WHITLOCK - IT’S TIME TO LOSE FOR THE FUTURE - Page 7

Hammock Parties · 12-09-2007, 11:14 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/397009.html

DENVER | You hope this wasn’t rock bottom.

Seriously, you hope King Carl, Herm Edwards and the Chiefs have the decency and smarts to save their worst for last, for season-ending road trips to Detroit and New York.

This season can only end on a positive note if the Chiefs get a top-five draft pick out of it and a chance to nab tackle Jake Long or quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm.

Sunday’s 41-7 loss to the Denver Broncos could be problematic. It was the kind of embarrassing, gutless performance that motivates players and coaches to finish the season with pride.

Edwards was angry Sunday. Irritated by the performance of his defense, Herm sounded feisty and prideful in his postgame comments. At one point, he nearly broke into his “you play to win the game” mantra.

No. You play to win the Super Bowl. And when that’s not a legitimate goal, you play to make the playoffs. Once the playoffs are eliminated — as they were on Sunday for the Chiefs — you play to develop your players for next season.

That’s where the Chiefs are now — except they have a special circumstance. They can’t develop Brodie Croyle, Kolby Smith or Dwayne Bowe because KC’s offensive line is so bad that it’s impossible to do anything worthwhile on offense.

When that’s the case, you play for draft position, and you hope the Chiefs can sink deeper than they did on Sunday inside Invesco Field at Mile High.

In losing their sixth straight, the Chiefs rushed for 16 yards in 17 carries, surrendered five sacks, punted eight times, allowed Denver 215 rushing yards and never touched Bronco quarterback Jay Cutler, who finished 20 of 27 passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns.

The Preacher will be preaching this week. He’s embarrassed. If he’s going to lose a game, he’d prefer to lose in the fourth quarter after making everyone suffer through two hours of field-position football.

Denver ran away with this thing, jumping to a two-TD lead in the first quarter and cruising to a 24-7 halftime advantage.

“Our strength is our defense, and we can’t give up 14 points to start out the game and expect to win,” Edwards complained.

Right now there are five teams with worse records than the Chiefs — Miami, 0-13, St. Louis, 3-10, San Francisco, 3-10, the Jets, 3-10 and Atlanta, 3-9. Oakland and Baltimore have the same 4-9 record as the Chiefs.

If the Chiefs take care of business, lose to Tennessee and Detroit, they could head to New York and take on the Jets for the right to draft as high as No. 4.

The key to losing out is packing it in mentally. Sunday’s effort is just the kind of thing that could cause players to refocus.

“It’s not good. We didn’t play well today. It seems like guys didn’t show up today,” Tony Gonzalez grumbled. “Maybe people were already in offseason mode. Maybe they’re already back to their families, going back to Miami or wherever you go during the offseason. It’s sad. It’s frustrating. We’ve got three games left... Let’s go play hard. Let’s try to win. I don’t care about the playoffs.”

I disagree. I loved every pass Dwayne Bowe and Kris Wilson dropped. It was great seeing Ty Law and Patrick Surtain get lit up like Christmas trees. Jared Allen has done more than enough this season to earn a major contract upgrade. He deserved the break he took on Sunday. There’s no reason to waste a sack on the Broncos. And why not let a no-name back jam it right down your throat repeatedly?

You just hope they can do it three more times. We know bad offensive-line play is a given. On one of Croyle’s five sacks, every lineman except Brian Waters got beat.

Honestly, I’m thinking about deducting points from my season-ending Chiefs grades from any player who tries to play hero down the stretch, especially if it’s a veteran player. If Bobby Sippio makes a big play, I’m cool with it. But there’s no reason for an established veteran to do anything beyond go through the motions at this point.

Chiefs fans should do their part by skipping the Tennessee game. We all have a role to play in getting this team to 4-12.

Mr. Arrowhead · 12-10-2007, 12:05 AM

Chant it with me, "Jake Long" "Jake Long" "Jake Long"

Extra Point · 12-10-2007, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I quit reading at Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm.

Might as well just tell the league we don't want a R1 pick.

And Carl Peterson will welcome a round 1 OT to the Chiefs, as he did with John Tait.

Peterson must go!!!

cjp27 · 12-10-2007, 12:06 AM

I have no problem with the article as a whole. This team really does need to hit rock bottom instead of getting by on mediocrity for decades at a time.

