What the San Diego Newpaper is Saying

[gblowfish]

Article from Union-Tribune in San Diego, written 9/7:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2...outing-report/

Chargers scouting report: Kansas City Chiefs
By Chris Jenkins, UNION-TRIBUNE

The Pats-ification of the Kansas City Chiefs enters its second regular season with even more of New England air about them. It’s in the DNA of their red blood (Par)cells, what with the hiring of Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator and Romeo Crennel as defensive coordinator by (ex-Pat) general manager Scott Pioli.

Even the venue where the Chargers have been playing once a year since 1972 has undergone a change, a renovation that cost $375 million, but Arrowhead Stadium hasn’t lost anything to diminish its reputation as perhaps the loudest stadium for visitors. The past few years, though, the noise has been driven more by local frustration with the Chiefs than the desire to drown out the opposing quarterback. In fact, the only game on the Chiefs home schedule that every seat is sold for is this opener.

For all the new faces and the new look, the Chiefs aren’t expected to be that much better than the K.C. squad that got off to a 1-7 start last year and hasn’t won more than four games in three seasons. But they did have a terrific draft and do feel like they’re finally heading in the right direction.

What better way for them to substantiate that belief by staging a major upset in their regular-season opener on "Monday Night Football?"

Three players to watch

Thomas Jones, RB: With the development of Jamaal Charles into one of the NFL’s best and most exciting young runners, you’d think the Chiefs would be happy to leave well enough alone in the backfield. But when the Jets essentially did a Tomlinson on esteemed veteran Thomas Jones, K.C. jumped on the chance to bring in his legs and leadership. Now the Chargers will have to split their focus in defense against the ground game, the strongsuit of the Chiefs offense.

Matt Cassel, QB: While seemingly every other quarterback in the NFL is winging the ball all over the place, there’s good reason to think Cassel might be handing off and pitching more than any other QB, and not just because the Chiefs are pretty well loaded with running backs (see above). There’s also the fact that Cassel threw the same number of interceptions (16) as touchdowns last year, and there’s little evidence yet that the Chiefs have solved the problems that got him sacked 42 times.

Eric Berry, SS: If the rookie from Tennessee does something big in his NFL debut _ and he’s a big-play artist _ the Chargers only have themselves to blame. Philip Rivers’ 600 yards and five touchdowns passing last year made it painfully clear to K.C. that it needed serious help in its secondary, and in using their fifth-overall pick on Berry, the Chiefs think they have the NFL’s newest version of Ed Reed.

Familiar faces

Chiefs wide receiver Chris Chambers was deemed one of the Chargers’ most dangerous players a year ago, but a lack of productivity and off-field issues got him cut and signed by Kansas City . Two of the Chargers’ current players, tight end Kris Wilson and defensive end Alfonso Boone, played for the Chiefs. So did the Chargers assistant secondary coach, Cris Dishman, and the San Diego staff includes former Chiefs coaches Charlie Joiner and Jeff Hurd. Chargers rookie safety Darrell Stuckey is a K.C. native who was drafted out of Kansas, also the alma mater of defensive mate James Holt, and running back Darren Sproles played at Kansas State after growing up in Olathe, Kan. The Chargers’ special-teams coach, Steve Crosby, is a Kansas native who played at Fort Hayes State.

Injury report

The Chiefs have had three players — tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, defensive end Alex Magee and linebacker Cameron Sheffield — withheld from practice due to injuries and haven’t detailed their status for the opener. There were reports of a player being taken away from the Chiefs complex by ambulance Monday, but while head coach Todd Haley wouldn’t confirm such an incident, he suggested that something might have happened to one of the three aforementioned players. O’Callahan and Magee were spotted by the Kansas City media after the practice.

Series history

This could be the game where the Chargers finally catch up to the Chiefs, though San Diego’s had to win the last five meetings, six of seven and nine of 12 just to cut the K.C. lead in the overall series to 50-49-1. The Chargers had their share of close calls last year, but neither of them was against the Chiefs, vanquished by San Diego by scores of 37-7 and 43-14.

Did you know?

