Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 1/29

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Jan 29, 2012 7:25 AM CST

Good morning. Here is today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy.

"The Pro Bowl doesn't make your season," said Johnson. "It's just a little award and token for what you did during the season."

"Our job is to win the AFC West and we feel like we can do that. We were 3-3 in the AFC West this year with a couple of games that we felt we should have won. I think we grew during the season defensively. It started off pretty bad, but we were able to get better."

But inside and outside of Kansas City, the veteran linebacker still felt the love. It offered assurance from the outside that he had indeed taken his game to another level.

Derrick Johnson Felt The Love During Pro Bowl Season from The Mothership

In retrospect, the Chicago Bears' 25-day search for a general manager played out exactly as they said it would. Team president Ted Phillips made clear he wasn't looking to turn the organization upside down after firing Jerry Angelo on Jan. 3. No, as we discussed at the time, the Bears wanted someone who could bring a better hit rate as a talent evaluator.

Kansas City Chiefs executive Phil Emery emerged as a favorite early in the process because of his unique qualifications under those criteria, and for that reason, it was far from surprising to hear that the Bears hired him Saturday.

Phil Emery: Bears Find Their Ted Thompson from ESPN

I remember when I played in Kansas City in the off-season we had eight-page quarterback tests. First page would be an essay; second page: multiple choice; third page: fill in the blank; fourth, fifth, sixth pages would be protections, where you had to draw up a protection versus eight different fronts. Then there would be short-answer questions. Honestly, it was about a 45-minute test. It was unbelievable.

NFL Quarterbacks Aren't Being Taught Well Enough from The Los Angeles Times

Kansas City Chiefs: Romeo Crennel

When the Chiefs hired Crennel as their head coach, everyone was happy, from the front office to the players. Crennel certainly won't have as long a leash as Fisher -- he'll have to show significant progress in the next two years. He does have the full support of the front office at the outset, though, so the players know he is in charge. The key hire for Crennel will be who he chooses to become his offensive coordinator. Will it be Jim Zorn from the current staff or former Dolphins coordinator Brian Daboll?

Schiano Makes Sense For Bucs; Assessing Other New Hires from NFL.com

Crennel will try to follow the pattern of his mentor, Bill Belichick, who failed in his first head coaching gig in Cleveland and then went on to great success. By the way has there been a coach in Cleveland, since Paul Brown, who hasn't failed? Didn't think so.

The players love Crennel as evidenced by Kansas City's strong finish, but love only goes so far on a football field. The Chiefs need more offense, so a defensive guy like Crennel is going to have to put a lot of faith in his yet-to-be named offensive coordinator.

Ranking The New NFL Head Coaches from The Times Of Trenton

Robinson and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali have also consoled each other this week. They both attended Penn State at the same time and are making their first Pro Bowl appearances together this week.

"We talked about it. We shared some soft moments about it. It was definitely a sad day for college football," said Robinson, who replaced injured Green Bay fullback John Kuhn for Sunday's game.

Seahawks' Robinson Returns To Pro Bowl After Saying Farewell To Coach Paterno from The Associated Press via The Washington Post

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Comments

I'd love to have Rich Gannon as our OC/QB coach

That LA TImes article is telling…it’s amazing that teams are paying these QBs millions of dollars, yet won’t invest in teaching them how to play.

Predictions:
I'm going to stop predicting positive things

by jmcgoblue on Jan 29, 2012 7:50 AM CST reply actions

Well, thanfully we have a true QB coach

Here’s to hoping a full offseason makes a difference.

Top 10 defense and another trip to the playoffs!
Tamba Hali, NFL Sack Leader, 2011

by ArrowSpread on Jan 29, 2012 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

That all seems like it would be so basic to success at the NFL level that it would just be a given. Yet from what he says it’s obvious that it’s not. I hope Crennel or someone on the Chiefs is paying attention. I always thought Gannon was a heady QB, he sounds like he would make a good coach.

by paulkcc on Jan 29, 2012 8:20 AM CST reply actions

Which is why Matt Flynn could be a bust

if thats not completly ingrained in him, and he goes to a place that doesn’t coach the qb right, he’ll falter.

by Arrowhead25 on Jan 29, 2012 9:03 AM CST reply actions

Is it just me

that is scares that KC is one if those places that “doesn’t coach the QB right” as you put it?

I’ve kind of been worrying about that one for a while. If we finally DO draft a QB high, will we be able to develop him properly?

by bamachief5558 on Jan 29, 2012 1:12 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

New coaches.

So you can’t go by what’s happened in the past. Yeah, Zorn could be a holdover, but he hasn’t had a full offseason yet, and he’s coached up QBs well in the past.

