Take
a Memo
Dante
does it again; and Randy Cross
Posted
9-29-03
by
CK Rairden
Landmark columnist
It was ugly, but the Chiefs need not apologize. Despite
being outplayed for most of the second half, the Chiefs
can now answer a tough team in a tough game with playmakers.
For the second straight week, CB Dexter McCleon showed
that he was a steal as a free agent pick up in the off-season.
For the second straight week, he had two takeaways. McCleon
is cemented in at the starting corner position because
he does what the Chiefs need in the secondary. He makes
plays. As does Dante Hall, who set a record with a TD
return in his third straight NFL game.
This time—it shut down the Ravens momentum late
in the 4th quarter and gave the Chiefs a 17-10 lead. Words
can’t describe Big Play Dante right now—I won’t
even try.
And for those who think Marc Boerigter isn’t making
plays, check him out on special teams coverage. The Chiefs
really had no business winning this game, but thanks to
their playmakers—they did. This was a tough road
test and the Chiefs did just enough to pass that test
with a win. No apology necessary.
****
—The “X-Man” Johnny Morton came up huge
and showed that he can make plays, with a 109 total yards,
and a nifty 36-yard run on the Chiefs only offensive TD
drive.
—How spoiled are the Chiefs? Their ultimate bring
it every week playmaker had an “off day“….well
at least for Priest. Priest Holmes had 90 yards rushing
and 103 total yards.
—The Chiefs opening drive looked promising, but
TE Tony Gonzalez let a third down catch that would have
resulted in a first down slip through his hands at the
Ravens 47-yard line.
—QB Trent Green finally protected the ball and that
resulted in the Chiefs ending up with a plus 4 in turnover
ratio.
—Did I mention Dexter McCleon? He was in perfect
position to shut down Jamal Lewis on the Chiefs 8-yard
line on a 4th and 1 play in the first quarter. McCleon
1 on 1 against Lewis wasn’t attractive, but Lewis
stumbled and was stopped for no gain.
—That was another ridiculous call by Ravens head
coach Brian Billick. Instead of taking three sure points
he got greedy. Billick and Mike Martz—separated at
birth?
—Gary Stills turned in another great defensive play
late in the second quarter that stopped a Ravens drive.
On a 3rd and 3 from the KC 30 Stills sacked Ravens QB
Kyle Boller for an 11-yard loss taking the Ravens out
of FG range.
—TE Jason Dunn had another big catch, this time
a 15-yard catch on 3rd and 3 that took the Chiefs down
to the Baltimore 3-yard line. Two plays later the Chiefs
scored their only offensive TD.
—That came on a Trent Green to Tony Gonzalez 1-yard
TD pass.
****RANT ALERT****
CROSS-EYED COMMENTARY
—Randy Cross was unbearable as a color commentator
as the game wore on. Apparently he spent the week in Baltimore
with his nose up Brian Billick’s backside as his
descriptions of the Ravens were over the top. The Ravens
in his Cross-eyed look are the greatest young team ever,
and he said it after every play, whether good or bad for
Baltimore. The Ravens played a tough, hard game and deserve
accolades, but if you had no picture and only Cross to
describe the game for you, the Chiefs lost 55-0. His bias
in the fourth quarter had to wear on the nerves of any
Chiefs fan. After each play Cross would say—-“You’ve
got to be impressed with the Ravens…[fill in the
blank].” for KC fans—he was unbearable.
****END RANT ALERT****
Playmakers made plays; it’s been a long time since
the Chiefs could say that on the road. They struggled
and at times were beaten physically, but they hung tough
and made the plays it took to win.
That gives them only their second 4-0 start in team history
and sets up an AFC West showdown for 1st place against
the 4-0 Denver Broncos. The Broncos have owned the Chiefs
lately, but their new QB Jake (the snake) Plummer has
always turned into Jake “the mistake” Plummer
when he has stepped between the lines at Arrowhead.
Last season, he tossed three interceptions in a 49-0
loss. But Plummer isn’t with the lowly Arizona Cardinals
any more. This is for the early lead of the AFC West,
and the Chiefs get the chance to take the early AFC West
lead at Arrowhead—where the mystique has returned.
(CK Rairden can be reached by email
at ckden@yahoo.com)
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