A Quarterback Curse? … Monday Cup O’Chiefs
Just when this curse began, we don’t know.
But there seems little doubt that being the Chiefs starting quarterback is a dangerous proposition these days.
For awhile, it seemed the QB injury curse was something that followed Herm Edwards around, leading to speculation that it was some sort of cosmic football karma for all the torment he put passers through during his career as an NFL cornerback.
But after Saturday night, we know that the origin is not Herm; he can’t be blamed for Matt Cassel going down and out this summer (right).
As of late Sunday night there was no definitive word on the seriousness of the left leg injury suffered by Cassel against the Seattle Seahawks. But there’s little doubt that this is more than a tweak. On internet site reported the injury is a MCL sprain in his right knee and that Cassel will be out two to four weeks.
No matter the details, it’s doubtful that when the Chiefs open the regular season in Baltimore in less than two weeks that Cassel will be taking the opening snaps.
It seems to be whatever man is wearing the red jersey with the Chiefs No. 1 offense is destined for pain. Not just emotional or mental strain, but physical pain. Cassel joins a group that includes Trent Green, Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle that all became familiar with the training room and operating theater.
Remarkably, Green’s achievement of starting 82 consecutive games for the Chiefs from 2001 through the opening game of the 2006 season has grown in stature, achieving an almost ironman status considering what has come since then.
Green was knocked out by Cincinnati DE Robert Geathers in that ‘06 opener. Huard replaced Green in ‘06, and was the starting quarterback to open the ‘07 season. But he eventually was bruised and battered and Croyle stepped into the job. Croyle went two starts before he was injured and Huard had to provide a one-week relief start.
Then came the quarterback nightmare of the ‘08 season. In the first three games, the Chiefs had three different starters in Croyle, Huard and Tyler Thigpen. Huard came back for a game, then Croyle returned for a game, then they were both went to the injured reserve list and Thigpen finished out the season.
Acquired through a trade with New England, Cassel signs a franchise-quarterback type contract and takes all the first-team offensive snaps from the first day of off-season practices through Saturday’s game against the Seahawks. Then boom, the curse strikes again.
If it’s not a curse, then there have to be culprit’s behind what’s going on, and it doesn’t take long to find some reliable suspects: the Chiefs offensive line.
When Green was always ready and available, he had a strong group in front of him, with a pair of guys that will get serious consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame: LT Willie Roaf and RG Will Shields. For almost all of those five years where Green always was available, he had Roaf and Brian Waters on the left side, Shields and either John Tait or John Welbourn on the right side, and Casey Wiegmann snapping at center.
But since Roaf retired before the 2006 season, the Chiefs tackle positions have been unstable. Since Shields hung up his No. 68 before the 2007 season, the right side of the offensive line has been unstable. Since Wiegmann was allowed to leave in free agency before the 2008 season, production at the center position has not been up to previous standards.
Right now, whether it’s Matt Cassel, Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, Matt Gutierrez or some other quarterback that will arrive via the waiver wire, all of them are going to be in physical danger until the Chiefs stabilize their offensive line.
That’s the cure for the curse.
SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
- BENGALS – signed first-round draft choice OT Andre Smith to a four-year contract with $21 million guaranteed; released CB Jamar Fletcher.
- BRONCOS – WR Jabar Gaffney suffered a broken thumb in practice Friday and will miss several games.
- BUCCANEERS – released G Julius Wilson and WR Kelly Campbell.
- DOLPHINS – released K Connor Barth, TE Joe Kowalewski and WR Anthony Armstrong.
- FALCONS – released DT Jason Jefferson, DT Tywain Muyles and LS Robert Shiver.
- 49ERS – released WR Mark Bradford, WR Chris Francies, K Alex Romero, CB Carlos Thomas and CB Jahi Word-Daniels.
- JAGUARS – signed QB Todd Boeckman; released QB Paul Smith.
- PATRIOTS – LB Tedy Bruschi will announce his retirement on Monday; released QB Kevin O’Connell.
- RAIDERS – released LB Napoleon Harris: signed LB Chris O’Neill.
- REDSKINS – released OL Devin Clark, LB Alfred Fincher, WR Marques Hagans, S Michael Grant and DL Michael Marquardt.
