Friday
Morning Quarterback:
This game was over early
11/30/2001
by
CK Rairden
Landmark columnist
This game was over as soon as the Eagles used a nine
yard unchallenged onside kick to begin the game.
Dick Vermeil didn’t think so, “It startled
us, but I don’t think it hurt us. What did they get,
3 points?”
Yes coach—they got three points, then seven more,
then another FG before you scored a point. It set the
stage for the game.
The Chiefs coaching staff/management staff——whoever
is in charge of this aspect of the game needs improvement
or needs an assistant. The two blown replay calls the
Chiefs could have had reversed is a microcosm of the failures
of this aspect of the game.
The Chiefs never recovered and whatever game plan was
to be implemented was gone. The Eagles did exactly what
they advertised, eight men in the box, trying to stop
Holmes. They threw everything they could at Tony Gonzalez
and it worked reasonably well.
The Eagles held a huge time of possession advantage,
played their brand of football, dictated the game to the
Chiefs and were the better team.
This game was not a disaster.
•QB Trent Green was patient, took a huge
hit on his knee and kept his head for most of the game.
His interception was a chance that he had to take.
•RB Priest Holmes is the real deal. Even
after his fumble he came back even stronger. He runs hard,
and makes plays after the catch. He’s a perfect fit
for this offense, but needs some help.
•KR Dante Hall finally got a decent kick
return, but still is a total loss as a returner, a receiver
or whatever he is.
•WR Derrick Alexander showed up and played
fairly well. His TD catch looked like last year’s
Chiefs MVP player. He stated after the game that he is
“100% healthy” and it would help Green’s
development if he could sty that way as the Chiefs play
out the string.
•LB Marvcus Patton played like a man among
boys from sideline to sideline and, like Holmes, never
quit.
•The Eagles are a far better team than the
Chiefs. And now that Arrowhead holds no advantage, the
result of this game was not a surprise. One thing was
very clear as the clock wound down——the Chiefs
didn’t quit.
•That attitude must remain as the season
winds down.
|
