Thursday Morning Cup O’Chiefs
Professionally, probably the best thing that could have happened for Gunther Cunningham was what went down on Wednesday when he was named the new defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
It’s a new challenge and a new slate for Cunningham, working with a young coach who he likes very much.
However, personally it’s going to be very tough for Gun to leave Kansas City.
People have asked me many times over the years if Cunningham really meant the emotional things he was always saying about Kansas City and the Chiefs fans.
He did. When he would talk about his desire to bring the Arrowhead Stadium crowd alive again – like it was in the mid 1990s -it came from the heart.
And Gunther always wore his heart on his sleeve, especially when it came to Kansas City.
From his earliest days, Gunther Manfred Cunningham was searching for a home. Born in the rubble of post-World War II Germany, he did not know his father. His mother eventually married an American serviceman and a young Gunther moved to Massachusetts as a 10-year old. Later, the family moved on to California, where he went to high school in Lompoc.
After playing linebacker and kicker at the University of Oregon and then getting into coaching with the help of Ducks assistant coach George Seifert, Cunningham started down that long coaching road. He and his high school sweetheart Rene went from Eugene, to Fayetteville, to Palo Alto, to Berkley, to Canada, to Baltimore, then Indianapolis, San Diego, Los Angeles and finally to Kansas City in 1995.
Three years here, one year there, four years somewhere else … it’s the normal life of a football coach climbing the ladder. Two of those coaching stints brought him to Kansas City, the first one for six years, the second for five years. That’s a total of 11 years.
In his 62 years on this earth, no place was home for more years for Gunther Cunningham than Kansas City.
Through his first stint as defensive coordinator, through two seasons as head coach and then his second tenure in charge of the defense, a picture was painted of Gunther as this driven, screaming maniac, and there’s no question he was that at times.
And there was so much more. Those that spent the time getting to know him, found a smart, engaging man who claims Dalai Lama and George Patton as his heroes, loves the music of the Rolling Stones, would eat sushi at every meal if he could and plans to become an anthropologist when and if he ever retires from coaching.
Despite countless hours submerged in the business of football, Cunningham knew there was life outside the game; he just didn’t live it. About once a year, Rene would drag him away to Tuscany, or Hawaii, or Maine for a few weeks each summer and Gunther would unplug from football. Last summer, his daughter Natalie got married and Gunther was the father of the bride and the smile never left his face.
But then it was time for training camp and he would start those 18-20 hour days again.
That will now happen in Detroit. Gunther may have learned the lesson Thomas Wolfe wrote about so many years ago: you can’t go home again. He returned to Arrowhead with the idea of bringing back the fervor of an attacking defense to the Chiefs.
Only once he got back in the building he found out that everything had changed around the team. The culture was centered on the offense and the defense was the step-child. That changed when Herm Edwards came in and actually in 2007, the Chiefs had a pretty good defensive season that got lost in a 4-12 record.
Everything went in the dumper this past season, especially the defense. With six new starters, including a pair of rookie cornerbacks, Cunningham had quite a challenge. While the results were not visible on the scoreboard or in the final record, it may have been one of Gunther’s best seasons as a coordinator. He remained patient. He worked hard with his players to help them understand the defense. Knowing that his group was young and inexperienced, he did not lose his temper and verbally beat them over the head the way he would have done with a more veteran group. In the end, it didn’t help much as the Chiefs were one of the worst defenses in the league and he has to share in the blame.
Again, a new start is probably the best thing for Gunther Cunningham the coach.
For Gunther Cunningham the man, it’s going to be very tough to leave home.
Here’s what new Lions head coach Jim Schwartz had to say about hiring Cunningham.
And here’s part of what Cunningham had to say about the Chiefs.
SUPER BOWL COUNTDOWN: 11 DAYS AWAY
The Steelers gave the game ball from their victory over Baltimore in the AFC Championship Game to a special fan.
ESPN’s John Clayton writes about the Steelers defense.
Rebuilding the roster was the key for the Cardinals eventually move into becoming a Super Bowl team.
After eight years in the desert, Adrian Wilson is finally getting a chance to drink at the NFL oasis.
COACHING/GM UPDATE
COLLEGES – Former Chiefs assistant coach Doug Graber (1983-86) was hired as defensive coordinator at Ball State. Other than some work in NFL Europe, Graber has been out of coaching since he was fired as Rutgers head coach following the 1995 season.
