Good morning! First thing: congratulations to the Cassel family. Matt missed traveling to the Chicago game to be around for the birth of his child. Excellent. We have another great day of Kansas City Chiefs news for you this morning. I really liked the piece on Tamba Hali and his connection with Dave Szott. Enjoy!
The pass rush finally came together for the Chiefs last week against the perfect opponent. The Bears have had trouble protecting the pocket most of the season and had the inexperienced Caleb Hanie at quarterback.
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is more experienced than Hanie, but the Chiefs would still be wise to put pressure on him. Sanchez completes a low percentage of his passes and has committed 16 turnovers this season.
Linebacker Justin Houston Helps Chiefs Pressure Quarterbacks from KC Star
There were rumblings that the pair couldn't coexist with one another following Weis' departure, but both parties have adamantly denied those claims. Haley did so again Friday afternoon.
"I think it's kind of ludicrous that that's out there really," Haley said. "Last year he was a big part of what we did and there wasn't a negative thing that occurred in my opinion and as far as the Florida thing, there was
Arrowhead Report: Chiefs Staff Wishes Weis Well At Kansas from The Mothership
NFL.com Video: Playbook: Chiefs vs. Jets
Offensive coordinator Bill Muir said Friday that the Chiefs have excelled at moving the ball between the 20-yard lines but have struggled at scoring touchdowns. Their only trip to the end zone in the last three games came on a Hail Mary on Sunday as time expired in the second half.
"Our mission this week," Muir said, "is to be a little more efficient - a lot more efficient - from the 20 in. Just a matter of doing a better job ... of calling better plays and executing."
Chiefs Buzz: Haley Happy For Weis from KC Star
Q: Since apparently it's important, can you establish whether or not you are having a team meeting tomorrow night?
HALEY: [Laughter] "I was feeling like maybe giving itineraries to everybody. I almost cancelled the team talk out on the field, I almost did but then I thought better of it."
Q&A With Todd Haley 12/9 from The Mothership
Despite missing all three practices this week, right guard Brandon Moore will be ready to play on Sunday when the New York Jets host the Kansas City Chiefs.
Moore, who had surgery on both hips last February, said an MRI and X-rays have shown the soreness he is experiencing is normal, and that he will just have to find a way to manage it for the duration of the season.
Jets' Brandon Moore Plans To Play from ESPN
Although a Ryan-led team has never compiled three-straight sack-less games, Hunter said the sense of urgency is there now. The focus is sharper. The sentiment, like it was in the hotel room that night, is simple: "Why not?"
"Right now, that's how I feel," Hunter said. "We've got two in a row, why can't we make it three? I know (the Chiefs) have Tamba Hali, he's a hell of a pass-rusher, but why can't we make it three?"
Jets' Offensive Line Looks To Continue Sack-Less Streak Against Chiefs from The Star-Ledger
No team has been dominated by the AFC East this season more than theKansas City Chiefs. They are 0-3 against the division and have been outscored an astounding 106-13. The Patriots (34-3), Buffalo Bills (41-7) and Miami Dolphins (31-3) all crushed Kansas City this year. The New York Jets get Kansas City on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The Jets are 7-5, fighting for their playoff lives, and could do themselves a favor by completing the AFC East sweep.
Final Word: AFC East from ESPN
Orton's listed on the injury report, but the rest is unclear. It might not matter, because Haley likes Palko.
Fans want Orton to start against the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders, but what fans want and what Haley does is like apples and oranges. Haley has Palko's back, but why? Few get it, but I have an idea.
Haley is loyal to what he believes, sort of like Dick Vermeil. It didn't always work, but it did pay for Vermeil when he stayed true to a player. Simply put, Haley's committed to players that are committed.
Brown: Haley's Stubborn Personality Wins Support From Players from The Examiner
Dave Szott changed the course of Tamba Hali's football career with advice he delivered six years ago through the North Jersey man that coached both in high school.
Szott was an assistant offensive line coach with the Jets breaking down film of Big Ten tackles to consider on draft day back then. While rating possible targets, Szott ended up using a constant opponent in Penn State - his alma mater - and a worthy defensive adversary in Hali, at the time a rising senior in college.
From War Torn Liberia, From Teaneck To Penn State, Then To The NFL, Chiefs' Tamba Hali Is A Survivor from NorthJersey.com
Haley joins Ryan and Caldwell as the only coaches in the 2009 class to take their teams to the playoffs. Haley is 19-25 as the Chiefs' coach. A win over Ryan in New York could keep at bay the speculation that Haley could be fired at the end of the season.
Final Word: AFC West from ESPN
Should the announcer be part of the show, subservient to the show, or the show itself? My grandfather has, for many years, decided that TV men shouldn't be part of the show at all. He watches the Kansas City Chiefs each week with the volume off and the local radio broadcast on. He likes the announcers to be on his side.
An Announcing Dream Team from The New Yorker
Starting defensive lineman Mike DeVito (knee) is listed as doubtful, but it doesn't even seem he has that 25 percent chance to play.
"He comes to practice every day, so you don't want to just rule him out,'' said Ryan.
It's Time To Ride Ground Game To Playoffs from The New York Post
Greene averaged less than 13 carries and 40 yards in the Jets' first four games as Rex Ryan and Brian Schottenheimer focused more on the passing game with Mark Sanchez, Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes. After two seasons as a solid backup, though, Greene was doing little to distinguish himself as the undisputed starting running back - "the bell cow," as Ryan called him.
Momentum Rolling Way OF Jets' Greene from The (other) AP via The Times Herald-Record
Revis might get a chance to cover rookie wideout Jonathan Baldwin at least part of the time Sunday.
Revis has helped mentor Baldwin, another former Pitt standout. Baldwin also is from Revis' hometown of Aliquippa, Pa., so the two have developed a close relationship.
Baldwin, the 26th overall pick in the April draft, has 14 receptions for 172 yards and one touchdown.
Chiefs' Tyler Palko Passed Darrelle Revis 101 At Pitt from NorthJersey.com
They aren't fancy, they are functional. It's time their fans accept that, beginning tomorrow at MetLife Stadium when Mark Sanchez is introduced before the game against the offensively challenged Chiefs.
Stop the booing and start cheering. Sanchez could use a little bit of help and a boost in confidence. Sure, Sanchez isn't Eli Manning, but the Jets do have a better record than the Giants.
Don't Boo Sanchez from The New York Post
Tyler Palko's task. All Palko has to do is beat the Jets on the road (Sunday) and the Packers the next week at home to give Kansas City a legit shot at the playoffs.
Peter King > Game Plan from Sports Illustrated
The Chiefs (5-7) are basically out of the playoff chase. But even with no offensive firepower, Kansas City's defense ranks a respectable 16th in total years. That gives the Chiefs at least a shot of delivering a death blow to the Jets' postseason chances.
When you're not watching the ball, look at: Kansas City's linebackers.
If Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson fail to have an impact, it could lead to the breakout offensive game the Jets have been waiting for. But if Hali gets to quarterback Mark Sanchez, and Johnson is making plays at the line of scrimmage, the opposite will happen.
Yet Another Foe Who Can't Throw from The Wall Street Journal