Hammock Parties
08-11-2008, 12:11 AM
Worst Whitlock in a long time. Terrible.
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/742495.html
Don’t forget the Chiefs are trying to sell tickets this preseason.
Yeah, they want to rebuild, and they’re prepared to endure the win-loss suffering that goes along with a roster filled with youngsters. But the primary goal this season, like every other season the last 20 years, is to fill the seats at Arrowhead Stadium.
So, in hindsight, it’s not all that shocking that the Chiefs played with more purpose and intensity at Soldier Field than the Chicago Bears in the squads’ exhibition opener.
Now, I’m not going to dwell on KC’s motive, because, no matter the motivation, what happened Thursday night was rather impressive from a Kansas City-Herm Edwards-Chan Gailey perspective.
Someone put the chip back on Larry Johnson’s shoulder. He ran with a confidence and authority that he did not a year ago. His up-field cuts were decisive and swift. His body language was positive. Johnson could not have run any better than he did Thursday night.
It’s impossible to read Johnson’s mind. I hate to speculate on what is driving him this season. Maybe he doesn’t want to be branded as the second coming of Shaun Alexander, the Seattle back who backed off after getting a big contract. Maybe Johnson really does want to be an all-time great and have a long, productive multi-Maybach career.
Whatever, it was wonderful to see Johnson run like Jim Brown again.
Let me add, the run blocking was good, too, especially considering the competition. No one on the line stood out. I’ll need another game to figure out what is going on with KC’s rushing attack. I suspect Gailey’s simplified game plan played a role in the early success. Plus, I’m sure Larry benefited from having a legitimate fullback rather than Kris Wilson or Boomer Grigsby.
Linebacker Derrick Johnson was Larry’s defensive equal. Derrick led the Chiefs with four tackles. He made several nice, one-on-one tackles. He was a force. But D.J. always looks good early in games. He tends to disappear in the second half.
William Franklin and Bobby Sippio were fantastic. The Chiefs would love to see Franklin flourish. He’s a rookie draft pick, and he has the necessary skill set to shine as a slot receiver.
The Chiefs would prefer Sippio, the former Arena League star, not make the team. It’s not personal. He’s just not a Bill Kuharich draft pick. Thankfully, it appears Sippio is going to force his way onto the team and into the lineup. He’s a big, physical receiver with reliable hands. He has a swagger, too. And he can play on special teams.
The Chiefs would prefer Jeff Webb. But he’s no Bobby Sippio.
As for the quarterbacks?
I was unimpressed with Brodie Croyle. He locked on to his primary receiver and never scanned the field. Meanwhile, Damon Huard was very comfortable in his backup role. He’s a perfect No. 2 or 3 quarterback. Huard came in and made the throws you’d expect a veteran quarterback to make.
His ability to look off the safety and deliver the ball to receivers in tight spaces accentuated what I didn’t like in Croyle’s play. I’m not down on Croyle. He’s inexperienced. He’ll develop. Huard can teach him a few things.
At defensive end, I liked the way Alfonso Boone played against the run. He’s stout and can find the football. However, the Chiefs, as expected, didn’t demonstrate much of a pass rush against the Bears.
Overall, I would say there’s no reason for anyone to think what happened in Chicago signals that the Chiefs will win more games than previously anticipated.
What it signals is the Chiefs are going to benefit from having chosen a clear, common-sense direction. The players believe in what Edwards is trying to do. That’s what I saw on Thursday, a sense of purpose. I also saw some good young talent.
I saw reasons to go out to Arrowhead Stadium and monitor the development of players who will help the Chiefs win games in 2009 and 2010.
Good job. The Chiefs sold a few tickets Thursday night.
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/742495.html
Don’t forget the Chiefs are trying to sell tickets this preseason.
Yeah, they want to rebuild, and they’re prepared to endure the win-loss suffering that goes along with a roster filled with youngsters. But the primary goal this season, like every other season the last 20 years, is to fill the seats at Arrowhead Stadium.
So, in hindsight, it’s not all that shocking that the Chiefs played with more purpose and intensity at Soldier Field than the Chicago Bears in the squads’ exhibition opener.
Now, I’m not going to dwell on KC’s motive, because, no matter the motivation, what happened Thursday night was rather impressive from a Kansas City-Herm Edwards-Chan Gailey perspective.
Someone put the chip back on Larry Johnson’s shoulder. He ran with a confidence and authority that he did not a year ago. His up-field cuts were decisive and swift. His body language was positive. Johnson could not have run any better than he did Thursday night.
It’s impossible to read Johnson’s mind. I hate to speculate on what is driving him this season. Maybe he doesn’t want to be branded as the second coming of Shaun Alexander, the Seattle back who backed off after getting a big contract. Maybe Johnson really does want to be an all-time great and have a long, productive multi-Maybach career.
Whatever, it was wonderful to see Johnson run like Jim Brown again.
Let me add, the run blocking was good, too, especially considering the competition. No one on the line stood out. I’ll need another game to figure out what is going on with KC’s rushing attack. I suspect Gailey’s simplified game plan played a role in the early success. Plus, I’m sure Larry benefited from having a legitimate fullback rather than Kris Wilson or Boomer Grigsby.
Linebacker Derrick Johnson was Larry’s defensive equal. Derrick led the Chiefs with four tackles. He made several nice, one-on-one tackles. He was a force. But D.J. always looks good early in games. He tends to disappear in the second half.
William Franklin and Bobby Sippio were fantastic. The Chiefs would love to see Franklin flourish. He’s a rookie draft pick, and he has the necessary skill set to shine as a slot receiver.
The Chiefs would prefer Sippio, the former Arena League star, not make the team. It’s not personal. He’s just not a Bill Kuharich draft pick. Thankfully, it appears Sippio is going to force his way onto the team and into the lineup. He’s a big, physical receiver with reliable hands. He has a swagger, too. And he can play on special teams.
The Chiefs would prefer Jeff Webb. But he’s no Bobby Sippio.
As for the quarterbacks?
I was unimpressed with Brodie Croyle. He locked on to his primary receiver and never scanned the field. Meanwhile, Damon Huard was very comfortable in his backup role. He’s a perfect No. 2 or 3 quarterback. Huard came in and made the throws you’d expect a veteran quarterback to make.
His ability to look off the safety and deliver the ball to receivers in tight spaces accentuated what I didn’t like in Croyle’s play. I’m not down on Croyle. He’s inexperienced. He’ll develop. Huard can teach him a few things.
At defensive end, I liked the way Alfonso Boone played against the run. He’s stout and can find the football. However, the Chiefs, as expected, didn’t demonstrate much of a pass rush against the Bears.
Overall, I would say there’s no reason for anyone to think what happened in Chicago signals that the Chiefs will win more games than previously anticipated.
What it signals is the Chiefs are going to benefit from having chosen a clear, common-sense direction. The players believe in what Edwards is trying to do. That’s what I saw on Thursday, a sense of purpose. I also saw some good young talent.
I saw reasons to go out to Arrowhead Stadium and monitor the development of players who will help the Chiefs win games in 2009 and 2010.
Good job. The Chiefs sold a few tickets Thursday night.