MILLERS THE MAN !

NOW THAT OAKLAND LOOKS TO HAVE A SOLID QB AT THE HELM MY BRAIN PONDERED ME THIS .. ZAK MILLER HAS SHOWN IMPROVEMENT EVERY SEASON SINCE COMING TO THE NFL , COULD THE CAMPBELL/MILLER CONECTION BE WORTH 1000 YARDS AND 12 + TDS !? ITS SEEMS TOO ME THE POTENTIAL IS THERE IN THIS OFFENCE . JUST HOPE AND THOUGHT ROLLED TOGETHER !!

Eric Berry Gettin PAAAAAAAIIIIIIID!!

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee - The last draft pick remaining for KC just became the highest paid safety in NFL history. 6-years for $60M max and $34M guaranteed. If he lives up to the hype, he's definitely worth the money. If not, well, KC will be in a VERY bad spot.

He's billed as the next Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed. He's been labeled better as a rookie than Rodney Harrison was in his prime, BY RODNEY HARRISON!!! A dynamic playmaking safety that seems to show up even more in the big games, Berry has all the tangibles you could ask for. He's athletic, fast, has great hands, has a nose for the ball, hits hard, is a sure tackler, and has great coverage skills.

He was a 3-year captain at Tennessee including his freshman year. He was the 2009 Jim Thorpe Award winner, the 2008 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and a two-time unanimous All-American. He also came up just seven yards short of the all-time INT return yardage record.

Eric Berry is being heralded as the future of KC's defense. But he may be the man for the job. He is equally amazing in pass coverage and against the run. In 2009 Berry made 61 plays against passing plays and 52 against running plays. And no one found the endzone on a play against him. He is interchangeable at safety and cornerback, and some pundits labeled him as a possible shutdown corner.

This is the spotlight of the Chiefs draft. No matter how any other player turns out, the Chiefs 2010 NFL draft will be graded based on how Berry turns out. He is a high character, high motor, high talent, and high intelligence athlete. There isn't much not to like about him.

Predictions for this season: 90 Tackles (12 for loss), 2.5 Sacks, 6 INTs, 3 FFs, 15 PDs. Defensive ROY candidate (finishes 2nd).

Well, That Was Such a LLLOOONNNGG Holdout!!!

Ok. I just can not believe how long it took to finalize Tim Tebow's contract. I mean, he was trying to hold back the team . . and . . . he was not living his Christian values . . and . . . Please SHUT UP!

Tebow will get a five-year contract worth $11.25 million, according to two NFL sources. The money is less than the $11.8 million total value Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant got as the No. 24 overall pick. Tebow's guarantee will be $8.7 million, higher than the $8.3 million guarantee Bryant received. The difference is due to Tebow getting a quarterback premium, bumping him a few more guaranteed dollars higher than Bryant. Tebow's contract has a max value of $11.25 million, but that includes difficult-to-reach incentives per the report from the Denver Post.

So, I guess the Universe is still in place. Seriously, folks are not arguing on the overall contract, but the guaranteed money is $0.4 millions higher than Dez! Well, I have to admit, at least Tim can speak in complete sentences and be understood by most of the fans that are going to support him (that is worth more in my book and more in the bank to the Broncos . . . seriously!!). I think if Tim starts sooner than expected and performs at a high level, he will be rewarded and they do not have to deal with the "VJ, McNiell or Johnson (crybaby, whining man-child)" drama other teams have faced this season. Smart move by both sides to get the wording right in the contract without breaking the bank!!

Personally, I believe that Tim Tebow's potential is great and he will do well in the NFL. However, the pure stupidity of commentators on the "other Blog" leave me speechless and just . . simply pissed off. They have no common sense and type the same way they talk - out their "other hole." The more I read and hear, the more I just hope TT brings heavy wood but nothing . . . I mean nothing will ever satisfy these type of folks, so I simply will say this:

"Fair Winds and Following Seas . . . if you can figure out which way to point your boat to sail out of the port!!" Morons!!

Only Two Players Remain Unsigned In KC

The team is signed, everyone has passed their physicals, and we're ready for some Chiefs football! Well, almost. There are still two spots on the current roster to be dealt with. Eric Berry and Jarad Page both remain unsigned. The mere thought of them not being there ought to be enough to make even the Kool-Aid Man cringe. Last year's starters, John McGraw and Mike Brown, were whipping boys for even the most average of QBs. After Berry was drafted, there was a lot of anticipation for the Flowers, Berry, Page, Carr secondary that lay ahead.

But now Page has requested a trade and Berry remains the only unsigned rookie. Of course, there isn't much fear over Berry's status as he is the 1st round pick and it's not unexpected that he might be a little late to camp. Still, we were all hopeful that there wouldn't be any contract problems when camp came around.

Page is another story altogether. The Chiefs have got to figure out what they're doing with him. There are few in KC that have forgotten the Bernard Pollard fiasco, in which Houston managed to pick up one of the top defenders in the league last year for almost nothing. The Chiefs can't afford to let that happen again. And they really can't afford to let the "who cares" of safeties on the roster try and step in again.

Highest Paid Tight End in the League

Antonio Gates agreed to a $36.175 million, five-year contract extension, with $20.4 million guaranteed, with the deal ending after the 2015 season. Considering what he has done this past six years and a monster year last year, this extension is greatly well deserved. If anything the deal could be even a little more and I wouldn't be mad at it.

This deal pretty much locks the Chargers to the best QB/TE combo in the league for the next six seasons. In my opinion Gates is the key cog to the Chargers passing attack. Lined up next to the tackles, slot, or spread wide, Gates demands a double team once the ball is hiked. Because of that we see plenty of one on one coverage for the Chargers sideline WRs. He is a decent blocker, but his job is really with his pass catching ability and keeping the defenses honest. Off the block he is one of the best and you can see him catching that ball on a precisely ran route or show off with a patented one hand catch.

