Tony Gonzalez opens up on Herm with both barrels

Hammock Parties · 12-02-2007, 11:04 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/387172.html

Chiefs can’t come back against Chargers
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs lost their ability to make enough plays to win close games some time ago. They ran out of explanations shortly afterward.

Now they’re just plain out of gas. They trailed by a mere touchdown for most of the second half of Sunday’s game against San Diego at Arrowhead Stadium, but they might have played until midnight without getting that elusive tying score.

So they wound up losing 24-10, and the defeat pushed the 4-8 Chiefs to the brink of extinction in what passes for a race in the AFC West. They’re officially done if they lose to the Broncos in Denver next week.

The Chiefs tried their usual formula — keep things close until the fourth quarter and make the plays to win it then. It worked for them earlier in the season but again failed on Sunday when they were shut out in the final quarter for the fourth straight game.

“I’m tired of it and don’t want to play this style of football,” Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “It’s not what I’m into. I don’t think Herm (Edwards) wants to. We want to win. Let’s get it over with. I don’t want to keep the game close until the second half because we’re a second-half team. That’s bull. Let’s just go out there and win a football game.

“Let’s get rid of that stress. I’m tired of it. I’m sitting on the sideline thinking, ‘Here we go again.’ You can’t help but let those thoughts creep into your mind.”

That crisis of confidence was evident Sunday. Their seven-point deficit for most of the second half felt to them like a lot more.

Things got so bad for the offense that its only touchdown was scored by defensive end Jared Allen, who played on the goal-line ostensibly for blocking purposes. And Allen had to make a great catch of Damon Huard’s fade pass to do it.

“When you’re desperate,” Edwards said, “you do desperate things.”

Edwards hasn’t been desperate enough to change his philosophy on how to win. He defended it again Sunday, saying it’s the only way the Chiefs have a chance.

“We made plays (to win some early-season games),” Edwards said, referring to wins over Minnesota, San Diego and Oakland, all games the Chiefs salvaged in the fourth quarter. “That’s how we won.

“We have to play a certain way. We try to do that to protect the quarterback and make sure we can throw the ball. You have all of these fancy ideas there at the end and there are certain things we’re stuck with because of how we have to play.

“That’s OK. You can still win games that way. We just can’t get behind like that because that just puts you in a bad, bad way.”

The burden of keeping the game close fell to the defense, which again caved in. LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the second half.

“We know they’re going to make plays, realistically,” Allen said. “But to (heck) with that. Our mind-set has to be that they won’t make any plays. When stuff like that becomes acceptable, and all of a sudden you find yourself saying, ‘Oh, here we go again,’ that’s when the same (stuff) happens. That’s what’s been happening.

“We need to change the mind-set around here. The mind-set has got to be that this is not acceptable to lose at home. It’s not acceptable to be 10-10 at halftime and lose 24-10.”

The marvel regarding the Chiefs is not the five-game losing streak, their longest since 2000, or the five Arrowhead losses, most since they also lost five in 2001.

It’s that with this team — even with its numerous and obvious flaws — they won four of five games earlier in the season.

“Even then, we had some issues,” guard Brian Waters said. “When you look at games like Chicago and Houston, we had a couple of opportunities to come back in those games as well.

“We’ve started slowly in some parts of the season and now we’re not finishing the way we were. Really, we’re just trying to find a complete game.”

siberian khatru · 12-02-2007, 11:06 PM

AFT

Bump · 12-02-2007, 11:07 PM

nice! TG does need to speak up a little bit!

Reerun_KC · 12-02-2007, 11:08 PM

Come on Tony, lead the revolt....

Bill S Preston · 12-02-2007, 11:09 PM

He's definitely regretting his decision to resign. He is a great teammate, and sometimes the best teammates have to step up and speak out when the coach is a loser. If he won't listen to you in the lockerroom, sometimes you have to go to the media.

Rasputin · 12-02-2007, 11:10 PM

I think TG has earned the right to say whatever he damn well please. Good for him.

**dirk digler** · 12-02-2007, 11:10 PM

Good for Tony. Though he shouldn't say Herm wants to either because Herm obviously doesn't want to.

Reerun_KC · 12-02-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I think TG has earned the right to say whatever he damn well please. Good for him.

Earned more right then Herm ever will.... Herm hasnt earned any respect from anybody... Why should anyone respect Herm?

IF Tony gives up on Herm, that should be ther first sign that Herm needs to go...

kcfan82 · 12-02-2007, 11:12 PM

Tony is more valuable to the organization than Carl.

BigRock · 12-02-2007, 11:12 PM

How is it "opening up" on Herm when he says "I don't want to play this style of football and I don't think Herm wants to"? Isn't that opening up on Solari?

Ari ümlaüt · 12-02-2007, 11:14 PM

Excuse my french, but.... **** HERM.

Eleazar · 12-02-2007, 11:14 PM

Generally, I applaud this, but today - I didn't see where Herm killed us. We got killed by poor execution on offense. They were throwing the ball a lot today, though. I thought they looked a lot less conservative this week.

88TG88 · 12-02-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I think TG has earned the right to say whatever he damn well please. Good for him.

yes

Pablo · 12-02-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRock

How is it "opening up" on Herm when he says "I don't want to play this style of football and I don't think Herm wants to"? Isn't that opening up on Solari?

That's kind of how I read it..but I suppose I'm not a staunch Herm-Hater.

