"Herm the Preacher" from Fatlock

Red Dawg · 11-06-2006, 06:51 AM

Amen to that, Herm
JASON WHITLOCK
The Kansas City Star

Previous columns
ST. LOUIS | Sunday, inside the Rams’ Edward Jones Dome, Herm Edwards and the Chiefs told the story Edwards’ New York critics always forget to tell.

New Yorkers love to talk about The Preacher, his love of field goals and inability to read a clock. What they don’t like to talk about is the beautiful way The Preacher can get the choir to sing no matter who shows up for Herman’s Sermon.

With as many as 15,000 from his own flock caravanning across I-70 to fellowship with mullet-and-jeri-curl-wearing St. Louis heathens, The Preacher taught from the book of Job on Sunday.

Gone was the fire-and-brimstone delivery that made him famous. The Preacher and his 47 disciples revived their playoff hopes and smote the fool’s gold out of the grills of St. Louis players and fans by displaying remarkable poise, courage and patience in the face of adversity.

Chiefs 31, Rams 17.

Hallelujah, we can take the Chiefs seriously again.

They’re 5-3 at the season’s halfway point, and their starting quarterback hasn’t played in two months, Willie Roaf and Priest Holmes are somewhere ironing out the marketing details on a nachos-and-gumbo fast-food joint, and Jared Allen is cementing his rep as the wildest, craziest and baddest Chief since Derrick Thomas.

Oh, and did I mention that they’ve finally figured out how to play on the road?

On Sunday, the Chiefs won despite being stripped of the services of all-world guard Brian Waters, rookie star Tamba Hali, ball-hawking safety Greg Wesley, big-play linebacker Derrick Johnson and valuable reserve Keyaron Fox. They all fell to an assortment of injuries, but Herman’s Sermon never stopped to eulogize the fallen soldiers.

“I just walk up to ’em,” Edwards said of his message to his reserves, “and tell ’em, ‘It’s your turn to play, and I expect you to play good.’ ”

We haven’t seen this kind of gleam and grittiness from the Chiefs since Marty Schottenheimer frequented Tanner’s, Neil Smith mimicked George Brett’s swing and Carl Peterson wore a kilt.

If The Preacher is passing a collection plate, I’m ready to tithe. I’d say there’s a 10-percent chance Herm can have this team ready for a serious playoff run by the end of the season. The TV experts said on Sunday that 65 percent of all 5-3 teams reach the playoffs.

Wonder what the numbers say about 5-3 teams that weren’t supposed to be any good until December?

Yeah, these Chiefs are way ahead of schedule, and with the Dolphins and the Raiders coming up in the next two weeks, the Chiefs should get further ahead of themselves before Thanksgiving.

Obviously, the Rams are not the New England Patriots or the Indianapolis Colts. But playing at home with their quick-strike offense, the Rams are a dangerous team, capable of beating any squad in a shootout.

They didn’t beat the Chiefs because Jared Allen did what big-time playmakers are supposed to do. He changed the game in the first half, recording two sacks, forcing two fumbles and recovering one.

While the Chiefs built a 24-7 lead, Allen praise danced in St. Louis’ backfield, Larry Johnson brought the house down with his 116-yard-first-half solo, “Running From The Devilz,” and Damon Huard continued to smoothly serve Tony Gonzalez communion, tossing the contract-covetous tight end two TDs.

Chris Bober, who replaced Waters, said Edwards doesn’t get caught up in who is out on the field. Edwards’ attitude can be seen in his players’ attitude.

“To tell the truth, I didn’t even know half the guys were hurt,” Allen said. “I told Greg Wesley he needed to get an interception to end the game.”

We witnessed on Sunday why The Preacher has a shot at being a great NFL coach, right up there with The Jaw, Bill Cowher. Edwards is as good as anybody at getting players to believe in themselves and believe in what they can accomplish collectively.

After the game, Waters sat at his stall, his injured knee in a splint, wearing a confident smile. It seems likely that he’ll miss a game or two or three or maybe even the rest of the season. But Waters wore the happy look of a true believer and talked the confident talk of a disciple with total faith in his football messiah.

