WHITLOCK - IT’S TIME TO LOSE FOR THE FUTURE - Page 8

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.

Extra Point · 12-10-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjp27

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.

Excellent point!

Pablo · 12-10-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

He'll be there.......he probably isn't a top 10 pick......Laurinitis only projected high because some people think the Pats need a LB. Honestly no other team would take him that high.

Laurinitis is definately a Top 10 prospect. He's by far the most well-rounded LB in this entire draft, and if he falls to the Chiefs I wouldn't be pissed at all if they bypassed an OL, and took him.

Mecca · 12-10-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GonzoRox88

Laurinitis is definately a Top 10 prospect. He's by far the most well-rounded LB in this entire draft, and if he falls to the Chiefs I wouldn't be pissed at all if they bypassed an OL, and took him.

LB's usually get devalued unless they are monster pass rushers......being an all around LB doesn't really help you on draft day unless you have ridiculous workouts like AJ Hawk did.

**jjchieffan** · 12-10-2007, 12:12 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!

You just got the first pick in last years draft. And what about the year before? Heck, I think the last time the Chiefs picked before the Raiders was the year we got Sims. I just wish it was the Raiders first rouder that the Pats were getting, instead of SF.

greg63 · 12-10-2007, 12:14 AM

The old lose big so you can win big tactic.

blueballs · 12-10-2007, 12:15 AM

realistically
To many players and coaches should be worried about their jobs
to try anything but win

RedThat · 12-10-2007, 12:16 AM

I think James Laurinaitis would be a good pick. MLBer of the future?

Mecca · 12-10-2007, 12:18 AM

Sedrick Ellis>Laurinitis

Pablo · 12-10-2007, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

LB's usually get devalued unless they are monster pass rushers......being an all around LB doesn't really help you on draft day unless you have ridiculous workouts like AJ Hawk did.

I'm positive he'll do exceedingly well at the combines.

JL is a good pass rusher, but OSU didn't really need to bring him all that often because Vernon Ghoulston was so damn good, he could single-handedly get pressure almost every time.

He stuffs the run, plays the pass well, plays smart and gets downright physical as hell. I love the guy, I'd be super-excited to see him in a Chiefs uniform.

Hammock Parties · 12-10-2007, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Sedrick Ellis>Laurinitis

Is Sedrick Ellis better than solving the right side of our line?

Ugly Duck · 12-10-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

You just got the first pick in last years draft. And what about the year before?

We traded the 2005 #7 pick for Randy Moss.

We took Michael Huff with the #7 in 2006.

Jamarcus Russell with the #1 pick in 2007.

Mecca · 12-10-2007, 12:19 AM

This team sucks in every facet of the game right now....they better be more worried about finding cornerstone players for anywhere on the team than "fixing a hole" with these picks...especially this first one.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-10-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

LB's usually get devalued unless they are monster pass rushers......being an all around LB doesn't really help you on draft day unless you have ridiculous workouts like AJ Hawk did.

That really worked out for Bobby Carpenter.

Pablo · 12-10-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Sedrick Ellis>Laurinitis

Sure..you think a USC guy is a better pick.

I watch OSU football, and I'm telling you, if the Chiefs would forego the OL issue and draft this kid, our defense just got downright hellacious. Up front at least, our secondary is still soft.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-10-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Is Sedrick Ellis better than solving the right side of our line?

You know he plays for USC, right?

12-09-2007, 11:14 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4220478	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: 279,477

12-10-2007, 12:14 AM	#110
greg63 Homer go crazy!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $9124990	The old lose big so you can win big tactic. __________________
Posts: 17,622

12-10-2007, 12:15 AM	#111
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	realistically To many players and coaches should be worried about their jobs to try anything but win
Posts: 14,233

12-10-2007, 12:16 AM	#112
RedThat Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Casino cash: $10004900	I think James Laurinaitis would be a good pick. MLBer of the future?
Posts: 6,666

12-10-2007, 12:18 AM	#113
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2147050	Sedrick Ellis>Laurinitis
Posts: 111,255

12-10-2007, 12:19 AM	#117
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2147050	This team sucks in every facet of the game right now....they better be more worried about finding cornerstone players for anywhere on the team than "fixing a hole" with these picks...especially this first one.
Posts: 111,255