Chiefs ATHAN - Raiders hype is fool's gold - Page 2

Hammock Parties · 11-04-2010, 09:38 PM

Before you doubt him, just remember he predicted victory over the 49ers in Week 3. THIS ONE'S IN THE BAG!

http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/1...94&feedID=5070

It’s Raiders week. You know what that means: the Chiefs are set to play their most hated division rival. It’s a game that could very well settle the AFC West.

It’s far more important to Oakland to win this game than Kansas City. But is it really a rivalry anymore? And are the 2010 Raiders really that good? I say no to both.

I’m sick and tired of hearing how the Raiders are back. All of a sudden they’re a good team? Because of two blowout victories, everyone thinks they're on the verge of making a legitimate run to the top of the AFC West standings. But on Sunday they face the NFL’s biggest surprise: the Kansas City Chiefs.

Experts are clamoring that the Chiefs are headed for a fall after their narrow 13-10 overtime victory at home over Buffalo. And they base that on the fact the Raiders in back-to-back weeks have run up the score on the hapless Denver Broncos at Mile High and the road-troubled Seahawks at the Oakland Coliseum.

So are the Raiders really that good? Let’s hold off on that for a moment.

Two weeks ago the Raiders went to Denver and ran all over the Broncos in a 59-14 victory. Darren McFadden returned the line-up and showed why he was a top draft pick a few years ago. It was his best game as a Raider. But the Broncos defense is terrible. Still, the Raiders took advantage of their poor tackling and made a statement. And for his efforts, McFadden is the AFC West's leading rusher with 668 yards.

This past Sunday, the Raiders took care of Seattle by thumping them 33-3 at home. But when you consider that Seattle left points on the field on three red zone possessions, poor tackling by Seattle, and some fortuitous bounces of the ball, this game should have been much closer. But the Seahawks aren’t that good.

The Chiefs on the other hand have been criticized for playing a weak schedule to date. I guess the likes of San Diego, Indianapolis, Houston, San Francisco and Jacksonville doesn’t carry much weight in some NFL circles.

The Chiefs stand a respectable 3-2 in those five contests. The Raiders on the other hand have played just three of those teams and they are 1-2 against the same competition. They beat the Chargers at home, lost to the Texans at the Coliseum and then lost an ugly game on the road to the 49ers.

They’ve yet to play any teams like the Jaguars or Colts. In fact, in eight games this season the Raiders have completed their season series against the down and out NFC West. They won two and lost two. That’s why they are 4-4 on the season.

The Chiefs have played a more daunting schedule. Yet the path to their own respectability in the eyes of the experts likely will be defined in the next two weeks when they travel to Oakland and Denver.

Make no mistake about it: the Chiefs are the class of the AFC West. The Raiders have talent but they’re not nearly as acclimated for their newfound success as the Chiefs are.

I based that primarily on the difference between the two coaching staffs. Todd Haley is on the path to being named the NFL Coach of the Year. His coordinators Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel have been the driving force behind the Chiefs 5-2 record at this point in the season.

On the flip side, Tom Cable is always one game away from getting fired. Though, I respect the job he’s done working in miserable conditions in Oakland, he’s simply not the type of coach that’s going to lead a team like the Raiders to a division title.

Three weeks ago, Cable inserted Quarterback Jason Campbell into the starting lineup after starter Brad Gradkowski went down with a shoulder injury in the Chargers game. This week Cable said as soon as Gradkowski is 100% healthy, he’ll return as the teams’ starter.

Campbell has led the Raiders to three victories in the last four weeks. Gradkowski on the other hand, has won only a single game as a starter, that came against the St. Louis Rams at home in week two.

Need more reasons why this team is going to falter down the stretch? You play the hot hand and injuries should not sway your decision either way.

In Kansas City, Todd Haley has basically benched former first round draft pick Tyson Jackson. After a knee injury in week one that has kept him off the field and on the sidelines, he was eligible to return for the Texans game.

