KC Star - Chiefs face reality, knowing end is near for some veterans - Page 2

Hammock Parties · 12-18-2007, 12:45 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/407937.html

Many things about this wasted Chiefs season trouble Tony Gonzalez. Knowing that he will be a teammate for only two more weeks to close friend, locker-room neighbor and fellow tight end Jason Dunn is near the top of his list.

“I think about that every day,” Gonzalez said Monday. “If they get rid of (Dunn), that’s one of my best friends in life. It’s sad, but it’s part of the game.”

The final dismantling of what was as recently as two years ago a great offense will begin in two weeks, once the 4-10 Chiefs finish their season. Dunn, center Casey Wiegmann, guard John Welbourn and wide receiver Eddie Kennison probably will all play their final game for the Chiefs on Dec. 30 against the Jets in New York.

They will then join the previously departed Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Priest Holmes, Trent Green and Tony Richardson. Gonzalez and guard Brian Waters will next season be all that remains of an offense that was consistently among the NFL leaders in scoring and yardage.

Gonzalez took a moment to reflect on that Monday. Sad? Perhaps. But necessary?

Definitely. The Chiefs are on pace to score the fewest points in their history, the nine-game, strike-shortened 1982 season notwithstanding.

“I look at it all the time,” Gonzalez said. “I run those scenarios through my head. It can’t stay the same. That’s the thing. We have to do whatever it takes. It’s going to hurt some people’s feelings. It’s going to break up some relationships. It’s not going to happen any other way.

“Whatever they decide to do, I would think it’s in the best interests of the team, and at this point, that’s fine. After losing seven games in a row, I feel like, ‘Do whatever you’ve got to do, and I’ll get over it.’ ”

Gonzalez even threw himself into the discussion, saying the Chiefs should consider trading him if they believe the deal would make them stronger.

“I’ll put myself in that, too, if they wanted to, if they wanted to trade this older guy and get some good younger players and develop them,” Gonzalez said. “Why not? I’m not playing that much longer.”

Gonzalez, who signed a new long-term contract last winter, isn’t realistically going anywhere. Dunn, Wiegmann, Welbourn and Kennison are.

Dunn is often overlooked, but his powerful blocking was a key part of the Chiefs’ success in the running game. Wiegmann was a small but productive player who fit perfectly into an athletic offensive line.

Welbourn filled holes in the offensive line, first at tackle and this year at guard. Kennison was the Chiefs’ top wide receiver and gained more than 1,000 yards in both 2004 and 2005.

All lost their effectiveness this season and will be replaced. When they are, the old era will officially close with little to show for it but some gaudy statistics.

“I wouldn’t say we were a failure,” Kennison said. “We just didn’t accomplish what we wanted to accomplish. That doesn’t make anybody a failure.”

Kennison in January will be 35, an age considered elderly for his position. He missed all of six games this season and most of two others because of a pulled hamstring.

He has only 13 catches and 101 yards.

Those numbers probably won’t attract many contract offers, but Kennison said he intends to find out.

“I would love to finish my career here, but if I don’t, that won’t stop me from playing for somebody else,” he said. “I missed the first eight games because of a hamstring injury. I changed positions because they asked me to even though I had been putting up good numbers in my old position. So I sacrificed. I think people will see that.”

smittysbar · 12-18-2007, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

You should check the board before you post an article. There's no reason to get snippy at me.

I did and missed it. My bad, it happens

blueballs · 12-18-2007, 01:55 AM

Someone will take Tony G's comments
and turn it in to -he wants out of KC
bank on it

philfree · 12-18-2007, 02:05 AM

I love Eddie, Tony, Trent,Will, Brian,T-Rich,Jason, Willie, And a huge cast of others for what they did as appossed to what they didin't do.

PhilFree

**BigRedChief** · 12-18-2007, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Kennison sounds bitter. I'm guessing 90 percent of the Vermeil veterans don't buy into Herm's bullshit one bit. But that's OK. They can leave.

He's not worth $3.5 million+ that he will get next year. Play the young wide recievers.

**DaKCMan AP** · 12-18-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smittysbar

I did and missed it. My bad, it happens

GET OVER IT! /Herm

chagrin · 12-18-2007, 06:36 AM

Tony G is a classy guy, sticking around with this team for his career, it takes a real level of commitment, I hope he gets the honors he deserves when he ever retires.

