Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 18, 2007 11:50:18 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/406901.html
Chiefs notes: Line does better job of protecting Croyle
Pass protection improves
The Chiefs’ oft-criticized offensive line had one of its best performances Sunday, even against the Tennessee Titans’ two star pass rushers.
The Chiefs line, pieced together Sunday amid injuries and the termination of Chris Terry’s contract, did not allow a sack for the first time this season and allowed quarterback Brodie Croyle time to complete 25 of 43 passes for 217 yards.
“Those guys did their job,” Croyle said.
The Chiefs hadn’t gone without a sack since a win over San Francisco in October of last year at Arrowhead Stadium.
The line’s toughest challenge was dealing with Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and tackle Albert Haynesworth, who entered Sunday with a combined 15 sacks.
The outlook appeared even worse when Terry was cut Saturday after he skipped Friday’s practice. Terry had an elbow injury this last week and was listed Friday as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Backup right tackle Kyle Turley, who had an ankle injury, was out Sunday. Will Svitek, in his third season with the Chiefs, started at right tackle.
Damion McIntosh returned to play at left tackle after missing last week’s game in Denver because of an ailing knee.
Connection in the making?
Croyle said Sunday that rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe might have emerged as a reliable option. Bowe had five catches for 64 yards.
“We have a good feel for each other,” Croyle said. “We see the same holes. We have the same ideas. We’re going to continue to get better together.”
But Bowe was not perfect. His drop on the Chiefs’ first play would have been a big gain. Instead, the team went three-and-out.
Trouble at home
Defensive end Jared Allen said Sunday the Chiefs’ home-field advantage has disappeared. Although the announced attendance was 74,976, there appeared to be considerably fewer fans at Arrowhead Stadium.
“You know what? They can show up if they want,” Allen said. “They can not show up if they want. There’s not a whole lot showing up anyway. We’ve got more to worry about than what the fans think. We’ve got more problems in this locker room than we know what to do with.”
Slippery field
The Arrowhead Stadium field was ice-covered despite having been covered by a tarp. The sun slowly melted the ice over most of the field, except for a piece of the southeast corner that never made it out of the shade.
Footing was treacherous in spots, particularly in the one corner.
“Shortly after we arrived at the stadium this morning we knew that this game was going to take on a slightly different look because of the footing, and it (did),” Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said.
“The advantage goes to the offense in the passing game, and the pressure gets put on the defense because of the footing.”
Injury update
The Chiefs listed only Eddie Kennison (shoulder) and Jarrad Page (hamstring) on their postgame injury report. Both players later returned to the game.
The Chiefs played without, among others, four injured regulars: Turley, running back Larry Johnson, defensive tackle Alfonso Boone and nickel back Tyron Brackenridge.
Chiefs notes: Line does better job of protecting Croyle
Pass protection improves
The Chiefs’ oft-criticized offensive line had one of its best performances Sunday, even against the Tennessee Titans’ two star pass rushers.
The Chiefs line, pieced together Sunday amid injuries and the termination of Chris Terry’s contract, did not allow a sack for the first time this season and allowed quarterback Brodie Croyle time to complete 25 of 43 passes for 217 yards.
“Those guys did their job,” Croyle said.
The Chiefs hadn’t gone without a sack since a win over San Francisco in October of last year at Arrowhead Stadium.
The line’s toughest challenge was dealing with Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and tackle Albert Haynesworth, who entered Sunday with a combined 15 sacks.
The outlook appeared even worse when Terry was cut Saturday after he skipped Friday’s practice. Terry had an elbow injury this last week and was listed Friday as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Backup right tackle Kyle Turley, who had an ankle injury, was out Sunday. Will Svitek, in his third season with the Chiefs, started at right tackle.
Damion McIntosh returned to play at left tackle after missing last week’s game in Denver because of an ailing knee.
Connection in the making?
Croyle said Sunday that rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe might have emerged as a reliable option. Bowe had five catches for 64 yards.
“We have a good feel for each other,” Croyle said. “We see the same holes. We have the same ideas. We’re going to continue to get better together.”
But Bowe was not perfect. His drop on the Chiefs’ first play would have been a big gain. Instead, the team went three-and-out.
Trouble at home
Defensive end Jared Allen said Sunday the Chiefs’ home-field advantage has disappeared. Although the announced attendance was 74,976, there appeared to be considerably fewer fans at Arrowhead Stadium.
“You know what? They can show up if they want,” Allen said. “They can not show up if they want. There’s not a whole lot showing up anyway. We’ve got more to worry about than what the fans think. We’ve got more problems in this locker room than we know what to do with.”
Slippery field
The Arrowhead Stadium field was ice-covered despite having been covered by a tarp. The sun slowly melted the ice over most of the field, except for a piece of the southeast corner that never made it out of the shade.
Footing was treacherous in spots, particularly in the one corner.
“Shortly after we arrived at the stadium this morning we knew that this game was going to take on a slightly different look because of the footing, and it (did),” Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said.
“The advantage goes to the offense in the passing game, and the pressure gets put on the defense because of the footing.”
Injury update
The Chiefs listed only Eddie Kennison (shoulder) and Jarrad Page (hamstring) on their postgame injury report. Both players later returned to the game.
The Chiefs played without, among others, four injured regulars: Turley, running back Larry Johnson, defensive tackle Alfonso Boone and nickel back Tyron Brackenridge.