Kansas City Chiefs

1. He’s gone from cancer diagnosis, to enduring chemotherapy, to full remission, and activation from the physically unable to perform list. On Monday night, Marcus Cannon took another step in his recovery when he played his first snaps against Kansas City. Cannon entered the game in the fourth quarter and played right tackle. Opposite Cannon was Nate Solder, playing left tackle in place of Matt Light, who was injured earlier in the game. Might this be a glimpse of the future Patriots O-line?

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 11"

The vision is almost a reality. It didn’t work the first time, but the personnel is better now.

For the sixth time this season the Patriots scored at least 30 points. They rolled up 389 yards of total offense. In 9 of 10 games the Pats gained more than 370 yards of offense. New England is second-rated offense in the NFL and third in points scored.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

“Hello? Miiiiike…What’s goin’ on? I know, I know! Long time no speak, man. How you doin’?

“Yeah, I heard. Retired. I didn’t see that coming. But good for you.

Continue reading "Don't Be a Stranger, Mike Vrabel"

It’s kinda hard saying Baltimore, Indianapolis, or the New York Jets concern me considering the results from the regular season games. The Pats throttled the Jets in the second go-round. I don’t take any team led by QB Peyton Manning lightly, but the Colts have a lot of injuries and needed a furious comeback to make that game close. And the Ravens, with their suspect secondary, hasn’t seen this version of the Patriots.

Continue reading "Chief Concern out of the Wild Cards"

OK, now I’m sold. 

Since the end of the regular season I’ve been waiting for the Patriots to get a rush linebacker I could believe in. Whether it was a rookie day one draft pick, a free agent, or by trade, I wanted someone that could get to the quarterback better than Mike Vrabel did in 2008. His trade to Kansas City made the need urgent. 

Continue reading "A Burgess Believer"

I’m not much of a poker player, but since the beginning of training camp, head coach Bill Belichick has been exchanging cards, looking for a full house. 

They looked at QB Cleo Lemon. DE Kevin Carter seems to be getting serious consideration. QB Matt Gutierrez was cut and QB Andrew Walter signed to replace Gutz. 

Continue reading "Ninkovich in the Cards"

I’ve already completed my second edition mock draft. And just like the first one, I have the Patriots selecting LB Clint Sintim from Virginia. The selection makes complete sense. He played outside, but scouts project him as an inside ‘backer. If he can play both, he has the versatility that head coach Bill Belichick wants. 

Continue reading "In the Minority about Matthews Jr"

In the world of journalism, it's the greatest compliment when an article you wrote inspires others to express their own opinion on the same subject.

Back in February, I wrote an article asking the question should teams draft tight ends in the first round. It was a relevant question because Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew could be the only TE selected within the first 32 picks.

Continue reading "Great Minds Think Alike"

In honor of the first day of April I am making my first post in over a month and a half. While my break from Pats-related writing was mostly due to the overwhelming nature of my real job, I continued to keep a close eye on all things Pats.

Continue reading "Back in the Patriots-Blogging Saddle"

I beg for forgiveness from those who checked in with any regularity this last week only to find the cupboard was left barren of fresh and delicious trinkets of wisdom, and all that remained was the discarded old, moldy and previously read blogs. The monotony of life reigned this past seven days along with additional hours at work which left me without the proper amount of time to coherently compose a posting and now even today’s blog is late, very late. Dismay no more, in a football-centric version of The Sports Don’s Sunday Musings, I have returned to writing incessantly and without any recognition of a word limit. I appreciate your patience.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: Volume IV"

On the day free agency started, the Patriots were involved in a trade.

With Kansas City.

For a Chiefs draft pick.

Unfortunately it wasn't for KC/s third pick overall. Nor did it involve QB Matt Cassel. Instead the Pats sent LB Mike Vrabel packing for a fourth round draft pick.

Continue reading "The Unexpected, As Usual"

To no surprise, the Patriots attached the franchise tag to QB Matt Cassel. And in even less of a no-brainer, Cassel accepted the one-year tender of $14.6 million.

Don't go shopping for that fleet of candy apple red Hummers yet, Cassel. You'll get paid, just don't expect the sum you signed for.

