Seven-Up: An Interview With Red Zone’s Kent Babb
Kent Babb of both the Kansas City Star and its Red Zone blog was nice enough to discuss both the new blog and the Chiefs with me. Here’s the interview…
1. Congrats on Red Zone, your new blog over at The Kansas City Star. What are your plans for the blog?
We’d like Red Zone to be another way for Chiefs fans to get news and get it at any hour of the day, minutes after it breaks. When we hear something from sources, usually the first thing we do is post it on the blog. The same rules apply as they do in the newspaper; for the most part, Red Zone is not a place for rumors or grumblings; it’s a place for news that we feel comfortable enough about that we’ll write it and attach our names to it. But the blog also allows us to be a little edgier, to try different ways to connect with fans that the newspaper might not allow. In my case, I’ll try to be more light-hearted in the blog than I would be in a newspaper story, and if there’s something like Jared Allen’s quote from a few weeks ago – “I’m happier than a puppy with two peters” – that can’t run in the newspaper, that’s blog material. Essentially, Red Zone is for hard-core Chiefs fans who want to know every morsel of information as it’s happening. But it’s also for those fans who can sometimes take a joke.
2. What is your opinion on the emergence of sports blogs in general?
It’s the way of the future. At first, I was reluctant to embrace the blog culture, and I’m a young guy; I graduated college four years ago right around the time blogs were becoming popular. Now, I have kind of a split mindset. I’m glad there’s an outlet for fans to have an opinion and express it. There’s clearly an audience for that, and for all the reasons I mentioned earlier, it’s terrific that the platform exists. But there also have to be boundaries between blogs and mainstream media so that readers aren’t confused when they read a blog and the tone is different from what they’d read in the paper. The bottom line is that a blog is not a newspaper story, which has strict rules and regulations to preserve credibility. A blog is lighter and looser, and you’re able to have more fun with it because of its audience. Neither one is right or wrong; it’s just the way it is, and I’m glad to see that culture growing.
3. Which Chiefs’ players have surprised you so far this preseason?
I really like what I’ve seen from Brodie Croyle. In a lot of my stories, I like to play devil’s advocate and challenge readers about Croyle and, heck, challenge Croyle about his play. I’m a hard sell, and I’m eager to see what the Chiefs feel so great about in Croyle. They say he can be as good as he wants to be, which is definitely encouraging for Chiefs fans. I watched Brodie at Alabama – I’m an SEC guy – and thought he was a solid quarterback at the front edge of his potential. I think this offseason, coaches made it a priority to improve his confidence and assure him that he’s the starter. Based on what I’ve seen in the first two preseason games, he’s come a long way. Even in his mistakes, he looks better and more relaxed. For instance, last week the Cardinals had terrific coverage on the Chiefs’ receivers. Last year, Croyle might have forced the ball to Tony Gonzalez or thrown it in the direction of Dwayne Bowe, hoping he comes down with it. And last year, that throw might have been picked off. But Saturday, Croyle throw it into the stands. He made a quick decision, and it was the right one. That was an NFL throw.
I also like Bowe, although I’m not sure that’d qualify as a surprise. Same with Brian Waters. Brandon Flowers has shown some really good flashes.
4. Which players do you enjoy talking to the most?
Derrick Johnson is my favorite. He and I have some things in common, and I really got to know him when I did a story a couple months ago about his father’s death last year. He was open and candid with me, and he couldn’t have been more helpful. Those are delicate subjects sometimes, and often players aren’t comfortable sharing them with a stranger. Johnson had never spoken openly about the subject, but he was open and honest with me, and I think it made for a great story.
Brian Waters is very insightful and honest. Tank Tyler is a guy who’s always got a smile on his face, even if he doesn’t feel like speaking to a reporter today. Dwayne Bowe, when he’s in the mood. Devard Darling because of his authenticity and honesty. Glenn Dorsey because he’s comfortable in his own skin. There are a lot of good guys in that locker room.
