Chief fans are looking for a quarterback; they have been for quite some time. Todd Haley is confident he has one. While fans doubt Matt Cassel, Haley doesn’t. Haley says Cassel’s a better player than he was last year. Haley says he and Cassel have a relationship. With that bond Haley claims he’s noticed things about Cassel that fans and the media don’t see. Haley wants fans to know that Cassel’s no different than any other developing player. Like linebacker Andy Studebaker, Cassel needs to improve his game. Remember, it’s a process, but when Haley asks people to cheer for Cassel it’s like asking them to eat their least favorite vegetable.
They’ll do it, but don’t ask them to like it. Like Paul Harvey, now you know … the rest of the story.
I’m a fan, so until a player gives me reasons not to cheer, I cheer. I support my team, but even with Haley saying Cassel’s only had a couple seasons work fans have seen enough to form an opinion. Chief fans aren’t going to believe whatever folks tell them, but it’s about impressions. The last game against the Packers was supposed to help Cassel out of the hole, but it didn’t.
I’m still in Cassel’s camp, because that’s me, but I was hoping for more. Like Bill Althaus told me Thursday, Cassel has what you want as a person to lead your team, but the meat of it still happens on the field. There’s been a lot of Haley in press conference telling us what he knows and can see about Cassel, but Cassel isn’t proving it. I’m not a great dad until I show I’m a great dad and someone saying I am doesn’t make it so. Cassel has to show it. I want Cassel to put a tourniquet on it, contradict the critiques, but it didn’t happen in training camp or the preseason.
In private Haley might know, but for the fan headed into the regular season the question remains. Can Cassel lead the Chiefs? Slowly but surely may work for Haley, but for the fan, the Chiefs paid Cassel with “now” money. At 28 slowly isn’t an option for Cassel.
SPECIAL TEAMS FINISH PRESEASON LOOKING SOLID
I absolutely love the way Javier Arenas runs the ball. I know the Chiefs are in safe hands with him returning kicks. It’s been a while since someone for the Chiefs has just taken the ball and ran straight up the field. Probably not since Tamarick Vanover, but no side to side stuff, just find the hole and run hard through it. The old see daylight and go approach. Javier is that player. My new nickname for Javier is 40+, because with each preseason game he put the Chiefs into excellent field position. That’s what will help the Chiefs a ton in the regular season, field position, because with the way the Chiefs are show casing the run there’ll be plenty of opportunity for kicker Ryan Succop. Better yet, for the extra points!
DEFENSE IS ON ITS WAY!
I wasn’t a Demorrio Williams supporter, but he’s came on in the last couple games. He’s hot, but so are several players from the defense, and that’s where you want your players to be. Last year Williams had his best season as a pro and he’s someone Haley says he’d take several more of. He’s a hard worker and loves to play the game, but with the defense as a whole we’re seeing results.
This unit along with the run will be the bread and butter of this team. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is making a noticeable difference. Noticeable gets noticed and it’s glaring with how the defensive players are rising to the challenge. I see pride, but I also see players playing together. I watched Eric Berry on a third and three stop Packers tight end Donald Lee cold, which caused the Pack to punt. The starting defense caused the Packers to go three and out four times in the first quarter. It wasn’t against their starters, but still, the defense looked their best in the final preseason game. They’re ready for the season!
Overall I don’t think you could say the Chiefs ended preseason badly. There are things to fix, tweak and I’m sure they’ll get better at, but I think there will be far less embarrassing moments this season than last year.
NOW BRING ON THE REGULAR SEASON!
Kansas City Chiefs Corey Mays Celebrity Waiter Night
On a serious note linebacker Corey Mays and 15 of his teammates will be at the 801 Chop House in Kansas City on September 20th. Times for the event will be from 6-10pm and is open to the public, but reservations are highly recommended. You’ll get a chance to see Corey and his teammates putting on aprons and taking fans orders as “acting” waiters for any fan that comes for dinner.
There will be a chance to buy raffle tickets during the night to win a VIP Package to an upcoming Chiefs game in the 2010 season. The point of this is to help Corey’s Foundation, A-Maysing Beauty Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting and mentoring young girls in the foster care program. The event will be Co-Hosted by Mike Hill from ESPN Sports Center.
It’ll be a fun night with giving back.
IT’S A WRAP
With these two home games I made it a point to look around at the fans in the stands. I like seeing the tomahawk chop and excitement. It’s a unique place Arrowhead. The 90’s were electric. With the divide in the world it’s a good escape.
Something this team had none of last season and what my preacher pointed out to me on Wednesday is the Chiefs still need to find more zeal and purpose. When Kendrick Lewis intercepted that ball against the Eagles instead of celebrating the players on the field with him should have automatically started blocking. It’s almost like the Chiefs are starting to surprise themselves.
I suppose they are, and things aren’t on auto pilot yet. I’m confident with what I saw Thursday and the way the Chiefs finished the preseason. There’s a good vibe going forward. They’re getting there, but what we have now in Kansas City is night and day compared to last year.
Bank on it!
Good day, Chief fans!
