Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 7/28

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Jul 28, 2010 5:53 AM CDT Comment 23 comments

Listen! Do you smell something? That's right, training camp is just around the corner. Bob Gretz has word or two about drinking the Kool-Aid. The addition of Thomas Jones has confused scores of Fantasy Football players pre-draft. Also, and this might not count as news, but it's going to be hot in St. Joe. Read up on your Kansas City Chiefs news so you can be an informed fan. Enjoy!

Quite naturally it’s the time of year when all fans of all NFL teams hold hope that their favorite club can turn things around; that they can go from contender to champion, from pretender to contender or from bottom of the barrel to pretender status. That kind of enthusiasm is normal at this time of the year.

But let’s inject some reality here and let me ask these questions – just what have Pioli and Haley accomplished since they walked in the door in January-February 2009? Just how are the Chiefs a significantly better team, or a better organization? To win 10 games, they would have to be quite a bit improved from the teams that lost 38 of the last 48 games.

Please, Less Kool-Aid … Monday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said on Sports Radio 810's The Program this afternoon that coordinator Charlie Weis will call the majority of the team's offensive plays.

Haley called plays last year after firing coordinator Chan Gailey less than two weeks before the regular season began. Haley, a former coordinator himself, said that, although Weis will call most plays, the head coach won't be far away.

"We're going to work together," Haley said.

Haley says Weis will be the Chiefs' 'predominant' play-caller from The Red Zone

The biggest debate in fantasy football circles right now doesn't center around Tom Brady or Terrell Owens. The man at the center of the fantasy football universe is Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, and the question hanging over is what to do with him.

Over the last four games of the 2009 season, Mr. Charles ran for 658 yards, including a 259-yard performance against Denver in the finale. The 2008 third-round draft pick out of Texas was poised to accept the bulk of Kansas City's carries in 2010, and was well on the way to being a fantasy superstar. He seemed to be a running back with little competition who runs and catches for oodles of yards (40 receptions for 297 yards in 2009). But a funny thing happened on the way to Mr. Charles's supposed breakout season: in March, the Chiefs signed free agent running back Thomas Jones, who had run for career highs of 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns with the Jets in 2009.

In Search of This Year's Chris Johnson from The Wall Street Journal

As NFL teams head to training camp this week, they will begin preparations to play their 2010 regular-season schedule.

How strong those opponents are is what’s called the strength of schedule and how relevant it can be goes out the door after a few weeks of the new season, it’s a starting point for considering the chances of a team winning more games than they lose.

NFL Strength of Schedule 2010 from Bob Gretz

The New Arrowhead Stadium will debut at the end of August when the Chiefs host Philadelphia in a pre-season game...
...Remaining within the stadium shell are memories of the hundreds of games that have been played there since the summer of 1972...

...Today, it’s the top 20 punt returners with the best career average in Arrowhead Stadium.

Arrowhead History: Best Punt Return Average from Bob Gretz

It’s taken over four years to realize the dream that the Chiefs' late owner and founder Lamar Hunt had for his beloved Arrowhead Stadium. But when Chiefs fans, and everyone else who passes through the portals of the New Arrowhead this season, get the opportunity to see the fruits of the 1.9 million mans hours and 1,147 days of construction that went into the project, they’ll surely agree it was well worth the wait.
Mak eover at Arrowhead renders storied Chiefs home better than new from Examiner.com

The start of Kansas City Chiefs training camp this week is the hot news in St. Joseph, but even hotter news may be the scorching temperatures that will greet the team when they arrive at their new facilities on Friday.

On Tuesday, crews put the finishing touches on the Chiefs practice fields at Missouri Western University, the team's new training camp home, where players will soon be running up and down the fields in full pads.

"That's so intense, I admire them for being able to wear all that stuff," said Kyle McPhillips, who was preparing for a women's tennis tournament at the college with her friend, Catherine Harrison. Both McPhillips and Harrison say that they plan to beat the heat the same way as the Chiefs.

"Lots of Gatorade to stay hydrated," said Harrison.
Scorching Heat Set to Greet Chiefs in St. Joe from FOX4KC

... Lead the league in interceptions: Eric Berry, FS, Kansas City Chiefs

The safety position has changed in the NFL and is viewed as a position of playmakers. The instincts, awareness and ball skills Berry possesses are that of a cornerback, and those talents will be a welcomed addition to a Kansas City Chiefs secondary that made only 15 interceptions last year. A three-year starter at Tennessee, Berry had only two interceptions this past season, but in his first two years as a starter, he totaled 12.

Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers said of Berry's playmaking skills: "He had success at the college level. We're just excited to see what he can do for us in the secondary. When you add a playmaker to the team, I think the whole team steps up, and they want to rise to the occasion."

Most likely, these rookies will make impact in 2010 from CBS Sports

Reunions really seem to be in vogue this season in the NFL, especially in Kansas City, where former New England player personnel director Scott Pioli is in his second season as general manager.