- SEAHAWKS – released DT Kevin Brown, FB Dan Curran, LB Shane Simmons and TE John Tereshinski.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On August 31, 1962 the Dallas Texans lost a pre-season game against the Houston Oilers 34-31 at the Orange Bowl in Miami. QB Len Dawson threw three TD passes, hitting 13 of 19 passes for 239 yards. WR Frank Jackson caught four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. WR Chris Burford, RB Jack Spikes and RB Abner Haynes had other touchdowns. Some 27,530 fans showed up to watch the game.
On August 31, 1968 the Chiefs dropped a pre-season game to the Rams at the Los Angeles Coliseum 36-16. RB Wendell Hayes 2-yard run was the only Kansas City TD of the game. K Jan Stenerud had field goals from 27, 39 and 48 yards. RB Mike Garrett ran for 51 yards and WR Otis Taylor caught 4 passes for 66 yards. Ron Smith returned a kickoff 101 yards and a touchdown for the Rams.
On August 31, 1974 the Chiefs lost a pre-season game to the Dallas Cowboys 25-16 at Texas Stadium. The Chiefs only TD was a 20-yard pass from QB Len Dawson to RB Willie Ellison. K Jan Stenerud had field goals of 24, 42 and 24 yards. RB Wendell Hayes carried seven times for 84 yards, with a 50 yard run. MLB Willie Lanier had two interceptions of Dallas QB Craig Morton and RB Robert Newhouse ran for 55 yards.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on August 31, 1958 in Galveston, Texas was TE Walt Arnold (right). He joined the Chiefs during the 1984 season, in his fifth season in the league. Arnold spent four seasons with the club (1984-87), appearing in 47 games with 39 starts. He caught 62 passes for 629 yards and three TDs with the Chiefs. Overall in eight NFL seasons with the Rams, Oilers, Redskins and Chiefs, Arnold caught 99 passes for 1,053 yards and 7 TDs.
Born on August 31, 1971 in Denver, Colorado was RB Ron Dickerson. He joined the Chiefs as a rookie free agent in 1993 out of the University of Arkansas. Dickerson spent two seasons with the team (1993-94), appearing in 15 games. He caught two passes for 11 yards, and returned 32 kickoffs for 709 yards.
Born on August 31, 1963 in Jacksonville, Florida was K James Hamrick. He joined the Chiefs replacement team during the 1987 players strike. Hamrick kicked in three games, hitting both of his FG attempts and all four PAT kicks.
Well…..i dont know how many more 4 5 6 win seasons i can stomach, but i better prepare for it. If our O-line doesnt improve, thats all we can hope for.
“But after Saturday night, we know that the origin is not Herm; he can’t be blamed for Matt Cassel going down and out this summer” -who says we can’t blame Herm? Most of the guys on the O-Line are his, right? I say blame the stupid b*stard until the cows come home!
Its not a qb curse. Its the failure to invest high draft picks (other than Albert) or bring in top FA talent at offensive line.
Its a continuation of trying to make chicken salad out of chicken poop…., but by all means lets spend next yrs #1 draft pick on a NT (sarcasm).
It’s a good thing we still got Tyler Thigpen to run for his life again this year, just like last year, behind our O-Line. Why even put Brodie Croyle in, so he can get Hurt too? We all know he can’t take a hit.
Green survied with a good line–TONY — guick short passes— run blocking that Priest & Larry set some good STATS but NOT POINTS on the books!
The teams that win have passing games .
Tyler has a style he can look good in –
He also has had a lot of effect in first half peformances . Being in better shape might help in second half in his case .
He HAS to play in and where he is good , period .
When Tyler is in his game , he does seem to move that end zone in to a shorter field , but with all that running ?
It’s hard for anyone to run a 440 then come back in a second and run a mile under 4 min. That’s about what he was last year .
Curse ? —- NO
The days of the “Run & Shoot” are back again in KC! I wonder if we can get old Warren Moon to come back again, he lived in that system for many years. Maybe get him to be Tyler Thigpen’s QB coach, couldn’t hurt us anymore or less.
….Until the Chiefs address the Offensive line situation which should have started in earnest two years ago, it will be more of the same. It’s not a curse. It is and continues to be lousy protection!
What puzzles me is why it’s so hard for all these “football people” to figure out what they have on the offensive line. It’s been patchwork since Roaf and Shields left.
