So very tired

I can remember being madder and more hopeless last season, but I can’t ever remember having been so bored.  Sunday’s loss to the Bills was hard to sit through.  I remember at one point thinking I was ready to go home and then noticing, to my horror, that the game was still in the third quarter.  And it didn’t feel like the Chiefs were doing us any favors keeping it close, either.  Even when we were seemingly driving for a game-winning touchdown, I never seriously thought we’d win.

I enjoyed watching the defense for a while, until it dawned on me that Buffalo fans were probably thinking the same thing about their defense.  The reality is any running back who touched the ball Sunday picked up big yards.  The only thing that kept this from being a shootout was truly terrible quarterback play.  I don’t know who looked worse, Fitzpatrick or Cassel.  Cassel threw for more yards, but 4 picks and no touchdowns is a terrible game no matter how you slice it.  And these awful performances are coming at a time when pass protection seems to be slightly improved and our running game has become a threat.  Cassel should be getting better.  Is the receiving corps to blame, or do we have a more serious problem on our hands?

For the record, I still look at Cassel as basically a younger Trent Green.  The similarities are striking.  We bring in a high profile new leader who promptly trades for his old team’s backup quarterback.  In both cases, a subpar, ramshackle offense was thrown together and the QB struggles in his first year.  If Pioli can put together a decent offensive line and provide sufficient weapons, Cassel will probably be a similar quarterback to Green.  Solid, but not spectacular.  I’m just hoping this season doesn’t permanently damage our QBOTF’s psyche.  That would be devastating.

A few responses to recent comments:

• Phantic- I wouldn’t be in favor of drafting Cody either, but the thing that impresses me is he has 9 tackles for a loss this year.  That’s a lot, and I’ve always thought that stat was underrated.  Tackles for loss is the “sack” of run defense.
• Sesame Cake- I’ve definitely noticed our line is better without Goff.  Unbelievably, I think he might’ve actually been the worst one.  I’d like to put him and Niswanger in diapers and make them fight to the death.
• Sesame Cake (again)- That Whitlock article was incredible.  When he writes an article like that, it makes Beast Nation look even stupider for hating on him.  I frequently see him referred to as an idiot.  I’d love to look at a police lineup of all the people who’ve made that accusation.  I’d speak through the mike on the other side of the glass and be like, ”…….Uh, Number 3?  Where do you hang out at night?……yes, OK, thank you number 3…….OK, Number 4, what was the last book you read?” 
• Beans- I actually had a feeling Spagnuolo was going to be a disaster.  He just seemed like kind of an idiot, and I’d heard reports that the reasonhe hadn’t been hired as a head coach before was that he gave bad interviews.  I can’t imagine what that means, but it doesn’t sound good.  Imagine getting to that point and then blowing the interview.
• Boom Boom- How long would your boner last if we drafted Suh.  Weeks?  Months?
• DP- I’d like to read a Bullpenboys Jason Kendall write-up at some point.  Until then, there’s this.  God I love Rany.
• Greens- I just re-read that post where you said you liked Brodie Croyle’s “free-wheelin’ attitude.”  Hilarious.  Was that comment made before or after the disastrous fake punt play?  I actually think it might’ve been after.
• KCO- If Pioli really isn’t talking to Haley, that means this season has gone worse than he expected.  I guess thats, I don’t know, good maybe?  Will Pioli realize his mere presence isn’t enough to turn a team into a winner?

My dad offered me two club level tickets to sunday’s game.  Do I take him up on that?  I’ve always loved going to Arrowhead, and its been a while.  I’m only in KC a couple times a year, so my opportunities to attend a Chiefs game in the near future could be few and far between.  Part of me feels like I should go. 

But for this?  Do I really go see us play the Browns in week 15 of a 3-11 season?  Do I really put more money in Clunt’s gigantic Texas-wallet?  Do I really give my support to another wasted season? 

I think I want to go, and I think I want to tailgate.  We should have an official BMCC tailgate!  This is the perfect game for it, in a way.  I’m gonna get the ball rolling on this.  First call: Boom Boom.

Offseason priorities

Believe it or not, I’m still excited to be watching these Chiefs games.  Yes, it would be nice to watch games that matter, but that ship sailed a long time ago.  Does that mean these last four games are irrelevant?  Absolutely not.  See, there’s this quarter system…..

Seriously though, these last four games are still useful.  Obviously, this team has a lot of holes.  Too many to fill in one offseason, particularly if this offseason is anything like the last one.  These last four games are about determining the difference between our wants and needs.  Which positions do we absolutely have to upgrade, and which ones can we get away with standing pat?  We’ll start with the defense.

Defensive line

Analysis: Despite a fourth consecutive draft in which one or more top picks were used on defensive lineman, this unit remains a clear weakness.  They don’t pressure the quarterback and they don’t stuff the run.  Tyson “Tin Man” Jackson has been invisible.  Glenn Dorsey has over 40 tackles and I can’t remember any of them.  In theory, defensive end should eventually become a strength.  But in theory, communism works.  I’m not willing to sit back and assume these guys will become studs just because of their high draft selection and massive contracts.  I need to see plays being made.  And no, falling on a fumble another player caused during a 31 point blowout does not qualify as a big play.  Still, Dorsey continues to draw rave reviews from fans.  I guess its possible he’s having the greatest sack-less season in the history of defensive linemen.  It’s also possible he just isn’t very good.  No one wants to hear this, but the sad truth is that Ron Edwards has probably been our best lineman this season. 

