The Star: No Love For Bobby "Digital" Sippio
The Kansas City Star has a new article out in which Adam Teicher raves about our young receivers and how well they played on Thursday night. He discusses Jeff Webb, Maurice Price and Will Franklin extensively, but Bobby Sippio isn’t mentioned. Not once. What gives? Is it his age? I mean, maybe I’m just old, but 27 is still a young buck at the WR position. Maybe Teicher is just taking one of his patented slants, similar to when he concocted that Demorrio Williams was going to start outside and Donnie Edwards was going to move to the middle out of thin air? After all, I have heard Teicher all but bag on both Sippio and his fans in a vlog before. Did the guy sleep with his sister or something?
Honestly, this is getting under my skin a little bit. I don’t feel like Sippio is getting a fair shake from either Herm Edwards and Co. or the press. He better get some first half reps next Saturday, and the press better wake up and recognize that this guy has a real chance to do something in this league. I don’t care if he’s from the effin’ Arena League–so was Kurt Warner. I don’t care that he’s effin’ slow–so was Jerry Rice. So was Keyshawn Johnson. Is he Rice or Warner, or even Me-Shawn? No, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m just saying give Sippio a fair, honest shake here.
Samie Parker has blazing speed, and he couldn’t catch crabs in an Amsterdam brothel. Meanwhile, Sippio might be slow, but he could catch the clap in a convent. He’s also huge and tough. He can go up and sky for balls, just like his cousin, and he’s not scared to go across the middle or get whacked. Actually, it seems like he enjoys the contact. He’s like a robot after the catch, racking up YAC. I think I’m going to have to steal from the RZA and start calling him Bobby Digital.
I guess I just want to see Sippio get an actual shot to not only make the team, but also contribute. Maybe the Chiefs just see him as too redundant to Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez? Or maybe he’s had trouble with the playbook? There’s got to be something going on, because he’s looked good when he’s played, and he’s still on the roster. Or maybe I just have a man crush on Sippio? Even so, he’s still impressed me more than Webb, and in significantly less action. I think he’s a good fit fo Chan Gailey’s ball-control offense. I see him as a Marty Booker-type player, and I think he’ll stick somewhere even if it isn’t with the Chiefs.
What does everybody else think about the Bobby Sippio conundrum?
Maybe he is just not good enough. Remember, he went through waivers and everyone passed on him. Now, he is playing in the 4th quarter, after other recievers like McMahan. Now, you have basically two choices. Either there is a conspiracy to keep Sippio down or he just can’t cut it. Why would the Chiefs conspire to keep Sippio down? Herm wants to get the best players on the field. Obviously, he and Chan don’t think much of Sippio. Watch for Sippio, coming soon to an AFL team near you. For all those conspiracy theorists out there. Tell me why the Chiefs want to keep Sippio down. What do we gain?
August 9th, 2008 at 3:25 pmPeople at the Star website were bitching about Sippio not being mentioned, too. But I think the only reason he wasn’t mentioned is that Teicher was talking about the Chiefs YOUNG receivers. I’m not saying Sippio is old, but he’s not young in NFL years.
And remember that, while he performed well, he performed well against the bottom rung of the Bears roster. Who knows what he would do against 1st stringers?
August 9th, 2008 at 3:39 pmI totally understand this post. I have only heard rave reviews of Sippio, from any and all sources. There has to be something there we don’t know about. Speed or lack thereof can’t be the only reason … I am clueless. I’m pulling for the guy, but it just seems like he is overlooked, for whatever reason …
August 9th, 2008 at 3:45 pm<>
But I think that was one of the main points of the blog – this guy has looked good every time the coaches have given him a chance. Why not put him in against 1st-stringers and if what he does in the 2nd-half of preseason games carries over?
August 9th, 2008 at 4:47 pmwhat i meant to put in quotes was “who knows what he would do against 1st stingers?”
and “put him in against 1st-stringers and SEE if what he does….”
