First Quarter Report

The first quarter of the Football season is over and what have we learned? Well I guess the depends on the teams you follow. For me, its been a mixed bag. Let's review, shall we...

College

Michigan - The good is definately Tate Forcier. He is the real deal and let there be no doubt. Tate has shown poise beyond his years. In the "year of the freshman", he may just be the best of the crop. He put the team on his back and played his heart out to try to win the Michigan State game last week. Rich Rod has proven that he is a stellar recruiter and evaluator of talent, however, this doesn't seem to extend to his coaching staff.

Bottom line: Greg Robinson is evil. He continues to perpetuate his ellaborate scam as a defensive coordinator yet again...you would think his resume would speak for itself. Guy gets fired because he was a horrible head coach (Syracuse) and terrible coordinator (Chiefs). Say what you want, but the song remains the same. The Michigan State game was lost due in large part to GR "creative" schemes which puts players in unwinnable match ups and hopelessly out of position to make plays. Poor tackling seems to be a trademark as well, almost as equal as forcing turnovers. The big play is a double-edged sword with a GR-led defense. If the Wolverines have any hope of making a mark in the Big Ten this year, GR will have to teach his squad how to stop someone.

The Big 12 - Tonight the nation will get a look at two of the best the Big 12 North has to offer. Missouri and Nebraska go head to head as conference play enters week number 2. Nebraska has a better running game and argubly a better defense, yet, Missouri has strong parameter weapons and Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert is awesome. He has areas to improve in but hey, its the dude first year as a starter... are you 4 - 0?

UPDATE: So, Mizzou is now 4 -1. Gabbert didn't play very well... he was bound to have one of those games. The Tigers desperately need a running game or Gabbert may have more games like this. By the way, I hope Scott Pioli was paying attention since he was at the game because Ndamukong Suh is quite possible the best looking future Chief ever. The plus is that he would shore up the middle of the D-line, the negative is that no Chiefs fan will ever be able to pronounce his name. Be that as it may, he totally dominated this game. Let's start the campaign today...

Kansas is still the cream of the North. Mangino has his guys ready to play. If the Jayhawks remain poised and stop fighting with the basketball team, they might win the North. K-State is not ready for primetime. Iowa State is better but likely a year away from competing. Colorado will not realistically compete until Dan Hawkins that his son is not the answer.

The South is the Longhorns' to lose. The Sooners have lost way too much to be a contender both in games and in key players. Although, Landry Jones is getting valuable service time and will be a solid starter next year. Bradford needs to preserve his shoulder and sit out this season. Yea, I said it. Dude is a first round pick, guaranteed. Another hit like that and he could be doing analyst work on the Sooner Radio Network versus playing on Sunday. Texas Tech, I'm not sold and A&M isn't very good (which will be revealed when they play OSU this weekend). OSU is a contender in the South if Gundy can keep them focused. Losing Dez Bryant will make it an uphill climb, for sure (dang Deion, why?). And Baylor is better but can they contend? Not quite yet.

Pros

AFC West - The Kansas City Chiefs are horrible. That is not a revelation. Sadly, my hopes for a dramatic turnaround seems to have been kidnapped and sent to Denver. The Broncos are good folks. Sorry Keitzman, but they are. Coach Josh has gotten these guys to believe in something, not sure what but they are buying it. All Kyle Orton has done is Dilfered his way through the season thus far by managing games and not commiting turnovers. All Mike Nolan has done is taken an underperforming defense and made them more than respectable, he's made them one of the best in the league so far this year (Clancy, please call this man).

The Raiders have the talent is key areas except the one the matters most ... quarterback. JaMarcus Russell sucks in ways that the word suck really wasn't meant to convey. The dagger hurts even more knowing this tool drove downfield in a once in a lifetime, come from behind, game-winning drive against my damn Chiefs. Man, I hate him. Starting to not like LSU or at least draftees from LSU ... but I digress.

The Chargers were the favorite to win the AFC West which is not a difficult feat. But the power of the Norv is rearing his ugly head. Norv Turner will never coach a winner. It can't be done. LT is no longer LT. Darren Sproles is one hit away from being a "I remember when I was in the league ..." story and Shawne Merriman has become comically irrelevant. Rivers keeps putting great stats become it seems to only matter in Fantasy Football (I have him in one of my leagues).

And then there is Kansas City ... uh ... er, well ... moving on.

