Explosion Needed … Monday Cup O’Chiefs
Think about it for a second.
How many explosive plays can you remember from the Chiefs over the last two seasons?
We are talking about game changing plays, like runs where the back burst through the line of scrimmage and got into the secondary for a major gain. Or long bombs in the passing game. How about punt and kickoff returns into the end zone for a score? Defensive touchdowns, like a sack, fumble, recovery and TD?
If they don’t come quickly to mind, there’s a reason: there weren’t many.
With a 6-26 record over the last two seasons, the Chiefs ability to win has been compromised by many things. One of the biggest factors has been the lack of big plays. They are few and far between for the Chiefs, whether on offense, defense or special teams.
Brandon Flowers picked off a Brett Favre pass and returned it 91 yards for a score in October ‘08. Tyron Brackenridge picked up a fumble by San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers and scored on a 50-yard return in October ‘07. Maurice Leggett returned a fake field goal fumble by Oakland 67 yards for a score and then grabbed an interception off Jay Cutler for 27 yards and a TD. Both of those came last season.
That’s it … the sum total of big plays. Four plays in four different games. The Chiefs were 2-2 in those games.
Doesn’t sound like much, but when a team goes 4-12 and 2-14, that’s 33 percent of the victories.
The lack of explosion plays was especially true last season. Of the league’s 100 longest running plays in 2008, Larry Johnson had three, none for a score. Of the top 100 longest pass plays, the Chiefs had three and none went for a touchdown. Of the 100 longest kick returns last year, the Chiefs had two, none for a touchdown. Of the 100 longest punt returns last year, the Chiefs had one, without a TD.
Push those stats out over two seasons and the numbers are even grimmer:
LONG RUNS – In the last two years, the Chiefs have had just three running plays that gained 50 yards or more. That’s out of 762 rushing plays. All three were runs by Johnson: 65 and 63 yards last year and 54 yards last season. None went for a touchdown.
LONG PASSES – Over the ‘07-08 seasons, the Chiefs had five pass plays that went for 50 yards or more. That’s out of 645 completions. RB Jamaal Charles had a 75-yard completion and WR Devard Darling 68 yards last year. Dwayne Bowe had catches of 58 and 51 yards in the ‘07 season. WR Mark Bradley had a 56-yard catch last season. Only one of those plays went for a touchdown – Bowe’s 51-yard catch at San Diego in the fourth game of the ‘07 schedule.
KICK RETURNS – In the last two years, the Chiefs had only two kick returns over 50 yards, both coming last year from Dantrell Savage for 59 and 51 yards. That’s in 147 kick returns. None went for a score.
PUNT RETURNS – Over the ‘07-08 seasons the Chiefs had only one punt return over 30 yards, that from Kevin Robinson last year that went for 32 yards. That’s in 66 punt returns. None went for a score.
INTERCEPTION RETURNS – In the last two years the Chiefs had only two interception returns that went for more than 50 yards, both last year in Flowers (91 yards for a TD) and Pat Surtain (50 yards). Also last year Leggett had a 27-yard INT return for a score.
In the last two years, the Chiefs defense scored three touchdowns: Brackenridge, Flowers and Leggett. In the last two years, the Chiefs special teams scored one time: Leggett’s return of the fumbled fake field goal.
That’s four return TDs in the last 32 games. Last year, half the league had four or more return TDs in just 16 games.
The last time the Chiefs scored a kickoff return for a TD was 2005. The last punt return for a score was 2006. The last time they blocked a punt for a TD was 2006. The last time they blocked a FG for a TD was 1987.
What’s kept the Chiefs from making big plays? Three major factors: lack of talent, lack of speed and conservative coaching.
When a team only wins six of 32 games the major problem is a lack of experienced top-level talent. That’s been apparent for the Chiefs, who have had only one player who consistently has contributed big plays: Johnson. Last year, Leggett showed the ability to make big plays as a rookie on both defense and special teams.
They’ve had three Pro Bowl players in the last two seasons: Brian Waters, Jared Allen and Tony Gonzalez. Allen had the potential to create big plays on the pass rush, but those seldom happened during the ‘07 season. Although he was a huge part of the offense the last two seasons, Gonzalez wasn’t a big-play receiver. Only three of his catches went for more than 30 yards.
One of the keys for Leggett is his speed; he was the fastest player on the team’s roster in ‘08. The second fastest was Charles, who had the longest receiving play last year, catching a 75-yard pass from QB Tyler Thigpen. The Chiefs have not had productive wide receiver with top-end speed since the final seasons of Eddie Kennison’s time with the team (2005-06).
Because of the lack of experienced talent and speed, Herm Edwards and his coaching staff tended towards the conservative in all three aspects of the game. Because the team’s margin of error was so slim, there were fewer chances taken, especially on defense. Last year’s incredibly poor pass rush that produced a league-record low 10 sacks came without a large number of blitzes called by Gunther Cunningham. That was due to a lack of linebacker talent and a lack of speed at the position, all important parts of the blitz.
It’s a house of cards that sunk the Chiefs and could not provide them the ammunition to improve their chance of victory. In the NFL to win, a team must be able to make explosion plays.
The only way this trend changes for the Chiefs is more talent and speed. Those elements may make Todd Haley and his coaching staff less conservative when it comes to taking chances.
HEARING FROM HERM EDWARDS
This weekend was the 14th annual Herm Edwards Football Camp in Monterey, California. It went down at Monterey Peninsula College.
But it was the first time Edwards held the free camp without an NFL coaching job to take care of when it was all over. He told the Monterey County Herald that he had coaching offers from five NFL teams and two colleges after he was fired by the Chiefs back in January. Edwards turned them down and went on to sign with ESPN to work as a studio analyst.
“I thought about it,” Edwards said of coaching again. “I really felt like I needed to evaluate where I’m at. To tell you the truth, it feels good. I don’t miss it at all. Of course, that’s easy to say because the season hasn’t started yet.”
Edwards makes no apologies for what went down the last two seasons with the Chiefs.
“We lost seven games by seven points or less last year,” Edwards said. “Why? We had no experience. We had to do it with 20 rookies. We couldn’t finish in the fourth quarter. I was coaching a college team. But I had fun. And we got better. I believe I’ve made it better for the next guy.”
Edwards says he’s not closing the door to returning to coaching at some point in the future.
“Doing what I’m doing right now just makes sense for me in life at this time,” Edwards said. “Being a part of the NFL for 30 years was a blessing.
