Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs hope to start preseason on the right foot - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-12-2010, 11:22 PM

Chiefs hope to start preseason on the right foot
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

ATLANTA | Former Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer used to say few things were forgotten quicker than the result of an exhibition game. The Chiefs of a more recent vintage stand as evidence that for at least one NFL team, exhibitions can serve as an omen of things to come.

Their last three preseasons have been unproductive in terms of victories and progress toward games that count. Dismal regular seasons followed.

So while none of the Chiefs are suggesting there’s an urgency about tonight’s exhibition opener against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome, neither is anyone proposing it’s a casual affair.

“We’ve been talking about it all offseason,” quarterback Matt Cassel said. “We’re ready to get that taste of last year out of our mouth. We’re ready to go. Atlanta will be a good first test.”

It’s been a painful process for the Chiefs to dig themselves out of the hole they’ve created for themselves by winning 10 games over the last three seasons. So another lost preseason can’t help but place here-we-go-again thoughts in at least some of their minds.

“When you win four games, any win is a positive thing as far as trying to figure out how to win,” guard Brian Waters said. “We haven’t won very many games the last three years. Winning football games can be contagious.

“As a young football team, I think you have to have that mentality. We understand preseason games don’t count, but we also understand that they matter.”

Nothing suggests coach Todd Haley will sell out to win tonight’s game. He didn’t disclose his plans for using the regulars, but it’s unlikely they will play more than the first quarter, if they even last that long.

Still, Haley is looking for ways to jump-start the process of turning the Chiefs in a different direction and in that regard tonight’s game can be an opportunity.

“When you haven’t won a lot of games, you have to learn how to win,” Haley said. “Winning is critical to us.

“I would never say these preseason games aren’t important for a young, developing team. For some individuals that have a lot of experience, maybe they’re not so important from the gaining experience standpoint. But for me as a head coach and for our overall development as a team and playing together as a team and learning how to do things as a team, they’re very important.”

Last season was Haley’s first with the Chiefs, and things quickly spiraled downward once the preseason began. They scored two offensive touchdowns, fired offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, lost Cassel to a knee injury for the regular-season opener and finished winless in four games.

So it’s no coincidence the Chiefs weren’t ready when the regular season began. They lost their first five games on their way to finishing 4-12.

“I was with New England and we were (2-2 in the preseason) and we turned out going (16-0),” Cassel said. “And (another season), we were 0-4 and turned into an 11-5 team. Preseason is just about getting your team better. Now would we like to go 4-0 in preseason? Absolutely because I do think it builds momentum.”

Momentum doesn’t always carry over from exhibition to regular season, but the Chiefs are in no position to take that chance.

“There are so many examples of each way,” Haley said. “I know I’m not smart enough to figure that out. But I do know that there’s never anything wrong with good things happening.

“We need to go out and we need to take some of these things we’ve been doing in practice well into a game. This is our first opportunity.”

In the end, the results of an exhibition game are often determined by the players on the field in the second half. A lot of them won’t be around when the regular season begins.

So for a team like the Chiefs, who are still trying to find their way, it’s more about making some good things happen against the Falcons.

“If you lose a game,” Waters said, “you have to be able to say, ‘Yeah, we lost, but we did all these things correctly and these are all things we need to do correctly to win games during the regular season.’ ”

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH TONIGHT

1. Matt Cassel’s poise.

2. This year’s top three draft picks.

3. The Chiefs’ new-look defense.

4. The team’s response to seven promising months.

5. The changes since Tony G last played for the Chiefs.

Dayze · 08-13-2010, 08:27 AM

I want to see our 1st O manage a few first downs on the same drive. I want to see if they can come out and NOT go 3 and out.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 08-13-2010, 08:29 AM

I could give a shit about winning in the PS. Wins and losses usually are usually determined by guys that are selling insurance in September.

I want to see our 1's play well against their 1's.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 08-13-2010, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

I hope to one day find my right foot kicking Teicher squarely in the balls

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I'm guessing they start on the left foot and can't stop Gonzalez in Atlanta's first two drives.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I'd put my money on them shooting themselves in that right foot.

MOhillbilly · 08-13-2010, 08:34 AM

i just wanna see someone get knocked cold.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 08-13-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

i just wanna see someone get knocked cold.

Cassel?

boogblaster · 08-13-2010, 08:47 AM

Just glad to watch Chiefs football ... one of the few things in life I still live for ....

MOhillbilly · 08-13-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Cassel?

On the outside id be all bummed.

On the inside id squeal for joy, like a fatkid locked in a donut shop.

KCrockaholic · 08-13-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogblaster

Just glad to watch Chiefs football ...

Yep.

I'm just glad it's back now.

talastan · 08-13-2010, 11:23 AM

I like looking at the preseason because we get a look at our depth and can find out how screwed we are should a starter go down. Hopefully our backups look decent tonight and there are no injuries on either team.

ToxSocks · 08-13-2010, 11:29 AM

I can't believe he gets paid to write this shit.

"Chiefs hope to start preseason on the right foot".........No ****ing Kidding? Really? Wow. And this whole time I thought they wanted to suck and lose. Thanks for the insight Tiecher, you're a real man of genius.

ChiefaRoo · 08-13-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I'm guessing they start on the left foot and can't stop Gonzalez in Atlanta's first two drives.

I love Tony G. from back in the day but dude is getting old and while he's still good he's not great anymore. Great being defined as a guy who can make a game altering difference. He can't do that anymore, especially from the TE position.. He's more worried about his catches and life after football now. He probably won't even try hard in the preseason. If you all recall he usually didn't even bother to block in preseason games when he was in KC.

