Haley Heads Home

On Monday, former Chiefs head coach Todd Haley accepted the offensive coordinator’s job with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

For Haley, it’s a chance to return to his hometown and the team that was so much a part of his life growing up, where he served as a game-day ball boy, and worked the club’s training camp as a teenager. The oldest child of former Steelers player personnel director Dick Haley, he grew up in the Pittsburgh suburb of Upper St. Clair.

Almost two months ago, Haley was fired by Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt and GM Scott Pioli after the team lost to the New York Jets and had a 5-8 record on the season.

Since then, Haley has talked with Arizona and the New York Jets about jobs with those teams. He also spoke with several other coaches and teams about possible positions.

With the Steelers, he replaces Bruce Arians, who had been the team’s offensive coordinator since 2007. Arians was fired and has now moved onto be the offensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts.

What they said in Indy – Volume Last

The football media hype machine had one more feeding Monday morning in Indianapolis as victorious New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and Super Bowl 46 MVP Eli Manning met questions head on at the Media Center. Here are the highlights.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin on what his team does to finish games so well – “Mental toughness, resiliency, resolve. We keep playing, we keep fighting, and we’re highly competitive. We do have great trust in each other, great belief that we can finish, and that if we keep playing one play at a time as hard as we can go that we will find a way to win. It didn’t look real good. The last drive before the half, in which New England drove the ball and scored, and the first drive of the second half, (the Patriots) drive the ball and score, but the game was within reach. There was some frustration on our part, in terms of kicking field goals instead of scoring touchdowns as we put the ball in the green zone. We just kept scrambling away, and we did find a way to get them out, and in getting them out we put the ball back in our offense and in Eli (Manning’s) hands, and the very first play, the Mario Manningham (catch), which was an exceptional football play, which these young men are capable of making. An excellent, excellent pass and a great, inbounds catch going to the ground to secure the ball that really got us going, and provided us with that spark, which I thought was again, another exceptional play to put us in position to win the game.” …Read More!

It’s Official – Daboll Hired As Offensive Coordinator

On Monday afternoon, the Chiefs announced the hiring of Brian Daboll as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Daboll was rumored over the weekend to be the team’s choice as offensive coordinator, replacing the fired/retired Bill Muir who handled the duties last year.

(That’s Daboll on the right with Miami QB Matt Moore during a victory over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium during the 2011 season.)

The 36-year old native of Ontario, Canada, is making his fifth stop in the NFL, in a coaching career that started in 1997 at William & Mary. Daboll then spent two years at Michigan State (1998-99) before he was hired by the New England Patriots where he spent seven seasons (2000-06) and gained three Super Bowl rings.

He left the Patriots to work two years with the New York Jets (2007-08) and then landed in Cleveland where he spent two years (2009-10) as offensive coordinator of the Browns. Last year, Daboll was the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins.

In his 12 seasons of NFL coaching, he’s worked for Bill Belichick, Eric Mangini and Tony Sparano, and he’s coached wide receivers, quarterbacks and broke into the NFL as a defensive assistant, where he worked directly with Crennel, who was then coordinator of the Patriots defense. …Read More!

Waters’ Run Ends In Defeat

Brian Waters’ gamble that started at the end of last July paid off until the final minute of Sunday’s Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

That’s when Tom Brady’s Hail Mary pass fell incomplete giving the New York Giants a 21-17 championship victory. Having experienced winning in the post-season for the first time in his career, Waters wanted more.

“We just couldn’t make the plays we needed to,” Waters said. “With the way we started, but through the course of the game, we were in it all the time. But to say that we didn’t play the way we wanted to, yeah, we definitely didn’t play the way we wanted to.”

Did the Giants spring anything on the Patriots had prepared for during the past two weeks?

“No,” Waters said. “They pretty much did everything we thought they would. They did a better job in the back end than we expected. We knew they were going to do a great job up front. We just didn’t make enough plays. When we had opportunities to make plays, we just didn’t make enough of them.” …Read More!

Hall of Fame Extras From Indy

From Indianapolis, Indiana

It was a long Saturday for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors. While it was a foggy, rainy day on the streets of the Super Bowl city, it was hot and complicated in a large meeting room on the first floor of the J.W. Marriott Hotel.

By the time the last votes were turned in, it was 7 hours and 30 minutes after the meeting began. While never rancorous, there was some spirited conversation among the 44 board members as we took three votes, taking the finalists from 15 to 10, then 10 to 5 and finally for the final five, a yes or no individually on each one.

The longest discussions were over two none players: former Giants-Patriots-Jets-Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells and former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo.

The Parcells conversation lasted 53 minutes and ultimately it came down to this – Parcells won a pair of Super Bowls with the New York Giants, but then Tom Flores won a pair of Super Bowls with Oakland and can’t even get a sniff for the Hall of Fame. Same for George Seifert in San Francisco and even Jimmy Johnson from his time in Dallas; this seemed to be a voting breakdown between those from the northeast while those from other parts of the country were not as impressed by Parcells’ record.

Parcells survived the first vote, but went out on the vote from 10 to 5. He’ll likely be back in the discussion very soon.

DeBartolo didn’t get that far, going out on the vote from 15 to 10. The discussion went for 42 minutes and really seemed to center on not the good things that the former 49ers owner did in San Francisco with his team, but his involvement in a federal bribery case in Louisiana that led the NFL to suspend him for one year. It’s hard to see him getting another chance any time soon.

Among the former players, the longest conversations involved Buffalo WR Andre Reed and senior candidate OL Dick Stanfel. Both failed to make the class of 2012.

Here are some other tidbits from the Hall of Fame voting. …Read More!

Super Selections

From Indianapolis, Indiana

The game is today, Giants vs. Patriots and it’s customary for everyone who has paid attention to the two weeks of pre-game hype to make a prediction. Here are ours.

 ENRIQUE SIU

Right off the bat, this much I can tell you…

– Do I believe that Rob Gronkowski’s ankle will hold up just fine on Sunday? Yes.

– Do I believe that the Patriots are pretty motivated to avenge their Super Bowl loss from four years ago to these very New Yorkers? Yes.

–  Do I believe that the Giants incurred in one of those almost-unavoidably-damaging, textbook-karma-altering mistakes that an organization can commit prior to the Big Game, by showing in the team’s website (on Saturday) that the G-Men already think of themselves as NFL Champions? Yes.

– Do I believe that Myra Kraft’s memory has indeed lifted the Patriot organization to these, dare I say, celestial heights? Double yes.

– Do I believe that Bill Belichick is a better coach than Tom Coughlin; and that he’s specially charged to get one more Championship Ring against his former team, in the House That Manning Built, because such feat would provide him with the best scenario to call it a career (a possibility that has grown bigger in my eyes after watching him get uncharacteristically relaxed –by his standards– during this past few days)? Yes.

Then why the heck I am gravitating towards the Men in (Giant) Blue for Super Bowl XLVI? Well, believe it or not, only because of the signal-callers. …Read More!

Will Will Be In Hall? … Sunday Cup O’Super Bowl

From Indianapolis, Indiana

As soon as I saw the agenda for the meeting of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Board of Selectors for Saturday, I knew it was going to be difficult for Will Shields to reach the Hall in his first season of eligibility.

Thus, I knew it was only a matter of time before I was once again labeled an idiot.

“Hey Gretz, how did you screw this one up?” read the first e-mail, less than 15 minutes after the 2012 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame was announced and Will Shields name wasn’t part of the six-man class. “How can Will Shields not be a Hall of Famer?”

More followed Saturday night as former Chiefs tackle Willie Roaf, Jets-Patriots RB Curtis Martin, Seahawks DT Cortez Kennedy, Steelers center Dermontti Dawson, Vikings DE Chris Doleman and seniors DB Jack Butler were celebrating their entrance into the hallowed hall. …Read More!

Willie Roaf – Hall of Famer

From Indianapolis, Indiana

It was a surprise when he didn’t make it last year, but no surprise on Saturday when former Chiefs-Saints OT Willie Roaf was announced as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012.

The six-member group besides Roaf includes C Dermontti Dawson, DE Chris Doleman, DT Cortez Kennedy, RB Curtis Martin and senior candidate DB Jack Butler.

Roaf survived three votes by the Hall’s 44-person Board of Selectors to earn enshrinement. He got through the vote from 15 to 10, and then 10 to 5 and then a yes or no vote by the selectors. A candidate had to get at least 80 percent of the 44 votes each time ballots were turned in.

Former Chiefs G Will Shields went out on the first vote of the meeting, when the list was cut from 15 to 10 players. Joining him on the outside were RB Jerome Bettis, WR Tim Brown, LB Kevin Greene and former San Francisco owner Ed DeBartolo. …Read More!

Hall of Fame Update – Will Out, Willie Has Chance

From Indianapolis, Indiana

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will be announced around 4:50 p.m. Saturday on the NFL Network from the Super Bowl press center.

What I can tell you is that in the first vote of the 7-hour, 30-minute meeting, former Chiefs G Will Shields was eliminated from the process. Shields was one of 15 finalists, with the first vote cutting that total to 10 names. This was Shields first year of eligibility.

Former Saints-Chiefs LT Willie Roaf advanced to the voting for the final five spots. His chances of being part of the Class of 2012 are excellent. This was Roaf’s second year of eligibility.

Willie/Will Get A Shot … Saturday Cup O’Super Bowl

From Indianapolis, Indiana

Will we have a Will and Willie Weekend?

At 9 o’clock Saturday morning in the J.W. Marriott Hotel the 44 members of the Board of Selectors will meet to decide on the Class of 2012 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

This will be the 16th selection meeting that I’ve been part of the group that votes on the Hall of Fame candidates. Of the previous 15, I don’t think any of those voting sessions turned out the way I anticipated or assumed they would. It’s always an interesting morning and afternoon of discussion that whittles the group from 15, to 10 to five, along with seniors candidates. There’s a maximum of seven and a minimum of four new members each year. In the last six years, there have been a minimum of six new Hall of Famers.

In those 15 meetings where I voted there were a total of 82 men that entered the Hall. That group includes men who had connections with the Chiefs, like Mike Webster (1997), Joe Montana (2000), Marv Levy (2001), Hank Stram (2003), Marcus Allen (2003), Emmitt Thomas (2008) and Derrick Thomas (2009).

This year, two more former Chiefs are in the queue among the 17 names to be discussed – RG Will Shields and LT Willie Roaf. …Read More!

What they are saying in Indy – Volume 6

From Indianapolis, Indiana

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin on his team coming together – “The players have been responding very, very well. They came together as a group. There’s been no question that our confidence building is boosted by the players on defense. We were able to get our entire defensive team together, that’s given us the boost. We’ve played in harmony with all three units. Of course, special teams came through for us out in San Francisco against a very, very good San Francisco team. We were able to turn the ball over at the end of the game and win it. It’s been that way. We’ve had our backs to the wall. The players have performed very well under that circumstance. Our leader, our quarterback, has been a very cool customer and has done very well late in the fourth quarter, (in) many games this year, and put us in a position where we’re going to win.”

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the Super Bowl experience – “Every Super Bowl is special, and it’s a real privilege to be involved. I know this is my eighth one as a head or assistant coach, but it’s what you work for all year going all the way back to February or March when you start putting your team together and training camp and all the meetings. It’s like 111 practices a year, or whatever it is, but it’s a long haul. To be able to get here is what you work for, so it’s a great experience. Each one is different. They’re all special, and it’s really a great reward for all the hard work and competitive success that we’ve had on the field throughout the course of the year to be able to be here and represent our conference in this great game.” …Read More!

Pioli Speaks on Arrowhead Anxiety

From Indianapolis, Indiana

He hasn’t spoken to the local media about the Kansas City Star story concerning the inner workings of the Chiefs that was titled “Arrowhead Anxiety.”

As always, Chiefs GM Scott Pioli saved his comments for the national media types, in this case old buddies in New England. Thursday on the Super Bowl Radio Row in Indianapolis, Pioli was on the air with WEEI’s “The Big Show” and hosts Glen Ordway and Michael Holley.

Pioli was asked for his take on the Star story that included allegations of bugged telephones and boorish behavior by the GM and others:

“You ask two different people and you get two different stories. I know what we do have there, there are a lot of employees who are very, very happy, very energetic, enjoy what they are doing, and they love accountability, they love being held to a certain standard. I see it as a place where there are a lot of people who are very happy to work there and love the ownership.”

When asked specifically about former head coach Todd Haley claims that he thought his cell phone had been tampered with and offices were bugged, Pioli said:

“Yeah, I heard that, or I read that. Clark Hunt and Mark Donovan said at the time and I’ll say it again, unequivocally, completely, totally untrue.”

Appearing with Pioli on this show was Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff who felt obliged to step up for his friend.

“I just like to say that article, ridiculous assertion,” Dimitroff said. “Scott Pioli is one of the top notch executives in this league. When you go into a building you try to turn things around, you change the proverbial arrow, move it up, there are going to some tough decisions to be made. From what I understand and knowing Scott, he’s going to do all in his power to make that organization what it should be. It’s a historic organization and he’s the man the city of Kansas City needs.”

What they are saying in Indy – Volume 5

From Indianapolis, Indiana

Giants OT Kareem McKenzie on this year’s Giants team – “It’s a great mixture of guys who have experience and young guys developing their careers and developing those work ethics that will be necessary for them to be successful throughout that career. It’s a comforting feeling to know that you have guys who are young, in the middle of their careers, and older guys who have the experiences that run across the gamut of the NFL. There are guys who have been to the Super Bowl and lost and guys who have been to it and won. Some of those guys have never made it past the championship round. We have guys who’ve been through the gamut of shortcomings of an NFL season and understand this is a very fun time. It’s also a very focused time to realize their goal.” …Read More!

What they are saying in Indy – Volume 4

From Indianapolis, Indiana

Patriots offensive coordinator and soon-to-be head coach at Penn State Bill O’Brien on whether national signing day in college football is overhyped – “I think the recruiting services do a great job supplying information, but as far as four stars and five stars; how many stars do you think Wes Welker had? How many stars did Julian Edelman have coming out of high school? I think you’ve got to look at the recruiting class two years forward, and say to yourself, ‘Did we do a good job recruiting this class? Are they playing now? Are they going to class? Are they doing what we thought they were going to do? Are they contributing to wins on the field? And are they good citizens off the field?’ No one really knows that right now, so whether we’re ranked the 50th recruiting class or the No. 1 recruiting class, I really couldn’t care less, to be honest with you. We feel very good about the players we brought in here. Hopefully they all sign up today. We can’t wait to coach them.”

Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gillbride on QB Eli Manning – “He is very much a serious student of the game. It is very important to him. He wants things done right. The coaches, he would be crushed if we weren’t disciplined in our presentations, if we weren’t extensive and comprehensive in our presentations. Like most people, he wants to enjoy what he is doing. When the opportunity presents itself he has always enjoyed a prank being played, especially when he is the one committing it. Now the players love it when it is reversed and he is the recipient of it. It is a good give and take. I think what it does, is it probably keeps him grounded with the rest of the players. He is one of us. Even though he is the quarterback, he is the leader, he is a captain, he is one of us. We can fool with him when the moment is right.” …Read More!

Coaching Wheel Spins – Muir Retires, Saunders Visits

The work on putting the final pieces together on Romeo Crennel’s coaching staff took two surprising turns on Wednesday.

A week after saying he had no plans to retire, offensive line coach and last year’s offensive coordinator Bill Muir announced he was in fact retiring.

And, visiting the Chiefs yesterday to talk about the offensive coordinator’s job was Al Saunders, former offensive coordinator under Dick Vermeil and long-time assistant coach with the franchise. Last season, Saunders was with Oakland as the Raiders offensive coordinator.

“Al is there today talking with Romeo,” Vermeil said Wednesday in Indianapolis as he was making the rounds of radio row. “He wants to see if there’s any chance to go back to Oakland, but if not he’d love the Chiefs job.”

The Raiders have a new head coach in Dennis Allen and he reportedly has hired Greg Knapp as his offensive coordinator. That would seem to leave Saunders out in the cold as far as a position of any offensive significance with Oakland. But that does not mean the Raiders, even under new leadership with GM Reggie McKenzie, would allow him to break his contract, especially to join the Chiefs.

As for Muir, the veteran coach said he simply changed his mind on continuing his coaching career that began in 1965 at his alma mater Susquehanna College.

“I have had a change of heart on what I told you last week,” said Muir on Wednesday in a phone call he initiated. “I am retiring from the Chiefs. My intentions when I spoke last week were conflicted to a degree and I did not want to speak to that at the time.

“But at the time we spoke at the Senior Bowl, my intentions were to continue to coach. For personal reasons, I’ve changed my mind.” …Read More!

Getting Away, Going Home … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs

Over the weekend I learned former Chiefs head coach Todd Haley would be visiting with the Pittsburgh Steelers about their offensive coordinator’s job that came open last week with the firing of Bruce Arians.

That visit went down Tuesday in Pittsburgh and the results remain unknown. By the time you read this, a decision yeah or nay could already have been made. Late Tuesday evening, things appeared all quiet on the eastern front.

I can tell you this, never have I rooted for a coach to get a job as hard as I’m rooting for Haley to land with the black and gold. I’m always the first one to say be careful what you wish for because you might get it. I know that Haley would like to spend his 2012 season back home with the Steelers, the team that was so much a part of his youth. There’s almost a magical feel to the mere possibility.

More than anything, it would be the perfect antidote for Haley to recover from what he lived with over his final two seasons as head coach of the Chiefs.

…Read More!

What they are saying in Indy – Volume 3

New York Giants co-owner John Mara (left) and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

It was Super Bowl Media Day on Tuesday in Indianapolis, a one-day orgy of football and the media horde meeting head-to-head in a battle of banalties and ridiculous questions. There was plenty to say and here are some of the better comments.

Giants co-owner John Mara – “I look at the other successful franchises in this league – the Patriots, the Steelers, Green Bay, Baltimore – that’s what they have, they have stability. They don’t make big changes every year. You try to get the right people in place and you try to let them do their jobs and then you try to have some sense of stability. There’s enough turnover in this league as it is and if you can keep your key people in place and have some confidence to let them do their jobs and ride out the ups and downs, then I think you have a chance to be successful. If you start making impulsive changes, I think that’s recipe for disaster. We’ve tried to avoid that.”

——————————

“There’s enough turnover in this league as it is and if you can keep your key people in place and have some confidence to let them do their jobs and ride out the ups and downs, then I think you have a chance to be successful. If you start making impulsive changes, I think that’s recipe for disaster.” Giants co-owner John Mara

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…Read More!

What they are saying in Indy – Volume 2

Giants QB Eli Manning (right) on a moment from their childhood where big brother Peyton picked on him – “His most popular move, he would pin me down and take his knuckles and knock on my chest and make me name the 12 schools in the SEC (Southeastern Conference). I didn’t know them all at the time, but I quickly learned them. I don’t suggest anyone else try it out, but it definitely made me learn the schools of the SEC. Once I figured those out, he moved on. There were 28 teams in the NFL at that point, so all teams in the NFL. I had to get my studying on for that. Then once I figured that out – the one I never got was the 10 brands of cigarettes. When he really wanted to torture me and knew I had no shot of ever getting it, that’s when I just started screaming for my mom or dad to come save me, or maybe Cooper. That was his go-to move.”

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the business of coaching – “Honestly, as a head coach of a professional football team, you make hundreds of decisions every day. I can’t talk to everyone on the team and sit down to have a long conversation with them. Some guys you talk to, some guys you don’t. You can say things one way, and you can say them a different way. You make decisions on strategy, make decisions on personnel, make decisions on motivation and practice reps – all of those kinds of things. There are a lot of things on a daily basis that as the head coach, you are involved in. People come to you and say, ‘How do you want to do it, this way, or that way? Do you have a feeling on this?’ You can make a decision to turn it over to them. Whatever you think is best, that’s what you do, or you can say, ‘I prefer A over B, C over D.’ It’s not just one thing. There are a lot of different elements to it.” …Read More!

Chiefs Have New Special Teams Coach

The moves that Romeo Crennel is making with his coaching staff are starting to become public, the first came Monday afternoon when Tom McMahon was named the team’s special teams coach.

He replaces Steve Hoffman, who held the post for the last three seasons and was not retained by the organization. The Chiefs wanted to keep Hoffman to coach only the kickers, but he declined that opportunity in Kansas City.

McMahon has spent the past three seasons in St. Louis with the Rams. He’s a native of Montana and began his coaching career in 1992 at his alma mater Carroll College. Thanks to his association with the Petrino coaching family, he moved up the ladder in the profession. McMahon played college football and spent two years coaching for Bob Petrino at Carroll. He later moved to Utah State where he worked for Paul Petrino over 11 years.

It was on to Louisville where he hooked up with Bob Petrino’s other coaching son Bobby Petrino, following him to Atlanta. He spent two seasons on the Falcons staff before landing with the Rams and head coach Steve Spagnuolo’s staff in 2009.

The Chiefs also announced that they have not retained WR coach Richie Anderson and assistant offensive line coach Pat Perles. Still no word on offense coordinator from Crennel.

What they are saying in Indy – Volume 1

The New England Patriots were the first team to arrive in Indianapolis for Super Bowl 46. Here are some of their comments upon arrival.

QB Tom Brady on being in Indianapolis – “It’s great to be in Indy. We drove by Lucas Oil Stadium on the way in, and you see Dwight Freeney’s picture up there, and to come to Indianapolis and not play him is definitely a relief for me. He’s terrorized me for a long time. Regardless of where you play, the Super Bowl is an incredible experience. I’ve been very fortunate in my career that it’s my fifth time. You try to communicate to the younger players how special it is to be here because you do really never know when you’re going to come back. That’s what makes for a fun week.”

Brady on the evolution of head coach Bill Belichick – “I think those jokes that he tells the team I’ve probably heard 20 times. He’s very consistent as a coach. I think he expects and demands that we’re always at our best, and I’d say that he coaches me the same way that he coached me the day that I got here. On our team there really is no separate treatment for different players. The rookies are expected to perform and act the same as the veteran guys. It’s great as a player on our team, because on our team you really don’t have to hold the other players accountable because the head coach does it. …Read More!

It’s Official – Emery New GM of Bears

The Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery was named the new general manager of the Chicago Bears on Saturday.

Emery’s hiring comes less than 24 hours after a day-long interview session at Bears headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois. That was the second interview Emery had with Bears management, led by team president Ted Phillips.

The job had come down to Emery and New England’s director of pro personnel Jason Licht.

The Bears needed a new GM after ownership fired GM Jerry Angelo in the days after the completion of the 2011 season.

Emery is a 15-year NFL veteran who joined the Chiefs after the 2009 NFL Draft, coming over from the Atlanta Falcons. He also previously worked for the Bears as an area scout seven years.

He’s respected around the league for his work ethic and attention to detail in scouting players. His departure is a bad loss for the Chiefs personnel department.

In his new position, Emery has one mandate from management: close the talent gap with Green Bay and Detroit in the NFC North. Another part of the job was being able to work well with Smith, an area where Emery was thought to have the edge because of his previous ties with the Bears.

Emery inherits a team that could use help on both lines, in the secondary and at wide receiver. RB Matt Forte’s rookie contract is up, and Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs has made it clear he wants to renegotiate even though his six-year deal runs through 2013. Also part of what he takes over is a franchise QB in Jay Cutler along with stars such as Forte, Briggs, DE Julius Peppers, LB Brian Urlacher and kicker returner Devin Hester.

Tamba Enjoys Fun In The Sun

The 2011 season was one of great disappointment for the Chiefs, so it’s nice to see at least a few of them honored for their play and getting some time in the sun at the Pro Bowl.

That’s Tamba Hali above, taking part in Friday’s AFC team practice in Honolulu. Somewhere to his left is teammate Derrick Johnson. They are the only two members of the Chiefs that got their ticket punched for this year’s all-star game.

Both teams practiced at what they call Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on the island of Oahu.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CST on Sunday and can be seen on NBC.

Chiefs Hire New PR Guy

The Chiefs announced late Friday afternoon that they’ve hired Ted Crews (right) as the team’s vice-president of communications.

Crews joined the Chiefs after spending three years (2009-11) with the St. Louis Rams, where he was the team’s Senior Director of Communications. Before that he spent four years with the Atlanta Falcons (2005-08) as Manager of Football Communications. He broke into the league with the Carolina Panthers where he spent five years in the public-media relations department (2000-04).

A 1999 graduate of South Carolina State University, Crews worked in the school’s sports information office during his time as an undergraduate.

In another public relations department move unrelated to the hiring of Crews, long-time Manager of Football Information Brad Kuhbander (left) has turned in his two-week notice and will leave the Chiefs next week. The Hamler, Ohio native joined the team in 2001 after working at both the University of Florida and the sports information office of his alma mater Baldwin-Wallace College in Cleveland. He was the longest tenured person in the team’s PR department with 11 years of employment. Actually, at 11 years he was one of the most veteran club employees in the building.

Kuhbander has taken a position with the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Best of 2012 Senior Bowl … Friday Cup O’Chiefs

That’s DL Melvin Ingram going against OL Jeff Allen during a Super Bowl practice this week.

From Mobile, Alabama

There was a lot of rain, a lot of rumors, a lot of coaching types looking for jobs. And, there was a lot of football as over 100 players prepared for Saturday’s Senior Bowl.

After spending the week watching the North and South squads practice there were some players that simply stood out above the others. It does not mean they will be better NFL players or should be drafted at a higher position.

It just means that this last week their performance rose above their peers.

Here’s my All-Senior Bowl team for 2012.

• Quarterback (South) – Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State
  

The 27-year old former minor league baseball player seemed to adjust quicker to the conditions of Senior Bowl week than the other quarterbacks. He found out he had to get rid of the ball quickly, because pass protection is very shaky in all-star games where the big boys upfront have no history of playing together. He showed a good arm on deep balls, but really excelled at more short and underneath stuff. If Weeden can put together a good game performance, then Senior Bowl week will have helped his draft stock. Other QBs worthy of mention – none. …Read More!

One-on-One At Senior Bowl … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs

From Mobile, Alabama

Here’s one of the great things about Senior Bowl week – with NFL coaching staffs handling the coaching duties for each of the squads, they tend to gear their practices towards drills and actions that personnel types want to see.

Even media types.

“Coach, tomorrow in practice could you give us as many one-on-ones between DE Quinton Coples and LT Cordy Glenn as you can? We’d like to see more of that,” was the request from a member of the media to South head coach Mike Shanahan.

Shanahan smiled and quickly answered “That’s one thing I can make happen. We’ll get that done.”

Shanahan was true to his word Wednesday afternoon as his South squad got its last heavy work day completed in preparation for Saturday afternoon’s Senior Bowl. There was an extended pass protection/pass rush session and by the time it was over highly-touted talents Coples from North Carolina and Glenn from Georgia had five snaps going head-to-head. …Read More!

On Romeo’s Staff, Emery’s Status

North coach Leslie Frazier of the Vikings gave his team instructions this week for Saturday’s Senior Bowl.