“You never say never. You always leave the door open. If I choose to come back, I have the option. But my girls are getting used to seeing me home. You don’t realize how many people you’ve touched until you are out the game. For me, it’s always been about making a difference. That’s what this camp is about.”
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on June 29, 1970 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was TE Troy Drayton. He played the last of his eight NFL seasons with the Chiefs in 2000, appearing in 16 games with one start. Drayton caught eight passes for 70 yards and a pair of TDs in Kansas City. He also played for the Rams and Dolphins.
Stat’s are fact’s—- If you are in really, really good shape, like Navy Seal or Special Opp.levels then high preformance IS just part of the day—Then things become easy, it just goes together.
Each and every day the short stories(Readers Digest) type, paint a picture that is so very clear,it’s easy to see the need’s and answers, along with who and what it takes to put all the pieces in place.
Thank’s start with Clark Hunt on right moves, him and him alone.
Thank’s again Clark———
typical Herm response,,, no acountability to himself,, blame it on the players ,,to young , I was coahing a collage team.. well you built it,, you coached it,, own up to it..I do like your reponse that you made it better for the next guy,, you did because about anybody can improve upon YOUR record..
I’ve noticed that most pass patterns seem to be a receiver runs 10 yards and posts up for the pass. Comes to a stop and looks for the ball. Or, a fly pattern.
Why no crossing patterns? That gives a receiver a chance for separation and catch the ball with some momentum to get yards after the catch. I expect more of that– is it that we don’t have QB’s that can hit a receiver in stride and/or pass protection? Still, seems like we need to mix more in if we’re going to see big/bigger plays.
This review of few impact plays or players over the recent past suggests a sobering reality for the 2009 Chiefs: They’re still more than just a player or two away from being a playoff contender.
More like 7 or 8 players, or another good draft and free agent acquisitions. Give me a viable #1 WR, two OLinemen, a stud LB, a gifted return man, a pass rushing fool at DE, a young stud RB and a reliable K, then we’ll talk.
Talk: “Playoffs!” You kiddin’ me? Playoffs??? That’s what I’m talking but we have a long way to go before that conversation takes center stage. A 6 win season in 2009 with this current cast of players would be progress, realistic progress.
Rip,
If talent alone were the deciding factor for winning in the NFL, I might agree with you. But, it’s a lot more than that. Which division the team is in makes a huge difference, as does coaching, schemes, team chemistry and injuries. That’s why I’m a little more optimistic about our Chiefs chances in 2009.
Some of us would like to believe that the Chiefs could turn it around like the Dolphins of last year. However, that sort of thing happens once every blue moon.
I remember when Jimmy Johnson took over the Cowboys. His first season I think went something like 1-15. Then the next at 6-10, followed by a Super Bowl run. It is a lot easier for a coach to turn it around for a good chunk of change in a three year span. That sort of thing happens often, with the exception of the Super Bowl run portion. Most coaches turn a losing team around into a “winning” team into their third year of coaching.
Just look at the Texans right now. Gary Kubiak is considered a good coach in this league. He inherited a Texans team starved of talent and leadership. All he’s been able to get out of that team are mediocre seasons in his last three years there. Could the Chiefs take just as long?
Maybe we all dislike Herm for ruining the good ol’ years, but he did sacrifice his coaching career to give those rookies extra experience that most rookies never get. They got a growth spurt last year, which makes their chances for success better this year.
However, just like Mr. Gretz and Rip ‘em pointed out, the amount of “explosive” playmakers on this team is severely found wanting. Everyone and their grandmother knows that Larry Johnson is about the only thing close to an explosive player we have anymore. Bowe has shown flashes, but no consistency. Let us just hope for the best that this years acquisitions, a la Matt Cassel and Zack Thomas, are key people on both sides of the ball to help get us back to a winning culture in Kansas City.
You know….if the Chiefs start to do better this year and some of the young players that Herm and Carl brought in start to play great football, then Herm can point to that and say…”you see? That is the result of what I started. If I only had another year…”. And who could say he is wrong about that?….with any proof I mean. I’m not defending Herm….I’m glad he’s moved on…or has been moved on I should say. I’m just saying that Herm already thinks he left the Chiefs in a condition where they are about to be a great team….and if they do in the next couple of years with any amount of his players still there….it will confirm it for him…and we will be reading about it.
Mark Bradley to Tyler THigpen was an impact big play. How did Bob forget about that?
This I remember….when Herm first got to KC from the Jets….the Jets fans DID try to warn us what was to come. I remember one quote I saw from a Jets fan blogger….I believe is was “You’ll find out”.
Every time Herm opens his mouth…I dislike him a little more. Geez…even Matt Millen admitted that he sucked as a GM. Why can’t Herm just admit that he sucked as a Head Coach? Denial, I guess. Most of us know the truth.
And yeah, if the Chiefs do well this year…I’m sure Herm will take the credit for himself. But, if Haley can win with basically the same team…then wouldn’t that speak loudly to Herm’s incompetence as Head Coach?
Either way, I’m glad he’s gone. I wish he’d never come here, actually. I just can’t wait for his “shadow” to follow him out of town. However you look at it, it’s Haley’s team now. Period.
As far as explosive players? I think there are several that have that potential. Maybe having a REAL coach that’s on your ass and has you in top physical condition will bring that out in some of our guys. And accountability. Some of these guys have not had that in their NFL careers yet. They will now, though. Accountable to their coaches, their team mates, and to themselves. It just might work wonders. We’ll see.
Come on Bob. You aren’t gong to get any sympathy from Herm here….except one senile old geezer.
Herm chose to go with 20 rookies. Many of whom won’t play in the NFL again. Herm choked in several of those 7 by 7 games. Herm is the last guy anyone wants on the sideline in a close game…and ‘No’ the players don’t determine the outcome by themselves. Ridiculous.
