Wednesday Morning Cup O’Chiefs

For awhile there it seemed like the only quarterbacks that were making headlines this spring in pro football were a guy who wants to find a new place to play (Mike Vick) and a guy who isn’t quite sure what he wants to do (Brett Favre).

That changed on Tuesday when the game’s biggest stars got into the headlines: Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

For the first time since his knee injury against the Chiefs back on September 7, 2008, Tom Brady was on the field with his football team. He took part in a Patriots OTA session in Foxboro on Tuesday and he spoke at length for the first time about his injury, his rehab and what he expects.

More on him later.

Manning was on the field Tuesday morning as well for an OTA with the Colts on Tuesday. When it was done, it spoke to the media and he wasn’t very happy. Manning is miffed at the loss of assistant coaches Tom Moore and Howard Mudd and he’s unhappy with the lack of communication within the Colts about the entire situation.

“I can’t tell you what’s going on,” Manning told the Indy media on Tuesday. “I will say I don’t think it’s been the most properly communicated scenario around here.

“I think the communication has been pretty poor in my opinion. Somebody says one thing then somebody else says another thing. I’m not sure everybody’s on the same page in this building. I’m just trying to focus on playing quarterback well.”

For a guy who likes to keep his emotions under very tight wraps, that’s about as ticked off as you are ever going to see from Manning. Moore, the Colts offensive coordinator and Mudd, the team’s offensive line coach, have been fixtures in the Indy offense since Manning broke into the league. Mudd helped create and coach the protection that has allowed Manning to pile up yards, TD passes and victories. Moore is the guy who put together the game plans and allows the quarterback to really run the show on game day.

Both coaches have left the Colts because of issues involving their league pensions. There has been talk with the Colts about the duo coming back to the team in consulting roles, but apparently there’s been a snag in that according to GM Bill Polian.

“Basically Peyton is confused about the roles that Tom Moore and Howard Mudd will have in the future,” Polian told ESPN. “My answer is, welcome to the club. We’re confused too. The people that are supposed to have answers still don’t have answers. Whether we can bring them back, when we can bring them back, remains to be seen.

“We would love to have’em back but we don’t know in what capacity they will be allowed. It’s still being researched.”

What’s happened here is that Moore and Mudd took lump sum payments on their pensions. Given their length of service in the league, those checks were in the seven-figure range.

To continue with the Colts in any role, the participation of Moore and Mudd must be approved by the pension administrator. But Polian told ESPN there was confusion over who was the pension administrator. The NFL has no rules on this situation because it’s never come up before.

There’s been a lot of misinformation over the last month and all Manning wants to know is if Moore and Mudd are coming back and when.

“I wouldn’t say I totally like the way it is right now,” Manning said. “I think the communication has been pretty poor. But that’s what we’re dealing with.”

BRADY SAYS NO APOLOGY NECESSARY FROM POLLARD

Our buddy Peter King of Sports Illustrated got the first sit-down interview of the year with Brady. It’s available right here on SI.com and will be in this week’s edition of the magazine. They released it early because Brady was on the field Tuesday as New England started full-squad OTA sessions.

The story covers a lot of ground and includes plenty of Brady talking about the injury he suffered back on Sept. 7 against the Chiefs. As the whole football world knows, Bernard Pollard hit Brady’s left knee and knocked him out for the season. The injury required reconstructive surgery and Brady had to deal with two bouts of dealing with a staph infection.

Brady told King he never felt angry about the hit or upset with Pollard.

“It’s football — there’s no way he owes me an explanation,” Brady said of the Chiefs safety.

The Patriots QB said he wasn’t bitter about the injury, but did feel empty as he was helped off the field. “You go down, they take you off the field, the ref blows the whistle, the 25-second clock starts, and they play the game without you,” Brady said. “You’re like, Wow. That’s really what it’s like. They play without you.”