BRONCOS – Hired Raiders linebackers coach Don Martindale to handle the same duties in Denver. Plus, head coach Josh McDaniels added his 28-year old brother Ben to the staff as an offensive assistant. No big deal except Ben McDaniels was a high school coach in Ohio last year.
CHARGERS – Hired former Chiefs CB Cris Dishman as an assistant secondary coach, effectively replacing another former Chiefs CB Kevin Ross, who was released. They also added Greg Williams as an assistant linebackers coach. He was a graduate assistant in the ’08 college season at Pitt.
COLTS – Named Larry Coyer their new defensive coordinator, just a day after Ron Meeks resigned from that position. Coyer was the assistant head coach of the Buccaneers last year.
JAGUARS – Are interviewing former Cleveland defensive coordinator Mel Tucker for the same role with Jacksonville.
FROM THE PAGES OF SUPER BOWL HISTORY
On January 22, 1989, the San Francisco 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-16 in Super Bowl XXIII at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. A crowd of 75,129 fans saw one of the most historic championship game comebacks as 49ers quarterback Joe Montana led his team. The Bengals held a 16-13 lead with just over three minutes to play. San Francisco’s possession started at their eight-yard line. Montana used 11 plays to cover 92 yards, with the winning score coming on a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR John Taylor with 34 seconds to play. This game was tied 3-3 at half-time, the first time in 23 games that the Super Bowl was knotted up at intermission. The teams traded third quarter field goals, before Cincinnati kick returner Stanford Jennings brought back a kickoff return 93 yards for a touchdown. The Niners answered with a 14-yard TD pass from Montana to WR Jerry Rice. Rice was named the game’s MVP after catching 11 passes for 215 yards.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO …
Former Chiefs linebacker Bob Stein was born on January 22, 1948 in Minneapolis. Stein was a fifth-round draft choice of the Chiefs in 1969 out of the University of Minnesota. He spent four years with the team (1969-72), playing in 50 games with two starts. Stein was on the field for Super Bowl IV against his hometown Vikings. Stein later played for the Rams, Chargers and finished up his career with the Vikings. Stein later became the first president of the Minnesota Timberwolves when that NBA franchise began business in 1989.
Born on January 22, 1932 in Ardmore, Oklahoma was one of the original Dallas Texans, Max Boydston. He played seven years in pro football coming out of the University of Oklahoma, including the 1960-61 seasons with the Texans in the brand new American Football League. Boydston caught 41 passes in those two seasons for 52 yards and four touchdowns. He finished up his career in 1962 with the Oakland Raiders. Boydston passed away in December of 1998.
Also born on January 22, in 1927 was Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe “The Jet” Perry. The running back entered the world in Stevens, Arkansas and went on to play 16 seasons of pro football, most of those with the San Francisco 49ers. In 14 NFL seasons, he had 8,378 rushing yards and 1,796 receiving yards. He was the first running back to gain over 1,000 yards in two straight seasons. Perry did not play college football and was spotted by pro scouts while playing in the military. He was part of the Hall of Fame class of 1969.
AND SAY GOODBYE TO …
Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Dante Lavelli. He passed away Wednesday at the age of 85 near Cleveland, where he made a name for himself as a member of the Browns.
Lavelli in fact was a member of the original Cleveland Browns, who were part of the All-America Football Conference when that rival leave was born in 1946. Those Browns would win every AAFC title and would eventually be absorbed into the NFL with two other teams in 1950. The Browns and Lavelli immediately began to dominate the NFL, winning the ’50 NFL Championship Game over the Los Angeles Rams 30-28. Lavelli caught 11 passes in that game and two for touchdowns.
He was the favorite target of Cleveland’s great quarterback Otto Graham and over his 11-year career in both the AAFC and NFL Lavelli caught 386 passes for 6,488 yards and 62 touchdowns. He had a record 24 catches in six NFL title games.
Lavelli was part of the Hall of Fame class of 1975,
Nice article Bob, I’m sure Gun would think so too. I loved his passion for the game and desire to bring the pressure, I wish him well in Mo-Town.
Wow your link on Gun’s take was very informative and confirmed my thoughts about our D over the last few years, it wasn’t his.
Gun was forced to run Herm’s Tampa-2 and didn’t like it or the players Herm wanted to use like Demorrio Williams nor a all rookie team. Sounded as if he didn’t want Jared Allen traded either. Herm’s way made him look bad and sounds as if he told them so before it happened as well.