So now that Gates is signed to an extension, what does this mean for Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill? Gates back in 2005 also held out and eventually got a new contract but was suspended by the team for one game. One difference between Gates and the holdouts now is that Gates was severely underpaid for his production similar to Chris Johnson's contract/production dispute. Though Mac and VJ are currently underpaid, there have been contract negotiations and it seems that both Mac and VJ's parties are reaching for more than what the Chargers sees them as worth. IMO Mac deserves top 5 tackle money and VJ top 10 WR money (with a deal that has a huge % of guaranteed money). McNeill has been a trooper for the Chargers just like Gates since coming in so I see him getting paid early season. As for VJ's future, it really is up in the air. It all depends if the Chargers want to catch it or have another team intercept it.

Antonio Gates numbers since coming into the league: leads tight ends in touchdown catches with 59. He ranks second in yards, 6,223, and third in catches, 479.

Time is Ticking . . . . And Mouths are Flapping!!

Tick . . . Tock . . . . says the clock.

The clock is moving but it seems the Broncos and Tim Tebow are still working on finalizing his contract. They are likely looking at between five-year, $10.25 million deal with a $7.345 million guarantee the 2009 No. 25 overall pick last year received and the five-year, $11.8 million contract with an $8.3 million guarantee Dez Bryant received as this year’s No. 24 overall pick.

All the noise being raised over this is plain silly, in my opinion. Denver does not want to over pay and Tebow's agent is looking to get the best deal possible for his client. Rushing into any multi-million dollar venture can end up being bad for one or both parties. I have to laugh at the folks on blogs challenging Tebow's ethics and stating "I really love it when these guys all talk about God and ethics except when it comes to money." Please!!! Unless you have personally been a part of an professional athlete contract negotiation, you are just talking out your "other hole!!" These are the same folks when Chris Johnson started complaining about his compensation said "Hey man, you signed the contract so be a MAN and live with it!!" You can not have both ways. You either work hard to get the contract right the first time or be ready to make mid-course corrections if marked improvement occurs and incur a higher cost.

It is in everyone's best interest to get this one right the first time, period. There is more to a contract that just money and incentives. Rushing in to meet some artificial "fan expectation" created by the zealous media is not a sound business practice. Getting it right will pay bigger dividends over the course of time. All of the bitching, moaning, and complaining is just that. In the mean time, the clock continues to move and the Earth is still spinning on its axis so let's just chill and have some patience for a change. Everything will work out as it was meant to be.

Pioli Working Overtime Tonight!

Dexter McCluster, WR, Mississippi - Add McCluster to the list of Chiefs draft picks to be signed. The terms of the contract are still under wraps, but they should be announced soon. Dexter McCluster is probably the most controversial and intriguing pick the Chiefs made this year.

He really doesn't have a true label. He's expected to line up in the slot, to the outsides, off-center in the backfield, and even in the I on occasions. He could also line up on KRs next to Javier Arenas. This guy is just flat out versatile, which is exactly what the KC offense needs.

A two-time Cotton Bowl MVP (an honor shared only with the legendary Doak Walker), a 3rd team All-American, and 2nd team All-SEC recipient, and is second all-time on the all-purpose yards list at Ole Miss.

He was projected to be too small to play RB in the NFL and his status on many draft boards suffered because of that. Initial reaction to him being taken in the second round was pretty comical, and a lot of pundits questioned Pioli & Co. However, by the end of the draft, everyone seemed to be thinking twice. His speed and natural athleticism set him apart from almost any other athlete on the field. He has great hands, moves well, and plays smart. He has great vision and doesn't make many unnecessary moves.

With the exception of (maybe) Eric Berry, no other draft pick will be as closely watched as McCluster. He will have to prove himself early because the "bust" tag will be quickly applied if he doesn't live up to the hype within his first two years.

Predictions for this season: X Factor. He'll be on the field a lot, but rarely used. Expect him to be a decoy just as much as an offensive target. 20 receptions for 235 yards and 6 TDs. 25 carries for 115 yards and 2 TDs. Offensive ROY candidate (finishes 5th in the voting).

Chiefs Add Another Pick.

Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama - Officially a Chief. The financial terms haven't been announced yet, but the deal is set for 4 years. The deal comes two weeks after Arenas changed agents.

In the new, pass-happy NFL, the importance of a solid Nickleback can't be overstated. That's what Javier Arenas has been brought to KC for. The rookie out of Alabama figures to be the teams 3rd DB on passing downs. He was low on a lot of draft boards because he is too small to hang with a prototypical NFL receiver. He is also expected to win the KR/PR battle against Dexter McCluster.

He owns the SEC record for punt returns for touchdowns and was an All-SEC player in both his Junior and Senior years.

He has great natural athleticism which helps his cover skills. However, his lack of size makes it almost impossible to line him up on the outside. He is a sure tackler and a blitz-specialist from the outside. He has ideal speed and strength for covering slot receivers and blitzing the QB in obvious passing situations.

One of (if not the) best returners in college football last year. His speed and agility make him hard to get a bead on. College punters rarely kicked to him last year but he still managed to be a consistent threat.

They say big time players make big time plays in big time games. Well that's Arenas in a nutshell. He seemed to play his best when it really mattered, racking up an INT in the endzone against the Gators in the SEC Championship last year, and adding another two in the BCS Championship. He is a dangerous weapon in the return game and has solid playmaking ability on defense. Too small to be a "shutdown" guy on the outside, but that's not what the Chiefs need him to be.

Predictions for this season: Top Nickleback (#3 DB). 40 Tackles (8 for loss), 3.5 Sacks, 2 INTs (1 returned for TD), 2 FF, 5 PDs. Starting Kick/Punt Returner. KR avg - 24.5 yards, 2 TD. PR avg - 15 yards, 2 TD.

THE ASSASSIN SLEEPS !

