Chiefs Bowe Should Be Starting - Page 5

Hammock Parties · 08-15-2009, 09:38 PM

http://kan.scout.com/2/888768.html

It’s time for the Chiefs to end their silly game with Dwayne Bowe.

In case you were actually doing something remotely entertaining and missed Saturday night’s Chiefs game, here’s the shocking news from Arrowhead Stadium – Dwayne Bowe didn’t start the game with the rest of KC’s first-team offense. Nope, the Chiefs trotted out a couple of NFL spares – Terrance Copper and Devard Darling - to complement Matt Cassel, Larry Johnson and Branden Albert.

The results, as predicted, were disappointing.

After zipping a precise 12-yard timing pattern to Copper on his first pass, Cassel’s second perfect throw was dropped (by Copper). Darling’s lone touch came on a doomed slip screen on a later third down. In about a half of football, Copper and Darling combined for two catches, 15 yards, and didn’t come close to scaring a defensive back or proving they actually deserve their “starting” jobs.

We probably shouldn’t be surprised. Both are little more than career special teams players. Copper is wearing his fourth NFL jersey in seven years. Darling spent the first half of last season in Kansas City failing miserably to beat single coverage despite the fact Bowe and Tony Gonzalez were drawing defenders.

Why were Copper and Darling starting? Supposedly, it was a motivational ploy by Coach Todd Haley, who wouldn’t mind turning Bowe into Larry Fitzgerald, the Pro Bowl receiver who flourished under his guidance with the Arizona Cardinals a year ago. It’s no secret Bowe has been dropping passes in training camp.

Bowe didn’t drop any passes Saturday night.

He got open, latched onto the ball with his incredibly strong hands again and again, and generally looked like someone who was determined to fight his way back into the starting lineup. After catching a simple hook pattern to start his night, Bowe sold out his body on KC’s next drive, diving to secure a 14-yard gain, setting up a Ryan Succop field goal.

Working with Brodie Croyle and a handful of second and third-string Chiefs, Bowe later made an incredible leaping catch down the right sideline for 18 yards. His night concluded after five catches, 70 yards, and nary a dropped pass for Haley to fume over.

Bowe didn’t appear to be a receiver who wanted to pout over his third-team sentence, ala Randy Moss. He looked motivated and hungry to prove himself. He gave Haley exactly what he was looking for – focus, flawless hands and first downs.

Did I mention all of this production came during the middle of a torrential downpour that resulted in fumbled snaps and sloppy, slippery play all over the field?

As Chiefs color man Len Dawson pointed out in the broadcast booth, “That’s pretty good for a third stringer.”

Bowe’s no third stringer, or even a backup for that matter. His performance Saturday night, and the lack thereof from Copper and Darling, should be reason enough for Haley to return his starting job immediately. Bowe might drop a couple of passes this week in practice, but demoting him again, for next Saturday’s game in Minnesota against the Vikings would be silly and counterproductive.

There’s zero reason for the Chiefs to delay developing chemistry between Bowe and Cassel. Considering their other options at receiver – none of whom showed much Saturday night – playing more mind games with Bowe is downright dangerous if the team has any plans at all to move the ball consistently this season. Getting Bowe and Cassel on the same page should be preseason priority number one from here on out.

Do we even want to think about what happens next week if no one is open while Jared Allen closes on Cassel’s blindside? And why even risk your best receiver’s health by putting him on the field deep into the third quarter of a meaningless game? You’re just asking for trouble at that point.

Just imagine if Bowe had caught the slant Copper dropped on KC’s first possession against the Texans. Maybe the offense finishes that drive out with a score, giving the fans something to cheer about other than a 48-yard field goal at the halftime gun. Maybe no one is left wondering if Herm Edwards was upstairs, calling plays for the Chiefs in the first half.

Hopefully Bowe isn’t wondering about his starting job Monday morning.

Tiger's Fan · 08-15-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Town'NCountryChief

That was one of the most brutal disintegration of talent I've ever seen in football. Morton was solid in Detroit. To this day I wonder what happened when he got to KC...

He had Herman Moore on the other side in Detroit.

Terribilis · 08-15-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Town'NCountryChief

That was one of the most brutal disintegration of talent I've ever seen in football. Morton was solid in Detroit. To this day I wonder what happened when he got to KC...

