Kansas City Chiefs to retire Emmitt Thomas’ number
Emmitt Thomas will have his No. 18 jersey number retired by the Kansas City Chiefs to honor his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thomas, who will enter the Hall of Fame Aug. 2, will be the ninth Chiefs player to have his number retired by the franchise.
Kansas City will honor Thomas in a special ceremony when it hosts the Tennessee Titans Oct. 19. That is Atlanta’s bye week.
Thomas played cornerback for the Chiefs from 1966-1978, where he recorded 58 interceptions, still a franchise record.
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No Standing at Chiefs Games? Are you Serious?!
I’m going to say it again… No Standing at Chiefs Games? Are you Serious?! According to an article found here there is a new code of conduct at Arrowhead Stadium that will prohibit people from standing.
Here is a quote from the article
- There’s a bit of a buzz on the Internet right now about the Chiefs’ “Fan Code of Conduct,” which is posted on the team’s website. Specifically, one policy states that the Arrowhead Stadium staff will proactively intervene with fans who are “standing and/or obstructing the view of other fans.”
How much are they really going to enforce this and what are they going to do to the people they bust? I am sure I am not the only one that finds this a little crazy. Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand in certain situations this is a legitimate concern. I mean just use common sense people; if someone is physically unable to stand up behind you please be thoughtful and remember that person paid the same amount of money as you did to see the game (unless they got the ticket off eBay and paid half price then that only entitles them to half of the game, right?… j/k). But in all seriousness, please don’t be that guy that stands up the entire game just to piss off the people behind you. I have seen this happen first hand and we all know that nobody likes that guy. So please don’t be that guy. But I see nothing wrong with standing to cheer on your team and I don’t think we should be limited in doing so.
In my opinion here are some times when Chiefs fans should be standing:
- Almost any 4th and 1 situation (offense or defense)
- When the Chiefs score a TD. (We don’t know how often this will happen anyway so enjoy while you can)
- Goal-line situations (offense or defense)
- Situations that have a major influence on the outcome of the game.
What do you think Chiefs fans? At what points should we be standing or sitting?
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Renovations at Arrowhead - Home of the Chiefs
I was lucky enough to go to a Kansas City Royals game this last weekend. Incidentally it was the one loss they have had in their last ten games, but it was also the night of “the biggest firework display in the history of Kansas City” so that was cool (and I posted a few videos of the show on youtube if anyone is interested).
I know what you are saying now, “Why do I care?” Well, while i was there I was able to snap a couple photos of some of the construction going on for the renovations at Arrowhead, and if you are like me you are interested in this sort of thing. The photos I took were of what I think are going to be the new office building, but if someone knows for sure please let me know.
Without further a due here are the pictures (plus a random Arrowhead picture or two as a bonus).
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Chiefs Agree To Terms with T Barry Richardson
via kcchiefs.com
- Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson announced on Wednesday that the club has agreed to terms of a three-year contract with T Barry Richardson. As per Chiefs policy, no other terms of the agreement were made available. Richardson is third Chiefs draft choice to agree to contract terms, joining fourth-round selection WR Will Franklin (105th overall) and fifth-round selection CB Brandon Carr (140th overall).
Some more info from a Clemson website:
- Overview: Preseason first-team All-American according to Playboy; it is the second straight year Clemson has had a Playboy All-American, as Gaines Adams was selected prior to 2006…preseason first-team All-American by Lindy’s and Athlon…#4 offensive tackle in the nation by Lindy’s and #45 player overall…#3 player regardless of position in the ACC by Lindy’s…preseason third-team All-American by Street & Smith…preseason first-team All-ACC by Street & Smith…preseason All-America candidate, and candidate for the Lombardi and Outland Trophies in 2007…listed on the 2007 Football Writers Association preseason All-America checklist…first Clemson offensive tackle to earn first-team all-conference honors as an underclassman since Jim Bundren (1996)…in his fourth season as a starting offensive tackle; he has started since the fifth game of the 2004 season…has started 32 consecutive game and has played in 36 straight games…started as a first-year freshman, Clemson’s first first-year freshman to start for the course of a season on the offensive line since 1943…first first-year freshman offensive lineman to start more than one game in a season since Joe Bostic (1975)…strong student-athlete who graduated a year early from Wando High in Mount Pleasant, SC…first scholarship football player to come to Clemson after just three years of high school…in his fourth year at Clemson, but is just 21 years of age…veteran of 36 games; he has 141 career knockdown blocks.
