Ten Things About Today's DIVISION CLENCHING Game
 

Ten Things About Today's Game

10. Today is truly a day for all Chiefs fans to celebrate. What a wonderful, beautifully wrapped Christmas present, the greatest one-year turnaround in Chiefs history! Too bad it came in front of the smallest crowd of the year -official announced attendance was 65,606. Major props to Scott Pioli and Company. I was thinking today how refreshing it has been that we never hear or see Pioli. He is the Un-Carl. Just think in theory, if King Carl was out in front of this season (hey, I said IN THEORY) how often he'd be positioning himself in front of the media the last few weeks? He'd be black leather clad and strutting around like Mussolini on Columbus Day. Pioli is just content to do his job, and be great at it, which is exactly what he asks all the players to concentrate on. It's very refreshing to have such a low profile GM, indeed.

9. This morning I had early breakfast with some of my tailgate buddies at a little diner in Independence. We thought it would be too cold to eat outdoors, and it sure was. My car said 16 degrees as I drove to the diner at 9am. Had blueberry pancakes, link sausage and fresh OJ. We all were talking about not letting Chris Johnson run wild. He didn't. Defense only gave him 58 yards, and no bongo solos in the east end zone like last time. No drums for you, Chris.

8. I wanted to say a few words about four players today: Tucker, Berry, Jones and Cassel. Let's start with Verran Tucker. This guy is turning into a very good flyer on special teams. We were watching him from up high in St. Louis last week, and he seems to be making every other tackle on kicks. He's fast, a sure tackler, and has been playing pretty well in spots on offense, although the last two weeks it looks like Weis is trying to work Chambers back into the offensive mix. Having exceptional players on special teams can make all the difference in the field position battle. Kudos to Tucker. He's one of the new guys who has been earning his paycheck every week and making a substantial contribution.

7. I don't think Eric Berry is getting the love he deserves. He has played great as a first round pick, and has shown improvement as each week goes by. Yeah, he's gotten torched a couple times this year. Today he made a first round choice, big time game changing pick six, that really flipped the game and broke the Titan's back. Not only that, but EB is unbelievably good in run support. Every week he seems to be in the top two or three in team tackles. The last guy to close down running plays like Berry was Deron Cherry. If he stays healthy, he will have a wonderful career as a leader on our defense. He's my favorite #29 since Albert Lewis.

6. December games were made for Thomas Jones. This guy was just what the doctor ordered today when it came time to pound the ball. He did have a fourth quarter fumble -barely as the ball popped out and just sat right next to the sideline- but that was his first fumble in 862 attempts. After the fumble, in the last five minutes, he really took it to Tennessee and ran like the Titans stole his lunch money. He's exactly what you need in a cold weather back. Don't you think the Jets wished they had him in their backfield right about now?

5. I too, owe major props to Matt Cassel. Playing last week after surgery proved that he may be a lot of things, but a puss is not one of them. He richly deserved all the criticism he received earlier in the year. But we would all be remiss to not give him mad respect for the way he's played in the second half of the year, turning his game around and leading this team into December. He was nearly flawless in the first half today. The opening drive was a thing of beauty. Finished with more than 300 yards, three TDs, and no picks. He completed passes to eight different guys today -or as Mitch suggestively said on the game broadcast, eight different guys "touched it" today. Conversely, Brokie was one for two for negative two yards and a pick. WTF was that all about, anyway? I hope his wife gives him sympathy sex tonight. No matter what happens the rest of the year, Cassel has done his job to improve this team, and bring us a home playoff game. That's pretty strong stuff, and he deserves our admiration for making it happen.

4. Some general flotsam: Chiefs were 50% on third down today, and we didn't have to go at all on fourth down. That's a major improvement from earlier in the season where third down conversion was around 20% or worse. Chiefs had twice the time of possession, which meant the Titan defense was gassed by the fourth quarter. Charles averaged almost six yards per carry, but both of his TDs were receiving. He just seems to glide for YAC. He is starting to blossom as an all purpose back, and I think Weis is feeling more comfortable using him as a receiver. Moeaki has done a great job easing the pain of letting TG go to Atlanta. Guy has sure hands, can take a hit, and is a great downfield blocker.

3. At halftime we had the little kid who imitates Michael Jackson again. He made a big splash last year, so they brought him back this year. And just like last year, he repeatedly grabbed his junk just like Jacko. Right afterwards, they played one of the "just say rah" PR messages on the scoreboard, where the cheerleaders lecture us not to use bad words, have bad thoughts, fight with visiting fans, or "make crude or obscene gestures." But if you're eight years old, feel free to grab your nut sack in front of 65,000 people. Shawn Smith totally approves of this message.

