Glad to be Wrong About the Chiefs First Win
by Joel Thorman on Oct 19, 2009 10:00 AM CDT
in 2009 Campaign
40 comments
I'll admit it...I was wrong. And I'm glad to be wrong.
A few weeks ago I said the Kansas City Chiefs might not win a game until November. Coming after a loss when frustrations were high probably wasn't the best timing but, after watching seemingly the same team, despite different players, step onto the field in '09 as '08, I thought I would be right.
Admit it...the same thought crossed your mind. Maybe some of the former players were right and the atmosphere around Arrowhead is "toxic to success" and the players aren't going to take being berated and screamed at by Haley much longer. That's the way I was beginning to think. All the negativity was beginning to be reinforced.
It's like today -- I should be feeling terrible. It's Monday, back to work and the Chiefs lost. Except...the Chiefs won. It's like Pavlov's dogs are playing a trick on me. I've been conditioned to enter a mini-depressive state on Monday mornings and now, all of a sudden, I'm not depressed.
It's great. I'm like a fat kid at Cici's Pizza.
There's one other thing I gotta admit.
A few weeks ago, I was asked to write another little piece for the Washington Post. It was nothing big. The question was whether there was a team in the NFL, just three weeks in, that will not win a game this season. I talked about the Browns, Rams and, of course, the Chiefs. At that point, those were pretty easily identified as the three worst teams in football.
Ultimately, though, I said the Chiefs have found ways, sometimes in amazing fashion, to lose time and time again. Games they should win (Oakland this year comes to mind) they end up losing. Games they should lose, they end up losing in heart break fashion (San Diego last year comes to mind). So, I picked the Chiefs to be the team with the best shot to go 0-16.
I've never been happier to be wrong in my life.
Oh, and why didn't I share it with you all? Partly timing, since we were all already so frustrated, and partly because of the title (which I don't write, by the way): 'Fail to the Chiefs'
So glad to be wrong.
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Chiefs win...
Arizona won, Cal won, Ducks don’t lose, Notre Lame lost, Kansas lost, Mizzu lost, Nebraska lost. All around a great football weekend.
"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride
by HIV 2 Elway on Oct 19, 2009 10:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i wasn't too happy when
mizzou lost, Florida won, USC won, Texas won, and Gorgia won. on the bright side Kansas lost, Nebraska lost, Ohio State lost, TCU won, and BYU won. all around a so so weekend in college football.
but the Chiefs winning made up for it all the depression that college football put me in.
by Leaf on Oct 19, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What was scary was...
Of all the games this year we were in and had a chance to win, yesterdays game we were probably at our worst but they found a way to win which in itself is the biggest step to improving.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Oct 19, 2009 10:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Worse than the Eagles game?
I dunno, but in any event I agree with you that we didn’t play well but even so we found a way to win. That was the biggest thing we could have one. We found a way to win, and didn’t find a way to lose the win. We didn’t steal a win from the jaws of defeat, but kept a win. Yes it was sloppy, but it was a W nonetheless.
by Eastcoastransplant on Oct 19, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I meant of the games we had a chance to win...
So the Baltimore, Oakland and Dallas games.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Oct 19, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know about that GB...
That was probably the best defensive performance from the team all season.
Here is the thing though, I was still waiting for the other shoe to drop all the way until the safety which finally sealed the game. Even though we clearly outplayed the Skins in that game (which is not saying much) I still felt like they would find a way to lose. Unless this offense gets better quick (especially the WRs) we won’t win many more. There are not very many teams who are going to give up the easy win like the Skins did yesterday.
As for today, it feels good to taste victory. Let’s just hope the team can get some confidence and show the same week to week improvement we have been seeing.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 19, 2009 10:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I want to agree and will to a degree...
I think the defense made strides yesterday but I’m skeptical because our best two defensive games, where the defense played like we want to see them play, were against horrible offenses. The nice thing to see this time was the stiffening at the end. There will be alot on both sides of the ball that this team will be able to build off of now though and thats a good thing.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Oct 19, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A lot of us stiffened right there at the end.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 19, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But seriously, the D folded against every team that had decent QB-WR/TE combos.
Putting in Todd Collins over Jason Campbell was totally missing the point, there, luckily for us.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 19, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's offical
no matter what happens we will be better than the 2008 Lions. WOOT
by Bearson on Oct 19, 2009 10:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We got THAT goin' for us!
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 19, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think this win will go a long way.
