SB Nation User Blog: Chris

Your Friday Caption This

Chris — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:05 -0000

View full size photo uploaded July 2, 2009

By the time you read this, I'm going to be on a plane to good 'ole North Carolina to visit some of Miss AP's family. Why did I get a flight that left at 5:35 AM? Still trying to figure that one out.

Judging by past 4th of July holidays, things are probably going to be pretty slow around here until Monday.Something about spending time with your family and friends seriously gets in the way of AP reading.

Let us know what you're doing for the 4th in the comment section, as well as your hilarious comments on this 2008 training camp picture of Mr. Tyler Thigpen. While I'm in North Carolina, we'll be cooking up some great food and just straight relaxing.

It's been a long off season, hasn't it?

Here's lookin' at you, "El Bowe." The Chiefs sought out their top receiver in droves last season,...

Chris — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:54:00 -0000

Here's lookin' at you, "El Bowe." The Chiefs sought out their top receiver in droves last season, and he earned the fourth-most looks among wideouts last year (159). KC shouldn't hesitate to keep the physically talented receiver near the top once again, especially with new head coach Todd Haley's offense in place. Bowe has proven to be durable, playing in each of his first 32 games. He has grown over that time, too, averaging 78.0 catches and 1,008.5 yards per year, including 86 and 1,022 last year. He recorded fewer than five catches only five times in '08. Bowe will probably assume most of the red zone looks, too, with the departure of a former Chiefs staple.

KFFL - Article - Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Since fantasy football was brought up today in the FanPosts.

Chiefs Players Doing More Good Around the Kansas City Community

Chris — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:49:53 -0000

View full size photo uploaded July 2, 2009

Kansas City Chiefs Tank Tyler, Turk McBride and Kolby Smith all headed down to the neighborhood where I grew up - Brookside - to spend some time at the Children's Place.

The Children’s Place is a "nurturing, caring place for the very youngest survivors of abuse, neglect and other childhood traumas."

You can watch video of the day at the Children's place here. Keep up the good work Chiefs!

St. Joe Mayor: Scott Pioli is Like a Great Good Neighbor

Chris — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:36:26 -0000

A couple of days ago, ground was broken on what will be the Kansas City Chiefs' new training camp home in St. Joseph, MO, at Missouri-Western University. Kevin Kietzman of 810 Sports interviewed St. Joe's mayor, Ken Shearin, on that day and it turned out to be a great interview.

The one-term mayor is a very likable fellow who is really just happy to be part of the team that brought the Chiefs' training camp to Missouri. And he does a pretty good job of painting the new Chiefs regime not as the secretive fortress as we know it but as a more open, more cordial setting than when Carl Peterson was around.

Wait. Say what? More accessible than the previous regime?

I took some notes and for the most part put them in my own words. It's not a complete transcript by any means. I left quite a bit out of the nearly 20-minute interview.

After the jump, check out some of Mayor Shearin's great lines about the new Chiefs regime, the old Chiefs regime and...udder balm? Yes, udder balm.

How difficult a task was this? Is the community on board?

The economic reality of the times increased the community's skepticism. This town has bled red and gold since I've been here - for 24 years. Missouri Western has already been strengthened - recruiting especially. It doesn't make sense to underestimate the power that goes beyond the time the Chiefs are in town. If River Falls can keep it 19 years, we can keep it 19 years. We're going to make this such a welcome experience - especially for the kids - they are going to gobble this Chief stuff up like a chicken after a junebug.

I made a statement today, you've probably got it on already, this probably happened because you have a man now running this Chief organization that's like a great good neighbor and not a king. It's opened up a lot of avenues in public relations opportunities that we really appreciate.

What has transpired in your dealings with the Chiefs over the last few months? Sounds like things are going very well as far as you're concerned.

You know, I don't want to say I was tentative about trying to get on the ground floor of what was going on. It was a welcome experience, an enjoyable experience to sit back and have people in the Chiefs organization act like and genuinely convinced me that they are as interested in the success of the training camp as we are.

In the previous regime, did they not seem interested?

We never had a talk with the previous regime. You had to go through armed guards and hallowed halls of glory to even try to talk to somebody in the old regime.

So this is quite a difference?

A very positive experience. And it should be very positive with the Chiefs and KC.

Is there anyone you want to mention in the Chiefs organization that have been really good to work with?

Everyone of them we've talked to. Denny's [Thum] one. The whole group that just came about has been just as easy talking to a voter who wants to complain about weeds on the sidewalk. It's just been amazing. I was expecting worse having worked with corporate people my whole life. I was anticipating the levels of bureaucracy we had to go to to get to the top. Not this time. This has been a hands on decision by me and the whole organization that made this thing happen so quickly.

The bottom line is that I've never had a team work so steadfastly connected on anything this important.

