Monday Morning Cup O’Chiefs
In 16 games during the 2008 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins had just 13 turnovers. They gave away seven interceptions and lost six fumbles. That totaled matched the New York Giants.
Combined, those teams set a new NFL record for fewest giveaways in a 16-game season. Only once did the Dolphins have more than two giveaways in a game. That was December against the Chiefs when Chad Pennington threw an interception to Jarrad Page and Ricky Williams fumbled, with the ball recovered by Demorrio Williams.
Then came Sunday’s wildcard game in the playoffs. Facing a Baltimore defense that forced a league high 34 turnovers during the season, the Dolphins turned the ball over five times and the Ravens scored an easy 27-9 victory and advanced in the AFC Playoffs.
The glass slipper finally cracked for the Dolphins. After improving from 1-15 in 2007 to 11-5 this year, Miami could not push its performance to the next level. They simply had trouble dealing with the Baltimore defense. Pennington was picked off four times and sacked three times. RB Patrick Cobbs had a fumble that the Ravens recovered.
“It has been a special year; that’s why it hurts so much,” Pennington said. “You want to keep it going and see how far you can take it.”
Once again the Ravens defense provided not just turnovers, sacks and stops, but points. Safety Ed Reed returned a Pennington interception 64 yards for a touchdown. It was the fourth TD of the season for Reed with a takeaway (three INTs and one fumble return.)
Over the season, the Ravens scored on defense in eight games. They were 8-0 in those games.
Make that scored on defense in nine games and they are now 9-0.
Baltimore stuffed Miami’s running game and harried Pennington into uncharacteristic mistakes;, he had four interceptions in a 22-minute span midway through the game.
“We heard all week that they don’t turn the ball over,” linebacker Ray Lewis said. “But we force turnovers.”
With a rookie coach in John Harbaugh and a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco, Baltimore won for the 10th time in 12 games
Here’s the Game Book and stats from the Ravens 27-9 victory.
Here are the Game Book and stats from the Eagles 26-14 victory over the Vikings.
Next weekend’s schedule is:
Saturday
At 3:30 p.m. CST, the Baltimore Ravens will visit the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. CBS has the broadcast.
At 7 p.m., the Arizona Cardinals hit the road and visit the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. FOX has this one.
Sunday
The early game with a noon kickoff will be an NFC East rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles visiting the Meadowlands to play the New York Giants. FOX-TV for this game.
A 3:30 p.m. kickoff for the final game of the weekend, the San Diego Chargers will be in Pittsburgh to play the Steelers at Heinz Field. CBS-TV will give us the telecast.
PIOLI AND CHIEFS MEET ON MONDAY
Reportedly, New England vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli will meet today with the Chiefs. That’s the information reported by several national media outlets on Sunday.
Also mentioned by the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter as candidates for the Chiefs GM job were Chris Polian of the Colts, Mark Dominik of the Buccaneers and San Diego’s director of player personnel Jimmy Raye, Jr.
BRONCOS – Met on Sunday with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. They also moved up to Monday their interview with Buccaneers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. They also want to talk with Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.
BROWNS – They have sought permission to interview George Kokinis, the Ravens director of pro personnel. Reportedly, Kokinis is good friends with former Jets coach Eric Mangini who apparently is in the mix for the Browns head coaching job.
COWHER – Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher said Sunday on the CBS-TV Pre-Game Show that he does not plan to coach in ’09. “It’s a privilege and an honor to be a head coach in the National Football League,” Cowher said. “And I have been flattered about the attention, but the timing right now is not right. I don’t plan on coaching next year.”
DOLPHINS – Outgoing owner Wayne Huizenga says that Bill Parcells is planning to stay with the Dolphins, rather than take a one-time buyout available to him. Here are the comments and details, although there is no word directly from Parcells.
JETS – Despite a threat from Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo, Golden Eagles head coach Jeff Jagodzinski plans interview with the Jets on Monday. ESPN reports that DeFilippo first told Jagodzinski on Saturday he would fired if he interviewed and then reinforced the school’s position Sunday. Jagodzinski told his assistant coaches he would interview. Supposedly the Jets have also contacted former Baltimore coach Brian Billick to gauge his interest in their job and will interview him this week. They’ve also made connections with Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks about an interview.
RAMS – They want to talk with Arizona offensive line coach Russ Grimm and Tennessee offensive Iine coach Mike Munchak. The additions of Grimm and Munchak may be a product of the efforts of Hall of Fame offensive tackle Dan Dierdorf, who is a member of GM Bill Devaney’s advisory panel. Right now, Jim Fassel is set to interview on Thursday with St. Louis.