I choose to remember Morton by his awesome boxing career.

ArrowheadMagic · 08-15-2009, 10:49 PM

Alvin Harper anyone?

Ugly Duck · 08-15-2009, 10:51 PM

No freakin way should Bowe start... KC needs to keep that prima donna malcontent on the bench as much as possible. The more he sits, the better your team will be....

**Slainte** · 08-15-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terribilis

I choose to remember Morton by his awesome boxing career.

Me too, now.

**KcMizzou** · 08-15-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

No freakin way should Bowe start... KC needs to keep that prima donna malcontent on the bench as much as possible. The more he sits, the better your team will be....

Heheh.

keg in kc · 08-15-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

No shit. This is all just about motivation. Anyone who thinks Bowe won't be starting come week 1, is a moron.

No shit. Talk about much to do about nothing.

Hell, he's probably starting Monday. When the head coach praises your practicing for the two days leading up to the game, and then you catch 5 for 70, you're probably on your way out of the doghouse.

Mission accomplished. Haley got through to him.

Although maybe he should let it ride a few more days before he takes the pressure off. Make sure he stays focused.

Dude has the talent to be a really good receiver. And his head coach is challenging him, trying to get that out of him. And people are complaining.

Boggles the mind. Kansas frikkin' City. Maybe we should bring Herm back, have some more buddy buddy coaching on the sideline, or maybe have Dicky V invite the team over for a wine tasting.

**Mr. Kotter** · 08-15-2009, 11:39 PM

Quit your whining....come REGULAR season...he will start.

He really needs to know, though, that he CAN....be better, than he is.

**morphius** · 08-15-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

No shit. Talk about much to do about nothing.

Hell, he's probably starting Monday. When the head coach praises your practicing for the two days leading up to the game, and then you catch 5 for 70, you're probably on your way out of the doghouse.

Mission accomplished. Haley got through to him.

Although maybe he should let it ride a few more days before he takes the pressure off. Make sure he stays focused.

Dude has the talent to be a really good receiver. And his head coach is challenging him, trying to get that out of him. And people are complaining.

Boggles the mind. Kansas frikkin' City. Maybe we should bring Herm back, have some more buddy buddy coaching on the sideline, or maybe have Dicky V invite the team over for a wine tasting.

But is cost us a chance to win a preseason game! [/sarcasm]

We need Bowe to step it up to the next level, and any method that gets him to put in the work that guys like Rice and Fitzgerald put in the better for all of us Chiefs fans.

**wazu** · 08-15-2009, 11:46 PM

Honestly, the more interesting debate is why Mark Bradley isn't in the second spot.

Tiger's Fan · 08-15-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

Honestly, the more interesting debate is why Mark Bradley isn't in the second spot.

Probably for the same pass dropping reasons.

Hammock Parties · 08-15-2009, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

Honestly, the more interesting debate is why Mark Bradley isn't in the second spot.

Devard Darling will blow up with Bowe drawing coverage. That's all he needs.

Hammock Parties · 08-15-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Dude has the talent to be a really good receiver. And his head coach is challenging him, trying to get that out of him. And people are complaining.

Letting him play against weak competition is challenging him?

A challenge would be letting Bowe fix the suck that is currently our first-team offense.

ArrowheadMagic · 08-15-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Devard Darling will blow up with Bowe drawing coverage. That's all he needs.

exactly Darlings problem.... he needs someone else to make him a threat.

Hammock Parties · 08-15-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArrowheadMagic

exactly Darlings problem.... he needs someone else to make him a threat.

Alvin Harper anyone?