Solution- Unfortunately, our opportunities to improve the line are limited.  Tyson Jackson isn’t going anywhere, so we just have to hope he gets better.  I’d say the same for Dorsey, but I still think he’ll be traded.  I was jumping for joy when he recovered those fumbles, because if we’re going to get good value for him that stat sheet needs some filling out.  We should all be hoping Dorsey gets at least one sack before year’s end.  Of course its entirely possible he’ll stay a Chief for years, but there is reason to think otherwise.  First of all, the very fact that Pioli used the #3 pick on Jackson indicates he wants guys who fit the 3-4.  Dorsey’s adjustment to the 3-4 hasn’t been terrible, but he’s a 4-3 player if ever there was one.  And you know the league’s best personnel man didn’t draft Alex Magee to ride the pine.  If we could get a second rounder for Dorsey, I’d be all for it, because Magee would provide an immediate upgrade in the pass-rush.  In any case, our starting defensive ends for 2010 are on the team already.

Hopefully the same isn’t true of our NT.  Ron Edwards is a fine player, but he’s not someone you want starting at one of the defense’s most important positions.  NT needs to be upgraded.  The top draft prospect is Alabama’s Terrence Cody, and he’s had a monster year, but I for one am not really in the mood to spend another 3 years hearing about how long it takes linemen to develop.  We need someone who can step in right now and take pressure off our young defensive ends so they can develop properly.  In short, we need Vince Wilfork.  Wilfork is set to become a free agent, but most people asssume the Patriots won’t let that happen.  I’m not so sure.  The Patriots just spent a 2nd round pick on Boston College NT Ron Brace, and at the time it seemed to me like this was done with Wilfork’s departure in mind.  New England has a history of letting top players, particularly defenders, leave before they outlive their usefullness.  If they let Wilfork go, we need to do whatever it takes to bring him to KC. 

Linebackers

Analysis: This has been the unit I’ve been most interested in since the start of the season.  By my count we have seven linebackers who have seen significant playing time.  I can’t say the group has been impressive as a whole, but there are definitely some usable parts in there.  The questions is, which parts?

Tamba Hali, obviously, is here to stay.  His successful transition to linebacker has probably been our defense’s biggest bright spot, and his monster performance on sunday was easily the best by any Chiefs defender this year (or last).  Vrabel has been solid, but he isn’t getting any younger.  Still, it is good to see him out there.  It makes our defense seem a little more legitimate and professional, as lame as that sounds.  Plus he’s a mentor!

Demorrio Williams continues to rack up tackles, and that pass he tipped to Mike Brown last week was incredible.  Truly beautiful defense.  I was proud of him.  Its a shame Speedwagon’s solid season has to come at the expense of Derrick Johnson’s playing time.  When DJ is on the field, he looks as good as he ever has.  For whatever reason, he isn’t often on the field.  Obviously Haley doesn’t like him.  I’ve heard some people say that Johnson freelances too much, often forgetting about his assignments.  That could be true, but we have no way of knowing.  I for one don’t have a Chiefs defensive playbook handy. 

Corey Mays, Jovan Belcher and Andy Studebaker are all essentially scrap-heap pickups, but its not inconceivable that one of them could be a diamond in the rough.  Sesame Cake did hear Pioli talking up Belcher.

Solution: I think we’re set at outside linebacker, at least for next year.  It’d be nice to have another pass rusher to complement Tamba, but we have too many other, more pressing needs.  Vrabel has said he’d like to return, and I think having him in place while we see if either Studebaker or Belcher are for real is a pretty decent plan.  We only have so many draft picks, and I’d like to see one of them used on a middle linebacker.  Corey Mays isn’t embarrassing himself, but he obviously isn’t the answer either.  He’d be a great backup, lets put it that way. 

Last year’s draft had some pretty great inside linebacker prospects, but other than Brandon Spikes I don’t see anyone dominant in this draft class.  And even Spikes is basically another Big Hatt Rey Maualuga pipe-dream.  We’d have to use our first round pick to get him.  Given the state of our offensive line, that probably wouldn’t be wise.  But we need to find a punishing inside linebacker to start next to Demorrio, who is more of a sideline-to-sideline guy.  Maybe we can find someone in the second round.  Sean Weatherspoon?

Secondary

Analysis: I swear I’m not going to spend this section complaining about Bernard Pollard.  Seriously, I’m not.  I mean sure, it was monumentally stupid to cut him, but seriously guys, lets move on.  Why do you insist on dwelling on it?  What, just because Pollard is thriving and his replacement is a washed up “right guy”? 

Sorry about that.  Actually, no I’m not.  I can’t watch Mike Brown creak around out there without thinking about Pollard laying wood on people in Houston.  Safety, once thought of as strength, has become a serious weakness for us.  It at the beginning of the year you’d told me Jon McGraw was going to be our best safety I’d have thought our record would be even worse than it is.  Luckily, McGraw has been a decent stand-in.  Page’s injury didn’t help, but the reality is that he was benched before he ever got hurt.  More damaging, in my mind, was Maurice Leggett’s injury.  I was interested to see what he could do at safety. 

I don’t feel like I need to say too much about our cornerbacks.  Brandon Carr is solid, and I have a recurring dream about being Brandon Flowers’ roommate.  In the last one he said he’d get me a tryout with the Chiefs.  Hopefully next time we’ll find out what position my subconcious thinks I should play.  The answer, no matter what it is, is sure to be pretty funny.

Solution: First and foremost, we need a new strong safety.  I’ve become enamored of Tennessee’s Eric Berry, and would be pretty psyched to see us pick him in the first round.  I know our offensive line needs help, but Berry might be too good to pass up, particularly given that a new strong safety is probably our defense’s biggest need.  Come on, admit it, it would be exciting to watch a stud rookie safety flying around making plays out there.  We haven’t had that since Shaunard Harts (cheap shot). 

