Chiefs What the San Diego Newpaper is Saying - Page 2

**gblowfish** · 11:50 AM

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.

Pitt Gorilla · 09-13-2010, 01:16 PM

Anyone heard anything more recently regarding DMC? I feel I'm a bit out of the loop as nobody else has commented on him.

mesmith31 · 09-13-2010, 01:20 PM

I think that Charles could likely have 115-120 yards rushing in this game with Jones having another 40-60. If that happens and we are able to control the clock we have a decent chance to keep this close into the fourth quarter. At that point in time it will come turnover differential. I say if we hit those numbers AND get a plus one in turnover differential, then we win.

**Dave Lane** · 09-13-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

It is mostly okay but I disagree with this.

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.

No and I have to finally say something.

I know a staff member for the Chiefs and one of the main reasons Cassel has been Mr. Dink and Dunk this preseason is just for this reason. Weis thinks the 40+ sacks have to be fixed first, before anything else for Cassel. One of the main reasons he has been forced to throw short is to cut down on the sacks. Essentially they are forcing him to learn to get the ball out regardless of what he thinks might develop.

Now that its the regular season they may let up a little but the "fix" was to fix his holding the ball too long and to help make quicker decisions
and reads.

milkman · 09-13-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

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.

Improving the O-Line does nothing to solve the pocket awareness issue and the propensity to hold onto the ball too long that plague Cassel..

**Dave Lane** · 09-13-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Improving the O-Line does nothing to solve the pocket awareness issue and the propensity to hold onto the ball too long that plague Cassel..

Read above you...

Saccopoo · 09-13-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

No and I have to finally say something.

I know a staff member for the Chiefs and one of the main reasons Cassel has been Mr. Dink and Dunk this preseason is just for this reason. Weis thinks the 40+ sacks have to be fixed first, before anything else for Cassel. One of the main reasons he has been forced to throw short is to cut down on the sacks. Essentially they are forcing him to learn to get the ball out regards of what he thinks might develop.

Now that its the regular season they may let up a little but the "fix" was to fix his holding the ball too long and making quicker decisions
and reads.

Then they should have drafted a mother ****ing competent offensive lineman instead of a five tech defensive end and a safety. Go ask Matt Stafford what he thinks about mediocrity at the left tackle spot.

However, I did read on the Chiefs Planet that our offensive line woes were solved. We drafted a guard in the third round and signed a free agent center. Onward to victory!

milkman · 09-13-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Read above you...

I did read it, and I'd like some clarity.

You seem to be saying the staff member suggests what I said is the issue, that Cassel holds the ball too long (though he doesn't mention the pocket awareness issue), and the problem isn't protection issues, but you aren't real clear .

threebag · 09-13-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

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

He's just in a hurry to get his written so he can eye **** his Justin Beiber poster.

Mecca · 09-13-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Then they should have drafted a mother ****ing competent offensive lineman instead of a five tech defensive end and a safety. Go ask Matt Stafford what he thinks about mediocrity at the left tackle spot.

However, I did read on the Chiefs Planet that our offensive line woes were solved. We drafted a guard in the third round and signed a free agent center. Onward to victory!

I'm not a fan of using a top 5 pick on an OT, if you want to argue they shold have taken the trade the Jets were using to move and then taken Oher there, that's a fine argument.

Pitt Gorilla · 09-13-2010, 02:00 PM

I'd like to point out that we could have had the Eagles' backup at LT as an undrafted rookie FA. The kid is a stud and should be a player for years to come.

Of course, we could have also had Arizona's starting RT as a 7th rounder last year. I advocated for both as I watched them play (and succeed) at UNI. Oh well.

bobbything · 09-13-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Anyone heard anything more recently regarding DMC? I feel I'm a bit out of the loop as nobody else has commented on him.

I saw today on ESPN's ticker that he's still listed as doubtful (illness). Pregnant, I assume.

**the Talking Can** · 09-13-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

I did read it, and I'd like some clarity.

You seem to be saying the staff member suggests what I said is the issue, that Cassel holds the ball too long (though he doesn't mention the pocket awareness issue), and the problem isn't protection issues, but you aren't real clear .

i think he is saying the issue causing the sacks is Cassel holding the ball...and i completely agree, the QB is a much bigger problem than the OL right now...something saccofbats can't understand

but i think the OL as currently constructed is what Pioli/Haley want..so it can't be considered part of the problem...

we have to assume Pioli made the acquisitions and moves that he believed were sufficient to make Cassel perform better...so any performance problems by Cassel are on Cassel...

Chief Chief · 09-13-2010, 02:04 PM

I wonder if S Eric Berry is showing his appreciation right now to Gaythan by shining his helmet?

**the Talking Can** · 09-13-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I'd like to point out that we could have had the Eagles' backup at LT as an undrafted rookie FA. The kid is a stud and should be a player for years to come.

Of course, we could have also had Arizona's starting RT as a 7th rounder last year. I advocated for both as I watched them play (and succeed) at UNI. Oh well.

we could done a lot of things that didn't involve drafting Brokung...

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-13-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

It is mostly okay but I disagree with this.

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.

Nah, not really.

Lilja's playing well but no better than Wade Smith.

Weigman's a slight upgrade over Niswanger but has it been confirmed that Weigman is the starter?

09-13-2010, 10:40 AM
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17596178 VARSITY	What the San Diego Newspaper is Saying 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. Last edited by gblowfish; 09-13-2010 at 11:50 AM..
Posts: 40,844

09-13-2010, 01:16 PM	#16
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2540194	Anyone heard anything more recently regarding DMC? I feel I'm a bit out of the loop as nobody else has commented on him. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 46,238

09-13-2010, 01:20 PM	#17
mesmith31 Starter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: West Des Moines, Iowa Casino cash: $10005205	I think that Charles could likely have 115-120 yards rushing in this game with Jones having another 40-60. If that happens and we are able to control the clock we have a decent chance to keep this close into the fourth quarter. At that point in time it will come turnover differential. I say if we hit those numbers AND get a plus one in turnover differential, then we win.
Posts: 364

09-13-2010, 02:00 PM	#25
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2540194	I'd like to point out that we could have had the Eagles' backup at LT as an undrafted rookie FA. The kid is a stud and should be a player for years to come. Of course, we could have also had Arizona's starting RT as a 7th rounder last year. I advocated for both as I watched them play (and succeed) at UNI. Oh well. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 46,238

09-13-2010, 02:04 PM	#28
Chief Chief Veteran Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City MO Casino cash: $10004900	I wonder if S Eric Berry is showing his appreciation right now to Gaythan by shining his helmet?
Posts: 3,072