would end a streak of 155 consecutive Chiefs games, regular-season and postseason, that have been televised locally.

It’s possible the Chiefs could ask the NFL for a 24-hour extension in an effort to preserve the streak, but it most certainly would end next week when even more tickets will be available for the final home game of the season against the one-win Cleveland Browns.

During the last few years, as the Chiefs’ fortunes on the field have faded and the season-ticket base waned, corporate sponsors and either KCTV-5 or Fox-4, whichever station had the local rights to the game, would pick up the remaining seats to assure a sellout when needed.

Chiefs' streak of sellouts appears doomed from KC Star

Ryan Fitzpatrick will start at quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, but if not for a twist of fate, it could be him and not Matt Cassel playing for Kansas City.

Fitzpatrick played in college at Harvard, near Boston, and spent the days leading up to the 2005 draft thinking the hometown Patriots would draft him.

"I’d just had a tryout with the Patriots," Fitzpatrick said. "I was thinking that the Patriots, they had three seventh-round draft picks and they were going to pick me. Then all of a sudden I see Matt Cassel’s name pop up. I had no idea who he was. That was the clincher that I wasn’t going to get drafted (by New England)."

So it was Cassel and not Fitzpatrick who was with the Patriots last season when Tom Brady was injured. Cassel filled in ably for Brady and was traded to the Chiefs this year.

Chiefs notes: Bills QB Fitzpatrick could have been a Chief from KC Star

Roster overview: The Bills roster is a hodge-podge of draft picks and free agents. There are 25 Bills draft choices on the current active roster, including five first-round picks and nine choices from the second round. Eight of those 15 picks are in the starting lineup. Buffalo has signed plenty of free agents, including nine this year that are still on the roster. Those names include WR Terrell Owens, DT Marcus Stroud, CB Drayton Florence and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills have 14 players on the injured-reserve list, including four offensive linemen.

Opponent: Buffalo Bills from Bob Gretz

Fourth-quarter failures have left the Buffalo Bills virtually out of playoff contention. In a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs last season, they had more than enough breathing room to ease up in the final 15 minutes.

The Bills scored more points against the Chiefs last year than any team ever has, but hardly seem capable of a similar effort Sunday as they try to bounce back from yet another late-game disappointment.

Buffalo beat Kansas City 54-31 on Nov. 23, 2008, taking advantage of five turnovers. The previous high for points scored against the Chiefs was 51 by Seattle on Nov. 27, 1983.

Chiefs vs. Bill from CBS Sports

The lowly Kansas City Chiefs are one of the best in football when it's time to put foot to ball.

Yes, the team that's 5-32 in the last 37 games has discovered something it's good at. Under the direction of first-year special teams coach Steve Hoffman, the Chiefs (3-9) have made giant strides in both punt and kickoff coverage, ranking in the top 10 in both.

They're pretty good in returning kickoffs, too, at ninth in the league with 25 returns of 20 yards or more.

Found: Something the KC Chiefs Do Well from Sports Illustrated

Some of the biggest names in Kansas City football packed the gym Tuesday at Olathe North High School for the 27th annual Simone Awards celebration.

Former Kansas City Chiefs star and 12-time Pro Bowl selection Will Shields was there. Current Chief and three-time Super Bowl champion Mike Vrabel was, too. So were about 20 other former Chiefs, including Tim Grunhard who just led Bishop Miege to a Class 4A state championship, and legendary Olathe North coach Gene Wier who led the Eagles to six state titles before moving to Richland, Texas.

All were there to pay homage to the top high school football players in the Kansas City metro area.

Top ‘Cat among KC’s best from The Basehor Sentinel

The Chiefs have won three AFL titles and one Super Bowl in their 50 years of existence. But they retired their 10th jersey number last weekend, taking 58 out of circulation in tribute to 2009 Hall of Fame enshrinee Derrick Thomas.

The Chiefs now have retired 3 (Jan Stenerud), 16 (Len Dawson), 18 (Emmitt Thomas), 28 (Abner Haynes), 33 (Stone Johnson), 36 (Mack Lee Hill), 58 (Thomas), 63 (Willie Lanier), 78 (Bobby Bell) and 86 (Buck Buchanan).

