Every Corner Has A Story … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs

Monday was the first day of the NFL regular season.

And in locker rooms around most of the league, it was a day where players returned from a two-day weekend vacation. They got a chance to see which of their teammates were still in the locker room, and which ones had their lockers cleaned out and empty.

It’s kind of like the first day of school, with a lot of emotions around the room. Some of the young guys have new locker locations, as they are sprinkled in with the veterans, rather than being grouped together with other rookies. Some guys have new numbers to wear, like rookie OLB Pierre Walters who is now wearing No. 97 after using No. 67 in the pre-season.

In one corner of the room, OLB Tamba Hali had his nose buried in his cell phone, still refusing to speak with reporters, something he started back in training camp. At the other end of the room, SS Mike Brown was talking about the Chiefs defense.

“We’ve got the schemes down and we know what the coaches expect from us,” said Brown. “Now it’s just about reacting. All the thinking is done. From now on it’s going to be more about reacting and playing fast.” Brown is running with the No. 1 defense at strong safety.

Not far from Brown was the newest member of the Chiefs, OT Ryan O’Callaghan. The big man (he’s 6-7) was surrounded by reporters for the first and probably last time in the room. He said his first step was learning the plays. “I think there’s a good opportunity here,” O’Callaghan said. “I feel like I can contribute.”

A few lockers away, RB Jamaal Charles was the next guy surrounded by the scribes, tin throats and hairdos. “I think we are going to be more aggressive in the run game this year,” Charles said. “He (Haley) came in and made a lot of changes to the offense. It’s going to be different.”

Across the room ILB Demorrio Williams was peeling tape of his left leg, enough that it looked like he was wrapped up like a mummy. He too did not want to talk which is too bad because Williams is the Lazarus of the ‘09 Chiefs. Declared roster dead just a few weeks ago because of all the time he spent rehabbing early in training camp, Williams for the season opener at least will be in the starting lineup.

Down the row from Williams was NT Tank Tyler talking about veteran OLB Mike Vrabel. “It’s not often you hear guys speak up and talk out there,” Tyler said of Vrabel. “It’s great having him with us. You have to listen to what he has to say.”

Right across from Tyler sat RB Dantrell Savage, who for the second consecutive season defied the odds and earned a spot on the 53-man roster. But as Savage learned last year as a rookie free agent, you can make the team for week one and then have the carpet pulled out from under you several weeks later.

“You can’t relax,” Savage said. “You’ve got to make something of every practice, every game.”

Way off in the back corner of the room No. 1 draft choice DE Tyson Jackson was standing in front of his locker, speaking to the media horde.

“Coach Clancy (Pendergast, defensive coordinator) is talking to u s all the time about stepping up and making our own identity,” Jackson said. “That’s what we have to do. I’m just trying to get in there and get techniques taken care of for me.”

Less than 10-feet away from Jackson, LG Brian Waters sat in front of his locker in the corner; in fact as the longest tenured member of the Chiefs roster, he actually has two lockers, just as TE Tony Gonzalez did last season. Waters continued his recent habit of not talking with the media as well.

On the opposite side, down from Jackson, FB Mike Cox was headed for the shower, sporting a bloody cut on the bridge of his nose. It happens to hundreds of players in a season, where the helmet gets pulled down and slices the area where the nose and eyes all come together. “It’s going to be a long year with this thing already,” Cox laughed.

On the next row of lockers, there in the middle of the room, Walters stood drinking one of those nutritional concoctions that helps players recover after a workout/practice. He and fellow linebacker Jovan Belcher had just accomplished one of the hardest tasks in pro football: he made the 53-man roster as an undrafted college free agent.

“Oh man it’s just unbelievable,” Walters said. “You dream of this and then all the sudden, you are part of it and it’s just …” The smile on his face filled in the void when words couldn’t express his feelings. On cutdown day, Walters stayed in his hotel room, watching television, staring at the clock and wondering what was in his future. That’s when his agent called.