It took forever for Herm and his group to get the idea that help was needed on the OL, and then they thought they could fix it by bringing in guys like Turley and Terry, and coaching up a guy like Svitek. Barry Richardson may be the new Svitek-looks the part, works hard, but needs lots and lots of work.
Though worth a try, those are million to one shots that almost never work out and not a viable method to upgrade the line. It’d be like bringing in Lecharles Bentley now, and thinking it would solve a big part of it. Goff was a little better try-he’s actually only 32-but he is either injured or just done.
Were Haley and Muir fooled into thinking the Chiefs line was better than it was because of the use of the spread last year, which totally helps the OL? Suely they didn’t think that would carry over to the kind of scheme they want to run now. They thought Goff and Ghiaciuc would do it? I don’t even know how Ghiaciuc is doing; no one talks about him. Guys like Niswanger and McIntosh are better suited to back up roles. Niswanger maybe should move to guard.
Cassel is injured and may be out for a couple to four weeks. They brought in Alleman and Ndukwe, which was good to see. How telling that they were immediate upgrades.
Now that they realize what needs to be fixed, they shouldn’t stop there. There are going to be players available who can help this OL. They need to get one or two more, and maybe think about shuffling some guys around. Some scheme changes to help the OL may be necessary also.
Anything that can be done should be, or they are going to go through QB’s like crazy, and the run game will suffer.
It’s not a curse. It’s called not addressing and improving the OLINE for 4+ years. Poor OLINE is the other constant here.
It is easy to play the blame games when you are a fan. The sad fact is even Hank Stram lost it. If a team uses the draft properly they are in the hunt, add no injuries, and age then there are many factor why some teams are good all the time, some go and come, and some like the Chiefs are lost (”that proud franchise” is so much nfl/media/Chiefs BS). So blame who you want and you are probably correct to one extent or another. The only constant since the Superbowl year is the HUNT FAMILY. They were the keepers of the keys and what did they do with it, make a fortune for themselves and generously gave us two or three years of great teams.
Today we do not have much of a team and it has been that way for the last three years. We actually had guys wearing the uniform who cannot play the game. How many draft picks wasted not just 1st or 2nd picks but 3,4, 5, and so on. Look at the last draft (sorry Pioli, you did no worse than Peterson) 1. played well by 3rd preseason game but all world, does not show it, 2 may have lost Cassel for the 1st half of season, 3 plays but that is about it. 7th even blind squirrels find a nut now and then, and the rest are guys. I know you can pick this apart but it is probably factual as of today. It is just what it is, someone has to be at the bottom of the NFL and I guess it is us.
Croyle is the 2nd best QB on our roster. You can’t NOT play him because he MIGHT get hurt. If he does, then the next guy steps in. That’s the way it is in every position.
BTW…Brodie took a pretty good shot to the head this pre-season, got back up, and continued to play.
Turn Chan Gailey loose on the offense with the Pistol, the spread, the ??? whatever you want to label it, accept reality and get on down the road. Thigpen is not a prototypical pocket QB.
So what? He tossed in 18 TDs last year, ran some razzle-dazzle plays and the Chiefs were in most of the games when Thiggy was let off his leash. Couple that with an improved defense and who knows?
I like the Chiefs chances better with the Thiggy circus than seeing Cassel in there dodging wave after wave of ‘look-out’ blocks by the artists formerly known as the Oline.
These constant calls for Thigpen to start by some fans have me totally baffled. I like the guy, okay? But the fact is, he would not be even be CONSIDERED as a starter for any other team in the NFL. So why on earth would anyone want him starting for us?
“When Tyler is in his game , he does seem to move that end zone in to a shorter field , but with all that running ?”
“Turn Chan Gailey loose on the offense with the Pistol, the spread, the ??? whatever you want to label it, accept reality and get on down the road.”
Who’s your safety valve going to be? In case anyone failed to notice, that guy got traded to the Dirty Birds.
“and the run game will suffer.”
They’ve gone through a star running back or two also – just as a little side note.
“dodging wave after wave of ‘look-out’ blocks by the artists formerly known as the Oline.”
Here’s a new name for those guys…the toreadors! Ole’!
“They need to get one or two more, and maybe think about shuffling some guys around.”
Some guys think of offensive linemen as costs/expenses – as seem to be the case with CP/Herm. Other guys consider good offensive linemen as investments – worth putting some real money into. I’m not talking about simply throwing useless dollars at a problem like Al Davis does. But, until the leadership of this organization considers offensive line worth investing in again and stops being so cheap, this will be a long-term problem for us.