Retiring types: Championship-to-jersey ratio from The Dallas Morning News

On Tuesday night, the Chiefs announced that 3,500 non-premium seats remain for Sunday's home game against the Bills. Failure to sell those tickets by Thursday at 1:00 p.m. ET would trigger the first local blackout of a Chiefs game since December 1990.

We assumed at the time that the local CBS affiliate, KCTV, would step up and buy a chunk of the seats in order to ensure that the game would be televised locally.

As it turns out, 3,500 remained even after KCTV wrote its check.
Nineteen years later, another Chiefs blackout seems inevitable from Pro Football Talk

It has been a quirky season. Once Oakland got JaMarcus Russell out of the lineup, it began to play much better. He is such a waste. After being in Kansas City last weekend, I can't see how the Chiefs have beaten anybody. Todd Haley is a waste. It hasn't been, in my opinion, that the AFC West is that tough. The other divisions have some lousy teams. Look what's happened to Pittsburgh since the victory in Denver. Even though I think the Giants will win their division (in a tiebreaker), they've been very average, and the Eagles are up and down. The elites are Indianapolis (see above), Minnesota and, of course, those Saints marching in. I haven't seen the AFC West beat any of those teams. Of course, the AFC West doesn't play them, and nobody else is beating them, anyway.

Woody's Mailbag: A 'Barrel' of fun from The Denver Post

Chiefs LB Vrabel Named to All-Fundamentals Team

Joel Thorman — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:43:51 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

about 1 month ago: San Diego Chargers running back Darren Sproles (43) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Mike Vrabel (50) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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Kansas City Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel has been chosen as a member of the All-Fundamentals Team by USA Football and the NFLPA.

A six person panel chose Vrabel because of his ability to shed blocks.

USA Football is the governing body of youth football and is chaired by former Chiefs GM Carl Peterson who, along with Herm Edwards and four others, chose the All-Fundamentals team. This 26-man roster honors the NFL's most fundamentally-sound players who also commit themselves to service in their communities.

One other player with a Chiefs connection - Tony Gonzalez. He was given the honor for his ability to catch the ball in traffic.

Each player will choose a school to give a $1,500 equipment grant.

Full list of all the players chosen can be seen after the jump.

NAME	POSITION	TEAM	FOOTBALL FUNDAMENTAL
Tony Gonzalez	TE	Atlanta Falcons	Catching in traffic
*Ryan Clady*	T	*Denver Broncos*	*Hands in pass protection*
Joe Thomas	T	Cleveland Browns	Pass blocking footwork
Alan Faneca	G	New York Jets	Combo/zone blocking
Steve Hutchinson	G	Minnesota Vikings	Pulling, run blocking
Jeff Saturday	C	Indianapolis Colts	Snapping and blocking
Larry Fitzgerald	WR	Arizona Cardinals	Proper catching with hands
Wes Welker	WR	New England Patriots	Proper catching with hands
Ryan Grant	RB	Green Bay Packers	Ball security/proper cuts
Moran Norris	FB	San Francisco 49ers	Run blocking
Drew Brees	QB	New Orleans Saints	Throwing mechanics
Osi Umenyiora	DE	New York Giants	Takeoff and pass rush
Kyle Vanden Bosch	DE	Tennessee Titans	Playing the run
Darnell Dockett	DT	Arizona Cardinals	Defeating blocks
Haloti Ngata	DT/NT	Baltimore Ravens	Footwork and leverage
Mike Vrabel	LB	Kansas City Chiefs	Shedding blocks
London Fletcher	LB	Washington Redskins	Angle tackling
DeMarcus Ware	LB	Dallas Cowboys	Pass rush/bull rush
Cortland Finnegan	CB	Tennessee Titans	Man-to-man coverage
Nnamdi Asomugha	CB	Oakland Raiders	Breaking up the pass
Troy Polamalu	S	Pittsburgh Steelers	Playing the ball
Eric Weddle	S	San Diego Chargers	Open-field tackling
David Akers	K	Philadelphia Eagles	Kicking mechanics
Brian Moorman	P	Buffalo Bills	Punting mechanics
David Binn	LS	San Diego Chargers	Long-snapping mechanics
Clifton Smith	KR	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Kick catching and returning