G’on, Preacher. Tell it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Hamas' Jenkins · 11-06-2006, 07:00 AM

“To tell the truth, I didn’t even know half the guys were hurt,” Allen said

I guarandamntee he knew when Hicks was in for Hali...god that fuck sucks ass.

Red Dawg · 11-06-2006, 07:04 AM

I love the fact that Herm cares about the whole team and not just one side of the ball. It's not a coincidence that the defense can actually stop opponents from scoring this season.

**Easy 6** · 11-06-2006, 07:05 AM

I enjoyed that article JW.

**the Talking Can** · 11-06-2006, 07:19 AM

heh....Whitlock tha fan...I like it

MichaelH · 11-06-2006, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Yeah, these Chiefs are way ahead of schedule, and with the Dolphins and the Raiders coming up in the next two weeks, the Chiefs should get further ahead of themselves before Thanksgiving.

It might have been a fluke that the Fins beat da Bears but this game should not be overlooked. And the Faiders always play the Chiefs tough. Let's not get all warm and fuzzy yet Mr. Whitlock.

Direckshun · 11-06-2006, 12:29 PM

I give him one week until he writes a "Chiefs played poorly" piece.

shaneo69 · 11-06-2006, 12:32 PM

That mightta been the most boring Whitlock column I've ever read.

ChiefaRoo · 11-06-2006, 12:34 PM

Goofy column and using the whole preacher schtick to the max. is irritating and in bad taste.

CupidStunt · 11-06-2006, 12:35 PM

It's a real shame we had that knucklehead of a coach for the last 5 years.

ferrarispider95 · 11-06-2006, 12:50 PM

"Willie Roaf and Priest Holmes are somewhere ironing out the marketing details on a nachos-and-gumbo fast-food joint"

thats funny

**Bob Dole** · 11-06-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

Goofy column and using the whole preacher schtick to the max. is irritating and in bad taste.

You;re just pissed because you didn't get any Kool-aid.

ChiefaRoo · 11-06-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

You;re just pissed because you didn't get any Kool-aid.

What are you talking about? I'm no homer bobby.

Wa-Z · 11-06-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelH

It might have been a fluke that the Fins beat da Bears but this game should not be overlooked. And the Faiders always play the Chiefs tough. Let's not get all warm and fuzzy yet Mr. Whitlock.

God, I hate pessimists.

**Bob Dole** · 11-06-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

What are you talking about? I'm no homer bobby.

Lessons learned from Jonestown.

You don't drink the Kool-aid, but it just feels wrong if you weren't even offered any.

