Loss #10 – Does It Matter?
First off…I’m pissed. I have tried to keep an even perspective, realistic if you will, but now I can no longer do it. I can’t think of any scenario that plays out where Gunther Cunningham keeps his job. Can you? This defense is the worst I have ever seen…EVER! I can understand the Chiefs needing a little while to grasp the idea of playing in the NFL, and youthful mistakes, but this is game number 11 and the defense gets worse every week–no sign of improvement. Not even Bob Gretz can see any good with his red colored glasses on that side of the ball. If he does, then he has lost all credibility with me. Sure the Chiefs turned the ball over 5 times, that’s not good obviously, but I would like the defense at this point in the season could put the team on its back and not allow the other team to score at will when it happens. This Swiss cheese defense is not going to be able to do that, much to my chagrin
I’m not jumping off the Tyler Thigpen bandwagon just because of a couple picks, I still think he is going to be ok. I also want to throw in here, that the fumble he had–the ground cannot cause a fumble. I guess the rule book got thrown out the window on that particular play however. Chan Gailey has proven he is a legit coordinator in this league once again. Hopefully, no matter what happens to Carl and Herm at the end of the year, Gailey can stick around.
Larry Johnson was ripping the Bills defense apart early on and the Chiefs quit giving him the ball. Why?
Benard Pollard has to go, and then Jarrad Page. Pollard hitting people and bouncing off of them and letting them get some more yards…it has gotten really old. Page took several horrible angles today (as usual) and allowed the running back to just run right around him. The sooner the Chiefs get rid of these two, the better off the defense will be.
Tamba Hali–what can I say? He got burned by a pocket passing quarterback not once, oh no, but twice. Thanks for all you’ve done for us this year Tamba. Obviously the rest of the defense didn’t want to rush the passer either as they have a penchant to do week in and week out. I don’t know the answer, I know firing Gunther isn’t going to do anything right now, but he obviously can’t get them fired up and hasn’t figured out the problem(s). Either he needs to go, or the players need to go, maybe both, but something has to give. The Chiefs will not win another game with this defense, it won’t happen…it can’t happen. They have zero fire, zero heart, and no pride whatsoever. It pains me as a fan to have to watch this crap they parade out there every week.
The Chiefs scored 31 points and not only lost, but still got blown out. It’s embarrassing, it’s uncalled for, and there is no reason for it. The Chiefs have been bad on the defensive side of the ball every since Dick Vermeil was hired. Now we have Dick’s pupil running the show and they still can’t play defense. Culture needs changed, house needs cleaned and any other football analogy you can think of can be used in this sentence.
Did I mention how pissed off I am?
I tell you what, every team on the schedule playing against the Chiefs should be licking their collective chops. I mean to get the opportunity to play against a defense this bad has got to be pretty exciting.
Draft Watch…
Seriously, does it matter? I’m not sure whoever gets drafted will be worth a crap anyway. Now, instead of getting pumped up about the draft, I will most likely be dreading it. Unfortunate? You bet ya. Sad? Yep. True? Yes.
Why just a little mention of Harm-in Edwards? Are you not pissed at him? He was the one that signed off on all of this…
November 24th, 2008 at 7:53 amEnd of last year we had no offsense, no defense, we oouldnt even make the three point attemts. We are making progress but its not because of Herm he is like a slow working poison.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:56 amThe problem is that Gun has never felt comfortable or been effective with the stupid-ass Cover Two defense. The Chiefs finally had to abandon the “run Larry Johnson up the offensive line’s ass” offense, and immediately improved. Like all of Herm’s philosophy, things have to go completely in the tank before he makes any adjustments. Gun may get fired at the end of the season, but the problem is really the Cover Two defense. It will take more than just relieving Gun of his duties, the way it took more than just relieving Solari of his duties as offensive coordinator. If this group of athletes is going to be effective on defense without starting completely over on the rebuilding project, the Cover Two has got to go. There is some talent on this team on both offense and defense, but in order for them to be effective, the coaching staff and the system have to fit the players we have. Herm Edwards had some kind of input in the invention of the Cover Two defense at it’s inception in Tampa Bay by Tony Dungy. Therefore, Herm is reluctant to sh*t can the ineffective Cover Two because it is his baby the same way running the ball up the offensive line’s ass was his baby. Hmmmmmmmmm? Does anyone else get the idea that maybe this team would be better off if it didn’t have a head coach who is more suited to the college game? As much damage as Herm has done to this team, I don’t even hate the guy. I just think his “rah, rah, let’s go out and make plays ,men” mentality is better suited to the college ranks and lets have a real NFL coach for one of the NFL’s great franchises.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:12 amThe whole defense was horrid yesterday. I wouldn’t mind to see Gunther fired today and letting Gibbs take over the D-C duties for the rest of the season… that is, if Harmaggedon could keep his nose out of that side of the ball too.