I’ve read a lot of people saying we also need a new free safety, but I don’t think thats necessarily true.  Page is likey gone given his status as a prominent Herm guy, but Jon McGraw could do the job adequately, if not well.  And I’d really like to see Legget given a chance to win the job.  Our defense has a disturbing tendency to give up the big play.  Having a free safety with speed and cover skills could only help that problem.  Leggett got picked on somewhat as a corner, but he’s shown a certain knack for being in the right place at the right time, and he’s certainly eager to go for the big play.  These are both qualities that play better at safety than corner.  And besides, with Carr and Flowers in place as starters and Pioli having spent a high 4th rounder on Donald Washington, Leggett doesn’t seem to have much of a future here as a cornerback.

Yes, our defense has been bad this year.  Really bad.  But I don’t think things are quite as hopeless as the numbers indicate.  With a few key moves Scott Pioli can turn this into a respectable unit.  And by “key moves”, I don’t mean drafting a defensive lineman from LSU and then bringing in a few old guys.  Its time to be pro-active.

Washing the stink away

Man, what do you say after a game like that?  Another game like that?  I’ve decided to say nothing.  I’m tired of writing angry, but I’m also not about to look for positives after getting our asses handed to us by the Broncos, at home, on Derrick Thomas appreciation night.  Does it get any worse than that?  I’d say no, but I’m afraid this team will soon prove otherwise.

I’ll be back Friday evening with a new post, but for now just enjoy the first of hopefully many Chiefs videos to come.  Big Ups to my boy The Centaur for putting this together.  He’s got a gift.

Think positive!

There’s a great article on Matt Cassel by C. E. Wendler over at Warpaint Illustrated.  I think I’m gonna make that site part of my regular rotation.  The article is a brutally honest look at Cassel’s perfromance both in the San Diego game and the season as a whole.  I’ve been willing to cut Cassel plenty of slack due to the horrible offense around him, but the San Diego game was an eye-opener.  And, as the article unfortunately points out, Cassel was significantly better the first five games than he has been the last five.  That’s not a good sign, particularly when you consider these last five games have witnessed the emergence of both Chris Chambers and Jamaal Charles.  The line may still be bad, but the argument that Cassel doesn’t have enough weapons no longer sounds as convincing.

I don’t quite share Wendler’s final judgement that Cassel is a bad quarterback, but let’s not pretend this season has provided any contradictory evidence.  Most of my hope hinges on the ineptitude of our current offensive line.  Even our good linemen aren’t playing well.  I’ve seen Waters get beat several times and Branden Albert has given up twice as many sacks as he did all of last year.  I want to believe that Cassel will be better when he has a decent line around him.  But I can’t deny that Warpaint Illustrated makes some compelling points.

Of course, many people do deny it.   The criticism most often levelled at this article, countless Whitlock articles, and any others who dare to questions the Chiefs is that they’re not being positive enough.  That’s a criticism I’ve also heard, and that I probably deserve.  In the two years since I started this blog I’ve definitely had many more negative posts that positive.  By a ratio of, say, about 31/36?  But is that something I should really feel guilty about?  Sometimes I do, but my team has won 5 of its last 36 games.  Are journalists* required to provide postive spin for a team displaying that kind of ineptitude?  Identifying the reasons for our team’s struggles seems to me like a much worthier journalistic endeavor.  Still, I realize that many of you probably disagree.  For you, I offer the follwing “Big Hatt likes” bullet points:

*Or, in my case, people pretending to be journalists.

• Big Hatt likes Alex Magee- I’ve been watching him.  He can get to the QB.  Given our lack of dominant pass-rushing linebackers, its important to have at least one defensive end who can rush the passer.  I think Magee can be that guy.
• Big Hatt likes Dwayne Bowe- I realize this opinion is hardly unanimous, but when I look at Bowe I still see a #1 receiver.  I look forward to seeing he and Chambers on the field together those last few games.  I want to see us wingin’ the ball around and putting points on the board.
• Big Hatt likes Tamba Hali- You did it, Tamba.  You successfully made the switch from a #2 defensive end to a #2 outside linebacker.  I’m officially ready to hand out praise for lateral moves.  Seriously though, I like Hali at outside linebacker.  I like him on our defense.  He is most definitely not part of the problem.
• Big Hatt likes our special teams- Colquitt and Succop.  What’s not to like?  OK, besides the way they both point up to God after every kick.  Let me rephrase: What’s not to like about the way they kick footballs?
• Big Hatt likes Demorrio Williams- Speedwagon is quietly putting together a pretty solid season.  He leads the team in tackles, and he’s our only starting linebacker with any speed.  I just wish he’d make a few more big plays.  That would make it easier to forget that we have Derrick Johnson sitting on the bench.
• Big Hatt loves Bernard Pollard Brandon Flowers- Pollard is gone, but at least Flowers remains.  Thank Saint Stephen* for that.  I look at Flowers, and I see James Hasty.  Not the biggest or the fastest, but the toughest.  The best.  Flowers will make pro bowls if we can somehow find some playmakers to put around him.

  *Patron Saint of rebuilding.

• Big Hatt likes Todd Haley- Yes, after all this, I still like Todd Haley.  I want to see him back next year.  He’s definitely made his mistakes, but he’s also shown a refreshing ability to admit to them.  He seems like a smart guy.  I know the signs were beyond lame, but I honestly think Pioli is more behind that stuff than Haley.  Don’t believe me?  Click this link. 

Chiefs 28, Broncos 24

Nate Kaeding has a really small face

I’m not saying Kaeding is ugly.  All I’m saying is his face is really small. 

Hell of a game yesterday!

The Good: CBS was carrying the game up here so I got to watch it at Keggers’ crib and didn’t have to pay exhorbitant bar prices.  We straight noshed on bad wings, bad tater tots, and a weakass cheese plate.  I  had numerous helpings of all of it.  I also got my grubby mitts on some leftover mac and chee from Thanksgiving.

