Tribal Warfare
10-18-2008, 02:19 PM
Saturday Morning Cup O’Chiefs (http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-football/saturday-morning-cup-o%E2%80%99chiefs-6.html#more-3856)
October 18, 2008 - Bob Gretz |
They are the only remaining unbeaten team in the National Football League. They are 5-0 for the first time in franchise history as LB Keith Bulluck is signaling below.
Yet, just two years ago, they were 0-5 at this point in the schedule.
That’s how quickly things can turn around in the NFL, and why those initials are often translated as Not For Long.
Since that horrendous start, the Titans are 23-10.
So what was the difference between Tennessee going 0-5, and then 8-3 the rest of that season, 10-7 and in the playoffs last year and now 5-0?
Let’s take a look. Was it because they added a big name quarterback? Not really, although they did add as their No. 1 draft choice in ‘06 Heisman Trophy winner Vince Young. But to call him the catalyst for the turnaround would be a stretch and he’s not been any major part of this year’s 5-0 start. Young started 28 of those 33 games, and had 22 TD passes against 33 interceptions. He also scored 10 rushing TDs. Right now, it’s the soon to be 36-year old Kerry Collins who is leading the way.
Was it because they hit some outstanding draft choices in ‘06? The Titans have been very good in re-stocking their roster through the NFL Draft, but they’ve made mistakes. Their ‘05 first-round pick was a CB known as Adam Jones, or Pacman. He was a starter in ‘06 and had four interceptions and four TDs on returns. By ‘07 he was out of the league, just as he is now after starting the ‘08 season with Dallas. From that ‘06 Draft, they added Young, RB LenDale White, LB Stephen Tulloch and CB Cortland Finnegan. Also that year they added starting FB Ahmard Hall as college free agent and starting DT Tony Brown as a street free agent.
Was it because they signed some big-name veteran free agents? In ‘06, they added LB David Thornton, WR David Givens, C Kevin Mawae and S Chris Hope. Only Mawae has ever seen the Pro Bowl as a participant, so these were not top of the pack signings. Thornton, Mawae and Hope became starters and all remain so.
In essence, the Titans turnaround was built on strong drafts in ‘04 and ‘05, seasons when they signed just one free agent: DE Kyle Vanden Bosch. Once those draft picks got on the field and established their ability, that’s when Tennessee got back into the free agent market, filling in roster holes from the ranks of unrestricted free agents.
The group of 33 players who make the biggest contributions to the Titans cause these days have come through the draft 15 in all. Ten were signed as unrestricted free agents, one as a restricted free agent and the others were signed off the street, either out of college or after they were released by another team.
Every move the Titans made did not work out. But right now, they are the only team that hasn’t lost. They’ve blazed a trail for the Chiefs to follow in their rebuilding efforts.
OPPONENT NEXT/TENNESSEE TITANS
It looks like the Titans will be without their starting receivers on Sunday, as both Justin Gage and Justin McCareins did not practice on Friday.
Tennessee defenders talk about how tough it is these days under NFL rules to hit anybody.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On October 18, 1971, the Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-16 in a Monday night game at Municipal Stadium. This became one of the most memorable games in Monday night history when Steelers receiver Dave Smith celebrated a TD catch before he crossed the goal line. He lost control of the ball and it rolled out of the end zone for a touchback. It was the type of play seldom seen in those days before everyone had his own TD celebration. QB Len Dawson had three touchdown passes against the Steelers, including a pair to WR Otis Taylor for 5 and 27 yards and another one to WR Elmo Wright of 5 yards. The Chiefs defense picked off a pair of Terry Bradshaw passes, including one by CB Emmitt Thomas that he returned 32 yards for a touchdown. Taylor caught six passes for 190 yards and those two TDs.
On October 18, 1992, the Chiefs lost 17-10 to the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving. The Chiefs defense did a good job of holding in check the Cowboys offensive trio of RB Emmitt Smith, WR Michael Irvin and QB Troy Aikman. Smith did have a 2-yard TD run, gaining 95 yards on the day. Irvin caught six passes for 84 yards but couldn’t find the end zone. Aikman threw for 192 yards, but was picked off twice. S Charles Mincy and rookie CB Dale Carter had the INTs. LB Derrick Thomas also had a sack of Aikman. The Chiefs only TD came on a 2-yard run by RB Barry Word. WR Willie Davis caught six passes for 100 yards.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The NFL keeps upping the bottom line on the fine kitty for this season, including nailing the Dallas Cowboys as an organization because of the suspension of Pacman Jones.
Turns out Tom Brady needed a second surgery on his knee because of an infection incurred with the first surgery.
AROUND THE AFC WEST
Although few can say his name, everyone in the league is talking about Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha.
Chargers GM A.J. Smith used to work for the Bills when they were going to the Super Bowl every year. He says this weekend’s trip is nothing special.
