Sorry it took so long to write this. Like L.J., I didn't feel motivated.
Speaking of Larry Johnson, can you believe how frustrated he seems these days? He dances into a pile of defenders on every down, slams the ball in frustration and doesn't talk to the news media. Look, I was for the Chiefs signing him but he is quickly proving to be the worst investment since the "Opti-Grab" (See the movie, "The Jerk", one of the best movies ever made). I just don't see how a guy who carved the league up for two years could fall off like Lindsay Lohan's career. Hopefully he can get back on track against the Bengals this week who give up 152 rushing yards a game. Seriously, if L.J. can't get it going against them, he might as well pursue his rap career.
About the game ...
That was the worst thing I've seen all year and I actually watched the movie "Elizabethtown" on a flight back from Barcelona in May. Talk about captive audience. The Jaguars defense might as well have had the plays being radioed to Mike Peterson straight from Mike Solari. They knew everything that the Chiefs were going to do after the first drive. Damon Huard got pounded and the Herm Edwards and Mike Solari decided to go more conservative than a dinner party between Rush Limbaugh and George W. Bush.
How could the Chiefs forget that A) they had won the previous two games primarily because of the passing game and B) the last thing you want to do at home is take your own crowd out of the game by sticking to a game plan that obviously isn't working (i.e. running Larry Johnson into an eight man front over and over). I will go on record saying that this was one of the worst regular season losses in my memory. There was no passion, no excitement and the offense, once again, wasted a pretty good effort by the defense (they only allowed 17 points!). Even the kicker, who had been preforming well, struggled.
I'm afraid that the two-game win streak might have been a mirage. Just enough to bring everyone back in and then have their hearts broken.
Now, Huard is hurt but he may still play this weekend, otherwise, Croyle is in. Why is this a question still? Croyle needs to start now! This team needs to look at the future. They have been down at half by over 10 points in every game so far! That is NOT the harbinger of better things to come. Blow it up! Get the young guys in. Prepare this team for next year. Bowe should be getting at least five balls a game and Croyle should be throwing them to him. If L.J. can't get going, throw Colby Smith in there. Let's see what he can do. Look, the defense improved because the young guys have been playing.
It is time to quit SPAM on a silver platter and telling them it's filet mignon.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
Re-Energized
The Chiefs went to San Diego counted out by nearly everyone before the ball was ever snapped (including by me). The Chiefs came back to Kansas City 2-2 with a HUGE win over the defending AFC West Champions. How did this happen you say? A few things were overlooked going into this game.
1) The Chiefs have gritty quarterback who refuses to lose his job to Brodie Croyle. Huard is quickly becoming the heart and soul of a team that many didn't think he should be starting for. He really showed everyone that given the chance, he can run a more elaborate offense than Mike Solari and Herm Edwards had been allowing. I think the turning point was definitely when he openly screamed at the coaches during the Vikings game. Maybe not but I'd like to think so.
2) The Chiefs drafted a real winner in Dwayne Bowe this year. It had been reported that the Chiefs coveted the cornerback from Texas, Aaron Ross, in the 2007 draft. The Giants drafted him before the Chiefs got the chance. I'd say that Bowe was the best consolation prize since Britney Spears dumped Justin Timberlake and he went on to "rebound" with Cameron Diaz. For the first time I can remember, the Chiefs have a wideout that will punish cornerbacks whether he's blocking, ripping balls away from them or just out running them. He is a stud and he should bring Tony Gonzalez back from the ledge.
3) The Chiefs defense is much better. This unit hasn't allowed a point in the second half yet this year. It's almost like the team should scrimmage for a half-hour before the game starts. Jared Allen, Derrick Johnson and company are flashing the talent of the Chiefs circa 1995 and 1997. They need to get stronger against the run, but they are causing turnovers and that is the Chief's trademark over the last few decades.
4) Norv Turner is coaching the Chargers. Yes, the Chief played much better this week, but the Chargers are in shambles. This is a team with at least four players, who you could argue are the best at their position, on the roster (Tomlinson, Gates, Merriman and McNeill). This team went 14-2 last year dominating the league, Tomlinson set the touchdown record and all of the skill-position guys are still in their prime. Ah, but A.J. Smith fired Marty Schottenheimer and hired Norv Turner, Turner being one of the worst headcoaches in NFL history. Who would have ever thought that you would ever hear fans chanting "Marty, Marty, Marty" ... ever? Looking at Tomlinson after the game, it looks like the next product he'll be endorsing is Prozac. Tomlinson went over 100 yards in the first half and then Turner inexplicably took the ball out of Tomlinson's hands with a 16-6 lead, at home, and gave put it in the hands of ... Phillip Rivers!? Tomlinson only carried the ball six times in the second half while Rivers turned the ball over like a vintage Steve Bono.
