Chiefs: Too Much, Too Little, But Not Too Late

One of the reasons the Chiefs are so inconsistent is because of their offensive line. The main reason their offensive line is inconsistent is LG Mike McGlynn’s poor play. Mike McGlynn is the worst Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman I have ever seen. I’ve been watching the Chiefs since the 1960s and that will hopefully put that statement in perspective. Following, you will find screen captures of five consecutive plays that show McGlynn in action… or inaction, as the case may be. This set of five plays were chosen at random, meaning, I did not search through the whole game tape to find the five worst plays. I’m sure there were worse plays than the ones I chose below.

Play One: Run right, between center and right guard

At the 11:15 mark of the second quarter, Jamaal Charles takes a third-and-1 carry up the middle for a short gain and a first down. The play design asks #75 LG Mike McGlynn to pull around center Rodney Hudson and clear the way for the RB. McGlynn trips in the hole, which is already wide open (showing it was a good play design and already well executed by other members of the line) but forces JC to have to dive over him to make the first down. Chargers ILB Donald Butler had bitten on a play fake to the left and was re-tracking by backing up (ass backwards) at the very moment McGlynn gets to the hole. Had McGlynn stayed on his feet, he would have easily been able to take the out-of-balance Butler away from the play, springing JC for a much bigger gain than one yard.

Play Two: Sweep right

At the 10:40 mark of the second quarter, on first-and-10, Jamaal Charles takes a hand-off and sweeps to the right. One second into the play, #75 Mike McGlynn’s man, #92 Ryan Carrethers, is already in the Chiefs backfield. Fortunately JC is fast enough to outrun Carrethers for a 3-yard gain.

Play Three: Delayed draw play

With 10:00 minutes left in the second quarter, on second-and-10, QB Alex Smith fakes to his right and RB Knile Davis jab-steps to his right, then Smith hands the ball to Davis for a delayed draw up the middle. The 6-1, 298 lb. rookie undrafted free agent DE Tenny Palepoi beats Mike McGlynn causing a 7-yard loss.

Play Four: Screen pass

With 9:17 to play in the second quarter and third-and-15 to go, QB Alex Smith throws a screen pass to De’Anthony Thomas in the left flat. Here, #75 is seen 10 yards down field whiffing on #37 DB Jahleel Addae who ends up tripping DAT. However, DAT is quick and agile enough to stumble forward for 7 more yards, gaining the first down. If McGlynn makes a clean block, DAT could have had a much longer gain.

Play Five: Pass play

On first-and-10 from the Chargers’ 46-yard line, with 8:28 to go in the second quarter, Alex Smith drops back to pass on a three-step drop but no sooner than he has set his feet, he is met with #94 of the Chargers, Corey Liuget. Mike McGlynn’s man. This resulted in a 4-yard sack.

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“Chiefs: Too Much, Too Little, But Not Too Late”