Ten Things About This Week's Game: Week 2 KC 27 PHI 20

[gblowfish]

Ten Things About Today’s Game Week 2: KC 27 PHI 20

10. This is the first game I’ve attended this year. I’ve been selling off my pre-season tickets the last few years because I can’t live with paying $150 a shot to watch a glorified practice. Especially this year since we got pre-season games one and four at home -the two most worthless of the four pre-season games. This season I dropped my third ticket, because last year I kept having to give away a $150 ticket when it was six degrees outside, which was every game in December last year. Mrs. Blowfish and I went in a little earlier than usual, we headed in around 9:30am, and although my Red Parking Pass is virtually worthless now, we did get parked quickly compared to years past. We went inside at 11AM and got through the security gate quickly as well, so the Chiefs are doing a better job at getting people parked and through security for kickoff. In general everyone needs to get there at least a hour and a half before game time if you want to see kickoff. This season I actually now own a cell phone that was made in this century, so I took a few pics from my seat which I’ll include below. Everything except Clark’s morning BM has to be a sponsorship or sales opportunity. That seems to get worse every year. And like attending Mass, the pre-game has been basically scripted the exact same for what feels like ten years. Be nice if they’d mix things up a little bit week to week. No fly over by the B-2, too cloudy. Some pre-kickoff pics are below, including this years crop of cheerleaders, and some big shiny hunk of metal that resides in a glass case where I turn left to go to my seats. There were a LOT of Eagles fans here today, I’d say maybe as much as 15 percent of the crowd. They travel well.
Pregame Chiefs Come Out

Cheerleaders:

Super Bowl IV Trophy


9. Luckily the weather stabilized before the game and was no factor. Actually in the fourth quarter the sun came out and it was very pleasant. The first half looked like Alex may have turned back into old predictable Alex. Not all his fault, we’ll get into that. The Chiefs are showing a frustrating trend of not getting serious about stuff until the fourth quarter. I thought Philly had a very good, well balanced team. I thought they looked tougher than New England did. Their defense was much better, and they were missing a bunch of their starting secondary guys. Wentz is a good young QB. On the radio broadcast (no Len Dawson today?) Mitch kept comparing him to a young Rapistburger. Talk about arm strength. Dude threw the ball several times today over 60 yards on the fly. And he was hard to tackle until the fourth quarter when our defense started going after him on obvious passing downs. Wentz was the Eagles leading rusher with 55 yards. Only Wentz, Sproles and Smallwood had any rushing yardage. Chiefs did a pretty good job holding down the run this week, although Gaines and Mitchell got picked on again through the air -no surprise there- and gave up over 300 passing yards. Mitchell got burned by Ertz for 53 yards near the end of the first half on a ball that he tipped, and then gave up on the play. Ertz stayed with it and luckily got brought down by the safety Murray before he could score.
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Thank goodness the Eagles new kicker got the yips and choked on a 30 yard field goal right before half. That was a big shift in the momentum.

8. In the first half, Alex started looking very last year Alex. He threw one and two yard dink passes. The one play where he went long he overthrew Tyreek Hill by two steps. Then before the half he got sacked a couple times and looked a little woozy. On the sideline they got Mahomes up and warming, but Alex stayed in. Second half adjustments were great. Alex came out, played much better, and the O-Line gave him much better protection. Alex also ran a couple times to turn a third into a first down. KC was only 5 for 12 on third down today, we’re going to need to watch that stat as the season rolls on. Smith didn’t get much from Kelce, Hill or Kareem the Dream in the first half. Second half, different story. Hunt’s first TD run really changed the tone of the game. Put KC back in the lead, and everything took off from there:
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7. On Hunt’s first TD, Travis Kelce drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting the Eagles bench. If you include the Pittsburgh playoff loss, Kelce has had conduct penalties in his last three games. Andy chewed his ass when he came off the field. It ended up giving the Eagles about eight extra yards on the subsequent kickoff return but the greater issue is the unending, bone headed, stupid conduct from a guy who is supposed to be a team leader. You can call it swagger or personality, I call it bone headed stupidity. Marcus Peters was the only Chiefs player to sit during the National Anthem today. I also think that is stupidity, but that's apples and oranges. Peters seems to have his shit together on the field now. He used to do stuff like punt the ball into the crowd. All his swagger statement has been off the field, like telling the Pats fans last week “Who Yo Daddy?” Kelce hasn’t seemed to get over the on field stuff yet. He’s going to be a marked man by the zebras all season. The danger is, on the second conduct penalty in a game, you get run. He is a reckless player, and he did make up for the gaffe by scoring an important TD in the fourth quarter. Love his ability. Love his skill. Hate his five cent head. His teammates should call him “Meat” until he learns to keep his cool on the field.
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6. Offensive game ball of the week goes to Kareem Hunt for two TDs. This kid runs tough. He’s really hard to bring down, has great speed once he gets through the hole, fights for every single yard, and he seems to be a good kid with a great head on his shoulders. Also kudos to Chris Conley for making a big 30 yard clutch catch in the fourth quarter to sustain a drive. Albert Wilson and Tyreek disappeared this week, although Tyreek beat his man for a TD and Alex missed him. He’ll have other opportunities. Offensive line was getting Alex beat up pretty good in the second quarter, but pulled it together in the second half. Love the depth we have on the O line after Morse got hurt, and Fulton stepped in at center and didn’t miss a beat.