Game Recap: Dolphins defeat Patriots, 22-21

MaPatsFan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:50:26 -0000

More photos » by Lynne Sladky - AP

9 days ago: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the bench in the closing minutes of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. The Dolphins won 22-21. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Let's see... failure to convert in the RedZone...check. Failure to finish (ie: consistently score in the 2nd half)...check. Defensive backfield getting burned by what was to be considered an average passing offense...check. HoF QB throwing critical interceptions...check.

First, credit where credit is due. Miami did a good job of exploiting the mistakes made by this Patriots team and turning them around to their advantage. Behind most of the game, the Dolphins made big plays when they needed to and turned this game around for Miami. However, I am here to focus on the myriad of "fails" plaguing this New England Patriots team.

I normally can't stand columnist Ron Borges. He's cut from the same cloth as Dan Shaughnessy, which is to say they both hammer away at the team they're covering, claiming "the point everyone is missing...", in order to sound like the smartest guy in the room. I normally can't stand Borges, but in this column, I think he's right:

Years ago, Chuck Fairbanks said it best. "It’s not about X’s and O’s. It’s about Jimmys and Joes." For half a decade with the Pats people believed otherwise. In Bill We Trust became the motto, but does anyone honestly believe Bill Belichick forgot how to coach? A guy who has been watching game film since he was 6 now can’t break down film and discover a team’s weaknesses?

Bill Belichick didn't suddenly become stupid. He didn't wake up one morning with an IQ 50 points lower than what it was the day before. No, as Ron Borges claims, it's not about Belichick (at least, not all of it) but about the onfield talent. I haven't brought this up before, but it's been on my mind for the past few weeks or so: there's just not as many playmakers as there used to be. The players are simply not executing. Is the coaching staff showing them what to do? I would assume so; it's relatively the same staff as in previous years with the obvious exceptions of Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels.

But if coaching were to be blamed, it would be in the Belichick player acquisition strategy. For years, Belichick has been known as a guy at the top of his game in finding "value" players, at piecing together a team with a sprinkle of seasoned vets as well as using later rounds in the draft to shore up the ranks for the future. But has this turned out to be the best approach for this team? Sure, Randy Moss and Wes Welker were brilliant moves, no question. Fred Taylor? The jury's still out as we need to see more playing time from him. But along with the brilliance have been some big whiffs, ones that have cost us dearly. Joey Galloway, Shawn Springs, Greg Lewis, Derrick Burgess, Adalius Thomas... all were relatively big money acquisitions that left this team digging into the young up-and-comers to fill the gaps.

Look in the past, at the years on the banners hanging at Gillette Stadium. You could name scores of big playmakers. Troy Brown, Corey Dillon, Deion Branch, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Rodney Harrison...all of them ready to step up when it was needed. Who do we have now? Wes Welker, Sebastian Vollmer (when he's playing), Julian Edelman (when he's playing). Who else?

Ok, enough of that. Let's get back to the debacle known as Patriots @ Dolphins. The whole is usually the sum of its parts. There's rarely one part that is the cause of a catastrophic failure. But, like a car, enough blown gaskets can seriously derail the vehicle.