TN_Chief · 12-18-2007, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueballs

Someone will take Tony G's comments
and turn it in to -he wants out of KC
bank on it

Would you blame him if he did want out? Carmen Peterwards has ****ed this team up beyond their ability to repair it. I wouldn't blame TG if he wanted to go play somewhere he might have a better chance to win.

siberian khatru · 12-18-2007, 07:29 AM

Quote:

“I wouldn’t say we were a failure,” Kennison said. “We just didn’t accomplish what we wanted to accomplish. That doesn’t make anybody a failure.”

TEX · 12-18-2007, 07:44 AM

All lost their effectiveness this season and will be replaced. When they are, the old era will officially close with little to show for it but some gaudy statistics.
_____________________________________________________________

That's such ****ING BULL$HIT! It created a winning culture whereby every time the Chiefs took the field they knew they had a chance to win. They believed in the direction the team was heading. It was a very exciting time in KC football. It did mean something!

Now, since Herm & Co. have been diminishing the accomplishments of the old offense since day 1, the Chiefs are $UCK-A$$ LOSERS. They have a losers-mentality, they don't know how to win, there is no identity, there is no direction, players don't believe in the "plan." After Herm takes this franchise to new all time record lows and gets his A$$ FIRED, then the media will tell it like it is. This is a very low point in Chiefs history and he flat out $UCKS as a HC.

**DaKCMan AP** · 12-18-2007, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

All lost their effectiveness this season and will be replaced. When they are, the old era will officially close with little to show for it but some gaudy statistics.
_____________________________________________________________

That's such ****ING BULL$HIT! It created a winning culture whereby every time the Chiefs took the field they knew they had a chance to win. They believed in the direction the team was heading. It was a very exciting time in KC football. It did mean something!

Now, since Herm & Co. have been diminishing the accomplishments of the old offense since day 1, the Chiefs are $UCK-A$$ LOSERS. They don't know how to win, there is no identity, there is no direction. After Herm takes this franchise to knew all time record lows and gets his A$$ FIRED, then the media will tell it like it is. This is a very low point in Chiefs history and he flat out $UCKS as a HC.

Yes, because 1 playoff appearance in 5 years is a big indicator of a winning culture, especially when compared to 1 playoff appearance in 2 years.

TEX · 12-18-2007, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Yes, because 1 playoff appearance in 5 years is a big indicator of a winning culture, especially when compared to 1 playoff appearance in 2 years.

You couldn't see your way if you tried.

I'll play - how about TWO 4-12 seasons in 3 years...

**DaKCMan AP** · 12-18-2007, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

You couldn't see your way if you tried.

I'll play - how about TWO 4-12 seasons in 3 years...

We're going 4-12 next year?

**HemiEd** · 12-18-2007, 07:58 AM

Woo hooo! Herm really excelled last year, he is the best! He has made me so proud to be a Chiefs fan with his fine work! I can't wait to see what he does next.

FloridaMan88 · 12-18-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Kennison sounds bitter. I'm guessing 90 percent of the Vermeil veterans don't buy into Herm's bullshit one bit. But that's OK. They can leave.

Why should they? They went from playing in the most explosive, diverse offense in the NFL to Herm/Slowarli's garbage offense.

Extra Point · 12-18-2007, 09:20 AM

Kennison was done two years ago. Thanks, Carl.

