The spread offense. Everybody is talking about it. I think some locals are down on it because of Missouri’s lackluster season (Has anybody else just concluded that they played lights out and caught the college football world off guard a year ago?), but both Florida and Oklahoma use it, too. The Patriots used a lot of spread during their historic 2007 season as well. Then there’s our Chiefs; we’ve looked a helluva lot better since we installed the spread and especially the pistol variation of the spread, coinciding with Larry Johnson’s return.
At first, I was an anti-spread guy when it came to the pros. I’ve softened a little bit on that stance. First off, it’s obvious that Tyler Thigpen is much more comfortable in this kind of offense. The offense line was a five-lane expressway before we implemented the formation. Larry? I think it’s easy for him to get a head full of steam, which makes him extremely difficult to bring down. I also think this offense could potentially extend his career. Tony Gonzalez? More receiving, less blocking. As a result, he’s thrived. Dwayne Bowe has been his usual standout self, occasional drops due to lapses in concentration and all. Mark Bradley has emerged as a legit complimentary receiver.
The other pro is that both Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow run the spread, and rumor has it that we are still thinking quarterback. Don’t shoot the messenger, yo, but we might still draft a quarterback this upcoming spring. If Andre Smith is unavailable, I think anything that early except a QB might be a reach in this draft class. I don’t see a top-five defensive end among the bunch, and I don’t believe top-five linebackers exist. You reach when you pick a LB in the top five. I’ll put it this way; I’d rather have two good quarterbacks than none. Gotta hedge that bet.
One other potential pro is that it could balance out Herm Edwards‘ tendency to be overly conservative. Because the spread is an aggressive formation by nature, conservative playcalling with this formation is counter-productive.
Cons? Well, L.J. isn’t exactly the Wizard of Westbrook as a receiver and Jamaal Charles hands are suspect. I also think it puts you at a disadvantage in the redzone and on short yardage situations, because if you line up in under-center formations after primarily running the spread it telegraphs that you are going to go to the power running game. Especially with Harm at coach. Additionally, if Harm tries to be too conservative late in games he will clip the spread’s wings.
It’s also currently unknown just how effective either Brodie Croyle or Quinn Gray will be in the spread, or if either guy will even be around next year should we stick with the trendy O. Damon Huard’s done as a Chief, that we know.
Like everybody else, I’m going to keep an eye on Thiggy Smalls these next three weeks. By the end of the season, he will have had basically 10 games in the spread. I think that’s enough of a look for the Addict jury, and the Chiefs, to reach a verdict.
Addicts, should the spread stay or should it go?
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The spread is here to stay. Herm says he likes it. We just need a defense to shore up the bleeeding and win a few of these games. The spread does keep us from being conservative…”and that’s a good thing, that’s not a bad thing….”
Trade down, pick up some extra third rounders and go QB with Second pick to compete with Thigpen, then DE, then LB, then DE , then LB, then DE, then LB lol…
IF Sam Bradford comes out, and IF Detroit doesn’t jump all over him, I think we HAVE to take him. I personally don’t think there is any way he would get past Detroit. If you were the brand new GM in Detroit who would you make your first draft pick? An offensive lineman? I think not. I like Thiggy, but I don’t think the accuracy issues will ever completely go away. Bradford is EXTREMELY accurate. He also is a nice prototypical big QB. I just don’t see how we can pass on a franchise guy like that.
By the way… I think Dorsey is doing well for his first year, should we have expected more, yes, but look at everyone around him. Would Haynesworth done any better with this supporting cast.
Compare Warren Sapps stats with Dorseys, or even Haynesworth with Dorseys first year.
Albert Haynesworth:
2002 Tennessee Titans 16 3 30(tackles) 21 9 1.0(sacks) — 3 — – 0.0
Dorsey
2008 Kansas City Chiefs 13 13 36(tackles) 28 8 1.0 (sacks)
Dorsey is doing better only after 13 games.
BS to this Dorsey Bust crap. Sorry to change the thread topic.
The ArrowSpread (as they call it over at Arrowhead Pride) is here to stay, Herm likes it and said in an article in the KC Star that he’ll be pushing for it to stay in three weeks at the end of season meetings. I love Thiggy and all that he’s done for this team. I know it doesn’t show in the win column but this is a team sport and he only plays one of 22 positions. I would love to see Bradford in our offense since our offense is his offense and he’s been the best at running it this year in College. That being said, it would a sh*tty thing to dump Thiggy on the curb for a young gun. Even Chargers fans over boltsfromtheblue respect Thiggy for his heart: http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2008/12/7/684344/thigpen%E2%80%A6-so-so-close.