I am very excited for the Chiefs. This is a statement win to everyone including myself that they are going to play their guts out despite starting off the year horribly. What does the season hold now? I have no clue. Mike Solari needs to get better at play-calling, LJ needs to get going and the defense needs to stop the run a little better. If they do these things, this team could be a real pain for the rest of the AFC. This is weird year. The Chargers and the Bears are 1-3 while the Lions and the Buccaneers are 3-1. Who saw that coming?
1) The Chiefs have gritty quarterback who refuses to lose his job to Brodie Croyle. Huard is quickly becoming the heart and soul of a team that many didn't think he should be starting for. He really showed everyone that given the chance, he can run a more elaborate offense than Mike Solari and Herm Edwards had been allowing. I think the turning point was definitely when he openly screamed at the coaches during the Vikings game. Maybe not but I'd like to think so.
2) The Chiefs drafted a real winner in Dwayne Bowe this year. It had been reported that the Chiefs coveted the cornerback from Texas, Aaron Ross, in the 2007 draft. The Giants drafted him before the Chiefs got the chance. I'd say that Bowe was the best consolation prize since Britney Spears dumped Justin Timberlake and he went on to "rebound" with Cameron Diaz. For the first time I can remember, the Chiefs have a wideout that will punish cornerbacks whether he's blocking, ripping balls away from them or just out running them. He is a stud and he should bring Tony Gonzalez back from the ledge.
3) The Chiefs defense is much better. This unit hasn't allowed a point in the second half yet this year. It's almost like the team should scrimmage for a half-hour before the game starts. Jared Allen, Derrick Johnson and company are flashing the talent of the Chiefs circa 1995 and 1997. They need to get stronger against the run, but they are causing turnovers and that is the Chief's trademark over the last few decades.
4) Norv Turner is coaching the Chargers. Yes, the Chief played much better this week, but the Chargers are in shambles. This is a team with at least four players, who you could argue are the best at their position, on the roster (Tomlinson, Gates, Merriman and McNeill). This team went 14-2 last year dominating the league, Tomlinson set the touchdown record and all of the skill-position guys are still in their prime. Ah, but A.J. Smith fired Marty Schottenheimer and hired Norv Turner, Turner being one of the worst headcoaches in NFL history. Who would have ever thought that you would ever hear fans chanting "Marty, Marty, Marty" ... ever? Looking at Tomlinson after the game, it looks like the next product he'll be endorsing is Prozac. Tomlinson went over 100 yards in the first half and then Turner inexplicably took the ball out of Tomlinson's hands with a 16-6 lead, at home, and gave put it in the hands of ... Phillip Rivers!? Tomlinson only carried the ball six times in the second half while Rivers turned the ball over like a vintage Steve Bono.
I am very excited for the Chiefs. This is a statement win to everyone including myself that they are going to play their guts out despite starting off the year horribly. What does the season hold now? I have no clue. Mike Solari needs to get better at play-calling, LJ needs to get going and the defense needs to stop the run a little better. If they do these things, this team could be a real pain for the rest of the AFC. This is weird year. The Chargers and the Bears are 1-3 while the Lions and the Buccaneers are 3-1. Who saw that coming?
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
You Play to (Barely) Win the Game
Dear Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson,
I apologize for the fact I was so down on your 2007 version of the Kansas City Chiefs. I mean, beating the Vikings this week, honestly, felt good.
Never mind that Dustin Colquitt is still on the field so much, that I'm tempted to drop a struggling LaDanian Tomlinson on my fantasy team and pick up the Chiefs punter (he could rack up tackles you know).
Never mind that KC Wolf tackling a drunken fan that ran on the field was apparently what sparked the offense in the second half. I mean, it's awesome that a seven foot muppet with Zubaz pants can tackle better than either of your corners.
Forget that Larry Johnson STILL hasn't topped 100 yards in a game or scored a touchdown. No need to worry about the fact that your offensive coordinator doesn't pass when there are eight men in the box and doesn't run to the weak side when the other side is over-loaded. I'm sure LJ doesn't mind being highest paid tackling dummy in the league.
You have to love that the team was unravelling to the point that Damon Huard and Larry Johnson were yelling at the coaches on national television. I mean, that's how you motivate a player right? Frustration?
Yes, this all added up to an extremely bizzare 13-10 win. But it was a win none-the-less. I'm sure the defense is grateful that the offense exploded for that 3 extra points this week.
San Diego is next. Maybe you can scratch out a 6-3 win. That would be awesome!
P.S. - I know you're thinking about breaking out the all-white uniforms, Herm. Please don't.
I apologize for the fact I was so down on your 2007 version of the Kansas City Chiefs. I mean, beating the Vikings this week, honestly, felt good.
Never mind that Dustin Colquitt is still on the field so much, that I'm tempted to drop a struggling LaDanian Tomlinson on my fantasy team and pick up the Chiefs punter (he could rack up tackles you know).
Never mind that KC Wolf tackling a drunken fan that ran on the field was apparently what sparked the offense in the second half. I mean, it's awesome that a seven foot muppet with Zubaz pants can tackle better than either of your corners.