12-18-2007, 12:45 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4150478	KC Star - Chiefs face reality, knowing end is near for some veterans http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/407937.html Many things about this wasted Chiefs season trouble Tony Gonzalez. Knowing that he will be a teammate for only two more weeks to close friend, locker-room neighbor and fellow tight end Jason Dunn is near the top of his list. “I think about that every day,” Gonzalez said Monday. “If they get rid of (Dunn), that’s one of my best friends in life. It’s sad, but it’s part of the game.” The final dismantling of what was as recently as two years ago a great offense will begin in two weeks, once the 4-10 Chiefs finish their season. Dunn, center Casey Wiegmann, guard John Welbourn and wide receiver Eddie Kennison probably will all play their final game for the Chiefs on Dec. 30 against the Jets in New York. They will then join the previously departed Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Priest Holmes, Trent Green and Tony Richardson. Gonzalez and guard Brian Waters will next season be all that remains of an offense that was consistently among the NFL leaders in scoring and yardage. Gonzalez took a moment to reflect on that Monday. Sad? Perhaps. But necessary? Definitely. The Chiefs are on pace to score the fewest points in their history, the nine-game, strike-shortened 1982 season notwithstanding. “I look at it all the time,” Gonzalez said. “I run those scenarios through my head. It can’t stay the same. That’s the thing. We have to do whatever it takes. It’s going to hurt some people’s feelings. It’s going to break up some relationships. It’s not going to happen any other way. “Whatever they decide to do, I would think it’s in the best interests of the team, and at this point, that’s fine. After losing seven games in a row, I feel like, ‘Do whatever you’ve got to do, and I’ll get over it.’ ” Gonzalez even threw himself into the discussion, saying the Chiefs should consider trading him if they believe the deal would make them stronger. “I’ll put myself in that, too, if they wanted to, if they wanted to trade this older guy and get some good younger players and develop them,” Gonzalez said. “Why not? I’m not playing that much longer.” Gonzalez, who signed a new long-term contract last winter, isn’t realistically going anywhere. Dunn, Wiegmann, Welbourn and Kennison are. Dunn is often overlooked, but his powerful blocking was a key part of the Chiefs’ success in the running game. Wiegmann was a small but productive player who fit perfectly into an athletic offensive line. Welbourn filled holes in the offensive line, first at tackle and this year at guard. Kennison was the Chiefs’ top wide receiver and gained more than 1,000 yards in both 2004 and 2005. All lost their effectiveness this season and will be replaced. When they are, the old era will officially close with little to show for it but some gaudy statistics. “I wouldn’t say we were a failure,” Kennison said. “We just didn’t accomplish what we wanted to accomplish. That doesn’t make anybody a failure.” Kennison in January will be 35, an age considered elderly for his position. He missed all of six games this season and most of two others because of a pulled hamstring. He has only 13 catches and 101 yards. Those numbers probably won’t attract many contract offers, but Kennison said he intends to find out. “I would love to finish my career here, but if I don’t, that won’t stop me from playing for somebody else,” he said. “I missed the first eight games because of a hamstring injury. I changed positions because they asked me to even though I had been putting up good numbers in my old position. So I sacrificed. I think people will see that.”
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12-18-2007, 01:55 AM	#17
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	Someone will take Tony G's comments and turn it in to -he wants out of KC bank on it
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12-18-2007, 02:05 AM	#18
philfree Indian Twitter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Free Agency Casino cash: $1086198	I love Eddie, Tony, Trent,Will, Brian,T-Rich,Jason, Willie, And a huge cast of others for what they did as appossed to what they didin't do. PhilFree __________________ [/SIGPIC]
Posts: 15,103

12-18-2007, 06:36 AM	#21
chagrin Giggitty! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Missoula, Mt Casino cash: $9894905	Tony G is a classy guy, sticking around with this team for his career, it takes a real level of commitment, I hope he gets the honors he deserves when he ever retires. __________________ Times have changed, so have I, things are better now.
Posts: 13,395

12-18-2007, 07:44 AM	#24
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $1843127	All lost their effectiveness this season and will be replaced. When they are, the old era will officially close with little to show for it but some gaudy statistics. _____________________________________________________________ That's such **ING BULL$HIT! It created a winning culture whereby every time the Chiefs took the field they knew they had a chance to win. They believed in the direction the team was heading. It was a very exciting time in KC football. It did mean something! Now, since Herm & Co. have been diminishing the accomplishments of the old offense since day 1, the Chiefs are $UCK-A$$ LOSERS. They have a losers-mentality, they don't know how to win, there is no identity, there is no direction, players don't believe in the "plan." After Herm takes this franchise to new all time record lows and gets his A$$ FIRED, then the media will tell it like it is. This is a very low point in Chiefs history and he flat out $UCKS as a HC. __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"**
Posts: 34,800

12-18-2007, 07:58 AM	#28
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $2720564	Woo hooo! Herm really excelled last year, he is the best! He has made me so proud to be a Chiefs fan with his fine work! I can't wait to see what he does next.
Posts: 33,662

12-18-2007, 09:20 AM	#30
Extra Point MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prairie Village, KS Casino cash: $10004900	Kennison was done two years ago. Thanks, Carl. __________________ "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." --Satchel Paige
Posts: 7,845