The New Arrowhead

[HeathyT]

Re: The New Arrowhead

Words from Practice:

Pepper Johnson:

Q: How do you hope to contain the Eagles explosive offence?

JOHNSON: Well we are going to have to be diciplined. We are going to have to make sure everyone is covered, and every gap is contained. They have a lot of weapons on their team, we have to make sure we stick to the fundamentals.

Q: How do you intend to stop Brian Westrbrook, the 2008 NFL MVP?

JOHNSON: The guy is a great football player no doubt about it, we have to make sure we make tackles, close all running lanes. The trick is they have a great passing game, so we can't just load the box all day. Also if we cover all receivers, cover the back, their QB is very capable of picking up first downs with his legs.

Q: Will rookie first round pick Demario Waddell have a big role to play this week?

JOHNSON: Demario is going to be a matchup guy for us. He's big physical, and fast. He's a corner that plays like a receiver, a very gifted football player. We are likely to play him against Marques Colston, and we feel that he can win that battle 1 on 1.

Q: What kind of pressure packages are you putting together for this week?

JOHNSON: We aren't going to line up and do all these exotic blitz's and coverages. We are going to line up in our base defence and be more physical then them. It will start with the line, if we can come off the ball quickly it will set up our secondary to make plays.


Clyde Christensen:

Q: How has QB Matt Cassel been this week, we understand he has been quite limited this past week.

CHRISTENSEN: Matt has been working, and getting in a limited number of reps, he suffered an injury in our last pre-season game and we are just making sure hes good for the season.

Q: Will he play this week against the Eagles?

CHRISTENSEN: That is going to come down to Coach Thomas' decision. I don't want to get into trouble guessing (laughs) . Matt has performed great this pre-season, but if he is unable to play on Sunday we are happy to turn things over to Damon (Huard) .

Q: So does this mean Damon will be the starter on Sunday?

CHRISTENSEN: Well I can't answer that, that will be Heath's decision, but Damon has been getting the majority of the reps with the number 1 offence this week, and has executed our offence well.

[HeathyT]

Re: The New Arrowhead

Q&A With Heath Thomas - Vs Eagles

Q: So will Matt Cassel be ready to play this Sunday?

THOMAS: Matt will be a game time decision for us. It is going to come down to if he is able to play without any pain, and if Clyde and I feel he can execute our offence.

Q: How do you intend to handle the pressure that the Eagles are famous from bringing under Jim Johnson.

THOMAS: I'm familiar with their scheme defensivly. They like to blitz early and often, and we are going to be ready for that. The best way to slow down the pass rush is that we have to be able to run the ball , and not force ourselves into 3rd and longs where they can bring their exotic blitz's

[HeathyT]

Re: The New Arrowhead

Week 1
Vs Eagles Note: QB Matt Cassell was ruled out for todays game
With a strained groin muscle

Q1:

Eagles opening play, Kolb drops back, looking, looking, fires deep right side intended for Colston and its INTERCEPTED! Demario Waddell, and he runs down the sideline and is knocked out at the 19 yard line.

3rd and Goal on the 9, Huard back to pass throws left side and its INTERCEPTED in the back of the endzone by Drayton Florence.

Alexis Serna attempts a 48 yard FG, and it is.....GOOD 3-0 Chiefs

Q2:

2nd and 10, Kolb back to pass fires short right side off the hands of Colston and it is INTERCEPTED AGAIN! Demario Waddell, and hes running down the field again, has the QB to beat and he takes it to the house TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 10-0 Chiefs

1st down, Kolb drops back, is pressured, throws it down the middle and it is INTERCEPTED! Calais Campbell

2nd and 10 at the 15, Kolb back to pass looking, looking, looking, fires down the right side and it is caught but Colston, takes it to the 10 makes a man miss and hes in TOUCHDOWN EAGLES! 10-7

2 Minute Warning:

3rd and Goal on the 2, Kolb fakes to Westbrook rolls right throws right caught Ben Troupe in the back of the endzone TOUCHDOWN EAGLES! 14-10

Q3:

1st down, Kolb from the gun back to pass throws it deep middle, he wants Colston, and it is INTERCEPTED Brandon Flowers.

Chiefs line up in a touble tight set, Huard play action sets up throws deep left side and it is INTERCEPTED Brian Dawkins.

2nd and Goal at the 7, Kolb fires quick down right side intended for Colston and it is INTERCEPTED by Demario Waddell again! and he takes it to midfield.