The Bad: Everything about the actual football game.

OK, that second one isn’t entirely true.  My boy Magee laid an early hit on Rivers!  He and Hali took that dunce down in the first quarter when the game was still close.  Magee has now hit the Qb in four straight games.  By comparison, Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey have combined for 2 QB hits all season.  Magee has hit the quarterback more in the last 4 games than Glenngarry has in his entire career.  He’s not getting a lot of attention (or reps), but he’s looked much better than Tyson “Tin Man” Jackson*.  I want to see Magee in the starting lineup next year.  Of course, I said the same thing about Eddie Freeman when he got 4 sacks his rookie year.  I believe my quote was, “Freeman is gonna be even better than Ryan Sims!”  Let’s hope Magee and Jackson outproduce those two.  Although I’m not one to place my desires above the will of god.  Let’s just say that if the lord willeth it, it shall cometh to pass.  Oh shit that reminds me, I forgot to tithe last month…..

*I really want to believe in him, but Tyson Jackson is scaring the shit out of me.  I’ve been calling him “the Tin Man” because of how stiff and slow he looks, but maybe Young’s hilarious dark matter label is more appropriate.  Sometimes you can’t find Jackson even if you’re specifically looking for him.  He can’t sniff a quarterback, and profootballfocus.com ranks him dead last among 3-4 DE against the run (by a lot).  Soooo….what is his strength again?  I’m scared to even look up Aaron Curry’s stats.

Any other positives?  I’d say Jamaal Charles, but I’m always too scared when he has the ball.  He’s in a constant state of looking like he’s just about to fumble.  And sometimes he does.  It’s still a breath of fresh air to see a running back actually making moves and picking up yards, but Charles has got to get this fumbling problem nipped in the bud if he wants to be our feature back.  These next five games will be an important test.

Chambers once again looked good, which was to be expected against his former team.  I’m coming around to the view that Chambers should be starting for us beyond 2009.  He may be old, but he’s obviously still got some gas in the tank.  Put Lance Long (who I actually sort of like) in the slot and Mark Bradley as a backup, and is it possible we’ve actually got a pretty solid group of receivers?  It wouldn’t kill us to add a speedster, but I think our current receivers could get the job done in 2010…..if a lot of other things change.

First of all, Rudy Niswanger has got to go.  I’ve got nothing against him personally, but he’s been our starting center for long enough.  Niswanger is the John Buck of the Chiefs: he’s played poorly, his ceiling is low, but for some reason everyone seems to like him.  Coaches, teammates, fans, everybody.  I’ll bet he works hard and I’m sure he’s a good guy.  I’d be fine having him as a backup, he just shouldn’t be a starter.  With the 3-4 defense now in vogue, the center position is becomingly increasingly important in the NFL.  You have to have someone who can handle those nose tackles.  Niswanger can’t.  I’ve heard some people propose moving Brian Waters to center, and I think thats a sound idea.  Waters is losing mobility, but he’s still probably the strongest player on our team.  He could man up and face a nose tackle, even at an advanced age. 

Of course, that would leave us with zero competent guards.  What about moving Branden Albert back to LG, where he played in college?  If we can draft the top LT on the board, I think Albert to LG is the move to make.  I suppose I’d also be OK with O’Callaghan at RT, although we could certainly upgrade.  We’ll need a new RG in any case.  We could conceivably get the top guard on the board with our first pick in the second round.  I’d be all for that.  What I’m saying is, its high time(s) we spend some top draft picks on offensive linemen.  If we do that, we can probably afford to stand pat with our current receivers, provided we add a tight end not recently cut by another team. 

Obviously I haven’t addressed the biggest variable here.  I’m speaking, of course, about Matt Cassel.  Cassel looked bad sunday.  Real bad.  I know our line is awful, but Cassel isn’t exactly making the best of it.  He gets spooked easy.  He does show occassional courage, but a lot of the time he looks like a career backup.  That play where he was on the run and he stopped to look behind him?  Yikes.  Cassel was making it about as clear as possible that he was valuing his personal safety more than the opportunity to make a play.  I guess I can’t blame him, but its a shame we”ve reached this point.  We’re probably going to go into next season still not sure what we have in Cassel.  That’s a drag. 

Whitlock wrote a pretty lame post-game article.  One thing I’ve noticed is when Whitlock writes a pre-game article, his post-game comments are much less interesting.  He’s forced to essentially respond to (and justify) his pre-game statements, rather than forming fresh, unfettered conclusions.  This latest article is a prime example of that.  Although I love reading anything Whitlock writes about the Chiefs, I prefer it when he saves his commentary for after the game.  Pre-game commentary in general is worthless.  Nobody knows anything.  Not you, not me, not Whitlock, and not Mort.  Definitely not Mort.

Sunday’s win changes everything

OK, not really.  But it was a legitimate breath of fresh air, arguably our first in 3 years.  It was a fun game to watch, too.  My roommate and I were in the midst of 20 stunned Steelers fans.  They weren’t mad, they just couldn’t believe what was happening.  Neither could I.  I spent the entire game guzzling beers and noshin’ wings in giddy disbelief.  Then after the game was over I reaped the pity/respect (respity?) from the staff and other regulars who’ve seen me at the Red Star hanging my head for the past 2 years.  My favorite bartender even gave us free shots of Jameson.  It was a good day.

