Notes From The Couch

by Chiefs

Monday nights are usually when I sit down, reflect on what the Kansas City Chiefs did or didn’t do over the weekend just past, and pull something out of my ass together for my Tuesday post. But on this particular Monday night, it so happens I was a bit distracted by something rather compelling that I was watching on television. I only had time to jot down some observations during breaks in the action as it unfolded. So consider these my Quick Slants. Some of them are even football-related…

  • Hey, nice graveyard rendition of Danse Macabre by the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City during the MNF intro (my friend Kristin was the Zombie bassist on the left).
  • Not a big fan of all those not-so-terrible white towels. The idea was lame enough at Busch Stadium during the World Series and it’s no more impressive at Arrowhead. What? Is everyone surrendering? Or just waving their tighty-whities in the air? Hard to tell.
  • Is that a five-inch Herm Edwards screaming at a couple of clueless tools to “ice down those Coors Lights, baby?” Finally—a coaching job worthy of Herm’s stature.
  • Lamest Halloween costume seen in the crowd: Zach Galifianakis’s “Alan” with beard, sunglasses, and strap-on baby (with sunglasses) from The Hangover. Soooo 2009. (And there’s no good reason to remind Chiefs fans of 2009.)
  • Did I hear that right about Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann? 10,502 snaps in a row? I wonder if that statistic about a routine, seemingly mundane element of the game will take on more significance later…
  • Newest addition to Todd Haley’s nasty-as-he-wants-to-be ensemble: Navy undershirt with some kind of emblem that resembles either a grease stain or maybe a patch of sweat.

  • The time Ryan Mathews must have spent on his rather intricate haircut surely could have been better used on a few more contact drills. Not sure what all those zigzagging lines mean—perhaps Sanskrit for “Small Fast Running Man Who Drop Ball.”
  • The red socks and shoes seen on Bowe and Flowers should be regulation for all Chiefs receivers and defensive backs.
  • Has Thomas Jones had any runs for positive yardage this year? I don’t mean that literally… No, actually, I do.
  • So that’s where Jonathan Baldwin’s been all season: “being developed.” Thank you, Jon Gruden.
  • Holding hands in the end zone = offensive pass interference.
  • For the second game in a row, the Chiefs coaching staff seems to have forgotten that the first half lasts a full 30 minutes. Fortunately, this time, they woke up with 30 seconds left.
  • Hey, Siri—do you know where I put the remote? I want to fast-forward through this damn iPhone commercial.
  • This Brandon Flowers kid is pretty good. You’ll be hearing about him. The Chiefs should really try to sign him to a deal or something.
  • Same for that Tamba what’s-his-name.
  • Speaking of TH, he should get at least a half-sack added to his stat total for every time he gets held within three feet of the quarterback. I think that’s happened at least five times tonight.
  • Oh, crap. I never did paint that chipped windowsill. (Sorry, just something else I observed during the game.)
  • Dexter McCluster consistently makes four-yard plays look like 25-yard runs, with about a three-jukes-per-yard average.
  • Love the Jackie Battle second-chance touchdown leap; let’s call that move the “Statue of Liberty Stage Dive.” Good thing there were no linebackers there to swat it out of his outstretched hand.
  • The better Cassel plays, the cooler and calmer he looks. That’s a nice change.
  • Does drinking a Corona make you feel like you’re at the beach? Anyone?
  • McCluster: seven weeks after fumbling the opening kickoff, he’s learned to hug the ball like it’s his favorite teddy bear.
  • I think there should be an actual 10-foot-high pane of glass installed on the goal line across the length of the field. Enough of this “breaking the plane” nonsense. Make them shatter the pane.
  • Okay, apparently, the Chiefs coaches are also slow to realize that the second half is only 30 minutes. And now they can’t stop the clock. I guess the Chargers will have to stop themselves.
  • And yep, that’s why they make you snap the ball. It can be as important and decisive as any other aspect of the game.
  • Trivia question of the night: Who is the only player in NFL history selected last in the draft to go on to kick game-winning field-goals in overtime on Halloween in back-to-back seasons? I think we all know the answer!
  • Best Halloween costume seen in the crowd: Crying baby in Philip Rivers jersey. (Also seen on the field.)
  • Todd Haley’s creeping beard is getting crusty and a bit gray, and that sweaty hat is naaas-ty. But he doesn’t look all that bad. That’s what winning’ll do for you.
  • So the Chiefs, left for dead in September, are now tied for first place in the AFC West…! (Yes, I’m just stating the obvious…but, hey, who would have thought you’d see “Chiefs,” “first place,” and “obvious” in the same sentence?)