Continue reading "Cassel, Your Tag is Showing"

Well, we got a coach--Todd Haley. Did you know that he is the son of Dick Haley, long-time Pittsburgh Steelers personnel director? Dick Haley was personnel director from 1975 to 1990, I think. Now, that is some impressive pedigree...Todd also worked as receivers coach and passing coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys when Bill Parcells was head coach. He was also receivers coach for the New York Jets in the late 90s when they went from 1-15 in 1996 to 12-4 two years later. In other words, this guy is a winner, and he has impressive credentials. He was not hired just because of his success the last 2 years with the Arizona Cardinals. I am encouraged by the hiring.

Continue reading "Excellent Choice - Todd Haley Named ..."

day later, vice president of player personnel Scot Pioli accepted the general manager job from the Kansas City Chiefs. And earlier today special teams coach Brad Seely accepted the assistant head coach/special teams coordinator job with the Cleveland Browns.Apparently the AFC is adopting the "If you can't beat them, hire them" approach. That's four openings now available when broken down by roles (McDaniels had two titles).

Continue reading "Patriots Job Fair '09"

All of us Chiefs fans have our opinions about Carl Peterson-- mostly negative, but he did have a stretch of Chiefs history (1989-2008) that was considerably better than the prior stretch (1974-1988). Those lean years in between Hank Stram and Marty Schottenheimer produced only 2 winning years and 1 playoff appearance. The King Carl Era brought division titles and many playoff appearances, but brought no Super Bowl appearances. We can all agree that the Hank Stram era of 1960 to 1973 is still the greatest era of Chiefs football (1 AFL title, 2 Super Bowl appearances, 1 Super Bowl victory). Carl's era would be a distant second, but the most recent, of course, so a buddy and I began discussing which team was the best of Carl's era. We narrowed it down to 4:

Continue reading "Good Bye, Carl -- Which Kansas City ..."

he patience for the unproven Kellen Clemens and his growing pains.

Would Cassel work out with the Kansas City Chiefs if K.C. doesn't believe in neither Brodie Croyle nor Tyler Thigpen? Sure. Maybe the Chiefs are two years away from being a playoff team, but don't take the chance of having Cassel knock the Patriots out of the playoffs somewhere down the road.

Continue reading "Tag! You're Going Nowhere"

It's an odd year. That means the Patriots are going after a big name in free agency.

Just look at their history. '08 had no one major join our team. Just a bunch of journeyman corners, RB LaMont Jordan, and S Tank Williams, who was hurt in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve.

Continue reading "The Bi-annual Free Agency Splash"

I can't believe I'm about to say this. It makes me feel dirty just thinking about it. But it's what has to be done.

Go Jets.

 Ugh! I'm gonna need a shower.

As much as I despise New York and their teams (the Yankees once again came through with more than $400 million reasons to hate them more this off-season), for once, I want the Jets to win.

Continue reading "Sacreligious"

About a couple of weeks ago, I was talking with a co-worker about the current state of the Patriots. He suggested that maybe the team would be better off tanking for better draft position as opposed to trying to get into the playoffs because they'd probably get bounced out early.

Continue reading "Playoffs or Draft?"

This was bound to happen.

For the second week in a row, QB Matt Cassel threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns. This from a guy that looked so bad against San Diego that practically all fans were calling for his head. Now Cassel is at the head of the class as every Pats fans' favorite player. It's at the point that now people think New England should re-sign Cassel and trade Tom Brady.

Continue reading "The Cassel-Brady Debate"

Ty Law doesn't scare me.

The 5-time former Pro Bowl corner is 34 years old and hasn't played a game since the end of the 2007 season with Kansas City. That season Law came away with two interceptions, 13 passes defensed, and declining play. If he was still good, K.C. would had kept him over Patrick Surtain.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

From the moment in 2006 when Larry Johnson was spewing his dislike towards white coaches and applauding Herm Edwards because he's a black head coach and "gets it" his on-field performance took a nose dive.  After his fourth incident with the law involving women over the bye week I believe Dick Vermeil had Larry's personality pegged long ago.  Vermeil didn't want to draft him preferring to take a defensive player such as Polamalu or a D-lineman in the draft but Peterson insisted. 