JACK TATUM I HONOR YOU FOR THOSE BRILLIANT HITS YOU SHARED WITH ME IN MY YOUTH , THANK YOU FOR SWOOPING IN AND STEALING THOSE INTERCEPTIONS , YOU MADE IT LOOK LIKE YOU PLANNED IT THE NIGHT BEFORE ! AND I KNOW YOU WERE CRITISIZED AT TIMES BUT YOU CARRIED YOUR BURDEN AND SAID YOU DID YOUR BEST , SO IN YOUR DEATH I WILL TAKE YOU AT YOUR WORD . I HOPE THE H.O.F WILL LET THE GRUDGE GO AND ENTER YOU AS I BELEIVE YOU ALWAYS DESEVED , HOWEVER IF THIS IS MY OPINION ONLY AND THEY DONT , KNOW THIS , THERE ARE MANY HOW FALLOWED IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS AND A FEW MADE IT WANTING TO BE JUST LIKE YOU !!! R.I.P. ASSISSIN !! PEACE ALL !! JEDUNK3

Quote of the Day - Dez Bryant

Ok, this quote did not come from the AFC West, but ESPN Dallas on the recent brewhaha between Dez Bryant and Roy Williams regarding the "tradition" of a rookie carrying the veteran's shoulder pads after practice. After today's practice, here is Dez's response:

"I didn't know nothing about no tradition"

In the comments, the following was posted:

"Apparently he doesn't not know nothing about the English language either."

I think someone needs to check and see what classes Dez attended at Oklahoma State because I do not think he saw the inside of an English class during his time there.

Decker Signs . . . But Is He Fully Recovered?

Eric Decker, the 87th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, signed a four-year $4.8 million max deal with a $732,150 signing bonus today with the Denver Broncos. The University of Minnesota wide receiver has been rehabbing a left foot injury during the off-season. Decker suffered a devastating lisfranc injury to his left foot at Ohio State on Oct. 24 which caused an end to his college career.

Critics are wondering whether Eric will be able to regain his form and have the pro-speed required for wide receivers in the NFL. There are some who compare Decker to Ed McCaffrey because of his ability to read defenses, run clean and accurate routes, along with his reputation of gathering everything thrown his way.

I would think Denver would not being signing Decker to a four year deal if his foot was not recovering as predicted; however stranger things have happened in the NFL. My question you all is simply . . . . would you sign Eric Decker, yes or no, and why. Pretty simple!!

The Kool-Aid Is Even Looking Good In KC!

These are done by one of the regular bloggers on Arrowhead Pride. Probably more than a little biased here, but I really do like these.
http://www.chrissembower.com/

On The Brink Of Signing

Jon Asamoah, G, Illinois - Signed (4-years, $2.7M; ~$900,000 guaranteed). There's still an issue of a couple thousand dollars in the guaranteed money to work out. But apparently both sides have agreed in principle to the deal on the table.

Asamoah may be one of the more important draft picks for KC this year. Brian Waters is long in the tooth and Ryan Lilja isn't too far behind him. And with a weak depth chart, Asamoah will be called upon to produce early. He was the 2nd rated guard in the draft this year on several boards. A few of the talking heads predicted him going mid to late second, but fortunately for the Chiefs, he fell to the third.

A three year starter at Illinois, he has all the measurables you could want in a guard, has great numbers, played in the run-first Big Ten, and is known to have a nasty streak. Asamoah's numbers consistently improved each year but he was only able to garnish 2nd Team All Big Ten honors in his senior year.

His length makes him tough to beat in pass blocking. He tends to stand a little tall, but he has good balance and is able to compensate. He can be caught off guard by a strong first move, but it is rare to find a guy that can pull it off. He has good footwork and is agile enough to catch late blitzers.

As would be expected in what appears to be a run-first offense, Asamoah is a beast in the run game. He's an outstanding drive blocker that has shown the physicality and strength to push DTs and NTs out of the hole and turn them away. He gets low on the line and has good leverage. Not an exceptional blocker on the move. He tends to stay too tall and can get knocked around, but he has the strength and agility to recover.

It's always hard to judge linemen making the jump to the NFL, but the Big Ten is known for producing some hogs. Saw enough of him to hate while he was at Illinois, but I have no problem rooting for him now.

Predictions for this season: Rotational backup. Will get some opportunities to play at RG behind Ryan Lilja. Starter of the future.

Tough Road to Success - Demaryius Thomas

As you all know, Demaryius Thomas was the first receiver picked the 2010 draft. This Denver Broncos rookie has the size and talent to upgrade the Broncos passing game. Maybe his strongest trait is his maturity and focus. In a recent article, we find out that Demaryius could have ended up like many outcasts in our society. His family life was initially full of drugs and strangers with crack pipes entering his house. Lindsay H. Jones, of the Denver Post, provides a peek behind the curtain, so to speak, of this young man's journey from Montrose, Georgia to soon becoming a Denver Bronco and playing in the NFL.

Broncos rookie receiver Demaryius Thomas has run a tough route to success

It is a deeply moving story about this young man's ability to overcome seeing his mother and grandmother sent to prison at the age of 12, finding stability with extended family, and growing up to be successful in life and football. Take the opportunity to read the complete article because it will (or may if you are manly man . . . LOL) a tear to your eye and warmth to your heart.

Regardless of you are rooting for in the AFC West, this story brings positive energy about a man, who just happens to be a football player. DT will be success in life . . . period. We Broncos fans just hope he can be a success in Denver for years to come!

FORGOTTEN HEROES!

THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY NAMES MENTIONED WHEN TALKING HOF , MEN WHO JUST SEEM TO BE OVER LOOKED ! AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP ONE FORGOTTEN HERO . BORN TO BLIND PARENTS THIS MAN BECAME A HIESMAN TROPHY WINNER AND WEATHERED A LONG ROAD UNTIL GIVEN A CHANCE BY AL DAVIS WHEN THE STARTING JOB CAME HE LED THE SILVER AND BLACK TO TWO SUPERBOWL VICTORIES . IF YOU CHECK HIS STATS THERE WORKMAN LIKE FOR HIS CARRER BUT WHEN GIVEN THE TOOLS THIS MAN PROVED TO BE A LEADER OF MEN AND A CLASS ACT ! SO I SAY AFTER AIR CORYELL IS INDUCTED AND IF THERE LOOKING FOR THAT THROW BACK PLAYER TO INDUCT LET IT BE JIM PLUNKETT !! WHEN TALKING STABLER I OFTEN GET CHARACTER ISSUES IS WHY , WITH BROWN HE SHOULD BE A NO BRAINER , BUT THIS CAST AWAY AL DAVIS PUT ON THE ROSTER CAME THRU BIG TIME ! JUST MY THOUGHTS . WHO DO YOU THINK IS THAT JOURNEYMAN GUY WHO SHOULD BE INSHRINED ??