ATLANTA’S MIKE SMITH NAMED COACH OF YEAR
Despite losing the wildcard game Saturday night, Falcons rookie head coach Mike Smith was named the NFL’s Coach of the Year in voting conducted by the Associated Press. He finished just on e vote ahead of Miami’s Tony Sparano.
Smith had 23.5 votes, compared to 22.5 for Sparano, who saw his season end Sunday with the loss to Baltimore.
Others receiving votes were Tennessee’s Jeff Fisher (3) and New England’s Bill Belichick (1).
In the last 30 years, Smith is the fifth head coach to win the honor in his rookie season. The others were Ray Rhodes in Philadelphia (1995), Jim Fassel with the New York Giants (1997), Jim Haslett in New Orleans (2000) and Sean Payton with the Saints (2006).
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On January 5, 1991, the Chiefs lost a wildcard game in the playoffs to the Miami Dolphins 17-16 on a Saturday evening at Joe Robbie Stadium. The Chiefs fought hard all night against the home team and had a chance to win the game, but Nick Lowery missed a 52-yard FG with less than a minute to play. The Chiefs had a 10-3 lead at half-time, thanks to a 27-yard FG by Lowery and a 26-yard TD pass from QB Steve DeBerg to WR Stephone Paige. Later, the Chiefs pushed that lead to 16-3 with two more Lowery FGs. In the fourth quarter, Dan Marino led the Dolphins comeback throwing touchdown passes of one-yard to FB Tony Paige and 12 yards to WR Mark Clayton. DeBerg was 17 of 30 for 269 yards and Paige caught eight passes for 142 yards. DE Neil Smith finished the game with 1.5 sacks.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HISTORY
On January 5, 1964, the San Diego Chargers won the 1963 AFL Championship with a 51-10 rout of the Boston Patriots. The game was played at Balboa Stadium in San Diego in front of a crowd of 30,127 and the star was Chargers RB Keith Lincoln. He set up San Diego’s first TD with a 56-yard run and then scored his own touchdown on a 67-yard run. He later caught a 25-yard TD pass from QB Tobin Rote. Lincoln ended up carrying the ball 13 times for 206 yards and caught seven passes for 123 yards. Rote threw a pair of TD passes and Chargers rookie QB John Hadl threw a third and scored on a one-yard run.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO …
Emil Joe Holub was born on January 5, 1938 in Schulenburg, Texas. E.J. went on to an All-America career at Texas Tech and was drafted by the Dallas Texans in the first round of the 1961 AFL Draft. He played 10 seasons (1961-70) and in 127 games at both linebacker and center for the Texans-Chiefs, starting in Super Bowl I as a linebacker and at center in Super Bowl IV. At linebacker, he had nine interceptions and was named to five AFL All-Star Games.
QB Steve Fuller was born on January 5, 1957 in Enid, Oklahoma. A first-round pick by the Chiefs in 1979, Fuller played four seasons in Kansas City (1979-1982), appearing in 52 games with 31 starts. He finished his career with three seasons in Chicago, where he won a Super Bowl ring as the backup to Jim McMahon.
CB Ray Crockett was born in 1967 and played 14 NFL seasons with two seasons with the Chiefs (2001-02). He appeared in 29 games with three interceptions. Born on January 5, 1958, T Roger Taylor played 13 games with the Chiefs in 1981 after being selected in the third round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the team.
Hall of Fame center Jim Otto was born on January 5, 1938 in Wasau, Wisconsin. He played 15 seasons for the Raiders, appearing in 210 games. He was inducted in 1980. Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll was born on January 5, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio. He played seven years for the Cleveland Browns, but as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 23 years, he won four Super Bowl titles. He joined the Hall of Fame in 1993.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
It looks like Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson is done for the playoffs because of that groin injury.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported over the weekend that the Raiders are for sale. Al Davis says that’s poppycock.
Apparently, the Patriots have already decided they are going to place the franchise player tag on QB Matt Cassel.
Some thoughts on the Chiefs after this weekends’ playoff games…
So, today is the day that Clark meets with Pioli…good. I like that Pioli is meeting with the Chiefs AFTER he was in Cleveland. This gives Clark the opportunity to distinguish the Chiefs franchise, team and GM opportunity compared to Cleveland. Also gives Pioli the opportunity to compare the offers and franchises. Pioli will get a good feel of both organizations and which will be the right match for him. Competition for GMs is good…should bring out the best and help both find the right fit for Pioli and each franchise. If Hunt uses this right, it can really help the Chiefs.
