SB Nation User Blog: kabrink

The Bengals signed Johnson two weeks ago after Kansas City decided to release him as he was ready...

kabrink — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:34:45 -0000

The Bengals signed Johnson two weeks ago after Kansas City decided to release him as he was ready to return from a suspension. Lewis called him an insurance policy in case another running back got hurt. With Benson out and Scott hurting his foot, Johnson ended up playing a lot more than he expected.

The game plan was so conservative on Sunday that fans at Paul Brown Stadium occasionally booed.

"Sometimes people are spoiled as far as they don’t see the 80-yard passes or the 90-yard runs like they’re used to," Johnson said. "But this is the (AFC North) division; this is what it is. These are the divisions that go to the Super Bowl, the ones that can grind it out."

Now, Lewis has to figure out how to divvy it up.

Benson expects to regain his role as primary running back. Before he was hurt, Benson led the league in rushing attempts with 205 in nine games. When asked after the Browns game whether he has any idea how the running backs would share the role, Benson said, "I don’t know. That’s a weird question. I wasn’t aware I had to share time."

On Monday, Palmer said the players expect Benson to get most of the carries.

"Cedric’s the guy," Palmer said. "That’s not going to change, and Larry knew that coming in. Cedric is our running back."

Johnson doesn’t have a problem with moving back into a low-profile role.

"I just came here for a second chance," said Johnson, who is under contract through the end of the season. "I’ll just take everything in stride and move on. Whatever they want me to do, I just have to do it."

Uh Oh.

Valuable FF Advice

kabrink — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:11:10 -0000

Valuable FF Advice

The Giants, Texans and Larry Johnson(notes) have byes.

OMG!! Another SIGN. How dare he put up a sign where the players can see it! Not to mention that...

kabrink — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:47:50 -0000

OMG!! Another SIGN. How dare he put up a sign where the players can see it! Not to mention that it contains the sacreligious term "53 men". Fire this guy immediately. Where's Whitlock when you need him?

Arrogant egotists? NOT!!

kabrink — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:38:38 -0000

I truly do not want to continue this debate because I think it's absurd. But, I really just can't let it go when we have some really excellent evidence on the Mothership right now. Go check out the video of Pioli at the Philly Chiefs sports bar and the Haley press conferences today and postgame yesterday.

I am not a kool-aid drinking glue sniffer non-thinking supporter of Pioli/Haley. But, I am a strong supporter of them. I am on record many times on this site for stating that IMO the OL is the team's biggest area of need. I wanted them to acquire OL guys in FA. But, I also don't have the info on who's available and at what price. I also believe these guys are professionals that have a plan in mind. I trust that they knew and still know that our OL needed help. Perhaps the plan hasn't worked as they wished yet. Maybe the guys they thought they could get, they couldn't. We don't know.

At any rate, the argument that they are arrogant, ego jerks is absurd and wrong. Examples:

1. It seems that Haley has read his press and has tried to tone down his yelling. I for one had no problem with it. But, he's being pretty honest in his press conference that he sees it as an area for him to improve upon. So, he is willing to learn and to accept criticisms and opinions from others.

2. In NONE of his press conferences has he EVER thrown a player under the bus. He has said many times that such and such player needs to work and to improve. He also many times adds that the player has been and contineus to work hard. He has been quite willing to liberally place blame upon himself and the coaching staff as well. He is definitely trying to live up to his own standards of accountability that he is expecting of the players.

3. If you watch Pioli in the bar I think you definitely see a guy who is a pretty cool guy who can easily mix with us "regular" folks. I simply don't see any evidence in that video nor any of his press conferences since the day we hired him that he is an arrogant jerk. This is first hand evidence folks. We don't have any evidence for the other side of this argument other than Whitlock's accusations which many folks on here are simply adopting thoughtlessly.

The arguments against Pioli/Haley in this area simply do not stand up to any objective evidence available. Other criticisms might be fair. I am sure they have made mistakes, we all do. My argument is simply that they deserve a REAL chance (not 3 games) to install their systems and be measured on them. But, these guys are not too arrogant and egotistical to learn from their mistakes and adjust plans as they go along.

Another receiver?

kabrink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:03:32 -0000

Another receiver?

Speculation of Chiefs being a trade partner for Parrish. I don't know anything about this guy. Is there a connection to Haley?

Hester vs. Olsen - Fantasy

kabrink — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:51:53 -0000

Hester vs. Olsen - Fantasy

Hello Bears fans, Congratulations on finally getting a real QB! Because of this I drafted Hester for my fantasy team. However, for some strange reason, Olsen has become available. You guys are the experts. Of these two guys, who do you think is really going to break out and be the better fantasy player this year?