Come on Bob. You’ve always wrote good articles, but quarterback curses please. More like the offensive line needs to protect the quarterback. Their are no such things as curses. The reason those guys you mention got hurt with exception of Green was because of poor offensive line play. Last i check Tyler didn’t miss a start last year when made the starter the final 8 to 10 games of the season. So I guess you not perfect Bob thats all this article proves, but hey who is.
Guys, I am a moron. No one should listen to a thing I say.
I feel we should go ahead and use Croyle for a few weeks. He fits better in the standard pro offense. Hopefully he could stay healthy for a couple of games, until Cassel gets back. We can use more more shotgun, which can help Croyle. Thigpen only fits in the gimmick pistol offense. We don’t need a change just to fit him short term. I hope we can at least get a win over the Raiders and be 1 and 3 when Cassel comes back. I hope he’s not out four games, but it sure sounds like he will be.
I like Thigpen alot, but his game is too Jeckle and Hyde. You got good Tyler and bad Tyler. Haley is looking for consistency something Tyler hasn’t been all training camp. I think Brodie will get the start and could do a good job, but he’s got to stay healthy as always. Thats even if these reports are true. I’m not buying anything until I hear it from the horses mouth Todd Haley.
Am I the only one who sees that a Thigpen-lead Offense has put the most points on the board this season?
Thigpen: 10
Cassel: 7
Croyle: 3
Gutierrez: 0
Yeah, Croyle has definitely been more accurate, but it’s not too hard to dink and dunk your way to a 6 play, 13 yard drive and look good. Someone mentioned that Croyle took a shot to the head and bounced back up. Brodie’s head is not the issue here, it’s his body from the shoulders down. I think someone on here said a week or so ago that Croyle is more brittle than a woman with osteoperosis. He’s shown me nothing to refute that claim. He’s not physically tough and he doesn’t make incredibly smart decisions with the ball. Sure, he may have a great arm, but that might just not be enough. I question his heart.
I respect Pioli and all, but you need to make sure you have at least a good offensive line before you go putting 28 million behind center….. I can remember the day chiefs fans use to cry and moan because we spent all our draft picks on lineman….seems that perhaps that wasnt so bad after all.
Hopefully, Thigpen will be traded this week so the calls for him to start will go away. He will be a career backup that offenses have to be designed for. He just isn’t that good.
OL is the problem, but you can only sign the talent that is available. Berating Pioli for not addressing the problem is ridiculous. Unless you have the number for a franchise tackle who is just sitting at home waiting for a job? No team wants to part with those guys. We got Roaf because he was a holdout with New Orleans. We will have to draft a line and that will take time. There won’t be any quick fixes on the waiver wire either.
Brodie will be the starter while Cassel is out and well he should be. From what I have read, he has had the best camp of anyone. He needs to get out there to show if he can play or not when he is getting hit. If not, then it will be time to hang it up. Can’t keep a guy on the roster if you are scared to play him.
Big F you must be as old as me. Asside from Albert wasn’t the last drafted OL of value John Tait, now retired from Chi? I believe a lot have begged for OL while Carl and Co went for DLs.
Herm can’t be blamed for the offensive line problems that are here now. He drafted Alberts and was able to keep Waters onboard… The current regime saw how bad the O-line was they should have added another rookie to the line… Now their prized QB is gone for a couple weeks, sad considering they are spending alot of money on him… It’s like buying a lamborghini without building the garage to take care of it…
By the way Priest and Larry both had put points on the books when the O-line was better… 27 TDs for priest, two years in a row over 20 rushing td’s…
Remember a year ago that Croyle was to be our franchise QB. Yeah, he is brittle, odds are slim to none he can survive 3 or 4 games. Maybe all the extra conditioning from his injury rehab has strengthened him somewhat. Anybody know if he has a weight gain this year?
Croyle will be our starter until Matt is up and running again. The Rams game is a big distraction & nuisance in my opinion. No telling who will start in that one. Not sure if Haley wants to expose Croyle to a pre season injury. I’m willing to bet that Thigpen or Gutt will start & Thigpen or Gutt will finish. Croyle may play a couple of series, if that.
