Monday Night Football: Chiefs @ Packers 8:30 ET on ESPN

[cdumler7]

Reid put his thumbprint on the OFC with Maclin, & Kelce, and of course he inherited Charles...yeah, they need a WR2 but Charles is so versatile, that's not the worst trio of OFC playmakers I've seen...Alex Smith is simply not the QB you need to come from behind or challenge the DEF downfield consistently.

This right here pretty much sums up the Chiefs offense. They are a limited group because of Alex Smith and his refusal to throw deep on a consistent basis. I think last year he only threw beyond 20 yards 16 or 18 times. The entire season! Now given they have done it a bit more this year because of having Kelce and Maclin but you can still tell that Smith just does not feel comfortable making that type of throw. When you throw in that OL just isn't that great it makes getting Charles going pretty tough and leads to Smith getting happy feet very quickly.

Now I know they didn't show it last night but defensively they are still a very solid team. They get Sean Smith back this week so that should help that secondary to not get picked on as much. This team goes as far as their defense can carry them. I think they stand a chance at the playoffs still but I can't see them going much further than the Wild Card weekend.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

This right here pretty much sums up the Chiefs offense. They are a limited group because of Alex Smith and his refusal to throw deep on a consistent basis. I think last year he only threw beyond 20 yards 16 or 18 times. The entire season! Now given they have done it a bit more this year because of having Kelce and Maclin but you can still tell that Smith just does not feel comfortable making that type of throw. When you throw in that OL just isn't that great it makes getting Charles going pretty tough and leads to Smith getting happy feet very quickly.

Now I know they didn't show it last night but defensively they are still a very solid team. They get Sean Smith back this week so that should help that secondary to not get picked on as much. This team goes as far as their defense can carry them. I think they stand a chance at the playoffs still but I can't see them going much further than the Wild Card weekend.

The D...some things that would bother me as a KC fan...the run DEF is not that great to have Poe, a top 5 NT on the field. Hali is still a good player, but showing some signs of age...did not contain the edge well at all last night and you have to wonder if he's still a 3 down player beyond this season. That said...still too many good players on this side of side of the ball for this trend (28 pts PA avg.) to continue.

The O...yep. Smith is what he is...you can win games with him, and they could very well get to 9 or 10 wins but when it comes down to beating the top shelf teams in the playoffs...he would not be my pick t start a game.

 

[cdumler7]

The D...some things that would bother me as a KC fan...the run DEF is not that great to have Poe, a top 5 NT on the field. Hali is still a good player, but showing some signs of age...did not contain the edge well at all last night and you have to wonder if he's still a 3 down player beyond this season. That said...still too many good players on this side of side of the ball for this trend (28 pts PA avg.) to continue.

The O...yep. Smith is what he is...you can win games with him, and they could very well get to 9 or 10 wins but when it comes down to beating the top shelf teams in the playoffs...he would not be my pick t start a game.

The run defense has definitely been a concern for the Chiefs. Last year I think they finished bottom 5 in the league in yards per carry against. This is where Poe in my opinion is a little more of a 1-dimensional player at the NT spot. Usually if you have an elite NT in a 3-4 defense then your run defense is pretty darn good. Poe though is a pass rush specialist trying to make it as a run stuffer. You are right that Hali is slowing down. I see him getting more and more 1-on-1 opportunities than at any other point in his career and he just hasn't been able to take advantage as much as you would like. I think teams are figuring out very quickly that you can just work to stop #50 and if you can do that then this defense is definitely beatable.

 

[DJ]

I figured I would let you guys enjoy your wins. Crazy that right now our two teams are #1 and #2 in the division and both looking good. This game in 2 weeks could be a lot bigger than I think most thought before the season started. Don't worry I will show up that week to your board. Got to have a little fun reminding you of who has still owned this division

LOL. You're one of those rational rival fans who have given us encouragement and it's appreciated. Yeah, that will have some extra motivation and add to the already fierce rivalry.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

The run defense has definitely been a concern for the Chiefs. Last year I think they finished bottom 5 in the league in yards per carry against. This is where Poe in my opinion is a little more of a 1-dimensional player at the NT spot. Usually if you have an elite NT in a 3-4 defense then your run defense is pretty darn good. Poe though is a pass rush specialist trying to make it as a run stuffer. You are right that Hali is slowing down. I see him getting more and more 1-on-1 opportunities than at any other point in his career and he just hasn't been able to take advantage as much as you would like. I think teams are figuring out very quickly that you can just work to stop #50 and if you can do that then this defense is definitely beatable.

My brother n law ( big KC fan) and I have had these very conversations...how can the run DEF be what it is with Poe on the field? Just looking at the game last night...the few times I really paid attention to trench play...on the successful runs (most to Hali's side that I saw) they were able to seal Poe with the C, LG was on the DE, and LT was on Hali...and they were able to get outside of him for nice gains with Lacy and a couple by Starks.

Hali has been slowing down since LY I thought...can still make plays, but coverage and run support are not nearly what he brought in the past.

The one part I didn't mention...OL...they don't have playoff caliber OL play...the LT Stephenson is really the best of two evils and Fisher the 1st rd pick (supposed to be a LT anchor) is struggling to stay at RT.

 

[cdumler7]

My brother n law ( big KC fan) and I have had these very conversations...how can the run DEF be what it is with Poe on the field? Just looking at the game last night...the few times I really paid attention to trench play...on the successful runs (most to Hali's side that I saw) they were able to seal Poe with the C, LG was on the DE, and LT was on Hali...and they were able to get outside of him for nice gains with Lacy and a couple by Starks.

