Final Ten Things About the 2017 Season

[gblowfish]

Ten Things About the 2017 Chiefs Season

10. Now that I’ve had a chance to down a half bottle of Pepto and had a couple hours sleep, I think I can now reason clearly. I want to begin by saying I don’t think any informed Chiefs fan expected this team to be a Super Bowl contender. And you can say that first going into the season after Spencer Ware got hurt, or last going into the playoffs after the team had lost five out of six, and went ‘Oh-for-the-State-of-New York" during November and December. If we didn’t lose to the Titans, we probably would have lost badly to either Pittsburgh or New England on the road. I’ll explain why I think that later when I get to the “Follow the Money” arguments. As far as last night’s soul crushing debacle, it will be the game known as the “Forward Progress Game” to join the annals of other great Chiefs home disasters. The specifics of the game have been talked to death already. I’ll just add a few things. The Chiefs blew an 18 point second half lead at home. They had five yards of total offense in the third quarter. K-Hunt had only 11 carries. KC only rushed for two first downs. On the flip side, Tennessee rushed for 202 yards. Titans had a pick and a fumbled punt; and should have had two other fumbles on Mariota that accounted for a 12-point swing in the game, thanks to the newly retired Mr. Triplette. Buttkicker carried on the storied tradition of Stenerud, Lowrey and the Kicker Who Shall Remain Nameless by doinking a critical kick in the third quarter. Special teams had stupid penalties to kill game momentum, including a personal foul that erased a roughing the kicker penalty that would have sustained a Chiefs drive. Alex Smith was given an opportunity to get the team into field goal range to win, and failed once again; proving he is not a quarterback that can lead a team to victory in a critical situation. Cumulatively, the team has now lost ten of their last eleven post season contests, including six straight at home. Is it possible for us to defer a home game? I don’t see any reason for us to ever host a playoff game in Arrowhead ever again. Let’s just offer the opponent home field advantage. We’ll have a better shot, and it won’t cost our fans hundreds of wasted playoff dollars.

9. About Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs Culture: In the history of the NFL, teams are 67-4 when leading by 18 or more points a halftime. Andy Reid owns two of those miserable losses - The Andrew Luck Colts game, and last night. I heard another stat last night that Andy Reid has the 9th most NFL regular season victories, and the third most NFL playoff losses. I think Andy is basically the second coming of Marty. There’s been great coaches who could not win the big one like John McKay, Don Coryell and Chuck Knox. At least Marv Levy and Bud Grant got to the Super Bowl more than once. Also, much like Marty, Reid is developing a coaching “tree” where former Chiefs assistant coaches leave and find greatness somewhere else. Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy and Bruce Arians all worked for Marty. Doug Pederson in Philly worked for Reid, and now a bunch of teams want to talk to Nagy about a head coaching spot. You can even argue that organizationally, others have left our culture to have a shot at greatness. Pioli and Haley are both still in the big dance. John Dorsey has an exciting future in Cleveland with both the number one and number four overall picks in the upcoming 2018 draft. Chris Ballard is rebuilding the Colts. As far as this latest collapse, Reid didn’t even have the stones to criticize Triplette after the game, because “he didn’t want to get fined.” Thanks for speaking up on behalf of your team, the fans and the organization, Andy. Even if you get fined, you’ll still be able to afford as many trips to Golden Corral as you can handle.

8. The overview of the offense is not all gloom and doom. The Chiefs have a lot to look forward to next year. Assuming the Chiefs deal off Smith, let’s assume they get a second round pick for him- we won’t have a first rounder this year as Buffalo will be laughing all the way to the draft podium with our first round pick- but we should be able to pick up a couple of decent players with two second round picks. We’ll get Spencer Ware and Chris Conley back from injury. We’ll have Kelce, Hill and K-Hunt all back, and all in their prime. And Mahomie will have a full compliment of weapons -more than just Albert Wilson- at his disposal. Four of our offensive line -Schwartz, Fisher, Canadian Doc and Fulton, are above average. Our schedule will be a killer since we finished first in division. We’ll probably miss the playoffs altogether next year. But if you’re gonna break the kid in, might as well throw him up against the best the league has to offer to accelerate his learning curve. You can't beat the best until you've had experience playing against the best. At least the team will be fun to watch, and not a slow lingering death spiral like watching an Alex Smith half like last night.

