John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

Things are ugly in Kansas City these days. The Royals are ugly. The Chiefs are ugly. And the fans are ugly, too.

We as fans have every right to be disappointed and outraged at the product the Chiefs have displayed on the field. They are BAD, just flat out bad. As you well know, it hasn’t exactly been an easy decade to be a Chiefs fan. Sure, there were a few bright seasons, but overall, we’ve stood by a losing team year after year after year, hoping that next season will finally be the end of rebuilding and the beginning of dominance. The emotional and financial investment each fan has contributed to the team hasn’t been equally reciprocated. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of looking to next year’s Draft before the halfway point of the season.

In short, the organization has let us down, and it’s fair to hold those involved accountable.

I watched this past Sunday’s game against the Chargers with increasing horror and disgust. One fan suggested we wear paper bags on our heads each Sunday.

Fans want GM Scott Pioli fired, head coach Romeo Crennel fired, QB Matt Cassel benched, and they want owner Clark Hunt to address the public about what his course of action will be. Some fans are even resorting to playground behavior like calling names. Perhaps we fans need a bit of perspective, to take a step back, a deep breath and evaluate where our anger should be directed, and how we should comport ourselves.

Before I go any further, this is not a post defending Matt Cassel. I think he has shown the NFL what he can do, and sadly—for him, and us—his talents won’t be leading any team to a Super Bowl. I also think there is no one more disappointed about that than him. I feel confident stating for the record that he is not playing poorly on purpose. Furthermore, I think if practicing harder would make him better, he would do it. Because that is the persona he has shown to the public: a hard worker. As Andrew Crocker pointed out, it’s hard not to like Matt Cassel.

There are plans this weekend to fly a banner over Arrowhead Stadium prior to the game, urging Hunt to fire Pioli and bench Cassel.

Of all those taking heat, Matt Cassel is the one least responsible for the mess that this team is, for reasons stated above. Pioli is  arguably the biggest culprit because he failed to sign a high-caliber quarterback that would compete for the starting position. Crennel is like a kindly, incoherent politician who contradicts himself during successive interviews. He seems lost as a coach. And Hunt is the silent accomplice, guilty in the fans’ eyes of sitting on his throne of money down in Texas.

Matt Cassel has the unenviable position of very publicly performing a job in a billion-dollar industry, a job for which he is not qualified. I cannot even begin to imagine how he feels as this entire city turns against him, and spouts vitriol.

Chiefs fans are passionate about this team. We are loyal to this team. And our anger and frustration is justified. But we are better than the name-calling, mob mentality that’s on display right now.

Let’s not forget who we are. Let’s not forget that we as Chiefs fans have a reputation as some of the best fans in the NFL. Let’s not stoop to the Chiefs’ level of play. We can be angry, but we shouldn’t be hateful.

Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Peyton Manning and I have a long-standing feud. It dates back to prehistoric times when the Chiefs lost to the Colts in the 2004 playoff game, when the punters kept the bench warm because neither offense could be stopped. I’m not here to rehash that game, but here’s a link  to read about that unbelievable game. You’re welcome.

I’m sure we can all agree: that was a heartbreaking loss. Personally, I thought the Chiefs were headed to the Super Bowl. Instead the Chiefs were one and done AGAIN, and we Chiefs fans boxed up our gear for another offseason that came sooner than planned.

I have despised Manning since that game. I’ve reveled in his losses, and bristled when people call him the greatest quarterback ever. If you decide to argue with this in the comments, I will ignore you. (OK, OK, I do enjoy his Sony commercials. And that one time on SNL. But that’s all.)

Fast forward to 2012 when the biggest free agent of the NFL was tearfully announced by the man himself – Manning, along with Jim Irsay, who needs to practice his fake crying.

When word spread that the Chiefs were interested in Manning, I was not thrilled. But I allowed myself to get swept up in Manning Fever. Let’s say I had tepid Manning Fever – nothing some Tylenol wouldn’t cure. My support was mostly to prepare myself in case the Chiefs signed the enemy.

Thankfully, out of all the teams and divisions in the NFL, Manning chose to grace the AFC West with his presence – not, as we all know, as a Chief, but as a Bronco.

I don’t know about you, but I am excited about this. Twice a year we will get a chance at redemption for that playoff loss? A chance to play spoiler to his comeback year? Watching the great Manning struggle against Romeo “Defensive Genius” Crennel? A chance to have a strong, relevant Broncos/Chiefs rivalry again? Yes, PLEASE.

Just think what fun we will have watching Tamba Hali closing in on Manning, while Manning is scrambling for the sideline. Ah, replays of John Elway and the late Derrick Thomas dance in my head. As the game clock ticks down to its last seconds, imagine a desperate Peyton Manning thumbing through the playbook, futilely searching for that one last play to put the Broncos on top. What a delicious sight that will be!

I relish the idea that EVERY YEAR we have a chance to prevent the Great Peyton Manning, and by proxy, the Broncos, from making it to the playoffs. Who’s with me?

Welcome to the West, Manning.