4^th and 1 on Miami 6 - We could argue all day about whether or not to go for it on this 4^th and 1. I get the whole "play to win vs. play not to lose" argument. But I'm conservative. Unless you're about to lose the game if you don't score a touchdown, go for the field goal. But that's not what I consider to be the biggest gaff of that series. Brady hands the ball to Sammy Morris who encounters, guess what, a stacked Miami line. Why Brady didn't hand it off to Laurence Maroney, who was right behind Morris, is beyond. He had more room and could've a) built up a bigger head of steam or b) had a chance to choose another hole. And how about being creative? Maybe fake handoffs to the backs and slip it to Wes on a reverse? Welker can dodge cruise missiles never mind defensive backs.
2^nd and 5 on Miami 5 - With a running game that appears to be doing fairly well, what does Brady do? He tosses a floater to the right-hand corner of the endzone, forcing it to a blanketed Randy Moss. Miami's Vontae Davis makes a great play on a guy who has 5 inches on him and comes down with the pick. What does Randy do? He watches. How about, you know, KNOCKING THE BALL AWAY!!! Put in some effort, Randy.
Chad Henne's 51 yard march - After a failed NE series culminating in a desperate 4^th and 11, Chad Henne marched down the field to put Miami kicker Dan Carpenter in range; Carpenter nailed a 41 yarder to go up by 1. As mentioned above, where were the playmakers? Where were the guys coming up with big stops on defense? Henne did a great job of connecting with is receivers, something our defense couldn't prevent and our own offense couldn't do.
Final Brady interception - This may have aggravated me the most. Chances are it wouldn't have made a difference, but EAT THE BALL!!! Instead, Tom Terrific decides to, I don't know what, and Channing Crowder intercepts. That was not the Tom Brady I've come to "know". That was a desperate, rookie move. I hate to say it, but he looked like Mark Sanchez on that one.

Now that you're all depressed, let me leave you with some good cheer. In 2007, there was this 10-6 team who squeaked into the playoffs as a wildcard, won out in the playoffs by the hair on their chinny chin chin, and defeated an 18-0 juggernaut by 3 points to win the Super Bowl. Well, maybe that didn't cheer you up that much, but think about it this way: if they can do it, why can't we?

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/7

NJ Chiefs Fan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:43:19 -0000

via KansasCity.com

Your Kansas City Chiefs News. Got to warn you guys, it ain't pretty. Today's Arrowheadlines will be tweet free. I have to freeze my tail off on a train platform in a few minutes. At least I'll get to swing by and see the tree at 30 Rock. Happy Monday.

87-27
In the last two Sundays, the Chiefs have played the two best teams in the AFC West. They lost both games. They didn’t just lose them, they got smacked by the Chargers last Sunday and then by the Denver Broncos on this Sunday.

The Chiefs 44-13 loss was complete; all three phases of the game contributed to the 31-point beatdown. It’s the worst home loss for the Chiefs since the Chargers blasted them by 30 points (37-7) back in late October. The trip through franchise history for a worse home loss goes all the way back to 1976, when the Pittsburgh Steelers won at Arrowhead by 45 points (45-0).

The frustration meter in the Chiefs locker room was pegged after this game.

Top Of AFC West Falls On Chiefs Again; Broncos Win 44-13 from Bob Gretz

KC Star Photo Gallery: Broncos 44, Chiefs 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6

The Chiefs’ 44-13 loss to Denver at Arrowhead Stadium — the first time in 26 years the team allowed 40 points in consecutive games — hid any progress that Kansas City seemed to have made as of last month, when the Chiefs upset Pittsburgh for their second win in a row.

The locker room is a bleak place after days like this. Players shower, pack and depart without saying much. Another loss. Not many fresh ways to describe it. But there was a question that needed to be asked Sunday: Do players see progress?

Chiefs’ 44-13 loss to Broncos makes progress hard to detect from KC Star

On a day when they honored the great Derrick Thomas, the Chiefs did not live up to his memory in any fashion. If D.T. was watching, he certainly at some point had to say WTF!

Every week, Todd Haley likes to talk about the progress his team is making. He should check his eyes, because any sign of progress on Sunday against Denver was but a mirage.

"We took a big step back the last two weeks," said QB Matt Cassel, who got benched in the fourth quarter because he was having such a miserable day. "Last week against San Diego got out of hand and this week got out of hand."

The Chiefs never had any hand on this cold, cloudy day. They have played some awful football in the last three seasons, but nothing matched what they did in the second half of this 44-13 loss to the Broncos. It was an embarrassment of the highest football order as the Broncos scored 20 points in the third quarter and blew open a game that were likely to win anyway.

