Happy weekend! Lots of parties and a short trip into Manhattan for me. Hope all is well with you and yours as we get ready for this Sunday's game. Also, Happy Hanukkah to those of you celebrating that.
Now your Chiefs News.
Buffalo Bills assistant head coach/special teams Bobby April (left) is one of those coaches. He arrives at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday with what some people in the league think are the best kicking game units in the game. April is a guy who always comes up with new fakes, new returns and previously unseen wrinkles.And, he’s had 10 days to prepare for the Chiefs.
"They’re a well-coached group that will throw a lot at you and they’ve had a couple of extra days to prepare," said Chiefs head coach Todd Haley. "I’m sure they’ll have something for us and in a lot of different areas. He’s seen everything there is and you see it on the tape and through the years.
Special Special Teams … Saturday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz
Chiefs running back Tim Castille spent a long 10 weeks running and lifting and sweating and wondering whether he’d ever get a job.
Now, he’s got two of them.
Castille, who signed with the Chiefs in mid-November after spending the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, fills the role of both backup fullback and halfback in addition to participating on special teams.
With starting halfback Jamaal Charles showing some signs of wear and tear, Castille could be next man up in that role in Sunday’s game against Buffalo. He’s also spelled Mike Cox at fullback as a blocker and as a short-yardage ball carrier.
Castille gives Chiefs double duty in the backfield from KC Star
The Chiefs have showed the tendency to disintegrate after making a bad play. Never has that been more obvious than in last week’s loss to Denver.
In an 11 1/2 -minute span of the third quarter, the Chiefs failed to convert on a fourth-down fake punt, threw two pass interceptions and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
In the process, they saw a 14-6 deficit balloon to 34-6.
"It’s just learning how to roll with the ebb and flow of the game," coach Todd Haley said. "It’s not going to go exactly the way you plan it. You’ve got to be able to adjust and overcome at times. It’s one of those things you don’t like to see happen.
"You see that all over the league. Once things turn and go south a little bit, it’s hard to pull it back together. The good teams do, and the teams that aren’t ready to be good don’t."
Chiefs notebook: Bad things tend to get worse from KC Star
There is no question about Matt Cassel's skills. He is good and in time, he will be better. At least that's the way the Kansas City Chiefs see it.
But when someone hands you a six-year, $63 million contract like the Chiefs did during the offseason you instantly become a franchise quarterback, even when you aren't ready. Another part of Cassel's continuing growth as an NFL quarterback will be tested this week, and it is something that cannot be measured by any statistic. How will he react to being benched?
Chiefs still believe in Cassel from The Buffalo News
Interim coach Perry Fewell said veteran Terrence McGee will start at cornerback for the Bills on Sunday at Kansas City.
McGee was active but limited in the Bills' last game against the New York Jets. He missed the past three games because of a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery during the bye week.
McGee didn't start against the Jets as Reggie Corner began the game but McGee has practiced all week.
"Terrence looked good and practiced real strong," Fewell said. "He will be the starter."
Bills notebook: Tolbert staying put; McGee ready to start from The Buffalo News
The hundreds of hours in the film room are paying off for Paul Posluszny. He plays with an intensity bordering on fury. He's decisive, aggressive and smart.
What coach Perry Fewell has is a linebacker who is sure of where he should be and what he should do. He can easily recite the Buffalo Bills defensive scheme and is willing to pay almost any price for success, whether it be in the weight room, film room or on the practice field.
Posluszny is coming into his own this season. The Bills might be concerned about their rush defense but the one element of their unit that has been all right has been Posluszny, a third-year man from Penn State, in the middle. He is the Bills' leader in tackles with 76, three more than safety George Wilson. Posluszny's 58 solo tackles are also a team high.
Bills linebacker Posluszny quarterbacks the defense from The Buffalo News
Ryan Schartz, who was named the top football coach in the state at Tuesday’s Simone Awards, was named the top football coach on the Missouri side of the metro area by the Kansas City Chiefs Ambassadors Friday afternoon in a surprise assembly at Fort Osage High School.
Schartz, who led the Indians to a perfect 10-0 regular season, saw his team finish with an all-time Fort Osage best record of 13-1 as they dropped the Class 5 state championship game to Webster Groves at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.Chiefs honor Fort Osage coach from The Examiner
Tamba Time: The Kansas City Chiefs' Tamba Hali, much like LaMarr Woodley, is an outside pass-rushing linebacker who has defensive lineman eligibility in ESPN leagues. Hali had played much of his career as a 4-3 defensive end before switching to a 3-4 'backer this offseason and while the transition took a toll on his numbers early in the season, he's emerged of late and put up a monstrous outing this past week. If you have a spotty rotation at defensive line or, say, an injured stud like Robert Mathis, Hali makes for an impressive late addition.D Up!: Preparing for the playoffs from ESPN.com
In a league that would become famous for its offense and scoring, in game No. 13 of the 1960 season the Dallas Texans defense was overpowering on a cold, cloudy Sunday afternoon at the Cotton Bowl. They pitched a shutout for the second straight week, beating the Boston Patriots 34-0 before a crowd of 12,000.
The Texans allowed the Patriots just 151 yards in total offense, and only 18 rushing yards. They forced five turnovers and never allowed Boston to get past the Dallas 42-yard line. The defense also added a touchdown, as CB Duane Wood (left) returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown.
Texans Defense Keys Another Victory from Bob Gretz