Chiefs at Jets - Week 17 - Record: 4-12

I was ready to watch the first and only prime-time national broadcast of a Chiefs game all year, and instead there on the TV was Tennessee-Indy. Ahh, yes, flexed right off the air. They've had the Patriots on prime-time, what, 57 times this year?

Actually, I'd known this game was going to get flexed out back in October. The powers-that-be will hand over their grandmothers to the Janjaweed if it means getting the Patriots on all networks as they were Saturday night. The Chiefs, meanwhile... But who can blame them. It's a no-brainer, showcasing a team that has four times the number of wins on the season than the Chiefs do.

And so it goes. Last night the Pats set the record for wins in a 16-game season at the Meadowlands, and the next day at the very same place the Chiefs let the Jets run right down the field in OT to beat them. The ignomy of it all.

Speaking of the Chiefs and Patriots, here's a goofy stat, just for fun since this is it for our season. Go back three NFL weekends in which the Chiefs won and the Patriots lost. Now if we're talking three deep in which the Patriots won and Chiefs lost, that's two weekends ago. But for Chiefs won - Patriots lost? Here ya are:

One such weekend back (in other words, the last time this happened): Last year, November 5-- Chiefs beat the Rams and Patriots lose to the Colts.

Two such weekends back: End of the 2005 season, January 1-- Chiefs over the Bengals, Patriots downed by the Dolphins.

Here it is, three such weekends back: Middle of that 2005 season, well over two years ago, November 27-- Chiefs beat the Patriots. Since that day, when it seemed surely the Patriots were on the downside and the Chiefs had only bright upside ahead of them, the Patriots record (including postseason) has been 35-7. The Chiefs record has been 16-22. Abyssmally pukifying.

As it is for now, we set our own team record for consecutive losses with nine (and counting as we go into next year). We tied the team record with most losses in a season.

What is it, by the way, with years ending in "7"? Get this:

1967 - We just come off playing in the first ever Super Bowl, and this year we get blown out by a dominant Raiders team. We don't even make the playoffs.

1977 - Arguably the worst Chiefs year ever. We go 2-12 with two head coaches neither of whom are ever heard from again. Need I say more.

1987 - We can't even get good scabs to come in and play well enough for this mess to mean anything. Remember when we hired Frank Ganz to head coach merely on the strength of a phenomenal special teams performance the year before against the Steelers that got us into the playoffs for the first time in eons? Yes, I try to forget too.

1997 - Just as bad, really, as the horribly wretched years in which we lost a lot, this year we win a lot, refuse to give up a second half touchdown for practically the entire season, and then in the playoffs against the Broncos we give up a second half TD that turns out to be the game-winner because Stoyanovich's FG attempt bonked off the upright and later, with seconds to play, Grbac just doesn't see Anders wide open in the flat near the goal line. Okay, yes, I'm being a bit maniacal about it, but hey, I'm a Chiefs fan. It's okay.

2007 - Why say anything more about it? It was all there just now before your eyes.

What a difference a year makes. Remember last year, last weekend of play? We were going gah-gah when our 1 in 16 chance came through and we miraculously squeezed into the playoffs. Ahh, memories of Santonio Holmes diving into the end zone, Joe Nedney whacking that FG through in OT, and of course Larry Johnson running all over Jacksonville.

This year what we've got left is two things that are decent, so I'll leave you for the off-season with them. Hey, in my gruesome curmudgeonly soul is a mildly positive streak...

1. We've got a high draft spot, I think it's something like four or five. That's cool. I must say I have tremendous cynicism about hoping in the draft. Memories of Percy Snow and Trezelle Jenkins fill my mind, as well as visions of stratospheric picks like Tony Mandarich and Ryan Leaf dancing in the air. I just always have this dread we'll get another one of those.

But yeah, can't be so pessimistic. After all we did get a great wide-out in Dwayne Bowe last year, so the very best can happen too.

Finally, the very best thing to just think about until September (and to think about often) is that

2. The Chiefs have and have always had the best damn tight end the world of pro football has ever known. Tony Gonzales picked up the record for most catches ever by a tight end, so at least we can take great pride in that.

At least Santa gave us that nice gift a long time ago. Here's to opening a few more of those gifts in April.

Chiefs at Lions - Week 16 - Record: 4-11

I'm putting this post together as the Chiefs are playing their game. I've never done this before because I'd always waited to comment until all the facts of the day's game are laid out. But really, with our team greatly sucking, the season long in the toilet, it doesn't mean much except that we see who's positioning themselves to hang around next year. I'd imagine there're a whole lot of Chiefs players working to do that, really.

Two other reasons I'm writing this now during game play: One is the very bittersweet memory of the one time I think of the Chiefs playing in Detroit. Do you remember it? 1996? On Thanksgiving Day we paste the Lions to go 9-4. Win one more game and we're in the playoffs. We then proceed to lose to Oakland, Indianapolis (particularly painful since the year before we'd lost to them at home in the playoffs), and Buffalo. We finish at 9-7 and out out out. The second reason is simply that after this game here today, it's off with the family to do Christmas stuff for the week.

So while I do a bit of a running commentary (here in the Chiefs first drive they are indeed looking pretty good--Croyle has deftly completed every pass he's thrown), I thought I'd share with you exactly what I put on my Christmas list to Santa this year. Aagh, just as I speak of our fine Chiefs play, we bog down and Colquitt has to punt from the Lions 39. And he can't even get it out of bounds down there, it's a touchback. So it goes.

Anyway, the list, in order of what I want most:

1. Number one, the most important thing of all--please Santa, please just get us this one thing and all the other things will fall into place,

A new general manager.

(As I write these very words, Lions QB John Kitna gets two long passes--and now, their back with the easy little scamper into the end zone. Det 7, KC 0.)

I will never dislike Carl Peterson for all the fine things he did for the Chiefs. But there is no question we so need a solid football guy who is capable of truly building a championship team and is committed to all things Chiefs. I've never doubted Peterson's penchant for the latter, but there seems to be quite a consensus questioning the former.

We really really need someone who can do the football thing. I don't know if Santa will listen though, because the Chiefs had Jack Steadman hanging around in charge for years and years way after he should've been gone. Santa didn't listen to us then, will he listen now?

2. A bionically reconstructed Anthony Munoz.

To be honest, the way our offensive line has been playing, a plain unreconstructed Anthony Munoz now at 50 years old would probably be just fine. As I pointed out in the last post, if we don't get the finest future-Hall-of-Fame left tackle in this draft we'll be watching a whole bunch of other teams in the playoffs for the next ten years.

3. Brodie Croyle attending a long off-season training regiment with a resurrected Bill Walsh.

There is no question we've got to pick one of those solid O-linemen coming out in this year's draft, but there is one exception to this rule. One exception and only one.

That is if we need to pick up the best QB coming into the NFL.