The Rest of the League - In a nutshell, Favre got his revenge, Braylon is going get his chance to prove he can be a top flight receiver, Adrian Peterson IS that good, New Orleans will win the NFC South, the Jets just got better, though mathematically and metaphysically impossible, St. Louis might lose in their bye week, TO's meltdown clock started five minutes ago, Cleveland just got worse, Romo will be benched and Wade Phillips will be working concessions at Jerry's shiny new stadium, Peyton is Peyton, the Giants are damn good, Detroit really doesn't want to be the worse team in the NFL, Tom Brady is a baby and not just the father of one, the 49ers will win the NFC West because they have a good D, Fitzgerald's brother needs to keep his ass off Twitter, Tyler Thigpen will keep the string of ex-Chiefs finding success in other markets alive and last but not least ... damn you, Carl Peterson, Brad Cottam, Jamaal Charles and Brandon Albert do not make up for Jared Allen. Or his mullet.

Fantasy Football

I'm 2-2 in two leagues and 3-1 in one. Waiver wire is my friend this year. Eddie Royal sucks. DeAngelo Williams is just getting warmed up. 49ers and Saints DST kicks ass! I need receivers... wanna trade?

Thoughts from a beaten down KC sports fan...

Today, I watched the Chiefs get drilled by the Eagles, 34-14 in Philly. Ironically, with all the Michael Vick hype, he wasn’t even a factor in the game. Kevin Kolb and untimely penalties beat the Chiefs today. Yea sure, they were marching late in the game to score a garbage touchdown after not being in this game all day, but in the end it didn’t matter. Back at home, Zack Greinke (the one bright spot) put an exclamation point on his case for the AL Cy Young, while playing for a team who barely dodged another 100 game loss season. Man, it sucks to be a fan in Kansas City.

I'm not sure when things got so bad here, but pride of anything in KC seems to be hard to come by. I love living here. My family moved here 33 years ago from Omaha. Back then, that was a big move. Over the next few years, I would grow up with a Royals team that would become a contender. This team would play in two World Series' (winning one in that magical '85 season) and would make the playoffs regularly. Okay, the Chiefs sucked until Marty's second season but eventually the 90's would be filled with great moments from Arrowhead Stadium. It is hard for me to imagine there are adults ... ADULTS ... who have never known a winning season from the Royals or teenagers who remember more seasons where the Chiefs were at home in January versus playing in a meaningful game. If they did make the playoffs it typically ended with immeasurable heartbreak. My brother, the soccer fan, would point out the Wizards (for those who aren't aware, we have a professional soccer team) have actually won a championship within the last ten years... you can decide if that counts.

I guess I wonder what it would be like to be a fan in a city with a perennial winner. I wonder what it would be like to see your owner hoist a championship trophy or have a downtown parade or have ESPN do a dedicated website to your city because your teams kick so much ass, don't you? Even though we've had success with our neighboring college teams, unless you are alum of one of the school, it doesn't really feel like "ours".

I don't write this to rant about ownership of the Royals or the incredibly undisciplined play of the Chiefs, this is more about an inferiority complex this city needs to get rid of. It's long overdue. The citizens of this fair city are hard-working, tax-paying, God-fearing people and they truly deserve a winner ... a real, bona fide winner. You can argue all day long about what it will take to get there but the one indisputable fact is the fans here deserve better.

When the nicest thing the TV commentators can say about your football team is: "Man, this has to be the greatest smelling parking lot in the NFL." It's time for a change. When the best thing local commentators can say about the baseball team is: "Don Denkinger will never have to pay for a drink in Kansas City." or "Kansas City is a nice minor league (yea, I know) team." It is time for a change.

I hope Zack wins the AL Cy Young, he deserves it. More than this, I hope the Royals will become a contender again. I'm not a stat guy, but I know crappy baseball when I see it. I don't need numbers to tell me this. Offense has been one of the biggest issues for years, and nothing we do seems to change this. Whether it's trying to develop talent in our farm system (horrible though it may be) or trying to lure and overpay free agents who are past their prime, the formula is not working.

The Chiefs' outlook seems like it could be more positive. Yes, they are now 0 - 3 (again) but there appears to be a plan in place. The Peterson era ran about 3 seasons too long and, man, are we paying for it today. 26 losses in the last 28 games (not counting preseason). Ouch. 4 players out of 32 players who were on the end of last season’s roster are currently employed. Double ouch. By the looks of things, we must be still looking for those 22 guys off the street, right Todd? It really has to get better. I know folks aren't fans of Pioli's secretiveness or Haley's gruffness, but if they can bring this town a championship, I'm willing to deal with it.

As a fan, I'm hopeful and optimistic. As a Kansas Citian, I'm pissed and tired of the drought. Both of me, just wants it to get better. I really need to know what it’s like to have Sports Illustrated do one of those winning season DVDs with a cool helmet ... or something like that.

I can dream, can’t I?

