Chiefs Whitlock: I LOVE YOU HERM

BigRock · 11-10-2008, 12:18 AM

I was so looking forward to the reaction to these columns. But nobody's posting them! So I figured I gotta get on that.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/882946.html

Quote:

Chiefs are heading in the right direction

Bad news for devout Herm Haters:

In losing 20-19 to San Diego on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs played a near-flawless game and gave the strongest testimony to date Herm Edwards might deserve at least one more season to lead the Chiefs.

Sorry. I absolutely loved Sunday’s game, especially the decisive decision to go for two points and the victory in the final minute rather than a game-tying extra point. And, to be totally honest, I loved the fact the two-point conversion failed.

The Chiefs’ single mission this season is improvement. As fans, we should have two missions: 1. Improvement; 2. Securing a draft pick high enough to pluck the best quarterback in the 2009 draft (Ball State’s Nate Davis if we’re lucky).

For the third week in a row, the Chiefs demonstrated dramatic improvement without jeopardizing a shot at the league’s No. 1 pick. Only the irrational would argue the Chiefs aren’t making progress.

“Yes, yes, I think we are,” Edwards said.

“As a team we feel like we’re going the right direction,” Tyler Thigpen added.

“We feel like we’re going the right way,” Brian Waters said.

Playing with its junior-varsity defense due to injuries to Turk McBride, Derrick Johnson, Brandon Flowers and Tamba Hali, Kansas City throttled San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson-powered running game, baffled quarterback Philip Rivers, produced two turnovers and forced the Chargers into a critical three-and-out with the game on the line late in the fourth quarter.

Safety Bernard Pollard starred, grabbing an interception and delivering pulverizing hits throughout the afternoon.

Offensively, Kansas City’s playmakers — Dwayne Bowe, Tony Gonzalez, Mark Bradley and Chan Gailey — made plays.

Yes, I put offensive coordinator Chan Gailey in the same classification as KC’s receivers. Gailey’s a playmaker. His spread offense is the innovation of the season. More than a quarterback, the Chiefs have discovered a style of play since losing Brodie Croyle to an injury and Larry Johnson to thuggery.

Bowe, Gonzalez, Bradley and the spread should be a permanent part of Kansas City’s offensive philosophy. When/if Larry Johnson returns, he’ll need to make far more adjustments than KC’s playbook. Obviously he can no longer be the centerpiece of the Chiefs’ offense.

Gonzalez (10 catches, 113 yards and two TDs), Bradley (nine for 81 yards and a TD) and Bowe (six for 72) key the Chiefs’ offense this season and next.

As for Tyler Thigpen (266 passing yards and three TDs), I like what he’s doing, but I’m far from sold on him as anybody’s quarterback of the future. He’s not Rich Gannon. He’s a good backup. The ability to improvise and an instinctive swagger define starting NFL quarterbacks. I don’t see those qualities in Thigpen.

On the two-point conversion, he momentarily froze when the Chargers took away his primary target, Gonzalez, and then Thigpen floated a duck in Gonzalez’s direction. Nope. I can be convinced otherwise, but right now he’s a good No.2 at best.

A bogus defensive pass-interference call put the Chiefs in position to win the game, setting the Chiefs up at the 2.

The fortunate PI, KC’s one-win record and the injuries on defense made Herm’s decision to go for two points a no-brainer. There was no reason to throw Kansas City’s banged-up defense out on the field for overtime.

It was the perfect loss.

The last three weeks make me wonder how much of a role Johnson’s poor attitude and big contract played in Kansas City’s horrific start to the season. What we’ve witnessed since his absence is a clear case of addition by subtraction. With Johnson out of the lineup, Gailey was free to use his full imagination in reshaping Kansas City’s strategy. With Johnson either out of the locker room or demoted to scout team, it’s clear, too, that Herm has the attention of his young team.

We all need to take a step back and re-evaluate Edwards’ performance. He is not perfect. But he’s been hamstrung by a set of problems not his own making. He’s beginning to dig out from those problems.

The Chiefs are building an identity. We can afford to look at these final seven games with a fresh set of eyes. We have nothing to lose.

kcxiv · 11-10-2008, 12:23 AM

He's harsh on Thigpen. He's the only reason the Chiefs are even competitive.

Thigpen had Phillips coming on him fast becuase he knew the Boot was coming. WTF else was He supposed to do other then float one in there.

**ShortRoundChief** · 11-10-2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcxiv

He's harsh on Thigpen. He's the only reason the Chiefs are even competitive.

Thigpen had Phillips coming on him fast becuase he knew the Boot was coming. WTF else was He supposed to do other then float one in there.

I could be wrong, but I thought he had bowe in front of gonzales.

ceebz · 11-10-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Diddy

I could be wrong, but I thought he had bowe in front of gonzales.