Our new general manager has got to look very closely at Brodie Croyle and answer this question right now:

Is this guy going to be a Super Bowl calibur quarterback?

I believe Croyle does have the potential, but... Does he have the desire and the temperament to be that guy? If the answer is no, then our first pick should be the best QB available this year. This only works, though, if we're drafting very high, up there with at least the fifth pick or better where the best QB will be there for us.

But here's the crux of the matter. No Super Bowl is won with an average QB. Not even an above average QB. You need a top class guy there. Look at all the QB's who were selected to the Pro Bowl this year. AFC: Brady, Manning, and Roethlisberger. What do all of these guys have in common? They are all responsible for the last, what, five of six Super Bowl titles? Look at the NFC: Hasselbeck, Favre, and Romo. The first two have Super Bowl experience, Romo may very well get it this year.

Again, the question: Within the next three years, will Brodie Croyle be among that bunch?

What is the answer to that question? Chiefs management had better know the answer.

Oh, and just to add, in a span of about four nanoseconds, the Lions block a punt into the end zone for a safety, then their kicker whacks in a 46 yarder to make it 12-0. Good, we're on our way to getting right up there in the draft for that QB if...

My goodness. Three nanoseconds later Croyle throws a pick that is run back for a touchdown. And he gets a personal foul 15 yard penalty against him. Do we really think this guy is in the Brady-Manning class? It's almost as if he is sealing his doom. That is just too much.

More of the list...

4. The baddest, meanest, growliest middle linebacker we can get. This is where we can use a middle-of-the-draft pick to pick up maybe not the best quality guy but the guy who has the loud angry determination that makes things happen in the middle of the defense. How many times did the opponent's offense hand the ball to some guy who rambled right up the gut and over our guys.

Game update: Damon Huard is now in. Did Croyle get injured, or is he just being benched for being miles and miles not Tom Brady? Okay, fine, to give Croyle his due, he is injured. As it is, Huard is moving the ball down the field.

5. A playbook for Herm Edwards with some imagination.

I'm not about to give up on Herm just yet. He is a fired-up, sound-character guy dedicated to winning. But do you get the idea that the other team knows a bit too much about what we're doing out there? We need to mix it up so much more out there, so much more that the defense is palpably disturbed. I just don't ever really see that-- it's almost as if they're smirking out there under their helmets. Do you see this too?

This may require some new coaching blood. In fact, Santa, you look. Do you think we need some new coaches? All right then, add that to the list. Thanks.

6. Other players that I know a new football-minded Chiefs-devoted GM would know how to get.

I'll leave that to him. I won't say at this point I know except for those above-- those are no-brainers. It does seem to me that we do need the following in the mix somewhere:

- Another wide receiver.

- A good coverage cornerback.

- Even more solid offensive linemen. (Whimper--what are we going to do with that line...)

(Woo-hoo! Tony Gonzalez comes through again! Great play to get us down to the Detroit 3, and Jackie Battle pounds it in for the score. And that was with Detroit having 12 men on the field. Hey, we're not totally lame. We're still really lame, but not totally--I guess there's that.)

- Speaking of which, we will be needing a tight end to replace Tony when he retires, but the way he's playing that may still be another year or two down the road.

- We need a reliable long-term kicker for the first time since Nick Lowery. We have had such horrible luck with kickers, and for years we've tried to fill this with retreads like Morten Andersen-- sure they were okay, even future-Hall-of-Fame retreads, but come on. Problem is, this year we tried real hard to fix this with Justin Medlock, and that was a disaster. Maybe a new GM will find a way to overcome the curse of Odin.

All right! Bernie Pollard just intercepted a Kitna pass and rambled all the way back deep into Detroit territory. Hey, a bright spot in all this-- it seems we actually do have decent young safeties.

(Had to go run an errand so I missed what happened in an around the half, but from what I see here: Good!-- we got a TD just before the half, to Jared Allen again. Bad-- their back shoots right off tackle and rambles 53 yards to set up a Lions FG. Where's that mean growling Ray Lewis guy in the middle? Oh, we're getting him for next year? Awright! Thanks, Santa!)

Finally, to polish off my list to Santa,

7. A healthy and happy Larry Johnson.

I'd like to think that a full off-season of recuperation from the foot injury will be quite beneficial, and all that retooling of the offensive line will make him happy.

So, here late in the 3rd quarter, we get something going then get stopped at the Detroit 35, down 22-14. Will Herm let Carney try a 52-yarder? Let's see, let's see, no, he's going to go for it on 4th and 15-- just like Herm, what am I thinking.

And we get the first down when a Detroit guy gets a defensive holding call. Whup, now we're going backwards again. Penalty, sack, pass for no gain, and it's 4th and 14. Herm goes for it, and Huard connects with Bowe for a touchdown! How about that. It's a game again.

And the two-point conversion, whaddya think, another pass to Jared Allen?... Nah, we just try it to plain old boring Tony Gonzalez, a pass batted down at the line.

Two-minute warning, it's 3rd and 15 at our own 29. We just need the FG.

And Huard throws to Jeff Webb? What's he doing that for? Now it's 4th and 15. And then incomplete to Bowe, thuh end.

There ya go. Not blaming Huard because it is the whole package, he can't do it all. Are you listening, Santa? As it is, we're in better shape come draft day, so that's one little package that's nice to get. Let's hope that when we open it in April it'll be something really good.

As it is for right now, I'm off to enjoy Christmas. The best to you and yours.

Titans at Chiefs - Week 15 - Record: 4-10

Would you believe it. The Chiefs finish 2-6 at home. Never in the 16-game schedule has that ever happened to a Chiefs team. (Back when it was 14 the Chiefs actually had three 1-6 seasons at home, can you believe it? And one of them, the 1974 one, was coached by Hank Stram!)

I don't need to write more about how bad this team is. Brodie Croyle got another learning experience today. He's got skill, but no discipline or experience. A decent drive in the second half was marred by three holding calls-- that tells you how bad our blocking is. Sure we don't have Larry Johnson, but so what. He didn't do squat when he was around because no one was there to open things up for him. But this is a tired story.

The defense-- earlier in the year I took pride in thinking of them as Transformers. Back then they did decently at figuring out the opponent's offense then stopping them cold. Now they're just getting it from the other team, who is transforming their offense to take it to us later in the game. We actually had the Titans at the half, up 14-10. Then we give up that typical big play touchdown pass, they add a few FG's, our offense sputters (ho-hum) and that's it.

So as we lose our seventh straight we're in a better position to get a nice draft pick. And we'd better get the best damn offensive tackle there is. This can't be a "Trezelle Jenkins-whupps-that-didn't-work-out-oh-darn" pick. It must be a Jonathan Ogden-type pick. If our new left tackle isn't that kind of guy, you can kiss any chance of even remotely looking at a Super Bowl any time in the next ten years a very heartfelt goodbye.