What playoff games this weekend! We saw strong and timely defensive performances win games for their team (Cardinals and Ravens). We saw timely offensive performances by big time players win tight games (Westbrook – Eagles, Sproles – Chargers). Shows us you need balance on both sides of the ball to win, plus ST. Look at the field position battle won by the SD punt team. Wow – that was awesome! Saw a good return game with the Eagles (Jackson – Philly) setup good field position – which turned the game and allowed Philly to score on 3 possessions. Vikings had opportunities with forced turnovers and had Philly backed up twice inside their own 5 yardline but could not make a defensives stop in those situations. D McNabb’s presense both times reminded me of when Cassell got out of that position first game of the season against the Chiefs with the long throw to Randy Moss.
Interesting that a good game by Jared Allen (2 sacks, forced fumble) still did not result in a win for Minnesota. Watching JA again last night…couldn’t help but to see how the Chiefs 08 season and their future would be different right now if there was no GM/player conflict and Allen was still a Chief providing a pass rush and pressure from the corner. I only want to focus on where the Chiefs are going (not the coulda, woulda, shouldas), but boy – made me catch my breath thinking of JA in his primee being the centerpiece of the Chiefs D rebuild. Lessons learned from the GM position and franchise perspective.
Watched Terrell Suggs closely. Dreamed of having both he and Ray Lewis next year in our Chiefs LB corps. Chiefs REALLY need to go after Suggs. Saw the NFL Network interview w/ Ray Ray after the Ravens/Dolphins game – boy would he set the mindset for the Chiefs defense if we spent the money and got him in FA. Even if he played for 2 years as a Chiefs…his role would be to establish and teach the youngins the defensive mindset. As a GM, I would see that as an investment in veteran leadership to establish and setup the defense for years to come. In his interview after the game Ray Lewis talked all about “team defense” and how each defensive player is accountable to the guy next to him. Team mindset just oozed out of him. It was awesome! Man, we need that on the field and in the locker room! I think Gunther thought Donnie Edwards would bring that…but evidently not so. Not like Ray Lewis would! Ray Ray and Suggs could bring that. Would be a huge veteran presence to set the tempo for our D. Would teach the young guys how to be. After two years, then someone else would become the leader on D and carry on the torch and tempo. We don’t have it from the young guys, so strategically bring it in with veteran leadership (playmaking and mindset) and let it simmer with the team and become the team mantra. Defensive attitude. This is what we had in the 90s with Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith.
Watched Stafford in first half on New Years day. Was not impressed. While I have not personally seen his whole body of work, I was unimpressed. Did not see NFL quality throws. He seemed to lack confidence in his arm. Yea, it was a windy day…but opportunity to show his stuff and he failed. Big players show up in big games and he did not. His decision-making and reading the defense was slow. He missed on multiple passes that resulted in three 3 and outs that I saw. Can see how he is NOT NFL ready and a possible “bust waiting to happen”.
Watching Flacco and Matt Ryan this weekend again showed that a rookie QB can be successful, only if there is a team around him. In Baltimore its a vaulted D. In Atlanta its a great running game – that was stopped on Saturday resulting in their loss. Ryan trieed to put the game on his own shoulders…and could not do it because no balance with the run game. Reemphasizes to me that KC needs to shore up its offensive line as a priority to establish a running game. If I were the new GM and HC, I would use LJ and re-estblish a power running game. If we get rid of him, it may very well be a “JA situation” where we are then needing what we just got rid of because we were intolerant.
Did anyone else notice the difference in teams’ mentality in the “one and done” playoffs? Big difference in urgency. Cardinals dusted Edgerin James off the shelve and used him as they should have last 5 games of their season – they let their “dispute” with him not affect their game plan. What a novel concept! Reminds me of the Chiefs with LJ. He’s here…just have to use him. I think our situation is different though…need an offensive line…or at least play calling that uses our strengths. Speaking of which…does anyone have percentages of play calls this year on crucial plays (short yardage 3rd and 4th downs) where we did running plays – and ran to the right side? Why did Chan Gailey do that over and over (and get stopped over and over) when the strength in our O line is the left side with Waters and Albert?
My thoughts from the weekend…
I was ticked off most of the year when they kept running to the left side. After amateur evaluation, I came to the conclusion that they ran to the right side because that was also the weaker defensive side.
At the same time, I don’t think it’s the right thing, because the right side of our line made even the worst opposite defensive lines look good. I take our best blockers vs their best tacklers/rushers/run stuffers any time.
Sure glad we didn’t bring Herm’s Boy (Pennington) here, 4-int’s and they lost the game.