The Chiefs have become New England Midwest, a haven for former Patriots, coaches and players alike.

NFL preview 2010: Reunions from The Orange County Register

Fox4KC Video: Despite Report, Chiefs and Royals Say Ballpark Food is Safe

Dwayne Bowe (WR-KC) –Bowe has been a frustrating player to watch and own. He has all the talent and potential to be considered among the elite receivers in the game, but he lacks focus and discipline. One year after a 1,000 yard, 7 TD season in 2009, Bowe laid an egg the following season gaining only 589 yards and 4 TDs. He showed up overweight last season, dropped several passes, and faced a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. This season, Bowe has a lot to prove.
NFL preview: 4 players looking for comeback seasons Digital Sports Daily

As the NFL season nears and the anticipation grows, I can’t help but look ahead at the schedule a bit to find the games that really get me excited. I obviously won’t bet a game just because the matchup looks good, but I’ll sure look at it more closely if it’s an exciting game to me, or if it’s a game that is likely to draw heavy public action that could skew the NFL odds and give us some value. Here are 10 games in the first two weeks of the season that I have my eye on:
...San Diego at Kansas City – This is another potential opportunity. The Chiefs are a popular dark horse team this year. San Diego has drawn more than a share of doubts, and they are notoriously slow out of the gate. The public could be drawn to the Chiefs, but San Diego is unquestionably the better team.

10 Possible Early Betting Opportunities on the 2010-11 NFL Schedule from Maddux Sports

Businesses in the Kansas Chiefs' new training camp home of St. Joseph are hoping the teams arrival will mean an influx of dollars into the town.

"If you multiply day trips by the region we can, you can do St. Louis, Joplin, Omaha, Lincoln," St. Joseph spokeswoman Mary Robertson said. "I think we can get so much more of an impact on the day trips."

Robertson said Chiefs training camp is also a chance for the city to put itself on the national stage.

St. Joe Businesses Hopes Chiefs' Red Means More Green from KCTV5

Player Tweets

BCarr39 RT @Royal_Flyness: @BCarr39 @BFlowers24 u guys should really work on a nickname""how bout "The (cont) http://tl.gd/2pdum6

Media and Fans

Adam_Schefter RT @espn_macmahon Heartwarming that T.O.,Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones reunited in Cincy. That worked out well in Valley Ranch locker room.

JoshLooney 2010 Position Previews: Defensive End - http://bit.ly/9BfZ6o #chiefs #nfl

WhitlockJason Jason Whitlock agrees to be conditioning coach for Bengals.

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Comments

On BCarr39's tweet

That would be a weird and strange nickname for a football player?

And isn’t the “O” suppose to be a “U”?

Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.

by aPacificChief on Jul 28, 2010 7:01 AM CDT reply actions

You have to click through

to see the rest of the message. “The Sharks” is the nickname. Seems to be an inside joke.

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Jul 28, 2010 7:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Ahh...Thanks ... and got it

Just trying to be a smart ass…. and failed…. since you corrected me.

Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.

by aPacificChief on Jul 28, 2010 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Easy Bob

“Are the Chiefs better than they were at the end of the 2008 season? Maybe, maybe not.”

For some reason this sentence depresses the hell out of me. If it’s Kool-Aid drinking to think this team is better than the one Herman fielded in his last year, then pass me a glass.

by BucktheFroncos on Jul 28, 2010 7:37 AM CDT reply actions

Thinks Bob's been drinking the Kool-Aid

Bob gretz thinks July 28th is a Monday as per his Healine and the above link states:

Please, Less Kool-Aid … Monday Cup O’Chiefs
July 28, 2010 – Bob Gretz

"The right 53"

by MenInRed on Jul 28, 2010 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks NJ!

Always appreciate the effort of roping in all this Chiefs News!

Okay, its getting to that time of the season when you have to check the archives to look for day old Chiefs news. So freaking awesome!

Who are we signing (or announcing signing) today? I’m guessing 2 out of the 4 remaining players sign today. I also suspect that we hear about the players asking for the deals to get done. These guys want to play!

by Chief_Elmo on Jul 28, 2010 7:40 AM CDT reply actions

Somewhere, there's a feature

that will let you change the number of stories on the front page. I think the default is 10? I’m set at 20, so I don’t have to dip into the archives.

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Jul 28, 2010 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions

In response to Gretz

His four reasons for optimism don’t place enough emphasis on the development of the young guys and the defensive coaching changes. He touches on both.

But it makes sense to me that Dorsey, Jackson and Gilberry in particular needed time to develop in the trenches. Lokey and Magee might even contribute. Carr, Belcher and Studebaker are smarter. And then yes, I believe Berry and Arenas actually bring it as rookies. Flowers was already doing great. Hali, too, but having a year at LB will make him a better player this year, too. DJ? Vrabel?

