Chiefs vs. Raiders positional analysis

[kmartin575]

I thought I would analyze the strengths of each position on the Chiefs and the Raiders and see which is stronger.

Defense

Linebacker: Chiefs
The Chiefs definitely have the better linebackers. After this season, the Chiefs very well could have one of the better linebacker groups in the league. It is already one of the fastest groups of linebackers in the league. This is the strength of the Chiefs defense. The Raiders linebackers are going to struggle against the pass, but with their size they should help alot in the run defense. The Chiefs linebackers are good all around, however.

Defensive Line: Raiders
This is a tough one. The Chiefs have the better pass rush, but I think the Raiders have the more complete D-line. This may have been different if Ryan Sims had not been injured, as he had started to show flashes of living up to his first round potential. The Raiders have a good run-stuffing D-line, although as stated previously they have trouble getting to the QB.

Secondary: Chiefs
The Raiders do have good depth at cornerback and one of the elite CB's in Woodson, but the Chiefs get the nod here because of the safeties. The Chiefs definitely have the more proven and talented safeties. Greg Wesley had a down year last year, but in 2003 he was considered one of the best safeties in the league. After returning to his original position of free safety, Greg Wesley should have a very good year this year. Sammy Knight is said to be slow, but he makes up for it with instincts. He always seems to be around the ball, and just missed an interception last week that fell right through his hands. He is also good at disguising the blitz, as he had a sack last week. The Chiefs and Raiders are pretty even at CB, with both teams having a top 5 or top 10 corner with Patrick Surtain and Charles Woodson. When Eric Warfield returns, however, The Chiefs should have the best CB duo in the AFC West. The reason the Chiefs get the nod here is because of the safeties.

Offense

Runningbacks: Chiefs
The Chiefs definitely get the nod here. Priest Holmes is a TD machine and has been one of the best backs in the league the past 3-4 years, and Larry Johnson is good enough to start on alot of the teams in the league. The Chiefs have the best 1-2 punch at RB in the league. The Raiders have finally found a capable RB in Lamont Jordan, but they have no depth. The Chiefs also get the nod here if you include fullbacks. Tony Richardson went to the Pro Bowl last year and is one of the best blocking FB's in the league.

Quarterback: Chiefs
In the past 3 seasons, Trent Green is second to only Peyton Manning in passing yards. Green went to the Pro Bowl in 2003, and is a very underrated signal caller. Collins has a good deep ball and is a capable QB, but he is very prone to throwing interceptions and does not have good poise in the pocket.

Wide Receivers: Raiders
This one is pretty obvious. The Raiders have great depth at WR and have the best WR in the league with Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, Doug Gabriel, Alvis Whitted, etc. However, the Chiefs do not have as bad a group of WR's as everyone thinks. Eddie Kennison had 1,086 yards last season, and has gotten better with age. Samie Parker has not had alot of game time yet (neither has Curry), but the Chiefs are confident that he is a homerun threat. He has 4.3 speed and has greatly improved his route running. Marc Boerigter is a big redzone threat, having 8 TD's in 2002 on only 420 yards (I bet you Raiders fans love the number 420). Dante Hall is not spectacular, but he is fast enough to get separation and has the ability to go all the way every time. Chris Horn has great hands, and will usually catch about everything that comes his way. The Chiefs don't have alot of threats at WR, but with our other weapons on offense (Gonzalez, Holmes, Johnson) the WR's can often find single coverage and mistmatches allowing them to get the job done.

Tight Ends: Chiefs
With the best TE in the league, Tony Gonzalez, this one is a no brainer. Jason Dunn is one of the best blocking TE's in the league, but can also be a weapon in the endzone. 2nd year TE Kris Wilson should have a good season this year. He is only 6'2", but weights 252 lbs. and is as fast as some WR's. He can lineup anywhere on the field, making him a weapon.

Offensive Line: Chiefs
This one is a no brainer as well, with 3 Pro Bowlers on the Chiefs O-line. The Raiders do have good youth, however, and should get better as time progresses throughout the season.

[KERRYISTHEMAN]

Quarterback: Chiefs
In the past 3 seasons, Trent Green is second to only Peyton Manning in passing yards. Green went to the Pro Bowl in 2003, and is a very underrated signal caller. Collins has a good deep ball and is a capable QB, but he is very prone to throwing interceptions and does not have good poise in the pocket.

Trent is a very good qb but I just wanted to comment on your interception quote. Seems to me Kerry has only thrown 7 more ints in the last 5 plus seasons in 356 more attempts and has a LOWER int percentage in those 5 plus years.

Since year 2000:

Green 72 ints/2338 att = 3.08 int percentage
Collins 79 ints/2694 att = 2.93 int percentage


I also dont really sign off on a lot of the rest. This isnt a computer game. Players play as a unit not individuals. If all these positions you have listed are so much better than us why are we favored to win the game nevermind even be able to compete?

[MasterShake2388]

Trent is a very good qb but I just wanted to comment on your interception quote. Seems to me Kerry has only thrown 7 more ints in the last 5 plus seasons in 356 more attempts and has a LOWER int percentage in those 5 plus years.

Since year 2000:

Green 72 ints/2338 att = 3.08 int percentage
Collins 79 ints/2694 att = 2.93 int percentage

wow, where do you get these stats from?

