ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Chargers vs. Chiefs Friday, November 26, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs. Now they're back with a
second look.
The Chargers' offense is built around the special talents of RB LaDanian
Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates. Both Tomlinson and Gates line up in
different positions depending on the offensive formation. What the
Chargers do is challenge defenses to locate them before the snap of the
ball, and then match up to them either with scheme or personnel. This is a
difficult task, and it often dictates matchups that favor Tomlinson and
Gates in the passing game.
One thing that really stands out studying the Chargers on film is that
they have increased the use of shifting and motion as the season has
progressed. This is a result of a more comfortable QB Drew Brees, in
addition to the greater demands it places on the defense to match up
mentally and then physically before the ball is snapped.
When you study Brees on film, you see a very comfortable quarterback.
He is manipulating the defense with his head and his body, he is acutely
aware of where everybody is on the field, and most importantly, he is
throwing the ball with consistent accuracy.
As the season has progressed, Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther
Cunningham has become much more aggressive with his schemes and tactics.
The Chiefs challenge offenses with blitz, and they play a high percentage
of press coverage on the outside. Their defensive line attacks up field
and penetrate gaps, and their linebackers play downhill. It's an attacking
defense that challenges offenses with pressure and man coverage.
W
One area in which the Chiefs' defense is struggling is at the safety
position. Because of its emphasis on pressure and man coverage, Kansas
City is playing a high percentage of single safety looks and coverages.
Safety Jerome Woods has not displayed the kind of range, ball awareness
and skills that are necessary in these schemes.
In studying the Chargers' offense on film, one player who jumps out every
week is RG Toniu Fonoti. He may well be the most physical run blocker we
have seen on tape all season. And he has the ability to pull, and get to
linebackers on the second level. Fonoti is a key part of the Chargers'
staple running play – "Power" – in which a guard and FB Lorenzo Neal are
the lead blockers. Overall, the Chargers' offense plays with a swagger,
it's physical and nasty, and plays what we call "attitude" football.
One thing that really stands out evaluating the Chargers' defense on film
is the versatility of the front seven. The Chargers use a base 3-4, and
are getting consistently strong play from OLBs Ben Leber and Steve Foley.
But their versatility shows in their sub-packages. Foley becomes a down DE
in their nickel and dime packages, and has shown consistent ability to
pressure the quarterback. Another player who lines up at defensive end in
the nickel is rookie Shaun Phillips; he flashes every week as a pass
rusher, demonstrating the ability to corner and beat offensive tackles off
the edge.
WilliamsOne player who really stands out on the Chargers' defense is NT
Jamal Williams. When you focus on Williams on film, you see a player who
is more than simply a big body who ties up blockers so that the inside
linebackers can run to the football. You see a quick, agile and powerful
player who can shed blocks in the running game and push the pocket in the
passing game. This sets up an outstanding matchup against the interior of
the Chiefs' offensive line, the best in the NFL: C Casey Wiegmann, and
guards Brian Waters and Will Shields.
When you break down the Chiefs' offense week after week, it is evident
that the foundation is the offensive line and the running of Priest
Holmes. Even with Holmes hurt, the Chiefs, through the use of two-tight
end and two-back sets, are still based formationally on forcing the
defense to match up and defend the running game first. This is an offense
that is at its best when it's methodical and efficient, when the big plays
in the passing game result from formations and backfield actions that
dictate run first to the defense.
The key to defending the Chiefs' passing game is matching up effectively
with TE Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez lines up all over the formation, and
demands that the defense locates him before the snap of the ball. Even
though the Chiefs' passing game produces a lot of yards and points, it is
more a function of great design by offensive coordinator Al Saunders. QB
Trent Green is a solid decision maker and he's excellent in the
play-action game, but this is an offense that does not have the weapons on
the outside to be truly explosive.
Special Teams
San Diego KOR Tim Dwight, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown earlier
this year, has been slowed by a toe injury but is expected to play and
could have a big game. Kansas City PK Lawrence Tynes isn't getting great
depth or hang time on his kickoffs and the Chiefs' kickoff cover unit has
been one of the worst in the league.
Kansas City PR Dante Hall has flashed the big-play ability he has dazzled
fans with in the past, but he has yet to reach the end zone as a return
man and that shouldn't change this week. The Chargers' punt cover unit has
been sound it's capable of keeping Hall contained.
