The Chiefs and the National Power Rankings: Week 14

by Chris Thorman on Dec 5, 2007 2:24 PM CST in 2007 Campaign Comment 20 comments

ESPN #27 Last week #24

The Chiefs have been shut out in the fourth quarter in their last four games, which helps explain why they're all but out of the playoff hunt. "I'm tired of it and don't want to play this style of football," TE Tony Gonzalez told the KC Star.

CBS #22 Last week #22

They just don't do enough with their passing game to be a real playoff threat. They have to improve that next season.

Fox Sports #23 Last week #24

Injuries continue to riddle the Chiefs, as quarterback Damon Huard, linebacker Donnie Edwards and left tackle Damion McIntosh all left Sunday's game with health issues. The Chiefs lost their fifth home game for the first time since 1980. The playoffs — once a possibility in November — now seem to be but a distant dream.

I didn't expect much more than this from the national media. We're not getting screwed in these rankings. I feel like there are probably about ten worse teams than the Chiefs right now.

The Broncos are ranked 20th, 18th and 17th respectfully. The Chargers rank 9th, 8th and 10th. And the Raiders, everyone's favorite bottom feeders, rank 26th, 27th and 24th. Unfortunately, the Raiders top the Chiefs in ESPN's rankings.

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What To Do?

This is where it gets darker before the dawn. I believe it's unrealistic to expect this team to just automatically start getting better when its entire philosophy has changed as dramatically as it has. Herm's second season has been about what one would expect considering the changes he and his staff are implementing here. Chiefs faithful should not start looking to jump ship just because the seas are a bit choppy now. I say give him time to finish what he started here. He IS bringing in good players (even though they aren't everyones favorite draft target, or free agent)that fit the mold of what he's working toward. No one else could jump in now (even those crybabies who are screaming for his head)and bring things around any faster than what Herm can. Give the man time. I figure that with the change that has taken place to this point, the chiefs will be a powerhouse within 1 to 3 years. For those of you who want something faster - that would be nice but, sometimes you have to wait for things that you want. It is time to take those diapers off and deal with reality. Speaking of which, maybe it is time to unload LJ for a first round pick so we can get a high quality CB as well as a OT in the draft this spring. I think this third draft is going to be phenomenal.

by Halfbreed5050 on Dec 5, 2007 3:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

LJ

I'm not ready to give up on LJ for the same reason I'm not ready to give up on Herm. The team is rebuilding and key components (an offensive line) are missing.

Priest had no better success than LJ.

Kolby has done well, but scat backs like him can still do well even with horrible offensive lines (see Barry Sanders).

LJ isn't that kind of back. He needs a line to make holes and preferably a full back to really open things up.

We can't just jump ship everytime a player or the team has a rough patch. LJ ran for 1700 yards two seasons in a row. The WHOLE offense is suffering right now because of the holes in the line. It has an effect on every single player, including LJ.

by DJ on Dec 5, 2007 5:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

DJ

I really hope you're never in a position to have to invade the Russian front.

You Play! To Punt! The Ball!

by Ridiculous Matt on Dec 5, 2007 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Russia?

Why would I invade Russia?

If I'm going to invade anywhere, it would be Canada. Damn hosers.

by DJ on Dec 5, 2007 8:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Because

you have no idea of when to stop, reconsider, or turn back.

You Play! To Punt! The Ball!

by Ridiculous Matt on Dec 5, 2007 8:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Meh

Meh, whatever. This is the first post I've made about LJ in months.

Sorry if you don't approve, having other people agree with me isn't a primary concern of mine.

by DJ on Dec 5, 2007 9:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Just a joke

trying to keep it light hearted.

But I mean, I'm kind of surprised.

I mean, you don't want to change anything in any way, or shift anything, and everything's fine if we just give it time?

Shocking, really.

You Play! To Punt! The Ball!

by Ridiculous Matt on Dec 5, 2007 9:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You COMPLETELY miss the point

Its not that I don't want to change anything.

Its that EVERYTHING is ALREADY in the process of being changed! It just takes more than one season to happen.