Forget that Larry Johnson STILL hasn't topped 100 yards in a game or scored a touchdown. No need to worry about the fact that your offensive coordinator doesn't pass when there are eight men in the box and doesn't run to the weak side when the other side is over-loaded. I'm sure LJ doesn't mind being highest paid tackling dummy in the league.
You have to love that the team was unravelling to the point that Damon Huard and Larry Johnson were yelling at the coaches on national television. I mean, that's how you motivate a player right? Frustration?
Yes, this all added up to an extremely bizzare 13-10 win. But it was a win none-the-less. I'm sure the defense is grateful that the offense exploded for that 3 extra points this week.
San Diego is next. Maybe you can scratch out a 6-3 win. That would be awesome!
P.S. - I know you're thinking about breaking out the all-white uniforms, Herm. Please don't.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
And the Starter Versus Minnesota is ...
Damon Huard.
Not surprised. I figured Herm would go with Huard despite a little media and fan pressure to pull the trigger on Croyle this week. Just like with the Colts game last year where nearly everyone thought he should play Huard instead of Trent Green, Herm has decided to change nothing.
This is great news for all of you out there who own Damon Huard in your fantasy leagues. :)
-Ben G
Not surprised. I figured Herm would go with Huard despite a little media and fan pressure to pull the trigger on Croyle this week. Just like with the Colts game last year where nearly everyone thought he should play Huard instead of Trent Green, Herm has decided to change nothing.
This is great news for all of you out there who own Damon Huard in your fantasy leagues. :)
-Ben G
Monday, September 17, 2007
A Grizzly Defeat
Of the many things in life a person should avoid doing, one is looking up images of a bear attack online. Talk about gut wrenching. The Chiefs performance on Sunday was almost at that level. The Bears came out and absolutely beat the Chiefs in every facet of the game.
It's not shameful to lose to the defending NFC champions, in their house. It was expected. The thing that made this performance unacceptable is the way the Chiefs lost the game. Herman Edwards and offensive coordinator Mike Solari claim to want to run a ball-control offense. Yet, I counted at least three times that they had the ball on third down with one or two yards to go and they passed the ball. The result? One interception and two incomplete passes.
They can't even be conservative when the situation warrants it! Aren't they paying Larry Johnson $45 million to gain a yard in these situations? Do you know how hard it is to stop a 230 pound, Pro Bowl running back from gaining one yard? Apparently, Edwards and Solari don't. No, they would much rather run a fade route to Samie Parker who was dwarfed by the Bears corners. Mike Solari's play calling reminds me of when you go to Target or Wal Mart and see a five-year-old kid playing the free "Madden NFL 2007" demo. To say it's horrible would be an insult to Jimmie Ray and Paul Hackett. The thing that really sums up how crappy this offense is, is that the only touchdown came off consecutive broken plays. The first was a pass to Tony Gonzalez that went directly between the hands of Hunter Hillenmeyer. The second was when Dwayne Bowe poached a pass meant for Gonzalez for the touchdown. Though, I will say Bowe's catch was one of two exciting parts of the day for the offense. The other was Bowe's would-be second touchdown that was called back because of an illegal shift.
Special teams was just as atrocious. Devin Hester showed up and predictibly made the Chiefs look stupid. If it weren't for an unecessary hold by one of his teammates, he would have returned TWO kicks for touchdowns. So, what about the Chiefs "stud" returner Eddie Drummond? Well at least he didn't fumble this week. Someone get Justin Phinnesee on the phone now.
Dave Rayner was an improvement over Justin Medlock despite kicking a field goal so low it was blocked and kicking a kickoff out of bounds after their only touchdown drive. I'm not kidding, this was actually better than the previous five weeks.
The defense was once again ... ok. Let me start by saying that I hate the Cover-2. The Chiefs corners aren't fast/young enough to run it anymore. There's just something wrong with a defense that encourages an opposing team to take five yards on first down, consistently. If Peyton Manning isn't your quarterback or your defense doesn't have cornerbacks as good as Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman, you will be ordinary at best. That is the 2007 Chiefs ladies and gentleman. Rex Grossman tried to give that game away yesterday and the defense couldn't hit that next gear to bury the Bears offense. The defensive backs are just too inconsistent to play this zone defense. I guess that is what you get when you sign two great man-to-man corners and ask them to play zone defense.
All of this brings me to my last point. Why are they continuing to start Huard? While I think that Huard has done an admirable job with very little, he isn't the future. For better or worse, Brodie Croyle needs to be evaluated. This team isn't going anywhere. Put Croyle in and see what you have. That way when the draft rolls around and you have a rare high pick, you know whether to go quarterback or not. The Chiefs HAVE to make this move. This year is lost and it's time to go with the full-blown youth movement. If they start Damon Huard for the rest of the year and go 2-14, and then they pass on Brian Brohm, Colt Brennan or "unknown out of nowhere quarterback 2008" by saying that Croyle is the future, I'll probably go crazy. Full blown, Margo Kidder/Britney Spears insane.