But he sat on the sidelines that game and didn’t return to the gameday roster until the team played Jacksonville a couple of weeks ago. He wasn’t in the shape Haley wanted him to be in. Even further, rumors suggest his work ethic had dropped significantly from the progress he had made in training camp.

But more importantly defensive ends Shaun Smith and now Jimmy Wilkerson have moved ahead of him on the depth chart. In fact, I could argue very easily that both of them are better football players than Jackson. And with them on the field, the Chiefs are a better defensive team. Still, Haley benching the eighteenth-highest paid player in the NFL and relegate him to back up shows me that he gets it.

That’s what good coaches do. They put their best players in the game at all times. Cable’s flawed outlook will ultimately be his demise in Oakland.

On Sunday, I guess we’ll see if my theories are correct. But buying into the Raiders mystique is very risky for the national NFL experts. The Chiefs are clearly the better team. In fact, they’ve owned the Raiders since 2003. In the last 14 contests, the Chiefs have won 11 of them – including 7 straight in Oakland.

But there are not many NFL prognosticators giving Kansas City much of a chance to win Sunday. They believe the Chiefs, not the Raiders, are going to be the team that falters down the stretch.

And in part, people are basing that sentiment solely on the Chiefs close call against Buffalo. That’s a big mistake. It’s the same mistake people are making about the Raiders rise to sudden contender after back-to-back blowout victories.

Regardless which team you believe is better, it’s safe to say both franchises are playing good football. But at the end of the day, only one team will win on Sunday. And generally, as has been the case in all seven of the Chiefs games this season, the better team has won every week.

The Chiefs are clearly the better team. And that will be proven Sunday afternoon in Oakland.

Hammock Parties · 11-04-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunit35

You got me. I missed the section stating this article was from 2005.

It's not, but I'm guessing Nick has inside information.

I can't wait to see Wilkerson in a Chiefs' uniform this weekend.

**Dunit35** · 11-05-2010, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

It's not, but I'm guessing Nick has inside information.

I can't wait to see Wilkerson in a Chiefs' uniform this weekend.

Me neither. Excited to see Eddie Freeman line up again too.

**BigMeatballDave** · 11-05-2010, 12:16 AM

Wilkerson? WTF?

2 words, Nick. Proof. Read.

Silock · 11-05-2010, 01:07 AM

How in the merry blue **** does this guy still have a journalism career?

keg in kc · 11-05-2010, 01:39 AM

I can't believe we're 5-2 with all the puff pieces this moron keeps putting out.

**Ming the Merciless** · 11-05-2010, 02:42 AM

When Athan turns out to be more correct than most of the 'experts' on this board you know that the world is coming to an end.

If it turns out he is correct and the 'experts' who are salivating for Matty and the Chiefs to fail on Sunday are wrong....what will happen?

jbwm89 · 11-05-2010, 02:55 AM

so wilkerson(not a chief)>TJack. We really ****ed up that pick.

Silock · 11-05-2010, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

When Athan turns out to be more correct than most of the 'experts' on this board you know that the world is coming to an end.

If it turns out he is correct and the 'experts' who are salivating for Matty and the Chiefs to fail on Sunday are wrong....what will happen?

I think that salivating is entirely the wrong word.

We all want to win. We are just expecting Cassel to let us down. If he doesn't, then awesome. If he does, then, well, we won't be as let-down.

King_Chief_Fan · 11-05-2010, 06:33 AM

He does make great predictions..........how can we forget..."the deal is done"

Extra Point · 11-05-2010, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_Chief_Fan

He does make great predictions..........how can we forget..."the deal is done"

You win the race!

**Fire Me Boy!** · 11-05-2010, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

How in the merry blue **** does this guy still have a journalism career?

I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't call this guy a journalist. Those of us real journalists are offended. At most, Athan is a columnist. There is a HUGE difference.

SenselessChiefsFan · 11-05-2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Championship

Most asinine article I think I've ever read.