And here is what scout.com said about him pre-draft.
- A 4 year regular wo has the look of a NFL OT. An athletic big man with body control & balance. Big dancing bear. Showed the ability to counter defensive movement & adjust in pass pro. Has some natural bend & was nimble. Mechanics not advanced. Doesn’t play heavy. Seldom finished as a run blocker. Poor pad level(tendency to play straight legged). Lazy on the backside. Passive player. Lacks consistency. Has the tools, but buyer beware. Rd 4-5.
Hopefully Barry Richardson turns out to be a good player for the Chiefs. He defiantly has the size and ability but can he match that mentally sounds like the question.
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Brad Cottam Could Be A Starter
via RotoTimes.com
- June 24, 2008
Tight end Brad Cottam, a third-round pick out of Tennessee, was impressive enough in spring that he likely will be a starter when the Kansas City Chiefs open games in a two-tight end formation, according to USA Today.
Our View:Cottam is a better blocker than receiver, but that’s exactly what the team needs him to be. Cottam’s presence as a blocker could free up Tony Gonzalez to get even more involved in the passing offense.
I really hope this third-round pick works out well for the Chiefs, because I’m sure they are planning on this guy being the Tony Gonzalez replacement, although there is no replacing a future Hall of Fame TE. Also, with nothing being said about the fullbacks one could assume the Chiefs will be looking at more two tight end sets on offense. Good Luck Brad Cottam!
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Q&A with Chiefs OT Branden Albert
This is interview was done by josh Wolff at ProFootball Weekly. I am not taking credit for this interview, just passing it on for all of you to enjoy. Original article found here.
- After starting all 37 games that he played in at the University of Virginia, many thought Branden Albert would be a first-day selection in the 2008 NFL draft. But after showcasing incredible athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine, his stock skyrocketed and he became the 15th pick overall by the Chiefs.
While primarily a guard in the college, Kansas City saw enough mobility and strength in Albert to project him as the team’s future left tackle. He now is charged with the task of anchoring a rebuilding offensive line as a rookie.
The 23-year-old recently took a few minutes to talk to PFW about barbeque food, transitioning to tackle, the Chiefs’ offensive scheme and Julius Peppers.
PFW: Kansas City is famous for its barbeque — have you been able to sample any great BBQ yet?
Albert: I’ve tasted a couple of places: LC’s Bar-B-Q and Gates Bar-B-Q. Those places have great food.
PFW: How are you enjoying your time in Kansas City so far?
Albert: I am enjoying it real well. I just got a new house, so I’m excited about that. I’m also excited about the new season and being a part of this new era that’s going on in Kansas City.
PFW: Being a guard in college and now moving to left tackle in Kansas City, how is the transition going?
Albert: It’s going pretty well. There are times where I’m doing very well and there are times where I’m struggling. But for the most part, I’m getting it and learning on the run.
PFW: How is the offensive line play different in the NFL?
Albert: It’s the terminology. It’s basically the same scheme I’m used to because (Chiefs offensive coordinator) Chan Gailey runs the same scheme that I ran in high school just with different terminology and terms of plays. But basically, it’s the same scheme. It’s been helping me along, too, so the only thing I have to work on is my technique at left tackle.
PFW: What’s the biggest difference you’ve seen so far from college to the NFL?
