WEEK 2 - Chiefs 10 vs Oakland Raiders 13

WEEK 2 - Chiefs host East Bay Convicts
VENUE - The New Arrowhead
WEATHER - Overcast, but warm
SCORE - KC - 10, OAK - 13

OVERVIEW:
This was about as ugly a loss as I can recall in all my years watching this team. They "dominated" (in the sense that they were less statistically awful) the woeful Raiders. But they continued to make stupid mistakes, and shoot themselves in both feet. "The Toddler" (h/t to Chappy) needs to direct some of this week's tantrum at himself. What was that fire drill at the end of the first half? Why, on 3rd and 1, in the final seconds, with 3 timeouts and near field goal range, did he call a five-step drop pass play, and get his QB sacked? Then on 4th & 4, why did The Toddler have his best receivers on the bench, and a rookie, making his first start, as the primary receiver on what became the last play of the game for KC? There were forced throws, stupid penalties, blown assignments -- this team is not playing smart, they are playing scared. The difference is what we saw, yesterday.

OFFENSE:
The unveiling of the $60 million Quarterback of the Future didn't follow the script. Matt Cassel threw a few good balls, used his legs to get out of trouble a few times, showed some toughness. But he also threw two awful interceptions, let himself get sacked, by holding on to the ball too long, and failed to find wide-open receivers. In his defense, he spent much of the overcast afternoon running for his life, and his receivers didn't always help. There were far too many dropped balls, including the Chiefs final play. Still, Bowe and Wade, in particular, did make some plays. Wade had an immediate impact with 6 catches for 72 yards. The running game showed up, for the most part, with Johnson leading the pack. And this was the best use of running backs in the passing game I've seen out of the Chiefs in years, with Savage and Johnson both gaining over 40 receiving yards. That's a great way to neutralize a team like Oakland, with a vicious pass rush. The offensive line looked somewhat better - especially in running plays - but after a clean game last week, this week's bug-a-boo was the penalty monster. The right side of this line needs to get a lot better before Cassel can be fairly evaluated.

DEFENSE:
These guys can really put on a show for three-and-a-half quarters! They kept the awful JaMarcus Russell completely confused. Although, I think you could accomplish that with shiny objects. Is this big oaf not the worst quarterback bust since Ryan Leaf? Oakland's vaunted running game was stifled. In fact, four of Oakland's five first-half posessions, and 7 of their 11 posessions in the entire game, were 3-and-out. But it wasn't enough. There were at least three chances to pick off Russell that the D couldn't reel in. Sure, they recorded two sacks, but one of them probably cost them the game, when the appropriately named, Wallace Gilberry (I can't improve on that for a big, dumb lug), sacked Russell by spearing him, and drawing a personal foul penalty that took it from fourth and long to first and 10, on the drive that ultimately led to the winning touchdown. The corners look good. The run D looks solid, but the intermediate and middle pass coverage is a gaping black hole in this defense.

SPECIALS:
Took a step back. Punting and kicking were fine, but in the Raiders, we saw the best punter and kicker in the NFL. Lechler's punts went 60 and 66 and 70 yards -- with 4.5 to 4.9 second hang times. That is just insane. Seabass seemed to put every kick off nine yards deep in the end zone. Our guys are OK, they aren't like that. Coverage was generally fine, except for the bone-head mistake by Monte Beisel to let a perfect coffin-corner punt roll harmlessly over the goal line. Not the stuff of legend.

THE REST OF THE WEST:
Donkeys: Smacked around the pathetic Browns. The Donkeys scheduled more early cupcakes than K-State used to.

Criminals: See above

Bolts: Found out that, yes, the Ravens are that good. 

AWARDS:
DOG: This was tough. There were so many to chose from, but "The Toddler" Haley has to stay on the porch tonight. The clock management at the end of the half plus the play calling and personnel decisions at the end of the game were killers.

BONE: I have to give it to Bobby Wade. On four days practice, in a completely new system, he was the leading receiver, posting over 70 yards.

Remember to check out tailgate recipes at the Dogg Dish

NEXT WEEK: The Griefs need to keep their puppies at home, as they go to play the Eagles in Philly on the week Michael Vick gets out of the commish's dog house.

Your faithful scribe,
Mr Doggity

Movin' & Shakin' up

The Chiefs add WR Bobby Wade, and cut LB Turk McBride.

Wade is a 7-year veteran who has been the Vikings most reliable receiver the past two years. He should give Cassel the kind of go-to guy the Chiefs lost when they traded Tony Gonzales.

McBride was a 2nd-round draft pick of Herm Edwards, in 2007, as a defensive lineman. He never had the expected impact on the line, and was moved to OS linebacker when the Chiefs installed the 3-4 defense this year. McBride had never played linebacker in the pros or college, and struggled with the transition.

WEEK 1 addendum

THE REST OF THE REST OF THE WEST:

THE EAST BAY CRIMINALS: Who are these guys, and what have they done with the Raiders? They played poised, focused and with heart. Sure, they were badly out-gunned, but the defense was stifling. They stayed in their lanes, and didn't melt down. JaMarcus Russell is a bigger, stronger Tyler Thigpen. Unless the Chiefs put more pressure on him, and find a way to patch that leak in the middle, Zach Miller will have a big day next Sunday.

THE NORTH MEXICO BOLTS: Every time I get all tingly about the truck load of talent on this team, I am reminded that they are still coached by Norv Turner. They should have won by 30, with the talent disparity, but they had to eek out a win in the final 18 seconds. The Chargers looked like the Raiders, melting down, turning the ball over, killing drives with stupid penalties.