On a positive note, Herm is “…evaluating where I am at”. He’s a good man and hopefully he puts himself in a position where he can be successful.
warning - i am fired up for commenting this week!!
i think dick vermeil liked M jackson more than herm did….. that is why he knew his ABC’s and could Thrilla the crowd better than herm!
k - had to do one of those! lol
first comment. i am hacked that Adam T is back at the kc star’s fish wrap…. he is a chief’s hater… i was hoping Kent B was taking his job. proof is the way he puts in his subtle opinions in his titles or negative things he reminds us of.
done with that…
i did not care for Herm’s calling it a college team… if there was a college team that could beat us that was his and carl’s fault
i think we would have won a few more games if herm lets gunther do all of the coach for D.
that tyler T and Mark B awesome TD catch might not have been long enough to get into the stats… but was very exciting… hopefully more this year.
personally coach todd and coach chan will make a lot more of these do there scheme and another year here… more 3 and 4 rcvr calls… makes up for dwayne b being slower!!
hut hut.
happy monday!
kcfanstevechiefs
Bob,
Today would have been a good day for a piece on Joe Delaney, who died 26 years ago today. I still think the Chiefs and NFL should have some other type of recognition for him. They display shoes and footballs that are significant to the league in the Hall of Fame but nothing regarding players that died heroically. Delaney was a true talent that may have made it there on his play if he hadn’t died in a true act of heroism. We have a double murderer honored in the Hall but not a man who died trying to save children. It just seems like there should be some way to recognize those who give the ultimate sacrifice for others since it only happens in rare instances. Perhaps a memorial garden on the HOF grounds honoring the NFL players who died serving their country or in circumstances like Joe D. As far as Herm goes, I bear no malice toward him but thankfully he’s gone. He might be right, he may have left some good young players but there’s one major flaw with the theory we would have been so much better this year and in the future if he were still here. He would have still been coaching them. The new coach and GM will be be judged by the players they bring on board during their tenure and what they do with the sum of the parts, not by what he did or didn’t do prior to being fired
If these guys are in good shape and—out play some of the first 8 games, not only will they look like they have a chance—but , because of who they are playing, oh, and they pull off some wins with 20 points or better, I’m saying thats when that whole stadium is going to be loud and real RED!
When you have coaching and management like this, theres a chance they will very soon turn this to a real, live team.
I don’t think Todd & Scott are going to wait for anything, they want this to happen NOW—and no waiting-no long range plans –NOW!
Johnfromfairfax says:
” Perhaps a memorial garden on the HOF grounds honoring the NFL players who died serving their country or in circumstances like Joe D.”
I agree 100%, John. The NFL should pay tribute to these men. They are heroes, in every sense of the word. Delaney gave his life trying to do what no one else WOULD do…even though he couldn’t swim. How many people would have done the same? Rest In Peace, Joe.
I agree with findthedr….when I read the first part of the page the first play that comes to mind was the game against the bucs with the pass from Bradley to Thigpen.
Right on Jim Lloyd. If we were in a strong division, I might disagree, but the West is weak and up for grabs. Norv’s Chargers have won division championships while playing mediocre football for too long. The Raiders are still a mess and Denver just got turned upside down. If we catch a few lucky breaks and stay healthy, we could hang with San Diego this year.
Too optimistic? Hey why not, it’s still early, and the Royals are just about finished by now anyway. Let’s get ready for football!
“Explosion? We don’t need no stinkin’ explosion! I can take any 22 guys from off the street and- ” …right…’check’.
_____________________
So good to hear from the great Herm Edwards - the best Chiefs Head Coach since Hank Stram. Herm has this ‘his’ KC Chiefs team ready to win in 2009 aft a year of training them up ‘08.
Will be watching for your influence KC in 2009 Herm…every W in your column, every L same in the ’search’ & ‘check’ “any 22″ cluster****
Yup, without question Herm is STILL The Man!
heh heh heh
Rin,
You and Herm are BOTH delusional. Always right…never wrong…legends in you own minds. The rest of us know better, though. You two can carry on in your little fantasy land denying the truth all you want. But, facts are facts. And the facts don’t support what EITHER of you say. Period.
Bob G said
“What’s kept the Chiefs from making big plays? Three major factors: lack of talent, lack of speed and conservative coaching.”
- coaching being 3rd - and out of necessity - as concession to the first two - beautiful Bob you nailed it! The very things that Rin Tin Tin has been saying all along.
“When a team only wins six of 32 games the major problem is a lack of experienced top-level talent.”
- yes! 20 rookies last season as Herm correctly stated tends to tie the hands a coaching staff - ‘unless’ you’ve the ability to walk upon water, bend steel your bare hands and can “take any 22 players from off the street and” - it’s gettin’ pretty deep in here…right…’check’
Bob G is too then…right Scott? Lemme hear ya!
heh heh heh
Rin says:
“Bob G is too then…right Scott? Lemme hear ya!”
Nope. Just you and Herm.
Thing is, while I may not always agree with Bob…I respect his opinions. Highly.
You and Herm are just two ying-yangs trying to make people believe that a pile of dog sh*t was a bouquet of flowers.
I Have to say that Mr. Edwards did make it better for the next guy. And also, you can’t forget that throw from Bradley to Thigpen in the endzone. That was my favorite play.
Scott said
“Nope. Just you and Herm.”
- ah, ah, ah-hahahahahahahahahah!
Gotcha!!!
Looking through the Romper Room Magic Mirror boys and girls who do we see out there in Make Believe Land today?
Well there’s Scott, and anonymous, and his other brother Anonymous, and findthedr…and all their many other “they’ll eat anything Mikey” friends -
all of them part n parcel the “any 22″ club…
heh heh heh
Yes Herm has made it better for Haley . Anybody could win more than 2 games just by showing up Right Dog !!!
And when you have them, you know you ‘really’ have them… Rin does!
I think we all know who lives in “Make Believe Land” around here.
Besides…I’m a Chiefs fan. And damned proud of it. What are you?
What time does the Rin show get over . I check back later.
Interesting video on NFL.com (YOUR NOT NUMBER 1) about the top ten defenses of all time. The Chiefs 1969 defense was ranked number 8. They claim they were a very underrated defense with 47 take aways for the season. Also a good clip of #56 LT taking the QB down with his arm around the neck. I suppose the commissioner would fine him for that play today. Bob would be proud as the ‘75 Steelers are the number one defense, besting the ‘85 Bears defense that won the super bowl. They also have the ‘62 Packers at #5. With a clip of the ‘67 Packers in SB I vs. the Chiefs, and Len Dawson’s interception that changed the momentum of the game for the Packers.
heh heh heh
The problem is that the rin show is never over, just when you think it is safe to come back to this page… there is rin. There is no escape, or cure.
I’m the Michael Jordan of motivating Michael Jordan!
Your laugh sucks . Try Ha Ha Ha or are you trying to be condescending
Scott says:
You and Herm are BOTH delusional. Always right…never wrong…legends in you own minds.