Serna attempts a 30 yard field goal, and it is GOOD, 13-14

Q4:

Serna attempts a 44 yard FG and it is GOOD, 16-14

1st down Kolb, gives it to Westbrook up the middle, makes a man miss hes through the middle, brought down by Beau Bell, FUMBLE!!!! recovered by Derrick Johnson. Eagles challange the call, but the ruling on the field stands! CHIEFS BALL!

Akers attempts a 48 yard field goal, and it is GOOD, 16-17

2 Minute Warning:

Huard runs the 2 minute offence to perfection, converting key 3rd downs hitting Kasom and Avery, who break for big gains, and takes us to the 4 yard line.

4th and Goal on the 1, The Chiefs elect to go for it with 44 seconds left in the ball game. A big gamble here by Coach Thomas.
Huard hands it off to Larry Johnson who powers his way into the endzone TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 23-17

And the Chiefs with a very risky call on 4th down start the year with a 1-0 record

[HeathyT]

Re: The New Arrowhead

I accidently simmed through Week 2 Vs Broncos and it was terrible a 34-6 Loss and starting QB Matt Cassel was still out and again Damon Huard struggled. Also Demario Waddell struggled to cover Brandon Marshall Here is the scoring Summary

Q1:

Shaun Alexander 4 yard TD run

Alexis Serna 47 Yard FG Good 7-3

Q2:

Cutler 3 yard TD pass to Keenan Burton
Cutler 35 yard TD pass to Brandon Marshall

Serna 37 yard FG Good

Q3:

Cutler 20 yard TD pass to Brandon Marshall

Q4:

Cutler 52 yard TD pass to Brandon Marshall

[HeathyT]

Re: The New Arrowhead

Week 3
@ Dolphins

The Kansas City Chiefs head into Miami looking to bounce back after an embarrasing divison loss to the Broncos last week. With Matt Cassel finally healthy and ready to play. Here are the highlights:

Q1:

1st and Goal at the 5. Kasom comes in motion, Cassel hands it to Kasom on the sweep, makes a man miss and hes into the endzone TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 7-0

Jay Feely attempts a 41 yard field goal and it is GOOD 7-3

Q2:

1st and 10 Cassel gives it to Johnson up the middle, theres a big hole and he bursts through brought down by Kevin Burnett FUMBLE! recovered by Matt Roth Dolphins Ball!

1st and 10 after the turnover, Ronnie Brown left end and hes blasted in thye backfield by Calas Campbell FUMBLE! recovered by Jake Long for a loss of 3

2 Minute Warning:

1st and 10, Larry Johnson up the middle FUMBLE! recovered by Matt Roth, Dolphins Ball! Larry Johnson with his second fumble of the half.

HALF TIME

Chiefs Head Coach Heath Thomas said at halftime that we need to do a better job holding on to the football. Everything is going quite smoothly on offence, defence and special teams. On Offence we just need to hold on to the football, and Jamaal Charles will see more carries in the 2nd Half. Defensivley we are playing lights out, We just need to apply more pressure on the QB and maintain a high intencity.

Q3:

2nd and 13, Dorsey back to pass fires it deep left side and it is INTERCEPTED! Sanrick Raines. Chiefs Ball!.

Alexis Serna attempts a 32 yard Feild Goal, and it is GOOD! 10-3

Larry Johnson up the middle FUMBLE! recovered by Kevin Burnett, and Coach Thomas doesn't look pleased, as he signals for LJ to come over to him. Dolphins Ball!

2nd and 5 Cassel back to pass avoids the rush steps up in the pocket throws short middle, ehs got Donnie Avery, and hes loose at the 15, the 10, the 5 and hes brought down at the 1 yard line. An impressive catch and run by Donnie Avery making 4 defenders miss to set the Chiefs up with 1st and Goal at the 1.

Q4:

1st and Goal at the 1 Jamaal Charles takes it up the middle cuts it back to the left makes a man miss and hes into the endzone TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 17-3

4th and Goal Dorsey back to pass, looking, looking, looking fires short middle knocked down by Demario Waddell Turnover on Downs CHIEFS BALL! at the 13 yard line.

Kansas City have drove right down the field thanks to Jamaal Charles accounting for 60 yards on the ground this drive, to set up the Chiefs with 1st and 10 on the 11 yard line. Cassel in the gun calls for the ball back to pass, looking, looking steps up in the pocket fires to the middle of the endzone caught by Kenton Kasom wide open TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 24-3

4th and 1, Dorsey back to pass, hes under pressure rolling to his left throws down the middle batted away by Donnie Edwards turnover on downs CHIEFS BALL!

Jamaal Chalres runs the clock right down to 0 with the last play of the game being a 25 yard run GAME OVER!

