This year is marked by the current regime trying to identify their core players. So, I thought I would give it my shot and toss it out to everyone for comments.

What is a core player? I am defining a core player as a player that will be a very good player that should be around for the next five years.

Offense:

Matt Cassel: He has proven to have leadership and enough ability to be a solid starter in the NFL. I do worry about the mental beating he is taking being this offensive line. We don’t need him to start getting happy feet or go into a shell.

Dwayne Bowe: If he had a QB with time to throw, he could be an elite WR.

Branden Albert: I am not sure what position he will end up playing, but he should be a fixture on the offensive line for years to come.

I like a player like Jamaal Charles, but I see him as a nice complementary part, not a core player.

Defense:

Glenn Dorsey: He looks like he is emerging as a good lineman in a scheme that is not ideal for him.

Tamba Hali: He is not an elite player at a position where I would love to have an elite player. He has played well and deserves this designation.

Brandon Flowers: While he is not a shutdown corner (an overused designation anyway) He is our best corner.

Brandon Carr: Should be a nice compliment to Flowers for years to come.

It’s way to early to judge Tyson Jackson and Jarrad Page has taken a step backwards.

Special Teams:

Dustin Colquitt and Ryan Succop: While punters and kickers are not usually core players, these two deserve a mention here. These two positions should be filled for the next ten years.

That all I see. Hopefully, a young player like Tyson Jackson can be part of the core group. Another receiving threat is needed. We also need another offensive lineman and a inside linebacker to emerge. I really like Jovan Belcher, but I don’t see another offensive lineman on this roster that would fit my core group definition.

OK, have at it. Who are your core players? How do you define a core player?

In case you were wondering, this is what the players where thinking Sunday during and after the game:

Jamaal Charles: “If I don’t block this special team guy in front of me, I can get down the field faster to miss my tackle of the punt returner”. (Missed block leads to blocked punt)

Sean Ryan: “Why should I use my hands to make a catch, the chest works just as good”. (Another pass bounces off his chest and into the arms of a defender)

Dwayne Bowe: “It is much better to drop a few passes, that way no one can expect me to make every catch; it also add suspense”. (After another dropped pass)

Rudy Niswanger: “Yes! You’re not going to have Rudy Niswanger to push around any more”. (After serious knee injury)

Todd Haley: “I should have never made that comment about ‘any 22 guys off the street’ could do better than 2-14”. (After another humiliating loss)

Dustin Colquitt: “I am going to have to file a work comp claim for repetitive injury” (After punting more than he should)

Kenny Smith: “Now I know why this team signed me up after not playing a snap in 6 years” (After perusing his new cohorts on the D-line).

Clancy Pendergast: “On critical third downs at pivotal points in the game, I always blitz everyone without any regard to leaving an open receiver in the flat. I know that my players will never get to the opposing QB on time, but they other team doesn”t. (After Darren Sproles’ 48 yard TD pass).

Brandon Carr: “There really is no need to locate the ball until it is in the receivers hands, that is when you know when to tackle him” (after another big receiver catch right over his back).

John McGraw: “There really is no need to locate the ball until it is in the receivers hands, that is when you know when to chase them” (after another big receiver catch right over his back too).

Matt Cassel: “It’s okay, interceptions happen in threes.” (After throwing his third interception)

Matt Guiterrez: “Oh God no!” (After being inserted late in the game).

Larry Johnson: “I wonder if Todd Haley wants to go golfing later” (After getting off the phone with his father).

How about yours? Addicts, you got any? We need something to CHEER US UP!!!! Go Chiefs. Next year here we come.

Multiple sources (check out Adam’s spin on the situation over at FanSided.com) describe a “Twitter Meltdown” by our running back Larry Johnson after yesterdays stomping the Chiefs suffered courtesy of San Diego. After careful study of the linguistics used by Mr. Johnson it appears he feels that Coach Haley suffers from a lack of actual on-field experience that Larry’s dad has benefited from. It could of course be argued that Larrys dad can’t boast the Superbowl appearance as a coach that Todd Haley lists on his resume’, not to mention the fact that Larry’s dad coaches at the institution famous for producing “The Penn State Curse”.

In breaking news, multiple news sources report that Larry also hurled a grossly inappropriate slur at news reporters.

WHADDAYA THINK ADDICTS? FAIR COMMENT OR MISPLACED FRUSTRATION?

Sorry guys about the lag. It has been hard to get posts up lately. It is difficult when running a full time law practice to get away sometimes. In any event, here is what Accuscore has to say about this week’s game:

Chargers 25 Chiefs 18

“The Chargers defense is once again struggling on 3rd down and in simulations the Chiefs are converting a higher percentage of third downs than the Chargers are. Neither is very good at Kansas City 39 percent San Diego 36 percent. Despite this the Chargers are favored because Philip Rivers will not face the type of pressure that he dealt with vs Denver. Kansas City has just 9 sacks this year and if Rivers does not get sacked more than twice and the Chargers do not turn the ball over more than once the Chargers win over 69 percent of simulations. The Chiefs need the offense to have a big game vs the struggling Chargers defense. If KC gets Larry Johnson to have at least 4.5 ypc and Matt Cassel passes for 250+ yards the Chiefs are favored winning 51 percent. ”

http://espn.go.com/nfl/intel?gameId=291025012

Sound Off Addicts! What do you think? How are we going to win this game?

Hail to the Redskins, Hail to the Redskins — on to Victory!!

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!

Kenny Smith? Really? The same Kenny Smith who according to nfl.com has not played a meaningful snap since 2003. The same Kenny Smith who at last count weighed only 303 pounds? I thought 3-4 DTs needed to be heavier than that? I am perplexed. I hope he proves me wrong.

I figure DT Marlon Favorite would have been signed to the active roster and Kenny Smith to the practice squad since Marlon is younger, presumably in better shape, weighs 11 pounds more, and would cost much less than a veteran. What are your thoughts?