You know the drill by now. We are joined by Joel Thorman from Arrowhead Pride to discuss Bills/Chiefs. What do we have on Tap?… Talkin about Alex Smith..Why has Dwayne Bowe struggled? How should the Bills attack the Chiefs' defense and offense? All that and much more. Enjoy. Retweet. Tell a friend.
1) How do you feel about the Chiefs overall start? Why have they been able to turn it around?
They're not turning the ball over as much and their defense is creating a lot more turnovers. That's the stat that explains the Chiefs 8-0 start. But on a big picture, Andy Reid is the reason they've been able to turn it around. Everyone always points to him as the reason for the Chiefs success. The confidence he brings, simply by his experience, is what has helped this team the most.
2) How has Alex Smith looked for you guys? As an outsider, I've always considered him more of a game manger, but do you have confidence that he can gun it with the likes of Peyton Manning?
He doesn't need to gun it like Manning. He needs to not turn it over. The Chiefs defense is playing near a historically great rate right now so they don't need him to be Manning. They need him to protect the ball, consistently complete his passes and come up with a big play when they need it. That's what Alex has been able to do so far.
3) If you were the Chiefs opposition, how would you attack them on the offensive and defensive side of the ball?
Offensively I would stop Jamaal Charles. He's such a huge part of the Chiefs offense. If you can stop him, you can stop the Chiefs. But that's not easy given he can do just about anything. Defensively you have to hope you can catch one of the corners sleeping and hit them deep. The Chiefs pressure the quarterback well but that leaves the secondary vulnerable at times. You have to take advantage of that secondary.
4) You guys have shut down the likes of Eli Manning, Mike Vick and Tony Romo. Why has your passing defense had success?
First, it's the pass rush. Tamba Hali and Justin Houston are having great seasons. Same goes for Dontari Poe, who made a hell of a leap in year two. That slows down quarterbacks the most. Then it's the cornerbacks. The Chiefs are somewhat unique in that they have several really good corners — Brandon Flowers, Sean Smith and the little known Marcus Cooper. It's a good secondary when Dunta Robinson is your No. 4.
5) You guys are on pace to sack the QB 72 times! That's insane. Why has your pass rush been so affective?
Dontari Poe is a huge part of it. Usually you have those edge rushers coming around the corner and the quarterback will step up in the pocket. But with Poe pushing the middle of the pocket, quarterbacks can't step up. So Houston and Hali are then able to rack up sacks. That's the main reason.
6) Outside of the star/pro bowl players for the Chiefs, who should Bills fans keep an eye on that they probably aren't talking about?
You should know about Dontari Poe so far. Marcus Cooper, a cornerback, is a good one. He's a rookie undrafted corner who joined the Chiefs on cut down weekend. He's had a very nice start to his career, forcing his way into the lineup because he's been so good at times. He'll make his rookie mistakes but he's a good third corner.
7) Why has Dwayne Bowe struggled for you guys?
Alex Smith historically hasn't passed to his receivers as much. Same deal the last few years in San Francisco with Michael Crabtree getting less looks than Vernon Davis. That's who he is. There are also some questions about Bowe's burst and speed this year. Something just seems … different with him.
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