Key Stats:

M. Cassel 14/17 217 yards 1 TD 0 INT

J. Charles 30 carries 140 yards 1 TD

K. Kasom 5 Receptions 77 yards 1 TD

Defence:
Sacks:

Calais Campbell: 2
Beau Bell: 2
Athya Rubin: 1

Interceptions:
Sanrick Raines: 1

[HeathyT]

Re: The New Arrowhead

Post Game Press Conference:

OPENING REMARKS: I would just like to say that I am very proud of these guys, they showed how tough they are with how we controlled the line of scrimmige today. We made a few ajustments at halftime and they really responded to them. We started generating pressure on the QB, we did a much better job opening running lanes. I'll open the floor to questions now.

Q: What did you say to Larry Johnson in the 3rd quarter after his 3rd fumble?

THOMAS: What was said will stay between me and him, I was just telling him how important it is to hold onto the football, but the conversation will stay between us, and thats all I am going to say about that, the issue has been resolved.

Q: What changes did you make to be able to run the ball so effecivly in the 2nd half?

THOMAS: Clyde, Tom and I got together and talking about the looks they were giving us on certain formations, so we ran a bunch of different formations at them, and ran pretty much at the same hole everytime and it was working quite well.

Q: Are you glad to have Matt Cassel back into the lineup?

THOMAS: Matt played a great game today, he carried out everything we asked him to do, lead the offence down the field multiple times, but most importantly he didn't turn the football over, he made great reads today and some better throws, and its good to see him healthy and having fun out there today.

Q: How much of an impact did it have with Matt Cassel out there today?

THOMAS: I feel it had a great impact. Matt has worked with the ones through the whole off-season, pre-season and going into week 1, so the timing and rythmn is there. Damon is a great football player aswell, but he didn't have the timing, due to limited reps with the number 1 offence, and thats not his fault he played well for us the first 2 games.

Q: What were your thoughts on the Defence today?

THOMAS: The defence was lights out today. Only giving up 3 points, under 200 yards passing, and 36 yards rushing they came to play today. It all starts on the Line, our defensive line overpowered their offensive line today. Pepper(Johnson) deserves alot of credit he prepared the defence very well during the week.

Q: What are your thoughts on the backfield at this point?

THOMAS: We have ourselves a 4 headed monster. Jamaal Charles showed how explosive he is today, Carl Stewart is a great power runner, and picked up a few tough yards today, Larry Johnson has been good as our workhorse back, and Double K (Kenton Kasom) is a very talented back, even though we play him in the slot, he has the ability to score every time he touches the ball.

[HeathyT]

Re: The New Arrowhead

From the Podium Heath Thomas:

Q: How is the current backfield situation looking?

THOMAS: We have a lot of talent in our backfield no question, but we are leaning towards Jamaal seeing more carries this week against the Chargers. Larry will continue to be our workhorse back though.

Q: Will we see more more rookie TE Kwame Frampton?

THOMAS: We play whoever gives us the best chance to win, Kwame is a great receiver but his blocking isn't up to par to be a starting TE yet. We will put him on the feild in certain packages.

Q: What is going to be the key offensively to stop the pressure the Chargers bring on defence.

THOMAS: We are going to have to be smart with the football, make wure we get the protection called, and get the ball out fast and on time and let the receivers make plays. The key though is to not let ourselves get into 3rd and long's where they can tee off on the quarterback.

INJURIES:

THOMAS: Casey Weigman limited, Damien Macintosh out, Ryan O'callahagn out, Ron Edwards out.

[HeathyT]

Re: The New Arrowhead

Words from Practice:

Pepper Johnson

Q: What will be the key to stopping the Chargers offence?

JOHNSON: I think the key will be stopping the run. They like to run the ball with LT as much as they can, then bring some play action passes going deep. So our first goal will be to stop the run.

Q: What is your plan to covering Antonio Gates?

JOHNSON: Gates is a special player for their team, hes their best receiver and our guys just need to know where he is on the field.

Clyde Christensen

Q: How do you intend to stop the pressure the Chargers defence brings?

CHRISTENSEN: Well as Heath said we have to get the ball out quick, we can't stand in the pocket all day and let plays develop, but it will be important to establish the run early, so we can run play action to hit receivers downfield.

Q: Who is going starting at HB for you on Sunday?

CHRISTENSEN: (laughs) you guys are trying to get me in trouble again, its going to come down to Heath's decision. Jamaal has been getting more reps with the number 1's in practice and has done a great job so far, we have a 4 headed monster in our backfield.

Q: How much has the offence changed with having QB Matt Cassel back into the lineup?

