WHITLOCK - IT’S TIME TO LOSE FOR THE FUTURE

Hammock Parties · 12-09-2007, 11:14 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/397009.html

DENVER | You hope this wasn’t rock bottom.

Seriously, you hope King Carl, Herm Edwards and the Chiefs have the decency and smarts to save their worst for last, for season-ending road trips to Detroit and New York.

This season can only end on a positive note if the Chiefs get a top-five draft pick out of it and a chance to nab tackle Jake Long or quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm.

Sunday’s 41-7 loss to the Denver Broncos could be problematic. It was the kind of embarrassing, gutless performance that motivates players and coaches to finish the season with pride.

Edwards was angry Sunday. Irritated by the performance of his defense, Herm sounded feisty and prideful in his postgame comments. At one point, he nearly broke into his “you play to win the game” mantra.

No. You play to win the Super Bowl. And when that’s not a legitimate goal, you play to make the playoffs. Once the playoffs are eliminated — as they were on Sunday for the Chiefs — you play to develop your players for next season.

That’s where the Chiefs are now — except they have a special circumstance. They can’t develop Brodie Croyle, Kolby Smith or Dwayne Bowe because KC’s offensive line is so bad that it’s impossible to do anything worthwhile on offense.

When that’s the case, you play for draft position, and you hope the Chiefs can sink deeper than they did on Sunday inside Invesco Field at Mile High.

In losing their sixth straight, the Chiefs rushed for 16 yards in 17 carries, surrendered five sacks, punted eight times, allowed Denver 215 rushing yards and never touched Bronco quarterback Jay Cutler, who finished 20 of 27 passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns.

The Preacher will be preaching this week. He’s embarrassed. If he’s going to lose a game, he’d prefer to lose in the fourth quarter after making everyone suffer through two hours of field-position football.

Denver ran away with this thing, jumping to a two-TD lead in the first quarter and cruising to a 24-7 halftime advantage.

“Our strength is our defense, and we can’t give up 14 points to start out the game and expect to win,” Edwards complained.

Right now there are five teams with worse records than the Chiefs — Miami, 0-13, St. Louis, 3-10, San Francisco, 3-10, the Jets, 3-10 and Atlanta, 3-9. Oakland and Baltimore have the same 4-9 record as the Chiefs.

If the Chiefs take care of business, lose to Tennessee and Detroit, they could head to New York and take on the Jets for the right to draft as high as No. 4.

The key to losing out is packing it in mentally. Sunday’s effort is just the kind of thing that could cause players to refocus.

“It’s not good. We didn’t play well today. It seems like guys didn’t show up today,” Tony Gonzalez grumbled. “Maybe people were already in offseason mode. Maybe they’re already back to their families, going back to Miami or wherever you go during the offseason. It’s sad. It’s frustrating. We’ve got three games left... Let’s go play hard. Let’s try to win. I don’t care about the playoffs.”

I disagree. I loved every pass Dwayne Bowe and Kris Wilson dropped. It was great seeing Ty Law and Patrick Surtain get lit up like Christmas trees. Jared Allen has done more than enough this season to earn a major contract upgrade. He deserved the break he took on Sunday. There’s no reason to waste a sack on the Broncos. And why not let a no-name back jam it right down your throat repeatedly?

You just hope they can do it three more times. We know bad offensive-line play is a given. On one of Croyle’s five sacks, every lineman except Brian Waters got beat.

Honestly, I’m thinking about deducting points from my season-ending Chiefs grades from any player who tries to play hero down the stretch, especially if it’s a veteran player. If Bobby Sippio makes a big play, I’m cool with it. But there’s no reason for an established veteran to do anything beyond go through the motions at this point.

Chiefs fans should do their part by skipping the Tennessee game. We all have a role to play in getting this team to 4-12.

Hammock Parties · 12-09-2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

If the Chiefs take care of business, lose to Tennessee and Detroit, they could head to New York and take on the Jets for the right to draft as high as No. 4.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-09-2007, 11:16 PM

I quit reading at Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm.

