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Jamaal Charles Coming Into His Own

An old picture of Jamaal Charles, before the number switch, but still a great one

After Sunday's horrible performance, its hard to talk about the Chiefs and not mention anything other than the ridiculous turnovers, the step backwards, and the overall inefficiency showed by the team. There is one subject that I felt, wasn't talked about enough though. The constant performance of Jamaal Charles.

Believe it or not, Jamaal actually had 207 total yards on Sunday, which included the three most explosive plays. A 45 yard kickoff return, a shifty 31 yard run, and a 49 yard catch. Just to put it in the right perspective: The longest reception, run and return.

Jamaal is becoming one of the most explosive players in the league. Josh Looney from Kcchiefs.com had a pretty interesting stat on his twitter page today. It read "the flip side of the fumble, 15.4% of Charles' carries go 10+ yards = 4th best in NFL behind D.Williams(16.2), P.Thomas(16.2), B.Wells(15.7)." Another stat that might or might not surprise you is that Jamaal Charles already has more yards rushing this year than LJ did with 54 less carries so far.

It's almost safe to say that Jamaal Charles is the reason that the Chiefs won 2 in a row and for the first time in a while, the Chiefs actually have a legitimate running game when he's on the field. Nobody and I mean NOBODY has been able to run behind this line except Jamaal. Not Kolby Smith, not LJ, not Dantrell Savage, not Jackie Battle, not even the new guy, Tim Castille. That alone speaks volumes about the guy.

Last but not least. He's 22 years old and has a career average of 5.3 yards per carry. Hang on to this guy Pioli!

Chiefs Beat Themselves in San Diego 43-14

Wow! It couldn't have gotten any worse for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. After a huge win for the franchise and the city last weekend, the Chiefs came out with what looked like a great game plan, but could not execute anything properly. I really did feel like I was watching a different Chiefs team from the start, but as the game went on, it was mistake after mistake, that turned this game into a blowout for the Chargers.

It was a pass that hit the side of a lineman's helmet and bounced into Quentin Jammers arms, that started the unbelievable streak of blunders for the Chiefs. After that was a Jamal Charles fumble, when he was stood up by two defenders and had it stripped by another. That followed by a ball slipping out of Matt Cassel's hand during his throwing motion, that turned into a touchdown. To top it all off, Rudy Niswanger launched a snap about 5 feet over Matt Cassel's head which lead to another score for the Chargers. If you throw in the safety, in which Cassel received an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone, that's a total of 30 points off of Chiefs mistakes. 30 points!

I'm gonna put this one into the "fluke" category and try to forget about it. I'm not sure if I have ever seen this many costly mistakes by the Chiefs in one game and I'm not sure I ever will again.

After the Chiefs went 91 yards in the Second Quarter to tie the game 7-7, I was sure that KC was going to give San Diego all that they could handle. They looked fresh, they looked motivated, they looked like a team with an identity. If this game would have been played close at all, Jamal looked like he would have had the biggest game of his career.

Well, it wasn't. The Chiefs players collectively threw this game down the toilet and now we have another 7 days, to see if we really have changed as a team or if we are just the same ol' Chiefs that we have been for the past 3 years.

Heres your box score:

Kansas City Chiefs

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
M. Cassel	19/31	178	1	1
B. Croyle	1/2	3	0	0
Rushing	ATT	YDS	TD	LG
J. Charles	14	93	1	31
M. Cassel	6	22	0	9
Ko. Smith	1	1	0	1
T. Castille	2	-2	0	0
Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
C. Chambers	7	70	1	14
J. Charles	3	54	0	49
B. Wade	2	20	0	12
L. Long	2	15	0	9
M. Cox	2	11	0	8
T. Castille	2	9	0	6
Ko. Smith	1	5	0	5
L. Pope	1	-3	0	-3

Defense	T-A	SCK	INT	FF
D. Williams	7-2	0.0	0	0
M. Brown	5-0	0.0	0	0
B. Flowers	5-0	0.0	0	1
C. Mays	5-2	0.0	0	0
J. McGraw	5-0	0.0	0	0
G. Dorsey	4-3	0.0	0	0
T. Hali	4-1	0.0	0	0
A. Studebaker	4-2	0.0	0	0
R. Edwards	3-0	0.0	0	0
D. Johnson	3-0	0.0	0	0
J. Belcher	2-0	0.0	0	0
B. Carr	2-1	0.0	0	0

