unoriginal

The Kansas City Chiefs are basically a bigger, stronger and slower version of the Indianapolis Colts defense; they share the same Tampa 2 pedigree, but are built for grass, not turf. Consequently they are better run-stoppers than pass-rushers. They don't penetrate to the extent the Colts do, instead they try to manhandle the interior line with their tackles, fill the frontside with the linebackers, and have the backside end crash down the line and grab the back before he can pick through the trash.

As you can see from the play chart, I graded running plays for this game, not just pass protection:

Note how many bubble screens the Pats ran to slot receivers and running backs, to try to punish the DEs for crashing inside.

The Patriots had all kinds of trouble solving the Chiefs run defense, primarily because the guards got no movement, and the tight ends had a hard time blocking anybody.

Here is an illustrative example:



This simple off-tackle play involves the 6-man line (Spach at tight end) blocking right, excluding Kaczur who seals the Sam inside to create something of a lane. Light is moving to reach the Will linebacker, leaving the backside end unblocked, which is fairly common for an off-tackle play.

As you can see, the running back starts too deep, and the play develops too slowly to leave the backside DE unblocked. The problem is compounded by Spach being beat by the frontside DE. Both converge on Lamont Jordan for the tackle.

Here is an excellent example of a half-time adjustment:



Add a fullback and have him trap block the backside DE, so he can't crash down the LOS. But again, the block is missed (by Evans) and the play is too slow to evade backside pursuit.

So if a fullback can't block the KC DEs, why not try a guard...




Here they pull Mankins and use him to lead on the frontside DE, while the rest of the line blocks down. But three things go wrong: (1) Mankins lead block still isn't good enough to get Maroney out the backfield without cutting, (2) removing Mankins from the backside lets KC crunch the line and fill the cutback lanes, and (3) Yates misses his block on the frontside linebacker. Because of (1), Maroney takes too long to get to the LOS. Because of (2), Maroney has to run parallel to the LOS, and because of (3), Derrick Johnson simply runs Maroney down at the LOS.

Clearly we need more people frontside to open running lanes. So lets try leaving the backside DE unblocked again, maybe he's tired...



Wrong.

Incidentally, that's Yates eating turf.

unoriginal

But surely they couldn't stop a fullback dive...




Now keep in mind this is a 3rd and 1 against 9 in the box, but you can see the basic principles of KC's defense in action. The interior and frontside line hold their ground very well, establishing the LOS. The linebackers fill the gaps, bouncing the running back. Then the backside DE crashes and eats the running back from behind.

What the Pats needed here was a strong push from their guards, but both Yates and Mankins ended up going a yard backwards.



Besides the guards having a tough time, neither of our tight ends had a good day run blocking. Pictured above is Stephen Spach again, getting tied up on the DE and failing to reach Derrick Johnson, #56. He hasn't even scraped off by the time Morris has trucked Johnson. In the final frame you can see him investigating the scene of the crime. As the game went along I saw less Spach and fewer two tight end sets; Spach had been in on some single TE sets early, but it was a mostly Thomas affair in the 2nd half.

David Thomas executes a decent wham block on the tight end here, and while his day was nearly as rough, he also ended up getting more playing time. He's a much better passing threat anyways. Based on what I noticed in this game, Spach's roster spot could be available once Watson comes back.




Sammy Morris had a good day running, but a poor day blocking (common theme for the Pats). You are no doubt already familiar with the matter of Bernard Polley, which was a physical breakdown. Pictured above is a mental breakdown, where Morris misses his assignment inside by quite a bit. I'm fairly certain Pats RBs are taught to fill gaps inside out on their half of the pocket; you can see how the line splits with Koppen drifting left, leaving a hole for Morris to step into.




Here's a weird one from early in the game. Kaczur gets locked up with his DE, Yates and Koppen leave their DT at the same time to chip on neighboring linemen, and Brady (normally so good in the pocket) strolls quite a ways to his right in order to walk right into the pressure.

That's Yates on the turf again, by the way. He did not have a good day. I think Yates is our weakest lineman. He never seems to get any movement, frequently gets his shoulders turned or gets driven backwards in pass protection. Then again, Mankins didn't grade out too well on the other side, so maybe it was just the KC line, but I feel Mankins made some positive plays, whereas Yates was either mediocre or bad.

Overall, I liked Cassel's pocket sense. He made no more mistakes than did the benchmark, Tom Brady, and on the times he ran, it was in situations where the Pats were blocking 4 rushers with 6 or 7 blockers. I think going forward Cassel will use his legs to make up for scheme mistakes like that, which should cut down on the all-or-none blitzing patterns we saw so much of last year.

Finally, the demerits. I didn't count Maroney's block in the back, because (1) it was uncalled, and (2) it was downfield.

alvinnf

Here we go again......

K-Ro 25

Great stuff unoriginal

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NJPatsfan26

Nice work....

MrBigglesWorth

That was alot of work you embarked on in breakdown. good effort and job

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Pats726

All intersting..and THANKS!!! Koppen and Kaczur seemed to be the best..NK getting a lot of flack and being OK...Yates being the worst..Light..Mankins OK...Interesting comments and a nice look ahead at Cassel and how he might use his legs more.

Mack Herron

Is there a most informative post award? Muchas gracias!

Deus Irae

Of all the moves Belioli has made lately, I've got to think that letting Graham go is probably the one they regret the most. They've still been unable to find a suitable replacement. As you pointed out, Spach is not getting the job done.

P.S. Thanks for the breakdown. Great stuff.

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Frezo

On the 2nd series, (3rd 15:00), it seems Maroney didn't have much of a burst or the hand off wasn't crisp. The DE covered more ground evading Evans than Maroney did going forward. The 2nd frame kind of puts Cassel in the way too. The play looks like it's setup well for a run left.

Well done. Thanks