2007 Offseason

Official: Chan Gailey Hired as Chiefs Offensive Coordinator

by Chris Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 3:47 PM CST in 2007 Offseason Comment 43 comments

And the search is over.

Chan Gailey was hired today as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator.

Gailey, 56, is a veteran coordinator, having served in that capacity in the NFL with Denver, Pittsburgh and Miami. He also has been head coach for the Cowboys and Birmingham in the World League and in college for Troy State, Samford and Georgia Tech. He was fired this past fall after six seasons at Georgia Tech.

Much much more to come on this later tonight. What's your initial reaction?

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Arrowhead Stadium Rennovations Unveiled

by Chris Thorman on Aug 15, 2007 12:21 PM CDT in 2007 Offseason Comment 4 comments

From the official site:

"The New Arrowhead" will give fans a greater variety of experiences beyond the on-field action. Stadium improvements include concourses that will be nearly doubled in size, allowing fans to get to their seats – and back to the action on the field – in less time; more restrooms; a greater variety of food and beverages to enjoy; a broad range of bars, concessions and seating areas within the concourses; and club lounge spaces to enjoy with family and friends.

Other additions will feature an upgraded sound system, new video board displays - including a 360 degree ribbon board around the lower fascia of the stadium - a new press box, and a new group seating area - the Horizon Level.

Meh. I only care about "on-field" action and not about more ways to squeeze a dollar out of a Chiefs fan in the stadium. Comparison of the old and new stadium after the jump...

Continue reading this post »

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Kansas City Chiefs to Sign Arena League Star Bobby Sippio

by Chris Thorman on Aug 13, 2007 8:54 AM CDT in 2007 Offseason Comment 7 comments

~~Note: No official word yet on this signing but Sippio's agent said he will "definitely will be playing with the Chiefs [this] season."~~

**UPDATE Monday PM** Sippio has officially signed with the Chiefs.

Well isn't this every Arena League player's dream:

Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio parlayed the best offensive season in team history -- and the second-best in Arena Football League history -- into a shot at the NFL when he signed a two-year contract Sunday with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"Good things come to those who work hard, stay focused and are patient," Sippio said. "I enjoyed the time I spent with the Rush. They gave me an opportunity to perform, and I gave it all I've got. I plan to do the same thing for the Chiefs."

This next line blew me away (because I don't follow Arena League Football probably): "Sippio led the AFL this past season with 52 touchdowns and 312 points, both Rush records, despite missing 3.5 games with an ankle injury." Remember, the AFL plays a 16 game season. I know the rules are different and the league is more geared toward passing but those are phenomenal numbers put up by Sippio. I'm not saying this translates into NFL success by any means. In fact, it probably won't because there has to be a reason this kid was in the AFL for 5 years as opposed to being in the NFL.

		Recept	Yds	TD
2004	Dallas Desperados	75	1218	32
2005	Dallas Desperados	57	817	20
2006	Chicago Rush	38	654	17
2006	Tampa Bay Storm	55	666	18
2007	Chicago Rush	125	1742	53
Career		350	5097	140

Sippio did something right last year to come up with 25 less receptions last year than he did in the previous three years combined. I'm excited to see what he can do. Check out this video of some of his highlights. Its worth almost just for the play where he jumps over a defender.

Sippio is 6-3, 225 pounds. Lets put two and two together and say that the Chiefs obviously aren't happy with their current crop of wide outs. Game on Saturday, this kid was signed on Sunday. That highlight clip really makes me anxious to see what he can do.

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Watch Out AFC West: The Kansas City Chiefs D is the Real Thing

by Chris Thorman on Aug 2, 2007 6:41 AM CDT in 2007 Offseason Comment 3 comments

Jason Whitlock brings up a point that we've all been talking about but maybe haven't verbalize in such succinct fashion: the 2007 Kansas City Chiefs' defense is going to be nasty.

Here's what we know for sure: Allen, Edwards, Law and Jarrad Page are going to create turnovers. Allen, Edwards and Law produce turnovers; it's part of their football DNA. Page has the quick feet and instincts to get to the ball from his safety position.

Those four are good for four turnovers apiece. You can book that. It's done.

If Hali and Johnson improve at all, we're looking at a top-10 defense. If Bernard Pollard uses his massive frame to blow up receivers coming across the middle, then we're looking at a top-eight defense.

Over/under on the Chiefs being a top 10 defense? I think we will be closer to the #5 overall defense when the season ends. Make no mistake about it. We will be good.

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Official Kansas City Chiefs' Site Begins Rookie Blog

by Chris Thorman on Aug 1, 2007 3:58 PM CDT in 2007 Offseason Comment 0 comments

I wouldn't be doing the blogging world a favor if I didn't link to TE Michael Allan's new rookie blog (Screw double negatives). More a chronicle of Allan's thoughts than a real blog, the column is most definitely written by new draft pick himself. His first entry highlights the differences between his division three alma mater Whitworth and the Kansas City Chiefs organization.

Let’s start with equipment: At Whitworth we were given a t-shirt, pair of shorts, and a baseball cap our freshmen year. We had to buy our own shoes, gloves, undershirts, wristbands, etc. Anything extra was out of our own pocket. We bought our team travel sweats and really could only find team gear at the school’s bookstore just like any other student.

You definitely get the feeling that Michael Allan appreciates his good fortune.

Now take those surroundings and move on to Arrowhead. Do I even need to talk about how amazing that place is? 79,000 people can fit in there? Are you kidding me? Arrowhead is nothing but the best and nothing but the opposite of the Pine Bowl. And the facilities where we get to workout are absolutely amazing… and air-conditioned. Plus we have a bubble with a 60-yard turf field inside eliminating those annoying rainy days and bitter cold practice days we will be facing come playoff time.