2. What a great day, winning over Christmas weekend, and then seeing Manning croak the Raiders in the Black Hole, and the Bolts freeze their nuts and lose to the dysfunctional, crappy Cincy Bengals. As long as Norv is the coach in SD, the Bolts will never win the big one. Norv has done a choke job down the stretch that would make Marty blush. Speaking of Marty, next week in the home finale, in come the Raiders, and in comes one of the biggest Raider Haters of them all, as they put Marty into the Chiefs Ring of Honor. Quite frankly, I predict a gleam, men. A gleam!

1. To quote Dieter from Sprokets, tonight I'm "as happy as a little girl." If we were to dream, how kooky would it be to make it to the AFC Championship game, and have Pioli take his Chiefs out to face down the Godfather, The Hoodie Himself, in Foxborough? How Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader would that be? Sick....just sick. And it really is in the realm of possibility. But for the mean time, let's all go out and buy a new hat that says "2010 Division Champs" on it, and enjoy what is left of this magical football year. I live for seasons like this, and today I'm glad to be alive.

One last bonus thing: Please pray for Tony DiPardo. He's doing a bit better, but he's still hospitalized in serious condition, suffering a brain aneurysm back on December 15th. He was the Chiefs "Mr. Music" for more than 40 years, and he's 98 years old now. He had a fractured pelvis back in July, and now this latest issue. Tony was one of my customers for many years, and he's a one of a kind KC treasure, like Buck O'Neil. His wife and daughter are lovely people. Please remember him in your thoughts this holiday season. Nobody deserves to see a Chiefs playoff win more than Tony.

Another great write-up, George.

This was easily Cassel's best all-around game as a Chief.

If he plays like this in two weeks at Arrowhead, I think we'll all be celebrating our first playoff win since 1993.

Outstanding post! Well done.

:hail:

Am I misremembering, or didn't Jones have two fumbles today? Maybe I'm off. I remember wondering what was going on with him.

I don't think Cassel deserved "all the criticism he received earlier in the year." I mean, some people were complaining about some pretty stupid things.

GB you should be a writer. Love your work, keep it up my friend.

Awesome.....just awesome. Thanks George.

Quick question, i dont think you mentioned it......dont you think Arrowhead in Dec and Jan is like Hell for Kickers??? Lets all pray a playoff game doesnt come down to a kick.

It warms the cockles of my black heart to see old grizzled Chiefs veterans noshing on goodies together, huddled inside from the cold and talking about the Chiefs on gameday. You don't do that during a 2-14 season. This post is like the Kansas City version of the SNL "da bears!" skit.

My wife says Succop (or "Suckie" as she calls him) is her favorite player. You know kicking that ball today was like kicking a brick. Both Succop and Colquitt kicked great today. Tennessee's punter seemed to struggle. I have no fear of Suckie catching "Kicker Who Will Remain Nameless" disease. He's a different breed of cat. He may end up being the best kicker we've had since Jan Stenerud.

Wow. We have to win this one for Marty.

Yes one in the first half and another in the 4th Q.

We had sausage, bacon, more bacon, ham and more bacon. And instead of talking about who would win a Texas Steel Cage Death Match between Ditka and Chuck Norris, we talk about if we could go back in time and shoot one person in Chiefs history, would it be King Carl or The Kicker Who Shall Remain Nameless?

We've actually had that conversation, but not today. Today we were talking about Chris Johnson.

Passing on Marino or Kelly in 1983 was a dumber mistake that those two.

Thomas Jones.

23 carries for 53 yards.

No, he isn't just what the doctor ordered.

He was done 3 games ago.

I wish the jets had thomas jones

A minor miracle... I agree with you on something.

Thomas Jones is starting to look very LJ-like, circa the first part of last season.

Minimal gain runs on first down.

Thanks. I thought so. Hopefully that was some six-sigma kind of thing.

Man, you Debbie Downers always have to find something to complain about.

Jones has rushed for over 100 yards twice this season, and for 95 on another occasion. He has six TDs. He has a chance to go for 1,000 this year, and that's sharing the backfield with Charles. He is by all accounts the Anti-LJ. He is a playoff-experienced locker room leader, he's great at pass blocking, he will do whatever you ask him to do. Most importantly, he's kept Charles from getting beat to sh*t. How can you not want a guy like that in your 53?

Charles is on my fantasy team.

Exactly. If not for that fact that we do have Charles on our team I think we'd hear plenty of good things about TJ around here. We do have Charles, though, so let's just enjoy them both. Seems to be working.

They're right about Thomas Jones, Debbie Downers or not.

