The starters for both the Chiefs and Packers only played a few drives but it did show me a little bit of what I think we've been lacking in recent years. When looking at some of the best teams in the NFL over the past 50 years like the 49ers, Steelers, and recently the Ravens, you notice one thing: they won't back down from anyone. They look to impose their will both offensively and defensively and, most of the time, do just that.
Last night the Chiefs started the game with 9 consecutive running plays from three different running backs. After two first downs the drive eventually stalled and ended with a field goal but seeing the prospective "thunder and lightning" idea play out as planned was nice to see. Jamal Charles put his speed on display after returning from tearing his ACL last year was encouraging, and watching Peyton Hillis run through and over defenders provided the old school feel.
As if seeing the White Rhino (Hillis) truck people wasn't refreshing enough, seeing Nate Eachus continue what he started last week just added to my excitement. Last week I commented that Eachus may struggle to make the final roster of 53 players but this week it seemed that he was the third string running back and had a good chance of not only making the team, but playing in the regular season.
I hope that what we saw out of the Chiefs continues over the course of the season, because I think the ability to impose your will on the other team is a very important aspect of almost every good team in the NFL. When a team can consistently challenge your defense by running the ball down your throat it's very hard to not get demoralized. If it does continue, which would be harder against a better run defense like the Broncos, I think we have a decent chance of winning our division in 2013.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Preseason Week 3 - Game of Inches
In the Chiefs third preseason game they showed flashes of what the team should be built on, as well as a lot of what has kept them from being consistent and winning a playoff game since 1993. Bad field position was the main culprit tonight. It seemed like the Seahawks started every drive on their own forty leaving the defense helpless with its back almost immediately against the red zone.
The first quarter was pathetic offensively but fairly impressive defensively considering how often and quickly they were on the field. The first drive set the tone for the rest of the night with three consecutive negative plays, including a sack on third down, followed by a punt from inside their own 20. Anytime you find yourself punting from there you're inevitably going to give the other team the advantage. As a defensive player myself, I know that it is hard to stay in the mindset of keeping them from scoring when they only need 20 to 30 yards to be in field goal range. However, the defense did do a good job in the first quarter, allowing only two mid-range 3 pointers. The offense had only 3 yards.
The second quarter saw the momentum shift as the defense became visibly gassed, which lead to some embarrassingly undiciplined play. Rookie QB Russell Wilson took advantage of the D completely losing containment with 31 and 27 yard runs on back-to-back drives. The exhaustion became very clear as - after some shoddy tackling on a run by rookie Robert Turbin (93 yards and a TD) - Wilson rushed them to the line and found a wide open Kellen Winslow in the end zone. The Chiefs looked lost and ready to get off the field. The very next drive was more of the same with two roughing the passer penalties on Tamba Hali and three long passes. With the exception of one long drive, on which Cassel methodically moved the team down the field with short completions. The offense was mostly to blame for the performance of both themselves and the defense with only 102 yards.
At the half, the game was already decided and following a fumble and interception from Cassel on the first two drives, and a terrible first drive by the defense the backups entered. Anyone watching the game learned a new name in Nate Eachus. While he may struggle to make the final cut down to 53 players next week he was the only shining star in this game. In the backfield he ran hard and finished every run right with two hands on the ball and his pads down. He ended the game with 98 yards and a touchdown right before time expired with a final score of 44 to 14. While we are deep at the running back position, I would be disappointed to see him go. As he jogged to the sideline and sat on the bench, you could see the excitement and it looked like that was one of the greatest moments of his life.
Follow him on twitter @Nate_Eachus
Picture by standardspeaker.com
The first quarter was pathetic offensively but fairly impressive defensively considering how often and quickly they were on the field. The first drive set the tone for the rest of the night with three consecutive negative plays, including a sack on third down, followed by a punt from inside their own 20. Anytime you find yourself punting from there you're inevitably going to give the other team the advantage. As a defensive player myself, I know that it is hard to stay in the mindset of keeping them from scoring when they only need 20 to 30 yards to be in field goal range. However, the defense did do a good job in the first quarter, allowing only two mid-range 3 pointers. The offense had only 3 yards.
The second quarter saw the momentum shift as the defense became visibly gassed, which lead to some embarrassingly undiciplined play. Rookie QB Russell Wilson took advantage of the D completely losing containment with 31 and 27 yard runs on back-to-back drives. The exhaustion became very clear as - after some shoddy tackling on a run by rookie Robert Turbin (93 yards and a TD) - Wilson rushed them to the line and found a wide open Kellen Winslow in the end zone. The Chiefs looked lost and ready to get off the field. The very next drive was more of the same with two roughing the passer penalties on Tamba Hali and three long passes. With the exception of one long drive, on which Cassel methodically moved the team down the field with short completions. The offense was mostly to blame for the performance of both themselves and the defense with only 102 yards.
At the half, the game was already decided and following a fumble and interception from Cassel on the first two drives, and a terrible first drive by the defense the backups entered. Anyone watching the game learned a new name in Nate Eachus. While he may struggle to make the final cut down to 53 players next week he was the only shining star in this game. In the backfield he ran hard and finished every run right with two hands on the ball and his pads down. He ended the game with 98 yards and a touchdown right before time expired with a final score of 44 to 14. While we are deep at the running back position, I would be disappointed to see him go. As he jogged to the sideline and sat on the bench, you could see the excitement and it looked like that was one of the greatest moments of his life.
Follow him on twitter @Nate_Eachus
Picture by standardspeaker.com
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