Comments on: Commentary: Chiefs Beaten Up On Line

By: Skip

Skip — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:32:55 +0000

Bob,
Been a Chiefs fan since ’66. Lived and died with them through all of my adult years, mostly died. My custom plates say ‘Chiefs’.

I have a simple question; Why is Gunther Cunnigham still the defensive coordinator? I ask this with no malice at all towards the man. I actually live about 20 miles from where he attended high school. This is his 4th or 5th year back and the D is the worst I’ve seen in my 42 years supporting the team. Shouldn’t the fans be seeing a better product?

One more thing, if the Chiefs show no marked improvement over the course of the season, and at this point there’s no indication they will, do you envision any shake-up in the organization?

Thanks for your great coverage of the Chiefs and in the oft-used lexicon of Chiefs fans everywhere, ‘maybe next year’….. when I’ll still be a fan. Hey, it can’t get any worse, can it?

Skip in CA

By: DOUBLE D

DOUBLE D — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:45:51 +0000

CRIS SIMMS he’s young and tough.

By: Merwin

Merwin — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:12:34 +0000

The best part about Thigpen is at least he can run out of the pocket to avoid the rush. I’m not convinced he is the answer at QB as he has a lot of errant passes. The team does seem to move with him in there but it’s usually late in the game with the other team protecting a good sized lead. I would be interested to see who is available to bring in as a replacement for Brodie Croyle.

By: DanKCFan

DanKCFan — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:08:34 +0000

I don’t think Thigpen is the answer but at least he gets us in the endzone. Huard is not the answer so in less we go get a free agent this week are best choice (IMO) is Thiggy

By: Harold C.

Harold C. — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:29:54 +0000

Thanks Mark….I’m encouraged by the comparison. Thigpen hasn’t been great so far but maybe he will morph into something more by the end of the year.

By: MarkInTexas

MarkInTexas — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:02:14 +0000

Harold, the 1989 Cowboys were 1-15, averaged 12 points/268 yds on offense and 25 points/347 yds on defense. The Chiefs to date average 12 points/257 yds on offense and 27 points/402 yds on defense.

The Cowboys, however, still had Herschel yet to trade, and a rookie named Aikman.

By: dklogue1

dklogue1 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:50:35 +0000

I think some fans may not make it through the season! Yes they look bad at times, a lot of times, but they were already at a disadvantage with this young team add no legitimate QB for more than a half and it is a recipe for disaster.
We need a legitimate QB now! We will probably not get one during the year. We get the Tyler Thigpen experience!

By: Harold C.

Harold C. — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:29:56 +0000

Who was it that was comparing our rebuild to the Dallas rebuild back in the Aikman days? I’m wondering…..were they as bad as this? Of course this year is hopeless. All we have left this year is to sit back and try very hard to see anything good that we can maybe build on for next year (not much there right now) and hope that nobody else from our division makes it to the Superbowl.

By: DavidS

DavidS — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:51:16 +0000

I have tried to remain positive and understanding in every way, but after this, I agree with the majority. The GM and Coaches are responsible for preparing the team to play. This season has turned into a record breaking season and it is all negative records. The way Gonzo was handled, the lack of foresight at the QB position, the placement of players into positions they can’t handle, and the total lack of motivation, is management and coaching issues. They must be held accountable. It really can get worse, so the key is to stop it before the good players we have are ruined. It is time for Poli and Cowher to ride in and save the day.

By: Lloyd

Lloyd — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:17:32 +0000

Someone said Herm is in over his head. HERMMMM, I hear the train a coming , comming round the bend.Dont do anything now , if its already screwed up , dont make it any worse ! JUST SMIPLEY HAVE ALL THE PLAYERS THAT ARE NOT BLOCKING – DASH OUT OF THE WAY , SO WHO IS TRYING TO MOVE THE BALL , DO NOT HAVE THEM TO DEAL WITH , STANDING AROUND , IN THE WAY , DOING NOTHING , NOT A DAMN THING , MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AROUND THEM .—FILMS !!!??

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:49:05 +0000

I hope the backers of this organizations woeful decisions, can answer just ONE MORE question: How much worse could it possibly be the rest of the season, if they got rid of Herm & Gunther? The organization has nothing to lose – really.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:40:46 +0000

That would be Typical Herm. Blame and fire the co-ordinators, when the real problem is himself. When a team gives up 2 300 yard rushing games in the NFL, with perhaps more to come, the Head Coach MUST be fired. His team isn’t playing for him. Carl and Herm must go, then Bob can rightly blame them for this fiasco after they are gone, as he can’t while they are still employed. Break the bank for Scott Pioli of NE, and turn over EVERYTHING to him.

By: tmessina

tmessina — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:39:48 +0000

Hank the D Line gives up the run (big or short) from the start of the game till they get tired by 2nd qt.
As for QB I do not know who would fit but my problem is I doubt the chiefs know any more than me.
You may like the ability of our D Line, but they have only showed up one game, Denver. One game in 6 is not much of a vote for their abilitys. Maybe in 3 or 4 year, maybe never.
Cottam and the other WR have no one to teach them how to play in the NFL, how to get open, red defenses, etc. How do I know? Not one has contributed much all season long and they look uncoached (a word?).