Oh, and just to add, last time the team lost seven straight within a single regular season? Do you know when that was? Good, you have a good memory because

It never happened.

Just so you know, we lost eight straight from '75 (four losses to close that season) to '76 (four to open it).

So yeah, hang your hats on that one Chiefs fans. First time with seven straight losses - single season. That counts all the abjectly horrific 70's and 80's years.

I wonder how many more hanged-in-effigy Carl Peterson figures there will be this week? How many will it take for Chiefs ownership get a clue?

Chiefs at Broncos - Week 14 - Record: 4-9

Is there any question now that this one of the worst Chiefs teams in history? Last time we lost six in a row was sometime there in the 70's. I don't remember. And ya know? We aren't even as good as 4-9. The only game we really had was the Bengals game. We got a generous ref's call to help us against the Vikings, we got the Chargers when they were down and had a rare good blast of luck in the second half of that one, and we barely eeked by a horrible Raiders team who later dominated us. Really, we should be 1-12. Too bad we aren't, then we'd get a better draft pick.

So I should briefly offer an apology that in earlier blog posts I ever actually thought we were better than we were. Typical home team gushing, I guess. I can't be faulted for that. But, sorry anyway.

Earlier this week I ruminated about our woes and thought about Willie Roaf, and how we just didn't plan for his retirement. How could we not have done that when he was with us for, what, three or four really solid years after what was already a stellar career, and then after he very predictably leaves the game, we try to replace him with Jordan Black. Either way, this horror can only point in one direction.

Carl Peterson.

Coincidentally, my uncle emails me and tells me that Monday the Kansas City Star had a full spread on how "King Carl" must go. Later I web-referenced that epithet and came across Jason Whitlock's consideration of Mr. Peterson. Not flattering. At this point,

I think I agree.

I pondered all this a bit more: What in blazes am I doing holding any further admiration for the guy, after thinking about the one thing that should be the great flowing feather in his cap? All the division titles and playoff wins and Super Bowl appearances the Chiefs have had since he's been here?

Um.

From my count here they are:

Four division titles in the twenty Peterson years ('93, '95, '97, and '03). Three playoff wins (last one in '93--only two teams, the Lions and the Bengals, have gone longer without one). And a grand total of zero Super Bowl appearances. Please note that this is with a team that could arguably be considered the very best AFC team through the 1990's. And run that by me again, how many Super Bowl appearances in that time, Carl?

Just for comparison within our division, San Diego is not much better than us (4 division titles, 3 playoff wins, one Super Bowl appearance), but that is partly because they too had Marty Schottenheimer for a while blowing playoff games.

Oakland has been better (4 division titles, 5 playoff wins, and a Super Bowl).

Denver is tops by far (5 titles, 9 playoff wins, 3 Super Bowls--two of them for championships).
Maybe that makes it more fair that Denver should paste us today. I should add for the record that I mercifully missed this one. I was at my Dad's for a Christmas-oriented visit. Came home to peek at the NFL.com results and was just not surprised.

41-7. Still disappointed, but way not surprised.

I did look at the play-by-play record there on the web, and I'll just share this thing I saw, a single thing that brilliantly shows how horrific we are.

In the middle of the 2nd quarter we have a 4th and 12 at the Denver 32, and the game is still within reach. We go for it. You've got to be kidding me. Here's the thing.

We get the first down! Yay! A first down! After a 4th and 12th! Yowwie how great is that! What an accomplishment!

It's all we've got!

Oh, and that Dustin Colquitt was out there a lot again. That's good, he should be getting a lot of work in should he be picked as what will be the only Chiefs player in the Pro Bowl.

Chargers at Chiefs - Week 13 - Record: 4-8

At least we have a good punter. Really, Dustin Colquitt was booming kicks, even against the wind. Awesome.

Oh, and we have a really good defensive end who can make spectacular touchdown catches at the side of the end zone once every 47 games.

Other than that, this team is a mess. How 'bout if we just go over it, since we've got some blog space here and all. Let's start at the top.

Herm Edwards. My uncle emailed me the other day and mentioned something I hadn't thought of, and that is the offensive coordinator. As you may know I pay no attention to what's going on during the week, it always just generally depresses me. So I didn't even think the OC should be in the hot seat, but it makes sense.

Thing is, the OC is only an extension of the HC, and that's Herm. I'd always liked Herm and don't really dislike much at this point. But my uncle is fed up with him. He wants both out.

He's got a good point.

This offense just doesn't do anything imaginitive, novel, or even just mildly dynamic to keep the other team scrambling. Okay, so Jared Allen caught a touchdown pass. That was wonderful, it really was a kick to see that.

But this should be a complete embarrassment to the offense when the DE gets your team's only touchdown.

And this was with Tony Gonzalez having a spectacular game himself! But then, that's another thing. When your TE gets ten catches on the day, your offense has problems.

Yes, Dwayne Bowe has a great future ahead of him, but (a) he's still inexperienced and (b) he has so little around him to keep defenders off his back. Kennison is too old, Parker can't run routes, and Webb just looks like a body in a Chiefs uniform out there.

At QB we just have to wait for Croyle to develop. Sure that's promising, but it means nothing to us now. Because of Croyle's back injury, today we went back to Damon Huard, and he was mostly, well, Damon Huard.

Our running game looked like it could be carried for a bit by quick little Kolby Smith, but even he can't overcome the woeful awful wretched (steel your gag reflexes yet again) offensive line. Sure it suffered some injuries, but what difference would it have made? Sure we can't run the ball with that, now we can't pass either (our QB was sacked seven times, intercepted something like three or four times).

How about the defense? Eh. That's about what you could say about it. Once in the year I thought it would be pretty dang good, but now it's just "eh." At the beginning of the year they'd give up a bit in the first half then shut 'em down in the second. Seems now that's reversed. I think I saw a stat that said in the last five games we haven't allowed a TD in the first half. Guh?

But really now. Last week we couldn't tackle Justin Fargas. You think today we're going to tackle LaDainian Tomlinson? Gimme a break.

As it is, that's five straight losses (four of them home games!), something we haven't done since 1979, Marv Levy's tenure. Yeah. First time since then-- not even in the poor Mackovic or Ganz years did we do that.

So, yeah, maybe I should just appreciate Dustin Colquitt and hope he makes the Pro Bowl. At least for this year.

Ee-yack, how sad is that, that that is all we've got.

Wow. Look at that. Three "that"s in a row, in one sentence. How often does that happen? About as often as Jared Allen scores an offensive touchdown?

Raiders at Chiefs - Week 12 - Record: 4-7

At the bye we were 4-3 with four of five home games coming up. Since then we've lost all four we've played, three of them at home. Next week I'm sure the Chargers are thinking about what we did at their place earlier this season. I just don't think they'll have much trouble making it five straight.