Brady said he’s “as confident as anyone could be that I’ll be ready to play, back to playing normally, when the seasons starts. I’ve done everything I could to push myself, sometimes too hard. Right now, I’m doing everything, literally everything. There’s nothing I can’t do.”

ELLIS COULD BE AVAILABLE AS EARLY AS TODAY

On Tuesday morning, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met with veteran DE Greg Ellis. Afterwards, Jones said that Ellis would be traded or released by Dallas and that should happen in the next few days.

Ellis, who will turn 34 in August, has played 11 seasons with the Cowboys, contributing 634 total tackles, 77 sacks, 36 tackles for loss and 21 forced fumbles. He started 156 of the 162 games he was available for over those 11 seasons.

It’s hard to imagine any NFL team trading for Ellis if they know he will soon be released by the Cowboys. As a vested veteran, he doesn’t have to go through the waiver system, so he will be able to decide where he will play in 2009.

That would probably be the best way for the Chiefs to pick him up, rather than through a trade. Ellis set to make $4.15 million this year in the final season of his contract. That would not be a problem for the Chiefs to fit into their cap situation. Plus, Dallas is on the line for $1.5 million of that total in a guarantee. The Chiefs could pick him up, Ellis could get his $4.15 million and it would only cost $3 million.

CHIEFS TRAINING CAMP OPEN AND CLOSE

The daily practice schedule remains under wraps at Arrowhead, but the Chiefs did make official when they will go to and then depart River Falls, Wisconsin for training camp.

They will climb on the big bird on Thursday, July 30 for the trip to the northwoods. The next day will be used for meetings, testing and everybody getting their feet under them. First practice comes on Saturday, August 1.

Many Kansas City area fans like to plan their trip north around the annual Family Fun Night practice under the lights at Ramer Field. That will go down on Saturday, August 8, right about the same time that the late Derrick Thomas is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The Chiefs will make a trip back to Kansas City on Friday, August 14, so they can open their pre-season schedule at Arrowhead against Houston the next day. They’ll return to the Falls on that Sunday, breaking camp on Thursday, Aug. 20 for their game in the Metrodome the next day against the Vikings.

They’ll come back to Kansas City after that game and will continue the pre-season at their facilities in the Truman Sports Complex.

It will be the 19th and supposedly final year for the Chiefs in Wisconsin. They first went there in 1991 and they are scheduled to train before the 2010 season at Missouri Western in St. Joseph.

SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE

BROWNS – signed CB Rod Hood (Cardinals).

COWBOYS – released CB Tra Battle and DT Casey Tyler.

DOLPHINS – signed CB Will Allen to a two-year extension.

PATRIOTS – released OL Damane Duckett and TE Brad Listorti.

SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …

Born on May 27, 1981 in Rochester, Pennsylvania was LB Kris Griffin. He joined the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2005. He spent two years with the team, appearing in 24 games and playing mostly on special teams.

Born on May 27, 1956 in Munich, German was K Nick Lowery (right). He spent 14 of his 18 seasons in pro football with the Chiefs (1980-93), finishing as the franchise’s leading scorer with 1,466 points. Lowery made 329 of his 410 FG attempts with the Chiefs.


42 Responses to “Wednesday Morning Cup O’Chiefs”

  • May 27, 2009  - Harold C. says:

    LOL….I had to laugh when I saw that picture of Herm holding that sign……..but……ya know……the longer I look at it the more pitiful it seems.


  • May 27, 2009  - Scott says:

    It’s cool that Brady understands that his injury was just part of the game of football…becuase a lot of people didn’t seem to last year.

    It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs try to sign Ellis. Bad thing is…not a lot of veterans would be really excited to come play here, if they have other choices.

    And isn’t it kinda’ stupid for Jones to say Ellis would be “traded or released”? Why would a team give up anything for a player that’s about to hit the open market?

    How nice it would be to find another long term, great kicker like Nick Lowery again. We haven’t had one since.