Happy All Hallow's Day!

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I just want to point out that I think Steve Breaston might have made the play of the night. I think it was 3rd and 14 and he hauled in a short pass over the middle in OT and got enough YAC for the first. If not for that play they might been forced to punt and who knows how it might have ended. I'm starting to really like Breaston.

@big chief I know I'm a homer but I try to work with facts as much as my emotions but the following is only the later. I think the Killer B's are going to be the best WR trio in the game next year. As they continue to develop familiarity with each other all being on the field at the same time and Breaston and Baldwin join the relationship Bowe already has with Cassel they will be unstoppable when combined with Moeaki, JC/Battle and DMC/McClain. The confidence inspired by rising from the flames, a full offseason, the draft/FA additions and Romeo's incredible defense is the recipe for success!!

No doubt our receiving corps has the potential to be among the deadliest, but Cassel is without a doubt the limiting factor in this equation.

@KC MikeG I don't think you are off base. BBB has the potential to be pretty awesome. If they get better at right tackle and d-line they will be a tough out for sure.

Good stuff. Love the red socks. Thomas Jones is good to put in for pass blocking. Unless they're playing the Colts he pretty well sucks at running. I wish they would stop using DMac in the backfield. He is great in the open field but he's not built to run through the line.

You forgot how both replay reviews screwed us. The refs got them wrong for sure.

Yes. Good point. I had intended to give McCluster credit--at least now when he fumbles, he doesn't really fumble.

@Jeremyriversideca That was horrible! I can't believe reviewed it and still effed it up. There were a couple bad calls the other way too but they weren't change of posession plays. Those refs should be fired.

@Jeremyriversideca Dex's fumble not being reversed is by far the worst review call I've ever seen, EVER.

On Flowers, I don't watch him close enough to have a strong opinion, but it seems like he may be overrated. Last night, he got beat on what appeared to be the cruical 3rd and 18 late in the 4th quarter. I realize all DB's get beat, and he is at least a competent DB, but I don't think he is top tier. He also seems to have mediocre hands, but then I once heard that if DB's could catch the ball, they would be wide receivers.

Flowers and Carr are the best KC DBs right now and every team we will be playing knows it so they wear them down. Flowers yes he got beat on a 3rd and 18 but that can happen very easily when the play is single coverage.

@KC Oracle Flowers was excellent. IMO, when he got beat, it was because he was out there covering too long (read no qb pressure).

@sidibeke @KC Oracle I agree. He had a tough start to the season but what Chief didn't? Imo the only corner you could say might be better is Revis.

@KC Oracle I thought Flowers played a great all around game and seems to be improving every week. Probably that high ankle sprain getting better is contributing to his improvement. On that 3rd and 18, if it's the play I remember, Rivers had a lot of time. Most DBs will get beat by a good receiver if the QB is accurate and has time. There was another play where Rivers just made a really good trow. Fortunately for us though, he also brought his butter fingers with him in the 4th quarter.

@David_Schroeder@KC Oracle Yes, let's not discount that. Rivers had a hell of a game from Qs 2-4. He looked sharp, and we know our depleted 2ary can be victimized by good QBs (at least I think we know that. We know that, don't we?). Loved Romeo's game plan, though, doubling Gates in the red zone and letting his corners do their thing.

@KC Oracle Looking at that catch, it was a busted play with Rivers running for the sideline. They can be impossible for a defender with the receiver and QB scrambling to make a play. Flowers did a remarkable job for most of the game.

@RICK TORREY We are talking about different plays. I am talking about the last pass completed by Rivers in regulation (or at least the last long pass). The WR on the right side went down and broke to the middle where he was pretty wide open and gained about 20 yards. It might have been zone defense, but he caught it in front of Flowers.