San Diego Chargers

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
P. Rivers	21/28	317	2	0
B. Volek	1/1	15	0	0
Rushing	ATT	YDS	TD	LG
L. Tomlinson	13	39	2	8
M. Tolbert	4	19	0	11
D. Sproles	9	17	0	6
V. Jackson	1	12	0	12
P. Rivers	1	4	0	4
J. Hester	3	3	0	2

Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
A. Gates	7	118	2	22
M. Floyd	3	85	0	53
D. Sproles	5	66	0	20
V. Jackson	2	27	0	16
M. Tolbert	2	17	0	15
B. Manumaleuna	1	11	0	11
L. Tomlinson	1	5	0	5
J. Hester	1	3	0	3

Defense	T-A	SCK	INT	FF
B. Siler	7-2	0.0	0	0
A. Cromartie	5-1	0.0	0	0
S. Gregory	5-1	0.0	0	0
Q. Jammer	4-1	0.0	1	1
K. Burnett	3-1	0.0	0	0
L. English	2-2	0.0	0	0
P. Oliver	2-1	0.0	0	0
S. Phillips	2-1	0.0	0	0
E. Weddle	2-0	0.0	0	0
A. Boone	1-1	0.0	0	0
A. Cason	1-0	0.0	0	0
S. Cooper	1-2	0.0	0	0

Vrabel Working Out This Morning To Play

Chiefs injured LB Mike Vrabel (knee) went through a nice 60-minute workout with trainers this morning upon arrival at Qualcomm. Although the prospects of Vrabel playing still seem dim (he’s officially listed as questionable), his movements were definitely an encouraging sign regarding his rehab process.

Check Out The Chiefs Game Day Blog For More On Vrabel' Status

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Pittsburgh Game Was Derrick Johnson's Career In A Nutshell

A vast collection of errors and forgettable performances peppered by a handful of dynamic, highly-athletic plays summarizes Johnson’s pro career. He’s never managed to put things together for an entire season, but always manages to make two or three plays that are flashy enough to make us ignore the games where he disappears while we hope that he’s finally getting it all figured out.

Great read by Michale Ash over at Warpaint

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Quinten Lawrence Promoted From Practice Squad

No time better than now for Quinten to come out and make a big play. We all know that this guy is electric with the ball in his hands, it's the other things that he has to work on. I like this move from Todd, hopefully it pays off.

Chiefs Workout Ex-Bengal Running Back Chris Perry

According to The National Football Post, the Chiefs held a workout for running back Chris Perry earlier this week. The chiefs do like a bigger, stronger style of runner and maybe they believe that Chris provides that. It would seem that safety would be the top priority right now, especially with how good Jamal Charles is playing. Nobody knows how it turned out, but we will probably know soon if somebody is signed.

Playing the following Sunday for newly signed players has been a constant this year, but considering that the Chiefs have only one more practice left, it looks like anybody that signs this week, won't see action until the Broncos game next Sunday.

Maurice Leggett Is Done For The Year

Maurice Leggett has been put on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury, according to kcchiefs.com. It looks like this injury will require surgery. Leggett was recently working at safety, backing up Jon McGraw and Mike Brown.

The Chiefs are down to 3 safeties now and with one roster spot open, the Chiefs might add another one.

Tuesdays Practice Report

"A host of other Chiefs are hurting, but they took part in practice, although their participation appeared to be limited. OLB Mike Vrabel was back working with the linebackers, although Andy Studebaker was working with the No. 1 defense. Same with G Andy Alleman, who was back with the offensive line, but Wade Smith was taking the early snaps at right guard with the first-team offense."

You can read the full report at BobGretz.com

Enjoy!

Chiefs 5-5, Fighting For The Division Lead

I'm not usually a big fan of the coulda, shoulda, woulda mentality, but I have a hard time not thinking about what could have, should have and would have happened if the Chiefs took care of business in week 2 against Oakland and in the week 5 overtime game against the Cowboys.

If the Chiefs would have won those games, they would be right in the mix with San Diego and Denver and these next few weeks would be HUGE stepping stones for one of the leagues youngest ball clubs.

Week 2
The Chiefs massacred the Raiders on the stat sheet with 409 yards to their 166 and 59 of those came on the Raiders final drive. Larry Johnson had his 2nd best performance of the season with 78 yards Rushing. Who knows what Jamal Charles would have been able to do (I'm guessing twice that.) Dantrell Savage was playing ahead of Jamal at that point and Jamal wasn't even active. Bobby Engram was our slot receiver, as Lance Long wasn't on the team yet. Neither was Chris Chambers or Leonard Pope, both huge play makers in Sundays win against the Steelers. To top it all off, our leading tackler was Tank Tyler who now plays for the Panthers. You can argue that these aren't even the same football teams. Chiefs should have won that game.