He mentions that the Chiefs victory over Jacksonville as if that is supposed to impress us, but fails to mention the Jags were starting Todd freaking Bauman at Quarterback, who they signed off the streets a couple weeks prior.

If you only knew football as well as you knew journalism.

Yeah, this is crap. Unfortunately, this guy has picked the Chiefs to cover. Clearly, judging by your posts, he would fit much better covering the Raiders.

SenselessChiefsFan · 11-05-2010, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't call this guy a journalist. Those of us real journalists are offended. At most, Athan is an assclown. There is a HUGE difference.

FYP

**Fire Me Boy!** · 11-05-2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

FYP

Reerun_KC · 11-05-2010, 07:12 AM

Nothing good can happen for the Chiefs when AssClown opens his mouth...

11-04-2010, 09:38 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $920478	ATHAN - Raiders hype is fool's gold Before you doubt him, just remember he predicted victory over the 49ers in Week 3. THIS ONE'S IN THE BAG! http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/1...94&feedID=5070 It’s Raiders week. You know what that means: the Chiefs are set to play their most hated division rival. It’s a game that could very well settle the AFC West. It’s far more important to Oakland to win this game than Kansas City. But is it really a rivalry anymore? And are the 2010 Raiders really that good? I say no to both. I’m sick and tired of hearing how the Raiders are back. All of a sudden they’re a good team? Because of two blowout victories, everyone thinks they're on the verge of making a legitimate run to the top of the AFC West standings. But on Sunday they face the NFL’s biggest surprise: the Kansas City Chiefs. Experts are clamoring that the Chiefs are headed for a fall after their narrow 13-10 overtime victory at home over Buffalo. And they base that on the fact the Raiders in back-to-back weeks have run up the score on the hapless Denver Broncos at Mile High and the road-troubled Seahawks at the Oakland Coliseum. So are the Raiders really that good? Let’s hold off on that for a moment. Two weeks ago the Raiders went to Denver and ran all over the Broncos in a 59-14 victory. Darren McFadden returned the line-up and showed why he was a top draft pick a few years ago. It was his best game as a Raider. But the Broncos defense is terrible. Still, the Raiders took advantage of their poor tackling and made a statement. And for his efforts, McFadden is the AFC West's leading rusher with 668 yards. This past Sunday, the Raiders took care of Seattle by thumping them 33-3 at home. But when you consider that Seattle left points on the field on three red zone possessions, poor tackling by Seattle, and some fortuitous bounces of the ball, this game should have been much closer. But the Seahawks aren’t that good. The Chiefs on the other hand have been criticized for playing a weak schedule to date. I guess the likes of San Diego, Indianapolis, Houston, San Francisco and Jacksonville doesn’t carry much weight in some NFL circles. The Chiefs stand a respectable 3-2 in those five contests. The Raiders on the other hand have played just three of those teams and they are 1-2 against the same competition. They beat the Chargers at home, lost to the Texans at the Coliseum and then lost an ugly game on the road to the 49ers. They’ve yet to play any teams like the Jaguars or Colts. In fact, in eight games this season the Raiders have completed their season series against the down and out NFC West. They won two and lost two. That’s why they are 4-4 on the season. The Chiefs have played a more daunting schedule. Yet the path to their own respectability in the eyes of the experts likely will be defined in the next two weeks when they travel to Oakland and Denver. Make no mistake about it: the Chiefs are the class of the AFC West. The Raiders have talent but they’re not nearly as acclimated for their newfound success as the Chiefs are. I based that primarily on the difference between the two coaching staffs. Todd Haley is on the path to being named the NFL Coach of the Year. His coordinators Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel have been the driving force behind the Chiefs 5-2 record at this point in the season. On the flip side, Tom Cable is always one game away from getting fired. Though, I respect the job he’s done working in miserable conditions in Oakland, he’s simply not the type of coach that’s going to lead a team like the Raiders to a division title. Three weeks ago, Cable inserted Quarterback Jason Campbell into the starting lineup after starter Brad Gradkowski went down with a shoulder injury in the Chargers game. This week Cable said as soon as Gradkowski is 100% healthy, he’ll return as the teams’ starter. Campbell has led the Raiders to three victories in the last four weeks. Gradkowski on the other hand, has won only a single game as a starter, that came against the St. Louis Rams at home in week two. Need more reasons why this team is going to falter down the stretch? You play the hot hand and injuries should not sway your decision either way. In Kansas City, Todd Haley has basically benched former first round draft pick Tyson Jackson. After a knee injury in week one that has kept him off the field and on the sidelines, he was eligible to return for the Texans game. But he sat on the sidelines that game and didn’t return to the gameday roster until the team played Jacksonville a couple of weeks ago. He wasn’t in the shape Haley wanted him to be in. Even further, rumors suggest his work ethic had dropped significantly from the progress he had made in training camp. But more importantly defensive ends Shaun Smith and now Jimmy Wilkerson have moved ahead of him on the depth chart. In fact, I could argue very easily that both of them are better football players than Jackson. And with them on the field, the Chiefs are a better defensive team. Still, Haley benching the eighteenth-highest paid player in the NFL and relegate him to back up shows me that he gets it. That’s what good coaches do. They put their best players in the game at all times. Cable’s flawed outlook will ultimately be his demise in Oakland. On Sunday, I guess we’ll see if my theories are correct. But buying into the Raiders mystique is very risky for the national NFL experts. The Chiefs are clearly the better team. In fact, they’ve owned the Raiders since 2003. In the last 14 contests, the Chiefs have won 11 of them – including 7 straight in Oakland. But there are not many NFL prognosticators giving Kansas City much of a chance to win Sunday. They believe the Chiefs, not the Raiders, are going to be the team that falters down the stretch. And in part, people are basing that sentiment solely on the Chiefs close call against Buffalo. That’s a big mistake. It’s the same mistake people are making about the Raiders rise to sudden contender after back-to-back blowout victories. Regardless which team you believe is better, it’s safe to say both franchises are playing good football. But at the end of the day, only one team will win on Sunday. And generally, as has been the case in all seven of the Chiefs games this season, the better team has won every week. The Chiefs are clearly the better team. And that will be proven Sunday afternoon in Oakland.
Posts: 297,044