August 9th, 2008 at 4:50 pmThere’s that point, but he also played well with a third-string QB who looked awful before he discovered Sippio, and a pathetic O-line (Will Svitek). Let’s at least give him a chance to play against the top talent.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:52 pmGreat Article….The point is we want to see Sippio atleast get the chance to do something..Give him a damn chance..Put him in the first half and see what happens…
He had HANDS. By the way why are we rushing to Darlings side when the guy didn’t do anythign at Baltimore and has done nothing we have seen yet..Seems like everyones riding the Darling wagon without any knowledge of his skills
August 9th, 2008 at 6:17 pmLuvin’ the Wu-tang love on this site. Bobby Digital is a suiting name for Sip.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:24 pmA player does not automatically get an opportunity to play against the first string. that opportunity has to be earned in practice. Now, we have a different set of offensive coaches this year. So this makes two sets of coaches, plus the rest of the league that doesn’t seem to think alot of Sippio. I think that is very telling.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pmMAnders I tend to agree. I’m not sold on Darling at all, because I have no reason to be.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:28 pmMerlin, are you Adam Teicher’s co-chair for the Hell No To Sippio Club?
August 9th, 2008 at 6:56 pmNot at all Adam. I used to like Sippio, but he just hasn’t developed and gotten onto the field. His chances are slipping. His hands are great, but he is slow and a poor route runner.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:22 pmI have never heard that he is a poor route runner. The other thing is how poor of a route runner can he be? Every time he gets on the field he gets open. I guess while some question whether Sippio has talent, I question whether the Chiefs can properly evaluate talent. I mean, this is the Herm Edwards that insisted on playing Paker and Webb last year, not to mention Eddie Drummond and Chris Terry, among others. I mean, am I crazy to trust me eyes and say the guy has talent? Am I crazy to question the Chiefs? We did go 4-12 last year.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:41 pmAdam:
I forgot where I read that. I was doing research last year trying to figure out why he was not getting on the field. I read an article that was saying that he was having trouble learning the playbook (This was late in the season) and was running routes poorly. With a new O coaching staff, I figured the competition was pretty wide open after Bowe. It looks like Sippio is towards the bottom end of the WR core this year. He looks very much in danger.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pmI agree Merlinnj. The real conundrum is why he’s still getting so much press. He’s like the Kim Kardashian of KC – “Why the heck are people still talking about her/him?”
August 10th, 2008 at 12:07 amGee, I don’t know why we’re talking about him. Maybe because he led the effin’ team in receiving and caught the game-winning TD. That might have something to do with it. Maybe.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:12 amAgreed Adam. Sign me up for the “Play Sippio” chorus. The man deserves a shot in the first half of one of these preseason games..
August 10th, 2008 at 12:54 amPersonally, I think if he’s that slow, and can’t learn the playbook, then he SHOULD be low down on the depth chart, BUT, he should be on there. Even if we ONLY use him inside the goal line, in red zone situations, then so be it. He’s got too great of hands to pass up. Remember our great offenses? Marc Boerigter never got any love, but had something like 8 catches for 8 touchdowns one year. Sippio could be that guy. He doesn’t play alot, but when he does, he makes it count. Give the guy a chance, is all we’re saying. If we’re lining up 3-4 WR sets, Bowe/Tony G. are going to be taking a LOT and I do mean A LOT of the coverage with them. Sippio doesn’t need to have great speed to get open. He’s just gotta be ready to grab that rock.. And he is.
August 10th, 2008 at 8:54 amGee, I don’t know why we’re talking about him. Maybe because he led the effin’ team in receiving and caught the game-winning TD. That might have something to do with it. Maybe.
He led the team in receptions in Game 1 of the preseason. By this logic:
-Damon Huard (114.27 QB rating) should be the starter over Brodie (86.25) and Thiggy Stardust (67.97).
-Savage is better than Larry Johnson (both in total yards and average).
-Jason Parker and Demorrio Williams = Derrick johnson.