Your faithful scribe,
Mr Doggity

WEEK 1 - Chiefs 24 at Balitmore Ravens 38

WEEK 1 - Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens
VENUE - Taxpayer Bailout Field, Baltimore, MD
WEATHER - Beauuuuutiful.
SCORE - KC - 24, BAL -38

OVERVIEW:
I went in to this game expecting a double-digit loss. I came out of this game with exactly that. A bunch of weird happened in between.  I did not think Croyle would start. I had been convinced all week that Cassel was going to go, and Haley was just messing with our heads. I was even more confident that Brandon Flowers was fine, and would start. Neither did. Knowing that at kickoff, I thought this would a trouncing of epic proportions. How can you say the offense held it's own when it' first four possessions were 3 & out, and the only first half points were by the special teams? How can you say the defense held it's own when they were lit up for 38 points and 500 yards? And yet....

OFFENSE:
You could say they're slow getting started. You could say that a glacier is, too. The first time they made a first down in the game was the last play before the 2:00 warning in the first half. And it was reviewed to see if they actually got that far. They held the ball for just 10 minutes in the first 30. The running game was non-existent - between Johnson and Charles, there were 15 totes for 28 stinking yards - 1.8 yards per carry. Inexcusable. On the other hand, Mark Bradley stepped up, and made the case to be the #2 wideout, with 73 yards and a gaudy 18 yards-per. The play calling, especially early, was just bad. I won't candy coat it. What I did like was the overall lack of stupid mistakes. They played basically free from penalties and turn-overs. Croyle's numbers were not glossy, but he threw 2 TDs and no picks, and posted a 116 QB rating.  Once again, however, the line was not up to the task, when it mattered. Croyle had the ball in his hands at the 2:00 warning, down by one score. Any team in the NFL would be happy with that position on the road against a top-tier opponent. But instead of marching for the score, the line let Brodie get eaten, the Ravens had a short field and they drove the stake through the heart with :38 on the clock. Until we have an O-line, the opposing D-coordinator's task is pretty easy. Stack 8 in the box, stuff the run and then mow down the quarterback.

DEFENSE:
At times they look completely lost. At times they look like a squad that can carry the team. The over all numbers were ugly - Over 300 yards and 3 TDs through the air. Over 150 yards and 1 more TD on the ground, with a 5+ yard per carry average. A 100-yard back. Two 70+ yard receivers. Over 500 total yards and 38 points. In their "defense" (sorry), they spent nearly 40 of the 60 minutes on the field. And while the starters are pretty good, there is little depth. They held their ground until the fourth quarter, and even then, the game wasn't decided until the Ravens put up 14 points in the final 3 minutes. Tamba Hali recorded a sack and a forced fumble and Derrick Johnson got a pick that he returned 70 yards. Still, Cory Mays and Derrick Johnson were drowning in pass coverage most of the day, and the safeties provided little support over the middle. They made washed up TE Todd Heap look like Tony Gonzales. Despite Hali's sack, Flacco consistently had time in the pocket. The best broadcast line came from CBS analyst, Rich Gannon, who said, "Flacco has time to balance his checkbook back there." Ouch. To his credit Maurice Leggett, after doing his "Toasty" impersonation in the first half, held his own in the second, despite being picked on all day, as he stood in for the injured Brandon Flowers. 

SPECIALS:
This unit really stepped up. All phases, except punt returns, performed well. Obviously the big play was former K-State Wildcat, Jon McGraw's blocked punt and TD recovery. But Mr. Irrelavent, Ryan Succop, nailed a 53-yard field goal, and consitently kicked deep kick offs. With the exception of one deliberate squibber, he put all of his kick offs inside the 10, and one even went out the back of the end zone. Coulquitt shanked one badly, but otherwise boomed his punts. Jamaal Charles and Quentin Lawrence handled kick off returns with Charles having a 23 yard average, and Lawrence 17. Any thing over 20 is considered solid. On the other hand, punt returns are still awful. Maybe if the guys got more practice, by, say the defense forcing more punts, it might help. Coverage is one area that doesn't get a lot of love, but it was consistently strong yesterday. Especially the punt coverage unit, which allowed an average of just 2.5 yards per return. Kudos.

THE REST OF THE WEST:
Donkeys: Managed to somehow beat the hapless Bungles, with some last-second miracle play. Denver is really bad.

Criminals: Play the Bolts tonight.

Bolts: Play the Criminals tonight.

AWARDS:
DOG: Larry Johnson. I know the line is bad, but 11 carries for 20 yards? I think you could find people off the street capable of that.

BONE: Goes to Jon McGraw. Who else? This team showed as much life as the morgue fridge, until McGraw gave them a spark with that blocked punt and scramble for a TD.

Remember to check out tailgate recipes at the Dogg Dish

NEXT WEEK: The East Bay Criminals invade The New Head for the home opener!

Your faithful scribe,
Mr Doggity

Kansas City Chiefs Release....

CB Jackie Bates
TE Tom Crabree
DE Dion Gales
DE Bobby Greenwood
G Darryl Harris
WR Taurus Johnson
WR Ashley Lelie
DT Derek Lokey
S Bernard Pollard
S Ricky Price
LB Zach Thomas
RB Javarris Williams
WR Rodney Wright
Placed on IR...
G Colin Brown
 

Chiefs trim to 75

Chiefs make roster moves to trim down to just 75 guys, 73 of whom can't play offensive line in the NFL. 

We don't know who the opening day starters at wide receiver are, but we now know it's not a Toomer.

Haley Whacks Gailey

They ain't messing around at 1 Arrowhead Drive.

The Kansas City Chiefs have fired offensive coordinator, Chan Gailey after just 3 preseason games.

More to come.

Your faithful scribe,
Mr. Doggity

PRESEASON GAME 3

PRESEASON - GAME 3 - Seahags at the New Head.

Score: Chiefs 10, Seahogs 14.

Weather: Beeeeeaautiful!

Overall impression of the game: They lost - again. Daffy duck looked awful and people got hurt. The bright spot is, the rest of the AFC West doesn't look much better.

