I’ve been a regular AP reader for a year and a half.  This is my first fanpost. The last thing I want to do is clutter up the fanpost list with weak fanshot material. However, I have noticed lately (especially during the first half of today’s game) that many fans aren’t sure if this team is for real. I want to argue that the Chiefs are a good team, and, in fact, better than you think. Just for the record, I’m more of a Kool-aid drinker than a pessimist. I’m certainly not on Porkchop’s level, but I want to believe this team can be good.

Everyone knows that the Chiefs have the #1 rushing attack in the NFL. Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles have been wearing down defenses and putting games away. Another unsurprising stat is rushing attempts: 211. This leads all NFL teams that have only played six games. With all those attempts there is another more surprising stat that comes up. Could you guess how many fumbles the chiefs have lost in those 211 attempts? 1. Let that sink in for a moment. You probably remember the fumble. Charles had broken a big play and had a helmet put on the ball in the open field. He should have held on, but it’s hard to fault him too much for that one. Haley has stressed this in practice. Good teams always seem to do a good job securing the football.

Speaking of ball security, can you guess how many Interceptions the oft-maligned Matt Cassel has thrown? 3. That’s tied for 5th least in the NFL. He’s thrown 9 touchdowns. That is three times as many. I’m not saying that Cassel is a pro-bowler, but He’s getting it done on the field.  One might argue that 9 touchdowns isn’t a lot. After all, Brees and Manning have thrown 14 and 13 TD’s respectively. You might be surprised, however, to see where the Chiefs rank in total points: tied for 6th in the NFL. If you look at teams that have only played 6 games, the Chiefs are 4th. The Chiefs have shown an ability to score when they need to. Through 6 games the Chiefs have one punt return touchdowns, 2 interception return touchdowns, 6 rushing touchdowns, and 9 passing touchdowns.

You may have heard that the Chiefs have played well against the run. They are currently 5th in yards per game. You have no doubt heard that they are 25th against the pass. The secondary is young, and we are still learning and sometimes giving up big plays. Another surprising stat, you have probably not heard: the Chiefs are currently tied for 6th in scoring defense. After playing Indy and Houston on the road, this stat is truly impressive. They are 8th in points per game. This defense has struggled in the 4th quarter. They have been frustrating to watch at times (Houston game anyone?). However, they have kept us in EVERY game this season. I contend that the Chiefs have a top ten defense.

I have observed a few other things that I think are indicative of a good team. Have you ever thought about how many times Matt Cassel has been sacked? The answer is 5. That’s is less than 1 a game. Peyton Manning has been sacked 6 times for comparison sake. I know we run the ball a lot but there is definitely something to this. Another thing I love about this team is how Haley emphasized cutting down on stupid mistakes. In addition to the amazingly low amount of turnovers (4 in six games) the Chiefs have the 4th fewest offensive penalties and 12th fewest on defense (questionable P.I. calls included of course).

I do not overlook the weaknesses of this team. In order to compete in the playoffs the Chiefs will have to get noticeably better every week. However, I think that I’m ready to start calling this team a playoff team. It may not happen, but I think that we should start to believe. As I see it, competitive well-coached teams commit few penalties, protect the ball, protect the quarterback, find creative ways to score, and play smart opportunistic defense. I think the Chiefs fit this mold. They will be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC west this year. They will surprise a lot of people. They will finally get the respect they deserve. I, for one, am proud to call myself a Chiefs fan once again.

I would not normally take the time to write a Fan Post, but something caught my attention today I thought I needed to share with the Burnt Orange Nation.

Another blog I follow about the Kansas City Chiefs systematically concluded that the Chiefs should not "mess with Texas" during this years draft. Apparently tempered by disappointments surrounding recent Texas acquisitions Derrick Johnson and Jamaal Charles, the article went on to say that Texas players drafted in the first round during the last 10 years do not live up to their first round billing. To quote directly from the article:

"For some reason, a good chunk of Texas players don't pan out in the NFL.  Take a look at the players drafted in the first round since 1998 to get a better idea of what I'm talking about.

• DB Michael Griffin (19)
• DB Aaron Ross (20)
• QB Vince Young (3)
• DB Michael Huff (7)
• RB Cedric Benson (4)
• LB Derrick Johnson (15)
• WR Roy Williams (7)
• DT Marcus Tubbs (23)
• T Mike Williams (4)
• DB Quentin Jammer (5)
• T Leonard Davis (2)
• NT Casey Hampton (19)
• RB Ricky Williams (5)
  

From my perspective, there's one player (Casey Hampton) whose justified his draft position.  There are a few players, like the DBs selected in the last few years and Vince Young, who could still blossom into 1st round-type talent but have yet to demonstrate that. "

This is all supposed to be evidence that Brian Orakpo will not be good in the NFL, and consequently the Chiefs should not consider drafting him. So, all this brings me to my question: Is this true, are their really no good Texas players in the NFL, or am I taking crazy pills? Maybe I'm just wearing rose colored glasses but I think some (even most) of these players did alright at the next level. This of course begs the question: Why single out Texas?... as if all draft busts come out of Austin. Anyways, What do ya'll think?

Link to the original article in context: http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2009/4/6/824387/chiefs-shouldnt-mess-with-texas-in#comments