It’s time for Brodie Croyle’s star to shine. Right know, IMO he is our starting QB.
I would like to see the Chiefs make a BIG move to acquire a SOLID O-lineman for the right side this week. I know that we need to be frugile with our draft choices, but it would not bother me a bit to see Pioli trade one of our two 2nd round draft choices for a SOLID right tackle or right guard. I may even be ok with seeing him trade next year’s 1st round draft pick for someone among the league’s top that we can keep over there for several years. I don’t know if that’s his style, but we have to protect Cassel once he is back and give LJ and J. Charles a chance to gain some momentum.
I agree with you, Jimbo. Brodie is (or should be) our starter while Cassel is out. And I’ll also be surprised if he plays much, if at all, on Thursday.
We could be wrong, though.
As far as the rest of the team goes? It’s time to pick the starters and go with it. For the O-line, I’d put our two new guys from Miami in…and let these guys start learning to play together. The constant shuffling of players and positions on the line isn’t solving anything.
QB’s RB’s WR’s TE’s—-no meaning
WITHOUT GREAT BLOCKING
Zach S says:
“I would like to see the Chiefs make a BIG move to acquire a SOLID O-lineman for the right side this week.”
Such as???
This is a bad time of the year for that sort of thing. Teams are not looking to get rid of their better players less than two weeks until the season starts. Teams are looking to make theirs cuts to get down to 53..and set their rosters (more or less) for the year.
I’m sure Pioli will scour the waiver wire in the coming days…looking for anything that will help the team. And I’m sure we’ll add a few players. But at some point, you just have to go with what you’ve got. I don’t think we’re at that point YET…but we’re close.
I’m with those that feel Croyle should start while Cassel is out.
I believe the 2 new guys from Miami really will help. I just think they’re both true guards. The one they’re trying at tackle started 15 games or so for an 11-5 team last year at guard.
They might be able to do something with Green Bay for Kelly (C). He was their starter, I believe. He was beaten out in a close call in camp. He’s under 30. Niswanger is a backup…not sure where though. His feet & knee bend techniques aren’t very good.
“This is a bad time of the year for that sort of thing.”
There was a better time – and I don’t see where they took advantage of it.
Brodie Croyle – Savior i.e., we are SAVED! THE starting for YOUR Kansas City Chiefs!!
Oh, Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let’s sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again!!!
heh heh heh!!!!
daddy-o
I drafted Brodie Croyle…I know Brodie Croyle…Chiefs fans, Mutt Ca$$el is no Brodie Croyle!
Where once was 0 wins now be 4 couresty Bro-die!
And ‘courtesy’ too!
Courtesy pays!
“Berating Pioli for not addressing the problem is ridiculous.”
I respectfully disagree. Most people consider doing something better than doing nothing. And doing something in the wrong direction (trading the safety valve/the face of the franchise) for future consideration – is worse than doing nothing. This team could have at least got in the sweepstakes for certain names – but they didn’t. We took no action. Whose fault is that? Herm’s? CP’s? Last time I checked, those guys were out of the picture BEFORE the free agency period began.
If we’re a playoff team in 2010/2011 and we had to suffer through this year to get there, will not the faithful say, “See? We waited and were rewarded!” And I’ll be happy to say, “I’m very glad that you were right.” This year while we’re suffering because our decisions failed to address our problems this year even though it’s quite obvious the problems were there (and although it doesn’t seem we’re exactly short on cash space to do things), I’m going to call that into account too.
Chan Gailey fired as Offensive coordinator!!
https://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/08/31/chan_gailey_relieved_of_duties_as_chiefs_offensive_coordinator/
Just read that Chan Gailey has been fired!
Ouch…Now we have a broken down car without a driver.
I’m enjoying the comments here today.
SG said: “There was a better time – and I don’t see where they took advantage of it.”
SG – Who should the Chiefs have gone after? The only big-name O-linemen I can think of who changed teams this offseason were Jason Peters and Steve Hutchinson. I think maybe Jordan Gross was a free agent, but stayed with the Panthers.
We could have drafted an O-lineman in the 3rd spot (I wouldn’t have complained), but the defense was one of the worst in the league last year and also needed fixing.
And I agree 100% with Scott; it’s time to choose the starting line and get them playing together.
SG,
They did bring in Goof…I mean Goff. Who knew he was going to suck so badly? San Diego, apparently? That’s been a disappointment, for sure.
