I had to put this special post here to make quite a striking announcement: no one in the history of sports fandom has had such a wide spacing of his two favorite sports teams' fortunes as that of the author of this site.
For you see, I am a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco Giants. These are indeed my two favorite sports teams. Just point of fact, I was born about 100 miles west of KC, near where most of my immediate ancestors established themselves, and two years later my folks moved to the Bay Area where I grew up for the next 15 formidable years of my life.
If you've been paying attention to anything sportsesque, you'd undoubtedly see that in the span of a scant eight hours, the divergence of the talent and success between these two teams has never been matched in the entire history of sports fandom. It's a record!
To wit, last night the Giants finished off the Detroit Tigers in a brilliant display of baseball playing excellence, team commitment, and managerial skill. They swept them in four straight games, doing everything it took to win. They didn't dominate the scoreboard, but their pitching, defense, and timely hitting was so superb that the Tigers only looked like were in any of these games. Since their last loss to the Cardinals on Thursday, October 18th, the Giants were behind in any game only for a length of two innings total (last night when they were briefly behind 2-1), a span covering seven games (last three against StL and all four against Det).
Meanwhile, there is the Kansas City Chiefs, a team in such disarray that they themselves only look like they belong in the NFL. The record-making point is that while the Giants only barely allowed a team to be slightly ahead once over the course of 64 total innings of play, the Chiefs have not been ahead at any point of 28 quarters of regulation play. This, by the way, has not been accomplished by any NFL team since 1940, and I don't even want to know which team that was -- far too frightening even during Halloween season. The Chiefs have only managed to bumble, bungle, fumble, flambongled everything they've tried, just generally fouling up every place they've played.
Look at it this way. San Francisco Giants: See that bright glistening star in the northern sky? That's them, about 57 gazillion light years from the Chiefs, which is -- well, out of modest respect, I'll just complete the metaphor this way -- compared to the Giants up there, the Chiefs are that really unsavory thing there lying along the base of your backyard fence over by the patchy dirt part, you know that thing there... okay, now you can use your own imagination.
And what I'm seeing is not something unusual at all. It just looks so stark with such a yawning difference. The key is the management. It is the whole ownership/management package. I know. I remember when this was abysmally ugly for the Giants. But today they've got in place an ownership group who is really on-the-ball. A president who has nurtured this team for many years and established the organization as one of the best in the majors. A general manager who's been able to hone his skills and develop into one of the best, sometimes doing what seems to be miracle work to assemble the very best team for right now. And a field manager who is at the same time tough and gentle, understanding and calculating, earthy and cerebral, and above all phenomenally respected.
The Chiefs? I'm starting to get real scared about the real leadership ability of Clark Hunt. If this year is a reflection of Scott Pioli's abilities then I'm extraordinarily scared that we did indeed hire a Joe Thomas and not a Bill Walsh. And Romeo Crennel is an unmitigated bust. We actually have some fine players! But they look like they really don't know what they're doing out there, where they are going on the field, or even what planet they're walking on. This is all on management and coaching. Ouch.
Meanwhile, the Giants are making me very happy right now. I'm walking a foot above the ground today just reveling in the utter awesomeness of yet another world championship for my baseball team.
Plus, for me as a fan, I've set a record!
Largest Spread of Goodness Value Between a Fan's Two Favorite Pro Sports Teams.
Awwright! (Or "Ohh no" as the case may be...)
_
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Raiders at Chiefs - Week 8 - Record: 1-6
I'm sure it has been considered a zillion times before when the Chiefs really suck, that the "KC" actually stands for "Keystone Cops" Chiefs. Needless to say, our Keystone Cops brand of football was showcased yet again today. We coughed up the ball like a wheezing asthmaniac, and even so I couldn't believe this, but our turnover obsession is reaching record levels. The guys on the broadcast today said if we keep it up we'll set an NFL record. Neat. Remember back in the '90's when our turnover ratio was something like +5,294? The Norse gods are just now getting around to punishing us for that.
The good news is that we're right on track for winning the Geno Smith-Matt Barkley-Collin Klein sweepstakes. I think it was said that we now have the worst record in the NFL. I don't know because I just blissfully don't look at the standings. But if so, good, okay, right on track. The big question for us now is whether we'll get a John Elway-Peyton Manning-Cam Newton type dude, or our pathetically wretched luck with drafted and developed quarterbacks will continue and we get a Ryan Leaf. So yeah, I'm still very nervous. We suck now and we'll suck in April. ::Sigh::
As it is, remember the second-to-the-last time the Chiefs beat the Raiders at Arrowhead? The game in 2005? Think now, if you follow the Chiefs but don't quite remember, I'll give you some hints.
At that time I'm pretty sure we'd already had a good streak of beating the Raiders a bunch of times in a row at Arrowhead. It was looking like the Raiders were going to end that streak on that day.
It was a close game, something the Chiefs have not been regularly played against the Raiders at Arrowhead even when they do lose.
It was an exciting game, going right down to the wire.
We were behind with less than a minute left, but we had the ball at around midfield.
On the next to last play of the game, quarterback Trent Green threw the clutch pass we needed.
Do you remember who it went to and what happened? I can tell some of you remember, because it really was one of the most thrilling moments in Arrowhead history.
The Raiders defenders dropped so deep into coverage that Green was able to dump the ball off to Larry Johnson who rambled for about 30 yards all the way down to the one-yard line with a scant second left on the clock. We were down by only three, but coach Dick Vermeil went for it, sending Johnson through the line and into the endzone for the game-winning touchdown as time expired.
Wow.
The old days.