Spread or not, Tim Tebow is a poor man’s version of Andre Ware.
Bradford is the best “prototypical” NFL QB and assuming he comes out, Detroit would be insane not to take him.
Thigpen as a QB has tremendous upside and his athleticism suits the spread perfectly. I predict both are here to stay for the foreseeable future.
Other than Bradford, no QB merits a first round pick. If Cantwell or somebody comparable is still around on day two, then yeah, maybe. If it’s true that Freeman and McCoy are not be coming out, then I say keep the powder dry on taking a QB on day one and wait to see how Thiggy develops and what our draft options are next year.
If we end up with a top 5 pick (which I hope we don’t), I believe it will be either OLB Aaron Curry, DE Michael Johnson, the best available OT (most likely either A. Smith, Oher, Monroe, or J. Smith) or possibly even CB Malcolm Jenkins.
There are no “busts” on our D line. Despite our 2-11 record, Tyler, McBride, and Dorsey all rank at or near the top of the list for total and solo tackles this year as compared to their draft peers. Hali has had issues this year but they’re certainly not the kind to justify writing off his future in the NFL.
As far as I’m concerned, the only pick of Herm’s that might reasonably qualify as a bust is Croyle and considering he was a third rounder even that is sort of reaching.
Oh God not Andre Ware
Completely off topic – but, did anyone notice the Denver cheerleader on BobGretz’s picture page?
The photographer either caught her in mid jump or she has a collapsing boob. I got a kick out of it and had to share.
As far as being a first-round defensive end, Tamba Hali will never produce at that level. So, yeah, he sort of is a bust. Not a monumental bust, but a disappointment for where he was selected. But that’s what happens when you reach!
Unless Michael Johnson really impresses during the combine and such, I say No. 5 is too early. We also don’t need a corner and you cannot pick a freakin’ linebacker there. Not with this crop, anyway.
Great point on Dorsey, Jeremy. Don’t hesitate to send that stuff to me at arrowheadaddict@gmail.com and we’ll make an Addict Angles post out of it!
And, yes, I am a Sam Bradford guy at the moment. I will be watching him closely during the big game tyo see how he handles pressure. That is what I am most worried about, given the strength of OU’s roster.
Adam, Hali is having an off year as a sack producer but he’s doing okay otherwise. This season, compared to other DLs taken in the first 3 rounds of the ‘06 draft, he’s tied with Bunkley for 3rd on total tackles. That puts him behind Ngata and Tapp. Not bad. Hali, like just everybody else on this defense is just missing that one player that elevates everybody’s game.
Babin is the one guy that I think might surprise us the most in these last 3 games. I have this funny feeling he’s all of sudden going to start destroying QBs and when that happens, we’ll see the rest of the front seven go “scorched earth” in the opponent’s backfields. For me, it definitely would be a kind of fun, highlight-of-the-season type deal to hope for – especially at this stage.
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I want what you’ve got giving you that “funny feeling”!
I think you’re the king of wishful thinking, but I think Chiefs fans appreciate your positive outlook. I’m not sure we’ll get a sack in these last three weeks.
If you pick a DE in the first round, you expect a RDE/double-digit sack guy. Hali will never be that, and that in itself is disappointing. That’s what I’m saying, and that’s why I consider him a bust.
Of course, it’s the Chiefs fault, too. Tamba just isn’t athletic enough to be that kind of player. He had no business going in round one, but we fell in love with his story, work ethic, discipline and motor.
LOL, X. Love the avatar, BTW!
Guys, the ArrowSpread (like that) is not here to stay for sure. Who knows, the coaching staff could get canned. They could change their mind. Herm didn’t say anything definitive at all. But I do think he’s leaning that way.
ok guys wat about this ok we keep the spread bring in a supporting cast on offense and shore up the d problems and still have a mediocre year cause of coaching and coaching decisins…when we bring in a new coach and a new gm i highly doubt they will incoporate the spread they will most likely install either a pro style play aaction offense u know run to set up the pass and if that does happen dont that set us back even further?
The one thing Babin’s got going for him is motivation. If he doesn’t start producing in a hurry and in dramatic fashion, he knows his job will be at the top of the list for positions needing an upgrade.
I have to say, Tebow to Ware comparison is outrageous. Tebow has a far more proven record than Ware. He was a product of a new flashy offense called the Run N Shoot, and playing in Houston, he didn’t face the competition Tebow has inn the SEC at all- David Klingler, Ware’s successor did the same “miracle” in Houston, but had nothing in the NFL. Tebow brings the ability to plow into and over someone as well, Ware set a lot of records, but couldn’t even play in the CFL I would claim due to a lack of facing real competition in college.