Perhaps they just underestimated how bad our line was/is? Plus, you just expect a guy or two to “step up” and take the opportunity. So far, no one has.
re: Gailey
That’s crazy. The next thing I expect to hear is that Josh McDaniels has been fired as Broncos head coach and is the new Chiefs Offensive Coordinator.
They fired Gailey? Sh*t. That can’t be good. Can it?
Gailey fired? Sh*t. That can’t be good. Can it?
“Perhaps they just underestimated how bad our line was/is?”
Perhaps they could have asked someone/anyone? You/me – anyone with two working eyes seemed to see this as an issue.
Gailey got “relieved” from OC duties? I can only figure he convined Pioli/Haley he could handle the lack of quality players on the OL (why else did Pioli basically ignor replacing 08 off. players). With Cassel getting hurt, Broyle an injury away for another lost year, and Thigpen does not fit the system that was install, Gailey got the blame. Goodby Chan, we hardly got to know you.
If anything close to true, this is the strongest message from management. Tell (show) us you can do the job and then do it OR do not let the door hit you in the back on your way out of town.
True, SG. True.
But as bad as our line was last year…it’s looked even WORSE so far this year. Did you see THAT coming?
I figured we’d be well below average again…but I didn’t think we’d suck the big one, like we have so far.
“Who should the Chiefs have gone after?”
Jahri Evans (NO Saints) was an RFA
Jason Brown was a UFA
Jon Stinchcomb (NO Saints) was a UFA
“We could have drafted an O-lineman in the 3rd spot…”
And didn’t. Nothing there, in the 3rd, in the 4th either. Larry Johnson’s got a multi-bazillion-dollar contract – but he spent weeks on the sidelines due to injury. Brodie and Damon were out for the year due to…bad luck? Apparently that’s all Gailey’s fault.
“Did you see THAT coming?”
Not really. And, like you, I thought Goff would have been some level of help. There’s no proof that Pioli didn’t do more in the preseason and it just didn’t work out. It’s just my (deeply angry) perception from Bob’s reports and everyone else’s reports that we didn’t take more decisive action when we (might) were able to.
I think what happened is Chan got away from the run game plan in the game. Haley’s postgame comments seemed to indicate some frustration there.
I believe Haley thinks the “D” is coming along & has confidence in his coaches there. He knows the “O” is more of a problem right now. Its also his area of expertise. He knows how slim the margin of error is there. His head is the one on the line & he’s going to take control for now. Could also hand them over to the RB Coach. They (Gailey & Haley) may have a significant difference of opinion of the QBs and/or other personnel too.
I read where they may make Cauthan the O-coordinator or perhaps Haley will take on the play calling duties. We know now they won’t be going to any type of ‘pistol offense’ to fit Thigpen. I still think Croyle will be the QB for the opener, if Cassel is out.
Well, I wondered how Haley would handle having someone else call the plays. And now we know.
But, our offense HAS completely sucked this pre-season. Gotta’ put the blame somewhere. I guess in this case, whether right or wrong, it’s on the Offensive Coodinator. Time will tell, I suppose.
No huddel ?
QB’s calling audibles ?
News comming AFTER pratice—?
when will people understand its not like pioli ONLY had the OL to fix, he obviously felt next year will be the year of the OL….
You might want to read the entire article before calling Bob out for saying there is a curse. You’ll notice that at the end of the article he clearly says “the curse” is the poor play of the O-Line.
Chan was fired today. Wow!
So Chan be out – so too QB Tyler “The Little Big Man From Coastal Carolina” Thigpen his chance any to be the starter.
Enter to applause Brod-ie Cro-yyyyyyyyle! The job is your ‘Bama!!!
“We did it Herm!”
“Yup, we shore did- put one over on & and all the rest of KC fandom!”
& “heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!!!”
Oh damn, so now the only remaining piece to the Edwards regime is out the door… It had to be his fault, of course it was… I guess taking rejects from the competition didn’t fare so well.