Another one of Herm’s “WAY” that didn’t work.
Thanks again, Bob, for a bit of fresh air. Here in mid-MO where I live now, there’s little Chiefs coverage (all Rams). Your perspectives always provide fresh air and welcome relief from poorly researched, shoot-from-the-hip articles in um, local KC publications.
Thanks as well for NOT speculating on the Chiefs HC. Fruitless. We’ll know something when Scott Pioli decides it. I have complete faith in him, and I know he came in with a solid plan. This is going to be fun.
After reading the many articles about Gun in the Detroit press and KC press, it confirms what I saw and felt. Gun is very loyal to his Head Coach but his hands were tied when it came to coach the way he truly believes. I wish him the best and I believe the Lion defense will become that under Gun; a roaring, hungry lion.
Now let’s encourage Scott Pioli to pull the trigger on Herm and hire the “right” coach.
Was the departure of Allen done by Herm or the office, there was a lot of money involed and Jarred had just oppened the eating and drinking place on S.W. blvd.
When the phone rang , it was proably hard to sort out the need in the future for more stable young players and the need to take care of them .
The deal with L.J. was at nearly the same time , with Jarred it made it real hard to eat up all that cap money at one time . There are so many things that control what seems to be a small choice .
Bob , every thing that you do here is FIRST CLASS .
I agree with you MenInRed, I always liked both Gun’s and Cower’s defenses, attack, attack, attack. That being said, good luck in Detroit Gun, I wish you a lot of success there, I believe you to be a better coach then you’re defenses produced here.
I watched the great game between Denver and the Chiefs with Elway and Montana the other day. Even thou it had Dave Adolf as DC, what a great defense, there were a lot of great players on that team. I am not real keen on the cover two, reminds me more of the read and react defenses, which we had that never seem to be good. I would like to see a more physical defense like the Ravens and Steelers have.
Well I respect Gun for the past but reading his comments. Sounds like he stuck around and coached a defense he didn’t want to run. If that was the case he should have left before now. I’m sure his work ethic was the same but if your running something how you don’t want it and your a perfectionist like Gun I bet there had to be times of frustration.
Merwin I would like to see KC with a defense that is tougher also, like what Gun used to run. Problem is we don’t have the personnel to run it anymore. This is one of the things about just going out and firing coach’s. “Fire the HC” then he brings in new DC OC and all kinds and wants to run his scheme. Well which ever side sucked that year fire that coach bring in a new one and now we have to change personnel again. KC has been doing this since Marty Left. Guess what KC your not going to win a SuperBowl inside 3yrs. Thats one of the reasons I would like to see Herm stay he is trying to execute a plan that Tony D. put together with Herm, Lovie Smith, Monte Kiffin and company. No I would not let Herm go past next year without a 9-7 or a strong 8-8 as they play better than 8-8 just didn’t get a couple bounces. Anything less than that he would be gone.
At least Gun will admit that getting rid of Jared Allen was a mistake…something Herm has never done.
Like Herm, I didn’t dislike Gun the man…just as a coach. Sounds like from his comments, as Chris alluded to, that he stayed too long here in KC when he didn’t believe 100% in what he was doing.
I’m thrilled that GC is gone. There, I said it. It would have been an embarrassing moment for him to have been rightly fired this off-season given the morbid defensive effort his teams have provided the last few years.
All that bluster and bravado without the results. Clearly, the players weren’t responding to his profanity laced tongue lashings and had tuned him out. It was time, long past time, for GC to move on.
Maybe our def. could have been better IF Herm had allowed Gunn. to run HIS def. If the Tampa 2 was not his style.. and it is not. Then why not play to the def. cor. strength? Gunn loves the attacking type def. Gunn had never caoched the T2 as far as I know. So why would you ask someone to execute something they are not the master of?? Why Herm?? Would you ask an Italian professor to teach Japanese? Probbably not. We all have our strengths and we shine best when we can demonstrate them. There are alot of reasons that our team was 2-14 and those that deserve it need to wear it.
Merwin, I couldn’t agree with you more!! Watching the Steelers and Ravens play last weekend was awesome! Both those D lines got pressure as needed.
Theres a time and place for zone coverages, but to play that as your base D, IMHO doesn’t get it done, especially in the playoffs.
