Wow!! My posts have been increasingly positive over the past few weeks, and it’s not going to stop now. The Kansas City Chiefs have won a playoff game. Now that is a joyous sentence to write!
Kansas City were far from perfect in Saturday’s win over the Houston Texans, but they did a lot right and with a little help from a dreadful Brian Hoyer performance, won 30-0. A demolition is exactly how the game should be described. From the first play of the game, the Chiefs never looked like losing was an option and if it wasn’t for a lackluster offensive performance in the first half, it would have been all but over by halftime.
After the last three months, it is time to pay respect to the man who is underrated in all of Kansas City’s current success; Andy Reid.
I believe that Big Red doesn’t get the recognition he deserves because his coaching, and play-calling in particular, does cost the team wins. Early in the season, Reid’s play-calling was repeatedly infuriating. The constant screens, passes in the flat, and neglecting the run were costing this side victories.
Even now, Reid still makes some dumb play calls. However, he also creates some wonderful route patterns and formations that help utilize the skills of Alex Smith. Reid has also given Smith much more license to control the offense at the line of scrimmage, and many of his audibles have led to big plays and touchdowns. Most notably, Albert Wilson on the quick slant against the San Diego Chargers.
Credit must be given where credit is due, and no one can deny that Reid has been nothing short of fantastic down the stretch. He deserves to be in the conversation for NFL Coach of the Year, and though he might not win it, he should be recognized for his excellence.
His biggest strength is his player management. He has always been considered a players coach, while at Philadelphia and here in Kansas City. It is this rapport with the players that has been key for the Chiefs’ success this season. The confidence in the locker room, even at 1-5, was high, the feeling was always positive, and this is due to Andy Reid setting the tone.
I was too quick to criticize Reid. I even mused at the possibility of firing him. Many on this site called for Reid’s head midway through the year. It is time for to eat our humble pie and praise Reid for the work that he has produced this season.
While he is still frustrating to watch call plays at times, he has significantly improved in this area, to the point that he now wins games for Kansas City. Nothing was more evident than when the Texans put J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork into the offense in a wildcat formation on a goal line carry and lost yardage. That play call stinks of desperation and lack of ingenuity. Reid was composed, smart, and made the adequate half time adjustments to increase the Chiefs’ offensive production in the second half.
Big Red deserves our praise, and I for one, am gonna give it to him. Well done Andy Reid. Now lets beat those Pats!!