I must admit I haven't watched the Saints much this year - how much does Jordan move around? Does he line up always to the defensive right? That would sure make it easier to game plan for him in particular. The Saints defense and their approach seems a lot like the Chargers, who have done well and improved with each look they've gotten at Mahomes. But one of the Chief's hopes is that they get the advantage from this defense seeing this speed for the first time. That's been a real plus in a couple of recent games - Tampa in particular, but also Miami - where our speed overwhelmed their scheme and forced them into adjustments after the game had already swung in a major way.
Good analysis as always! This is my best-spent $12 of 2020.
I actually don't know re Jordan! Definitely makes it easier when guys don't move around. I've seen him get wins from both sides but don't have a good percentage.
Great stuff as always. Do you think the screen game gets utilized more this week as another tool to slow the pass rush down? I don't remember seeing very many screens of late but they have been a staple in Andy Reid's offense over the last few years. I would imagine like anything else that teams are scouting them better and recognizing faster but I feel like some new wrinkles in the screen game could help out a beat up offensive line.
That's a great method to slow down pass rushes, the only issue is if the opponent knows it's coming in an attempt to slow down said pass rush. Teams are, as you alluded to, spotting them more quickly lately.
Clyde knows Superdome. His homecoming should feature the player who already owns a high school championship and a college national championship in the building. What's the best way to give a banged up/inexperienced O-line confidence? Run the ball effectively. Not only does it slow down a formidable pass rush, it affords the linemen the opportunity to be the aggressors as opposed to regularly taking a defensive posture. Clyde also reeled in five passes against the Dolphins (something we've all been waiting for), signaling an effort to get him in space with room to display his array of ankle-breaking, tackle-shedding moves. I'm expecting a big day from the Louisiana native in his return to the scene of so much prior success. A big day from him would be a huge assist to a line operating at less than 100%.
I hope you are right but our rush blocking seems nonexistent. Doubtful it improves with backups everywhere. I was actually sorry for Clyde when we drafted him. Between our blocking issues and our preference to pass (with Patrick; a no-brainer), I was fearful Clyde’s immense skills would go to waste. Nothing would make me happier than if he torches the Saints for 150 and Patrick for 400. Fingers crossed. 🤞🤞🤞
Thanks for writing this. I figured Reid and Mahomes would be able to compensate to a degree for the most makeshift O-line the Chiefs have fielded yet. But this gives concrete examples of how they can do it. I feel better now. This may prevent them scoring in the 30s though.
First question, Brees is in. What does that change for the Chiefs defensively? The obvious answer is more focus on pass defense, especially short and intermediate, and less worry about a mobile QB. How does that affect personnel.
Second question, it seems like the Chiefs have let a lot of teams back into games when it felt like they were down. Carolina, Denver, Tampa, Miami all seem to fit that mold for the last several weeks. Is there anything the offense is doing differently with a lead? Anything opposing defenses are doing that is more effective? A lot of the stops against us feel fluky and not systematic - like the Hardman fumble and the brilliant interception last weekend. I'm interested in your thoughts.
Final question, and I am going to get coal in my stocking just for asking this: besides the Chiefs winning, is there anything more satisfying than Raider rage after ridiculous losses? I think this morning's commute listening to NFL radio can really only be topped by the morning after the Super Bowl. It makes me grateful to Gregg Williams to make the collapse take a week longer.
Fisher did practice, so that's great! Feels like there's a good chance he's at least not 100% still, though. He's a tough dude, he'll play through it if he can.
Eric Fisher is not a good tackle, especially left tackle. If the rush end has any speed, he will beat Fisher consistently. Fisher doesn’t move his feet well throughout a speed rush, and at times doesn’t even get his hands on the DE. It’s an indictment against our O line & Veach to say Fisher is one of our better offensive linemen!!
Not a lot of that is accurate IMO. Fish struggles more against power than speed consistently when I chart his snaps, and he generally has an above-average W/L/N percentage despite being on an island. Had a really tough game tonight, to be sure.
I appreciate the trust, though it's definitely worth noting that Fisher is firmly in the "above average" tier at LT leaning more towards "good." There are perhaps a dozen in the league who would be an upgrade or equivalent IMO.
