So some of you may have noticed I've been quiet for some time. I guess I just became tired of some folks doubting this year's Chiefs team. I had enough. So I decided I'd just shut up until my prediction came true. What was my prediction? That the Chiefs would go at least 10-6 and make the playoffs. At 10-5 today defeating the Titans, and with the Bengals' defeat of San Diego Chargers, we're in. The Chiefs have clinched the AFC West Championship

However, we've got one game to go in the 2010 NFL Season. Yes, few would have guessed it. The Chiefs could go 11-5 in 2010. Now it's Raider's week.

The black and silver fly into KC and must face the music vs. the boys in red and white. All of us remember the overtime loss in the black hole. Our hearts were broken. We thought we had it, but it was not to be. This week WE have the 12th man on our side. It's time to step up to a big challenge and continue this momentum into the playoffs.

If you're like me, you hate the Raiders worse than that cocky kid who tried to pick fights with you in the 7th grade. They are bullies. They have ugly uniforms. Their GM is an idiot. Their head coach is a bonehead. Their fans...well...I'll leave that one alone. This week Sunday, we'll find out what kind of blood runs through the veins of this young Chiefs team.

It's not a "must win" because of a need to get to the playoffs. We're already in. It's a "must win" because they are the Raiders and we are the Chiefs. We want them to look bad and we want to be a great team. Great teams win these kinds of games late in the season.

Good luck KC Chiefs. We're rooting for you all the way. We know you're young. We know you're not a "great team" yet according to coach Haley. But you're improving a little bit each week. Today was a positive step forward. Let's keep the momentum going and head into the playoffs on the right foot.

GCF

via prod.static.chiefs.clubs.nfl.com

Notice the perfect wrap up in this open field tackle by Terrance Copper of the Kansas City Chiefs.

I was listening to Jim Rome talk show on the radio on the way home from work today. He had Bill Romanowski on the line. They were discussing the recent fines and the NFL's new "No Tolerance Policy" on helmet to helmet impacts on receivers. 

Of course, Romanowski a former NFL linebacker was lamenting the rule change. He was concerned that new NFL ruling was taking too much away from the intensity of the sport. He commented essentially that if players don't want to hit or be hit "they should take up badminton, tennis, volleyball or golf." I understand that kind of sentiment coming from a linebacker. He said that he got into the sport of football because he wanted to hit people and really jack them up. 

Now I've felt for quite some time that it's poor technique to hit someone without wrapping them up, taking them off their feet and forcing them to the turf. I played the game at the small college level as an undersized lineman. I coached undersized linemen later on as a position coach. So perhaps I'm a bit anal when it comes to studying and learning and teaching proper technique in order for smaller players to be as successful as possible among bigger, faster and stronger opponents. 

It frustrates me to see High School, College and so-called Professionals who use poor technique in open field tackling. College players see the pros do it and emulate them. HS players see players at higher levels and try to copy them as well. Arm tackling is just as, or even more prolific at all levels, but I digress. 

I understand the thinking that if a player makes a significant enough impact on a receiver that he lands on a planet in some far away galaxy, the hitter has done his job; which obviously is to bring the ball carrier to a quick and terminal stop. However, my argument is that this is not fundamentally sound football to do so. 

Now don't get me wrong. I love to see a big hit just as much as the next guy. I enjoy seeing the receiver get up with turf caught up between his face mask and helmet. Good coaching teaches the tackler to land on top of the tacklee and then reach down and help the poor lad up, smack him on the butt and say, "see ya next play" and trot back to the huddle; that is if the guy retained possession of the ball. 

You might think about this next time you see a safety or LB blow up a receiver over the middle or a kickoff team scream down the field bearing down on the kick returner. It occurs every game. Observe whether they wrapped up the receiver or not. I guarantee you that more often than not, they won't get the flag if they impact the receiver with proper wrap up technique no matter how explosive the hit is. 

Seriously now, would it be fun if Dexter McCluster or Tony Moeaki had to miss playing time for three weeks with a concussion because some joker blew him up with a helmet on helmet collision? I wouldn't be. I'd also hate to see one of them in a wheelchair with Alzheimer's 25 years from now because they suffered permanent brain damage as a result of taking too many big hits during their playing days. I also wouldn't think it fun to lose Derrick Johnson or Eric Berry for a few games because they caused a receiver a concussion. 

Heavy hitters who use poor tackling technique show a lack of respect for other players and for the game we love so much. I'm glad the NFL is cracking down (no pun intended) on these guys. I would prefer their coaches would care enough about other players and the game to demand better technique from their players. 

This game I love is supposed to be intense. It's supposed to be fun. People do get hurt. They play on. Others get injured, sit out for a few games, or the entire season. Unfortunately it happens. The less it happens, the more fun it is for everyone. If it improves because of the rule change, the game will be better for it. 

GCF

via prod.static.texans.clubs.nfl.com

So...in spite of the certainty that the entire Chiefs organization and the Chiefs Nation are feeling the pain of Sunday's loss to the Texans (Yes, the Chiefs had that name first), I'd like to extend congratulations to your team for a well played game. It is heartbreaking to lose one late in the 4th quarter after leading the entire game. But friends, I gotta hand it to your team. So many excellent offensive weapons! And when it ultimately counted, your defense held. 

Continue reading this post »

Before the draft we were all curious how the Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli would attempt to fix the team's many deficiencies.

Pick 1: I went hoarse during my celebration that Pioli listened to me when I called him and told him he should pick #14 from Tennessee. Pick 2: But frankly, I sat in my Lazyboy with my jaw on the floor when McCluster was picked, "Whaaaaat? He's too small!" Then I saw tape on this kid and my jaw dropped again. Pick 3: Then what? A corner-back(Arenas)? Not surprised, but what about NT? Oh he returns kicks too...a twofer. Makes sense. Pick 4: Ahhh! O Line! I was pleased to see the Asamoah kid...solid G/C prospect. Pick 5: The TE I expected somewhere and as expected Moeaki's name was called. The Pioli/Ferentz connection. Then Pick 6: Predictably another Safety. I expected two to be chosen. And finally Pick 7: An OLB I'd never heard of before.

However, now as I look at all 7 of our picks, I've come to believe that Pioli and his scouts have worked wonders. While many pundits have not noticed this, at least two important ones did: Rick Gosselin and Clark Judge. Many AP readers are awaiting word from the 16 game jury, however, I prefer to put faith in the promise of improvement that I see in the 7 men that were chosen by the Chiefs on NFL Draft weekend.

The Chiefs will be better in 2010 because of this draft. Yes, I said it. I'm confident in that statement. And I'm fully aware that some may not agree. Here are my predictions as to which areas of the team stand to become greatly improved because of this year's draft class:

Continue reading this post »

From the FanPosts. -Chris

Most of us know how important the NT is in the 3-4. It's been said that NT is the 2nd most important position on the team after QB. The 3-4 NT must be wide, powerful below the waist, able to draw a double team and clog the middle in order to open up running lanes for ILB's to fill and attack the ball carrier or passer. This NT will make the DE's better as well by minimizing double teams on them.

Even after the offseason addition of FA Shaun Smith, most of us agree that a Nose Tackle is a HUGE need to bring competition at that position and help solidify the Kansas City Chiefs Defense (Pun intended). 

Four NT prospects went in the first round last night. With the advent of the 2nd round just a few hours away, we expect the best of the remaining crop of DT's getting the call in rounds 2 and 3 from teams with 3-4 defenses. Teams that run the 3-4 include but are not limited to the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, and Miami Dolphins.

After the jump are some of the highest rated remaining 3-4 NT's available and a poll to gather AP's top pick. (Credits to nfl.com/Draft). After you vote, feel free to comment on why you chose the player you did...and try not to argue...(not gonna happen...but anyway...at least be civil about it).

Continue reading this post »

via a.espncdn.com

After Joel Thorman's post this morning about draft prospect Eric Olsen (C), I began to wonder if Kansas City Chiefs OC Charlie Weiss might try to sweet talk Pioli into drafting anyone else on the '09 Notre Dame roster. Perhaps one or more of them may be brought in as College Free Agents.

Golden Tate (WR) has been on our radar as a potential slot receiver and KR/PR. Many of you have mentioned him as a 2a #36 pick on your mock draft boards. Besides Tate, what other players from ND are there who could end up wearing red and gold this fall?

Including Olsen and Tate, a couple names popped up that may be interesting to discuss here on AP. The first name is not unfamiliar to us. However, few of us have indicated interest in drafting him...

Continue reading this post »

From the FanPosts. Bumped up the time to now. -Chris

Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli (via Truveo.com)

It seems to me that many of us on AP have not picked up on our Genius GM's draft philosophy.

Arguments abound in our posts and comments as to why we would like this player or that player at a certain pick, mostly having to do with our first three picks. Many of our arguments would be moot if we would simply remind ourselves of Pioli's draft philosophy.

I think we are kidding ourselves though if we think, with our thousands of different opinions and beliefs, that we can ever agree on who the pick might be and actually get it right very often. After all, Pioli, the coaches and the scouts argue all the time about which players will be better for the team before they finally come to settle on which names go where on their draft board. 

From a Pre-Draft Q & A session with Kansas City Chiefs GM Pioli and Coach Haley on April 16, 2009, I have concluded that Mr. Pioli uses seven key criteria when choosing his draft picks. 

Understand that some of Pioli's answers may be a bit cloudy, as we know he is very secretive about his future picks and doesn't want to let any cats out of his bag. However, "The Don" (I use that term affectionately) Pioli clearly reveals his philosophy of who will be his choice at a given spot in the draft.

Enjoy...(Interview content via the Mothership)

Continue reading this post »

Ok AP addicts, so with Joel (cough) reeling from getting the Brad Cottam joke played on him (and some of you) this morning (not me...I called it right away), and in the spirit of this fun day, this is your April Fools Joke thread for today...which happens to be...um...April 1st. 

The point of this thread is to comment with your WORST April Fools Joke stories. What I mean by that is you need to contribute the biggest April Fools Flops, your most EPIC FAIL of all time. This should be good, but only if you guys contribute. So here we go.

I'll begin with mine. Now forgive me but I'm speeding down the far side of the "over the hill" um...hill, so I can't remember anything that happened before last thursday so I've got to go with one that I'm playing on my 16 year old daughter today. I'm doing it as I write:

Erin just got her driver's license and she's so excited about getting a car. But she's been pretty picky IMO complaining that she doesn't want anything "boxy". That pretty much eliminates most models and years right off the bat, no matter how (lame) nice a car it may be.

My argument with her has been that I'm unemployed and need to be frugal about the choice we make...blah, blah, blah, that we get one that is both economical and costs...well, cheap. Okay? Means like something between a quarter and half a Million miles and smokes like a steam locomotive.

We've been searching Craig's List for the right car that meets our needs....again, the cheapest (piece of junk) motor vehicle that still moves. And I've noticed that the luxury cars, the Sports cars, and the super duper and way cool customized cars that fit our (budget) requirements generally come without an... um... engine... You know the kind, some of you may own one. Or else it's got a great motor and drive train, but the body is a rusty bucket of bolts or has a quarter panel missing from an accident. It's the project car that isn't quite half complete, hardly the kind of car that gets her and her sister to school and back without stalling. 

Aaaannyywho...moving right along...my daughter just came home to change for a Forensics Tournament, she's having one of those teenage moments. Erin didn't realize she had one before an hour ago. She calls from class and says "Dad I need help!!!!!" Good thing I'm unemployed and have all the time in the world to bail my kids out of their problems. "I need to come home cuz I didn't bring dressy clothes to change into for Forensics." she says. I say, "Like, well Duh....you have the car at school!!!" "Oh yaaaaaaa!" she says. I can just imagine her slapping herself on the forehead like Dad Simpson. "Doh!"

So she comes home and runs to her room to change. Through the closed door I studder and stammer like I'm having a hard time telling her some really bad news. "Heyyyy? I went to eat lunch a while ago and noticed that the fridge went out. (The guy who sold us this house bought appliances like we buy cars...lol and she knows this.) I'm gonna have to get a new fridge, s...s...so I won't be able to get you a car after all...."  *pause*

*Sounding chipper, like it's her Birthday or something* "That's okay dad! A fridge is more important than a car!" And she trots out the door...ugh...FAIL.

Ok. How about you. What's your most epic April Fools failure of all time?