Wednesday Morning Cup O’Chiefs
There’s one thing you’ve never read much about on this site and that’s fantasy football.
I must say that several years ago I missed the boat on this whole fantasy thing. When I think fantasy I don’t think football. I think about secluded tropical beaches, chilling beverages and numerous native girls rubbing me down with oils and lotions and then … hey, it’s my fantasy. Get lost!
For 30-plus years I’ve covered pro football and never once did I want to be a general manager. It’s much too hard of a job. I can assure you that the last thing I’d want to be is a fantasy football GM. Friends and families have called me over the years for advice on drafts, what players to activate and who to leave off their rosters for a weekend. They never call back.
But I’ve heard this week from a number of sources that the No. 1 name in fantasy football right now is Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen. Relatively unknown just a month ago, Thigpen’s being claimed off the waiver wire by fantasy football owners looking for a boost in their scoring numbers.
According to the fantasy folks at ESPN.com, Tyler has produced 21, 21 and 24 fantasy points over the last three weeks. Among NFL quarterbacks, that was fifth, first and third in points. Supposedly those are huge numbers for a guy making his first four NFL starts.
Yet, there apparently remain quite a few fantasy players that can’t believe what he’s doing because Thigpen is unclaimed in 84 percent of the standard leagues on ESPN.com.
I’m probably putting the kiss of death on Thigpen, but if anybody calls me right now I’d tell them that they should claim him and keep him active. First, he’s getting help with the return of Larry Johnson to the offense. I don’t think that L.J. will hurt Thigpen; I think he’ll help the young quarterback. Right now, the Chiefs need a reliable running game to take the pressure off Thigpen. Johnson can give that to them.
And, in the final seven games of the season, the Chiefs will face defenses that are currently ranked 24, 13, 25, 29, 26, 18 and 20 in yards allowed after nine games. The only defense in the top half of the league is Buffalo at No. 13.
Now, I’m not saying dump the top fantasy quarterbacks in the league. I’m just saying if your passer isn’t producing for you, it’s time to think of the Chanticleer from Coastal Carolina.
Me, I’m going back to my fantasy and having another Mai Tai.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On November 12, 1973, the Chiefs beat the Chicago Bears 19-7 in a Monday night game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Kansas City defense was dominate as they held the Bears to 146 offensive yards, causing three turnovers and sacked Chicago QB Bobby Douglass six times. The Chiefs only TD of the game came on a 24-yard pass from QB Mike Livingston to WR Otis Taylor. Jan Stenerud kicked four field goals. S Jim Kearney had an interception, while DT George Seals and LB Willie Lanier recovered fumbles. DE Marvin Upshaw had three of the sacks, with DTs Curley Culp and Buck Buchanan and DE Wilbur Young added one each. “It was a good, old-fashioned, hard-hitting, rock’em, sock’em football game,” Hank Stram said afterwards.
On November 12, 1989, the Chiefs lost to the Denver Broncos 16-13 at Arrowhead Stadium in front of a crowd of 76,245. David Treadwell’s field goal won this one after the Chiefs had tied the game in the fourth quarter with a five-yard TD pass from QB Steve Pelluer to WR Emile Harry. Pelluer made the start for the Chiefs and hit 17 of 27 for 205 yards, outperforming Denver QB John Elway, who was 11 of 22 for 133 yards and one INT. That one was picked off by DT Dan Saleaumua. The Chiefs had a pair of FGs from Nick Lowery of 39 and 42 yards.
OPPONENT NEXT/NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
 A look at some of the problems the Saints had last week in their loss to Atlanta.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Former LB LaVar Arrington is living life after football and he’s out there calling his former coach Joe Gibbs a coward for leaving the Redskins.
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Bob I’m with you on the fantasy thing. My problem is that It seems like you would have to spend your time rooting for players on other teams. That’s not going to happen. That may seem silly to most and piss off some, but, I couldn’t imagine pulling for a player that wasn’t in red and gold. If I had to pick a collection of players, they would all be Chiefs. I root for them already.
On the fantasy , move over —-On L.J. ,YES !
I enjoy fantasy football. Never play for money, but some friends and I get a free league on yahoo every year. Don’t feel guilty Bob, I feel like I have already put the kiss of death on Thigpen. I signed him yesterday morning as I was unsatisfied with my current starter and figured New Orleans has a bad D anyway.
I will take a small chunk of blame if Thigpen plays terrible this week guys. Three great games just seemed like enough fantasy proof for me.
I just hope that Thiggy can keep it up.
for all of you fantasy players out there that need depth at wr mark bradley has put up a touchdown in 3 straight games
To me, fantasy football seems to be a betrayal of fandom for a specific team, just like Gump says.
I’ll never do fantasy football, and I really dislike how it has taken over NFL reporting on places like ESPN.
Anybody that dogs fantasy football is missing out on a great way to enjoy the NFL. You’re interested in ALL the games, not just one.
It’s still possible to bleed red and gold and want other players to score points for your fantasy team. It sure makes a 1-8 season less of a drag.