Continue reading "Think Larry Johnson Might Want to ..."

A week filled with late game nervousness and dominant performances. The Texans were the ones doing the prowling as they tore apart the Bengals. 'America's Team' didn't look so sharp, but they found a way to win. The NFL brought a real shootout to London (hopefully no one was hurt!) and Brett Favre didn't look good for the second consecutive week, but thankfully for the Jets, they played the Chiefs. I'll cover those games in this week's Fallout report!

Continue reading "NFL Week 8 Fallout"

Tyler Thigpen played his heart out Sunday.  I was frantically dialing all my friends on my cell phone to see if anyone else was watching the spectacle that Thigpen was making of the Jets defense.  Of course only one friend picked up the phone and his response was "no I don't watch that joke of a team". 

Continue reading "Fourth Quarter of Chiefs at Jets ..."

he healthier team and pick San Diego.

Winners - San Diego Chargers

2) Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets

Jets are coming off an overtime loss to the Raiders last Sunday in which the offense had the ball 3 times in the extra quarter, but still could not muster any points. Brett Favre did not look good and was in the news this week with the whole Matt Millen Lions/Packers play-scheme swap accusation in which Favre denied. If I were the Jets I would want my quarterback to be in the news for practicing and game-planning for the Chiefs for Sunday. Speaking of the Chiefs, KC lost both their starter and back up quarterbacks last week. So third stringer Tyler Thigpen will get the start for the 1-5 Chiefs. Larry Johnson will not be available due to the on-going investigation following a Oct. 10 night club incident, in which Johnson allegedly told a woman he was going to kill her boyfriend then spat in her face. Not much good going on with the Chiefs. I'll take the Jets in this one.

Continue reading "NFL Week 8 Predictions"

In the Kansas City Chiefs continuing game of "Let's Make a Deal" they have chosen Quinn Gray over Daunte Culpepper and Bruce Gradkowski.  I watched Gray play a game or two for Jacksonville last year and while it wasn't spectacular he couldn't be any worse than Tyler "CFL" Thigpen.  Gray brings a combination of size and mobility, something the Chiefs sorely lacked in their quarterback options on the roster. Croyle and Thigpen are mobile but both are smallish quarterbacks.  Croyle can't stay healthy and Huard is an immobile weak-armed veteran. Thigpen doesnt step into his throws causing them to sail high and has awful pocket presence. Gray can't do any worse than these jokes that have been filling out the roster.     

Continue reading "The Chiefs Will Take QB Behind Door Number Two!"

The jobless quarterback VW-Bus keeps on rolling with stale snacks and odd jobs on the side.  That's what I picture when teams start auditioning out of work quarterbacks.  I picture them all in the same VW-bus traveling city to city showering at rest stops hoping for a job somewhere in the NFL.  It looks like Culpepper and Gradkowski pulled their VW-Bus up to One Arrowhead Drive this week for tryouts. 

Continue reading "Daunte Culpepper? Is Moss coming too?"

Someone put this team out if its misery. Are there enough adjectives to describe just how poor this team is? In summary, a portly, short-yardage back burst off-tackle untouched for an 80 yard touchdown. That's right Lendale White the guy who has been getting grief from Titans fans for his out of shape body and slow feet burst untouched for an 80 yard touchdown. He averaged 8.8 yards per carry on the day. The Titans' "feature" back Chris Johnson in an attempt to run down the clock followed up that 80 yard plodding touchdown with a 66 yard effort. In all the Chiefs allowed 323 yards rushing. They allowed two backs to top 100 and each back averaged 9 yards a carry. Those are video game stats.

Continue reading "Put The Chiefs Out of Their Misery"

Crystal Croyle limped off the field in the second quarter and the Chiefs' "QB of the Future" proved once again he is not capable of remaining healthy through a single game let alone an entire season.  I think it is time to cash in your chips on that hope.  Croyle was 9 for 10 on the day so he was having a promising start but promising starts don't equate to wins and has been said many times availability is sometimes better than raw ability.