From Mobile, Alabama

The majority of the Chiefs contingent hit the road out of town on Wednesday, heading for the airport and flying back to Kansas City and other locations.

But on Wednesday, director of college scouting Phil Emery was on the field after practice in the morning and he was wearing a shirt with a Chiefs logo. Emery is reportedly one of two finalists for the GM job with the Chicago Bears.

Emery along with New England’s director of pro personnel Jason Licht will have second interviews with Chicago management on Thursday and Friday, reportedly in the Windy City.

While head coach Romeo Crennel says the Chiefs are waiting for a few things to fall into place before finalizing his coaching staff, the question came up – how many coaches are being hired, and thus how many coaches are being let go?

During the Senior Bowl week there were plenty of Chiefs assistant coaches in the stands watching the workouts. Seen at Ladd-Peebles Stadium from the offensive side of the staff Bill Muir, Maurice Carthon, Bernie Parmalee and Jim Zorn. Defensive coaches in the house were Gary Gibbs, Otis Smith, Emmitt Thomas, Anthony Pleasant and Adam Zimmer. All seemed to be wearing their Chiefs gear.

There were four assistants who were not seen: special teams coach Steve Hoffman, offensive assistant Nick Sirianni, wide receivers coach Richie Anderson and assistant offensive line coach Pat Perles.

That does not mean they were not there – the Senior Bowl brings over 800 NFL club employees to town and they could have gone unnoticed. However, people were looking for them.

“Waiting For Some Things To Fall Into Place”

From Mobile, Alabama

Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel was one of the last NFL types to leave Ladd-Pebbles Stadium Wednesday morning after watching the North squad practice in preparation for Saturday’s Senior Bowl.

Crennel sits about midway up the west side grandstand and generally waits until most of the crowd has cleared out. This cuts down his time being buttonholed by coaches looking for jobs, other NFL types trying to find out who he’s considering and the media.

The Chiefs head man has a coaching staff to finalize.

“We are making progress,” Crennel said Wednesday. “We are getting closer.”

Does closer mean this week, next week, the week after?

“We are waiting for some things to fall into place,” Crennel said.

Of course, the head coach wouldn’t detail just what “some things” were. When asked if he was waiting for the completion of the Super Bowl to move forward, Crennel smiled widely and said “I didn’t say that.”

Crennel was wearing sun glasses so there is no way to speculate whether he might have winked as he smiled about the question involving the Super Bowl. The lack of public action on an offensive coordinator and possibly other spots on his staff tells us one of two things – first, the candidate is still coaching (Super Bowl teams New England and the New York Giants) or second, the candidate is still waiting to see how Tampa Bay, Oakland and Indianapolis fill their head coaching vacancies.

The Raiders reportedly have hired Broncos defensive coordinator Jeff Allen as their new head coach, but the club has not confirmed that news as of lunchtime on Wednesday.

As head coach, Crennel’s time has been spent not only working on his coaching staff, but here in Mobile watching and talking with players. Most teams go well past midnight early in the week interviewing players for 20 to 30 minutes. There’s more time for the interviews at the Senior Bowl than there will be at the NFL Combine in late February.

“There’s a lot going on,” Crennel said with a laugh as he walked to his car. “And I can only blame myself.”

Sitting and Watching At The Pro Bowl

From Mobile, Alabama

That’s Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel in conversation during a practice at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in preparation for the Senior Bowl. Sitting to the right of Crennel is tight ends coach Bernie Parmalee.

Muir Plans To Coach In 2012

From Mobile, Alabama

Just a few days after the 2011 season ended, one of the “in-the-know” guys working for the NFL Network wrote that Bill Muir was going to retire.

That’s news to the 69-year old Bill Muir.

“Nobody talked to me,” Muir said Tuesday afternoon at the South squad’s practice session for the Senior Bowl.

“I’m planning to coach, until somebody tells me differently.”

Muir was reticent to say much more about the situation with Romeo Crennel’s coaching staff. He did acknowledge that he’s been told he will not be the offensive coordinator, but Crennel would like him to stay and coach the offensive line.

“It’s just of those things,” said Muir, who has 47 years in coaching and 34 seasons in the NFL. “You go on every day and wait for them to tell you how we are going to move forward or if we are separating. It happens a lot in football.”

For the record coach, you want to continue to coach?  “Yes” Muir said.

Do you want to stay with the Chiefs as offensive line coach?  “Yes.”

Do you have a problem being just O-Line coach and not offensive coordinator?  “No.”

Emery’s Not Gone … Yet

From Mobile, Alabama

Phil Emery, the Chiefs director of college scouting, walked onto the field at Ladd Pebbles Stadium after the North squad’s workout Tuesday morning wearing a Chiefs sweatshirt and jacket.

Somebody asked him if he had been hired yet as general manager of the Chicago Bears; he’s one of the finalists for that job.

Emery smiled and pointed to his chest, where in big block letters it read “Kansas City Chiefs”.

UPDATE: Emery was at Tuesday afternoon’s workout for the South squad still wearing his Chiefs sweatshirt.

I know it’s hard for Chiefs fans to get worked up about whether Emery will stay with the Chiefs or move up the football front-office ladder to take over the Bears. Since he joined the team in the spring of 2009, Emery’s not done a single interview with any Kansas City media organization, save the team’s own website.

Without question 99.99 percent of Chiefs fans couldn’t pick him out of a police lineup. But that has more to do with the secrecy and paranoia of how GM Scott Pioli runs the football-side of the business than it does with Emery’s talents and worth to the Chiefs organization.

With personnel types all over Mobile this week for the Senior Bowl, the GM job in Chicago job ranks No. 1 or 2 among gossip items with scouts, coaches and other GMs. Few are surprised that Emery is a finalist for the job. …Read More!

It’s Patriots vs. Giants Super Bowl Repeat

Lawrence Tynes did it again and he’s going back to the Super Bowl.

Brian Waters is going too, for the first time in his career.

It’s the New England Patriots and the New York Giants headed for Super Bowl 46 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in two weeks. It’s a repeat of Super Bowl 42, four years ago in Arizona when the Giants stopped the Patriots unbeaten season with an upset victory in the Super Bowl.

Tynes’ 31-yard field in overtime gave the Giants their 20-17 victory. It’s a repeat of what Tynes did four years ago in Green Bay when his FG ended that NFC Championship Game and sent them to the title game against the Patriots.

After a dozen years in the league, Waters gets his first trip to the Super Bowl in his first season with the Patriots. Released by the Chiefs in late July, Waters sat out the pre-season and then signed with New England for the opening week of the season.

It all paid off for him and the rest of the Patriots with a 23-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

“I’m overjoyed,” Waters said after the game. “This is an unbelievable deal.  This is probably the most excited I have been in a long time, since the birth of my children probably.  God knows this has been unbelievable and I have been truly blessed.  I appreciate my teammates and these guys welcomed me here and just gave me an opportunity to do something special.”

A Few Thoughts From a Football Weekend

What a great weekend for football fans. Four games in two days, only one real blowout with New England’s drubbing of Denver. A lot of great plays, even on defense.

Some thoughts and observations as the NFL heads towards its Final Four.

THE EASIEST WAY TO WIN IN THE PLAYOFFS? HAVE A TOP-NOTCH QB

No sh*^#@t!

It’s just makes so many more things possible for a football team when the quarterback is something special. That’s the case in New York with Eli Manning, and with Tom Brady in New England. Baltimore has Joe Flacco, who so far has not proven to be outstanding, but he doesn’t tend to cost the Ravens games with mistakes. Out in San Francisco, the rehabbed Alex Smith was sensational in beating New Orleans.

It’s easy to forget Smith was the first player taken in the 2006 NFL Draft. Through injuries and a totally dysfunctional franchise that has been the 49ers over the last decade, he somehow has survived and he was the catalyst to the Niners victory over the New Orleans Saints.

The four winning QBs had an average passer rating of 113. The four losing quarterbacks averaged a 63 passer rating. …Read More!

Super Bowl IV – 42 Years Ago

It was January 11, 1970 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl IV on that Sunday, beating the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.

It’s hard to believe that 42 years later the NFL playoffs still have six games to play before reaching Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, February 5 in Indianapolis.

We know for sure that the Chiefs and Vikings will not have a rematch next month at Lucas Oil Stadium, so here’s a picture of Curley Culp (61) and Buck Buchanan (86) smashing Minnesota’s Dave Osborn.

Romeo Gets Another Shot

From the Truman Sports Complex

His first chance as a head coach in the National Football League did not go well. In four seasons under Romeo Crennel, the Cleveland Browns finished 24-40. He was fired after the 2008 season.

His second chance started a month ago, and Crennel was already sporting a 2-1 record before he was given the official title of head coach. That was announced on Monday as the Chiefs made him the team’s 12th head coach.

Crennel agreed to a three-year contract.

“There are only 32 of these jobs in the world and sitting here and representing the Chiefs I think is very special,” Crennel told an afternoon press conference as he was flanked by team chairman Clark Hunt and GM Scott Pioli. “This job is not always the easiest job to have because I had one before that did not turn out the way I wanted it too. I’m going to work very hard to make this one turnout the way I want it too.” …Read More!

It’s Official – It’s Romeo

The Chiefs have announced Monday morning that Romeo Crennel will be the team’s new head coach.

The announcement will be formalized at an afternoon press conference at the team’s facilities.

Crennel stepped into the role on December 12 when head coach Todd Haley was fired. At the time the team’s record was 5-8 on the season. The Chiefs went 2-1 in the final three games of the season and that ginned up support for Crennel to keep the job.

He becomes the 12th head coach in franchise history. The coming season will be his 31st in the NFL and it’s his second chance as head coach. He led the Cleveland Browns (2005-08). His teams finished 24-40.

Will & Willie Get Hall of Fame Chance

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Saturday the 17 finalists for induction as part of the Hall’s Class of 2012.

Part of that group are former Chiefs offensive linemen Will Shields and Willie Roaf.

By moving into the finalist group, Shields and Roaf get “in the room” which means the merits of their induction will be discussed by the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee on Saturday, February 4 when the final voting meeting is held in Indianapolis. This is the day before the Super Bowl.

Those finalists who receive enough votes for induction will be announced at 4:30 p.m. that Saturday in a special program on the NFL Network.

This was the first season where Shields was eligible for the Hall, give seasons after his retirement. It’s the second consecutive year where Roaf has been eligible; last year, he was also a finalist. …Read More!

D.J. Earns All-Pro Honors

It’s more than a matter of semantics. So often we’ll hear a player described as an All-Pro, when he’s really a Pro Bowler. There is a difference – a big difference.

All-Pro is a designation that goes to a limited number of players as the best in the game, no matter their conference or team. For the 25 spots (11 defense, 11 offense, 3 special teams) there is only one player and any ties. Pro Bowler is a designation that goes to the initial members of the all-star teams in the AFC and NFC. Pro Bowl doesn’t mean All-Pro.

So when the Associated Press announced Friday the NFL’s All-Pro team for the 2011 season, Chiefs ILB Derrick Johnson received his greatest honor for the season – he was named All-Pro first team defense. Because of a tie in the votes, he was one of three inside linebackers named, joining Patrick Willis and NaVarro Bowman of the San Francisco 49ers.

Johnson becomes only the sixth defensive player for the Chiefs honored with a first-team All-Pro honor in the last 37 seasons. He joins S Deron Cherry, CB Albert Lewis, LB Derrick Thomas, DE Neil Smith and DE Jared Allen.

OLB Tamba Hali earned second-team honors.

Associated Press 2011 All-Pro First team …Read More!

FINAL PLAYER RATINGS FOR 2011 CHIEFS – #1 thru #25

The end of the 2011 season begins a time of reflection for the 20 teams that are not taking part in the NFL playoffs.

With the weekly duties of game planning out of the way, coaches and scouts spent the last week watching tape and passing out final grades.

We did the same this week, although I must admit we did not get as much tape analyzed as the professionals certainly did. But we saw the games live, saw some tape, read our notes, checked without our sources and we’ve come up with our grading of the 2011 Chiefs, from player No. 1 through player No. 53. With each player is his grade the last time we rated the players, and that was a month ago after 12 games had been played.

As you go through the numbers, you’ll see there hasn’t been much movement at the top of the grades. A few players dropped, while a few others moved up a couple rungs on the ladder.

Here are the players we’ve rated No. 1 through No. 25. The rest of the list will come your way on Saturday.

1. OLB Tamba Hali (2) – Although the sacks did not come at a weekly pace, the 2011 season was the most consistent of Hali’s career with the Chiefs. A lot of that was due to his staying away from major injury during the season. In previous season, Hali production would peter out in the fourth quarter of the season because he was always nursing injuries, particularly shoulders, knee and ankle problems. That wasn’t the case this year and that made him a factor for 16 games. Tamba got the big money this summer and he produced on the field.

2. ILB Derrick Johnson (1) – In the 2010 season, D.J. elevated his game. In the 2011 season, he found consistency playing 13 of the 16 games at a high level and only three times was he not the best Chiefs defensive player on the field. That was visible in his statistics, where he led the team in tackles by a wide margin, and added a couple sacks and interceptions as well. His growth was especially visible as the leader of the defense on the field. He did a lot of work getting other players in the right spots. …Read More!

Chiefs Interview With Fisher Falls Flat

We’ve learned that last week at the offices of Hunt Sports Group in Dallas, former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher sat down for an interview with the Chiefs about their open head coaching job.

Scheduled to last all afternoon, the meeting broke up after a bit more than two hours when Fisher said good bye. He later indicated he was not interested in being the head coach of the Chiefs.

Meeting with Fisher were team chairman Clark Hunt, GM Scott Pioli, assistant GM Joel Collier and Ryan Petkopf, a vice of president of something or other with the Hunt Sports Group.

Right now, Fisher appears to be the leading candidate in both Miami and St. Louis to become their next head coach. With the Dolphins he met on Tuesday with owner Stephen Ross, GM Jeff Ireland and former Chiefs President and GM Carl Peterson who is serving as an adviser to Ross.

According to ESPN, the Chiefs will interview Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin Wednesday evening in an unknown location. Philbin does not call the offensive plays for the Packers; that’s done by head coach Mike McCarthy.

A Plate of Rocky Mountain Oysters For Finale

It was Mile High Stadium. Then it was Invesco Field at Mile High. Now it’s the Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Such is life in the NFL these days when it comes to the revenue that can be generated by slapping a corporate name on somewhere. Earlier this year, Denver fans got upset when Sports Authority signed on just before the start of the pre-season schedule and the team and stadium put up temporary banners in red and white announcing it as Sports Authority Field. The choice of colors lasted just two days as Broncos fans complained that it had the look of Chiefs colors.

The team and Sports Authority quickly scrambled to get a replacement banner up at the stadium and a full-blown crisis was averted.

But then I’m not sure what the home team has to worry about – since they left Mile High Stadium and moved into the new building, they are 9-1 against the Chiefs, losing only in 2009 in the last game of the year when Todd Haley’s team wrapped up the season with a 44-24 victory.

*************** …Read More!

4 Keys To Victory For Chiefs In Denver

HISTORY

• This will be the 104th regular-season meeting between these original members of the American Football League. The Chiefs had the series edge with a 55-48 record over the Broncos. Those 55 victories are the most the Chiefs have over any opponent they’ve played over the last 52 years.
• The Chiefs and Broncos have played each other once in the playoffs, that in 1997 when the visiting Broncos grabbed a 14-10 victory at Arrowhead Stadium in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.
• In seven of the last eight seasons, the Chiefs and Broncos have split their annual two-game series. In 2007, the Broncos had a sweep. The last time the Chiefs have taken two from the Broncos was in 2000 when Gunther Cunningham led K.C. to victories by one and 13 points
• Winning in Denver has not been easy for the Chiefs over the last few decades. Over the last 10 years, they’ve won just once in the mile high city, that coming in the final game of the 2009 season when they left town with a 44-24 victory. Overall, the Broncos have a 33-19 edge against the Chiefs in games played in Denver.
• When both of these teams were born in the inaugural season of the American Football League, the Chiefs – then the Dallas Texans – were one of the new league’s best teams, while the Broncos were one of the weakest clubs. In the first 10 seasons of play (1960-69), the Texans-Chiefs were 19-1 against the Broncos. At various points in the first 15 years of the series between the teams, the Chiefs held winning streaks of 11, eight and six games. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – New Year’s Eve

Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl

Saturday, December 31, 11 a.m. CST/ESPN

Reliant Stadium/Houston, Texas

Texas A&M (6-6)

#17 QB Ryan Tannehill, Redshirt Senior – 6-4, 222 pounds, 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash – Physically gifted QB prospect that spent two years playing wide receiver when the door was closed to the starting QB job. Eventually though he returned to QB and that’s where he’s spent the last two seasons, putting together some impressive numbers in that time. He threw for 5,121 yards with 41 TDs and 20 INTs, while completing 62.3 percent of his passes. Against Baylor this season, he threw for six touchdown passes and 415 yards in a 55-28 victory. As a runner, he’s run 112 yards for 359 yards and 5 TDs. As a receiver he caught 112 passes for 1,596 yards and 10 TDs. As long as Tannehill handles the next few months, he’ll be a mid-to-late first-round selection.

#5 CB Coryell Judie, Redshirt Senior – 5-11, 190 pounds, 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash – He had two very productive seasons at A&M after coming out of Fort Scott Community College in the Jayhawk League. He was a 2008 JUCO All-America selection as he had seven interceptions, 82 tackles and a 26.8-yard average on kickoff returns. Judie did not play football until his senior year of high school; he was a track star. He was hampered throughout the 2011 season by a hamstring injury that cost him several games. If healthy – he also had a shoulder surgery two years ago – then Judie has the raw talent to be a second or third-round selection. …Read More!

Succop Gets New Deal

K Ryan Succop rode the wave of his record-tying 22 consecutive field goals to a new contract with the Chiefs. The five-year deal is worth a reported $14 million according to an ESPN report on Friday.

Succop will get $2 million as a signing bonus and $2 million in 2012 salary and that money is guaranteed.

It’s quite a turnaround in events over three seasons for the University of South Carolina product. He was the last player selected in the 2009 NFL Draft and he’s been the most successful player in the Chiefs disappointing class of choices that year.

He’s turned in his best season this year, hitting 24 of 29 FG attempts, with only one miss inside the 40-yard line. He’s also been 19 for 19 on PAT kicks and his work on kickoffs has been very good.

2011 Bowl Season – Insight Bowl

   Insight Bowl

   Friday, December 30, 9 p.m. CST/ESPN

   Sun Devil Stadium/Tempe, Arizona

Oklahoma (9-3)

#28 OLB Travis Lewis, Redshirt Senior – 6-1¾, 228 pounds, 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash – One of the most honored defensive players in recent Sooner memory, Lewis was either first or second-team All-Big 12 Conference in each of his four season. An immediate starter when he joined the program out of Texas, he broke Brian Bosworth’s freshman tackle record of 144, while also earning All-Big 12 academic honors. He continues that play throughout his career, with only a broken toe holding him back in 2011. Expected to miss at least half the season with the injury, Lewis was out for one game. Over his 52-game career, he totaled 440 tackles, 29 TFLs, 6 sacks, 9 interceptions, 13 passes broken up and 4 forced fumbles. He was a team captain and has no known off-field problems beyond some academic problems that he overcame. The NFL likes Lewis in the second round. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Music City Bowl

Franklin American Music City Bowl

Friday, December 30, 5:40 p.m./ESPN

LP Field/Nashville, Tennessee

Wake Forest (6-6)

#97 OLB Kyle Wilber, Redshirt Senior – 6-3 ½, 240 pounds, 4.7 seconds is the 40-yard dash – During his 42-game career at Wake, Wilber has moved around from defensive front playing at end on both sides and this year moving to outside linebacker. He has good speed and quickness for a player his size. In 42 games, Wilber had 189 tackles, 33.5 TFLs, 13.5 sacks, 6 QB hurries, 6 passes broken up, 5 forced fumbles and he returned a fumble for a TD. He missed more than half of the 2009 season after suffering a broken leg. It appears that opinions on Wilber vary considerably, as some scouts think he’s a sleeper pick, while others view him as a sixth or seventh-round choice. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Pinstripe Bowl

Pinstripe Bowl

Friday, December 30, 2:20 p.m. CST/ESPN

Yankee Stadium/New York, New York

Rutgers (8-4)

#70 G Desmond Wynn, Redshirt Senior – 6-5¼, 295 pounds, 5.1 seconds in the 40-yard dash – Earned second-team All-Big East Conference for his play at left guard, where he started all 12 games. He played right guard during his career. He missed 2010 spring practice as he recovered from shoulder surgery and suffered a knee injury early in the 2011 season, but he was able to battle through the pain. Scouts view him as a sixth to seventh-round prospect. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Armed Forces Bowl

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

Friday, December 30, 11 a.m. CST/ESPN

Gerald Ford Stadium/Dallas, Texas

Brigham Young (9-3)

#70 OT Matt Reynolds, Redshirt Senior – 6-4 ¼ , 305 pounds, 5.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash – Reynolds connections at BYU ran deep as his father Lance was the team’s associate head coach. He spent his first year out of high school on a church mission in Germany and then redshirted in 2007. He did not get on the field to play until 2008. Since then, he’s been holding down the left tackle spot and has shown durability and availability. He has very quick feet and he was a two-time team captain. Reynolds is married and a father. He is viewed as a fifth or sixth-round prospect for the upcoming draft. …Read More!

Casey Won’t Say It, But It’s All Done Sunday

From the Truman Sports Complex

After practice on Thursday C Casey Wiegmann would not say it publicly, but he left little doubt about his intentions: Sunday’s game in Denver will be his last, ending a 15-season career that started as an undrafted rookie out of Iowa and spending time with the Colts, Jets, Bears, Chiefs, Broncos and Chiefs again.

His start Sunday against the Broncos will be his 212nd game and start No. 185.

“I’m not going to make a big deal out of that,” Wiegmann said of his retirement. “We have a football game to go play, trying to beat the Broncos. I’ll come in on Monday and say bye to everybody this year… I’ve got a plan.”

That plan is for life after football – working in a business he owns with a good friend leasing farm land each year up in his native Iowa. There are trees to cut down and fences to mend.

“I called my best friend last night, we’ve started a business and I’ll be up there (Iowa) next weekend, doing stuff, there’s work to be done,” Wiegmann said. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Alamo Bowl

   Valero Alamo Bowl

   Thursday, December 29, 8 p.m. CST, ESPN

    Alamo Dome/San Antonio, Texas

Washington (7-5)

#1 RB Chris Polk, Redshirt Junior — 5-11, 222 pounds, 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash – Polk has not yet said whether he plans to leave school with a year of eligibility remaining. The NFL is very interested because he’s a strong between the tackles rusher who keeps his legs moving and bounces off tackles. In 39 games, he’s run the ball 749 times for 3,902 yards and 25 touchdowns. Worked as a kick returner in his freshman season and averaged 19.8 yards per kick return. As soon as he’s available, the NFL will select him in the first round. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Champs Sports Bowl

 Champs Sports Bowl

  Thursday, December 29, 4:30 CST, ESPN

  Citrus Bowl Stadium/Orlando, Florida

Notre Dame (8-4)

#3 WR Michael Floyd, Senior – 6-3, 224 pounds, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash – It’s been a bit of a star-crossed career at Notre Dame for Floyd, who was able to battle back from a drunken driving arrest in March 2011 to have the best season of his career, with 95 catches for 1,106 yards and eight TDs. Over his career 42 games with the Irish, Floyd caught 266 passes for 3,645 yards and 36 touchdowns. Floyd seems to find trouble off the field, where along with the DUI, he was cited for underage consumption of alcohol in 2008 and 2009. Most teams consider him a prime prospect and a first-round talent. League teams will want to make sure that his problems with alcohol are part of his history, not his present. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Holiday Bowl

  Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl

  Wednesday, December 28, 7 p.m. CST, ESPN

  Qualcomm Stadium/San Diego, California

 California (7-5)

#72 OT Mitchell Schwartz, Redshirt Senior – 6-4½, 318 pounds, 5.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash – First team All-Pac 12 Conference selection, Schwartz has started all 50 games he’s played in over the last four years with the Bears. He’s worked at both left and right tackle, with the last two seasons starting at the LT spot. A smart player, he’s learned a lot of tricks over the last four years. Schwartz is not an outstanding athlete, so his best NFL position may be at RT. The league views him as a fourth or fifth-round projection. …Read More!

Tamba, D.J. Hawaii Bound

The two players on the Chiefs roster who have had the best 2011 seasons were rewarded Tuesday with a trip to Hawaii and the Pro Bowl.

OLB Tamba Hali and ILB Derrick Johnson were named to the AFC squad for the 2012 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on Sunday, January 29, the weekend before the Super Bowl.

It was the first time for both Hali and Johnson. Vote totals are not given, so if there were other Chiefs players that were close to be recognized, we do not know at this time.

Hali is second in the AFC in sacks with 12 and combined with the 14.5 sacks he registered last year, he’s the best sacker in the conference over the last two seasons. He was selected last year as a replacement player, but had to beg out of that opportunity due to his own injury problems. Along with the sacks, the sixth-year product of Penn State also has 79 total tackles and 31 quarterback pressures.

Johnson established a new single-season tackling record this year, as he sits at 172 total tackles with one game to play. The first-round draft choice from 2005 out of the University of Texas also has 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 11 QB pressures. He was chosen the AFC’s defensive player of the week after the Chiefs victory over the Chargers on Halloween night.

Overall on the AFC team, New England and Baltimore had seven players selected, with Pittsburgh given five spots. Teams with three Pro Bowlers in the AFC were San Diego, the New York Jets and Oakland. The Chiefs were one of four teams with two players and there were four other teams with just one player selected. Two teams, Buffalo and Tennessee, did not have a player selected on the initial roster.

But remember the roster will change quite a bit, because players on the teams participating in the Super Bowl, will not play in the Pro Bowl and must be replaced by the league.

2011 BOWL SEASON – BELK BOWL

Belk Bowl

Tuesday, December 27, 7 p.m. CST, ESPN

Bank of America Stadium/Charlotte, North Carolina

North Carolina State (7-5)

#42 LB Audie Cole, Redshirt Senior – 6-4 ¼, 239 pounds, 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash – He’s played outside, inside and middle linebacker for NC State and has handled both positions well over his three seasons of starting. He’s appeared in 50 games and has 266 career tackles, 27 TFLs, 12 sacks, 8 QB hits, 1 INT, 7 FF, 2 recovered fumbles and 9 passes broken up. Cole does not appear to have the speed and moves to play outside linebacker in the NFL, so he’s likely an inside type. He’s considered a third-fourth round potential, who could contribute immediately on special teams. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

   Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

   Tuesday, December 27, 3:30 pm. CST, ESPN

   Ford Field/Detroit

Purdue (6-6)

#93 DT Kawann Short, Redshirt Junior – 6-2 ½, 310 pounds, 5.2 seconds in the 40-yard dash – Selected first-team All-Big 10 Conference, Short was Purdue’s defensive MVP. He had 53 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and he blocked two kicks and forced a fumble. Overall in 36 games for the Boilermakers, Short has 141 total tackles, 24 TFL, 11 sacks, 2 INTs, 10 passes broken up and 4 blocked kicks. He’ll need a strong February, March and April if he decides to enter the NFL Draft, but he’s a probable choice in the third to fourth round. …Read More!