Next week the Chiefs play Minnesota at home. I really think this is their best chance at a win all year. They normally play well at home even in down years and Tarvaris Jackson is he quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings (expect him to run the bootleg and futher perplex the Chiefs defense ala Jake Plummer). On second thought, this team is coached by Herman Edwards. My guess: Chiefs 10 - Vikings 28. The Chiefs will give up another turnover for a touchdown and Adrian Peterson will go nuts.
It's not shameful to lose to the defending NFC champions, in their house. It was expected. The thing that made this performance unacceptable is the way the Chiefs lost the game. Herman Edwards and offensive coordinator Mike Solari claim to want to run a ball-control offense. Yet, I counted at least three times that they had the ball on third down with one or two yards to go and they passed the ball. The result? One interception and two incomplete passes.
They can't even be conservative when the situation warrants it! Aren't they paying Larry Johnson $45 million to gain a yard in these situations? Do you know how hard it is to stop a 230 pound, Pro Bowl running back from gaining one yard? Apparently, Edwards and Solari don't. No, they would much rather run a fade route to Samie Parker who was dwarfed by the Bears corners. Mike Solari's play calling reminds me of when you go to Target or Wal Mart and see a five-year-old kid playing the free "Madden NFL 2007" demo. To say it's horrible would be an insult to Jimmie Ray and Paul Hackett. The thing that really sums up how crappy this offense is, is that the only touchdown came off consecutive broken plays. The first was a pass to Tony Gonzalez that went directly between the hands of Hunter Hillenmeyer. The second was when Dwayne Bowe poached a pass meant for Gonzalez for the touchdown. Though, I will say Bowe's catch was one of two exciting parts of the day for the offense. The other was Bowe's would-be second touchdown that was called back because of an illegal shift.
Special teams was just as atrocious. Devin Hester showed up and predictibly made the Chiefs look stupid. If it weren't for an unecessary hold by one of his teammates, he would have returned TWO kicks for touchdowns. So, what about the Chiefs "stud" returner Eddie Drummond? Well at least he didn't fumble this week. Someone get Justin Phinnesee on the phone now.
Dave Rayner was an improvement over Justin Medlock despite kicking a field goal so low it was blocked and kicking a kickoff out of bounds after their only touchdown drive. I'm not kidding, this was actually better than the previous five weeks.
The defense was once again ... ok. Let me start by saying that I hate the Cover-2. The Chiefs corners aren't fast/young enough to run it anymore. There's just something wrong with a defense that encourages an opposing team to take five yards on first down, consistently. If Peyton Manning isn't your quarterback or your defense doesn't have cornerbacks as good as Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman, you will be ordinary at best. That is the 2007 Chiefs ladies and gentleman. Rex Grossman tried to give that game away yesterday and the defense couldn't hit that next gear to bury the Bears offense. The defensive backs are just too inconsistent to play this zone defense. I guess that is what you get when you sign two great man-to-man corners and ask them to play zone defense.
All of this brings me to my last point. Why are they continuing to start Huard? While I think that Huard has done an admirable job with very little, he isn't the future. For better or worse, Brodie Croyle needs to be evaluated. This team isn't going anywhere. Put Croyle in and see what you have. That way when the draft rolls around and you have a rare high pick, you know whether to go quarterback or not. The Chiefs HAVE to make this move. This year is lost and it's time to go with the full-blown youth movement. If they start Damon Huard for the rest of the year and go 2-14, and then they pass on Brian Brohm, Colt Brennan or "unknown out of nowhere quarterback 2008" by saying that Croyle is the future, I'll probably go crazy. Full blown, Margo Kidder/Britney Spears insane.
Next week the Chiefs play Minnesota at home. I really think this is their best chance at a win all year. They normally play well at home even in down years and Tarvaris Jackson is he quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings (expect him to run the bootleg and futher perplex the Chiefs defense ala Jake Plummer). On second thought, this team is coached by Herman Edwards. My guess: Chiefs 10 - Vikings 28. The Chiefs will give up another turnover for a touchdown and Adrian Peterson will go nuts.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
R.I.P. 2007 Kansas City Chiefs Season (Link Edition)
I have officially decided that the 2007 Chiefs are going to be more synonymous with the term "loser" than Wile E. Coyote, Tom from famed cartoon comedic duo "Tom & Jerry" and Lauren from "The Hills".
To let you in on how amazing this statement is coming from me, I need to give you a brief course over my dedication level to this team over the years. I'll break it down by era.
A New Hope: A Nigerian Nightmare with Carl and Marty
These were the years that Carl Peterson and Marty Schottenheimer built a great defense with guys like Deron Cherry, Dino Hackett and Bill Maas. I was about eight years old. Up until then I liked the Bengals the best because I liked tigers and I thought that "Boomer" was a cool name for a QB. But let's be honest, Christian Okoye started it all. Okoye owned Tecmo Bowl, had his own poster and he led the league in rushing in 1989. The Okoye era was much like Joey Lawrence's musical career. When he came out he was huge, but people soon learned to hit him low and he was useless. He probably still has "Nigerian" nightmares about Steve Atwater. Overall, this era was hampered by Bill Kenney and Steve DeBerg. I still loved it though.