5. Time of Possession ended up being close to even. Eagles had the ball for about a minute and a half more, but this didn’t balance out until the second half. Our defense was on the field a lot in the first half. Seems like Sutton is holding back some coverage or looks early on in games. Again we had no effective pass rush until late in the third quarter and into the fourth quarter. Philly had 11 more first downs than we did, but first downs don’t mean much if you don’t convert them into points. The last TD Philly got was in garbage time, but they did get a shot at a possible tie or win with the Hail Mary at the end. Luckily, our defense was facing Carson Wentz, and not Aaron Rodgers.

4. Defensive player of the game was Chris Jones. Three of his four tackles were sacks, and he got a pick on a ball that boinked off Justin Houston’s head. Houston played a fine game. He got a sack, and he played great as a run stopper on his side of the field. It's really great to have him back. DJ is looking a step or two slow this year. It’s understandable with his age and injury history, but it scares me when they put him on pass coverage. The other guy who should get big kudos this week is Daniel Sorensen. He was Eric Berry this week, and played his ass off. When he first made the team a couple years ago, I thought Andy just liked him because he came from BYU. Here’s this big, dorky white guy trying to play safety. But he may be our most improved player during his time here. He hits like a truck, seems to be where he needs to be, and can blitz like a mofo. Here he tried to kill Wentz, and makes a big third down stop in the fourth quarter:
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3. KC won the special teams battle today, which made a big difference in the game. We were outplayed by the Pats last week. Today Winchester forces a Sproles fumble, and the Sausage comes out with the ball. Philly kicker yips a field goal right before the half to send KC to the locker room holding a lead. Santos is perfect on all his kick attempts, and drove the ball deep into the end zone on most of his kickoffs. On our side, the new A Hunt -the other Hunt that’s not named Clark- had a nice kickoff return. Only bad things on specials were no decent punt returns and giving up the onside kick at the end of the game. Luckily it didn’t bite our ass, but made the ending interesting.

2. Andy Reid has now won 24 of his last 28 regular season games. I have a lot of respect for Philly. I think they have a very good team and should compete with Dallas for the NFC East. I’m a little worried about Andy not getting the ropes around Kelce, and in his post game presser he was poo pooing the bad behavior. Hopefully behind closed doors he’ll chew some more Kelce ass. I think the team as a whole did a fabulous job with adjustments at halftime, especially Sutton’s defense. On the injury front, the only guys I saw go into the big blue Mystery Coleman Pop Up Camping Tent was Mitch Morse and Dee Ford. Morse either has an ankle or foot injury, hopefully nothing torn or broken, and Dee Ford has something happen to a hand or wrist. I think he’s OK, because they sent him back in. After the game, he came over right below me, took his gloves off and gave them to a kid. Didn’t seem be bandaged up or in any pain. Chris Jones came out after getting knocked down in the second half, maybe a shoulder, but didn’t seem to be in a lot of pain at game end. They held him out the last two minutes as a precaution.

1. Finally, big props to the fans today. They were Arrowhead Loud, even with the large contingent of Philly fans here this week. All in all, a very satisfying home opener and a fun game to watch. It got a little too interesting at the end; not as crazy as last year’s frantic comeback win against San Diego, but interesting. Kareem Hunt may be this year’s Zeke. I’m excited to watch him grow as a player, and looking forward to next week’s game against that little Bitch Phyllis Rivers. This will be our first Divisional road game. Let’s hope we can totally ruin Phyllis' Sunday commute in the Phyllismobile, and climb into the AFC West driver's seat.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

I seriously can't tell the answer to either

a) are they married
b) are they hetero

NTTAWWT, just a facinating amibiguity.

