Here are some thoughts from bloggers/readers in our live chat:

Merlin

Soft schedule that will have Chiefs fans dreaming of making the playoffs. Even with a great draft, that’s a stretch.

Randy

Medium Schedule, super exciting opening game, Extra game in St Louis I can attend, Thirteen live games for me!

Ehud189

Monday Night Football returns to Arrowhead! With a little luck we could be in the playoff hunt this year but, realistically I see us as no better than 8-8.

(more…)

Looks like Pat Bolan already has his man picked out to be his next head coach, Jim Schwartz. The Titans defensive coordinator is rumored to be the coach the Denver Broncos are after. We just got this information from a very trustworthy source that used to be a high-level employee with the Broncos organization. If this is true, then I think the Broncos have made a very wise decision. Schwartz seems to be a coach on the rise and has enough experience (eight years as a coordinator) in the NFL to become a very good head coach. The Broncos struggles on defense is what ultimately cost this team the AFC West crown. Bringing in one of the top defensive coordinators in the business should help them turn things around. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help the Chiefs out at all.

The Broncos will have to wait until the Titans are finished with the playoffs before they can officially hire him. They can go ahead interview him, which the Lions are doing so as well. Here is a little more on Schwartz from the Titans Official Site:

Jim Schwartz is in his 10th season with the Titans and eighth as defensive coordinator.

During his tenure as defensive coordinator, two statistics have been at the heart of the team’s success – third-down defense and rushing defense. Over the last seven seasons, the Titans rank sixth in the league in third-down defense (36.3% conversion rate) and eighth in the league in rushing defense (105 yards per game). Currently, the Titans defense has allowed only eight 100-yard rushers in the last 56 home games.

What do you think about”The Schwartz”?

