Chiefs Owner Hunt, Coach Haley Admire the Steelers
by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 12:30 PM CST
in 2009 Campaign
1 comment
Early on in the Kansas City Chiefs search for a new GM last winter owner Clark Hunt referenced the Pittsburgh Steelers as an organization that was doing it right. The Steelers have had three head coaches since the 70s and consistently produce playoff teams and championships.
When Arrowhead Pride interviewed Mr. Hunt at the end of September, we asked him about his admiration for the Steelers.
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Chiefs Will be Without Vrabel, Several Others Against Steelers
by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 11:38 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
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With each passing day it's looking like we should be more concerned with Mike Vrabel's availability for the Kansas City Chiefs the next several weeks than just this weekend. Vrabel once again did not participate in practice due to a knee injury.
Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star thinks he might miss a few weeks.
He's almost assuredly going to be out this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Andy Studebaker appears in line to get his first NFL start in Vrabel's absence.
Three other Chiefs are in jeopardy of missing Sunday's game:
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Steelers S Polamalu Will Not Play Against the Chiefs
by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 11:19 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
6 comments
Looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers play the secrecy game as well. This week S Troy Polamalu would not answer questions about his injured knee. Head coach Mike Tomlin instructed him not to speak on the topic.
"Who says there's even a real knee, first of all?"
Well, okay then. Knee injury or not Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Polamalu will not play against the Chiefs.
This is a major plus for the Chiefs. The Steelers have only allowed 100 rushing yards on two occasions this season - both were games Polamalu missed.
So, one of the top safeties in the game will not play this weekend. His replacement will be Tyrone Carter, who Polamalu says is a solid player.
"There are a lot of strengths that Tyrone has that I lack and vice versa," Polamalu said. "That's why every time I'm in the game, I come to the sidelines, he's in my ear about the previous drive and each play, and where I can improve and what to look out for."
This weekend, it'll be Polamalu on the sidelines getting in Carter's ear.
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The Chiefs Second-Half Scheduling Looking Harder Than Originally Thought
by Matt Conner on Nov 20, 2009 11:00 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
13 comments
It's amazing how quickly the tides change in the NFL. What once seems destitute and unsalvageable can quickly become exciting and promising. Yet for the Chiefs, one glimmer of hope - namely, the second half of the schedule - has morphed into something rather unsightly.
In the months leading up to the 2009 season, it was quite obvious that the early season rotation through the NFC East was going to be a scheduling beast. After all, in all time head-to-head match-ups against various franchises, teams like the Giants, Cowboys and Eagles rank among the toughest. In fact, if you include the Steelers and Jaguars, the Chiefs literally face the five teams with the worst all-time winning %:
Team, Chiefs All-Time Record Against (Win. %)
New York Giants, 2-10 (.167)
Jacksonville Jaguars, 2-6 (.250)
Pittsburgh Steelers, 8-17 (.320)
Dallas Cowboys, 3-6 (.333)
Philadelphia Eagles, 2-4 (.333)
So Chiefs fans braced themselves early for this, knowing the storms of this season would prove rough-going in various weeks. But as we watch the season unfold, some things only become more difficult.
Before the season, KC fans scoffed at the drama unfolding in the preseason in Denver. The Broncos were the laughingstock of the NFL after Jay Cutler successfully wormed his way out of the Mile High City and Brandon Marshall tried to follow suit. And we dreamed of playing Kyle Orton twice a year. Many believed that was a possible two wins on the schedule and opened up the AFC West wide open. Now, the Broncos sit atop the standings, even with the current losing streak.
Another game that seemed to bring hope was the second to last game - a road trip to Cincinnati to play the Bungles, er, Bengals. Once a desperate franchise that housed every shady character this side of the Mississippi (i.e. the Portland Trailblazers from five years ago), now they are dominating the absolutely brutal AFC North division and just defeated the Steelers twice this season. That late game could now have home turf playoff implications for Cincy and that spells bad news for Kansas City.
Of course, the Browns and Bills still linger on the schedule and you just never know what can happen week to week in the NFL. But what once was a beam of light on the back nine of 2009 now becomes as potentially frustrating as the front.
13 comments | 1 recs |
Steelers the Only Team With a Winning Record in Arrowhead
by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 10:12 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
2 comments
The Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend and, if history tells us anything, the Steelers are more likely to walk out there with a victory.
The Steelers have won 9 of 13 contests in Arrowhead Stadium including the playoffs. They are the only team with a winning record in Arrowhead that has played at least two games there. Under current head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are 11-9 on the road. Todd Haley's road record is 2-3.
However, the Chiefs tend to do well against coaches making their Arrowhead debut. They have won 25 of 36 games against coaches popping their Arrowhead cherry.
Hard hitting analysis: Steelers win when they score a lot of points, Chiefs win when they stop opponent from scoring a lot of points.
Yes, analysis like this is why you read Arrowhead Pride. Let me explain a little more.
The Steelers are actually similar to the Chiefs in one category and that's games decided by seven points or less. Both teams have won just one of four games in close calls. The Steelers' three losses have come in these games by a total of 12 points.