5. You had a great story on Dwayne Bowe recently. Do you think he’s the Chiefs’ next star?
I think he’s already a star. That guy can flat play, and he’s got the confidence to back it up. This year might be a challenge for him because of all the changes the Chiefs are going through. It’ll be a test of his patience, whether he’s really a star or whether he’ll melt down like Keyshawn Johnson or Terrell Owens have done in the past. I’d like to think Bowe understands where the Chiefs are, and I think he does. But we’ll see how he responds if he goes a game or two without a catch.
6. Glenn Dorsey–what is you first impression?
For my purposes, he’s awesome. He allowed me to spend two days with him in Louisiana this past May. He’s unbelievably intelligent and measured in what he reveals to you. Sometimes you can trick someone into saying a certain thing, but Dorsey isn’t like that. He’s too smart. He’s also as laid back a star players as I’ve ever been around. The attention seems to always surprise him, and he never says no. He signed autographs at training camp almost every day, and I don’t remember a time that he declined a reporter’s interview request. He always makes it a point to say hello to me as he walks by, and that’s not a common thing in today’s NFL locker room.
As far as his play goes, I’m eager to see him perform at this level. I think his tools are off the charts. I watched him in college and marveled at his skills. I think he’ll be a great NFL player if he stays healthy and doesn’t get discouraged by some early speedbumps.
7. What are your thoughts on the current quarterback conundrum?
(By the way, I do think we have a conundrum. We’ve been trying to solve the homegrown QB puzzle my whole life, and still haven’t managed to do so. I also think we know we can’t go into opening day like this…)
Not sure if there’s really a conundrum, but the starting job is Brodie’s to lose. I have a hard time believing the Chiefs are truly comfortable with Tyler Thigpen as the backup. You’re talking about a second-year player backup up a third-year player. Most times when you’re entering your first full season with a young starter, you want a veteran on call if something goes bad. Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner. Phillip Rivers and Doug Flutie. Eli Manning and, well, Kurt Warner. So that’s different from what I’m used to, but from everything I’ve heard from Herm Edwards, they like Thigpen and think he’s up to the job. I have a hunch they’re going to add another quarterback in the next few weeks, just to get a veteran presence back there, in addition to Damon Huard, who I think the Chiefs feel is on a downturn.
Thanks, Kent! Be sure to check out Red Zone. Kent and the crew are doing a fine job of breaking news and keeping Chiefs fans updated over there.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be sure to check that out.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:23 pmi really want to see thiggy start a preseason game, hes looked more impressive than brodie and i wanna see what he can do
August 18th, 2008 at 2:37 pmI can see why the team is captivated by Pigster’s athletic ability… but I agree with Kent when he says they really cannot be serious about going into the regular season with Pigster at #2.
I still think he’s too short to start in the NFL… and to all you guys throwing Brees in my face when I say that: Brees evidently CAN see the passing lanes at that height, but until Pigster starts making all the throws from the pocket like Brees, I’m not buying that Pigster is tall enough to start. He has yet to make a single completion from the pocket, and he’s a LOCK to pull the ball down and run if he cant even SEE his primary target.
I can see why KC likes his athleticism, but it’s pretty clear he’s not cut out to be an NFL QB in a pocket passing system. I think that makes his future in KC nebulous because sprint option offenses are high risk for both fumbles and interceptions. I can see Herm letting Chan call the bootleg pass every now and again to catch D’s off balance… but as a long term stategy? I don’t think Herm could stomach that.
Big ups to Kent Babb for coming by to visit the AddictAsylum! We’ll be reading your stuff man.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:07 pmCMZ:
Chan has planned to make bootlegs a major part of this offense from the very beginning. Get used to it.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:27 pmCMF – Love the name the “AddictAsylum”
August 18th, 2008 at 9:30 pmSean… just because they’re running the bootleg 12 times a game in preseason don’t mean a thing… yes they ARE adding it to the playbook, probably from multiple sets, but I’ll be surprized to see it more than 2 or 3 times a game come September – especially from Brodie.