#	Team		Pick
1		Detroit Lions (0-16)	QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma - The Lions have to find a signal caller that doesn’t walk out of the endzone. If Bradford comes out look for the Lions to jump on him.
2		St. Louis Rams (2-14)	OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss – Some people like Smith better, but the Rams need a guy that can replace Orlando Pace and I have a feeling Pace might call it
3		Kansas City Chiefs (2-14)	DE Brian Orakpo, Texas – Lets face it Chiefs fans, we set the record for the least amount of sacks in a single season. Unless we sign a big name defensive end FA, I think we have to get a pass rusher. Other options: OL, QB, LB, and Crabtree.
4		Seattle Seahawks (4-12)	WR Michael Crabtree, T-Tech – I know right now he is saying he is coming back, but I don’t believe it. The Seahawks can bring in the biggest playmaker in the draft.
5		Cleveland Browns (4-12)	DE Michael Johnson, G-Tech – The Browns need serious help everywhere on defense and with McGinest deciding to retire they need a pass rusher.. The offense should be back after an injury ridden season.
6		Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)	OT Andre Smith, Alabama – The Bengals get a get what most believe is the best OT in the draft, but his latest suspension could cost him a few slots.
7		Oakland Raiders (5-11)	S Taylor Mays, USC – Al Davis will be in control of this pick and he loves sexy. Taylor Mays is going to be a “sexy” pick. (Did I just say that?)
8		Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)	CB Malcom Jenkins, Ohio St. – The Jags are one of the worst teams against the pass, but they also could use some help at OL and WR.
9		Green Bay Packers (6-10)	DE Greg Hardy, Ole Miss – The Packers had a rough year rushing the QB, which really exposed their aging corners.
10		San Francisco 49ers (7-9)	QB Matt Stafford, Georgia - The 49ers are desperate to find a QB because their crop of QBs haven’t exactly panned out. Stafford drops a little and its good news for the Niners.
11		Buffalo Bills (7-9)	DE Everette Brown, FSU – The Bills could use another pass rusher, especially Aaron Schobel can’t comeback to be the same guy.
12		Denver Broncos (8-8)	LB Rey Maualuga, USC – This is not good news for the Chiefs. Since the Broncos got bounced from the playoffs they get somewhat of a reward for missing out.
13		Washington Redskins (8-8)	OT Eugene Monroe, V-Tech – The Redskins need to protect Jason Campbell more and Monroe will be a nice guy to add to the line. This pick will make even more sense if Jansen is let go.
14		New Orleans Saints (8-8)	LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest - The Saints need help on defense and they could potentially get the best LB in the draft at 14. Curry can play either inside or outside LB.
15		Houston Texans (8-8)	WR Percy Harvin, Florida – The Texans offense could use another playmaker like Harvin. Add him to Schaub, AJ, Daniels, Slaton, and Walters this could be a scary offense.
16		San Diego Chargers (8-8)	LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio St. – The Chargers have been woeful against the run and the pass compared to previous seasons. Laurinaitis will help sure up a defense that struggled in ’08.
17		New York Jets (9-7)	CB Vontae Davis, Illinois – The Jets could use a little bit everywhere on defense. Davis I believe is the best player on the board so why not grab him?
18		Chicago Bears (9-7)	WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri – Can you imagine having Hester and Maclin on both sides of your offense. Maclin is a better true WR, but Hester is developing his skills. (If Harvin and Maclin are available I see them taking Harvey)
19		Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)	RB Chris Wells, Ohio St. – Gruden loves running backs and Wells is the best on the board. Cadilliac’s career could be over and Graham is coming back from injury.
20		Detroit Lions (9-7, Pick via Cowboys)	OT Ciron Black, LSU – The Lions will need to keep adding to their defensive line if they pick a QB first.
21		Arizona Cardinals (9-7)	C Alex Mack, Cal – The Cardinals could benefit from adding another top OL. Mack will be a great center for years to come and help the Cardinals running game.
22		Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1)	OT Eben Britton, Arizona - Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan could possibly be free-agents the Eagles will need an OT. I see maybe one re-signing, but not both.
23		Minnesota Vikings (10-6)	CB Victor Harris, V-Tech – The Vikings need help in their secondary and Harris could be an immediate impact.
24		New England Patriots (11-6)	CB Trevard Lindley, Kentucky – The Patriots missed Asante Samuel this year and they need to address their secondary problems. They could also look at William Moore.
25		Atlanta Falcons (11-5)	DT Terrrance Tyler, Michigan – The Eagles are ranked last in playoff teams against the run. They have been great in December, but you can never have to many DTs.
26		Miami Dolphins (11-5)	CB DJ Moore, Vanderbilt – The Dolphins secondary have struggled all season long. I think they could look for a WR or LB later in the draft, but they need to adress their secondary first.
27		Baltimore Ravens (11-5)	DE George Selvie, South Florida – The Ravens might have to replace Suggs and Selvie is a guy that could potentially do that.
28		Indianapolis Colts 12-4)	DT Al Woods, LSU – The Colts could use some extra beef on their DL and Woods can bring that to them.
29		Philadelphia Eagles (12-4; Pick via Panthers)	WR Derrius Heyward Bey, Maryland – Jackson was a nice addition to the Eagles offense, but I don’t believe he could ever be a #1 WR. Thats why the Eagles need to bring a big target for McNabb or whoever.
30		Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)	OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma - There is a reason why Big Ben is more beat up this year than any of his previous seasons. Faneca is not there and the line has gotten worse.
31		New York Giants (12-4)	DE/OLB Clint Sintim, Virgina – The Giants need help on their defensive line which has gotten very tired towards the end of the season. Plus they could move Sintim around.
32		Tennessee Titans (13-3)	DT BJ Raji, Boston College – The Titans might have to consider losing Haynesworth to free agency, but even if he stays addind Raji will make this defense even better.

You can check out more Mock Drafts at our NFL Draft site and Mock Draft Database, NFLMocks.com.

Praise the football gods! The National Football Post is reporting that that horse-faced S.O.B. Mike Shanahan has been fired by the Denver Broncos! This is great news, as ol’ Shanny has been a thorn in our side for as long as I can remember. Stay tuned for more on this breaking story…

Updates:

Shanahan Done In Denver – Predominantly Orange

Broncos fire Shanahan after 21 years with team – ESPN

Shanahan out as Broncos coach after late collapse – FOX Sports

This will be the first time in Chiefs history to draft third overall in the draft. If the Chiefs would’ve drafted second overall then it would have been the fourth time they drafted second overall. They took Neil Smith, Mike Bell, and Art Still. I think this is actaully good news for the Chiefs because this draft is so deep and there are no clear cut superstars at the top of the draft. The Chiefs will actually have the second pick in the second, fourth and sixth rounds as well. So let’s start asking the question…

Who do you want the Chiefs to draft with the third pick overall?

