If I told you a team lost its top tackler, its two safeties and three of its top defensive lineman from the previous year, most of you would say that team would struggle defensively.

THAT TEAM, MY FRIENDS, IS OUR CHIEFS.

Whether you like it or not, we are one step removed from an expansion team. You know that when our top playmaker the last three weeks is Andy Studebaker — a Division 3 player!!!

It is impossible to objectively evaluate Todd Haley and Matt Cassel. When Dwayne Bowe was suspended we were left with one offensive playmaker — Jamaal Charles. Cassel and Haley are attempting to make something from nothing. As a result crazy chances are being taken on 4th down such as the polecat. It was a DESPERATION attempt to score and alter the course of the game.
Haley’s and Cassel’s future will depend on the ability of one Scot Pioli to draft, sign and develop playmakers.

SUGGESTION BOX:
1. HIRE AN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR IN THE OFFSEASON YOU TRUST
2. Find a quality, dependable center
3. Rebuild the right side of the O-Line
4. Find another RB and regulate Charles to change-of-pace duty

Sunday, I watched the Browns-Bengals with a vested interest as I have Ocho Cinco, Cedrick Benson (Bernard Scott as a handcuff) and Carson Palmer on my fantasy team. Early in the game, Scott sustained a hip injury and guess who entered the game? Our anti-hero LJ. I attempted to watch his performance objectively, but could barely suffer through the experience. As with the Chiefs, number 27 ran strong off tackle but did not break a long run or attempt a true outside run. His pass blocking was hidious — he looked like a ping-pong ball bouncing off pass rushers in the same fashion he performed his pass-blocking duties while with the Chiefs.

It does reflect positively on our coaching staff in their prior evaluations of LJ. As I mentioned previously, LJ orchestrated his exodus from K.C., putting the Chiefs in a no-win situation. Forget L.J.’s stats from last Sunday against possibly the league’s worst team. He refuses to pass block and Jamaal Charles’ numbers with the Chiefs blow away what Johnson did in red and gold this season. Charles is a better fit for Haley’s system and the locker room. The Chiefs made the right call.

One has to wonder what will happen first with LJ — further incidents in Cincy or losing his one strong suit, the ability to run straight forward with a full head of steam. Nevertheless, the Chiefs again made the right decision. What makes a good coach? Is it the ability to relate to the players in the fashion of Herm Edwards and Dick Vermiel? Or is the harsh, critical, demanding style of coaches like Todd Haley or Mark Mangino? The one quality I feel a head coach must possess is leadership. The ability to get a coaching staff and a group of players to follow and to execute a gameplan and to buy into a system. It doesn’t matter if they speak softly, like say Tony Dungy, or carry a big stick, like say Bill Parcells. One way or another, leadership is the key.

In addition to that trait, that leader must have a core group of players who will be instrumental in implementing his system. After watching the Saints dismantle the Patriots, it appears that Bill Belichick has lost that core group of players, particularly on defense. Gone are stalwarts Asante Samuel, MikeVrabel, Ted Bruschi, Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour, all of whom were not only talented but heady players that were essentially “coaches on the field”. It appears to this casual observer that’s the type of player Pioli and company are looking for in their effort to rebuild the Chiefs.

Congratulations to Gary Pinkel and Co. for their big win at Arrowhead. His ultra-conservative decision to punt on fourth down with less than three minutes to go in the game shows it is simply better to be lucky than good. Then again, no matter the choice, you just have to be right. Even the aforementioned Belichick recently looked like an imbecile when he foolishly went for an ill-advised fourth down conversion and cost his team a pivotal rivalry game against the Colts.

Until next week — BEAT THE DONKEYS!

L.J. searching for a new home reminded me of other Chiefs who have found new homes. I reviewed the rosters of the other NFL teams searching out former Chiefs. Here are my results:

Todd Collins QB Washington
Benny Sapp DB Minnesota
Ty Law CB Denver
Vonnie Holiday DE Denver
Casey Wiegmann C Denver
Tony Gonzalez TE Atlanta
Scot Fujita LB New Orleans
Ryan Sims DT Tampa Bay
Tank Tyler DE Carolina
Jared Allen DE Minnesota
Turk McBride DE Detroit
Kris Wilson TE San Diego
Tyler Thigpen QB Miami
Keyaron Fox LB Pittsburgh

One thing stands out. Where are the offensive lineman we have drafted or signed?