Beautiful Scott, you nailed it. Couldn’t have put it better myself!
ah-hah, e-heh, ah-hah, e-heh
Rin says:
“ah-hah, e-heh, ah-hah, e-heh”
I knew it! You ARE a Broncos fan!
“There are no bad students…only bad teachers,” “There are no bad dogs…only bad owners.”
I don’t doubt Herms love for his team/players. I don’t doubt Herms eye in recognizing talent. I admire Herms living in the moment and adjusting, with honor, to any situation.
However, Herms fault, is his lack of vision, his lack of belief in a team that was more than game to fight w him.
“I was coaching a College team.” Really? That’s not the kind of leadership this team needed. Herm was conservative in his attack because he was afraid, he didn’t trust his players, he knew that they would lose more than win, so he played to not lose badly. Well, in that case, he was successful, but the losses piled up and now he has found himself out of a job.
So now we have Haley who isn’t going to tell you that this is a college team, but rather he is going to tell you how it is. He is going to tell the players what to think, how they are going to approach the game and what they must focus on. That’s called being a leader. Leading a team that doesn’t know what to think.
I don’t take anything regarding Rin personally nor do I think anything he says really matters. I’ve worked with M.R. children and I somewhat know Rin’s problem from the way he writes, manipulates and provokes. Whereas he has knowledge of football history and it’s players statistical achievements, he loves attention more. Does his knowledge make him a Chiefs fan, or just an old child getting his kicks from getting under your skin?
I think a chiefs fan hopes and believes in what the team can be and looks at these changes and hopes for the best.
As far as Rin goes, that’s up to you guys. Ignore him, don’t respond to him no matter what. He doesn’t exist here in this forum if we don’t let him.
Go Chiefs!
Jorge, Very well said. In my opinion, your posting has eloquently & legally charged, tried, convicted & sentenced Rin Dog.
I for one, will comply with your recommended Sentencing by not reading or responding to his rants… Henceforth.
Free…Free at Last…
1st year records all Head Coaches Chiefs/Texans in franchise history - all of them undertaking ‘rebuilds’ one sort or another - one Hank Stram from literal scratch.
1960: Hank Stram 8-6 (no playoffs - 2nd place)
1975: Paul Wiggin 5-9 (no playoffs - 3rd)
1978: Marv Levy 4-12 (no playoffs - 5th)
1983: John Mackovic 6-10 (no playoffs - 5th)
1989: Schottenheimer 8-7-1 (no playoffs - 2nd)
1987: Frank Gansz: 4-11 (no playoffs - 5th)
1999: Gunther Cunningham 9-7 (no playoffs - 2nd)
2001: Dick Vermeil 6-10 (no playoffs 4th)
2006: Herm Edwards 9-7 (PLAYOFFS! - 2nd)
And the best nee most successful of them all and STILL The All Time KC Man - Herman Edwards Jr.!
Herm Edwards - ‘the’ ONLY Head Coach in franchise history to lead the team into the playoffs / post season in his first year.
More wins than HOF Coach Stram*, HOF Coach Levy, 2-time Superbowler Vermeil, more than “There’s A Gleam Men”, and more too than Wiggin and Gansz.
*Hank 14 games in 1960.
Gunther’s 9 was good enough to get him into the playoffs his first year save for (and where have we seen this afore) a rookie messing up, kicking a ball out of bounds and costing his Coach (Herm had 20x that problem via fuzzied-cheeks in 2008.)
Rin wonders as he wanders…et tu ‘check’ in 2009?
Playoffs/Post season? Herm did it year 1 - though his predecessor Weepy Dick didn’t the year before him…nor in 4 out of his 5 KC years - nor did Al Groh in NY year before Herm did the same there - made the playoffs in year one.
Herm has left “any 22 will do” ‘check’ much more than just “anybody’s” circa 2009 - can we expect playoffs/post season from you, ‘check’?
No, we shall not because: a) ‘check’ talks alot without saying diddly nee mistakes exhalation of air his for outpouring manna, and b) the Chiefs are still trying to recover from the fallout nee vestiges Dick Vermeil’s ‘over the hill gang’.
Herm started the rebuild in 2008 & got that group of rookies feet wet & left the ‘next guy’ as Herm referred to him in better shape than Herm was.
At best, Rin sees 4 wins ‘if’ a ‘check’ does not mismanage Herm’s men too badly - alas, I’m more certain he will than he won’t. So then - 0 wins worst, 4 wins tops.
Six of one half a dozen of the other: 2-14 with no playoffs. If the Chiefs don’t beat OAK in KC game 2 they’ll not win a game until December…
Rin says:
“Blah, blah, blah, blah, Herm’s the Man, blah, blah, blah, blah, Seach, blah, blah, blah, Check, blah, blah, blah, blah, Any 22, blah, blah, blah, he he he, blah, blah, blah, smiley face.”
The horse is dead…you can stop beating it now.
Oh yeah, I remember now…that’s all you’ve got.
“A 6 win season in 2009 with this current cast of players would be progress, realistic progress.”
Does this sound like a reasonable expectation for Year 1: 6 wins? I’d be curious to get some over/under guesswork on this.
Scott didn’t get the memo - three times now, and counting…
heh heh heh
Herm is STILL The Man!
“Either way, I’m glad he’s gone.”
That’s the bottom line. And forgive me if this has already been mentioned - but that 2-14 looks even worse when one evaluates the record of the overall division last year (23-41 from the 4 teams). Two 8-8 teams led the way - and we got 2 wins the whole season!
Relief is spelled “F-I-R-E-H-E-R-M!”
From one Scott to another - please stop. If you respond it will never end. See Jorge’s wisdom above.
SG,
I think a 6 win season is a “reasonable expectation”. Especially given the strength of our schedule. We have some tough games! Winning as many games this year as we have the last two combined would really HAVE to be considered progress. I don’t know if Haley and Pioli would be happy with that, though.
My personal expectations are higher than that. I still stand by my prediction that we’ll surprise some teams…and get better as the year goes on. I think we’ll be 10-6, give or take a game…and possibly challenge for the division. Depends on how the Chargers play. On paper, they’re a really good team. Paper doesn’t mean jack, though. And I hate to say it…the Raiders. Like it or not, they do have a talented team. I think when Garcia takes over at QB, they’ll be a much improved team. And I see Denver in last place this year.