And I know you're joking. I'm starting to think you're Bluto to my Popeye. (of course you're the evil one)

by DJ on Dec 5, 2007 9:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

Because Herm would gladly give you an offense Tuesday for an extension today.

You Play! To Punt! The Ball!

by Ridiculous Matt on Dec 5, 2007 10:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Please

dont compare Kolby Smith to Barry Sanders, that's just disrespectful. Kolby's played two games so, STOP IT!!

oO Buckeyes Oo

by D Thomas on Dec 6, 2007 8:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree about the draft

Though I think we may want to consider DT before CB...a great d-line would make even average corners look pretty good. On another topic...has whoever does the CBS rankings watched a game? Last week too, I think they knocked our passing game. Now it's not great, but it sure beats our running game (pre-Kolby Smith era)...Finally, before the season (in fact before the pre-season) I predicted 6-10, though at the time I didn't think I was being optimistic - now I do. Regardless, F the Donkeys and Jared Allen, Go out there and hit somebody!

by PVChiefsfan on Dec 5, 2007 3:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Couple things

Welcome to the Pride, Halfbreed. Haven't seen you around.
We don't really roll with the name calling around here. Everyone's got a right to their opinion, and wanting your coach to take some measure of responsibility for a team's unpreparedness, actually show some sign of improvement instead of a genuine backward movement from roster positioning to execution in key moments, and to manage the clock to the same degree at 10 year old with a stopwatch can does not constitute being a crybaby. It's immature and beneath us, as Chiefs fans. Let's leave the name calling to Raider fans and AOL commenters, shall we?
You're right. What with the powerhouse he built in New York... wait. Well, nevermind that, let's just look at his record...wait. He's sub .500. Huh. Okay, well how about how he handled the quarterback situation...oh. No, but seriously, just by taking a look at his management of Larry Johnson, we can see...hmm. Okay, okay, but surely he's exhibited a killer instinct in key situations like the Indianapolis game...no...Well, at least he's figured out how to effectively use the clock...

Um.

And just for the record, let's end this right now. No one here, NO ONE, not me, not D Thomas, no one, is saying that Herm can't draft. If you told me Herm Edwards would be drafting our players until his retirement, I'd be thrilled.

Drafting does not constitute the bulk of coaching in the National Football League.

I'm willing to wait 5 years, if he can exhibit forward progress. It's not the wins and losses. It's how we're winning and losing. And you can feel that sentiment spreading as this season progresses.

I'm not saying we should fire Herm Edwards. I'm saying that it's about time people look deeper than "It's a rebuilding season" and realize there have been critical mistakes made by this coaching staff.

Welcome to the board!

There's a reason the Chiefs play in MISSOURI.

by Ridiculous Matt on Dec 5, 2007 3:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Who's

half-breed, are you talking about the guy that resembles Tony Dungy, and is taking our team to oblivion?

oO Buckeyes Oo

by D Thomas on Dec 6, 2007 8:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

the kettles response

"It's immature and beneath us, as Chiefs fans. Let's leave the name calling to Raider fans and AOL commenters, shall we?" - "Because
you have no idea of when to stop, reconsider, or turn back." Let's just have the same rules for everybody, shall we? BTW is there any Chiefs team other than the 69-70 version that you don't feel inclined to slam?

by Halfbreed5050 on Dec 6, 2007 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So

exactly what part of the definition of "name-calling" do you not get?

Oh, that's right, you're an Edwards homer, so you don't really consider anything else, you just stick to your mantra of "we're rebuilding! I believe! Get on or get off! True fans only say nice things about Herm!"

It was a joke, in another thread, with a guy I've given a lot of respect to.

I'm sarcastic. If you don't like sarcasm. I suggest disconnecting your computer from the internet.

I loved the Vermeil era. Did the defense drive me nuts? Absolutely. Do I think we could have won a Super Bowl with that version? No. But we were excellent. We were elite. We were able to move the ball more than 3 yards a time, and weren't setting records for 3 and outs.