Zach: well.. it kinda IS a nuthouse around here!
August 18th, 2008 at 10:41 pmCMZ:
What I said has nothing TO DO at all with the preseason games. When they were FIRST talking about the new offense, the bootleg was a huge part of it.
That’s why I said “from the very beginning”. Not “from the start of the preseason”.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:20 amFrom what I’ve read, it’s going to be used regularly (more than 2-3 times a game) in the regular season. And some guys just aren’t meant to be pocket passers. Vince Young is a tall-ish QB, but he doesn’t like standing in the pocket. Nor does McNabb, Garcia, or others. Height is irrelevant, to a certain extent. It’s mostly about the protection your current line can give you, how athletic you are, and if you can throw on the run. Our line isn’t the best in the NFL, Thigster is athletic, and he can throw on the run. He just lacks depth perception, apparently, as he throws the ball just as hard when the receiver is 5 yards away or 30 yards away. Maybe we should look into that as his problem. Depth perception strikes again!
August 19th, 2008 at 1:47 amI’m from Missouri… as in I’ll believe it’s more than 2 or 3 times a game WHEN I SEE IT HAPPEN. All football coaches are enormous LIARS when it comes to their actual plans.
Running 15 bootlegs a game and talking all the time about how much it’g going to be a big part of the offense seems a tad Shakespherian in nature; as in: “I think protestseth too much”. I think they’re just trying to blow smoke up the backside of the D coordinators around the league.
Just because they said it don’t necessarily make it so – and I still find it hard to believe they’re really going to do it ALL the time with a starting QB that’s had two knee surguries.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:16 amAnd one other thing – height IS relevant to acually being able to SEE the passing lanes from the pocket.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:18 amWell, CMZ, Thigpen is the same height as Drew Brees. So if height is relevant, then Thigpen should have no more trouble doing it than Brees does.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:38 amBrees is the exception not the rule. Same with Doug Flutie. Very, very few guys can overcome that kind of lack of height at the QB position in the pros. Just the way it is. Brees was a prolific pocket passer at Purdue. I remember watching him pick apart a great K-State team in a bowl game. Apples to oranges.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:51 amNo, it’s not apples to oranges. You can’t say that Tyler Thigpen is too short to see the passing lanes but Drew Brees isn’t. They’re the same height. That doesn’t make sense.
What is it then, how high their eyes are on their foreheads? Does Brees stand on his tippy-toes? Does he wear platform cleats?
Sorry, not buying it.
August 19th, 2008 at 3:25 amIt makes perfect sense. Brees was a great pocket passer from the moment he entered the NFL, and he’d been learning how to see the passing lanes from his height since prep school.
Pigster is NOT getting it done from the pocket and he’s never been in a pocket system so he’s struggling – hell, I’m not even sure he knows WHERE the passing lanes are on each play.
And as I stated earlier “I’m from Missouri – so when Pigster SHOWS me” he can run the other 98% of our offensive scheme without pulling the ball down and running – then I’ll be the first one to cheer. But he’s no Drew Brees and will never see the passing lanes as well. He’s just not tall enough.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pmCMF, you said “Pigster is NOT getting it done from the pocket and he’s never been in a pocket system so he’s struggling – hell, I’m not even sure he knows WHERE the passing lanes are on each play.”
You’re backing up my arguement. He’s not been moulded in the form of the prototypical pocket passer. And he’s more athletic than Brees, he feels comfortable throwing on the run, where Brees is just ‘average’ when forced to scramble. It doesn’t have to do with his height, just what he’s comfortable with, and what his body type can handle. It also has to do with protection. Brees has had much more offensive help (so he’s not forced into bad throws and/or scared for his life in the pocket.) Again, in this comparison, height is irrelevant, as both are the same height. And I said height is irrelevant to a CERTAIN EXTENT, as in, a ‘little person’ could never play QB, because that’s just not practical. Plus, they couldn’t grip the ball effectively. Ahem, anyway, yeah, he’s not tall enough, but Brees is tall enough, yet they’re the same height. To quote merlinn from last week- that’s illogical.