The only defensive player in the vaunted history of the Volunteers football program to be drafted higher than Berry was the late legend Reggie White by one spot. Despite his star status, Berry showed his appreciation for the Tennessee equipment-room guys and team managers by helping them shine helmets on the days before Vols home games.

Quote:

“I’ve always had a rule that, if you’re above .500, stats count. If you’re not, then they don’t. I’ve made that clear to Dwayne.” _ Chiefs head coach Todd Haley in the Kansas City Star , referring to the big numbers posted by receiver Dwayne Bowe in his first two seasons.

[MMXcalibur]

I wonder if opposing team newspapers have a section: "What ChiefsPlanet is Saying"

...and whether any of the gained information would be printable.

[baitism]

I can't really disagree with anything in that article.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by baitism

I can't really disagree with anything in that article.

It is mostly okay but I disagree with this.

There’s also the fact that Cassel threw the same number of interceptions (16) as touchdowns last year, and there’s little evidence yet that the Chiefs have solved the problems that got him sacked 42 times.

Lilja and Weigman should make some difference. They still need to draft some good young lineman and the RT position is still scary, but to say they haven't done anything is silly, IMO.

[Dayze]

Techier should take notes on how to construct and execute an article.

[Hydrae]

Originally Posted by OP

There were reports of a player being taken away from the Chiefs complex by ambulance Monday, but while head coach Todd Haley wouldn’t confirm such an incident, he suggested that something might have happened to one of the three aforementioned players. O’Callahan and Magee were spotted by the Kansas City media after the practice.

This is the first I have heard anything about this. Did something more happen to Sheffield?

[Otter]

Excited to see Berry make his debut.

Just wish isn't wasn't starting at freaking 10:30pm on a Monday Night.

[FAX]

More from the San Diego Newspaper:

The San Diego "Chargers" will be playing "football" tonight. The "Chargers" are a local "football" team comprised primarily of people who are not from here. If you are like most of our readers, you are unfamiliar with the game of "football". "Football" is similar to surfing except that, rather than a surfboard, participants use a "ball" that is shaped like two, overstuffed, black bean tacos stuck together. Through gratuitous, violent conflict, "football players" attempt to move the "ball" from one place to another. Sometimes they are successful and sometimes they are not. Occasionally, people will attend the "football games". These people are called "fans".

FAX

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by FAX

More from the San Diego Newspaper:

The San Diego "Chargers" will be playing "football" tonight. The "Chargers" are a local "football" team comprised primarily of people who are not from here. If you are like most of our readers, you are unfamiliar with the game of "football". "Football" is similar to surfing except that, rather than a surfboard, participants use a "ball" that is shaped like two, overstuffed, black bean tacos stuck together. Through gratuitous, violent conflict, "football players" attempt to move the "ball" from one place to another. Sometimes they are successful and sometimes they are not. Occasionally, people will attend the "football games". These people are called "fans".

FAX

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by FAX

More from the San Diego Newspaper:

The San Diego "Chargers" will be playing "football" tonight. The "Chargers" are a local "football" team comprised primarily of people who are not from here. If you are like most of our readers, you are unfamiliar with the game of "football". "Football" is similar to surfing except that, rather than a surfboard, participants use a "ball" that is shaped like two, overstuffed, black bean tacos stuck together. Through gratuitous, violent conflict, "football players" attempt to move the "ball" from one place to another. Sometimes they are successful and sometimes they are not. Occasionally, people will attend the "football games". These people are called "fans".

FAX

almost hear Carlin's voice

[dj56dt58]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

almost hear Carlin's voice

or Herm's..

[HotRoute]

"The only defensive player in the vaunted history of the Volunteers football program to be drafted higher than Berry was the late legend Reggie White by one spot"

Found this to be very interesting

[Pitt Gorilla]

The biggest issue, IMO, is the health of DMC. If he is ready to go, we'll have the weapons to compete. Without him, our offense looks a lot different.

[kysirsoze]

I didn't realize we were defending our all time series lead on them. ****, I want the Chiefs to win this game.

[BigOlChiefsfan]

Yep, then go on and win the next 35 matchups. I'd like to get a comfortable win/loss lead built back up. Plus, hey...**** San Diego.