Good morning! Well, that mess is over now and it's time to start the real deal. Here's your Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy.
Todd Haley got what he wanted from the Chiefs in the way of extended playing time for the starters from the Chiefs Thursday night, but it came at a cost.
Many of the Chiefs’ starters played well into the fourth quarter of their 20-19 loss to the Packers, but injuries piled up along the way. Quarterback Matt Cassel, tight end Tony Moeaki, right tackle Barry Richardson and safety Eric Berry were injured in the first half.
Packers Knock Off Chiefs 20-19 in Preseason Finale from KC Star
Haley opened up the playbook and the bag of tricks. They ran a fake punt – it worked and helped lead to a touchdown. They tried an onside kick; that didn’t work. The defense threw a bunch of blitzes at the Packers and their backup QB Matt Flynn. The offense had some motion and shifting, something different than in the past three games."I thought we did a lot of things to get better tonight," Haley said. "We were trying to build to this game, knowing that we have limited time, five practices to get ready for the Buffalo Bills and September 11. There were a lot of good things out there."
Good & Bad Leave Chiefs One Point Short from Bob Gretz
KC Star Photo Gallery: Packers 20, Chiefs 19 | Sept. 1, 2011
NFL.com Video: Packers vs. Chiefs Highlights
Despite holding advantages in the major statistical categories, Kansas City could not overcome five turnovers that resulted in 13 points for Green Bay as the Packers topped the Chiefs by a final of 20-19 in both teams’ final preseason game Thursday night at Lambeau Field.Chiefs Drop Preseason Finale to Packers by 20-19 Final from The Mothership
We saw a fake punt, an onside kick, and Jamaal Charles and other stars playing in the fourth quarter against Packers backups and practice-squad guys. The sideline microphones caught Haley dropping — even by his lofty standards — some tirades that Samuel L. Jackson would be proud of.
All of that makes the whole thing stink worse. They finally tried in a preseason game, and this is what happened: two timeouts by the offense in the first quarter, two fumbles by Charles among five turnovers and more mess from Barry Richardson.
Ready or Not, Here Comes Regular Season for Chiefs from KC Star
Well, Thursday night the Chiefs showed they were a bit more ready than maybe even they thought. Forget the matter of the Packers sitting so many of their starters, especially on defense. It was a night that had nothing to do with Green Bay, and everything to do with the Chiefs and their internal confidence.
And it provided a good tape to sit down and make evaluations on just what type of roster the Chiefs have.
Evaluations Done - It's Decision Time from Bob Gretz
Next question
Can the Chiefs beat an opponent’s first-team offense and defense? They’ll have to in nine days, when Buffalo visits Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs Preseason Blitz: Cassel Breaks Out from KC Star
"I just felt the way it was going. . . we were very confident, regardless what Kansas City did in the second half, that we'd win the game," McCarthy said.
"We saw our younger players play against more experienced units. It will give us as good an evaluation as we've ever had. The number of plays that our younger players had in preseason, it's safe to say it's the highest in my time in Green Bay."
Packers Backups Hold Their Own Against Chiefs from The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
But after a shaky and winless preseason, the Chiefs know they have to be better."It doesn't matter if it's preseason or second string, we have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot," Palko said. "We're our biggest enemy at times."
"We did some good things. We can’t turn the ball over seven times," [Cassel] said, overestimating the five turnovers that Kansas City finished with in a 20-19 loss to the Packers. "We hurt ourselves on many of those drives, and we had some penalties as well. That’s been the theme throughout the preseason."Cassel Not Pleased But Gets Some Satisfaction from KC Star
That Cassel was upright and able to speak was good enough, after he left Thursday night’s pre-season game against the Packers after taking a full belly flop on his right shoulder from 340-pound DT Howard Green.
"He’s all that and more," Cassel said with a wry smile of Green’s poundage.
"We Did Some Good Things" Says Cassel from Bob Gretz
"We can’t turn the football over and we’ve done it too much here," Haley said. "We’ve done it practice a few times (also) and that’s troubling. That might be reflect a little bit on how we had to start this training camp, not being in pads, and having the ball security things."
The Chiefs put the football on the ground 10 times this preseason.
The Morning After: Green Bay from The Mothership
But in his time with the Chiefs, fumbles have not really been a major problem for the shifty running back. If you add up all of his touches since ’08 in the pre-season, regular season and last year’s post-season game, he’s had the ball in his hands 678 times. He’s lost 12 fumbles, or one every 56.5 times he touches the ball.
Charles Coughs It Up Twice from Bob Gretz
The primary positive — and it was an important one — is that no one got hurt, and now the Bills can finalize their roster and start playing for real.
"From now on it's about getting ready and our preparation for Kansas City," Merriman said, referring to the Sept. 11 opener against the Chiefs. "We started on them a little bit already, but now it's about fine-tuning things and getting ready to play football."
Struggling Buffalo Bills Lose to Detroit Lions in Final Preseason Game from The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
"I’m glad it worked out the way it did," said Flowers, who finished the game with an interception, a tackle and two passes defended. "I know it’s different than most teams did things, but I like it.
"We got into the game against Buffalo with a real idea of where we are and what we can do at this time. I think that’s momentum and there’s nothing wrong with that."
Flowers Enjoys The Work from Bob Gretz
"That's something I know my dad would've been extremely proud of," said Aaron. "No job is too small. We're not above picking up boards and nails to help somebody out who's down."That bighearted message will likely continue to spread. Last year, the Thomases and Kansas City Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann -- one of four NFL players to play for Ed -- launched the Ed Thomas Family Foundation, an organization whose mission is to teach young athletes that the game goes deeper than winning and losing, than playbooks and formations. The foundation plans to create a football camp that focuses not just on football, but also on imparting lessons of integrity and respect.
Legendary Coach Ed Thomas Continues to Impact Parkersburg from Sports Illustrated