Good morning Chiefs fans! We have some good reads in today's Kansas City Chiefs news. The Mothership is putting out good stories and locally (for me), the spotlight is on a fan-favorite former Chief. Enjoy.
Like most NFL teams, the Chiefs began last offseason with three primary goals. Kansas City's 2010 blueprint was based off developing in-house talent, adding few band-aids via free agency and churning out a successful draft class ready for immediate contribution.
Lacking high amounts of established players and boasting a roster full of projected starters owning less than three years of experience, each point of emphasis needed to hit in order for the Chiefs to steer a one-season turnaround.
For the most part, everything hit and a worst to first story emerged. Numerous players elevated their game to produce an AFC West Championship.
From Unknown to Known from The Mothership
Matt Cassel just completed the second season of a six-year $63 million deal, and that’s often used against him, but in honor of his selection as a Pro Bowl replacement, here’s some information that says he’s actually one of the NFL’s most /{under/}paid players.Matt Cassel is Underpaid. Honest. from Don't Kill the Mellinger
KC Star Video: Documentary Recounts Life Of Lamar Hunt
If NFL labor negotiations stall, and a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is not reached, then there won't be a free agency period. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, I think that this is a period which is necessary for their continued success.
The first reason I think it is necessary is that the Chiefs are still a team in recovery. Even though we made it to the playoffs this year, we are not so far removed from our losing ways that we couldn't easily fall back into them. While there is no question that the Chiefs are a better team than two years ago, there are still some problems that exist with the Chiefs.
Adam's Audibles: Why The Chiefs Need Free Agency from Arrowhead Addict
But these aren't the only major dilemmas facing Pioli. He'll also need to decide what to do with aging starters whose contracts are expiring, such as DT Ron Edwards, OLB Mike Vrabel and C Casey Wiegmann. It's going to be a busy time for the GM as he attempts to take the franchise to the next level.
"How far away we are (from being Super Bowl contenders), I don't necessarily look at things through that prism," Pioli said. "Here's what we know: We improved this year, and even with our improvement, it wasn't good enough. So what we know is we need to continue to get better."
Pioli Knows Staying Atop Division Won't be Easy from Pro Football Weekly
We asked Kansas City fans what they felt about the job coach Todd Haley has done. There was talk that there is a faction of Chiefs' fans who want Haley fired.
I found that odd since the team has improved under Haley and was a surprise winner of the AFC West this season. I asked Chiefs' fans if they want Haley to be fired and it's pretty clear that most do not feel that way. It seems Kansas City fans feel the team is headed in the right direction under Haley. I couldn't agree more.
Haley is not perfect and I'm sure he'd admit that. But he's the right coach for this team. Below are some of your responses.Sound-off Responses from ESPN
The Kansas City Chiefs have officially announced that quarterback Matt Cassel has been named to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii on Jan 30. Cassel replaces an injured Tom Brady (didn't that happen somewhere before?) as the No. 1 alternate.
The following are some random thoughts on Cassel's promotion:Thoughts on Cassel Going to Hawaii from ESPN
In a season that began with the unveiling of The New Arrowhead on Monday Night Football and ended with the first home playoff game since 2003, memorable moments flourished. Last season, the good memories far outweighed the bad.
Surprising almost everyone but themselves, the Chiefs led the AFC West from start to finish. These are the plays that sculpted an AFC West title. In chronological order:
Sculpting a Season from The Mothership
Leadership, Richardson said, was learned from Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston in Dallas, and Marcus Allen with the Chiefs. But it wouldn't be possible if his play on the field didn't match.
John Munson/The Star-LedgerCoach Rex Ryan and fullback Tony Richardson confer on the practice field as the Jets prepare for the AFC Championship Game.
At 39, Richardson is somehow still a highly productive fullback, a player whose 14 snaps in last week's 28-21 victory at New England included crucial blocks on a 20-yard run and Shonn Greene's clinching 16-yard touchdown.
In a Year of Wild Ups and Downs, Veteran Tony Richardson Helps Keeps Jets Grounded from The New Jersey Star-Ledger