via NFL.com
It's mid season. It's mid week. About time to dish out some grades for the first half of the season, don't you think?
The grades I'm throwing out are based on performance against preseason expectations.
QB Play - D
It's goes without saying that the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback situation has been a freakin' disaster this year. It's also a bit hard to grade based on expectations because of the constant personnel switches but it's pretty safe to say that the Chiefs quarterback position has been a disappointment this year. We're looking better and better as Tyler Thigpen continues to lead the charge but both Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle were rarely effective when they were on the field.
Running backs - B
The Chiefs are currently middle of the pack in rushing the ball, ranking 14th in the league in rushing yards per game. I didn't have big expectations this year for Larry Johnson or any of the running back crew, which tempers my grade a bit.
After ending 2007 as the NFL's worst rushing team, I think you have to hand it to the 2008 crew for improving by leaps and bounds.
Offensive line - C+
The Chiefs offensive line was probably the team's biggest concern heading in to this season and the line has very quietly done a decent job. They still give up too many sacks- 23 on the year to be exact - but they are improving from week to week, which is exactly what you want to see in a new, young group of guys.
Defensive line - D-
Let's see. The Chiefs are ranked 31st in the league in overall defense. They rank last against the run. The defensive line not only hasn't improved on last year but they've digressed. I didn't have high expectations for this defensive line in 2008 but you simply cannot give up as many rushing yards as the Chiefs have and not give this line a near failing grade.
Wide receivers - D
There's Dwayne Bowe, Mark Bradley and...nobody. No rookie Chiefs wide receiver has produced anything on the field. The rest of the receiving corp is so invisible I often find myself having to look up their names.
Tight End - A
I say it every week- Thank goodness for Tony Gonzalez.
Well, unfortunately real life is intruding at the moment so we'll have to finish up the other positions tomorrow. Thanks again for your patience as of late. My work during the day is really heavy and I haven't had the normal amount of time to dedicate to AP that I usually do.
Your grades for the Chiefs so far this season?
0 recs | 17 comments
D-Line
Chris, I like your grades. Just my thought on the d-line I believe is a direct result of our d-line coach which needs to be replace at the end on the season if not sooner.
DLChiefs - November 5, 2008
The Line Has "Regressed"
Digress would mean they chose to discuss something else.
UCrawford - November 5, 2008
Also
You forgot the linebacking corps, to whom I would give a big, fat “F” based on their ineffectiveness and injury problems, and the defensive secondard, to whom I would give a “B” based on the promise they’ve shown (I can’t really give them an “A” because with the run defense being as bad as it is they’re not being tested regularly enough to get a serious look).
UCrawford - November 5, 2008
And
I think C+ is extremely generous for the offensive line. They’re the reason Croyle and Huard are done for the year and in most of the games they’ve played like complete ass. I would give them a C- or a D+ because they’ve had flashes, but still far too many issues to get a middling grade like a C+ (in fact, there’s a good argument that 3/5 of that starting line needs to be out of here after this season).
UCrawford - November 5, 2008
If you could split the O-line
I would give the left side a B or B+. I would give the right side a D-. I guess that averages out to about a C.
I think Albert is gonna be great. Unfortunately it won’t be too long before we have to replace Waters.
Ochophosphate - November 5, 2008
I think we'll draft his replacement
this season.
PVChiefsfan - November 5, 2008
Hopefully
Took us two seasons to draft Roaf’s, and we still haven’t drafted Shields’.
But you’re right, we need to draft his replacement this season. Let him develop behind Waters or fill in at RG. I think Waters still has 2-3 good seasons in the tank.
Ochophosphate - November 5, 2008
yeah
I didn’t mean to imply that Waters was on his way out.
PVChiefsfan - November 5, 2008
amen
ChiefsDude - November 5, 2008
He said in the post
That the other positions would be coming soon. When can Chris quit his real job and blog all day? That’s what I want to know.
Joel Thorman - November 5, 2008
Thought you said Chris
couldn’t stay out of the bars!:)
Eric Allen - November 5, 2008
That's true as well
I’m Primetime and I approve this message.
Joel Thorman - November 5, 2008
We're you an english teacher in a past life?
But that was good to know, I didn’t know that to. See you also learn grammar in AP also. Who said you don’t gain academically in sports blogging. :)
aPacificChief - November 5, 2008
Secondary?
I’d like to add seconday to this gradecard.
i give them a B+.
i’m expecting one of the best secondaries in the game a year or two from now.
adam paul - November 5, 2008
Frankly
I’ll be disappointed if we don’t
PVChiefsfan - November 5, 2008
Coaching???
My grade for the coaching is C- for Herm, B for Chan G, and D+ for Gunther “lost his touch” Cunningham
ali_djoo - November 5, 2008
Return game
I give it a B-. Savage might never be a killer threat, but he’s running with verve.
I might go a bit higher on QB play, given TT’s improvement, though. Likewise to the O-coordinator, since they have tailored the game to match his skills.
Bleedingredandgold - November 6, 2008
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