If he gets 10 carries in the first half of a playoff game, our coaching staff will look dumb. He's just not capable of producing a big play or making something out of nothing. He's a negative or 0-yard carry waiting to happen.

They need to ride Charles early and often in the playoffs.

Jones' 4th quarter fumble didn't happen. I mean, it did but it shouldn't have been a lost ball.

I really wouldn't have a problem starting Jones. Our offense is more efficient when we start with Jones, and hit them with Charles as the change up. That requires more patience than most people have. I'm amazed Haley has stuck with it. But we certainly can't wait until the 2nd quarter to get Charles involved either.

I don't think that'll be a problem though. It was all Charles against both Indy and SD, our two biggest games... Jones barely saw the ball in either game. Then again we weren't that effective on the ground either.

Kool man .. and yea Im glad to be here to enjoy this season .......

Jesus this guy, some mother****ers are just miserable

1) great read again, GB.

2) TJ is soooo not done, he's the epitome of a team player. JC is having a career year because of TJ, not in spite of him. And when we HAVE to have one yard, TJ will get it more often than charles will. I love the tandem we have, I wish I could buy a jersey with both names and numbers.

3) we are going to have to beat the jets at home, the pats in NE and then whoever comes out of the ravens/steelers game. I hope it's the ravens and we play them at home, that would be a C-O-O-L way to win the AFC championship.

4) regardless of where or when, I'm more confident with our chances against the pats than the steelers for some reason. I don't know why. I feel it in my gut, then I think I'm crazy to think it. But then I still say that charlie and romeo know something that no other coordinators know about hoodie, and whatever they know will help us more than hurt us. God I so hope I'm right.

5) playoffs or not; we better not ****ing sit our starters. I know we risk injury, but it's a great time to instill an identity for this young team. We are blue collar, we work, we fight, we get banged up but we still come at you. I didn't think this way at first, earlier today, but now I do. It's the ****ing faders, we need to smack them in the face like the bitches that they are.

6) I finally started to jump on the criticize Cassel wagon a few short weeks ago. I think maybe he was just nervous and is gaining confidence. He has been playing well lately and I do love that. accuracy issues aside, he's proving to himself, his team and us fans - that his love for the game is on fire, and he can be a very solid QB. He's finally considerable as a ascending player IMO.

7) we're in the mother****ing playoffs!!!!!!!!!

I would really like to see Battle get the carries Jones it getting.

Not sure if I'm right, but I think... If we finish with 11 wins, we'll be the 3rd seed, which I think means we'd play the 2nd seed if we made the divisionals,
which means if we made it past that, we'd either play in foxboro or arrowhead.
I'd be wrong if the seeding changes to record based after the wild card though, not sure.
Posted via Mobile Device

[QUOTE=CrazyCoffey;7294162]1) ...playoffs or not; we better not ****ing sit our starters. I know we risk injury, but it's a great time to instill an identity for this young team. We are blue collar, we work, we fight, we get banged up but we still come at you. I didn't think this way at first, earlier today, but now I do. It's the ****ing faders, we need to smack them in the face like the bitches that they are.QUOTE]

+1 :grr:

We have to beat Chokeland to achieve our goal of 3 wins in the final quarter of the season. This next game is our most important game to date. (See, I've been listening to Haley's pressers). :p

Beating the crap out of Chokeland would be the best way to enter THE PLAYOFFS :thumb:

This

This.....this is what alot of guys dont seem to understand. Hes not on this team to carry the load or break off big runs. If he happens to break a big one or run for 100, then thats just gravy.

Are you high? Maybe you should re-think that statement. He has been fantastic and a huge leader in the locker room. It may not show on the stat sheet the last 3 games but he's not done.

Incredible wrap-up. Thanks, I look forward to these.

You go Boy! My thoughts exactly. I like Battle a little but he has never beat out anybody and cracked the line up. There's a reason for that. He ain't that good.

The best part of yesterdays game was when jamaal did chris johnsons celebration ofter his first score.

I love Jones, but he really needs to sit for the playoffs. He just isn't getting good production anymore. He brings a lot of intangibles to the team, but has too many negative plays to be reliable as a starting back in postseason.

Why all the hate for TJ? TJ has been there to keep JC fresh, and it shows. I thought it was brilliant off season pickup.

Speaking of Pioli and TJ. It was really cool to see Pioli on the sidelines before kickoff. TJ's family was there on the sidelines as the Chiefs were announcing TJ as our man of the year candidate. Pioli came over to his family and talked with them and shook their hands. Class act. Other players came over to the family as well, and took pictures with the family. It was fun to watch. We should all be thankful that TJ is on our team

Open mouth, insert Ryan's wife's foot. The predictibility of Jones running in the A gap resulted in this 23/56 stat. How many plays was Jones in, when passes were thrown and caught, when Jones was blocking?

