Kansas City Chiefs Have No Passion in Loss to Denver Broncos

On a day in which the Kansas City Chiefs celebrated the life and football skills of a former great Chief, Derrick Thomas. Kansas City failed to bring the emotion and passion to a game in which could have upset Denver's playoff chances.

Former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas was a man who ferociously attacked opposing quarterbacks, including a record most against former Bronco and NFL legend, John Elway. Thomas was a man that brought passion and enthusiasm to a Chiefs team in the early 90's that needed a huge moral boost. These 2009 Chiefs need another Derrick Thomas.

Entering Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, Kansas City had only allowed Denver to win in Arrowhead during December, once in the history of the two teams. This game was as idiotic and undisciplined as you will find in the NFL. The Chiefs are truly regressing since the improbable overtime win against the Steelers two weeks ago.

Kansas City was not out of the game early in the first quarter, but they missed plenty of opportunities to put points on the board, touchdown style. Yet they continued to drop passes, throw wild balls, allow pressure on QB Matt Cassel, and miss blocks for HB Jamaal Charles.

Early in the first quarter, QB Matt Cassel went back to pass, found receiver Bobby Wade completely wide open down the middle of the field, tossed a mildly overthrown ball, but catchable to Wade and next thing you know, Wade sticks a hand out giving a D- effort to make the catch as it sailed to the ground in front of Wade's face and could have put KC ahead 7-0, and possibly revived Wade's declining career.

Instead Wade heads to the sidelines and proceeds to have a spit match with his coach, Todd Haley, forcing other players to seperate the two.

This wasn't the only mistake from Chiefs receivers. A total of 11 passes were dropped from different receivers on the red and gold team. Wade owns 4 of them.

Far from coach Todd Haley's worst coaching game, but still not one of his best.

With the score at 14-6 (Denver) in the third quarter, and the Chiefs stuck on their own 28 yard line on fourth down after yet another three-and-out drive, Haley calls for a fake punt pass with back-up QB Brodie Croyle as the QB/Punter.

At the snap a Bronco was left free to rush Croyle as he tried to wobble a pass to center Thomas Gafford the pass was batted back into Croyle's face, giving Denver the ball at the KC 28 yard line.

Kansas City didn't throw in the white flag and roll over, but they might as well have.

Frustrated QB Matt Cassel was able to only complete 10 of 29 passes before being benched in the fourth quarter. This game isn't entirely on Cassel. His receivers couldn't get open, and when they did they would drop a pass. Cassel did what he could, like after checking Bronco cornerback Ty Law coming on a blitz he looked for receiver Chris Chambers to have a comeback route and pick up at least five yards.

Yet it is obvious Cassel and his receivers need some more chemistry time as Chambers didn't read the play the same way as Cassel as the ball went thrown well behind Chambers and he streaked downfield instead of coming back to Cassel.

The communication between a Wide Receiver and his Quarterback is one of the most important things an offense can have. It's the difference between an interception and a touchdown. Its what makes Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne, or Tom Brady and Wes Welker/Randy Moss. Or peanut butter and jelly. In this case, the Chiefs were burnt toast.

The lone bright spot in this game goes to Chiefs Pass rusher Tamba Hali, who tried to act like Derrick Thomas, doing his best sack-strip combo, putting up 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles on QB Kyle Orton. Cornerbacks, Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr did their best to slow down receiver Brandon Marshall, but usually came up on the short end of the stick.

Kansas City needs to bring passion back to Arrowhead stadium. A place once known as the loudest, and fiercest stadium in the entire NFL has been home of a team that no longer plays fierce or with a sense of urgency. Arrowhead has lost its magic, and is now opposing teams favorite place to play instead of most hated.

The Chiefs aren't getting better anymore. Sure they just played two tough opponents in Denver and San Diego, but that is no excuse for this ugly football that has been played over the last two weeks.

Passion is playing smart, tough football relentlessly for the entire game and never, ever giving up or not caring. DE Glenn Dorsey laughing on the sidelines as his offense just missed another big play on third down is not showing passion for this game that he gets paid millions to play.

If Scott Pioli and Todd Haley want to get this team moving in the right direction, they have 4 more games to build for next season and implement the type of style they want played going into next year.

Lets just hope the 2010 Chiefs have more passion than this group.