Scott L says:
“From one Scott to another - please stop. If you respond it will never end.”
I know…I know. Sorry guys. I’ll try.
To nuke Rin’s failed attempt to suggest Herm’s year 1 - where he inherited the 10-6 Chiefs only to go 9-7 - was such a great thing…Here’s some stats to chew on:
1960: Hank Stram 8-6 (no playoffs - 2nd place)
Season Before: 0-0 (new team in 1960)
1975: Paul Wiggin 5-9 (no playoffs - 3rd)
Season Before: 5-9
1978: Marv Levy 4-12 (no playoffs - 5th)
Season Before: 2-12
1983: John Mackovic 6-10 (no playoffs - 5th)
Season Before: 3-6
1989: Schottenheimer 8-7-1 (no playoffs - 2nd)
Season Before: 4-11-1
1987: Frank Gansz: 4-11 (no playoffs - 5th)
Season Before: 10-6
1999: Gunther Cunningham 9-7 (no playoffs - 2nd)
Season Before: 7-9
2001: Dick Vermeil 6-10 (no playoffs 4th)
Season Before: 7-9
2006: Herm 9-7 (playoffs)
Season Before: 10-6
So let’s see Rin…Herm actually got 1 more loss than the prior season - right there with Vermeil. Gansz did 5 games worse in year 1. Gun did 2 wins more than the prior season. Marty did a full 4 games better than his predecessor. So it doesn’t appear the product from Herm in Yr. 1 was anywhere near the best…but at the end of 2008, the stats prove - his product certainly was the worst in TEAM HISTORY!
No need to apologize Scott. We have all been sucked into the nonsense at one point or another.
Regarding a 6 win season being reasonable? Hey, on paper, sure that’s reasonable. An optimist may say “I see 10 wins,” and a pessimist may say “no matter what, the Chiefs are going to be last in the division anyway so what does it matter?”
Me? I’m a dreamer but I definitely ground myself in the moment. Statistically, if the Chiefs win 6 games this season we have improved.
As much as I am chomping at the bit to make my predictions for the Chiefs this season, I have to remind myself that it’s the offseason. Training Camp hasn’t even begun, preseason hasn’t started. Remember Tom Brady and the Patriots? Nobody saw his injury coming. Remember the Dolphins? Completely unexpected.
With all that said…CHIEFS WIN THE SUPERBOWL! HA!
Sorry, that’s the fan in me. I believe they are better than what people are saying, especially since everybody is knocking the Chiefs. But you know what, that only gives us an advantage. The element of surprise.
We can only go up from here! Go CHIEFS!
Bob G said
“The only way this trend changes for the Chiefs is more talent and speed.”
- well, at least ‘check’s pretty quick to deliver “any” quip… Talent? Right…’check’; sez we got that covered “22″ ways to Sunday.
Engram, Vrabel- sorry…pending, CJ Jones- whoops he’s gone, Thomas, Goff, Waters - LOL, Robertson- ‘check’ that, no; Copper, kettle, teapot, saucer, Chaucer, flotsam, jetsam & gee ’search’ me - WHAT ‘talent! (also a rhetorical question?)
Me thinks ‘check’ is cut from the same cloth as Leo The Lip Durocher; that Leo was more bluster than bite and it took him 15 years afore he won the Championship, well…
Leo once said about MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn - “You could put a stick in that guys chair and do just as good.” KC circa ‘09 well understands that Leo - anyone ‘check’ed THAT chair One Arrowhead? Via appointment…of course.
“He had the ability of taking a bad situation and making it immediately worse.” - Branch Rickey
Right…’check’…
Yes, we need more BIG plays, no doubt about it. I do feel, as Bob has expressed, more than one reason. My personal feeling is that conservative coaching has been a significant factor. I agree with one of the earlier posts that many times our routes are EASY to cover. A post-up to Gonzo lame, no matter how many of them he caught. Vermeil had the “O”. Several of his players were vets. They tried to replace Kennison for years. The significant factor was the philosophy of what they wanted to do & play design. Not all of those plays took long to develope, but they were quicker routes at somewhat different angels leading to greater depth. I believe if we can get RT shored up this year, Cassel could be ok IF the play design allows for a little more aggression.
SG
‘Nuke’? That was a ‘dummy’ round yours, veritable ‘dud’ (you understand.)
For…tap dancing, sleight of hand & obfuscation left by the wayside, STILL it holds true:
Herm Edwards - ‘the’ ONLY Head Coach in franchise history to lead the team to the playoffs- in year one!
Just no gettin’ around it…huh…keep trying!
heh heh heh
Jorge,
I AM an optomist…so I DO see 10 wins. I did a game-by-game breakdown awhile back…is how I arrived at the 10 wins. Too much work to do again right now. And you’re right, it’s still way too early, really. It was based on winable games…versus games we really don’t have a good chance of winning (at the Ravens opening day, anyone?). But, I don’t see our team running out of steam in the second half of games this year. Or worse…quitting. That should be good for a couple of wins right there.
Unfortunately, that “element of surprise” we spoke of will only be good for a game or two early in the season.
I see the 2009 Chiefs as a team that is going to play their asses off every down of the game. Haley is going to DEMAND it. Losing will no longer be acceptable, as it has been. We will no longer be considered a joke. This year we WILL gain our respectability back. And I can’t wait.
It would be nice if just once, Bob said “you know what guys? I think Rin is an idiot too. I’d try to block him from the site but it wouldn’t do any good. Just put up with him knowing that I skip his posts too. He’s a waste of space on my site.”
Maybe that would shut him up, but I doubt it.
Some more Rin-facts for ya:
Coach Career W/L Pctg. Playoff W/L Pctg
Stram 124-76-10 0.614 5-3-0 0.625
Wiggin 10-18-0 0.357 0-0-0
Levy 31-42-0 0.425 0-0-0
Mackovic 30-34-0 0.469 0-1-0 0.000
Gansz 8-22-1 0.274 0-0-0
Marty Schot. 101-58-1 0.634 3-7-0 0.300
Cunningham 16-16-0 0.500 0-0-0
Vermeil 44-36-0 0.550 0-1-0 0.000
Edwards 15-33-0 0.313 0-1-0 0.000
Well Herm did lose a playoff game - not the only coach to do that. However, his career W/L pctg. was only higher than Coach Gansz. I can’t say he was the only one to take a 10-win team the year before and end up with a stinker within 2 years. Coach Gansz did the same. The numbers speak for themselves: 2006-2008 will be remembered as the Titanic Years.