::Sigh::
_
The good news is that we're right on track for winning the Geno Smith-Matt Barkley-Collin Klein sweepstakes. I think it was said that we now have the worst record in the NFL. I don't know because I just blissfully don't look at the standings. But if so, good, okay, right on track. The big question for us now is whether we'll get a John Elway-Peyton Manning-Cam Newton type dude, or our pathetically wretched luck with drafted and developed quarterbacks will continue and we get a Ryan Leaf. So yeah, I'm still very nervous. We suck now and we'll suck in April. ::Sigh::
As it is, remember the second-to-the-last time the Chiefs beat the Raiders at Arrowhead? The game in 2005? Think now, if you follow the Chiefs but don't quite remember, I'll give you some hints.
At that time I'm pretty sure we'd already had a good streak of beating the Raiders a bunch of times in a row at Arrowhead. It was looking like the Raiders were going to end that streak on that day.
It was a close game, something the Chiefs have not been regularly played against the Raiders at Arrowhead even when they do lose.
It was an exciting game, going right down to the wire.
We were behind with less than a minute left, but we had the ball at around midfield.
On the next to last play of the game, quarterback Trent Green threw the clutch pass we needed.
Do you remember who it went to and what happened? I can tell some of you remember, because it really was one of the most thrilling moments in Arrowhead history.
The Raiders defenders dropped so deep into coverage that Green was able to dump the ball off to Larry Johnson who rambled for about 30 yards all the way down to the one-yard line with a scant second left on the clock. We were down by only three, but coach Dick Vermeil went for it, sending Johnson through the line and into the endzone for the game-winning touchdown as time expired.
Wow.
The old days.
::Sigh::
_
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Wildcats at Mountaineers - Week 7 - Record: 7-0 (Chiefs Record: Still 1-5)
The Chiefs have a bye this weekend, and I simply couldn't help but get a post up on my blog about the football team most Kansas Citians are thinking about. No it isn't the Jayhawks, they're just as bad as the Chiefs. No, not the Tigers, they're kind of wallowing around being not-very-good themselves. (Unless of course you're talking about the Detroit Tigers, but that's baseball...)
No, it is the Kansas State Wildcats, who obliterated a good West Virginia team tonight. I mean really, how many Chiefs fans have said no fewer than 57 times so far this season, "At least there is the Wildcats!"
I really don't pay much attention to college football at all, but am kind of psyched about K-State. My folks went there and I myself was born in Manhattan. The school is actually on course to put itself in a position to actually -- if you can believe it -- challenge for a national title.
Now, I know it is college football and the Chiefs play in the NFL, okay, I got that, but I'm posting here to point out the light-years apart difference between the two teams. It doesn't matter what level you're at, if you can't fend off the four horsemen of the football apocalypse, you're toast.
The Wildcats are fantastic at keeping them in Siberia, the Chiefs have these guys in their backyard for barbeque every weekend.
What are the four horsemen?
They are turnovers, penalties, injuries, and bad calls wherever they come from.
Let's look at each one.
Turnovers. The Chiefs have a -15 turnover differential in six games. That's an average of almost three times more that the Chiefs fumble or throw picks than the Chiefs get those things. The Wildcats, on the other hand, picked off studly West Virginia QB Geno Smith twice tonight, and he hadn't thrown an interception all year.
Penalties. Do you remember the Jets game last year? I know I know it's last year, but stay with me. There was a point in that game when we had the ball on something like the Jets 4-yard line and then we started committing penalty after penalty after penalty, ending up on like our own 4-yard line with a 2nd-and-90. Actually, I think that was the game that finally got Todd Haley fired.
See, here's the thing. This year's Chiefs are still just a penalty waiting to happen. It isn't a disciplined team and it doesn't look like it is disciplined, ya know?
The Wildcats, however, are probably the most disciplined team in college football. They are so fundamentally sound across the board and it is a testament to the work of Bill Snyder, definitely. The insane thing is that any coach, really, could get his team to be sound as such, it's just getting your team to understand their roles, to know what to do, and to play smart.
Annnd what's the Chiefs coaches' excuse?
Injuries. This is not to blame anyone for this unfortunate reality, but it is a reality just the same. This year has been wretched for the Chiefs, just like last year. It may even be worse because I just don't see Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki back yet to their former selves. Jamaal Charles has looked like he's back, but then, is that going to last.
This year we've had our fine new center Rodney Hudson break his leg. Our two top signings in the off-season, Kevin Boss and Peyton Hillis are out -- and I'm just not sure how long they'll be gone but they haven't been seen for a long time. Half our D-backs were gone at the start of the season, and Glenn Dorsey's been out for a while.
Bad calls. If it is the referees making calls against us, we've had our share, especially in the Baltimore game. But the bad calls thing more importantly is about the bad play-calling and team-managing by the coaching staff. I really had high expectations for Romeo Crennel, hoping he'd coach more games like the one he did last year against Green Bay. Instead he's coached way more games like the one he did against Oakland. Ick.
Unimaginative, uninspired, unremarkable, unbelieveably astounding in its ineptitude. The Chiefs just aren't doing the things it can do to make the most of its best players. And the refs' poor calls will always come more against teams which everyone knows aren't just governed well from the sidelines.
Meanwhile, there's the Wildcats.
Proficient, deft, opportunistic, rigorously ruthless in its execution. An interesting and quite novel stat shown during tonight's game pointed out that in execution covering all aspects of the game, K-State ranks right at the top next to No. 1 ranked Alabama, with all other teams a bit farther back.