Might as well just tell the league we don't want a R1 pick.

FloridaMan88 · 12-09-2007, 11:18 PM

What Herm Edwards has done to this franchise is very sad

Mecca · 12-09-2007, 11:18 PM

If they take Matt Ryan, I quit as a fan. I've watched that guy play a ton of times and I just don't see "it".

Pierce · 12-09-2007, 11:18 PM

Seriously. Matty Heisman or Brian Brohm are NOT the answer.

evolve27 · 12-09-2007, 11:19 PM

Decently surprising article from Whitlock, I'm all for tanking. Top 4 pick, mmmm...Christmas in April.

Hootie · 12-09-2007, 11:19 PM

Jake Long please please please please

Hammock Parties · 12-09-2007, 11:20 PM

A top 4 pick is great on draft day - you don't have to wait 3 hours to see the Chiefs pick!!!

Mecca · 12-09-2007, 11:20 PM

I think Jake Long's future is at RT...sad but true.

Discuss Thrower · 12-09-2007, 11:20 PM

What Tony sad made me really sad. The fact that Carl has basically wasted this guy career by not trying to win the Big One is absolutely CRIMINAL.

Zouk · 12-09-2007, 11:21 PM

Maybe someday we'll get 2 good Whitlock columns in a row. Luckily the last one was so good that I forgive this idiocy.

Hootie · 12-09-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I think Jake Long's future is at RT...sad but true.

I DON'T EVEN CARE...I JUST WANT LINEMAN

Mecca · 12-09-2007, 11:22 PM

Zouk is here to tell us how winning these games and getting a worse draft pick is good despite this team sucking balls and lacking talent.

Coach · 12-09-2007, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I think Jake Long's future is at RT...sad but true.

True, but any help on the O-Line would be a great idea, regardless of what position.

And I'm also in the boat for a no to Matt Ryan as well.

12-09-2007, 11:14 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4740478	WHITLOCK - IT’S TIME TO LOSE FOR THE FUTURE http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/397009.html DENVER \| You hope this wasn’t rock bottom. Seriously, you hope King Carl, Herm Edwards and the Chiefs have the decency and smarts to save their worst for last, for season-ending road trips to Detroit and New York. This season can only end on a positive note if the Chiefs get a top-five draft pick out of it and a chance to nab tackle Jake Long or quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm. Sunday’s 41-7 loss to the Denver Broncos could be problematic. It was the kind of embarrassing, gutless performance that motivates players and coaches to finish the season with pride. Edwards was angry Sunday. Irritated by the performance of his defense, Herm sounded feisty and prideful in his postgame comments. At one point, he nearly broke into his “you play to win the game” mantra. No. You play to win the Super Bowl. And when that’s not a legitimate goal, you play to make the playoffs. Once the playoffs are eliminated — as they were on Sunday for the Chiefs — you play to develop your players for next season. That’s where the Chiefs are now — except they have a special circumstance. They can’t develop Brodie Croyle, Kolby Smith or Dwayne Bowe because KC’s offensive line is so bad that it’s impossible to do anything worthwhile on offense. When that’s the case, you play for draft position, and you hope the Chiefs can sink deeper than they did on Sunday inside Invesco Field at Mile High. In losing their sixth straight, the Chiefs rushed for 16 yards in 17 carries, surrendered five sacks, punted eight times, allowed Denver 215 rushing yards and never touched Bronco quarterback Jay Cutler, who finished 20 of 27 passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns. The Preacher will be preaching this week. He’s embarrassed. If he’s going to lose a game, he’d prefer to lose in the fourth quarter after making everyone suffer through two hours of field-position football. Denver ran away with this thing, jumping to a two-TD lead in the first quarter and cruising to a 24-7 halftime advantage. “Our strength is our defense, and we can’t give up 14 points to start out the game and expect to win,” Edwards complained. Right now there are five teams with worse records than the Chiefs — Miami, 0-13, St. Louis, 3-10, San Francisco, 3-10, the Jets, 3-10 and Atlanta, 3-9. Oakland and Baltimore have the same 4-9 record as the Chiefs. If the Chiefs take care of business, lose to Tennessee and Detroit, they could head to New York and take on the Jets for the right to draft as high as No. 4. The key to losing out is packing it in mentally. Sunday’s effort is just the kind of thing that could cause players to refocus. “It’s not good. We didn’t play well today. It seems like guys didn’t show up today,” Tony Gonzalez grumbled. “Maybe people were already in offseason mode. Maybe they’re already back to their families, going back to Miami or wherever you go during the offseason. It’s sad. It’s frustrating. We’ve got three games left... Let’s go play hard. Let’s try to win. I don’t care about the playoffs.” I disagree. I loved every pass Dwayne Bowe and Kris Wilson dropped. It was great seeing Ty Law and Patrick Surtain get lit up like Christmas trees. Jared Allen has done more than enough this season to earn a major contract upgrade. He deserved the break he took on Sunday. There’s no reason to waste a sack on the Broncos. And why not let a no-name back jam it right down your throat repeatedly? You just hope they can do it three more times. We know bad offensive-line play is a given. On one of Croyle’s five sacks, every lineman except Brian Waters got beat. Honestly, I’m thinking about deducting points from my season-ending Chiefs grades from any player who tries to play hero down the stretch, especially if it’s a veteran player. If Bobby Sippio makes a big play, I’m cool with it. But there’s no reason for an established veteran to do anything beyond go through the motions at this point. Chiefs fans should do their part by skipping the Tennessee game. We all have a role to play in getting this team to 4-12.
Posts: 277,685

12-09-2007, 11:16 PM	#3
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4931115	I quit reading at Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm. Might as well just tell the league we don't want a R1 pick.
Posts: 60,167

12-09-2007, 11:18 PM	#4
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $3192906	What Herm Edwards has done to this franchise is very sad
Posts: 38,122

12-09-2007, 11:18 PM	#5
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2647050	If they take Matt Ryan, I quit as a fan. I've watched that guy play a ton of times and I just don't see "it".
Posts: 110,779

12-09-2007, 11:18 PM	#6
Pierce Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Over the rainbow Casino cash: $10004900	Seriously. Matty Heisman or Brian Brohm are NOT the answer. __________________
Posts: 1,261

12-09-2007, 11:19 PM	#7
evolve27 Keep It on Wax Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: BUMP MASTER, USA Casino cash: $10004900	Decently surprising article from Whitlock, I'm all for tanking. Top 4 pick, mmmm...Christmas in April.
Posts: 2,588

12-09-2007, 11:19 PM	#8
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	Jake Long please please please please
Posts: 56,356

12-09-2007, 11:20 PM	#9
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4740478	A top 4 pick is great on draft day - you don't have to wait 3 hours to see the Chiefs pick!!! __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,685

12-09-2007, 11:20 PM	#11
Discuss Thrower "You like to drink?" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: "I like to drink." Casino cash: $3256869	What Tony sad made me really sad. The fact that Carl has basically wasted this guy career by not trying to win the Big One is absolutely CRIMINAL. __________________ Chiefs 2016 Opponents: Home: JAX, TEN, NO, TB, NYJ. Away: HOU, IND, ATL, CAR, PIT Chiefs 2017 Opponents: Home: BUF, MIA, PHI, WSH, AFC North. Away: NE, NYJ, NYG, DAL, AFC South
Posts: 42,684

12-09-2007, 11:21 PM	#12
Zouk Veteran Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: DC Casino cash: $10004900	Maybe someday we'll get 2 good Whitlock columns in a row. Luckily the last one was so good that I forgive this idiocy.
Posts: 1,454

12-09-2007, 11:22 PM	#14
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2647050	Zouk is here to tell us how winning these games and getting a worse draft pick is good despite this team sucking balls and lacking talent.
Posts: 110,779