11-06-2006, 06:51 AM
Red Dawg Going home eventually Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $4572858	"Herm the Preacher" from Fatlock Amen to that, Herm JASON WHITLOCK The Kansas City Star Previous columns ST. LOUIS \| Sunday, inside the Rams’ Edward Jones Dome, Herm Edwards and the Chiefs told the story Edwards’ New York critics always forget to tell. New Yorkers love to talk about The Preacher, his love of field goals and inability to read a clock. What they don’t like to talk about is the beautiful way The Preacher can get the choir to sing no matter who shows up for Herman’s Sermon. With as many as 15,000 from his own flock caravanning across I-70 to fellowship with mullet-and-jeri-curl-wearing St. Louis heathens, The Preacher taught from the book of Job on Sunday. Gone was the fire-and-brimstone delivery that made him famous. The Preacher and his 47 disciples revived their playoff hopes and smote the fool’s gold out of the grills of St. Louis players and fans by displaying remarkable poise, courage and patience in the face of adversity. Chiefs 31, Rams 17. Hallelujah, we can take the Chiefs seriously again. They’re 5-3 at the season’s halfway point, and their starting quarterback hasn’t played in two months, Willie Roaf and Priest Holmes are somewhere ironing out the marketing details on a nachos-and-gumbo fast-food joint, and Jared Allen is cementing his rep as the wildest, craziest and baddest Chief since Derrick Thomas. Oh, and did I mention that they’ve finally figured out how to play on the road? On Sunday, the Chiefs won despite being stripped of the services of all-world guard Brian Waters, rookie star Tamba Hali, ball-hawking safety Greg Wesley, big-play linebacker Derrick Johnson and valuable reserve Keyaron Fox. They all fell to an assortment of injuries, but Herman’s Sermon never stopped to eulogize the fallen soldiers. “I just walk up to ’em,” Edwards said of his message to his reserves, “and tell ’em, ‘It’s your turn to play, and I expect you to play good.’ ” We haven’t seen this kind of gleam and grittiness from the Chiefs since Marty Schottenheimer frequented Tanner’s, Neil Smith mimicked George Brett’s swing and Carl Peterson wore a kilt. If The Preacher is passing a collection plate, I’m ready to tithe. I’d say there’s a 10-percent chance Herm can have this team ready for a serious playoff run by the end of the season. The TV experts said on Sunday that 65 percent of all 5-3 teams reach the playoffs. Wonder what the numbers say about 5-3 teams that weren’t supposed to be any good until December? Yeah, these Chiefs are way ahead of schedule, and with the Dolphins and the Raiders coming up in the next two weeks, the Chiefs should get further ahead of themselves before Thanksgiving. Obviously, the Rams are not the New England Patriots or the Indianapolis Colts. But playing at home with their quick-strike offense, the Rams are a dangerous team, capable of beating any squad in a shootout. They didn’t beat the Chiefs because Jared Allen did what big-time playmakers are supposed to do. He changed the game in the first half, recording two sacks, forcing two fumbles and recovering one. While the Chiefs built a 24-7 lead, Allen praise danced in St. Louis’ backfield, Larry Johnson brought the house down with his 116-yard-first-half solo, “Running From The Devilz,” and Damon Huard continued to smoothly serve Tony Gonzalez communion, tossing the contract-covetous tight end two TDs. Chris Bober, who replaced Waters, said Edwards doesn’t get caught up in who is out on the field. Edwards’ attitude can be seen in his players’ attitude. “To tell the truth, I didn’t even know half the guys were hurt,” Allen said. “I told Greg Wesley he needed to get an interception to end the game.” We witnessed on Sunday why The Preacher has a shot at being a great NFL coach, right up there with The Jaw, Bill Cowher. Edwards is as good as anybody at getting players to believe in themselves and believe in what they can accomplish collectively. After the game, Waters sat at his stall, his injured knee in a splint, wearing a confident smile. It seems likely that he’ll miss a game or two or three or maybe even the rest of the season. But Waters wore the happy look of a true believer and talked the confident talk of a disciple with total faith in his football messiah. G’on, Preacher. Tell it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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11-06-2006, 07:00 AM	#2
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7959572	“To tell the truth, I didn’t even know half the guys were hurt,” Allen said I guarandamntee he knew when Hicks was in for Hali...god that fuck sucks ass. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
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11-06-2006, 07:04 AM	#3
Red Dawg Going home eventually Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $4572858	I love the fact that Herm cares about the whole team and not just one side of the ball. It's not a coincidence that the defense can actually stop opponents from scoring this season. __________________ If you're not first you're last!
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11-06-2006, 07:05 AM	#4
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3467775	I enjoyed that article JW.
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11-06-2006, 07:19 AM	#5
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	heh....Whitlock tha fan...I like it __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
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11-06-2006, 12:29 PM	#7
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4183447	I give him one week until he writes a "Chiefs played poorly" piece.
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11-06-2006, 12:32 PM	#8
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	That mightta been the most boring Whitlock column I've ever read. __________________ "I like Chiefs president Carl Peterson. I respect his business savvy. I envy his management skills and his penchant never to be driven by the whims of popularity. I admire his willingness to take responsibility for decisions that don’t work out the way he would have wanted." - Rufus, from KCChiefs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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11-06-2006, 12:34 PM	#9
ChiefaRoo MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin,TX Casino cash: $5027505	Goofy column and using the whole preacher schtick to the max. is irritating and in bad taste.
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11-06-2006, 12:35 PM	#10
CupidStunt offense > defense Join Date: Jul 2005 Casino cash: $2283332	It's a real shame we had that knucklehead of a coach for the last 5 years.
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11-06-2006, 12:50 PM	#11
ferrarispider95 She reads at a sophomore level Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: KANSAS Casino cash: $10004945	"Willie Roaf and Priest Holmes are somewhere ironing out the marketing details on a nachos-and-gumbo fast-food joint" thats funny __________________ www.steerplanet.com Show Steers Directory and Forum www.emporiaks.org Free Emporia, KS Apartment Rental Listings
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