“He asked me how I was doing and I told him how anxious I was and worried and then he says, ‘you made it.’ I was stunned,” Walters said.

How did he celebrate? “I went to bed,” Walters laughed. “I knew I needed to get my rest because now the hard work really starts.”

In every corner of the room there was a different story, a very personal take on the first day of the 2009 NFL season.

CHIEFS FILL OUT PRACTICE SQUAD

Second-year OT Barry Richardson was back with the team late Tuesday afternoon after being signed to the Chiefs eight-man practice squad.

That now gives the team the full complement of players available to them with a 53-man active roster and 8-man practice squad. Richardson was eligible for the practice squad because he played in only six games last season. The limit for a player with NFL experience is nine games in a season.

Practice squad players make $5,700 per week. They are allowed to practice with the team, but they are not eligible to play in games.

SIGNINGS, TRANSACTIONS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE

  • BRONCOS – released WR Chad Jackson; TE Richard Quinn was arrested on Monday, facing charges of harassment and domestic violence involving his girl friend.
  • COLTS – signed S Aaron Francisco; released LB Jordan Senn.
  • 49ERS – signed OT Tony Pashos (Jaguars); released LB Diyral Briggs.
  • JAGUARS – released CB Kennard Cox.
  • JETS – signed P Steve Weatherford; released punter A.J. Trapasso.
  • LIONS – named Matt Stafford as starting quarterback for the season opener.
  • PATRIOTS – released WR Greg Lewis; claimed DB Bret Lockett on waivers (Browns).
  • SAINTS – signed fourth-round draft choice LB Stanley Arnoux and placed him on the injured reserve list due to a torn Achilles suffered in a mini-camp practice in May.

FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY

On September 8, 1962, the
Texans beat the Boston Patriots 42-28 in the season opener played on a Saturday night at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Some 32,000 fans turned out for the game as the Texans scored three TDs in the second quarter to take control. RB Abner Haynes had a two and 25-yard runs for scores and WR Chris Burford caught a five-yard TD pass from QB Len Dawson. Later Haynes scored two more times, on a 30-yard run and a nine-yard pass from Dawson. RB Frank Jackson also scored on an eight-yard run. Haynes finished with the four TDs, 122 yards rushing and 14 yards receiving. Dawson was 16 of 23 for 202 yards and two TDs. LB Sherrill Headrick had an interception of Patriots QB Babe Parilli.

On September 8, 1985, the
Chiefs won their season opener beating the New Orleans Saints 47-27 at the Superdome. The visitors jumped to a 26-3 lead at half-time, thanks to a pair of touchdown passes by QB Bill Kenney and four FGs by Nick Lowery. TE Walt Arnold caught a 33-yard scoring toss from Kenney and WR Carlos Carson snagged a 37-yard TD. Later, Kenney and Carson connected on a 19-yard score. RB Herman Heard had a three-yard TD run and RB Ethan Horton scored from 19 yards out. Carson ended up with eight catches for 173 yards, while Kenney was 22 of 34 for 397 yards. The Chiefs defense had four interceptions, with CB Kevin Ross grabbing two. They also had four sacks, with two coming from DE Pete Koch.

On September 8, 1997, the Chiefs beat the Oakland Raiders 28-27 in a Monday night game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Chiefs trailed 27-13 at the start of the fourth quarter, but scored the last 15 points to get the victory. The winner came in the fourth quarter with just seconds to play, when QB Elvis Grbac hooked up with WR Andre Rison on a 32-yard TD pass. That gave the Chiefs the one-point margin they needed for victory. Earlier in the game, Grbac threw a five-yard TD pass to FB Kimble Anders. K Pete Stoyanovich had three field goals and CB Darren Anderson grabbed a throw by Oakland QB Jeff George and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. Grbac hit 21 of 35 passes for 312 yards and Rison caught eight balls for 162 yards.


49 Responses to “Every Corner Has A Story … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs”

  • September 8, 2009  - Rip 'em a new one says:

    re: …..the next guy surrounded by the scribes, tin throats and hairdos…..
    ——————————————–
    I about lost it with Bob’s description of the various media types! I might have to steal and use those labels.

