Fans, lest we forget, is short for fanatics. As such, we tend, at times, to give attention to the lesser important matters while more important matters just walk on by without much comment. So, fellow Addicts, time for some introspection.
I have been thinking about what we talk about here and how the Chiefs did at River Falls. It might be nice to see how everyone answers four questions:
1) What is the most overblogged topic that does not merit that degree of attention?
I was quite tempted to pick the second WR battle. To me, that is the equivalent of arguing about what spoiler goes on the car when your car has two flat tires. However, even more trivial is the posts and emotions concerning one Bobby Sippio. Who makes the team as fourth or fifth receiver is not really that important.
2) What is the most underblogged topic that is important?
The health of LJ. He looks to be all the way back from his injury. Yet, it went without much mention.
3) Biggest positive surprise?
Brandon Carr. We may have a gem here. This could provide some much needed help for a rapidly aging Pat Surtain.
4) Biggest negative surprise?
Linebackers. Nap Harris seems to have fallen off the face of the earth and Donnie Edwards‘ hamstring may be a chronic problem. I did not see either of those coming.
OK, Addicts, lets hear from all of you. How do you answer those four questions?
- Merlin
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1. Yes, Sippio is overblogged about. On the other hand…A.) Who says he can’t be our No. 3 receiver, possibly even our No. 2 (even though it is clear the Chiefs want to stretch the field with that guy). After all Parker and Webb were are No. 2 and 3 WRs, respectively, a year ago. YUCK! B.) I don’t see why so many Chiefs fans bag on this kid. With his work ethic and backstory, he is the Chief that everybody across the board should be rooting for.
2. I would agree on this, too. I just think most of us are pretty confident in L.J. right now. Same with Brian Waters, who along with D-Bowe, was the MVP of camp. We’ll have a vote at the end of the preseason for the All-Preseason Team.
3. Carr is up there. So is Herb Taylor. I would have to say DaJuan Morgan, though. The guy looks like he could become a star. I think those three, and probably Pat Thomas b/c he came out of nowhere, would have to be at the top of the list.
4. Couldn’t possibly agree more.
I agree that the Sippio stuff is over-blown…If he gets cut, he is so low on the depth chart you won’t even notice it in the games.
I would love to hear more about the rookies for sure. There could be a whole blog dedicated to our rookies. I was dyin for news about the progression of 76 and 72.
I am glad to hear Carr is looking good, he is smart, Herm loves that. It will be a good barometer this Saturday with their stud recievers coming to town…unlike the Bears, Arizona actually has offensive weapons.
Biggest negative surprise is the Donnie thing for sure…It’s very depressing that he has been absent so much…After watching Hard Knocks it seems like he should have a guy like Zach Thomas does that just comes in and stretches his legs out and whatnot. Seems to do very well for him and Donnie can’t do it on his own apparently. Hate to say it but I have somewhat written him off, not to say that he won’t be a factor this season, just saying that I am not counting on it and if he is it will be a good surprise.
Overblogged:
Bobby Sippio. Jesus Christ. I like the guy too but god damn, he made three catches against 3rd stringers. He was the ONLY story for about 3 days straight.
Underblogged:
Tony Gonzalez and Brian Waters. I know they’re as good as ever, but these two anchors of our offense are very close to the end of their careers. We’re talking a year or two, and it needs to be looked at now. Hopefully Brad Cottam can fill in OK for Gonzo, but linemen should definitely be a priority in upcoming drafts. I’m talking first day.
Biggest positive surprise:
Several young guys. Maurice Price. Herb Taylor. Dantrell Savage. Not to mention that we may finally have a legitimate fullback in Mike Cox.
Biggest negative surprise:
The defense as a whole. Very disappointing showing in the first preseason game.
1. Sippio and/or Webb. Basically the same conversation every time. Grassy knoll, blah blah blah.
2. Kick/punt returner. Huge and nobody is really talking about it. Desperate for data. Not too impressed with BJ’s game performance btw.
3. I’d have to go with either Gunther or Pat Thomas or both.
4. D-Mac. Comes across like an aging (and ailing) malcontent to me. Probably should have gotten rid of him during the offseason.
Overblogged – Carl P this, Carl P that. I’m so sick of Gretz vs Whitlock, CP love vs CP hate. I don’t give a rat’s ass about CP right now. Talk to me when the draft comes around. We endure this every single year. I’m ready to talk about the players and the team and the future. Let’s not spend any more time talking about whether CP has done his job well or not. Let’s just play the friggin games and THEN evaluate.