Can anyone tell me how this years draft was any better with Pioli/Haley, i believe Herm had a plan for the O-line this year, he had already begun to fix it with Alberts. Another draft with Herm and the chiefs O-line would have probably looked alot better considering Alberts was a Guard in College and did catch on at left tackle, in other words, Herm could evaluate talent, I haven’t seen Goff or Guicheck look any better then what we had already, actually Matt Cassell seems to be as Brittle as Brodie also, so not really much difference besides the dollars…
Now the other obvious: is in full panic mode via his termination of Gailey … ‘check’ will take over the offense now and lead the Chiefs to glories untold, unseen & unheard – because won’t be any of ‘em stories to be imagined, seen or heard…
daddy-o
“when will people understand its not like pioli ONLY had the OL to fix,”
True – he had to hire his front office staff, and trade Tony Gonzalez too along with re-tool the defensive line. Maybe the players will gel during the first few games and look like an NFL-caliber line. I’m sure Brodie and LJ are sure hoping that happens sooner rather than later – otherwise they’ll probably find the quickest bus out of town after this season is over.
Well sounds as if most of you are on the same page as I am. O-line needs a Right Tackle we haven’t had one since Tait was let go to FA and no can’t blame this all on Herm some of it but the Majority goes to CP some on Vermeil. Bottom line is the problem is now Pioli and Haley that are going to have to fix it and all I see is patch work. I do agree with setting a starting line and let them work together. First real bad move I’ve seen firing Gailey umm didn’t he OC a SuperBowl championship yep lets fire that guy he must be the problem? Kinda a big let down even the losses didn’t bother me if they were getting together but they don’t even look so good. Another long year of second guessing everything that is done. Wonder if the Chiefs well run Haley out of town before he can get anything done and bring in another coach in the middle of building something?
Brodie’s got a great arm! He’ll throw 3 TD’s opening day! Oh yeah.
SG said:
“Jahri Evans (NO Saints) was an RFA
Jason Brown was a UFA
Jon Stinchcomb (NO Saints) was a UFA”
Certainly Brown is a stud, and Jahri Evans is a very good young talent. Do you know how hard, if at all, Pioli went after any of these players?
Both Brown and Stinchcomb were signed (or resigned) by late February, so maybe the Chiefs delay in hiring a new coaching staff hurt the Chiefs chances there. As for Evans, it looks like the Saints were pretty determined to sign him.
“And doing something in the wrong direction (trading the safety valve/the face of the franchise) for future consideration – is worse than doing nothing. This team could have at least got in the sweepstakes for certain names – but they didn’t. We took no action. ”
How do you know that? Pioli giving you updates? Perhaps the top O-linemen didn’t want to go to a 2-14 team? Maybe we offered and they said “no way”? I suspect (no input from Pioli here), he was involved in many conversations about players that we will never know about, but just shelling out money to look like you are doing something is what got us Vonnie Holliday, Chester McGlockton and several other veterans who were more trouble than anything.
As for not drafting an offensive lineman at 3, it is generally easier to groom them from lower picks than d-lineman. Brian Waters was an undrafted tight end for one. I think they were correct to address the DL first. For too long the defense has been our achilles heel. I believe that by next season the OL will be top notch once again. This season will be long however.
No no no no no no no arrowhead1978… it IS Herm’s fault: Mutt’s injury – the economy,
Dallas the grassy knoll, all of it.
Right. ‘check’
Get with the party line man, will ya?
Will he ‘do’? Are you kiddin’ me? “Any 22 will”, he said so himself. Ask Brian…he was there.
What’s that? Oh, well not any 22 ‘players’ course – nor any old coach – and…well, no…not on any Sunday or other gameday, preseason or reg. But if this were golf, well…betcha by golly wow.
Whening? Oh, ‘Winning’!
When? He has no idea. But it’s coming, can almost feel it now. Let’s not be Hasty, James.
What’s that? Does he have a hitch in his giddyup?
No, he always looks uncomfortable when he’s being interviewed: his shifty eyes, vague references to by the book offensive philosophy (”Golf, the Book of a Thousand Chuckles”, P.F. Volland, (1916). No didn’t write it – just perfected it or is trying to even now as we speak.
No, he can still walk on water…he’s just pacing himself. Has ‘check’ not taught you all anything? No – I didn’t mean the players – we can see where his coaching up of the players his personal hands on instruction has taken us so short of the go- I mean, so far such a very short time.
No, pay no mind to that horrendously bad 0-3 he & ’search’ have crafted for us. Happy days ARE here again…you’ll see!
No, he’s unavailable right now, he- what’s that?