WHY NO CELEBRATION ?

FROM BILLY WHITE SHOES FUNKY LIKE CHICKEN TOO CHAD (IM GOING TO CHANGE MY NAME AGAIN )OCHO CINCOS RIVER DANCE TOO MAYBE THE SHOW STOPPER HIMSELF T. OWENS I ASK , WHAT THE FLIPPIN HELL IS WRONG WITH THE CELEBRATION !!?? WHEN A MAN SCORES CANT HE DANCE ?? YES I SAY HE CAN ! EVEN BACK IN MY DAY WHEN I HIT THE END ZONE IT WAS TIME TO CELEBRATE (GET MINE ) ! SO I STAND HERE ASKING WHAT LIGITAMATE REASON CAN YOU GIVE THIS LOYAL FAN OF THE END ZONE SCHUFFLE HOW IS IT DISTRACTING ! IF ITS IN THE END ZONE AND ITS NOT IN BAD TASTE I SAY DO THE CELL CALL HOME , A FAKE PUT IS OK BY ME ! PROPS MIGHT BE EXCESSIVE BUT UNLESS ITS IN BAD TASTE WHY FINE ?? I SAY TO CELEBRATE IN THE END ZONE IS EARNED ! BRING BACK THE CELEBRATION !! MAYBE I DONT UNDERSTAND THE RULE ? MAYBE THE DANCE IS JUST A DYING FAD AND ITS JUST PART OF MY MIDDLE AGE HISTORY ? IF SO THAN I SAY FAREWELL DEAR FRIEND AND THANKS FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT AS I WILL LOOK FOWARD TO THOSE RARE TIMES YOU MAKE THE HIGHLIGHT REEL! IN CONCLUSION I SAY TO THEE,,,,,,,,, TEBOW !

Friday Fun: Stolen Chargers-Raiders Truck Found

Now here's something you don't see everyday.

Yes, it's a truck that is painted half Raiders and half Chargers. If you are like me then you're initial thought is: WTF?

Well, this is actually a feel good story. I know it may be off topic and that it's not as relevant to our humble blog as signing draft picks or restricted free agents. But I think it is still interesting.

Earlier this week this unique vehicle was stolen from its owners, Emily and Angel Cuadra, in National City. Yesterday the vehicle was spotted in Spring Valley (like it's not that hard to notice this truck from all the rest...) and returned to Emily and Angel.

Emily, the wife, is a Charger fan.

Angel, the husband, is a Raider fan.

They've been married 15 years.

Wow.

Personally, I don't know if I could be married to someone who is a Raiders' fan unless she looked like Kate Beckinsale or Jessica Biel. But props to these two... I can only imagine what their house is like on the two dates each season when the Raiders and Chargers tango.

If you want to read a little more about the story, check it out here: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/sports/Stolen-Chargers-Raiders-Truck-Found-99069279.html

Chiefs Ink Moeaki

4 years, $2.47mil. That's the current worth of 3rd rd pick, 6-4 250lbs TE Tony Moeaki, to the Kansas City Chiefs. Moeaki becomes the 3rd Chiefs draft pick to sign with the club.

He's probably one of the most anxiously watched rookies on the Chiefs roster. Moeaki was predicted as a 1st rd pick as early as his freshman year by some pundits. Injuries ended up costing him two rounds in this year's draft. The Kansas City faithful are hoping that the Chiefs managed to grab one of the steals of the draft with the young Iowa alum.

Moeaki was a career starter at Iowa and was named to the team's Leadership Group in 2007, 2008, and 2009. He was a 2009 All-Big Ten athlete and a semi-finalist for the John Mackey Award. He was named Permanent Captain for the 2009 season.

Known most for his blocking ability, Moeaki put on a clinic all season along against some of the top DEs in college football, including Derrick Morgan in the Orange Bowl. He also demonstrated excellent pass catching and route running, despite playing in the "3 yards and a cloud of dust" Big Ten.

He doesn't possess the natural athleticism of Tony Gonzalez, but is considered a more rounded TE with his ability to block. It would appear that he will see extended playing time and is projected to be in a battle for the starter's role with Leonard Pope and Brad Cottam.

Predictions for this season: Starter by Week 9. 15-20 receptions. 3 TDs.

Diamonds In The Rough

I got to thinking about this certain topic when someone in the ESPN AFC West blog mentioned that Tim Tebow is the hardest working person to get into the NFL. I disagreed with the poster mainly because it seems to me that Tebow came up from a healthy upbringing so he didn't have to deal with some hardships like losing family members or being homeless. And then I got to thinking, will Tebow be the hardest working person now that he is in the NFL. And to that too I disagree. It is true that Tebow will have the motivation to prove plenty of doubters wrong but imagine a player that excelled in college, showered with praise by the students, revered in his hometown, and has that feeling that 'hey maybe I will be in the nfl,' only to not have his phone ring during the days the NFL draft is held. And then the undrafted player receives a phone call to come to camp and compete for at most three spots against 20 other highly motivated undraftees. And even if they do make the cut, ever year or even every game could be their last until they have definitely proven themselves to the team. These players are the hardest working in the NFL. The biggest of them all I think is Kurt Warner, but the Chargers are littered with them most notably:

Antonio Gates. Who in my opinion will at the least end his career as #1B to Gonzo's #1A as the best tight end to play in the NFL.

Kris Dielman. Talk about coming from nowhere, Kris has been a probowler 3 of the 5 years he's started for the team.

Stephen Cooper. Not exactly the tackling machine that Donnie Edwards was, but Stephen has more and more every year taken the leadership role for the Chargers defense.

Malcolm Floyd. M80 has shown flashes of brilliance opposite of VJ, and this coming season will see how he is as the number one wideout.

Other key Chargers' undraftees: Jacques Cesaire (starter), Ogemdi Nwagbuo (starter), Mike Tolbert, Brandyn Dombrowski, Steve Gregory, David Binn, Jyles Tucker, and Antwan Applewhite.