Reerun_KC · 12-02-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRock

How is it "opening up" on Herm when he says "I don't want to play this style of football and I don't think Herm wants to"? Isn't that opening up on Solari?

Uh no, this is Herms offense... Solari is just a martyr... Herm has been down this road a many of times. He will fire Solari and next year the offense is the same.

Same thing the NYJ fans went through...

12-02-2007, 11:04 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1000478	Tony Gonzalez opens up on Herm with both barrels http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/387172.html Chiefs can’t come back against Chargers By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The Chiefs lost their ability to make enough plays to win close games some time ago. They ran out of explanations shortly afterward. Now they’re just plain out of gas. They trailed by a mere touchdown for most of the second half of Sunday’s game against San Diego at Arrowhead Stadium, but they might have played until midnight without getting that elusive tying score. So they wound up losing 24-10, and the defeat pushed the 4-8 Chiefs to the brink of extinction in what passes for a race in the AFC West. They’re officially done if they lose to the Broncos in Denver next week. The Chiefs tried their usual formula — keep things close until the fourth quarter and make the plays to win it then. It worked for them earlier in the season but again failed on Sunday when they were shut out in the final quarter for the fourth straight game. “I’m tired of it and don’t want to play this style of football,” Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “It’s not what I’m into. I don’t think Herm (Edwards) wants to. We want to win. Let’s get it over with. I don’t want to keep the game close until the second half because we’re a second-half team. That’s bull. Let’s just go out there and win a football game. “Let’s get rid of that stress. I’m tired of it. I’m sitting on the sideline thinking, ‘Here we go again.’ You can’t help but let those thoughts creep into your mind.” That crisis of confidence was evident Sunday. Their seven-point deficit for most of the second half felt to them like a lot more. Things got so bad for the offense that its only touchdown was scored by defensive end Jared Allen, who played on the goal-line ostensibly for blocking purposes. And Allen had to make a great catch of Damon Huard’s fade pass to do it. “When you’re desperate,” Edwards said, “you do desperate things.” Edwards hasn’t been desperate enough to change his philosophy on how to win. He defended it again Sunday, saying it’s the only way the Chiefs have a chance. “We made plays (to win some early-season games),” Edwards said, referring to wins over Minnesota, San Diego and Oakland, all games the Chiefs salvaged in the fourth quarter. “That’s how we won. “We have to play a certain way. We try to do that to protect the quarterback and make sure we can throw the ball. You have all of these fancy ideas there at the end and there are certain things we’re stuck with because of how we have to play. “That’s OK. You can still win games that way. We just can’t get behind like that because that just puts you in a bad, bad way.” The burden of keeping the game close fell to the defense, which again caved in. LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. “We know they’re going to make plays, realistically,” Allen said. “But to (heck) with that. Our mind-set has to be that they won’t make any plays. When stuff like that becomes acceptable, and all of a sudden you find yourself saying, ‘Oh, here we go again,’ that’s when the same (stuff) happens. That’s what’s been happening. “We need to change the mind-set around here. The mind-set has got to be that this is not acceptable to lose at home. It’s not acceptable to be 10-10 at halftime and lose 24-10.” The marvel regarding the Chiefs is not the five-game losing streak, their longest since 2000, or the five Arrowhead losses, most since they also lost five in 2001. It’s that with this team — even with its numerous and obvious flaws — they won four of five games earlier in the season. “Even then, we had some issues,” guard Brian Waters said. “When you look at games like Chicago and Houston, we had a couple of opportunities to come back in those games as well. “We’ve started slowly in some parts of the season and now we’re not finishing the way we were. Really, we’re just trying to find a complete game.”
Posts: 296,769

12-02-2007, 11:06 PM	#2
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $-1165050	AFT
Posts: 71,853

12-02-2007, 11:07 PM	#3
Bump YOU take YOUR seat Join Date: Nov 2007 Casino cash: $-1464895	nice! TG does need to speak up a little bit!
Posts: 38,080

12-02-2007, 11:08 PM	#4
Reerun_KC Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7231160	Come on Tony, lead the revolt....
Posts: 1,529

12-02-2007, 11:09 PM	#5
Bill S Preston Starter Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	He's definitely regretting his decision to resign. He is a great teammate, and sometimes the best teammates have to step up and speak out when the coach is a loser. If he won't listen to you in the lockerroom, sometimes you have to go to the media. __________________ Chargers
Posts: 385

12-02-2007, 11:10 PM	#6
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $235421	I think TG has earned the right to say whatever he damn well please. Good for him.
Posts: 56,907

12-02-2007, 11:10 PM	#7
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $214644	Good for Tony. Though he shouldn't say Herm wants to either because Herm obviously doesn't want to.
Posts: 67,107

12-02-2007, 11:12 PM	#9
kcfan82 Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10004900	Tony is more valuable to the organization than Carl.
Posts: 881

12-02-2007, 11:12 PM	#10
BigRock Pritay Pritay Pritay Good Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The State of Euphoria Casino cash: $795412	How is it "opening up" on Herm when he says "I don't want to play this style of football and I don't think Herm wants to"? Isn't that opening up on Solari?
Posts: 6,987

12-02-2007, 11:14 PM	#11
Ari ümlaüt Take off, eh? Join Date: Dec 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Excuse my french, but.... **** HERM.
Posts: 416

12-02-2007, 11:14 PM	#12
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Generally, I applaud this, but today - I didn't see where Herm killed us. We got killed by poor execution on offense. They were throwing the ball a lot today, though. I thought they looked a lot less conservative this week.
Posts: 80,659