Links

Monday, December 14, 2009

2009 Kansas City Chiefs thoughts

As tough as this is right now, I'm gonna try and put out some words on what I'm seeing from the Kansas City Chiefs this year (tissues are nearby).

First, I need to get something off my chest though. I was offered free tickets to each of the last two games. I didn't go either Sunday. Warp back to three years ago, and this was unheard of to me. I would feel embarassed to even call myself a fan. Here's the thing though: I don't feel like I'm in the wrong. I liken it to a friend becoming an alcoholic (analogy alert!). Lets call him Nate. Now, Nate (The Chiefs) has recently started drinking too much (Carl + Herm + Haley), and gets irrational when he does (bad drafts in the 2000's). I don't really want to to see Nate when he gets like this (not going to the games), but I still want to support him (watching them on TV). So what do you do? You lie to yourself, tell yourself its not that bad, keep an eye on the situation from afar and wait for it to pass over. Now is this being the best friend in the world? No, but its atleast keeping you sane. I don't want to see the joke that his life (Arrowhead Stadium) has recently become, and want to remain naive to preserve his friendship (sacredness of Arrowhead). Arrowhead just needs some time to itself and a bottle of Hennessy.

Now on to actual thoughts about the team...

Charlie Weis- It seems to make too much sense for it not to happen. He's familiar with Scott Pioli and Todd Haley. He seems to run a similar offense to what Haley runs and likes. He's been a good coordinator in the past, and will most likely be looking to return to that position. Haley needs to hire an offensive coordinator to get better control of the game (and if he doesn't want one, then he needs to go). Pioli will need to make some sort of move before free agency starts to get this season off the fans' minds. I see a strong chance of this happening.

Matt Cassel- He has looked shaky at best the last couple of weeks. His biggest problem is that he seems to get uncomfortable at times. This is the exact problem you'd expect from a quarterback without much game experience. He needs games under his belt. The good news is that we can give him that experience. Remember how bad Trent Green was in his first year with the Chiefs (led the league in INT's)? How did he turn out? Green lacked experience the same way Cassel does. Now I don't envision Cassel becoming as good as Trent (Top 10 quarterback) was, but he could be in the 10-15 range in the league, and I do think we can win with him. His biggest asset is that he performs well in crucial moments. He has led successful drives at the end of games against the Raiders (first game), Cowboys, and Steelers (twice). He makes plays to win games (his teammates don't always respond, i.e. Chambers vs. the Bills). I remain sold on Cassel for now, and would like to see him with a better offensive line. However, next year will be his last year as the undisputed starter if he continues to stuggle.

Defense- The Chiefs defense lacks the same thing it has since Derrick Thomas: Leadership. They try to appoint people as leaders (Shawn Barber, Kendrell Bell, Derrick Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Mike Brown), but leadership needs to be earned, not given. We have three solid pieces to build around: Hali, Flowers, and Carr. We have some overpaid underachievers: Dorsey, Jackson, and DJ. We have some role players that would be good not playing every down: Edwards, McGraw, Brown, Page, Mays, and Belcher (too many). I just noticed that I named every starter except Mike Vrabel/Andy Studebaker. There's our answer. Vrabel is best off becoming co-defensive coordinator and Studebaker is best off starring in preseason games. So what's the solution?

Shawne Merriman- But, Nic, isn't he your most hated player in the league?? Yes, yes he is. That is until he leads the Chiefs in double-digit sacks. I learned years ago with Freddie Mitchell that I can learn to like anybody that puts on a Chiefs uniform. Merriman will become a free agent after this year and has a pretty rocky relationship with general manager A.J. Smith that will in all likelihood lead to his departure. Merriman is having a down year (4 sacks), but we all know that he has the potential to be a force. He is coming off a major knee injury suffered last year, which can take a year or two to overcome (perfect timing), or could possibly be the end of his career (Lights out!). The Chiefs would be forced to overpay which makes the move somewhat risky. I, however, feel in favor of taking the chance because I know I'd be getting a player fully motivated (Lights on!) after switching teams to a division rival.