Week 5
Maybe the best drive of the season with Matt Cassel taking the offense the distance of the field to send it to overtime. The Chiefs made a huge stop in OT to get the ball back and had actually moved the ball to the 46 yard line when the play was negated because of a holding call and the Chiefs never rebounded. The Cowboys allowed the game to be as close as it was with numerous dropped passes, fumbles and penalties. There is no way that today's Chiefs don't win against the sloppy play that the Cowboys displayed. Maurice Leggett gave up the huge plays to Miles Austin that turned him into a house hold name. Guess what? Maurice Legget is a safety now! LJ carried the ball 21 times for 37 yards! That is not a typo.

The Point
As these teams that we were playing had an identity, we were finding ours. As they went to their proven players, we were waiting for one of ours to step up. When they did what they knew worked for them, we were still trying to find out what worked for us. From the coaching staff to the kicker, the Kansas City Chiefs were a project in the making. Even in the Jacksonville game 3 weeks ago, it took 3 quarters to find a rhythm on offense. I have full confidence that the Chiefs can now win these games that slipped through their fingers. So instead of looking at this team as the 3-7 rebuilding project, look at this team as the new and improved Chiefs with a new identity, that should be in the mix for a late season run. That's how they look at themselves folks.

NFL TV Distribution Map Already Out

You can see if the Chiefs are televised in your area here:

NFL Distribution Map

We will try to televise the game here like usual. Last week we had a pretty tough time as the NFL is cracking down on as soon as they hit. I should be able to at least provide a link for you though.

Todd Haley's Proving Himself

It is a time like now, that players start to understand why the coaches have them doing things a certain way and why the criticism is directed in such an offensive manner. With a coaching style like Todd Haley's, winning is something that has to happen.

Obviously winning is something that has to happen for every coach, but if you are a guy like Herm Edwards, you can lose games and still retain the respect and love of your players because of how you bond with them. In Haley's case, it becomes a situation where the player has to weigh the reasoning of a merciless training camp, practicing in pads during the season and constantly getting screamed at if he is not perfecting his craft.

As much as I liked Herm, I have a very difficult time believing that the Chiefs would have came away with a win today, if he was the coach. As for Haley, this is a moment when you stand back and say "wow, I get it now." This is why, they had to be the best conditioned team in football, this is why it was not OK to make mistakes, and this is why the players need to know that if they don't play hard, they will be wearing street clothes next weekend.

From Alex Magee in Big Ben's face all afternoon to Glenn Dorsey becoming the player we all envisioned. From little known Andy Studebaker playing like the AFC player of the week to Chris Chambers becoming what he was supposed to be his entire career. This is Haley's way. The maximization of every single player on the team and the ones who can't fill that potential are not part of the "right 53."

Is it just me, or does Derrick Johnson play out of his mind every time he is on the field. His play the last 3 years didn't demonstrate in any way shape or form that he should be an automatic starter this season. But like most players that you see playing more and more, Haley says "he's starting to get it."

Lance Long with the 30 yard catch on 3rd down in the 4th quarter, Wallace Gilberry blowing up the Steelers tackles all game, Javon Belcher with what turned out to be the game winning stop for the defense in OT. The list goes on. These guys are nobody's, that Haley has turned into players that could help this team win for a long time.

It looks like 22 guys off the street could win 2 games, because Haley has won 3 in 10 games and with 2 games against Denver, and games against Buffalo and Cleveland, Haley could easily win 6 games this year and triple last years mark by Herm Edwards. That doesn't include an upset against Cincinnati (who were beat by Oakland on Sunday) or San Diego. The Chiefs are as high as they have been for 2 years right now and if confidence breeds success than watch out.

I can't imagine what this staff is going to be able to do with a couple more drafts and off seasons. You add talent to this structure and the Kansas City Chiefs could be dangerous for a long time.

Player Of The Game: Andy Studebaker

This one has to go to Andy Studebaker. With 4.5 tackles, a 1/2 sack, and 2 interceptions, one of which went 94 yards for the Chiefs second longest pick of all time. It will be tough to sit this guy on the bench when Vrabel comes back.

Honorable Mention

Jamal Charles made this win possible with an opening kick return for a touchdown for 94 yards. he also had 58 yards rushing against the best run team in football and with 2 receptions and one for a touchdown, he has shown that this offense is MUCH better without Larry Johnson.