Underblogged – The contribution of Chan Gailey to the attitude of this team. Man, if you think the play calling last year was depressing for the fans, imagine being a part of that team. You work your ass of in practice all week and then you show up to the games and slam a running back into the D-line wall. Sad and pathetic, and you have to think that the team lost the desire to compete … certainly contributing to the 9 game slide. I have to think that Gailey’s inventive play calling has completely changed the mindset and attitude of this team, on both sides of the ball. But I’m just guessing, because this topic has been UNDERblogged.
Biggest postive surprise – Got to be Herb Taylor. It’s early, but by all accounts he has looked impressive thus far. What a huge development when you consider the loss of BA. Herb’s play has got to be considered a huge surprise to almost everyone.
Biggest negative surprise – Without a doubt, it has to be the injury to Branden Albert. What a disappointment considering how everyone was raving about him at the beginning of camp. I’m sure he’ll come back, but how far will he be behind after missing most of camp while trying to learn the most difficult position on the O-line? Ouch.
Nice posts guys, keep them coming. Oh, DD, in what way did Gunther surprise you?
Gretz vs. Whitlock! Can’t we turn that into a loser-leaves-town wrestling match. PLEASE?
overblogged: Adam alone has overblogged his contempt for Brodie and Huard – did it all in one day too!!
underblogged: I have to go with the kicker situation. All we’ve seen until the recent release of Feely is the daily stats from the two kickers in camp.
Biggest Positive: Going away it’s the play of Herb Taylor – without him the entire offense would really be screwed by Albert’s injury.
Biggest Negative: Linebacking situation.
I don’t have contempt for either guy. I just don’t see the point in having a 35-year-old career back-up QB on the roster when it would take Favre, Peyton or Tom just to get us to 9-7, 8-8. It makes zero sense, and should Brodie get hurt–which he has done in both college and the pros, by the way–this would almost be a waste of a season in a lot of ways. It’s like Zach said to me on the phone today…
What if we are 2-6 and Brodie has either stunk up the joint or gets hurt? Not saying it will happen, definitely not saying we want it to happen, BUT WHAT IF IT DOES? What good would Huard do us at that point? And if any of our player’s development processes are so fragile that they depend on Damon Huard of all people, then God help us all anyway. He’s a very steady back-up for the next year or two, but only for a team built to win now. We are not a team built to win now. If you think we are, I want whatever prescription drugs you’re taking, because those are some damn potent happy pills. Better than the crazy pills I feel like I’ve been popping
And I am rooting for Brodie. I just don’t believe in him yet. Sue me. I like the kid, but I’m from the Show-Me State… “show me!”
you jes keep yer nubber-dobbers offn my ’scripts!
nobody said anyone’s psyche’s were fragile – only that with Huard they would be able to play in an offense that would give them a chance to continue to develop – whereas, no-one is going to get that chance behind Thigpen… OR Beck. We need a guy exactly like Huard on the roster NOW so that IF Croyle goes down, offensive developement of the youngsters is still possible while Croyle gets well.
If anyone is NOT hearing the positions of others Adam it’s YOU man. Nobody is saying you’re wrong about anything except we need an experienced backup at QB right now on this team. To even question that even with a team where KC is right now is simply asinine. You would actually prefer to go into this season with Huard, Beck and Thigpen as our only QB’s? Jesus that sounds scary as hell to me man.
If the team is 2-6 and Brodie is stinking the joint up… we play him as long he can stand upright so he can gain experience. If he goes down, we play Huard, and we look to draft or acquire a frontline talent in the off-season.
I’m going to assume CMZ meant “Croyle, Beck, and Thigpen.” Because that’s three young, unproven guys and it would scare the shit out of me too.
Playing Huard with this team is a complete waste of time. A complete waste of time. And, seriously, how much better do you think Damon Huard is than Beck or Simms? This whole thing about players developing around him is a bunch of B.S. What’s more important is receivers developing a rapport with a QB who is actually going to be an integral part of this franchise three years from now.
I’m listening to every one. I’m not agreeing because we are not good enough to win now, so there is absolutely no point in keeping Huard around. He’s not good enough to make a significant difference in player development. Most importantly, we think we have our QB of the future, but what if he’s not? Better have a back-up plan.
The Brodie Believers might be listening to me, but they are not agreeing because they have brainwashed themselves into believing that we can: A.) Sneak into the playoffs next year, or at least come close; B.) That Brodie Croyle is a sure thing. Dr. James Dobson and the Pope don’t have that much faith.
And, for the record, I think Thiggy is much more expendable. And Croyle, Huard and Thiggy doesn’t scare the shit out of you? Everybody else around the league sure thinks it is scary–for us, not them.