  • May 27, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    “The daily practice schedule remains under wraps at Arrowhead”

    - pio & hai code names ’search’ & ‘check’- secure under the auspices their tin foil hats and too in the knowledge said is quite unable to hide a lack of clue theirs - football wasteland their making.

    So tis these crackerjack nee plumbers crack deux Maytag Repair Men o’ a lost cause stand afore KC fandom & media, peerless: undraped… divested… exposed as their now handpicked “22 anys” roster presents itself…a fandom waits, albeit full of breath.


  • May 27, 2009  - Rip 'em a new one says:

    Lowering expectations for the fans, media, and any other entity that cares to observe. That’s what I took from Peyton Manning’s comments on the exodus of his OC and Oline coach.

    All that said, it still comes off as a little whiny from the All-Pro QB that won’t exactly pump up his team mates who you KNOW are watching and listening. Interesting development in the Circle City.


  • May 27, 2009  - tm1946 says:

    Finally a controversy to start the 09 season and the first shot was by the Star (Whitlock). He commented on the “non-signing” of Cassel and projecting forward just what the one great trade would mean if he walks away after one season. He pounded on the fact that Pioli/Haley have done basically nothing to fix the offense and therefore why would Cassel and his agent want a long term deal with a club who will not protect him or give him the players to succeed. Guys, I worry the Chiefs have “tons” of money and are using none of it to help the Offense. Add the loss oF Tony G., coaches suggesting Bowe will be some kind of answer, the Waters dramam, and no seaming interest in drafting offensive starters. Almost forget we get the LJ situation, so, why would Cassel want to sign a long term contract?


  • May 27, 2009  - Scott says:

    I disagree, Rip ‘em. I don’t think it’s “whiny” of Manning at all. What happened to Moore and Mudd was BS. Manning is the leader of that team. And if he says they’re “not all on the same page” at Indy right now…then I’d bet that he’s 100% correct. He’s just speaking his mind on the situation, and he should. The man wants to win, and I can’t fault him for that. And if they don’t get that whole mess straightened out…it will cost the Colts in wins and losses.

    Besides…he was asked some questions by reporters, and he answered honestly how he felt about the whole thing. It’s not like he went out of his way to comment on it. Just my two cents.


  • May 27, 2009  - Anon says:

    to tm1946…
    If the Chiefs are paying Cassell franchise money this year, they’ll have no problem doing so next year. Cassell isn’t capable of going anywhere except where the Chiefs want him.


  • May 27, 2009  - Scott says:

    I’m betting that Pioli wants to see how Cassel plays this year, before signing him to a long term contract. Seems like a smart move to me. And with Cassel making his $14+ million this year…I didn’t hear him complaining. I remember him saying he was “going to play football…and the rest would take care of itself”, or something pretty close to that. So maybe that right there will help motivate him to kick ass this year.


  • May 27, 2009  - azchieffn says:

    Looking ahead at the schedule K.C. has this year, best case scenario is we get 5 wins. provided Cassell doesn’t get busted up on the first play of the season. (and if we can sweep the Raiders) For a 2-12 team, we sure have a nasty schedule. any thoughts out there?


  • May 27, 2009  - anonymous says:

    Scott,
    I agree and said before, whats the big hurry to get Cassel under a new long term deal. I too think it’s a smart move, lets see what he is before inking him to a long term deal.

    It also helps eat up some of this $30,000,000 in cap space.


  • May 27, 2009  - Scott says:

    azchieffn,

    I think we’ll win more than 5 games. There will be teams that will overlook the Chiefs this year…and we’ll surprise them, at least in the first half of the season. I don’t think we’re headed for the Super Bowl…but I think we’ll be a lot better than most people think. 9 or 10 wins is my (very optomistic) prediction.


  • May 27, 2009  - Mark says:

    Cassell’s already signed long term. Count on it being announced during training camp, and this time the Chiefs wll admit it.
    Pioli/Haley have reclaimed their star RB, signed 2 starting caliber Offensve linemen, signed a slot received, drafted another OL. None were sexy moves, but the type of moves Piol did in NE early on to build the foundation. BY FAR The most important thing done was clean out the too soft, losing stench of Herm Edwards and his “theories” of offense and defense. No onfield player move can compare to that.