Chiefs Undefeated In The Second Half Of 2009

Todd Haley often talks about breaking the season down into quarters so that you don't get too far up or too far down on your team. The first quarter of the Chiefs season ended up a disappointing 0-4. The second quarter ended 1-4 and now 2 games into the third quarter, the Chiefs are 2-0, already better than than the first two quarters of the season. Bottom line: The Chiefs are getting better.

In a game that nobody thought that the Chiefs had a chance at, they played smart and tough for 4+ quarters. Jamal Charles opened the game with a 97 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The Steelers would go on to score 17 unanswered points and go to halftime with the lead 17-7.

I don't know what coach Haley told the Chiefs players in the locker room, but whatever it was, it worked. After Andy Studebaker's first interception of the game, Matt Cassel threw a touchdown pass to Leonard Pope on the very next play. Down 14-17, the Chiefs never looked back.

Andy Studebaker remained focused as he picked off the next pass that came his way and returned it 94 yards to set up a Ryan Succop field goal and tie the score 17-17.

The Steelers would eventually score to set up one of the Chiefs finest drives of the season. With 7:37 left in the 4th quarter and 91 yards away from a tie, Cassel threw a 30 yard strike to Lance Long and followed it up with a 47 yard bomb to Chris Chambers. After a 2 yard shovel pass to Jamal Charles, the Chiefs had the game tied again.

Overtime

The Steelers win the toss and end up punting to the Chiefs. Starting at the twenty, Jamal Charles takes the first run of OT for ten yards on an end around. 2 plays later would mark the beginning of a franchise turnaround when Matt Cassel hit Chris Chambers for a 61 yard gain that set up the game winning field goal by Ryan Succop from the 4 yard line.

Here's Your Complete Box Score

Kansas City Chiefs

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
M. Cassel	15/30	248	2	0
Rushing	ATT	YDS	TD	LG
J. Charles	17	58	0	10
B. Wade	1	8	0	8
Ko. Smith	1	3	0	3
M. Cassel	1	-1	0	-1
Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
C. Chambers	4	119	0	61
L. Long	2	37	0	30
L. Pope	2	26	1	21
M. Bradley	1	22	0	22
M. Cox	1	19	0	19
B. Wade	3	17	0	9
J. Charles	2	8	1	6

Defense	T-A	SCK	INT	FF
D. Williams	9-1	0.0	0	0
B. Carr	8-0	0.0	0	0
J. McGraw	7-1	0.0	0	0
J. Belcher	6-0	0.0	0	0
M. Brown	5-4	1.0	0	0
B. Flowers	5-1	0.0	0	1
T. Hali	5-2	0.0	0	0
G. Dorsey	4-1	0.0	0	0
A. Studebaker	4-1	0.5	2	0
D. Johnson	3-4	0.5	0	0

Pittsburgh Steelers

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
B. Roethlisberger	32/42	398	3	2
C. Batch	1/2	17	0	0
Rushing	ATT	YDS	TD	LG
R. Mendenhall	21	80	0	13
W. Parker	6	24	0	9
M. Wallace	1	5	0	5
B. Roethlisberger	1	4	0	4
M. Moore	2	1	0	4
Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
H. Ward	10	128	1	33
H. Miller	7	95	1	41
S. Holmes	7	86	0	20
M. Wallace	2	47	0	33
R. Mendenhall	4	36	1	13
W. Parker	1	11	0	11
M. Spaeth	1	7	0	7
D. Johnson	1	5	0	5

Defense	T-A	SCK	INT	FF
T. Carter	7-1	0.0	0	0
J. Farrior	5-0	0.0	0	0
R. Clark	3-2	0.0	0	0
W. Gay	3-0	0.0	0	0
J. Harrison	3-1	1.0	0	0
I. Taylor	3-0	0.0	0	0
L. Timmons	3-1	1.0	0	1
N. Eason	2-0	0.0	0	0
C. Hampton	2-1	1.0	0	0
B. Keisel	2-0	0.0	0	0
L. Woodley	2-0	2.0	0	0

Chiefs Beat The World Champions !!!

In the most amazing upset of the year, our Kansas City Chiefs beat the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers 27 - 24 in OT. It was a 61 yard pass to Chris Chambers in overtime that set up the game winning kick from the 4 yard line by Ryan Succop. This is by leaps and bounds the biggest win for the Chiefs in at least 3 years. I will have a full game summary coming up

Chiefs VS Steelers Preview (CBS and NFL)

Troy Polamalu Ruled Out For Sundays Game

The Chiefs opportunity to win on Sunday, against the World Champs, has just increased. Troy Polamalu will not play. The Steelers defense has showed this season that it is not the same without Polamalu. He has missed numerous games this season and that has turned the NFL's best defense into a defense ranked 15th in total yards allowed. This probably takes a turnover away from Pittsburgh's defense on Sunday and at this point anything helps.