One of the keys to all this is with one of the most widely disparate characteristics of all, and that is quarterback (as it may go without saying). Collin Klein was Superman out there today, not just running for scores but throwing for them with pinpoint accuracy. He is now mentioned as a top top Heisman Trophy candidate.
Meanwhile, Matt Cassel is dead last among NFL quarterbacks in QB rating. The top few guys, people like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are above 100, the benchmark for QB excellence. Cassel is slogging along down there at 66-point-something. Ahem, he's even 33rd. There are only 32 teams in the NFL, the disparity coming because some team certainly has two of its guys in there somehow. Still.
(BTW, the only reason I know about the Cassel rating since I regularly never look at this stuff because it does, as you can easily see from this, drive me crazy, is because I was just doing a bit more Quarterback Project stuff -- just looking around at which QB's are future Hall-of-Famers. As I consider what to do with it you'll get to read it here, definitely.)
But, well, there ya go.
There's K-State.
And there's the KC Chiefs.
Yay for a bye (we can't lose!) and a splendid Wildcats rout of a top-20 team.
"At least there's the Wildcats!"
_
No, it is the Kansas State Wildcats, who obliterated a good West Virginia team tonight. I mean really, how many Chiefs fans have said no fewer than 57 times so far this season, "At least there is the Wildcats!"
I really don't pay much attention to college football at all, but am kind of psyched about K-State. My folks went there and I myself was born in Manhattan. The school is actually on course to put itself in a position to actually -- if you can believe it -- challenge for a national title.
Now, I know it is college football and the Chiefs play in the NFL, okay, I got that, but I'm posting here to point out the light-years apart difference between the two teams. It doesn't matter what level you're at, if you can't fend off the four horsemen of the football apocalypse, you're toast.
The Wildcats are fantastic at keeping them in Siberia, the Chiefs have these guys in their backyard for barbeque every weekend.
What are the four horsemen?
They are turnovers, penalties, injuries, and bad calls wherever they come from.
Let's look at each one.
Turnovers. The Chiefs have a -15 turnover differential in six games. That's an average of almost three times more that the Chiefs fumble or throw picks than the Chiefs get those things. The Wildcats, on the other hand, picked off studly West Virginia QB Geno Smith twice tonight, and he hadn't thrown an interception all year.
Penalties. Do you remember the Jets game last year? I know I know it's last year, but stay with me. There was a point in that game when we had the ball on something like the Jets 4-yard line and then we started committing penalty after penalty after penalty, ending up on like our own 4-yard line with a 2nd-and-90. Actually, I think that was the game that finally got Todd Haley fired.
See, here's the thing. This year's Chiefs are still just a penalty waiting to happen. It isn't a disciplined team and it doesn't look like it is disciplined, ya know?
The Wildcats, however, are probably the most disciplined team in college football. They are so fundamentally sound across the board and it is a testament to the work of Bill Snyder, definitely. The insane thing is that any coach, really, could get his team to be sound as such, it's just getting your team to understand their roles, to know what to do, and to play smart.
Annnd what's the Chiefs coaches' excuse?
Injuries. This is not to blame anyone for this unfortunate reality, but it is a reality just the same. This year has been wretched for the Chiefs, just like last year. It may even be worse because I just don't see Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki back yet to their former selves. Jamaal Charles has looked like he's back, but then, is that going to last.
This year we've had our fine new center Rodney Hudson break his leg. Our two top signings in the off-season, Kevin Boss and Peyton Hillis are out -- and I'm just not sure how long they'll be gone but they haven't been seen for a long time. Half our D-backs were gone at the start of the season, and Glenn Dorsey's been out for a while.
Bad calls. If it is the referees making calls against us, we've had our share, especially in the Baltimore game. But the bad calls thing more importantly is about the bad play-calling and team-managing by the coaching staff. I really had high expectations for Romeo Crennel, hoping he'd coach more games like the one he did last year against Green Bay. Instead he's coached way more games like the one he did against Oakland. Ick.
Unimaginative, uninspired, unremarkable, unbelieveably astounding in its ineptitude. The Chiefs just aren't doing the things it can do to make the most of its best players. And the refs' poor calls will always come more against teams which everyone knows aren't just governed well from the sidelines.
Meanwhile, there's the Wildcats.
Proficient, deft, opportunistic, rigorously ruthless in its execution. An interesting and quite novel stat shown during tonight's game pointed out that in execution covering all aspects of the game, K-State ranks right at the top next to No. 1 ranked Alabama, with all other teams a bit farther back.
One of the keys to all this is with one of the most widely disparate characteristics of all, and that is quarterback (as it may go without saying). Collin Klein was Superman out there today, not just running for scores but throwing for them with pinpoint accuracy. He is now mentioned as a top top Heisman Trophy candidate.
Meanwhile, Matt Cassel is dead last among NFL quarterbacks in QB rating. The top few guys, people like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are above 100, the benchmark for QB excellence. Cassel is slogging along down there at 66-point-something. Ahem, he's even 33rd. There are only 32 teams in the NFL, the disparity coming because some team certainly has two of its guys in there somehow. Still.
(BTW, the only reason I know about the Cassel rating since I regularly never look at this stuff because it does, as you can easily see from this, drive me crazy, is because I was just doing a bit more Quarterback Project stuff -- just looking around at which QB's are future Hall-of-Famers. As I consider what to do with it you'll get to read it here, definitely.)
But, well, there ya go.
There's K-State.
And there's the KC Chiefs.
Yay for a bye (we can't lose!) and a splendid Wildcats rout of a top-20 team.
"At least there's the Wildcats!"