For everyone here - let’s take a poll: name the top 3 Chiefs coaches ever (in order #1, #2, #3) and name the worst 3 Chiefs coaches ever (in order as well).
SG
Top 3:
1) HANK STRAM: The MAN
2) Coach Marty: The only other Chiefs coach to win a playoff game - even did it once without Montana!
3) Dick Vermeil: Team of Grandpa’s did enough in each of their 5 seasons to as many as the 2007/2008 Herm teams combined.
Worst 3:
3rd Worst: Paul Wiggin: Two 5-win seasons.
2nd Worst/1st Worst: Frank Gansz/Herm Edwards: At least the head honchos had enough sense to replace Gansz after 2 years.
Tut, tut, tut SG…
And Herm also led the NY Jets to the playoffs in 3 of his 5 seasons there…so yup, whether in KC or NY -
Herm was, is and STILL will e’er be The Man!
Now to your poll:
1) Hank Stram
2) Herm Edwards
3) Marv Levy
Now worst? Easy.
1)’check’ haley
2) Paul Wiggin
3) ‘check’ haley
4) his other brother…
Just stop to check in. What its still on !!! Are we in some kind of time warp ???
Hey SG when you come up for air tell us who among others has a worse overall record in post season than Herm Edwards?
Hint: His first name starts with an ‘M’ and his last name finsihes with ‘Schottenheimer’ - his baloney has a first name, it’s Marty - baloney has a last name…
And the Rin hits just keep on comin!
heh heh heh
“Rin Tin Tin says: SG”
Yes - you did spell the handle right.
‘Nuke’?
That is the word I used - rather accurately.
“That was a ‘dummy’ round yours, veritable ‘dud’ (you understand.)”
No live rounds to send your way - injuries don’t improve the win-loss record.
“For…tap dancing, sleight of hand & obfuscation left by the wayside, STILL it holds true:”
No need to try to be Houdini or Sammy. I stick to things of CHIEF concern only.
“Herm Edwards - ‘the’ ONLY Head Coach in franchise history to lead the team to the playoffs- in year one!”
Insert music “Only You” from the Oldies collection…Herm…Also the ‘only’ Chiefs head coach to have more than 12 losses in a single season, take a playoff team in his first season to the worst single season in team history within his entire tenure, have a single season winning percentage less than 0.14, and a whole host of other things that the fan base never occurred.
“Just no gettin’ around it…huh…keep trying!”
The only reason Herm is not the absolute worst coach in Chiefs history is that he did have competition…a very sad thing indeed.
“heh heh heh”
“Hey SG when you come up for air tell us who among others has a worse overall record in post season than Herm Edwards?
Hint: His first name starts with an ‘M’ and his last name finsihes with ‘Schottenheimer’ - his baloney has a first name, it’s Marty - baloney has a last name…”
After much ’searching,” I determined that a 30% post-season win W/L pctg. is higher than a big ZERO last time I ‘checked.’ No doubt this is a fake-Rin that posted this…real Rin isn’t that dumb.
you know what Rin, Screw you, Frank Gansz was voted in by the players, he was not a head coach, but a fantastic special teams coach, his time as head coach was not easy, it was a STRIKE YEAR.
Seriously, dont go after recently passed human beings, the man deserves far more than that.
dont drag him into the sand like it was his fault, he stepped in when the team ASKED him to. Admirable for a guy who made his career in special teams and told me in 94 that he never wanted to be the head coach.
If he did, Vermeil wouldve passed over martz and given it to gansz in 2000, notice gansz left…
Alex-K,
It was me you should be shooting at - rebuke accepted man.
With all the talk about Herm getting into the playoffs his first year, why is there no mention of the manner in which they snuck in? If I recall correctly, didn’t three teams have to lose the last weekend in order for the Chiefs to make it? I don’t feel that they earned their way in that year, and it showed in the dismal performance they put forth in the playoff loss.
Herm was not without merit, but I just don’t see that he was a good head coach. You can spin it any way you like, but the numbers in the W/L column don’t lie.
SG
Forgets (knack his the usual) to include totality as Rin referenced - “who among others has a worse overall record in post season than Herm Edwards?”
- OVERALL SG…that means ‘all’…remember? You ‘member (double entendre). Unless…could it be - you’re illiterate? Or worse less than honorable?
Herm’s playoff record as compared to “The Gleam’s”, as such - ENJOY!
Herm - 2-4 = 33%
The Gleam - 5-13 = 28%
You were saying, Mr. President?
heh heh heh
SG said
“After much ’searching,” I determined that a 30% post-season win W/L pctg. is higher than a big ZERO last time I ‘checked.
- (cue Ronald ‘Ray’gun) “well there you go again.”
Keep ’search’ing - and take ‘check’ along with you…right on out the doors KC.
“No doubt this is a fake-Rin that posted this…real Rin isn’t that dumb.”
- alas, the ‘real’ SG be such… huh
heh heh heh
alex K
Listen to your big brother SG - he’s stupid too, just not as succinctly as you…
alex k
Have that apology on Rin’s doghouse desk by 4:30 p.m. CST (KC) today…
heh heh heh
alex k said
“you know what Rin”
- yes, He that is I Rin know all - and thank you for evidencing said to our Herm-story denouement & to your everlasting chagrin…
“If”
- battle cry alex k, and also “only” - as in “if only”, “yeah but”, “maybe” - and their 3 friends “woulda, coulda & shoulda”
And still undefeated blogdom Champion: game, set, match - Rin Tin Tin!
Rin uber alles!
heh heh heh
Blazer383 said
“I don’t feel that they earned their way in that year”
- we’d better contact the NFL & Elias etc. etc. to let them know…can’t have the record books contain football facts that don’t please you…
heh heh heh
Read em & weep: Herm Edwards - ‘the’ ONLY Head Coach in franchise history to take his team to the post season in his very first season.
Herm did it, Rin said it, Bob G has said it, the record book affirms, that Herm Edwards interview story link mentions it… why, I believe we’ve a consensus here fellow countrymen!
Herm could have had the 2007 Patriots, and there would be a lack of explosion. He coaches to keep a game close, not because of a lack of talent, but because of a lack of coaching ability. He believes every game should be won by a FG in the last few seconds, so he coaches every game to try and achieve that goal. It’s not talent, or lack of same. It how the Head Coach coaches, what his philiosophy is. Herm is a loser who tries to avoid losing, so he loses. It’s like Marty in the playoffs. he couldn’t win, because he tried not to lose.