Arrowheads and Salary Caps??

kabrink — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:40:52 -0000

Arrowheads and Salary Caps??

Whatever happened to the whole Arrowheads on the helmet story? Well, it apparently fizzled away into the mists at the end of training camp. Is the salary cap story the same? I don't understand this. We have read time and again that the Chiefs have enormous room under the salary cap with which to sign players. Not only that, but we have so much room that we are, in fact, below the minimum allowed salary. And? So? WTF? Again, nothing. I have been assuming that this meant we would need to spend some real money acquiring players to fill the many holes we still have on this team. And yet, here we are on the eve of the season and apparently remain under the minimum salary. How can this be? Is the minimum salary myth? Why are the Chiefs, and the Chiefs alone, apparently allowed to enter the season with less than the minimum salary? Why are we not signing players?

OT: mūsicālis cōmoedicus relef

kabrink — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:18:29 -0000

OT: mūsicālis cōmoedicus relef

OK, we've had more than enough from Trey and the gang this year. Thanks but no thanks boys.

Time for a bit of comedic relief in the form of music. I know many on here are music fans and players. If you haven't yet seen these Guilty Pleasure albums being released check them out. Particularly Petra Haden doing a totally a capella version of "Don't Stop Believin'". Wow, it's a fun and amazing blast from the past especially for us oldsters that were in some of our more formative years when Journey was big.

OUCH! Take that Dayton (and your Process)

kabrink — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:01:05 -0000

OUCH! Take that Dayton (and your Process)

Direct quote from Angie Mentink on Mariner's post game show: "You know, Bill and I were joking. The Royals have 5 former Mariners on the team and wondered which of those you'd like to have back, ....if any."

Trey, seriously, WTF?

kabrink — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 04:08:50 -0000

Three All-Stars, 10 pitches, two strikeouts and a 1-2-3 inning for Greinke on one of the game's biggest stages.

Said Mr. Rustin Dodd here.

So. Above is what Zaq did in good ole St. Louie. Let's think through the rest of the incomprehensible logic of our own loveable Trey Hillman. The following quotes from the same article:

"It's kind of like I didn't even pitch," Greinke said

So, Greinke last pitched a real game on July 8 and pitched 100 pitches. The ASG was on July 14 and he pitched 10 pitches (and it was kind of like he didn't even pitch). This intense performance caused Kansas City Foibles Manager Trey Hillman to delay his start and say:

"If we had started him on Friday, as opposed to Saturday, [we'd be} wondering whether or not we gave him enough rest with what his body has incurred," Hillman said. "Mentally, I think he was fine with it Friday or Saturday, but an extra day because of his workload already this season I think is the wisest and most prudent thing to do."

Apparently trying to then "tow the company line" Zach said:

"I'm a little tired now, so good thing I'm not pitching [Friday]," Greinke said. "And hopefully I can rest up tonight and tomorrow."

So, Zach will start again on Saturday with 10 days rest minus 10 pitches and a rigorous travel schedule over to St. Louis. You know what? I'm fine with this but let's follow the logic.

On July 17, Soria couldn't possibly pitch in the 8th inning to secure a win against new Eastern Division powerhouse Tampa. After all, he pitched as recently as July 12 and had 20 pitches. 20! Similar to Zach this is clearly not enough rest.

<code>But, hell, Meche? Back spasms? So? Aww, what's the problem? "Rub some dirt on it and get out there, you wussy." Put him out there for 156 pitches a game, no problem whatsoever. "Gil said he isn't sore or injured, so that's good enough for me." Hillman (paraphrase)</code>

Here. Some choice quotes:

Royals athletic trainer Nick Swartz reported that the spasm, which was on the lower left side, was not the same type of back injury that had bothered Meche in Spring Training and earlier this season. Meche was still sore after the game, but didn't consider the injury major.

"A couple hours after I pitch, it's still real stiff," Meche said. "Good thing the All-Star break's here."

"I thought I had great stuff," Meche said. "Then the fourth pitch to Pedroia, I felt a twinge in my left side, lower back."

"Pretty much every pitch to Youkilis, I felt like I couldn't lift my leg, couldn't generate," Meche said. "It was just a real bad muscle spasm." At that point, Meche was taken out. Meche reported that the left-side spasm was on the opposite side from the back problem he'd encountered in Spring Training.

<code> I'm sure glad the spasm was on the opposite side. That means we ought to be able to trot him out there for another 182 pitches in his next start.</code>

Spock: Nowhere am I so desperately needed as among a shipload of illogical humans.