I must admit I haven't watched the Saints much this year - how much does Jordan move around? Does he line up always to the defensive right? That would sure make it easier to game plan for him in particular. The Saints defense and their approach seems a lot like the Chargers, who have done well and improved with each look they've gotten at Mahomes. But one of the Chief's hopes is that they get the advantage from this defense seeing this speed for the first time. That's been a real plus in a couple of recent games - Tampa in particular, but also Miami - where our speed overwhelmed their scheme and forced them into adjustments after the game had already swung in a major way.
Good analysis as always! This is my best-spent $12 of 2020.
I actually don't know re Jordan! Definitely makes it easier when guys don't move around. I've seen him get wins from both sides but don't have a good percentage.
Great stuff as always. Do you think the screen game gets utilized more this week as another tool to slow the pass rush down? I don't remember seeing very many screens of late but they have been a staple in Andy Reid's offense over the last few years. I would imagine like anything else that teams are scouting them better and recognizing faster but I feel like some new wrinkles in the screen game could help out a beat up offensive line.
That's a great method to slow down pass rushes, the only issue is if the opponent knows it's coming in an attempt to slow down said pass rush. Teams are, as you alluded to, spotting them more quickly lately.
Clyde knows Superdome. His homecoming should feature the player who already owns a high school championship and a college national championship in the building. What's the best way to give a banged up/inexperienced O-line confidence? Run the ball effectively. Not only does it slow down a formidable pass rush, it affords the linemen the opportunity to be the aggressors as opposed to regularly taking a defensive posture. Clyde also reeled in five passes against the Dolphins (something we've all been waiting for), signaling an effort to get him in space with room to display his array of ankle-breaking, tackle-shedding moves. I'm expecting a big day from the Louisiana native in his return to the scene of so much prior success. A big day from him would be a huge assist to a line operating at less than 100%.
I hope you are right but our rush blocking seems nonexistent. Doubtful it improves with backups everywhere. I was actually sorry for Clyde when we drafted him. Between our blocking issues and our preference to pass (with Patrick; a no-brainer), I was fearful Clyde’s immense skills would go to waste. Nothing would make me happier than if he torches the Saints for 150 and Patrick for 400. Fingers crossed. 🤞🤞🤞
Thanks for writing this. I figured Reid and Mahomes would be able to compensate to a degree for the most makeshift O-line the Chiefs have fielded yet. But this gives concrete examples of how they can do it. I feel better now. This may prevent them scoring in the 30s though.
First question, Brees is in. What does that change for the Chiefs defensively? The obvious answer is more focus on pass defense, especially short and intermediate, and less worry about a mobile QB. How does that affect personnel.
Second question, it seems like the Chiefs have let a lot of teams back into games when it felt like they were down. Carolina, Denver, Tampa, Miami all seem to fit that mold for the last several weeks. Is there anything the offense is doing differently with a lead? Anything opposing defenses are doing that is more effective? A lot of the stops against us feel fluky and not systematic - like the Hardman fumble and the brilliant interception last weekend. I'm interested in your thoughts.
Final question, and I am going to get coal in my stocking just for asking this: besides the Chiefs winning, is there anything more satisfying than Raider rage after ridiculous losses? I think this morning's commute listening to NFL radio can really only be topped by the morning after the Super Bowl. It makes me grateful to Gregg Williams to make the collapse take a week longer.
I seen a pic from a fairly credible source showing Fisher at practice today. Fingers crossed 🤞
If My Mahomes gets sacked 3+times in the 1st quarter and Andy doesn't pull him..... Andy be going on my coal list
Fisher did practice, so that's great! Feels like there's a good chance he's at least not 100% still, though. He's a tough dude, he'll play through it if he can.
Eric Fisher is not a good tackle, especially left tackle. If the rush end has any speed, he will beat Fisher consistently. Fisher doesn’t move his feet well throughout a speed rush, and at times doesn’t even get his hands on the DE. It’s an indictment against our O line & Veach to say Fisher is one of our better offensive linemen!!
Not a lot of that is accurate IMO. Fish struggles more against power than speed consistently when I chart his snaps, and he generally has an above-average W/L/N percentage despite being on an island. Had a really tough game tonight, to be sure.
Thanks for the reply. I trust your Charting. When I focus on him, it seems to be on the plays he gets beat.
I appreciate the trust, though it's definitely worth noting that Fisher is firmly in the "above average" tier at LT leaning more towards "good." There are perhaps a dozen in the league who would be an upgrade or equivalent IMO.