Hali has been slowing down since LY I thought...can still make plays, but coverage and run support are not nearly what he brought in the past.

The one part I didn't mention...OL...they don't have playoff caliber OL play...the LT Stephenson is really the best of two evils and Fisher the 1st rd pick (supposed to be a LT anchor) is struggling to stay at RT.

Poe's problem is he is more of a speed guy than a power guy in my opinion. He had that ridiculous combine that showed his elite speed and elite first step which is why he is so good in the pass rush. The problem though is most teams running the 3-4 want that NT to eat up 2-3 blocks to allow the Linebackers to make plays in the run game. That just isn't who Poe is. So either the Chiefs need to switch how they are running their 3-4 to better cater to Poe's strengths and weaknesses or just realize he isn't going to be as good of a help in the run defense.

Poe actually reminds me of what the Broncos have right now at NT in Sly Williams. Last year with Del Rio he loves to play a 2-Gap system with his interior guys and well Sly just doesn't have the strength to be that type of player. He got washed out in the run game quite often. Now with Phillips though we are playing a more 1-gap aggressive attack style defense and that fits Sly well because he has a great first step where he can hit the hole and disrupt plays in the backfield. I think Poe would benefit highly from this style change.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Poe's problem is he is more of a speed guy than a power guy in my opinion. He had that ridiculous combine that showed his elite speed and elite first step which is why he is so good in the pass rush. The problem though is most teams running the 3-4 want that NT to eat up 2-3 blocks to allow the Linebackers to make plays in the run game. That just isn't who Poe is. So either the Chiefs need to switch how they are running their 3-4 to better cater to Poe's strengths and weaknesses or just realize he isn't going to be as good of a help in the run defense.

Poe actually reminds me of what the Broncos have right now at NT in Sly Williams. Last year with Del Rio he loves to play a 2-Gap system with his interior guys and well Sly just doesn't have the strength to be that type of player. He got washed out in the run game quite often. Now with Phillips though we are playing a more 1-gap aggressive attack style defense and that fits Sly well because he has a great first step where he can hit the hole and disrupt plays in the backfield. I think Poe would benefit highly from this style change.

Poe...yeah...made a big leap up the big board after the combine...went from a projected late 20s pick to top 10.

Scheme vs player...tell me about it...we saw the same transition from Hampton a legit 2 gap NT for a long time to McLendon...really a slasher type player but he could only manage 1 gap. Under LeBeau they never seem to figure out that McL was just a different kind of player and the run DEF suffered...now under Butler he's playing a 1 gap technique (in fact all DL are now 1 gappers in PIT) and we're seeing more production from the the entire DL.

I see it happening in HOU too with Clowney...he's not a 3-4 OLB...yeah he's a good enough athlete to play the position, but if you want the best out of him he should be a 4-3 DE imo.

 

[cdumler7]

Poe...yeah...made a big leap up the big board after the combine...went from a projected late 20s pick to top 10.

Scheme vs player...tell me about it...we saw the same transition from Hampton a legit 2 gap NT for a long time to McLendon...really a slasher type player but he could only manage 1 gap. Under LeBeau they never seem to figure out that McL was just a different kind of player and the run DEF suffered...now under Butler he's playing a 1 gap technique (in fact all DL are now 1 gappers in PIT) and we're seeing more production from the the entire DL.

I see it happening in HOU too with Clowney...he's not a 3-4 OLB...yeah he's a good enough athlete to play the position, but if you want the best out of him he should be a 4-3 DE imo.

You and I had this talk quite a bit before that draft that Mack was the better fit for the Texans. You would think by this point in NFL history teams would figure out that scheme fit can be just about as important as that of talent. I know the idea of take the most talented player and make it work sounds good but there are times that you just can do better if you find guys that fit your scheme really well. It is how you take an average player and make them into a productive player in this league.

I have been impressed with the Steelers defense these last 2 games. I don't know what happened that first week but since then they have communicated much better it looks like and have shown up well to help the team out. Makes me think they can win with Michael Vick at the helm or at least hold the playoff hopes together until Big Ben can return.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

You and I had this talk quite a bit before that draft that Mack was the better fit for the Texans. You would think by this point in NFL history teams would figure out that scheme fit can be just about as important as that of talent. I know the idea of take the most talented player and make it work sounds good but there are times that you just can do better if you find guys that fit your scheme really well. It is how you take an average player and make them into a productive player in this league.

I have been impressed with the Steelers defense these last 2 games. I don't know what happened that first week but since then they have communicated much better it looks like and have shown up well to help the team out. Makes me think they can win with Michael Vick at the helm or at least hold the playoff hopes together until Big Ben can return.

Yes we did...HOU thought ATL would cave and give up the farm for Clowney...ATL held firm on their offer and and HOU held firm on their vow they would take him. Rather than take the player that best fit for them (Mack) its almost as if HOU didn't want to pass on the top player in the draft even though on paper they really didn't need him.

PIT DEF...S play has gotten better for certain, but communication issues should not be that hard for pros to sort out. Mitchell is finally starting to look like he belongs at FS and Will Allen may have had his best game vs STL.

The DL/front7 boys are looking better as well...they have recorded at least 1 sack in each of the last 2 games and generally more QB pressure and they didn't play badly vs NE really...need to find a way to keep Shazier on the field, but ILB is the deepest position on the team. Dupree quietly just missed his chance on getting 3 sacks in his 1st 3 games as a pro.

I'm going to follow player protocol and only focus on BAL, but I think Vick can have success at home...he's got all the 1st team reps this week so hopefully the WRs that have not played much with Vick such as A. Brown can get used to the reverse spin on his left handed ball.