Week 4 - Pre-Game Popcorn

For those of you who have never carried a football, there's more to it than you think. You don't, or at least shouldn't, just put it in your arm and run. There's a technique that is taught to most running backs and receivers at a very young age. 

This is how the ball should be held when running in the open field:

Compliments of rankopedia.com

This is how the ball is held by every Chiefs' running back, with the exception of Nate Eachus (who rarely gets a chance to carry the ball):

Compliments of The Wichita Eagle

For some, the difference may not be visible. For others, it's glaring. In four games, the Chiefs have managed to turn the ball over FIFTEEN times. The seven interceptions Matt Cassel has thrown in four games is the same as the number of interceptions Aaron Rodgers threw in four times as many games last year, but I don't believe that's the main reason we're losing games. The most crucial part of the game takes place inside the ten yard line. Whether you are backed up against your own end zone, or you are about to score, those are crucial moments in any game. In those moments, almost every team is careful with the ball, counting on the running game to move the ball. In the Chiefs' case, however, that has turned out to to be even more dangerous than putting it in the air. EIGHT fumbles have caused the opponent to win in those crucial moments of the game. 

In the picture of Jamaal Charles above, you can see the ball resting against his forearm, and moving with his arms as they pump. This would be an acceptable technique if he were in the open field, and sure there were no defenders around him. In this picture he isn't even past the line of scrimmage and will be hit soon. That is lazy and poor execution of a technique he was probably taught at the age of five or six. The little things win ball games. Being lazy and not doing them is a sure way to embarrass your team by handing the ball to the opponent.

The first picture is of Tiki Barber, former running back for the New York Giants. Early in his career he led the NFL in fumbles almost every season. Eventually, his coach, Tom Coughlin, told him that if it didn't change, he'd find himself on the bench. He famously changed his technique to what is pictured and for the rest of his career he was last in the league in fumbling the ball. In the picture of Charles, even a middle schooler could take that ball from him. All it takes, when cradling the ball, is a slight hit (much less than the average NFL player is capable of delivering) to dislodge the ball. With Tiki Barber's technique, the is no place for the ball to squirt out. A player has to physically pull it from your arms, which can happen still, but RARELY.

It may seem like I haven't the game much, but the game mostly consisted of us turning the ball over to the Chargers. Coming into the game the Chiefs had averaged the most yards per game in the entire NFL, but six turnovers is too much for any team to overcome, no matter how bad the other team plays. The Chargers didn't do anything very well on offense as pro-bowler, Phillip Rivers, threw for only 206 yards, but that's because they didn't have to. KC handed the ball over in their own territory giving the defense no chance to keep San Diego from scoring. 

This week we played sloppy football. There was very little effort put forth and we didn't take care of the ball. The players should be embarrassed by the show they put on for their home fans. The Chargers scored at will and laughed their way back home with a 37-20 victory and first place in the division.

Players of the Game:

Chiefs 

Defense: Tamba Hali - He finally looked like the old Tamba. He looked strong, man handling offensive linemen. He made plays in the backfield and looked close to what he was last year. He had five tackles, two in the backfield, and one sack.

Offense: Dwayne Bowe - Matt Cassel looked for him on almost every play. He targeted Bowe twelve times (seven more than any other receiver) and they connected on seven of them for 108 yards and a touchdown. He was the only player that looked dominant for the Chiefs, winning every one-on-one battle with the San Diego corners (when Cassel could get the ball somewhere close to him).

Chargers

Antonio Gates - The eight-time pro-bowler looked like the seasoned veteran that he is. Romeo Crennel thought that the athletic Eric Berry would be able to neutralize Gates and had him cover him on-on-one for the entire first half. In the first half, Gates was thrown to five times, and embarrassed Berry on every one of them. He caught three of the passes thrown his way for over 70 yards. The only passes that weren't completed were because Berry attempted to mug him and was called for pass interference. It really emphasized that experience and wisdom will beat youth and athleticism every time.