Showing posts with label dexter mccluster. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dexter mccluster. Show all posts

Monday, August 27, 2012

Chiefs-Seahawks Game Recap

After a disappointing showing against the St. Louis Rams, the Chiefs were looking to make a statement against the Seattle Seahawks in the all-important third preseason game. Rather than turn things around, things went from bad to worse for Kansas City, as the team got embarrassed by Seattle, 44-14.

The Chiefs had no answer for Seattle’s Russell Wilson, a rookie third-round pick out of Wisconsin who recently won the team’s starting job over Matt Flynn. Wilson threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 58 yards, leading the Seahawks to scores on their first six possessions. The absence of cornerback Brandon Flowers and safety Kendrick Lewis was noticeable in the passing attack and the Chiefs front seven mustered little pressure on the QB and routinely gave up big plays on the ground. Kansas City had one of the better defenses in the NFL last year, but the unit has not looked sharp this preseason. With Tamba Hali suspended for the first game of the regular season and Flowers and Lewis continuing to fight nagging injuries, head coach Romeo Crennel is going to have to get creative and find a way to improve the defense while it is missing some key players.

Offensively, Kansas City struggled all night long, including going three-and-out on the team’s first four drives. The Chiefs had one impressive drive in the second quarter, marching 80 yards and scoring on a Dexter McCluster reception, but the rest of the night was pretty dismal. Matt Cassel threw an interception that was returned 75 yards for a touchdown, and the team failed to hit on any big plays once it got down by a couple of scores.

Even special teams were troublesome for the Chiefs, as Seattle’s Golden Tate returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter.

It is still only the preseason, but Kansas City played its starters well into the third quarter and looked overmatched by an average Seattle team. Injuries on defense have been a major problem, and the team will have to find more consistency on offense. Hopefully the return of Dwayne Bowe will ignite a spark for the offense, and Flowers and Lewis can return from injury soon to aid the defense.

The team’s final preseason game will be this Thursday, when the Chiefs travel to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Looking Back on Last Year's Draft

With the 2011 NFL draft a day away, the Chiefs could benefit from taking a look at its 2010 draft class. Many experts deemed Kansas City's 2010 draft a success before the rookies strapped on shoulder pads, and the group lived up to the hype. If the Chiefs hope to repeat the success the team enjoyed in 2010 and continue to build a winning foundation, another strong draft is critical.

A team's draft is dictated on who they grab with their first pick, and the Chiefs finally got a game changever with its top selection last year. Eric Berry made an immediate impact for Kansas City, blossiming into a pro bowl safety in his first season. Just imagine if the Chiefs had found two other pro bowlers with its first round picks rather than take Glenn Dorsey or Tyson Jackson. The Chiefs now find themselves without a top five pick, meaning they could take the best player available rather than address a specific need. Hopefully Kansas City finds another player who is ready to make an impact with its top pick, and former first round picks Dorsey and Jackson start to live up to their draft selection.

A team can get good in a hurry if it finds starters in the middle rounds of the draft, and the Chiefs did that last year. Kansas City injected its team with much needed speed by drafting Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas. McCluster added a playmaking spark to the offense while giving the return game a much needed boost, while Arenas showed the potential to be a solid defensive back and showed flashes of being a dangerous returner as well. Tight end Tony Moeaki also had a successful rookie season and appears to be the Chiefs tight end of the future.

Last year, the Chiefs were able to find quality starters while adding depth, the two ingredients for any successful draft. After years of bad drafts, Kansas City now finds themselves one good draft away from having a talented core of young players mixed with capable veterans. Hopefully the Chiefs will keep the momentum going from last year's draft and hit another home run tomorrow.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Chiefs Win, Control AFC West

The Chiefs Defense came up big time and time again on Sunday to beat the Broncos 10-6. No, it wasn't pretty, but a win is a win. That coupled with a Raiders upset at San Diego have the Chiefs in control of the AFC West. The Chiefs kept it interesting all day with their inability to score (or lack of foresight to kick the field goal in a tight game.) Penalties really hurt the Chiefs offense all day long as well as a very stingy Denver defense, particularly in the passing game. Dwayne Bowe was held catchless by Champ Bailey and others as he was double-teamed all day. Matt Cassel was again efficient going 17-13 for 196 yards and a TD (again no INTs - and 158 consecutive passes without an interception). Jamaal Charles was steady with 116 yards rushing. The return to action of Dexter McCluster was a much needed boost. He had a couple of catches.


