To tell the truth, I think Kansas City's defense is better than it has shown the last few weeks.

They held LaDanian Tomlinson to less than 80 yards in the first game. They were getting turnovers left and right in the first half of the season. They were in the top ten in preventing the opposing team from scoring.

With one exception (Maslowski being dinged up for one game, then out for 4), this is the same defense that looked like championship-caliber in the early season. What happened?

Well, if you are going to lose one player, perhaps Mike Maslowski might be one of the worst to lose. You might not think that, because he's slow and not that big. And yet, that's what makes his loss so much worse, because he played decently at weakside LB last year, out of his natural position, and he played quite well and middle LB this, far above what his physical skills might indicate. He did so because he is an excellent student of the game, and he uses his brain and heart to make up for what he lacks in speed, size, and strength. Being the middle linebacker, he was the quarterback of the defense, making calls for each play and getting people in position. The loss of his leadership is certainly a blow. We should have him back in time for the playoffs.

But the bigger effect, I think, is Greg Robinson. I really think he needs to be fired.

Why? Because when you look at how our defense has failed this season, I cannot help but blame him.

1) Teams are adjusting to his defense better than he adjusts to them. Most teams are scoring more on us in the 2nd half, and we can't seem to get a 2nd-half stop when we need one.
2) Every team seems to be doing better against our defense than they do against every other defense. We allow season highs for rushing yards, receiving yards, touchdowns, team rushing, etc.
3) Looking at the whole season, despite only one injury to a starter causing significant missed time, we are far worse in the 2nd half of the season than the first.
4) Most importantly, we are getting burned for at least one long play per game. On the plays I've seen, our team was simply out of position. In trying to get pressure on the QB, Robinson is calling blitzes that depend on our secondary covering one-on-one, and every corner gets burned sometime. Warfield had played a great game against Cincinnati, but was left alone at the wrong time. Even still, Kitna's throw had to be absolutely perfect to get the completion, and it was. Even still, having a safety back would have prevented a touchdown.
5) On the long runs we've allowed, our players are arriving at the running back one at a time and being shed individually. I can't remember the last time I saw an opposing player running with the ball being hit by three people. Yet that happens alot in defenses like Miami's, Seattle's, and Philadelphia's. We have a very fast, very smart team; I'm sure they are reacting well and intelligently. My only conclusion is that it must be something wrong with the scheme.
6) How many times this season have we held a strong runner in check for most of the game, only to allow one huge run? We would have beaten Denver by 10 points the first time without that one run by Portis; that run was allowed because Warfield lined up wrong...should you allow a 65-yard run because of one misaligned player? We held LaDanian Tomlinson to less than a 3-ypc average in our 2nd game against San Diego, except for the one long run we allowed...when, again we had too many people up front. We had Clinton Portis held to just 30 yards in the first half in the second game against Denver. Two of his touchdowns and 120 of yards came off of just two runs in which we had to play flawlessly or give Portis a free shot at a huge breakaway.

Look, every running back breaks into the secondary at times. When Priest does it, there are usually people in the secondary waiting to hold him to 13-20 yards. When I watch other games, people break runs for 15-20 yards 3-4 times a game. Kansas City actually seems to be better at stopping those sorts of runs, but when the inevitably breakdown occurs, we give up a touchdown.

Our offense is good. Maslowski should be healthy for the playoffs, especially if we get a bye-week. If we get homefield advantage, we might end up winning the Superbowl.

But no matter what, Greg Robinson should be fired. We need a new defensive coordinator. Win or lose. No matter how we win or lose. If we get a new defensive coordinator, with the defensive personnel we have and the skill/talent we have on offense, we could easily have a mini-dynasty. With Robinson, we may never sniff the Superbowl again.