This will be the first of many posts on the Chiefs franchise, and completes the trifecta of writing about "my teams" (Chiefs, Nebraska Football, KU Basketball). I hope this comforts some of the hopelessness felt by a beaten down, once proud, Chiefs fanbase. Stay tuned for what I think the Chiefs need to address in the upcoming draft (only 5 months away!) and how I see the NFL season playing out.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Nic,

This is good stuff. I liked the analogy, because I feel pretty similar right now about going to games or just staying and watching. It's like you don't want to support a direction you aren't pleased with them going, but you don't want to jump ship on your team. Anyway if they get blacked out we gotta go.

D.

Anonymous said...

Supporting a team that doesn´t carry its weight in trying to win games is stupid. Spend your time on Earth more wisely. I´m not sold on Carr yet as a building block.

Dragon Ball Zeets said...

I know it's early to start talking draft, but what are you thinking? Obviously we need upgrades at o-line. I would have to think try to get 2 high o-linemen and a linebacker or safety.

Do we have a running back that can handle a full season's work? TE up to snuff? WR? Corner? For such a bad team, there actually seem to be a lot of positions filled. Mostly because of bad draft picks that we need to give another chance because we can't pay them as much as we are to sit the bench.

I don't think the Chiefs can spend any more high picks on d-line for a while. They have to be set at QB. Can't show Cassel he isn't for sure your guy at this point. Set at P and K. We seem to have a bunch of decent RB's, but they all have issues, mostly fumbling. Even WR which I thought we would have a perenial need at is somewhat set with Bowe and Chambers. I think are cornerbacks are fine.

So I guess what I'm getting at is while there are still a lot of needs, it doesn't seem quite as insurmountable as a few years ago. We might actually be able to address most of the needs.

Anonymous said...

i would just like to make everyone aware that Nate is not an alcoholic. And picking up Mr Lights Out would be ahuge mistake, not because of his attitude or his playmaking ability but because he is on the long list of players who lost their step after a knee injury. these guys just arent coming back and playing like they were before their surgeries. Also, until someone else is callin the plays we will not see Cassel's true capability.

Anonymous said...

We stumbled over here from a different website and thought I may as well check
things out. I like what I see so now i'm following you. Look forward to going over your web page again.

My webpage :: digital signal coverage map

Anonymous said...

Hello are using Wordpress for your site platform?
I'm new to the blog world but I'm trying to get started and create my own.
Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Also visit my weblog :: toshiba support forums

Anonymous said...

I am starting up a internet website directory and was wanting to know if
I can submit your website? I'm trying to grow my directory gradually by hand so that it retains good quality. I will make sure and put your blog in the correct category and I'll
additionally use, "Blogger: His Dirkness" as your anchor text.
Be sure to let me know if this is alright with you by mailing me at: ulrike_keel@zoho.

com. Bless you

My website; semiconductor equipment corp model 360

Anonymous said...

Appreciating the time and energy you put into your site and
in depth information you provide. It's awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same old rehashed material.
Excellent read! I've bookmarked your site and I'm including your RSS feeds to my Google account.



My page :: ballroom dance shoes women white

Anonymous said...

Currently it appears like Drupal is the top blogging
platform out there right now. (from what I've read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

My blog post: lesbian dating

Anonymous said...

Every weekend i used to pay a visit this website, for the reason that i wish for enjoyment, since this this web page conations in fact good funny information
too.

Stop by my web-site; my.opera.com

Anonymous said...

I visited several blogs except the audio quality for audio songs current at this web page is genuinely marvelous.


Here is my web-site ... apex appliance repair columbus ohio

Anonymous said...

It's an remarkable article designed for all the online users; they will obtain advantage from it I am sure.

My webpage; home remodeling tips and ideas