Whitlock- OPTIMISM GRINDS TO HALT - Page 3

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My optimism has been replaced by fear — fear of Trent Green getting steamrolled by defensive ends traveling the Jordan Black Expressway to quarterbacks.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.

**alanm** · 07-29-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

3-3.

Both Oakland wins and the Texans win.

The Denver, Philly, and Buffalo losses.

Granted he was missed especially in the Buffalo game. Somewhat in the Denver game. Hell both the Denver and the collasph with Philly can be pinned squarely on the defense.

jspchief · 07-29-2006, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

It's killed the Steelers and Pats for years now...

Sure, if you want to ignore the '00 Pats season that netted them Richard Seymour and Matt Light and the '03 Steelers season that got them Ben Roethlisberger.

tk13 · 07-29-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Sure, if you want to ignore the '00 Pats season that netted them Richard Seymour and Matt Light and the '03 Steelers season that got them Ben Roethlisberger.

Yeah, we had that chance... and we got Ryan Sims.

**CosmicPal** · 07-29-2006, 12:54 PM

It's always a blow to lose a HOFer from your team. If there's any good news to this- they did at least go out and get Turley. But, more importantly- our OC knows the OL and will make the necessary adjustments to make the offense gell. For instance, we may now employ a zone blocking scheme and utilize the strenghts of each member on the line.

But, I can see a couple of things happening: 1. We will most likely be double-teaming on the outside rush. and 2. Green won't be dropping back as much. Instead, his drop-backs will be shorter and the passing plays will be quicker.

tk13 · 07-29-2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanm

Granted he was missed especially in the Buffalo game. Somewhat in the Denver game. Hell both the Denver and the collasph with Philly can be pinned squarely on the defense.

I don't think he was the sole reason we lost the Philly game, the defense did a nice little number there, but that was the game where Tony G. complained because we kept him in to block the whole game and he only had like 5 yards receiving.

jspchief · 07-29-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

Yeah, we had that chance... and we got Ryan Sims.

I'm certainly not trying to claim that a high draft pick is necessary to win a SB, or a guarantee of future success.

I was just responding to what I perceived as a claim NE and PIT had success in spite of never getting high picks.

I agree with Mecca's comment about the middle of the road W/L record (7-9 t 9-7). It sucks. Not good enough to get into the play-offs, and never bad enough to draft "elite" prospects. I'm not saying I want the team to do poorly, just agreeing that there's less to get excited about in that position.

jspchief · 07-29-2006, 01:09 PM

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.

3-3

We lost to Denver, Philly, and Buffalo.

And our two worst offensive performances came with Roaf on the sideline.

Last year in a radio interview, Mitch Holthus gave the winning percentage of Roaf's teams with him on the field versus when he was injured. It was ugly. I'll try and get it from him again on Monday when our local station interviews him.

Hammock Parties · 07-29-2006, 01:26 PM

Our defense sucked against Philly and Denver last year...I don't think they'll be anywhere near that bad this year.

We're going to be prepared this year without Roaf. Last year we weren't.

Messier · 07-29-2006, 01:57 PM

The Buffalo game was soooo frustrating because it could have easily been a win. We out played the Bills. It came down to needing to run the ball more and those two long bombs that the great J.P. Losman threw for tds.

R&GHomer · 07-29-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

I don't think he was the sole reason we lost the Philly game, the defense did a nice little number there, but that was the game where Tony G. complained because we kept him in to block the whole game and he only had like 5 yards receiving.

The Defense and coaching cost us that game. The offense did it's job in the first half, but Al had to get cute in the second half and the Defense was just horrible.

Halfcan · 07-29-2006, 07:46 PM

What a bullshit article, we will still kick ass this year. Hey Fatlock have you even seen our schedule? Everybody needs to quit the fucking crying.

Mecca · 07-29-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

What a bullshit article, we will still kick ass this year. Hey Fatlock have you even seen our schedule? Everybody needs to quit the fucking crying.

We're doomed now.......you jinxed it.

GoHuge · 07-29-2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I'm certainly not trying to claim that a high draft pick is necessary to win a SB, or a guarantee of future success.

I was just responding to what I perceived as a claim NE and PIT had success in spite of never getting high picks.

I agree with Mecca's comment about the middle of the road W/L record (7-9 t 9-7). It sucks. Not good enough to get into the play-offs, and never bad enough to draft "elite" prospects. I'm not saying I want the team to do poorly, just agreeing that there's less to get excited about in that position.

Would you consider Larry Johnson who rushed for over 2000 yards his senior year not an "elite" prospect at #27? Everything about #27 looks pretty elite. I understand what your saying. Not disagreeing just making a point.

TrickyNicky · 07-29-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

3-3.

Both Oakland wins and the Texans win.

The Denver, Philly, and Buffalo losses.

Some additional stats for this:

Sacks/yd lost

1-8 Oakland
2-10 Denver
3-12 Philly
3-28 Oakland
6-54 Buffalo
0-0 Houston

15-112 Total without Roaf

32 total sacks minus those W/O Roaf = 17 sacks in 10 games

1.7 Sacks per game with Roaf
2.5 Sacks per game without Roaf

Ouch

Mosbonian · 07-29-2006, 10:10 PM

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.

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...3&page=5&pp=15

Kind of the same sentiment I had in Post #75 on this thread...

mmaddog
*******

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, 12:54 PM	#34
CosmicPal Learn it. Know it. Live it. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Casino cash: $10004900	It's always a blow to lose a HOFer from your team. If there's any good news to this- they did at least go out and get Turley. But, more importantly- our OC knows the OL and will make the necessary adjustments to make the offense gell. For instance, we may now employ a zone blocking scheme and utilize the strenghts of each member on the line. But, I can see a couple of things happening: 1. We will most likely be double-teaming on the outside rush. and 2. Green won't be dropping back as much. Instead, his drop-backs will be shorter and the passing plays will be quicker. __________________ - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - Four blessings upon my fellow planeteers: Older whiskey, younger women, faster horses, and more money.
Posts: 10,840

07-29-2006, 01:26 PM	#38
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $800478	Our defense sucked against Philly and Denver last year...I don't think they'll be anywhere near that bad this year. We're going to be prepared this year without Roaf. Last year we weren't. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,436

07-29-2006, 01:57 PM	#39
Messier MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $10005050	The Buffalo game was soooo frustrating because it could have easily been a win. We out played the Bills. It came down to needing to run the ball more and those two long bombs that the great J.P. Losman threw for tds.
Posts: 7,610

07-29-2006, 07:46 PM	#41
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	What a bullshit article, we will still kick ass this year. Hey Fatlock have you even seen our schedule? Everybody needs to quit the fucking crying.
Posts: 43,200