Some of you may remember last year Adam posted a thread asking who would be the “most surprising” Chief for the upcoming 2008 year. I said it would be our third string QB Tyler Thigpen. I simply had a hunch that Croyle would not last the first two games, and since Herm Edwards wanted to go younger he would put Tyler Thigpen in even though Huard was the second string QB. I was right. I point this out not to brag (although it is nice), but to make the following prediction:
Like Croyle, Mark Bradley is also injury prone and cannot [...]

As we continue into the abyss known as the NBA Playoffs, and the Royals current swoon continues, I thought it would be of interest to explore our coaching staff and its origins.
It is well documented that our head coach, Todd Haley, was the son of Dick Haley, the former player personnel director for the Steelers and the Jets. Haley, a former golfer at the University of Florida, became involved with the Jets in 1995 in the scouting department. In 1997, he became offensive assistant for quality control under the tutelage of Charley Weis. During his time with the Jets, [...]

“Our march yesterday was terribly severe. The sun was like a furnace, and the dust thick and suffocating. Many a poor fellow marched his last day yesterday. Several men fell dead on the road. Our boys have all come through so far, accepting the hardships as a matter of course, and remaining cheerful and obedient I assure you I feel proud of them.”
Lt. Colonel Rufus R. Dawes, Ten miles from Leesburg, VA. June 19, 1863
Rufus R. Dawes (July 4, 1838 to August 2, 1899) was a military officer in the United States Army during the American Civil War. He was [...]

May is historically dead time in football lore, the doldrum days featuring the minicamps, OTAs and training camp. But something is always going on in the NFL. As such, we will proceed with the ramblings of an old chief.
Micheal Vick is soon to be released from Leavenworth and then it’s on to a halfway house. Ultimately, his freedom could be restored by the beginning of training camp. But other issues remain: 1.) What owner wants to face the ridicule of PETA and doglovers everywhere?; 2.) He must face the fact that he lied to commissioner Roger Goodell prior to [...]

The good doctor’s recent Chase Patton article left me pondering the following question: Should Brodie Croyle have a spot on our roster? Wouldn’t he be better off competing for a roster spot on another team, than fighting it out for our team’s third spot?
Brodie Croyle was Herm’s guy. His other biggest supporter Dick Curl is long gone. Haley and Pioli have been completely silent regarding him. At 6’2 and just over a svelte 206 pounds he is injury prone. He is still rehabbing his knee injury. His upcoming 2009 contract calls for $530,000 (league minimum is just over $285,000). His [...]

The arrival of Chase Patton at the Chiefs weekend for draftees and undrafted free agents signaled the beginning of a long trek previously completed by the Chiefs’ newest leader behind center — Matt Cassel. Both Chase and Matt are tall QBs — Chase 6-foot-5, 220 pounds; Matt 6-foot-4, 230 pounds — and both were baseball pitchers and elite QBs in high school. They both also had the misfortune of playing behind outstanding QBs in college; Matt behind Heisman winners Matt Leinert and Carson Palmer at USC; Chase behind Heisman finalist Chase Daniel and the incomparable Brad Smith at Mizzou.
Matt [...]

I have been giving this whole ‘The Plan’ concept some thought for a while now. Watching Pioli over the last few weeks, things are starting to come into focus. The recent draft clarified my thinking even more. Good analysis starts with examining bedrock philosophy and builds from there. I talked a bit about Pioli’s philosophy before, but let’s review.
First of all, disregard what Pioli said about wanting big, strong, fast, smart football players. That’s just cliche nonsense. Anyone want a small, weak, slow, dumb football player? Of course not. Is Zach Thomas big? Is Bobby Engram fast? So, what does Pioli [...]

NFLN analyst Jamie Dukes just tweeted this on his Twitter. Found it interesting:
Here’s a good conversation between Singletary, Woodson and Myself that will not make the air.
I told the coach that the Tampa 2 D makes robots out of players. I.E. it does not encourage learning offensive concepts.I told the coach that the Tampa 2 D makes robots out of players. I.E. it does not encourage learning offensive concepts.
As a player, Singletary was a student of the game and he agreed with my premise.
FYI, this is why the Patriots are so successful because they put a premium on smart players [...]