It’s sickening to see how many first day picks have been made for the defense in the last 8 years, and then watch them play. What’s sad is how many people are going to lose interest, and when the renovation of the stadium is complete, and the Chiefs possibly come out of this that people will start pouring money back into this team as relentlessly as they did through the 90’s… economy allowing of course
November 24th, 2008 at 10:38 amI’ll get mad at the linebackers before i get mad at page or pollard. Runningbacks should not be in our secondary every other play.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:50 amSolid thoughts, Steven. I can’t argue with anything here, except that I think you are being hard on Page and Pollard. As an ex-safety, I know how hard it is when the front seven ain’t worth a damn.
One thing I want to say is that this is why I am so brutally honest about the Chiefs, both with myself and everybody else (Zach and Crane are like this as well). I was not pissed yesterday — I was laughing. I was so happy — I knew yesterday was the day when Clark Hunt HAD to be saying to himself that the cancerous coaching tumor known as Harm needs to be removed and now.
Detroit is playing better, so we might get the No. 1 pick. And Herm is going to get fired barring a miraculous turnaround. We weren’t going to do anything this season, especially at this point, and now the two things that can help us the most — along with spending some actual money — are happening. So…
Don’t be so pissed off. You knew this was coming, didn’t you? I certainly did. I was being extremely generous when I predicted four wins, and I really did it just to keep morale up at AA. My dad predicted two wins, and I never argued with him.
Herm and Gunther are on their way out the door, and I couldn’t be happier about it, personally. We will never go anywhere with those two calling the shots. I also agree that Chan can stay if the new coach wants to keep him.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:59 amOn a positive note, how freaking good is Tony G!!!!??
November 24th, 2008 at 11:05 amThe problem Adam is that alot of fans see progress in the team. Are we making enough progress to keep this crew of clowns onboard for another season? AA keeps me sane, its like an island of reason in a sea of insanity! I honestly would have dropped my season ticket package had I not stumbled upon AA.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:07 amHey I’ll make a bet with you guys…
I’ll bet Peterson, Herm, and Gun are all around in 09.
This is the Chiefs…remember?
I do want another Herm draft though. After that, let the pieces fall where they may.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:43 amI think Clark Hunt will tiptoe through the tulips and both Herm and Carl Peterson will stay. Gun will take the axe and will be the scapegoat for another Herm shortcoming. Herm will claim the team needs to “gel”, play good defense (new coordinator), the new quarterback (draftee) will need to develop, etc. All of which he will claim needs to happen under his tutelage. I say fire them all, and lets get on the road to playing some football.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:59 amIt is official in my book. Derrick Johnson is over rated!!!! He was not worthy of a Number 1 pick. He is and has never been dominant. Jarrad and Bernard had so much promise, but that is gone.
Dorsey needs outside help at DE to be effective.
Gun has to go.
All linebackers have to go.
Revamp entire Defense.
COWER COWER COWER COWER COWER COWER COWER!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 12:10 pmNot looking good for Cowher he likes the mic too much.
