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(Send mailbag questions to MNchiefsfan@hotmail.com or tweet to @RealMNchiefsfan)
We're doing more questions than normal today, so let's just dive right in.
Hey what up, huge fan. Been an AP member for several years, I just rarely comment.
My favorite shows of all time : The Wire, Nip/Tuck, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad (only because I'm a chemist), The Walking Dead, and now Friday Night Lights. I love FNL but still not nearly as much as the others (only on season 3). The Wire will stay with me forever. Anyways give me your MN interpretation and review of each show and compare on of the main characters to a Chief past or present? For example Christian Troy is to ____?
BSerraile
This reminds me... I still haven't seen The Wire. I don't think I've run into a single person who doesn't love that show. Like, not even one. I definitely need to find a way to watch that.
Well, I'm not going to do each show (even I have a limit on how much space I'll waste on television shows. OK, that's not true, but I'm lazy), but I'll definitely take one on... it's coming down between Game of Thrones and Friday Night Lights for me right now. The problem is, not enough people have seen FNL because the world is awful and people are crazy. And Game of Thrones... crap, we could be here all day. Of course, there's a lot more to work with there when it comes to character comparisons... Let's go with GOT.
That show is fantastic. Of course, from everything I understand it's got great source material. And nope, I haven't read the books and don't intend to. I started with the show as a television show, and I'll stick it out as one. At this point, all reading the books would do is spoil a show I'm currently really enjoying. As with every other book-to-screen adaptation, I'm sure the books are superior. So why ruin a good thing? At least, that's the logic I'm going with.
One thing that bugs me (unpopular opinion alert!) is the ridiculous inclusion of soft-core porn scenes. It adds nothing to the show, and takes up time that could be spent slaughtering people or having super-tense moments between... well pretty much every moment is tense between every character, so there's no need to really give examples. Maybe I'm too old or married or whatever, but I don't see the point. It's probably my only problem with the show, which is otherwise fantastic.
Now... character comparisons. Well, since there are 118 important characters on GOT (give or take, with characters being added and killed off constantly) we've got plenty of ways to go with this. Since I've already rambled on, I'm going to go with just a few.
Alex Smith - Tyrion Lannister. It might seem like I'm dissing Smith, making him the dwarf. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Tyrion Lannister is incredibly smart, very likeable, and constantly underestimated by those around him. Additionally, he's always in the middle of a great deal of drama and arguing. Sounds familiar at all? Personally, Tyrion is one of my favorite characters, and I'm hoping by the end of this (football) season Smith is one of my favorite players.
Tyson Jackson - "The Hound". TJax is huge, scary, and it would seem that Chiefs fans aren't quite sure whether they like him or not (I do, but what are you gonna do). Definitely The Hound, who I actually like as well. I have a feeling that both of them get their redemption soon (PLEASE no book-reading spoilers. Please?)
Peyton Manning - Joffrey Baratheon. I know Manning isn't a Chief (duh). But he's the worst. As is Joffrey. I don't think I've ever hated a fictional character this much... I can only think of a few: that guard from The Green Mile, Izzie Stevens on Gray's Anatomy (yes, I watch that show. Marriage is weird), J.D. McCoy on Friday Night Lights, and Ben from Lost. I'm sure there's a few more there, but that's off the top of my head. Honestly, though, I have NEVER hated a character like I hate that little psycho. And Manning, as I said, is the worst.
I may have to re-address this question next time with Friday Night Lights. Who will get the coveted role of Matt Saracen? I may or may not think about this nonstop until the next mailbag.
If you go to the Super Bowl, what one aspect of your team is most to thank? If you go 0-16, what aspect of your team is most to blame?
BroncosFanForLife
That's kind of a tough one. Obviously if the Chiefs got to the Super Bowl a BUNCH of things have gone right. I think in order for things to go THAT well, though, it's going to be a case of Alex Smith playing as well as the most optimistic of us are hoping for and maybe better. On offense it'll start and end with him.
For the Chiefs to go to the Super Bowl he has to not only play well enough to not lose, but he needs to also provide a legitimate passing attack that forces teams to respect the pass as well as the run. That, of course, will leave all-universe RB Jamaal Charles more room than he's had his entire career to do what he does.
(Crosses fingers, throws salt over shoulder, swings a black cat around head 7 times, and recites 200 Hail Marys)
If the Chiefs go 0-16.... there was clearly a massive breakdown. For something that epic to have occurred, blame would have to fall on the top. If the Chiefs go 0-16, it'll be because Andy Reid is completely washed up and just flat-out can't coach anymore. There is no other way that possibly happens.
However, for a more realistic 2-14 or 4-12, I'd say that the culprit would be the pass rush. Now, I love Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. But other than them we haven't had anything resembling a pass rush for years. And while I think our defense was put in an impossible spot last year, it's not as though opposing QBs were shaking when they faced KC. Now, hopefully a lot of that was scheme and we see more good things from the DL (I do think Poe and TJax will be a pleasant surprise to many). But if we don't, we could be in for a long year regardless of what steps forward our offense takes.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
MN, is Tony Moeaki cut-able? And will the 21st century be the first that Europe has in its history without a massive land war?
I really like the way those two questions fit together. I can totally see how one would lead to the other. But let's talk about the important stuff first.
Tony Moeaki, at this point, is absolutely on the chopping block in my mind. Now a lot can change if he's ready to go for training camp. But as of right now, here's what we know:
1) Dorsey / Reid brought in Anthony Fasano for starting TE money.