DT and Neil's bat swing
The early 90's became the Neil Smith and Derrick Thomas sack fest. Neil Smith was merciless against John Elway and Derrick Thomas was giving LT a run for his money as the league's best pass-rusher. Of course this team was hampered by having a QB duo in Steve Deberg and Dave Craig (the guy DT still holds the single-game sack record against) that never experienced a pass rush they couldn't scream and fall to the ground under. Brutal wild card losses made this era somewhat forgetable.
Are you going to use that QB or RB? No? Sweet, we'll take them!
The utterly dismal offense of the late 80's and early 90's transitioned into the Joe Montana /Marcus Allen team that almost got to the Superbowl. In 1993 and 1994, it seemed like Joe and Marcus were on a senior citizen quest for vengence not equalled since "Death Wish 4". Montana beat Steve Young head-to-head in 1994, and Marcus showed the Raiders that he was still better than any running back on their roster (I personally believe Marcus could be linked to Napoleon McCallum's grisly injury in 1994). The 1993 team in particular was only to be derailed by Montana's bum elbow and Derrick Thomas getting abused by Thurman Thomas. This was the last year they won a playoff game. It was against the Houston Oilers!!! A team that doesn't even exist anymore!
Hey, San Francisco. Do you have any quarterbacks you're not using?
Later, there was the retrospectively hilarious Steve Bono years followed by the agonizing Elvis Grbac years which should have been the Rich Gannon years (which I'm sure my uncle is very happy about me admitting now). Tragically Derrick Thomas died during this era and Neil Smith went to Denver to win two Superbowls. Gannon later went on to quarterback the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl while winning the MVP. The only thing that would have hurt more than the events of this era would have been if the lowly San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks (formerly of the AFC west) would go on to be better than Kansas City at the same time ...
Just cry, baby!
Then we had the aerial show with Dick Vermeil which yielded tons of offensive records and one playoff appearance in which the Colts never punted. This team refused to field a legitimate defense, thus wasting the waning years of Willie Roaf and Will Shield's careers. Heartwarming.
In the year 2007 ...
The point of the Chiefs history lesson was that there was always next year. The team was going to be in the hunt. A wildcard could happen. Hell, at least the offense was fun to watch over the last few years. Our running backs were considered fantasy football studs and we were on national televison. Sure, we'd be disappointed in the end but at least there was something to cheer for.
Now we have reverted back to the early days of Marty Schottenheimer (funny enough, Herm was a coach on that staff). This team is slowly building a defense and chooses to run a ball-control offense. Judging by the pre-season and the first game against Houston (the Texans, not the Oilers by the way), KC is doomed this year. The receivers are no better then the moving bullseyes used during the best quarterback competition, Larry Johnson is getting stuffed and the kicking game is abysmal.
I'm really trying to wrap my mind around some of the personel decisions from this year. Let's go with a list here:
1) You release Lawrence Tynes. Good move. You draft Justin Medlock, a guy who kicked in sunny California his whole college career, in front of the Packers who drafted Mason Crosby, the consensous best kicker in the draft, who kicked in the Chief's back yard (the Big XII) and kicked in muliple weather situations. Bad move. Unless Carl's master plan was to draft Medlock so that the Packers would cut Dave Rayner when Crosby beat him out in camp, then cut Medlock and pick up Dave Rayner, this has been a disaster. I miss Lin Elliott, almost.
2) You watch Shields leave a year after Roaf retires only to ignore the offensive line in the draft until the sixth round where you take Herb Taylor. Really? I don't know what's worse, waiting to draft a lineman until the sixth round or drafting one named "Herb". At least we have Damion McIntosh and Kyle Turley, right? What's that you say? It's not 2004?
3) You basically burn the season before it starts by annointing Brodie Croyle, trading Trent Green and making Damon Huard the backup. You then stink it up in the preseason, bench Croyle and cut the third-string quarterback Casey Printers (a "Hard Knocks" legend now). Byron Leftwich becomes available and you don't sign him even though he would be the best quarterback on the roster, easily. I don't care what Jacksonville fans say, the guy never got a chance. Even without Leftwich, I'm disappointed that Brodie Croyle isn't the guy right now. It means less Kelli Croyle, and that is not good.
4) The defense may be better, but it's never a good thing when your corners are so old that one of them had a high top fade at some point in his life. They might have looked toward cornerback since there were 5,000 in this past year's draft. Look, I like Tamba Hali, Tank Tyler, Derrick Johnson, Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page. I feel bad that they are going to have to protect a three-point lead all year. If they keep Jared Allen out of jail for the rest of the year, they might win a couple of games. Maybe.