_
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Chiefs at Buccaneers - Week 6 - Record: 1-5
Do you remember what happened the last time we played the Bucs? Back in 2008? I happened to see a replay of the play in the Chiefs Hall of Honor at Arrowhead when I was there last week. It was the very last play on the menu of a video feature there showing the greatest plays in Chiefs history.
On a flea-flicker Mark Bradley threw a long touchdown pass to quarterback Tyler Thigpen. It was a splendidly fun play, and you know something else about that play? It put us up 21-3. Yeah, a big Chiefs lead -- that we later squandered. We lost the game.
Well, that's about it for Chiefs highlights. A nifty play four years ago against the Buccaneers.
I will say that we actually do one thing really well. We actually have a terrific punt team, both kicking and returning. Today Colquitt blasted punts and our down guys pinned them within the 5 a couple of times. Our touchdown on the day was off a blocked punt. Yay!
But that's it. Kinda depressing when the one great Chiefs thing we have -- our punter -- is the exact same thing that was remotely great back in the woeful years of '07-'09.
This team is so miles from being in any playoff contention it isn't even funny. I'm back to hoping that we just don't win many more games so we can truly actually really have a shot at someone like Geno Smith. And ya know?
I just don't think it's going to be that hard to do that.
Top-to-bottom we stank.
I'd like to start at the top with Scott Pioli, who I'd heard during the gamecast was offered a new extension. I know that's going to rile a lot of Chiefs fans, but for me, I'd still like to see what the guy can do. Yes, his two major bonehead moves loom so gargantuously over this team: Taking Tyson Jackson with the third overall pick in the draft and sticking with Matt Cassel for eons and eons and eons of time. Just those moves alone are so huge that I just don't know if his reputation can recover, but that call is still for another day.
Then you've got Romeo Crennel. Sorry but I am getting more and more disillusioned with the guy. Today's offense was spittle, and our defense was worse. There were a few plays in which the ball just bounced their way, but we still looked timid and weak in all facets of the game. Our play-making is getting no separation on defenders at all, and our defense is still looking too much like the "Chinese fire drill" out there.
The stats were extraordinarily ugly, and they just don't stop. They mentioned it again -- forgive me I don't remember, I've lost count anyway, but it is something like 25 or 26 straight games now with no opening drive TD. We have a turnover differential of something like -15, which after six games is phenomenally abysmal. We've won three games at Arrowhead in the last 13 -- can you even believe that. And how about this gem: The last time any team went this long without ever leading in any game at any point to open the season was in 1983. They didn't mention which team it was, but it must've been some really wretched team.
The key is that we just don't got it at the line on either side of the ball. The D-line has already been a bust. All those high draft picks? Just not getting it done. Their QB Josh Freeman had all day to throw, to wide receivers who just made our guys look silly. In fact, I've always sung the praises of our D-backs, and bless them they played hard out there, but have you noticed that teams with big strong receivers just overpower our guys who are just a bit smaller than they are? We've had that problem with the Chargers forever.
Our O-line was non-existent today. The Buccaneers front seven spent more time in our backfield than our quarterback's rear end did.
And then there's the quarterback. I could say they should keep Brady Quinn in there, and he did decently (hey, he threw to the tight ends! Yay!) but at this point it really doesn't matter. Go ahead, put Matt Cassel back in. Heck, put Brian Daboll in. Put in the guy from the stands who waves around the cotton candy palette. Who cares.
Quarterback Project, people.
It just won't matter until we get that guy.
So much of what we can do relies on having That Guy -- note: IN CAPS.
Even on defense it makes a major difference because the best QB's control the tempo of the game giving the defense the chance to rest and get a rhythm.
If we get That Guy in the draft next year, and he does what he should do, then Clark could pay Scott a trillion dollars a year for the next 57 years and it won't be enough.
So yeah, from now on -- until we can actually get him and watch him win Super Bowls for us -- That Guy will henceforth be known in its proper noun form, with the caps.
It's the only hope we got.
_
On a flea-flicker Mark Bradley threw a long touchdown pass to quarterback Tyler Thigpen. It was a splendidly fun play, and you know something else about that play? It put us up 21-3. Yeah, a big Chiefs lead -- that we later squandered. We lost the game.
Well, that's about it for Chiefs highlights. A nifty play four years ago against the Buccaneers.
I will say that we actually do one thing really well. We actually have a terrific punt team, both kicking and returning. Today Colquitt blasted punts and our down guys pinned them within the 5 a couple of times. Our touchdown on the day was off a blocked punt. Yay!
But that's it. Kinda depressing when the one great Chiefs thing we have -- our punter -- is the exact same thing that was remotely great back in the woeful years of '07-'09.
This team is so miles from being in any playoff contention it isn't even funny. I'm back to hoping that we just don't win many more games so we can truly actually really have a shot at someone like Geno Smith. And ya know?
I just don't think it's going to be that hard to do that.
Top-to-bottom we stank.
I'd like to start at the top with Scott Pioli, who I'd heard during the gamecast was offered a new extension. I know that's going to rile a lot of Chiefs fans, but for me, I'd still like to see what the guy can do. Yes, his two major bonehead moves loom so gargantuously over this team: Taking Tyson Jackson with the third overall pick in the draft and sticking with Matt Cassel for eons and eons and eons of time. Just those moves alone are so huge that I just don't know if his reputation can recover, but that call is still for another day.
Then you've got Romeo Crennel. Sorry but I am getting more and more disillusioned with the guy. Today's offense was spittle, and our defense was worse. There were a few plays in which the ball just bounced their way, but we still looked timid and weak in all facets of the game. Our play-making is getting no separation on defenders at all, and our defense is still looking too much like the "Chinese fire drill" out there.
