It could have been the cab driver, or a fan waiting in line. A security guard; a receptionist; or a CEO. Everyone succumbed to the warmth and charisma of Grigs. And everyone who had the fortune to cross his path, would always remember fondly their brief encounter with the Grigs! He was after all infectious. He was…a friend to life itself.

He loved Lenny. And he loved Lamar Hunt.

Like so, so many others, I will always remember my time with Bill Grigsby. And just as before, I know he is at the gate…right now…holding court and making friends.

I can only imagine the smile on his face, as he was greeted by the Mentor and Lamar.

Goodbye Ol’ Friend! Until we meet again….

PASSING GAME
Matt seems to be having trouble seeing receivers that are or are becoming open.  There are more than a half dozen plays he misses deeper opportunities that are WIDE open.  And another half dozen in which the ball could have been thrown safely, where the only one able to catch the ball would have been a Chiefs receiver.

I don’t believe this is a lack of time.  There were several instances, when the wide-out had already begun to break open (having already beaten the corner or safety) and Matt decides to throw to a check down or keep and run with the ball…well after he could have launched a pass to the deeper and more open receiver.  This may indeed be internal pressure he feels from having been pounded to the ground every other play…but this will be a point that Cassel can learn from reviewing game film.   No interceptions should be achieved by WHERE you throw the ball, not by declining to throw it.

One other item to watch is “eye discipline.”  On several plays, the deep safety breaks hard towards his intended target, even abandoning a receiver on the other side.  Since he is doing this BEFORE Cassel starts to throw, I assume Cassel’s eyes are taking him there. 

Mechanically set them, then create a passing lane, and THROW!  D-Bowe…catch it!

RUNNING GAME
Larry is running hard this year, IMHO.  But he gives up on the hole too often.  Plays are mostly designed for a specific spot on the line.  The blockers are attempting to create a lane, by sealing defenders to one side of the other.  If I am a blocker, and I expect the running back to run by my left side, I’ll attempt to turn the defender to my right.  If the running back mysteriously changes route and runs to my right, we have a slight problem.  My first reaction is why the defensive lineman is all of a sudden trying to go to my right.  My next reaction is, because that is where the running back is now.  And since I setup on the left, I have no leverage to prevent him from going right, except to hold.

Larry needs to run through the designed hole.  If a read is involved, he needs to set the block hard, by not giving away a direction until the very last second…nearly running through the blocker.

BLOCKING
Sean Ryan had a very rough game last week. In blocking, the idea is not to necessarily catch the rabbit.  It’s to keep the rabbits away.  So, when it comes to blocking, chasing two rabbits is a good thing!

Sean, keep your head on a swivel.  I will say he got better as the game progressed. 

TACKLING
On the other hand, tackling is NOT like blocking.  You MUST catch the rabbit.  When you chase both, you catch neither.

The Chiefs defense had their work cut out for them today.  And it wasn’t because of the powerful running game of the Raiders.  It is because the Raiders only play on half the field.  If you get the ball near your opponent forty…Sebastian Janikowski is dangerous.  But today, Shane Lechler put on a Pro Bowl demonstration of punting.  His net average yards were impressive.  The play of the entire special teams left the Raiders a chance to win this game at the last minute, and that is exactly what they did – practically on one play.

Enough about getting beat.  It was encouraging to see the play of Bobby Wade, acquired this week off waivers.  I thought both he and Dwayne Bowe were playing tough, especially across the middle (You know, the area of the field Tony Gonzalez used to play in).  Speaking of Dwayne, I thought today it was evident that he is indeed maturing.  Also playing better IMHO was Tank Tyler.  And DJ … that’s two!    And of course, the other Johnson, Larry was hitting the holes faster and running tougher.  Last season he seemed to come down if someone thought about touching him…today – you had to hit him hard and low.  But, man do I miss T-Rich.  Imagine LJ behind a T-Rich lead.

One thing is for sure.  True accountability in the clubhouse…or office place…makes a difference.  We’ve seen it week after week from this coach.  A player can’t even get off the field without finding out the coach’s feelings about his performance.

OFFESNSIVE COORDINATOR

While we’re on the subject…I liked Chan Gailey as a person.  He was an extremely polite and pleasant person.  But watching the new blocking schemes today in conjunction with the breadth of play calling (moving pockets, screens, etc.), I must say I think Todd Haley is a better O-Coordinator.  Larry Johnson obviously has talent, and Todd seems to be finding a way to use it.  Now let’s see if he can dodge the freight training coming on the NFC East Railroad.

“Nobody ever could have, or would have, predicted that one play could cost multiple teams playoff spots and Super-Bowl winning coaches their jobs and change the course of NFL history.   But it did…”  

Sliding doors….

