MELLINGER: The Disconnect between the 6-2 Chiefs and the fatalism of their fans

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Pretty good article by Sam Mellinger that goes in depth on the 'why' behind the Chiefs fan base being so negative despite a 6-2 record. ---> http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...182559536.html

Spoiler!

You could not find many places more schooled in watching bad teams, or more familiar with the markers of a future disappointment than Kansas City.

Just in this century we’ve seen the 2003 Royals blow a seven game lead at the All-Star break. We’ve seen the 2003 Chiefs earn a bye and a home playoff game and nosedive right away because of a fraudulent defense.

We’ve seen the 2012 Our Time Royals make a mockery of optimism, and the 2013 Chiefs turn a 9-0 start and 28-point playoff lead into a cruel prologue, to say nothing of Sporting Kansas City’s most recent fade or, because we don’t want you to punch the screen you’re reading this on, anything about the area’s major colleges.

All of that is true, and the following paragraph is not meant as a challenge to Kansas City’s collective Ph.D. in sports letdown. This is just an honest statement about how past and factually irrelevant experiences color the way we feel about the now:

The Kicker Who Shall Not Be Named has nothing to do with Harrison Butker, and Greg Robinson has nothing to do with Justin Houston. If this exact group of players with this exact record played in another place, many in Kansas City would almost certainly believe it to be a better team than these Chiefs.

Fan satisfaction is impossible to measure, but if social media, emails, voicemails and other forms of expression are to be believed there is an enormous disconnect between the Chiefs’ 6-2 start and their fans’ general fatalism.

No Chiefs team has started a season with higher expectations in some time, so the same results that would be interpreted with encouragement in the past are now being scrutinized like a doctoral dissertation.

They blew out the Patriots — but that was too long ago.

Alex Smith is the league’s best quarterback halfway through the season — but he’s still Captain Checkdown.

Kareem Hunt leads the league in rushing — but the defense can’t stop the run.

Houston looked healthy again against the Broncos — but the Chiefs couldn’t put away a mediocre team with a horrendous quarterback.

NFL power rankings are among the most useless things in American sports, other than to gauge the current perception across the league rather than locally. The Chiefs rank as high as second and no lower than fourth in power rankings by ESPN, NFL.com, Sports Illustrated, CBS, NBC, and the Associated Press. Most of those rankings are topped by the Eagles, who lost their only game at Arrowhead Stadium. According to OddsShark.com, the Chiefs have the fourth-best odds of reaching the Super Bowl.

Every factual positive from this specific group is weighed against a past that’s taught Chiefs fans that every highlight is the lead-in to a punch in the face, that every bit of playoff optimism is a setup for embarrassment.

Let’s be clear about something, too: that’s unfair to this particular team, but absolutely deserved for this particular franchise.

The Chiefs have taught their fans that failing to at least prepare for a letdown at the end is a bit like standing on the roof with a 3-iron toward the sky during a lightning storm.

By any logical measure, this Chiefs team is very good, with the potential to be great. Only three teams can feel they have a realistic shot at representing the AFC in the Super Bowl — the Chiefs, Patriots, and Steelers. The Chiefs beat the Patriots in a blowout on the road and lost to the Steelers in a close game at home.

The following are objective facts: the Chiefs are 6-2 against one of the league’s toughest schedules, fourth in point differential, fifth in Football Outsiders’ DVOA, and first in the so-called Mother Of All Stats, which is essentially a measurement of the difference between how efficiently a team passes and how well it defends the pass.

But, wait — there’s more!

The NFL is largely about attrition, and the Chiefs have already lost star safety Eric Berry and No. 2 receiver Chris Conley for the season. But they’ve also played most or all of the first eight games with important pieces who are starting to return.

Center Mitch Morse and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will strengthen the interior of the offensive line, which has been a significant problem. Tamba Hali will almost certainly be back at some point in the second half, providing more pass rush juice.

Steven Nelson’s return means the defense’s single greatest positional weakness — slot corner, where Phil Gaines had been playing out of position and poorly — is now a strength.

None of this is meant as a case that the Chiefs are the best team in the AFC, or a team without significant weaknesses. The Chiefs’ loss to the Steelers last month was a virtual replay of their loss to the Steelers last postseason, and more than anything else, that’s where the fan fatalism is coming from.

If the Chiefs had the same record, but swapped out losing to the Steelers for, say, the Eagles, then the general self-esteem of fans would undoubtedly be higher.

Losing to that team, in that way — again — is cruel treatment for Chiefs fans. Sort of like losing a fistfight, then being forced to watch a boxing match with the guy who beat you up.

Combined with the mostly cruel history of being a Chiefs fan, it doesn’t matter that losing to the Steelers last month doesn’t guarantee a result in a hypothetical playoff game any more than beating them would have. We have seen this movie. The ending is gory, and tearful. It’s up to the Chiefs to convince fans the sequel is better.