After watching the debacle in Houston, I decided the year was over. That was painful. I've never felt so bored watching my favorite team play. Matt Shaub looked like John Elway. The Texan defense looked like the '85 Bears. To deal with this pain and to find a way to stay interested, I have decided to write about this entire year up to and including the NFL draft next year.
This could be a historic season. Possibly 0-16. Optimistically 4-12. Anyway you look at it, this team could be the team picking first in the draft next year. Unreal. I just hope they make the right choice if they do get the first pick. But they'll probably make a bad decision.
See you next week to discuss the pasting in Chicago!
*On an unrelated and slightly disturbing note, I found this picture of Tiki Barber while I was looking for other links. Feel validated Eli! feel validated.
To let you in on how amazing this statement is coming from me, I need to give you a brief course over my dedication level to this team over the years. I'll break it down by era.
A New Hope: A Nigerian Nightmare with Carl and Marty
These were the years that Carl Peterson and Marty Schottenheimer built a great defense with guys like Deron Cherry, Dino Hackett and Bill Maas. I was about eight years old. Up until then I liked the Bengals the best because I liked tigers and I thought that "Boomer" was a cool name for a QB. But let's be honest, Christian Okoye started it all. Okoye owned Tecmo Bowl, had his own poster and he led the league in rushing in 1989. The Okoye era was much like Joey Lawrence's musical career. When he came out he was huge, but people soon learned to hit him low and he was useless. He probably still has "Nigerian" nightmares about Steve Atwater. Overall, this era was hampered by Bill Kenney and Steve DeBerg. I still loved it though.
DT and Neil's bat swing
The early 90's became the Neil Smith and Derrick Thomas sack fest. Neil Smith was merciless against John Elway and Derrick Thomas was giving LT a run for his money as the league's best pass-rusher. Of course this team was hampered by having a QB duo in Steve Deberg and Dave Craig (the guy DT still holds the single-game sack record against) that never experienced a pass rush they couldn't scream and fall to the ground under. Brutal wild card losses made this era somewhat forgetable.
Are you going to use that QB or RB? No? Sweet, we'll take them!
The utterly dismal offense of the late 80's and early 90's transitioned into the Joe Montana /Marcus Allen team that almost got to the Superbowl. In 1993 and 1994, it seemed like Joe and Marcus were on a senior citizen quest for vengence not equalled since "Death Wish 4". Montana beat Steve Young head-to-head in 1994, and Marcus showed the Raiders that he was still better than any running back on their roster (I personally believe Marcus could be linked to Napoleon McCallum's grisly injury in 1994). The 1993 team in particular was only to be derailed by Montana's bum elbow and Derrick Thomas getting abused by Thurman Thomas. This was the last year they won a playoff game. It was against the Houston Oilers!!! A team that doesn't even exist anymore!
Hey, San Francisco. Do you have any quarterbacks you're not using?
Later, there was the retrospectively hilarious Steve Bono years followed by the agonizing Elvis Grbac years which should have been the Rich Gannon years (which I'm sure my uncle is very happy about me admitting now). Tragically Derrick Thomas died during this era and Neil Smith went to Denver to win two Superbowls. Gannon later went on to quarterback the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl while winning the MVP. The only thing that would have hurt more than the events of this era would have been if the lowly San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks (formerly of the AFC west) would go on to be better than Kansas City at the same time ...
Just cry, baby!
Then we had the aerial show with Dick Vermeil which yielded tons of offensive records and one playoff appearance in which the Colts never punted. This team refused to field a legitimate defense, thus wasting the waning years of Willie Roaf and Will Shield's careers. Heartwarming.
In the year 2007 ...
The point of the Chiefs history lesson was that there was always next year. The team was going to be in the hunt. A wildcard could happen. Hell, at least the offense was fun to watch over the last few years. Our running backs were considered fantasy football studs and we were on national televison. Sure, we'd be disappointed in the end but at least there was something to cheer for.
Now we have reverted back to the early days of Marty Schottenheimer (funny enough, Herm was a coach on that staff). This team is slowly building a defense and chooses to run a ball-control offense. Judging by the pre-season and the first game against Houston (the Texans, not the Oilers by the way), KC is doomed this year. The receivers are no better then the moving bullseyes used during the best quarterback competition, Larry Johnson is getting stuffed and the kicking game is abysmal.
I'm really trying to wrap my mind around some of the personel decisions from this year. Let's go with a list here:
1) You release Lawrence Tynes. Good move. You draft Justin Medlock, a guy who kicked in sunny California his whole college career, in front of the Packers who drafted Mason Crosby, the consensous best kicker in the draft, who kicked in the Chief's back yard (the Big XII) and kicked in muliple weather situations. Bad move. Unless Carl's master plan was to draft Medlock so that the Packers would cut Dave Rayner when Crosby beat him out in camp, then cut Medlock and pick up Dave Rayner, this has been a disaster. I miss Lin Elliott, almost.
