over at Arrowhead Pride, the Chiefs SB Nation stop. Couldn't trade any picks, so I had to make the selection at #13. I took Riley Reiff. Go to read the comments and the thought process. It was fun getting familiar with one of the teams of my youth (Jim Hart, Mel Gray, Roger Wehrli, Johnny Roland... I loved those guys). I hope the Cardinals have a great season.

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2012/4/3/2922123/2012-nfl-mock-draft-arizona-cardinals-riley-reiff#storyjump

I'm a guy who bought into Matt Cassel from the start.  I've been a defender.  Even when his accuracy, decisions (or lack of) and general poor play made me want to scratch my eyes out, I still root for him to succeed.  His occasional good games would give me hope.  His usual poor play did not give me that hope.  He's got a million dollar ethic and a ten cent arm.  He's a leader.  He' just not got the skill set to get it done.

OK, the realization that you have a problem is the first step.  I'm there now, much later than many of you.  But something else is happening this year (away from our favorite team) that makes me hope that help may be on the way.  For that, you have to jump.

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All I've heard all week is how KC is gonna get their revenge on Denver Sunday.  We get Dex back!  Haley hates them!  Sounds a little like we're already dismissing the Broncos.   But I remember 49-29.  I remember 35-0 in the 2nd quarter.  I remember how Orton played.  Point is this:  With arguably the most important game in the last three or four years coming up next week, the Chiefs had better not be looking past Denver.  The things working in KC's favor is the whupping they took just three weeks ago being fresh in their minds.  Having Haley's back may be a motivator for the team as well.  Win one for the coach?  I hope that's the mindset.

As far as the trap goes, SD is kind of in the same boat.  Big favorites to beat OAK.  BIG game next week that will kill their season if they lose.  I'm just putting it out there.  Both teams need to focus on this week (well, SD can take the week off). 

It's so nice to be talking about playoffs in December, isn't it?

(Before I begin, thanks to AP member worc for first posting these names in the FanShot section.  You're a sick puppy)

Ok... Shaun Smith is making news for all the wrong reasons.  I don't condone latching on to the wedding tackle, but it's creating a few unintended consequences:

- Creating news:  Granted, it's news that I can't believe is going over very well in the front office.  But we're always bitching about a lack of Chiefs coverage.  Well, we've got some.  YouTube, Blogs, mainstream media.  they're all talking about it.  At least they're not making fun of us for our poor play anymore.

- Creating mystery:  I guarantee that opposition O-line meetings (or at least conversation for the rest of the season) will include a mention of Smith's interesting "handwork."  What this does is create a distraction.  If they're talking about this, that's one less conversation that will focus on Hali's swim move or how to double team Dorsey.

- Creating swagger:  For years (since Martyball of the 90's), we've had some pretty putrid defenses.  May be stretching it here, but could it instill a little fear in opposing offenses?

Anyway, worc (h/t) had a pretty funny FanShot in which he listed some new nicknames for SS as suggested on the Dan Patrick radio show.  It was just SCREAMING for an AP poll.  So here you go (hey, it's a bye week):

While my heart fills with pride over the resurgence of our beloved Chiefs, I got something else out of the Niners game.  A son who I think will now be able to share his father’s love for the Chiefs.  A son who will now be a fan for life.

Let me explain.

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OK, we've been talking for months now about who the Chiefs might draft.  I thought I'd put some odds on the possibles and see what the Pride faithful think.  These odds are based on whether a player MIGHT be available, and then the chances of "The Don" actually making the call.  They have also changed (in my mind, at least) from when the FA period started.  Debate away kids!

3-1  Eric Berry - While he's the consensus number one among many at this site, recent signs indicate he might not even be here at the pick.  He seems like this year's version of Aaron Curry... there's a general consensus that he's the man for the job.  But will Pioli agree?  I say, unfortunately, no.

7-2 Trade the pick - I think that this is the way I want things to go.  So many needs... so many quality players this year.  If both QB's are on the board (or even one that a team covets), I think this result has a real shot.

5-1 Russell Okung - Odds would have been a little lower were it not for the FA moves of the last two weeks.  Still, you can never have enough quality O Linemen.

7-1 Rolando McClain - Man, do we need a couple of Inside Linebackers.  To hear some, McClain's stock is falling... but I can't tell if it's all just the smoke of draft season wafting over us.

8-1 Dan Williams - NT is an area of extreme need.  Williams seems to be the best of a not too deep bunch.  Just the kind of reach we saw last year with TJ

10-1 Joe Haden - CB is a real sleeper here.  Is Brandon Carr the player who we want starting?  This is just the type of thing that Pioli would do... pick the guy that we least expect.  Speaking of which, I'll give you a couple of 15-1's:

15-1 Dez Bryant - Kind of a BPA pick.  I think he's the best WR in the draft (no offense to Golden Tate).

15-1 Jimmy Claussen - Just for grins.

4-5 NO ONE ON THIS LIST - Because it's Pioli.  And by the time you know what the Don is thinking... it's too late.