Bob Dole
09-09-2004, 01:03 PM
By LOUIE AVERY
Texarkana Gazette
IRVING, Texas-Some preseason prognosticators predict New England will repeat in the American Football Conference, but there was strong opposition to that way of thinking here last Thursday night at Texas Stadium.
It should come as no surprise that Eric Warfield, Derrick Blaylock and Jimmy Wilkerson believe the Patriots will be unseated by the Kansas City Chiefs. All three former Texarkana All-Area performers are now playing in the NFL for the Chiefs, and their success in 2004 would contribute to Kansas City's hopes of playing in Super Bowl XXXIX.
A year ago the Chiefs' offense ranked among the NFL's best, but the team's defense could not stop the likes of New England and Indianapolis. Warfield, a former Arkansas High all-stater, and Wilkerson, who led Paul Pewitt to a state championship, are hoping the hiring of Gunther Cunningham as defensive coordinatior will be a decisive factor this season.
"It's no secret we must play better defense to get to the Super Bowl," Warfield said after last Thursday's preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys. "I know we're going to be better on defense, and I know I'm going into a new season feeling better then ever. It's the first time in four years I've started a season healthy.
"I've been pleased with my camp. I've had a very productive camp. The pain I had before in my back is not bothering me anymore. Right now I can't wait to get started."
The 280-pound Wilkerson echoed Warfield's sentiments. At the time he wasn't even sure he'd be in a Kansas City uniform at the start of the season.
"It's really been a learning experience with the new defensive coordinator," Wilkerson said. "Fortunately for me I played defensive end my sophomore and junior years at Oklahoma. I know I'm going to be nervous with all the cuts to be made this weekend, but if I do get cut I've got a real good chance of going to another team."
Wilkerson did survive the Chiefs' final cuts, and will probably be listed on the depth chart as a third-team left end. That's where he lined up in the second half against the Cowboys, playing nearly two quarters and finishing with two solo tackles.
"I thought I did ok tonight," the former schoolboy quarterback said. "I'll watch film tomorrow and try to correct those things I did wrong. I know I'm bigger, stronger and faster than I've ever been. I played in 12 games last season as a rookie, so I'm pretty confident I'll get an opportunity to play again this season."
The most active of the three area players could be Blaylock, even though he's listed on the depth chart as a third-team running back.
Blaylock's versatility will earn him a few carries during the season, and probably an opportunity to catch several passes. He will also see extensive action on all special teams.
Last Thursday Blaylock led the Chiefs' running game with 31 yards on 10 carries, and it was evident those numbers meant a lot to him. He was asked just moments after the Cowboys' 24-20 victory how he felt about his performance, and he quoted his statistics without error.
"I had 10 carries for 31 yards, but that's really not a very good average," said the former Atlanta High School standout. "I feel pretty good about my performance, but there is no job security in the NFL. It's always going to come down to what the coaches think. My ability to catch the ball is an asset, and my special teams play has also been a big thing for me."
Blaylock's tackle on the game's opening kickoff last week may have prevented a long touchdown run by the Cowboys' Jacques Reeves.
Blaylock said there was a definite bond between him, Warfield and Wilkerson because they grew up in the same geographical region.
"Football is a team sport, and if there's a family-type atmosphere, you're a leg up on a lot of other people," Blaylock concluded.
Source (http://texarkanagazette.com/articles/2004/09/09/local_news/sports/sports02.txt)
Texarkana Gazette
IRVING, Texas-Some preseason prognosticators predict New England will repeat in the American Football Conference, but there was strong opposition to that way of thinking here last Thursday night at Texas Stadium.
It should come as no surprise that Eric Warfield, Derrick Blaylock and Jimmy Wilkerson believe the Patriots will be unseated by the Kansas City Chiefs. All three former Texarkana All-Area performers are now playing in the NFL for the Chiefs, and their success in 2004 would contribute to Kansas City's hopes of playing in Super Bowl XXXIX.
A year ago the Chiefs' offense ranked among the NFL's best, but the team's defense could not stop the likes of New England and Indianapolis. Warfield, a former Arkansas High all-stater, and Wilkerson, who led Paul Pewitt to a state championship, are hoping the hiring of Gunther Cunningham as defensive coordinatior will be a decisive factor this season.
"It's no secret we must play better defense to get to the Super Bowl," Warfield said after last Thursday's preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys. "I know we're going to be better on defense, and I know I'm going into a new season feeling better then ever. It's the first time in four years I've started a season healthy.
"I've been pleased with my camp. I've had a very productive camp. The pain I had before in my back is not bothering me anymore. Right now I can't wait to get started."
The 280-pound Wilkerson echoed Warfield's sentiments. At the time he wasn't even sure he'd be in a Kansas City uniform at the start of the season.
"It's really been a learning experience with the new defensive coordinator," Wilkerson said. "Fortunately for me I played defensive end my sophomore and junior years at Oklahoma. I know I'm going to be nervous with all the cuts to be made this weekend, but if I do get cut I've got a real good chance of going to another team."
Wilkerson did survive the Chiefs' final cuts, and will probably be listed on the depth chart as a third-team left end. That's where he lined up in the second half against the Cowboys, playing nearly two quarters and finishing with two solo tackles.
"I thought I did ok tonight," the former schoolboy quarterback said. "I'll watch film tomorrow and try to correct those things I did wrong. I know I'm bigger, stronger and faster than I've ever been. I played in 12 games last season as a rookie, so I'm pretty confident I'll get an opportunity to play again this season."
The most active of the three area players could be Blaylock, even though he's listed on the depth chart as a third-team running back.
Blaylock's versatility will earn him a few carries during the season, and probably an opportunity to catch several passes. He will also see extensive action on all special teams.
Last Thursday Blaylock led the Chiefs' running game with 31 yards on 10 carries, and it was evident those numbers meant a lot to him. He was asked just moments after the Cowboys' 24-20 victory how he felt about his performance, and he quoted his statistics without error.
"I had 10 carries for 31 yards, but that's really not a very good average," said the former Atlanta High School standout. "I feel pretty good about my performance, but there is no job security in the NFL. It's always going to come down to what the coaches think. My ability to catch the ball is an asset, and my special teams play has also been a big thing for me."
Blaylock's tackle on the game's opening kickoff last week may have prevented a long touchdown run by the Cowboys' Jacques Reeves.
Blaylock said there was a definite bond between him, Warfield and Wilkerson because they grew up in the same geographical region.
"Football is a team sport, and if there's a family-type atmosphere, you're a leg up on a lot of other people," Blaylock concluded.
Source (http://texarkanagazette.com/articles/2004/09/09/local_news/sports/sports02.txt)