I liked Gun’s defense when Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith were running it, because they never stayed with the script. But, he always played a prevent style in the second half and the chiefs would lose. His defenses have never really been spectacular. He played more prevent than he ever did an attacking defense. I hate that almost as much as I hate the tampa 2
Bye bye Gun, take your under the bus thowing ways to Detroit, hope you get exposed for what you truly are, a glorified linebackers coach!
I agree with the loses that came from the 2nd half prevent Defenses, but I think that again was more Marty Ball than a Gun choice.
I don’t like either, T2 or Prevent. When you bring presure via great pass rush from your ends & line or blitz from the LB and with a good-tight man coverage in the first 15-20 yards, its hard to beat it. Most of the time that style of play leads to hurry’s, incomplete passes, interceptions, sacks and a lot of 3 and outs. If thats what got you into the game/lead in the first half, why change it after half time. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
This will put a whistle in some’s baffles. Not mine so much but some I’m sure.
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/sports/story/Mike-Shanahan-Could-be-Next-Chiefs-Head-Coach/EjWyJUYPT0q-lAAApuqgXw.cspx
Defensive styles like I decribed are why the West Coast Offenses were created and so popular with 5-10 yard routes, quick passes to a speacific spot, all about timing.
The Chiefs had that type of Defense and it worked well with the right players and coaches, I dream of it’s long awaited return.
I’m so ampted on what we will have and look like in the future under Mr Pioli.
Go Chiefs!!!!!!
Boy, Shanahan as our new HC? As long as he brings in Ron Meeks as our new DC. Heck I think we should look at Meeks even if Shanny isn’t in the picture, what your take on Meeks, JohnNdallas?
I wonder if someone from NBC spotted Shanny here in KC?
Shanahan could be a good choice. Especially since he wouldn’t have “total control” here like he did at Denver…and could concentrate exclusively on coaching. There isn’t a coach anywhere that knows the AFC West better than he does.
Until I hear something “official”, though…I’ll just file it under someone elses speculation. With all the others.
I did like the sounds of “should know by Friday”…for sure.
I love Gunther Cunningham! And I wish him much success in Detroit.
His reflection on the different defenses preferred by him v. Herm is very informative. It really goes to how everybody must be on the same page. His mention of Jared Allen reflects what I feel also. Allen should have never been allowed to leave.
Good luck, Gunther!
sorry Double A as long as Peterson was here it was ineveitable that Allen wouldn’t be good riddance to all 3 of them
I think that no matter the Defensive scheme you use, you must have all the right players or it won’t work. It’s too bad we had too many young inexperienced players last year to make any defense work. I would have liked Jared Allen to stay with the Chiefs. But I too questioned his desire for all that money with the issues that he had at the time. We really needed to have more expercenced FA players to step up and help the young players, which never happened.
It would be interesting to have Mike Shananhan as the HC, provided he and Scott Pioli could work together. I feel Shananhan could really teach Tyler to be a better QB. The biggest problem with Shananhan is he always seems to have weak defenses.
OMG…..Its sad how quickly people forget or how silly their remarks can be. All forms of defense how there upsides and downsides. People saying you cant win with the TAMPA 2 defense, who the hell one in 07? was that the colts? what did they run? oh thats right, the TAMPA 2. Lets see, the year after that, what did the superbowl winner run, a base 4-3 blitzing scheme. Well guess what, we have had 2 coordinators/hc run those same things. Those defenses work, but you have to get the right players to run them!!!!!Coaches matter, but not as much as players. You can recruit the best D coordinator in the league, unless he puts good players in, it wont matter. Sorry Kids.
Sorry, didnt see your post Merwin, sorry to be repetitive….
MenInRed, Meeks is a guy I think deserves some consideration, Him, Grimm, Haley? (sceptical), I also think (gonna miss spell this)Mariuchi,Fassel, shouldn’t be ignoried either.
It your are correct. teams can win with those defenses I dont like the tampa 2 or guns prevent defense. I like the more aggressive type defenses like the Ravens run. I like seeing 5 men going after the qb and the run. I like seeing defensive tackles and ends throwing there counterparts around like ragdolls and seeing the quarterback face down in the dirt. I like seeing man to man coverage on the wide receivers and seeing them on their collective butts. I hate seeing a corner play off the line 20 yard and not being disruptive. I like a ronnie lot type corner. I like it when the two safetys don’t do a whole lot because the rest of the team has done their jobs. I like to see linebackers pursue the ball not where they assume it is and smack the carrier so hard his helmet goes flying off. Give me that then I will be happy.