Does this mean we’re finally on the right track?  Probably not, although a win over the Steelers does allow us to dream a little, and it definitely ensures Todd Haley will be employed in 2010.  Whitlock went a little overboard in his praise of Haley, but some of what he said was true.  It was nice to see our head coach doing something other than rant and rave.  Before the game started there was this shot of Haley throwing a football around and clownin’ a little, and the announcer was like, “Todd Haley is loose, and the Chiefs are ready to go!”  I instantly thought to myself that it was obviously staged*.  The Chiefs realized Haley had been coming off like an asshole.  Don’t be surprised if a few more “candid” shots surface indicating he’s actually a nice, fun guy.  I’d actually take that as a positive in a way, because it would indicate our leaders are willing to recognize mistakes and attempt to correct them. 

*Announcers are basically owned by the NFL; in other words, the owners of the teams they’re talking about at any given time.  In recent years its become more and more obvious that a lot of times they’re told what to say and, more importantly, what not to say.  Gannon talking about how impressed he’s been with Matt Cassel was another prime example of this.  I’m not down on Cassel; he’s in a shitty situation that isn’t his fault.  But no one looking at his play objectively could say he’s been impressive.  Unless, that is, they were told to say that by the men who pay their salary.  The Chiefs invested $60 million in Cassel.  No one will say anything negative about him if they can control it.  And in this case, they most certainly can control it.  I’m convinced this stuff goes on all the time.  One more reason why almost all announcers are hacks and why Collinsworth is a legend.

I’m not normally one to toot my own horn, but did anyone check out my “players to watch” section in the last post?  Charles had two touchdowns, Studebaker had two picks, and Magee got another sack.  Three for three.  Nostradamus over here.  To be fair, I didn’t actually predict they’d do well.  I merely labelled them as guys to keep an eye on.  But if you followed my advice, you had a pleasant afternoon, no?  I couldn’t believe it when Studebaker got that second pick.  I heard Mike Vrabel is practicing again, but I hope he doesn’t play sunday.  I want to see as much of Studebaker as possible.  Let’s see how he looks when he isn’t making game-saving interceptions.

So Magee got all up in Roethlisberger’s business.  As promised, I am now an Alex Magee supporter.  If he does well again this week I’m going to start a group.  I’ve got the name all picked out.  Cross your fingers. 

What makes Magee’s emergence even more satisfying for me is that he’s providing pressure from a position on the line; a feat we’ve been repeatedly told is impossible in the 3-4.  You gotta think this will affect Beast Studies.  Seriously, why is it that Wallace Gilberry and Alex Magee can get to the quarterback but Glenngarry Glenn Dorsey and The Tin Man cannot?  Are Gilberry and Magee not eating enough blocks or something?  Regardless of aggregate blocks devoured, I’ll definitely be pulling for Magee from here on out, for a variety of reasons.  Spite not the least.

For the last 8 years we’ve been hearing about how long it takes defensive linemen to develop, and maybe thats true.  But if so, that really calls into question the decision to draft defensive linemen with top 5 picks and give them massive contracts.  Rookie contracts are usually 5 years.  If it takes 2 or 3 years for a defensive linemen to become any good, then we’re essentially paying premium prices for several years of play when we know we won’t be getting premium results.  A wiser course of action would be to poach the good players once they become free agents*, or spend late-round picks on project linemen and hope you find a Jared Allen-like gem.  Or, for that matter, trade for good linemen like Minnesota traded for Allen.  You think they regret losing those three draft picks or having to pay Allen huge money?  I don’t.

*Teams don’t often allow legitimately good defensive linemen to reach free agency, but there are still solid players to be had.  And even if you have to overpay for legit talent, so what?  At least you’re not paying even more money for the privelige of spending years developing a lineman who can bolt when he’s finally a finished product (if he ever becomes one).   

Our linebacker situation continues to intrigue me.  I think  we’ve got a potentially good unit there.  Jovan Belcher made a huge tackle for a loss on Mewelde Moore in overtime.  Speedwagon had 10 tackles.  Derrick Johnson proved once again he will make plays if given significant playing time (how awesome was that spider-sack?).  We all know what Studebaker did.  Throw in Tamba Hali, Mike Vrabel and football everyman Corey Mays and baby we got a stew goin!  Seriously, the ingrediets are there.  Too bad Clancy Pendergast is such a shitty chef.  He’s like the this guy of defensive coordinators. 

I guess I should admit that Mike Brown made a good, “veteran” play on sunday, holding on to Roethlisberger to enable the sack.  Kudos, Mike.  I felt good about it until on Monday Night Football they talked about Bernard Pollard and how he has turned the Texans season around.  Pollard is starting to get national attention, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make the pro bowl.  And yes, I read Kent Baab saying he was a bad locker room influence.  Man, he better have been really bad.  Like, pooping on the floor and masturbating in front of the other players bad.  Otherwise, getting rid of Pollard is an indefensible mistake. 

Finally, a question: Is Chris Chambers for real?  I’m starting to think maybe he is.  Would a Bowe/Chambers combo produce good results in 2010?

Responses to things

I don’t have a theme or any particular insight for this post, but I wanted to respond to some comments and I have a feeling I might write a little more than a comment can handle.  Thus, bonus post.  You’re welcome.

First of all, I want to talk about my boy D-Bowe.  You guys have all made some good points about Bowe.  I agree with some and disagree with others.  I’m definitely with Phanatic on the diuretic issue.  Granted this evidence is only circumstantial, but I’d say the fact that Bowe came into camp overweight and Haley got on him about it indicates the diuretic was probably taken for weight loss, not to mask steroids.  Given Bowe’s obvious stupidity, its easy to see how that could have happened.  Four games does seem a little steep, but I guess if there are some players using diuretics to mask steroids the NFL has to deter that.  Regardless of intentions, Bowe broke the rules and was punished.  The real question is how this affects his future with the team.

