Take
a Memo
Green
has snapped out of early season slump
For the fourth
straight game, Chiefs QB posts outstanding numbers
Posted
11/10/03
Sure the Chiefs looked rusty to start the game. The first
offensive series was three straight pass attempts, with
two incompletions and a sack. The defense was a bit better
holding the Browns to only a long filed goal despite premium
field position.
The Chiefs second offensive series started poorly also—with
Trent Green getting pressure and dumping off a pass to
G Brian Waters. That would have resulted in an illegal
touching penalty against the Chiefs.
But then everything changed. Waters was cheap-shotted
by a late hit and the Chiefs took those 15 yards and decided
it was time to turn to Priest Holmes. Holmes handled the
ball for 7 of the next 8 plays with the last one resulting
in a 1-yard plunge for a TD. The Chiefs would never trail
again in the game.
Once the rust was off, this team showed that the Arrowhead
mystique has returned. They have now won 10 straight at
home—and are the best team in the NFL at 9-0.
Notes are at the ready from the memo pad.
****
—The late hit by Cleveland DT Gerard Warren against
Chiefs G Brian Waters seemed to snap the team out of its
“first game back from a bye week” slumber.
—Chiefs QB Trent Green has really snapped out of
his early season slump. His last four games have him showing
why he is the best QB to run this offense.
ATT COMP YARDS TD INT QB RATING
Versus the Browns— 42 29 368 3 0 119.9
Versus the Bills — 35 20 273 2 0 101.2
Versus the Raiders— 22 11 206 0 1 63.8
Versus the Packers 45 27 400 3 0 111.3
That’s 87 of 144 for 1244 yards with
8 TD’s an only one interception.
—If you are a fan of the NFL QB rating
system, that gives green a 104.1 rating in those games
with a 60% completion ratio.
—The Chiefs are the best blocking team
in the NFL, including their QB.
—That said, one block by Gary Stills
would have resulted in history being made as he ran right
by Browns rookie safety Chris Crocker who would eventually
tackle Dante Hall and stop him at the 16-yard line during
Hall’s second quarter electrifying 77-yard kick off
return.
—One block and that would have been
Hall’s fifth return TD, which has never been done
before in NFL history.
—Please someone, teach William Bartee
to use his neck and turn his head and look for the ball.
He couldn’t do it on pass coverage and apparently
can’t do it on punts either.
—Odd stat of the day. The Chiefs had
one “official punt return” for the game. It
was by William Bartee for zero yards, and a fumble.
—It was good to see Marc Boerigter
get involved with a couple of catches for 45 yards.
—Priest Holmes can really spoil an
NFL fan. After nine games he has 1257 total yards and
14 TD’s. Not bad for a guy who some said before the
season would never play in the NFL again.
—The Chiefs again were efficient on
third down finishing 12 of 16 for a 75% clip.
—And the red zone TD percentage continues
at a high clip—3 of 5 for 60%.
****
Next week’s game at Cincinnati is dangerous.
It’s not even close to an automatic win. The Bengals
are hot, winning three straight home games, while averaging
31 points in those wins.
They are a respectable 4-5 overall and
head coach Marvin Lewis has the Bengals believing in themselves.
But one thing the Chiefs players and coaching staff has
yet to do is look past any team.
Don’t expect a letdown here, but expect
some very big surprises from a Bengal team that will be
looking for a .500 record by knocking off the only undefeated
team in the NFL.
(CK Rairden, formerly of Platte
County, writes from his home in Arizona. He can be reached
via email at ckden@yahoo.com)
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