No, I don’t mean emotionally (un)available to his players, I mean unavailable for comment…he’s on the concourse now at Arrowhead having his players take laps in a controlled, supervised environment – the guy never stops running- er, trying to win!
We’re lucky to have him alright! Rin predicts big things for my Chiefs 2009: AFC West Title, we’ll win no less than 12 games and at least get to the AFC Championship Game – yes, it’s all ahead of us now!
Where’s the vomit bag…
daddy-o
arrowhead1978 said: “Herm could evaluate talent, I haven’t seen Goff or Guicheck look any better then what we had already”
Have they looked worse? How is this an indication that Herm could evaluate talent and Pioli/Haley can’t?
What Pioli/Haley are doing right now personnel-wise is really no different than what Herm/Carl were doing last season – trying out guys to see who would work. The Chiefs were doing this last year at PK, CB, LB, DE, etc., well into the regular season. Will the current regime be more successful at it? We’ll see; they haven’t played a real game yet.
“I think they were correct to address the DL first.”
With three holes on the line, I could see DL First…but also second…and back-up cornerback third?
Yes, and that wasn’t a ‘real’ injury Mutt Ca$$el $uffered to his imaginary leg, knee, ankle, etc.
The Chiefs are just pacing themselves right now – trying to create a false sense of security (it’s working)in the opposition – and a sense of insecurity KC fandom…also working.
Once we get to BALT you’d better lookout Ravens – cause we’re gonna turn it on!
Right. ‘check’
&
My response to a QB curse is that just about every team has a QB curse. It only takes one hit and every team has sacks. Look at Brady hurt last year and also this year as just one example (and not even on a sack). Chan being fired puzzles me. I can see Haley taking over the play calling but leave Chan in the sky for input…unless you feel you have someone better for the coaches box (Carthon?)
Then again, I’m a douchebag and don’t know anything.
hahaha, piss you off?? damn fraudulent posters again…
So the point is Alberts is one of the better LT’s to be drafted, correct? There have been many other O-lineman in the first round that haven’t panned out Robert Gallery, Kwame harris to name a few… Who drafted him, Herm did. Is guicheck worse then Niswanger? yes. How about that castoff from San Diego, looking pretty good… for the record Herm had drafted an entire starting secondary and decent 3rd down HB, possibly the new starting QB (either one of em), Starting TE, RE, NT… HMMM who has Haley/Pioli brought here so far?? The patriot way thats right… or like 17%-19% of the starting roster…
arrowhead1978 -
Comparing Goff/Ghiaciuc to Albert is comparing apples and oranges. The proper comparison would be to Niswanger/Wade Smith/Adrian Jones/Damion McIntosh, free agents Herm/Carl brought in. And, by the way, Goff and Ghiaciuc haven’t even made the team yet; Smith/Jones/McIntosh made the squad and two of them were given starting jobs, to the jeers of Chiefs fans. Niswanger certainly seems better than Ghiaciuc, but I wouldn’t even state that for certain (and remember, Herm/Carl released Casey Weigman, who is certainly better at this point than Niswanger).
As far as drafting goes, Pioli/Haley have participated in ONE draft, and the rookies they drafted haven’t even had a chance to play in a regular season game! Let’s compare when (if) Pioli/Haley have 3 drafts under their belt.
I think Herm/Carl drafted some very good cornerbacks, decent safeties (Page-good value, Pollard – decent value, Morgan-TBD), an underachieving linebacker, and a bunch of defensive linemen who have yet to play up to their draft status. On offense they drafted Croyle, who has 8 starts in 3 seasons, a very promising OLT, a so-far mediocre center (Niswanger) a couple other offensive linemen who haven’t cracked the starting lineup, a couple good non-starting RB’s, a tight end who is not yet a starter, a talented but not-yet elite wide receiver, and a wide receiver who has been subsequently cut by the Chiefs, Lions, and Raiders.
I’d call that a checkered record; it’s hardly conclusive proof of superior talent evaluation.
Gailey will stay on with the Chiefs, just not as OC.
I have to say, I like these guys-Pioli and Haley. They do not care what anyone thinks. They know what they want. They know how they think they can get there. Nothing else matters; it’s forward and that’s it.
Correction. I’m an idiot. Herm didn’t draft Thigpen. He aquired him off of waivers. I guess I should have done my homework instead of concentrating on sharpening my douchebaggery skills.