Read a nice piece on left tackle Branden Albert, but what’s written isn’t always what fans think. Should Todd Haley let Branden eat? Hit the kitchen and throw back some cheeseburgers. Quite a few feel this way.
It’s the weight! Due to injury, Albert got a late start his rookie year, but rebounded and played well that first season. He looked the part, but after is when things changed. In walks Haley and forces Albert to lose the weight. The after is what fans keep pointing to.
In their minds, that’s when the problem starts. I thought maybe the system or possibly the newness of the situation, but did losing the extra pounds really diminish the skills? I don’t get paid to make big decisions, but more weight because of muscle is fine, but fat? Is that ever a good thing? I guess if you don’t plan on moving very fast or very far, like a big nose tackle, but the Chiefs want Albert to be mobile. It comes back to scheme.
What Haley wants is for his men to be lean. Haley was a shock to the system, but in a good way. I like cheeseburgers as much as the next guy, but too many doesn’t help anybody. I think Albert is finally coming back to us, but in better shape. Overall it’ll be a positive for the Chiefs.
BACK TO THE EAGLES: So not long after last week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, I was reproducing the moments in my head. Was I too harsh, particularly on the offense? I absolutely enjoyed the defense, except for the end, but did Matt Cassel deserve an F.
On the drive home, many fans called into the radio and liked what they saw. Fine, I’m sure those first few minutes of the first quarter skewed my reasoning.
I’ll be honest; it was like a punch in the nose, so maybe the tears kept me from the big picture. Simon Cowell from American Idol would correct himself from time to time. He’d come back to that particular singer and say he was wrong. No biggie, so was I wrong on Cassel?
Here’s the truth: It’s getting harder to break up wishful thinking from actuality. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Chiefs offense that without question shows you what they’re about. I didn’t need to split hairs with Trent Green and Priest Holmes. Dick Vermeil and his offense didn’t leave fans searching for needles in haystacks. With the Kansas City Chiefs averaging 13 points a game, the squinting is beginning to hurt my eyes. So I apologize for the lack of positive, but I’m really trying.
RUNNING THE BALL: Haley wants to run the ball, so after the Eagles game the Chiefs raised their average to 150 yards a game, which if you didn’t know, is just a yard shy of the Pittsburgh Steelers for best in preseason. Before the Eagles the Chiefs were sitting at 4th best with 141 yards a game.
How can the Chiefs work this positive? Will Haley pull a Marty Schottenheimer and run first? It’s a plus for Cassel, not because I don’t think Cassel should throw, but because right now he’s struggling. The Chiefs still need to move the chains and in preseason the Chiefs are running the ball like Haley wants. That’s a good thing for the Chiefs.
“I think the running game is going to be a real good strength,” says Dexter McCluster. “We have a lot of balance we have some speed guys we have some power guys and we got some guys that can hit the hole and get down field. The running game with that being good can really open things up for the passing game and the play action game. If we can continue to pound and pound rush for 100 plus that’s going to open up a lot.”
I’m not sure the Chiefs know what they have in Cassel, because if we see it, you can bet the coaches know there are things to fix. So in the mean time the run is what the Chiefs have and it’s not doing too badly.
THURSDAY'S GAME: Yes, the Chiefs face the very same Green Bay Packers team that put a 59-point whipping on the Indianapolis Colts. Preseason saved the hardest for last. The Packers are very, very good. They are the complete package and will show fans exactly what the Chiefs have.
“We’re always looking forward to a good game, especially as a secondary,” said Eric Berry about Green Bay. “They have some pretty good wide receivers and a nice quarterback, but it is what it is. We can’t control who we’re playing against the only thing we can control is going out this week working hard at practice and just trying to get ready for them. We really can’t do anything about that, but they said the same thing about Philly to.
“We just want to come and perform and do our best. That’s all we’re going to shoot for.”
To me it’s important that Cassel and the offense start on a high note. Cassel took a step forward against the Bucs, but went backwards when his performance mattered most. It has to be different Thursday night. That night Cassel will need to own it, show it and be the man.
Are the Chiefs further ahead than the fourth preseason game of last year? By miles, but for Cassel’s sake he needs to catch up. He’s not the only player, but the main guy fans are looking at. The Chiefs have the running game Jamaal Charles, McCluster and Thomas Jones is great. Dwayne Bowe is in the shape he needs to be in and is set to be a better receiver this season. The defense is coming around and playing respectable ball. The stage is set, but the leading man needs to own his part.
Some 64,000 fans showed to see the Chiefs first home game in the new Arrowhead.
“I love Arrowhead,” said Berry. “Even though it was a preseason game it felt like the crowd was very intense. It was a big number that showed. I was very excited about that. I didn’t see that in Atlanta or in Tampa.”
If things click Thursday, meaning Cassel shows up, and then I feel real good about the upcoming regular season. I’m looking for enjoyable football and I’m thinking more wins. How many will be up to the boys in red.
Good day, Chief fans!