Albert: You’re going against a great player every day in practice. Every play, everyone is going hard — every play — nobody is taking a play off. You’re not playing against scout-team players; you’re playing against guys who are veteran players, some guys who are Pro Bowlers. You’ve got to practice against those guys every day.
PFW: Which Chiefs players have you become friends with?
Albert: Dwayne Bowe and Brian Waters. Most of my rookie class I am pretty good friends with, too. A lot of guys, but those two that I mentioned, I talk to and do stuff with on a regular basis.
PFW: With Waters being a veteran, what has he done in the first couple of months to help your maturation and development?
Albert: He’s always telling pointers on the football field about situations I might get myself into. He’s telling me technique stuff and stuff about Willie Roaf. He tells me if I work hard enough, I could be like Willie. It’s a great compliment for me, but I have to prove that I have the potential to be that great. He helps me out a lot with my technique and just learning the game.
PFW: Which player are you most looking forward to playing against in the NFL?
Albert: I would have to say Julius Peppers.
PFW: What makes Peppers so enticing to play against?
Albert: He is one of the perennial Pro Bowl defensive ends in the NFL. I am the type of guy who likes challenges, and he’ll probably be one of the best challenges that I will face. [Editor’s note: The Chiefs play at the Panthers on Oct. 5] He’s been the best in the league and has done it for a long time. So, he’ll present a big challenge to me and I’m looking forward to it.
I’m glad that Albert seems to be doing well at OT so far and hope that be learns as much from Brain Waters as he can. He seems to have all of the tools necessary to be the starting LT for the Chiefs for years to come, let’s hope that works out.
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Barth makes first cut with Chiefs
It looks like undrafted rookie K Connor Barth has survived the first cut and will attend training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs. Veteran kicker Bill Cundiff was released.
- “My goal was to take it stage by stage,” Barth said by phone Friday. “I’m hoping to get to the next stage and be the last guy standing.”- Sarnewsonline.com
Barth and Nick Novak are the two remaining kickers on the Chiefs’ roster that will be battling for the job. Barth and Novak have also to become friends, but they both plan on winning the starting job.
- Of the ongoing, dueling job interview with Novak, Barth said: “It’s a fun little rivalry, but I’m going to work my butt off to win the job. There’s no rest.” - Starnewsonline.com
Well, however wins the job can’t be much worse that what happened last year… right??
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AFC West Predictions from StreetCred’s Blog
I came across StreetCred’s Blog of AFC West predictions on FoxSports and here is what he is predicting in a nutshell:
1. San Diego Chargers’ Record: 12-4 – AFC West Divisional Champion; AFC #3 Seed
- 07 Record: 11-5
- Points Scored: 412
- Points Allowed: 284 th
- Playoff Result: Lost AFC Championship Game
- 2008 Strength of Schedule:108-148 (.422) (31st in NFL)
2. Denver Broncos’ Record: 9-7 – AFC West 2nd Place; No Playoffs
- 07 Record: 7-9
- Points Scored: 320 (21st)
- Points Allowed: 409 (28th)
- Playoff Result: N/A
- 2008 Strength of Schedule: 114-142 (.445) (29th in NFL)
3. Oakland Raiders’ Record:6-10 – AFC West 3rd Place; No Playoffs
- 07 Record: 4-12
- Points Scored: 283 (23rd)
- Points Allowed: 398 (26th)
- Playoff Result: N/A
- 2008 Strength of Schedule: 112-142 (.438) (30th in NFL)
4. Kansas City Chiefs’ Record:5-11 – AFC West 4th Place; No Playoffs
- 07 Record: 4-12
- Points Scored: 226 (31st)
- Points Allowed: 335 (14th)
- Playoff Result: N/A
- 2008 Strength of Schedule: 116-140 (.453) (26th in NFL)
Here are a couple things he listed as Strengths for the Chiefs:
- One thing the Chiefs had was a pretty nice pass defense last season. They finished ranked 5th in passing yards allowed. They also finished 9th in sacks. They were also 14th in points allowed. However, you can throw all that out the window, because their best defender, Jared Allen, is no longer with the team. He led the NFL with 15.5 sacks and was the team’s best defender. He was traded to the Minnesota Vikings before the draft for draft picks.
The Chiefs went with a youth movement and the result was one of the best drafts in the NFL. They should be better than 28th against the run. Glenn Dorsey is one of the best defensive tackle prospects to come out of college in a number of years and he should immediately help them in that regard. Brandon Flowers should also help the passing game from the cornerback position as he replaces Ty Law.
Here is a little of what he had in his Weaknesses section:
- Last year I said this about Herm Edwards in my 2007 AFC West predictions, “It took Herman Edwards exactly one year to ruin this offense. After finishing in the top 5 for offensive yardage ever season of the Vermeil era and first, first, second, and sixth in points, Herman Edwards destroyed this offense. It dropped to 15th in both yards and points in his first year with most of the same players. As usual, the problem was Herm Edwards refusal to embrace the passing offense, which ranked 22nd last season.”Kansas City fans weren’t happy about that and I admit that I was wrong. While the passing offense was not a strength when compared to other NFL teams it was actually the strength of this offense. I don’t think a lot of people would have guessed the Chiefs would finish 30th in rushing attempts, 32nd in rushing yards, 31st in yards per carry, and tied for 31st in rushing touchdowns.
Here is his Prediction:
- I thought the Chiefs had a great draft. In my opinion it was the best in the NFL. That said, I also maintain the Colts and Patriots could have had the best draft in the NFL had they traded Brady or Manning. The only reason the Chiefs had the best draft is they traded their best player in Jared Allen. While that may turn out to be a great move for the future, it doesn’t necessarily translate into winning a lot of games the following year.
I know that I don’t agree with some of what he had to say, but what do you think Chiefs fans? Are we in for a 5-11 record finishing behind the lowly Raiders in the cellar of the AFC West?
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An Eddie Freeman Spotting
I’m sure most of you remember former Chiefs DL Eddie Freeman. Well, there has been a spotting. He is now playing for the Calgary Stampeders. There was a write up about him in the Calgary Herald titled “Slimmer, maturer Freeman takes his best shot at CLF” Here are a few exerts from the article.
“In an interview with the Kansas City Star last year, Bob Karmelowicz, who coached the defensive line when Freeman was with K.C., said Freeman and another youngster “were both good kids, but they had social issues. They were too high-maintenance. You can’t take ‘projects’ in the second round. It shouldn’t have happened.”
Karmelowicz also suggested — well after the fact, it must be noted — that Freeman was tough to coach.”
Some More
“There were accusations of over-aggression, too. In Freeman’s first camp with the Chiefs, during a heated drill, offensive lineman John Tait punched the rookie, who responded by hitting Tait in the face with his own helmet. That resulted in a $2,500 fine from the team.”
This is from the official Calgary Stampeders website regarding the upcoming training camp:
DEFENSIVE LINE
Returnees: Terrence Patrick, Randy Chevrier, Pat MacDonald, Miguel Robede, Marcus Parker, Eddie Freeman
Newcomers: Funtaine Hunter, Juwan Simpson, Kevin Harbour, Howard Hodges, LeMarcus Rowell
Analysis: Perhaps the area of greatest interest in camp, the defensive line could see some dramatic changes. Robede is in his third season and hasn’t had a chance to prove whether he can play. He’ll get that chance now, as Hufnagel might make the nose a Canadian position with Chevrier and MacDonald backing up Robede. Freeman, Parker and Hodges all have CFL experience and are competing for the other tackle spot. The Stamps have plenty of athletic ends in camp, possibly highlighted by Funtain Hunter — who had spell here on the practice roster last season as a linebacker — and Juwan Simpson. Patrick is the most experienced players on the line and the entire front should make for great camp competition.
Nothing like seeing a former Chiefs 2nd round pick struggling to make a CFL team. Here’s to me hoping that the days of drafting “projects” in the 2nd round is over.
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Dwayne Bowe IGN Interview
Here is a recent interview with Dwayne Bowe conducted by Bill Barnwell over at IGN.com. D-Bowe talks about rookies, football and video games. Interview pasted below for your enjoyment.
“Second-year Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe does not need to prove himself this offseason. After a stellar rookie campaign, Bowe could easily have spent his summer poolside sipping martinis. Instead, he’s trying to establish himself in two different arenas. Not only was Bowe at the rookie event to support fellow teammates Branden Albert and Glenn Dorsey, but he also spoke to us to hype up his skills in Halo. Of course, that got us thinking about a match with a certain sports star who also partakes in Halo now and then: Agent Zero. We’re working on negotiating the terms of Bowe vs. Arenas, but until then, you can check out our entertaining interview with the man with the diamond Blackberry around his neck.”
IGN: Dwayne Bowe! You’re not a rookie. What are you doing here?
Dwayne Bowe: I’m just here to support the incoming draft class, just like Reggie [Bush] and Vince [Young] were doing my year. I just wanna show that we support these guys cause they’re the future. I just wanna show my face and let them know I’m human.
IGN: Man. You’ve only been in the league one year and you’re a grizzled veteran now?
Dwayne Bowe: Man, I feel like I’ve been doing this for like seven, eight years. When you get mentored by older guys, like Eddie Kennison, or Tony Gonzalez, you learn a lot, and that’s what I’m trying to do.
IGN: OK. So are you chaperoning this weekend?
Dwayne Bowe: I don’t want to call it chaperoning, but yeah, we’re chaperoning little kids.
IGN: Are you putting Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert on the buddy system this weekend?
Dwayne Bowe: Yeah, they’re going on the buddy system. I don’t want them to get lost. It’s such a big city…I’m just making sure that they know I’m here and I’m not gonna let them go.
IGN: So you were the best rookie wide receiver last year. Were you expecting that out of school?
Dwayne Bowe: No, no, no! My plan was to just to step on the field and block all that stuff out and just have me and the guy in front of me and just try to beat that guy. I never looked at my stats and just said “I gotta beat you on this play.” And it just added up to, you know, 70 catches, almost 1000 yards, five touchdowns.
IGN: Who was the toughest guy you went up against?
Dwayne Bowe: Champ Bailey, number one, man. Al Harris…
IGN: Nnamdi [Asomugha]?
Dwayne Bowe: He’s number two. But Champ’s number one. I made a couple of catches against him and Champ said something like, “OK rookie, I’m gonna let you get two catches. But that’s it.”
IGN: Who’s the funniest trash talker at cornerback?
Dwayne Bowe: I would say Cortland Finnegan, on the Titans. He was always talking, always in my ear, always messing with me. I would say I talked more than I’ve ever talked in a football game talking to that guy.
IGN: So then, what was the funniest thing you heard a corner say to you last year?
Dwayne Bowe: “Hey D-Bo, when the ball comes this way, I’ll let you block. Don’t be hitting me all late and stuff.”
IGN: So what kind of video games do you like play?
Dwayne Bowe: I’m big into shooting games; I just try and do whatever I’m not doing on the field. I like to play football in real-life, but it’s my job, I don’t want to do that on the side. So I like to play Halo and Call of Duty and smoke anyone who tries to play me.
IGN: So you think you’re the best Halo player in the NFL?
Dwayne Bowe: I think so, if anyone wants to test me, you can call me, you got my cell.
IGN: Gilbert Arenas has sort of been the preeminent Halo player in sports for a while now. Do you think you could take him?
Dwayne Bowe: I think I have a great chance of taming him. I don’t know how often he plays it.
IGN: So, if we could make a Gilbert Arenas-Dwayne Bowe Halo matchup, would you participate?
Dwayne Bowe: I’m on it. I am on it
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