08-15-2009, 09:38 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4700478	Bowe Should Be Starting http://kan.scout.com/2/888768.html It’s time for the Chiefs to end their silly game with Dwayne Bowe. In case you were actually doing something remotely entertaining and missed Saturday night’s Chiefs game, here’s the shocking news from Arrowhead Stadium – Dwayne Bowe didn’t start the game with the rest of KC’s first-team offense. Nope, the Chiefs trotted out a couple of NFL spares – Terrance Copper and Devard Darling - to complement Matt Cassel, Larry Johnson and Branden Albert. The results, as predicted, were disappointing. After zipping a precise 12-yard timing pattern to Copper on his first pass, Cassel’s second perfect throw was dropped (by Copper). Darling’s lone touch came on a doomed slip screen on a later third down. In about a half of football, Copper and Darling combined for two catches, 15 yards, and didn’t come close to scaring a defensive back or proving they actually deserve their “starting” jobs. We probably shouldn’t be surprised. Both are little more than career special teams players. Copper is wearing his fourth NFL jersey in seven years. Darling spent the first half of last season in Kansas City failing miserably to beat single coverage despite the fact Bowe and Tony Gonzalez were drawing defenders. Why were Copper and Darling starting? Supposedly, it was a motivational ploy by Coach Todd Haley, who wouldn’t mind turning Bowe into Larry Fitzgerald, the Pro Bowl receiver who flourished under his guidance with the Arizona Cardinals a year ago. It’s no secret Bowe has been dropping passes in training camp. Bowe didn’t drop any passes Saturday night. He got open, latched onto the ball with his incredibly strong hands again and again, and generally looked like someone who was determined to fight his way back into the starting lineup. After catching a simple hook pattern to start his night, Bowe sold out his body on KC’s next drive, diving to secure a 14-yard gain, setting up a Ryan Succop field goal. Working with Brodie Croyle and a handful of second and third-string Chiefs, Bowe later made an incredible leaping catch down the right sideline for 18 yards. His night concluded after five catches, 70 yards, and nary a dropped pass for Haley to fume over. Bowe didn’t appear to be a receiver who wanted to pout over his third-team sentence, ala Randy Moss. He looked motivated and hungry to prove himself. He gave Haley exactly what he was looking for – focus, flawless hands and first downs. Did I mention all of this production came during the middle of a torrential downpour that resulted in fumbled snaps and sloppy, slippery play all over the field? As Chiefs color man Len Dawson pointed out in the broadcast booth, “That’s pretty good for a third stringer.” Bowe’s no third stringer, or even a backup for that matter. His performance Saturday night, and the lack thereof from Copper and Darling, should be reason enough for Haley to return his starting job immediately. Bowe might drop a couple of passes this week in practice, but demoting him again, for next Saturday’s game in Minnesota against the Vikings would be silly and counterproductive. There’s zero reason for the Chiefs to delay developing chemistry between Bowe and Cassel. Considering their other options at receiver – none of whom showed much Saturday night – playing more mind games with Bowe is downright dangerous if the team has any plans at all to move the ball consistently this season. Getting Bowe and Cassel on the same page should be preseason priority number one from here on out. Do we even want to think about what happens next week if no one is open while Jared Allen closes on Cassel’s blindside? And why even risk your best receiver’s health by putting him on the field deep into the third quarter of a meaningless game? You’re just asking for trouble at that point. Just imagine if Bowe had caught the slant Copper dropped on KC’s first possession against the Texans. Maybe the offense finishes that drive out with a score, giving the fans something to cheer about other than a 48-yard field goal at the halftime gun. Maybe no one is left wondering if Herm Edwards was upstairs, calling plays for the Chiefs in the first half. Hopefully Bowe isn’t wondering about his starting job Monday morning.
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08-15-2009, 10:49 PM	#63
ArrowheadMagic Veteran Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OPKS Casino cash: $8173465	Alvin Harper anyone?
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08-15-2009, 10:51 PM	#64
Ugly Duck MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Petaluma, CA, USA Casino cash: $9955920	No freakin way should Bowe start... KC needs to keep that prima donna malcontent on the bench as much as possible. The more he sits, the better your team will be.... __________________ “In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.” ― Carl Sagan
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08-15-2009, 11:39 PM	#68
Mr. Kotter The Dude Abides Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dakota Country Casino cash: $5865285	Quit your whining....come REGULAR season...he will start. He really needs to know, though, that he CAN....be better, than he is. __________________ "I've always said I worry about legacy and winning rings more than making money at this moment...We see what's going on around the league, but at the same time, I'll never do anything that's going to hurt us from keeping the great players around me.”
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08-15-2009, 11:46 PM	#70
wazu ... Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $2192295 VARSITY	Honestly, the more interesting debate is why Mark Bradley isn't in the second spot.
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