Continue reading "Crystal Croyle Out in 2nd Quarter"

It is no stretch to say that the game against the Titans this weekend could define Herm Edwards coaching career in Kansas City. Tony Gonzalez's request to be traded and Carl Peterson's unwillingness to trade him for anything less than a second rounder has put a huge burden on Herm's shoulders. You could hear it in his voice and see it in his body language that Herm is on the edge right now. He was as friendly as a crocodile in the news conference yesterday bristling at reporters and repeating himself in his traditional manner when he's irritated about something.

Continue reading "Chiefs' Edwards Faces Titanic Task This Weekend"

Buffalo Bills
71.4 220 yds 1 TD 1 Int 101.3 rating 0-1 W-L

Tyler Thigpen, 2nd season - Kansas City Chiefs
41.8 pct 316 yds 2 TD 4 Int 40.9 rating 0-1 W-L

Damon Huard, 12th season -

Continue reading "Pick Your Poision"

NFC East

Week 6

Hello East Fans,

Well after a week of Hiatus to curse the football gods for my team’s embarrassing losses. I felt a preview of the Best division in Football was the only way to quench the thirst. Every team in the division except for Washington is on the road, let’s start with the leaders of the pack.

Continue reading "The East!"

       Sean Salisbury offers his fantasy football preview for week 6 of the NFL. Check this out every week at my blog.

Continue reading "Sean Salisbury's Fantasy Preview for Week 6"

It was an interesting week in the National Football League. A few surprises, a big meltdown by one team and one bruised and battered team found a way to win a big prime-time game. Let's get right to it--game by game.

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Fallout"

They did for two wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets, including impressive goal line stands in each game.

They pressured KC's passers and forced Jets' QB Brett Favre into an interception that led to an offensive touchdown.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 5"

First off, I want to introduce myself. My name is Jake, I live in Houston. I'm glad I found this place. I've read a lot of bloggers material today from predictions to their favorite teams' rants, it's great. I enjoyed it. Sports, baby sports!

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Predictions"

The Crying Game

The Terrell Owens story

Hello NFL fans,

Well here we are, week four of the third year with his last team. This will be his last team, I truly believe that. If I were an owner I would rather get a letter full of anthrax and then imprisoned IN Cuba to spend the rest of my days. The continuous onslaught of reporters and fans condemning my name and wanting my head on a stick would be too much for me to bare.

Continue reading ""

              The economic “crisis" is not that complicated. The stock market always wants positive press to continue its trading

Continue reading "Economic Crisis"

The Blast 1.5

Hello Blast fans,

I know I was making this a weekly blog for all those problems with everyone’s teams. But the response to the Blast has been overwhelming and some of these are just to funny to wait any longer. Keep on emailing and commenting I love posting up what you guys want to say about your teams.

Continue reading "More blasting!"

This is an ongoing record of the funniest sports' quotes from the major and local sports talk shows like ATH, PTI, Jim Rome, etc.  I missed a few during Hurricane Ike and could use your help. Feel free to contribute some of you own from TV and radio or comment on the ones you see here. Your new quotes will be integrated daily as part of the ongoing record.  To post a quote or make a comment just follow the comment link at the bottom.

Continue reading "Funny Sports Quotes"

Your favorite method of getting your football returns this week . The popular video series can be found at my blog.

Continue reading "Fantasy girl returns"

   I just wanted to let you know that I may be unable to post for a few days. I live south of Houston, near Galveston, Texas. As hurricane Ike approaches there may be power outages and loss of internet access. If that is the case, I will be unable to write my column. Remember though, there are things much more important than sports. If you need Ike information, you can go to:

Continue reading "Hurricane information"

What if Tom Brady had his knee torn up while on the road? Would the hostile crowd cheer?

I give Kansas City fans the benefit of the doubt. I don't think they would relish watching an opposing player writhing in pain from a blow to the knee. Nor would they celebrate their player for taking out an opponent for the year.

Continue reading "Have We Sunk This Low?"