Notes and quotes from BroncoLand including a fine and a suspension, plus Champ Bailey talks about going head-to-head with Randy Moss.
October 18, 2008 - Bob Gretz |
They are the only remaining unbeaten team in the National Football League. They are 5-0 for the first time in franchise history as LB Keith Bulluck is signaling below.
Yet, just two years ago, they were 0-5 at this point in the schedule.
That’s how quickly things can turn around in the NFL, and why those initials are often translated as Not For Long.
Since that horrendous start, the Titans are 23-10.
So what was the difference between Tennessee going 0-5, and then 8-3 the rest of that season, 10-7 and in the playoffs last year and now 5-0?
Let’s take a look. Was it because they added a big name quarterback? Not really, although they did add as their No. 1 draft choice in ‘06 Heisman Trophy winner Vince Young. But to call him the catalyst for the turnaround would be a stretch and he’s not been any major part of this year’s 5-0 start. Young started 28 of those 33 games, and had 22 TD passes against 33 interceptions. He also scored 10 rushing TDs. Right now, it’s the soon to be 36-year old Kerry Collins who is leading the way.
Was it because they hit some outstanding draft choices in ‘06? The Titans have been very good in re-stocking their roster through the NFL Draft, but they’ve made mistakes. Their ‘05 first-round pick was a CB known as Adam Jones, or Pacman. He was a starter in ‘06 and had four interceptions and four TDs on returns. By ‘07 he was out of the league, just as he is now after starting the ‘08 season with Dallas. From that ‘06 Draft, they added Young, RB LenDale White, LB Stephen Tulloch and CB Cortland Finnegan. Also that year they added starting FB Ahmard Hall as college free agent and starting DT Tony Brown as a street free agent.
Was it because they signed some big-name veteran free agents? In ‘06, they added LB David Thornton, WR David Givens, C Kevin Mawae and S Chris Hope. Only Mawae has ever seen the Pro Bowl as a participant, so these were not top of the pack signings. Thornton, Mawae and Hope became starters and all remain so.
In essence, the Titans turnaround was built on strong drafts in ‘04 and ‘05, seasons when they signed just one free agent: DE Kyle Vanden Bosch. Once those draft picks got on the field and established their ability, that’s when Tennessee got back into the free agent market, filling in roster holes from the ranks of unrestricted free agents.
The group of 33 players who make the biggest contributions to the Titans cause these days have come through the draft 15 in all. Ten were signed as unrestricted free agents, one as a restricted free agent and the others were signed off the street, either out of college or after they were released by another team.
Every move the Titans made did not work out. But right now, they are the only team that hasn’t lost. They’ve blazed a trail for the Chiefs to follow in their rebuilding efforts.
OPPONENT NEXT/TENNESSEE TITANS
It looks like the Titans will be without their starting receivers on Sunday, as both Justin Gage and Justin McCareins did not practice on Friday.
Tennessee defenders talk about how tough it is these days under NFL rules to hit anybody.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On October 18, 1971, the Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-16 in a Monday night game at Municipal Stadium. This became one of the most memorable games in Monday night history when Steelers receiver Dave Smith celebrated a TD catch before he crossed the goal line. He lost control of the ball and it rolled out of the end zone for a touchback. It was the type of play seldom seen in those days before everyone had his own TD celebration. QB Len Dawson had three touchdown passes against the Steelers, including a pair to WR Otis Taylor for 5 and 27 yards and another one to WR Elmo Wright of 5 yards. The Chiefs defense picked off a pair of Terry Bradshaw passes, including one by CB Emmitt Thomas that he returned 32 yards for a touchdown. Taylor caught six passes for 190 yards and those two TDs.
On October 18, 1992, the Chiefs lost 17-10 to the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving. The Chiefs defense did a good job of holding in check the Cowboys offensive trio of RB Emmitt Smith, WR Michael Irvin and QB Troy Aikman. Smith did have a 2-yard TD run, gaining 95 yards on the day. Irvin caught six passes for 84 yards but couldn’t find the end zone. Aikman threw for 192 yards, but was picked off twice. S Charles Mincy and rookie CB Dale Carter had the INTs. LB Derrick Thomas also had a sack of Aikman. The Chiefs only TD came on a 2-yard run by RB Barry Word. WR Willie Davis caught six passes for 100 yards.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The NFL keeps upping the bottom line on the fine kitty for this season, including nailing the Dallas Cowboys as an organization because of the suspension of Pacman Jones.
Turns out Tom Brady needed a second surgery on his knee because of an infection incurred with the first surgery.
AROUND THE AFC WEST
Although few can say his name, everyone in the league is talking about Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha.
Chargers GM A.J. Smith used to work for the Bills when they were going to the Super Bowl every year. He says this weekend’s trip is nothing special.
Notes and quotes from BroncoLand including a fine and a suspension, plus Champ Bailey talks about going head-to-head with Randy Moss.