When I first heard about the suspension I panicked.  I assumed it meant the end for my boy in KC, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle yet another of my favorite players being jettisoned.  I’m still bitter about Scott Fulita, Kawika Mitchell, Jared Allen and Bernard Pollard, and the thought of adding Bowe to that list was depressing.  DP’s point about Kevin Faulk and Rodney Harrison helped me back off the ledge a bit, but I’m still scared.  We need Dwayne Bowe.  He has his flaws, but his ceiling is higher than anyone else’s on our team.  To call him a #2 or 3 receiver is absurd.  The guy had 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns in his second year.  This with Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard, and Tyler Thigpen throwing to him behind a terrible offensive line.  Bowe’s career numbers are comparable to Calvin Johnson’s, and Johnson was the second overall pick and is widely considered one of the league’s top receivers.  An even more accurate comparison, in my mind, is how Bowe’s numbers stack up to Andre Johnson’s first 3 years.  I’ve always thought Bowe’s game was similar to Johnson’s, and they both started their careers playing with bad QBs on bad teams.  Their stats through the first 3 seasons are nearly identical (assuming Bowe plays at nearly his current level upon his return).  My point is that this suspension is a speedbump, but the Chiefs would be stupid to give up on Dwayne Bowe.  I really hope they don’t.

As far as wins and losses are concerned, this is a delicate situation.  I too was rooting pretty hard for a win sunday, and I’ll probably continue to do so.  Last season we needed losses to cleanse us of the Lie Guys stench.  But this isn’t last season, despite its strong resemblance.  Yes, Pioli and Haley have both been unquestionably bad so far.  We’ve been over that.  But its still possible they could turn it around.  Haley could hire an offensive coordinator and chill out a little.  Pioli could actually sign some good players.  If 2010 looks exactly like 2009, then I’ll start rooting for losses.  Right now I’d like to see a few wins.

But not too many.  Like I said earlier, this is a delicate situation.  If the Chiefs win 3 of their next 7 games, they’ll have gone .500 in the second half.  We want Pioli and Haley to learn their lesson, and that probably won’t happen if the team finishes well.  If the Chiefs somehow manage to win 5 or 6 games, these guys will be even further convinced of their infallibility.  We don’t want that.  We don’t want more arrogance, more motivational signs, more league basement  payrolls, and more talk of “the right 53″.  We want a coach and GM willing to put their egos aside and do what it takes to win.  To steal a line from Pioli, I don’t want ”The Patriot Way”, I want “the right way.”  I think one or two more wins is all we should hope for (and all we’re likely to get).

A few players I’ll be watching sunday:

• Alex Magee- I hated the Magee pick at the time, but he’s played well these last 2 games.  He had a sack last week and he would’ve had one vs. Jacksonville if Tamba hadn’t accidentally knocked him off Garrard.  If Magee gets in Roethlisberger’s grill tomorrow, I’ll be firmly in his camp.  Our line is in desperate need of someone with decent pass-rush skills.  An added bonus is that if Magee emerges Scott Pioli is more likely to trade Glenngarry Glenn Dorsey.  After all, Magee is one of Pioli’s guys, I doubt he was drafted to ride the bench.
• Andy Studebaker- Mike Vrabel is out this week, and that means Studebaker makes the first start of his young career.  When you’re as bad as the Chiefs, it’s always nice to get a look at a young guy.  Studebaker went to a small school, was a late bloomer and basically worked his way into the NFL.  Sometimes those guys end up being diamonds in the rough.  Haley had some wierd quote about how good-looking Studebaker is and how he likes to take his shirt off and lift weights.  I seem to remember hearing the same thing about a young Ron Edwards.
• Jamaal Charles- How will Charles follow up his first career 100-yard game?  Is he a flash-in-the-pan, or a legit every-down back?  I wouldn’t expect him to fare as well against the Steelers as he did the Raiders, but it would be nice to see him play well.  I don’t want to see the Chiefs use a top pick on a running back in the 2010 draft.  A strong second half from Charles would help prevent that.

All right chumps, I’ve got a show to get to.  I gots ta unwind; it’s been a long week for yours truly.  Nothing 10 beers and a fish sandwich won’t cure!  It’s called culture, people.

The greatest game ever played

Now THAT was a victory.  Just when I thought things were getting hopeless, our boys go into the Black Hole and put a 6-point beatdown on the baddest* team in the NFL.  Congrats Todd Haley, your job is saved.

*And by “baddest”, I of course mean “worst”.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m actually pretty happy about the win.  Even I couldn’t have made a joke out of losing to the Raiders twice in one year.  Can you believe how bad that team is?  It’s like they’ve gotten worse every time I’ve seen them for the last 7 years.  I keep thinking they’ve hit rock bottom, and they keep proving me wrong.  That fumble play, I mean I just couldn’t believe that.  I know a bouncing football can be hard to pick up, but there were at least five Raiders who had both hands on that ball.  It looked almost like they were missing it on purpose.  I was flabbergasted, but these three Oakland fans sitting behind me hardly even seemed surprised.  I bet the Raiders do something like that every game.

This might not be a popular statement, but I’ve developed a grudging respect for Raiders fans these last few years.  Those folks don’t quit.  No matter how embarrassing the team is, the Black Hole is still full of ridiculous spiky armor-clad fans who actually seem to be proud to cheer for the silver-and-black.  It’s impressive, in a way.  If the Chiefs were god-awful for the next 5 years would you go to Arrowhead every week un-ironically dressed as an indian chief?  I’d probably have walked away after the Jamarcus Russell pick, and I sure as hell wouldn’t have stuck around after Darrius Heyward-Bey.  My girlfriend* knew that was a bad pick.  Everyone knows if you want to win superbowls, you draft defensive tackles.  Period.  At the end of the day you’ve just got to eat up more blockers than the other team.  The scoreboard will take care of itself.

*I don’t have a girlfriend.