This team needed a win bad. They just don’t know how to win and prior to today mangaged to find a way to lose. They are gaining confidence and I think we will be competitive the rest of the year. The chiefs still have some things to figure out when it comes to winning. There were a couple of plays at the end that we terrible and we really tried to lose the game. Bobby Wade trying and take a punt to the house at the end of the game when all he had to do was secure the ball. Dwayne Bowe not staying in bounds at the end of the game (teams that win do those little things at the end of the game without thinking of them).
by saskwatch on Oct 19, 2009 10:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was telling the skins fans all around me not to leave
because KC always finds a way to make things interesting at the end
A man who says he can, and a man who says he can't are both right. Which one are you?
by Bashman on Oct 19, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yup
they tucked their tails early, i was suprised how many of them had no faith in their team.
by GHOST OF DT on Oct 19, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad a lot of us were wrong...
It just feels so nice to be at work and not have to read about how we suck on every spors site. Well we still technically suck, but you know what I mean…it’s just a little brighter outside this morning and I’m smiling a lot more today than normal…..
GO CHIEFS!!
by krayfish on Oct 19, 2009 10:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Also,
I’m not looking for anything more than this for the rest of the season as a team. I don’t believe a good portion of our current team will be Chiefs next year anyway. So Chemistry and timing and all that will have to be re-established again next year with new players IMO.
by krayfish on Oct 19, 2009 10:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No way Kray
Starting all over again next year? There is a good young nucleus, they need to build around it, not tear it down again. And I’ve made this disclaimer before, but if you say these guys aren’t “Pioli guys”, I’ll punch you in the throat :)
Week 7 Prediction:
Kansas City Chiefs 77 - San Diego Chargers 2
by craig in calgary on Oct 19, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed, Craig
there will be a few more changes, of course…
but they are building something, and building around a nucleus…
NOT rebuilding after this year
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Oct 19, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree, too.
We started all over in 2008.
We started all over again in 2009.
I think there’s no way in hell that we blow it all up and start completely over again in 2010. Not if Haley and Pioli like their careers.
by JacinB on Oct 19, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was talking to Andy Studebaker after the game.
All he wanted to talk about was how much everyone in the locker room gets along and how solid he feels the core of the team is. You can tell he buys into whats going on and thinks the roster doesnt need that much of an overhaul
A man who says he can, and a man who says he can't are both right. Which one are you?
by Bashman on Oct 19, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Name dropper :)
Week 7 Prediction:
Kansas City Chiefs 77 - San Diego Chargers 2
by craig in calgary on Oct 19, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the coaching staff will have more changes than anything.
Haley took leftovers when he got hired. I think you will see a lot of new faces on the sidelines next year, but the majority will be coaches. I think they like a lot of the young guys they have brought in and will keep them, but the Chiefs will constantly be a revolving door for the next couple of years. I think “starting over” might be going too far.
I remember Dawson to Taylor, Kenney to Carson, and Blackledge catching the snap in his facemask. Seen it all...
by BinSC on Oct 19, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For what it's worth:
I called a 5-6 win season for KC this year, and I figured that WITH them being 1-7 at the bye. Granted, at the beginning of the season I picked them to beat OAK, but hey, no one ever knows what the season holds.
More wins are coming Chiefs fans. This team will get better as the season goes on. This win could go a long way towards getting the players to believe in the new coach/gm. We’ll see what happens this week.
About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist
by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 19, 2009 10:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup.
But they still need to get a lot better on the perimeter, for starters. Seeing glimmers of that, but still not there, quite yet.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 19, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's a long road ahead
But It’s going to be fun to watch this team be built. I will enjoy that lmost as much as the wins that will eventually come. Cassel has a lot of work to do, but he’s showing that he will get up everytime and continue to play, and never give up. The defense has given us 2 nice displays in a row. The special teams unit seems to be coming together. If the WRs and Cassel can get into a rythm, and the OL can get some blocking done, this team could get on a roll. It’s a lot of ifs, I know, but I can see the possibility there.
About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist
by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 19, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
bowe missing that block on the gorgious bootleg
hurt
then that fumble by wade, I mean…we’re up 6 at that time, and wade gets a big return FINALLY, and he fumbles, the guy we put in there to NOT muff the punt, fumbles….when that happened I started to question the football gods.
I too dont know what to do or think since im used to moping around and saying “im disappointed” 28 out of the past 30 sundays that have regular season football
by SDChief on Oct 19, 2009 11:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I will still say, that raider game KILLS me...they got their lucky win over the eagles, how we let a guy with under 70 passing yards light us up....
especially considering FINALLY a backup QB came in yesterday, and didnt have a hall of fame performance
thats a first…we tend to make reserves look great at all positions, such as…..Michael huff…..Cassel only has two turnovers, and its michael huff twice…
by SDChief on Oct 19, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep... that one still stings
That’s the only other game they really were expected to win…
The Cowboys game really SHOULD have been a win as well… but, coming into the season, I thought that one could go either way.