  • May 27, 2009  - burnsomatic says:

    Why are we not spending any money? Are we waiting for the next waive of free agents?


  • May 27, 2009  - kcfansteve says:

    i like our receivers so far… a couple of new burners…
    brad c will have a lot bigger role as TE and so his stats will improve.
    bowe will have a lot more catches and TDs this year… remember how many time he and tony g fought over the ball inside th 20…?!
    bradley will have an offseason to get ready…

    still want boldin…
    thoughts?

    reason to trade for ellis is exactly what you said… since if released he can go anywhere… if he doesn’t want KC, thats why you trade 5th rounder for him so dallas gets something and we force him here.


  • May 27, 2009  - Scott says:

    burnsomatic says:
    “Why are we not spending any money? Are we waiting for the next waive of free agents?”

    That would be my guess. Who’s available right now that we should sign?

    kcfansteve says:
    “reason to trade for ellis is exactly what you said… since if released he can go anywhere… if he doesn’t want KC, thats why you trade 5th rounder for him so dallas gets something and we force him here.”

    We don’t need any players that we have to “force” to be here. They either WANT to be a Chief, or screw ‘em…is my thought.


  • May 27, 2009  - jimbo says:

    Cassell is between a rock and a hard place.
    On one hand he had an exceptional year with the Patriots. No one really expected the results he was getting, especially since he had been riding the bench for six years M/L. (college & pro) He is obviously expected to have a great year with the Chiefs. He will at least make $14 Mil this year, slightly less if a long term deal is struck. Sure, he has the talent & moxy of a great QB. Quite possibly in KC.
    On the other hand… he faces alot of obstacles here with the Chiefs. Currently we offer him a weaker front line, a tormented star Running Back, an untested Tight End, Wide Receivers that either have a case of the dropsy’s, are long in the tooth or just not sure about. We are hard pressed right now, to provide him the proper tools he needs to succeed.
    That being said… I do feel that a .500 season is possible, given the close games we lost last year, improved coaching & beefed up defense. (I really like our D backs and safeties) & expected improved Special Teams.
    In closing, If we can protect Cassell & he is comfortable in the Pocket this year, he will be well worth the $14 Mil.


  • May 27, 2009  - SG says:

    “9 or 10 wins is my (very optomistic) prediction.”

    VERY optimistic indeed big guy. 5 sounds like a more realistic number and probably would be better for the team long term. If the Chiefs plan to rebuild through the draft - it will need one (possibly two) more strong drafts with higher picks in order to stay in a winning position more than 1 year.


  • May 27, 2009  - SG says:

    “So maybe that right there will help motivate him to kick ass this year.”

    Is this a case of the Impossible Dream? He can be motivated as much as he wants - but if the 5 guys standing in front of him can’t keep the linebackers from breaking him in half and there’s nobody open, how much kicking can occur?


  • May 27, 2009  - Scott says:

    SG,

    Yes, I’m optomistic. It’s only May. If I can’t believe that we’ll win more than 5 games this year…what’s the point of being a fan? That’s just me.

    And keep in mind that NE’s O-line sucked last year…pretty much as bad as ours did. And Cassel was actually sacked more times than Thigpen.


  • May 27, 2009  - jimbo says:

    Scott,

    Kudos to you.
    SG is a pessimist that keeps on giving.


  • May 27, 2009  - ArrowheadHawk says:

    Kind of weird seeing Coach Coattails holding the Chiefs camp sign. Oh well, he ain’t here any more.


  • May 27, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    The stench not so much of Mssrs as messers ’search’ & ‘check’ draws nigh on near- that pungent waft an 0-16 declaration mark theirs too… it is going to be brutal to watch - but such great theatre!

    heh heh heh


  • May 27, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    azchieffn,
    I think 5-6 wins is about right. The Chiefs schedule looks even tougher than last season’s; it’ll be tough sledding even for an improved KC squad.