7. The defense is a lot of gloom and doom. It needs a fix, top to bottom. it needs to start by putting Bob Sutton in assisted living. I suggest sending about 500 of those “Fear Nothing Attack Everything” towels along so his caretakers can wipe his bottom with them. The Titans did not punt in the second half. Not once. Titans were 8 for 13 on third down, and that’s after basically doing nothing the entire first half. Their three points in the first half were gifted by Mr. Triplette. KC defense gave up six yards per play. And where Dick LeBeau made adjustments to shut out KC in the second half, once Sutton lost Chris Jones, his defense went to total shit. It seemed the longer the third down distance to gain, the more Mariota liked it. The fans did all they could do to contribute to the defense. One fan induced penalty actually hurt the team. KC had Mariota stopped, but Triplette called delay of game, which gave the Titans another chance. Mariota then picked up the first down on a scramble, sustaining a 91 yard drive. It was one of those kinds of snake bit moments that fit perfectly to the narrative.

6. I think the biggest problem defensively all season was lack of pass rush. Coming out of training camp, Sutton was counting on Hali, Ford, Houston and Chris Jones to provide the pressure. Hali should have been cut, but the team just let him hang around and draw a paycheck. Ford was useless and injured. Houston is being paid JJ Watt money but disappeared in this game. His only play was to pick up a Mariota fumble, but that play was blown dead by our pal Mr. Triplette. DJ was a liability on pass coverage and was not sent on the blitz nearly enough. He was more dangerous than Houston. The only shining star was Reggie Ragland, who looks like he’ll be a reliable run stopper and a thumper. K-Pass is a puppy and is a project. Chris Jones went out hurt, and his injury -along with the cheap shot that put Kelce out with a concussion- was the momentum swing Tennessee was looking for. They came out in the second half, kicked ass and didn’t look back. That is EXACTLY what the Chiefs should have done. Instead, we got the Andy Reid turtle show.

5. Our defensive secondary needs a total overhaul. One of the reasons they were so bad as a group was the lack of pass rush, giving opposing receivers tons of time to work open. We have two reliable secondary players: Eric Berry, who was lost on a Thursday night game injury to open the season; and Marcus Peters, who is a loose cannon and a head case. The rest of the group are marginal to terrible. Sorensen takes bad angles. Parker flat out cannot tackle. Nelson is injury prone. Murray got beat by Decker for the go ahead TD last night. Gaines, Acker, Smith, Mitchell are all the same guy. That is to say, always chasing somebody downfield on the way to giving up a TD or a DPI. Revis needs to be given his gold watch and sent to the golf course. Veach has been pretty good a snagging guys off other teams practice squads. He needs to scour every single opportunity -including the CFL- to find some reasonably decent defensive backs. Guys who are not afraid to come up and hit in run support, and who can turn their head around. Who knows what Berry will be like coming off his injury? Who knows if Peters can keep from being suspended week after week after week? I would trade Peters for a first round pick, and take another starting corner in the draft. Deal Peters while his value is at a premium. I’m sure Chucky would love to have him in Vegas.