'strutting around like Mussolini on Columbus day'... :LOL:, so true.

Glad you gave props to Tucker. Seems like he's in on every ST play. Hope Pioli finds more players like him. Jones can drive me nuts at times but he's done his job as asked. God I hope we pound the Raiders.

Bravo!! :clap:

Good Lord George, you sure do have a gift for bringing out the dipshits in your threads.

(Threads which Bob Dole enjoys every week, BTW.)

Why thank you Mr. Bob Dole. I draw dipshits like a Tea Party Rally (did I say that out loud???)
Kidding...I'm kidding.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words this week. I look forward to the Ten Things threads as well, because it makes me pay more attention to what I see and hear at the game. This year it's been a blast.

I just hope yesterday was a sign for things to come, I really hope KC is firing on all cylinders now heading into the playoffs (minus the penalties - that has to stop)....it will be interesting to see how we do against teams that are worth a shit. I hope this isn't a false sense of security, so let's be honest here, (depending on how SD and JAX finish) it's possible that KC will have played only played 1 team that posted a winning record this season (IND), and lost to them. But, I think the 99 Rams also had a similar schedule, and they went on to win the SB, but that was one of the best offenses we've ever seen.

gblowfish, love reading your weekly top 10. #3 was in your top ten funniest of all time...

Ten Things About Today's DIVISION CLENCHING Game?
 

Did you mean "CLINCHING".....or is this an early reference to your #3 entry

Smiled when I read the title......laughed out loud(quite by accident) after reading #3 and made the connection.

Have really enjoyed reading your weekly postgame top 10....keep it up!!

I'm really excited to see how good this team is....we will finally start to see, as we will finally match up against some "good" competition

Johnny

Great to see your ten things again. I think Succopp has been playing great.

Great work George. Love your work.

Outstanding!

And prayers for Mr. DiPardo. Great guy. I met him back in the 60's and always enjoyed his energy with the band.

Yeah, what the hell was that all about?

I don't understand how people are still saying good things about Thomas Jones.

as a guy that has seen TJ for years due to my brother being a Bears fan & me living in NY. This guy does a lot...

You could say that has a lot less carries & almost reached 1,000 yards.

You can definitely say he's the best blocking back we've had here in KC in long time.

You can definitely say that he steps his game up when playoffs come around.

People have to remember, he's the rope a dope to Charles.

Excellent write-up as always George!

It'd be great to play the Jets in the playoffs and have TJ go ape shit on them.

I had to clench a few divisions over the toilet bowl this morning.

Hey Now!

If we can harness the hatred Marty has for the Raiders properly then all that will be left of the Fade is a grease spot on the sidelines.

I don't think harnessing hatred for the Raiders is gonna be a problem :)

One follow up on TJ: He did fumble twice in the game, but the one he lost in the fourth quarter was the first one he had turned over in 800 plus carries. He had other fumbles, but got them back.

I didn't say that I didn't like the guy, or that he doesn't add something to this team.

But the fact is, the fact that I pointed out, is that he has slowed down.
He has shown the wear and tear of this season.

He is simply not hitting the holes with the same burst now that he was hitting them earlier in teh season, and his production has fallen over the last 4 games.

It was just 4 games ago that his YPC were at about 4.2 or 4.3.

His YPC are now at 3.7.

We still need to have him get some carries, but it's past time to shift more of the carries to Charles.

I really agree with this, especially in the next game before the playoffs start. I'm a little concerned going into next season without knowing how good our talent is outside of Charles/Jones. Hopefully we're not as shallow at RB as we are at QB.

And I think that's what KC will do when they get into the playoffs. Imagine how ineffective, if that's the right word for it, if Charles was taking up 75% of the snaps, compared to say even 50/50 with Jones?

I know alot of people really hate the platoon, but I like it, because it benefits Charles more, as well as it reduces his chances of getting injured.

I heard on the Sirius radio channel that Haley wanted to talk to Cassel about a botched audible and had Croyle come in for a play or two. That sounded like BS to me, since the radio announcers said Haley was ignoring Cassel when he was on the sideline but who knows.

Cassel does deserve credit for playing a great game. I wish I could have watched the first half on TV, it sounded like he played his best half as a Chief.

Wow, how sad how times have changed.....

.

Jesus, who is that optimistic rose color glass wearing flyover country boob? The REAL George Blowfish just writes articles about gloom and doom!