Jack Harry reports the Chiefs will name their head coach Friday and it is Mike Shanahan. hahahahahahaha
If we were so lucky to see Mike Shanahan , this would the one thing the owner of the Denver Broncos said is ” I hope Mike does good — only thing is I hope he does not end up in Kansas City ”
I love it !!!
I love it !!!
I love it !!!
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/sports/story/Mike-Shanahan-Could-be-Next-Chiefs-Head-Coach/EjWyJUYPT0q-lAAApuqgXw.cspx
No to Meeks. He’s a strong proponent of the unagressive, undersized Tampa 2, which flies in the face of what Pioli said he wants; Big, strong, fast Football players.
amen to that mark
LMAO, so much for the whistle in some’s baffels…..
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/01/22/schefter-shanahan-wont-land-in-kansas-city/
damn that jack harry
Of course many of these same outlets had Pioli as a shoe-in for Cleveland. KC was never mentioned because the front office is very tight-lipped and “sources” were non-existent. I will say that since Herm is still employed, it probably isn’t ethical for the Chiefs to interview potential replacements. I find it hard to believe a “deal” is close to done with Shanahan. Despite Schefter’s lack of involvement, there very well could have been conversations going on informally to guage interest. I would hope several of these conversations have taken place with many potential candidates. Herm isn’t going anywhere without a suitable replacement being identified.
Your right B, Gosselin or Czarnecki don’t recall which now, pooh pooh all over any possibility of Pioli coming to KC.
Every one is grasping at straws, Clark and Pioli are running a pretty tight SHIP
Pun intended.
“Loose Lips, Sink Ships”
All these “experts” want to be able to say they were in the know when an announcement is made so they throw out wild guesses. I like the way Hunt, and now Pioli, keep it all close to the vest. I get disturbed when negotiations are done through the media.
“Loose lips sink ships” – I would imagine Hunt has told his people that it is “their” ship that would sink.
Gun to the booth, Gun to the sideline. Back to the booth. In comes Bunting to the booth. Gun to the sideline. Gun coaching linebackers.
Boone to DE
Hali to RDE
Dorsey playing 2 Gap
DJ from strong side, weakside, and MLB
Demario in and out of lineup
Linebacker scrub shuffle
This had to be gun’s worst coaching. He never had a feel of his personell, and how to best use him. He couldnt motivate the troops, and he couldnt make half-time adjustments. After week 6, someone else had to come in to consult.
Gun’s a joke.
So very true find. It was way past his time to go 2 years with vermeil and 3 with herm and our defense stunk horribly bad. Actually we haven’t had a decent defense since DT and Neil Smith. But because Carl Peterson and Gunther were buddies he had a job. I want to see Detroit improve and hopefully Schwartz makes all the decisions because if he doesnt there wont be an improvement.
1.My big business side says they have been interviewing since Mr. P. landed at the airport for the next HC.
2.My desire to see a winning team says who cares what the coaches name is as long as we get back to winning games.
3.My humane (sp) side says lets give the guy a chance …. but 2-14 says your time is up , done, over, nomas, bye-bye.
4.My chess playerside says look from all the angles, and make the best choice possible, no knee jerks (please).
5. My prayers are for a coach who can
a. improvise
b. addapt
c. overcome
BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…
1:04 an the Mayflower is here to get Herms stuff
LMAO D Dog!!
To ALL
What compensation do we get in the draft for J.A. #69? Is it based on his performance in 2008??
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1:13 cst
we aldready got a 1st and two 3rd round picks for JA in the 2008 draft. I dont think we get anything else for him.
I think they got all they had coming, didn’t they?
To All;
So we have the # 3 slot and the where is our second 1st round pick fall? I am more ecited about the draft than the next HC. does that make sence?(sp) I wish there was spell check on this site (sp)
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1:22 cst
Devildog1976 says:
My prayers are for a coach who can
a. improvise
b. addapt
c. overcome
Sorry Devildog not too many Marines are NFL headcoach’s would be nice though. Hey my nephew has taken the reigns for my family and is on his 1st stint as a D.I. guess I could give him a call see if he could come and instill some Balls (mental-physical toughness) into this team.
John,
I remembered that you are not a native Texan guess you didn’t I grew up in Wichita we had wrote back and forth early in the season I believe you stay up in Addison I’m in Arlington. I was just having a little fun yesterday the guessing game of what coach got a little dry thats all.