4. I would also make a coaching change in special teams. Dave Toub lived off reputation, and did a poor job. Special teams production on punt and kickoff was terrible, especially on kickoff. We started drive after drive after drive inside the 20 yard line because of Toub’s insistence of running out kickoffs. Penalties in special teams never got solved. Colquitt’s contract is up. I would let him go, just like Denver let his brother go; and draft that kid Dickson off the Texas Longhorns with a third round pick. If he’s not available, go get Corey Fatony from Mizzou with a fifth round pick. Buttkicker was a fine addition. I think he’ll be around for a long time. I was very disappointed that he missed his only kick in the playoffs, but I’m willing to chalk that up to Rookie Yips and kicking in cold weather. It wasn’t a gimme kick, but he had enough leg. He just pulled it. Even if he hits it, the way the defense was playing, Mariota probably would have found a way to get Succop another chance to win. There needs to be some accountability with this coaching staff. Cutting Toub loose would send a message that nobody should get too comfy and ride their reputation. Devin Hester’s career is way back in the rear view mirror now.

3. Alex Smith needs to go. He’s not a bad quarterback, he’s just not a killer and a winner. The reason he needs to go is two fold. One: he’s had his shot to shine here and failed. Five years is plenty. His trade value will never be higher than now. Second: If we keep him for one more year, we’ll be lucky to get close to the same level of play. Next year's schedule looks to be as tough or tougher than this year’s schedule. Additionally, Smith has a history of injury. He made it through this year OK, but he’ll be a year older and a step slower. Also, he’s a free agent after his contract expires. Might as well get something for him while we can. Chiefs fans have had our fill of San Francisco cast offs. DeBerg, Bono, Montana, Grbac and now Smith. Enough. Let’s get on with Mahomie. Let him take his lumps next year, and start building something. Tyler Bray should be toast too. I’m hoping Veach signs a veteran backup -a Nick Foles type- or pulls somebody off a practice squad who could be the next Tyrod Taylor or Teddy Bridgewater. And if Mahomie gets hurt, we’re screwed anyway. So go for it. Let the kid play.

2. Finally, the organization, especially CHunt, deserves heavy criticism. Only three other NFL teams are remotely as futile as our Chiefs: The Jets, Lions and expansion Browns. The original Browns are now the Ravens and have won two super bowls since we were last there. It’s going on fifty years since the Chiefs won a championship. The PR and Marketing Weasels keep pushing this narrative of how Kansas City is a special, rich heritage franchise, and a storied team and a glorious, admired organization. The truth is the exact opposite. To the rest of the league, especially the rest of the AFC West- the Chiefs are a laughing stock. A punchline. A pants wetting, choking, pathetic bunch of inept losers. What hurts most is, that’s the truth. Teams that are true storied franchises like Pittsburgh, New England, Green Bay, Dallas and Denver - and you can even throw in the Raiders- expect Super Bowls. Anything less is an unacceptable embarrassment and abject failure. Green Bay went out and got Rodgers when Favre was done. Denver went out and got Peyton Manning. The Raiders just spent $100 million to get a decent head coach to rebuild their franchise. Here in Kansas City, we get AFC West Divisional Championships, and that’s it. Nothing else is expected, nothing else is achieved. It’s the core of the organizational culture, and it hasn’t changed since the days of Lamar and Steadman, or Lamar and King Carl, or CHunt and Pioli, and now CHunt and Andy Reid. I don’t put this on Veach. Reid is our real GM and Veach is an enabler. Dorsey was the fall guy for last year. Sutton will most likely be the fall guy for this year. CHunt seems to care more about hobnobbing with Roger Goodell and the other Billionaire owners than actually being driven to win for Kansas City. Jerry Jones is a giant pain in the league’s ass, but nobody can deny his singluar, focused drive to win. He’ll do literally anything to win. Here, CHunt is more interested in giving up home games to play in London, and I’m sure he’ll be all in for us to play in Mexico next year against the Rams. The Hunt family doesn’t even bother to live here. In the long run, we might be better off if CHunt sexually harassed his secretary ala Jerry Richardson, and is forced to sell the team. Or move the team to Mexico City, and KC would get an expansion franchise, or a relocation, like maybe the Chargers. At least the Chargers have been to the Super Bowl since 1969. When Andy demurred from criticizing Triplette last night “Because He Didn’t Want To Get Fined, “ CHunt should have been in front of the press screaming bloody murder about getting jobbed in his own house. But nary a peep. I’m sure at the end of the month when we get our bills for 2018 season tickets, the email will talk about “a disappointing ending to a great season where we won our second AFC West Crown.” Yeah, great. That basically equals the Royals winning back to back Cactus League Championships.

