Charles interview on Grantland

[the Talking Can]

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...-video-podcast



plus a review/preview of the Chiefs:

The main concentration of that talent remains on the defensive side of the ball. Tamba Hali has been one of the league’s top pass-rushers for years, but last season, second-year outside linebacker Justin Houston joined him among the NFL’s best. Houston has noted that working alongside Hali has accelerated his learning process as a pass-rusher, and considering the development of most rushers, there’s reason to believe he’ll be even better in Year 3. On the inside in Kansas City’s linebacking corps is Derrick Johnson, who remains consistently great and consistently overlooked. Over the past few seasons, Johnson may belong at the top of the non–Patrick Willis list of players at the position. On the back end, Brandon Flowers continued his run as one of the league’s better corners, and although Eric Berry’s name and draft status still outweigh his production, he’s an undeniably talented 24-year-old safety.

The options at the other corner and safety spots are both underwhelming — Miami didn’t seem too broken up about trading out Sean Smith for Brent Grimes — and although 2012 first-round pick Dontari Poe deserves more time to develop at the nose, the remainder of the Chiefs’ front is made up of known, ordinary commodities. Still, there remains a core of talent on that side of the ball that should far exceed what we saw a year ago.

It’s on the other side where a leap forward should ultimately make the difference, and that leap starts where most NFL success does — with the quarterback and head coach. Last year, Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn finished 36th and 38th, respectively, in quarterback DVOA. If you’ll recall, there are only 32 teams in the NFL. Alex Smith was 10th. Smith is not Tom Brady — he isn’t even Colin Kaepernick — but going from wholly inept to mildly competent at quarterback can make all the difference for an offense, and Smith is nothing if not mildly competent....

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

So are you going to tell me that the Ravens best player is Joe Flacco, and that the Giants best player is Eli Manning? That is so not the case. Ray Rice, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata are all better than Flacco, and at the very least, JPP is better than Manning. Having a complete team is far more important than having a Franchise qb. If you have one great, but you can still win with an average to above average qb. Which the chiefs do have.

yes, Flacco is far and away the best and most important player on the Ravens...and the playoffs made that painfully clear...like how far up your ass would your head have to be to miss it?

he dropped 34 on the 49ers defense and was named MVP, meanwhile that collection of broken down ravens defenders you listed gave up 31 points...

your like some true fan from hell...jesus ****

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

the 'mildly' part stuck out to me.I'd give Alex Smith a full "competent" grade. He is limited with his physical tools, but his intelligence and ball safety make him absolutely a competent QB. Having said that, we aren't going to the playoffs, and even if we do, we aren't winning. But at the very least, the Chiefs will be ****ing watchable again.

I think people (even with all the Cassel hate) don't realize just how atrocious the QB play was the last four years. Going from "Guy who shouldn't be in the league" to "guy who is a competent NFL starter" is a massive jump. Massive.

We still need our QB. It is the most important position in all of team sports, and it would be ****ing nice if one ****ing time the most important position was occupied by our most talented player.

Until then, at least I can watch the games again.

ya good post -- folks are going to see how ****ing horribly lame matty c & scooter really were

Originally Posted by Rausch

I think he's an excellent "game manager."

If we let him continue to play that way and stay healthy I could see a possible 9-7 with this record. Some years that's good enough for the post season.

If we try and make him this gunslinger throwing the ball 35+ times a game I don't see any of that happening...

I bet we see AS throw 35+ passes in at least 5 games this season. he's playing much faster because he is finally getting his reads pre snap. I expect him to lead off where he last left off and with better targets in Jamaal & Bowe than he's ever had, I too expect 9 - 7 and maybe a playoff win.

This team is more talented than all but a few AFC teams.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by ChiefGator

That was actually a damn good interview, once Jamaal settled down, so I apologize to Jamaal for my earlier post. He seems to be speaking better, once he gets over jitters, and really buying into it. Best damn interview I've heard him give.

Agreed. I really can't wait to see them in action. Again. Like every year, setting myself up for dissappoint.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

yeah, Flacco is just a lucky bum...with the most playoff road wins of any QB in NFL history...the only thing he has done since entering the league is win...what a schmuck


but Smith...well, he's the real deal...it took him a decade to become a game manager, and to even be healthy for a whole season, and then to get benched....so he's awesome


there is never a time when QBs are discussed on this board that I don't wish to commit genocide on my own face...with a shotgun, of course

I wont stop you. wanna borrow one of mine?

Who mentioned smith again? I didn't. I was talking about Flacco, and recent super bowl WINNING qbs.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

yes, Flacco is far and away the best and most important player on the Ravens...and the playoffs made that painfully clear...like how far up your ass would your head have to be to miss it?

he dropped 34 on the 49ers defense and was named MVP, meanwhile that collection of broken down ravens defenders you listed gave up 31 points...

your like some true fan from hell...jesus ****

Oh? You mean like the defense that completely locked down the 49ers offense until the power went out? Or the int, that put the Ravens in prime scoring position in the second quarter, or how about the kick off return to open the second half which was a touchdown.

Joe Flacco, SHOULDNT of been Mvp, that was greatly debated, and the truth was it should of been Jacoby Jones. But, you uh, go about your marry way there, suck on the end of that 12 gauge. Save me a head ache will ya?

[ChiefGator]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

So are you going to tell me that the ... Giants best player is Eli Manning? That is so not the case. .. at the very least, JPP is better than Manning.

Eli is a franchise QB. He wasn't at first. He was a mediocre game manager, but then he won the superbowl. So, now he is a franchise QB.

Just like Flacco.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by ChiefGator

Eli is a franchise QB. He wasn't at first. He was a mediocre game manager, but then he won the superbowl. So, now he is a franchise QB.

Just like Flacco.

im not questioning if they are franchise qbs. they just aren't the best players on their teams. There are lots of franchise qbs. Just few elites.

Elites like aaron, drew, peyton, tom. They are the best players on their teams.

[Titty Meat]

You can't understand what charles says and he's not interesting.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by ChiefGator

Eli is a franchise QB. He wasn't at first. He was a mediocre game manager, but then he won the superbowl. So, now he is a franchise QB.

Just like Flacco.

I didnt used to like Eli at all, but the more i watched him, the more i realized that he does more with less pure physical talent than any other QB in the league.

He might be the savviest QB playing right now.

[Ace Gunner]

ya it was actually that superbowl run that established him. he had some good games that season, but when the playoffs came, he didn't let up. he's been pretty damn good ever since.