It was Bradley, and he was open for half a second. Even if it were completed to Bradley, I don't think he gets in.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 11-10-2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcxiv

He's harsh on Thigpen. He's the only reason the Chiefs are even competitive.

Thigpen had Phillips coming on him fast becuase he knew the Boot was coming. WTF else was He supposed to do other then float one in there.

Dude; Fatlock has a "Ball State Hard-On" that will NEVER die.
His Ball State Hard-On should be compared to the vocal delivery of Layne Staley singing "You know he ain't gonna die". Yep; that's how deep his hard-on flows. We're in for another 10-year Jeff George rant from this guy, come hell or high water.

RINGLEADER · 11-10-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcxiv

He's harsh on Thigpen. He's the only reason the Chiefs are even competitive.

Thigpen had Phillips coming on him fast becuase he knew the Boot was coming. WTF else was He supposed to do other then float one in there.

I agree completely. He is the reason for the Chiefs offensive turnaround. Yesterday he showed the ability to bring KC down the field when it mattered and punch it into the end zone.

It's all about improvement and in the last three games the Chiefs could have won them all on the last play. There are no more 34-0 blow-outs. And I think Thigpen should be given every chance to keep it going -- because he's showing improvement every game as well.

**007** · 11-10-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

I agree completely. He is the reason for the Chiefs offensive turnaround. Yesterday he showed the ability to bring KC down the field when it mattered and punch it into the end zone.

It's all about improvement and in the last three games the Chiefs could have won them all on the last play. There are no more 34-0 blow-outs. And I think Thigpen should be given every chance to keep it going -- because he's showing improvement every game as well.

Thiggy is performing but it is Chan who is putting him in a position to succeed by changing the offensive style to fit his QB rather than Herm forcing his QB to fit his offensive philosophy.

Reerun_KC · 11-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Thiggy is performing but it is Chan who is putting him in a position to succeed by changing the offensive style to fit his QB rather than Herm forcing his QB to fit his offensive philosophy.

Bingo, lets see how this works when LJ comes back? Is Herm still going to allow the players to be put in positions to succeed? Or are we going to clam up and R2P2?

RINGLEADER · 11-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Thiggy is performing but it is Chan who is putting him in a position to succeed by changing the offensive style to fit his QB rather than Herm forcing his QB to fit his offensive philosophy.

Don't disagree. Hopefully Herm is smart enough not to meddle.

**007** · 11-10-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

Don't disagree. Hopefully Herm is smart enough not to meddle.

Herm and smart in the same sentence?

blueballs · 11-10-2008, 12:25 AM

I agree with Whitlock two sunday's in a row
maybe I'm all wrong

'Hamas' Jenkins · 11-10-2008, 12:36 AM

Thigpen could have thrown a low one just above the right pylon to see if Bradley could get to it.

He would have taken a hell of a shot from Phillips, that was the only other play he had.

I agree totally with this article, save for the Nate Davis bullshit.

**banyon** · 11-10-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

The Chiefs’ single mission this season is improvement. As fans, we should have two missions: 1. Improvement; 2. Securing a draft pick high enough to pluck the best quarterback in the 2009 draft (Ball State’s Nate Davis if we’re lucky).

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...69#post5205169

Quote:

Originally Posted by banyon

What's wrong with it? It's the outcome I wanted for the long term success of the franchise. A positive morale boost, a confidence builder for Thigpen, and we keep the 2nd draft slot behind Detroit.

Dammit Whitlock! Quit stealin' my posts.

ceebz · 11-10-2008, 12:41 AM

Honestly, I have no problems with Thigpen looking to his HoF Te when the game's on the line. Loft it up there and see if Gonzo can make a play.

**ShortRoundChief** · 11-10-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceebz

Honestly, I have no problems with Thigpen looking to his HoF Te when the game's on the line. Loft it up there and see if Gonzo can make a play.

Oh I know it was ****ed when he rolled and phillips crashed hard. It was all he could do to get it in the air.

11-10-2008, 12:23 AM	#2
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	He's harsh on Thigpen. He's the only reason the Chiefs are even competitive. Thigpen had Phillips coming on him fast becuase he knew the Boot was coming. WTF else was He supposed to do other then float one in there.
Posts: 29,111

11-10-2008, 12:25 AM	#11
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	I agree with Whitlock two sunday's in a row maybe I'm all wrong
Posts: 14,233

11-10-2008, 12:36 AM	#12
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7129572	Thigpen could have thrown a low one just above the right pylon to see if Bradley could get to it. He would have taken a hell of a shot from Phillips, that was the only other play he had. I agree totally with this article, save for the Nate Davis bullshit. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 75,083

11-10-2008, 12:41 AM	#14
ceebz Homer Extraordinare Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Casino cash: $10005475	Honestly, I have no problems with Thigpen looking to his HoF Te when the game's on the line. Loft it up there and see if Gonzo can make a play.
Posts: 1,240