The stats were extraordinarily ugly, and they just don't stop. They mentioned it again -- forgive me I don't remember, I've lost count anyway, but it is something like 25 or 26 straight games now with no opening drive TD. We have a turnover differential of something like -15, which after six games is phenomenally abysmal. We've won three games at Arrowhead in the last 13 -- can you even believe that. And how about this gem: The last time any team went this long without ever leading in any game at any point to open the season was in 1983. They didn't mention which team it was, but it must've been some really wretched team.
The key is that we just don't got it at the line on either side of the ball. The D-line has already been a bust. All those high draft picks? Just not getting it done. Their QB Josh Freeman had all day to throw, to wide receivers who just made our guys look silly. In fact, I've always sung the praises of our D-backs, and bless them they played hard out there, but have you noticed that teams with big strong receivers just overpower our guys who are just a bit smaller than they are? We've had that problem with the Chargers forever.
Our O-line was non-existent today. The Buccaneers front seven spent more time in our backfield than our quarterback's rear end did.
And then there's the quarterback. I could say they should keep Brady Quinn in there, and he did decently (hey, he threw to the tight ends! Yay!) but at this point it really doesn't matter. Go ahead, put Matt Cassel back in. Heck, put Brian Daboll in. Put in the guy from the stands who waves around the cotton candy palette. Who cares.
Quarterback Project, people.
It just won't matter until we get that guy.
So much of what we can do relies on having That Guy -- note: IN CAPS.
Even on defense it makes a major difference because the best QB's control the tempo of the game giving the defense the chance to rest and get a rhythm.
If we get That Guy in the draft next year, and he does what he should do, then Clark could pay Scott a trillion dollars a year for the next 57 years and it won't be enough.
So yeah, from now on -- until we can actually get him and watch him win Super Bowls for us -- That Guy will henceforth be known in its proper noun form, with the caps.
It's the only hope we got.
_
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Ravens at Chiefs - The Final Word(s)
So much was obviously eventful Sunday that I've got to take one last Chiefs Game Today post to pack it all in. My first visit to Arrowhead since 1987 coinciding with the major news story about a few embarrassing Chiefs fans spouting off was at the top of the list. But I did want to get a few other things down, and in the interest of brevity I'll preface each with some of the considered opening lines I thought I'd use for the single post I was hoping to write, and then provide the key thoughts in each.
"Bring back the replacement refs!" One of the most prominent features of this game was the absolutely wretched calls by the refs. I always knew that bringing back the regulars would mean much more of what they are so good at, overofficiating. Some of the most egregious calls, of course, went against us, and they really did cost us the game. Oh there were a lot of things we were responsible for, definitely, but here was the ugly:
- The non-pass-interference call against Jon Baldwin. Late in the game he was totally mugged on a sideline route that clearly worked against him trying to grab the pass. Thing is, I believe if Cassel had thrown the ball better, it would've been an easier call for the official to make.
- The touchdown pass from Quinn to Bowe nullified because it was interpreted that Dexter McCluster picked Bowe's defender. It looked to me like McCluster was just running his route. The refs called that against us once earlier in the game, too, but never mind that the Falcons did that exact same thing to us in the first game but the referees seemed to not mind much then.
- The non-fumble by Joe Flacco when he was still moving forward. Yes I know it could be considered that he was "in the grasp," and I'm great with that rule designed to protect the quarterback, but the fact is it is never called. It just never is. If he wasn't "in the grasp," then why did the refs blow the whistle? Ahh, yes, forgot, they're the regular refs.
"300 games without a playoff win" My cousin living near Kansas City put up a great Reddit piece about who our starting QB's have been since we last won a playoff game. It is a splendid augmentation to The Quarterback Project, but the other notable thing was that streak of games-sans-a-playoff-win. Well, Sunday's game was the 300th in the streak.
It was funny, during the game announcer Mitch Holthus was honored for working his 300th Chiefs game. "Guh?" I said to myself. I'm sure his streak didn't start with the Buffalo playoff loss in 1994 and instead included lots of exhibition games. But still, I couldn't help but think that Holthus' ancestors had to have first built their homes on the sacred burial grounds of the American Indians before Arrowhead was built there.
"The Unimaginarium of Romeo Crennel" Throughout the game I was going crazy wondering why our head coach doesn't mix it up. It was Charles right, Draughn left, Draughn right, Charles left. How about some play action that would've easily frozen the Ravens defense? Come on Romeo! Or come on Brian Daboll our offensive coordinator! What's with you?!! The worst was the end of a terrific drive in the middle of the first half when we got into Ravens territory only to see Shaun Draughn carry the ball three straight times. Errrrck...
Of course you can't deny that some of their timidity was because they just have no confidence in their passer, and if that's the case, then again, what is Matt Cassel doing in there? It is funny (just one more word on the Matt Cassel incident) at the rental car place before the game I was talking Chiefs with the guy there, and the Brady-replacing-Bledsoe thing came up and I mentioned, "But come on, do we have to have Cassel get injured to get someone who can't be any worse in there?" Yes, when Cassel was on the turf I did think about that, and after praying for our quarterback I also thought "Shame on the Chiefs management for actually letting it come to this."
But then that's why the sentiment is quite pronounced to fire Scott Pioli. I'm going to have to get back to him in another post.
"The Red and Gold Tailgating and Hall of Honor Extravaganza" I have to conclude with mention of the whole Arrowhead experience.