[KERRYISTHEMAN]

wow, where do you get these stats from?

LOL Yahoo? NFL.com? They are right there for the taking buddy.

[chiefzilla]

Don't you think that's just a little skewed?

Trent's first season with the Chiefs, he threw 24 INTs. Since then, he has consistently thrown between 13-17 per season.

That first season with the Chiefs he threw about twice as many INTs as he usually does. You have to grade this on a 4 year curve. You can't throw in a season that is very unrepresentative of Trent Green's norm.

Trent is a very good qb but I just wanted to comment on your interception quote. Seems to me Kerry has only thrown 7 more ints in the last 5 plus seasons in 356 more attempts and has a LOWER int percentage in those 5 plus years.

Since year 2000:

Green 72 ints/2338 att = 3.08 int percentage
Collins 79 ints/2694 att = 2.93 int percentage


I also dont really sign off on a lot of the rest. This isnt a computer game. Players play as a unit not individuals. If all these positions you have listed are so much better than us why are we favored to win the game nevermind even be able to compete?

[kmartin575]

What are the Raiders favored to win by, 1 1/2. If that is the case, that is from homefield advantage only. Homefield adds three. So if this is at Arrowhead, the Chiefs are favored to win. And yes, you are right. This is a team sport. As a team, the Chiefs work well. The Raiders don't. The Raiders are the most penalized team in the league. The Raiders have players like Moss who give up in the second half (like he did against the Pats).

[TiltRaider]

Don't you think that's just a little skewed?

Trent's first season with the Chiefs, he threw 24 INTs. Since then, he has consistently thrown between 13-17 per season.

That first season with the Chiefs he threw about twice as many INTs as he usually does. You have to grade this on a 4 year curve. You can't throw in a season that is very unrepresentative of Trent Green's norm.

so, we should just forget about it, but still use kerry'ys yaers??

it doesnt work that way, all this stuff you talk ab out with green and collins, and i've been saying it on your board, wins>stats, kerry flat out gets moer wins then green, as green has never had a playoff victory and kerry has taken his team to the SB and NFC title game in his 2nd year.

[kmartin575]

so, we should just forget about it, but still use kerry'ys yaers??

it doesnt work that way, all this stuff you talk ab out with green and collins, and i've been saying it on your board, wins>stats, kerry flat out gets moer wins then green, as green has never had a playoff victory and kerry has taken his team to the SB and NFC title game in his 2nd year.

Are you serious. Stats aside, Green is considered one of the best QB's in the league. Kerry Collins is not.

[KERRYISTHEMAN]

Don't you think that's just a little skewed?

Trent's first season with the Chiefs, he threw 24 INTs. Since then, he has consistently thrown between 13-17 per season.

That first season with the Chiefs he threw about twice as many INTs as he usually does. You have to grade this on a 4 year curve. You can't throw in a season that is very unrepresentative of Trent Green's norm.

LOL maybe you didnt look. I said since 2000. That includes 2000 with the Rams where he threw 16 tds and only 5 ints as a starter. He also started 14 games for the Redskins. The stats arent skewed at all. You want to only count the last 3 years stats since 2002? He was 31-32 years old by 2002 and had already started 39 games by that time.

[Raider_Mike]

What are the Raiders favored to win by, 1 1/2. If that is the case, that is from homefield advantage only. Homefield adds three. So if this is at Arrowhead, the Chiefs are favored to win. And yes, you are right. This is a team sport. As a team, the Chiefs work well. The Raiders don't. The Raiders are the most penalized team in the league. The Raiders have players like Moss who give up in the second half (like he did against the Pats).

Please tell me how Moss gave up in the second half.

[KERRYISTHEMAN]

Are you serious. Stats aside, Green is considered one of the best QB's in the league. Kerry Collins is not.

Trent is a very good qb and a good person but facts are facts. He has never won a big game in his life. Not a Rose bowl, not a wild card game and certainly not a title game. Kerry has!

[kmartin575]

Please tell me how Moss gave up in the second half.

Example: The two-point conversion attempt. Instead of going after the ball, Moss simply grabbed the CB and threw him to the ground.

[KERRYISTHEMAN]

What are the Raiders favored to win by, 1 1/2. If that is the case, that is from homefield advantage only. Homefield adds three. So if this is at Arrowhead, the Chiefs are favored to win. And yes, you are right. This is a team sport. As a team, the Chiefs work well. The Raiders don't. The Raiders are the most penalized team in the league. The Raiders have players like Moss who give up in the second half (like he did against the Pats).

So you are saying that the Cheifs are really favored by 1.5 points. That I can agree but 1.5 points after all the positional dominance you claimed? How is it only 1.5 points if you are correct about the players?

[kmartin575]

So you are saying that the Cheifs are really favored by 1.5 points. That I can agree but 1.5 points after all the positional dominance you claimed? How is it only 1.5 points if you are correct about the players?

Why does it matter how much one team is favored by? It means nothing.

[KERRYISTHEMAN]

Why does it matter how much one team is favored by? It means nothing.

Well it means nothing to you maybe but to the unbiased experts placing millions in bets it means a lot. I trust their unbiased judgement where their own money is on the line over your biased judgement.