Combined with a defensive coaching staff with a better pedigree that’s on the same page – yes, there’s good reason to think this team can win 4-6 more games than last year. Plus another year of getting the offensive core on the same page without the last-minute changes endured last year. Plus a better conditioned group of players.

The D looks sunny to me. I like my Kool-aid red, please.

by sunny D on Jul 28, 2010 8:21 AM CDT reply actions

I agree

the coaching on both sides of the ball have been improved and Haley has less distractions to do his job. New players and developing players add to the team an unknown quality right now but I believe that they will make the Chiefs a better team then last season.

is it me? or isn't about time the Lamar Hunt trophy belonged to His team?

Don't forget Traning Camp is in St. Joe so if you get the chance you should go, I'm going to make the time to see it up close.

by KC Fanatic on Jul 28, 2010 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions

sunny D ... maybe some here put TOO MUCH emphasis on development of young players ...

… think about it, if those players were bad last year, what huge event will have made them suddenly blossom into awesome players this year?

"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Jul 28, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

the Chiefs will get a deal are 2 done today im calling it

~Im a star n the making just ask about me im soon to be da Chiefs 1st round pick~

by Da Chiefs Guy on Jul 28, 2010 8:52 AM CDT reply actions

But let’s inject some reality here and let me ask these questions – just what have Pioli and Haley accomplished since they walked in the door in January-February 2009? Just how are the Chiefs a significantly better team, or a better organization?

I wish Gretz would have asked these same questions about King Carl about 10 years into his reign instead of NEVER questioning his 20 years.

Oh yeah, he was on the Kings payroll so I guess it wouldn’t have behoved him. Now that even 101 The Fox got rid of him a couple of seasons ago,he’s actually questioning authority.

Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."

"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.

by THE_TRUTH on Jul 28, 2010 10:39 AM CDT reply actions

Gretz's whole post

Had an unusually critical tone. And I actually thought that he was more objective in prior years than some people give him credit for. He would compile and share more facts than most writers and not exactly sugarcoat things, imo. But you’re right, TRUTH, today’s article is more in-your-face than I’ve seen Gretz do previously.

by sunny D on Jul 28, 2010 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

I think it is "in-your-face"

but in an intervention kind of way. You can love your Chiefs and still recognize that’s it might be a long season.

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Jul 28, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

and really,

has no one picked up on the Ghostbusters reference or was it just not that good?

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Jul 28, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

hmmm I missed that one

by upamtn on Jul 28, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

I disagree that it's "in your face" unless by that you mean he's giving his pure, unadulterated honest opinion

… and you or others dislike it because it clashes with your own, perhaps? in my mind, he’s right … lots of Koolaid being passed around this spring and summer, and that’s normal for any team (look at what Cubs fans do every year) … but sooner or later, if you don’t want a massive letdown, you have to face the reality there there’s a LOT of work to be done and still a LOT of improvement to be made before reaching those lofty goals of playoffs and Super Bowls

by upamtn on Jul 28, 2010 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions

as AP's Unofficial Official Questioner of Authority and Everything and Anything Else ...

I have to say I really love Gretz’s comment that …

Thigpen’s numbers were better in average per attempt, TD passes, interceptions, long pass play and passer rating

so many of us seem to “conveniently” forget such things …

is the team REALLY better? absolutely … are we playoff bound this year? not in THIS reality of a universe … next year maybe, but it takes time to develop a TEAM

I’ve said it before and Gretz did as well: the team may look good on PAPER but they play on GRASS

by upamtn on Jul 28, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Some people are just perpetually pessimistic

And that’s understandable after the past three years, but…

Gretz is basically saying that we need to add players to add wins. I think that’s complete BS. We’ve had quite a few talented players on the roster, and they’ve never been used effectively. I’m tired of hearing “we have a lot of the same players from last year, so the record must be the same.” That’s a load of crap. No team that’s made a turnaround completely revamped their roster.

by Reno_Chief on Jul 28, 2010 11:14 AM CDT reply actions

Reno, he's saying that there's a high probability that this team won't evolve overnight (or one off-season) into a Super Bowl Contender

and I absolutely agree with him … I look for a much more competitive team and an 8-8 record (and that’s playing a lot of “bottom dwellers” like we’ve been … that’s a doubling of wins and that’s a pretty good turnaround and a start in the right direction … but anything beyond that, in my mind, is a ~~pipe dream~~ glass of koolaid

by upamtn on Jul 28, 2010 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't hear anybody saying we're going to the Super Bowl this year

But lines like this

Asking a half-dozen rookies to come in and make the difference between four victories and eight is quite a tall order.

aren’t taking into account the other changes that have been made, and the fact that the guys that we already have will be better and know better what’s expected of them since we have a real DC/OC combination now.

by Reno_Chief on Jul 28, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions