Obsession: The Arrowhead Addict Roster Familiarity Project
By Big Matt
If you were too busy having real world fun for internet fun on Labor Day, you probably missed my original post about the Roster Familiarity Project. It’s OK guys, I’m not mad at you. Seriously, stop apologizing. Would I like you to make time for me and my stupid Chiefs ideas every Monday? Yes. Will I hate you if you don’t?………..yes.
All joking aside, this project is something I’m very excited about. In summary, I’m trying to gather as much spin-free knowledge about the Chiefs as possible. I have enlisted the aid of various Addicts in this endeavor. Their mission, essentially, is to choose a player, watch him like a hawk, and report their findings. I’ll be updating the project weekly as the season progresses. Let’s take a look at who we’ve got covered so far.
Big Matt- Glenngarry Glenn Dorsey (and Magee when he’s in, presumably as a backup for Dorsey), Ryan Lilja
American Wolf X- Derrick Johnson
Jeff (is there more than one Jeff? Oh well, you know who you are)- Andy Studebaker
Jeremyriversideca- Branden Albert
Paddy- Javier Arenas (he’s your boy, right?)
Lenny- Ron Edwards, whoever is the primary backup to Edwards
Sesame Cake- Kendrick “Louis” Lewis
Ehud- Brandon Carr
Phanatic- offensive line in general (this guy has been my offensive line guru for years and he never lets me down)
KC Oracle- Tin Man
Wyld Ball- Tin Man, O’Callaghan
The Centaur- Jovan Belcher (he’s a Belcher Backer)
Jung Guns- Corey Mays (assigned by me)
We’ve got some pretty good coverage thus far, but it isn’t complete. There are still several players we need eyes on. Ideally I’d like to get several sets of eyes on some of the key players. We don’t need anyone watching Cassel, the running backs or the receivers, because the camera will follow them for us. And anyway, there is never a dearth of knowledge about skill players. It’s most important to me to get the trenches covered, because those are the guys that tend to slip through the cracks.
Here are some players I still want eyes on:
Brian Waters- I think Waters’ play has slipped noticeably these last two years. It’s possible he’s out of gas. I hope not, but its possible. Is Waters still a solution, or will he too become a problem? How soon does Asamoah need to be ready? I need someone I can trust on this situation.
Glenn Dorsey- I’m already on Dorsey, but I’m worried I may be biased against him due to watching him so closely during his rookie year. I need someone else on him to keep me honest.
Shaun Smith- I’m ready to like this guy as soon as he makes a good play. Crennel loves him, so we’ll be seeing him plenty. Who wants to man up and take responsibility for a backup lineman?
Niswanger/Weigmann- I’m interested in this center “battle” but will be busy watching Lilja when we have the ball. Can somebody keep an eye on this for me? Really pulling for Weigmann here. I’d rather have a folding chair under center than Niswanger.
Tamba Hali- We all know Tamba is good. Is he great? The knock on him for years has been that he can’t play the run. I have trouble believing such a tenacious, hard-working player would really be that bad at run defense. Somebody help me out with this.
Brandon Flowers/Eric Berry- It’s going to be hard to watch the secondary because the camera isn’t often on them. Still, this is an important group for us. I need people ready to do what they can to keep an eye on them. Flowers and Berry are the future (and present) of this defense. I want to know as much as possible about them. I’d take Flowers myself if not for operation Dorseywatch.
Mike Vrabel- Can he still play? Scott Pioli, if you’re out there, you want to volunteer for this one? I have a feeling you’re doing it anyway.
Lenny Pope- We know Pope is really big. Can he block? God I hope so, because something tells me we’re going to be seeing a lot of Pope this year.
Tony Moeaki- The next Brad Cottam, or the next Tony Gonzalez?
Wallace Gilberry- Could Gilberry really be a viable starter? I’m hesitant to believe that, but the guy can rush the passer, which is something none of our other linemen can do.
OK Addicts, help me out. If there is anyone else out there who feels up to focusing on someone throughout the season, let me know. It can be anyone, even a player who has already been assigned. More eyes is always better. You don’t have to watch your guy every down, just as much as you’re able. Enough to feel confident in your assessment of his play. I’ll be coming to you regularly for information and updates on your player. My hope is that this project can help us form an accurate, spin-free assessment of our team, its strengths, and its weaknesses.