I won't be jonesin' for another post from Michael Allan but I'll read whatever he puts out. Kudos to the Chiefs for shortening (somewhat at least) the gap between player and fan. Now all they need to do is find and pay someone (cough, ahem) to blog full-time in an official capacity.

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The Kansas City Chiefs and the National Anthem

by Chris Thorman on Aug 1, 2007 8:41 AM CDT in 2007 Offseason Comment 21 comments

In between discussions about training camp, Dwayne Bowe and Priest Holmes, I figured I would throw out a topic that many opposing fans criticize the Kansas City Chiefs for- singing "Home of the Chiefs" at the end of the national anthem instead of "Home of the Brave". Personally, I think it shows disrespect to the national anthem and what it stands for to change the actual words of the song. Plus, in this day and age, it has to be considered an especially egregious faux pas to denigrate anything patriotic. I have zero historical knowledge on why this practice started but I certainly wouldn't mind seeing it end this season.

I know I'm on the opposite side of the fence than a lot of Chiefs fans on this issue. I've attached a poll so make sure you click through to vote. I get the same rush yelling out "Brave" that I do when I yell out "Chiefs". We're better than that and should have the class to stop this unnecessary tradition.

Poll

Home of the "Chiefs"?

Keep it

193 votes

Lose it

35 votes

228 votes | Poll has closed

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Priest Holmes, By the Numbers

by Chris Thorman on Jul 26, 2007 3:07 PM CDT in 2007 Offseason Comment 0 comments

In case you forgot in the 20 or so months that Priest Holmes has been out of professional football, here are his all-time stats. First off, the rushing stats.

Year	Team	G	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lg	TD	20+	1st
1997	Baltimore Ravens	7	0	0	0	---	0	0	0	0
1998	Baltimore Ravens	16	13	233	1008	4.3	56	7	5	54
1999	Baltimore Ravens	9	4	89	506	5.7	72	1	3	20
2000	Baltimore Ravens	16	2	137	588	4.3	21	2	2	38
2001	Kansas City Chiefs	16	16	327	1555	4.8	41	8	11	80
2002	Kansas City Chiefs	14	14	313	1615	5.2	56	21	9	100
2003	Kansas City Chiefs	16	16	320	1420	4.4	31	27	6	88
2004	Kansas City Chiefs	8	8	196	892	4.6	33	14	3	56
2005	Kansas City Chiefs	7	7	119	451	3.8	35	6	3	29
2006	Kansas City Chiefs	0	0	0	0	---	0	0	0	0
TOTAL		109	80	1734	8035	4.6	72	86	42	465

And the receiving stats...

Year	Team	G	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lg	TD	20+	40+	1st
1997	Baltimore Ravens	7	0	0	0	---	0	0	0	0	0
1998	Baltimore Ravens	16	13	43	260	6	25	0	1	0	10
1999	Baltimore Ravens	9	4	13	104	8	34	1	1	0	6
2000	Baltimore Ravens	16	2	32	221	6.9	27	0	1	0	11
2001	Kansas City Chiefs	16	16	62	614	9.9	67	2	5	2	21
2002	Kansas City Chiefs	14	14	70	672	9.6	64	3	6	3	30
2003	Kansas City Chiefs	16	16	74	690	9.3	36	0	7	0	36
2004	Kansas City Chiefs	8	8	19	187	9.8	52	1	3	1	7
2005	Kansas City Chiefs	7	7	21	197	9.4	60	1	3	1	7
2006	Kansas City Chiefs	0	0	0	0	---	0	0	0	0	0
TOTAL		109	80	334	2945	8.8	67	8	27	7	128

Between 2002 and 2004, Priest Holmes ran for 62 TDs in only 38 games. Between 2001 and 2003, he racked up 4,590 rushing yards. While great for the fantasy stats, the Priest Holmes era in Kansas City did not result in a Super Bowl win (obviously) or even a playoff win. If Priest can come back and contribute at all this season, he'll play a role where perhaps his presence could be the catalyst for a playoff win (SB win in '08 or '09 for those who are asking). Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the Chiefs are legit playoff contenders right now. I'm just looking out the window dreaming of those slow, patient sweeps; the dump passes that net 60 yards; the strolls into the endzone; and the demeanor of a calm, quiet football player who imposed his will on opposing defenses.

If Priest is back and well enough to play, I hope we get to see as many flashes of his brilliance as possible.

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Kyle Turley Signs with the Kansas City Chiefs (Again)

by Chris Thorman on Jul 26, 2007 7:50 AM CDT in 2007 Offseason Comment 2 comments

Via ESPN:

Clearly, the eight-year veteran had plenty of rust in 2006 and it didn't help that he attempted to play with his weight in the 280s. There are tight ends in the NFL bigger than that, and the tough-guy Turley was tossed around at times by defensive linemen he would have handled easily in the prime of his career.

But Turley has built his weight back up and was 302 pounds and is said to be motivated to make up for lost time.

This guy is the Michael Bennett of our offensive line. If he can just stay healthy for a season, he still has potential to be a force. One of my concerns last year was Turley's low playing weight yet I defended his toughness, saying that he had great potential to fill a big void left by Willie Roaf. Now, I just hope the guy can make it through one season without getting injured.

***

On another note, the Chiefs leave for River Falls, WI, today to begin their 2007 training camp. Let us know in the comment section if you'll be attending and if you can (hopefully) send some pictures in.

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