Time To Play “Chiefs: Chew or False”

Take ten true, or false, statements about the Kansas City Chiefs and depending on your opinion, or mood, pick the one you agree, or disagree, with and “chew” on it. Then spit out your opinion.

It’s really not as disgusting as it sounds.

I’ll start by giving you my take and then its’ your turn to… punt, pass or spit.

1. Justin Houston should have been our 1st round pick.

True. In the early spring I was pining for the Chiefs to select Justin Houston in the first round and I wrote a couple of pieces in favor of that. That was pre-dubbie-debacle. Now, I can safely say that at least he deserved to be taken in the first. My oh my, that “man” can play football and I can’t wait to see Houston and Hali launching at the same time, at the same target and arriving at the same moment. I heard one fan say recently that this is the most excited they have been about the Chiefs rush since the days of DT and Neil. I think that’s a tad premature but, I can see the potential. BTW… I’ve seen enough of pooty Studie to believe that Houston should be the starter on September 11th.

2. The Chiefs have solved their WR issues this off season.

False. For now. Like any other week, during the past two years, I have to have a “wait and see” attitude when it comes to our wide outs. During the past two years… I thought it could be Bowe. Then I thought it would be Chambers but, that was when Bowe was in Haley’s dog house. Then, Bowe turns into Mr. All World this past season when no other receiver could get open. So, we draft Baldwin and sign Breaston but, I’ve only seen Jerheme Urban show any flashes this preseason. Once again… I don’t know what to make of it. I do believe that Haley has a plan but, so far, in his first couple of seasons, he only has Bowe to show for all his “developing” at the WR position. I also think Haley has some Riverboat gambler in his soul and right now he’s neither playing or showing his cards.

3. Barry Richardson is going to get Matt Cassel murdered.

True (but, for Matt’s sake, I hope not). I don’t know about off the field but, on the field there is evidence that he’s gone backwards. I’ve been looking back at game tape and BRich is either going to set a record for holding penalties so that he can save Matty’s hide or he’s going to be a pallbearer. I don’t know what’s going on with him although, I was a fan of his progress last season. Now, even with the small sample of plays we have seen of Jared Gaither, I’d be more in favor of playing him at RT. BRich has been that bad.  Signing someone who may be getting released next week would be better than BRich… and I don’t even know who that would be. . Either way, I’m of the… try something, try anything… opinion.

4. Obama could hire Clark Hunt to balance the budget.

True. If the preseason is any kind of true indication of our needs at certain positions then we should spend some of the Chiefs plentiful salary cap that’s burning a hole in my pocket protractor. I’m all in favor of continuing to keep some cap space available for the leverage it affords the Chiefs but, there comes a time to step up and throw the deep ball. Come on Clark… go long.

Cap update after the break. Brace yourself.

If you’re wondering where the Chiefs stand with the cap here’s the update as of Monday, August 29th.

5. Ricky Stanzi is the second coming of Tom Brady.

False. Not yet anyway. He looks good. He is also a bright spot in an otherwise preseason black hole. I’m not comfortable with the Brady comparisons because there are very few QB’s who will ever be that good. Stanzi has escapability. Stanzi has pocket presence even though he has the escapability (something Michael Vick may never learn). Stanzi appears to have an equally accurate deep ball as he does short ball. Stanzi has good touch on screens and it’s too bad he has to play with the 3rd team all the time because he has to dump the ball off too often. Stanzi also looks like he has command in the huddle and does a good job of directing team mates between plays. There’s a lot to like here and I’m betting Pioli and Haley are confirming now what they probably thought when they drafted him: he’s a steal.

6. There’s cause for concern based on this preseason.

True , or… well hell yea, but I can’t think of a team in the league that isn’t concerned about what’s going on with their squad. The Chiefs seem to be taking the “trial-by-fire” approach with their young pups. Plus, I hear a double standard being spoken by so many, that the preseason “doesn’t matter” but, then everyone is upset when we don’t win these games. Preseason may not “count” but, it matters. To a degree. I’m sure no one recalls, off the top of their head, what the Packers record was last preseason. IOW… what happens in the preseason… stays in the preseason.

However, I’m hoping that the Chiefs not being competitive in preseason games, will not carry over to the regular season. So, yes, you could say I have my concerns.

7. Chiefs need to sign a veteran back-up QB.

False. If the Chiefs had done that earlier in the preseason I’d have supported that move. Now, at this moment, they will probably find fewer choices than if they wait a couple of weeks or even into the regular season, because of the cuts that are coming. Plus, I’m liking what I’m seeing out of both Tyler Palko and Ricky Stanzi. Wish I could say the same for Cassel.

8. The OL has more issues than the DL.

True. If you’re basing an opinion on the preseason then yes. I already addressed the BRich issue but, there will be more problems than RT if we’re trending off of these 3 games. Not one offensive lineman has played consistently well. Albert, Hudson, Wiegmann, Asamoah and BRich have all missed assignments or been beaten repeatedly. It’s not as bad as the cave-in performance of two years ago but, it’s not looking good. The Rams made each of our OL look bad at one time or the other and I’m not talking about the whole game, I’m talking about the in first quarter alone. Comparing the OL to the DL… Jackson has looked good and Dorsey will be better than last year. Gregg is going to need help in the middle. Gaither played and did alright except for the penalty. But, he played and that’s a positive.

9. Derrick Johnson is going to the Pro Bowl.

True. At least, he should! If DJ continues to play the way he’s played this preseason then he should be going to Hawaii in February. IMO Derrick has been the best Chiefs player so far this preseason. His play has finally begun to remind me of the way he used to dominate at the University of Texas. Now, he’s not only flowing to the ball but going through people and intercepting the ball all over the field. He’s going to help make the Chiefs D an exciting D to watch this year.

10. The best performance has been by the cheerleaders.

True, and I haven’t even looked at them yet. But, whatever they’ve had going on between the pom-poms has got to be better than what’s been going on between the stripes. And, if things don’t change soon, my attention will shift faster than you can say, “Give me an F.”