Cardinals Vs. Chiefs: The Best And The Worst

Merry Chiefsmas everybody!

How awesome was that? Seriously, when was the last time our Kansas City Chiefs put on a performance like that in the preseason? Which may sound a bit silly, but think about it. They are 1-11 in the past three years of preseasons, and 3-17 over the past five. Just dreadful.

Now, the goal of any team's preseason should be to remain injury free, determine impending positional battles, and showcase your depth. But it's also about more than that (to us, at least). It's about inspiring your fan base, giving them hope for the season that could be. This is the NFL, where any team can win on any Sunday, including the final one of the season.

Yet, there's been this metaphorical stink cloud hanging over this franchise for what seems like a while now. Almost like a sense of predetermined doom. Will they ever win a playoff game? When will they get a real quarterback? Who's gonna pick up that candy bar wrapper? Do the head coach and general manager really hate each other? Ow, does my ACL look okay to you?. I mean, come on (Michael)! That's not what supporting your team should be all about. I'm tired of it. Maybe we, as fans, need to move on before this team can move on (or maybe last year was just a really long season). Either way, it feels good to wash away the stench from 2011, and to cleanse myself spiritually.

I'm ready to believe in this team again.

Best team KC has seen since Dick Vermeil left town - Your 2012 Kansas City Chiefs.

The Best and Worst w/ His Dirkness:

Best Chiefs debut - Brian Daboll. He was awesome. The offense seemed incredibly organized, without playcalls being syphoned through Bleeding Gums Haley's ego, which Scott Pioli was quick to point out in his interview (Damn, he hated Haley). Not to mention the points Daboll and his bucket hat earned for using Dexter McCluster in such positive fashion. I figured five yard out routes would be the norm with DMc, but have yet to really see it utilized in meaningful games thus far in his career.

Worst narrative for these Kansas City Chiefs - What's the one thing you'll hear almost any insider/expert mention when it comes to the success of this year's Chiefs team? Matt Cassel. "They'll go as far as Matt Cassel can take them." Over and over and over. I disagree. Cassel is the known quantity of this team. He's the control group. I don't think he was much better or worse in 2011 than he was in 2010 (4-5 with a depleted roster is similar to 10-7 with an intact roster). What changed were the circumstances surrounding him. He lost his number one running game. He was counted on to bring us back from big deficits. And then he got hurt. You know what Cassel is really good at it? Being mediocre. He knows his game. He won't lose this team many games, just like he won't win this team many games. And that might be a good thing with this team.

Best hope attained from one meaningless game - This running game could be dominant. The combination of Speed and Bleed seem to complement each other perfectly. And the right side of the offensive line was opening up holes all night (after barely creating slivers last season). Rodney Hudson, Jon Asamoah and Eric Winston all looked good in the new zone blocking scheme. Jamaal Charles looked a little stumbly, and isn't quite back to God Jam status just yet, but that shouldn't be expected of him in his first game back. And Hillis, my goodness, my Guinness! There's a very good chance the Chiefs will reclaim the #1 running game in the NFL this season, folks.

Worst name for the Best Chief on the field last night - Peyton. I just don't like the name Peyton right now. In fact, I'd like to speak on how fun it will be to cheer against Peyton Manning this season. I hated the dude enough when he played for the Colts, but now he's a Bronco!? And he stuck his horse-faced nose up in the air towards the Chiefs this offseason?? F(orget) that guy. I'm as invested in seeing the Broncos fail this season as I am in seeing the Chiefs succeed. It's all about beating them. Besides, I've got a way better name for our boy - BANE. In all caps. Tell me there's not a striking resemblance here... (credit to AP user PSUkegreen for the picture)

(Credit for this identification on my end goes to KMBZ's own, Rob Ladd. He's Rob Ladd.)

Best play of the night - Tamba Hali draws the holding penalty (one that was actually called) and Abram Elam snatches the ball out of the Cardinals' wide receiver's hands. Two reasons to celebrate: Tamba is still Tamba, and Jon McGraw is no longer this team's primary backup safety.

Best time to take the starters out - Just before Brady Quinn hangs his receiver out to dry in what the NFL refers to as Adrian Wilson Territory.

Best players to buy stock in today - Anthony Toribio (undisputed starting NT for now), Shaun Draughn (very disappointed it's pronounced Drone and not Drawn), Steve Maneri (see ya, O'Connell!), Jerrell Powe (this manneeds to play), Ropati Pitoitua (can never have enough big ass Samoans), and something called Edgar Jones (veteran OLB from Baltimore who never played much).

Worst performance by a rookie - Dontari Poe. Eeks! Time to freak out! Nah, I don't say this to be critical of Poe because I realize he is a project and will take time, but to instead focus on the rest of the class. The offensive line looked solid with both Donald Stephenson and Jeff Allen in the game. Devon Wylie looks super quick. Dequan Menzie laid the wood on a punt coverage. Jerome Long got a sack. Cyrus Gray looked a tad hesitant, but he doesn't go down on first contact. And Junior Hemingway didn't play so I didn't have to cheer for a Michigan player. Meanwhile, Poe seemed to lack an initial burst off the snap, but did push the pocket back a time or two.

Best change for the 2012 season - New uniforms! I was diggin' them. They came off kinda old school with the numbers on the shoulders. And something was different with the stripes on the arms, seemed like more yellow. I'd love to see yellow more involved in the Chiefs' color scheme. And my dream unis remain road whites with yellow pants (sort of like what the Redskins were wearing this week).

Best vacation of my offseason - St. Joseph. Despite visiting Denver, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Myrtle Beach, and St. Louis all this year, it was meeting Arrowhead Pride Dork Joel Thorman for the first time that stood above the rest. And yes, we rubbed beards (he does that with all of his contributors right? ...Right?).

Alright, Chiefs Nation, one down and 22 more to go for the perfect season. Who's drinking the KCool-aid?

Quick and Stanzi-free,

His Dirkness