Chiefs Report – 12/26

From the Truman Sports Complex

Romeo Crennel enjoyed his Christmas Day and then came to work Monday to start the final week of the regular season with a look at the tape from Saturday’s 16-13 overtime loss to the Raiders.

What was on the tape was just as bad as Crennel had remembered.

“As much as I wanted to see something different, I didn’t see anything different,” Crennel said as he met with the media horde. “Every phase contributed in our loss. There were some good things, like we were able to come back and tie the game up and had a chance to win it at the end. All of that showed some character, all of that was good.

“But the fact we didn’t win it, that was bad. We ended up losing a game that cost us dearly. If we had been able to win, we would have been playing for the division championship this week.” …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Independence Bowl

Advocare Independence Bowl

Monday, December 26, 4 p.m. CST, ESPN2

Independence Stadium/Shreveport, Louisiana

North Carolina (7-5)

#90 DE Quinton Coples, Senior – 6-5¾, 285 pounds, 4.76 seconds in the 40-yard dash – Over the last two years, Coples has moved inside to DT and then back outside to DE. He was more productive inside in the 2010 season with 15.5 TFLs and 10 sacks, along with 12 QB hurries. Coples was back at defensive end for the 2011 season. He earned back-to-back All-ACC honors, the first time a North Carolina player was able to do that since Julius Peppers in 2000-01. Coples finished up his career with 49 games, 140 total tackles, 38.5 TFL, 24 sacks, with 5 forced fumbles. Once considered a top five choice, his 2011 season has dropped him into the pick 10 to 15 range of the first round. …Read More!

Chiefs First-Round Pick Depends on Flip

With the end of the regular season, we can now piece together the order of selections for the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Picks No. 1 through 20 are set. The other 12 slots will be filled by the teams in the playoffs.

The Chiefs will either draft at No. 11 or No. 12 and they won’t know that until the NFL Combine at the end of February in Indianapolis. That’s when the league will flip a coin and the No. 11 pick will be decided between the Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.

Both teams finished with 7-9 records and they have the same strength of schedule with a .512 winning percentage. The same thing will happen at picks No. 8 and9 where Carolina and Miami have matching 6-10 records and the same .504 winning percentage on the strength of schedule.

Remember, for draft order the league’s strength of schedule means position goes to the team that had the lower strength of schedule. The idea being that if a team goes say 5-11 like Washington against a .477 winning percentage deserves a higher spot than Jacksonville with the same record but a .500 winning percentage for their opponents.

How much did beating Denver cost the Chiefs in draft position? Had they lost, they would have ended up drafting at No. 10.

Here’s how the first round will go:

Among the 12 teams that are still active, Cleveland has Atlanta’s first-round selection and New England holds New Orleans’ first-rounder due to trades last season.

Saturday’s NFL Best – 12/24

LONG PLAYS

99 – N.Y. Giants WR Victor Cruz TD catch vs. N.Y. Jets (W).

91 – Carolina WR Brandon LaFell TD pass vs. Tampa Bay (W).

91 – Oakland CB Bryan McCann 91-yard kickoff return vs. Chiefs (W).

84 – Cleveland WR Joshua Cribbs punt return for TD vs. Baltimore (L).

80 – Buffalo CB Leodis McKelvin punt return TD vs. Denver (W).

76 – Oakland P Shane Lechler punt vs. Chiefs (W).

65 – New England P Zoltan Mesko punt vs. Miami (W).

64 – Seattle P Jon Ryan punt vs. San Francisco (L).

62 – Oakland S Matt Giordano INT return vs. Chiefs (W).

61 – Oakland WR Denarius Moore TD catch vs. Chiefs (W).

61 – Miami P Brandon Fields punt vs. New England (L). …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Hawaii Bowl

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Saturday, December 24, 7 p.m. CST, ESPN
Aloha Stadium/Honolulu, Hawaii

Southern Mississippi (11-2)

#12 QB Austin Davis, Redshirt-Senior – 6-1, 221 pounds, 4.78 seconds in the 40-yard dash – Originally a walk-on for the Golden Eagles, Davis eventually rewrote the school passing records that belonged to Brett Favre. As a four-year starter he threw for 10,454 yards, 87 TD passes, 27 INTs and a completion percentage of 63 percent. He was a dual threat as well, running for 1,355 yards and 25 touchdowns. Davis is projected as a late-round prospect. …Read More!

Christmas Eve-Eve Appetizers For Chiefs-Raiders

Seldom has a single game been such a crossroads for an NFL organization as the Chiefs and their Christmas Day loss in the playoffs 40 years ago Sunday.

Many members of the 1971 Chiefs have said that team was the best of the great clubs the franchise had over the last part of the 1960s and early 1970s. They were 10-3-1 on that season, finishing up the regular season with three straight victories. It would be the last division title the Chiefs would win until 1993 and the last post-season game until 1986.

The Dolphins had a matching 10-3-1 record as they came to Municipal Stadium for the Saturday afternoon game, with kickoff just after 3 o’clock. Despite the December date, the temperature was 63 degrees with a strong wind out of the southwest, gusting to 20 miles per hour.

It was a remarkable collection of football talent on the field that day, with 11 future Pro Football Hall of Famers on the field, including the two head coaches Hank Stram and Don Shula. Both starting quarterbacks would end up in the Hall, Len Dawson and Bob Griese.

…Read More!

Friday Practice Report – 12/23

It was Friday on the calendar, but for the Chiefs it was a Saturday, the day before a game.

So all head coach Romeo Crennel had for his players on Friday was a walkthrough session and some final meetings in preparation for Saturday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.

Both teams issued their final injury reports and it’s much tougher look for the Raiders than the Chiefs.

Crennel has ruled SS Jon McGraw out because of the high left ankle sprain that he suffered against the Jets two weeks ago. It’s the second consecutive game that McGraw has missed because of the injury.

The only other player on the injury report as C Casey Wiegmann with a calf problem, but he’s listed as probable.

For the Raiders they have five players that have been ruled out of Saturday’s game: RB Darren McFadden, S Michael Huff, WR Jacoby Ford, QB Jason Campbell, WR Jacoby Ford and DT John Henderson.

Questionable for the Raiders are RB Michael Bush (shoulder), RB Taiwan Jones (hamstring) and WR Louis Murphy (groin).

And listed as probable are: DT Tommy Kelly (toe), RB Rock Cartwright (calf), S Matt Giordano (shoulder), CB Bryan McCann (concussion), WR Denarius Moore (foot), CB Stanford Routt (knee), C Samson Satele (shoulder) and WR Chaz Schilens (hip).

4 KEYS TO VICTORY FOR CHIEFS OVER RAIDERS

HISTORY

• This will be the 102nd regular-season meeting between these original members of the American Football League. The Chiefs have won 53 of the previous meetings, holding a 53-47-1 record. The last meeting between the teams came on October 23 when the Chiefs defense pitched a 28-0 shutout of the Raiders in Oakland.
• Although the Chiefs hold the edge in the series with the Raiders, Oakland has had no problems rolling into Arrowhead Stadium and going home with a victory. They’ve done it for four straight seasons, dominating the scores including a 31-10 victory in the final regular season game of the 2010 season. That’s the longest Raiders winning streak in Kansas City.
• The Chiefs hold a 2-1 edge in post-season action against the Raiders. Oakland won in 1968, with the Chiefs coming back in 1969 to beat the Raiders in Oakland in the AFL Championship game. They met again in 1991 with the Chiefs picking off QB Todd Marinovich four times and pulling out a 10-6 victory
• Dating back to 1990, the Chiefs are 31-13 against the Raiders, including a nine-game winning streak at one point. At home, Kansas City has a 14-7 record and in Los Angeles/Oakland, they led the series 17-6.

4

Get after Carson Palmer

In his prime, Carson Palmer was never a very mobile quarterback. The reason he wasn’t sacked more often was the fact he had such a quick release. He’s even slower now than he was during his best seasons in Cincinnati. Since he stepped into the starting lineup, he’s been sacked on average every 16 passing plays. That type of protection has been pretty good for the Raiders. Palmer has already thrown 13 interceptions and that pressure can force more bad decisions and throws, possibly more interceptions. The KC pass rush has produced 14 sacks in the last three games. They have to keep that type of rush active; they are getting a sack every 6.7 pass plays. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Las Vegas Bowl

Maaco Las Vegas Bowl.

Thursday, December 22, 7 p.m. CST, ESPN.

Sam Boyd Stadium/Las Vegas, Nevada

Boise State (11-1)

#11 QB Kellen Moore, Redshirt-Senior – 5-11 ¾, 195 pounds, 4.98 seconds in the 40-yard dash – No other starting quarterback in college football won as many games as Moore during his four years with the Broncos. He led them to a 49-3 record in his 52 starts, throwing for 14,390 yards, completing 69.6 percent of his passes, with 140 TDs and only 28 interceptions. His 41 TD passes this season included the 100th of his career in Boise’s season opener. Most scouts see Moore as a late-round draft choice because of his size and a less than powerful arm. But in light of the success of Tim Tebow, more than a few teams will re-evaluate because it’s tough to find quarterbacks with a winning pedigree to the extent that Moore has earned during his time with the Broncos. Figure him to go in the fourth or fifth round, as long as he puts together strong post-season performances in the Senior Bowl and at the Combine. …Read More!

2011 Bowl Season – Poinsettia Bowl

Poinsettia Bowl

Wednesday, December 21, 7 p.m. CST, ESPN

Qualcomm Stadium/San Diego, California

Texas Christian (10-2)

#43 OLB Tank Carder, Redshirt-Senior – 6-2¼, 237 pounds, 4.67 seconds in the 40-yard dash – He was named the MVP of the 2011 Rose Bowl in TCU’s victory over Wisconsin. Carder followed that up by winning the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In 12 games, he’s had 66 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions that he returned for touchdowns. Over his career with the Horned Frogs, he’s played in 49 games, with 225 total tackles, 25 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 18 passes broken up and 2 forced fumbles. He’s a fourth to fifth-round prospect and will probably make any team due to his special teams coverage. …Read More!

Chiefs Monday Update – 12/19

From the Truman Sports Complex

Almost 24 hours after the Chiefs pulled the biggest upset of the NFL season, Romeo Crennel was still smiling.

“We should all feel pretty good today,” Crennel told a grumpy media horde. “I know I do.”

Why shouldn’t he be? In his first game as head coach of the Chiefs, they knocked off the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten team in the Green Bay Packers and they breathed new life into slim chances to make the playoffs.

“All the credit really goes to the players,” Crennel said. “With this game the way we did, we did a very good job.”

That Gatorade shower he received from his players at the end of the 19-14 victory was the first time Crennel had the bucket poured on his head.

“It’s a little sticky, but it was good,” said the smiling Crennel. …Read More!

NFL Sunday Best – 12/18

LONGEST PLAYS

80 – Indianapolis RB Donald Brown TD run vs. Tennessee (W).

76 – Miami RB Reggie Bush run for TD vs. Buffalo (W).

76 – Cleveland WR Greg Little TD catch vs. Arizona (L).

73 – Philadelphia TE Brent Celek catch vs. N.Y. Jets (W).

71 – Green Bay P Tim Masthay punt vs. Chiefs (L).

65 – Miami WR Brandon Marshall TD catch vs. Buffalo (W).

62 – Buffalo P Brian Moorman punt vs. Miami (L).

60 – Indianapolis P Pat McAfee punt vs. Tennessee (W).

60 – Denver P Britton Colquitt punt vs. New England (L). …Read More!

Some Cheese Curds & Other Appetizers

It’s the No. 1 question heading into Sunday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium. It has nothing to do with new head coach Romeo Crennel, or new starting quarterback Kyle Orton.

The question is this: will there be more Cheeseheads in the Arrowhead crowd than Chiefs fans come time for kickoff?

My prediction – yes, there will be more fans wearing green and gold than wearing red and gold. It’s just a fact of Packers life.

No team has the fans that travel like the Packers. The Steelers are close, sometimes the Cowboys when they are really playing well. But no group can take over a stadium the way Packers fans can. And, they aren’t necessarily all traveling from the land of beer and cheese.

The Packers are a national brand, and they have fans everywhere. In fact, I’d be willing to wager that the majority of the Green Bay fans in the house on Sunday will have driven 200 miles or less to get to the Truman Sports Complex. …Read More!

A Few Extras From Arrowhead

Lost amidst the firing of Todd Haley and elevation of Romeo Crennel to head coach was another hiring announced last week by the Chiefs.

Me thinks GM Scott Pioli needs to pay extra attention to this one.

Bill Chapin was named Senior Vice-President of Business Operations. In that role, the Chiefs say he will have responsibility for marketing, advertising, strategy, research, business development, special events and a host of other things.

Coming to the Chiefs from the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders team in Major League Soccer, the California native has some pretty radical ideas on communicating with the fans.

For instance, in 2009 Seahawks organization led by owner Paul Allen (Microsoft fame) created the Sounders and with it they created a program that was advertised as a whole new way to empower fans. It was called “Democracy in Sports.” The program gives season ticket holders and team supporters the ability to effect change within the organization. …Read More!

4 KEYS TO A VICTORY OVER GREEN BAY

HISTORY

• This is the 10th regular season meeting between these teams.
• The Chiefs have won six of the previous nine regular season games with one tie. The last time these teams met was in 2007 when QB Brett Favre led a second-half comeback and beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium 33-22. Favre threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns in that game.
• At Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs own a 3-2 record against the Packers, picking up victories in 1977, 1993 and 1996, while losing in 1987 and 2007.
• The Chiefs and Packers met in the first AFL-NFL Championship Game, now known as the Super Bowl. Green Bay walked away with a 35-10 victory over the representative from the upstart American Football League. The teams met on January 15, 1967 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in a game that was not sold out.
• One of the Chiefs most recent memorable victories against the Packers came at Lambeau Field in October 2003. They won 40-34 in overtime, on an extra period touchdown pass from QB Trent Green to WR Eddie Kennison.
• The Chiefs and Packers have met in quite a few different stadiums over the years, ranging from Lambeau Field and Arrowhead Stadium, to Milwaukee County Stadium, the Los Angeles Coliseum and in preseason games at the Tokyo Dome (1998) and Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio at the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2007).

4

Make something happen in kicking game

Like all aspects of the Packers, their work on special teams has been very good this year. Rookie Randall Cobb ahs returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. Their kicker Mason Crosby is strong and punter Tim Masthay is serviceable. One spot where they’ve dropped the ball is dropping the ball, as Cobb has lost three fumbles this season. That might be a spot where the Chiefs can turn the tide … knocking the ball out of Cobb’s hands and take it in for a touchdown. To win, the Chiefs need plays like that. …Read More!

Déjà vu All Over Again

How about this for the coincidence of the week for the Chiefs:

Only twice in the history of the franchise has the head coach been fired while the season still had games remaining to be played. The first happened in 1977 when Paul Wiggin was fired with a 1-6 record. The second time was this week, when Todd Haley was fired with a 5-8 record.

Both Wiggin and Haley were replaced by their defensive coordinators – Tom Bettis in 1977 and Romeo Crennel in 2011.

And both of the new coaches had their first game at Arrowhead Stadium against the Green Bay Packers.

That’s the team headed for Arrowhead Stadium to face the Chiefs this Sunday. The Packers were also the visitors on November 6, 1977 when Bettis took over the full team. …Read More!

What Romeo Had to Say

Romeo Crennel spoke to the media on Tuesday for the first time since he was named head coach of the Chiefs, replacing the fired Todd Haley.

And head coach is what his title is – at no point did team chairman Clark Hunt and GM Scott Pioli use the term “interim” when they announced the promotion of their defensive coordinator on Monday. Pioli said that Crennel will definitely be considered for the head coaching job in 2012.

A four-year stint as head coach of the Cleveland Browns did not end well when he was fired after the 2008 season, finishing with a 24-40 record. Crennel wants another chance.

“I would like to be a head coach again to show that I can do it, I know how to get it done and I think the experience from the first time will make me better the next time around,” Crennel said. “Otherwise I don’t know if I would have taken the position to try and finish out this season if I didn’t want to be a head coach again.” …Read More!

The Reason Haley Fired – Lack of Consistency

From the Truman Sports Complex

Throughout their 20-minute meeting with the Kansas City media, team chairman Clark Hunt and GM Scott Pioli said there wasn’t one particular thing that led to the firing of head coach Todd Haley.

But the more they talked about the situation, the more apparent it became that there was a straw that broke the camel’s back as far as Haley’s future was concerned. It was losing 37-10 to the New York Jets in what was an embarrassing performance that saw the Chiefs offense gain just four yards in the first half. Then in the second half a frustrated Haley lost his cool and got slapped with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

“Clark and I talked last night and then we officially decided this morning,” said Pioli. “Clark and I visited with Todd this (Monday) morning and let him know what our decision was.

“I don’t think there’s a final straw in every decision. It’s never one thing; it’s an accumulation of information and thoughts and we finally got down to where things were and this was the best way to create more consistency for us.”

Said Hunt: “We felt the inconsistent play that the team had experienced through the season including during yesterday’s game made today the right day to do it. We want to give the guys a chance to finish the season on a high note. Mathematically we are still alive in the playoffs and we wanted the guys to go out and face the Green Bay Packers and play to the best of their ability and felt that change was important at this time.” …Read More!

Hunt/Pioli Gift Haley With His Firing

For Todd Haley, it was the best thing that could have happened.

To be able to get out of the mess that is the Kansas City Chiefs right now is a good thing. In the big picture it’s the best thing that Haley and those that care about him could have hoped for at this point.

Nobody likes to be fired. Believe me. I did not know until about three years ago how hard it is to deal with all the emotions bubbling inside you when somebody says we don’t want you anymore.

But in this case, it’s better for Haley to be away from the toxic atmosphere that has become the Kansas City Chiefs. It won’t be his problem anymore, and while that will take some getting used to for a guy who spent 20 hours a day on Chiefs football, he will ultimately learn that stepping away from the situation will be cleansing and more than likely fruitful.

Now, the problem is in the hands of Clark Hunt and Scott Pioli, and believe me they have a problem, make that problems in the very plural sense. Probably their biggest problem is credibility – they do not have any. Not an ounce. Despite the fact they seem to think they are entitled to the benefit of a doubt on their decisions, they are not, and this current mess is just one of the reasons why. …Read More!

Chiefs Fire Haley

For the eighth time in franchise history the Kansas City Chiefs have fired their head coach.

This time it was Todd Haley, fired on Monday morning after 46 games on the job. Since taking over in February 2009, Haley directed the Chiefs to a 19-27 record, including Sunday’s 37-10 pasting by the New York Jets.

Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has been named interim head coach to serve out the final three games of the season.

“This was a difficult decision but one that we feel is best for the future of the Chiefs,” team chairman Clark Hunt said in statement released by the team. “Although there have been bright spots at different points this season, we have not made meaningful progress and we felt that it was necessary to make a change. We appreciate Todd’s contributions during his time with the club, and we wish him well in the future.”

GM Scott Pioli had something to say as well.

“Todd helped this team in many valuable ways over the past three seasons, and I am thankful for his contributions,” Pioli said. “Unfortunately, we have not been able to establish the kind of consistency we need to continue to build a strong foundation for the future and we believe a change is important at this time.”

Hunt and Pioli will supposedly meet the media sometime Monday afternoon. We’ve just stepped off the plane from New York, so bear with us as we catch up to the decision making and what really went down.

Appetizers From the Swamps of Jersey

From Lyndhurst, New Jersey

Any NFL road trip to play the Giants or Jets does not mean going to New York. Earlier Saturday, I landed at Newark’s Liberty International Airport, and I’m staying on the west side of the Hudson River.

That would be the New Jersey, one of the most misunderstood states in our 50. If your exposure to Jersey has been flying into Newark or New York and seeing the horizon filled with belching smoke stacks and the landscape of heavy industry, then you’ve missed a lot of the state.

There are parts of New Jersey that are just beautiful, whether it’s the Cap May area at the southern tip, up through the shore resorts like and then there’s the northwest corner, where there’s no smokestack to see for hundreds of miles.

Newark, Camden and Trenton are not garden spots. But Cape May, Princeton and the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area are garden spots in the Garden State.

Thomas Jones And Jets Trade Hugs & Kisses

It’s one of those great to see you weeks for Chiefs RB Thomas Jones and the New York Jets and both sides are saying all sorts of nice things about the other.

After the most productive season of Jones’ long NFL carrier in 2009, the Jets released him. That’s when he signed with the Chiefs.

“I’ve been traded twice and released; I’ve been through pretty much every situation you can think of as far as being a NFL player or professional athlete,” Jones told the New York media this week in a conference call. “I can say when I’m done playing football that I’ve had a lot of experiences that have helped me grow, and not only as a football player but as a person. …Read More!

Ranking The Players After 12 Games

With 75 percent of the season past, it seemed time to update our player rankings for the 2011 season.

Since the last time we published ratings at mid-season, some players have gone up the ladder (CB Javier Arenas, RB Dexter McCluster, OLB Justin Houston) while others have dropped (WR Dwayne Bowe, RB Jackie Battle, DE Glenn Dorsey and LG Ryan Lilja.)

Here’s what we say about where the roster shakes out.

1. ILB Derrick Johnson (1) – He remains the most consistent and productive player on the team and he’s starting to draw attention around the league for his relentless play from inside the Chiefs 3-4 defense. The fact he never comes off the field makes him unusual among many of the inside backers in the league.

2. OLB Tamba Hali (2)

3. K Ryan Succop (left) (9) – After a poor start to his season, he’s become one of the most consistent kickers in the league. He now has 15 FGs in a row, one of the longest streaks currently active in the league.

4. QB Matt Cassel (3)

5. P Dustin Colquitt (6)

6. CB Brandon Flowers (5)

7. CB Javier Arenas (16) – He’s made one of the biggest jumps on the roster over the last four weeks. He’s really stood up in his role as the team’s nickel back and taken on some tough assignments and made them work. Arenas still needs to get into the end zone with a punt or kickoff return. …Read More!

4 Keys To Victory Against The Jets

HISTORY

• This will be the 36th game between these original American Football League franchises. The series is tied at 17 victories for each team, with one tie.
• The last time the teams met was October 29, 2008, when QB Brett Favre led the Jets to a come-from-behind 28-24 victory over the Chiefs at Giants Stadium.
• The Chiefs and Jets have met twice in the playoffs, each team winning once. The Chiefs grabbed a 13-6 victory at Shea Stadium on the AFL playoffs in December 1969. This was the season after the Jets victory in Super Bowl III. The Chiefs win helped them reach Super Bowl IV where they beat Minnesota. The other post-season meeting was in 1986, where the Jets won 35-15 at the Meadowlands. That was the Chiefs first game in the playoffs in 15 years.
• This will be the fourth different stadium where the Chiefs have played the Jets. They met four times at the Polo Grounds, where the Jets won three of four games. At Shea Stadium, the Chiefs held a 5-2 advantage in seven games there and at Giants Stadium the Jets won five of eight games, with one tie.
• New Jersey has never been very kind to the Chiefs, whether they were playing the Jets or Giants. Overall they are 2-12-1 in the Garden State, going 2-5-1 against Gang Green and 0-7 vs. the Big Blue. Their only victories came in 1992 (23-7) and 2002 (29-25). The teams tied in 1988 (17-17).
• The Chiefs visit to MetLife Stadium leaves just one current NFL stadium they have not yet visited – the Dallas Cowboys Dome in Arlington, Texas. Under NFL scheduling plans, the earliest the Chiefs would see the Jerry Dome would be in 2013 when they face the NFC East.
• It has been since the 2004 season since the Chiefs have been able to win back-to-back games on the road in December. With a victory last Sunday in Chicago, the Chiefs have that chance this Sunday with their trip to the Meadowlands. In ’04, they won at Oakland (34-27) and then the following week at Tennessee (49-38).

4

Take Plaxico or Santonio out of the offense

When he’s looking to make a big play, there’s no question where QB Mark Sanchez is going to throw the ball – he’s looking for WRs Plaxico Burress or Santonio Holmes. Combined they have 78 catches and 13 touchdowns and other than TE Dustin Keller, they dominate Sanchez’s view of each play. Over the last three games the K.C. defense has done a great job of blanketing the big play makers of New England, Pittsburgh and Chicago. They need to continue that against the Jets. …Read More!

A Potpourri of Once Chiefly Matters

In the past week, there’s been a lot of news and notes involving those who have departed Arrowhead Stadium, so we will attempt to catch up with some of those items.

Let’s start in Motown.

GUNTHER CALLS OUT JARED ALLEN

The Vikings and Lions play this Sunday and earlier in the week, DE Jared Allen appeared on a Minneapolis radio station where he pretty much verbally destroyed the city of Detroit.

“I don’t like going to Detroit,” Allen said. “I’ll be honest, it’s gloomy, it sucks. Everything is brown and then there is snow on the ground. There’s like Brownstones everywhere and I’m like, ‘Awesome.’ I couldn’t do it. If I had to live in Detroit, I think I’d just drown myself in the river that was across the way.

“I’m not trying to be mean, but it’s just depressing when I go there. There’s two cities like I don’t go out to eat or don’t do anything. It’s Detroit and New Orleans. New Orleans looks like I’m driving through a third-world country every time I get off the plane, I’m like, ‘Oh, flak jacket.’ I’m trying to get down. I’m like, ‘Ah, crap, I can’t carry my gun here. This sucks’.”

Tact was never one of Jared’s qualities and we all know is not averse to saying something to cause a reaction. More than likely he was kidding around, but Gunther Cunningham didn’t see it that way. Gun snapped back at his former DE on Friday.

“He’s not good enough to live here,” Gunther said. “I know him well. He should go back to California, Los Gatos, where all those nice people live. This is too tough a town for him. …Read More!

Chiefs Dirty Laundry Piling Up

For an organization that prides itself on operating behind closed doors and allowing very little of the franchise’s internal operations to leak past the locked and guarded gates to their facility, an awful lot of Chiefs dirty laundry still finds its way to the public.

Just this week we had two very different, but very telling stories come from the “new Chiefs” and the way they go about doing their business:

• Former long-time employee Brenda Sniezek filed an age discrimination lawsuit against the organization. Filed late last week, the suit includes a statement attributed to GM Scott Pioli about what the new regime planned to do – “We’re going to get rid of everyone who was with Carl Peterson, especially anyone over the age of 40.”
• According to radio station KCSP-AM 610 Sports, an employee of the team called one of their talk show hosts to share the information that in Chicago last Saturday night, head coach Todd Haley cancelled the team meeting so he could go out to dinner with friends. Again, the report was supposedly based on information volunteered by a member of the Chiefs organization.