OOOOOOO,F*******G,RAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
You can NEVER have too many. J M O
All of my best to your nephew, those were the best 6 years of my (pre marriage) life. I still stand tall every time I see or hear about any young man brave enough to wear any US uniform.
Freedom is not free and they are making payments for us. My 14 yr. old son is already planning on becoming a Devildog.
1.If you can read thank your teacher
2. If you can red english thank a Marine
3. GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!
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1:37 ST
D Dog: We maintain the 3rd pick in each round unless we trade out of the spot.
B in SC
Thank you I like that slot. We should be able to do great things.
yes we can, Yes We Can, YES WE CAN.
Rin ten ten Where are you??
D-Dog lots of luck to your son. One thing you might teach him is not to laugh. I being a son of a Marine found a lot of things funny in bootcamp thus became one of the funny recruits. Not trying to detract from Chiefs talk guys its just a Marine thing we take care of our own.
Now back to our regular scheduled program.
DDog Rin is supposedly in Europe I was taking up his slack but seemed lots of guys were crying about it. I personnally found it fun everytime I put in his little saying I would just laugh. So
Time Check 1:48pm and Yup Herm is Still the Man!!
he he he
Chris_TexasThank you, I appreciate your point. He is pretty squared away now and I think he will do well. He played football for 4 yrs. 5th -8th grade and hpoefully he will play in HS. So he has the TEAMÂ thing down.
Now an update from TERRORHEAD Stadium it is 1:58 and yep Herm is still the man. And here comes a big truck. (N F L)
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Chris,
Your carrying of the “Herm is still the Man” torch is admirable…
But, it’s just not annoying when YOU do it. Ha!
As far as that third pick I’m hoping Pioli trades down to 10 – 15 and grabs up some picks.
Scott you hurt my feelings.
Lol!
Sorry, Chris. Keep trying. Maybe you’ll get there.
Hey if Pioli does keep the 3rd pick whats your thoughts on USC LB Rey Maualuga?
Uh Rah to the Marines in here. I was in the Gator Navy on the USS Pensacola LSD38 and you all were our main objective, amphibious assault, put you boys on the beaches if and where needed back in the day.
Kick A#$ MenInRed spent time on the USSTarawa and USSSantaBarBara always got were we were going. Lots of respect for all the men and women in uniform no matter which service. I just happen to be a USMC alumni.
I like Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest @ our 3rd pick, I think he has or will develope a swagger like Ray Lewis and keep our boys pumped all the time.
Does Curry play MLB or OLB? Any one know? I think it would be more important to get the middle guy first, and then fill in elsewhere.
Hey, hermites, all warm and fuzzy about Gunther? If he is successful in Det., what does that say about herm’s influence on the KC defense (that gave up around 400 yards/game)?
We have a fortune tied up on the Def. Line but, man, could be use the best rush DE out of college. Do not know who that is but bet the chiefs are eyeballing him.
With the third pick in the draft Kansas city selects……………
1. WR ……#88 from NC
He had many really good catches this season
OR
WR/KR/PR/…….Jeremy Maclin from MU
We need another real threat.OR Blount RB Oregan
2. Lourentis (sp) from Ohio St. LB
Clay Mathews USC. LB
whats his name not mamaluga the 3rd LB
from USC. They talked about him alot during the Rose Bowl.
3. OL Big guy that used to play with Branden Albert.( don’t you love my power of recall on all of these names)?
4. OL,OL,OL,OL.
It is a very small world I was on the USS Tripoli LPH-10 1978, and the USS Tarawa LHA-11 1979.
Here is an update from TERRORHEAD Stadium…….
3:27 pm cst and yep Herm is packing his “trash”
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Time Check: 341 p.m. CST, Thursday, January 22, 2009…and yup, Rin’s still out of the country! (Praise God!!)
Hey DevilDawg here are a couple Big Guys for ya.
Duke Robinson Okla OG 6’5″ 335
Herman Johnson LSU OG 6’7″ 362
Andre Smith Ala OT 6’4″ 340
Also DE pass rusher Brian Orakpo Texas this guy is a beast 6’4″ 260 and is probably 8 to 12% Body fat cannot quote his lifts but benches around 500lbs squats 700lbs and has taken up Boxing for his cardo. Yes I’m a Longhorn fan ahh now you know whats wrong with me.
Time Check 4:14pm and Yup Herm is still the Man!!
he he he
Also on DE I really like this guy.