Larry Johnson Could Play Significant Role On Sunday

According to Jason LaCanfora, Cedric Benson has missed practice all week and Larry Johnson has received "ample" playing time. According to his source, LJ could end up playing a significant role in this weekend’s game. Apparently, you can use your mouth to run yourself out of a city you can't stand and a team that you don't want to play for and then get to start on a new team two weeks later? Sounds like LJ got exactly what he wanted.

I'm pretty interested in seeing what LJ can do behind that line. After all, it was never LJ's fault that he didn't produce and as soon as Jamal Charles gets a shot, all the sudden we have a running game. Maybe it just wasn't the type of blocking LJ needed or maybe Jamal is just that good. Who knows?

My guess is that LJ is the same guy there that he was here. What do you think?

Chiefs sign FB Tim Castille

Castille (5-11, 238) played in 14 regular season games with Arizona a year ago, catching four passes for 11 yards and recording 10 special teams tackles for the Cardinals. He also added one catch and a special teams tackle in two postseason games in 2008. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Arizona in 2007, and was on the club’s 53-man roster for all 16 games. Via kcchiefs.com

Is Mike Cox out? I always wondered how he would do after his buddy Chan Gailey left. It looks like the Chiefs have picked up another fullback and with positions like safety and offensive tackle being so thin, it would be a pretty big surprise for the Chiefs to carry two full backs. My guess is that hes going straight to the practice squad.

Dwayne Bowe Suspended for 4 games

Dwayne Bowe was suspended for 4 games for taking a banned diuretic to lose weight during training camp. Dwayne Bowe did not try to appeal the suspension, which generally means that he knew and understood the ramifications of his actions during that time.

You can expect Haley to get his fair share of criticism after this as well. It was Haley who ran the toughest training camp in football and Haley who demanded the extreme weight reductions in order to participate in that training camp. To top it all off, who was Haley most hard on through training camp and throughout the regualr season? No other than our own suspended star wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe.

Prior knowledge?

I'm assuming that Todd Haley knew that the suspension was coming and that's why the need to find another WR was so important throughout the season. On second hand, if Haley or Pioli knew this, why would Bobby Wade be inactive the past 2 weeks? If anything, he would be getting as many reps as possible with his teammates on Sundays.

It would be good news for Chiefs fans if the front office did know about this already. That would mean that they supported Dwayne Bowe and did not seek punishment for him before the league made it's decision. If this is the case, you can expect Dwayne Bowe back as a full member of this team after the suspension and into next season.

For The Next Month

Unlike the Larry Johnson situation, I have a hard time believing that this will be addition by subtraction for the Kansas City Chiefs. If anything, this is just another dagger to an already under talented Chiefs program. All we can hope for is the emergence of Chris Chambers, Bobby Wade or Lance long.

Todd Haley VS Mo' Carthon

"During the television broadcast of Sunday’s game in Oakland the cameras caught a “conversation” going on between Haley and his assistant head coach Maurice Carthon.

The on-field TV mikes couldn’t pick up the verbiage, but that’s OK because there weren’t many words being used, and those that were fall under the four-letter category. It’s the type of discussion that happens on the sidelines of every game, every week at some point.

But this little drama was seen as just another obvious example of Haley berating someone. That’s the picture that’s been painted of the coach; supposedly he cusses out everybody for everything and never stops."

“Why would you say I was getting after him?” Haley asked Monday afternoon with a smile. “He was getting after me.”

Bob Gretz dissects the exchange of words between Maurice Carthon and Todd Haley from Sunday. Heres your link: Bob Gretz - Tuesday Cup O'Chiefs

Apparently, Todd waited too long to call the timeout and somebody had an issue with it. The defensive coaches wanted a "kodak timeout" which is a timeout taken after seeing the offensive formation, so that you can prepare your defense for the next play. The timeout obviously came mili-seconds before the snap and it stole a golden opportunity away from the Chiefs after Jamarcus Russell failed to get to the marker.

Ex Chief Connor Barth Sets Record

"Barth kicked field goals of 51, 50 and 54 yards to set a franchise record and tie a league record and keep the Bucs in what proved to be a 25-23 loss to the Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium."
VIA: TBO.com

For you Connor Barth fans out there (standing next the Bobby Sippio fans.) On Sunday Connor Barth became the 2nd kicker ever to make 3 field goals over 50 yards in the same game. Connor was a pretty solid kicker for the Chiefs in 08' and after the way that he was released (while packing his bags for training camp) I'm glad Connor has came full circle. Good luck in the future Connor!