JB its nice to look at the old veterans and wish. I hate old veterans lewis is in his 10-11 season I think. It is tiring watching the same thing every year and us not go anywhere. Old veterans need to just retire. Suggs is younger and hopefully available that would be nice. LJ has nothing time for him to go like CarlP and Gunther. Meninred, I didn’t particularly want Pennington here but he did pretty good this year he took the worst team from last year and helped get them in to the playoffs. Baltimore just had the better team. Flaco and Ryans supporting cast is what helped them more than anything. But a better team beat Ryan this weekend by taking away his supporting cast. He did show he was a rookie. Which is good for his development. I have a feeling next year he will be a whole lot better.
To weigh in on the discussion, Pennington had a horrible performance yesterday. BUT, his receivers were not open all day long. Chad took that one for the team. His WRs couldn’t get open and couldn’t make plays. Then, there’s Ed Reed.
It will be interesting to see if Camarillo makes a difference next year and Ginn gets better. Maybe MIA will pick up a FA WR.
JBD, I agree with Suggs, he is worth the money, I think Lewis is a stretch, Id prefer to add Suggs, let DJ play outside one more year before deciding what to really do with him, I would then either nab Rey or Spikes(1st and 2nd respectively) and if I took Rey, then Id go with the best center available in round 2 since Unger may fall…
As for the rest of free agency, I pass on Sproles, Charles is our Sproles, and I think has more potential, Sproles was their answer to Dante Hall, he became more than that. I do think KC should target a dime back, a vet QB who would be the 2 or 3 QB…
As for your LJ concept, he is a guy who lets things outside of football affect his play, I think its best to move him, even if its for a 3rd round pick and a 6th, Id take that, Id even just take a 3rd, Vermeil got rid of Leslie O’neal, and replaced him quickly in St Louis, it made people upset, but he was a locker room problem. Kevin Carter, Dmarco Farr etc were good guys who made up for the loss.
Since its Tony’s last year, I’d stick with Thigpen, give Gailey a shot with the spread for another year, piece together the offensive line with Albert/Waters/2nd rnd pick/Wade Smith/Mcintosh,Draft Pick/Gross?….Then hopefully let Franklin and Darling use reciever slot 4, put Bradley at 3, find a 2, Bowe needs to improve to really be a strong 1. Cottam more involved would help.
Defensively…Obviously a rush end, adding those LB’s would improve the play of DJ, as well as Tank/Dorsey/Mcbride…The secondary is excellent, the question is whether or not to resign page, I would, before the year, no, but after watching him take a leadership role, and play pretty well this year, definitely needs to be resigned, and those who say Pollard isnt it, he is, hes just out of position, a safety substitution on certain sets between Morgan/Pollard instantly should improve this D, otherwise passing on Nicks is questionable for Morgan.
If you keep Johnson another season, you either own him or lose him for NOTHING! He’ll be an UFA after next season.
Trade Him!
Keep up the great work Coach Edwards. ALL of KC is behind you and we know that you will lead us back to glory very soon now.
AND NOW, Clark Hunt has RE-RE-affirmed Herm’s The Man!
I have finally accepted that Herm probably won’t be here next year, and that’s okay with me. His game management is truly suspect. But I loved how he took this thing and laid a decent foundation. He may have not won much, but I think if he leaves, he is leaving this team better than when he got it.
Draft wise, I really hope we stay away from any QB’s in rd.1. I’d like to see the best available player taken at 3 (not a WR). If its a stud LT, so be it, you can never have enough of those guys. But I would be happy with Rey, or the OLB from Wake. We need a fiery leader on D. I think if we got either one of those linebackers it could elevate DJ’s play b/c he would have some one with similar abilities to feed off of. The OL needs to be addressed just as much as DE & LB.
Page was my biggest surprise of the year. I remember year 1 & 2 he was the worst tackler I ever seen. This year he was laying wood just as much as Pollard, and still making his share of picks. Need to resign that man, he deserves a raise.
I was also anit firing Gunther, but I’m excited to see what this off season brings. Might be more exciting than the regular season.
hawaiian chief, if we go BPA then any LB would be out of the question at the #3 pick. I just can’t see taking a LB that high.
After watching the 4 playoff games, I’m okay with taking an OT first overall, if thats the way they decide to go. I’d still love to get that franchise QB, even if he were sat for next year and let Thigpen have the reins for another season, but Stafford and Bradford just aren’t elite prospects and we can’t afford a big whiff at this point. Sadly, the timing just isn’t there and we have too many holes.