Because that loss — and even the win over Denver — shines light on what’s always been the team’s most likely fatal flaw. They just can’t stop the run. Some of that is an emphasis on defending the pass, some is Berry’s injury, some is Derrick Johnson’s aging, and some is that offenses have found success running at Dee Ford and Daniel Sorensen.

But there are no boats without holes in a league that priorities parity over everything except profits.

The Patriots are actually giving up more yards per rushing attempt than the Chiefs, and have surrendered more yards and yards per play than any other team in the league (even the Colts).

The Steelers’ offense is mediocre, and Ben Roethlisberger is clearly not what he used to be (10 touchdowns, nine interceptions and his worst completion percentage since 2008).

But you don’t notice your neighbor’s leaky roof as much as your own leaky faucet, so Chiefs fans of a certain age will never fully trust a quarterback after Elvis Grbac, or a kicker after You Know Who, or a playoff lead after Indianapolis.

That’s not necessarily fair for these players on this team, who either weren’t around or virtually without exception had different roles in those past disappointments.

But fair’s got nothing to do with it, and none of this is the fault of fans. Those scars don’t go away by themselves. It’s up to the Chiefs to heal.

In that way, the end of this season will affect how this franchise is viewed for years — by either changing or dramatically reinforcing the history of even the brightest moments being followed by the darkest letdowns.

[temper11]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

The only real response to his post is... huh?

In fact, I think that's exactly what I said when I read it.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by canoworms

RunKC
JakeF
Mav
Sandy V (depending on the day)
Easy 6
RobBlake
Ken Bone
penbrook
Best22
GloryDayz
Stevie Ray
Temper11
Cooper Barrett
Marcellus
IowaHawkeyeChief

...just to get started.

huh? I dont know where you get your infromation, but you are sadly mistaken

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by 007

I can already see this turning into a True Fans thread.

We are all fans. We all support the team in our own way. It shouldn't matter what that way is. In the end, when the Chiefs finally win the big one, we will enjoy it the same way.

Ok, maybe a few won't be happy but only a few.

I disagree. It womt be the same...honest question, what would your attitude be if you grew up a fan, and then became a player?

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by Hoover

I love Chiefs fans.

But someday, we will win it all. Its not something that will be easy, but gutwrenching difficult. I can't wait. Oh, and we have a young gunslinger waiting in the wings...

Shit, I feel like we are already on top of the world.

I was alive, but too young to remember the Chiefs super bowl win.

I'm not convinced I will live to see another.

Or maybe I will be physically alive but mentally too far gone to appreciate it.

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by Chiefs4TheWin

I live in Steeler Country. It's the complete opposite here. They could have their 3rd string QB in due to injury against the patriots and they STILL believe they can win it. The egos of Steeler fans here is astoundingly different.

I expect my Jayhawks to win another championship before the Chiefs do.

[007]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I disagree. It womt be the same...honest question, what would your attitude be if you grew up a fan, and then became a player?

Personally? I wouldn't be on social media at all if I were a player. At that point its a job and I'm not worried about public opinion.

I've been following this team since the 70s. When the day comes that they win it all, I won't be thinking about all the let downs. I'll be celebrating the championship just like you. Hopefully in the same place as you.

[cooper barrett]

Don't get me wrong Alex is much improved. We have offensive weapons and he starting to use them but you can't make stats be everything about his job. That job is to put points on the board (remember; The team with the most points.....)
Do you honestly think that Alex didn't go into protect mode and was afraid to throw the ball in the Raider loss? We scored a FG, in the last minute of the third Qtr. While having possession for over 1/2 of the 4th quarter we played eat the clock and made little effort or took any risk to secure the game. Failure to take risk cost us that game.

Numbers don't mean shit. We have a Red Zone rating for attempts and TD's that ****ing sucks, We just don't get it there...and when we do we only score 1/2 the time... With the highest rated QB in the NFL we ranked 17th in RZ opportunities (avg 3 per game) and 16th for RZ scoring w/ 1.5 per game.
We kick more field goals than all but one team. Thanks to buttkicker.com we complete more FG than any other team. (not something to be proud of)

His QB rating was 77.6 against Denver. with 45.2% 202yards and 1 TD
(88 and 1 TD against Steelers)

The only reason the numbers are still good is because of games where we won by 14 points. When you put up 150, and 140 QBR #s the 70#s seem to fade away.

The defense's job is to manage what the opposing team puts on that board. When the defense does it's job as it did in Pittsburgh then it is Alex to blame.

Originally Posted by TripleThreat

Couldnt agree more. Our QB has finally let loose.

#1 in yards per attempt And thats good? 55% of passes vs Denver were not caught but YPA increase. It's like leading the league in Punting yards...