Let’s start on the legal side of things. Sniezek was a 29-year employee of the Chiefs and was well known around Kansas City because of her position as the team’s Director of Community Relations. That department was frequently honored not only locally, but nationally around the NFL for their efforts of connecting the team and players to the Kansas City community. It was Sniezek who spearheaded the efforts that helped both Will Shields and Brian Waters earn designation as the NFL’s Man of the Year/Walter Payton Award winners. She and a very hard working staff helped players connect all over the Midwest with various charities and causes. …Read More!

Sunday’s Best – 12/4

LONGEST PLAY

77 – Miami WR Edmond Gates kickoff return vs. Oakland (W).

69 – Dallas Felix Jones kickoff return vs. Arizona (L).

68 – Baltimore CB Ladarius Webb punt return for TD vs. Cleveland (W).

67 – Baltimore RB Ray Rice run vs. Cleveland (W).

67 – New Orleans WR Robert Meachem TD catch vs. Detroit (W).

67 – N.Y. Giants TE Travis Beckum touchdown catch vs. Green Bay (L).

66 – Miami P Brandon Fields punt vs. Oakland (W).

66 – Houston P Brett Hartmann punt vs. Atlanta (W).

63 – Denver WR Quan Cosby kickoff return vs. Minnesota (W).

62 – Buffalo P Brian Moorman punt vs. Tennessee (L). …Read More!

RIP BIG CHESTER

In the clip above, there’s the late Chester McGlockton picking up a fumble caused by Derrick Thomas in the first quarter of a Week No. 5 game against the Patriots from the ’99 season.

To some of you the image is precious because of the involuntary comedy displayed in the clumsy way in which McGlockton tried to lateral the ball to Cris Dishman after scooping up the football. But to me, the sight of him sending Drew Bledsoe to DT’s grasp, hurrying up to recover the pigskin, and then trying to make something happen once he got the ball on his hands, all in one sequence, was simply invaluable. Certainly, because that display of hustle always served me as irrefutable proof, to argue that McGlockton’s performance was one of the pleasant and brighter points that the ’99 season brought along for the Chiefs — only my favorite campaign ever, and most definitely, McGlockton’s finest hour with the Red and Gold. Too bad it was a brief one.

Godspeed, Chester. May you rest in peace.

Numbers – Chiefs vs. Steelers

New number this week: points off turnovers.

The Steelers got 10 of them against the Chiefs Sunday night, and even if the Steelers hadn’t an additional field goal that would have been enough to win.

Coach Todd Haley praised the Chiefs defense for playing its “backside” off and keeping them in the game. And it did accomplish the absolute most important thing a defense must do – it limited the Steelers to 13 points. In the NFL, that needs to be good enough. Out of 180 games played so far this season, only five have been won by a team scoring 13 or fewer points.

Thanks to turnovers (more about that later), the Steelers not only outgained the Chiefs rushing (108-90) and passing (193-167), they obliterated the Chiefs in field position. The Steelers average field position was their 37. More damning is that on two of the scoring drives the Steelers started on the Chiefs 7 and 24-yard lines. In three scoring drives the average starting position was the Chiefs 37.

Compare that with the Chiefs average field position of their 21 and average field position of their own scoring drives was their 19. …Read More!

Epics & Fails – Pittsburgh Edition

In this week’s edition we’ll cover, among other subjects, the only blemish on what otherwise was an outstanding performance turned in by the Chiefs defense; the sole member of the Chiefs who should not be considered a yo-yo; the gaffes by Anthony Becht and the recently released Jared Gaither; and of course, who gets the most blame for the INT that effectively ended Sunday’s game.

But we’ll start with a little reference to the record books. Enjoy.

**********

EPIC: AMON GORDON’S SACK

Would you believe that Amon Gordon‘s first-quarter takedown of Ben Roethlisberger made him the first interior defensive linemen for the Chiefs to register back-to-back games with sacks since Ron Edwards did the trick in Weeks 5 and 6 of the 2007 season? (And yes, I looked that up.) We may not have a definitive answer at NT, but at least we have an arrow pointing up.

********** …Read More!

Gaither Released

Did a false start penalty cost Jared Gaither his spot on the Chiefs roster?

Doubtful, but that’s an easy conclusion after the Chiefs released Gaither on Monday in a move that they’ve not announced publicly, but has passed through on the NFL wire.

In the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Steelers, Gaither came into the offensive huddle to replace left tackle Branden Albert who was injured. At the line of scrimmage, Gaither jumped before the snap and was flagged for a false start. With 38 seconds to play, a 1st-and-10 play at the Chiefs 32-yard line became 1st-and-15 at the 37-yard line.

Albert came back into the game and Gaither ran off and that was his last play in a Chiefs uniform.

Signed in August after training camp had already started, Gaither saw the field almost exclusively on the PAT and FG teams. He stepped in for a play or two for both Albert and RT Barry Richardson, and for several games was the team’s third tight end in short yardage and goal line situations.

No word yet on a replacement for Gaither on the active roster, but the Chiefs have three offensive linemen on their practice squad – C/G Darryl Harris, G/T Lucas Patterson and OT David Mims.

Sunday’s Best – 11/27

LONGEST PLAYS

104 – Minnesota WR Percy Harvin kick return vs. Atlanta (L).

88 – St. Louis WR Nick Miller punt return for TD vs. Arizona (L).

84 – Tennessee CB Tommie Campbell punt return for TD vs. Tampa Bay (W).

81 – Chicago WR Johnny Knox catch vs. Oakland (L).

80 – Arizona CB Patrick Peterson (pictured above) punt return for TD vs. St. Louis (W).

80 – Oakland P Shane Lechler punt vs. Chicago (W).

73 – Oakland LB Kamerion Wimbley interception return vs. Chicago (W).

71 – Arizona RB Beanie Wells run vs. St. Louis (W).

67 – Seattle P Jon Ryan punt vs. Washington (W).

63 – New England WR Deion Branch catch vs. Philadelphia (W). …Read More!

A Round of Shot & A Beer Appetizers

If Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert decides late one fall morning that he wants to do a little scouting, he doesn’t have to leave the building where his second-floor office is located in Pittsburgh’s Southside.

Colbert can just walk downstairs to the cafeteria and meet up with any number of college players from the University of Pittsburgh. Such is an advantage that no other NFL team has, because the Steelers and the Pitt football team share a building at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.

Built on the south bank of the Monongahela River on a site that was once a steel mill, this complex features all the bells and whistles an NFL team needs, plus there’s a college team training right next door. Both teams have access to all sorts of medical professionals and testing right in the complex. Should a player need an MRI, he doesn’t even have to leave the complex.

“The left side of the building was there side and the right side of the building was ours; it was like a two-apartment complex,” said Chiefs WR Jonathan Baldwin, who spent three years in the Pitt program practicing on site. “It was unique. We would go out for practice and they would still be out there for their practice and we could watch them and see how the NFL practices.

“Just getting advice from those guys, being able to sit down and have lunch with a Hines Ward. The cafeteria was the only thing we shared in the building, so that’s where you were able to talk to Hines Ward, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and guys like that. …Read More!

4 Keys For A Chiefs Victory vs. Steelers

HISTORY

• This will be the 28th meeting between these AFC teams since they first met with the merger of the AFL and NFL in 1970. The Steelers hold a 17-10 edge in the series, but the Chiefs won the last meeting between the teams in 2009, with a 27-24 overtime victory at Arrowhead Stadium.
• The Chiefs have had trouble beating the Steelers in Kansas City, where Pittsburgh is 9-7 overall and 9-6 in games played at Arrowhead Stadium since it opened in 1972. The home team has won the last two games, however, by 21 points in 2003 and then three points six years later.
• The Chiefs and Steelers have met once in the AFC playoffs, and that came after the 1993 season when the Chiefs grabbed a 27-24 victory in overtime thanks to the passing of QB Joe Montana. The Chiefs tied that game late in the fourth quarter on a scoring pass from Montana to WR Tim Barnett, and then won in the extra period on a Nick Lowery FG.
• When the Chiefs play the Steelers it’s almost always in Kansas City. Only once in the last 10 games between the teams has Kansas City traveled to Heinz Field, or before that Three Rivers Stadium. That was in 2006 when they were drubbed 45-7 in a game that’s memorable only for RB Larry Johnson tackling Pittsburgh S Troy Polamalu after an interception by grabbing the hair sticking out the back of his helmet.

4

Limit Pittsburgh’s big plays on offense

The Steelers have become very much a passing offense, although now that the weather is getting colder and weather in the northeast, they may start have QB Ben Roethlisberger handing off more often. But Big Ben and his offensive coordinator Big Bruce Arians love the big passing play. They have a 95-yard Roethlisberger to WR Mike Wallace touchdown pass, one of six scores for Wallace this season. On the ground, they find big yardage as well, as Rashard Mendenall has a 68-yard run and Jonathan Dwyer has a 76-yard run. The Chiefs defense has not allowed any breakout runs this year; the longest has been 35 yards. But they have given up some long pass plays, 67 and 56 and 52-yard TD plays in the last two games. …Read More!

Cassel Deals With Disappointment

From the Truman Sports Complex

Wearing a brace on his right hand and wrist, Matt Cassel was in the locker room before Friday evening’s practice and he will get back into the day-to-day routine of the quarterback position even though he’s done for the season.

“Disappointed that I couldn’t continue on with the team,” was how Cassel described his thoughts when told his season was over and he was headed to the injured-reserve list.

Cassel still says he’s not sure when the injury occurred back on November 13th late in the game against Denver.

“To be completely honest, I don’t know when it happened,” Cassel said. “I knew something had happened on that third down play and you probably saw me grab it coming off. From there it was getting off the field, getting an x-ray and seeing what the problem was.”

“You try to get a role somehow, some way, help continue to contribute to the team, and help contribute to Tyler (Palko) and those guys,” Cassel said.

And what is his prognosis for recovery and when he’ll be able to throw the ball again? “It’s one of those day-to-day, week-to-week kinds of things,” Cassel said.

Epics & Fails – New England Edition

Best wishes to all of you at the start of the ’11 Holiday Season.

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EPIC: JAKE O’CONNELL’S CAREER DAY

Yes, Tyler Palko did more than alright in his first career start. But what about Jake, the third-year tight end who had his career-best game with three catches (two for first downs). It was not overlooked on Monday Night by yours truly … if only because I need some semblance of positive material to fill out this space.

Just kidding — as you’re about to see, the game against the Pats brought along plenty of positives … if you’re an optimist, and I’m a Chiefs fan, so you have to be optimistic, even when it’s hard.

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…Read More!

Personnel File – Pittsburgh Steelers

Personnel leader – General manager Kevin Colbert just received that title in 2011 after operating for 11 years as the de facto general manager but with the title director of football operations. Colbert works closely with head coach Mike Tomlin, who has a say in what happens with the roster. Colbert has been with the Steelers for 12 seasons now and has been in an NFL personnel position since 1985; that’s 27 years of scouting and personnel experience. Tomlin is in his fifth season as head coach and he’s been in the NFL coaching for the last 12 seasons.

Key aides – College scouting coordinator Ron Hughes (26 years NFL experience), Pro Scouting Coordinator Brandon Hunt (5 years).

Personnel department – One of the smallest departments in the league in number of people, with 11 scouts including the top three leaders. That group of scouts includes Bill Nunn, a veteran of 44 years in scouting for the Steelers, Hall of Fame DT Joe Greene and Dan Rooney Jr., the second son of current Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney. The coaching staff is used a great deal in the evaluation process, particularly coordinators Bruce Arians (offense) and Dick LeBeau (defense).

Personnel philosophy – Draft, draft, draft, and then some more draft. …Read More!

The Numbers – Chiefs vs. Patriots

This isn’t going to be sexy, but one thing has become clear about the 2011 version of the Chiefs: they don’t have good enough offensive and defensive linemen.

Told you it wouldn’t be sexy because no one wants to hear about linemen. But the team’s inability to run efficiently, protect the passer, stop the run and rush the passer begins and ends with the lines. And this problem lies clearly at the feet of general manager Scott Pioli, the personnel guru running the show.

Whether it is an inability to accurately evaluate players or a reluctance to pay for them in free agency, he has populated the Chiefs lines with guys who aren’t physical enough to hold their own in the NFL.

And while there may be a point that the Chiefs offensive line might be better if Jamaal Charles were healthy and running behind it, don’t forget the final game against the Raiders in 2010 and the loss to the Ravens in the playoffs when both lines were dominated in disappointing losses.

Here are the numbers that illustrate that: …Read More!

Practice Report – 11/23

From the Truman Sports Complex

Starting LG Ryan Lilja has been declared out of Sunday night’s game against Pittsburgh because of the head injury he suffered Monday night in New England.

Although the Chiefs have not called the injury a concussion, the fact he’s been declared out so far in advance of the game is an indication that he’s having trouble passing the necessary tests that would allow him to return to the field.

More than likely, his spot in the starting lineup will be taken by rookie Rodney Hudson. In New England, Hudson played the entire fourth quarter in place of Lilja and drew good marks from head coach Todd Haley.

Also on the injury/practice report were DE Glenn Dorsey (knee), S Jon McGraw (neck/shoulder) and LB Demorrio Williams (groin). All were said to have been full participants in practice.

For the Steelers they listed three players as limited in Wednesday’s practice: QB Ben Roethlisberger (thumb), WR Arnaz Battle (hamstring) and LB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring).

Will & Willie Advance In Hall of Fame Vote

It’s setting up for what may be a wonderful early February for Chiefs fans of Will and Willie.

Will Shields and Willie Roaf are two of the 26 semi-finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2012. The folks in Canton announced that news on Tuesday. The teammates survived the first voting cut from over 100 initial nominations.

Next is a vote to slice that group of 26 to the 15 finalists that will be discussed and voted on Saturday, February 4, the day before the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

Sadly, eliminated in this year’s vote from initial nominees were former Chiefs head coaches Marty Schottenheimer and Dick Vermeil, along with CB Albert Lewis.

Shields is eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time and appears to have a good chance to earning induction. Roaf was eligible for the first time last year and was highly considered and should be inducted soon.

Again, these 26 will be sliced to 15 and that group will be announced in early January. Here are the semi-finalists: …Read More!

Chiefs Update – 11/22

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs arrived back in Kansas City around 4:30 Tuesday morning from New England and their 34-3 loss to the Patriots.

Todd Haley gave the players Tuesday off and they’ll report later on Wednesday as they get ready for the start of preparation week for Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium.

The coaching staff was hard at work dicing up the tape of the Monday night drubbing and starting game plan structure for the Steelers. Haley did speak with the media Tuesday afternoon and touched on several different subjects:

OFFENSIVE COACHING – Not only did coordinator Bill Muir move from the coaching box to the sideline for Monday night’s game, but Haley took over the duties of giving QB Tyler Palko the play calls over the coach-QB communication system. “I felt strongly that where we are r ight now, we have to do whatever possible to get better,” said Haley. “I thought having Bill on the field, he talks to the offense all week long. I just wanted to get a little closer connection within the game. …Read More!

4 KEYS TO VICTORY FOR CHIEFS VS. PATRIOTS

HISTORY

• This is the 32nd meeting between these original American Football League franchises. The Chiefs hold a 16-12-3 edge in the series, but the Patriots have won four of the last five games.
• The last time they played, New England grabbed a 17-10 opening day victory in 2008 in Foxboro. That was the game where Chiefs S Bernard Pollard hit QB Tom Brady in the left knee, ending his season.
• The last Kansas City winning effort came at Arrowhead Stadium in 2005 when the Chiefs won 26-16.
• The Chiefs have won only six of 17 games in New England since these franchises began play in 1960. The last time they won on the Patriots home field was December 2, 1990, when they took a 37-7 victory at the now gone Foxboro Stadium.
• There have been only two visits to Gillette Stadium by the Chiefs since that venue opened in 2002. They lost the most recent meeting between the teams in 2008 (17-10) and New England won the first game between the teams in the new stadium in September of 2002, 41-38 in overtime.
• The Chiefs have faced the Patriots on five different fields in the Boston area over the previous 51 seasons and at only one location did they have a winning record: Boston College’s Alumni Stadium, where they won in 1969 in the only game played between the teams there. Otherwise they were 1-2 at Boston University Field, 2-1-2 at Fenway Park, 2-4 at Foxboro Stadium and now 0-2 at Gillette Stadium.

4

Tackle the first time

When an offense is averaging 432 yards per game, and leading the league in passing yardage per game with 326 yards, it’s doubtful a struggling defense like the Chiefs is going to be able to shut the Patriots down. Rather, they need to limit their production and one of the surest ways to do that is to remove from the equation yards after the catch and yards after contact when the ball carrier is running with the ball. It’s not a surprise that WR Wes Welker leads the league with 1,006 receiving yards and also leads in YAC with 486 yards. New England gets 47 percent of its passing yardage from after the catch. Tackling is huge for the Chiefs defense this week.

3

Bend all day; don’t break

A defense can’t get involved in thinking they are going to limit the yardage racked up by Tom Brady and the New England offense. It’s much like it used to be for NBA teams trying to handle Michael Jordan – he’s going to get his 25 to 30 points, but the key is to make sure he doesn’t go crazy and throw in 40 to 50 points. If Brady throws for 300 yards, and Welker totals some 100 yards receiving, it’s a normal day at the office for the Patriots offense. What the Chiefs defense must do is turn TDs into field goals. Stephen Gostkowski is a good kicker, but he’s not a machine – he’s missed this year from 27 yards. Pats have 29 offensive TDs and that ranks third in the league. Romeo Crennel’s defense needs to keep Gostkowski busy with FGs not PATs.

2

Play extra smart

The Patriots are not the well-oiled machine they were in the mid 2000s with Super Bowl veterans on both sides of the ball. There are only six veterans left contributing from the team that won Super Bowl 39 – LT Matt Light, LG Logan Mankins, WR Deion Branch, QB Tom Brady, RB Kevin Faulk and NT Vince Wilfork. But a Bill Belichick team normally plays pretty smart football, and to beat them, an opponent has to play just as smart or even smarter. That’s especially a team that’s talent level is very shallow and has been hurt by injury like the Chiefs. Penalties must be kept at a minimum and can’t come at key times. The turnover ratio must be even or in the Chiefs favor. Mental mistakes … well, there just can’t be many errors in assignments. The Patriots need no help.

1

Protect Palko

A quarterback making his first NFL start is not likely to win a game for his team. He’s more likely to lose it. Palko’s evening is going to be a very important key to the outcome of the game and his teammates must give him every opportunity for success. That starts upfront with pass protection – it simply must be improved over what’s happened over the last two games when Matt Cassel was sacked nine times and beaten into a hand injury. Figure the Chiefs will use Palko’s fresh legs and move him around a little bit with some bootlegs and moving pockets. But his effectiveness will depend on having time to make the correct decisions. New England’s Andre Carter and Mark Anderson have nine and five of the Patriots 20 sacks. They are the rushers that must be handled.

Waters Speaks On Chiefs

For the first time, Brian Waters will line up opposite the team where he made his mark in the NFL, as the Chiefs visit his New England Patriots on Monday night.

Waters spent 11 years working against guys in red during practice, but this weekend is another chapter in the Waters’ journey. He’s traveled from undrafted rookie signed by Dallas as a tight end, to the Chiefs who made him a guard and he went on to achieve Pro Bowl status. Then, this summer he was released by the Chiefs and eventually signed with the Patriots.

Now, the Chiefs and Patriots face each other.

“It’s not one of those things where there is anger,” Waters told the New England media on Friday. “I have great respect for those guys. I love a lot of those guys personally. But I’m a Patriot now, and I’m here to try to win football games and be a productive part of this football team. That’s something I take pride in. I always try to take pride in the job I do, and this week is no different.”

…Read More!

Cassel Done For Season; Chiefs Promote Horne

From Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Matt Cassel’s 2011 season is over. The Chiefs starting quarterback was placed on the injured-reserve list on Monday due to the right hand injury and subsequent surgery that he suffered last week.

The move was not unexpected and had been forecast by various national media outlets.

Cassel cannot return during the 2011 season. He can be around the team and attend meetings and so forth, but he can’t practice or play.

Filling his open spot on the roster for Monday night’s game here against the Patriots is WR Jeremy Horne, who was promoted from the practice squad.

Horne’s stay figures to be short, since the Chiefs more than likely will add a quarterback to their active roster this week to join Tyler Palko and Ricky Stanzi.

Practice Report/Update – 11/17

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs had a new quarterback on the field when they practiced on Thursday.

Actually, it was a new number. Rookie Ricky Stanzi has been wearing No. 13 all season, but he’s wearing No. 12 right now. It’s all part of him portraying Patriots QB Tom Brady in practice.

“I’m still not sure how I got to be No.13 to begin with,” Stanzi said after practice on Thursday. “The No. 12 has always been my number. We just decided to go with it this week.”

The Chiefs were on the practice field for their first real session in preparing for this coming Monday night game against the New England Patriots. They got a lengthy walk-through session on Wednesday where the players got the game plan for the prime-time encounter and had a chance to digest it mentally, before putting it together physically.

“It’s a chance to work on some of the timing things that we have to get down with our offense and give our defense a legitimate look at what they are going to see Monday,” said head coach Todd Haley. “Our look teams are very critical on a week like this to help us understand how we have to go out and play to win this game.” …Read More!

Chiefs/Cassel Update – 11/16

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs went through a 90-minute walk-through practice Wednesday afternoon inside their training facility.

With an extra day of preparation for the upcoming Monday night trip to play the Patriots in New England, head coach Todd Haley decided to use the time for mental preparation more than physical.

There’s a lot to prepare for with the Patriots, who under head coach Bill Belichick are known for using multiple schemes and changing all the time. There is no way to prepare for everything New England might do, but it requires some extra time.

As for injured QB Matt Cassel, Haley told the media Wednesday that “everything went really well” with the surgery on Cassel’s right hand that was done on Monday, and he did not rule the QB out for the rest of the season. “If there’s a chance we could have him back we’d be all in on that,” Haley said. “We need to do what’s best for the team and for him.

“We are just giving it as much time as we can to see where he is as we make decisions. There’s potential (he can return) but that depends on this first week.”

Haley did say that while Cassel’s injury was “pretty severe” there should be no lasting consequences for the quarterback. “It’s not something that will affect his career in any way but it will definitely affect this year,” Haley said. “He’s out for this week … we haven’t made any moves yet as far as a decision on Matt this season.”

The tone of what Haley said about Cassel indicated that they team will probably wait until next week if they are going to make a roster move involving the quarterback.

4 THINGS CHIEFS MUST DO TO BEAT BRONCOS

HISTORY

• This is the 103rd meeting between these two original American Football League franchises. The Chiefs have won 55 of the previous games, equaling the number of victories they have against the Raiders.
• Last time they played was December 2010, with the Chiefs grabbing a 10-6 victory. Last Denver winning effort was earlier in the ’10 season, when the Broncos won 49-29 at Invesco Field.
• The Chiefs have won 15 of the last 21 games between the teams at Arrowhead.
• In the month of November, the Chiefs are 6-5 against the Broncos in Kansas City.
• The two teams have met once in the playoffs, in 1997 when Denver picked up a 14-10 victory at Arrowhead on the way to their first Super Bowl.

4

Create Turnovers

Over the last three seasons, the Chiefs have needed to create takeaways to help win games. It allows them to overcome deficiencies in their talent level. When they don’t force turnovers their chances of winning drop, like last week against Miami when they couldn’t force a fumble or interception against the Dolphins. Over 40 games in the Haley Era, the Chiefs are 2-5 when they don’t force an opponent’s turnover. When they forced just one, they are 5-9. With one takeaway or less, the Chiefs have been 7-14. With two takeaways or more, they have finished 11-8. Denver has given the ball away 16 in eight games, with eight fumbles and eight interceptions. …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 11/10

From the Truman Sports Complex

Under sunny skies and with a cold wind out of the north-northwest blasting them, the Chiefs were outside for their Thursday practice, wearing full pads and getting ready for Sunday’s visit from the Denver Broncos.

“I thought today, with the pads on, it was a great practice,” said head coach Todd Haley. “In my opinion it was probably one of the best practices that we’ve had. Guys were into it. I feel like we made progress.”

ILB Demorrio Williams was again out of the action due to what the team said was a groin injury. He missed Wednesday’s practice as well.

SS Jon McGraw was in full pads, including a neck collar which was an addition to his personal armor. He wore a yellow jersey, indicating that teammates should not hit him. He suffered what the Chiefs said was a shoulder injury against San Diego on Monday night football. The team listed him as a full participant.

CB Javier Arenas was working in all the position drills and seemed to have no problems with his ankle injury. But after he was listed as a full participant on Wednesday, he was a limited participant on Thursday.

FS Kendrick Lewis was not on the injury report, but he continues to deal with a sore ankle that he injured in the game against the Raiders in Oakland.

With the Broncos, LB Wesley Woodyard (knee) did not practice for the second day. Listed as limited in practice were S Rahim Moore (concussion) and CB Cassius Vaughn (hamstring). Full participation was the designation for S Brian Dawkins (thigh), TE Virgil Green (neck), FB Spencer Larsen (shoulder) and RB Willis McGahee (hand).

Practice Report/Update – 11/9

From the Truman Sports Complex

QB Matt Cassel says the Chiefs returned to work on Wednesday and have bounced back from the disappointment of the Miami loss.

“It was a game that we learned a lot from and we have to turn the page quickly because we have a tough opponent coming up quickly in the Broncos,” Cassel said after practice. “I think everybody in that locker room is ready to get back to work and perform better than we did this last Sunday.

“The energy out at practice today was great. I think guys were eager to get better to make corrections and get ready for another division opponent.”

ILB Demorrio Williams was the only player not participating Wednesday when the Chiefs began their preparation week for Sunday’s visit from the Denver.

Williams did not take part even in the team’s stretching segment, leaving the field and apparently headed to the locker room with what the team called a groin injury. Through this season, the eight-year veteran has seen playing time almost exclusively on special teams, and he’s second on the club with five tackles in the kicking game. With a punt returner like Denver’s Eddie Royal coming to town, losing any part of that punt coverage unit will hurt. So far this year, the Chiefs are No. 19 in punt coverage, giving up an average of 10.4 yards a return.

It appeared that SS Jon McGraw and CB Javier Arenas were fully participating in the early drills. Both players missed last Sunday’s game because of injury; McGraw a shoulder and Arenas an ankle. The team listed McGraw as limited and Arenas as full participation.

For the Broncos, LB Wesley Woodyard (knee) did not practice. Listed as limited in participation were S Brian Dawkins (thigh), TE Virgil Green (neck), FB Spencer Larsen (shoulder), S Rahim Moore (concussion), CB Cassius Vaughn (hamstring). RB Willis McGahee was also on the list with a hand injury, but he was full participation.

