I wanted to work up a complimentary post to what Chris did this morning by taking a look back at what is considered around the League as the 4th best Line backing group to ever play the game.  I feel very fortunate that I was able to watch these guys first hand as a child and teenager and am very humble about what I was able to take away for that opportunity.  It is my hope and prayer that one day each of you will get to witness for yourselves a similar group assembled in the Chief organization and play like the group I am speaking of.  Just watch and listen to the comments made from people describing them and you will understand, if you never saw them play in a game, exactly what Hank Stram had assembled for the Kansas City Chief fans and organization. Of course I am biased and think they were the all time greatest.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8018c6c7

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80747f5e

What I feel best describes these guys was one thing, that very well may be missing from a large part of Pro Football today: Football wasn't about them, it was about the game, the team and the fans.  It is very unfortunate that Jim Lynch is not in the HOF today, because he certainly deserved it.

By the way, where are they now?

Bobby Bell - http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2903862

Bobby Bell always has been a motivator and a storyteller. He now travels the country doing both.

Willie Lanier - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Lanier

Lanier returned to school, taking graduate courses at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He then returned to Virginia as a stockbroker, at First Union Secutities, where he now serves as vice-chairman.

Jim Lynch - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lynch

Today, Lynch is president of D. Thomas and Associates, a Kansas City food packaging company he started after completing law school and deciding to raise his family in the Midwest. He and his wife Georgia have three children and five grandchildren.

I had to post this about a very courageous young man.  He played the rest of the game with this injury.

Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell played with two shattered fingers on his non-throwing hand Saturday in the Red Raiders' victory over Baylor, a source close to Harrell said Sunday night.

The source said Harrell underwent four hours of surgery Sunday on the pinkie and ring fingers on his left hand, with 17 pins and two plates inserted in his hand to heal nine separate breaks. Despite the extent of the injury, suffered in the second quarter, Harrell finished the game against the Bears and is expected to be fine for Tech's bowl game.

The source said Harrell was X-rayed at halftime, and the Tech medical staff told him he was done for the day. Harrell responded, "Tape my hand up. I'm going out." Harrell finished the game with black tape around the two fingers.

ESPN

As far as I know of, he doesn't have a multi million dollar contract he's playing for...YET. (Eg. Croyle, Romo etc...)

While I begin this post with a few caveats, I pretend to be no stat expert.  I also am not forgetting we couldn't sack any of the Golden Girls if they were playing QB for an opposing team.  I also acknowledge that not everything is fixed - YET.

But I have noticed what I think could be encouraging signs the players or the coaches or both have found a fix to something that sorely ached the first half of the season.  The Run Defense.  Let me bring the last 5 games to your attention:

                                Att          Yds         Y/Pa       Long      Avg/Game

Tampa Bay          25           81           3.24        10           115.2

San Diego            26           92           3.53        17           95.5

New Orleans      28           103         3.67        16           92.4

Buffalo                 38           171         4.5          24           106.1

Oakland               29           139         4.79        20           122.5

Att - attempts per game by the other team

Yds - Total rushing yards by the other team

Y/Pa - Tards per attempt by the other team

Long - Longest run by a player on the other team

Avg/Game - Average total yards rushing per game by the other team

Kansas City hasn’t given up a 100 yard rushing game (individual player) in the last 6 contests, despite a 60 yard run in the Jets game.

As of week 11-29-08 Kansas City was averaging giving up 165.9 yards per game.

I hope the stats dont get screwed up where you cant read 'em.  But what I am trying to point out is, since the Tampa game, the run defense has been giving up respectable numbers for what we have had to deal with. (injuries, practice squad players etc...)

I want to acknowledge positive things when I see them.

I did not know they were playing 12 games this year. But they went out on a positive note.

YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University football team turned on the offense here Friday, Nov. 28, to record a thrilling 56-52 record-breaking effort in a Mid-American Conference 2est Division victory over a visiting Central Michigan University team here Friday, Nov. 28, afternoon on Senior Day in Rynearson Stadium.

The win allowed Eastern to keep possession of the Michigan Mid-American Conference Trophy sponsored by the state of Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame. The trophy is awarded annually to the Michigan MAC team with the best record in games played between Eastern, Western and Central Michigan. Eastern, which won the trophy last year, defeated CMU this year while CMU defeated WMU. The team that currently holds the trophy retains it in case of a tie.

The win closed out Eastern Michigan’s season at 3-9 overall and 2-6 in MAC play.

