The Morning Fix: Chiefs News From Around The Web

The Chiefs should be used to talking about blowout losses by now, but they’re not getting any better at it.

Crennel, for instance, has tried to send messages this year by switching quarterbacks and cutting cornerbacks and giving up his defensive coordinator duties to concentrate more on offense (the Chiefs have responded by scoring 19 points in 25 possessions), and pledged that anyone who turns the ball over will be benched.

He has vacillated between “ELIMINATE BAD FOOTBALL” and “PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL” signs, but is still wondering what else he can do to stop his team’s pathetic football.

“We’ll evaluate and determine if there’s anything else we can do,” Crennel says.

Thing is, too many in the Chiefs’ locker room seem to be in denial. Flowers mentioned that some people think the Chiefs are among the NFL’s top five in talent. Shaun Smith called for fan loyalty, and pointed out that only two teams can play in the Super Bowl. Jamaal Charles said a coaching change would only set the Chiefs back, as if they’re not already there.

“Look, I feel like I’m one of the most privileged people in the world,’’ Quinn said. “I’m very blessed to have the opportunity to do what I do. (Playing in) the National Football League is a dream, really. It’s not only changed my life, it’s changed my family’s life forever.

“I don’t care what team you’re on or what your record is, it’s without a doubt the best job you could ever have. I don’t care what the circumstances may sound like or look like to everyone else. I love what I do, and I love the game of football and I also will love being under center and going back there and slinging the ball around.’’

“I don’t know what the outcome is, what you’re going to get if you keep on changing head coaches and changing head coaches,’’ said Charles, playing for his third head coach in five years with the Chiefs.“If you keep doing that, he can’t get the right players here. I feel if you stay with one system and continue to get players, I feel you can be successful. If (Crennel) is here for one year, you just can’t kick him out because he’s not having a good year. Let him get his stuff together and have a couple of years, then we can have a successful year.

“Everybody goes through (coaching changes) every year, and some have success and some don’t. Some come back (without a coaching change) next year and have a better year.’’

“I definitely understand the fan frustration,” cornerback Brandon Flowers said. “C’mon, this is their team they love and they love watching, and they’re not winning. Who wouldn’t be upset? We’re not babies. We understand. We’re not winning; the fans are going to get mad.”

Beyond the losing, it’s a feeling that the pieces aren’t in place to stop the slide that has Chiefs fans so riled up and eager to get through to Hunt or anyone else who saw Sunday’s funeral.

“I’ve had (season) tickets for 40 years and, if I continue to renew, what’s another way to press that this is a different set of circumstances from what I’ve seen before?” said Ron Stephenson of Independence, a season-ticket holder since 1972. “Over 40 years, I’ve seen a lot of bad football. I’ve seen Frank Gansz’s teams and I’ve been through the (former general manager) Jim Schaaf years, but even those years you felt like they weren’t very far away from having something good happen.”

After an improved outing on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh last week, the Chiefs returned home only to lay another egg. It was the seventh straight loss for the Chiefs, and their sixth straight loss at home dating back to last season.

The game started on a positive note for Kansas City, after they achieved their first lead at home this season. Kicker Ryan Succop hit a 34-yard field goal to give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead with 8:31 to play in the first quarter.

Not much went right for the Chiefs (1-9, 0-5 home) after that. The Bengals responded with a 78-yd TD drive. Quarterback Andy Dalton’s four-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver A.J. Green gave Cincinnati a 7-3 lead with 2:51 left in the first quarter.