1. So that’s it - we end with another epic Chiefs poop stain in the ole’ tighty whiteys. Finally, as far as "follow the money": The NFL is in trouble. A court case a few years back established that the NFL does not owe the consumer a fair or legitimate contest. Buying a ticket only guarantees an “entertainment experience.” With jerks like Papa John screaming bloody murder at Goodell, officiating crew chiefs like Mr. Triplette allowed to butcher a game and then walk away scott free, empty seats in stadiums and declining viewership, the league really needs Patriots vs. Steelers in the AFC Championship, and probably Atlanta vs. Whoever Else in the NFC. That would be the best for ratings. They’d drool for a Pats-Falcons rematch. I also think the league wants a lovable loser. The Chiefs are like the Cubs or Red Sox of the NFL. Good enough to be interesting, nice little side show in flyover country, but never good enough to go be the prime time headliner. And history shows us that's been the case for decades and decades and decades and decades…and decades. Cubs fans and Red Sox fans waited nearly 100 years -both in media markets much larger than Kansas City. And we’re only halfway there. As for me, I’m going to get together with the wife and we’ll decide whether we’re in or out for 2018. Last year I dropped one of my three tickets. This year I may just cry “Uncle” and stop going altogether. Its not worth the treasure or time to watch this horror movie six times in a row. Mahomie may be the only thing that changes my mind. If they bring Smith back, I’m going to have a really hard time with the chosen direction of this franchise. If things don’t radically change, then the joke is once again on me.

Thanks for reading, and considering my thoughts and observations. Have a nice off-season everyone. See you around.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

How many drops did Hill have yesterday when he was needed? 4?

Hill had a bad game but let's not act like his okay all year didn't prove he's a #1. He's going to eat with Mahomes as QB too.

[Prison Bitch]

Buffalo will TOTALLY be laughing all the way to the podium with our pick! I mean, they could've drafted Pat Mahomes instead - but it's much funnier pulling the wool over our eyes and sticking with Tyrod Taylor and Nathan Peterman.

[WilliamTheIrish]

Hang tough, gb.

I'll only disagree like that our OL is worth a shit. That squad, like the DL, is soft and weak. They got destroyed in the second half. Just like the our DLine got their collective stool pushed in.

We need a new DC for sure. And we need to have an A+ draft. Which means drafting guys who will contribute right away. I cringed every time I saw David Irving sack the QB for Dallas this year. We could have used him this year.

[ChiefFanForHire]

Originally Posted by Trivers

Your Hunt characterization was disappointing.

You couldn't possibly be any more wrong. If Clark gave two shits about this team or its fans he wouldve stepped in front of Andy when asked abou the refs and ripped this Scam League and its Scam Officiails for an hour straight.

Instead, it's his job to let us be wild card doormats ever year, that he gets paid millions to do, and he's great at it. Even when the refs take away what should go down as the greatest sack / strip / return in postseason history, and lie so we can't challenge it. Clark is his usual sackless self, crying intohis millions of dollars throughout the offseason before raising ticket prices and bragging about back to back division championships.

To hell with him, his gutless coach, and this whole sham of a "sport". We all deseve better.

[MahiMike]

Clark Hunt is simply a pussy. He was handed his fortune instead of earning it. He really doesn't know how to handle adversity.

Looking back, both my teams had the same strange situation at the same time - they replaced owners and coaches at the same time.

Jax got Shad Khan and KC got daddy's boy. Now Khan is turning the entire town into a vibrant destination - not just winning playoff games.

What a difference an owner makes. Especially a self-made billionaire.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Reid refusing to criticize Triplette was very disappointing, that is some spineless garbage no doubt... if the head coach wont fight for his team, then who will?

