Chiefs Going Through Growing Pains

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After watching the fourth quarter meltdown yesterday at Arrowhead I left with one impression — the Chiefs are suffering growing pains.I’m not willing to ridicule Pioli and Haley like our barbecue-eating, Jeff-George-loving counterpart at the Star. But I am realistic enough to analyze and appreciate difficulties encountered by a rookie coach, a rusty quarterback and roster chucked full of castoffs free agents and rookies.

Unlike prior years where the Chiefs could count on the Raiders make costly game-changing mistakes, the roles have been reversed. How else do you explain the sequence at the end of the first half, coming away with zero points? Or two costly interceptions? Or running play action with Dontrell Savage out of a single-back set on a big third down play at the end of the game? Who did that fool?

IN REALITY THE RAIDERS HAVE SUPERIOR TALENT AT EVERY POSITION, save maybe quarterback, left guard and No. 1 wide receiver. Certainly, we do not have anyone who could match Janikowski, McFadden or Bush on offense. Our roster also lacks playmakers on defense like Micheal Huff, Thomas Howard, Richard Seymour and the lock-down corner Nnamdi Asomugha.

The only reason the Chiefs were in this contest was the ineptitude of JaMarcus Russell. Meanwhile, our talent-poor Chiefs had a free agent cut earlier in the week by the Vikings be their go-to receiver. That’s not meant as a knock on Bobby Wade, but rather a reflection of how little talent the Chiefs’ roster currently boasts.

It is clear to this observer that the Chiefs are going through a transition. Haley is building a relationship with his new QB, trying to call the plays and be the head coach simultaneously. At the post-game press conference, he appeared to be frustrated and perhaps overwhelmed. The Chiefs are a talent-poor franchise headed toward four weeks of the NFC East — not exactly what the doctor ordered for growing pains. I am afraid the worst is yet to come

sgt_ducttape

I watched the press conference Haley gave yesterday, I can't help it, I like the guy. I liked his comments on Dorsey. I liked the fact he said, "I'm a rookie head coach, I made that mistake. But I'm not going to make it again." I like the fact that everyone is learning. People are working hard to improve, and it shows. I just hope that Pendergast is learning also.

The Ravens game ending play this past weekend that saved them the game is what I'm talking about. The same system that had been working all game was still in use at the end of the game and still working. I don't agree with the "prevent D". Never have, never will. Bend but don't break? Gimme a break. It cost us the game. We should learn from that.

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Initially, when I saw the schedule for this season, I was shocked. But after watching the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles and Redskins, I think we have a chance for some wins there. It will be hard to go into the Linc and pull out a win, but I believe there is a chance. And I firmly believe that the Cowboys are going to get some kind of game out of us at home. After 4 weeks of working hard and getting our stuff together, surviving Philly and the GMen, Romo and company are going home with an aditional mark in the "L" column.

Yes this past weekend was frusterating. But it was better than the week before. This week should be even better. And whoever isn't on the injured reserve list after the Giants game are going to be ready for the coddle me cowboys.

Quazzimotto

You can summarize this into our prolithic, 3 year catch phrase "REBUILDING." We don't have the "talent" that the Raiders boast, but we are NOT starving at every position like this post makes us sound.

We need help on the right side of our OL. We could use another deep threat at WR, a NT, and LB's. This is year ONE of a new era. Hard to watch at times, but again, new faces in new places, and they are (slowly) making progress.

I like Haley, and what the new management is about FOOTBALL! Not the coddle-me-cowboys, squirmin hermin show. Like Randy said, cohesive is a key. We don't need the most talent, it's not working for the raiders, and the skins are just barely squeeking by. We need guys that show up to play every down and love what they do. Looking forward to the next several years, I think they could be very exciting.

shane.smith

Obviously we have talent! Dbowe,Albert,Waters,Cassel,Jackson,Dorsey,Vrabel,Carr,Flowers,etc... Keep in mind how young the majority of our players are as well as how many new faces are actually on this team. Even since preseason we have plenty of new faces. So give the team some time to work together. I felt sick after watching the last two games. We should have stomped the shit out of the butt pirate raiders at home. We just shot ourselves in the foot over & over again. PATIENCE is what I pray for be cause we will all be needing them over this next what could be VERY long season. The defense is starting to gel as well as our O-line and I believe throughout the year we will se our beloved Chiefs make huge strides as a very young talented team! Go Chiefs!

Randy5k

yeah big chief I agree with Chiefs fan

CHIEFS FAN IN CT

A loss is a loss but I'm not sure I agree with the "no-talent" argument. How do you explain our stats from the game if we have no talent? That was such a winnable game that was turned into a loss.