It would appear to me the two men on the right are a loving couple sharing a moment.

You can't take that away from them...

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by FlintHillsChiefs

Sorensen and Kelce today -

I was never a big Sorensen fan but....damnit....you can't argue his desire.

He may be borderline talented but if you think he doesn't put it all out there you can go **** your mother...

[Danguardace]

Thanks George my Mondays aren't complete until I read your reviews.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

We had the pleasure of having this bunch in front of us. This was after what seemed like their 10th consecutive 1st down conversion.

Meh, just some fans having fun. It's all good if they're fun about it.

[3rd&Long]

I've been reading these 10 Things for many years but haven't commented until now. I have to say most of the professional scribes around the country could use a class from you on journalistic excellence. Superb writing and content!

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Mellinger writing about Alex Smith in today's game:
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...173870076.html

Fair, well written OP, and good link.

[gblowfish]

For those of you who have never been to Arrowhead, or haven't been in a very long time, here's a couple pictures of the Hall of Honor, which is between the 40's on the press box side, at the top of the first level. It's pretty awesome, lots of cool Chiefs historical stuff.

[Otter]

Thanks GB! Did you see what Kelce did to draw the personal foul?

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by Otter

Thanks GB! Did you see what Kelce did to draw the personal foul?

My understanding was that once Hunt was gone downfield and Kelce had released from his block, he ran over to the Eagles bench and was flapping his arms like a bird and talking shit. They didn't show it on TV, and I was watching Hunt on the play. Both Andy and Justin Houston got in his grill on the sideline after the play though.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

My understanding was that once Hunt was gone downfield and Kelce had released from his block, he ran over to the Eagles bench and was flapping his arms like a bird and talking shit. They didn't show it on TV, and I was watching Hunt on the play. Both Andy and Justin Houston got in his grill on the sideline after the play though.

I wish they'd show that on TV. If they're going to tag my guy for doing something hilarious I'd at least like the opportunity to laugh at it.

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Long

I've been reading these 10 Things for many years but haven't commented until now. I have to say most of the professional scribes around the country could use a class from you on journalistic excellence. Superb writing and content!

Thanks, that's very kind, I'm blushing. I actually did go to Mizzou Journalism School back in the stone age, but I have a face for radio, so I was behind mics and cameras. And believe me, my writing is not in the same hemisphere as someone like Mellinger. I will say that he has the advantage of having a desk editor who checks for spelling and grammar and sentence structure. Every good writer needs a better editor

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Meh, just some fans having fun. It's all good if they're fun about it.

They might all be pointing at Andy Reid giving him a "You Da Man." Philly is a thousand miles in the opposite direction!

[Otter]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

My understanding was that once Hunt was gone downfield and Kelce had released from his block, he ran over to the Eagles bench and was flapping his arms like a bird and talking shit. They didn't show it on TV, and I was watching Hunt on the play. Both Andy and Justin Houston got in his grill on the sideline after the play though.

Sounds like the zebras have their eye on him and looking for a reason to grate his ass. Justin Houston isn't a guy I'd want on my ass let alone the head coach.

Thanks, I was watching the game pretty close (both my brothers are big eagles fans) and couldn't figure out what he did to draw a personal foul.

[oldman]

Great read as always, George. I totally agree with you about Kelce drawing a lot of attention from the zebras. If the situation is as you described, there's no reason for him to do that. On the other hand, how much shit is said and other antics on the field that go unpunished? Either stop it completely or let the ticky-tack stuff go.
I also agree with you about Sorensen. I know there's a lot of folks here that think he's a JAG, but it seems he comes up with one of two plays a game that turn out to be big. And he's not afraid to hit someone.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by oldman

Great read as always, George. I totally agree with you about Kelce drawing a lot of attention from the zebras. If the situation is as you described, there's no reason for him to do that. On the other hand, how much shit is said and other antics on the field that go unpunished? Either stop it completely or let the ticky-tack stuff go.
I also agree with you about Sorensen. I know there's a lot of folks here that think he's a JAG, but it seems he comes up with one of two plays a game that turn out to be big. And he's not afraid to hit someone.

Love Kelce. He just needs to let himself get back under the radar. When you poked someone in the eye in a wrestling match you kinda have to give yourself 2 or 3 weeks before the refs stop watching for every little infraction.