August 19th, 2008 at 1:24 pmBrees may be a better pocket passer than Thigpen because he’s more used to it and more experienced/seasoned or anyting like that. But, being that they are the same height, then the height is CLEARLY not the issue.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:15 pmIt has everything to do with height. The kid is ONLY making plays on the run – and those against 2nd and 3rd team guys or FA’s that will be looking for a day job in a couple of weeks. He will not have the same success on the run when he sees starting dlines and backers – and once those starting D’s figure out he can’t see the passing lanes and will panick and pull the ball down at the first sign of trouble – he’s toast. They will design schemes to pressure and flush him where DE’s and OLB’s butter his ass up and eat him for lunch.
I agree the kid is athletic and I’ve already said I can see why the team is captivated by his atlethicism, but my argument is he’s not getting it done. The bootleg is only a tiny fraction of our offense, and he has yet to make a play from the pocket – that’s where 99% of the offense happens.
I think it’s all a big smoke screen. I really believe Brodie will only run 2 or 3 bootlegs a game to keep them honest.
Just because he’s got good legs and can make a few throws on the run doesn’t mean he’s ever going to develop into a real NFL QB. If he cannot learn to make plays from the pocket he’s dead as an NFL QB.
Your math is good, but your logic is flawed. Just because they’re both the same height doesn’t mean Pigster will ever see passing lanes or read defenses as well as Brees. And Brees spent a lifetime learning to play in spite of being that height. Pigster is 25 years behind.
Like Adam said: it’s apples and oranges. Believe me, the very instant Pigster starts to play like Drew Brees I will eat my hat – but don’t be expecting it anytime soon.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:29 pmThis argument is retarded. I’m 6′3″, 180 lbs. Does that mean I should be able to see the floor as well as Steve Nash since we are exactly the same size?
Some people just have unique abilities. Drew Brees, like Steve Nash, is one of those people.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:53 pmAnd I’m with CMF…
When Thiggy Smalls shows me how can hang in the pocket, see the lanes, make progressions, and become a good pocket passer, I’ll eat hat, crow, the cat poop salad from Anchorman, whatever. But for now I’m sticking to my story, and that story is that he’s too short.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:54 pmOh my god. I never said Thigpen would be good. I don’t think he’s good, and I don’t think he’ll ever be a good NFL QB. He’s just too underdeveloped at this point in his career to start now.
BUT THE ISSUE IS NOT HEIGHT. It’s NOT. Adam, no you can’t see the floor the same as Steve Nash, but it’s not your height that is holding you back, it’s the fact that you aren’t an NBA player and Steve Nash is a straight up baller.
Thigpen’s issue is not his height, it’s the fact that he played running back until college. If he was 5′10, then yeah, his height would probably be giving him some problems, but he’s not. He’s 6′0. The same height as other prolific pocket passers. So, process of elimination here guys. We can check height off the list.
August 19th, 2008 at 3:53 pmI actually agree with SBC on this one. Height can help but it isn’t the end all. Thiglet is a pretty good athlete but is essentially still just a rookie so it’s way too early to determine whether or not he has the head and skill package to development into a solid backup/starter.
In any event, this all seems kind of academic to me right now; my assumption remains that we’ll pick up some guy that shakes loose elsewhere before the season starts.
August 19th, 2008 at 4:22 pmMake that “to develop”
August 19th, 2008 at 4:22 pmNo one ever said he would be a good QB, or that he was comparable to Drew Brees in any sense but height-wise. To be honest, he’s going to be the next Damon Huard, only, the anti-Damon Huard. Huard is purely a pocket passer, he can’t roll out effectively. Conversely, Thigster is only effective while IN a rollout. It’s still not the fact that he’s ’short’ that’s holding him back. And it’s only his athleticism that has saved him.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:00 pm