    Anyway, a quick thanks to Bob for the best Chiefs coverage found anywhere and to all the posters who regularly contribute. Merry New NFL Season everyone and let’s get some W’s.


  • September 8, 2009  - Tenand6 says:

    Outstanding, as always.


  • September 8, 2009  - Harold C. says:

    Nice article Bob. I hope these Chiefs surprise the pants off of everybody.


  • September 8, 2009  - ILChiefsFan says:

    Congrats to Pierre Walters, another product of the football factory that is Eastern Illinois University! Hope he’s able to stick around.


  • September 8, 2009  - SG says:

    “49ERS – signed OT Tony Pashos (Jaguars);”

    We cut loose Sackintosh and put B-Rinch on the practice squad. Glad we don’t need any more help though…


  • September 8, 2009  - SG says:

    “Practice squad players make $5,700 per week.”

    Sign me up – that’s pretty good salary.


  • September 8, 2009  - Herman Edwards says:

    “Practice squad players make $5,700 per week.”

    “Sign me up – that’s pretty good salary.”

    Heck, sign me up too!


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    It starts now……no more guessing….. the answers begin. When Bob said tin throats…….did a certain person on this blog all the time pop up in your mind ????? Go Chiefs a fan since 1965


  • September 8, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    “Not far from Brown was the newest member of the Chiefs, OT Ryan O’Callaghan.”

    - that anywhere near Highway 65? After Sunday’s game in BALT Jordan Black may seem like good old days nee roadblock…the Pryce being right.

    “I think there’s a good opportunity here”

    - when you’re fresh off the waiver wire as in nowhere, even Kansas City seems like someplace…

    “I feel like I can contribute.”

    - this aft he checked out his roster competition saw that some guy named “Clippers” was it (i.e., wasn’t like this in NE); but then when he heard how fast KC media can turn on folks compared DEs, said “Ow! Me bollocks! Now I’m really banjaxed.”

    Ryan, no matter how many times click your heels together can never leave – welcome to the hotel Miss-ou-ri. Someone tell O’Callaghan that here in Kansas City, we spell success ‘1969′…

    &


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    …and we spell DUMBASS ‘Rin Tin Tin’.


  • September 8, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    FINAL SCORE: Ravens 589 – chiefs .4


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    FINAL SCORE: Intelligent People 589 – Rin Tin Tin 0.


  • September 8, 2009  - alex k says:

    great article bob, really interesting, glad to see this type of content back.

    Ryan is a heck of a backup tackle, far better than jordan black, anyone who watched him play this preseason can attest to that…

    And yes, the futile attempts of an extremelly sad sad man are coming up weaker and weaker….poor rin


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    This anon well go out on the branch & predict the Ravens game well be a lot closer than must people think .So for the season 4 to 8 wins or more for the Red & Gold. PnS


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    Reading the NFL blog seems Seymore doesn’t want to report to the Faders . Just proves what Hailey said/didn’t say any 22 can win 2 games!!!!! Al been proving that for sometime now . PnS


  • September 8, 2009  - cid says:

    Glad they signed O’Callaghan. He and Alleman and Ndukwe may not be Pro Bowlers right now, but at least they are young. They are worth developing and even if only one out of the three of them become a solid starter then we’re still better off than we were before.

    So glad they made room for both Savage and Lawrence. Lawrence has a long way to go, but his speed just about leaps off the screen at you he’s so fast!


  • September 8, 2009  - arrowhead1978 says:

    I am a Debbie Downer.


  • September 8, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Rin so far: 100% correct as in Egoli & Hailme as the Chiefs be as 0-4 Hoover vacuums.

    The rest: batting .000 (’rest’ being folks like you the readers & including & )

    heh heh heh!

    “Hey Herm?”

    “Yeah Rin?”

    “I’m a pickin’!”

    “And I’m a grinnin’!”

    & “Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!!!”