I think fantasy football is good idea I just have the time to keep up with it every week all my free time goes to the Chiefs. Last time I played it was 2003, and almost all my players were Chiefs, and I picked KC for defense as well. (I didn’t do very well)
JB
I’m interested in all the games anyway. I have players I like on other teams, and follow them. I have other teams I like a little, and other teams I hate, and I end up watching pretty much everything to see how it turns out, to get a line on future opponents, etc.
Fantasy Football would not help me in the slightest.
I have no problem with other people liking it. The only problem I have with it is it has skewed reporting on NFL games. Now we get endless lists of WR reception totals scrolling along the bottom of the ESPN screen when I’d prefer getting game updates.
I too picked up Mr. Thigpen, in hopes of boosting my pathetic team. I’m really hoping my move doesn’t jinx the Chiefs.
I look at FF this way.
1. I can’t get enough football anyway, so the more the merrier!
2. You have an idea what player coming into Arrowhead may make you pull your hair out, and/or rate our own athlete against him.
3. You already have a good look at possible free agent pick-ups for the Chiefs to aquire, and then rant about not getting on this site via your past FF teams.
4. and lastly, even if the Chiefs lose, you still have a chance of REALLY smoking that smack talker in your FF league that you work with day in and day out and rub his face in it until the next time you play him, and really…. isn’t that what football is all about?!
Sounds like Big Al The Kiddies Pal is at it again.
ESPN was reporting (on their scroll) that Davis has taken play calling away from his OC, they didn’t say who was going to be handed the duties.
Think maybe Al is going to start calling all the offensive plays instead of just the occasional brain fart he tends to have?
There ya Go Bob, how about being GM for the raiders, there’s a FANTASY team. LOL
Gump….your assessment of fantasy football matches mine exactly. I have always said that I can’t bring myself to having to root for the Broncos or Raiders to score because I have some of their players on a fantasy team. If I couldn’t have all Chiefs then I wouldn’t want it at all. Thigpen continues to do well….I’m impressed. The guy has had only 4 starts on a team that has, lets face it, been very poor on offense and defense and has been injury ridden and yet he has had very very good games and come within a nat’s eyelash of winning in 3 of those starts. Sure he probably will have some games yet where he struggles….what QB doesn’t. But if he stays consistent the rest of the year then it’s a no brainer he should be the Chiefs man for the foreseeable future. This is what the Chiefs have needed for the longest time….a QB with a future.
Nice fantasy Bob! Since we’re dreaming how about the Chiefs in the Super Bowl?
I’m with Bob on the Football Fantasy thing, but hey, each to his own! I am curious though, findthedr seems like a football fantasy kinda guy. How about it findthedr, how is your team fairing thus far? Are you winning any money or is the wife’s bingo money keeping you afloat?
This Just In…… Broncos Management scrambles to find carpenter/security experts to install doors, locks and video cameras in/on lockers before T. Bell arrives.
Management has also ordered all new towels w/broncos logo stitched on, in anticipation of Bells arrival.
Playing fantasy football = reading Playboy magazine – both ‘less filling’
ROFLMAO, this is the funniest yet. I love it you guys. I do play fantasy football but i never ever pick any player from the chargers,broncos or raiders. That just seems wrong. I missed getting Thigpen by 3 weeks. The people in my leagues had inside info I think.
babin signing official
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/11/12/kansas_city_agrees_to_terms_with_de_jason_babin/
I picked up Bradley this week and sat Bowe on the bench…I hope that pays off. haha
Looks like Kyle Shotwell LB off of TB’s practice squad is going to be signed. Nothing comfirmed. A little combine review by Gil brandt on him.
Gil Brandt, of NFL.com, reports Cal-Poly LB Kyle Shotwell measured a height of 6-foot 1/4 and a weight of 225 pounds at his Pro Day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds, the short shuttle in 4.42 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.94 seconds. He measured a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-1 broad jump and completed 23 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press.
I’m not a big fantasy guy either but i say pick Thigpen and Larry up. I think one if not both are going to have a big day. If the Saints game plan to put eight in the box to stop Larry I think Thigpen could be in for another big game. Which i think they will since them like most NFL teams are still not sold on the guy. If they try to play the pass, then I expect Larry to run wild. Either way getting Larry back is going to help this offense go to the next level
I’m not a big fantasy guy either but i say pick Thigpen and Larry up. I think one if not both are going to have a big day. If the Saints game plan to put eight in the box to stop Larry I think Thigpen could be in for another big game. Which i think they will since them like most NFL teams are still not sold on the guy. If they try to play the pass, then I expect Larry to run wild. Either way getting Larry back is going to make this offense even better
I know I’m in a distinct minority but Fantasy Football leagues, to me, are an opiate to the masses.
For any of you that haven’t checked the roster at kcchiefs.com, not only did they sign Kyle Shotwell to the practice squad, but also Ingle Martin and Jackie Battle. DE Brian Johnston is on the IR but Turk isn’t just yet.
…AND not only that, KC released DE McGhee, & CB Grant and HB Cuff- or ‘off (with) the cuff’ as it were – from the developmental list…heartbreaking
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