2) Dorsey / Reid then drafted a very good TE prospect with a high-end 3rd round pick. For more on why Travis Kelce is awesome, see here.
3) Moeaki was not very good for the first half of last season as a blocker or receiver. Now in all fairness, he started to look quicker and more aggressive as the year went along, but it's worth noting.
4) After two guys were brought in, To-Mo was unable to go at all during OTAs. That's not good.
5) Moeaki has what seems to be one of the few contracts around that the Chiefs could cut out and save some money.
I'd like to think that with the Patriots losing every single player Tom Brady was supposed to throw to this year there's at least SOME shot at a trade there. But really, things don't look great for Moeaki right now. Hopefully he tears it up in training camp and we all look back and laugh about this. But he shouldn't get too comfortable.
As to the second (and of course, much less important) question... I'm gonna go with yes. At this point, the whole place is way too interconnected and interdependent to go up in flames again. Maybe that's one advantage to an age of Twitter and places like Arrowhead Pride connecting people in different countries. Of course, there's the off chance Germany gets sick of footing the bill for all of Europe and goes postal. I know I would if I got stuck paying for everyone else's crap.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
MNchiefsfan,
My question is simple, if the scenario presented itself, would you be a Tiny Rhino or a Giant Hamster? Which path do you choose?
Sincerely, Bennett Wyllie
I have learned not to Google questions like this (ever since it was pointed out to me that the horse-sized duck question a few weeks back started on Reddit). I won't be the first person to weigh in on this topic. However, that won't stop me from offering my opinion.
Each side presents problems. On one hand, as a tiny rhino you're at the bottom of the food chain and will have to constantly watch your back lest a hungry house cat have you for lunch. On the other hand, is there any chance that a giant hamster DOESN'T get hunted down and killed by a curious human community? How giant and how tiny are we talking here? Because if that hamster is the size of an elephant there's no way it can stay hidden, right?
I'm going with giant hamster all the same though. Because at the end of the day, I'd rather be killed by people than wild animals. Have you ever seen a cat play with its prey? Those things are sadistic, man. Giant hamster all the way, and hope that PETA hears about me before hunters do.
Chiefs fan living in Dallas... Love my Chiefs and I am so excited for this upcoming season. This site is awesome being that we are nothing to the media unless its Kansas City... Can't wait until we smash the Cowgirls this year. LOVE LOVE your insight and appreciate your work keep it up!
1. Will Eric Berry return to superstar form after a subpar year albeit from a major injury? We all know he made the Pro Bowl but after his rookie year I believed he had the ability to be a Defensive POY candidate.
2. Do you think A. Smith has the ability to throw to open receivers? Watching Cassel throwing a baseball instead of a football on Sundays jus killed me. I believe with the rules geared towards the offense most receivers are open if it's single coverage. Throwing to a players strengths is crucial with Baldwin and Bowes height and big bodies have to be used as an asset.
First of all, thanks for the kind words. This site is indeed the cat's meow.
Regarding Berry... I think he already DID return to superstar form in the latter half of last year. People make a huge deal about Berry's "struggles" in coverage last year, but if you check the stats he didn't play all that poorly in coverage, with his stats taking two huge dives against the Chargers last year (Antonio Gates just has his number).
I've only watched a little film on him, but this idea that he was constantly getting burned is just not accurate, especially as the year went on. He was clearly a little hesitant early in the year, which resulted in problems. But he tightened it up as the year went along and he got more confident in the knee. But hey, don't take my word for it if you don't want to. Check the stats.
Among safeties who took 75 percent or more of their teams' snaps, Berry ranked 21st in the league in percentage of catches allowed when targeted. Is that amazing? No. Is it NEARLY bad enough to show he was terrible in coverage, like some claim? Not even close. It put him in the top half of the league. Again, not great, but decent.
Among the same group, Berry was 20th in the league in yards allowed per catch. Again, he's in the upper half of the league in that stat. Again, he's not bad, but a little above average. Berry got targeted quite a bit (third most in the league) and was at fault for a couple of bad plays. I think this is the reason the average fan so quickly accepts the idea that Berry was bad in coverage, when in fact the truth is he was decent.
So now that we've dealt with the false claim that Berry was a liability in coverage, let's look at what else he provided last year. Leading the league at his position in passes defensed. Leading the league at his position in stops (solo tackles constituting an offensive failure). More tackles for loss than any other safety in the league. Berry was pretty darn exceptional for much of last season. The problem is he had a couple of rough plays early on and people never forgot it. Berry has actually become somewhat underrated around Arrowhead Pride. It's phenomenal.
(Oh, and for those who drool over Early Thomas, he allowed a higher percentage of passes completed when thrown at, had less than HALF as many "stops" as Berry [seriously... LESS THAN HALF], and missed five more tackles than Berry despite having 24 fewer tackles overall. So please explain why you heart Thomas but Berry is "overrated." I'm begging you.)
Berry will be fine this season. Better than fine. And the idea that he wasn't for the majority of last season has become an overhyped meme that isn't backed up by the deep stats or the game film.
Since I took up a lot of time on Berry, I'll be quicker with Smith. Yes, Alex Smith can absolutely throw receivers open. If you can, watch his 2012 film. Say what you will about being put in a system to succeed and all that, but he can make the throws needed, and make them well. I expect us to be surprised at some of the Chiefs WRs "sudden improvement" this year.
So to sum up... Berry was better than people are saying, and Alex Smith can ball. That shouldn't start any debates... right?
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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