Daniel Holtzclaw

3 solo 9 assists 12 total tackles

Finishes with 107 tackles

New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress suffered an accidental gunshot wound Friday night in a club, according to multiple sources.

Fox Sports.com and the New York Daily News reported that Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg and spent the night in the hospital.

Details of the incident weren't immediately available, but according to a source the wound was not considered life-threatening.

Herm said it best his first year here, I think. Nothing good happens after midnight at these places.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3733021

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0-3-860/Pivotal-stretch-looms-for-Chiefs--Edwards.html

I was thinking a few weeks ago that Herman Edwards was in the midst of saving his job in Kansas City because his young Chiefs were competing so hard.

Today, though, I am thinking Edwards has to get his team competing again if he wants to oversee the next step in the Chiefs' rebuilding phase. After taking a few steps forward despite the fact they didn't win, the Chiefs have taken steps backward again, especially on defense.

I want to first say that I believe Herman Edwards is a geniuenly a good person and has a strong passion for football and people.  I also think Herm is in over his head as a head coach of a professional team.  But I am not so sure it is his fault as much as it is the NFL itself.  Let me explain why and this is where I am not afraid to say this.

Herman Edwards is an example of the NFL Diversity policy gone wrong.  While it is one thing to make sure there are opportunities for minorities to have a true chance to interview for open head coaching jobs, it is another for teams not to feel pressured to hire just anyone to satisfy outside sources.  A pro football team is still a business first and the individual owners need to be able to run their business how they best see fit.

While I can understand the NFL wanting a say in how you go about finding a coach, they should leave that total process to the owner once the choice is to be made.  I don't believe that is happening today.  What amazes me even more though is the unwillingness of the NFL to address the lack of minorities either owning a team or being hired as General Managers.  I can't name one right now other than the gentleman UC has mentioned previously from Detroit.

Again, I think his initial hiring by the Jets was to satisfy the process more than it was to find the "best man" for the job and Herm is finding that indeed he isn't the best man for this job.  Successful head coaches are a breed apart from others.  Herman is at best a position coach and probably a good one.  Thats just my two cents. Oh and how I think about Carl Peterson's reasoning to hire Herman, I found this quote:

Peterson called his longtime friend "without question, one of the most qualified head football coaches in the NFL today."

"From a personal standpoint, I have wanted to do this for many years," said Peterson, president of the Chiefs since 1989. "I think the future of the Kansas City Chiefs is in exceptional hands."

http://www.rapflava.com/forums/chiefs-hire-herm-edwards-as-head-coach-99002.html

As the college season is winding down and the mock Draft boards begin to light up with life again, I wanted to take an extensive look at the Middle linebacker prospects for the Draft.  There has been a lot of talk about the obvious candidates and our own “local” favorite, but I thought I would compare them to a few other picks to get a side by side view of how they have done this year.  Sure, you can pick this post apart however you please and debate the conferences the young men play in, but when the day is done, we have to give them a hand for a job well done nonetheless.

James Laurinaitis           Rank 1             Height: 6-3 | Weight: 240 | 40-Time: 4.60

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9-k7Czh_ww

Rey Maualuga              Rank 2             Height: 6-2 | Weight: 260 | 40-Time: 4.75

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WyMRq-7SLA

Darry Beckwith            Rank 3             Height: 6-1 | Weight: 232 | 40-Time: 4.60

No Video

Brandon Spikes             Rank 4            Height: 6-3 | Weight: 245 | 40-Time: 4.72

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J734kA0DISg

Dannell Ellerbe Rank 5             Height: 6-1 | Weight: 232 | 40-Time: 4.65

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBzGjO48TwA

Scott McKillop Rank 6             Height: 6-2 | Weight: 240 | 40-Time: 4.75

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhXvOxSW3BA

Daniel Holtzclaw           Rank 7             Height: 6-1 | Weight: 246 | 40-Time: 4.70

No Video

Rank by http://www.walterfootball.com/draft2009ILB.php

2008 Stats                       GP       So        A           TT        Int        Sa

James Laurinaitis           11        46        75        121      2          4

Rey Maualuga                  10        39        27        66        2          0

Darry Beckwith                 11        18        25        43        0          0.5

Dannell Ellerbe                11        13        9          22        1          1

Daniel Holtzclaw              11        46        49        95        1          1

Brandon Spikes               11        39        35        74        3          2

Scott McKillop                   10        72        34        106      1          4