2) You watch Shields leave a year after Roaf retires only to ignore the offensive line in the draft until the sixth round where you take Herb Taylor. Really? I don't know what's worse, waiting to draft a lineman until the sixth round or drafting one named "Herb". At least we have Damion McIntosh and Kyle Turley, right? What's that you say? It's not 2004?
3) You basically burn the season before it starts by annointing Brodie Croyle, trading Trent Green and making Damon Huard the backup. You then stink it up in the preseason, bench Croyle and cut the third-string quarterback Casey Printers (a "Hard Knocks" legend now). Byron Leftwich becomes available and you don't sign him even though he would be the best quarterback on the roster, easily. I don't care what Jacksonville fans say, the guy never got a chance. Even without Leftwich, I'm disappointed that Brodie Croyle isn't the guy right now. It means less Kelli Croyle, and that is not good.
4) The defense may be better, but it's never a good thing when your corners are so old that one of them had a high top fade at some point in his life. They might have looked toward cornerback since there were 5,000 in this past year's draft. Look, I like Tamba Hali, Tank Tyler, Derrick Johnson, Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page. I feel bad that they are going to have to protect a three-point lead all year. If they keep Jared Allen out of jail for the rest of the year, they might win a couple of games. Maybe.
After watching the debacle in Houston, I decided the year was over. That was painful. I've never felt so bored watching my favorite team play. Matt Shaub looked like John Elway. The Texan defense looked like the '85 Bears. To deal with this pain and to find a way to stay interested, I have decided to write about this entire year up to and including the NFL draft next year.
This could be a historic season. Possibly 0-16. Optimistically 4-12. Anyway you look at it, this team could be the team picking first in the draft next year. Unreal. I just hope they make the right choice if they do get the first pick. But they'll probably make a bad decision.
See you next week to discuss the pasting in Chicago!
*On an unrelated and slightly disturbing note, I found this picture of Tiki Barber while I was looking for other links. Feel validated Eli! feel validated.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Gil Meche
$55 million. That is what the Kansas City Royals are going to be paying thier new "ace" Gil Meche starting in 2007. Currently, Royals GM Dayton Moore is being looked at in the same light as some rappers you see on MTV Cribs who like to show off their gold leafed ceilings and shark tanks. In other words, fiscally irresponsible. I don't agree, and here's why:
1) Gil Meche is 28 years old and has numbers eerily similar to Jason Schmidt's when he was in Pittsburgh (Meche 2006: 4.48 era, 11-8 record, 156K, 56BB / Schmidt 1998* : 4.07 era, 11-14 record, 158 K, 71BB) . You know, before he went to San Francisco and became the best pitcher in the National League. Not saying Meche will do the same, but pitchers start to hit their peaks in their late 20s early 30s.
*1998 was Schmidts's best professional season prior to playing for the San Francisco Giants
2) The Royals HAVE to spend money to compete. Signing Meche to a lot of money is a risk but they weren't going to get him otherwise, and let it be known, this is the guy Moore targeted in free agency. The Cubs, Dodgers, Yanks and Bo-Sox have the money to outbid, so teams like the Royals have to pay to get young talent to come to KC.
3) If the Meche signing was the only move the Royals would have made, then it would have looked foolish. Look more closely, and you'll see that they traded underachieving closer Ambiorix Burgos (12 blown saves in 30 opportunities, yikes!) for Brian Bannister (26 years old) who was 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in eight appearances for the Mets last year. Next, Moore picked up Joakim Soria (22 years old) in the Rule 5 draft for $50,000. How does Soria pay them back? He goes out and pitches a perfect game in the Mexican League on Sunday. Not a bad start. Dewon Brazelton, a former first round pick and 6-0 standout on the 2000 USA team, was invited to spring training. Brazelton was a disappointment with the Devil Rays and Padres but has shown some talent and offers the Royals a possible option for the bullpen or at least a project at the AA and AAA levels. The Royals signed John Bale, a left handed arm that gives them some flexibility in the bullpen, something the Royals really needed with Jeremy Affeldt gone (a good Dayton Moore move when you look at Ryan Shealy's production last year). They also signed Octavio Dotel to a one-year $5 million deal giving them an established closer at a nice price. They are also still in the running for Jeff Suppan (a move that kind of scares me).
4) The future doesn't look as gloomy as it did a few years ago. Look at the minor leagues. Alex Gordon, Billy Butler and Chris Lubanski have proved that their time is very soon. These are three of the best hitting prospects I can ever remember being in the Royals system. Add them to guys like Mark Teahan, Ryan Shealy and David DeJesus, and you have some good young bats to work with. One of the real hidden gems in this organization could be single-A shortstop Jeffrey Bianchi. This kid is hitting .429, walks and has shown a good glove. He could displace Berrora sooner than later. Throw in Zack Greinke, Tyler Lumsden, Luke Hochevar and Billy Buckner and you have some definite young arms that already have some big upside. The Royals also have the #2 pick in the 2007 draft and could pick either Matt Wieters, a switch hitting catcher with power, who was also a very good closer at Georgia Tech, or one of the several good pitching prospects in this year's draft (my vote is for Wieters).