The real story for the Chiefs in this one was the Defense. They were excellent. Brandon Carr, especially, but the whole secondary gave Orton fits. The Denver quarterback was just 9-28 on the day, OUCH! Tamba Hali had two sacks, one of which he forced a fumble and recovered it (Derrick Thomas Style).


San Diego's unexpected loss to the Raiders give the Chiefs a 2 game lead in the division. A win next week in San Diego would all but clinch it (barring the Raiders winning out). Whatever happens, it sure is good to play meaningful games in December, watching the scoreboard to see what other teams are doing, in short, it's just good to care again.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Chiefs Beat Chargers


After a season filled with close (and not so close) loses, unanswered questions and a somewhat promising finish, the Kansas City Chiefs made starting out the 2010 season on the right foot a priority. The team did just that, upsetting AFC West juggernaut San Diego in the rain, 21-14.

The Chiefs hadn't won on opening day since this guy was in office, and more importantly, had lost to San Diego in its last five meetings. After falling to the Chargers by a combined 59 points last year, the Chiefs win was essential for the team to prove it will be, at the very least, no longer a guaranteed win for other teams around the league.

While the Chiefs played well, two aspects of the team are still troubling. First, the Chiefs continue to underuse Jamaal Charles. Despite showing his big-play ability time and time again, Charles continues to split carries with Thomas Jones. Jones is a steady, productive back, but Charles must be given more touches a game with his home run ability. Also troubling is the continued poor play from quarterback Matt Cassel. If the Chiefs are to make a push for the playoffs, it is important for Cassel to make plays and limit mistakes.

The good news for the Chiefs is the team is loaded with young playmakers to go along with Charles, most notably Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas. Both have big-time return ability and have given the special teams a much needed boost. If the Chiefs can continue to run the ball effectively, find a few big plays from its special teams and Cassel can start playing like he gets paid to, a shot at the playoffs isn't out of Kansas City's reach.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Chiefs Falcons Preseason Game 1 - Are We Going to Throw Long?

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Chiefs Falcons Preseason Game 1
Are we planning on throwing long anytime this season?


It doesn't matter what happens for the rest of this Chiefs preseason game vs. the Atlanta Falcons, it baffles me that the Chiefs did not attempt one single pass over 15 yards while the starters were in.  Cassel's only attempt at a pass of any noteworthy length was an incomplete pass to tight end Pope across the middle.

The only teams that win in this league are teams that can air it out LONG down the field.  The fact that the Chiefs didn't even ATTEMPT to throw the ball long leads me to believe that we're in for a long and fruitless year.  It is simply not possible to win football games without throwing long.  The defense will abandon coverage and close in on our semi-weak running offense.  The Chiefs are going to have to stretch the field in order to keep the heat off of our running game.

The fact that this is only a preseason game doesn't matter - they still have to get the ball down the field to Bowe or Chambers at least once.
Standouts from tonight's preseason game are Dexter McCluster, who ran the ball successfully for the most part and caught several passes to the wings - short passes that is.  The Chiefs also tried to run a draw up the middle with McCluster - quite possibly the dumbest call of the game.  Dexter McCluster is only 5' 7", 165 pounds, he's NOT going to be able to run up the middle...sheesh.  Another standout was Jamaal Charles who did his usual scampering about for a few yards.

Terrible performances brought to you by Leonard Pope who does not seem to be able to catch the ball at all.  He had two passes bounce off his chest.  Thomas Jones either really sucks or the plays that they had him run were worthless, either way he was suck-o.

All in all this preseason game was quite possibly the most boring football game I've ever witnessed and the Chiefs had better learn to stretch the field with long passes or they are going to lose - a lot. 

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