While some people point out our failures to adequately re-stock our defensive line, everyone has forgotten we have failed miserably to put emphasis on our offensive line in the draft.As a result our run game has been non-existent and pass protection iffy at best. Without an adequate offensive line you cannot control the line of scrimmage and expose your defense to quick “three and outs.” I suggest that during next year’s draft and free agency period significant attention be turned to these areas if our franchise is to make an about face!

Quarterbacks
QB Matt Cassel – C Difficult situation. Started off the semester injured with a heavy course load. Classmates are not carrying their load

Offensive Line – C- Remedial Class-Has played part of the semester without its star pupil Brandon Albert-Remainder of the line particularly the right side must be evaluated as special needs.
Ryan O’Callaghan – Incomplete
Mike Goff – D
Rudy Niswanger – D-
Brian Waters  – C
Brandon Albert – Incomplete Probably a better fit at right tackle in order to avoid nagging injuries

Running Backs
Larry Johnson – F OSS — Out of School Suspension
Jamaal Charles – C Missed key block on blocked punt last week!
Dantrell Savage – C Special needs

Receivers
Dwayne Bowe – B-Doesn’t complete homework assignments
Bobby Wade – B Pleasant suprise, may be over achieving
Mark Bradley – D

Tight Ends
Sean Ryan – B Performed above talent level and has exceeded expectations for a journeyman
Brad Cottam – F

Kickers
Ryan Succup – A-
Dustin Colquitt – B

Defensive Line
Ron Edwards – C+
Tyson Jackson – C Has demonstrated potential
Glenn Dorsey – B Remedial classes have helped

Linebackers
Tambi Hali – A Has achieved beyond expectations
Corey Mays – B Consistent and solid performer
Derrick Johnson – F ISS — Inschool Suspension
Mike Vrabel – B+ Student Council President
Demorrio Williams – C Can’t give a former husker a good grade!

Cornerback
Brandon Flowers – C Hasn’t lived up to expectation
Brandon Carr – C Inconsistent
Maurice Leggett – D Consistently Tackles with Head down

Safeties
Mike Brown – C Is a slow reader
Jarrad Page – F Season’s over due to mysterious “minor” injury — fishy

Staff
Todd Haley – D Difficult class faced with many problem students, too emotional to control classroom at times. Dismissed a key aid resulting excessive responsibilities
Scott Pioli – Incomplete We need more time to evaluate the new superintendent

1.Larry Johnson never liked being with K.C and immediately got in the doghouse of Dick Vermeil — “take your diapers off” episode.
2.Larry Johnson’s total yards have fallen dramatically from his high in 2005 and 2006 of 1750 yards and 1789 yards to 559 in 2007, 874 in 2008 and 358 in 2009.
3.Likewise his average yards per carry have fallen from a high of 5.2 ypc in 2005 to a current low of 2.7 ypc.
4.Larry Johnson’s off-field behavior continues to show disrespect for his coaches, fans and the people of K.C.

No. 27 is a scared, aging running back on a horrible team. He has lost any hope of a trade to another team. He is frustrated that the Chiefs enforced clauses in his contract last spring that cost him part of his contract. So instead of becoming an out and out malcontent he tweets. He badmouths his coach, the Chiefs franchise and sportwriters attempting to cover the team. He has angered in the process two of the most player friendly coaches in Dick Vermeil and Herm Edwards.Now he is belittling a first year coach who has been supportive and enthusiastic about Larry’s performance to date.

He planned this whole thing. Like Corey Dillon sandbagging the Bengals, this whole thing seems contrived. L.J. sees the likes of Cedric Benson and Will Witherspoon going from worst to basically first, and he wants to do the same. In the back of his head, Johnson probably thought another round of tantrums could get him in a Chicago, New England, Philadelphia, etc. uniform by Thanksgiving. I say we give him his wish.

Keeping L.J. over Jared Allen was one of the top mistakes in team history. Let’s distance ourselves from the King Carl/Herm era by ridding ourselves of their biggest mistake. Then and only then will this team be able to truly look forward. As Vermiel stated “it’s time to take the diapers off.” Let Larry the Great Troublemaker go.