November 24th, 2008 at 12:19 pmThough I am not gonna defend Herm here, I will say that our defensive failures rest squarely on the shoulders of Gunther, Krumrie and their absolutely shitty management style of doing nothing other than cursing at players and dropping expletives that would make the creators of South Park blush. Jon over at Home of the Chiefs started the “Fire Gun” campaign awhile ago, and each passing week reinforces that he MUST go. Don’t blame Herm trying to fit the Tampa-2 in, because before Herm cam along, Gun was coordinating the worst D in the NFL. Yes, Herm has a lot of flaws in prepping his players and game management decisions, and he should be relieved soon too. But Gun needs to be fired TODAY! Him and Krumrie are absolute, horrid, shit failures that have no business in the NFL or even a D-II collegiate program. Their management style of yelling obscenities at players and not owning their own failures reminds me of the kind of boss that lowers morale and makes employees seek out other companies. I could honestly deal with another year of Herm, eventhough I’d rather not, but another year of Gunther Cunningham’s piss-poor excuse for a defense is unforgivable. Can that sonofabitch, Clark, PLEASE!
November 24th, 2008 at 1:02 pmThe ground can not cause a fumble if he was touched at all, but seeing as how he was not touched the fact that he was on the ground didn’t matter, he was not down, thus the ground can cause a fumble. it was a good call by the refs it just sucked that it happened like that.
November 24th, 2008 at 1:22 pmI do blame Herm for the Cover Two. It needs to hit the trash basket along with the rest of his plans. Herm, Gun, and Peterson all need to be a part of the Chiefs (unfortunate) past, not the Chiefs future.
November 24th, 2008 at 1:30 pmI stopped being pissed after the Carolina game. The Tennessee game was really the breakthrough for me, where I just didn’t get upset anymore. Yes. it’s been disappointing every single week since then, but I figure after the last game this year, Clark better drop a haymaker on this organization, and that gives me hope … Next season can’t possibly continue in this direction …
November 24th, 2008 at 3:47 pmHave you guys noticed that we can’t even get to the QB when we blitz? Why the hell is that?
November 24th, 2008 at 4:29 pmI don’t understand, what were you guys expecting from the Chiefs this year? We were bad last year, 4-12. I don’t know too many teams that get better after trading away their best defensive player and one draft! And like Adam and 2383 I don’t understand your frustration with our safeties or linebackers because come on when you have NO pass rush on the quarterback NO ONE is going to succeed back there. It’s kind of a team thing, not to mention we have lack of leadership on defense. We should all be amazed that some how we lead the league or are at least at the top of the league in takeaways, while DEAD LAST in sacks???
November 24th, 2008 at 4:31 pmThis season was a loss from the beginning everyone should have known that coming in. I say we draft Crabtree and sign Julius Peppers.
If and thats a big IF…..we sign Peppers than yes i could see us drafting crabtree even though there are bigger priorities, If we signed Pepper than in the first round it would allow us to take whoever we want. and Crabtree is good
November 24th, 2008 at 5:06 pmThe Chiefs were interested in Julius Peppers the year he was drafted, but of course had no chance to get him. Instead they signed his team mate Ryan Sims and we all know how that turned out. Stranger things have happened than Peppers winding up in Kansas City. Interesting thought!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 5:34 pmPeppers or Suggs: need to rip a page out of Al Davis’ book and throw money at them until they have no choice but to sign on the bottom line. At 31 milli under, it can be done. We can also afford our top 5 pick. I am all about Crabtree, but I think you build a team from the inside out like we did last draft. Having a bunch of weapons outside the numbers doesn’t mean shit if we can’t block a 5 step drop from center. We can’t continue the spread as a base formation next year. I’m not saying we play Harm ball, but we need another tackle. I’m sure we can get one later, but Smith or Oher are too good to pass up.