Because it's the last time we had a championship parade in Kansas City...

College football baby!!! What I learned yesterday...

Wow! What a way to kick off the first weekend of the college season. There were some great games and some not-so-great. But that is what I love about college football, not matter how a team looks on paper, when they strap 'em up on game day anyone can win. Just ask Oklahoma.

Teams I like...

First up. Big Blue!! Okay, I know I was critical of Rich Rod but, I have to give him credit. The man can recruit. Big props to him for not letting the drama of the week get the best of him. The future in Ann Arbor looks very bright. Tate Forcier played out of his mind yesterday (13-20, 179 yards 3 TDs and no picks). As a true freshman, he showed poise and control way beyond his years. Denard Robinson made his first case to be my new favorite Wolverine with a spectacular touchdown run. The guy had only been on campus three freakin' weeks. My excitement is tempered by the fact that although Michigan led going into the second half (31-0), they didn't score at all in the latter frame. This may have been a function of trying to work out the kinks, treating the game like a glorified scrimmage. Or, they might have wanted to go the distance without running up the score. Who knows? Also, they were playing Western Michigan. They have a real test next week at home against the Fighting Irish who were equally impressive in their opener. Go Big Blue!!

The Blaine Gabbert era began in the Lou' yesterday and boy he looked dynamite (Chase who?). Dude looks the part for sure. His line is ridiculous (25/33, 319 yards with 3 TDs plus one rushing TD and no picks). With Maclin and Coffman gone you'd think MU would be without weapons: You would be wrong. Denario Alexander and Jared Perry are an explosive tandem (225 yards and a TD between the two). If Alexander can stay healthy, then he may the catalyst for a great season. The D looked like it hasn't lost a step with constant pressure keeping Juice confused. The Tigers have become the class of the Big 12 North and will make this year very interesting, especially when league play begins. It is hard to argue that Pinkel hasn't become one of best recruiters in the Big 12. One of the biggest knocks on GP was game management and prep, but damned if the Tigers didn't look like they were in midseason form.

Everyone else in the Big 12 won (except Colorado who plays tonight). Oh wait ... I forgot. That blaring country music (likely A Tear in My Beer) coming from the state of Oklahoma (no, not the tailgating at the shiny new Boone Pickens Stadium) it was coming from Norman. Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford got Brady'd yesterday on a non-dirty play (It's tackle football!) and the collective breaths of the thousands gathered in the new Texas Stadium (or whatever it's called) were held til the news came back that the x-rays were negative. Landry Jones played valiantly but obviously wasn't ready to be thrown to a hungry pit of Mormons. BYU was on a mission. Sorry Sooners.

Other teams of note...

So, all the talk about USC and starting a true freshman was much to do about nothing. You knew the only pro football team in Cali worth talking about (Zing!) would simply reload. Pete Carroll is going to have his boys ready and they held it down like you'd expect them to in a pummeling of the poor bastards at San Jose State (56-3).

Weis-watch 2009 began at Notre Dame Stadium Saturday against the Wolfpack of Nevada. Jimmy Clausen looked very sharp with 3 bills and 4 TD passes. The Irish are currently ranked 23 in the nation and have a lot to prove this year. They play in Ann Arbor next week so we'll see if Touchdown Jesus will travel. Charlie will have to make it to a BCS bowl for this season to be seen as a success. The boosters are tired of waiting.

Lane Kiffin, who singled handily pissed off every other SEC team this offseason, came with the thunda' with a complete dismantling of lowly Western Kentucky. The Vols looked like they were playing the Wii out there. The numbers aren't worth mentioning because, again, they played Western Kentucky. Once Lane and Pops Kiffin take their act into the heart of division play, they might not look so hot. Then Al Davis will be smiling ... if zombies can actually do that.

Other news...

Cut down day in the NFL. Yes, the Chiefs did their part to contribute to the unemployment rate. No, they didn't cut their whole team. The news is who they did cut. Benard Pollard. The Bonecrusher is no more. Wow. I know he didn't have a great camp and rumored not to be a fan of new DC Clancy Pendergast, but damn. So, I guess Mike Brown is the guy. The waiver wire promises to be white hot and the Chiefs better be super active. They have the money, they have needs (boy do they ever) and most importantly THEY HAVE THE MONEY!!!! Some names to look at OT Tony Pashos (cut by Jacksonville), Alex Smith a veteran TE that could make that position respectable at least for one year in KC (stop gap), veteran WR David Patten or Super Bowl savior David Tyree.

I guess Offensive Coordinators are passé this year. Maybe Haley and Dick Jauron know something we don't.

Because people getting knocked out is cool...