#1 in Rating Yep, but when 2 of your games fall into the low 80's... ratings don't score points or win games. His QBR was 127 against Oakland (loss) BS # that agents use for$$$$

#2 in yards yet only scores 2 td's per game avg in the last 3 games Stat does not prove anything positive.

Top 5 or some sh*t in TD's thrown Number 3 but shovel passes? really??? Oh and how many games with one TD (that would be 4) number is BS

0 INT's WTF Alex always is outstanding here, it's also why we lost to Steelers in playoffs.Too conservative.causing loss to steelers game 6, loss to Raiders 7

TyreekHill, Kareem hunt both younger than young..

Defense.. Ok you got me there.

but this is a great season, and our offense is top 5 in the league... loving it, and hope we go all the way, but even the best teams like the 19-0 patriots can fall short..

ANYTHING can happen. lets just hope its our year.

If you look at the big picture how many playoff games do you think we will win? T.hat's what I thought

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by 007

Personally? I wouldn't be on social media at all if I were a player. At that point its a job and I'm not worried about public opinion.

I've been following this team since the 70s. When the day comes that they win it all, I won't be thinking about all the let downs. I'll be celebrating the championship just like you. Hopefully in the same place as you.

You misunderstood, would you have the same tempered attitude towards the success of the team.

[007]

Originally Posted by stevieray

You misunderstood, would you have the same tempered attitude towards the success of the team.

Yeah, I wasn't entirely sure where you were going with that.

Thats a tough question to answer. I honestly don't know how many players care about the wins vs care about the paycheck. I think you have to go back to the 90s to see players that only cared about the superbowl win. I think more and more are about the paycheck now. Thats not to say they don't want to win it all, its just not as important as it used to be. Its more about stats these days. I do feel that a superbowl championship means more to the fans than it does to most players. (edit - I didn't say all players. Just most.)

Maybe if I had ever had the opportunity to meet some players my opinion may change but based on what I see of them these days, I feel they are more concerned with the paycheck vs the win. The win is just a bonus.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by notorious

I still can't grasp how this team can beat several other good teams soundly yet have such gaping holes.

2 of our wins had 1 offensive TD... You call that soundly winning?


We lost the Pittsburgh game because our top ranked #3 in TD's, no ints QB couldn't get more than 1 TD in that game. The defense held them to 19 points but we couldn't get to the red zone, no less score.

Yes the defense sucks but somehow they have kept us in the game... well they tried to give that one Oakland but I blame the loss on no points for 20 minutes.
Alex almost threw a pick and it went downhill from there.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Do you honestly think that Alex didn't go into protect mode and was afraid to throw the ball in the Raider loss?

No, I don't. I think Reid's play calling did.

[007]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

2 of our wins had 1 offensive TD... You call that soundly winning?


We lost the Pittsburgh game because our top ranked #3 in TD's, no ints QB couldn't get more than 1 TD in that game. The defense held them to 19 points but we couldn't get to the red zone, no less score.

Yes the defense sucks but somehow they have kept us in the game... well they tried to give that one Oakland but I blame the loss on no points for 20 minutes.
Alex almost threw a pick and it went downhill from there.

I place that game on Reid more than any of the players.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Yes the defense sucks but somehow they have kept us in the game... well they tried to give that one Oakland but I blame the loss on no points for 20 minutes.
Alex almost threw a pick and it went downhill from there.

The defense kept us in the game? Did we watch the same game?

Here is the thing: over the first 8 weeks of the season we played the toughest schedule in the NFL. And we came out of it 6-2. And you are bitching about success.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by 007

I hear Bill Maas talking about this crap on 610 this morning. I'm so sick of the chiefs media trying to play the fans as if we are the problem. Getting burned year after year. Seeing half a team perform lights out and the other half half assed. Blowing it in the playoffs because of bullshit conservative playcalling. Playing not to lose instead of playing to win. We see all this shit every year. Yet they question why we guard ourselves from being too optimistic.

Its basically a fans form of PTSD at this point. Not to make light of how big an issue real PTSD is, I just couldn't think of a better way to state it.

Bill Maas; Domestic Violence before the NFL made it popular...Smuck

[007]

Originally Posted by splatbass

The defense kept us in the game? Did we watch the same game?

Here is the thing: over the first 8 weeks of the season we played the toughest schedule in the NFL. And we came out of it 6-2. And you are bitching about success.

Its more the way the last three games panned out. Not that they lost those two but how they lost. The win against Denver looked a lot like the losses in the way they played. Thats why so many are having a hard time right now. If they beat Dallas this week and then go on to steam roll the rest of the schedule the fans opinions will change. That said, they will still be guarded for the playoff game. Nothing is going to change that.

Personally, I had the Dallas game marked as a loss as soon as the schedule came out. Because NFL. I don't see anything to change my mind at this point. doesnt' mean I'm not pulling for them to kick some cowgirl ass and shove it in my face.