I tried thinking about other key UFA's in the AFC West but the only ones I can really think of are Brian Waters(awesome guard) and Corey Mays of the Chiefs and Tommy Kelly and Hiram Eugene of the Raiders. I would like to include Tyler Polumbus for the Broncos, but personally I thought he played horrible filling in for Ryan Harris.

Chargers' Thoughts: Signing Ryan Mathews

As mentioned over on the ESPN AFC West blog and in Kevin Acee's S.D. Union Tribune article, Ryan Mathews is eager to get into camp and start working. He has been driving home the point that he wants to sign as quickly as possible.

Great.

Love to hear that.

But I have a hard time believing it is going to be that easy.

Here is a reason to be optimistic: (From Kevin Acee's article) "The player expected to take over for LaDainian Tomlinson as the team’s primary ball carrier has demonstrated in several conversations since the Chargers moved up 16 spots to select him 12th overall that he might be the type to sign on time. And his agent, Frank Bauer, is one of the rare agents Smith speaks to personally. According to several who were present, Smith and Bauer engaged in a lengthy conversation at Fresno State’s Pro Day this spring."

Here is reason to be pessimistic: (Again, from Acee's article) "First-rounders are always the last to sign, because of the money and more complicated contracts involved. With a possible lockout looming in 2011, the signings at the top of the draft could take even longer. If a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached, the suspicion is that the owners will lock out players on the first day of the new league year, at the beginning of March. At issue for all new contracts, including those of rookies, is when certain bonuses would be due. If, for instance, a player signs a deal with a bonus due March 15, 2011, he would not get that bonus if a lockout has already commenced."

Across the entire league, not a single first round draft pick has signed with his team. And only one 2nd round pick has been signed (Some bloke with the Jets). And we are about a week away from most teams opening up their training camps. The truth is, the water surrounding contract negotiations is murky. No one is ready to jump in cause they can't see how deep or shallow it is. I doubt we will see a lot of first round picks signing contracts anytime soon. The uncertainty of a new CBA is making owners and GM's proceed with very cautious steps.

(Kevin Acee's full article: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/19/mathews-earnest-but-pragmatic/)

AFC West Sleepers, Busts and Breakouts

I'm not sure if you guys have heard of the website, Stitcher.com, but it's basically a Pandora for podcasts and radio shows. They have a station devoted strictly to fantasy football podcasts. I listen to podcasts almost all day at work and yesterday I was getting caught up on the various fantasy football podcasts when I came across the cbssports.com fantasy football podcast from 7/13. They gave a breakdown of each team in the AFC West and their sleepers, busts and breakouts for each team. Here's a link: http://podcasts.cstv.com/feeds/fantasyfootball.xml
They start talking about the AFC West around the 24 minute mark. Enjoy!

~Ryan

MIKE MITCHELL . MORE THAN A HITMAN !?? OR IS A HITMAN ENOUGH ??

this guy can hit , this guy can fire up his team , this guy was drafted way higher than anyone expected ?? of course , were talking al davis here !! he couldnt stay healthy but has spent the whole offseason working on improvement . can this guy be the hawk that breaks wrs off on a weekly basis. can this guy help stop the run and sneak up on qbs and yell BOO !?? mitchell is part of what i like too call oaklands reach for draft picks ! until this recent draft ofcourse . many had him going in the 7th or signed undrafted , however he has skils so even a 5th round would have made sence . you know me loyal oakland too the end , so with that in mind i hope davis saw something special . me i sure like the way this guy can hit !!! if you havnt seen this guy check him out out youtube !! whats your thoughts ?

Make A Wish: Jailen Cooper

For those of you that did not catch espn's story today, here is a link to the complete video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs8wEu36NZE&feature=related

Really good stuff.

Classy Move For A Classy Guy

Kansas City just signed Eddie Kennison to one of the most important contracts an NFL player can ever sign: the ceremonial one-day contract. Kennison will now officially retire as a Kansas City Chief.

I know some of you are saying "Who?" while others might even be saying "Who cares?". Kennison never lived up to his expectations. Drafted #18 overall out of LSU by the Rams in 96, Eddie bounced around the league (including a stop in Denver that was mutually unpleasant) before arriving in Arrowhead. He was one of Trent Green's favorite targets and quietly produced a solid career as the team's #2 receiving threat behind Tony Gonzalez.

Eddie has now taken to the airways, hosting a radio show in KC. He still remains a close affiliate of the team and has even gone out of his way to continue mentoring guys like Dwayne Bowe and Quentin Lawrence.

Eddie's comments on the contract:

"I am honored and humbled to officially conclude my NFL playing career as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs," Kennison said. "My family is extremely grateful to the Hunt family, Scott Pioli and the Chiefs organization for making this moment possible. Kansas City has a special place in our hearts, and has truly become our home. I feel very blessed to have been extended the opportunity to retire as a member the Chiefs."

It's nice to see that it's not always the big names that get these kinds of deals. Sometimes an organization will go out of it's way to honor someone who really just gave their all for the team. A very classy move by Clark Hunt and Scott Pioli. Now get some frickin draft picks signed!

Oakland Signs Ford

The Oakland Raiders have signed fourth round pick Jacoby Ford. Ford is a wide receiver from Clemson. He is an extremely fast wide out with some questions about his hands. Look for him to return kicks along with Jonnie Lee Higgins, as well as push Higgins for the fourth WR spot behind Chaz Schilins, Derrius Heyward-Bey, and Louis Murphy. The Raiders have now signed six of their nine draft picks and are still waiting for agreements from 1st round pick Rolondo McClain, 2nd rounder Lamarr Houston, and their final pick, defensive back Stevie Brown.

T.O. in the AFC West?

As the months drag on until the 2010 NFL season begins, one of the games most infamous stars has yet to be signed. Terrell Owens has gotten very little interest by any team so far and, honestly, has no one to blame but himself. The former San Francisco 49er/Philadelphia Eagle/Dallas Cowboy/Buffalo Bill wants to play for a team on the cusp of winning a Super Bowl and insists that he has gotten a bad rap and his talents are not diminished. He says he can be productive for 2 or 3 more years.