I don’t think its fair to say Hali will never be a 10 sack guy. Remember he got pretty close to that twice previously. If we get a dominant pass rusher on the right side, there will be a ripple effect across the line. Hali’s motor allowed him to be in good position when JA flushed the qb out of the pocket. There is no reason this can’t be the case again, especially as Dorsey and Tank continue to improve. Babin will not be that dominant rusher. He might be the back up to that guy.
I refuse to say there are no other quarterbacks worthy of a first round pick. I seem to remember just about everybody on this sight saying there were no legit first round picks last year. In fact Adam is the only one I can remember endorsing Matty Ice. Props to Adam for getting that one right. As it turns out there were two qb’s that would have been worth that pick. You can never underestimate a guy like Tebow, who has the ability to put his team on his back and win. That guy is one of the best leaders I have ever seen (from my living-room anyway).
Thigpen is going to be a damn good Q.B. with a good offseason under his belt.Thr spread works with him. Pick up a Q.B in the later rounds . Use the draft to pick up some defense
Hali benefited from Jared Allen immensely. If we got someone like like Jared over there again, then Tamba might be a double digit sack guy, but still not ever year. I just don’t see it. There also aren’t very many Jaerds running around.
And thanks on Matty Ice, Dakota Dave. It was just the way he carried himself off the field and late in games that made me feel so good about him. All these guys can play, especially the ones who are projected to go early — they can make all the throws. The big difference is how they carry themselves. I just saw something that made me believe. I will be watching, listening and reading closely when it comes to the 2009 QB class.
I do miss the teeth chattering sackage, nothing gets the crowd going like that. The question I have is how important are Jarods 12 plus sacks to a teams defense? Thats less than one per game.
That’s not right, Randy. He’s got 12.5 through 13 games and he’s been banged up and playing for a new team. He’s also playing with some pretty good defensive lineman. Kevin Williams has a lot of sacks for a DT. Jared pretty much averages a sack a game and a handful of hurries. He’s a huge disruptive force that offenses have to scheme for. He causes major havoc even when the stat sheet doesn’t reflect that. I know what you are saying, but let’s not underestimate what Jared brings.
Now, he isn’t the best against the run. That’s for sure.
Oh, and Jared’s energy is also contagious, both for teammates and fans.
heh heh thats less than one per game. But damn good I get you. I dont think anyone who owns a sack record has followed the year up with that much success and I didnt think he would. My impression this year is that he has problems with experienced O lines but is a bulldozer with the less experienced. I remember how contagious his energy was for us, I was more excited than anyone at Arrowhead when he would rope his ghost steer, but again I have to ask how much is that worth to a team? I also have to say I think we have only seen the beginning of his onfield and off field problems with authorities. I guess I should say glad we got rid of you Jarod but good luck with your new team. I do wish he could have stayed but too much risk and I think too good of a deal to pass up.
Well, last year he had 16.5 in 14 games, so over the past two seasons he has easily averaged that despite switching teams, suspensions and some injuries. Very impressive.
We made the right deal for sure, but if you have the other pieces a DE like Jared is super valuable. Getting a DE like that could help turn Brandon Flowers into a Pro Bowler.
I am shocked he has that many this year, again I dont think anyone has had two years in a row like that the guy has mad talent no doubt about that.
Back to the main subject, one thing about the spread is that it is almost entirely a “between the 20s” type of offense. You still have to have a running game, play option, etc when you’re in the redzone. The spread is allowing us to move the ball down the field a lot better but to be quite honest we still lack that ability (read blocking) to just punch it in.
I agree with Double D, the spread has opened up the offense so much in the open field, but when it comes to the redzone its hurt us.
Another point about pass rushing that bears pointing out is that to be successful with it from a “team” perspective, you first and foremost need linebackers who can set it up. I said it first, even before the preseason as a matter of fact, that our linebackers would be the weak link of the team. I also remember sort of being laughed at for saying it at the time.
dakotadave, I think there were a few of us who were pretty high on Matt Ryan. I just never believed we would have a shot at him.
You have a QB like Matt Ryan on the board, then you move up and get him. Period.
The Falcons did that with Vick. The Giants did that with Manning. The Browns did it with Quinn. We had a shot at him.
Carl, Harm and Co. make enough excuses on their own — they definitely don’t need our assistance.
At any price? Easy to say when it’s somebody else’s money.