Whitlock- OPTIMISM GRINDS TO HALT - Page 2

Chiefs Pantalones · 07-29-2006, 01:44 AM

JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY
OPTIMISM GRINDS TO HALT
Guess we can thank Willie Roaf for Ty Law, Kyle Turley and Tamba Hali’s on-time-for-camp signing.

Things were going much too smoothly at Arrowhead Stadium this summer for something really terrible not to be driving Carl Peterson’s actions. Now we know: Arguably the Chiefs’ most valuable player had told Peterson and coach Herm Edwards that his playing career is over.

And now everything makes sense. The Chiefs dusted off Kyle Turley, sweet-talked Ty Law and paid Tamba Hali to mask the stink of Roaf retiring.

Problem is, we’re just not that stupid. Roaf’s exit puts a dark cloud on what previously had been the most anticipated Kansas City football season since the 1998 disaster.

My optimism has been replaced by fear — fear of Trent Green getting steamrolled by defensive ends traveling the Jordan Black Expressway to quarterbacks. Green is an iron man. He’s played five years and 80 regular-season games without missing a start. It’s difficult to imagine that streak continuing with Roaf at home awaiting his invitation to Canton, Ohio.

Anyone holding out hope that Priest Holmes might decide to return needs to let that fantasy go. Holmes would be foolish to play this season without Roaf. Nope. Let Larry Johnson carry that burden. He’s young and desiring a megacontract. He can take the hits.

Oh, it’s going to be MartyBall all the way this season. Edwards has no choice. The Chiefs will have pass-protection problems, receiver Eddie Kennison isn’t happy with his contract, and Al Saunders’ imagination is now in our nation’s capital.

New offensive coordinator Mike Solari is going to pound the football. The Chiefs will try to control the clock and play solid defense.

I don’t have a problem with that plan. I just question whether they have the depth to pull it off. Remember, there’s no depth behind Johnson. Tony Richardson plays in Minnesota. Will Shields is old. And the Chiefs are still banking on Ryan Sims improving their defensive front four.

This is an absolute disaster. What’s worse is Roaf’s explanation for retiring. He said his body was worn out by four years of being locked in Dick Vermeil’s boot camp in-season and offseason programs.

Vermeil’s marathon practices shortened the career of one of the best offensive tackles in the history of the game. Roaf said his body didn’t feel right in May, and he let Peterson and Edwards know he was going to retire. Roaf said he even filed his retirement paperwork.

Of course, Peterson failed to share this bit of information with us. Peterson thinks Big Willie is going to change his mind. Peterson thinks Big Willie hates training camp and might change his mind later.

Hmm. Peterson didn’t want anything to interfere with season-ticket sales. He didn’t want to spend the whole offseason listening to experts speculate about what the Chiefs would do to fix their offensive line.

You can’t fix the hole Roaf created. A tackle combination of Jordan Black and Kyle Turley is a far cry from Roaf and Anybody.

Can the Chiefs still make the playoffs? Yes, they can sneak in as a wild card. But they’re no longer a legitimate Super Bowl threat. Not unless Hali and Law turn Kansas City’s defense into a real strength.

This news is a just a terrible kick in the gut. I’m more sad than mad.

splatbass · 07-29-2006, 04:22 AM

To hear people talk it would be impossible to win the Super Bowl without Roaf, yet 40 teams have done it and not a single one of them had Willie Roaf at LT.

I think it is a big loss, but it isn't the end of our season.

mikey23545 · 07-29-2006, 04:49 AM

Whitlock is so depressed I think maybe he should just eat himself to death....

**alanm** · 07-29-2006, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splatbass

To hear people talk it would be impossible to win the Super Bowl without Roaf, yet 40 teams have done it and not a single one of them had Willie Roaf at LT.

I think it is a big loss, but it isn't the end of our season.

Well gee Splat.. didn't you just get done reading Chicken little Whitlock? The season is over... IT'S OVAH!!!! Damnit start working on those mocks for the 07 draft.

We're going to be fine. Whitlock is a maroon.

ChiefsFan4Life · 07-29-2006, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer bacon

Somebody also posted a stat earlier today that showed that the majority of the time last season LJ ran up the middle.

680 yards of his total were up the middle last year

**cdcox** · 07-29-2006, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

I also think there's a huge difference between Peterson holding out hope Roaf would come back and formulating a conspiracy...

That is absolutely the most reasonable thing I have ever heard.

Chiefs Minor Satellite · 07-29-2006, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey23545

Whitlock is so depressed I think maybe he should just eat himself to death....