5) While the AL central looks daunting, look at the turnarounds the teams in this very division have been part of. The Twins were going to be contracteda few years ago, now they are a model small-market franchise. The White Sox were notorius underachievers, then they made some good moves and won a championship. The Tigers almost set the record for the worst single-season record ever, now they're setup to contend for years. I don't even have to remind anyone of the outstanding job the Cleveland Indians have done over the last decade and a half of building a good minor league while sprinkling in a few shrewd free-agent moves. Turnarounds can happen with the right moves and we won't know if Moore has made these for a few years, but I am more optomistic now than I was during the Baird era.
So while Moore gets blasted by every baseball writer looking for a story until the Red Sox or Yankees make their next big move, the Royals are starting to resemble a team that looks deeper and more promising than in previous seasons. Don't forget, Mike Sweeney will probably be gone after 2007, so that will open up another $11 million that they can use to improve the team in 2008 and beyond. Now, if only they can find a way to replace Buddy Bell with Joe Girardi ...
1) Gil Meche is 28 years old and has numbers eerily similar to Jason Schmidt's when he was in Pittsburgh (Meche 2006: 4.48 era, 11-8 record, 156K, 56BB / Schmidt 1998* : 4.07 era, 11-14 record, 158 K, 71BB) . You know, before he went to San Francisco and became the best pitcher in the National League. Not saying Meche will do the same, but pitchers start to hit their peaks in their late 20s early 30s.
*1998 was Schmidts's best professional season prior to playing for the San Francisco Giants
2) The Royals HAVE to spend money to compete. Signing Meche to a lot of money is a risk but they weren't going to get him otherwise, and let it be known, this is the guy Moore targeted in free agency. The Cubs, Dodgers, Yanks and Bo-Sox have the money to outbid, so teams like the Royals have to pay to get young talent to come to KC.
3) If the Meche signing was the only move the Royals would have made, then it would have looked foolish. Look more closely, and you'll see that they traded underachieving closer Ambiorix Burgos (12 blown saves in 30 opportunities, yikes!) for Brian Bannister (26 years old) who was 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in eight appearances for the Mets last year. Next, Moore picked up Joakim Soria (22 years old) in the Rule 5 draft for $50,000. How does Soria pay them back? He goes out and pitches a perfect game in the Mexican League on Sunday. Not a bad start. Dewon Brazelton, a former first round pick and 6-0 standout on the 2000 USA team, was invited to spring training. Brazelton was a disappointment with the Devil Rays and Padres but has shown some talent and offers the Royals a possible option for the bullpen or at least a project at the AA and AAA levels. The Royals signed John Bale, a left handed arm that gives them some flexibility in the bullpen, something the Royals really needed with Jeremy Affeldt gone (a good Dayton Moore move when you look at Ryan Shealy's production last year). They also signed Octavio Dotel to a one-year $5 million deal giving them an established closer at a nice price. They are also still in the running for Jeff Suppan (a move that kind of scares me).
4) The future doesn't look as gloomy as it did a few years ago. Look at the minor leagues. Alex Gordon, Billy Butler and Chris Lubanski have proved that their time is very soon. These are three of the best hitting prospects I can ever remember being in the Royals system. Add them to guys like Mark Teahan, Ryan Shealy and David DeJesus, and you have some good young bats to work with. One of the real hidden gems in this organization could be single-A shortstop Jeffrey Bianchi. This kid is hitting .429, walks and has shown a good glove. He could displace Berrora sooner than later. Throw in Zack Greinke, Tyler Lumsden, Luke Hochevar and Billy Buckner and you have some definite young arms that already have some big upside. The Royals also have the #2 pick in the 2007 draft and could pick either Matt Wieters, a switch hitting catcher with power, who was also a very good closer at Georgia Tech, or one of the several good pitching prospects in this year's draft (my vote is for Wieters).
5) While the AL central looks daunting, look at the turnarounds the teams in this very division have been part of. The Twins were going to be contracteda few years ago, now they are a model small-market franchise. The White Sox were notorius underachievers, then they made some good moves and won a championship. The Tigers almost set the record for the worst single-season record ever, now they're setup to contend for years. I don't even have to remind anyone of the outstanding job the Cleveland Indians have done over the last decade and a half of building a good minor league while sprinkling in a few shrewd free-agent moves. Turnarounds can happen with the right moves and we won't know if Moore has made these for a few years, but I am more optomistic now than I was during the Baird era.
So while Moore gets blasted by every baseball writer looking for a story until the Red Sox or Yankees make their next big move, the Royals are starting to resemble a team that looks deeper and more promising than in previous seasons. Don't forget, Mike Sweeney will probably be gone after 2007, so that will open up another $11 million that they can use to improve the team in 2008 and beyond. Now, if only they can find a way to replace Buddy Bell with Joe Girardi ...
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