I did find some irony in the fact that Whitlock liked watching Ty Law get lit up like a Christmas tree though. This after Whitlock went on a two year long one man crusade on why the Chiefs needed to sign Law. Maybe Whitlock should retract the 5,000 columns he wrote bragging up Law.

kcxiv · 12-10-2007, 12:06 AM

The Chiefs wouldnt wanna pick so high. They dont wanna spend the money on a high first rounder. lol

Mecca · 12-10-2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

Chant it with me, "Jake Long" "Jake Long" "Jake Long"

I'd rather have Chris than Jake in this Long battle but that's another topic.

Mecca · 12-10-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcxiv

The Chiefs wouldnt wanna pick so high. They dont wanna spend the money on a high first rounder. lol

Beer Bacon actually said we don't want high first rounders cause they cost to much and aren't worth it....yes really.

Ugly Duck · 12-10-2007, 12:08 AM

This is exactly what I've been afraid of... exactly what I've been whinning about. Raiders have sucked for so long.... we deserve to pick before KC. You guys can't just waltz in after one measly season of suck and jump ahead of us in the draft..... its just fuggin criminal!

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-10-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zouk

It really is pathetic that we don't have anyone better for that job. It's a great sign of the lack of young athleticism on this roster.

Kennison is likely to be out of football next year.

I think we do have players that would be MUCH better than EK returning punts, but we don't see them.

Sapp, Brackenridge, Webb....hell even McGraw could probably do a better job.

OK, Mc Graw would be a wash...but you get the point.

**jjchieffan** · 12-10-2007, 12:08 AM

I dont think we will pick that early. I expect to see Carl and Herm trade down for more draft picks.

KCJohnny · 12-10-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

Chant it with me, "Jake Long" "Jake Long" "Jake Long"

Jake Long! Jake Long! Jake Long! Jake Long! Jake Long! Jake Long! Jake Long! Jake Long!

RustShack · 12-10-2007, 12:09 AM

Jake Long!

kcxiv · 12-10-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Beer Bacon actually said we don't want high first rounders cause they cost to much and aren't worth it....yes really.

The way CP runs thing i think its true. We will probably do something stupid and trade down.

Mecca · 12-10-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

I dont think we will pick that early. I expect to see Carl and Herm trade down for more draft picks.

If they trade down......with an impact player available and get shit, I will seriously go apeshit and question if I want to continue to support this team.

Mecca · 12-10-2007, 12:10 AM

Is it weird I'd rather have Chris Long than Jake Long?

Hammock Parties · 12-10-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

This is exactly what I've been afraid of... exactly what I've been whinning about. Raiders have sucked for so long.... we deserve to pick before KC. You guys can't just waltz in after one measly season of suck and jump ahead of us in the draft..... its just fuggin criminal!

Jake Long will be ours! MWAHAHAHAHA!