11-05-2010, 12:16 AM	#18
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Wilkerson? WTF? 2 words, Nick. Proof. Read. __________________ 2015 Adopt-a-Chief: Tamba Hali Last edited by BigMeatballDave; 11-05-2010 at 12:39 AM..
Posts: 59,997

11-05-2010, 01:07 AM	#19
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	How in the merry blue **** does this guy still have a journalism career?
Posts: 19,908

11-05-2010, 01:39 AM	#20
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	I can't believe we're 5-2 with all the puff pieces this moron keeps putting out.
Posts: 58,682

11-05-2010, 02:42 AM	#21
Ming the Merciless Emporer of Mongo Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milky Way Casino cash: $-582444	When Athan turns out to be more correct than most of the 'experts' on this board you know that the world is coming to an end. If it turns out he is correct and the 'experts' who are salivating for Matty and the Chiefs to fail on Sunday are wrong....what will happen? __________________ ---- 2018 Adopt-A-Chief : Chris Conley 2017 Adopt-A-Chief : FRANK ZOMBO Click here-->*The Holy Chiefsplanet Lexicon **
Posts: 46,212

11-05-2010, 02:55 AM	#22
jbwm89 MIZZOU Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Saint Joseph Casino cash: $10005040	so wilkerson(not a chief)>TJack. We really ****ed up that pick.
Posts: 1,076

11-05-2010, 06:33 AM	#24
King_Chief_Fan Praise Him Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: none ya Casino cash: $4755486	He does make great predictions..........how can we forget..."the deal is done"
Posts: 12,362

11-05-2010, 07:12 AM	#30
Reerun_KC Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7231160	Nothing good can happen for the Chiefs when AssClown opens his mouth...
Posts: 1,529