Today we let a very bad team run all over us. That supposedly fine defense all Chiefs fans would like to think is our bread and butter? They ran over it like a Peterbilt on buttered bread. As Raider back Lamont Jordan, in what I think was his only run of the game, slogged past Chief after Chief defender on his way to a TD, I had plenty of time to think, "Um, hmm, excuse me, I wonder, is any Chief going to actually, perhaps tackle this particular Raider player here?..."

Newbie back Kolby Smith himself ran a lot over a tremendously weak Raider offense, but QB Brodie Croyle still needs tons of experience despite some signs of quality play. Again, as I said last week, maybe this very stupid loss will keep these young guys hating it with such a passion that when they're actually surrounded by a good team they'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

What is quite frustrating is this placekicker situation. Really, ever since Jan Stenarud (the curse of Odin still haunts us), really, we have just never had a placekicker who'll be there right there and get the job done. All praises to Nick Lowery, I don't for a second disparage him, but the team never got him to the promised land to do anything of substance. I could name other kickers who've been decent, like Pete Stoyanovich.

But this whole kicker thing is just wretched. We think we've got it solved with Justin Medlock, drafting him high to fix it straight away. Then we discover that he really really sucks-- oh that's nice. Then we pick up Dave Rayner who looks like he might be okay, but today he misses another FG he simply has to make-- then worse, the coach has no confidence in him to make a FG late that would've tied it.

We lose the game 20-17. What're we going to do now, ask Santa for a placekicker?

The learning-how-to-lose experience gets more painful.

That'd better be a good thing for later.

Chiefs at Colts - Week 11 - Record: 4-6

I hate moral victories with every fiber of my being. I hate them, I really do. Really really a lot. I hate them for one simple reason: They're always a loss. But ya know, I'm actually a bit fond of this one, and that's only because at this point, it's all I've got.

I'm actually good with Herm Edwards believing we're still in this thing, and by the standings, we really still are! Who cares if we win the AFC West with a 6-10 record, as long as we make the playoffs-- I'm okay with Herm being okay with that.

I'm actually good with Brodie Croyle getting clobbered and coughing up the ball. Might as well get him to know what it's like- QB's fumble a lot by definition. Maybe he'll know how horrible it is, and maybe that will get him to do it a bit fewer in the future. I'm good with that.

I'm actually good with Priest Holmes barely able to get anything going with this offensive line in front of him, because at least he's out there with the other studly vets like Donnie Edwards and Ty Law to inspire these young players for future studliness. That's good.

I'm actually good with those young players suffering a crushing, close loss, so they'll so hate it so much that next time and it won't happen. We've got so many good young players that it's good to get them a healthy hatred for losing, and that can only happen with stupid losses like this one. I'm very good with that.

We had a very real shot at winning this one, with the Colts injuries and all, with their stellar kicker missing two gimme FG's early, with Croyle and Dwayne Bowe hooking up for an amazing TD play-- I thought all along, we're in this baby!

Then, splut. Another stupid loss in the closing minute. (Hey, at least it was different from last week when we lost in the opening minute of the second half...) But this's good for a team that could benefit from learning how to hate it.

I'm good with that.

Broncos at Chiefs - Week 10 - Record: 4-5

At the half I was actually thinking, awright, here we are in this typical (at least of late) defensive struggle with Denver, ahead 8-6 (the safety the result of another phenomenal blocked punt by Bernie Pollard) and we get the ball to start things off here. Awright.

Sigh.

It wasn't so much that we fell apart. The worst of it was seeing that our offense is just as sucky as it has always been, and that our defense is worse than we all thought it was.

Don't give me all that "We still hung in there and moved the ball at the end." Sorry, doesn't count--the team couldn't even score then, either. The simple fact is that this team just isn't as good as the other team out there. Their guy could kick a 50-yard FG, our guy couldn't. Their back got nice holes to run through, our guy didn't. Their QB got the ball to the guy when they needed it, our guy couldn't.

And I swear Denver was penalized 57 times on the day. It was as if they taunted us, giving us all these head starts and we just stumbled. And I think I'd heard something about Denver being plagued by injuries. More handouts just dropped in the gutter.

Sorry. This Chiefs team is just not a very good team. And this is just not news. To the credit of those young genuine quality skill players out there, it really starts with that offensive line. It all starts right there. How much longer can we sing that tired refrain.

And then there's the fact that this is our third home loss of the year. The Chiefs just don't lose at home, they just don't.

But then, this is this Chiefs team.

I just wonder what kind of carnage we'll witness next week in Indianapolis...

Packers at Chiefs - Week 9 - Record: 4-4

What is it with this AFC West? We lose and we're still in first place. Over in Minnesota Adrian Peterson runs all over San Diego-- despite (and I just have to mention it here, if you didn't see it--I just happen to catch it for the moment I had the TV on the other channel) the Chargers kick-return guy snatching a missed long FG from just under the cross bar and running it back all the way for a touchdown. And over in Detroit the Broncos were getting thoroughly pasted a week after Brett Favre did them in-- at least we're not the only ones.

With this game, we just got beat by one of the best QB's in NFL history. Late in the game the guy throws the ball deep off his back foot and he still gets it to his guy. I just don't think our D-backfield really knew what they were up against-- their receivers looked like antelope just roaming the wide open range out there.

Don't know what the status is on Larry Johnson, but (a) let's hope the ankle sprain is not so bad that it'll keep him out long, and (b) it just seems encouraging to have Priest Holmes there to spell him if he does miss some. We just have to see how much the early-2000's Holmes is in the 2007 version.

There is just another consideration too that may sound fatalistic, but I'm just thinking realistically. If Johnson is out for any extended period of time, no big, because that'll buy him some time, save him some wear and tear for a couple years or so down the road when we'll have a chance to be very good.

Come on, how many Chiefs fans right now are really going, "Woo-hoo! Four-and-four! Four-and-four! First place babeee!" I, for one, am so looking forward to the next draft when there will be a truckload of good O-linemen and QB's coming out. This team does have the foundation with Herm Edwards and a young enthusiastic defense, but we gotta have a top-class QB and some offensive linemen who fire off the line.

One other note that I just have to make. Did you catch this? Early on, our guy rushes the QB and barely slaps him on the head and gets a personal foul penalty keeping a drive alive after they had 3rd and long. They go on to get a FG, which, in this one, could have been the difference. A bit later their D-guy comes up the gut and pummels Damon Huard, full helmet to the head. No call. Of course, Huard doesn't complete the pass on a drive where we get squat. I rarely ever mention ref calls because they even out and yah gotta win yourself and all the rest of it. But this discrepancy was just too blatant.

So the great thing about this game was the play of Tony Gonzalez and the knowledge that we have a grip of draft picks coming up for the off-season!