Column: A Difference In Approach from Bob Gretz

"He had a perfect game," Dorsey said. "He applied pressure and was in their backfield all day. I told Tamba I have to take him out to eat or something. Every time he was getting back there, I was getting a fumble (recovery)."

Thomas’ No. 58 was retired Sunday in conjunction with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. At halftime, the Arrowhead crowd was treated to highlights of Thomas’ career, only moments after Hali replicated the way Thomas terrorized quarterbacks.

On the second play after the 2-minute warning in the second quarter, Hali roared in from behind and sacked Orton for a 7-yard loss. On the next play, Hali reached Orton again, and not satisfied with merely getting the sack, he stripped Orton of the ball — much as Thomas did in his heyday.

Hali does a good Derrick Thomas impression against Broncos from KC Star

It’s not hard to understand why Todd Haley would say yes to the fake punt play that his special teams coach Steve Hoffman drew up. The Chiefs record was 3-8 at the time and they were down 14-6 to the Broncos and had just come off a very unproductive first half.

That lack of efficiency and production continued on the first possession of the second half. RB Tim Castille ran for two yards. QB Matt Cassel threw away the second down pass because of pressure. A third-down pass to TE Leonard Pope fell incomplete.

As far as the head coach was concerned, it was time to take a chance, roll the dice, nothing to lose but another game.

Fake Failure Starts Disaster from Bob Gretz

Will Matt Cassel be the Chiefs starting quarterback next Sunday when they host the Buffalo Bills?

"Yes," said head coach Todd Haley.

How long that might continue is now something that will be debated from tap rooms, to discussion boards and talk shows.

Cassel was simply awful on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. His numbers reflected that, as he completed 10 of 29 passes for 84 yards, with two interceptions and no touchdown passes. His passer rating of 14.6 is the worst of his 26 NFL starts. His completion percentage of 34.5 percent is the worst of his 26 NFL starts. His 2.9 yards per attempt was the worst … you get the picture.

Cassel’s Season Goes From Bad To Worse from Bob Gretz

Your Whitlock Alert (though you should read it)

Cassel’s 14.6 QB rating for the afternoon wasn’t all his fault. His receivers, particularly Bobby Wade, dropped numerous passes, failed to complete routes and generally conducted themselves as if they had little interest in risking a Brian Dawkins mouth shot.

So much for the myth that this Haley-coached team never quits. His players don’t care that he yells and screams anymore, if they ever did. He’s getting tuned out. In the first quarter, Wade shouted back at his coach and had to be restrained by his teammates.

The scare-and-intimidation tactics by Haley and Pioli aren’t a viable long-term plan. This "process" is immature. You can see it in the players’ uneven performance and demeanor. Even a proud, distinguished veteran like Mike Vrabel is beginning to crack.

When the Broncos converted a fourth-and-inches into a fourth-quarter touchdown, Vrabel flipped his middle finger to the Denver bench as he walked off the field.

"I was frustrated," said Vrabel, the former Patriots star. "I’ve been on the other end of one of those (blowout victory) and it’s a lot of fun. Well, now I’ve been on the other side, and it’s not good."

Chiefs are going the wrong direction from KC Star

Tamba Hali wasn’t talking to the media after Sunday’s game. It’s something he’s done all year. He wants his play to speak for him.

Well, on Sunday against the Broncos, Hali’s play was shouting. In a lost season, Hali continues to play at a level far above the 3-9 record that he’s part of with the ‘09 Chiefs.

His teammates spoke up for him on Sunday after Hali had 10 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

"Frustrated by the game," OLB Mike Vrabel said in the Chiefs locker room. "You don’t envision it going the way that it goes. We’ve got good players. It’s sad that we couldn’t win for a guy like Tamba who played his ass off.

"We just need to try and play up to what Tamba and guys like him are doing. If we win, it’s a great story. Instead, we’re all just frustrated and upset."

Tamba, Broncos & Notes, Oh MY from Bob Gretz

"It was such a special time for all of us in the organization," said Schottenheimer, 101-58-1 in 10 seasons as Chiefs head coach. "We had some terrific people, not only just players, but people throughout the organization, and it was a terrific time."