I knew the tailgating would be extraordinary, but I didn't know how thoroughly wall-to-wall it was. I mean you simply could not walk anywhere in the parking lot without swimming through an ocean of tailgaters. It was a lot of fun mixing it up with a lot of them. And all the Chiefs-mobiles and teepees and crazy outfits -- it was a blast!
Then there was the Hall of Honor. How great was that. Just seeing this state-of-the art Chiefs museum was incredible. I don't know how many other stadiums have such a place for their teams, but this was special for a number of reasons.
First, the Super Bowl Trophy was there. Getting my picture next to it was one of my top goals for the day. And I did!
Second, there was a whole exhibit about the AFL. How awesome was that! In respect to all the teams the Chiefs played against in the historic league they had helmets and artifacts from those teams prominently on display. Yes -- gulp -- even the Raiders were featured! Now that's class.
And third, this one was about the Chiefs. All their great players and games and historic events were showcased. And it was just beautifully done.
I must also add that I was able to enjoy getting nachos way high up in Arrowhead's new addition on the west side of the stadium, and got to behold the city and the state of Kansas on this gorgeous sunny day through brilliant picture windows stretching from floor to ceiling.
There is no question Chiefs fans have it made. No matter what they think of the quarterback or the management or anything else Chiefs, they are very privileged to gloriously benefit from a Chiefs organization that does think tremendously highly of them.
Thank you Eric Winston and anyone else who sticks up for the Chiefs, for your principled resolve. Maybe some who don't know that true Chiefs commitment and devotion will see it and appreciate it.
(Oh, yeah! And one last thing! Michael MacCambridge's much-anticipated biogaphy on Lamar Hunt just came out -- appropriately for such a time as this! I haven't got it yet but will soon!)
_
"Bring back the replacement refs!" One of the most prominent features of this game was the absolutely wretched calls by the refs. I always knew that bringing back the regulars would mean much more of what they are so good at, overofficiating. Some of the most egregious calls, of course, went against us, and they really did cost us the game. Oh there were a lot of things we were responsible for, definitely, but here was the ugly:
- The non-pass-interference call against Jon Baldwin. Late in the game he was totally mugged on a sideline route that clearly worked against him trying to grab the pass. Thing is, I believe if Cassel had thrown the ball better, it would've been an easier call for the official to make.
- The touchdown pass from Quinn to Bowe nullified because it was interpreted that Dexter McCluster picked Bowe's defender. It looked to me like McCluster was just running his route. The refs called that against us once earlier in the game, too, but never mind that the Falcons did that exact same thing to us in the first game but the referees seemed to not mind much then.
- The non-fumble by Joe Flacco when he was still moving forward. Yes I know it could be considered that he was "in the grasp," and I'm great with that rule designed to protect the quarterback, but the fact is it is never called. It just never is. If he wasn't "in the grasp," then why did the refs blow the whistle? Ahh, yes, forgot, they're the regular refs.
"300 games without a playoff win" My cousin living near Kansas City put up a great Reddit piece about who our starting QB's have been since we last won a playoff game. It is a splendid augmentation to The Quarterback Project, but the other notable thing was that streak of games-sans-a-playoff-win. Well, Sunday's game was the 300th in the streak.
It was funny, during the game announcer Mitch Holthus was honored for working his 300th Chiefs game. "Guh?" I said to myself. I'm sure his streak didn't start with the Buffalo playoff loss in 1994 and instead included lots of exhibition games. But still, I couldn't help but think that Holthus' ancestors had to have first built their homes on the sacred burial grounds of the American Indians before Arrowhead was built there.
"The Unimaginarium of Romeo Crennel" Throughout the game I was going crazy wondering why our head coach doesn't mix it up. It was Charles right, Draughn left, Draughn right, Charles left. How about some play action that would've easily frozen the Ravens defense? Come on Romeo! Or come on Brian Daboll our offensive coordinator! What's with you?!! The worst was the end of a terrific drive in the middle of the first half when we got into Ravens territory only to see Shaun Draughn carry the ball three straight times. Errrrck...
Of course you can't deny that some of their timidity was because they just have no confidence in their passer, and if that's the case, then again, what is Matt Cassel doing in there? It is funny (just one more word on the Matt Cassel incident) at the rental car place before the game I was talking Chiefs with the guy there, and the Brady-replacing-Bledsoe thing came up and I mentioned, "But come on, do we have to have Cassel get injured to get someone who can't be any worse in there?" Yes, when Cassel was on the turf I did think about that, and after praying for our quarterback I also thought "Shame on the Chiefs management for actually letting it come to this."
But then that's why the sentiment is quite pronounced to fire Scott Pioli. I'm going to have to get back to him in another post.
"The Red and Gold Tailgating and Hall of Honor Extravaganza" I have to conclude with mention of the whole Arrowhead experience.
I knew the tailgating would be extraordinary, but I didn't know how thoroughly wall-to-wall it was. I mean you simply could not walk anywhere in the parking lot without swimming through an ocean of tailgaters. It was a lot of fun mixing it up with a lot of them. And all the Chiefs-mobiles and teepees and crazy outfits -- it was a blast!
Then there was the Hall of Honor. How great was that. Just seeing this state-of-the art Chiefs museum was incredible. I don't know how many other stadiums have such a place for their teams, but this was special for a number of reasons.
First, the Super Bowl Trophy was there. Getting my picture next to it was one of my top goals for the day. And I did!
Second, there was a whole exhibit about the AFL. How awesome was that! In respect to all the teams the Chiefs played against in the historic league they had helmets and artifacts from those teams prominently on display. Yes -- gulp -- even the Raiders were featured! Now that's class.
And third, this one was about the Chiefs. All their great players and games and historic events were showcased. And it was just beautifully done.
