AP:Edwards: Chiefs will compete in ‘09

[Tribal Warfare]

Edwards: Chiefs will compete in ‘09

By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer 1 hour, 15 minutes ago


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Whether he’s their head coach or not, Herm Edwards sees a contender taking shape in Kansas City in the very near future.

“I see them competing next year,” the embattled coach of the 2-13 Chiefs said in what may be his last regular-season Tuesday news conference.

“I think this is going to be a good football team next year. I really do. That’s just my opinion. I think the players feel that way, too.”

The massive rebuilding program Edwards launched this year is guaranteed to result in the worst season in club history whether the Chiefs win or lose their finale Sunday at Cincinnati.

But Edwards said the rounding up of players is just about finished.

“I’d say 85 percent of it is done now,” Edwards said. “It’s just the matter of another draft and free agency. Then you’re going to have your team built for the most part. Then it’s a matter from there of just continuing to grow on that.

“But the hard part’s done,” he added. “All the foundation, all the work has been laid for what’s going to transpire for years to come now if we keep heading down this path. And that’s the path this organization will head in through the draft, then be very selective in free agency.”

With owner Clark Hunt interviewing candidates to replace Carl Peterson as general manager, Edwards also knows he may not be back next year to complete his project.

Nevertheless, he’s still been arriving at the stadium before daybreak, going through his morning workout and putting in a full day’s work with what appears to be undiminished zest. He laughed at reports he was suffering from burnout and might want to get away from coaching for a while.

“I don’t know where people get that,” Edwards said. “I’ve got a lot of energy. And I think what gives me energy most of the time is the young guys we have, their ability to recover after a bunch of hard losses. We’ve been in a bunch of football games we haven’t won this year, and I think that will pay dividends for this football team next year. I just think with youth, every time they show up after a hard loss, you go through the film with them, they’re optimistic and they’re excited about the next week’s opponent, it gives us all energy.

“I think our coaches have witnessed that through all this that we’ve gone through as a football team, and it’s a credit to the players, it really is, how they’ve bounced back every week after some tough losses.”

Without doubt, there are still parts to be added. A couple of pass-rushing linemen are crucial. Unless they get four sacks against the Bengals, the Chiefs will go into the record book as the weakest pass-rushing team in NFL history. Counting a nine-game losing streak that the aging 2007 team ended the season with, the Chiefs are 2-22 in their last 24.

But Edwards and his staff plan to go about their routine in the weeks following the Bengals game just as they’ve always done.

“I’m going to be energetic,” he said. “We’ll come in Monday and Tuesday and evaluate the players. Coaches will get some time off, about a week or so, then they’ll come back. I’ll be in the office looking at the whole season, looking at tapes, starting to plan, start talking about the Senior Bowl, prospects coming up in the draft, free agency. Those are the things you go over once the season is over. That’s how we’re going to handle it.”

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by bowener

Maybe with a new coaching staff Pollard could make a serviceable OLB as a backup or something.

McBride... IDK, make him gain some muscle and go back to being a pass rushing DT.

I guess they could be playing out of place, so there could be hope with a new regime.

[Agent V]

Christ, it's starting. We will compete in 08!

...We will compete in 09!


...We will compete in 2010!


...We are rebuilding! Wait for 2014!

Of course, that's an absolute worst-Herm scenario.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by chief103182

Christ, it's starting. We will compete in 08!

...We will compete in 09!


...We will compete in 2010!


...We are rebuilding! Wait for 2014!

Of course, that's an absolute worst-Herm scenario.

I cant wait until Monday... I want to see if Herm is really going to be here or not...

[Crush]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I cant wait until Monday... I want to see if Herm is really going to be here or not...

I think the best part of that day will be the realization of three things. The first one is the fact that Herm is gone. The second one is the fact that Curl is gone. The third one is the fact that Gunther is gone. It will be a ****ing Christmas miracle.

[DT58HOF]

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

Herm, Crennel, and ?

Singletary and maybe Lovie also

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by PGM

Marvin Lewis?

When did HE get black?

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Claythan

What's amazing is that Herm doesn't realize all the holes on this team.

There are so many positions that need to be filled, and forget about depth...we aren't going to the playoffs next year barring a Matt Ryan miracle.

What about the argument that we have capable players at "positions that don't suit their talent"?

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by bowener

Maybe with a new coaching staff Pollard could make a serviceable OLB as a backup or something.

McBride... IDK, make him gain some muscle and go back to being a pass rushing DT.

You're welcome; I took two solid days of ass-ripping for suggesting that very thing, so you don't have to.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

What about the argument that we have capable players at "positions that don't suit their talent"?

Just another argument AGAINST Herm.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Claythan

Just another argument AGAINST Herm AND Gunther.

FYP.

[bowener]

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

You're welcome; I took two solid days of ass-ripping for suggesting that very thing, so you don't have to.

Thank you?

Yeah, that idea for Pollard has been floating around for at least 1 full season. The kid has some talent, just not enough it appears to start as a SS, at least with this coaching staff. I dont see why we can't at least find a suitable place for him to try and play if Morgan ever steps up and takes his spot. I would like to get some value out of the 2nd we spend on him.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by ChiefPote

85 percent complete?? So that equals 2 wins? What a ****ing idiot. If he has a job in KC next year I'll

I siad that last year and did just that.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by TEX

I siad that last year and did just that.

This is year 3 for me... I think I have surpassed dry heaves and on to throwing up internal organs...

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Claythan

What's amazing is that Herm doesn't realize all the holes on this team.

There are so many positions that need to be filled, and forget about depth...we aren't going to the playoffs next year barring a Matt Ryan miracle.

Yep. That's exactly why he must go. He actually thought the OL could get it done going into last season. I laughed when he said we're 85% there.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

This is year 3 for me... I think I have surpassed dry heaves and on to throwing up internal organs...

I'm there with you. This year I watched 1 game. I haven't been to ARROWHEAD since he was named HC and I used to go twice a year. The second I heard he was HC I knew we would be right where we are today. I still can't believe that we actually gave up a draft pick to get him.

I am now living for Monday and hoping he finds out he's fired when his key to his office doesn't work and all his stuff waiting for him outside by the curb.