James Laurinaitis           Career Statistics

Year                 GP       TKL     TFL     SACK

2005                12        9          0.5       0.0

2006                13        115      8.5       4.0

2007                13        121      8.5       5.0

Rey Maualuga              Career Statistics

Year                 GP       TKL     TFL     SACK

2005                12        37        4.5       1.0

2006                13        78        5.0       2.0

2007                13        79        10.5     6.0

Darry Beckwith            Career Statistics

Year                 GP       TKL     TFL     SACK

2005                11        8          0.0       0.0

2006                12        65        6.0       3.0

2007                14        65        7.0       2.0

Dannell Ellerbe             Career Statistics

Year                 GP       TKL     TFL     SACK

2004                RS - - - - -

2005                11        15        3.0       2.0

2006                10        7          0.0       0.0

2007                13        93        12.0     4.5

Daniel Holtzclaw           Career Statistics

Year                 GP       TKL     TFL     SACK            

2005                11        110      0.0       0.0

2006                12        114      3.5       1.0

2007                12        125      5.0       0.5

Brandon Spikes (JR)    Career Statistics

Year                 GP       TKL     TFL     SACK            

2006                9          15        0.0       0.0

2007                13        131      16.0     1.5

Scott McKillop             Career Statistics

Year                 GP       TKL     TFL     SACK            

2004                RS -----

2005                11        27        0.0       0.0

2006                12        29        2.0       1.0

2007                12        151      9.0       3.0

**Stats were taken from http://www.cfbstats.com/

A couple of schools are playing 12 games instead of 11 so I based this on the first 11 games.  *USC I think had like 17 bye weeks for the season so Rey M stats were for only 10 games. Also Scott McKillop stats are for only 10 games.

GP = games played

So = solo

A = assists

TT = total tackles

I = interceptions

Sa = sacks

James Laurinaitis     

James Laurinaitis is one of the best football players that will be available (regardless of position) in the 2009 NFL Draft. Laurinaitis is coming off back to back 100 plus tackle seasons, where he has won the Nagurski Award (2006), the Butkus Award (2007), and the Bednarik Trophy (2007). The senior inside linebacker is one of the most highly decorated defenders in the history of college football, and came back for his senior season to collect even more hardware. Laurinaitis is nothing short of a monster in the middle of the field. He possesses great sideline to sideline speed, so he always seems to be in on the tackle. Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote that he closes ground on tackles as well as any college linebacker you'll find. Through 46 games so far in his career, Laurinaitis has tallied 323 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. He registered a career high 19 tackles last season when the Buckeyes played Penn State. Laurinaitis is an excellent field general for his defense, equally adept against the run or the pass. He has intercepted 8 passes and broken up 6 in coverage, along with forcing 3 fumbles during his career. The 6'3", 240 pound Laurinaitis' combination of size, speed, strength, and instincts will make him an ideal fit for any NFL defense. Teams looking for help on the outside may even consider Laurinaitis for the strong or weak side, to strengthen their team. He should be a top 10 to 15 pick depending on team needs, but will have stiff competition from USC's Rey Maualuga for the top linebacker spot in this draft.

Rey Maualuga                      

Maualuga reminds many of another former USC linebacker, Junior Seau. Maualuga has great size and power. He may lack sideline to sideline speed, but does have good short-area quickness. He is surprisingly smooth for such a big linebacker. Maualuga has improved his instincts as a blitzer. Maualuga is a great middle linebacker prospect and in the right system could emerge as an even better pro than college player. Maualuga finished the 2007 season as USC's leading tackler with 79 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for a loss and 6 sacks. Maualuga had a great game in the 2008 Rose Bowl, including 3 sacks and an interception. He was named the game's "Outstanding Defensive Player." Maualuga is the most instinctual linebacker college football has seen in the last 5 years. He has shown an incredible knack for finding the ball early in the 2008 season. Maualuga sprained his knee in the fourth quarter of Southern California's loss to Oregon State. If he recovers from the injury and can remain productive without losing a step, he will be a top five selection in the 2009 draft.

Darry Beckwith         

Beckwith has had somewhat of a questionable past with injuries, although he played and started 12 games for LSU last season. Already in 2008, however, a knee problem has come up to bite him. Beckwith injured his knee in the Tigers' second game against North Texas and he will miss at least the SEC showdown against Auburn. Other than that, it's hard not to like everything about Beckwith. First of all, he has the experience to step in and make an immediate impact for some team at the next level. The linebacker was one of two LSU true freshmen to see action in 2005 before stepping into a starting role as a sophomore. What really makes scout's salivate is Beckwith's combination of size and speed, which has allowed--and will continue to allow--him to play either outside or inside. He is 6'1'' and 235 pounds and his 40 time is under 4.6. With a bit of work he could be able to get that under 4.5 in time for next year's NFL Combine; impressive stuff for a linebacker. If Beckwith gets healthy and remains so, he can sneak into the first round, but at the moment that looks like a big "if."