I must also add that I was able to enjoy getting nachos way high up in Arrowhead's new addition on the west side of the stadium, and got to behold the city and the state of Kansas on this gorgeous sunny day through brilliant picture windows stretching from floor to ceiling.
There is no question Chiefs fans have it made. No matter what they think of the quarterback or the management or anything else Chiefs, they are very privileged to gloriously benefit from a Chiefs organization that does think tremendously highly of them.
Thank you Eric Winston and anyone else who sticks up for the Chiefs, for your principled resolve. Maybe some who don't know that true Chiefs commitment and devotion will see it and appreciate it.
(Oh, yeah! And one last thing! Michael MacCambridge's much-anticipated biogaphy on Lamar Hunt just came out -- appropriately for such a time as this! I haven't got it yet but will soon!)
_
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Ravens at Chiefs - The Game Continues
I can't help but continue this ongoing blog post in response to the events of Sunday. I've rarely ever done more than one blog post per game, just offering my humble take, getting it all down and then done. Sometimes the take is a bit more elaborate than others, other times it is briefer, even terse. But this is a special circumstance, not just because I was at the game in person, but because of the apparently much wider attention this game has received.
As you know I go out of my way to deliberately avoid giving attention to any sports news other than what happens during that three hour time span on Sunday. I do this in large part to keep my sanity. Because of that I've not seen or heard anything about those events.
And yet my Chiefs radar can't help but pick up, from a couple of random sources, that the injured Cassel vs. the irate fans rhubarb has indeed ascended to national news coverage.
I love Chiefs coverage in the national news. That's awesome. But this...
This is just the worst.
That a smattering of idiots who cheer an unconscious Matt Cassel can captivate the mainstream media who'll only use this to try to show what an idiotic place all of Kansas City is. That's simply what I'm thinking is happening.
Now again, I don't know a thing about what's being shared out there -- in a very profound sense I really don't want to know. I did catch that one of our offensive linemen (the people who shared this with me did not know who it was) gave quite a tongue-lashing to those idiot fans, as well he should. Good for him. And good for him to have a platform to stand up for his teammate.
But here's the thing. And this is an honest question from an inquisitive fan who just doesn't know -- and in a sense is in the best position to sincerely ask the question:
Who are the people who are the ones being interpreted to be there at the business end of the lashing?
Was this lineman (okay okay, I looked it up just now...) Was Eric Winston perceived as having at it with those particular fans?
Or was all of this attention made to look like all Chiefs fans are a bunch of brainless cretins?
I'm not even trying to say I'm all Mr. Ultracongenialspecialdude. But I will say that Sunday I met a whole bunch of people much like many Kansas Citians I know who love the Chiefs, cheer the Chiefs, and actually have some modicum of liking for each Chiefs player out there trying to do the very best he can including Matt Cassel.
Those fans cheering Cassel's misfortune are only linked to us by similar red and gold attire. It'd be nice if they grew up, and I'd love to have a gentle but firm word with them too. Not just about their idiocy but about any antagonism they'd have to Winston calling them out. Sorry, but take it as it's meant and get a clue. None of us want Cassel starting at quarterback. All of us want Pioli to admit he made a mistake and get over it.
But at the least all of them are still doing their job as they know best to win games for the Chiefs.
Just looking at this game I really do feel this could be a special game for the Chiefs as a team. I think the players and coaches could see this as a critical rallying point.
Regarding the game, seeing that they did actually play very well against a very good team in spite of those ugly ref calls.
And regarding the Cassel thing, seeing that they notice waaay more Chiefs fans mature and dignified enough to know better and who do really care deeply about how all of them do. And not just as players but as people.
And regarding this AFC West, come on, this thing is still up for grabs, people!
More to come in my next "Ravens at Chiefs" post!
_
As you know I go out of my way to deliberately avoid giving attention to any sports news other than what happens during that three hour time span on Sunday. I do this in large part to keep my sanity. Because of that I've not seen or heard anything about those events.
And yet my Chiefs radar can't help but pick up, from a couple of random sources, that the injured Cassel vs. the irate fans rhubarb has indeed ascended to national news coverage.
I love Chiefs coverage in the national news. That's awesome. But this...
This is just the worst.
That a smattering of idiots who cheer an unconscious Matt Cassel can captivate the mainstream media who'll only use this to try to show what an idiotic place all of Kansas City is. That's simply what I'm thinking is happening.
Now again, I don't know a thing about what's being shared out there -- in a very profound sense I really don't want to know. I did catch that one of our offensive linemen (the people who shared this with me did not know who it was) gave quite a tongue-lashing to those idiot fans, as well he should. Good for him. And good for him to have a platform to stand up for his teammate.
But here's the thing. And this is an honest question from an inquisitive fan who just doesn't know -- and in a sense is in the best position to sincerely ask the question:
Who are the people who are the ones being interpreted to be there at the business end of the lashing?
Was this lineman (okay okay, I looked it up just now...) Was Eric Winston perceived as having at it with those particular fans?
Or was all of this attention made to look like all Chiefs fans are a bunch of brainless cretins?
I'm not even trying to say I'm all Mr. Ultracongenialspecialdude. But I will say that Sunday I met a whole bunch of people much like many Kansas Citians I know who love the Chiefs, cheer the Chiefs, and actually have some modicum of liking for each Chiefs player out there trying to do the very best he can including Matt Cassel.
