Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs hope to start preseason on the right foot

**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.

08-12-2010, 11:22 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-567187	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.
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