The Offense:

WOW that was bad. The line is dreadful beyond words. They should line up the blocking dummies, they won't be out of position as often. But it doesn't stop there. I don't think anyone on this offense can block. The play that got Cassel hurt had at least three blown blocks, including Brian Waters and Branden Albert. But the worst "look out" block came from FB Mike Cox. After Albert missed the guy, #92, who played Gumby with Cassel's left leg, Cox had a clean shot at him, and didn't even get close enough to smell his cologne. We will never know how badly hurt Cassel was, because Haley & Pioli do things "The Patriots Way" -- that is to act like their injury reports are subject to the HIPAA law. But, at a minimum, it was pretty badly extended. Jamaal Charles managed to hang on to the punkin all night. For my money, if Charles can shake that fumbling habit, he's the best back on this team. Battle has looked good, as well, at times. LJ probably should have ditched that Maybach before the "Cash for Clunkers" program ran dry. He may not be able to feed it with next year's income. As for the wide outs, the two that looked the best on Saturday were Bowe and Lelie. This was a game for Thiggy to man up and make his case, and he blew it badly. Gutierrez looked better, and he had two turn overs. Thiggy simply lacks the arm strength and accuracy to play in a straight-up pro offense. Bottom line - this offense will not win any games this year, unless things improve dramatically. If the Chiefs win anything, it will be with....

The Defense:

I am actually starting to like this unit. The 1's looked very good, for the second week. However, as noted last week, once you get past the starters, there is not much depth anywhere but linebacker. Flowers was remarkable, and scored the only TD for the Chiefs with a nice pick-6 off Hasselbeck & the Seattle #1 unit. Let's hope he's not hurt badly, but just like Cassel, we'll never know. Another guy who had a good game was Ron Edwards on the d-line. In a head-to-head test, he out-performed the name brand linemen. The defense still lacks that consistent pass rush, and the pass coverage in the middle of the field has yet to completely come together. They're a long way from great, but that are showing flashes of "pretty good", which is a marked improvement over the past few years.

The Special Teams:

Other than Dustin Colquitt and Jamaal Charles, the special bus looked as bad or worse than the offense. Suck-up missed a chip-shot field goal, and his kick offs were short. Of course, the good news is, he had very few opportunities to kick off! The experiment with returners has netted one guy who seems to understand the concept of "catch the ball - run up-field behind your blockers" -- Jamaal Charles.

The Awards:

"Throw Him A Bone" was penciled in for Brandon Flowers, but with the injury, I decided to go with Jamaal Charles. He did everything right. He ran well, he returned well, he covered punts well as a flyer.  He is making his case to be the #2 back, and #1 kick returner.

"The Doggity Dog" was really hard to narrow down to just one guy. You could make the case that everyone on the O-line deserved it. Damion McIntosh and Mike Goff were particularly bad, but Goff "wins" because he couldn't hold the double-team that cause the pocket to collapse on Cassel, resulting in his injury. Getting your $60 million QB eaten in a preseason game will not win you a lot of friends.

h/t to George Blowfish for this nugget -- a picture of the play where Cassel got hurt:

Next week - short week, at the Identity Crisis Dome in St. Louis on Thursday to play the Lambs.

Your faithful scribe

Mr. Doggity

Dogg Dish

Please notice a new link on the left of your page.  It's called the Dogg Dish.

doggdish.blogspot.com

It's a place for all of you who appreciated the tailgate recipes in the old email Doggity Report. It's an open blog, where you can feel free to share your favorite recipes and pick up a few new ones.

Check it out!

Your faithful scribe,
Mr. Doggity

PRESEASON GAME 2

Sorry I'm late, had work stuff come up.

PRESEASON - GAME 2 - Super Bowl IV replay - Chiefs vs Vikings at The Hump.

Score: Chiefs 13, Vikings 17.

Weather: Climate Controlled

Overall impression of the game: They lost - again. But looked better doing it.

The Offense:

Cassel actually looked pretty good. Of course "good" is relative when you consider what the guy makes for a living. Still, he was nifty on his feet and was able to soundly improvise. He was not asked to stretch the field, however. That may be because he lacks the arm strength. It may be because he lacks the receivers to pull it off. But if I had to put money on it, it's probably because that line would get him killed if he had to hold the ball longer than five seconds to get someone open down field. Speaking of that line, I'd really rather not. Imagine how bad they would have looked if Jared Allen wasn't hurt. Why not just go to one of those Food Network eating contests and pick five fat dudes at random? It would be cheaper, and maybe someone would puke or something and cause enough distraction for Larry Johnson to get out of the backfield. LJ had one nice run, but was otherwise still transparent to the viewing audience. Dwayne Bowe looked pretty good. The other 417 wideouts didn't really register. I am glad to have Ashley Lelie. The only player in NFL history to be named for a heroine in a Margaret Mitchell novel. We got to see Gutierrez. He's not bad. I think, if I'm picking, Tony Gonzo's BFF, Thiggy, needs to break out the nice velum and update his resume.

The Defense:

They were improved over last week, at least the #1's were. There is not much depth on this D, at this point, other than at linebacker. There are so many linebackers on this team they had to let Tamba Hali keep his old lineman jersey because they are out of numbers in the 50's. Corey Mays had another good showing, and the 3-4 seems to have gelled a bit from last week. Unfortunately, you don't have to get very far down the depth chart before the bottom falls out of the talent bucket.

The Special Teams:

Again, I think the kickers will both be fine. But the coverage units are sub par, and there doesn't appear to be anyone in a red hat that can return kicks. Jackie Battle managing to only get the ball to the 16, after catching the thing on the 2? Oy vey. That would get you cut from an over-40 rec league team.

The Awards:

"Throw Him A Bone" is getting tossed to Matt Cassel. He showed me the ability to avoid the sack, despite having purple hats in his pocket on every single play. He was almost "Elway-like", but not as goofy looking.

"The Doggity Dog" puts the choke-chain on OT Barry Richardson. This guy makes Trezelle Jenkins look like Willie Roaf. He doesn't even qualify as a speed bump, because at least a speed bump will slow on coming traffic a little bit.

SPECIAL SECTION:
Adios River Falls. The last time the team will do summer camp in Northern Wisconsin was their first under the new regime. Todd Haley did not exactly make a lot of new facebook friends over the past few weeks. He proved to be very intolerant of mistakes. He even axed the long-snapper for forgetting he was supposed to be in on a play in practice. He made last year's #1 draft pick sit four days in the workout area, unable to practice with the team, because he wasn't in game shape when he reported.