Sorry about that, gang.  I started off making fun of the Raiders and then before I knew it I was making fun of the Chiefs again.  Totally out of line.  I’m gonna feel pretty stupid when Dorsey and Jackson make that 2015 pro bowl.  Still, developbuilding aside, did any of you think Alex Magee would get his first sack before Tyson Jackson?  I certainly didn’t.  I absolutely hated the Magee pick, but he actually hasn’t looked that bad the few times I’ve seen him.  The Chiefs bring him in on obvious passing downs, and I can see why.  He’s no Jared Allen, but he can certainly rush the passer better than The Tin Man*.  And while we’re on the subject of top 5 picks being outplayed by their backups, can someone explain to me why Wallace Gilberry has 3.5 sacks to Glenn Dorsey’s zero?  I thought defensive linemen took years upon years to develop?  Gilberry is the same age as Dorsey and he has much less experience, yet he somehow manages to make his presence felt with less than half as much playing time.  Food for thought.  Or, depending upon your outlook, food to be hidden away and never looked at, touched, or acknowledged.

*Does anyone else think Tyson Jackson looks stiff and slow out there?  Maybe he just needs some oil in the joints.  Too bad we got no Dorothy. Something tells me Tim Krumrie doesn’t carry an oil can.

There’s been some Turk-talk on the site as of late, and I feel like I should weigh in.  Turk earned my respect last year.  He was never quite fat enough to qualify as a beast, but he was the only member of that dreadful line to show any real potential.  Cutting him was obviously a mistake, as was attempting to move him to linebacker.  Turk had the size to be a 3-4 end, and unlike all of our other linemen, he actually showed some flashes in 2008.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a solid, Jimmy Wilkerson type player.  Wilkerson, you may remember, was deemed inadequate for last year’s line (the worst of all time).  He then went on to have more sacks than the entire starting unit combined*.  So what, right?  He still STINKS!!!!

*I’d point out that Wilkerson also has more sacks than our entire line this year, but the same could be said for almost every defensive lineman in the league.

Finally, although I don’t want to, I guess I have to address the Dwayne Bowe suspension.  I’m not gonna lie, hearing about this really took the wind out of my sails.  I fear this suspension is the death knell for the Dwayne Bowe era in KC.  My guess is Scott Pope-oli (he’s infallible!) trades my boy D-Bowe before next year’s draft.  There is simply no room for players like that (exciting players) on this team.  Hey, you don’t win superbowls with talent.  You win them with secrecy, intimidation, and players who are either old or bad…or both.

The irony here is that Bowe’s suspension is due to a diuretic he took to comply with Todd Haley’s offseason weight-loss demands.  Obviously this is still Bowe’s fault, but the fact remains our head coach, who was supposed to be a wide-receiver expert, has turned his best offensive weapon into a non-factor.  The evidence continues to mount.

Some thoughts on the defense

If you look at the statistics, our defense this year is every bit as bad as last year’s.  We’re on pace for more sacks, sure, but we’re by no means a good pass-rushing team.  The Law Office of Sims, Freeman, Siavii and Downing could’ve put up more sacks than last year’s line.  And we’re still on pace to give up more yards than last year, which I wouldn’t have thought possible.  Still, this defense definitely looks better than last year’s. Is that just because I want it to be better?  It’s been obvious from the beginning our offense is terrible, but I’d really like to believe our defense has potential.  Am I letting my desires interfere with my judgement, or is there a legitimate chance that our defense could be pretty good in 2010?

Brandon Flowers is a future pro bowler, and Tamba Hali and Brandon Carr are both solid players who will be in our starting lineup for the next several years.  In terms of performance, the rest of the positions are questions marks, but there is some young talent and plenty of acceptable veteran stopgaps.  Ron Edwards, Demorrio Williams, Mike Vrabel, Derrick Johnson*, Corey Mays, Jon McGraw and Jarrad Page** could all probably occupy a starting spot in 2010 without embarrasing themselves.  Obviously not all of them should start, but my point is that we have decent options available at basically every position.  Are these guys good enough to win by themselves? Uh, no.  But if given a few key upgrades (including defensive coordinator), I think this defense could become a solid unit.

*That’s if we re-sign DJ, which doesn’t seem likely at this point. 

**I also don’t expect to see Jarrad Page back next year.

What key upgrades?  That’s the beauty of it: Scott Pioli has all kinds of flexibility.  He doesn’t need to fill any one position.  If he can’t find a nose tackle, Ron Edwards can play there*.  If he can’t find a pass rusher, Vrabel can probably buy us another year.  If he can’t find a middle linebacker, Corey Mays won’t embarrass us.  Etc, etc.  He’s going to have 4 picks in the first 3 rounds (5 once he trades Dwayne Bowe), and infinite room under the salary cap, if there even is one.  If Scott Pioli wants to, he can make our defense good again. 

*It seems obvious to me that Ron Edwards has been our best defensive lineman so far this year.  You actually see him do things, which isn’t really true for any of our other linemen.  My money is on The Freak to be the first starting lineman to actually record a sack.

Of course, I haven’t yet addressed either of our defense’s most important questions marks.  You know their names.  You know their nicknames.  You know their school. For our defense to be a force in 2010, the defensive end position has to become a strength, not a weakness. 

Is that possible?  I have no idea.  It seems like I change my mind every game.  I’ll say this: I thought Fergie (Tyson Jackson) looked solid sunday.  I got lucky; the game I decided to start watching him closely was the game he doubled his season tackle total.  He still looked a step slow, but thats to be expected from a rookie.  Dorsey always looked a step slow last season, and one thing I will grudgingly concede is that he looks a little quicker off the snap this year.  Hopefully the same holds true for Jackson.  Slow or not, he was active up and down the line against Jacksonville.  If he has a few more games like that, I’ll probably be on his bandwagon. 