By: JohnNdallas

JohnNdallas — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:13:13 +0000

I betting Gaily goes before Gun does.

By: Colby

Colby — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:46:28 +0000

I think I’ve got it. Herm won’t be in any danger this year. He’ll fire Gun before the year is even over and blame his failed D linemen he drafted on Gunther. No big loss anyway, Gun hasn’t been the same since the league practically banned bump and run coverage. Gun doesn’t have the freedom to blitz like he used to and maybe, Neil and DT made Gunther look like a better coordintator than he really is?

By: kcnutzinpa

kcnutzinpa — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:44:57 +0000

i agree bob right now this team is bad and it seems to me they are not headed in the right direction anytime soon! keep up the good work!!

By: Hank

Hank — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:11:35 +0000

After calming down here is how I see it:
1. The defense was on the field way too long and young or not they will give up a big run and that’s what happened at the end of both halves.
2. Brodie is done as a starter but we can’t afford to draft an unknown. We need to get a proven yet young QB from Houston or Cleveland.
3. This defense is so young that they will be great with a lead and bad when behind.
4. Finally, why has there been no passes to Cottam, Franklin or any young guy on a short pattern over the middle?

By: JohnNdallas

JohnNdallas — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:58:05 +0000

Again Tmess I agree with everything you say, but the Huard question is a valid one, Croyals roster spot offered us hope and a future, Huards is just wasted air, he has no future he packed it in last season.
I’m not saying that to insult him (well in a way I am) If he doesn’t want to play than he should have retired instead of hoping to ride the bench and draw a check I say again his presence on this roster is a waste.

By: tmessina

tmessina — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:45:12 +0000

Huard is a backup and probably always has been. At least he has won in the NFL which is more than herm can say for any of his other chosen QBs. John, the 2008 chiefs are not at the bottom yet. This team is capable of losing on such a level that most draft picks will flop, future draft picks refuse to sign here, etc. Look it is only football but clark could have sewn the seeds for the chiefs to be a laughingstock in the NFL for the future (as in the fans future). Sorry lost my mind for a moment but this was bad today.

By: JohnNdallas

JohnNdallas — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:38:13 +0000

I have to ask this tmess, how do you feel about Huard roster spot? He too is hurt again.

By: tmessina

tmessina — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:23:48 +0000

I liked Brodie as much as anybody. But he cannot make it through a game. You cannot tie up a roster spot with a guy who is injured all the time. Sorry

By: Skrappy

Skrappy — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:52:53 +0000

I think we should keep Croyle around as our new back-up. I think he would serve us well backing up our new pick next year. Heck, we might as well draft two quarterbacks on the first day. I think Croyle has good skills and is a character guy, so I think it would be wise to keep him to back up our new starter from the bench.

By: Colby

Colby — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:47:22 +0000

Nice article Bob. It was tough to read, but it’s honest. You take a lot of flak for being too easy on these guys, but you are an honest journalist in my opinion. There’s nothing to be happy about after this game. Croyle’s career is probably over, at least as a starter, and the Chiefs now have next to no hope whatsoever. I’ve been against the idea of dumping Herm midseason, but St. Louis has won two straight under their interim coach Jim Haslett and they’ve looked good doing it. It’s time to send a message to the players and fans. Someone’s head needs to roll.

If not Herm or Carl, then the special teams coach might be a good fire. Getting rid of Gunther mid season might not be a bad idea either. How about Nick Novak getting handed his walking papers? Something needs to happen around here and it needs to happen now!

By: ILChiefsFan

ILChiefsFan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:45:51 +0000

Jon,
In my opinion the right side was still a bigger problem than the left. Herb Taylor played quite a bit at right tackle, but took at least two penalties. Hard to tell if we was an improvement over McIntosh without reviewing play-by-play.

Albert got beat a couple times on pass protection. On at least 1 play they purposely lined Haynesworth up against him. I thought his run blocking was better than the rest of the line, but given how bad the run blocking was overall that’s not much of a compliment.

By: Stiv

Stiv — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:41:42 +0000

This is a very, very poorly coached team.

By: ILChiefsFan

ILChiefsFan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:18:23 +0000

Wow. That’s as pessimistic a column as I’ve seen on this site, Bob.

I think that, considering the opponent, pass protection was better in this game than it was against either Atlanta or Carolina. Run blocking was a different story, however.

Can we all admit the Croyle is just a fragile guy? Yes, he got hit hard, but don’t a lot of NFL QB’s have to endure a few hits like that each week? Croyle was throwing the ball pretty successfully up until he got injured, so it’s not like the line was being consistently overwhelmed.

By: Jon in Dayton

Jon in Dayton — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:16:09 +0000

For those of us who couldn’t see the game … was it the right or left side or both? With it being Albert’s first game back how did he do?

By: Mike in St. Joe

Mike in St. Joe — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:00:34 +0000

What an absolutely pathetic performance this afternoon. Sadly, I don’t believe management or the coaching staff have a clue what needs to be done.

Croyle has probably taken his last snap as a Chief, which is a good thing. It’s time to find a legitimate starter.

By: tmessina

tmessina — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:57:21 +0000

Amen, Bob. I still feel the chiefs have not hit the bottom yet.