What stood out to me the most watching on Saturday and Sunday was the outstanding line play of all the teams, both on O and D. The blitzing was outstanding and refreshing to watch, as they executed pressure from every side. With that said, the top OT would be just fine with me. One less hole to worry about next year, but lets not bank everything on Tyler.
Concerning playoffs, why didn’t Vikes try to get Jackson on the edge with rollouts, or do something novel to take advantage of his athleticism. He looked like Thiggy in the Atlanta game, playing in a set that was not designed for him. If we stay with spread, maybe we can get Jackson cheap.
I agree with Hawaiian. Go for best available athlete because we can’t afford to whiff on someone we are reaching for. If best guy is OT, take him. If best guy is DL or LB, take him. Certainly true if QB, but make sure he fits your scheme.
If we can trade down that would be best, but most teams won’t give you true value for pick so high. The draft pick costs too much to sign at #3, at least in 2009. Hope NFL can fix that in 2010.
Move Tony if we can get value. Since he’s already said he’s not interested in playing much longer, he has killed some of his value. But he’s sacrificed for the franchise. Return the love.
Summary-Best available athlete.
San Deigo — Pittsberg– New York trade for a great running back like LJ . By this week end .
Okay…lets see..as i look @ the chiefs..ordeal…this is what i would do …i am not gonna be cheap..and it for the long hall..and i am making my judgment from what i have seen from this year..
staff….all GONE ..ALL..
NEEDS …QB..A REAL STARTER..THIGGY..NOT READY YET..CASSELL..WINS..
RB LJ UR GONE..3RD 7TH RD DRAFT PICK
HERE’S SURTAIN THE EGG DROP..TE..GONZO..DJ/..TRADE HOPEFULLY RAVENS..RAY LEW..AND 4RD PICK..I’LL TELL WHY LATER.AND I AM SPENDING MONEY FOR J..PEPPERS..WHAT EVER IT TAKES
if you think we played with rookies last year..this will be a another rebulid…but this is what will be differ..
I NEED MY DEFENSE TO BE ON SIGHT KILLERS…WHEN THAT UNIFORM GO ON BE LIKE THE MOST HATED COP..ON EARTH..I HAVE A JOB TO DO….HOW..THATS RAY LEW..AND PEPPERS…WE HAVE DEFENSE SWAGGER…AND A DAM LEADER..THE BEST IN THE GAME..PUT DORSEY WHERE HE BELONGS..AND CAN DO DAMAGE..THEM PICKS..1 PICK CURRY
NOW LOOK…PEPPERS TYLER DORSEY HALI…IF HALI FAILS MCBRIDE..IS READY..HE PLAYED WITH HEART..
THAT 1ST PICK..A CURRY…RAY LEW D WILLIAMS..
MY CBs AND SAFETYS..ARE LEGIT..RAY LEW..WILL MAKE SURE THEY DO THERE JOB…THAT WHY I HAVE HIM..TO GIVE THEM HEART…AND SWAGGER…AND EACH POSITONS HAS A GOOD BACK UP..DEFENSE SOLID..SOME MAY ASK WHY TRADE DJ…HIS TECHNICS ARE RUIN..THEY COACH HIM BAD OUT THE GATE..(DANG)AND IF B SPIKES IS ON THE BOARD BY 2ND ROUND..I WILL GET HIM ..FOR WHEN RAY LEW..MOVES ON….AND ALL OTHER PICKS LEFT WILL BE TO REVANT THAT LINE..CAUSE THERE ARE SOME ROAD GRATERS..COME OUT THIS YEAR…SOME VERY GOOD 3RDS..AND WE HAVE PICKS..TO DO THE JOB FROM THE TRADE..BRING IN A GOOD DEFENSE COACH AND RAY LEW…AND PEPPERS..TEACHING ALL THRU…AND WHERE AWSOME…
OFFENSE…CASSELL QB THIGGY WATCH AND LEARN
IF WE CAN LET SOME GO…..THAT DIDNT DO A THING IN 08…WHICH WILL NOT BE HARD..GET SPROLES..
WILL HAVE 3 3RD PICKS.OL…AND 4RD THERE ARE SOME..GOOD RB… FEEL IN SOME HOLES…LET THE OFFENSE CATCH UP TO THE DEFENSE GET SOME CHEMISTY..GOING…AND ..WE ARE IN THE PLAY OFFS..
LOOK @ THIS REAL GOOD FOLKS…IT CAN BE DONE..WITH OUT..HOPING. JUST PAY THE MONEY AND WHERE STILL UNDER THE CAP..AND WILL BE A YOUNG TEAM..FOR YEARS TO COME..