Soap Box…
Well, it appears we can all exhale our collective breaths, Glenn Dorsey’s knee is not as bad as what some felt it might be and worst-case scenario has Albert out 3 weeks, perhaps 4 with a bad foot. You might have been one of those fans that was ready and willing (unfortunately) to go ahead and prepare yourself to write the season off since the two number one draft picks were both injured, not knowing for how long. I mean after all, these two picks were going to catapult the Chiefs into the playoffs, maybe even a Super Bowl. Right? WRONG!
Don’t ever forget that football is the ultimate team sport, unlike any other not only in this country but around the world. Is it gut wrenching to see the top first round picks go down with injuries in training camp? Absolutely. Does it hinder their progress and development not getting to participate in drills and practice? Absolutely. Will it cost the Chiefs games during the regular season? Absolutely-NOT!
If you have faith in what Herman Edwards and Carl Peterson have done the past three years then you have to believe that the players that will be plugged into Dorsey’s and Albert’s position respectively will be more than capable of holding their own. Not just in practice against their fellow Chiefs players-oh no-but also against the starting line ups of every team on the schedule.
Listen, we have no idea how long they will be unavailable, it could be a couple weeks into the regular season, and then think how far they will be behind then. I have faith that the men Herm plugs into the starting line up this Thursday against the Bears and beyond will be ready to go and itching to prove their worth.
Will they be as good and Glenn and Branden (that’s right, I’m spelling it correctly) in the long run? Well, I’m not ready to go that far…yet.
Other Things…
Some in the professional media and amateur have declared the offense is going to stink it up this year. Not so fast my friend-as Lee Corso would scream. Apparently Brodie Croyle and Dwayne Bowe are on the same page and perhaps ready to write their own book this coming season. I can’t wait to see Croyle in action against the Bears.
I was anxious to see if anybody emerged as a clear-cut favorite to play left defensive end for three downs. So far it looks like Boone and McBride are the only ones really able to practice-injuries have slowed Johnson and Johnston. Hopefully this week the competition can resume.
Here’s a point I would like to make. I have read several comments and/or articles pining about how sad it is to watch Will Svitek starting on the third string and not being able to hold his own. Blah, blah, blah-good news if you ask me. Will started games for the Chiefs last year. I’ll repeat that if you need me too. WILL SVITEK STARTED SOME GAMES FOR THE CHIEFS ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE LAST YEAR. The offensive line was horrid, the very fact this man is on the third string and was starting at the end of last year is maybe the best news to come out of camp. And don’t give me that “but he was injured” crap either, all football players are injured one way or another. Him playing on the third string and struggling says a lot about the talent now on the Chiefs roster.
I think it’s funny how Herm Edwards likes to gamble with the roster of this football team. Remember after last season, he said they (Carl and Herm) ”took a gamble” with older more veteran players to suit up and get after it on the offensive line? Obviously that gamble failed miserably. And now there is this quote from Herm;
“You are taking a gamble any time you go with as many young players as we are,” said Edwards.
“There is always a risk. But what you build in this case is something that will last, not a one-year wonder.”
“Come on Herm….Chiefs need a new pair of shoes”… he said as he through the dice down the alley.
I was as disappointed as the next guy or gal when I learned Jared Allen didn’t show up for the little reunion. Were you disappointed or glad he stayed away?
What I’m looking for this week…
I’m going to keep saying it and you guys are going to be sick of reading it…BUT. I’m looking forward to reading and seeing some more of DaJuan Morgan. He is going to start in front of Bernard Pollard…have you wrote it down yet?
I really do hope someone, anyone, grabs a hold of the left end position and makes it theirs.
War Paint Ill. does a good job on the updates from River Falls, they seem to really be enthralled with Gunther Cunningham however. If you want to know what the linebackers are up to be sure to head over there. I think it will be interesting to continue to watch the Pat Thomas show. Did this guy kind of come out of no where or is that just me?
I want to see if Brodie and Dwayne can keep on keeping on. If the offense can continue to improve, there is no reason to think the Chiefs are going to “suck” this year as so many have projected.
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WOW. That could have been split into like 6 different posts if you’d wanted.
- I’m still disappointed that Albert and Dorsey are injured, but at least it won’t last into the season. But I do think having only one or two players out can win and lose you games. That’s why you upgrade positions: to give your team a better chance to win. Now I’m not saying Albert and/or Dorsey will single-handedly lose the Chiefs a game just by not being present in it, but still.