"Be an analyst. Don’t be a douchebag." - Terrell Suggs to Skip Bayless

by Tarkus on Jan 29, 2012 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not personally too impressed with Jason Campbell or Joe Flacco.

I mean they’re talented guys no doubt, but I haven’t seen too much in the way of their skills at the position being refined during their time under Zorn.

Cambell was Captain Checkdown in Washington and Flacco would be under more heat if not for the Ravens’ playoff success.

by bamachief5558 on Jan 29, 2012 1:27 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

For better or worse

they had career years under Zorn. Hasselbeck too, I think.

"Be an analyst. Don’t be a douchebag." - Terrell Suggs to Skip Bayless

by Tarkus on Jan 29, 2012 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

Meh.

I’m not necessarily opposed to the guy. I like him, but I want him to wow me I guess haha..

by bamachief5558 on Jan 29, 2012 2:17 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I'm Not Overly Impressed With Zorn Either

To me, Campbell and Flacco are basically journeyman level QBs. Flacco was supposed to have star caliber skills and tools, but so far he’s been above average and that’s about it. I used to think Campbell was a victim of bad luck because he never got to play in the same system two years in a row until he got to the Raiders, but he was basically the same QB his second year in that system as he was in his first.

While Zorn might not be a bad QB coach, I don’t think there’s much of an argument that he’s a good QB coach…he’s a guy who’s there and he might be able to keep your QB from sucking. That’s not the same as teaching your QB to excel.

by UCrawford on Jan 29, 2012 2:57 PM CST up reply actions

That's a pretty good way to put it I think.

by bamachief5558 on Jan 30, 2012 12:44 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Of course, Mike McCarthy didn't exactly cause our KC QBs to excel.....

When you gotta go in the lion's den, you don't go quiet. You go in loud, kick the door down and say WHERE IS THE SONUVABITCH. -B. Billick

by Brsrkr on Jan 30, 2012 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

What's the name of that ILB from Arizona who is supposed to be like ray Lewis?

Crazy kid with borderline on the field issues. What are the chances we land him?

For constantly playing Palko, Haley needs to be fired

by ArrowheadHunter on Jan 29, 2012 9:26 AM CST reply actions

Vontaze Burfict ?

For constantly playing Palko, Haley needs to be fired

by ArrowheadHunter on Jan 29, 2012 9:30 AM CST up reply actions

here ya go, have a look

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=6055

Twisted Lord of AP Color Commentary (H/T - Loco)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"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
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Jan 29, 2012 10:38 AM CST up reply actions

Nice info

Thanks for the insight. I just saw somewhere that said ravens might pick him up to be a ray Lewis replacement. Thought I would inquire on AP

For constantly playing Palko, Haley needs to be fired

by ArrowheadHunter on Jan 29, 2012 11:29 AM CST up reply actions

they might do just that ... pretty much guarantee it won't be in the first if they do

then too, the Ravens have a much more complete team than we do and can afford the luxury of spending a high pick on a prospect who’s going to likely sit awhile while he gets his head together

and that’s if he works out at all for them … he seems to have Ray Lewis physical tools, but even the best physical talents are a waste if the player’s head isn’t put to use as well

LB’s have as much to learn (in some ways) as QB’s … maybe there needs to a a LB test on gaps, coverage, what do look for in an offensive formation, who to cover coming out and when (and where) … that’s what those guys are supposed to know and be able to read and do (react to) … and that’s seemingly what Burfict doesn’t know … so goes the article

by upamtn on Jan 29, 2012 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

What I don't understand is that so many paid 'experts' still have him going late in the first round

Are we missing something here?

Predictions:
I'm going to stop predicting positive things

by jmcgoblue on Jan 29, 2012 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

Burfict is a bust...

… I love PAC-12 football and have watched Burfict play for 2 years. Sloppy, no fundamentals, not a true student of he game. Doesn’t break down, doesn’t wrap, seemed to be out of place on a lot of plays. Rather put Sabby or Bill Muir at ILB. Plain and simple, the guy is dumb and we don’t need dumb people on our squad.

Deron Cherry for HOF :
6x Pro Bowl Selection (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988)
Associated Press First-team All-Pro selection (x3) (1984, 1986, 1988)
Associated Press Second-team All-Pro selection (x2) (1983, 1985)
1986 NFL 101 AFC Defensive Player of the Year
NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
6yrs 100+ tackles

by Pacific Chief on Jan 29, 2012 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

rec'd for the Muir comment alone

by upamtn on Jan 29, 2012 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

Rec'd for the avatar.