Jamal Charles AFC West Player Of The Week!

"It gives the Chiefs hope that their running game can make a positive impact the rest of the season. It also helps validate the on-field reasons why Johnson was let go. For that, Charles is our AFC West player of the week."

Check out Bill Williamson's AFC West Blog to find out what else he had to say about JC.

Larry Johnson Talking Trash As a Bengal

Larry Johnson has signed with the Cincinatti Bengals. Im guessing as an insurance policy to Cedric Bensons hip. Head Coach Marvin Lewis said that Larry will be the 4th string running back.

The only comments that we have from LJ are from his facebook page (what a surprise). Apparently, Larry can't wait to play the Chiefs. He said "I'm Gonna gallop all over the Chiefs. Cleat prints on the chests. Mud in the face masks." Wow, Larry, showing some unusual class, huh?

Positives, Negatives and Blunders

Postives

• Only allowed 90 yards passing, season low.
• Jamal Charles big 100 yard day
• Least amount of minus plays all season, much better on first and second down
• Chiefs win 2nd game of season

Negatives

• 1 for 15 on third downs
• turned the ball over 3 times
• allowed 180+ yards rushing
• Dropped passes EVERYWHERE!

Blunders

Todd Haley called a pretty good game, but there were a few calls that he would have liked to have back. In the third quarter with a 13-10 lead, the Chiefs faced a 4th and 2 and Haley decided to go for it. The play call was a roll out right with everybody running the same direction and Dwayne Bowe running the opposite way across the field. Double blunder here! Matt Cassel didn't even see a wide open Dwayne Bowe and threw an incomplete pass to the sideline. If Matt Cassel would have completed the pass, it would have been an easy touchdown and if Todd Haley would have just called out Ryan Succop for a short field goal, the Chiefs would have had a 19-10 lead at the end of the game instead of a 16-10 lead with the Raiders in reach.

The other memorable blunder would have to be the play of Dantrell Savage, between a muffed punt that gave the ball back to the Raiders and 2 dropped passes, it was not a good day for Dantrell.

Chiefs Beat Raiders in Dramatic Fashion 16-10

All is good in KC. The Chiefs closed out the victory after a juggled pass to Darius Heyward-Bay was picked off by Mike Brown. The Raiders final drive, much like the last game, was the finest passing performance for them all game. The difference in this one was that it didn't finish in a Raider win.

Jamal Charles gave the Chiefs a running game that they haven't had all season with a 103 yard performance on only 18 carries. His 44 yard touchdown run was the biggest play of the game and one of the biggest for the Chiefs this year. It looks like this team has a much better offense without Larry Johnson.

The Chiefs actually lost the turnover ratio 3 to 1 but were still able to come away with the win.

I'll bring you some positives and negatives within the hour, including a few coaching blunders that made this a lot closer than it should have been.

Here's your complete box score:



Kansas City Chiefs

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
M. Cassel	19/34	216	0	1
Rushing	ATT	YDS	TD	LG
J. Charles	18	103	1	44
Ko. Smith	9	12	0	7
M. Cassel	4	-3	0	0
Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
D. Bowe	6	91	0	41
C. Chambers	3	60	0	30
M. Bradley	1	22	0	22
L. Long	2	18	0	13
J. Charles	4	14	0	8
L. Pope	3	11	0	5

Defense	T-A	SCK	INT	FF
C. Mays	7-2	0.0	0	0
G. Dorsey	5-0	0.0	0	0
B. Flowers	5-0	0.0	0	0
D. Williams	5-4	0.0	0	0
B. Carr	4-0	0.0	0	0
A. Studebaker	4-1	0.0	0	0
R. Edwards	2-1	0.0	0	0
Ke. Smith	1-0	0.0	0	0
J. Belcher	1-0	0.0	0	0
M. Brown	1-0	0.0	2	0
T. Hali	1-2	0.5	0	0
T. Jackson	1-0	0.0	0	0
M. Leggett	1-0	0.0	0	0
A. Magee	1-0	1.0	0	0