    I’d predict 3 wins in the division and 2-3 elsewhere (Jacksonville, Dallas, Buffalo, Cleveland, maybe Cincy are possibilities).

    Even in the best-case scenario I would expect the team to require some time to gel; the first half of the season could be ugly.


  • May 27, 2009  - ILChiefsFan says:

    That last anonymous post was mine.


  • May 27, 2009  - Scott says:

    jimbo says:
    “Scott,

    Kudos to you.
    SG is a pessimist that keeps on giving.”

    Thanks, Jimbo. Nah…SG is entitled to his opinion, same as me. I just choose to be optomistic…while probably turning a blind eye to the realistic. Sometimes, anyway. I always have to believe that we’ll be good. That’s what keeps me going as a fan of this team. 5 wins this year might be acceptable, looking back on the season…depending on how well we play. But right now, in May? 5 wins in NO WAY will be acceptable this year!!!


  • May 27, 2009  - tm1946 says:

    Considerating last year’s record, our schedule is a beast in 09, we all know that. Heck, the NFL knows it, the Chiefs dropped of prime time again. 5 win would be great but looking at what Poili/Haley “seem” to want to do, 5 may be a reach. Since no one talks at Arrowhead, all we can do is guess. I hope all you “fans” are correct about Dorsey, Bowe and other receivers, new vets on the OL, Cottam for Tony and LJ return.


  • May 27, 2009  - ILChiefsFan says:

    My hope is that with improvements at QB, O-line, defensive depth, and natural development of last years rookies the Chiefs have made at least a small net gain in talent.

    Also, this is a team that should have won more than 2 games last season. If Pioli, Haley, et. al., can deliver on their implicit promise to put a better-prepared team on the field this season I’m comfortable saying the Chiefs can put 5 wins on the board.


  • May 27, 2009  - Anonymous says:

    We are going to the SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!

    (name withheld out of embarrassment)


  • May 27, 2009  - arrowhead1978 says:

    Jimbo, I like the secondary also, since it proves to me that Herm could evaluate talent. We brought in a of OL that didn’t stick with the teams they were with, I wouldn’t quite say starting caliber since Niswanger is practicing with the 1st offense and guicheck isn’t. Im not sold on Cassel, if he does get smashed up in the first game, the chiefs still could win with good defense and Thigpen who pretty much mirrored what Cassel did without as many sacks on a bad team. Cassel did win 11 games, but the Patriots defense had a lot to do with that as much as the chiefs defense had to do with their last 10 losses.

    I dont see good things coming for the team this year, maybe 4 wins… The offense worked last year because Tony G scored 10 TD’s and 1,000 yds. Bowe had a fine year and hopefully he can make those catches that he dropped last year and increase his TD total. The O-line does seem a little bit better but, we still can’t run to the right side if Mcintosh is at RT, and the left side might get blown up alot more this year if Waters isn’t playing.

    Scott, he was sacked more times last year because his decision making wasn’t quick enough, he held the ball, not that the patriots O-line can’t block, they ran out of the shotgun he should have gotten rid of the ball.


  • May 27, 2009  - SG says:

    “The O-line does seem a little bit better but, we still can’t run to the right side if Mcintosh is at RT, and the left side might get blown up alot more this year if Waters isn’t playing.

    Scott, he was sacked more times last year…”

    I get the feeling the player turnover (TG gone, Cassel in, improvements in defensive personnel) is pretty much a wash. I think that coaching and game management will improve - thus the 5 win guesstimate. A ceiling might be 7. Glad you’re optimistic - with sound thinking supporting it - you are usually able to avoid being crushed on the blog by the likes of Rin…

    “SG is a pessimist that keeps on giving.”