- The haters can suck it. Dwayne Bowe entering his second season, Brodie Croyle showing promise, Larry Johnson healthy and probably chomping at the bits to get going, Tony Gonzalez still being Tony Gonzalez, plus an (at least slightly) improved O-line and the additions of players like Jamaal Charles, Devard Darling, and Will Franklin are things for fans of offensive football and the Chiefs to look forward to. Oh shit, did I forget to mention new OC Chan Gailey (who, btw, has never been associated with a losing team as far as I know). And look at it this way: the offense really can’t be any worse than it was last year.
- I was disappointed that Jared Allen stayed away from River Falls. I was also disappointed that neither Pat Williams nor Kevin Williams were there. I was hoping for more of a real test for the offense. Oh well.
- DaJuan Morgan will not take Bernard Pollard’s job barring injury. You can right that down and stick it on your fridge.
- Looking forward to seeing what our young defense will do this year. Here’s to hoping it cracks the Top 10. That’s when we know we’re making real progress.
Great post…
Now, I must vehemently disagree about Pollard. St. Bernard the Bonecrusher has lost 15-20 pounds and has really started to turn it up after a slow start. I think DaJaun Morgan gave him the push he needed. As I always say–and I’m not the only one–competition breeds success.
And I couldn’t agree with you more on Svitek. Route 71 was a pipeline to QBs. I will never forget what Will Smith did to him last preseason. He was so bad I think Hollywood’s Will Smith could have made those sacks…
http://arrowheadaddict.com/2007/12/12/you-can-go-anywhere-you-want-on/
Oh my god “Route 71″. That’s hilarious.
Considering how he’s played, he deserves it!
We were trying to sell buttons with Route 71 for awhile. Might have to look for that image again, lol
Adam–you might be right about Pollard, I will eat crow and admit when I’m wrong, no problem. However, don’t forget what I posted a couple weeks ago when I first brought up the point of Morgan starting over Pollard. Regardless of if he does or doesn’t, his prescence will make the Chiefs safeties better…one way or another. If Pollard beats him out, then great, I’m all for it and by all accounts, they are even. Morgan won round one, but Pollard seems to be stepping up to the challenge as of late.
Whoever wins the starting nod, we all win as Chiefs fans. Agree?
Route 71…LOL…
Jordan Black anyone I-75???
I-65…
And, yes, we all do win as Chiefs fans. Also, I must admit, the Boncrusher is one of my favorite Chiefs. Big Pollard fan. I like Morgan, too. I honestly wish he’d take Page’s job, but the Chiefs seem to love Page. Maybe they’ve seen something I haven’t, other than a few clutch playe here and there.
I’m glad to see Croyle is emerging and connecting with Bowe well. I was trying to remember which site we did the live draft blog with and i couldn’t remember if it was here or arrowhead pride.
BUT
If it was here, some of you may remember my Colt Brennan lobbying, and though it was laughed at or written off by most (and i dont think hed have fit here anyway) I would have to say the guy had a hell of a first game. 9-10, 120+ yards and 2 tds, i know its only preseason but i really hope he continues to prove all the doubters wrong
Stats for Chan
As a College Head Coach he has a record of 68-43.
As an Assistant Coach with Denver from 85-90: 56-38-1
As a Head Coach for the Birmingham Fire 91-92: 12-7-1
As OC and WR Coach for Steelers 94-97: 44-20
As HC in Dallas 98-99: 18-14 Divisional Champion and Wild Card
As OC of Miami Dolphins (Best stat in my book!!) 2000-2001: 22-10.
So YES I am looking forward to a MUCH improved offense this year!!!!!
I believe he had one losing season with Denver, his last one, and a couple of .500 seasons. After last year, I would consider 8-8 a MAJOR improvement!!!
Sounds promising, ive posted 2 posts about Pat White and they havent showed up, hopefully this does
I am SO glad we got Chan Gailey instead of Mike Martz (who we were also interviewing). I think he fits our team so much better.
Im surprised at the optomism on the win loss projection poll. So nice to have found a positive arrowhead website, Im so sick of all the negativity and the downright HATE.