Oakland Raiders Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT J. Russell 9/24 67 0 0 B. Gradkowski 4/8 46 0 2 Rushing ATT YDS TD LG M. Bush 14 119 0 60 J. Fargas 10 41 1 15 D. McFadden 4 11 0 4 B. Gradkowski 1 9 0 9 J. Higgins 1 2 0 2 Receiving REC YDS TD LG J. Higgins 4 41 0 15 C. Schilens 3 27 0 12 D. Heyward-Bey 1 22 0 22 M. Bush 2 10 0 8 Z. Miller 1 9 0 9 G. Russell 1 3 0 3 L. Lawton 1 1 0 1
Defense T-A SCK INT FF K. Morrison 10-0 0.0 0 1 T. Branch 8-2 0.0 0 0 M. Shaughnessy 4-0 1.0 0 0 N. Asomugha 3-0 0.0 0 0 T. Howard 3-1 0.0 0 0 M. Huff 3-0 0.0 0 0 C. Johnson 3-2 0.0 1 0 T. Kelly 3-0 1.0 0 0 T. Scott 3-0 0.0 0 0 S. Williams 3-0 0.0 0 0 R. Seymour 2-0 0.0 0 0 J. Alston 1-3 0.0 0 0 J. Richardson 1-0 0.0 0 0 S. Routt 1-0 0.0 0 0

No Way LJ!

Adam Schefter is reporting that San Fransisco, Atlanta, Washington, Houston, and Chicago all gave LJ the big fat NO! That still leaves my sleeper pick wide open.

Larry Johnson signs with the Patriots! Watch it will happen.

Kolby Smith, Starting Running Back?

“He’s got four weeks now and that’s almost a training camp. He’s worked really hard so I wouldn’t put it past him. I’m still trying to keep it within reason and not have the expectations too high and understand what the situation is. But I would say Kolby Smith is the type of guy who could surprise you.”

That's a quote from Todd Haley, when asked if Kolby Smith was at the point where he could be the starter. At one point during the press conference he also said Kolby should have had a touchdown run in the second quarter if they would have made the block down field. When you throw in the talk from yesterday about how Kolby has fought back admirably from a very difficult injury, it appears that Todd Haley really likes what he sees from Kolby.

Based on the fact that Todd Haley refuses to give the ball to Jamal Charles for more than 1 or 2 plays per drive, I think that Kolby Smith can and will be the starter if he can show some more of the tough running ability that he did on Sunday.

Mike Goff Done For The Season

Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star is reporting that Mike Goff has been placed on IR and the team has picked up ex-Cowboy linebacker / special teamer Justin Rodgers to fill his roster spot. All we know about Goff is that he has had a shoulder issue for the past couple of weeks. Only the employees at Arrowhead drive know the extent of the injury and you know how that goes.

Justin Rodgers has already been picked up and then let go 2 other times this year. Obviously the Chiefs front office believes that he has potential, but as strictly a special teams player, he usually is the first one to go when its time to pick up somebody new.

Ndukwe will now be challenging Alleman for the starting position at RG.

Larry Johnson Clears Waivers, 4 Teams Interested

Bill Belichick said he would be surprised if LJ cleared waivers, well Bill here ya go. 3 out of the 4 teams that I picked to sign LJ have placed interest in him. Jason LaCanfora stated that the Texans, Bears, Patriots, and Redskins all have placed calls.

A signing looks like it could come within the next 24 hours, so stay tuned, I will have it when it hits.

Possible Landing Spots For Larry Johnson

I believe that there is 3 spots that LJ could land, depending on the waiver situation.

1. Houston Texans- LJ has only lost 5 fumbles in the past 899 carries. That stat is astounding. Especially when Steve Slaton has lost 5 fumbles on 116 carries, this year alone. the fact that Ryan Moats is out with a concussion doesn't make the Texans running back situation any better. Head coach Gary Kubiak is the architect of the balanced Texans offense and was the driving force behind the Denver Broncos dominent running game in the late 90's, when ANY running back would be successful. This could be a spot where LJ could shine, almost never having to see the 8 man fronts that he has his entire career.
2. Washington Redskins- LJ grew up in the D.C. area and his dad coached there for years. Clinton Portis is out right now and Jim Zorn has said that he "will sign a running back" if Clinton Portis cannot go. Obviously the Redskins owner, Daniel Snyder, has no problem spending money and would possibly eat the 2 million dollars that LJ has coming to him this year. Last but not least, Snyder loves to make a splash to create "buzz."
3. Pittsburgh Steelers- OK, so this one might be a long shot, but if you think about it, this an LJ system all the way. The Steelers have lacked a power runner since Jerome Bettis left a few years back. LJ could provide the hard nosed running style that Steeler ownership has craved for years. LJ went to Penn State and actually was hoping to get drafted by the Steelers out of college. He has actually went out on a limb and said the he "wants to play for the Steelers" today. The Steelers aren't usually into signing players with off the field problems the magnitude of LJ's, but if a guy interviews strong and has a great workout, you never know.
   