Prediction: Chargers 24, Chiefs 21
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs. Now they're back with a
second look.
The Chargers' offense is built around the special talents of RB LaDanian
Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates. Both Tomlinson and Gates line up in
different positions depending on the offensive formation. What the
Chargers do is challenge defenses to locate them before the snap of the
ball, and then match up to them either with scheme or personnel. This is a
difficult task, and it often dictates matchups that favor Tomlinson and
Gates in the passing game.
One thing that really stands out studying the Chargers on film is that
they have increased the use of shifting and motion as the season has
progressed. This is a result of a more comfortable QB Drew Brees, in
addition to the greater demands it places on the defense to match up
mentally and then physically before the ball is snapped.
When you study Brees on film, you see a very comfortable quarterback.
He is manipulating the defense with his head and his body, he is acutely
aware of where everybody is on the field, and most importantly, he is
throwing the ball with consistent accuracy.
As the season has progressed, Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther
Cunningham has become much more aggressive with his schemes and tactics.
The Chiefs challenge offenses with blitz, and they play a high percentage
of press coverage on the outside. Their defensive line attacks up field
and penetrate gaps, and their linebackers play downhill. It's an attacking
defense that challenges offenses with pressure and man coverage.
W
One area in which the Chiefs' defense is struggling is at the safety
position. Because of its emphasis on pressure and man coverage, Kansas
City is playing a high percentage of single safety looks and coverages.
Safety Jerome Woods has not displayed the kind of range, ball awareness
and skills that are necessary in these schemes.
In studying the Chargers' offense on film, one player who jumps out every
week is RG Toniu Fonoti. He may well be the most physical run blocker we
have seen on tape all season. And he has the ability to pull, and get to
linebackers on the second level. Fonoti is a key part of the Chargers'
staple running play – "Power" – in which a guard and FB Lorenzo Neal are
the lead blockers. Overall, the Chargers' offense plays with a swagger,
it's physical and nasty, and plays what we call "attitude" football.
One thing that really stands out evaluating the Chargers' defense on film
is the versatility of the front seven. The Chargers use a base 3-4, and
are getting consistently strong play from OLBs Ben Leber and Steve Foley.
But their versatility shows in their sub-packages. Foley becomes a down DE
in their nickel and dime packages, and has shown consistent ability to
pressure the quarterback. Another player who lines up at defensive end in
the nickel is rookie Shaun Phillips; he flashes every week as a pass
rusher, demonstrating the ability to corner and beat offensive tackles off
the edge.
WilliamsOne player who really stands out on the Chargers' defense is NT
Jamal Williams. When you focus on Williams on film, you see a player who
is more than simply a big body who ties up blockers so that the inside
linebackers can run to the football. You see a quick, agile and powerful
player who can shed blocks in the running game and push the pocket in the
passing game. This sets up an outstanding matchup against the interior of
the Chiefs' offensive line, the best in the NFL: C Casey Wiegmann, and
guards Brian Waters and Will Shields.
When you break down the Chiefs' offense week after week, it is evident
that the foundation is the offensive line and the running of Priest
Holmes. Even with Holmes hurt, the Chiefs, through the use of two-tight
end and two-back sets, are still based formationally on forcing the
defense to match up and defend the running game first. This is an offense
that is at its best when it's methodical and efficient, when the big plays
in the passing game result from formations and backfield actions that
dictate run first to the defense.
The key to defending the Chiefs' passing game is matching up effectively
with TE Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez lines up all over the formation, and
demands that the defense locates him before the snap of the ball. Even
though the Chiefs' passing game produces a lot of yards and points, it is
more a function of great design by offensive coordinator Al Saunders. QB
Trent Green is a solid decision maker and he's excellent in the
play-action game, but this is an offense that does not have the weapons on
the outside to be truly explosive.
Special Teams
San Diego KOR Tim Dwight, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown earlier
this year, has been slowed by a toe injury but is expected to play and
could have a big game. Kansas City PK Lawrence Tynes isn't getting great
depth or hang time on his kickoffs and the Chiefs' kickoff cover unit has
been one of the worst in the league.
Kansas City PR Dante Hall has flashed the big-play ability he has dazzled
fans with in the past, but he has yet to reach the end zone as a return
man and that shouldn't change this week. The Chargers' punt cover unit has
been sound it's capable of keeping Hall contained.
Prediction: Chargers 24, Chiefs 21