I loved the Schottenheimer era. Did the offense get stuck in the mud? Absolutely. Do I think we could have won a Super Bowl with that version? No. God hates Schottenheimer. I don't know why, he just does. But we were excellent. And at least Schottenheimer made moves to do what he had to to have some level of balance on offense, as opposed to ducking his head and doing the same thing over and over again.

I want to love this team. I'm thrilled about Brodie Croyle. I think he's got a cannon, and some moxie, which we need. I love DBowe. I think drafting him was the best move Herm Edwards has made here, followed closely by resigning Donnie Edwards. But this team doesn't seem to be heading anywhere. It doesn't feel like it's rebuilding. It feels like it's just broken. And I'm not any less of a fan than you for saying that.

So if you want to go start www.ilovehermey.com and wave your pom-poms, go ahead. But if you come in here and expect to just trash people that disagree with you, you got problems. I give grief and I take it, because we all like the open communication by Chiefs fans, here. I have no problem with people backing Herm Edwards. DJ's got some of the best points of any of the poster's on here.

You're just waving pom-poms and making excuses.

You Play! To Punt! The Ball!

by Ridiculous Matt on Dec 6, 2007 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Chris

I'm not necessarily in disagreement with you, but what 10 teams do you feel are worse than the Chiefs right now? I can name a few, but we don't exactly play in a tough division, nor have we played a tough schedule, and your analysis of our offense alone over at Warpath should document the severe deficiencies in our team (THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH HERM EDWARDS! NOTHING TO SEE HERE! MOVE ALONG! YOUR HERMISM WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SHORTLY!)

There's a reason the Chiefs play in MISSOURI.

by Ridiculous Matt on Dec 5, 2007 3:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Let me give it a stab

Dolphins
Falcons
49ers
Jets
Panthers
Rams
Bengals
Raiders

There are eight I feel pretty good about.

by Chris Thorman on Dec 5, 2007 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hmm.

Dolphins- They're so bad, we could score on them. Agree.
Falcons- They've been scrappy, but yeah. Agree.
49ers- You know, 49ers fans and Chiefs fans should get together and drink our franchise running back woes down the drain. Then when they're passed out, we can kick them for giving Darren McFadden to the Patriots. Agree.
Jets-We'll see about this one. This team's been playing better and better every week. But for now, agree.
Panthers- The Panthers have more wins than us, and have played a lot of teams tough. Disagree.
Rams- They're starting to get it together after all the injuries. They've won 3 of 4, and um, I would still take their injured QBs over 2 out of 3 of ours when healthy. Disagree.
Bengals-Well, we beat them, so I guess that seals it. But they've showed signs of life while we've flatlined. Still, we beat them. Agree.
Raiders-Sorry, this team is figuring it out. When they get talent installed, they're going to be pretty great. That defense plays with killer instinct, and the offense has a two minute drill. You remember what that is, don't you? I had to read some earlier recaps from years before Herm, but there are some. Disagree.

There's a reason the Chiefs play in MISSOURI.

by Ridiculous Matt on Dec 5, 2007 4:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We have power?

by Eric on Dec 6, 2007 9:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Simply...

...I agree with the rankings. This isn't a rebuilding season as mentioned above. There was never anything built. With that said, I told my wife (Yes, she's a HUGE Chiefs fan and I'm in heaven every Sunday...) that I was excited about the season when it was started. Then IT happened. The indecisiveness of a head coach in regards to QB. I was absolutely stoked when I heard that Croyle might be the starter. Because there's anything special about him? No. Simply because the organization was taking a chance!!

I figured this would be a BUILDING (not rebuilding) season and that Croyle would need some time to get in a rhythm. I was not aware at the first of the season as to how bad our offensive line would be...Ouch!!

Anyway, I've mentioned my opinion enough about the administration and Herm (sometimes contradicting my own posts:) and, yet, I still sit in front of the boob tube and watch my beloved Chiefs get hammered week after week.

It's discouraging, but the rankings are usually pretty close...

L8R.

by Scrogg on Dec 9, 2007 6:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs