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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/31

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via KansasCity.com

Your Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet. Last one of 2009. That's pretty crazy.

Getting to 1,000 yards might not carry the same meaning it once did to most running backs, except perhaps to those trying to get there for the first time.

The Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles is in that category, and being able to finish with 1,000 yards is definitely a big deal to him.

"That would be real special," he said, smiling when the subject is raised. "My fullbacks and line, we’re really trying to get there. My line is with me, my quarterback is with me, my wide receivers, everybody is in with me. They want me to get it."

A thousand yards would be a grand accomplishment for Charles from KC Star

KC Star Photo Gallery: Catches and Drops | KC Chiefs Dwayne Bowe

While the official end of the decade for the Chiefs will not come until Sunday and the conclusion of the game against the Broncos, the calendar runs out Thursday evening at midnight. It seems an appropriate time to take a look at the team and the last 10 years.

And what are we to say about the fifth decade of Chiefs football?

As we look backward with the advantage of hindsight, one thing becomes crystal clear: it’s not a pretty picture. The last 10 years were not very successful and years from now Chiefs fans will have only a hazy recall of most of the decade’s 162 games.

The End of a Decade … New Year’s Eve Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz

There might be only one game left on the Chiefs’ schedule, but they’re still trying to correct some things. One of the team’s lingering problems is scoring in the first quarter; Kansas City has been outscored 99-38 in the first quarters of its 15 contests.

Coach Todd Haley said he has continued to tweak the offense in an effort to begin the Chiefs’ scoring more quickly.

"We’ve done a lot of things," Haley said. "Even these last few games we’ve started more positive than we did earlier. Is it good enough? No, clearly not. But I don’t have any regrets about the things we’ve done."

Chiefs buzz: Early scoring still a problem from KC Star

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have long since resigned themselves to another postseason-less season, and progress could be attained by Todd Haley's team if it simply avoids further embarrassment on Sunday.

Kansas City has lost five in a row since upsetting the Steelers in overtime back on Nov. 22nd, and has allowed more than 40 points three times during its five-game skid.

Last week's somewhat respectable 17-10 loss at playoff-bound Cincinnati dropped the Chiefs to 0-13 in the month of December since the team scored a 35-30 win over the Jaguars on Dec. 31, 2006.

NFL Preview - Kansas City (3-12) at Denver (8-7) from The Miami Herald

The Broncos have won eight in a row at home against Kansas City, which is already assured of finishing last in the conference. The Chiefs, though, are primed to play spoiler.

"They came in here and embarrassed us," linebacker Demorrio Williams said. "Now our team's a lot better. I think our team's going to pick it up and go out and take care of business."

Kansas City has lost five in a row, but feels good after playing tough in last week's 17-10 loss to AFC North champion Cincinnati.

"We're finding a little bit of an identity, and I think that's very important for players," first-year coach Todd Haley said. "We've got a long ways to go, but I think there has been progress. And I think the guys feel that and they're feeling better about themselves each and every week."

Broncos vs. Chiefs from CBS Sports

There’s no doubt Haley has made his mark on Kansas City not even a full year his hire. His recent generosity towards Kansas Citians only goes to show that he believes he will return in 2010. Despite all the mounting criticism, Haley appears to have full confidence in the football program he is establishing. Why should he be retained?

Debating Haley's Future - Part II from WPI

Since being named to his first Pro Bowl, Broncos outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil has thanked a long list of people.

He has thanked his family, starting with his parents. He has thanked his coaches. And he has thanked many of his defensive teammates.

Dumervil added one more person to the list Wednesday — Ryan Clady.

"You think about it and I've got to thank him too. We've been banging on each other all year," Dumervil said of the Broncos' Pro Bowl offensive tackle. "He's probably the toughest left tackle I've gone against all year. Not probably, he is the toughest tackle I've gone against all year.

Dumervil Credits Clady's Help from The Denver Post

After tweaking a knee in practice earlier this week, Oklahoma State tackle Russell Okung is expected to play against Ole Miss in the 74th Cotton Bowl Classic at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cowboys Stadium.

Okung’s streak of 46 straight starts appeared to be in jeopardy Wednesday. Sources close to the program said the consensus All-American tackle "tweaked" a knee during Tuesday’s practice at Cowboys Stadium, resulting in all precautions taken for a player expected to be a first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

OSU's Russell Okung likely to play in Cotton Bowl from The Daily Oklahoman

Both optimists and pessimists among Kansas City's long-suffering fans are pointing to Jamaal Charles as proof that their side is right.

The emergence of the quiet running back with rare sprinter's speed, say the optimistic, gives hope for better days to come.

But to the pessimistic, Charles is further evidence that first-year head coach Todd Haley and his coaches couldn't pick a quality football player out of a lineup. The Chiefs' brain trust thought so little of the second-year pro they stuck him on the bench at the beginning of the year and even made him inactive for one game. In the meantime, former Pro Bowler Larry Johnson was struggling week after week to get past the line of scrimmage.

Charles emerges as bright spot for Chiefs from The Houston Chronicle

Player Tweets

almighty31 after difficulties, we doin sessions live http://www.ustream.tv/channel/almightyallstars

Media and Fans

tpman24: Haha, someone on ESPN just called the Broncos vs Chiefs this week a "big game"

coreyburres: The Huskers get the shut out!!! Hopefully I get to see Suh continue playing in red with the Chiefs.

jculv: @pauleberry Just read Costas' "Fair Ball" and developed a new-found sympathy for the Royals. Not so much the Chiefs, though...

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