Personnel File: Denver Broncos

Personnel leader – John Elway and head coach John Fox. Elway re-joined the organization earlier this year and his position is far more than ceremonial. He’s involved with personnel and evaluation and was a big force during the 2011 NFL Draft. Fox has a big say so in what goes down with the roster and Elway has differed to his head coach’s thoughts and recommendations more often than not.

Key aides – General manager Brian Xanders (18 seasons in NFL), director of college scouting Matt Russell (10), director of pro personnel Keith Kidd (17).

Personnel department – 15 people, with one person identified as a national scout and seven area scouts.

Personnel philosophy – Before the current setup, with Elway and Fox, the Broncos were all over the place in what they were trying to do in building their roster. Most recent head coach Josh McDaniels came in with Xanders and they spent a lot of money and time on unrestricted free agents, while struggling to produce contributing draft classes. In his final seasons, Mike Shanahan made a host of personnel mistakes, especially in the draft. …Read More!

A Look At LSU Prospects

The latest “Game of the Century” in college football goes down Saturday evening with No. 1 and No. 2 facing off in the Southeastern Conference, LSU at Alabama. There are all sorts of prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft. The Crimson Tide under Nick Saban have a large number of potential draft choices as does LSU. We’ve broken them down into several parts that will pop up in the coming days. Right now, it’s LSU.

OFFENSE

#2 WR Rueben Randle/Junior – 6-4, 208 pounds. Another in a long-line of LSU receivers who seldom vary much in their physical numbers and always proved to be productive college players. In 34 games with 20 starts, he’s caught 77 passes for 1,355 yards and 12 TD. This season, he has seven scoring catches.

#19 TE Deangelo Peterson/Senior – 6-4, 235 pounds. A converted wide receiver, Peterson is still getting the handle on this blocking thing, so he’s a prospect in progress there. But he can still catch the ball, with 33 career receptions for 417 yards and 3 TDs.

#72 RT Alex Hurst/Junior – 6-6, 340 pounds. Hurst has played 29 games with 17 career starts. He’s in his second year as starter at RT and this year has been the only offensive line starter who has opened all eight games for the Tigers. …Read More!

Personnel File: Miami Dolphins

Miami WR Brandon Marshall has good hands, but a shaky personality as the Dolphins have found out.

Personnel leader – General manager Jeff Ireland came to the Dolphins in 2008 when Bill Parcells moved over from the Cowboys. There were certainly questions in 2008-09 in how much control Ireland had over personnel with Parcells in building. But as the “Big Tuna” phased himself out in 2010, there was no question Ireland was the man in charge of personnel with head coach Tony Sparano. Ireland had spent seven seasons in Dallas eventually become the team’s Vice-President of College and Pro Scouting. Before he joined the Cowboys in 2001, Ireland spent four years with the Chiefs as an area scout and was instrumental in draft choices like Dante Hall and Greg Wesley. Since 2008, 44 of the 53 players have been added to the roster, including 28 in the last two years.

Key aides – Director of Player Personnel Brian Gaine (13 NFL seasons); Director of College Scouting Chris Grier (17).

Personnel department – 17 scouts and player-personnel designated people. …Read More!

Report Card – Dolphins vs. Chiefs

From Arrowhead Stadium

RUSHING OFFENSE: D – The Chiefs are an offense that’s built around running the football; that did not get done in any manner against Miami. They ran for 116 yards on 34 carries, but let’s take the work by QB Matt Cassel out of the mix, since he wasn’t running as much as he was scrambling for his life. Plus, takeout the minus-3 yards from punter Dustin Colquitt on the botched pooch punt. The running backs had 81 yards on 24 carries, or 3.4 yards per carry. Jackie Battle averaged 2.9 yards on 14 carries. Thomas Jones a pitiful 5 yards on 3 carries. Only Dexter McCluster got anything going with 36 yards on seven carries.

PASSING OFFENSE: D – A lack of pass protection made throwing the ball dangerous for Chiefs QB Matt Cassel. He simply did not have enough time throughout the game to develop any sort of rhythm. Of the 20 completions, 13 went to Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston. No other receiver had more than one catch. The passing game really misses a catcher at tight end. Overall, it was a D performance, with the pass protection getting an F.

RUSHING DEFENSE: D – It’s bad, bad, bad when Reggie Bush can come in and average 7.1 yards per carry, including a 28-yard scoring run where he wasn’t touched by the Chiefs defense. Without the running of QB Matt Moore, it was 20 carries for 104 yards, or 5.2 yards per carry. It wasn’t a big rushing total, but it was very effective.

PASSING DEFENSE: F – This was not one of the NFL’s elite passers throwing against the Chiefs defense on Sunday. Matt Moore came into the game with a career total of 17 TD passes and 21 interceptions. He threw 3 TDs and no interceptions against the Chiefs. Brandon Marshall finished with 106 yards and TE Anthony Fasano had the two TD catches. Mistakes in coverage were visible everywhere.

SPECIAL TEAMS: D – The Chiefs weren’t able to produce any type of edge in the kicking game. Both punters had good days, but neither side got anything going on returns. The botched pooch punt drops the grade for this unit an entire letter grade, from C to D. That type of thing should never happen at this level of football.

COACHING: F – A coaching staff directing a team to a 28-point defeat will never get a passing grade. Todd Haley wanted to take the blame for the way he worked the team in the short week, but that’s just the head coach falling on his sword and trying to take the pressure off his players and coaching staff. The offense game plan left something to be desired, and then it went out the window when they fell behind. Romeo Crennel got nothing done on defense and Steve Hoffman apparently didn’t make sure everyone knew what was going on with a botched pooch punt.

D.J. Named Defensive Player Of The Week

ILB Derrick Johnson could have/should have won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after his performance against the Oakland Raiders. But, teammate CB Brandon Flowers was given the honor.

Not so with this week. After he racked up 13 tackles, a sack and an interception on Monday night against San Diego, Johnson was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

It’s the fourth time in his career that D.J. has been so honored. In the AFC, the last time teammates won back-to-back Player of the Week designation was Houston RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson in the first and second week of the 2010 season.

After seven games, the Chiefs say Johnson has 77 total tackles, 45 tackles for loss, 3 passes defensed, 5 quarterback pressures, 1 sack and 1 interception. Over his career, he has 648 tackles, ranking ninth in franchise history.

Chiefs Are Healthy, Chargers Not So Much

The Chiefs injury report to the NFL for Monday night’s game has one name – FS Kendrick Lewis. He’s listed because of an ankle injury suffered against Oakland. He’s listed as questionable.

The situation with the Chargers is not as good. Three players were declared out of the game because of injury: DE Luis Castillo (broken leg), G Kris Dielman (concussion) and OLB Shaun Phillips (foot). Castillo has been out all season, but Dielman and Phillips are starters and losing them hurts the Chargers.

It also appears that they’ll be without RB Michael Tolbert, who was listed as doubtful with hamstring and hand injuries. Tolbert is San Diego’s second leading rusher and fourth leading receiver and has scored five touchdowns.

Listed are questionable are WR Malcom Floyd (hip) and S Darrell Stuckey (groin). Probable are FB Jacob Hester (foot), LT Marcus McNeill (neck), OL Scott Mruczkowski (neck), TE Antonio Gates (foot) and RB Ryan Mathews (thumb).

Personnel File: San Diego Chargers

Personnel leader – Executive Vice President-GM A.J. Smith is in his 13th season with the Chargers, 27th in the NFL and ninth year in charge of the San Diego roster and picking players for the team. He took over when GM John Butler passed away from cancer early in 2003. Butler left Buffalo where he helped put together those Bills teams that were in the Super Bowls, and took over the Chargers in 2001. It was in 2002 that Butler hired Marty Schottenheimer as his head coach. Smith is known for his brusque style that has won him few friends in the NFL among players, other teams and especially agents. His feud with Schottenheimer went beyond bounds and Smith engineered the head coach’s firing and the hiring of Norv Turner. Although he’s drafted and acquired some of the best players in the league in his tenure, the Chargers have not won a Super Bowl. In fact, since Smith took over, the team’s record in the post-season is 3-5 in five appearances over eight seasons. …Read More!

Chiefs Make Two Moves

The Chiefs opened up a spot on their active roster and practice squad late Tuesday when they released WR Jeremy Horne, and then placed FB Shane Bannon on the practice squad injured list.

That leaves a spot open on the 53-man active roster and a position is available on the practice squad that can have eight players.

Horne was released on the final cutdown before the start of the regular season and was then added to the practice squad. He was moved to the active roster on September 21 when RB Jamaal Charles was placed on the injured-reserve list. There was action in three games on special teams for Horne, before he was a game-day inactive player last Sunday against the Raiders. He was credited with one tackle.

Bannon injured his right ankle last Wednesday and did not return to the practice field last week. The team’s seventh-round draft choice, he will be unavailable to them the rest of the season.

Coming out of the Oakland game the only serious injury seemed to be FS Kendrick Lewis’ ankle. Whether that would bring the addition of another safety is unknown. They’ve been short a tight end all season as well.

The Latest From the Raiders

From Oakland, California

A glorious Saturday afternoon is winding down in the East Bay as the folks in Oakland and environs enjoyed an 80 degree day with clear blue skies and low humidity.

It wasn’t a day of rest for the Oakland Raiders, as they continued to make news leading up to Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. There were these late news items:

• The Raiders signed K Dave Rayner, who kicked for the Chiefs back in 2007. Rayner’s signing is related to the left hamstring injury of Sebastian Janikowski. Now, whether that means Seabass is out of Sunday’s game remains to be seen. Rayner could be insurance.
• Making room for Rayner, the Raiders released DB Ron Parker.
• More speculation on Saturday that Kyle Boller will be the starter at quarterback against the Chiefs. Despite comments from offensive coordinator Al Saunders that Carson Palmer would play if he was breathing, it’s now rumored that Boller will start. Whether he finishes is another matter.
• Also word is that Terrelle Pryor will get a few snaps as well in some special packages of plays. He’s finally eligible after serving an NFL suspension and then a two-week roster exemption.
• The Raiders will watch carefully Sunday morning the condition of two key defensive starters: DT Richard Seymour (knee) and MLB Rolando McClain (ankle). Neither practiced on Friday, but Oakland head coach Hue Jackson said he expects Seymour will be ready to play. He didn’t say the same thing about McClain.

Marty’s Championship Hardware

Marty Schottenheimer holds the United Football League championship trophy Friday evening after his Virginia Destroyers beat the Las Vegas Locomotives 17-3 in the title game in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

4 THINGS CHIEFS MUST DO TO BEAT RAIDERS

From Oakland, California

HISTORY

• This is the 102nd regular-season meeting between teams that began together in the inaugural season of the American Football League in 1960.
• Along with three games in the playoffs, the Chiefs have a 54-48-2 advantage in the series. They won post-season games in 1969 and 1991, while losing in 1968.
• No team has beaten the Raiders more often than the Chiefs with 54. Fellow AFC West teams San Diego (44) and Denver (41) have all-time losing records against the silver and black.
• Last year, the Raiders swept both games from the Chiefs, winning 23-20 in overtime in Oakland and then 31-10 at Arrowhead Stadium in the regular season finale.
• The Chiefs last victory in Oakland came in the 2009 season, when they picked up 16-10 decision. At the time, that was the seventh consecutive Kansas City win in Oakland.
• Since the Raiders returned to Oakland from Los Angeles for the 1995 season, the Chiefs have an 11-5 record at the Coliseum. …Read More!

Al Saunders Speaks From The Raider Nation

Earlier this week, Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders made headlines when he told 610 Sports that as long as new QB Carson Palmer was “breathing” he would play Sunday against the Chiefs.

That wasn’t all that Saunders had to say during the week. He spoke on Thursday with the Bay Area media and talked about the Raiders, but also touched on the Chiefs. Saunders spent 10 seasons with the team as wide receivers coach (1989-98) and five years as offensive coordinator (2001-05).

“I think it’s one of the real true great rivalries in football and certainly in the AFC; for so many years, Kansas City and the Raiders were the top echelon teams,” Saunders said. “I worked 10 years with Marty Schottenheimer there and he made it quite a rivalry between Kansas City and the Raiders. Then, Dick Vermeil followed up with the same thought process because we always felt like to win the division you had to beat the Raiders from a physical standpoint.

“Now being on the other side, it’s kind of interesting because we’re trying to turn the tables now and be more physical than the teams we play. So, it’s kind of fun.” …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 10/20

From the Truman Sports Complex

Sunny skies, but cold temperatures and windy conditions greeted the Chiefs as they worked outside on Thursday in another practice of Raiders Week.

The early weather forecast for the East Bay on Sunday is clear skies and temperatures near 80 degrees. Working outside in Thursday’s conditions was not so much preparation for this game, but for others down the line as the weather turns colder. It was a full pads practice for the Chiefs, their seventh of the season or half of what the new labor agreement allows head coach Todd Haley to hold during the season.

Haley had 60 of the 61 players available to him taking part in the workout. The only player missing was practice squad FB/TE Shane Bannon, who suffered an ankle injury during Wednesday’s practice. During the window where practice is open to the media, all players appeared to be taking part in the work. FB Le’Ron McClain was wearing a yellow “do not touch” jersey during practice. McClain left the Indianapolis game in the second quarter with a neck injury and did not return. It’s not considered a problem for his participation on Sunday in Oakland.

The Raiders asked for and received a 24-hour extension on selling enough tickets to life the TV blackout in the Bay Area for this game. Reportedly, the team still had close to 3,000 seats available to watch the Chiefs and Raiders. Oakland has a sellout streak going of three games.

On the Raiders injury/practice report for Thursday was a carbon-copy of Wednesday with one addition – K Sebastian Janikowski joined the list with a left hamstring injury and was listed as limited in practice. Also limited were TE Richard Gordon (hand), S Michael Huff (ankle) and C Samson Satele (ribs). Not practicing were QB Jason Campbell (collarbone), RB Rock Cartwright (calf), CB Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring), CB Chris Johnson (groin), LB Rolando McClain (ankle) and RB Marcel Reece (ankle). TE Brandon Myers (ribs) was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.

Personnel File – Oakland Raiders

Personnel leader – right now the Raiders are without a leader in the personnel department after the passing of managing general partner Al Davis. Yes, even into his 82nd year, Davis was still pulling the strings on personnel, from the annual NFL Draft to free agency signings and trades. It appears with his death that head coach Hue Jackson has stepped into the void; he engineered the trade this week for QB Carson Palmer.

Key aides – Jon Kingdon has been with the Raiders for 33 years, and Bruce Kebric has been part of the Raiders organization for 31 years. Davis always relied a great deal on assistant coaches as well.

Personnel department – 9 scouts and player personnel designees, including former players Calvin Branch, Zack Crockett, Mickey Marvin and Kent McCloughan.

Personnel philosophy – under Davis the key word was speed. No matter the position or the year, the Raiders always seemed to find the fastest players coming out of college football. Athletic ability was second. Taking a chance on a rookie or a veteran was something the Raiders did on a regular basis with mixed results over the years.

Salary cap status (as of October 1) – $6 million in cap space available before trades for LB Aaron Curry and QB Carson Palmer. After trades estimate is $2.5 million remaining cap space. …Read More!

Turmoil For Schottenheimers

Father and son Schottenheimer are fighting quite a few battles this week in their respective jobs.

For Marty, the United Football League is falling apart around him, but his Virginia Destroyers will get the opportunity to play for the league championship.

For Brian, the New York Jets offense that he coordinates has fallen apart around him and going into Monday night’s game against Miami, there appears to be a mutiny within the team about the direction of the play calling.

It’s part of the calling that goes with coaching the game of football.

“A lot of people that have opinions on what we do don’t know whether the football is pumped with air or stuffed with cotton,” said Marty when asked about the controversy surrounding son Brian and the Jets offense.

But first we’ll start with Dad. The UFL will announce Monday that it’s suspending the regular season, wiping out two weekends of games. The league will instead hold its championship game this Friday evening. The Virginia Destroyers will host the Las Vegas Locomotives in Virginia Beach. …Read More!

Arrowhead About To Get New Name

A couple notes from the business side of the Chiefs operation:

– Over the last decade, the Chiefs have tried to sell the naming rights to Arrowhead Stadium for big dollars. It appears they’ve finally found a business entity to pony up for the right to put its name on the stadium, or the playing field. Word is that an announcement will likely come in conjunction with the Monday night game against San Diego on Halloween. No leaks on the name of the company involved, but the word is that it’s a national name, not local, and that this company has not previously been involved in buying naming rights to sports facilities. I’ve been told it will be a very familiar name, one that fans won’t have to use Goggle to discover what that company does.

– In Clark Hunt’s continuing efforts to slash from his team’s front office anyone that was part of the Carl Peterson regime, the Chiefs fired vice-president of sales and marketing Tammy Fruits this week. Team staffers were told Fruits “resigned”, but security personnel walked her out of the building, while more security personnel packed up her office. That type of departure has only been given to employees that were relieved of their duties. That group and those that beat the posse out of the building were the leaders of the following departments: public relations, community relations, finance, administration, sales & marketing, ticket operations, information systems and stadium operations. That’s every department in the team’s business directory.

Bye Week Practice Report – 10/11

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs went through the first of two bye week practices Tuesday morning at their facility.

The session was scheduled to last just under 90 minutes and was to include a conditioning run afterwards. The players were in early for a weight lifting session and there were meetings scheduled as well. On Wednesday, they’ll have a practice earlier in the morning and then the players will be off until Monday.

All 61 players were on the field Tuesday, but not all were taking part in the practice. Head coach Todd Haley said he was giving some of his players who put in a lot of play time on Sunday in Indianapolis an extra rest. That group was led by C Casey Wiegmann, LG Ryan Lilja, TE Leonard Pope and WR Steve Breaston.

RB Jackie Battle (head) and FB Le’Ron McClain (neck) also did not participate as both left the Indianapolis game with their injuries. Haley remained optimistic after further evaluation of both players on Monday that they should not be out of the action for any long period of time.

Succop Wins Special Honors

Ryan Succop’s ride from the kicking outhouse to the penthouse continued on Tuesday when he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Succop’s 5-for-5 day on field goals earned him the nomination from the folks at the league office. Two of those kicks were from 50-plus, including a career long 54-yard FG in the third quarter.

His 5 FGs in one game tied the club record previously set by Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud and Nick Lowery.

He’s the first Chiefs player to earn the conference special teams player honor since the opening week of the 2010 season when RB Dexter McCluster was named after his 94-yard punt return in the opener against San Diego.

Does This Also Work on Coaching Trees?

Forget the controversy steaming from the Haley/Cassel dust up in Sunday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium.

In the end, if it’s true that the apple…

… does not fall that far away from the tree (specifically at the 2:00 mark)…

…maybe this can happen to us.

 Here’s hoping that it does.

A Platter of Viking Appetizers

It will be interesting to see just how many bodies are in the seats at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday for the Vikings and the Chiefs.

The game was not blacked out for local television viewing but as we’ve learned over the last few years, lifting the 75-mile blackout does not provide any indication of the stadium being sold out.

There are plenty of tickets available for this game at various outlets, including on-line sites like that at NFL.com or other ticket brokers like LavaTickets. In today’s NFL, never assume that any game is a sold out.

Even in Tampa Bay, where the Buccaneers have a sellout for the first time in their last 11 home games. They are hosting Monday night football and the Indianapolis Colts. It’s the first home Monday night game for the Bucs since 2003.

With a one-day extension from the league, Jacksonville sold enough tickets to lift their blackout for Sunday’s game against New Orleans. Oakland now has two straight games without a TV blackout as Raiders fans bought seats for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.

Right now, it appears the only local TV blackout this Sunday will go down in San Diego. Despite the Chargers 2-1 start and victory last week over the Chiefs, they didn’t come close to selling out for their game against the Dolphins.

**********

Donovan McNabb will play in game No. 165 of his career on Sunday. But it’s only the third time since he came into the NFL in the 1999 NFL Draft out of Syracuse, that he’ll face the Chiefs. …Read More!

Practice Report/Update – 9/30

From Arrowhead Stadium

Todd Haley says it will go right up to Sunday morning whether or not either CB Brandon Flowers or SS Jon McGraw plays against Minnesota.

Both defensive backs are listed as questionable on the team’s injury report to the NFL on Friday afternoon. They have been limited participants in practice this week because of ankle (Flowers) and shin (McGraw) injuries that were suffered last Sunday in the game against San Diego. Both were listed as limited participants in Friday’s practice inside Arrowhead Stadium as the team finished their preparations for Sunday’s battle of the winless with the Vikings.

In the brief media window into practice all hands were on deck and working. Flowers seemed to be moving without a problem, while McGraw still appeared a bit slowed by his bruise – he’s wearing a pad over the area.

WR Jonathan Baldwin (thumb) was catching passes, but he’s been declared out of Sunday’s game. That ups the total of games missed to four regular season and seven overall after suffering the injury on August 16.

DE Brandon Bair who missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness is listed as probable, but he’ll likely be a game-day inactive player.

For the Vikings, they list two players as questionable: LB E.J. Henderson (knee) and S Jamarca Sanford (thigh). Henderson was limited in practice. Minnesota lists as probable: RB Adrian Peterson (calf), S Tyrell Johnson (hip), TE Jim Kleinsasser (elbow), CB Asher Allen (toe), CB Chris Cook (groin) and DT Kevin Williams (foot).

NFL Steps In It With Fantasy Ad

The NFL is a big company with a lot of moving parts. They are not all on the same page. While the Commissioner has said player safety and issues are of utmost importance to the league, another part of the operation took Jamaal Charles’ knee injury and used it in a classless manner to promote its fantasy football business.

Above is an ad that appeared earlier Thursday on NFL.com. It’s for the website’s fantasy football section. That picture of Charles was taken last Sunday as he rode off the field on a cart at Ford Field after suffering the torn ACL that ended his season.

The ad was eventually taken off the site, but not before it drew reaction from some fellow players. Minnesota punter Chris Kluwe tweeted: “Great job NFL.com using a player’s season ending injury to promote fantasy football. Now THAT is a douchebag move. #unf—ingbelieveable”

Chiefs Checking Out RBs

The Chiefs have not added another running back in the wake of Jamaal Charles’ knee injury and move to the injured-reserve list.

But they certainly have looked at a few.

Here’s a list of backs they have worked out this week:

• Jalen Parmalee (5-11, 220) – A former 6th-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft by Miami. He spent three games on the active roster in the ’08 season and then went to the practice squad. Parmalee signed with Baltimore late in the season and spent the 2009-10 seasons there with the Ravens. He was released on September 3rd. He played his college ball at the University of Toledo.
• Dimitri Nance (5-10, 219) – Signed with Atlanta as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2010. He was released land then signed to the Falcons practice squad. Last September 14, he was signed by Green Bay and was with the Packers the rest of last season. He was released on September 3rd.
• Chris Jennings (5-10, 218) – Coming out of the University of Arizona in 2008, Jennings signed with the CFL Montreal Alouettes. In 2009 he signed with Cleveland and was with the Browns until the final cut down before the start of the 2010 season. He spent the fall of last year with the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. Jennings signed with the New York Jets and went to camp with them, but was released on September 3rd. Two days later, he was arrested in Ohio for driving 147 mph in a 65 mph zone.
• Sammy Morris (6-0, 220) – The 34-year old entered the NFL in 2000 as a 5th-round choice of Buffalo. He spent four seasons with the Bills, three years with Miami and then four seasons with New England. In 11 seasons, he’s run for 2,955 yards and 26 rushing TDs.
• Mike Cox – Yes, the former Chiefs FB worked out this week for the team as well. He was released on September 3rd on the final cut before the regular season. Cox played three seasons with the Chiefs, after joining them in 2008 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Georgia Tech.

Jamaal To IR; Roster Moves

As was sadly expected RB Jamaal Charles and the torn ACL in his left knee were placed on the injured reserve list on Wednesday. He’s done for the season.

Taking his spot on the active roster is WR Jeremy Horne, promoted from the practice squad. Horne played in three games last year with the Chiefs, and then spent 11 weeks on the practice squad. He had one tackle on special teams. At 6-2, 193 pounds, Horne joined the Chiefs last year as an undrafted rookie free agent out of the University of Massachusetts.

Taking Horne’s slot on the practice squad is OL Lucas Patterson. He was signed for several days the week before last, but not long enough to get on the practice field. Patterson is an undrafted rookie free agent out of Texas A&M where he was a defensive lineman. After the first day of training camp in St. Joseph, he was moved to the offensive line.

Haley Says He Has No Concerns On Job Status

From the Truman Sports Complex

Monday afternoon, Chiefs head coach Todd Haley said he had no concerns about the stability of his job after the disappointing 0-2 start.

“That’s not something that I generally worried about or thought about at whatever level and whatever I’ve been doing,” Haley said. “I was sort of raised that way and believe that way; you focus at the task at hand. You focus on doing the things that you can do to make improvements and do your job to the best of your ability. The NFL is a team results business. Teams will never be judged on individual results and that goes for coaches and players alike.

“I go full speed ahead to be the best that I can be and usually that solves a lot of problems.”

Haley said he feels support from team Chairman Clark Hunt and General Manager Scott Pioli.

“I’ve been excited about the opportunity here and for a reason – because of the leadership in place and the opportunity that gives you and you have a chance to succeed. When you lose it’s tough. When you win, it’s a lot better.

“My focus is on and will continue to be and has been on what can we do to be better? Right now, we’ve done some things that have caused us to lose a couple games. We have two more games in this quarter of the season alone still to play. If we go about doing the things that I know we need to do a lot better from an execution standpoint, we will all be feeling a lot better a week from now than we do right now.”

MRI Ends Season For Charles

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs were holding out the slightest of hope that an MRI on the left knee of RB Jamaal Charles on Monday morning would show something other than the prognosis from the locker room in Detroit of a torn ACL.

That hope was not granted. Charles tore the ligament in the first quarter against the Lions and will undergo surgery and is done for the season. He’ll go on the injured-reserve list sometime this week, probably on Wednesday when the Chiefs get back to work and begin preparations for Game No. 3 on the season against San Diego.

The injury brings to an end one of the most productive offensive performances in franchise history. From mid-season in 2009 through the season opener of the 2011 season, Charles had played in all 25 games and produced 3,121 yards of offense, with 2,518 yards rushing and 630 yards receiving. In that window over those three seasons, Charles scored 18 touchdowns, including one on a kick return during the 2009 season.

His numbers for the 2011 season were 12 carries for 83 yards, with a 24-yard run in the mix. He caught 5 passes for just 9 yards, but one went for a touchdown. In fact, it’s the only TD of the season for the Chiefs. Those total offense numbers are 17 touches for 92 yards and one touchdown.

Gun Does Have Something To Say

Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham spoke to the media on Friday for the first and only time of the week and as expected he downplayed the matchup against the Chiefs on Sunday.

“Well, its game two and that’s the way the players have to approach it,” Cunningham said. “They play the game.”

But he did have some memories to talk about with the Detroit media.

“Basically, the Hunts gave me a great life in Kansas City and I respect the heck out of their family,” Gunther said. “I think Clark’s doing a great job of running the team and God bless Norma, Lamar’s wife, and Lamar and I were fairly close through the years we were there and they’re a great family. I wish them all well.