And Dorsey?  Well, if you’re anything like me, you’re patiently awaiting Dr. DP’s first lecture in Beast Studies.  DP has previously been occupied with this first-rate breakdown of the Teahen trade, but now that thats done he belongs to us.  Bring that Dorsey report son!

For my part, its hard to get excited about a defensive lineman who was sold as ”the best player in the draft” yet has only sack in 24 games.  I know excuses abound, but I’m sick of hearing people talk about how Dorsey almost got a sack or almost got a safety or almost got a pick.  The fact is he didn’t actually do any of those things.  I want to believe in Dorsey, I really do, but he’s got to make a few big plays.  He’s got to give me something besides phantom tackles and Dorsey-doubles.

The sad truth is that right now, despite investing 2 top 5 picks at the position, defensive end is a weakness.  A serious weakness.  I’ve heard all the apologist’s arguments.  Arguments like:

• “They’re young!  Wait til next year!  Develop!”
• “3-4 ends aren’t supposed to put up stats.  What are you, stupid?”
• “They’re adjusting to a new system dude, that takes time.”
• “Glenn Dorsey already is awesome!  Did you know he had 46 tackles last year?  And he has 9 hurries this year!  BEAST!!!!!

Fans will see what they want to see, I understand that.  And the case can certainly be made that I have biases of my own that affect my judgement.  I try to be objective, but I’m no authority.  I happen to think our ends suck right now.  But don’t take my word for it.  Follow this link.  Do it.

That site is basically the sabermetrics of football.  It’s incredible.  I got it from arrowheadpride (of course).  The part I linked to is where they rank all the 3-4 defensive ends in the league.  Out of 35 eligible, Glenn Dorsey is 32nd and Tyson Jackson is dead last.  Finally a conclusive, objective evaluation, and it confirms what I’ve been seeing all along.  Now we’ve just got to hope those guys turn it around (or we trade Dorsey).  The future of our defense depends on it.

The first 8 games are stupid anyway. It’s like, who cares?

You know something has gone wrong when a player getting cut is the highlight of your season.  Actually, come to think of it, this will make three straight years when someone getting fired is the best news we’ve had(2007-Solari, 2008-Carl, 2009-LJ, all time-Herm).  I would complain, but I dare not risk exposing myself as someone who doesn’t understand how rebuilding works.  Best to keep quiet.  Go Chiefs! 

All joking aside, I’m happy LJ is gone.  He should have been gone a long time ago when the Packers offered Carl a 1st and 2nd round pick for him, but better late than never.  Now we just have to hope he doesn’t go to a contender and get the last laugh.  Can you imagine LJ leaving here and getting a super bowl ring?  Slim chance I know, but it would be a real kick in the knickers even to see him in a playoff game.  I’ve heard Washington is interested.  I think we can all agree that would be a good place for Larry.

Who takes his spot?  It hardly matters.  Todd Haley proved on Sunday that without LJ in the lineup, he simply isn’t willing to run the ball.  Not that I think he should be giving any of these scrubs 20 carries, but it is a little weird he didn’t get Jamaal Charles the ball a few more times.  I mean why not?  Haley had been talking all season about how we have to run the ball to win, and then the second LJ is gone he completely abandones the running game.  Why?  Does he actually think LJ is still good?  I’m hoping this isn’t as simple as it seems, because it seems like our head coach is very confused about which players are good and which aren’t.  Or maybe he was giving Johnson 20 carries per game just because of who he is, which would seem to contradict his entire message.  Either way, yikes.

Speaking of baffling moves by Todd Haley, what the hell is going on with our wide receivers?  I was happy with the Chris Chambers signing, and he had a good game, but why are our two top receivers guys who weren’t on the team 3 weeks ago?  Whatever Haley was trying to do with Dwayne Bowe, it obviously hasn’t worked.  Every couple weeks he finds a new WR on the waiver wire and makes him our go-to guy.  Eithet he is continually trying to prove some bizarre point, or he’s going a little crazy.  I guess we have to hope its the former.  I’ve got no problem with Lance Long, but come on.  He’s Bobby Wade with slightly lighter skin.  And how pissed is Wade right now?  Three weeks ago he was Haley’s favorite WR and now he’s inactive?  Must have had a few bad practices.  This whole thing is starting to look really bad.

But not half as bad as the decision to cut Bernard Pollard.  Those of you who were saying Pollard must not have been any good are encouraged to post comments admitting how wrong you were.  He picked off Peyton Manning twice sunday and made 9 solo tackles.  And this isn’t a new development.   Pollard has been playing well ever since Houston brought him in.  Go check out a Texans message board; the fans love him.  He was already being credited with turning around their run defense, and now he’s picking off pro bowl QBs as well.  Meanwhile Mike Brown is playing like absolute ass, and Haley loves him.  Apparently he’s the QB of our defense.  Kinda like how Jamarcus Russel is the QB of the Raiders offense.  Brown stinks, Pollard is good.  The Chiefs signed Brown and cut Pollard.  At some point I’d like someone to have to answer for that, but that will never, ever happen.

And why should it?  Most of Pioli’s free agent signings were home runs.  We’re talkin’ ’bout guys like Goff, Beisel, Engram, Thomas (as in Zach).  All hailed (by Beast Nation) as brilliant signings; all terrible, washed up players.  If not for Terry Copper this free agent class would’ve been a total bust.  Luckily only dummies sign free agents anyway.  Real GMs don’t stoop to that bullshit; they just draft.  And all the picks are awesome, no matter who they are or what position they play!  And they will keep being awesome until the second they are no longer on the team, at which point they STINK! 

Of course by then we’ll have a new GM, new coach, and a whole new strategy (or at least new wording for the same strategy) to enthusiastically support.