No need to be rude about it.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:01 pmSuzy:
Good post. I think many Addicts fell in love with him on Hard Knocks. They see his wonderful hands and think he should be playing. The surprising part is how far some people will go to support him. They will trash Herm, claim he is biased in favor of Webb. They will imply that two different offensive coaching staffs are missing the boat on him (along with the rest of the NFL that didn’t claim him on waivers). They will take a stat or two, anything really to support their position. For my part, I liked him last year. When he didn’t get on the field much, I started to wonder. I don’t beleive Chan and his staff are that bad at evaluating talent to miss out on a good player. Others, as these threads show, are still in the Cult of Sippio.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:16 pmThere might be a Cult of Sippio, but there’s also a bunch of people who just have absolute blind faith in Herm Edwards and his staff. I, for one, do not. That’s why I’m not sold on Brodie, Jeff Webb, Jarrad Page, Rudy Niswanger, etc…the list goes on and on. After all, we did go 4-12 last year, and might not have won a game if it wasn’t for L.J. There are some things I really like about Herm, but there are also a lot of things I don’t like. He definitely plays favorites, and usually not in a good way.
Suzy, that is definitely a manipulation of the facts. Bobby has made plays–whether it has been catching balls or making blocks–every time he has entered a game. It’s less based on stats, and more based on what he’s displayed in the extremely limited opportunities he’s received. It wasn’t just one fluke occurrence. And I’m not being rude, I’m just EXTREMELY annoyed by the In Herm We Trust crowd. It’s the exact same reason the whole Brodie debate has been ongoing here.
August 10th, 2008 at 2:10 pmAdam, I did a lot of research on Sippio last year, and talked to several people including Jason King at the Star. The Sip does run very good routes, and he is a hard worker. Everyone knows he has awesome hands when catching a football. The only knock on him is he is slow, but then so was Rice, Carter, etc. I would sure as he!! rather have him going out for a pass than Parker. Who can forget that guy? Oh, I suspect Suzy and those who don’t understand our respect for the man have never seen the highlight videos of his touchdowns at the Chicago Rush. Any wide receiver who would hurdle another player to get into the end zone has all the determination in the world to succeed. Go, go Sip, Sip, Sippio..the man.
August 10th, 2008 at 3:51 pmGO CHIEFS…im sure herm and coaches know what they are doing, they are nfl coaches. sippio is a hard worker but that doesnt mean he will make the squad. jeff webb is just as good if not better than sippio but webb is younger and thats exactly what herm and coaches are looking for. i hope everything works out and im sure it will. lets win some games thats all im concerned about this year….GO CHIEFS
August 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pmHallelujah, Gary! Jason King seems to know his stuff, too. Unlike a certain someone who writes for that publication.
August 10th, 2008 at 4:10 pmWell god damn, Adam. Get annoyed by people who support Herm and Brodie all you want. But seriously, what is anyone gonna do about it? I think Herm is a douchebag, but he’s a good talent evaluator for the most part. He seems passionate. So give it a rest, let the people do their jobs, and we’ll see what happens.
August 10th, 2008 at 7:14 pmI support them both, I just think blind faith should be reserved for faith and religion, not football. After all, I was born and raised in the Show-Me State. Show me you can play, Webb. Show me you can play, Brodie (and he’s off to a good start this year). Show me you can evaluate talent, Herm. Show me you can do more than sneak into the playoffs, Herm.
With Bobby it is different. The guy has shown just about all he could in his limited snaps.
I root for all of the Chiefs. I just get extremely annoyed when others act like being honest about your team conflicts with being a good fan. I’m a straight shooter–sue me
August 10th, 2008 at 8:23 pmShow me you can get on the field with the first stringers, Bobby. Case closed.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:24 pmThis is my courtroom, Sooze. The case is never closed until I bring down the gavel
I’m not sure what the science to getting on the field with the first stringers is either, since Samie Parker was actually a first stringer. I really find it interesting that people can say, er, write with a straight face that Herm doesn’t play favorites. He plays more favorites than a cheesy “top 40″ radio D.J.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:32 pmSnap. Crackle. And definetly pop.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:59 pm