It’s because we’re real fans here.
roger that seanbcool… REAL fans with a sense of humor who are able to poke each other and nobody goes ballistic. How long since you’ve seen a fan site run by and populated by adults? Now of course… you have to forgive the Manhatter admin homers who cannot stand to give Mizzou or KU credit for being able to actually play football…
“If you have faith in what Herman Edwards and Carl Peterson have done the past three years then you have to believe that the players that will be plugged into Dorsey’s and Albert’s position respectively will be more than capable of holding their own.”
I’m not anti Herm or Carl Peterson but I think this statement is a little too much when you consider we went 4-12 last year and even when we we’re winning at the beginning we looked ugly..Just somethin to keep in mind.
Subtle, Curt, very subtle. Lolz. I honestly think we could be in for a un-foreseen and very great surprise. If Albert’s knee DOES cause him to miss week 1 versus the Patsies, and Herb Taylor steps in at LT and plays like he played last year, we could have a very interesting battle going on. I think if he could handle the Pats’ pass rush, he can handle just about anything. Seymour and the swarms of LB’s that NE sends are staggering, so if he can hold his own, we may definetly have to take a look at leaving Taylor at LT, at least for a few weeks, while making sure Branden is 110%.
I think he’s got it in him, but it could just be me. I also thought Svitek would be our starting RT this year. Go figure. If Herb Taylor DOES prove to the staff that he can play LT, and well, what do you guys think we’ll do, leave Herbie at LT, and put Albert at RG, or Albert back at LT, Herb at RG. Or maybe Albert at LT, Herb at RT. Or vice versa. It’s intriguing. We use to have an ‘all-purpose’ linemen in Chris Bober, he could play anything. I think we found the next lineman that fills those shoes. (Do we even still have Bober? I haven’t heard anything on him in quite awhile, but haven’t seen that he was cut anywhere..) Either way, our line has made leaps and bounds over the aging, under-athletic/under-weight senior citizens we had stepping in last year. I honestly can’t wait for this season.. Or at least the Bears game on Sunday.
Secondly, yes Herm had an OUTSTANDING draft this year..We hands down kicked everyones ass..However just because a lot of herm’s players are playing from previous years draft doesn’t mean he is drafting good players..This year will really tell a lot about paige, pollard, hali, webb, tyler, taylor, croyle, Kolby Smith..
I got faith though and I can’t wait to watch these guys play
LOL xxxlp… subtle like a rhino in heat…
I love Herb’s talent and I agree with you about him having the right stuff.. and I made a post two or three days ago suggesting the same things you do here about leaving Herb at LT if he’s doing well because it will be tough for Albert to get up to speed there if he misses the whole preseason. So it kind of makes sense to leave Taylor there and play Albert at RG. Albert’s talent would also make it easier to go ahead and start Richardson at RT if Damion continues to struggle. I do agree we’ve probably found our utility lineman of the future – although I would not count Herb out as the long term solution at RT either.
The thing is this: Herb is a vicious run blocker and well suited to that job, but he’s only 295 and that puts him at a real disadvantage against the elite DE’s on the left side in the passing game… so KC would almost always have to give him some help on passing plays. Fortunately, we have a couple of TE’s who actually know how to block and a O Co-ordinator designing a lot of plays for the 2TE set.
The reason things are so much better on the line this year is Herm took the time to give Herb and Niswanger and the other youngsters on the Oline in last years draft the attention and playing time they needed to develop. As a result, not only did we get a great talent in this year’s draft… we had enough young depth the team felt OK about letting Weigman, and others go during the off season. Folks are saying we’re too young and experienced and the Oline has holes – crapola. It’s one of the deepest and most talented areas on the team, and we’re about to see that first hand.
The best thing about ALL of this? D-Mac and Svitek and the other vets BETTER get their shit in one sock PDQ, or they’ll be collecting pine splinters.
great stuff…..xxxlp and cmf…….i couldn’t agree more with both of your posts. i also have noticed that taylor has been doing a good job as a blocker and looked good when he played last year…(of course it wouldn’t take much to stand out on last years o-line) but i still think he will be a good if not great player for us for a long time
Good points; remember though Curt, that he started out as a guard ( a la Albert ) so he should have quick enough feet that sticking with those DE’s shouldn’t be as hard as the 340 lb. LT’s have. I’d still like him to gain 10-15 lbs of muscle or so, and then just have Hali rush him relentlessly over and over and over. Hopefully he understands this is his chance to shine, and he gets the fire burning, if he can do that, he’ll blaze for quite some time, somewhere along the line.