Chiefs at Raiders - Week 7 - Record: 4-3

Just some random thoughts about this game:

- This made it nine straight against the archest rival of all arch-rivals. The last time they beat us was the last game of 2002, in Oakland, shutting us out 24-0 the year they went to the Super Bowl. I have to keep in the back of my mind that some day the Raiders are going to give us a good pasting. I'm just hoping it is not some crucial game we need to get us to the promised land.

- What a joy to see Priest Holmes out there today. I can't see how he'll ever be what he once was, but the question every Chiefs fan will ask for at least a few more years is, who-dya think's better all-time, Priest or LJ? As much as I love Johnson, as any Chiefs fan does, I can't say he's yet passed Holmes as the all-time best Chiefs back. Thing is, this year Johnson does not have that O-line Holmes had for those years, and Holmes never really got us deep into the playoffs. However, to Holmes credit, a lot of that is because we had such a sucky defense then.

- Heard during the game that the Chiefs traded Michael Bennett for draft picks. How sweet is that, not because I didn't like Bennett but because we're stock-piling picks to build this team, which today, let's be honest, ain't goin' to no Super Bowl. (Sure I hope I eat my words.) Thank goodness Herm and Chiefs management are thinking long-term. It will pay off.

- Does anyone miss Dante Hall like I do? He was such a spark, a fired-up guy-- and not just on special teams. It goes without saying that he was spectacular on kick-backs. I'm just sick of watching Eddie Drummond do his little dance thing and get clobbered. Dante just got it and headed up field. The worst he did was get us a few yards. Drummond gets zip.

- And pessimistic me, waiting for the other shoe to drop, namely the shoe of our kicker who will certainly one day miss one of those stupid field goals when we most need it. I just happened by chance to see that Lawrence Tynes missed an extra point for the NY Giants. I didn't feel so bad. I think.

Next week a bye, some rest, and a bit of wonderment (albeit gleeful, certainly) as to how we can possibly be in sole possession of first place.

Bengals at Chiefs - Week 6 - Record: 3-3

The main event of the day was certainly Touchdown Tony's performance, pulling in not one but two TD catches to become the NFL's all-time tight end touchdown guy. Hooray, yay, awright, cheerio, and all the rest of it. I'm not being fully facetious about that, I am thrilled this extraordinary player has been a Chief through his amazing career.

Even though we got a nice win over what should have been a much stronger Bengals team, we still have a lot to work on. Here in the sixth game of the season, we got our first rushing touchdown of the season. 'Scuze me? Our first rushing touchdown of the season? You've got to be kidding me.

I promise I won't mention our woeful offensive line here, but even though LJ got over 100 on the day, much of it was in a few big chunks-- including one nifty 34 yard non-touchdown jaunt. At the one yard line a Bengals defender yanked the ball out of his hands and out of the endzone. Neat. Anyway, that ended up not hurting us, of course, and Johnson may be more ready for such an occurance next time.

The more critical thing was when we needed to run out the clock with a 27-10 lead in the 4th, we kept getting stuffed. That doesn't bode well either.

Our transformer defense did its transformer thing again today, but it can also be said to be the "Give Up the Big Play" defense. Their second TD was simply an incredible pass from Carson Palmer, but the first was just bumbling on our part, just not having the coverage and then refusing to tackle.

As it is, if you can believe it, we're in first place in the AFC West. It is way too early to tell, but is it possible for a team here to win the division with a-- gasp-- 8-8 record? Or even a 7-9 record? That's just heretical.

Jaguars at Chiefs - Week 5 - Record: 2-3

Ahhck. Ergh. Eegh. Urpthl. Urrrng...

I just can't help but say three words. Just three words.

The offensive line.

Yes, yes, I will spare you the comment "It was offensive." But I will say what must be said.

It just isn't very good.

And that is to put it mildly. Does no one else see this? Are we all looking at this team with rose-colored glasses? Do we all like wallowing in our denial?

Whenever a more showcased player like a QB or RB is just plain sucking, you hear it somehow somewhere from someone. When the O-line sucks, no one says anything because, well, it's the O-line. Who cares? What do they do, anyway? They block, how boring is that? How hard is it to do that? I could stand in some guy's way and get paid half what they do.

You could quite glaringly see how bad it was in seeing how well Jacksonville's O-line played. Opened nice juicy holes for the runners. Allowed the QB to get off passes for clutch completions.

Hey, you don't have to take my word for it. The Chiefs have arguably the very best runner in pro football, getting tons upon tons of yards rushing over the course of the last two years. Now, how much did he get today?

12 yards.

12 yards on nine carries.

Herm Edwards. Carl Peterson. Ahem. Does this mean anything to you?

Yes, I know there is little a team can do mid-season. You can't put bionic parts on an Anthony Munoz and sign him up. At least not in the non-Hollywood world.

Edwards could make a few adjustments, and to be sure, give him credit for keeping the passing game decent in this intolerable situation. I am indeed amazed we can even pass at all. This is also because we have two phenomenal receivers, the vet Tony and the rookie Dwayne. What a joy to have Bowe out doing his dazzling thing there and at the same time pulling defenders off Gonzalez and allowing him to be even more studly.

But really. These guys are our offense. They're making Damon Huard look good. A very encouraging sign was watching Brodie Croyle come in and for a second time this season, hey, look like he really knows what he's doing out there. There's a glimmer of light there!

The season can still be something, I won't say it can't be, especially after last year's miracle finish. Our never-say-die spirit got us a final play TD to escape the shutout. Awright.

But whatever happens, if we don't pick the very best O-lineman available in the draft next April, Carl Peterson must be required by law to have a thorough brain examination.

Chiefs at Chargers - Week 4 - Record: 2-2

Last night I saw the movie Transformers at the local IMAX theater. Thought the humongous screen would make it more spectacular, but the film itself was pretty lame so it didn't do much. A "transformer" is a large robot machine thing that can actually become something its little supercomputer registers. Say it sees a Camaro automobile-- it'll just look at it, go buh-zip buh-zop, and it can turn itself into that thing.

The reason I bring it up here is that the Kansas City defense seems to behave in exactly that way. They've played four games this season and in every one they've allowed the opponent to get decent scoring momentum at the start, but then

They transform.

Really, they just sort of change their make-up to match whatever the opposing offense is throwing at them. Stat-of-the-week: (Everyone knows it but it's worth mentioning) The Chiefs defense has not allowed a touchdown in the second half all season. We have just done a terrific job or morphing into an unstoppable force in every game-- what a credit to those guys and to the coaching staff. Some things to note about it:

The D-line: There is no question Jared Allen's presence is a big factor. He moves so quickly and pursues so fiercely. Our guys on the line there batted down, what, three or four passes?

The linebackers: How sweet it is to see Donnie Edwards back with the us. The guy is a stud-- especially at leading the defense. And Derrick Johnson is becoming a consistently top class defender.