Or so the Redskins theme song plays at FedEx Field. Fortunately, our Chiefs were the beneficiaries of another bailout from our Nation’s capitol. In doing so, our boys in red avoided setting a new record for Chief futility. In 1977, the Chiefs began their season 0-5, defeated the Chargers and then got blowout by the Browns 44-10. That 1-6 start was enough for a middle-aged Lamar Hunt, who promptly fired head coach Paul Wiggins. He was replaced by his defensive coordinator, Tom Bettis, who led the Chiefs to victory the next weekend over the Packers before finishing the season with consecutive losses.

Just like the stock market bottoming out to the 6700’s, the Chief’s perhaps have bottomed out with three wins out of the last 31 games. Particularly encouraging was the play of Tamba Hali, Glenn Dorsey and the defense as a whole. The makeshift O-line with two journeymen offensive tackles — Wade Smith (left) and Ryan O’Callaghan (right) — did a credible performance against the strength of the Redskins  — Albert Haynesworth and company. Matt Cassel continues to demonstrate poise and leadership, both of which have been lacking in K.C for years.

As for the Redskins, perhaps they should adopt the old adage previously reserved for the old Washington Senators.

Washington: first in war, first in peace and last in the NFC East!

Congrats to Scott Pioli, Todd Haley, the Chiefs and ALL YOU ADDICTS!

In 1943, America was at war and the NFL was close to losing two of its famed franchises — the Eagles and the Steelers. Left with only 6 players on his roster, Art Rooney called Lex Thompson, the owner of the Eagles. Rooney suggested that the 6 Steelers merge with the 16 Eagles left on their roster. After much coercion, Thompson agreed only if the team remained the Eagles and played the majority of its games in Philadelphia.

Next the league had to agree to the merger. Ultimately, it did with the stipulation the the merger be dissolved at the end of the season and the team not be eligible for the playoffs.T he team had co-head coaches, Walt Kiesling and Greasy Neale, and finished 5-4-1. Along the way the team became known as the Steagles and help save Pro Football in Pennsylvania.

Such is the case now in Missouri. While our country is currently at war in Afghanistan, some would suggest that neither the Chiefs nor Rams have the full complement of NFL players. Furthermore, Arrowhead is under renovation and Rams officials constantly complain about the Edward Jones Dome as being an unworthy home. The answer? Combine the two franchises for the rest of the year.

Play half the remaining games in each city and play half of each team’s remaining schedule. Vacated games would count as a forfeit (they basically are anyway) and allow the opposition another bye weak. By agreeing to the temporary merger, both fan bases might have the opportunity to savor victory this year. Hell, Steve Spagnuolo could coach the defense and Todd Haley could helm the offense.

I suggest the the new team be named the Griefs. “R” for the Rams, “iefs” for the Chiefs and “G” for Georgia Frontieri, the late owner of the Rams.

Think about it. A team with a chance to be competitive, to actually win a game. A novel concept!

10. Play fantasy football, but get in a league without Adam and Zach.

9. Adopt another team as your 2009 surrogate (excluding the Browns or Rams).

8. Avoid watching the Chiefs broadcast after 1 pm.

7. Do not read any Jason Whitlock columns as they will simply reiterate the obvious (see columns week 1-3).

6. Think of the season as a competition for the number one pick.

5. Schedule honey-do projects on Sunday afternoons.

4. Never pay full price for a Chiefs ticket.

3. Go the Renaissance Festival.

2. Attend a college game at KU, MU, OU, Nebraska or Iowa.

1. LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS — THIS IS NOT GOING TO GET BETTER FAST!

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

Game management. Coaching. Not having turnovers. Making plays like Jon McGraw’s blocked punt for a TD, or Derrick Johnson’s interception. Averaging 49 yards per punt and successfully hitting a 53-yard field goal.

Yes, it is the little things that add up to victory. Like not running out of the endzone on a kickoff when your team is up by five with two minutes to play (Bills vs Patriots). Like not tipping the last pass of the game to your opposition (Bengals vs Broncos).

Todd Haley is methodically teaching the Chiefs to do the little things needed in order to be winners. Although the pantry is bare, Haley is laying the foundation for future Chiefs teams. Future Chiefs teams will be in excellent physical condition, will not take plays off and will not beat themselves.

Sunday, the Chiefs fought gallantly although clearly overmatched in talent. Players like Brodie Croyle played within their limitations and did not create turnovers. It was clear that Haley was a big part of this, as the Chiefs played better than expected, while the Cardinals performed poorly in their first post-Super Bowl regular season game.

Hopefully, blowouts, poorly devised gameplans and frustrating game management will be, to quote The Raven, “nevermore.”