IMHO, this is a home run from both Clark Hunt and Denny Thum.  Certainly Pioli is the man with the greatest pedigree.   He is a four time NFL Executive of the Year.  He has three rings.  His assistant, former Chiefs,Thomas Dimtroff was responsible for getting Atlanta back on track this year.   And perhaps most important, is his ability to discern talent.   Remember, Tom Brady was a 6^th round pick.  And Matt Cassel was a 7^th rounder who was a backup in college behind two Heisman Trophy winners.    But the single greatest benefit is just what Chiefs fans need most – HOPE!

Do I think Mr. Pioli success is given?  Of course not, but I believe in Denny Thum’s ability to have and build synergy with the former Patriot.  As with any manager, you live and die by those you pick to trust.  And the Patriots synergy through this decade has certainly payed a fantasic dividend.

Here is what Robert Kraft (Patriots owner) has to say about Mr. Pioli:

“Scott Pioli was an integral part of the many championships the New England Patriots have celebrated this decade and I would like to thank him for his countless contributions throughout the past nine seasons.  Scott is a great evaluator of talent.  He is thorough in his evaluations, extremely organized and has done a tremendous job mining all possible resources to help Coach Belichick and his staff field the players needed to win consistently.  He has played an important role in building a championship tradition with players that I am proud to call Patriots.  On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, I wish Scott continued success in his new role and offer best wishes to his wonderful wife Dallas, and their beautiful daughter Mia.  I think Clark Hunt and the Kansas City Chiefs have made a very wise hire.”

Here’s to 2009!!

1. Defenses win championships.
2. That’s why they play ‘em!

Ironically, it seems to also be saying ”Home-Field Advantage” is not necessarily so.  In fact, this year home-field tag is synonymous with turnovers!  Both number one seeds now at home playing Guitar Hero.

RAVENS at TITANS
My heart goes out to Tennessee and Titans fans everywhere.  It brought back the pain of seasons gone by and the incredible disappointment at concluding 13-3 home field season in round one of the playoffs.  And for those that think Ray Lewis is finished, did you see that snot-knocker?  I think Ravens @ Steelers is going to be a good game.

CARDINALS at PANTHERS
Congratulations to Kurt Warner and the Cardinals.  Is it me…or have they had THAT defense all year?  On the other side, I can’t think of a worse birthday present for a quarterback than Jake Delhomme’s 0.0 passer rating.  Zero point Zero…ugh!  It would seem that the Eastern Time Zone didn’t have near the vexing power that the media said it would. 

(Ear muffs)

While we on this…Are you FREAKIN’ kidding me?   How could any intelligent human being make the argument that the Arizona Cardinals can’t play in the Eastern Time Zone.  Especially when it was a late game, not an early kick off.  Media pros made this argument for a solid week.  How could a sane individual suggest any team can’t play in a certain time zone.   Do airline pilots have trouble landing in cities whose name begin with vowels?  Do mechanics have trouble working on cars painted blue?  Is it possible a minister could preach on a day, other than Sunday?  And certainly, NASCAR drivers can’t go anywhere that requires turning right!  What a ludicrous premise.  This is a statistician out-of-control!

PARITY & NUMBER ONE SEED
The NFL continues to have parity among their teams.  The number one seed and home crowd is no longer enough to make it happen.  Nor is the coin-flip in overtime.  Nor is the title of “World Champion!”  Oringally, I thought it would be the Ravens vs. Giants.  Since I have to reconsider, I’d like a day to think about those Steelers too!

Personally, I don’t like either GM.  The Colts’ Bill Polian makes my job very difficult when we play the colts at Indy.  And I dislike the Chargers’ A.J. Smith for the way he treated Marty.  I do like, and a big congratulations to, KC native and K-State’r Darren Sproles.  He rocks!  And I love that his size not only hasn’t limited him, but I think helps him.  Proof that hard work can offset many dispositions, including physical ones.

Of course, on the NFC side, Arizona had as little momentum as you can take in to post season.  Nevertheless, thier defense played extremely well…and Edgerrin James played like a Pro Bowler and former Colts stud.  These two games just further reveal how much parity exists in the National Football League.   

A wise friend once told me…”NEVER BET ON HUMAN BEINGS!”

…Morning Pup is up again!  Got to go play with her…

My initial thought was to write about how painful the last minute loss to San Diego was. But yesterday as I was watching film, people began to walk briskly down the halls of the Chiefs Offices. After news of Carl Peterson’s resignation broke, things got a bit hectic…and…we’ll….let us just say, I didn’t get my work done again!

I also had a witty prediction all set for the next 5 years based on the AFL decision to cancel the 2009 season. But after reading it, it really sounded more like a psychotic break than vision. So, I’m going to reflect about … you guessed it … Carl Peterson.

CARL PETERSON
First, let me just say: I know fans are extremely emotional about this. It is part of what makes this a great town for sports. There is passion! I still remember traveling to Los Angeles for Raiders games and thinking – does anyone here care? (BTW – the answer was, no!) But there is a piece of me that will forever feel indebted to what Carl Peterson did in this city.

