Three Jeers: Jamaal Charles Usage Wasn’t Sunday’s Only Mishap
By Ben Nielsen
Sep 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines against the Tennessee Titans in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Tennessee won the game 26-10. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
JEER #2: Coaching, Coaching, Coaching
Three coaching decisions that made absolutely no sense to me aside from the Jamaal Charles thing:
First, with 38 seconds remaining at the end of the half and the team backed up on their own two yard line, Kansas City attempt to throw a pass 40 yards downfield to Donnie Avery. Avery did not adjust well to the ball and the pass was intercepted. Tennessee kicked a last second field goal to take a 10-3 lead into halftime as opposed to a 7-3 lead.
Second, the Chiefs decide to attempt a fake punt from their own 40 yard line. It did not work because they chose to give the ball to Cyrus Gray on a direct snap from the punting formation.
(Note: Tennessee earned nine points off of field position from the two interceptions (neither of which should ever have happened) and the fake punt.)
Third, whatever the Chiefs were doing with personnel groups. Guys we thought should get more snaps ended up with very few. For instance: Vance Walker (1), Travis Kelce (20), Knile Davis (5), Anthony Sherman (6), and Dee Ford (3). Walker had one sack in his one snap. Kelce had three receptions in five passing plays. Knile Davis received one rushing attempt after we were told all offseason he’d see more carries. Anthony Sherman, the league’s best run blocking full back, was not in to help an interior line that featured a rookie a guy picked up off the street.
One could go on forever in terms of play calling and other decisions made. Ultimately we have what was the worst coached game in the Andy Reid era. Kansas City, even with all of the issues they had with injuries and suspensions, could have won this game with some basic tactical decisions. For example, would you rather Avery be targeted 12 times or have six of those targets go towards Jamaal Charles in some?