(Stay tuned for my first mock draft and Adam’s Draft Apples.)

What’s Up Yardbarkers? We are off to Oakland but I wanted to touch base with you all. I hope you and your family had a very Happy Thanksgiving! I had a nice day and ate way too much turkey! Let’s GEAUX CHIEFS!!!

Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was suspended for Week 10 of the NFL season by commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Johnson is not permitted on the team’s premises until Nov. 10. The suspension will cost him about $147,000, or one game check.

Carl Peterson felt that the suspension was fair and hopes that LJ can rebuild his life.

“We respect the decision of commissioner Goodell,” said Carl Peterson, president of the Kansas City Chiefs. “The NFL player conduct policy sets forth a set of standards that all NFL players, coaches and staff members must abide by. Upon the completion of his suspension we sincerely hope that Larry will be ready to return to the field for the Chiefs determined to make a positive contribution to our team and, with the assistance of the people around him, turn his life around.”

I think the Chiefs have done the right thing by sitting LJ for the last two weeks and this Sunday. I think LJ might have gotten a longer suspension if the Chiefs had taken no action. Let’s all hope that LJ will come back the new-and-improved LJ that we all know he can be for this team.

Napoleon Harris will serve a second tour of duty as a Vikings linebacker after signing a contract for the rest of the season.  Harris began the year with Kansas City but was unable to crack the depth chart for whatever reason – this after a 2007 campaign which saw him lead the Chiefs in tackles.  Harris joins Dontarrious Thomas as a second former Viking brought in to fill the void left by the injuries to E.J. Henderson and Heath Farwell, both of whom have been placed on IR.

The Chiefs obvioulsy cut Harris because he couldn’t beat out players that were making about a fourth of his salary. This was another bad off-season signing for Carl Peterson. Luckily, he made the right decision and got rid of this one sooner rather than later. Consider yourself lucky, Pat Surtain.

“I can’t say I really enjoyed last year,” Hicks said. “Being in Kansas City for nine years, that was my home and it’s still our home now. Nothing is going to compare to Arrowhead Stadium and the fans there. New York was different. Long Island is a tough place to live. It’s not for everybody. My family and I were glad when we got back to Kansas City.”

Hicks comes “full circle” – GoErie.com & Arrowhead Pride

This brings me to the point of this post. Jeffri Chadiha recently wrote about Jared Allen‘s continuing battle to stay away from alcohol. The only problem is that in our society it is everywhere you go, especially for NFL players.

“Alcohol is everywhere,” Allen says of life in the NFL. “It’s on the team plane, at off-season golf tournaments. And it’s something that I like to do.”

When Herm Edwards got to Kansas City he decided that he would ban alcohol from all team events, but that still hasn’t always stopped players from drinking at them. Like Boomer Grigsby, for instance.

After arriving in January 2006, Chiefs coach Herm Edwards banned alcohol at team functions. But Grigsby still wound up downing shots of whiskey after every hole of Edwards’ charity golf tournament that summer. Grigsby, it turned out, had been teamed with four local businessmen who were eager to drink with one of the team’s biggest-known partyers.

Jared and Boomer are now in different cities trying to contribute to different teams. It seems that Jared is fighting every day to live life sober, while Boomer is probably still having a little fun. Heck, he lives in Miami. The Vikings are trusting that Jared will stay away from alcohol and any future problems with the law. So far he has done an excellent job and it seems like Jared has figured it out. The NFL might want to start trying to figure it out, too.

Newly-Rich Allen Battles Age-Old Alcohol Problem – ABC Sports

Kansas City is famous for its barbeque — have you been able to sample any great BBQ yet?

I’ve tasted a couple of places: LC’s Bar-B-Q and Gates Bar-B-Q. Those places have great food.

Being a guard in college and now moving to left tackle in Kansas City, how is the transition going?

It’s going pretty well. There are times where I’m doing very well and there are times where I’m struggling. But for the most part, I’m getting it and learning on the run.

Which Chiefs players have you become friends with?

Dwayne Bowe and Brian Waters. Most of my rookie class I am pretty good friends with, too. A lot of guys, but those two that I mentioned, I talk to and do stuff with on a regular basis.

Which player are you most looking forward to playing against in the NFL?

I would have to say Julius Peppers.

Now go check out the rest of the article to find out why he wants to go against Julius Peppers and how Brian Waters has been helping him along.

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