Derrion Thomas, one of Thomas’ children, attended the ceremony even though his team, Fort Scott Community College — where he is redshirting — was playing in the junior college national championship game on Sunday.

"It was a nice experience … a little cold," Derrion said of the halftime ceremony. "But it was a pretty good turnout (despite) the weather."

Chiefs blitz | Derrick Thomas honored at halftime from KC Star

As for the Chiefs, Schottenheimer said he’s confident Todd Haley can revive a club that has lost 32 of its last 37 games.

"There are things to be done, and they’re working on them," Schottenheimer said. "I’ve known Todd Haley for years through his father, Dick, and I think they’re going to get it headed in the right direction.

"These things don’t turn around … it’s not like taking a little 26-foot deck boat and turning it around. It’s like taking an ocean liner and turning it around."

Chiefs notes | Schottenheimer to coach East-West game from KC Star

When this dismal season comes to a merciful end, the Chiefs will have plenty of misery to look back on.

None will stand out more than a 12-minute stretch to begin the third quarter of Sunday’s 44-13 loss to the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Nothing the Chiefs did worked as they allowed the Broncos to outscore them 20-0 and increase their halftime lead of 14-6.

"It was a pretty rough stretch," said Chiefs backup quarterback Brodie Croyle, a prominent figure in the play that sent the quarter spiraling downward. "Once it starts, we can’t let it snowball."

It started with coach Todd Haley’s decision to order a fake punt on fourth and 8 from the Chiefs’ 28 early in the period. Croyle was sent into the game in punt formation.

Third quarter turns into nightmare for Chiefs from KC Star

Bumped and bruised after a day under intense scrutiny from the Denver Broncos, Jamaal Charles finally got the full feeling of what it’s like to be the featured back for a woeful team.

It’s no wonder that after the Chiefs were routed 44-13 on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, Charles sounded a lot like Larry Johnson might have.

"Somebody besides me," Charles said, "has got to step up and make plays."

Charles scored the Chiefs’ only touchdown on a 4-yard run in the fourth quarter. But he had little help from his teammates and was obviously frustrated by another day of his team’s offensive futility.

"This is happening a lot around here," Charles said. "It’s embarrassing."

Loss leaves Charles feeling sore from KC Star

Chiefs LB Vrabel Lets Emotions Get Best of Him, Bud Adams Style

Joel Thorman — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:25:13 -0000

More photos » by Ed Zurga - AP

9 days ago: Denver Broncos safety Renaldo Hill (23) celebrates his interception with teammate Andra Davis (54) during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. The Broncos won 44-13. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Browse more photos »

In the fourth quarter of Sunday's 44-13 loss to the Denver Broncos, one of the leaders of the Kansas City Chiefs defense let his emotions get the best of him.

On a fourth and one, nursing a big lead in the fourth quarter, the Broncos opted to go for it. And go for it they did all the way to the end zone via an 18 yard run by Knowshon Moreno.

After the game, Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel wasn't bothered by the Broncos decision to go for it.

"They can call whatever they wanna run," Vrabel said, "and go for it on fourth down every single time if they want. We just have to stop them. I've been on the other side when things are great, and being on this side, ain't so good."

But during the game, Vrabel appeared to have a problem with it. Frustration manifested itself Bud Adams style, by Vrabel flipping the bird in the direction of the Broncos bench after Moreno's touchdown run. He continued to walk back to the bench in obvious frustration.

Does he think the league will fine him for it?

"I don't know," he said quietly after the game. "I think that they can take a look at it and do with it what they want."

The league fined Titans owner Bud Adams $250,000 for flipping off the Buffalo fans several weeks ago. In November of 2006, Michael Vick was fined $10,000 for a similar hand signal.

Vrabel went on to say more players on the team need to do whatever Tamba Hali is doing. Hali forced two fumbles and notched three more sacks to his season total.

"It's sad we couldn't win for a guy like Tamba who played his ass off," he said. "We just need to play up to what Tamba and guys like that are doing. If we win, that's a great story instead we're just frustrated."