Over the past few months we have all heard the many rumors that may link TO to one of the AFC West teams. Although it is mere speculation, lets brake it down and then I will discuss the NFL team which i feel is his most likely landing spot for 2010.

Kansas City Chiefs
Though TO has never really been linked here, and recent reports have surfaced saying he does not get along with the KC's head coach, lets ponder what it would be like if Owens was a Chief. My personal opinions are that it would be a terrible fit. What can TO bring to the Chiefs that they do not already have? Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers are the obvious starters. Chambers is a veteran that can mentor the younger KC receivers. Bowe is entering his fourth year but has been working hard to regain his early form. So maybe TO would make a nice slot WR? It seemed pretty obvious Owens has lost a step and will not be quick enough for all the different slot routes, unlike the rookie Dexter McCluster. The only thing I think TO would bring to the Chiefs is competition to push Bowe during camp. The Verdict: No way.

Denver Broncos
Again, not much to link Owens here. As far as personnel goes, I can see this working. After exiling number 1 receiver Brandon Marshall to Miami, Denver has a very young group of unproven wide receivers. In my opinion, right now Gaffney is the best option for Orton to throw to. Eddie Royal must show which WR he is after a great rookie year and a less than stellar sophomore season. Decker and Thomas are both rookies and the Broncos could use a veteran, hard working wide out. Also, Owens wants to play for a playoff team, and Denver has a shot at that. However, I do not see this happening. Say what you will about head coach Josh McDaniels, but there is no denying that the man has a zero tolerance for "divas". The Verdict: highly unlikely.

Oakland Raiders
There have been no confirmed rumors in this matching, but has definitely been tossed around. Oakland is another team that lacks a true veteran wide receiver, and Oakland has not been shy to take a chance on troubled players and to give them all the money they ask for. The Raiders had a pretty bad problem with dropped balls, and though Owens does not have the best hands in the league, he would definitely be a threat and draw some attention. However, Schillens is the clear number one and the Raiders have invested too much in Derrius Heyward-Bay to not start him for at least one more year. The Raiders third WR, Louis Murphy, has high expectations after an impressive rookie year. In addition, the culture seems to be changing in Oakland and I'm not sure if Owens will work well with head coach Tom Cable and new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. Finally, as stated earlier, Owens only wants to play for a Super Bowl contender or they very least a playoff team, and though the Raiders have unquestionably improved this offseason, it remains to be seen if they are going to be a playoff team this year. The Verdict: Unlikely, but could change barring injuries to wide outs

San Diego Chargers
This one is interesting to me, though I know that reports surfaced today saying it wont happen. With top WR Vincent Jackson all but set to hold out for a good portion of the season, the Chargers will be down one big receiver. San Diego fits Owen's desire for a contender, and would provide a nice target for Philip Rivers. Also, who wouldn't want to play half their season in sunny San Diego? But after the signing of Josh Reed, the chances of this pairing became very unlikely. Then, whatever small chance that was left was completely erased after GM A.J. Smith was quoted as saying the following; “We’re all set right now with our receivers. I don’t want to be involved. A lot of people have us targeted, but they know I wouldn’t do it". The Verdict: Nope.

So there you have it. The chances of Owens calling the AFC West home are slim to none. It is a little unfortunate when you think about all the trouble he is having finding a team. Yes he has had problems in the locker room. But in a league where alleged molesters, drug abusers, drunk drivers, and a bunch of other problem players have no problem finding a team, Owens may deserve better. Say what you will, but he has always been entertaining to the NFL. So what team is he most likely to sign with? Well, I see him signing with, drum roll please, the New York Jets! When you look at the players Rex Ryan's team has brought in, I don't see Owens as being someone they wouldn't look at. Owens would absolutely consider the Jets a playoff team/championship contender, and he would be an upgrade over Braylon Edwards.

Of coarse all of this is speculation, so let me offer one guarantee. No matter what team TO signs with, or whether he signs at all, I promise, I will get my pop corn ready. Pop corn is delicious and is a great snack with football and a cold one.

KC's Safety Dilemma

This is a reprint of a post I did on Arrowhead Pride. The background on it is that KC has only one veteran player currently not under contract. Jarrad Page has submitted a formal request for a trade and so of course, it's one of the big stories amongst the Chiefs faithful. ESPN recently confirmed (what Chiefs fans have known for weeks) that Detroit has expressed interest in the 4th year safety. Here's my thoughts on what could be the weak(est) point in the KC defense.



Early on, this offseason showed quite a bit of promise for the Chiefs. We were active in Free Agency, had what many experts called a very smart draft, and had almost 100% attendance at OTAs and Minicamp.

Almost.

No Jarrad Page. At first, there wasn't much need for concern. Page had Tweeted his excitement about lining up with Eric Berry, Brandon Flowers, and Brandon Carr in the secondary. And most fans had known that he would be one of the big contracts to keep an eye on. Coming off an injury shortened season and facing the looming CBA talks and possible lockout, it's hard to imagine that a common ground could be met quickly.

Now, things aren't looking so good. We have heard virtually nothing from either side about what is going on. The only things we know are that Page's camp has formally requested a trade and KC has essentially snubbed any offers so far.

So now we are left with two questions: What will happen with Jarrad Page? And if Page is gone, who lines up opposite Eric Berry?

As for what will happen with Page; the formal trade request has two purposes. The first is obvious: a player wants to leave. The second reason is to gauge interest and determine the value of a player. If Page wants out and KC is willing to abide, the question becomes "who needs a safety?" The team that immediately jumps out is Detroit. Like the Chiefs last year, the Lions safety position could be listed as a liability. There is no doubt that they could use Page and that he would be an immediate starter. So what do the Lions have to offer? A lot of young talent and a few veterans at positions of interest (if not need) for the Chiefs. There are three players (IMO) on the Lions roster that could be of interest to Pioli & Co. Dennis Northcut, Sammie Lee Hill, and Deandre Levy.

Northcut (WR) is a veteran and has been around the block. But he is an average receiver at best and is well past playing at his best. He wouldn't be an upgrade over Jerheme Urban and would likely be fighting for a roster spot. It is likely that he was a part of the Lions original offer to KC considering they now have Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson on the outsides. This would be a steal for the Lions as they would get a starter with big play ability and KC would be stuck with a guy who might not even make the team.