  • September 8, 2009  - Aaron says:

    Great article Bob. Little insight like this makes it fun to be a fan and get behind and learn more about the players


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    “Hey Rin?”

    “Yeah Herm?”

    “I’m a cummin’!”

    “And I’m a swallowin’!”

    “Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh YUMMY!!!”


  • September 8, 2009  - Herm's Butthole says:

    Rin Tin Tin, get your lips off me!!!


  • September 8, 2009  - Larry says:

    Keep up the great blogging Rin. It’s the truth that makes them protest so much. You’ve got the dreamers on the run.


  • September 8, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Why thank you Larry. Its nice to have someone agree with me. The fact that I made you up and replied to my self as ‘Larry’ makes no difference to me. Surely no one will figure that out. Shhhh!


  • September 8, 2009  - Larry says:

    You couldn’t carry the real Rin’s thoughts let alone a conversation.


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    Anyone who agrees with Rin is so obviously a figment of his own imagination.


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    While I don’t agree with Rin most of the time . I cannot condone the 6th grade comments from some on here.Some on here need too grow up & have a civil debate .PnS


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    Yes, I agree. 99 % of those “6th grade comments” come from one source. Same source, different names. Anyone with half a brain knows who this person is. Right Rin?


  • September 8, 2009  - arrowhead1978 says:

    I hate myself. I am a jerk.


  • September 8, 2009  - arrowhead1978 says:

    LOL… to the fraudulent poster stop being a corn-fed retard, typical midwesterner, the reason why Bush was president in the first place because ya’ll will follow whomever leads you…. I dont see Haley as the great messiah… apparently you do…


  • September 8, 2009  - arrowhead1978 says:

    I voted for Bush. He has great baked beans.


  • September 8, 2009  - Harold C. says:

    Don’t you get it Rin…..we don’t want you here. Anyone that posts here and says otherwise is YOU anyway so don’t bother. We know your stupid tricks. You are not clever….just annoying. You could be otherwise but refuse, so I don’t feel bad telling you so…..because it’s true….and you know better. Why don’t you go find a Raiders site to post on. You would fit right in.


  • September 8, 2009  - arrowhead1978 says:

    I like Rin. Rin is the Messiah.


  • September 8, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    I agree – Rin’s the BOMB! heh heh heh

    daddy-o

    Meanwhile back at angsty central, Harold C. said

    “Don’t you get it Rin…..we don’t want you here. Anyone that posts here and says otherwise is YOU anyway so don’t bother. We know your stupid tricks. You are not clever….just annoying. You could be otherwise but refuse, so I don’t feel bad telling you so…..because it’s true….and you know better. Why don’t you go find a Raiders site to post on. You would fit right in.”

    - wow…that’s some of the worst method acting I’ve ever seen or heard Hairy. Well here, this time ‘focus’ – ‘concentrate’ – really get into your blather so that the audience can identify with your character (tho you have none…)

    (PS) When did Bob G appoint you his proxy? You have a mighty proprietary way about you – think I’ll stay all season long just because… I can.

    &


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    “Rin’s the BOMB!”

    Theres no ‘m’ in BOOB.


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    Rin Tin Tin says:

    “think I’ll stay all season long just because… I can.”

    What are you going to do after you finish running everyone else off? Theres already a ton of people who don’t come here any more becuase of you. Your audience is disappearing, if you didn’t notice that.


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    I wonder what Mr Gretz thinks of you running people off from his website?


  • September 8, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    He said as continued Rin’s shadow, e’er tugging His cape, grabbin’ His ankle and beggin’ for but one more moment with the Master.

    The echoes your lone voice the wilderness be as the sound of a tree falling in a forest – with no one there for to hear.

    By the power subscribed to He that is me Rin, I now pronounce myself nee Him: “the luckiest man portending dog on the face of the earth!”

    That final score once more: Ravens 589 – chiefs .4

    daddy-o


  • September 8, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Which is to say ‘why don’t you ask’ (seeing as you’ve asked me everything else.)


