K.C. Chiefs Coach Andy Reid: The Epitome Enigma
By Laddie Morse
The NFL Coaching Enigma
Alpha males. They exist at the rate of approximately 10% in our modern world. In the NFL that rate may be higher. Just a guess. One would assume that many coaches are part of that one-in-ten ratio but, that may not be the case.
In a piece written by Angelo John Gage called, “The Power Behind Being An Alpha Male” he reveals,
"“As man has evolved from a brutish creature to one that above all else cherishes intellect; the alpha male put down his sword and picked up a pen. The reason for this change is mainly due to changes in the necessities of survival.”"
You’ve often heard it stated that Andy Reid is one of the brightest “offensive minds” in the game. That’s because… HE IS. In a game filled with brutish brutes, it’s not always the strongest or most agile who come out on top. It’s the one’s who can “think.” At least that seems to be Andy Reid’s core belief.
And that’s exactly Andy Reid’s problem. He thinks too much. Does he “over-think” things? That may be an over-simplification or way to characterize what Reid does but it doesn’t spell out the whole picture.
Andy Reid “needs” to express his dominance by “out-thinking” the other team’s coach. Bingo. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
Problem is… it doesn’t always work. If you’re reading this Mr. Reid, let me say that again… it’s not working all the time.
Look at the past 5 years of coaches who beat out other coaches on Super Bowl Sunday:
2013- Pete Carroll over John Fox
Carroll’s team manhandled their foe… they didn’t necessarily out think them.
2012- John Harbaugh over Jim Harbaugh
Jim wants to out think his brother but the better athletes are the ones who won this one.
2011- Tom Coughlin over Bill Belichick
Belichick is the queen of out thinking his opponents. It didn’t work. A hard nosed bunch of bull rushers did.
2010- Mike McCarthy over Mike Tomlin
The Packers built their organization on talent, not tricky play calling. The Steelers have been rebuilding ever since.
2009- Sean Payton over Jim Caldwell
This match set up nicely for a thinker like Payton. The onside kick after the half was brilliant. The Saints athleticism and passing attack had something to do with this win too.
Certainly, winning coaches look smart. That’s always true. However, I’d venture a guess that in all the history of the Super Bowl the majority of winning teams didn’t win just because they had the smartest head coach.
That’s the great enigma isn’t it. In the NFL landscape filled with alpha males… it’s still the old-school alpha brutes who so often come out on top.
Andy Reid needs to recognize when he has stallions in the stable and use them. Not try and devise some scheme to trick the opposition just because… he knows that they know that he knows… he’s got stallions in the stable.
That’s how Andy Reid ends up shooting himself… and more importantly his team… in the foot at times.
Give your brain a break Andy. Put the ammunition you’ve got in the chamber and pull the trigger. No more wasted moments spent listening to you apologize (or regretting, or later re-re-re-thinking) for forgetting you left the keys to your Maserati on the table at home.
- Free Jamaal Charles so we can all live in that freedom.
- Play that Knile Davis jazz all day and all night.
- Let Travis Kelce be Travis Kelce.
- Give us the chance to write better headlines, “Take DAT You Sucker.”
- Give us back our Big Bad Bowe who seemed to nearly disappear once you arrived.
A diversified offense is dreamy but Andy Reid must remember exactly who the offense really is. He must make the decision to consistently push the right buttons and not be swayed by situational stress.
I used to think Herman Edwards was making all the “right” decisions… that would kill an organization. However, he got several draft picks right and they’re still playing for the Chiefs today. It’s a good thing Andy Reid isn’t a defensive guru or we might never see Tamba Hali pulling down the sacks he gets because he’d be standing on the sideline.
So Andy, back away from the Mensa game board long enough to see that you have one of the best running backs in the history of the game and don’t be afraid to use him. All the time. Same goes for your other playmakers. Don’t try proving to us, or the world, that you can win with “any players” just because “you” drew up the scheme.
The simple minded answer? Play Jamaal Charles. Even if it means losing with him in the saddle. That’s why he’s here. To ride in that saddle.
I can only imagine how owner Clark Hunt feels. I paid these playmakers the big money so that the coach can prove he’s the alpha dog by incorporating all these lesser players… just to prove once again… that the Chiefs know how to lose?
You’re the epitome enigma Andy.
Please move on. So, we can too.