Michael Johnson DE 6’7″ 258 reminds alot of Jason Taylor when he was young he is fast and gets his hands up.
redandgoldrice…
curry plays olb and most everything ive read says hes “more suited” in a 3-4.
Looked up a couple stats on Orakpo didn’t find the squat but.8 percent body fat, 100-pound kettlebells and 180-pound dumbbells, benches 515 pounds, power cleans 380 pounds, runs an electronically timed 40 in 4.6 seconds and has a vertical jump of a whopping 42 inches.
As far as MLB Rey Maualuga USC I stated that before.
Wonder if he can play football? lol
He’s not to bad on field as well John nice shot I was wondering when someone would take one.
First of all MeninRed get your facts str8 Gunther defense sucked way before Herm got here. He did make the guy looked a little competent in 2006 and 2007 when the defense ranked in the top 15. Compared to 2004 and 2005 when serving under Vermeil when it ranked in the bottom half of the league. Bottom line the guy is not good at developing young players and it was time for him to go.
What does anyone think of getting maybe PJ Hill out of Wisconsin 3rd maybe even 4th rd not sure how deep he’ll go? Yes I’d like to see LJ outa here.
And what is up with all this kissing up to Gun. do anyone remember just how bad our defense was before Herm was the head coach. And you guys actually believe the Lions are going to have a stout defense with Gunther as defensive coord. LMAO. Please!! Man you guys going to look bad next year when the Lions defense are still going to suck.
Also if we could get an early pick for LJ maybe even get Javon Ringer Mich.State 2ndrd
And last the last thing you need when you’re a rebuilding franchise like the Lions is a guy like Gun who can’t develop young players. And some of you are thinking he’s going to do well in Detroit after his inability to develop linebackers in KC. Please!! You guys better wake up to reality. And the defense was just as bad when Vermeil and Gun. work together so just stop all this blame on Herm. Actually the defense got better in Herm’s arrival and when we had to blow the roster up in 2008 because of the lack of depth in youth and talent the defense just lacked experience and the proper defensive coaches to develop them. The only portion of our defense that was any good was defensive backs which I think Herm use to be a DB coach. And the linebacker and defensive line was obvious weaknesses which I think Gun was also the linebackers coach go figure. I’ve wrote enough on this guy glad he’s gone should have done it when Herm was hired thanks alot Carl.
1. Orakpo is our man if he has this type of work out production it translates to huge game time result. If this guy plays RDE then how effective will the rest of the line be?? Heads we win… Tails the Raiders lose.
2.Any determined, large,strong,discplined,fast guy that can’t stand to lose. Those are our draft picks.
3. The kid that will sign a contract for a fair amount of money and be at the start of training camp.
4. I would take an early pick for LJman just to get him outa here. Maybe him and Pacman can go clubin’, and spit on some girls.
Hey Chris nothing wrong with you man.. my 11 yr. old son wants to go to TEXAS to play baseball. Hook em Horns!! I like orange and white almost as much and Red and Gold.(almost)
Update from TERRORHEAD Stadium there is a second truck for Herm….. loaded up with all of the excuses.
You got it DevilDog he plays RDE he can play LDE too. Also he is fast enough if the new DC wanted he could play him OLB mostly down like Harrison for the Steelers.
Hey hope your son gets there, Texas has a great Baseball program.
Wow what a great idea, whith that OLB position we could play a 3-4. ????????? Maybe we could line up with the ability to play either 4-3 / 3-4 with the same people. That added confusion would be nice to be able to field.
Yeah buddy the more confusion the more they have to game plan for.
Man SuperBowl isn’t even played and I’m getting cranked up for the Draft. What ya do.
Hold on Ed when Gun took over for Greg Robinson he was force to make it happen with Vermeil’s guys not his own assistants and Vermeil force him to make it happen with Robinson’s cronies so I think Gun gets a free pass on that one and the following year after Vermeil left he had to swallow a zone defense bend but don’t break defense in Herm Edwards Tampa 2 I think Gun should have left the Chiefs the following year when he knew this was not his style defense . So we are going to see if he can do it in Detroit. But he was not happy with this style Herm was running and the negative to Gun was his old style blitz packages they were so predictable hopefully he can change his style and not be so predictable in Detroit. But Herm takes the blame for letting his top notch pass rusher go and not signing any good free agents to go with his scheme I think Herm takes the blame for not letting Gun doing it his way.