@KC Oracle Agreed. They needed 18 and Rivers got 19. It was an outstanding throw and good work getting free by the receiver.

big chief 150 pts

I just want to point out that I think Steve Breaston might have made the play of the night. I think it was 3rd and 14 and he hauled in a short pass over the middle in OT and got enough YAC for the first. If not for that play they might been forced to punt and who knows how it might have ended. I'm starting to really like Breaston.

KC MikeG 319 pts

big chief

I know I'm a homer but I try to work with facts as much as my emotions but the following is only the later. I think the Killer B's are going to be the best WR trio in the game next year. As they continue to develop familiarity with each other all being on the field at the same time and Breaston and Baldwin join the relationship Bowe already has with Cassel they will be unstoppable when combined with Moeaki, JC/Battle and DMC/McClain. The confidence inspired by rising from the flames, a full offseason, the draft/FA additions and Romeo's incredible defense is the recipe for success!!

Chief Hokie 87 pts

No doubt our receiving corps has the potential to be among the deadliest, but Cassel is without a doubt the limiting factor in this equation.

big chief 150 pts

@KC MikeG I don't think you are off base. BBB has the potential to be pretty awesome. If they get better at right tackle and d-line they will be a tough out for sure.

big chief 150 pts

Good stuff. Love the red socks. Thomas Jones is good to put in for pass blocking. Unless they're playing the Colts he pretty well sucks at running. I wish they would stop using DMac in the backfield. He is great in the open field but he's not built to run through the line.

Jeremyriversideca 10 pts

You forgot how both replay reviews screwed us. The refs got them wrong for sure.

Victor74 25 pts

Yes. Good point. I had intended to give McCluster credit--at least now when he fumbles, he doesn't really fumble.

big chief 150 pts

Jeremyriversideca That was horrible! I can't believe reviewed it and still effed it up. There were a couple bad calls the other way too but they weren't change of posession plays. Those refs should be fired.

David_Schroeder 42 pts

Jeremyriversideca Dex's fumble not being reversed is by far the worst review call I've ever seen, EVER.

KC Oracle 68 pts

On Flowers, I don't watch him close enough to have a strong opinion, but it seems like he may be overrated. Last night, he got beat on what appeared to be the cruical 3rd and 18 late in the 4th quarter. I realize all DB's get beat, and he is at least a competent DB, but I don't think he is top tier. He also seems to have mediocre hands, but then I once heard that if DB's could catch the ball, they would be wide receivers.

DavidWBarkerJr 6 pts

Flowers and Carr are the best KC DBs right now and every team we will be playing knows it so they wear them down. Flowers yes he got beat on a 3rd and 18 but that can happen very easily when the play is single coverage.

sidibeke 259 pts

KC Oracle Flowers was excellent. IMO, when he got beat, it was because he was out there covering too long (read no qb pressure).

big chief 150 pts

@KCsidibeke Oracle I agree. He had a tough start to the season but what Chief didn't? Imo the only corner you could say might be better is Revis.

David_Schroeder 42 pts

KC Oracle I thought Flowers played a great all around game and seems to be improving every week. Probably that high ankle sprain getting better is contributing to his improvement. On that 3rd and 18, if it's the play I remember, Rivers had a lot of time. Most DBs will get beat by a good receiver if the QB is accurate and has time. There was another play where Rivers just made a really good trow. Fortunately for us though, he also brought his butter fingers with him in the 4th quarter.

sidibeke 259 pts

David_SchroederKC Oracle Yes, let's not discount that. Rivers had a hell of a game from Qs 2-4. He looked sharp, and we know our depleted 2ary can be victimized by good QBs (at least I think we know that. We know that, don't we?). Loved Romeo's game plan, though, doubling Gates in the red zone and letting his corners do their thing.

RICK TORREY 52 pts

KC Oracle Looking at that catch, it was a busted play with Rivers running for the sideline. They can be impossible for a defender with the receiver and QB scrambling to make a play. Flowers did a remarkable job for most of the game.

KC Oracle 68 pts

RICK TORREY We are talking about different plays. I am talking about the last pass completed by Rivers in regulation (or at least the last long pass). The WR on the right side went down and broke to the middle where he was pretty wide open and gained about 20 yards. It might have been zone defense, but he caught it in front of Flowers.

RICK TORREY 52 pts

KC Oracle Agreed. They needed 18 and Rivers got 19. It was an outstanding throw and good work getting free by the receiver.