So, the Steelers don't get blown out. The Chiefs, on the other hand, have been losing by an average of 12 points.
Check out other interesting stats by Mr. Pete Moris of KCChiefs.com.
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Chiefs WR Wade Experienced Similar Issues Surrounding KU's Mangino
by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 9:00 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
3 comments
I don't venture outside of the NFL very often. The majority of my news sources are focused on the NFL and other than catching a score here or there, or checking out future NFL players, I can't say I'm a big college football junkie. However, I have been following the tail end of this mess with KU and head coach Mark Mangino.
The story's been hot on sports talk radio in Kansas City but here's a quick version: KU athletic director Lew Perkins held a meeting with the KU football players concerning some stories of verbal and physical abuse from current and former players. An independent and unbiased person will conduct an internal investigation into the allegations.
The allegations have the majority of afternoon radio time devoted to determining what will come of this.
Chiefs WR Bobby Wade played under head coach John Mackovic at Arizona and experienced a similar situation from the players view. Mackovic was under similar circumstances to Mangino where former and current players were complaining of verbal abuse from the coach.
Wade talked about these experiences on 810 WHB.
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Three Things to Expect from the Chiefs v. Steelers This Weekend
by Chris Thorman on Nov 20, 2009 7:35 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
29 comments
Football returns to Arrowhead Stadium this weekend as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In case you didn't know, the Steelers are the defending Super Bowl Champions and have a pretty good defense. And a good quarterback.
It's going to be a tough one for the Chiefs this weekend. I've put together three random things I expect to happen this weekend.
Unfortunately, one of those random things is not a Chiefs win. Don't worry - I'm still going to pick the Chiefs to win in my game day prediction. But it's Friday and objectivity rules today. This Steelers team is a huge challenge for the Chiefs
Talking expectations, after the jump.
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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 11/20
by NJ Chiefs Fan on Nov 20, 2009 6:24 AM CST
3 comments
Very slim pickings today.
Chiefs coach Todd Haley has mastered the art of praising the opponent, but it’s not hype when he says this week’s foes, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are the model for what type of program he’s trying to build in Kansas City.
“That would never be a bad thing,” Haley said. “This has been a long time in the making for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is something that was established back in the ’70s, a blueprint they set about in the entire organization.”
Using Pittsburgh as the model goes beyond the fact the Steelers have won two of the last four Super Bowl games, last season’s included.
Chiefs notes | Steelers are what Haley hopes his team can be from KC Star
“Without a doubt, my memories of the Steelers will never be taken away,” said Haley. “It was a phenomenal time to grow up in Pittsburgh and then to actually have a connection to the Steelers through my father and me getting to work for them in a much lower capacity. Those are tremendous, tremendous memories.“The year they went back to the Super Bowl a few years ago (2005) when they played Seattle, they showed all the old [TV] clips and my wife elbows me and says, ‘are you crying?’ They’re great, great memories and there are still a lot of people there who mean a lot to me.”
Was he crying watching tape of the Immaculate Reception and like moments from Steelers history?
“She knows I’m a pushover,” Haley said with a smile. “I cry at commercials.”
Haley Suffers From Hypocycloids … Friday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz
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Gannon on Chiefs WRs: 'You gotta feel for Matt Cassel'
by Joel Thorman on Nov 19, 2009 8:29 PM CST
in 2009 Campaign
15 comments
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and current CBS announcer Rich Gannon will team with Ian Eagle in this Sunday's broadcast of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gannon weighed in on the current four game suspension for Dwayne Bowe with the folks at 810 WHB and also touched on how the rotating group of receivers affects Matt Cassel as a quarterback.
15 comments | 1 recs |
Early Indications Are That Injured Chiefs LB Vrabel Will Sit, Studebaker Will Start
by Joel Thorman on Nov 19, 2009 4:21 PM CST
in 2009 Campaign
5 comments
I don't have any inside information on this but from many accounts it's looking like LB Mike Vrabel will not play for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. He's hit an injury patch the last two weeks and both sides might figure it's best to take a game off.
Bob Gretz reports that it's doubtful Vrabel will be available to play against the Steelers on Sunday. Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star said, "Mike Vrabel didn't practice again today. I'd count him out for Sunday. And the next Sunday. And maybe the next Sunday, too."
If that's the case, Andy Studebaker would take his spot.
Interesting fact: Studebaker signed with the Chiefs exactly one year ago today. Happy....signing day?
Vrabel was listed on the injury report last week for a hip injury but still started against the Raiders. Midway through the third quarter he came out for some sort of knee injury. Studebaker took his spot for the rest of the game.
He did a good job in place of Vrabel, considering the circumstances. He admits to a few mistakes in his quarter and a half of action.
"You are never as good as you think you are and never as bad as you think you are," Studebaker said via BobGretz.com. "I left the game and thought I fit in the defense pretty well, but at the same time I made some mistakes too. This week, I’m working on minimizing those."
In other linebacker news, Justin Rogers was listed as a limited participant in today's practice with a thigh injury and LB David Herron was back on the field after missing practice and the game last week with a knee injury.
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