My sleeper pick would be the New England Patriots. LJ is a guy who has always had a problem with losing. He's great in the off-season, great after wins, but after a couple of losses, his emotion takes over and he makes stupid comments. LJ could be Corey Dillon all over again. LJ lacks acceleration in a major way, but give him a running start and hes a human wrecking ball. With the Patriots passing threats and Offensive Line, LJ could get the running start that he has not had in 3 years in KC. To top it all off, this is what Bill Belichick said about LJ today via WEEI in Boston: "Well, I haven’t seen the wire but I assume he’ll be on there. I would doubt [the Patriots would acquire Johnson]," Belichick said on the Big Show. "First of all, I think a player like that that’s on the wire, similar to Chris Chambers who came on last week, somebody will get ahead of us. Even if we claim him, I doubt that we would get him." So If LJ does clear waivers, there is one guy who will be surprised.

LJ's Gone For Good!

Sorry for the late post. LJ was released this morning, a day before his suspension was up. Obviously Scott Pioli and Todd Haley wanted him nowhere near the Chiefs facility. Latest words from LJ where that he was "excited" about the change. Well, guess what LJ, we are too.

This is a huge opportunity for Jamal Charles, Kolby Smith, and Dantrell Savage. There play will determine how early the Chiefs draft a running back in next years draft. Yes, I did just say that the Chiefs would draft a running back next year.

Chiefs Lose To Jaguars 24-21

If you've only read this headline and didn't watch the game, than you probably think that this was a close one that could have gone either way. The truth is that it wasn't close at all. It took a bomb to Chris Chambers with under 3 minutes left to get to 13 points and then an onside kick to get the ball back, before getting to 19. To top it all off, the Chiefs converted a 2 point conversion with under two minutes, to make it 21-24. Both touchdown passes were to Chris Chambers and for a second it looked like the Chiefs had an actual receiving threat with the Bowe / Chambers combo. The problem is that the Chiefs offense was anemic the entire game, up to the final minutes that I just described. They didn't convert their first 3rd down until the late in the 3rd quarter.

There is some major question marks after today's game. The first one has to be why the Chiefs didn't run the ball with Jamal Charles. He was averaging over 5 yards a carry this season and averaged 6 yards a carry today. He ran the ball 6 times for 36 yards. Kolby Smith received the ball 4 times for 17 yards (4.2 AVG.) So If LJ gets the ball over 20 times a game and runs for 2.4 yards a carry and Jamal is averaging 5, then why did he only get the ball 6 times? Chris Johnson, who is virtually the same exact size as Jamal, ran for over 200 yards last week against the Jags and this was the one time that the Chiefs actually had an opportunity to see what Jamal could do.

The next question has to be why the chiefs continue to pull out a completely explosive passing offense towards the end of the game. The first three quarters are slants, screens and runs up the middle. When the 4th quarter comes along, Todd Haley grabs his Cardinals playbook and Cassel airs it out all over the field with Dwayne Bowe making acrobatic Catches. The Chiefs must come out with guns blazing from the first whistle from here on out.

Last but not least, this is a time when we will see if the Chiefs players give up on their hard nosed head coach. Right now, they have to be wondering if the hardest training camp in pro football was worth it, If the practices in pads during the season is worth it, and if the constant verbal abuse is worth it. It doesn't look good in KC right now.

Here's your stats for today's game:

Kansas City Chiefs

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
M. Cassel	23/39	262	2	0
Rushing	ATT	YDS	TD	LG
J. Charles	6	36	0	13
Ko. Smith	4	17	0	12
D. Savage	2	4	0	4
M. Cassel	2	3	0	3
Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
D. Bowe	4	74	0	36
L. Long	8	74	0	27
C. Chambers	3	70	2	54
J. Charles	3	19	0	13
M. Bradley	1	12	0	12
D. Savage	1	8	0	8
L. Pope	1	5	0	5
Ko. Smith	1	4	0	4
M. Cox	1	-4	0	-4

Jacksonville Jaguars Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
D. Garrard	18/27	264	1	0
Rushing	ATT	YDS	TD	LG
M. Jones-Drew	29	97	1	10
D. Garrard	9	29	0	8
R. Jennings	2	29	1	28
M. Thomas	1	18	0	18
Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
M. Sims-Walker	6	147	1	61
T. Holt	4	37	0	18
M. Jones-Drew	3	37	0	15
J. Dillard	1	33	0	33
R. Jennings	1	9	0	9
M. Lewis	1	3	0	3
G. Jones	1	0	0	0
M. Thomas	1	-2	0	-2