Those fans cheering Cassel's misfortune are only linked to us by similar red and gold attire. It'd be nice if they grew up, and I'd love to have a gentle but firm word with them too. Not just about their idiocy but about any antagonism they'd have to Winston calling them out. Sorry, but take it as it's meant and get a clue. None of us want Cassel starting at quarterback. All of us want Pioli to admit he made a mistake and get over it.
But at the least all of them are still doing their job as they know best to win games for the Chiefs.
Just looking at this game I really do feel this could be a special game for the Chiefs as a team. I think the players and coaches could see this as a critical rallying point.
Regarding the game, seeing that they did actually play very well against a very good team in spite of those ugly ref calls.
And regarding the Cassel thing, seeing that they notice waaay more Chiefs fans mature and dignified enough to know better and who do really care deeply about how all of them do. And not just as players but as people.
And regarding this AFC West, come on, this thing is still up for grabs, people!
More to come in my next "Ravens at Chiefs" post!
_
Monday, October 08, 2012
Ravens at Chiefs - Week 5 - Record: 1-4
I am so eager to put up that full rich post and I'm going crazy not being able to. As you know yesterday I was privileged to enjoy the transcendant experience of being at Arrowhead to watch my favorite team play football. I so much want to put in the time and energy it takes to blog on it all, and I will. But my workload right now is so numbingly oppressive that I won't be able to get to it all in right away.
So with the intention of making this a well-merited two-parter, I can take a quick moment to get right to the one issue that even some of my students mentioned today, and I'm sure most Kansas Citians were intensely conversing about at some length.
The Matt Cassel incident.
With a few minutes left of game time, the Chiefs were around midfield, down 9-3, when Cassel was laid out flat on the turf. Immediately something happened that I actually figured was going to happen when he just didn't get up.
Chiefs fans were going to cheer.
And far too many did.
There really weren't a lot of them who did, but enough did to make a good dent in the air. I must say that at that moment I instinctively shouted with some reasonable volume, "No cheering!" I shouted it a couple of times, and mentioned to the gentlemen in front of me, "Yes, we all know we need a new quarterback, but you don't cheer here." They fully agreed, and I know most Chiefs fans did.
What is so disappointing is that people watching the game around the country heard that and thought about Chiefs fans as a bunch of louts. And ya know? Some are. It was disappointing to see that a few people I was in the stands with were drunk swearing pukes whose only redeeming quality is that they had red and gold on. That was sad.
But I also know that most Chiefs fans are pretty decent people who don't want to see anyone get injured, they enjoy seeing a good game, and they do really care about every Chiefs player no matter who they are.
Yes we do need a new, better quarterback. Brady Quinn did come in and lead us to a game-winning, stupid-ref-call-nullifying touchdown (more on that next time). Before the game a plane flew around the stadium with a banner reading "WE DESERVE BETTER: FIRE PIOLI, BENCH CASSEL."
Every Chiefs fan knows what the deal is with Matt Cassel.
It just takes quite a bit more maturity to behave in such a way that football or even the Chiefs do not take precedence over civility, dignity, and respect for human beings. And I believe most Chiefs fans do behave that way, and it was an honor to watch our team work as hard as they did to play well in a game they really should've won.
More on that next time with a deeper analysis of the team effects of the whole Cassel situation!
I can't wait!
_
So with the intention of making this a well-merited two-parter, I can take a quick moment to get right to the one issue that even some of my students mentioned today, and I'm sure most Kansas Citians were intensely conversing about at some length.
The Matt Cassel incident.
With a few minutes left of game time, the Chiefs were around midfield, down 9-3, when Cassel was laid out flat on the turf. Immediately something happened that I actually figured was going to happen when he just didn't get up.
Chiefs fans were going to cheer.
And far too many did.
There really weren't a lot of them who did, but enough did to make a good dent in the air. I must say that at that moment I instinctively shouted with some reasonable volume, "No cheering!" I shouted it a couple of times, and mentioned to the gentlemen in front of me, "Yes, we all know we need a new quarterback, but you don't cheer here." They fully agreed, and I know most Chiefs fans did.
What is so disappointing is that people watching the game around the country heard that and thought about Chiefs fans as a bunch of louts. And ya know? Some are. It was disappointing to see that a few people I was in the stands with were drunk swearing pukes whose only redeeming quality is that they had red and gold on. That was sad.
But I also know that most Chiefs fans are pretty decent people who don't want to see anyone get injured, they enjoy seeing a good game, and they do really care about every Chiefs player no matter who they are.
Yes we do need a new, better quarterback. Brady Quinn did come in and lead us to a game-winning, stupid-ref-call-nullifying touchdown (more on that next time). Before the game a plane flew around the stadium with a banner reading "WE DESERVE BETTER: FIRE PIOLI, BENCH CASSEL."
Every Chiefs fan knows what the deal is with Matt Cassel.
It just takes quite a bit more maturity to behave in such a way that football or even the Chiefs do not take precedence over civility, dignity, and respect for human beings. And I believe most Chiefs fans do behave that way, and it was an honor to watch our team work as hard as they did to play well in a game they really should've won.
More on that next time with a deeper analysis of the team effects of the whole Cassel situation!
I can't wait!
_
Ravens at Chiefs - Posting Soon!
This was the game! The one I was able to see in person! At Arrowhead! Wow!!!
Thing is, I arrived home here in California late last night, went right to bed, got up this morning and am now in the middle of a full day's work. But I want to offer a full rich blog post about it all!
IT'LL BE RIGHT HERE SHORTLY!
_
Thing is, I arrived home here in California late last night, went right to bed, got up this morning and am now in the middle of a full day's work. But I want to offer a full rich blog post about it all!
IT'LL BE RIGHT HERE SHORTLY!
_
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