;      Tom Brady - Out for season (knee)

       Kansas City Chiefs            Brodie Croyle

Continue reading "Injury Update"

Here is the great Jack Buck's poem that was given on September 17, 2001."Since this nation was founded ... under God
More than 200 years ago
We have been the bastion of freedom
The light that keeps the free world aglow

Continue reading "Jack Buck's Poem remembering 9-11"

Believe. Believe. It’s the one word in sports that says so much but says so little. You’ve seen signs in every NFL stadium at some point with this simple word. ”Believe.” When MLB baseball approaches the postseason every year, the word reappears. “Believe.” But believe in what I ask you? Do the Chicago Cubs “believe” that they will win a World Championship? Or do they “believe” that some strange twist of fate will ruin another promising season. What does your team “believe” in?

Continue reading "Believe!"

The first guess from a Patriots fan would be 56, as in the first time in 56 games that Tom Brady was not listed on the injury report, he got injured. They might have a point, but I'd have to disagree. 56 also represents the jersey number for Andre Tippett who entered the Hall of Fame in August. So 56 isn't totally unlucky.

Continue reading "Unlucky number"

NFL Week 1 Results
NY Giants 16 Wahington 7
Pittsburgh 38 Houston 17
Atlanta 34 Detroit 21
Tennessee 17 Jacksonville 10
Baltimore 17 Cincinnati 10
Philadelphia 38 St. Louis 3

Continue reading "NFL SCOREBOARD"

You can get your fantasy football updates here as well as columns, funny sports quotes, injury updates and anything else sports related. If your not already seeing this video just hit the sportspoet link and you will get everything that you need to keep up with your favorite sports teams. Thank you for visiting this site.

Continue reading "Fantasy Football Video by Sportsgirl"

This is an ongoing record of the funniest sports' quotes from the major and local sports talk shows like ATH, PTI, Jim Rome, etc.  Feel free to contribute some of you own from TV and radio or comment on the ones you see here. Your new quotes will be integrated daily as part of the ongoing record.  To post a quote or make a comment just follow the comment link at the bottom.

Continue reading "Funny Sports Quotes-September 10"

You know what was funny? Right after QB Tom Brady collapsed to the ground after the hit by KC safety Bernard Pollard, my first impulse was, "OK, so he's hurt. Bring in Drew Bledsoe!" That was a good memory because the Patriots still beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship and Brady returned to play in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Continue reading "It Becomes Official Today"

 That's how I feel on the inside. I can't wait until I race home from work, turn on the tv, and catch the opening kickoff.

As time ticks down to pre-season game five for the Patriots (I know it's week one, but it's the Chiefs for goodness sake!), there's a few things I'll be looking for:

Continue reading "Hours Until Kickoff: Week 1"

Will the Patriots play the season with a grudge? To be more precise, will Bill Belichick coach with a chip on his shoulder, intent to embarrass all teams that cross his path?

Think about the leads the Patriots had in the second half and how long he left the starters in the game. The pinnacle of rubbing it in was the total destruction of Washington, 52-7. The first unit scored their sixth touchdown to make the score 45-0 with 9:06 left in the fourth quarter. They converted a 4th-and-1 on Brady's last drive and a 4th-and-2 during a drive that ended in a 10-yard touchdown run by Matt Cassel.

Continue reading "Eye to the future"

After seven rounds and 252 picks, one thing stands out. 41 defensive linemen were drafted and 39 offensive linemen were granted employment.

Did someone say monkey see, monkey do? They always said the NFL is a copycat league and it couldn't be more obvious.

Continue reading "Draft Review"

He was one of the toughest quarterbacks I've been fortunate to watch his whole career that's not named Brett Favre or Drew Bledsoe.

Steve McNair was a warrior. He played through pains we will never know about. And through it all, he carried the Tennessee Oilers/Titans when he was on the field. Before New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning made a unbelieveable escape in Super Bowl XLII, McNair broke away from the grasp of two St. Louis Rams defenders as part of one of the most memorable drives in Super Bowl history. Of course McNair's final slant pass was one yard short, but he willed the Titans to the brink of victory thanks to that great escape.

Continue reading "Chain Reaction"