The Raiders game was a sure victory, and Washington was the next best chance.
So, now they have to win a game that people think they SHOULDN’T win, and they are on track again, IMO.
They CAN beat San Diego this week, Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cleveland, Oakland… there’s 6 wins right off the bat.
IF they can win those, plus one “surprise”… (Pittsburgh, Denver, San Diego away, Cinci)…
we’re still 7-9.
Yes, there’s a long way to go… but this game was a start
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Oct 19, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, those first 4 named seem unsound. The next 4 maybe not as sound as their reputations.
Pitt’s been hurtin’ up front. Polamalu’s return should give ‘em a boost defensively. San Diego I don’t think is all that sound. They have some talent, but I’m not that impressed by their line play on either side of the ball. I think Cincy is a very sound team, but you never know which version you’ll face on a given Sunday.
Basically, all the Chiefs have to do to be competitive is improve on the perimeter O and D. Yeah, the O-Line has issues, but better reads and communication by and between Cassel and the receivers would go a long way toward turning the offense around.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 19, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We'll need to come up with some coping strategies.
I too dont know what to do or think since im used to moping around and saying "im disappointed" 28 out of the past 30 sundays that have regular season football
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 19, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shame on all of us
We do the same thing every week. we cut down the players and coaches. they get enough of that from the sports writers . for over 40 years I have been a chiefs fan. there have been highs and lows but the chiefs have always been about class.hell if Clark Hunt moved the chiefs to another town I would not blame him.we have got to show our guys we are behind them 100% be proud be a CHIEFS fan 4-life!
by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Oct 19, 2009 1:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The best fans care enough to know as much as possible.
Honest criticism is FUN. And a good blog like AP can actually swirl towards the truth better than just about anybody, because there’re hundreds of us speaking truth (best we know how).
I’m not one to just blindly say player so-and-so is great. I think the best fans are the most knowledgeable, and that means not kidding yourself. It’s actually pretty refreshing to go around SB Nation and see the other team blogs do pretty much the same thing. There’s a tilt toward the home team on interpretation, but most of ’em just want to see and tell it like it is.
EVERYbody at work and ALL my friends KNOW I’m a 100% Chiefs fan. That means knowing everything I possibly (or practically) CAN know, and learning quite a bit about what the other teams are doing, because it impacts MY CHIEFS.
But being critical isn’t being a non-fan. I would just disagree 100% with that opinion.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 19, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Congratulations, Chiefs fans...
and continued good luck!
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Oct 19, 2009 2:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thx, Jack.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Oct 19, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your Chiefs earned it.
I keep saying the AFC West is getting better.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Oct 19, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Elated
yet disappointed. I’m glad we got the win, I love it. However, I still see the offensive line as horrible as ever. Someone please give me some positives because even when Cassel completed passes, he was picking himself up off the ground. Dude had zero time back there and if this continues, we won’t have him the entire season. Also, I’d like to add that Haley needs help with calling plays. I’m sorry folks, but his playcalling is lackluster to say the least. He needs to rip the drop-back handoff play out of the books and burn it.
Put this in your pipe and smoke it:
1. Chiefs will be at least 8-8 and vie for division champs
2. DJ will break out and finally have his year
3. LJ returns to form
4. DBowe drops will reduce
by kcchiefsfan72 on Oct 19, 2009 3:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Feel's So Good!
So glad you are wrong as well. I enjoyed your comment on “Classical Conditioning” and the fat kid at Cici’s. We all live as Chiefs fans in our circles and it is funny to hear people congratulate you on a win. In the words of Haley “I am encouraged”…I am encouraged with the defense with the exception of 2 plays had a tenacious game and a special teams were awesome. The offense needs to improve, drop balls were atrocious especially Bowe and the running game, while better, needs to get doing a lot more against this terrible Skins rush defense. I don’t know why we don’t see two wide receiver sets with both LJ and Charles. I would like to see Charles used more. I agree with the “delayed handoff” and some of the runs up the gut. The HB counter plays worked well. The best part…it was a team effort and I beleive we will see marked improvement across the board as we move forward to a bit softer schedule. Go Bolts, beat the donkeys and lets make a little run!
by casselreadychiefs on Oct 19, 2009 4:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Matt C. Quarterback
I think Matt Cassel was a good pick up and is doing the best he can in a difficult situation. He at least looks like he wants to win and isn’t afraid to take hits even after his knee injury. You got to respect the fact that he hangs in there even when things are falling apart.
by joefriday on Oct 19, 2009 4:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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