How about Scott Pioli? Have you had any new dealings with the general manager? Did he have any concerns about what the facilities would be like? What do you hear from the football side of things?

The football side of it...I'm not getting involved with it. That's not my business. The next thing I'm working on is getting the cheerleaders training camp here too.

Do you have current dorm facilities that will house the players?

Yes but that's a Chief decision. They're going to get out and about in this town. Hopefully they don't take...What's that gentleman's name that got in trouble every time he went out? I hope we don't have that here [Laughs].

You know what's great about this? The Chiefs will win twice as many games this year because of this decision.

Finally, the host pushes Mayor Shearin a bit to tell us about what he does for a living and as it turns out, Mayor Shearin is selling human udder balm. No more grease people!

I really enjoyed listening to Mayor Shearin on this podcast. He gave us some great quotes and some very interesting insight into how the Chiefs front office is conducting business.

Check out the podcast at 810Sports.com.

Branden Albert: 'I'm Trying to be a Leader'

Chris — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:47:51 -0000

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 21: Offensive lineman Branden Albert #76 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after his team was stopped on fourth and goal late in the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 21, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Chiefs 38-14.

View full size photo uploaded July 1, 2009

Good read from Kent Babb this morning on Branden Albert. Check it out.

It wasn’t easy for Branden Albert to sit at the barbecue joint and take a pass on the ribs, the brisket, the pulled pork — everything. It wasn’t easy to keep his mind on a strict offseason diet and exercise plan and ignore the meat-scented air and the colleague across from him, digging in.

Heck, it isn't easy for anyone to sit at Jack Stack BBQ and not eat. I can't even imagine Branden Albert not eating. That's cruel. He needs to get himself some of that low-fat, low-carb...ah nevermind. It doesn't exist. BBQ is too good to change.

Anyway, Albert is envisioning himself as something the Kansas City Chiefs haven't had since Trent Green left - a team leader.

"I’m trying to be a leader, and I’m trying to win games. Coach Haley and Scott were on me so hard about: ‘You know what type of guy you can be. So why don’t you be that guy?’ "

Babb goes on to mention that Brian Waters has been a mentor to Branden Albert and that Albert has no idea if Waters will end up playing for the Chiefs in 2009.

Let's talk about team leaders for a second. I posit that Trent Green was the last true team leader of the Chiefs, with spokesmen rotating in and out - Tony Gonzalez, Brian Waters....They weren't and aren't team leaders. They're simply the ones who talk to the media more. Gonzalez was too whiny and Waters never was assertive.

That brings up an interesting question: Who are the team leaders on offense and defense for the Kansas City Chiefs?

Right now, I say nobody has stepped into that role on either side of the ball. I predict that QB Matt Cassel emerges as a team leader on the offensive side of the ball and more than likely for the team as a whole. He's got the confidence and intelligence to do that. And he wins sort of by default - Who else is going to step up?

Thoughts on the Chiefs team leaders, or lack thereof?

What Are the Odds This is Former Chief Victor Riley?

Chris — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:07:19 -0000

Victor Riley, 34, of LaPlace examines the tread of his tire Tuesday after the tire flew off his car and slammed into a car headed the opposite direction on Interstate 10 near Slidell. Photo by SCOTT THRELKELD/ THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Big hat tip to JimNasium over at Chiefs Planet for digging this one up.

Is this Victor Riley, former offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs?

A motorist who had just exited the I-10 twin spans near Slidell was injured when a tire smashed into the windshield and roof of his car after coming loose from an oncoming vehicle and bounding across the interstate medial.

Keith Kelly, 61, was taken to North Shore Regional Hospital after he was rescued from his damaged vehicle by members of the 1st Fire Protection District in Slidell. Kelly was alone his his Crown Victoria when the accident occurred.

The hood, windshield and roof of Kelly's car were smashed by the flying tire, crushing the roof down into the passenger seat.

The driver of the vehicle that lost the tire, Victor Riley, 34, of LaPlace, was not injured.

Hmm.

Same age. Check.

Looks a lot like him. Check.

Automobile trouble? Check.

Riley played for the Saints for three years and LaPlace is just 25 miles west of New Orleans.

I for one think it is the Victor Riley of the 1998 NFL draft. Gotta be, right? Let us know what you think in the poll.

Poll

Is it the same Victor Riley?

The St. Louis Rams apparently think he's a good prospect. Madden said the Rams had scouted all but...

Chris — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:31:40 -0000

The St. Louis Rams apparently think he's a good prospect. Madden said the Rams had scouted all but the Thunder's most recent game and worked out Elliott before one game. They've also asked for videotape after every game.

The New England Patriots also scouted a game and asked for videotape, as did the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans.

Tulsa World: Derailed recovery

That's tape on Prentiss Elliott, who is an all purpose threat from another football league.