IMHO, Carl showed an unbelievable loyalty to Lamar Hunt and the culture of this city and club. I realize it was a five year plan, and I’m sure no one is more disappointed in it not reaching a Super Bowl conclusion than Carl. I believe he was deeply hurt, not realizing a personal goal of presenting the Lamar Hunt Trophy to Lamar before Mr. Hunt’s passing. And I truly believe, he loves this franchise and would do anything for it…including resigning his position.

Carl has always been gracious, loyal, and sincere to me personally. I can accept that change is a part of the game. And with change comes excitement. An excitement for the future and a renewed faith in possibilities.

But I WILL miss him. Just as I miss Marty. They did something special here…and we owe them gratitude for it.

It seems Plaxico Burress was not the only one to shoot themselves in their NFL game last week. I honestly don’t know why any coach would risk getting the best placekicker in the league hurt when a game IS NOT YET on the line. Probably the same coach that would come out throwing against the Chiefs 2008 Defense.

But before you credit the Raiders defeat as self-inflicted, you should know…the Chiefs read the fake. It was no accident that Maurice Leggett was there to pick up the fumble. Raiders punter Shane Lechler usually sits down (with his butt on his angle or very near the ground). But suddenly, his form changed – and the Chiefs saw it.

As Marty Schottenheimer used to say, “Luck is what happens when preparation & opportunity come together.” (Well…close anyway). The Chiefs Special Teams were well prepared for the Raiders game. It was GREAT to see them capitalize on their opportunity. It was GREAT to see them contribute.

Congrats to Mike Priefer and his men!

Gunny’s men did good stopping the run as well, learning from Septembers 300 plus yard tromp.

Next up! THE DONKEYS. Expect Jay Cutler to provide amble opportunity for the Brandon’s to show their preparation. And expect Tyler Thigpen to get some bootleg payback.

Len Dawson believed in an Oakland victory. So, this week – I’m going to believe. After all, we won once in Denver – 2000 wasn’t it? (Sorry…my bad) What I meant to say was – we beat them here…we can beat them there.

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oh! I know.Cornerbacks!

Personally, I’m content with Ty Law getting a chance for post season play with Brett Farve – mainly because …. HE’S NOT HERE!!!!! I think one task we have definitely accomplished this year is finding two quality – young cornerbacks. It’s probably too early to tell…but based on last week, Maurice Leggett maybe a third.

I’m also thankful for the promise of Tyler Thigpen. Yes, I’m still voting for Thigpen. IMHO, Thigpen really only made one mistake last week against the Bills. Now before you reach for the mouse to tell me 3…three….III….turnovers by Thigpen….keep this in mind: The two interceptions are on curl routes that are a three step drop and fire. Thigpen spends all three drops selling, than looks and fires. As Mitch Holthus put it…that route has a problem!

Looking back through the games to Atlanta, the film showed receiver’s nearly getting this on almost every instance of it. In some cases the corner gets it, but can’t hang on to it. While Thigpen got the credit for NOT throwing an interception – coach’s should have known this was coming. Either its design or execution has been sketchy from the onset of Thigpen starting. After all, flip a coin enough times, it will land on the other side! Before you place this on Chan, the receivers aren’t helping this route. These curls could be bread & butter for us, but not until our receivers learn to get separation.

There! I said it.

How about SHOWing us some separation. I could also go into a complete rant about catching balls that hit you in the hands, but that’s just not in keepingwith the Thanksgiving “Glass-Half-Full” spirit. (You’ve have no idea – how hard that was to type)

One last thing. I keep hearing about how young this team is. And I believe there is truth in the “rookie wall.” And for the 2008 Chiefs, that isn’t going to be just a guy or two. But here is what is killing me. Derek Johnson is in his fourth year of pro-football. In fact, he is in a contract year. If ever there was a time to show (I mean, SHOW) coaches what you’re made of …. it’s a contract year.

After the Bills Trent Edwards crossed the line of scrimmage last week, he became a running back. Why then was Derek Johnson still backing up 2, 3, to 4 yards deep in the end-zone? Why? You can’t tell me that Gunther needs to explain to him how the rules work. Chalk it up to sluggish return, his girl-friend having a baby, the flu, whatever. But if you can’t feel the game…you better be the most studied guy on the field. That TD was unacceptable. Come on DJ. We need you. Shows us what you are made of.

Boy…this was my warm-fuzzy! At least I left the Special-Teams alone.

Turkey day, then its off to Oakland. The land of Italian cookies. I love the food in SF. Tough game though, expect the Raiders to play a lot of Man-to-man and continue to pry on our run coverage. Best o’luck to Herm and his men. We’re going to talk pretty in depth about what the Chiefs can expect with Kendall and Len on pre-game from Oakland.

Till then…Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.