And you know what? GOOD. Herm and Dick were far too soft on these prima-donas. This looks more like a Marty camp. And maybe that's just what these losers needed to make winners out of them. I hope so.

Next week - back to The New Head for the Seahags.

Your faithful scribe

Mr. Doggity

PRESEASON GAME 1

Welcome to the 2009 Doggity Chiefs Report. This marks the 8th season of the Doggity Report, but the first season of the new "blog" format, and the first season of the Pioli/Haley era. As in previous seasons, the pre-season Dogg will be an abbreviated version, with the full Doggity coming with the regular season, game one - at the Baltimore Ravens.

Once again, special thanks to the Illustrious Potentate, George Blowfish for his steadfast support of my flighty behavior. He will make someone a good wife.

PRESEASON - GAME 1 - Old Texans VS New Texans at THE NEW HEAD.

Score: Chiefs 10, Texans 16.

Weather: Sloppy

Overall impression of last night's mess game: They lost.

- 3 takeaway ratio. The only TD by Daffy Duck. Not something to write home about. Impression of the stadium remodel: 3-1/2 stars. Looks better than The K. Concourses are much better, as are the johns and the vittles. But I'm sorry -- WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RING OF HONOR? I dig the new ribbon display, but putting the Chiefs honor guard on that thing sporadically throughout the game ain't good enough. I want to SEE the names.

The Offense:

Cassel, and the 1's on offense were not impressive, mustering just two first downs (one was a freebee on a penalty), and never getting into enemy territory. Cassel completed just two passes, but had a couple of good looking throws dropped, he also fumbled a snap. Croyle and the #2 O looked better. Thigpen did his zany, running around like loon thing that he did all last year, and managed an ugly, off-balance, back-across-his-body, broken-play pass to the TE for a TD, like he did last year. All-in-all, the QB position looks OK. I think we have three guys who can run the offense, without a huge drop-off. Of course, when you're on the kiddie-slide, there isn't far to drop. The offensive line was offensive. LJ did his Claude Raines impersonation and vanished. Jackie Battle may be the best running back on this team. Dwayne Bowe may be a practice field slacker, but he's a game day play-maker, and Haley needs to get over the pea under his mattress that this kid represents, and let him start. It's not like the rest of the receivers have any clue what they're doing.

The Defense:

The D was somewhat less awful. They looked lost on several plays, like they had no idea what zip code they were supposed to be in. Especially the linebackers. On Houston's TD drive, the LBs looked like they needed mapquest to figure out where they were going. They have a lot of work to do in the 3-4. Andy Studebaker and Corey Mays looked solid, and Tamba Hali appears to be adjusting to his new position. Brandon Flowers should be a Pro Bowler, if he continues to advance at this pace. I am still not sold on Bernard Pollard in passing situations. I have to wonder if Glenn Dorsey has a career plan B?

The Special Teams:

Kickers were OK, although Colquitt -- the team MVP from last year -- had a couple of ugly ducklings. Of course, it was pouring down rain. Suckup - Mr Irrelevant - did what was asked of him. Special bus team coverage was not that great, but the return game was worse. This team is still trying to find a guy who can walk and chew gum at the same time to put back for kicks. So far it's "chomp-step-chomp-step".

The Awards:

"Throw Him A Bone" goes to Corey Mays. A guy that even his momma has to look up his name on the depth chart. Yet he played a very solid game at linebacker. He performed well against the run and was in the backfield more than some of Houston's running backs. He and Andy Studebaker shone on defense, but I went with Mays. He managed to not get himself hurt, and had a bit of an edge.

"The Doggity Dog" goes to Brandon Albert. This guy is supposed to be the stud of an otherwise sub-par O-line. He was a speed bump a couple of times in this game - barely slowing down the rusher on the quarterback expressway.

Next week - break camp and play the Vikings in Minneapolis. We will have the training camp overview next week.

Your faithful scribe

Mr. Doggity

DT

A few words on the day of the late Derrick Thomas' posthumous induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio.

We all know about the women, the philandering, the bad-boy behaviors off the field. The cases of $1,000-a-bottle Remy-Martin Louis XIII cognac in hand-blown Baccarat crystal decanters he had stacked in the garage. (Can I have JUST ONE? Please?) The fact that he was driving like a fool on an icy road, not wearing a seatbelt on the day of the accident that claimed his life. His crazy antics with his running mate, Michael Tellis (who died at the scene, in the same accident).

But then there were the other DT's. There were several of them. The philanthropist. The loving son. The efforts to be a father to his disjointed family. The guy who teared up and then tore up quarterbacks on Veteran's Day, after a fly-over. His legacy -- thanks to his "Third and Long" Foundation, and the efforts of his friends and former teammates, like Neil Smith -- will live on in Kansas City for generations.

He changed Kansas City in another way, too. Perhaps no one person was more responsible for bringing sleepy Arrowhead stadium back to life. Kansas City was a baseball town in the 1970's & 80's. George Brett and the Royals were the big dogs. An average Sunday at Arrowhead back then, the vendors nearly out numbered the fans. Your beer guy was almost your personal valet. But after Derrick Thomas -- and that amazing supporting cast that defensive coordinator, Bill Cowher, assembled -- everything changed. The stands turned red and the parking lots began to smoke. Arrowhead became the loudest outdoor stadium in the NFL. It became intimidating. And it smelled GREAT!

Did Thomas deserve induction into Canton? I think that's a silly question. No, he was not "the complete linebacker". He was never particularly great against the run, or in pass coverage. His only HOF stat was sacks. But he OWNS that stat, and likely will for another generation. But he didn't just change games. He changed teams. The Broncos, Raiders and Chargers, in particular, had to make personnel decisions and change game plans to account for him. And he didn't just feast on low-hanging fruit, either. Many of his prime targets will also have busts in Canton. Many already do. He also changed the way the entire league looked at the position of outside linebacker. Anyone who not only changed games, but changed other teams, and changed the position he played, deserves the Hall of Fame. If he had played for a team in New York, or a marquee team like the Cowboys or 49ers, he would already be there.