H/T NJChiefsFan

Chiefs Paying $14 Million Per Win

Chris — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:02:25 -0000

Team	Dollars, in millions	Wins/5 Seasons	$ Spent Per Win	Playoff Wins
1. Cowboys	$566.89	46	$12.3	0
2. Seahawks	$552.42	45	$12	4
3. Redskins	$547.37	38	$14.4	1
4. Colts	$532.77	63	$8.5	5
5. Vikings	$526.87	41	$12.9	1
6. Texans	$522.23	31	$16.8	0
7. Saints	$518.49	36	$14.4	1
8. Steelers	$516.69	56	$9.2	8
9. Panthers	$516.09	45	$11.5	2
10. Patriots	$513.31	63	$8.1	8
11. Raiders	$513.21	20	$25.6	0
12. Ravens	$507.05	44	$11.5	2
13. Browns	$506.43	28	$18.1	0
14. Cardinals	$505.30	33	$15.3	3
15. Lions	$505.04	21	$24	0
16. Jets	$502.53	37	$13.6	1
17. Rams	$502.08	27	$18.6	1
18. Dolphins	$500.56	31	$16.1	0
19. Giants	$497.63	47	$10.6	4
20. Eagles	$495.75	46	$10.8	5
21. Bears	$495.57	45	$11	2
22. Falcons	$493.07	41	$12	1
23. Bengals	$491.06	38	$12.9	0
24. 49ers	$486.40	25	$19.5	0
25. Chargers	$485.46	54	$8.99	3
26. Broncos	$485.40	47	$10.3	1
27. Bills	$493.71	35	$14.1	0
28. Jaguars	$480.06	45	$10.7	1
29. Titans	$465.29	40	$11.6	0
30. Packers	$457.16	41	$11.1	1
31. Chiefs	$451.58	32	$14.1	0
32. Bucs	$449.00	38	$11.8	0

The chart above ranks all 32 NFL teams in total money paid out to players from 2004-2008 - that's salaries and bonuses.

We got the original money numbers from NFL.com and I went ahead and added in the wins over the last five seasons (And now that I look more, NFL.com already did that too), money spent per win and finally playoff wins from 2004-2008.

After the jump, I check out the good, the bad and the ugly of spending money in the NFL over the last five years.

The Good

I know you guys are going to kill me on this (don't shoot the messenger) but the San Diego Chargers are one of the most efficient teams when it comes to churning out wins for the lowest cost possible. The Chargers $8.99 million spent per win is third only behind the Colts and the Patriots.San Diego also has the fourth highest win total from '04 to '08.

I know, I know. I hate talking about it too. But you have to give it to the Chargers - they're smart about when and where they spend their money.

And who else would you expect to be on this list? The Patriots, Colts and Steelers of course. All three teams spent less than $10 million per win and have twenty-one playoff wins combined.

The Eagles and Giants are another pair of standouts. Despite spending about the sam eamount per win as the Jaguars and Broncos, Philly and New York have nine combined playoff wins compared to the former's two combined playoff wins. The Eagles and Giants are spending approximately the same amount of money as the Jags and Broncos and getting much better results.

The Bad

For the Chiefs, it's a sad situation with a caveat - we didn't spend a ton of money compared to the rest of the league!

Those that did spend without success - Dallas, Washington, Houston - really should be embarrassed. With one combined playoff win, those three teams made up three of the top six highest spending franchises. For nearly $100 million more than the Chiefs, the Redskins got six more wins.

The Ugly

The Oakland Raiders and the Detroit Lions really are in a league of their own when it comes to spending money on crap. Both teams are over $24 million per win in the last five years, an absolutely atrocious number compared to the rest of the league. Stats like this really confirm what we've known all along - Al Davis and Matt Millen really have no freakin' clue what they were doing.

Take a look at the numbers and let us know what you think.

According to assistant coach Thom Roundtree, Thunder first string quarterback Orrick "Rico" Watkins...

Chris — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:05:04 -0000

According to assistant coach Thom Roundtree, Thunder first string quarterback Orrick "Rico" Watkins turned in an impressive effort in their latest victory. Roundtree also said Watkins appears to have a possible shot at trying out for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chiefs Bringing In Another Quarterback?

KCChiefsBlog.com brings us this tidbit this evening. The link in the post isn't super legitimate so we'll wait and see what happens with "Rico" Watkins.

ran bleachers today about 2 pm......... yea it was it wasnt good.lol but its gonna pay...

Chris — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:58:39 -0000

ran bleachers today about 2 pm......... yea it was it wasnt good.lol but its gonna pay off watch...

Derrick Johnson (superdj56) on Twitter

Derrick Johnson's Twitter feed. He's sort of rocking this model type look in his photo on his page. It's a bit weird.