SG
One last kick in the pants for you…
Like the team leads 3rd quarter, 5th inning or 2nd period etc. only to lose, or the guy leads league some point in x,y,z stat, or in regular season success), shy said being final flourish well, also rans - each and every - “The Gleam” being no better than “The Corners” guy.
Edwards = Schottenheimer…only with less regret
Mark
Speaking of NE, Game 1 2008 Chiefs -
Who was that streaked down the field some 68 yards - EXPLOSION - only to get caught from behind the 5 yard line or so?
Herm’s fault…huh.
Who was that nee those 11 guys couldn’t get the ball into the endzone thence?
Herm’s fault…huh.
Had KC’s rookies won that game - and any KC fan who watched that game & didn’t feel like we were going to win it with a 1st down/goal to go would be lying - how different the ‘08 season?
All those close losses…result of inexperience turned unto W’s had said experience or ‘players’ making big plays done so - ‘big plays’ as Bob G referenced; let’s blame it on Herm anyway- it’s easier on our conscience that way…
As Rin has said before speaking as a fan whether it ended in 2008 with 0 wins or 16 or any number between - Herm Edwards did it the right way, and had the backing of his owner, Jr. - at the start and least in print for public consumption - the very end.
Herm” ‘I expect to be back.”
Jr. “I hope Herm comes back.”
Herm didn’t return…gee, I wonder if HE decided to go on his own or was it… right… ‘check.’
This ‘new guy’ as Herm referred him has owner’s backing too…for how long? Stay tuned, for the one thing ‘check’ has stated more than once is: (paraphrasing) “I want to win as many games as possible in 2009.”
I wonder as I wander “why?” (cue guillotine)
THAT speaks volumes as to the what$, why$ and wherefore$ 2009 of what is expected…
Rin should change his name to “Maytag”…..he lays out more spin than a washing machine.
The truth hurts, right 383? We feel your pain, as your family for, still driving a Blazer huh - the Casey Stengel of rides…
heh heh heh
The old Blazer is a play toy; her enviable 7-8 mpg doesn’t suit me well in today’s economic crunch. But Casey Stengel or not, with a built 383 and 38″ tires, she’s a heck of a lot of fun.
I agree that Herm took a step in the right direction with the rookie project last year; the problem is that it should have happened sooner. I understand that little of the blame can be attributed to him on that point; he had other factors working against him, namely Carl Peterson. I also believe that he was probably hamstrung in regards to coaching staff selection, and I believe that figures in heavily as to the poor performance last year, especially in the realm of defensive strategy and conditioning.
In the end though, Herm is ultimately responsible, and the fact is that he didn’t get the job done with the time that he had. Yes, we made it to the playoffs in the first year, but it was obvious that we weren’t a legitimate playoff team. I personally would have rather missed the playoffs than to be embarrassed in the manner that they were against Indy.
In eight seasons of coaching, Herm has a win percentage of .422 in regular season, playoff record of .333, no conference championships or Superbowls, no season with more than 10 wins, and finished second or above in his respective divisions only three times. Herm Edwards may very well go on to be a successful head coach, but thus far he hasn’t shown it. While he’s certainly not the worst coach around, he is definitely not “The Man”.
Some of you, those without verbal diarrhea, give herm his props. He made a lot of money for his family, gets to verbalize on TV. He has done economically very well and is loved even by us as long as he is not coaching here.
In 09, I do not expect much in the way of victories. The herm draftees do not seem to fit and that will spell a lot of lost ground. Either way, herm and his supporters will not stand up, already figured that out.
Herm did what he could with what he had to work with. Though I do question his conditioning methods seeing how so many players were out of shape. I think he’s doing the right thing taking a step back and looking at how he can improve as a head coach. Because for as many mistakes Peterson made Herm made plenty himself on and off the field. Off the field mistakes i’m talking about like drafting injury prone Brodie Croyle to be franchise guy when he never brought anyone else in to challenge the guy. Going young with 20 rookies with not enough veteran experience. And believing that he can forfit winning jus because he’s rebuilding, etc.
Interesting ED, “looking at how he can improve as a head coach”??? I do not see it. He never took the blame for anything, improving head coach,I do not think so. The three field maistakes you pointed out, improving as a head coach? I see him as a guy who deluded himself into thinking that given enough time he was better than any coach ever. He figured he had Clark to take the heat from the fans and maybe even the NFL. If it had worked out, maybe he would have been proven correct, but let us face it he was a disaster on many levels and none of us care to comment on herms success level for fear of being call some unpleasant names (note how we all seem required to say what a wonderful guy he was). He is gone and wish he well (I am not sure why).
A cogent blog by 383; Rin’s eloquence is starting to rub off on folks, obviously. Still however not demonstrative of the way things they be in Kaycee for many a moon now.
Blazer, you had me at - or rather up ‘until’ you said - “Herm is ultimately responsible” - as the fall guy to be sure, as anything more - no - for if that be the measure then Jr, is responsible - ultimately - for all the success as failure that has gone on KC since his watch started… as his father afore him same.
Lamar booted Stram too soon, the final analysis: these last some four decades the also ran reward - a veritable role call of failures, fall guys & fandom finagled yet once more. Earlier Lamar was too loyal to Hank according to some - later same to Steadman - it was contagious - so too Hank to his players, loyalty to a fault.
Yet loyalty rules- Stram remains the ONLY Head Coach to have ever taken KC anywhere…that he was on the verge being terminated according to some early as his 1st season KC ‘63 whence the team stumbled (but he wasn’t), is a nod toward patience LH; it resulted in a couple Superbowl appearances as well as a Championship over the following 6 years.
____________________________
Why was Hank fired? The only reason really had to do with lo$$e$, more so than losses - & yes there is/was a distinction - Stram had in his last year suffered his ‘ONLY’ losing season KC the previous 11.
From its ‘72 opening to Stram’s final season in ‘74 Arrowhead home attendance dropped almost 50% pre-season & more than 13,500 per game regular - while not as precipitous KC attendance fell off 3 straight seasons ‘06-’08…that including the successful playoff season - that’s why Herm was let go - just like Hank Stram’s final 3 seasons saw a decline in attendance both regular season as well pre-season, this despite his successes.