CHRISTENSEN: No, the offence doesn't really change. The only thing that is really different is that Matt has some favourite plays, and they might not be favourites of Damon's.

[HeathyT]

Re: The New Arrowhead

Week 4
@ Chargers

The Kansas City Chiefs head into Qualcomm Stadium to get their first division win against the 1-2 Chargers. Here are the highlights:

Opening kickoff: Kasom takes the ball running right, makes a man miss cuts it back left side hes got a block breaks it through the hole and he takes it 89 yards to the endzone TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 7-0

1st and 10 Rivers back to pass fires it deep left side looking for Chambers and it is INTERCEPTED Brandon Flowers who returns it for 6 yards.

2nd and 14 Rivers from the gun back to pass has time steps up in the pocket fires it deep down the middle looking for Gates and it is INTERCEPTED! Gibril Wilson

1st and Goal on the 2 yard line Cassel off play action fires it quick to the left side hes got Bowe wide open in the endzone TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 14-0

Q2:

1st and 10 Rivers back to pass under pressure from Hali throws it quick in the middle and he throws it right to Beau Bell and he caught it INTERCEPTION, and I think Bell is in shock that it was a perfect pass right to him.

4th and Goal on the 7 Cassel off play action SACKED! Shaun Philips turnover on downs.

Jamaal Chares has left the game with a left arm injury

3rd and 10 Rivers back to pass fires it deep middle off the hands of Antonio Gates and its INTERCEPTED! by Gibril Wilson.

3rd and 3 Sassel under center, drops back looking left, throws down the middle its too long and INTERCEPTED Eric Weddle, who returns it for 5 yards FUMBLE! recovered by Bowe, who takes it to midfield.

Cassel fires deep left side Caught by Bowe! for 16 yards and theres a flag on the field for a facemask, which takes the chiefs to the 13 yard line.

2 minute Warning:

1st and Goal on the 2 yard line, Cassel hands it to Johnson and he powers his way in TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 21-0

1st and 10 Rivers back to pass fires it deep middle intended for Gates and its INTERCEPTED Sanrick Raines, who takes it to the 22 yard line.

Alexis Serna attepts a 27 yard field goal, and it is GOOD 24-0

Casey Weigman has left the game with a head injury

Halftime

Coach Thomas has said that we need to do a better job running the football, we are getting beaten at the line of scrimmige, and we need to come off the ball with more force. Everything else is going great. Defence is generating pressure and forcing turnovers, and the offence is marching down the field.

When asked about Jamaal Charles' status, Coach Thomas stated that he will not be returning.

Q3:

1st and 10 Tomlinson runs right tackle stiffs arms and hes GONE! TOUCHDOWN SAN DIEGO, a 33 yard rushing touchdown from LT 24-7

Matt Cassel in gun gun back to pass, hes got avery on the crossing route, makes a man miss brought down by Bruschi FUMBLE! recovered by Bubba Franks for a gain of 24 yards! Chiefs again lucky to recover and gain hards.

Alexis Serna attempts a 39 yard field goal and it is NO GOOD

2nd and 5 Rivers back to pass fires it deep middle intended for Gates INTERCEPTED Sanrick Raines.

Q4:

Alexis Serna attempts a 22 yard Field Goal and it is GOOD 27-7

4th and 3 Rivers back to pass under pressure throws it quick middle batted down at the line turnover on downs.

Cassel has left the game with a right leg injury.

2nd and 8 Rivers pass short right INTERCEPTED Demario Waddel who takes it 13 yards for the score TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 34-7

3rd and 10 Rivers pass short middle INTERCEPTED Sanrick Raines!

Larry Johnson has left the game with a torso injury

3rd and Goal Kenton Kasom takes it into the endzone a 2 yard rushing score TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY! 41-7

4th and 3 Rivers from the gun, back to pass has plenty of time, and Rivers throws it away!!!!! Turnover on Downs and the crowd here at Qualcomm want Rivers' blood after that play.

GAME OVER!
Final Score
KC 41 - SD 7

Key Stats:

Cassel 11/27 116 yards 1 TD 1 INT
Huard 1/2 18 yards

Johnson 17 carries 68 yards 1 TD
Charles 13 carries 58 yards
Kasom 6 carries 4 yards 1 TD

Avery 6 Receptions 65 yards
Bowe 2 Receptions 18 yards 1 TD

Defence:
Sacks:
Beau Bell - 2
Calais Campbell - 1

Interceptions:
Sanrick Raines - 3
Gibril Wilson - 2
Demario Waddel - 1, 1 TD
Beau Bell - 1
Brandon Flowers - 1