Gunther may have lost his way, but Herm was hired because he was defensive minded and he said he was going to fix the defense. That was year one. It’s worse now than it was. Blame who you want, but the job hasn’t been done.
Not sure about this Orakpo kid. I’ve only seen him play about 3-4 times and he was a non-factor each time. Seems to have great measureables, but so did Trezelle Jenkins. Rather see them take Maeluga from USC. He seems to have the temperment to be mean and nasty as a MLB.
B in SC,
I read from somewhere that Orakpo was a work out warrior, and a real specimen, but didn’t deliver the goods consistantly on game day.
As a matter of fact, I believe Arrowheadpride had a video up on him last week or so, if you wanted to go dig it up. He’s a monster, fo sho, but I’d rather take someone thats been taking care of business for the last couple of years than a risky pick based on projection. Gholston anyone?
It would be nice to get two draft picks like we did in the 60′s. Where we picked Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch both to play MLB. Then let them battle it out in training camp and in preseason, move the loser to the outside. Problem is we need OL and DL help as well as a good RB if LJ leaves. Hopefully with Scott Pioli in charge we can bring in some real talented FA who may have some age to them but can play in the system we will have in 2009 and beyound. Something the Pat’s did with the likes of Junior Seau.
I really think the chiefs will draft better in the second round when we draft clay matthews lb usc he’s the one that made usc’s defense go
Well for those that think Orakpo is a non-factor the guy was in the top 10 sack leaders all year and this from the #1 Sack team in College football but thats a nice try RedandGoldRice and B in SC, although as I’ve said I would be happy with Maeluga USC and he is better than the other two USC LB’s.
Being born and bred in Kansas, having moved to KC after serving my country, (B co 115 FSB 1st Cav Divison, Ft. Hood TX) you’ll have to excuse me for not being a Longhorn fan. I respect the hell out of them, but I’m a Jayhawker through and through.
UT has put out some great draft picks in the last few years that I’ve been aware of, so you can’t ever knock the talent coming from there, but I’m not convinced that Orakpo is the answer as of yet. When you’re picking 3rd overall, you’d like to take the guy thats as close to a can’t miss, super stud, 10 time pro-bowler in the making stud that you can find, and I’m not sold yet. IMHO.
RedandGoldRice,
I was born and bred in Wichita, Ks and I always will have a soft spot for those Jayhawks its great to see them finally get a football team that is competitive year in and year out. Also if you seen some of my post I had a guy from USC which for me is almost as bad as wanting a Raider to come play for us. Sorry not a USC fan. As far as Orakpo I couldn’t tell you and no one can what he will do in the future. The reason I like him is the way he practices, the way he runs his training program. As a true Freshmen he played in the Championship and he knows what it takes to win and continue to win. So if you were the GM would you pass on D.Thomas cause you didn’t like Alabama or not sign Marcus Allen cause he was a Raider? Again Orakpo doesn’t belong even mentioned with those Great Players (Yet) but I hope he isn’t over looked cause he is a Longhorn. I also wont over look other players cause there from OU, USC, or FSU of which have players to be considered also. Infact FSU has an Underclassmen DE that is pretty good as well. Just for me it is Orakpo or Maeluga.
I don’t know if he would pan out or not, but just don’t see him at 3. 2nd round maybe. He may have led in sacks, but many times college kids build huge stats against lesser teams. I only saw him in the big games and he was kept in check. Your top 5 picks should be standouts in the big games. Those are the guys that step up their game for the competition. Stats and physical attributes have led many a GM down a bad road.
Look at a guy like Shonn Green from Iowa. His overall rushing stats are great, but could be misleading. The fact that he went over 100 yards in every game is more telling. He was the man no matter who the competition was.
I give, he was constantly doubled giving his teammates a chance to get to the QB thus most sacks by a team and not sure how many passes he swatted in mid air, lots of tackles he would hold his lane to keep guys from getting outside not sure what you were watching during the stretch having 4 teams in the top ten and playing all of them back to back that must be lesser competition your speaking of. You guys just have it out for the Longhorns. But yet you would go for a guy from USC who plays in the PAC 10. Not that I think PAC 10 players are bad the competition is not the same as Big 12, SEC and most years Big 10. But as I said I give I said my peace I guess we can all be glad none of us are Scott Pioli.
I am with you on this one Chris…….. whoa dude (B in SC)how many of the BIG 12 teams were kicking some major ass this year??? (6) The Horns did NOT play in the powder puff division, just quality teams.