The other day while I was doing some research for my weekly NFL picks league (I'm in third place because I'm awesome) something became abundantly clear to me - the Kansas City Chiefs are the Syracuse Orange of the NFL. Both teams are having unexpected success behind second year coaches and many people haven't come around on the fact that both teams are actually good. The similarities are really astounding.
Both teams are winning behind stout defenses and effective running games. On offense Kansas City utilizes power back Thomas Jones and speed/third down back Jamaal Charles to lead the NFL in rushing. Syracuse utilizes power back Delone Carter and speed/third down back Antwon Bailey who are third and ninth in the conference in yards.
Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassell isn't lighting up the league, but he's playing safe, efficient football and he's not turning he ball over. He has 10 tds against 3 ints and averages 6.7 yards per attempt. Syracuse's Ryan Nassib isn't lighting up the league, but he's playing safe, efficient football and he's not turning the ball over. Nassib has 14 td against 5 ints and averages 6.6 yards per attempt.
On defense, both teams are led by very good defensive coordinators that got run out of their last place of employment. Romeo Crennel, a bad head coach who is a good coordinator has the Chiefs playing at a high level. Scott Shafer, who was asked to resign at Michigan, has guided an amazing turn around for the Orange defense, which is carrying the team.
The Chief are 7th in the league against the run and inside linebacker Derrick Johnson leads the team in tackles. He was coached for one year in college by Greg Robinson. Syracuse is 29th in the country against the run and inside linebacker Derrell Smith leads the Orange in tackles. His first three years in college he was coached by.....you guessed it, Greg Robinson.
But wait, there are other similarities, such as:
Record this year
Syracuse 6-2
KC - 5-2
Coaches
Kansas City - Todd Haley - second year, first head coaching job
Syracuse - Doug Marrone - second year, first head coaching job
Best Receiver
Syracuse - Van Chew - who wears number 82
Dwayne Bowe - who wears number 82
Pre-season expectations:
Syracuse - generally picked to finish second to last in the Big East
Kansas City - generally picked to finish second to last in the AFC West
Opponents Points Per Game
Syracuse - 17.5
Kansas City 17.4
Coach Who Failed Miserably
Syracuse - Greg Robinson , head coach 2005-2008, fired
Kansas City - Greg Robinson, defensive coordinator, 2001-2003, fired
So there you have it Orange fans - the two teams are practically identical, right down to some ties to a horrific coach who got fired from both places. So if you're flipping around the dial after your team has played on Sunday and see the Chiefs on the tube, stop and check them out. They are practically your Syracuse Orangemen.
Both teams are winning behind stout defenses and effective running games. On offense Kansas City utilizes power back Thomas Jones and speed/third down back Jamaal Charles to lead the NFL in rushing. Syracuse utilizes power back Delone Carter and speed/third down back Antwon Bailey who are third and ninth in the conference in yards.
Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassell isn't lighting up the league, but he's playing safe, efficient football and he's not turning he ball over. He has 10 tds against 3 ints and averages 6.7 yards per attempt. Syracuse's Ryan Nassib isn't lighting up the league, but he's playing safe, efficient football and he's not turning the ball over. Nassib has 14 td against 5 ints and averages 6.6 yards per attempt.
On defense, both teams are led by very good defensive coordinators that got run out of their last place of employment. Romeo Crennel, a bad head coach who is a good coordinator has the Chiefs playing at a high level. Scott Shafer, who was asked to resign at Michigan, has guided an amazing turn around for the Orange defense, which is carrying the team.
The Chief are 7th in the league against the run and inside linebacker Derrick Johnson leads the team in tackles. He was coached for one year in college by Greg Robinson. Syracuse is 29th in the country against the run and inside linebacker Derrell Smith leads the Orange in tackles. His first three years in college he was coached by.....you guessed it, Greg Robinson.
But wait, there are other similarities, such as:
Record this year
Syracuse 6-2
KC - 5-2
Coaches
Kansas City - Todd Haley - second year, first head coaching job
Syracuse - Doug Marrone - second year, first head coaching job
Best Receiver
Syracuse - Van Chew - who wears number 82
Dwayne Bowe - who wears number 82
Pre-season expectations:
Syracuse - generally picked to finish second to last in the Big East
Kansas City - generally picked to finish second to last in the AFC West
Opponents Points Per Game
Syracuse - 17.5
Kansas City 17.4
Coach Who Failed Miserably
Syracuse - Greg Robinson , head coach 2005-2008, fired
Kansas City - Greg Robinson, defensive coordinator, 2001-2003, fired
So there you have it Orange fans - the two teams are practically identical, right down to some ties to a horrific coach who got fired from both places. So if you're flipping around the dial after your team has played on Sunday and see the Chiefs on the tube, stop and check them out. They are practically your Syracuse Orangemen.
1 comment:
we are 6-2. other than that... good stuff!
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