The D-backfield: Probably the strength of the defense. You can't say enough about it. They smothered San Diego's receivers, flustering QB Philip Rivers into a nightmare of a second half. How about Ty Law's phenomenal interception today to go with his enduring experience and leadership. How about Jarrad Page batting that last pass in the end zone effectively sealing SD's demise. How about Tyron Brackenridge being right there to grab the loose ball and scoot for the big close-it-out TD.

Not to give short shrift to Tony Gonzalez on his amazing TD catch in the triple team to tie Shannon Sharpe, but what is the deal with Dwayne Bowe? Is this guy for real? Eight catches for 164 yards and a boffo TD... Does this guy remind you of John Taylor, remember him on the other end of Jerry Rice in the '80's and 90's Niners? He's got the same number... Yeah, maybe all Chiefs fans have already thought of this and I'm just behind on picking it up.

Thing is, Bowe is still only four games into his career and he's doing this? Can we say he is that good and not jinx the guy? Granted, SD's defensive backfield isn't the best. And I was getting a bit frustrated when it seemed they were going to him all the time, even that one time in the fourth quarter when the ball just shouldn't've been passed to him and it got deflected and intercepted.

Hey. This team's in first place. Yeah it's only on the strength of two wins in a weak division, but this is really nice for the first quarter of the season, considering.

Vikings at Chiefs - Week 3 - Record: 1-2

The Never-Say-Die Chiefs get their first win with a gritty determination they introduced in the second half of last week's game.

This one opened with Adrian Peterson running all over us for a quick touchdown. From that point on we made the adjustments to calm him down a bit and effectively stuff the Minnesota offense.

Still, our offense was lethargic until Huard exploded in the fourth quarter. What a performance. There was that one series there when they'd alternate: pass-Johnson-pass-Johnson, and every run was small loss and every pass was a big gain. He deserves the kudos, that's just Huard being a big-time QB.

He also got help from his two big-time receivers, the vet Tony Gonzalez and the newbie Dwayne Bowe. First, Gonzalez: How many times does Herm have to see him play as great as he did today and refuse to use him as much as he should? Second, Bowe: The kid is stud out there. How great it is that he's being used so effectively just three games into his career.

And the defense. Just a killer day for them.

What a fun comeback win for a team that, I believe, still has a lot to prove. But then I think, hmm, could this AFC West be so weak that we'd actually have a shot? The Chargers are 1-2 now. Den and Oak still play this afternoon, but the Broncos had to eek out their wins, and Oakland is 0-2.

Yeah, it's way too early, and today we still only got a single touchdown on the day. It is very nice to see the coaching staff work so well with what they got. Let's hope they can keep it going.

They've certainly got the perseverence factor going great for them.

Chiefs at Bears - Week 2 - Record: 0-2

I will admit that there was a teensy-weensy-itty-bitty spoodge of goodness from this game. Even though we were playing the Bears-- the NFC Champions last year-- in Chicago, and up until the two minute warning of the first half we played like a Pop Warner team,

We didn't give up.

Yes, this seems like one of those "Buck up, kids" kind of blabbings, but we genuinely, authentically refused to wilt like our talent dictates that we do.

Yes yes, that cynic in me just keeps pestering me with the certainly preposterous idea that overall this team has got a long way to go to even be considered mediocre.

But hey, back to the good: We really gave it all we had for 60 minutes, even revving it up to take it to the Bears in the second half if not for some critical turnovers and a blocked field goal. And wow! Even Brodie Croyle stepped in and went 4 for 4 passing in one last valiant assault before being denied. And we can refuse to give credit to the defense who shut the Bears down touchdown-wise after their first one in the first period. Their only other TD came from a punt return.

Back to the reality of the situation: Our talent, particularly on offense. It just ain't there. Damon Huard's heart is huge, his game is just-- um-- not. The offensive line is-- yes, yes, I can't help it-- offensive. Larry Johnson, again way below 100. The bright light is top pick Dwayne Bowe, but he's so green he's not much of a factor now, having only two catches on the day.

It just seems to me we've got to open it up. We start almost every series with the standard Johnson-Johnson-pass fare and more times than not it was three-and-out. Against a team like the Bears, stop with the short drop kukka. How about some deep drops, let things open up, use more play action-- with a phenomenal back like Johnson and TE like Gonzalez it can't be that bad.

Stat-of-the-day is not a pleasant one. Remember when it seemed like every year in the 90's we'd get off to a blazing start? Welcome to the 2000's. Of the eight years in this decade so far, we've had five 0-2 starts. This was the fifth 0-2 start in the last eight years. That really sucks.

We get our first home game next week. Yay! Let's see if home cooking makes any difference.

Chiefs at Texans - Week 1 - Record: 0-1

I should say something right up front here. I am a devout cynic. If you want "At least we did that well" kind of pap you won't get it here, unless what we did well is actually meaningful. I have all the respect in the world for Dustin Colquitt, you know I'll say it-- he's a great punter. But if the most positive thing about this game is how much the punter was out on the field, that stinks. (Even though it was only four times, it seemed like more...)

It is indeed a horrible feeling when from the day training camp opened you know your team will suck. I will be honest and actually had that hope that Brodie Croyle would pan out. He didn't big-time. Sorry, but a QB drafted that high should be showing up by now. In the one game I watched in pre-season, the one against the Dolphins (and his best showing by the way) he looked like a high school player. Sorry, but he needed to be in there leading the team. He played like he was trying to impress the cheerleaders.

Instead we've got Damon Huard, who was completely underwhelming today. To be kind to him, this was expected. He's just not anywhere near get-you-to-the-dance material. And please don't give me the whole "We shouldn't have gotten rid of Trent Green" bit because he's done. Loved him like nothin' else when he ran our offense, but he's done.

And that thought about our defense picking it up? For one, this defense just didn't get it done. It had those flashes of above-adequate, but, yeah. There ya go.

And for two, you can't expect your defense to carry the team with an offense like this. Larry Johnson, the guy everyone seems to think is Super-Duper-Man, got a woeful 43 yards rushing. Remember the sad refrain from last year? About that one forgotten thing that is arguably the most important part of the team? The offensive line? Kyle Turley is still starting. I don't think I need to say more.

This thing was doomed after the first pretty decent drive when our vaunted new place-kicker bricked a gimme 30-yarder. That was just inexcusable. Sigh.

I found myself in this crushing resignation mode as early as Thursday night, catching myself muttering to the television "I wish we had a team like the Colts." How awful is that.

I could say a whole lot more about this, or that, but it'll still all be abjectly pointless. Oh I'll blog through the season. Faithfully. But right now, I don't know--

At this point, what else do you expect me to say? What else can any Chiefs fan say?