So, on this day; the day Derrick Thomas will join fellow Chief linebackers, Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell, and the other Chiefs - Buck, Emmit, Hank, Jan, Lenny and Lamar - in pro football's elite shrine, let us remember what Arrowhead looked like before #58 brought that boyish smile, and laser-beam eyes, and "tomahawk chop" and his boiling-over love and passion to the heartland.

Welcome to Canton, DT.

Hank Stram's 53 Rules to be a Chief

Thanks to my buddy, George Blowfish - keeper of "the seats" on the 50 yardline, front row...

According to legend, Hank Stram gave a mimeographed sheet to every Chiefs rookie on the first day of training camp. These are his 53 rules to be a Chief.

Lets all hope Scott and Todd put this back in play:

Here’s what Hank Stram was telling his players almost 40 years ago:

“The difference between winning and losing often lies in the failure to do the little extra things. Everyone cannot be an “All-Pro”, but EVERYONE can hustle and be a Team Man.

“We are looking for players who will become “coaches’ ballplayers”. This is the highest compliment a player can receive.

“Read these tips over and over again during the season and see if you comply.”

What follows are 53 tips, bromides, rules, suggestions and demands that Stram made of his players. Why 53? There’s no known reason. Unfortunately Hank is no longer around to ask.

But in Stram’s mind they were important steps towards victory and a championship. They still are.

Here’s the list:

1. The desire to be a champion must come from within. Do not expect your coaches, or anyone else, to do everything for you.

2. Hustle on every play on offense. Pursue on every play on defense. You have been instructed on the proper way.

3. Be punctual, even early, for all practices, games and departures.

4. Always strive to improve yourself by working on your weaknesses. You have been given an improvement sheet.

5. Use the time after practice to improve yourself. Don’t be a clock watcher and rush to the showers.

6. Be sure you know all the audibles, both on offense and defense. Also know when to use audibles and expect them.

7. Do not take careless chances on offense or defense when your team is two touchdowns behind or two touchdowns ahead.

8. Always call loudly to your teammate when fielding a kick to tell him that you are going to catch it – he must answer your call.

9. All players must develop endurance. Be stronger in the fourth quarter than your opponent. If you are not getting enough running stay after practice and run on your own.

10. Everyone must know how to make a tackle and throw a block. This is especially important on special teams - no one is excluded, from the quarterback on down the roster.

11. Linebackers and defensive backs must talk loudly on every play.

12. Anticipate what your opponent is going to do, but do not guess. Your pre-game preparation will help you here.

13. Always keep the score and time of the game upper most in your mind when on offense or defense.

14. Every defensive back and linebacker should leave his coverage and fly to the football once it is in the air. You never know when your presence could mean an interception, a recovered fumble or a game saving tackle.

15. Do not field punts from inside the 10-yard line. Fair catch high short punts in a crowd.

16. Always play the defense called. Don’t be a guesser.

17. Offensive linemen must learn to cover on every pass. You never know when you effort may result in the big play.

18. The quarterback must learn to push himself in practice before he can be an effective leader in the game. Your talent doesn't matter. Your performance does.

19. Don’t depend on a teammate or coach to tell you what to do. You have been prepared for every situation on offense and defense.

20. Each receiver must know and line up with the correct spacing one every play. This has been faulty. Don't let it ever happen.

21. The linebackers should play down and distance on long yardage plays by increasing their depth.

22. On long passes, the defender nearest his teammate should call “ball, ball, ball” at the last moment. This has to be done in practice.

23. Defensive backs should not allow the receiver to make unnecessary yardage by making a futile attempt to break up a pass that will not give the opposition a first down.

24. Defensive backs and linebackers should hustle on every batted ball. Occasionally you can stretch or dive and intercept one.

25. Don’t stand around and watch others if the play goes away from you. We can’t win with inspectors. The football is oddly shaped and erratic. Be ready.

26. Receivers don’t take your eyes off the football when attempting to catch the ball, in order to look at the defender.

27. Quarterbacks and generals should not call plays or defenses that are big names when a sound play or defense will pick up the necessary yardage, or prevent the long gain.

28. Know when to gamble and when not to gamble. If in doubt, see the head coach.

29. Don’t take a chance and throw a block and be called for clipping. A missed block is better than a penalty.

30. Never commit a foul, or be offside, when they are giving you the football.

31. Never substitute yourself on special teams without asking your special team coach.

32. Never let up on an offside play that appears obvious to everyone. Play the play out, always. Don't assume the referee saw the foul.

33. Prepare yourself for a written examination every week on Saturday night. You should be able to score 100% on every test.

34. Punt returners always check the wind before the game and again at halftime. Do not allow the wind to blow a ball over your head and bounce dead.

35. Defensive backs should make a determined effort to intercept low passes. Too many of these go incomplete because the defender thinks he cannot reach the ball.

36. Know the type of crowd and the acoustics in every stadium you play. There are specific parks where audibles are most difficult to hear. For example: Chicago and Baltimore. Do your homework on the ballpark.

37. Be sure to fall on a fumble and recover it in a crowd. Don’t try to pick up a bouncing ball on the run unless you are out in the open. You will get the ball 100% of the time you fall on it, but only 80% of the times you advance it.

38. Return every intercepted pass the designated way we have planned for that opponent. This increases our chances of gaining extra yardage.

39. Always expect a fake field goal attempt and always be alert for the punter to run. Every time.

40. Hustle from one practice area to another when whistled up. Don’t ever be the last one.

41. Every pass thrown by our quarterback must be thrown at a target. This will improve your accuracy, even when warming up aim at a target. For example: numerals, right shoulder, left shoulder, left ear, right ear, etc.

42. The safety man on the kick-off team, the kicker on the punting team and the holder on field goals must always check to see if we have eleven men on all these special teams. Many games have been lost because someone failed to count and only ten players were on the field.

43. Take care of your equipment and don’t throw it around. Don’t dress sloppily for practice, just because it’s practice. Have pride in your appearance every time you go on the field with your team. Always shave your jersey tucked in your pants. Take pride in your appearance.

44. Always check your cleats before every game and make sure that you are wearing the proper type for the condition of the field. If in doubt, see the head coach.

45. Make sure you know the direction of every punt return and kickoff return. Don’t guess. Many games are won or lost in this department.

46. Never miss a weigh in and never be fined for being overweight. This is a lack of self respect.

47. Be careful of your conduct and your associates off the field. Keep in mind that you represent yourself, the League and the Kansas City Chiefs.

48. Be careful of your language on and off the field. Just imagine that your mother or sister is within hearing range. The vulgar talkers are not always so tough.

49. Think and talk positive football off the field.

50. Regarding the clubhouse – let what you hear there, see there and say there, stay there.

51. All players must learn the official playing rules. You have a copy, read it. You will be tested.

52. Your body is your best friend. Don’t abuse it and shorten your playing career.

53. Set a good example for all the rookies and develop pride in being a Chief.

“The only way we can lose is for us to beat OURSELVES”

They're baaaaaack

As predicted by the Dogg -
On the first mandatory day of off-season workouts, Brian Waters and Mike Vrabel reported for duty on time.

Here's the deal to all you who freak out about all the media BS. These guys are professionals. They are also veterans, and they are both very active in the union. They know EXACTLY what the CBA allows -- to the letter. They know what they can get away with, and what they are expected to do. Both have been to Hawaii. Both get it. Both will be ready to go when the games start to count.

Take a chill pill. I know it's hard to believe, but the sports media get paid to find controversy and discord, not unity and professionalism.

Dogg rates the draft

I watched Jack Harry blow a gasket on the teevee last night about this draft. And the big take-away I got from his rant is that Jack Harry needs a valium. He was really upset that there were no "fireworks". That somehow he expected Scott Pioli to come in and set his hair on fire, strip naked, cover himself in cool whip and drive a bulldozer through the Arrowhead parking lot -- or something. 

Scott Pioli gave me sort of what I expected. He picked lots of players I didn't know much about, and only one player that didn't surprise me -- kick returner/wideout Quinten Lawrence. Pioli has never been known for fireworks. Spying perhaps. Not fireworks. Pioli has made his bread-and-butter by finding guys that were not splashy - often in the late rounds - who quietly become pro-bowlers.  So, for now, I'm willing to give this draft class the benefit of the doubt. 

What did they get? Let's start with need areas:

Defensive end was a clear need - Check - first two picks are huge, Richard Seymour-style DE's

Offensive line was a need - Got one of them, too. A big fat, slow, white one. 

Kick returner - You betcha. Possibly one of the best values in this draft. 

Receiving tight end - Consider it done. Tony G he ain't, but who is?

Mr. Irrelevant - Found maybe the most irrelevant guy on the board! In fact, when interviewed after the draft, his mom said, "Ryan who?" 

(You all recall the last "Mr. Irrelevant" to wear the red and gold? That's right - the ONLY Mr. Irrelevant to ever play in a Pro Bowl - and the finest woman in the history of the NFL - Ms. Bill Kenney.)

And you can't look at this draft without including the second round, where they got Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel in trade for that pick.

Was it splashy? No. Did they wheel-and-deal, and pick up 20 more picks? No. But they did a competent job of filling a few of the myriad holes shot in the hull of this sinking ship, by the previous administration. 

And they still have a lot of cash to shop the free-agent market. 

Overall, the Dogg says, it looks like a B- effort. But there's no real way to know until you see these guys don the pads and start making contact.  

WIth the 3rd overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, The Kansas City Chiefs pick...

LSU Defensive End Tyson Jackson

Raise your hand if you saw that one coming. 

Although, apparently Kiper and a couple of other started basically the night before mentioning Jackson's name, nobody I know of had this on Pioli and Haley's radar. However, it makes perfect sense, when you think about it. If KC is going 3-4, this pick just made Glenn Dorsey's day. Dorsey can now play nosetackle, where he belongs -- and he has his old college roomie next to him. 

What is there to like about the big guy? For one thing, he's very fast and agile. For another, he can play inside or outside, meaning he's a threat to rush up the gut, the same as around end. He has an extraordinarily long wingspan, and huge hands. He's known as a nasty block-shedder, with a lighting quick burst. He could be another Neil Smith -- he's even from New Orleans, like Neil. Let us hope. 

I think it was a reach, but Pioli has proven even a lot of really smart people wrong on draft day before. This is clearly a "wait and see" pick.  

UPDATE: The Kansas City Star this morning gives us some insight into this kid. It seems that -- again in the Patriots mold -- they are looking for reliable, "character" players. A quiet young man who's nightlife involved Wednesdays and Sundays at his Baptist church. Further, he played along side Glenn Dorsey at LSU. Along with center Rudy Nuswinger, and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs have their own little bayou posse going on. If that gives them the success LSU has experienced in the past few years, I'm good with that.  

DOGGITYBLOG BREAKING NEWS

hiefs trade Gonzalez to Atlanta
The Kansas City Star

Tight end Tony Gonzalez, a 10-time Pro Bowler and fan favorite in Kansas City, has been traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a second-round selection in the 2010 draft.

“On behalf of my family and the Chiefs, I want to thank Tony for his time in Kansas City,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said. “Over the last 12 seasons, Tony has been one of the finest players in Chiefs history, and he will always be remembered as a member of the Chiefs. His play on the field speaks for itself – he holds almost every major NFL record for tight ends, and he is arguably the best to ever play his position. We wish him the best in Atlanta.”

Gonzalez did not show up for last weekend’s minicamp at Arrowhead Stadium and has expressed interest in being traded several times since last season.

“From an organizational as well as personal standpoint there are mixed emotions,” said Scott Pioli, Chiefs general manager, in announcing the trade. “I have the highest personal and professional respect for Tony and consider him to be a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.”

Gonzalez owns NFL career records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 receiving yards, 76 receiving touchdowns and 26 100-yard receiving games, totals that are the highest of any player in Kansas City history in all categories. He played in 188 regular-season games for the Chiefs, meaning only guard Will Shields (224), kicker Nick Lowery (212) and punter Jerrel Wilson (203) played in more games.

Gonzalez earned 10 Pro Bowl berths as a member of the Chiefs, the highest total of any tight end in NFL history. He became just the fifth player and the first tight end in league history to produce 11 consecutive seasons with 50 or more catches in 2008.

The Patriots West

Big day in KC Chiefland. It has been reported that Scott Pioli has traded the Chiefs' second-round draft pick for Matt Cassel. This deal with New England apparently includes linebacker, Mike Vrabel. Giving KC a potential "quarterback of the future" and a veteran signal-caller on defense, with one deft trade. If you can pull something like that off with your 2nd round pick, why not? 

What does this tell us? It would seem that despite the whining of Tony G, and the retention of Chan Gailey, Todd Haley wants his own offense, and it isn't the Tyler Thigpen high-school nonsense of 2008. It also seems to indicate that the 3-4 is in KC's defensive future. You might ask why cut Donnie Edwards and then turn around and sign Vrabeck -- who is about the same age? First of all, Edwards may not be completely healed, and Vrabeck is healthy. Also, Vrabeck is a low-mileage early model, having spent three years keeping the bench warm in Pittsburgh before getting any significant playing time. Finally, and probably most importantly, Vrabeck is a 3-4 signal caller. 

As for the recent garbage about how Brian Waters is offended and wants a trade, and all that? I'm not ready to put any stock in it, at this juncture. With Gailey still here, if it looks like this team could win this year, everyone will get real happy, real fast. 

If you can win by osmosis...

Todd Haley, the offensive coordinator of the Cardinals was hired as the Chiefs' new head coach today.

Before becoming Arizona's offensive coordinator, he was on the staff of Dallas, Chicago and the Jets. He also scouted for The Steelers and Jets. But that's not the half of it.

Remember Bradshaw and Swan and Harris and Greene? Todd Haley used to bring them Gatorade. He was the waterboy for the Steelers during the halcyon days of the 1980's. But that's not even the REAL connection. He got that job because his dad was Dick Haley, the director of personnel for the Steelers from 1971 until 1990. Anyone who played for those Steelers teams and was drafted or brought in as a free agent during those years, was approved by Dick Haley.

Not bad genes.

Then, he went on to work to help with the bills -- Bill Cowher, Bill Belichick, and Bill Parcells.

He was offered the head coaching job at Miami last year by Parcells, and turned it down.

I think the boy has been exposed to how to build a football team. Let's hope he took good notes.

Several Sources Report - Chiefs Hired Todd Haley

The front page of the KC Star, as well as several other sources (although nothing official from Pioli or Hunt, yet), say that the Chiefs have hired Arizona Cardinal's offensive coordinator, Todd Haley to be the 11th head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Haley is a protege of Pioli's father-in-law, Bill "Big Tuna" Parcells, and worked with Pioli during their mutual time with the New York Jets. This is consistent with the "Patriot Way" that I mentioned before. It's been kept in "the family", so to speak. And with a veil of secrecy tighter than Tony Soprano's Freemason tax attorney. 

OK, so there it is, kids. Next up - - who will be the coordinators, and how will they spend that dumpster full of cash they have under the cap? 

Todd Haley officially in hunt for Head Coach

It was the worst-kept secret of Scott Pioli's young career in KC, but it became official yesterday that the Kansas City Chiefs have asked for, and been granted permission to talk to Arizona Offensive Coordinator, Todd Haley. 

This could be Mr. Blowfish's worst nightmare. A coach named Todd working for a GM named Scott. It sounds like the rush committee at a KU fraternity. Maybe they can find coordinators named Biff and Josh. 

 

DERRICK THOMAS IS IN THE HALL OF FAME!

More

TAMPA, Fla. - Career sacks leader Bruce Smith, versatile defensive back Rod Woodson and four others made the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, while former commissioner Paul Tagliabue was denied entry for the third straight year.

Joining Smith, who led Buffalo to four straight Super Bowl appearances, and Woodson are longtime Bills owner Ralph Wilson; the late Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas; former Minnesota guard Randall McDaniel; and the late Bob Hayes, a standout wide receiver for Dallas and the 1964 Olympic 100 meters gold medalist.

Inductions will be Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio.

Why?

Willie intimated, and I wonder aloud -- WHY the heck was the fate of Derrick Thomas' induction into Canton placed in the hands of King Carl anal cyst, Bob Gretz, when there are so many better choices? 

I submit as my evidence, THIS succinct and compelling plea, by one of America's greatest sports columnists, Joe Poznanski. 

Herm gone? Careful What You Ask For...

Ratbert? Are you kidding me?

Sure, I called the fact that Herm would be gone by now. I won. Frickin' dandy. Now the rumor mill is cranking out the idea that the Chiefs may be talking to Mike "Ratbert" Shanahan.

What really frightens me, is that this makes so much sense. Shanahan and Belichick are nearly clones. Both are sneaky, cheating, "win by any means" multiple Super Bowl coaches. If Herm and Belichik are opposites, Ratbert and Belichick are evil twins, separated at birth. And, with Tony G's bitching about wanting out if Herm's gone, having his buddy Shannon Sharpe's old coach may keep Tony quiet.

As Mr. Blowfish says, "At least we know he'll teach our line how to spray silicone on their jerseys and chop block."

Ramon T. Peligrosso, who is the demigod of Denver radio, and used to work with Ratbert on his radio show, would quickly remind us that we cheered for a Chiefs' team that was run by Don Corleone.

Ouch. Unfortunately, true.

The best news is that Adam Schefter, the former Broncos' beat writer in his days at the Denver Post, is apparently saying it's not gonna happen. Let's hope. I'd rather they promote Chan Gailey.

Gun Goes Off Without Firing

THE KANSAS CITY STAR is reporting that Gunther Cunningham has accepted the job of defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. He'll do well there. He's washed up, but he's better than they are.

Dare we dream?

THE KANSAS CITY STAR

Collinsworth: Haley will be Chiefs' new coach

NBC Sports analyst Cris Collinsworth expects Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley to become the Chiefs’ next head coach.

It’s becoming more apparent that the Chiefs are waiting until after the Super Bowl to identify their next head coach _ or why not send Herm Edwards to the Senior Bowl and let him replace assistants who are fleeing?

Collinsworth, who spent time with Haley before covering the Cardinals’ wild-card win over Atlanta for NBC and will work the Super Bowl, said Haley’s star has risen higher than anyone’s during the playoffs.

“I think he’ll be the coach in Kansas City,” Collinsworth told me Tuesday on a teleconference.

“I’m watching what’s happening with all the (new) coaches, and we’ve seen some of the defensive coaches come off the board, and the one guy nobody is talking about that has surprised me, and it’s because (the Cardinals) flew so far under the radar screen, was Haley. He’s not under the radar screen anymore.

“The biggest winner who has come out of this run by the Arizona Cardinals has been Todd Haley.”

Haley worked with new Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli with the New York Jets during 1997-99.

Some have speculated Pioli may hire Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, but Ferentz' son, James, will be a sophomore offensive lineman on the Hawkeyes' football team next season, and it's hard to believe Kirk will want to walk away from that.

And if Ferentz was the choice, why not make the move now?

Sometimes, timing is everything.

For more on what Collinsworth said about Haley, check out Wednesday's Kansas City Star.

Submitted by Randy Covitz on January 20, 2009 - 2:51pm.

The 'True Patriot' Way

As Poz noted, Scottie may have set a new record for the most number of words used in a press conference to never actually say anything. The one thing he did make clear (other than this process is a process that they will process until it is fully processed), is that they are going to do things the "Patriot" way. While I am certain he loves his country with all his heart, I'm assuming he was referring to his previous employer, the New England Patriots -- which I gather is a franchise in the National Football League. I'm not too sure, because I haven't had much reason to pay attention to such matters in the past couple of seasons.

OK, so what do we know about said New England Patriots -- vis-a-vis the way they conduct their business? And how does this contrast to the current conditions at the construction detour around One Arrowhead Drive?

First there is that coach guy in Foxboro. He is, by all accounts, a sneaky, secretive, ruthless cuss. Something akin to Dick Cheney in an unhemmed hoody sweatshirt. He gives a tight-lipped, cards-to-the-vest, contentious press conference, and considers giving injury reports to the press to be a HIPAA violation. Whereas, the coach currently occupying the office at Arrowhead is a loose-lipped, media whore, and walking soundbite. He's about as transparent as Lindsay Lohan's day-planner. If Belichick is Dick Cheney, Herm Edwards is Mike Huckabee.

And remember the other coach in Scottie's life - his father-in-law, da big tuna. Not exactly Mr. Charming, either. What I'm trying to say is, I could be dead wrong, but if the past performance is an indicator of future results -- I'm more likely to be invited to Sarah Palin's for vegan sushi than Herm is to be coach of the Chiefs this time next month.

Then there is the issue of drafting and free-agents. I have a feeling that the Scott Pioli version of the Chiefs will not be drafting anyone with the #3 overall pick. I could be wrong, but it sho nuff ain't the Patriot way. The Pats under Pioli and Belichick never had a pick this high, so who knows what they would have done with it? However, they do not tend to over-pay unproven players, which is what almost always happens in that part of the draft. This is the death spiral that keeps the Detroit Lions' entire salary cap tied up in wide receivers who have established solid careers selling Chevrolets. And also why the Lions suck and will constantly suck; and a top-five draft position is as perennial as the ochre-colored snow in Wayne County, Michigan. This is the circle that annually swirls the Lions around the bottom of the bowl.

No, the "Patriot" way is to trade that pick to some stupid bozo, who's into sizzle over substance -- *cough* Al Davis *cough* -- and get 3 more picks and a solid-role player. The "Patriot" way is to have bench depth. They don't just beat you with their starters. They beat you the way the Florida Gators beat you. When your starters are spent, they plug in more fresh legs that are nearly as good as the starters. When their starters go down, they have #2's who can compete with your #1's. They do it by evaluating talent late on day one and into day two, a lot better than anyone else does. They select Tom Brady with the 199th pick -eleven places after the Chiefs were congratulating themselves over snagging awesome guard/frequent flyer/pine warmer/insurance agent Darnell Alford. They grabbed Matt Cassell at 230, ONE PICK AFTER KC got their "quarterback of the future", James Kilian (Who the...? Exactly).

To be fair, Carl Peterson never had to forfeit a first-round pick after pleading guilty to espionage charges. But then again, it may have been worth the risk.

The point is, don't expect flash. Don't expect sizzle. Don't be surprised if there is not blockbuster name in Pioli's draft selections, or top-rated free agent acquisitions. One other thing of substance Scottie told us -- he is not here to amass talented players. He's here to build a team that wins championships.

I'm skeptical by nature, but I like the sound of that, for a change.

Your faithful scribe,
Mr. Doggity

The King is Dead... Long live the KING!

Special Edition of the Doggity Report....

It took a while, but hopefully it was worth the wait.  The homely, pudgy, balding, nerd Chiefs got the girl. And not just any girl. Clark Hunt has us going steady with the Scarlett Johansson/Angelina Jolie/Beyonce Knowles of GM candidates. Now we just need to see if Scott Pioli is our dream date, or a high-maintenance prima dona with an AmEx addiction. 

In any case, if I were the Chiefs entire coaching staff, I'd be pounding the BlackBerry, trying to line up a summer job -- even if it makes Tony G pout. 

More to come. Yes, that's a threat. 

Your faithful scribe, 

Mr. Doggity