“We’ve just got to go play this game and let the players decide.”

He had plenty to say about the Chiefs offense: …Read More!

Marty Wins UFL Opener

In what sounded very much like a game played by a Marty Schottenheimer team, the Virginia Destroyers won the opening game of the 2011 United Football League season on Thursday night.

They beat the Omaha Nighthawks 23-13 in front of a crowd of 15,836 fans at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

The Destroyers won with a solid offensive effort, keyed to the running game and a defense that forced three turnovers by Omaha that led directly to nine points for Virginia.

“This was a terrific victory for our football team,” Schottenheimer told the media after the game. “We made enough plays that gave us the opportunity to come out of here with a victory. I was particularly pleased with our ability to run the football on the offensive side.”

As for Marty, he was thrilled to be back on the field doing what he does – coaching football.

“It’s delightful; the essence of it for me is I’m a teacher,” he said. “I love to teach the game of football to these young men.  I get great gratification and satisfaction seeing them use things I didn’t have the skill set to do as a player.  I live vicariously through them and I walk out of here feeling like – Hey, we won this one!” …Read More!

UFL, Marty Kickoff Delayed Season

The next chapter in Marty Schottenheimer’s football life will be on display tonight in Omaha, as the United Football League kicks off its delayed 2011 season.

Marty’s Virginia Destroyers will face the Omaha Nighthawks in the UFL’s first game of the season. They face off at 7 o’clock at TD Ameritrade Park. Unfortunately, there’s no live television coverage of the game. But for anybody that just has to know and would like to listen, here’s a link to the Destroyers radio broadcast in the Norfolk area. In the Omaha area, there’s a broadcast on KOZN-AM 1620.

Schottenheimer’s team is a first-year operation, with the remnants of last year’s Florida Tuskers team and additional players that have been added in the last month. The Destroyers, like the rest of the league, was supposed to start in early August, but financial difficulties in the league pushed the start time back. They’ve had just 15 practices. …Read More!

NFL MOVES – 9/5

The waiver wire activity slowed down a bit on the holiday Monday. Only two players were claimed off waivers, one of those by the Chiefs when they grabbed OT Steve Mareni from the Patriots.

Detroit had the only other claim, DT Corey Irvin grabbed off the waiver wire from the Panthers.

Here’s the personnel update:

• BEARS – released CB Josh Moore.
• CHIEFS – claimed OT Steve Mareni on waivers from the Patriots; released TE Anthony Becht.
• COWBOYS – released OT Sam Young.
• DOLPHINS – signed TE Dante Rosario (released by Broncos) and OT Ryan Cook (released by Vikings).
• LIONS – claimed DT Corvey Irvin on waivers from Panthers.
• PANTHERS – signed OL Geoff Hangartner (released by Bills) and OL Max Jean-Gilles (released by Bengals); released S Sean Considine and OL C.J. Davis.
• REDSKINS – named Rex Grossman the team’s starting QB for the season opener.
• SEAHAWKS – released DE Pierre Allen.
• TEXANS – released LB Jesse Nading.
• VIKINGS – signed LB Chad Greenway to a 5-year, $41 million contract extension, with $20 million in guaranteed money.

Waiver Claim – OT or TE?

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs claimed OT Steve Mareni on waivers from the Patriots on Monday.

The move gave the team eight offensive linemen on the active roster. But they only have a pair of tight ends, with veteran Anthony Becht released on Monday to make a roster spot available for Mareni.

But are the Chiefs short on tight ends now? Did they add another offensive lineman?

…Read More!

Chiefs Claim OT, Waive Becht

From the Truman Sports Complex

Just an hour after veteran TE Anthony Becht spoke to the media at length about how happy he was to be with the Chiefs, the team handed him walking papers.

Becht was released on Monday afternoon to make room for OT Steve Maneri, who was claimed on waivers from the New England Patriots.

And how about this for six degrees of separation – Maneri was on the waiver wire because the Patriots released him on Sunday when they signed former Chiefs G Brian Waters.

As the dominos fall, it may be just the first of several moves. With Becht off the roster, that leaves the team with just two tight ends – Leonard Pope and Jake O’Connell, and neither one is much of a receiving threat. There’s always a chance Becht will return.

The 6-6, 290-pound Maneri entered the league last season as an undrafted rookie free agent with Tennessee. He was released by the Titans and landed with the Patriots practice squad, where he spent 13 games. He was activated to the 53-man roster but was inactive for three games.

Maneri played his college football at Temple.

Practice Report/Cassel Update – 9/5

From the Truman Sports Complex

QB Matt Cassel was on the field with his teammates Monday afternoon, dressed and taking part in the first segment of practice.

To say that Cassel was an enthusiastic participant would not be true. When the team ran its opening gassers (back and forth across the field), he finished among the last players finishing. Normally, he’s among the first.

As the team went through stretching, Cassel did some of the movements, but not others. Those that he did, he did in slow motion. Most of the time he sat on the turf and talked with head coach Todd Haley.

Once they moved into position work, Cassel threw some passes, but they were short ones and without a lot of power.

That’s when the window to practice closed as the Chiefs went into regular season rules for the media. It’s 20 minutes and the media sees stretching and a bit of the position drills.

As for the other players, they were all present and accounted for in the early moments. WR Jonathan Baldwin continues to sport a splint on his right wrist and hand and when the receivers started working with the QBs on running routes and catching passes, he left for the rehab area.

Others who have been injured were working with their positions, but that does not mean they were part of the entire practice. That would be G Ryan Lilja, RT Barry Richardson, and TE Jake O’Connell.

All 61 players (53 roster, 8 practice) were on the field.

Number changes for the Chiefs showed up during Monday’s practice: WR Steve Breaston is now #15, changing from #19. TE Anthony Becht is now wearing #88. DL Allen Bailey is now #97 and DL Amon Gordon is #99. S Sabby Piscitelli was wearing #42.

Chiefs Fill Practice Squad

For the first days of the 2011 season, the Chiefs have decided to fill their 8-man practice squad with their own players – guys they cut on Saturday. No surprise there, since most teams do that. But the Chiefs have always left one or two spots open to sign players who had been in camp with other teams. More than likely for practice purposes, they decided to start with a full boat of players that know the team.

The practice squad is:

• Former draft choices – FB Shane Bannon (7th-2011) and CB Quinten Lawrence (6th-2009).
• College free agents – LB Justin Cole (signed in ’10), WR Jeremy Horne (’10), OT David Mims (’11), OL Butch Lewis (’11), OL Darryl Harris (’09).
• Waiver claim – NT Anthony Toribio (2010).

Quick Hits On 53-Man Roster

Whether the Chiefs stay with this 53-man group as their roster for the opener against Buffalo next Sunday or not, they’ve established the foundation for their 2011 season.

Here are a few quick thoughts on what they have wrought going from what was once 89 players, to the 53 they finished up with on Saturday, including 27 moves:

• They went one heavy on defense with 26 players and 24 on offense.
• Offensive line is short, with just 7 players on the roster right now. Seven blockers were released on Saturday and expect 3 maybe 4 to return on the practice squad.
• Defensive line is where they went heavy, with 8 players on board for the 3 positions.
• Split in the secondary was interesting, with 6 safeties and only 4 cornerbacks.
• There are 8 rookies on the roster – WR Jonathan Baldwin, C/G Rodney Hudson, OLB Justin Houston, DL Allen Bailey, CB Jalil Brown, QB Ricky Stanzi, DT Jerrell Powe and DE Brandon Bair. That’s 7 of 9 draft choices and 1 rookie free agent.
• Along with those 8 rookies are 7 other first time Chiefs – FB Le’Ron McClain, WR Steve Breaston, WR Keary Colbert, TE Anthony Becht, OT Jared Gaither, DL Amon Gordon and S Sabby Piscitelli. So that’s a total of 15 new players.
• Who needs to play? All three players the Chiefs signed after the start of training camp that did not play in the 2010 season made the final roster: Gaither, Colbert and Becht.
• Surprise player in – probably Bair. He’s got great potential, but whether that pays off in 2011 is doubtful.
• Surprise player out – free agent rookie G Butch Lewis, based on the playing time he got all pre-season and the fact he could play G and T.
• Not sure what this says about the Chiefs roster or depth of talent, but among the 25 players released, only two started games last season for the Chiefs – FB Mike Cox and WR Verran Tucker. They combined for four starts.
• Practice squad predictions: Shane Bannon, Verran Tucker, Cody Slate, Butch Lewis, Mike Ingersoll, Bobby Greenwood, Demond Washington, Justin Cole.

Chiefs Moves To 53

Here are the moves the Chiefs announced early Saturday evening as they trimmed the roster to the NFL limit of 53.

Injured-Reserve List (2)

• TE Tony Moeaki
• OLB Gabe Miller

Released (25)

1. DT Harold Ayodele
2. FB Shane Bannon
3. LB Justin Cole
4. FB Mike Cox
5. DL Dion Gales
6. TE Charlie Gantt
7. OL Bobby Greenwood
8. OL Chris Harr
9. OL Darryl Harris
10. WR Jeremy Horne
11. OL Mike Ingersoll
12. ILB Micah Johnson
13. ILB Amara Kamara
14. FS Reshard Langford
15. CB Quinten Lawrence
16. OL Butch Lewis
17. WR Zeke Markshausen
18. OT David Mims
19. OL Lucas Patterson
20. S Ricky Price
21. TE Cody Slate
22. NT Anthony Toribio
23. WR Verran Tucker
24. OLB Pierre Walters
25. CB Demond Washington

Slowly, Chiefs Moves Are Slipping Out

In today’s world of 24-hour media, Twitter and Facebook, it’s pretty hard to keep under wraps moves that change people’s lives.

From various Twitter accounts, conversations with agents and media reports, here’s what appears to be a partial list of some of the moves the Chiefs have made to reach the NFL roster limit of 53 players:

TE Tony Moeaki to the injured-reserve list with a knee injury he suffered on Thursday night in Green Bay.

Released: OL Chris Harr, OL Mike Ingersoll, ILB Micah Johnson, FS Reshard Langford, WR Zeke Markshausen, FB Shane Bannon, TE Charlie Gantt, and LB Pierre Walters.

That’s nine … only 18 more moves to leak. Stay tuned.

NFL MOVEMENT – 9/2

There was activity on the waiver wire Friday as teams starting slicing their rosters to reach the NFL’s roster limit of 53 by Saturday afternoon.

No real surprises among those released. The Bears cut undrafted rookie CB Ryan Jones out of Northwest Missouri State. The Titans released RB Kestahn Moore who was with the Chiefs last year.

Pittsburgh backup QB Byron Leftwich was placed on the injured-reserve list, ending his season.

Here are the moves from Friday: …Read More!

LOOKING AT THE ROSTER WITH CUTS AHEAD

OK, the evaluations are complete and on Friday afternoon the Chiefs are slicing and dicing that 80-player roster and trying to get their number down to the league limit of 53.

This is one man’s look at the roster and what I think will happen. Going into the discussions on Friday, I think 40 players are locks including the three special teamers and three quarterbacks.

That leaves 40 players fighting for those last 13 spots. Position-by-position, here’s the lay of the land and thoughts on where the Chiefs may go with their decisions. …Read More!

No Victory, But Much Better Performance By Chiefs

From Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Yes, the Chiefs dropped another one, losing 20-19 in the pre-season finale to the Green Bay Packers.

But this loss was far different than the first three the team suffered in the last month. The Chiefs actually got things done in this game, with the No. 1 offense scoring a touchdown and the No. 1 defense forcing turnovers like they haven’t done through the pre-season schedule.

Todd Haley played this game to win, as starters like WR Dwayne Bowe, LT Branden Albert, CB Brandon Flowers, CB Brandon Carr and others were still playing deep into the fourth quarter.

It was a night of better performances, but also some injuries that the Chiefs must deal with. QB Matt Cassel, TE Tony Moeaki, RT Barry Richardson, SS Eric Berry all left the game and did not return. None appeared to be serious – Cassel had the wind knocked out of him – but it’s one of those things coaches worry about when it comes to the final exhibition game. Sports medicine schools have info for people interested in how to help these injured players. Team doctors are very important parts of the team.

As always, a lot to talk about and cover:

• GAME STORY – No. 1 units got something done for a change.
• COLUMN – Evaluations are over, it’s time for decisions.
• SIDEBAR – Cassel make a few things happen.
• SIDEBAR – Flowers enjoyed the extra work.
• SIDEBAR – Charles fumbles away too many chances.
• SIDEBAR – Injuries up with more time for starters.
• GAMEBOOK
• PRE-GAME COVERAGE
• 4 THINGS CHIEFS NEEDED TO DO/RECAP

4 Things For The Chiefs To Do At Lambeau

From Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

It was an odd off-season and it has been an odd training camp and pre-season for the National Football League.

And especially for the Kansas City Chiefs.

All that will be put behind them tonight after four quarters of play against the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. Or, at least some guys wearing the Packers uniforms. It would be a surprise if guys like QB Aaron Rodgers gets on the field tonight. Green Bay opens the regular season a week from tonight against New Orleans.

Even as the end of the pre-season is near, there are items on the to-do list that the Chiefs need to get done to make entry into the regular season smoother and with more confidence. They are:

…Read More!

NFL MOVING NEWS – 8/31

Call it the quiet before the storm, but Wednesday did not produce much in the way of roster movement around the league. Some people may feel that they could have made better management decisions that these. Some Chiefs fans may look into sports management colleges when they want to get in on the action behind the scenes.

Teams were taking a break before jumping in and slicing 27 players per club off the active roster in less than 48 hours.

Here’s what went down on Wednesday:

• BENGALS – signed OT Andrew Whitworth to a 2-year contract extension; signed DT Cornell Banks.
• FALCONS – signed CB Kelvin Hayden, S James Sanders.
• 49ERS – RB Frank Gore signed a 3-year contract extension.
• PATRIOTS – claimed CB Antwaun Molden off waivers from the Texans; placed OT Marcus Cannon on the non-football injury list.
• RAIDERS – claimed LB J Leman off waivers; released S Zac Etheridge.
• RAMS – signed WR Mark Clayton, DT Marlon Favorite; placed CB Jerome Murphy on the IR list.
• SEAHAWKS – re-signed WR Patrick Williams, WR Chris Carter; released P John Gold, CB Ron Parker.

MOVING NFL PERSONNEL – 8/30

When it came to durability and longevity, David Binn may have been the best long snapper in the history of the NFL.

“May have been” because on Tuesday, the San Diego Chargers released Binn, after 17 seasons with the team. He played in 256 regular season games. The last one was at Arrowhead Stadium last September, when he was snapping for the Chargers against the Chiefs. That night, he suffered a pulled hamstring that ended his season.

“He’s like the Michael Jordan of long snapping,” Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I don’t know if there has ever been anyone better than him in the league.”

Binn suffered a pulled calf muscle last week and that had the Chargers concerned about his durability. They went with Mike WIndt, who helped replace Binn last year.

He was part of the Chargers 1994 Super Bowl team and the last player remaining from the tenure of former GM Bobby Beathard. Binn also at one point dated buxom actress Pamela Anderson of Baywatch fame. The picture above right features Binn with Anderson, of course who would have noticed Binn.

Here are the league roster moves reported on Tuesday as the teams got down to the league’s 80-man limit: …Read More!

Pre-Season Practice Report – 8/30

From the Truman Sports Complex

Throughout this Chiefs pre-season, fans and media have wondered about the team’s quarterback situation and whether a veteran should be added to the mix at the position behind starter Matt Cassel.

Turns out a veteran … very veteran QB was already on the team.

Yes, Jim Zorn is 59 years old. And yes, he hasn’t played in an NFL game since 1987. But he’s still got it.

The Chiefs wrapped up their final practice of the pre-season on Tuesday morning and one of the stars was the team’s QB coach.

Here’s the scene: during a special teams period, the quarterbacks adjourned to a nearby field, where they usually work on mechanics, footwork, fundamentals and the like. On Tuesday, Zorn stacked two big garbage cans in the back right corner of the end zone. The quarterbacks were in the middle of the field, between the 10 and 20-yard lines. The idea was to put the football into the can.

It’s not a simple throw. A successful pass is based on accuracy and touch. Most quarterbacks can hit the cans, but it’s quite another to get enough air under the ball to drop it into the can.

Only one quarterback was able to do that on Tuesday – Zorn. Not just once, not just twice, but three times. In fact, three out of four throws at the end of the session, Zorn was right on the money. Cassel, Tyler Palko and Ricky Stanzi combined for zero throws into the can.

“Coach Zorn, he’s still got it, he’s still got a great skill set,” Cassel said after practice about his QB coach. “He made some great throws and he was accurate. But I’ve got to call him out on his footwork. He was drifting in the pocket.”

Tuesday practice was designed much like a Friday practice in the regular season. The Chiefs will have a walkthrough on Wednesday morning and then fly to Appleton, Wisconsin where they will spend Wednesday evening before heading over to Green Bay for Thursday night’s pre-season finale.

A few other practice details: …Read More!

O’Callaghan Cleared From Roster

The Chiefs got down to the NFL roster limit of 80 players on Tuesday morning. With two moves to make, they:

• Placed OT Ryan O’Callaghan on the injured-reserve list, ending his season with the team.
• Released K Todd Carter.

As is the Chiefs custom, there’s no information on what malady O’Callaghan suffers from that was serious enough to wipe out his participation for the 2011 season. The veteran tackle has not practiced in several weeks, although he’s been in the rehab area and moving about with little apparent problems.

The move does leave the Chiefs with a situation at tackle where they do not have a lot of experienced NFL depth. Behind starters Branden Albert and Barry Richardson now is Jared Gaither, who has only been able to play in one game and work a few practices as he tries to come back from missing the 2010 NFL season. There is no other player on the roster with NFL game experience at the tackle position.

Head coach Todd Haley said he was comfortable with that trio.

“I’ve been comfortable with Barry and Branden, and I’m getting more comfortable with Jared as he’s come along physically,” Haley said. “He’s getting up to speed now. He made big progress this week. We are liking some things we are seeing out of him.”

O’Callaghan was claimed off waivers from the Patriots in September 2009 and eventually became the team’s starting right tackle during that ’09 regular season. He lost that starting job to Richardson last season, and saw minimal playing time. His skill set was that of a right tackle, rather than the more athletic left tackle.

Carter was claimed on waivers from the Rams back on August 10. The Chiefs brought him in for a “lookie Lou” as Carter had been impressive in workouts for special teams coach Steve Hoffman with his ability to hang kickoffs and for the strength of his leg. The Chiefs were never going to take a kickoff man into the regular season; that’s a luxury that Haley knows he can’t afford.

With 80 players on the roster, the Chiefs must reach the regular-season limit of 53 players by 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Moving NFL Personnel – 8/29

This week, there will be a lot of movement in personnel around the NFL and we are going to try to keep track of all the comings and goings. Guide to Online Schools has info on sports management program for those of you who want to potentially get in on management decisions like this. These were certainly some tough decisions.

On Monday, former Chiefs DT Tank Tyler (right) found himself on the waiver wire, released by the Chicago Bears.

At 3 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, NFL teams must have their rosters down to a maximum of 80 players.

BEARS – waived DE Vernon Gholston, DT Tank Tyler, LB Tanner Antle, C J.C. Brignone, QB Trevor Vittatoe.

BENGALS – acquired WR Kelly Jennings from the Seahawks for DT Clinton McDonald; placed S Gibril Wilson on the IR- list; waived DT Lolmana Mikaele.

BRONCOS – waived CB Nathan Jones, RB C.J. Gable, LB David Veikune, OL Shawn Murphy, OL Curt Porter, LB Braxton Kelley, LB Deron Mayo.

BROWNS – claimed G Oriel Cousins off waivers from the Ravens.

BUCCANEERS – waived CB Ashton Youboty, WR Aundrae Allison, WR Jock Sanders, TE Collin Franklin, S Vince Anderson, DL Brandon Gibeaux, WR Detron Lewis, P Robert Malone, FB Rendrick Taylor.

…Read More!

Chiefs cut seven

The Chiefs removed seven players from their roster on Monday morning, dropping their roster to 82 players. They will have to release two more by 3 p.m. CDT on Tuesday to reach the NFL’s 80-man limit.

There were no surprises among the seven early cuts:

LB Eric Bakhtiari most likely was waived injured, which means he may show back up on the roster with a spot on the injured-reserve list. He suffered a concussion in practices after the Tampa Bay game and has not played or practiced since then. Until that injury, he’d been making a push to stay on the roster, showing some good skills as a pass rusher off the edge.

FB Tervaris Johnson started training camp on the PUP list as he continued to rehab a knee injury he suffered in last year’s training camp. He never really got a chance to take part in the offense after he was finally cleared to practice.

DBs Mario Russell and DB Javes Lewis were rookie free agents that signed late in the start up to training camp and saw minimal playing time.

WRs Chris Manno, Chandler Williams and Josue Paul were not able to crack the competition at receiver. Williams spent last year on the Chiefs injured-reserve list, while Manno had previous chances in the NFL and Paul was a rookie free agent.

Pre-Season Update – 8/31

From the Truman Sports Complex

A fast and furious week started Sunday for the Chiefs as the 2011 pre-season roars to a conclusion.

Coming up on Tuesday at 3 p.m. CDT the Chiefs will have to trim their roster to the league limit of 80 players. Right now, they have 89 players on the roster.

And the final game of the exhibition season comes up on Thursday night at Lambeau Field in Green Bay against the Packers.

That gives Todd Haley and his coaching staff just three days to get ready for how they are going to handle Game No. 4. In the past, guys like QB Matt Cassel, RB Jamaal Charles, C Casey Wiegmann and the like would be wearing baseball caps on the sidelines for that fourth game, protecting against injury.

But with the Chiefs offense having so many problems sustaining any sort of production and performance in three games, might Haley consider altering that normal fourth game approach? …Read More!

Reasons To Worry? … Sunday Cup O’Chiefs

Last week, Todd Haley indicated he wasn’t overly concerned about the state of his offense. The reason he gave for the lack of production was the fact that his coaching staff had spent no time “scheming” for opponents.

Fundamentals – that was the name of the game, and that’s what the Chiefs were working on when they had the ball said Haley.

After watching the Chiefs No. 1 offense put one field goal and less than 100 yards in rushing and passing yardage on the board, their fundamentals aren’t in very good shape either.

And that has turned the tenor of the conversation around the Chiefs from “hey, no problems on offense” to “we have another game and another week to get this fixed before we play Buffalo.”

It’s easy to understand the passing game having difficulties, given the lack of an off-season program. The Chiefs are handling things in the aerial attack that normally would have been worked on back in May and June. But concern arises with the team’s running game. They led the NFL last year in rushing yardage, but the three pre-season games have brought very poor production on the ground: …Read More!

Leftovers From Friday: Chiefs Need Points

The Chiefs are 0-3 in the pre-season. The St. Louis Rams are 3-0.

There’s a simple explanation – points make all the difference in the world. The Chiefs have scored 23 points, with just two touchdowns, an average of 7.7 points per game. The Rams have put 64 points on the board, with seven TDs.

Points on the board will always be the most important stat in any sport. Right now, the Chiefs are minus-47 on the point differential. The Rams are plus-28 points.

The Chiefs are the lowest scoring team among those clubs that have played three games so far. They also have the worst point differential of the 32 teams.

Thus the 0-3 Chiefs’ record against that 3-0 mark of the Rams.

But does any of this matter in 14 days when the regular season begins. With some teams it does; with others it does not. Established teams with solid offensive performers can overcome pre-season difficulties in scoring points very quickly. Teams with young players, trying to establish themselves can often carry over the lack of production in to the regular season. …Read More!

Chiefs Struggle Again In 14-10 Loss

From Arrowhead Stadium

For awhile in the first half Friday evening, half of the lights went out at Arrowhead Stadium. Only because there was enough natural light did the game go on without a problem.

Likewise the Chiefs were not on full power in the first half against the visiting St. Louis Rams. The No. 1 defense got trampled by QB Sam Bradford, RB Steven Jackson and the rest of the Birds offense. On the flip side, the Chiefs offense was unable to get anything moving and thus they fell for the third time in the 2011 pre-season, 14-10.

The Chiefs are now 1-10 with Todd Haley as head coach in the pre-season. In none of those 11 games did they score more than 17 points and they couldn’t reach that figure against St. Louis, picking up only a Ryan Succop FG and a 32-yard TD pass from QB Ricky Stanzi to TE Cody Slate.

Bradford had a pair of first quarter touchdowns and Jackson ran 15 times for 72 yards, including a pretty 25-yard run.

More to come on the Rams-Chiefs.

Pre-Game: Rams vs. Chiefs

From Arrowhead Stadium

It’s a beautiful night for football as the Chiefs host the Rams in the Governor’s Cup Game.

Either this is a very late arriving crowd or this game will be sparsely attended. There are still plenty of parking spots open in the complex and some 15 minutes before kickoff we can count the fans in each section.

For the Chiefs, one surprise among the players not dressed is LG Ryan Lilja. He was on the sidelines during the warm-up period. Looks like rookie Rodney Hudson will get the start for Lilja. No word or idea on what may be bothering the veteran blocker from K-State.

Also not taking part in warm-ups were: LB Gabe Miller (hamstring), LB Eric Bakhtiari (concussion), C/G Darryl Harris (knee), OT Ryan O”Callaghan (unknown), TE Jake O’Connell (ankle), WR Jonathan Baldwin (wrist/thumb), OLB Pierre Walters (unknown) and NT Anthony Toribio (knee).

We’ll keep an eye on how much time RB Jamaal Charles, CB Brandon Flowers and OT Jared Gaither get in the game. All three were bothered by injuries during the week, but are fully dressed and took part in the warm-up period.

Chiefs coaches are wearing red t-shirts tonight honoring the continued relief efforts in Joplin.

Weather report for the game – partly cloudy skies … with a low around 69 degrees … a south wind blowing around 5 mph … kickoff temperatures 82 degrees.

Five Things Chiefs Need Done Tonight – Update

From Arrowhead Stadium

There are a lot of agendas on the line Friday night when the Chiefs host the Rams in pre-season game No. 3. Here’s my list of the five most important things they need to get done with their No. 1 units and key contributors:

5. The K.C. defense has given up 4.4 yards per carry in the preseason and an average of 126.5 per game going into Friday’s game vs. the Rams. Improved defense against the run is one of the team’s highest goals for the 2011 season. Last year, they allowed 4.3 yards per carry. So far this pre-season, the Rams have averaged 106.5 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry.  RESULT – The Rams ran 40 times for 170 yards, a 4.3-yard per carry average. Chiefs failed.

 4. On special teams, the Chiefs have hoped to find returner alternatives to Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas. Going into Friday’s game, they have averaged 2.3 yards on punt returns and 20 yards on kickoff returns and a long return of 26 yards. The player with the most opportunities has been CB Quinten Lawrence, but one kickoff return and three punt returns has produced 30 yards. RESULT -  A total of 3 returns for one, nine and 22 yards. Chiefs failed.