And I’m done discussing my thoughts on this topic until there is something new to talk about. Done.
Haha, OK. You’re opinions are just you being “honest” and ours are us being “brainwashed”.
And I’ll say it again: I have not seen a single person, Chiefs fan or otherwise, write that they believe Brodie is a “sure thing”. The “Brodie Believers” just want to give a talented kid a chance. The same thing YOU want to do with Bobby Sippio.
hmmmm…that is an interesting point about Huard. Everyone has been arguing that it is important to have a veteran to keep us afloat if Brodie goes down, but how does that benefit our long-term goals since many of us have written off this season in the name of rebuilding and progression anyway. I like what Adam is saying…I think…but, that said, I don’t think they would dump Huard to get Beck, but they likely would if they can get Simms due to his experience.
I’m already on record here as saying we should get Simms if we can – I’d rather it not be at the expense of Huard, but if they were able to trade Huard to someone like Dallas who need a proven backup for a possible superbowl run, and we could get a 5th or a conditional 6th round pick for Huard, I could live with it.
Simms has as much or more to offer than Huard in terms of experience, and he’s a LOT younger.
I do not think we should even consider letting Huard go to make room for anyone less talented and proven than Simms.
We should trade LJ, Tony Gonzalez, and a 1st round pick for Peyton Manning.
I agree with CMZ EXCEPT that I don’t think there would be ANY trade value for Huard…Dallas has Brad Johnson, he has a ring of his own after all…
I would love if we could get Simms…
Funny Sean, but that is nonsense…
How is Herb a surprise? I predicted he’d start at LT in the future (barring a high draft pick) last year. He filled in for D-Mac towards the end of the season and from my recollection didn’t allow a sack, and blocked effectively for the run. I still wouldn’t mind seeing him run away with the LT job and send Albert back to RG, just as long as horrid Adrian Jones isn’t starting on our line. For God’s sake. Keep in mind Herbie is only a 2nd year man. Here’s to hoping in the future our line looks like this : Herb Taylor/Brian Waters/Rudy Niswanger/Branden Albert/Barry Richardson. All young, with the exception of Waters, who we’d have to replace far sooner than the rest of the boys. Or switch Albert/Taylor, if you’d prefer. Either way, still nice.
Sean, Waters isn’t near the end of his career, yet. He’s young, especially for a lineman. Fatigued, yep. Stressed about our offense the last couple of years (with the stagnancy and all the hits we took, in particular Roaf and Shields, but Priest, Kennison, and others, as well) sure. But he’s got more than a couple seasons left.
IMO: Overblogged topic: Brad Cottam. Everyone’s high on him, but look on his college stats. And people call Brodie injury prone. Everyone’s talking about Cottam being the future TE for us, for the next decade, after Tony. The only way he’s going to be able to fill Tony’s shoes after Tony’s gone, is by using the cast he will undoubtedly have, to help fill in all that vacant space. Don’t get me wrong. He’s a talented kid, WHEN HEALTHY. So was Ki-Jana. Word.
Underblogged Topic: Special Teams. The fact that we haven’t had a stable kicker since Andersen, or that Colquitt is a man-beast, or well.. at least his leg is. Returns should be far better, this year. As well as the overall kicking game. Which brings me to the next topic..
Biggest Surprise: I’m going to say Niswanger. Center isn’t an easy position to play, especially filling in after a long-time (and Pro-Bowl berthed) veteran departs. So far, I haven’t seen any glaring mistakes from him. A few tweaks here and there, a bit more polish on his technique, and who knows, we could have our next Pro Bowl C in front of us.
Biggest Disappointment: There are a few things I’m disappointed in, but it’s got to be the underwhelming performance of the LB’s. I don’t even need to go into an explanation here. Ugh.
Yeah, I guess Waters is only 31. Roaf and Shields were both about 36 when they retired. Maybe he has a few more years.
But about Tony Gonzalez, I’m serious. This could even be his last season.
merlin,
I didn’t know what to expect with Gun taking over as the LBPC. Unlike most here, I actually believe he is doing an amazing job with that group and that we’ll sooner or later see the fruits of that effort. I am also pleasantly surprised that he appears to have full control of this defense – popular opinion in past years was that Herm kept him on short lease – that view appears to be the unfounded. I especially like the fact that he is re-introducing more aggressive schemes/packages – reminiscent of his approach during the mid to late nineties. I think because of him and the talent he has, this D is going to rock for years to come.
xxxlp – really good post. I hope you’re wrong about TonyG… hopefully we’ll be so much improved by the end of this year that he’ll be itching to come back because we’re competitive enough to make a serious run next year.