Hill (DT) is massive. He is bigger than both Ron Edwards and Shaun Smith. He is a run stuffer that is projected to rotate in Detroit's 4-3 on running downs. That makes him a luxury and not a necessity to the Lions. This could be a very solid move for the Chiefs as they would gain a possible NT who is very young and could probably compete for a starting role next season.

Levy (MLB) is an excellent run stuffing LB. He attacks the line and is a sure tackler. He has a lot of upside. The Chiefs could see him as a replacement for Derrick Johnson within the next couple of years. The problem is that Detroit loves Levy and might not be willing to part with him. This will come down to which position and player the Lions front office values the most.

So if we do ship Page off. What do we do at safety? It is clear that Eric Berry is expected to start and play well. But who do we line up next to him. The current options are John McGraw, Dejuan Morgan, Kendrick Lewis, Reshard Langford, and possibly Donald Washington.

McGraw is probably one of the best Special Teams players in the league. He knows football and plays hard. But he doesn't have the athletic talent that you want in a starting safety. He filled in for us at safety last year when Page went down, and teams promptly took advantage of that.

Morgan has been a disappointment so far in KC. He's athletic and has shown ability at times but is generally picked on when he's on the field. The NFL game simply seems too much for him so far in his career.

Lewis has turned a couple of heads in KC. He doesn't have blazing speed, but he is instinctive and reads plays very well so he is able to get in positions. He could very easily be an every day starter within a couple years, but probably shouldn't be rushed. KC has lined up a pair of rookies at safety before and now one is a reliable player for another team and the other is requesting a trade. And neither saw their potential met in KC.

Langford is a career Special Teams player. He doesn't really figure to be a part of the battle at safety and his listing at that position is more of a formality.

Washington has been the subject of some talk. It is possible that the Chiefs want to move him to safety so that he can use his range to cover deep. I would think that he'd need at least one season as a back up before we really considered him for the starting position.

I, for one, really don't like any of these options. I simply don't believe that any of these options are ready to start. So my answer would be to look at the free agent market. There are only three names out there that could really receive any attention IMO. Mike Brown, Jermaine Phillips, and Manquard Manuel are all veterans that could help teach Kendrick Lewis and Eric Berry the ins and outs of safety in the NFL.

Brown leaves a bad taste in the mouths of most Chiefs fans. He waited until KC to put up the worst season of his career which explains the current lack of interest in him. He's close to retirement and doesn't appear to have anything left in the tank. But if the Chiefs defense has improved at all, it wouldn't be too far fetched to think that Brown could have a better showing this time around.

Phillips has been around the league for a while and has learned a lot. He's lost a step but would probably gladly embrace the role of mentor for a 1 year deal. He is the highest rated free agent at safety on the ESPN boards and would probably rate the most attention from a safety-needy team.

Manuel was a reliable starter for Detroit until injuries got a hold of him last year. His injury concerns are the reason that Detroit hasn't brought him back already. Of course, it's also the reason that no one else is beating down his door. KC could probably be a good fit for Manuel even with his injuries. Lewis or Washington could be functional as starter by mid to late season which means the team wouldn't have to rely on Manuel for the whole year. That helps limit the risk of signing a player with injury concerns.

This could turn out to be quite the soap opera for KC this year. Or it could all be a result of the fans having too much time, not enough information, and an easily accessible forum to drive themselves and each other crazy. I am personally hoping that Page returns, even if it's just for this year. One more season in KC would probably see him at his best because he would know that he is playing for his future in the league. And I would be much less wary of Kendrick Lewis starting next year. But hey, it's just a game. Right?

Fantasy League for 2010

Hey everyone. So I will be setting up a fantasy league, likely tomorrow night. Everyone who is interested in joining please leave a comment with your email so I can invite you and see how big to make this league. Once we have a lot of members be sure to check for updates because I want to set up a live draft time that most people will be available for (I'm thinking sometime later in August just to try and limit the possibility of someone's 1st round pick getting injured in camp!). Okay, that is it, so let me know!

BUSH SHOULD BE THE LEAD BACK IN OAKLAND .

HAVING READ ALL I CAN STAND ON THE BUSH MCFADDEN SITUATION IN OAKLAND HERE MY TRUTH ! mcfadd hasnt been able to stay healthy , he is a first round pick getting top five money . mcfadd is a versital speedster who raider fans hope and want to put up r. bush like numbers ( not r. bush numbers we thought he could do but what he put out last year ). next , m. bush powerful smashmouth back with good speed and hands , to note bush suffered injury witch allowed oakland to score with a mid round pick . if you remember this guy was a dominate player in collge until his injury ! now some say give mc fadd the start hes the big dollar first rounder . the way i figure for oakland it doesnt matter who starts unless you are going up aginst a team thats d- is weak in the middle than start bush . my point is oakland has the two back tandem most teams in the nfl want or are tring to build , so bush 20-30 carries a game and most of the in close goalline carries . with that i see bush breaking out with 1000+ yards and 8+ tds . mcfadd 15+ touches agame . with i expect to translate 800+ yds and 8+ tds . too some this is speculation even wishful thinking . thats my take ! what do you think !

Madden 11 league.

Me and a few buddies always play a season of madden and we have about 8-10 guys that are regulars. If anyone would like to join and just have fun with some pretty laid back fellas feel free to join us. Add Chiefwes to your buddy list on xbox live and I'll make sure you get in. We go through the draft and all that so its in depth and interactive. Also I play a lot of Modern warfare and if anyone likes that I would gladly pick you up for some playing and trash talk. Thanks and have a good day.

John Madden Quotes from Don Coryell's Memorial

It's been a little over two weeks since the passing of legendary coach Don Coryell on July 1, 2010. But the praise and remembrance for the man who helped revolutionize the modern passing game continues to pour in.

Earlier this week, the equally legendary coach and a former defensive assistant for Don Coryell's staff at SDSU during the early 1960's, John Madden shared some emotional words about his former coach and subsequent rival...