KCrockaholic · 08-13-2010, 12:02 PM

After further review...It is the Left Foot. The Left foot of Dustin Colquitt that is.

ChiefsCountry · 08-13-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Cassel?

Well the true fans want him to be Trent Green.

08-12-2010, 11:22 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $422813	Teicher: Chiefs hope to start preseason on the right foot Chiefs hope to start preseason on the right foot By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star ATLANTA \| Former Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer used to say few things were forgotten quicker than the result of an exhibition game. The Chiefs of a more recent vintage stand as evidence that for at least one NFL team, exhibitions can serve as an omen of things to come. Their last three preseasons have been unproductive in terms of victories and progress toward games that count. Dismal regular seasons followed. So while none of the Chiefs are suggesting there’s an urgency about tonight’s exhibition opener against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome, neither is anyone proposing it’s a casual affair. “We’ve been talking about it all offseason,” quarterback Matt Cassel said. “We’re ready to get that taste of last year out of our mouth. We’re ready to go. Atlanta will be a good first test.” It’s been a painful process for the Chiefs to dig themselves out of the hole they’ve created for themselves by winning 10 games over the last three seasons. So another lost preseason can’t help but place here-we-go-again thoughts in at least some of their minds. “When you win four games, any win is a positive thing as far as trying to figure out how to win,” guard Brian Waters said. “We haven’t won very many games the last three years. Winning football games can be contagious. “As a young football team, I think you have to have that mentality. We understand preseason games don’t count, but we also understand that they matter.” Nothing suggests coach Todd Haley will sell out to win tonight’s game. He didn’t disclose his plans for using the regulars, but it’s unlikely they will play more than the first quarter, if they even last that long. Still, Haley is looking for ways to jump-start the process of turning the Chiefs in a different direction and in that regard tonight’s game can be an opportunity. “When you haven’t won a lot of games, you have to learn how to win,” Haley said. “Winning is critical to us. “I would never say these preseason games aren’t important for a young, developing team. For some individuals that have a lot of experience, maybe they’re not so important from the gaining experience standpoint. But for me as a head coach and for our overall development as a team and playing together as a team and learning how to do things as a team, they’re very important.” Last season was Haley’s first with the Chiefs, and things quickly spiraled downward once the preseason began. They scored two offensive touchdowns, fired offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, lost Cassel to a knee injury for the regular-season opener and finished winless in four games. So it’s no coincidence the Chiefs weren’t ready when the regular season began. They lost their first five games on their way to finishing 4-12. “I was with New England and we were (2-2 in the preseason) and we turned out going (16-0),” Cassel said. “And (another season), we were 0-4 and turned into an 11-5 team. Preseason is just about getting your team better. Now would we like to go 4-0 in preseason? Absolutely because I do think it builds momentum.” Momentum doesn’t always carry over from exhibition to regular season, but the Chiefs are in no position to take that chance. “There are so many examples of each way,” Haley said. “I know I’m not smart enough to figure that out. But I do know that there’s never anything wrong with good things happening. “We need to go out and we need to take some of these things we’ve been doing in practice well into a game. This is our first opportunity.” In the end, the results of an exhibition game are often determined by the players on the field in the second half. A lot of them won’t be around when the regular season begins. So for a team like the Chiefs, who are still trying to find their way, it’s more about making some good things happen against the Falcons. “If you lose a game,” Waters said, “you have to be able to say, ‘Yeah, we lost, but we did all these things correctly and these are all things we need to do correctly to win games during the regular season.’ ” FIVE THINGS TO WATCH TONIGHT 1. Matt Cassel’s poise. 2. This year’s top three draft picks. 3. The Chiefs’ new-look defense. 4. The team’s response to seven promising months. 5. The changes since Tony G last played for the Chiefs.
Posts: 42,196

08-13-2010, 08:27 AM	#16
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $4759358	I want to see our 1st O manage a few first downs on the same drive. I want to see if they can come out and NOT go 3 and out. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,379

08-13-2010, 08:29 AM	#17
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4701115	I could give a shit about winning in the PS. Wins and losses usually are usually determined by guys that are selling insurance in September. I want to see our 1's play well against their 1's.
Posts: 60,273

08-13-2010, 08:34 AM	#19
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	i just wanna see someone get knocked cold. __________________ True Son of Liberty
Posts: 23,371

08-13-2010, 08:47 AM	#21
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	Just glad to watch Chiefs football ... one of the few things in life I still live for .... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

08-13-2010, 11:23 AM	#24
talastan Manning, we're coming for you! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Springfield, Mo Casino cash: $10004950	I like looking at the preseason because we get a look at our depth and can find out how screwed we are should a starter go down. Hopefully our backups look decent tonight and there are no injuries on either team. __________________ Can we please just draft AND DEVELOP a QB - est. since 1983 Check out my band: Truett and the Traitors
Posts: 4,815

08-13-2010, 11:29 AM	#25
ToxSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $3924563	I can't believe he gets paid to write this shit. "Chiefs hope to start preseason on the right foot".........No ****ing Kidding? Really? Wow. And this whole time I thought they wanted to suck and lose. Thanks for the insight Tiecher, you're a real man of genius. __________________ Life is like a dick. Sometimes it gets hard for no reason, but it can't stay hard forever.
Posts: 64,688

08-13-2010, 12:02 PM	#27
KCrockaholic Sarcasm Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $4552900	After further review...It is the Left Foot. The Left foot of Dustin Colquitt that is.
Posts: 21,146