What A Difference A Year Makes For Kansas City Chiefs

by Joel Thorman on May 16, 2011 8:30 AM CDT

It's amazing what the difference of a year makes. I was looking through our archives and realized that last year on this day we were preparing to see the Kansas City Chiefs take the field for OTAs the following day. We were talking about whose stayed in shape, the new rookies and even whether Jarrad Page would show up.

This year, our offseason is nothing like that. As boring as OTAs are for a fan, I'd love to have some legitimate football talk rather than courtroom talk. The NFL lockout has, like so many other things, ruined our offseason to this point.

Last year the Chiefs had 17 practices from the middle of May to the middle of June so that's what they're missing out on this year. It's quite a bit of work that simply won't happen. Luckily, the offensive and defensive play books are, for the most part, staying the same so there won't be a ton of new classroom work but losing that work will hurt no matter what.

I feel like the Chiefs had a good amount of momentum heading into this year and the lockout has halted that. The challenge will be feeding off that momentum again whenever football starts.

This year it doesn't sound like any practices are happening between May and June save a few offensive players with QB Matt Cassel. There's some debate on whether those practice are worth it but it sounds like at least some other KC Chiefs players plan to get together later in the offseason if the lockout continues.

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is there a legitimate risk they wont have a training camp?

I would be super bummed if that happened. I truly enjoyed going to st. joe last year.

by chiefsfan83 on May 16, 2011 8:49 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah definitely a risk

The June court date will determine a lot of that.

Arrowhead Pride
SBNation.com/NFL

by Joel Thorman on May 16, 2011 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions

actually, I'd bet they have a camp regardless

they aren’t going to just start playing games without camp

if they haven’t agreed on a new CBA by the time camp should have started… they’ll push it all back, and have a shortened version of camp before starting games, even if that makes them miss a couple more games.

a game without preparation might be uglier than no game at all?

by stagdsp on May 16, 2011 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Don't the players stay in the dorms while in camp?

When does college start their new fall semester?

"Hair cut time.''

by Steve_Chiefs on May 16, 2011 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions

good point

they may have to have “camp” at Arrowhead, so it might not look the same

I just can’t imagine them just starting the season and going right to games

by stagdsp on May 16, 2011 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions

I just can’t imagine them just starting the season and going right to games

They won’t do that – the risk of injury to players would be too great

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on May 16, 2011 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

This whole deal is a gigantic pain the rear.

Those of us who follow the team and its activities even when it is not football season are palpably worried about losing the entire season. I hope that is not what happens, but the further this thing goes towards the beginning of training camp, etc., the more that looms as a real possibility.

"The Hammer"

by G.L. on May 16, 2011 9:53 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

NFL Brand toilet paper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Providing COLOR commentary for Arrowhead Pride!

by LadyChief on May 16, 2011 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs

Now, THAT'S funny!

"The Hammer"

by G.L. on May 16, 2011 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

yep, and with the possibility that even if something is worked out, that we could lose the draft...free agency.

color me angry

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on May 16, 2011 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions

New Playbooks?

Trying to stay upbeat about the cheese grater toilet paper (thanks LC) we’re getting here and talk about something other than the strike, since this situation really blows.

Luckily, the offensive and defensive play books are, for the most part, staying the same so there won’t be a ton of new classroom work but losing that work will hurt no matter what.

Do we really believe this? I’m not so sure. I expect Haley to take over the offensive playbook, with some help from Zorn. I suspect we’ll see major changes to the offensive playbook. I think Haley will be a bit more aggressive than Weis was, but who knows.

by Chief_Elmo on May 16, 2011 11:38 AM CDT reply actions