Agreed

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by ChiefFanForHire

You sound like you're too stupid to realize that when the head ref lies about forward progress where there was none to negate our ability to challenge his dogshit call, he's not allowed to do that, and he's technically rigging the game.

Hope you find that job soon, kid.

I hear the local school district may be looking for a window licker.

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Hope you find that job soon, kid.

I hear the local school district may be looking for a window licker.

Window licking is an honest profession. And School Districts have great bennies, and you get the summer off!

[tmax63]

Originally Posted by Titty Meat

George you've really came across as an angry old man the past few months and this 10 things was nothing but doom and gloom bullshit that this board has always been about. You're right this was never a super bowl team and it was never about this year from the moment we traded up for Mahomes.

This year was a success. Smith played his way into getting us a very nice draft pick, Hill proved he is a #1 WR, and Hunt is arguably the best RB in the league.

Sure to ahead and fire Sutton. Any DC would have sucked that 2nd half. This D-line has proven it's not shit outside of Chris Jones. Allen Bailey needs to be shown the door as does Logan. Jarvis Jenkins isn't good enough for the arena league. We upgraded at ILB this year with KPL & Ragland. Sign a guy like Talib and out secondary is the new "No Fly Zone". We won't win as many games next year because we will have an inexperienced QB. Growing pains are to be expected but the outlook on this team is pointing up.

You sound like MileHiManiac talking about the Broncos. The defense is a helluva lot further than Talib away from being the new "No Fly Zone"

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by tmax63

You sound like MileHiManiac talking about the Broncos. The defense is a helluva lot further than Talib away from being the new "No Fly Zone"

A secondary of Talib, Peters, Nelson, Berry, and 2nd round safety would be on par if not better than any recent Denver secondary.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Window licking is an honest profession. And School Districts have great bennies, and you get the summer off!

If you don’t lick the windows all summer, the job becomes much harder when school starts again in September.

[Shag]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

8. The overview of the offense is not all gloom and doom. The Chiefs have a lot to look forward to next year. Assuming the Chiefs deal off Smith, let’s assume they get a second round pick for him- we won’t have a first rounder this year as Buffalo will be laughing all the way to the draft podium with our first round pick- but we should be able to pick up a couple of decent players with two second round picks. We’ll get Spencer Ware and Chris Conley back from injury. We’ll have Kelce, Hill and K-Hunt all back, and all in their prime. And Mahomie will have a full compliment of weapons -more than just Albert Wilson- at his disposal. Four of our offensive line -Schwartz, Fisher, Canadian Doc and Fulton, are above average. Our schedule will be a killer since we finished first in division. We’ll probably miss the playoffs altogether next year. But if you’re gonna break the kid in, might as well throw him up against the best the league has to offer to accelerate his learning curve. You can't beat the best until you've had experience playing against the best. At least the team will be fun to watch, and not a slow lingering death spiral like watching an Alex Smith half like last night.

huh? Are you saying you don't think Mahomes was worth the trade?

[tmax63]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

A secondary of Talib, Peters, Nelson, Berry, and 2nd round safety would be on par if not better than any recent Denver secondary.

Who are your backups? I'd expect that Talib and Peters to be suspended a game or 2 for something stupid and Berry has averaged playing 10 games a year in his 8 year career. Your also assuming a 2nd round safety so who's going to pressure the QB? Houston/Zombo/Ford/Hali didn't get it done this year. I thought I drank the Kool-Aid until I've read some of this.

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by Shag

huh? Are you saying you don't think Mahomes was worth the trade?

Depends on who they get with that pick. And they went just as far in the playoffs this year as we did. I’m glad we got Mahomes, but the other interesting thing about that deal is, both GMs who arranged it got fired afterwards.

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

A secondary of Talib, Peters, Nelson, Berry, and 2nd round safety would be on par if not better than any recent Denver secondary.

On paper... but with Bob grandpa Sutton calling the gameplan, you may as well just run out a bunch of rookies.

**** Bob Sutton.