  • September 8, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    Rin Tin Tin says:

    “The echoes your lone voice the wilderness be as the sound of a tree falling in a forest – with no one there for to hear.”

    Yes, thats exactly what it will be like after you run the rest of the good readers here off. Have fun then.


  • September 8, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    2, 3, 4


  • September 8, 2009  - St. Paul 1 says:

    Look, I can’t always figure out what Rin is talking about, and I am not as fond of Herm as he is, but he goes a long way in keeping these forums from being dominated by the Haley/Pioli lovers.

    The current administration may know what it’s doing, but we have no proof so far. I don’t think we’re going to know for sure for a couple of years. And you have to admit, their egoism is pretty annoying.

    And the person or people authoring the scatological insulting posts need to be removed from this forum. Bob, are you paying attention to these exchanges?


  • September 9, 2009  - St. Paul 1 says:

    Because I, especially am one of those people. And also a huge douchebag.


  • September 9, 2009  - Jody says:

    Good morning Carl…I-I mean Rin


  • September 9, 2009  - arrowhead1978 says:

    Jody,

    Rin is the Messiah.


  • September 9, 2009  - Tim says:

    Hey Rin. If you hate the chiefs so much, go get another team… Damn dude, all you do is hate. Are you just a hater… Do you kick little kids dogs for fun, push old women down the stairs. Think your fast because you beat some old fart to the front door of the Mall. Come on get a life dude.


  • September 9, 2009  - arrowhead1978 says:

    Tim,

    How dare you speak ill of the Messiah!!!!


  • September 9, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Tim said

    “Hey Rin (Beatle-esque)

    - the Chiefs are sad, took a young team & made it lesser, remember ‘any twenty-two will do’ he can’t coach football should play golf or pool.”

    “If you hate the chiefs so much, go get another team.”

    - if you can’t handle the implications, don’t read the writing on the blog wall courtesy Rin, Chiefs fan since ‘63…

    “Damn dude, all you do is hate. Are you just a hater.”

    - well, if you’re not certain… No, actually Rin is an Aries!

    “Do you kick little kids”

    - only Scottie and al(ex) k…daily

    “dogs for fun”

    - dog’s the best, nee this one Rin!

    “push old women down the stairs.”

    - no need, will throw himself from the top of Arrowhead by week 10 of his own accord…

    “Think your fast”

    - I’m the Usama Bolt of blogging…

    “because”

    - I can nee choose to be…

    “you beat some old fart”

    - Harold C. isn’t ‘that’ old – but he does stink, to be sure…

    “to the front door of the Mall.”

    - and then it’s ‘home James’ nee Chiefs – cellar the AFC West!

    “Come on get”

    - unhappy! (Patridge Family beat 3, 2, 1…)

    Hello fans 0 and 4’s what we’re bringin’, c’mon get unhappy!

    A whole lotta losin’ is what we’ll be seein’, we’ll look real crappy!

    We had high hopes we’d be winnin’ together – we’d score so many td’s be the Patriot Way

    but somethin’ always happens when two dolts heads be tethered, results in losin feelin they’re both duds not the bomb!

    Limpin’ along there’s a song that we’re singin’,
    we’re 0 and 5 now!

    A whole lotta losin’ is what we be bringin’,

    make you unhappy
    make you un-hap-pyy,
    we’ll make un-happ-yyyyyyyyyyyy

    “a”

    - rope? A chair? What twill it be you finally chose? Death with the Chiefs or life e’erafter with Rin?

    “life dude.”

    - good boy! I’ll have my secretary bill you for the therapy…

    &


  • September 10, 2009  - SG says:

    “- I’m the Usama Bolt of blogging…”

    No doubt you are. Too bad you’re not the Usain Bolt of blogging. I’ll let you watch the super slow-motion replay so you can see the speed rush go by and run circles around you again.


  • September 10, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    You still don’t get it SG (much as your libido)…

    Usama > > Usain (or e’en Hussein)

    Get it? Got it? Good!

    heh heh heh!!!

    daddy-o


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