3. TE Tony Moeaki has not been a factor in two preseason games and that must change if the Chiefs offense is going to be consistent and productive. Moeaki has not caught a pass. There are six TEs on the roster now and they’ve caught one pass in two games, that by the now-injured Jake O’Connell and it went for 5 yards.  RESULT – Moeaki did not have a catch, while Leonard Pope-Cody Slate-Charlie Gantt had 4 catches for 78 yards. Slate got a 32-yard TD. Chiefs were successful.

2. In the remaining two preseason games the defense needs to make some big plays. So far, they have no interceptions, no fumble recoveries and five sacks in 73 passing plays, none by a starter. It’s time for OLB Tamba Hali, ILB Derrick Johnson and SS Eric Berry to make something happen. RESULT – they picked up two INTs and a sack. Chiefs were successful.

1. Possibly the most important thing the Chiefs can do Friday night against St. Louis is score points. In 10 preseason games under head coach Todd Haley, they’ve scored nine offensive TDs and no more than 17 points in any single game. That’s why they were 1-9 in the outcome of those games. Pre-season or not, one TD in two games isn’t good at any time.  RESULT – another game with one TD and only 10 points. Chiefs failed.

Just Hours Left For $25 Subscription

There are only a few hours left to sign up for the bobgretz.com premium subscription at $25.  Starting on Saturday, you will need a subscription to access all information on the site., including coverage will include complete analysis of the final cuts to the 53-man roster.  The site will always have info available to everyone, but detailed coverage will be on the subscription side only. The subscription price moves to $35 starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

All the details, just click here. 

A Game-Day Grab Bag Of Sorts

A look at a few of the many news items that are floating around the NFL in the third week of the full pre-season schedule. We’ll revisit with a couple of former Chiefs in very different situations and we’ll look at the latest example of how different the Green Bay Packers are compared to other NFL franchises.

PAGE IS TURNED IN PHILADELPHIA

There has been a lot of attention on the free agents signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the last month, plus the trades the Birds made. But it turns out one of the biggest additions was barely noticed – the signing of free agent safety Jarrad Page.

After his pre-season battle with the Chiefs last year, where he showed up a week before the first game and was then traded to New England, Page was looking for a more stable situation in 2011 – a team that he wanted and a team that wanted him. He found that with the Eagles and now it looks like Page is going to be the starter at strong safety for head coach Andy Reid. Thursday, Page was in the starting lineup for the Eagles against Cleveland and played the first half. (That’s Page wearing #25 on the right against the Ravens.)

“I didn’t see anything that jumped out at me that he didn’t do well, as far as a critical error,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said of Page.

Said Page: “It felt good to get some action and fly around and do some things; I thought I played pretty well. But I’m very critical of myself. I know there are some things I could’ve done better. But overall, I thought things went well.

“I’ve been able to pick things up fairly quickly. Defensive systems are somewhat similar. The things that are different are the terminology and the little tweaks as far as the way you play certain things. My experience in the league has helped me a lot to be able to grasp what’s going on and how we’re doing it.” …Read More!

Pre-Season Rankings – Week #3

We promised you weekly rankings during the pre-season on the Chiefs unwieldy roster of nearly 90 players. After the game in Baltimore, we got sidetracked by several important items.

But before they hit the field for pre-season game No. 3, it was time to break the club down position-by-position. With the cut next week moving the roster to 85 players, and then a few days later falling all the way to 53, there are a lot of decisions that must be made in a very short time.

Here’s this man’s opinions on where these 89 players rank at their spot and who has reasons to be looking over their shoulder for the fabled “Turk” the mythical figure who brings news of football unemployment. Every player is ranked either going up, down or hanging steady.

Also those shaded in gray are very much on the roster bubble or their chances are someplace worse.

Feel free to agree, disagree or argue. But there’s no doubt the clock is ticking down on the 2011 NFL pre-season. …Read More!

Pre-Season Roster Update – 8/25

The Chiefs reached into the “whatever happened to” bag of veteran players and pulled out TE Anthony Becht, who they signed on Wednesday to a one-year contract.

They also announced that ILB Brandon Siler was placed on the injured-reserve list, ending his season due to the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in practice on Monday.

The 34-year old Becht did not play in the NFL during the 2010 regular season, after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals on September 3, 2010. That makes him the third veteran free agent signed by the Chiefs in the last three weeks that did not play in the NFL during the 2010 season. The others were OT Jared Gaither and WR Keary Colbert.

Becht was beginning his post-football career in broadcasting, and working out of Tampa, Florida, before he was signed by the Chiefs. A journeyman over his 10-year NFL career, he has played in 158 games with four different teams: Jets, Buccaneers, Rams and Cardinals. A product of the University of West Virginia has caught 185 passes for 1,511 yards with 21 TD catches in his NFL career. …Read More!

Pre-Season Practice Update – 8/24

From Arrowhead Stadium

The Chiefs opened the doors Wednesday evening, giving their fans a chance to watch practice. It was free. So was the parking.

Apparently Chiefs fans were less than impressed. The picture above is the west end zone seats about 45 minutes into the 2-plus hour practice. Actually, there were more folks there for a 15-minute autograph session at the start of the night. But once the chance for signatures was over, a lot of fans hit the road.

Too bad, because it was a good session for the Chiefs. Todd Haley had his players in full pads and there were several competitive sessions where there was some nice action.

Haley makes it plain he’s not worried about his offense and its development in the pre-season. If that’s true, then he won’t be concerned about what went down Wednesday evening.

Matt Cassel and the No. 1 unit had the ball at the 10-yard line, and they had four downs to score a touchdown. Play No. 1 had Cassel and WR Dwayne Bowe connecting on a pass that almost went for a TD. But Bowe was ruled out of bounds at the two-yard line.

The offense couldn’t dent the end zone on the next three plays. A Thomas Jones run came up short, Cassel threw away a pass when he could find nobody open and his throw to WR Jerheme Urban was incomplete on fourth down. There were a lot of those kinds of plays for the Chiefs offense during the practice.

One note on the injury front, and that was very limited participation by RB Jamaal Charles. It appeared he tweaked something in his left leg, because he did not take part in the second half of the workout. …Read More!

No Chiefs Named Senior Hall Nominees

There were a number of former Chiefs players under consideration by the seniors committee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s board of selectors. Otis Taylor and Johnny Robinson has been part of the discussion for a number of years, including the 2011 process.

But on Wednesday, the Hall of Fame announced that CB Jack Butler and G Dick Stanfel were selected by the seniors committee as finalists for Hall of Fame election with the Class of 2012.

Both members of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1950s, Butler and Stanfel will join 15 modern-era candidates on the list of finalists from which the Class of 2012 will be selected. That will happen on February 4, 2012, the day before Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

A senior nominee is an individual whose career ended at least 25 years ago. Butler, a 6’1″, 200 pounds out of St. Bonaventure, played nine seasons (1951-59) in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He earned Pro Bowl honors four straight seasons (1956-59) and was named first-team All-NFL in the final three years of his career. Butler recorded 52 career interceptions for 827 yards and 4 touchdowns that included a league-high 10 INTs during the 1957 season. When he retired, he was tied for second all-time in interceptions.

Stanfel was regarded as a premier guard during his era joining the Lions as a second-round choice out of the University of San Francisco in 1951. He was an integral part of back-to-back Detroit championship teams in 1952-53. In 1954, the Western Conference champion Lions voted Stanfel as their team most valuable player. He was traded to the Washington Redskins in 1956 and played his final three years with the Redskins. In all, Stanfel was named to five Pro Bowls and selected first-team All-NFL four times over a five-season span. He earned all-league accolades twice with Detroit and twice with Washington.

Pre-Season Chiefs Update – 8/24

From the Truman Sports Complex

“Tonight’s a big night for us.”

No, Todd Haley isn’t taking his team to a concert at Sprint Center. The Chiefs will work out under the lights inside Arrowhead Stadium in a practice that is open to the public. More details on the event coming up.

The reason it’s a big night for the Chiefs is part of Haley’s approach to this pre-season where everything is taken on a day-by-day basis, and since it’s the next practice, it’s a big thing for his team and his coaches, who continue to evaluate the 88 players with the idea of getting to 53 players in 10 days.

That’s 88 players because the Chiefs have lost ILB Brandon Siler (left) for the season due to an Achilles tendon tear suffered on Tuesday. His agent David Cantwell said on Tuesday that Siler’s injury came on the final play of practice, and that surgery is part of the rehab. Siler was signed as a UFA from the Chargers and his loss will not have much of an effect on the Chiefs defense; he was running with the third team unit there.

Where it will hurt is on special teams, as Siler was considered one of the better cover men in the league. Also taking him off the depth chart now has the Chiefs lacking experienced backups at inside linebacker behind starters Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher. Eighth-year pro Demorrio Williams is there but among the four other ILBs there’s only one that’s played in an NFL Game: Cory Greenwood. The others are Justin Cole, Micah Johnson and rookie Amara Kamara. …Read More!

Pre-Season Practice Report – 8/23

From the Truman Sports Complex

Maybe it was the change in practice time. Maybe it was something sprinkled into his Cheerios. But Todd Haley was all fired up Tuesday morning as he put the Chiefs through their only practice of the day.

Haley’s voice could be heard from two football fields away and most of the time the head coach was directing his comments to his offense. That unit had another tough day against the Chiefs defense.

“Come on offense, show a little fight,” Haley said at one point.

But fight was not evident during most of the 100-minute session from the offense. In a goal line period, the No. 1 offense had five snaps to get the ball in the end zone and scored only one the last one, when RB Jackie Battle leaped over the right side of the offensive line. The other four plays produced minimal yardage.

One update of not on the injury front, starting CB Brandon Flowers was in the rehab area and not practicing. Flowers limped off the field on Monday, but indicated in the locker room after practice it was nothing serious. On Tuesday, he spent his time walking up and down the rehab field and not much else.

More observations from Tuesday morning’s session: …Read More!

Pre-Season Practice Report – 8/22

From the Truman Sports Complex

It was another hot steamy day for a football practice on Monday afternoon at the Chiefs facility and head coach Todd Haley had his team working long and hard in another session of trying to make up ground from the owners’ lockout.

And it was another afternoon where the defense controlled the show. In the team’s competitive period at the end of practice, the No. 1 offense got to run 10 plays against the No. 1 defense. The Matt Cassel-led offense managed just one first down and overall was only five of 10, with one pass knocked down at the line of scrimmage. The final incompletion came on a fourth down with the game clock running out when he rifled a short pass to TE Tony Moeaki and it went right through his hands.

That’s the way it’s been now for the better part of 10 days on the practice field, as the Chiefs defense is performing at a pace ahead of their offensive mates. It must be remembered that the Chiefs offense isn’t doing much in the way of adjusting their scheme. The plays are pretty plain Jane, but Haley has been pushing his offensive players and coaches to pick up the pace of getting plays called and getting the snap off.

Actually, the best offensive play of the afternoon came from QB Tyler Palko. He got flushed from the pocket and started scrambling away from pass rush pressure. Eventually, he stopped and jumped up and threw the ball to his right, where it floated over the head of LB Demorrio Williams and over the head of TE Cody Slate, who got his hands up and made the catch and ran into the end zone. It would have to go down as one of those “Oh no Palko don’t throw that … hey Tyler great play.”

Other observations from the day at Arrowhead where the Chiefs were in full pads: …Read More!

A Week Left To Grab A Subscription

Thanks to all the loyal readers who jumped on the premium subscription in the first days it was offered. We appreciate your support and we need more of you to sign on. Please take a moment and sign up for the best Chiefs and NFL coverage you’ll find. Starting September 1, you’ll need a subscription to access all the information on bobgretz.com.

And don’t forget there’s a bonus for subscribers – for every subscription referral you bring to bobgretz.com, it’s $5 off your subscription, up to the full price at $25. Convince a friend, family member or co-worker to sign up, let us know about the connection, and we’ll credit your account. If five of your referrals sign up, then your subscription would be free.

Plus, if you signed up for our special during draft coverage, then you are already a subscriber for the season and you need to do nothing.

For all the information, click here.

There were many questions posted in the last week, along with quite a few testimonies to the value of the site. That’s the greatest advertising anyone could ask for or expect, when your customers have good things to say. Thank you.

Here are some answers to a few of the questions posted, and I appreciate all the feedback. …Read More!

Pryor Heads Supplemental Possibilities

At noon CDT, the NFL will drop the starter’s flag on the league’s 2011 Supplemental Draft.

It figures to draw more attention than any Supplemental Draft in sometime because of the presence of former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor. (That’s Pryor to the left, throwing at his workout.)

MONDAY UPDATE – Pryor was selected in the third round of the Supplemental Draft by the Oakland Raiders. It’s the first time in franchise history that the Raiders have used a choice in a supplemental draft. By making the pick, the Raiders give up their third rounder in 2012.

Over the weekend, Pryor held a workout at a high school near Greensburg, Pennsylvania and his hometown of Jeannette. Reports out of the event say there were 17 NFL teams represented there, including the Chiefs. Indianapolis Colts owner Jimmy Irsay was there, along with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and a host of personnel types and scouts from around the league.

Pryor was timed in 4.38 seconds on the artificial turf at Hempfield High School. He also did 31 inches in the vertical jump. He was measured at just a sliver under 6-5 and weighed 231 pounds.

There seems little doubt at this point that Pryor will be drafted, even with the five-game suspension handed him from Commissioner Roger Goodell. He made it plain to reporters on Saturday after his workout that he planned to play quarterback.

“I’m not open to other positions, at all,” he said. “When I get on a team going in, I want to be a quarterback. But if there were to be a change, because there’s another quarterback on the team that’s been there and I need to go somewhere to win, just for me sacrificing myself to help the team win, I’ll do that.

“I’m a quarterback at heart. Like I told the guys when they were interviewing me, give me a chance and I don’t think I’ll let you down, and I don’ t think you’ll be disappointed in me at quarterback, at all. That’s exactly what I told them.”

There are six players eligible for the Supplemental Draft. They are: …Read More!

Nonsense Begets Nonsense … Monday Cup O’Chiefs

I hesitated to write yet again on the subject of the altercation between Jonathan Baldwin and Thomas Jones.

Understand, that despite the big old cast Baldwin is now wearing on his right wrist/thumb, teammates fighting in the locker room is not an unusual occurrence in the National Football League. It’s not unusual in Major League Baseball or the National Basketball Association and especially not in the National Hockey League. Put any number of testorine fueled men in close quarters and there will be disagreements. Often, those issues will be settled in a physical manner. And, seldom does the news escape the walls of the locker room.

When it does, there really isn’t anything that the players and team can do about it. In today’s Twitter-fed world, with cell phones that take pictures and savvy operators that know how to make the internet sing, it’s silliness to attempt a cover-up or worse, pretend like it didn’t happen at all.

That’s what the Chiefs have done with the Baldwin-Jones case. The nonsense of the altercation beget the nonsense of how the organization has handled the situation, creating a big pile of steaming, smelly nonsense. …Read More!

New Site Subscriber

We here at bobgretz.com want to welcome our newest reader to the site.

Caroline Avery Fritts arrived on Saturday, August 20 at 2:46 a.m. CDT at the Prentice Women’s Hospital/Northwestern Medical Center in Chicago.

She enters the world as a 50 percent Bears fan, 50 percent Chiefs fan and somewhere in the blood stream there are corpuscles in the shape of hypocycloids. That’s the three-star symbol of a well known team from the Steel City. She will have to have someone teach her about that; I think I know just the person.

Without any prejudice at all, this grandpa says she’s the most beautiful things these tired old eyes have seen in sometime.

Pre-Season Practice Report – 8/21

From the Truman Sports Complex

While the details remain sketchy, there’s no doubt that whatever happened between Jonathan Baldwin and Thomas Jones left the rookie wide receiver with a problem. A big problem.

As the Chiefs went through their first training camp practice back at their facility, Baldwin was in the rehab area sporting a big cast on his right arm, from about mid-forearm down to his wrist and including his thumb. While his teammates were working in practice, Baldwin was on the stationary bike and he was high stepping up and down the field at one point wearing a harness connected to a small sled-like apparatus that had some weight on it.

The Chiefs did not have anything more to say about the incident than they did after the game on Friday in Baltimore when it became known that last Tuesday, Jones and Baldwin tangled at Missouri Western State University.

“As I’ve conveyed over the last three years everything that happens within these walls is family business,” head coach Todd Haley said before practice. “That’s the best thing for our team. To become a real good team, you need to have those areas that are off-limits. Certain things and areas are going to continue to stay family business. I appreciate everyone’s curiosity … but there are certain things and areas that are going to continue to stay family business.”

When the Chiefs locker room was open to the media after practice, Baldwin was nowhere to be found. The media ran into Jones as they were entering and he was leaving the locker room; he did not return. …Read More!

Training Camp Update – 8/21

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs are on the practice field Sunday afternoon, bringing their training camp back to their facility from St. Joseph. According to head coach Todd Haley, the approach will be the same as activity at Missouri Western State University.

Haley spoke to the media before practice and had a few comments on the game Friday night against Baltimore. He mentioned positives:

– FUNDAMENTALS – “Fundamentally I thought we did things better, specifically through the first three quarters of the game. A lot of good things were happening.”

– RB DEXTER MCCLUSTER – “He made a number of plays that I thought were exciting for us as a team and good things for him.

– OLB JUSTIN HOUSTON – “I thought he made a couple real good plays. On top of playing good as a defensive player, he made a big play on special teams beating everybody down the field and causing a fumble. He showed real progress through the week and into the game.”

– OLB CAMERON SHEFFIELD – “I’ve been really excited watching how he responds getting into some of these bigger situations. I thought he showed up.”

Haley also made positive mention of QB Tyler Palko, P Dustin Colquitt and WR Verran Tucker.

He was not so positive about the team’s fourth quarter play, especially some of the penalties that hurt the team and helped set up several touchdown drives by the Ravens.

The head coach said again he had no problems with Ravens head man John Harbaugh and how Baltimore handled the last few minutes of the game with timeouts and long pass plays.

Pre-Season Crab Cake Leftovers

From Baltimore, Maryland

Take a look at the picture above and you’ll understand why the media scum love to go to Baltimore to cover games.

Before its renovation, Arrowhead Stadium had the best press box in the NFL. It was right at the 50-yard line, at the club level of the stadium. The line of sight for the ink-stained wretches, tin throats and hairdos was the finest in the NFL.

The Arrowhead rehab created a new press box, one at the top of the stadium. Views of the field come only with very powerful binoculars, and while nobody has tried a telescope yet, it’s only a matter of time. The New Arrowhead is not unusual in that way, as the press seating has gone higher and farther away from the 50-yard line in about 90 percent of the new NFL stadiums.

M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is different. It has the best press box set up in the NFL right now. It sits directly behind the lowest level in the seating bowl of the structure. Player uniform numbers are easy to see, and so is the game. So here’s a big thank you for Ravens ownership, led by Steve Bisciotti and former majority owner Art Modell.

Listen, the media horde gets in free, and that doesn’t provide us with a lot of say-so when it comes to matters like seating. But it’s not like the media doesn’t provide services to the league in publicizing their teams, coaches and players. Working with the media, not against it, is how the late Pete Rozelle led the NFL to the top of the American sports pyramid after the merger with Lamar Hunt’s AFL.

Those days, like good press box sight lines are a thing of the past. …Read More!

Chiefs Improved But Still Lose, 31-13

From M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

The day started poorly for the Chiefs here on the upper channel of Chesapeake Bay. The story of the altercation between RB Thomas Jones and first-round draft choice WR Jonathan Baldwin finally escaped into the mainstream news cycle.

If only the team had played defense as well against the Baltimore Ravens as the Chiefs organization did on the St. Joe rumble between their veteran running back and young stud receiver. There’s a silly approach within the upper ranks of the franchise that if they ignore a story, it didn’t happen, or it will go away.

But that was the sideshow around pre-season game No. 2, as the Chiefs played much better than they did in the opener last week, and in fact led this game 13-10 midway through the third quarter. The Ravens threw three late touchdowns on the board and walked away with a 31-13 victory.

There was plenty to talk about afterwards:

• GAME STORY – A better performance but not good enough.
• COLUMN – Offense continues to trail defense.
• SIDEBAR1 – The Quiet around Baldwin-Jones bout.
• SIDEBAR2 – The QB finally gets to play.
• NOTES & QUOTES – Homecoming cool for former Ravens
• PRE-GAME COVERAGE
• GAMEBOOK

Were Ravens Rubbing It In & Other Notes

From M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

With two minutes left in Friday night’s game between the Chiefs and Ravens, a touchdown by Baltimore gave John Harbaugh’s team a 24-13 lead.

About a minute later, the Ravens got the ball back on an interception. They immediately went to the air for a big play, as QB Hunter Caldwell went deep to WR LaQuan Williams for 38 yards as he beat Chiefs CB Quinten Lawrence.

With the ball at the Chiefs 3-yard line and approximately 30 seconds to play, NFL decorum would suggest taking a knee and letting the clock run out.

But the Ravens ended up calling a pair of timeouts, so they could save enough time and RB Anthony Allen scored on a 1-yard run.

Harbaugh knew he was walking a fine line in NFL etiquette, because he made sure he talked to Todd Haley about the situation after the game. And, it was the first thing he addressed in his post-game meeting with the media.

“I want to apologize to the Chiefs if they feel like we were not doing the right thing at the end of the game,” Harbaugh said. “The mindset was ‘this is pre-season.’ If this had been the regular season, we would have been on a knee.

“I just felt like it was the right thing to do for our players.”

Did Haley buy what Harbaugh was selling in their post-game conversation?

“I just said pre-season is for the young guys and he said ‘OK’,” Harbaugh said. “I have a lot of respect for Todd Haley and a lot of respect for the Chiefs organization and what they do. That’s a really good football team, a very physical football team. I think they’re doing a great job with their football team.”

A BALTIMORE RETURN

FB Le’Ron McClain and NT Kelly Gregg were both in the starting lineup against their old teammates Friday night. OT Jared Gaither was on the field as well, but he was not dressed to play as he deals with a knee injury.

“At first I didn’t think nothing of it,” Gregg said of his return to Baltimore. “But I told my wife, as I was thinking about it, I got a little nervous. I haven’t been nervous in a long time.”

Gregg went out of his way to thank the Baltimore fans. “They were great my whole time here and I appreciate them,” Gregg said. “Everybody always made my stay here enjoyable.”

Gregg finished with four tackles, including one for minus yardage. McClain touched the ball twice, running once for two yards and catching a pass and picking up 15 yards.

WHO PLAYED; WHO DID NOT

The Chiefs had six players who were not dressed for Friday night’s game: WR Jonathan Baldwin (wrist), C/G Darryl Harris (knee), OT Jared Gaither (knee), NT Anthony Toribio (knee), LB Erick Bakhtiari (head) and OT Ryan O’Callaghan (unknown).

Dressed but not taking part in the game for the Chiefs according to the statistical mavens were WR Chris Manno, DB Mario Russell and TE Charlie Gantt.

For the Ravens, they were without 3 starters: C Matt Birk, RG Marshal Yanda and MLB Ray Lewis. They had 8 other players that did not play.

KICKOFF REPORT

It was game No. 2 for both of these teams with the new rules on kickoffs being moved to the 35-yard line. Here’s what went down for each side:

Chiefs – Ryan Succop kicked off four times, and put three in the end zone, but none went for touchbacks. He averaged four yards deep.

Ravens – Both Billy Cundiff and Jake Hartman kicked off. Cundiff hit all four of his kicks into the end zone, on average to seven yards deep.

In all there were 10 kickoffs, nine landed in the end zone and 4 went for touchbacks. The teams combined for six kickoff returns for an average of 25.1 yards per return.

ZEBRA REPORT

After not having any penalties walked off against them last week in the game vs. Tampa Bay, the Chiefs were hit with seven penalties Friday night by Gene Steratore and his crew. Here were the guilty parties in KC uniforms:

MISC. STUFF OF ALL SORTS

Serving as captains for the Chiefs were NT Kelly Gregg, DE Glenn Dorsey, FB Le’Ron McClain and WR Terrance Copper. All but Dorsey were once members of the Ravens … the game was the first time the Chiefs and Ravens have played each other in the pre-season. It was the seventh meeting overall, including regular season and the playoffs. Baltimore now leads the overall series with four victories … the Chiefs are now 1-9 in pre-season games under Todd Haley. They are 0-5 on the road.

Cassel Happy For The Throws

From M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Friday evening was not one of those performances that Matt Cassel will remember many years from now.

When he’s sitting on the porch at the Old Quarterbacks Home and telling stories to his great-grandchildren about his career he won’t remember facing the Baltimore Ravens and throwing for 73 yards on a six of 14 attempts night for a decidedly mediocre 59.5 passer rating.

But Cassel was thrilled.

“It was nice to get out there and get hit again,” Cassel said. “It allowed me to get into the flow of the game.”

That included getting smacked around a few times by the Ravens pass rush; he was sacked once.

“It just gets your body acclimated for playing football; that’s football is all about,” Cassel said of dealing with the contact. “You don’t really feel like you’re out there until you get hit, and especially because at practice we were those cute yellow jerseys.

“They take care of us so much, so you know that you’re out there playing football again and it’s football season when you take those shots.”

Last week in the pre-season opener, Cassel was in for eight snaps and did not throw a pass. Against the Ravens, he only had to wait through two running plays to get his first attempt of the season, a 3rd-down throw to WR Dwayne Bowe that went for 14 yards and a first down.

Cassel didn’t hit the next three throws, but TE Tony Moeaki didn’t help matters by dropping a throw to him. Eventually, Cassel hooked up again with Bowe on a pretty 26-yard gain down the right sideline with a perfect throw and a great catch.

After that, he connected on throws to FB Le’Ron McClain and RB Dexter McCluster, plus one to WR Steve Breaston and a final completion to Bowe.

It wasn’t a memorable night, but Cassel felt like it was a start.

“Everybody has a job to do,” Cassel said. “Fundamentals can be something as simple as me working on my drop back. It’s something that we have to continue to work on. If we can get better at the basic fundamentals, then we’re going to be better.”

Effort Was Better; Outcome Was Not

From M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

A loss is always a loss in the National Football League.

But the 31-13 defeat suffered by the Chiefs on Friday night in the Crab Cake City felt almost like a victory compared to last week’s debacle against Tampa Bay.

They actually scored a touchdown this week, and played with more passion; a level of intensity worthy of an NFL game, whether pre-season or regular season.

Friday night, the Chiefs were able to gain a measure of rehab on their football standing, playing with thoughts of execution and production and not protection of bodies.

“We talked coming into the game about doing fundamental things a lot better, on offense, defense and special teams,” said head coach Todd Haley. “For the most part, we were able to do that a little better in more areas and that’s a positive sign to me. We obviously have a long way to go.

“We got to come on the road in a hostile environment, a good road game atmosphere, the crowd was loud and there were a lot of things that we had to deal with that will help our team … we’ll take a lot from this.”