I don't wish him death, but if he had an episode that totally blocked his writing ability it might be advantageous.

Oops,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Where is my head? He can't write now! Maybe if he just gained enough weight to make his fingers so fat that he couldn't type on his editing orifice.

Willie did say in the paper that the Chiefs were informed a while back that he wasn't feeling physically like he should at this point in his life and that he didn't feel that he could perform to the level that he expects of himself. Losing a great player is bad, but Willie knows best what he needs.

C-Mac · 07-29-2006, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

LJ set the Chiefs single game rushing record with Roaf on the bench.

I think LJ will be fine.

Shhhhh....

redbrian · 07-29-2006, 08:54 AM

Whitless really shows his ass once again (and that ain’t a pretty sight folks).

Roaf has not submitted his retirement papers to the league, once that is done it is my understanding that he is out for at least a year.

He sent a letter to the Chiefs informing them of his intent to retire, until he has submitted his papers to the league, and has enrolled and started classes at the University of his choice the Chiefs have every reason to hope that Willie will reconsider.

I also don’t think that Willie stands between the Chiefs and the Super Bowl, it may make it a little tougher but it can still be done, I also don’t see the offense going to a five yard and a cloud of dust mentality.

Deberg_1990 · 07-29-2006, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splatbass

To hear people talk it would be impossible to win the Super Bowl without Roaf, yet 40 teams have done it and not a single one of them had Willie Roaf at LT.

Geez.....havent you heard????.....Big Willie can kick Chuck Norris's ass and cure cancer too!!

JBucc · 07-29-2006, 09:24 AM

What was our record over those six games without Roaf last year? Anybody know? I'd like to know that before giving out my new predictions.

Messier · 07-29-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBucc

What was our record over those six games without Roaf last year? Anybody know? I'd like to know that before giving out my new predictions.

4-2

Chiefnj · 07-29-2006, 10:01 AM

Johnson's rushing statistics:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/player...?playerId=4485

Left sideline: 69 attempts for 436 yards.
Left side: 57 attempts for 282 yards.

Total to the left: 126 for 718 yards. (@ 5.7 per rush)

Middle: 135 for 680 (@ 5.03 per rush)

Right Sideline: 36 attempts for 212
Right Side: 39 attempts for 140.

Total to the right: 75 for 352. (@4.69 per rush)

People can draw their own conclusions from the data if they want.

NJ Chief Fan · 07-29-2006, 12:22 PM

i heard whitlock was supposed to be roaf's replacement, but whitlock declined because he said hed only play if jeff george became the starting QB

tk13 · 07-29-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Messier

What was our record over those six games without Roaf last year? Anybody know? I'd like to know that before giving out my new predictions.

3-3.

Both Oakland wins and the Texans win.

The Denver, Philly, and Buffalo losses.

oldandslow · 07-29-2006, 12:37 PM

To me it's not just Roaf...

It's Roaf and Wellborne. And we are trying to replace that with an oft injured "too-light" Turley.

We went from a top 5 OL to a middle OL at best.