    Nice to be appreciated…lol. Is the word “pessimist” or simply “honest?” I tend to be a straight shooter. Glass half-empty or half-full…or simply “56% of the glass capacity is taken up by water?”

    And for the record, anyone who thinks I won’t be in front of a tv or radio throwing things at the tv when my Chiefs get a penalty or partyin’ down when they put another drubbing on the ‘blankity-blank Stinkin Raiders’ doesn’t know me very well.


  • May 27, 2009  - Behind Enemy Lines says:

    Scott (and others),
    I’d love to hear who you think the Chiefs will beat this year. I think when you actually have to write down the names of the teams you’ll quickly find that 9 or 10 wins is more like wishful thinking than being optimistic…which doesn’t bother me all that much, I probably do it too.


  • May 27, 2009  - ArrowheadHawk says:

    Well, I’d go so far as to say we can at the very least split the games with both the Donks and Als Raiders. If we play particularly well we could even sweep the two teams. That doesn’t seem like wishful thinking considering the two teams I mentioned…..


  • May 27, 2009  - anonymous says:

    It’s way to early for me to try and predict w’s and l’s but, I do think this team will be much better prepaired. And there will be a sense of ergency to win, that this team lacked last season.

    I HOPE to see amuch better play calling too. I know many folks are satisfied with the way Gailey ran the offense last season, but I think it could have been much better.

    This season the league’s new no “force out” (Damn, been a loooooong time sense they made a rule that benifits the D) rule is going to put a big damper on Gaileys favorite play when in the red zone, The fade to the corners. But, it should help out our smallish DB’s.


  • May 27, 2009  - anonymous says:

    urgency maybe? lol


  • May 27, 2009  - Scott says:

    -at Baltimore - Tough game on the road to open the season. We probably will not win here. 0-1

    -Oakland - We’ll win this game. (I will never, EVER say that we won’t beat the Raiders.) 1-1

    -at Philadelphia - Tough game on the road…but we could surprise here. 1-2

    -NY Giants - Probably will not beat the Giants…even in our “house”. 1-3

    -Dallas - This is one we could easily win at home. And like the Raiders…I will never, EVER say that we won’t beat the Cowboys. 2-3

    -at Washington - Even on the road, this is a game we can win. 3-3

    -San Diego - Have to beat San Diego at home. HAVE to. 4-3

    -at Jacksonville - Jags aren’t as good as they once were. We can win this game…and should. 5-3

    -at Oakland - Win. Period. 6-3

    -Pittsburgh - Tough game. If we can shut down the run…and put some points on the board, we could have a shot. But probably not a good one. 6-4

    -at San Diego - Toss-up…division game…could go either way. 6-5

    -Denver - We’ll beat Denver at home. Big. 7-5

    -Buffalo - Should be a good game. And one we can win. 8-5

    -Cleveland - Cleveland? Here? Can’t lose those kinds of games. 9-5

    -at Cincinnati - We will beat Cinci…even on the road. 10-5

    -at Denver - Always tough to play AT Denver. Toss-up…division game…could go either way. 10-6


  • May 27, 2009  - ILChiefsFan says:

    Scott, you almost have me convinced!


  • May 27, 2009  - jimbo says:

    Not bad Scott. You’ve got me thinking .500 is possible.


  • May 27, 2009  - DAVE. H. says:

    Beam me up Scotty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  • May 27, 2009  - ArrowheadHawk says:

    I like the way you think Scott, although I’d side with Jimbo and say .500 is realistic.


  • May 27, 2009  - Behind Enemy Lines says:

    Scott,
    I love the way you think and I hope you’re right. I guess now is the time to be optimistic, so I won’t say what I’m thinking.
    GO CHIEFS! Here’s to Scott and his prediction!


  • May 27, 2009  - RedandGoldRice says:

    I’ll drink to that!!


  • May 28, 2009  - azchieffn says:

    we could realistically have 1 win out of the 1st seven! not a way to start the season..nfl ticket $250. down the drain again!&**^%$%^!!!!!


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