Yes, there was plenty to take from the night, but not enough to satisfy the Chiefs and their goals. …Read More!

All Is Quiet On Baldwin vs. Jones Bout

From M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

The trip to Baltimore did not start with good news when it became known that first-round draft choice Jonathan Baldwin suffered a wrist injury during a locker room fight with teammate Thomas Jones in the finals days of the team’s training camp stay in St. Joseph.

That’s not the type of news that any coach wants to hear, but especially not when Todd Haley has put so much time and effort into what he calls team building.

Acknowledgement of the altercation did not come from Haley or the organization. As has been their pattern in the previous two years, they publicly pretend that nothing happened. So there was no explanation of what may have caused the tussle.

“Jonathan Baldwin did not play tonight due to injury,” Haley said when asked about the situation. “As I say in here a bunch, that’s the extent of what I’m going to talk about.”

Haley was asked if there was an altercation involving Baldwin and Jones.

“As with many things on our team, we fall into the family business category,” Haley said. “I’ll talk about the guys that were out there tonight and playing and trying to get better.”

Jones was not willing to talk about the incident either.

“At this point, I’m just focused on this game and how we played,” Jones said. “If it’s not a football question, there’s nothing to answer. If it’s not a football question, I’m not interested in answering.”

Other Chiefs waved away questions about what happened between Baldwin and Jones.

“It’s family business,” said SS Eric Berry. “It’s not something that anybody is going to talk about outside the family.”

But there’s no doubt that the Chiefs and Baldwin face a long road of rehabilitation for his wrist and his reputation, whether the organization wants to acknowledge the situation or not.

Column: Some Things Got Done This Time

From M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Now that was a little more like it. The Chiefs had a game Friday night and they actually played football, instead of playing at not getting hurt.

Professional football is not a game where you tiptoe, unless you happen to be a wide receiver trying to get your feet down in the end zone for a touchdown. That’s how the Chiefs approached that game last week against Tampa Bay, at least with their starters and key players. They tiptoed around the whole idea of doing something with the opportunity given them. That produce results one would expect in that type of situation – a gross waste of time.

In the big picture, the results of that game were aggravating, but meaningless. Just as the final score Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium meant nothing for the Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens. The purple birds look like they have the parts to make another run to the post-season, something they’ve done for three years in a row now. Whether they have enough to overcome the hold the Pittsburgh Steelers have on them and the AFC North remains to be seen.

The Chiefs? Well at least they did enough with their starters and key players that there can actually be evaluations made of where this team is headed and trailing with 22 days before the regular-season opener. …Read More!

Pre-Game – Chiefs vs. Ravens In Baltimore

From M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Storm clouds have followed the Chiefs from Kansas City to Maryland as they face the Ravens on Friday night under cloudy skies, the threat of thunderstorms and very humid temperatures.

(Baltimore honors the legendary Hall of Fame QB Johnny Unitas by naming the north side of M&T Bank stadium the Unitas Plaza, with a statue and banners.)

Much like the storm that drenched the Kansas City area late Thursday evening, Baltimore and environs saw the same type of storm and more is expected this evening. At 4:40 p.m. CDT it was 84 degrees.

There are 83 of  89 players dressed and going through warm ups for the Chiefs. Topping the list of missing is WR Jonathan Baldwin, who injured a wrist in a locker room altercation this week with teammate RB Thomas Jones. Also missing are OLB Erc Bakhtiari (head), C/G Darryl Harris (knee), OT Jared Gaither (knee), OT Ryan O’Callaghan (unknown) and NT Anthony Toribio.

Keep an eye on the No. 2 offensive line with three blockers out. In the warm-up period they lined up like this: LT David Mims, LG Butch Lewis, C Rodney Hudson, RG Bobby Greenwood and RT Chris Harr. …Read More!

Baldwin Loses Fight, Pre-Season

From Baltimore, Maryland

His rookie pre-season was an important opportunity for first-round draft choice WR Jonathan Baldwin. The Chiefs offense needs his big-play ability to help take the offense to the next level.

Apparently, he wasn’t willing to do the work necessary to get that done. That’s the only explanation for what apparently is Baldwin’s wrist injury, suffered in a locker room fight with veteran RB Thomas Jones on Tuesday. Reportedly, Baldwin is done for the rest of the pre-season.

Sadly, he might actually be done for the 2011 season and blame can fall only on Baldwin and the Chiefs front office.

Baldwin obviously isn’t very smart or he wouldn’t get himself into a situation with a guy like Jones, not with the biceps that the running back has worked so hard to maintain through his NFL career.

Possible scenario – Jones says, “Hey rookie, you aren’t working very hard.” Baldwin replies – “He old man, mind your own business.” BAM!!!!

There’s no way Jones picked this fight; there’s also no way that it was going to end well for Baldwin. If all he suffered was a wrist injury that will keep him out for several weeks, then he should consider himself quite lucky. …Read More!

And The Winner Is …

Training camp at Missouri Western State University is over for the Chiefs. As head coach Todd Haley made plain to his players this week, St. Joseph might be gone, but camp is not.

“We’ll stay in camp mode for another week-and-a half or so,” Haley said. “That’s what we’re stressing to the guys – even though we’re breaking from St. Joe – we’re still in training camp.”

But the day-to-day of the remaining two weeks will have a much different feel than three weeks together at Scanlon Hall, the Griffon Indoor Center and the practice fields at Missouri Western.

To honor those 21 days, we present the 2011 Joe Awards for pre-season performances. …Read More!

Training Camp Practice Report – 8/17

From St. Joseph, Missouri

Under partly sunny skies and humid conditions, the Chiefs went through their final practice of training camp at Missouri Western State University on Wednesday afternoon.

It was another high intensity practice, although it did not reach the same intensity level of practices from Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. It was also a day when injuries at offensive tackle may have undrafted rookie free agent Butch Lewis in the starting lineup on Friday against Baltimore.

More on that subject coming up.

At the end of practice, the offense worked against the defense and it was live, full-contact football.

On the first play RB Jamaal Charles went at left guard and was snowed under by the first team defense. QB Matt Cassel stood there, sticking his arms out and if to say “WTF.” Apparently coordinator Bill Muir and QB coach Jim Zorn said something as well, because before the next snap, Haley blew his whistle to stop the play. While specifically looking at his offensive coaches, he reminded the whole team that he called for a live, full tackle session.

So that’s how things came to a conclusion for the Chiefs 2011 stay at Missouri Western State University. In a training camp that had very little hitting, the last segment had enough hitting that it ticked off some of the offensive guys. …Read More!

Training Camp Practice Report – 8/16

From St. Joseph, Missouri

Tuesday afternoon’s practice ended with a scene that showed itself for the first time in this unusual training camp:

Todd Haley was foaming mad.

It was a session where the Chiefs defense simply dominated the offense, and with each snap that went the way of the defenders, their enthusiasm and banter grew bigger and louder. When OLB Andy Studebaker broke the unwritten rule of hitting the quarterback as he came off the edge on a screaming blitz in the two minute period, the defense celebrated. And, the head coach erupted.

Much of what Haley said could not be heard all the way on the other end of the field. However, there was one word that was loud and clear and was used several times – stupid. In this practices, Haley wants his team to go fast and hard, but to take care of their teammates. The constant refrain from him is for his players to stay off the ground, because a prone body tends to cause injuries to the player on the ground, and other players who trip over him.

There’s no question it was the most intense practice of camp, and there were actual two shoving matches, the closet times in three weeks at Missouri Western State University that teammates came close to exchanging blows. The first incident involved several offensive and defensive linemen. The second had DE Wallace Gilberry and OTs Barry Richardson and Branden Albert going at each other and having to be separated by teammates.

“It’s hot, it’s physical, we’re tired and those type of things happen,” said ILB Derrick Johnson who had another impressive practice session in the middle of the Chiefs defense. “It’s not something that leaves the field. It’s not a problem in the locker room. It’s just guys blowing off steam.”

One noteworthy absence at Tuesday afternoon’s session was newly signed OT Jared Gaither. He was on the field but did not take part in the practice, instead spending his time in the rehab area. When practice was over, he hoped a ride on the golf cart of offensive coordinator Bill Muir. As he was walking on the field, there was a hitch in Gaither’s get along, as it looked like he was favoring leg. As usual in the pre-season, the Chiefs provide no information on injuries of any type.

Training Camp Update – 8/16

From St. Joseph, Missouri

Todd Haley took his team to the movies Tuesday morning, repeating a scene that he used last year in the team’s first season at Missouri Western State University.

His timing was good considering the morning weather here was poor, with rain showers. More than likely, they’ll be forced back onto the artificial turf field inside Spratt Stadium for their afternoon practice.

They also added their 89th player on the roster, signing undrafted rookie free agent Harold Ayodele, a defensive lineman out of Division II Emporia State. That’s him in the picture above making a tackle last season.

The 6-1, 339 pound Ayodele played 22 games for the Hornets, contributing 107 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He originally signed with the University of Florida coming out of high school. But when he couldn’t meet NCAA academic requirements, he ended up at Coffeyville Community College and the Jayhawk Conference. He then moved on to Tennessee State where he spent a year, before transferring to Emporia.

Poor academics, poor attitude and weight were the biggest problems that held Ayodele back over his college career. At one point, he weighed over 370 pounds.

Ayodele grew up in Grand Prairie, Texas, but went to high school In Jacksonville, Florida. He moved there when his oldest brother Akin was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. LB Akin Ayodele is currently with the Buffalo Bills after previous playing with Jacksonville, Dallas, Miami and Denver. Middle brother Remi Ayodele signed in late July with Minnesota, after previously playing with New England, Baltimore, Dallas, Atlanta and New Orleans. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Saints in 2009.

Training Camp Practice Report – 8/15

From St. Joseph, Missouri

A group of 14 military men and women from Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster joined the Chiefs for their Monday afternoon practice under dark and stormy skies at Missouri Western State University.

They didn’t just watch the session, they became part of it. Head coach Todd Haley brought them onto the field at the beginning of practice and introduced them to the team. Then, a number of them rode the seven-man blocking sled that the offense uses to start their drills every practice. A couple of the others were holding tackling shields and helped form a gauntlet for the offensive skill position players to run through. There were some interesting collisions in that one as smaller players like RB Dexter McCluster and WR Zeke Markshausen took some pretty good shots from the soldiers.

At the end of practice, they joined the Chiefs for their final huddle and then collected autographs and pictures from players and coaches. It’s all part of a USO promotion in association with Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, who was at Missouri Western on Monday. A group of military personnel will be at the St. Louis Rams practice on Tuesday in Earth City with King.

As for the players, it was another active practice for the Chiefs, as they wore pads and kept them on through the entire workout. On Sunday, Haley called for one play of full-contact football in a goal line situation. On Monday, he ended up with three, including a touchdown leap by RB Thomas Jones where it looked like he got 10-feet off the ground going over the right side of the offensive line behind RG Jon Asamoah and RT Barry Richardson. …Read More!

Training Camp Update – 8/15

From St. Joseph, Missouri

A rainy Monday morning forced the Chiefs inside for their walkthrough and the location of their afternoon practice remains in doubt.

Todd Haley said if there’s no threat of lightning with the Monday afternoon rain then his team would likely head inside Spratt Stadium and practice on the artificial turf. Any hint of the electrical stuff would push indoors. Fans can watch if the team works in the stadium, but not if the practice goes under the roof at the Missouri Western indoor facility. A scheduled event for Chiefs season ticket holders with Monday afternoon’s practice has been cancelled.

The head coach called Sunday afternoon’s practice “the most spirited” of training camp with an increased level of intensity evident on both sides of the football. Three players left that workout with injuries, but DL Amon Gordon was back on the field Monday morning, although he was more spectator than participant.

NT Anthony Toribio (left knee) and OLB Eric Bakhtiari (head) were not seen on the field for the walkthrough. DE Glenn Dorsey (left knee) was there but did not take part in the work.

Premium Coverage Begins September 1

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At bobgretz.com we have moved beyond our NFL lockout hangover and sit in anticipation of the 2011 season.

Because of four months of momentum killing nothing the owners and players handed us, we decided to push back the start of our premium subscription service. Starting on September 1, you will need a subscription to access all the information on bobgretz.com.

Aware of the tough economic times – we live them everyday – we’ve kept the price at $25 for full coverage of the rest of the 2011 Chiefs season, no matter how long that might be. Subscriptions purchased on or after September 1 will be $35, just as last year.

There’s a bonus for subscribers – for every subscription referral you bring to bobgretz.com, it’s $5 off your subscription, up to the full price at $25. Convince a friend, family member or co-worker to sign up, let us know about the connection, and we’ll credit your account. If five of your referrals sign up, then your subscription would be free.

Plus, if you signed up for our special during draft coverage, then you are already a subscriber for the season and you need to do nothing.

For all the information, click here.

Training Camp Practice Report – 8/14

From St. Joseph, Missouri

The football season has officially started here at Missouri Western State University. Todd Haley saw to that with Sunday afternoon’s practice.

On a warm, sunny day it wasn’t Mother Nature who turned up the heat. It was the Chiefs head coach who tinkered with the thermostat, as the team went through its first practice of training camp wearing pads for the entire session.

It was active, it was physical and Haley even called for a single play of full contact football. The offense had the ball 4th-and-Goal at the 1-yard line and had to put it in the end zone. The pads were cracking as RB Thomas Jones took the handoff from QB Matt Cassel and appeared to be stopped short of the goal line. Jones’ second effort seemed to push him across but special teams coach Steve Hoffman was the official and he ruled no touchdown.

“That was fun out there,” said NT Kelly Gregg after practice. “Hey, it’s Sunday, what else would you rather be doing that cracking the pads and playing tackle football.”

Especially physical were the offensive linemen. As part of the hangover for a dreadful performance in the pre-season opener, the line was hitting everything Sunday – blocking sleds, bags, dummies, each other and guys on the defense. There was no question the intensity level was up for the big guys.

At the start of practice, all 88 players were dressed in full pads and taking part. After about 60 minutes, that number fell by three as the increased intensity led to several injuries. NT Anthony Toribio went down in the individual position segment with what appeared to be a left knee injury. DL Amon Gordon walked away from the practice and to the rehab area with an unknown injury. OLB Eric Bakhtiari appeared to suffer a head injury in the 9-on-7 running drill when he stood his ground and took on a big block from TE Jake O’Connell. Bakhtiari left the field with trainer Dave Price and was taken by cart to the locker room.

Here are some other observations from Sunday’s practice: …Read More!

Training Camp-Preseason Rankings No. 2

From St. Joseph, Missouri

Pre-season game No. 1 is in the books and obviously it wasn’t a pretty sight at Arrowhead Stadium Friday night in the 25-0 loss to Tampa Bay.

But always, there is the tape and there are grades for the players. In retrospect there were players who saw their spot in line go up and some went down. The majority held their ground.

What follows is a look at who is trending up (), who is trending down () and who held their ground (). We did not bother to include those that did not play and the handful of players that saw limited playing time.

CLASS A – Roster Locks

…Read More!

It’s A Work Zone … Sunday Cup O’Chiefs

From St. Joseph, Missouri

When the players found their way back to STJ on Saturday evening, they were not met by a head coach holding tackling drills in the players’ dorm parking lot.

In fact, it’s doubtful that Todd Haley even raised his voice in speaking with his team. That may not be the case on Sunday, when the Chiefs return to the practice field almost 48 hours after their dreadful performance against Tampa Bay.

An upset it would be if Haley doesn’t have his team in full pads for this practice. It would also be a shock if there was not a tackling drill or three during the afternoon session.

Haley has been concerned about the physical condition of his team, and with good reason. The 88 players on the roster are all over the board when it comes to what kind of shape they are in. That concern remains, but now it’s time for the Chiefs to get to work on football, and that’s going to require Haley and his staff to step on the accelerator.

“What’s important is that our guys recognize they have a lot of work ahead of them and a short time to do it,” Haley said. “Our goal is to be ready to go on September 11th (regular season opener) and we have a lot of things to work on and a short time to do it.” …Read More!

Jones Ready To Go & Other Notes

From Arrowhead Stadium

Click here for the Bucs-Chiefs GAMEBOOK

Generally when a soon to be 33-year old NFL running back is still in the league, there’s very little chance that he’ll touch the ball in the first pre-season game of the summer.

But there’s nothing normal about Thomas Jones. Never has been over his 12-year career. His playing time Friday night was very limited, but he was on the field and he had the ball in his hands.

Although he had only two carries, he produced the longest offensive play of the game for the Chiefs offense when he broke off a 17-yard run in the first quarter. Throw in another eight-yard run and Jones had a 12.5-yard per carry average.

“I feel the same as I always have,” Jones said after the Chiefs 25-0 loss to the Buccaneers. “Once you stop loving the game and playing with intensity, then it’s time to stop playing the game.

“I don’t feel that way. I’ve had a great training camp playing with these guys. They are great teammates. I’m having a great time in camp; I’m just trying to get better every day like everybody else.”

Todd Haley’s depth chart continues to list Jones as the starting running back, but Jones and everyone else with any common sense understands that’s a show of respect for the veteran. It’s Jamaal Charles that leads the KC running game

“We’re trying to win game every week, that’s all that matters,” Jones said. “The other stuff doesn’t matter.” …Read More!

QBs Over Easy & Scrambled

From Arrowhead Stadium

When it was all done, Todd Haley was asked to evaluate the play off his young quarterback in Friday night’s pre-season opener.

“I saw that they can run for their lives,” the Chiefs head coach said.

His tongue was not firmly planted in his cheek when he said that. Starting QB Matt Cassel did not have to worry about running for his life, because he wasn’t allowed to throw a pass against Tampa Bay.

That wasn’t the case with Tyler Palko and Ricky Stanzi, who went back to pass 26 times. They were sacked a half-dozen times, ran away on four other plays and threw 16 passes. None of those throws went for more than 14 yards.

Haley hoped to use the game as an evaluation of his quarterback depth. Yet all he got to see is what he already knew: his No. 2 and 3 passers are mobile.

“They both have scrambling ability and that’s an area I think we’ve been deficient in, making plays on the scramble,” Haley said. “Those guys need to get some time to throw. I don’t think they were holding the ball so much as it was pretty much a jailbreak every time they dropped back. …Read More!

Commentary: Now That Was Ugly

From Arrowhead Stadium

Remember back in the days before the NFL owners’ lockout when Commissioner Roger Goodell was campaigning for only two pre-season games each year. His reasoning was the fans don’t like the games that don’t count.

The perfect piece of evidence to back the Commish’s thought went down Friday at a deserted Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs said they sold 67,537 tickets for the game against Tampa Bay. If that’s true, very few of those seat holders bothered to even make the drive to the Truman Sports Complex. Think more along the lines of 30,000 to 35,000 butts in the seats. If they stayed home to watch on TV, I guarantee they found something else to entertain them at about 7:30, or 20 minutes after it all got started.

The fans didn’t care and the Chiefs didn’t care. It seemed only the Buccaneers found anything redeeming in taking part in the evening. Maybe that was due to Josh Freeman’s homecoming to Kansas City. Maybe it was because the Bucs won 10 games last year and did not make the playoffs. Whatever the reason, Tampa Bay won easily 25-0, even though the tape of the game will not be on the way to Canton, Ohio anytime soon.

The way things went down, it probably would have been better for the Chiefs if they had just stayed up at Missouri Western in the Joe and had a walkthrough and a padded practice among themselves. I’m sure as Todd Haley and his staff grinds its way through the tape of this Walk of the Living Dead remake on Saturday, they will find something of value. It just wasn’t evident on Friday night. …Read More!

Chiefs Get Whitewashed By Bucs 25-0

From Arrowhead Stadium

More than a few fans, players and maybe even at least one owner have to be wondering one thing after Friday night’s 25-0 Tampa Bay pre-season victory over the Chiefs:

Is this what we waited four months for? Is this what surviving the lockout was all about?

It was certainly a fruitful night for the Buccaneers and their young QB Josh Freeman. Enjoying a homecoming to the place of his birth and the city where he grew up, Freeman had a nice evening. He led hi tem to 15 points in the first half, scoring the game’s first touchdown on a five-yard scramble.

The same cannot be said for the Chiefs. Todd Haley’s decision to allow his team time to get into shape, rather than immediately put them through a lot of contact and padded practices came back to bite him against the Bucs.

“Every time we come out here especially in our own stadium we like to come out on the winning end,” the head coach said. “That did not occur tonight. There were a number of different reasons for that.”

Haley listed turnovers, poor pass protection and poor tackling as the major culprits in the loss. There’s no question that all three could be traced to the lack of physical practices the team has gone through in St. Joseph. There are legitimate reasons for how Haley has approached this training camp, looking t the bigger picture of being ready for the regular-season opener against Buffalo than a game against Tampa Bay.

But there was a price to pay for that approach and the bill came due Friday night. …Read More!

Pre-Game #1 – Bucs v. Chiefs

From Arrowhead Stadium

It look like it’s going to be a pretty scarce crowd tonight for pre-season game No. 1 on the Chiefs schedule, as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

At 15 minutes before kickoff there were only a few thousand fans in the stands and the parking lots that are normally full at this point in pre-game, have plenty of open spaces.

For the pre-game warm-ups, the Chiefs had all 88 players on the field and in uniform. That included K Todd Carter, WR Keary Colbert and OT Jared Gaither. Carter is wearing No. 14, Colbert No. 84 and Gaither No. 71.

answer Bob ON ROSTER EVALUATION – 8/12

Poster chiefmike wrote on Thursday:

“is this the most comments ever on a Bob post or what?”

To answer the question, no chiefmike it’s not the most comments ever. But the reaction to ROSTER EVALUTION TIME certainly ranks as the most comments on a single post in the 2011 Chiefs season.

Quite obviously I struck a nerve with some of you, and some readers seem to have misunderstood my premise, or maybe I didn’t explain it correctly. Here’s what I wrote in setting up the evaluations:

But a stroll through the roster on a position-by position basis and there does not appear to be an overall increase in talent at the majority of positions. We speak here of additional talent, not the growth of players already on the roster. …Read More!

QBs On Camp Rosters

These are the quarterbacks listed on NFL roster this week. The numbers indicate the total number of games those quarterbacks have played and started in their careers.

AFC

NFC

Back-up Bonanza … Game-Day Cup O’Chiefs

Todd Haley’s answer to the question – “Are you comfortable with your quarterback situation?” – has never varied over the two weeks the Chiefs have been in training camp in St. joseph.

“I’m very comfortable with those guys,” Haley has said of his three QBs – Matt Cassel, Tyler Palko and Ricky Stanzi. “If there is somebody out there that we feel like improves the competition or helps make us better, I’ll keep that open at all positions … I wouldn’t say it worries me. ”

The question keeps being asked because of the dearth of NFL experience behind Cassel, who is the unquestioned starter. Palko has played in two games while banging around the league for the last five years. Stanzi is a rookie.

Starting Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium will come four quarters of football action that will test the comfort level of the head coach with his quarterback roster. Cassel is expected to play, but if he takes more than ten snaps it will be a shock; he’ll have a baseball hat on his head before most of the crowd is settled into their seats after the opening kickoff.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

7 p.m. kickoff @ Arrowhead Stadium

Telecast on FOX network, Channel 4 in K.C.

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That’s going to leave almost the entire game in the hands of Palko and Stanzi, and they will be out there without the starters. They’ll try to get things done with some players who are just a few weeks away from leaving football behind and going on with their lives.

But this will be their opportunity to keep their head coach comfortable, or have him screaming into the night in search of the personnel department to find quarterback help.

“They’re going to get significant action in these games and we have to see how they’re progressing,” Haley said. “I’m encouraged by their development; both of them. Tyler’s now been around a little bit, but he’s going to get to see, hopefully, more action than he’s seen to this point in his career, and I’m excited to see how he’s coming along. Obviously, Ricky, a first year player, he needs to be developing and developing at a good rate, which he is to this point. I’m encouraged.” …Read More!

Chiefs Add OT Jared Gaither

The Chiefs pushed their roster to 88 players Thursday morning signing big OT Jared Gaither.

The 6-9, 340 pound Gaither did not play in the 2010 season because of a back injury. Two weeks ago he was reportedly set to sign with the Raiders, but apparently he could not pass the physical exam in Oakland.

At the time, Raiders head coach Hue Jackson said:

“When he’s healthy, he’s one of the better left tackles in the league. He has extremely long arms, very tall, very long. He’s a good football player. Again, there’s a question of health, and we’re going to do everything that we need to do to make sure that we know exactly where he is.”

The 25-year old Gaither was an unrestricted free agent who has played 38 games with the Baltimore Ravens, including 33 starts at left tackle. He joined the Ravens as a fifth-round choice in the 2007 NFL Supplemental Draft.

While with Baltimore there were questions about his work ethic and commitment. Gaither frequently misses practices with injuries, the severity of which has been debatable within the Ravens organization. He was not a participant in the team’s off-season conditioning program before the 2010 season. He then missed the entire ’10 season because of the back injury.

He played two seasons at the University of Maryland before being declared academically ineligible for the 2007 season. He then petitioned for inclusion in the supplemental draft.

Roster Evaluation Time … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs

From St. Joseph, Missouri

The Chiefs hit the two-week mark in their 2011 pre-season on Wednesday evening with a practice under the lights here at Missouri Western State University.

It was only the third practice that had the tempo of a normal training camp, the type that were held in the pre-lockout days and before changes in the labor agreement placed limits on practice. The lack of an off-season and a fast and furious training camp were emphasis has been on conditioning more so than football, has not provided many opportunities for the Chiefs to evaluate the 85 players on the roster.

“We need them to play to the best of their ability so that we as a group can evaluate them,” head coach Todd Haley said. “That’s really what it comes down to is trying to be right on these evaluations because at some point we’re going to have to lower the roster number and we’d like to do a real good job in evaluation so we can make sure the right guys are here contributing to what we’re trying to do.”

As the Chiefs get ready to kick off the pre-season, are they a better team than the one that went 10-6 last season and won the AFC West? Has their talent level improved?

Two weeks into a pre-season, without a lot of football to evaluate, the answer here is no. There are positions that appear stronger, in some cases much stronger. The level of talent at wide receiver is much improved over the last two years. It’s the same thing with the linebacker position. …Read More!

Roster At 87 With Strange Additions

New Chiefs WR Keary Colbert was coaching at Southern Cal last year.

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From St. Joseph, Missouri

Ryan Succop was healthy enough to kick a 51-yard field goal Wednesday night in practice and heaven knows the Chiefs do not need another wide receiver when there are already 11 on the roster and an even dozen if you include Dexter McCluster.

But on Wednesday, the team announced the addition of another kicker and another receiver, pushing their pre-season roster to 87 players.

Claimed on waivers was K Todd Carter, released earlier in the week by the St. Louis Rams.

Signed as a street free agent was WR Keary Colbert, a former second-round draft choice, Colbert has not played in the NFL since the 2008 season.

Why? Good damn question. …Read More!