12-09-2007, 11:14 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4160478	WHITLOCK - IT’S TIME TO LOSE FOR THE FUTURE http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/397009.html DENVER \| You hope this wasn’t rock bottom. Seriously, you hope King Carl, Herm Edwards and the Chiefs have the decency and smarts to save their worst for last, for season-ending road trips to Detroit and New York. This season can only end on a positive note if the Chiefs get a top-five draft pick out of it and a chance to nab tackle Jake Long or quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm. Sunday’s 41-7 loss to the Denver Broncos could be problematic. It was the kind of embarrassing, gutless performance that motivates players and coaches to finish the season with pride. Edwards was angry Sunday. Irritated by the performance of his defense, Herm sounded feisty and prideful in his postgame comments. At one point, he nearly broke into his “you play to win the game” mantra. No. You play to win the Super Bowl. And when that’s not a legitimate goal, you play to make the playoffs. Once the playoffs are eliminated — as they were on Sunday for the Chiefs — you play to develop your players for next season. That’s where the Chiefs are now — except they have a special circumstance. They can’t develop Brodie Croyle, Kolby Smith or Dwayne Bowe because KC’s offensive line is so bad that it’s impossible to do anything worthwhile on offense. When that’s the case, you play for draft position, and you hope the Chiefs can sink deeper than they did on Sunday inside Invesco Field at Mile High. In losing their sixth straight, the Chiefs rushed for 16 yards in 17 carries, surrendered five sacks, punted eight times, allowed Denver 215 rushing yards and never touched Bronco quarterback Jay Cutler, who finished 20 of 27 passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns. The Preacher will be preaching this week. He’s embarrassed. If he’s going to lose a game, he’d prefer to lose in the fourth quarter after making everyone suffer through two hours of field-position football. Denver ran away with this thing, jumping to a two-TD lead in the first quarter and cruising to a 24-7 halftime advantage. “Our strength is our defense, and we can’t give up 14 points to start out the game and expect to win,” Edwards complained. Right now there are five teams with worse records than the Chiefs — Miami, 0-13, St. Louis, 3-10, San Francisco, 3-10, the Jets, 3-10 and Atlanta, 3-9. Oakland and Baltimore have the same 4-9 record as the Chiefs. If the Chiefs take care of business, lose to Tennessee and Detroit, they could head to New York and take on the Jets for the right to draft as high as No. 4. The key to losing out is packing it in mentally. Sunday’s effort is just the kind of thing that could cause players to refocus. “It’s not good. We didn’t play well today. It seems like guys didn’t show up today,” Tony Gonzalez grumbled. “Maybe people were already in offseason mode. Maybe they’re already back to their families, going back to Miami or wherever you go during the offseason. It’s sad. It’s frustrating. We’ve got three games left... Let’s go play hard. Let’s try to win. I don’t care about the playoffs.” I disagree. I loved every pass Dwayne Bowe and Kris Wilson dropped. It was great seeing Ty Law and Patrick Surtain get lit up like Christmas trees. Jared Allen has done more than enough this season to earn a major contract upgrade. He deserved the break he took on Sunday. There’s no reason to waste a sack on the Broncos. And why not let a no-name back jam it right down your throat repeatedly? You just hope they can do it three more times. We know bad offensive-line play is a given. On one of Croyle’s five sacks, every lineman except Brian Waters got beat. Honestly, I’m thinking about deducting points from my season-ending Chiefs grades from any player who tries to play hero down the stretch, especially if it’s a veteran player. If Bobby Sippio makes a big play, I’m cool with it. But there’s no reason for an established veteran to do anything beyond go through the motions at this point. Chiefs fans should do their part by skipping the Tennessee game. We all have a role to play in getting this team to 4-12.
Posts: 279,754

12-10-2007, 12:05 AM	#91
Mr. Arrowhead MVP Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $10015708	Chant it with me, "Jake Long" "Jake Long" "Jake Long"
Posts: 7,763

12-10-2007, 12:06 AM	#93
cjp27 Starter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $10004900	I have no problem with the article as a whole. This team really does need to hit rock bottom instead of getting by on mediocrity for decades at a time. I did find some irony in the fact that Whitlock liked watching Ty Law get lit up like a Christmas tree though. This after Whitlock went on a two year long one man crusade on why the Chiefs needed to sign Law. Maybe Whitlock should retract the 5,000 columns he wrote bragging up Law.
Posts: 83

12-10-2007, 12:06 AM	#94
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8807996	The Chiefs wouldnt wanna pick so high. They dont wanna spend the money on a high first rounder. lol
Posts: 29,110

12-10-2007, 12:08 AM	#97
Ugly Duck MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Petaluma, CA, USA Casino cash: $9955920	This is exactly what I've been afraid of... exactly what I've been whinning about. Raiders have sucked for so long.... we deserve to pick before KC. You guys can't just waltz in after one measly season of suck and jump ahead of us in the draft..... its just fuggin criminal! __________________ “In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.” ― Carl Sagan
Posts: 10,146

12-10-2007, 12:08 AM	#99
jjchieffan Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highlandville, MO Casino cash: $2982247	I dont think we will pick that early. I expect to see Carl and Herm trade down for more draft picks. __________________ Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth. Following the historical accounts and the genealogy from that point on, the age of the Earth is approximately 6000-7000 years old. The Big Bullshit Theory is a lie. It and the evolution theory go against real science. Satan has used our public school system to brainwash everyone into believing these lies. Be not decieved.
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12-10-2007, 12:09 AM	#101
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4546954	Jake Long! __________________
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12-10-2007, 12:10 AM	#104
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2087050	Is it weird I'd rather have Chris Long than Jake Long?
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