November 24th, 2008 at 5:56 pmIan,
Thanks for pointing out that about Tyler’s fumble. The ground can cause a fumble when no opposing player has made contact either to force a player down or while a player’s down.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:14 pmI like Peppers better because we run a 4-3, especially playing along side Dorsey(that’d be sick). Suggs i think is suited more for a 3-4 at LB, production went down once they moved him to DE. I only suggested that we sign Peppers because we need a pass rusher, a leader, and a spark on defense. I do agree with Dr. Paine though, I’m all about building from the inside out, I believe that games are won in the trenches. BUT..albert looks pretty good at LT and our o-line has been improving, i don’t think we need to use a 1st round pick there. use a 2nd or 3rd round pick to get somebody. This year our 1st pick should either be a pass-rusher or a QB, I say we wait a year see what Thigpen has. If hes not our guy, next years draft has a much deeper class of QB’s anyways. That’s why I say if we signed Peppers, we’d get that pass rusher and we could use that 1st round pick on Crabtree, he reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:22 pmDorsey will get better. We probably lose Tony G and might do something with LJ, and what we have to look forward to is more youth from the draft. We need to pull out the wallet and hire some vet free agents.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:42 pmYeah I’m not worried at all about Dorsey. He needs an end next to him that can beat a TE blocking him so that he doesn’t have to fight through double and triple teams all day. Whitlock is an idiot if he thinks Dorsey has been a bust. All rookie DT’s have a steep learning curve.
LJ is going to run well the rest of the year if the last two games are any indication. If he can avoid another suspension, we can probably get something decent for him while we still can if they decide to pull the trigger on a trade. However, that is pretty unlikely since he’s going to be 29 next season and he’s a RB. Teams aren’t quick to trade the farm for an old running back especially one with issues. I have no idea why the Redskins did just that with Champ. Portis is obviously a beast, but corners are much harder to cultivate. RB’s are plug and chug provided they have a good line and a QB who can be a threat.
Unfortunately, we probably will lose one of the best Chiefs and the best TE ever since we are VERY far away from the postseason
November 24th, 2008 at 7:37 pmGive credit where credit is due. Jon Yoon over at MVN has been screaming for Gun’s head since the before the season. Here’s the latest well thought out tirade.
http://mvn.com/homeofthechiefs/2008/11/fire-gunther-cunningham-today.html
Also, one of the comments over there points out something. Gun needs to be ridden out of town and he needs to ride out on Tim Krumrie’s back. With 6 sacks Krumrie needs to be gone.
SACK EM ALL!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 8:06 pmI wonder if LJ is getting the Christian OKOYE syndrdrome, “Im rich and tired of playing”.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:51 pmI was pleased when Herm came on board for one reason, better use of our drafting. But I also believe this exposed one of our dirty little secrets; we can’t scout talent that well. Many people screamed at the Texans when they didn’t take Reggie or Vince. But hindsight shows they made the better pick. If you are going to build through the draft then you must choose wizely. Popular picks from college don’t always translate into NFL miway monsters.
Whoever is providing the scouting reports for our drafts need to be looked at and scrutinized. How good are they at thier job? This seems to me to be as important as who coaches them after they are selected.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:43 pmJudging talent isnt an exact science, alot of luck is involved Sgt. Too many variables in the human equation. Reminds me of the movie “Deliverence” when Lewis said the best archers he knew couldnt shoot a deer. How do you know the best college players can play at the NFL level when theyve never done it? How do you know they have the motivation? Its a completly different level of play and a completely different lifestyle.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:12 pmAlso human behaviorists know that for some money motivates and for some it doesnt. Some are motivitated initially by the money then their motivation flat lines. Some are motivated proportionately by the increase in salaries and some arent. The best you can do with a draft pick is reduce the amount of uncertainties and hope for the best.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:23 pmPeppers won’t be going anywhere, franchise tag…but the good news is that means they can’t use it on Jordan Gross…
The best thing Clark could do is clean house…everyone gone…and bring in Scott Pioli as VP of Football Operations…He would likely hire Josh McDaniels as coach…But, it won’t happen cuz Clark doesn’t have a pair…
November 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am