Chiefs Pre-Season Note - 2007

I could begin this post with "Chiefs at Browns," but as I've shared before the exhibition games do not interest me in the least. I may peek in if one is on television just to behold the red and gold zipping by, and tonight while doing some web surfing I took a glance at tonight's contest. Just wanted to see what was going on with our quarterbacks.

I confess I haven't much to say here, because as you know I pay no attention at all to what happens outside of gametime. In the past I've just been so obsessively consumed with who we drafted, signed, traded for, or tried to get out of jail that I deliberately go out of my way to avoid knowing any of it. I've found quite a bit of wonderfully surprising peace in that.

Sometimes, however, a friend or acquaintance who knows of my Chiefs fandom will mention something about our boys and I can't refuse to be considerate and engage them. From what I've gathered the QB job is up for grabs to a rookie (for all intents and purposes Croyle is a rookie), a journeyman, and a Canadian football transfer. Hum. This could sound quite unpromising, but I will always have great hope in the possibility that maybe Croyle could someday turn into a Joe Montana or Tom Brady. Just gotta let things play themselves out.

What I really wonder about is whether our offensive line will be servicable. That's really the main question. Will the defense carry the team this year? What a switch for a Chiefs team if it did. Does this feel a bit like the early 90's? Only thing, again...

In the early 90's we had a terrific O-line.

Chiefs 2006 Season - The "Tale of Two Cities" Take

This season was, as most seasons are, really, a "best of times and worst of times." I thought I'd review this past season by highlighting the five best things that happened, as well as lowlighting the five worst things. We'll start with the worst, counting down:

5. Getting so thoroughly pasted by the Steelers. This was particularly hard to take because the Steelers were themselves having such a poor season. They were due to win one though, and we were just in the way at this point in their schedule. I will say they made up for it a bit by helping us out and beating Cincinnati in the last game of the season. The thing about this game was that it was just so discouraging watching them pour it on against us. That helpless feeling is not fun.

4. Larry Johnson getting facemasked in the Cardinals game. It was so flagrant, so criminal--yes, I don't mind using that word. Any defender who does what he did--to any player, not just our guy, should be suspended for at least half the season, if not all of it. It was frightening seeing the image of Johnson laid out there, he really could have been dead for all we knew.

3. The loss to the poorly-playing Dolphins. This was the very same kind of game we had against Buffalo last year. We go there and just can't do squat. Nothing happens for us, and it just seems so inexplicable. Why do those losses in Miami always seem to be so painful?

2. Trent Green's injury on opening day. That really put us in a hole right out of the gate. Seeing him taken off the field on a stretcher was horrible enough. That no penalties at all would be forthcoming against the Bengals player was just wrong. I guess you could say they got theirs when the Steelers knocked them of the playoffs and allowed us to get in on closing day.

1. The loss to the Browns. This was indeed the most wretched game thing that happened-- not counting the Green and Johnson injuries. Being up 28-14 in the 4th quarter, thinking this was going to legitimize us, then returning from my son's game to see we'd actually lost to this team was devestating. The realization at that moment that we were definitely not the contender I was so sure we were just a couple hours earlier-- abjectly horrific.

While these were the individual worst things, the one sustained worst thing was unquestionably the play of our offensive line. Losing Willie Roaf at the beginning of the year turned out to be way too much to overcome.

You'll also note that the playoff loss to the Colts isn't among the worst things. For me anyway, it's not there because just being in the game was a good thing. Again, at the risk of really really belaboring the point, we weren't going to do jack with that offensive line. So, when we did great for 3 minutes and scored a touchdown at the end of the third quarter, we all cheered and loved it. The rest of the game, when I don't think we even got another first down at all, we shrugged. Oh well, what are you going to do...

Okay, now to the great things. These were the best of times...

5. The win against the Broncos on Thanksgiving Day. We did precisely what we needed to do to beat this team. We just got the job done for all 60 minutes, through-and-through a solid performance, and it was sweet to see-- on the Internet since we couldn't get the NFL Network's game on my family's cable where we were celebrating the holiday. At least the inaugural NFL Network game, for what it's worth, was a Chiefs victory.

4. Damon Huard's play. The guy actually played well for the time he filled in for Trent Green. My uncle is even convinced he should have been the guy to go to whole way, and I don't think he's the only one. I think it wouldn't have mattered considering our offensive line woes, but it was good to see him come through. There was no particular game in which he excelled, so for this point I'm just going to have to go with his sustained play.

3. The win over the Chargers at home. Even though we were way ahead and let them get back into it, we won the game with a long FG from Lawrence Tynes that was very exciting to watch. And Huard's clutch play was instrumental in getting us the W.

2. The win over the Cardinals. That we ended up beating them after the Johnson facemask was sweet indeed. That we came from way behind, at their place, to get it made it that much more joyous.

And the number one great thing, is without question...

1. December 31, 2006. We came into this last day of the year and a full slate of NFL games needing four different results to occur for us to get a playoff spot. All of the them happened. Seeing us get the job done against Jacksonville, watching Santonio Holmes dive into the endzone, noting that Joe Nedney got that overtime FG to put away the Broncos... it was all a dream.

What about next year? I could take all my pot shots at what I think should happen, but I trust Carl Peterson enough to know what to do. It's a new era without Lamar Hunt, let's hope his boys can keep the Chiefs spirit vibrant and focused. As the next season approaches there may be some things on my mind, and I'll bring them up then. One thing is for sure.

We'd better get an offensive line, one that I'll go so far as to hope is as good as the one the Chiefs are famous for having.

Chiefs at Colts - AFC Wild Card Game

Okay, first the good things about this game. Finally, we are now officially, completely, mathematically eliminated. I don't take anything away from the enchantment that was the last day of 2006, it was magical, wonderful, rapturous, all the rest of the superlatives. But knowing what we knew from the 4th quarter of the Browns game on, there was just no way this team was going to go anywhere. So, yeah, no more banging around in our visceras the confusion of whether or not we were actual contenders for a title.

On a more genuinely positive note, I was very pleased with our defense. Quality-wise it wasn't great--it was very good, just not great--Indy stilled gained on us pretty well. But that offense was still Indy's, we actually stuffed them effectively considering it was that offense (the score was just 9-0 at the half!) The best thing about our defense was that they just played with such heart. Could you see that? Seeing the sustained highly energized play of everyone, and knowing we have such dedicated young new players like Tamba Hali out there-- it was fun to watch this in our team.

Now, alas, the bad. And with all due respect to those guys, we lost this game for one reason, and you may know what it was. I'd been speaking about it all year long, in the hushest of tones hoping it wouldn't be as bad as it was, but, ahem, it was. This game exposed it in all its bright, wretched colors.

The offensive line.