Dannell Ellerbe         

The Georgia Bulldogs have been clobbered by the injury bug this season and Ellerbe was not immune to it. The linebacker sprained a knee in a loss to Alabama and missed the next game, but he is back in action now. That's good news for the 'Dawgs, who reaped the benefits of having Ellerbe all season long in 2007. He led the team in tackles with 93, playing in all 13 games and making 11 starts. That led the SEC coaches and several publications to name him to the Pre-season All-Conference Team. Ellerbe has plenty of experience that he will bring with him to the next level; he played in 10 games as both a freshman and sophomore. He is not huge (6'1 and 234 pounds), but very strong and has 4.6 (4.5 at his very best) speed. It's difficult to outrun him or escape his grasp. Injuries should not be an extreme concern, although off-the-field problems relating to alcohol and theft will surely be noted by NFL scouts. At the moment Ellerbe is looking like a second-rounder in the 2009 draft. He is probably already as big as he can get with the frame he is, so he'll have to either get faster or really stand out in the second half of the season if he has first-round aspirations.

Brandon Spikes         

He started all 13 games at middle linebacker last year and picked up First Team All-SEC honors. Spikes is the anchor inside once again this season for a Florida defense that has been dominant through three games. If his stellar play continues throughout the season and he performs well at the NFL combine, Spikes could be gone in the first round come next April. That is, only if he decides to leave, since he is only a junior. While not an absolute athletic freak of nature like some at his position, Spikes has good size and adequate speed. A few more big plays involving fumbles, interceptions, and sacks would help his draft standing. He will make his living at the next level, however, with his instincts and toughness. Spikes is quick to the ball carrier and he is right at home in the hard hitting SEC. Perhaps his best quality is a unique ability to drop back into coverage and defend the pass remarkably well. If Spikes can somehow get his 40 time under 4.6 by next spring, he is a sure first-rounder.

Scott McKillop

In his first year as a starter, McKillop emerged as the leader of a unit that ranked fifth in the nation in total defense.  He is not the most physically imposing linebacker around, but he is a smart player who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He is a blue collar type of player who will make up for any physical deficiencies with hard work and tenacity. That is not to say that McKillop is not a great athlete, but at 6-2 and 240 pounds, there are bigger and stronger middle linebackers. So far in 2008, McKillop is continuing to be a tackling machine. However, the Pitt team started the season struggling and for a player whose measurables will not blow anybody away at the combine, his production and exposure on the field will go a long way in determining how high he can climb up draft boards.

Daniel Holtzclaw       

He is a senior linebacker for the Eastern Michigan Eagles. Holtzclaw has started all 35 games at middle linebacker during his three-year EMU career. He has accumulated 330 tackles in his three seasons, good for 10th on the EMU career tackles list. He was a freshman All-American in 2005 and a first-team All MAC selection in 2007. He finished third in the MAC and tied for 21st in the nation with his 125 tackles. He has collected 8 career interceptions. Holtzclaw has a habit of dominating the MAC; he won Player of the Week honors after notching 13 tackles and a pick against Northern Illinois. Holtzclaw has been selected to the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award watch lists for the 2008 season.

So there you have it, the top prospects for the upcoming draft, if the Juniors decide to jump in.  Now I’ll add my two cents for what their worth.  I think all these young men are going to make a difference for whatever team picks them up.  Rey M is probably best categorized as a playmaker.  I am a little biased toward Holtzclaw, but I think this young man is going to be good.  When I think of an every down, every game player that can be counted on for every play, I can think of no other than Laurinaitis.  I believe the great MLB’s of the NFL were the blue collar guys you looked to for leadership and fortitude.  Out of all the prospects I believe James has the most and best of each, not to take away from the other guys.  If everything was rosy in April for the Chiefs I would take James Laurinaitis first and begin to build that elite defense that we so deserve around him for the next few years.  From a leadership standpoint and it has to be someone special for me to say this, but I think James could be another Willie Lanier type for the Chiefs.  We need the man who will man the middle for the next 10 years now.  Find the DE in free agency and get our elite MLB with the first round pick. 

It is my opinion that as far as money goes, a DE is going to command a much higher salary than a MLB in a top 5 pick.  Spend the money and make the decisions wisely this time.