Schottenheimer saw attendance decline his final three seasons. With few exceptions, THAT is how thing$ are done in KC, and always have been.
As the old adage says money talk$ and… well, seems to me I’ve heard this song before, it’s from an old familiar score; the apple doe$n’t fall far from the tree.
___________________________
On the flip side, the knee-jerk reaction & it’s part and parcel failure to demonstrate ‘re$olve’ results in a treading of the football waters ad nauseam, ad infinitum.
Since Hank, it’s been a revolving door of coach speak & faces- from “The Gleam” to “The Corners” to “any 22 will do” skidoo.
Jr. excises Herm and Carl for ‘check’ & ’search’ - the same rosey promise portended permeates the air of each as everyone afore them: Wiggin, Levy & Mackovic, Gansz, Schottenheimer and Cunningham, Vermeil, Edwards…and now ‘check’.
Schottenheimer got 10 seasons and it resulted in diddly squat… that he also took his act on the road to SD, WAS and CLEV afore w/similar results well…if also-ran status ending crushing defeat post season makes you feel better… Marty’s the guy (so too a Bill Cowher) - the jingle$-jangle$ Arrowhead Stadium turnstiles made it acceptable.
Bill only ‘got’ & ‘needed’ every bit of a decade and a half to win a Superbowl; Marty had some 21 seasons/parts thereof to not win one or even get there. That’s success? Ye$, it wa$.
Yet Schottenheimer as Cowher, Stram etc. got that needed time. Tom Landry had NO winning seasons in DALL until his 7th… Chuck Noll had NONE in PITT until his 4th… Jimmy Johnson in DALL NONE until his 3rd. Tis always a judgment call & true enough the Owner can do as they please - we KC have seen the variations this act since Nixon/Ford was Prez.
___________________________
Superbowls?
Marv Levy at least made it four times - but lost them all - ditto for Bud Grant. A Don McCafferty made it only once- and won - Weeb Ewbank too. So who was the more successful those 4? The latters. George Allen = hype…Don Coryell = hype…a Tom Coughlin ‘was’ hype until 2008…etc. etc.
Does a one-time Buster Douglas victory over Tyson somehow equate less than an always in the running but never a champion Mike Gibbons, or Zora Folley or Packey McFarland? Some call the ‘88 LA Dodgers win over the OAK A’s a fluke - like a broken bat single that looks like a line drive the newspaper day aft, it all counts just the same - just like Herm Edwards being the only Head Coach franchise history to take KC to the post season. There are and can be no “ifs, and or buts” about said.
If you go to a gunfight with a knife, you are as the 2008 KC Chiefs as to experience/talent & yes speed (Bob G)…you are up a certain creek - with the owners blessing until the current it gets too strong and the tide changes as twere.
______________________________
Promise, potential and fancy quips such as “any 22″ equal zero when the final arbiter rings in; that some folks are blessed via more time while continuing to fail, & others are axed sooner is not as much a reflection on them as a judgement those who hire/keep them. Sometimes it may work, but as history and Rin have shown more often it works when it does because more time’s allotted, not less.
Impatience is not a virtue…as long suffering KC fans know so well - we get what we deserve.
Perpetuating it does not make things better…in this it may be said that Herm Edwards had to pay for the decade of sins a Marty Schottenheimer as well the half a decade failed squat Dick Vermeil - timing in life is everything.
Fact remains, if you ain’t winning the Superbowl you ain’t winning at all.
_______________________________
383 as you referenced him a Carl Peterson sat one rung higher the ladder than Herm… so, Carl must bear the brunt more so - Jr. however is where the buck must always $top.
I’m reminded of Elvis Grbac his - “I can’t throw the football & catch it too” comment a few years previous. While some folks didn’t the remark and it was telling, twas also true - leadership only applies if people provide support…players, the owner, etc. Even worse those who say they do or will, and then bail out when the pre$$ure is on.
Sure Jr. sure, Rin believes…as much in you and ’search’ & ‘check’ as you did Herm Edwards; only seems fair…
“Why? We had no experience. We had to do it with 20 rookies. We couldn’t finish in the fourth quarter. I was coaching a college team.”
Rin, since you have claimed to have served in the military - you (should) understand leadership. Effective leaders take responsibility for the men they lead and the actions they take under their watch - a concept you (should) no doubt understand. Herm’s own words speak volumes about what kind of leader he was/is. Men change over time - so hopefully this man will grow to become an effective leader in the future and give us reason to wonder what could have been. For now, there’s more to be thankful for in the course of events after the turnover at the head coach position.
SG said
“Rin”
- yes, what is it now?
“since you have claimed to have served in the military - you (should) understand leadership.”
- since you have claimed to have seen a football game - you (should) understand protocol…to put it another ‘we are naught are brother’s keeper.’
“Effective leaders take responsibility for the men they lead and the actions they take under their watch - a concept you (should) no doubt understand.”
- NFL teams are comprised of 53 players & several coaches all of them w/their own responsibilities- a concept you (should) no doubt understand.
“Herm’s own words speak volumes about what kind of leader he was/is.”
- “who hath not served cannot command” - quote from John Florio, ‘First Fruits’; Herm Edwards has…’check’ has not.
The formers actions speak loudest nee louder than words - the latter’s lack the one predisposes nee relegates the second to but hot air i.e., ‘a tale told by an idiot full of sound & fury, signifying nothing.’ - Shakespeare
“Men change over time - so hopefully this man will grow to become an effective leader in the future and give us reason to wonder what could have been.”
- “A ship, to run a straight course, can have but one pilot & one steering wheel. The same applies to the successful operation of a business (team.) There can’t be a steering wheel at every seat (at Arrowhead or the keyboard) in (or outside of) an organization.” - Jules Ormont
“For now, there’s more to be thankful for in the course of events after the turnover at the head coach position.”
- “do not say to another ‘take out the speck that is in your eye’, when you yourself do not see the log (more so the forest) that is in your own eye’.
Jeopardy theme (”dah dah dah dah, dah dah dah, dah- dah dah dah-dah, dah, dah - boom-boom)
Time’s up!
He waited then waited some more, but no one came
- all the fops hath Rin disposed of afore - ‘our’ ’stead of ‘are’
The Cheerleaders are HOT this Year!!!!
But this guy I hired as the new head coach is all wet.
Fake Clark has Green Eyes
And they match my yellow stripe which makes me a cowardly geckowner.