No, no, no, it was not Trent Green that was the problem. About half-way into the third quarter the TV camera started regularly showing Damon Huard, as if to say, "When is Edwards going to put Huard in?" Some of us watching the game even got the Huard bug, hoping the coach would make the switch. It was at that point when Green came alive and for three (and only three) glorious minutes at the end of the third quarter, he went 6 for 6 and drove us down for a TD and 2-point conversion.

But that was it. Green would've done fine throughout the game, if he wasn't rushing every play because he knew he'd get clobbered. He had no time to pass, and Larry Johnson had nowhere to run. I can't believe for two seconds we have two pro-bowlers from that line. I'm sure the Will Shields pick was a gimme for a career of greatness, but today he was pathetic, as was the others. It was just a catastrophe.

Hey, don't take my word for it. Here's why: (1) The game: We didn't get our first first down until there was 3 minutes left in the third quarter. That's 42 minutes into the game. (2) Our defense: It just started getting really tired in the second half, and that was solely because they were on the field for so much of the game. (3) The opponent: The Colts didn't just have a poor run defense, they had one of the worst in all of NFL history. How in the world can your top-of-the-league back gain only 32 yards against that? Well, you know...

I should mention that some of that definitely had to have been the coaching. Again, sadly, our game plan went back to being unimaginative. The first play from scrimmage was the ol' "We know you have a bad run defense so we're going to run our best back right into a pile of your guys." They kind of knew that was coming and put their pile of guys right in the place they knew our guy would run.

After the game Edwards blabbed the typically gratuitous "Give 'em credit." Ergh. If he was totally honest he would have said, "Our offensive line stank, and I didn't mix things up enough to take advantage of their weaknesses." That would've told the real story.

A while ago I mentioned that this year seemed a lot like '96. But after looking at things, I realized this year was almost a carbon copy of '94. Remember that year? We started off well going 7-4, then lost three in row late (a couple were abject heartbreakers to Denver and Seattle) to go to 7-7, then had to beat the Raiders in LA to get into the playoffs with a 9-7 record. We then went to Miami and lost there 27-17 in Joe Montana's last game.

This brings up what may be our most harrowing nemesis problem: the old AFC East. Do you know that since the old AFC East was formed in 1970, a year after the Chiefs beat the Jets in the divisional playoff game on their way to the Super Bowl title, we have gone 0-9 against old AFC East teams in the playoffs. Yes, that means any time we faced one of those teams in the playoffs (Bal/Ind, Buf, Mia, NYJ, NE)-- nine times it's happened-- we've lost. Every single time. And in none of those games did we ever face New England! Imagine what that would've been like.

Anyway, here's the sordid record, listed by rating of crestfallen-ness from 1 to 10, 10 being the result brought about the greatest despondency-- to me anyway (though of course all of them were devestating to some degree).

1. 1990 - to the Dolphins. We were up 16-3 in the fourth quarter and Albert Lewis is just a nano-inch away from picking Marino's pass. Instead it goes for a TD and they end up winning 17-16. Rating: 10

2. 1995 - to the Colts. This was pound-for-pound probably the best team the Chiefs ever put on the field, and Steve Bono has a miserable game, Marty Schottenheimer coaches a miserable game, and Lin Elliot misses three gimme FG's. Rating: 10

3. 1971 - to the Dolphins. Jan Stenarud missed three FG's in that infamous long overtime game on Christmas day. Rating: 8 (Not a really high rating because I was still only ten years old, so afterwards I still slept that night)

4. 2003 - to the Colts. We started 9-0 that year, but our defense just continued the slide it started late in the regular season and we just can't keep up with Peyton Manning. Rating: 8

5. 1994 - to the Dolphins. Our very best skill players, Joe Montana, Marcus Allen, and Derrick Thomas each make critical, costly errors. Rating: 7

6. 1986 - to the Jets. Our first playoff game in 15 years, we're just outmatched. Todd Blackledge finally shows he can't be a major league QB. Rating: 6

7. 1993 - to the Bills. Just because we got into the AFC championship game, and were that close. But Joe Montana was knocked out early and it was freezing there-- we were just outplayed. Rating: 5

8. 1991 - to the Bills. The Bills were just a better team. Again, whadder-you gonna do. Rating: 4

9. 2006 - to the Colts. Yesterday's game. Again, that we were there was a bonus. I'd just reveled in us getting there and being in the "Realm of Playoff Existence" for a week. Rating: 4

So there ya go. We continue to have the third longest playoff win drought among all NFL teams. That's hard to believe, but yeah: our last playoff victory was back in '93 when we beat Houston (um, the Oilers, that tells you how long it's been). Every other team but four others have had at least one playoff win since then. (The Bengals [last playoff win in '90] and the Lions ['91] are two, and the new Browns and Texans haven't been in the league that long.)

Where do we go here? The O-line definitely needs something, something major, that's a given. We have to get a new kicker-- alas, the kicking curse came back real fast when our only FG attempt boinked off the upright. Oh joy, that was nice to see yet again.

And the QB situation-- is Trent Green really our guy? If we have to wait for Brodie Croyle to develop, might we think about trying to get a Jake Plummer or Drew Bledsoe for a year or two? Would that work? What do you think?

But hey, I must add another good thing, I just have to say it... our punter is awesome. Really, way to go Dustin Colquitt. Yesterday he was booming punts. Another very positive thing to look forward to.

Thing is, maybe next year we won't need to use him so much if we can get our offense going. It'll be interesting to see what happens-- hopefully Carl Peterson will continue to be a deftly impatient manager and make something happen.

Chiefs Playoff Berth - The Day-After Postscript

I simply can't go without blogging today with an important note about perspective. Yesterday was indeed a euphoric day, one that any fan of any given team gets very rarely.

But this morning I was stunned to see the Broncos' despair go from bad to abjectly wretched when learning about the senseless shooting death of their fine cornerback Darrent Williams. Some utterly reprobate individuals drove up next to his vehicle and sprayed it with bullets just hours after the Broncos lost. Was this somehow motivated by the loss? One of my first thoughts was of that Colombian goalkeeper a few years ago who was murdered by crazy fans after he inadvertently kicked a goal in for the other team costing them a critical World Cup match.

I just don't know. Should that matter? It is insane nonetheless.

I can only mention that after yesterday's events I realized that the Chiefs stuff only provides a fun but fleeting feeling of those things God wants us to enjoy-- relationship, accomplishment, discovery. Too many times I myself lose track of this and get consumed by the Chiefs stuff. This is not to say it isn't important, but it is really just the faintest image of what God actually has going in those areas.

All good things come from Him, and in light of horrific things like Williams' death, nothing about any Chiefs good thing means a damn. What counts is that He rescues from death and despair and He revels in our engagement with Kingdom things. That's where the genuine accomplishment lies. I pray the Williams family knows that, as well as Broncos and all NFL fans.

(If you're interested at all, I address the whole World vs. Kingdom environment a bit more at my other blog, Wonderful Matters.)