07-29-2006, 01:44 AM
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6868717	Whitlock- OPTIMISM GRINDS TO HALT JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY COMMENTARY OPTIMISM GRINDS TO HALT Guess we can thank Willie Roaf for Ty Law, Kyle Turley and Tamba Hali’s on-time-for-camp signing. Things were going much too smoothly at Arrowhead Stadium this summer for something really terrible not to be driving Carl Peterson’s actions. Now we know: Arguably the Chiefs’ most valuable player had told Peterson and coach Herm Edwards that his playing career is over. And now everything makes sense. The Chiefs dusted off Kyle Turley, sweet-talked Ty Law and paid Tamba Hali to mask the stink of Roaf retiring. Problem is, we’re just not that stupid. Roaf’s exit puts a dark cloud on what previously had been the most anticipated Kansas City football season since the 1998 disaster. My optimism has been replaced by fear — fear of Trent Green getting steamrolled by defensive ends traveling the Jordan Black Expressway to quarterbacks. Green is an iron man. He’s played five years and 80 regular-season games without missing a start. It’s difficult to imagine that streak continuing with Roaf at home awaiting his invitation to Canton, Ohio. Anyone holding out hope that Priest Holmes might decide to return needs to let that fantasy go. Holmes would be foolish to play this season without Roaf. Nope. Let Larry Johnson carry that burden. He’s young and desiring a megacontract. He can take the hits. Oh, it’s going to be MartyBall all the way this season. Edwards has no choice. The Chiefs will have pass-protection problems, receiver Eddie Kennison isn’t happy with his contract, and Al Saunders’ imagination is now in our nation’s capital. New offensive coordinator Mike Solari is going to pound the football. The Chiefs will try to control the clock and play solid defense. I don’t have a problem with that plan. I just question whether they have the depth to pull it off. Remember, there’s no depth behind Johnson. Tony Richardson plays in Minnesota. Will Shields is old. And the Chiefs are still banking on Ryan Sims improving their defensive front four. This is an absolute disaster. What’s worse is Roaf’s explanation for retiring. He said his body was worn out by four years of being locked in Dick Vermeil’s boot camp in-season and offseason programs. Vermeil’s marathon practices shortened the career of one of the best offensive tackles in the history of the game. Roaf said his body didn’t feel right in May, and he let Peterson and Edwards know he was going to retire. Roaf said he even filed his retirement paperwork. Of course, Peterson failed to share this bit of information with us. Peterson thinks Big Willie is going to change his mind. Peterson thinks Big Willie hates training camp and might change his mind later. Hmm. Peterson didn’t want anything to interfere with season-ticket sales. He didn’t want to spend the whole offseason listening to experts speculate about what the Chiefs would do to fix their offensive line. You can’t fix the hole Roaf created. A tackle combination of Jordan Black and Kyle Turley is a far cry from Roaf and Anybody. Can the Chiefs still make the playoffs? Yes, they can sneak in as a wild card. But they’re no longer a legitimate Super Bowl threat. Not unless Hali and Law turn Kansas City’s defense into a real strength. This news is a just a terrible kick in the gut. I’m more sad than mad.
Posts: 26,653

07-29-2006, 04:22 AM	#16
splatbass MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Casino cash: $5770560	To hear people talk it would be impossible to win the Super Bowl without Roaf, yet 40 teams have done it and not a single one of them had Willie Roaf at LT. I think it is a big loss, but it isn't the end of our season.
Posts: 10,081

07-29-2006, 04:49 AM	#17
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	Whitlock is so depressed I think maybe he should just eat himself to death....
Posts: 12,314

07-29-2006, 08:54 AM	#23
redbrian Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City MO Casino cash: $10004900	Whitless really shows his ass once again (and that ain’t a pretty sight folks). Roaf has not submitted his retirement papers to the league, once that is done it is my understanding that he is out for at least a year. He sent a letter to the Chiefs informing them of his intent to retire, until he has submitted his papers to the league, and has enrolled and started classes at the University of his choice the Chiefs have every reason to hope that Willie will reconsider. I also don’t think that Willie stands between the Chiefs and the Super Bowl, it may make it a little tougher but it can still be done, I also don’t see the offense going to a five yard and a cloud of dust mentality.
Posts: 3,899

07-29-2006, 09:24 AM	#25
JBucc MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004952	What was our record over those six games without Roaf last year? Anybody know? I'd like to know that before giving out my new predictions.
Posts: 12,016

07-29-2006, 10:01 AM	#27
Chiefnj MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Willis, Harris and Davis. Casino cash: $10004900	Johnson's rushing statistics: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/player...?playerId=4485 Left sideline: 69 attempts for 436 yards. Left side: 57 attempts for 282 yards. Total to the left: 126 for 718 yards. (@ 5.7 per rush) Middle: 135 for 680 (@ 5.03 per rush) Right Sideline: 36 attempts for 212 Right Side: 39 attempts for 140. Total to the right: 75 for 352. (@4.69 per rush) People can draw their own conclusions from the data if they want. __________________ "I always tell (the assistant coaches), 'Make it simple, 'cause I'm stupid,'" Edwards said. "This ain't computer football." Herm Edwards, 3-20-07 Q: Herm, back on December 25th you were asked if Trent Green was your starter going into next season and you said, ‘yeah, why wouldn’t he be?’ Have you changed your mind on that? EDWARDS: No, I have not.” (1-11-07)
Posts: 6,811

07-29-2006, 12:22 PM	#28
NJ Chief Fan DAMMIT CARL! Join Date: Mar 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	i heard whitlock was supposed to be roaf's replacement, but whitlock declined because he said hed only play if jeff george became the starting QB
Posts: 2,510

07-29-2006, 12:37 PM	#30
oldandslow Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $3743149	To me it's not just Roaf... It's Roaf and Wellborne. And we are trying to replace that with an oft injured "too-light" Turley. We went from a top 5 OL to a middle OL at best.
Posts: 4,621