When you gotta go in the lion's den, you don't go quiet. You go in loud, kick the door down and say WHERE IS THE SONUVABITCH. -B. Billick

by Brsrkr on Jan 29, 2012 2:02 PM CST up reply actions

If Pioli went after him, Burfict would have to fall to the late 3rd or even the 4th round.

There, he would be considered a steal. We won’t spend an early pick on him with other holes that can be filled.

I was once fired from a job two days after I waited on Matt Cassel and his wife Lauren Killian. Totally my AP moment to remember. Unfortunately also one of my stupidest moments.

by Chiefs_swagger on Jan 29, 2012 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

I'm hoping zero ... was a fanshot on him like yesterday, not good stuff: doesn't do the work, doesn't study, we know he misses tackles and draws penalties all the time

What are the chances we land him?

pass, pass, pass, pass, pass on this guy … he can be someone else’s headache

by upamtn on Jan 29, 2012 9:53 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

My thoughts exactly.

We have have a bunch of high character people wh work hard, I dont see a reason to change that now.

Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.

by nateforchiefs on Jan 29, 2012 10:19 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

My thoughts exactly.

We have have a bunch of high character people wh work hard, I dont see a reason to change that now.

Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.

by nateforchiefs on Jan 29, 2012 10:19 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

So nice I have to post it twice.

Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.

by nateforchiefs on Jan 29, 2012 10:20 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

heh, yeah

I don’t question his “character” in terms of him being a “bad seed” … read a nice writeup on him couple of weeks ago, he’s not a “bad” kid … tough background, and turned his academic life around when he was a sophomore … sought out help from parents of a HS buddy, got his grades up enough to play and go on from there

on the field he’s a physical beast, but he misses assignments (doesn’t know his reads, hmmm, not putting in study time from the fanshot report) and goes for the “big play” but doesn’t wrapup tackles (and so he ends up missing a lot)

add that to failure to stop play when the whistle blows and drawing lots of needless penalties … meh … it adds up to a lot of negatives

by upamtn on Jan 29, 2012 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

Ummm,

Sounds like all very coachable issues..

Also sounds like the kid possesses some positive intangibles that can’t be coached!

Angry Red, 'nuff said.

by chiefsfan62 on Jan 29, 2012 10:47 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

he does have physical skills, no question of that

but if he’s not willing to learn what he needs to do NOW what might he be like when he’s suddenly a millionaire?

why should our staf have to work doubletime to get one guy to study and do what he should be doing to begin with? it isn’t so much that he CAN’T learn how to tackle, more that he WON’T learn how to be the player he can be

and let’s face it, who has to be coached to pay attention to the ref’s whistle? he’s out of control … let the Raiders take him

by upamtn on Jan 29, 2012 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

When I said character I was not referring to his work ethic

I wasn’t clear with that. I’m referring to work ethics, we have smart and hardworking players and now, lets not reverse course.

Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.

by nateforchiefs on Jan 29, 2012 10:51 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

right, and if he's not willing to put in time to learn the plays and what he should do ... that's definitely a concern and I agree with ya, nate

by upamtn on Jan 29, 2012 11:14 AM CST up reply actions

My head hurts

From all the tequila. Anyone got a good hangover remedy?

Jamaal Charles is here to kick ass and chew bubble gum; and he's all outta bubble gum.

by His Royal Greatness on Jan 29, 2012 12:25 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Alcohol.

Barring that, plenty of other liquids, such as Gatorade and water. Of course, the best time for that is before you go to bed.

"Be an analyst. Don’t be a douchebag." - Terrell Suggs to Skip Bayless

by Tarkus on Jan 29, 2012 12:28 PM CST up reply actions

water

by Pacific Chief on Jan 29, 2012 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

So what your saying is

I should drink the wet stuff that comes out of the faucet?

Jamaal Charles is here to kick ass and chew bubble gum; and he's all outta bubble gum.

by His Royal Greatness on Jan 29, 2012 1:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

A quality taco salad.

Lots of black beans (much better than brown beans), fresh shredded lettuce, real cheese. A few tomatoes are OK, and meat, but no hamburger grease of course. Salsa made from real peppers, mild or medium so you can load up on it since peppers have like five times more vitamin C than most fruit. Bread/shell based on actual flour or corn, and that doesn’t make your fingers greasy.

Water is a hangover preventative. Chug three glasses between the last of the alcohol and the first unconsciousness. Works every time.

When you gotta go in the lion's den, you don't go quiet. You go in loud, kick the door down and say WHERE IS THE SONUVABITCH. -B. Billick

by Brsrkr on Jan 29, 2012 2:10 PM CST up reply actions

In my drinking days I used that plus some Ibuprofen, then passed out.

Worked like a charm

Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.

by nateforchiefs on Jan 29, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions