Leaking everywhere

Nov 18, 2008, 7:50:31 AM by Jonathan Rand - FAQ

There’s a reasonable premise that any football team can execute one part of the game really well if it makes that a point of emphasis.

A passing grade in just one area won’t get a team into the playoffs, but if you’re above average on offense, defense or special teams, you might at least flirt with .500.

The Chiefs, after a 30-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints, have struggled on offense and defense and have given up game-changing plays on special teams in each of their last four losses.

So many shortcomings prevent a rebuilding team from establishing a foundation.

If only they had one place to hang their hats — just one area to lean on to for an identity it would be helpful.

Their defensive collapse is surprising. Against the Saints, the Chiefs allowed five consecutive scoring drives – three touchdowns and two field goals. Then after finally making an early fourth-quarter stop, they allowed a long drive for the clinching field goal. And the Chiefs had no sacks for the sixth time this season.

The Chiefs need to excel on special teams because winning the field position battle is crucial for a team that’s below average on offense. But the Chiefs’ kick coverage continues to leak with so many injuries impacting their units there.

This leaves their offense as the Chiefs’ brightest spot.

Though Tyler Thigpen is doing a nice job running a spread offense, it becomes limited in the red zone. The Chiefs settled for field goals after gaining first downs at the 1- and 3-yard lines, though they got a bad call when Larry Johnson’s dive was ruled short of a touchdown.

Yet, Johnson otherwise was stopped four times inside the 5 and averaged just 3.5 yards per carry in his first game in five weeks.

There is actually one eye-popping statistic in the Chiefs’ favor. Thanks mainly to their 11 fumble recoveries, they stand plus-nine in turnover differential.

They went into Sunday’s game with four defensive starters sidelined and Thigpen, a former third-stringer, at quarterback for the fourth straight week. Their injuries not only weaken the Chiefs, but make their progress and promise harder to evaluate and project.

The season-ending injury to quarterback Brodie Croyle marked the wipeout of a serious three-year investment. Defensive players who need to take the next step, such as end Tamba Hali and linebacker Derrick Johnson, are getting set back by injuries. And how can a secondary find its glue when relying on pickups who may be here today and gone tomorrow?

The Chiefs seem to be missing a brick for every one they lay and that, clearly, is hurting their rebuilding program.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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A former sportswriter and columnist in Kansas City and Miami, Rand has covered the NFL for three decades and seen 23 Super Bowl games. His column appears twice weekly in-season.