"He got me started really, I was at Hancock College and Don hired me back 40 years ago," Madden said. "I learned everything from him. I learned how to be a head coach."

"You know, I'm sitting down there in front, and next to me is Joe Gibbs, and next to him is Dan Fouts, and the three of us are in the Hall of Fame because of Don Coryell," Madden said, pausing to compose himself while delivering a eulogy at San Diego State's basketball arena. "There's something missing."

Said Dan Fouts as he began his eulogy: "I'm Dan Fouts, and I never thought I'd ever say, 'Good job, John Madden..."

Said Madden before the service: "Sometimes it's just getting there, and I feel in Don's case, he will be. So it's not, 'Is Don a Hall of Fame coach or not?' It's just, 'When does he go in?' It's just a shame that he didn't go in before now."

I appreciate John Madden's thoughts about his former coach. Personally, I became a die-hard fan of the blue and gold lightning bolts because of Don Coryell. His high-flying offense is how I was introduced to the Chargers. I was hooked as a young kid watching Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, Wes Chandler, Charlie Joiner, Bobby Scales and John Jefferson run Coryell's innovative offense to perfection.

Don will always be my all-time favorite Bolts head coach for obvious reasons. He will be missed and this fan is extremely sad that he wasn't inducted into Canton sooner.

raider rookie class 2010

RAIDER ROOKIES .
the afc westlooks to have had a solid draft all together from oakland not chasing fast feet or big arms til the fourth round ( its about time big al !!) , to coach mcd out in denver putting most of his eggs in the tebow baskett( i myself have high hopes for tebow but i dont think it had to be at such a high price ??) . to k.c . mcluster and berry look to contribute on the now . and the afc west team to beat the bolts drafting mathews in the first to up there yards per carry , its life after hof l.t and i think mathews fits the bill here and helps this offence right away ! but back to the beloved silver and black ! first round r. mcclain the word on him is he already is gaining the locker rooms respect . you know that guy davis drafts every so often that you just want to say al you done good , this is the guy ! in the second oaktown stayed true too needs and went d-line with l. houston. guy looked big and strong in college , i hope this carries over to the nfl as we need to close the open door for backs , witch has been called the d-line! in the third the raiders were gifted with tha avalability of e. veldheer . as all rooks needs polishing but more than likely will protect j. cambells blind side , effective immediately ! although only played 18 games ( correct me if im wrong ) i beleive our first pick at for b. campbell will bring the BOOM STICK ( a guy named bruce campbell all he has to do now is earn the nickname ash for the way he dusts the d-line !) at gaurd right away and eventauly have the oppertunity to move to rt . and now our second pick in thefourth als speed fix j .ford wr - kr - pr . this guy can turn on the jet !! next in the fifth at cb w mcfadden we may have found our bookend for namdi here ! in the sixth at ilb t gothel and at seventh db j ware at this time i have nothing to report an either . i will research both . bleedsilverandblack and dinoartist turned me onto youtube for player tape but im sure most of you already have that knowledge . seven years , thats how long the raidernation has endured ! but now with a solid draft , a few key pickups a pulse has been found !! GO NATION ! THANKS GUYS AND GALS FOR READING AS THIS IS MY FIRST SERIOUS POST A LITTLE THIN IN THE END BUT I HOPE ITS ENOUGH TO START A CONVERSATION ! AND YES I MENTIONED TEBOW !! PEACE ALL !

Calling All Authors...

Hey guys... I contacted a few of you about becoming contributors to the blog for your favorite team. If you are still interested I need you to give me your email addresses so I can invite you to become an author.

With "author" status you will be able to make posts about anything and everything your team has going on.

Whenever you get a chance, drop me an email. It's available through my profile.

Thanks!

~Dino

Fantasy League for the Blog

Okay, so a lot of people seem to be down for putting together our own league. I think its a great idea and will add more fun to our humble little piece of the internet.

So who wants to take the reigns and be the commish? So far I have two nominations...

1.Bleed_silverandblack

2.Vierasunshine

Personally, I don't really care who is the commissioner or where we decide to host the league (NFL.com, Yahoo, CBS Sports...).

So please discuss your opinions and thoughts about the league here.

Gracias! ~Dino

Rookie highlights.

1. Dexter McCluster one of the guys I'm most excited about...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb-chWh64Dc
2. Javier Arenas got to admit I didn't know to much about him but looks like he might be a good return guy...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUR4nLYlQtM&feature=related
3. Eric berry..Ok I got a man crush....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-PG04d4-sI
4. Tony moeaki...Got some Big shows to fill from another Tony but if he can be half as good were set....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GoGPZ-43CY&feature=related
5. Jammal Charles..Ok I know he isn't a rookie but still a ton of fun to watch this guy so consider this a bonus..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRDJg6cW5lc

AFC West Chiefs forum.

Let me start by telling you a little about myself. My name is Wes and I lived in KC my whole life Right beside Arrowhead and have been a fan for more years than I care to admit. I'll try my best to bring some information and discussions to the blog. Nick has laid out some rules that are easy to understand and abide by. So As fans let's try to have a good place for people to come and discuss things maturely. I'm all for healthy debate and I know people have differences in opinions. But keep it civil. I'll be posting Pics and touch on some hot topics as much as I can. I look forward to talking to everyone and as time goes by I'll get better at the blog thing.

WELCOME TO "THE REAL AFC WEST FANS" ALTERNATIVE BLOG, PLEASE READ FIRST!!!

Welcome! If you are here then you are like me. You love football. You are a die-hard fan of your respective AFC West team. You thoroughly enjoy talking about football with others who share a similar passion.

If you are also like me, then you have grown completely weary from the childish back and forth immature verbal excrement found on the ESPN Blog, NFL.com or Yahoo! Sports boards.

Well, I created this little blog for us. This is where we can all respectfully converse, debate and YES, talk a little smack about the teams we root for and root against.

I believe in democracy. I believe in capitalism. I believe in free speech. But I also believe in being responsible and not acting like a complete dooshbag. You are free to let your voice be heard here. Everyone is welcome to join the debate. All I require is for you to follow a few simple rules:

1. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS. Be respectful. You can tell somebody they are wrong. But back up your reasons with valid, well-thought out points. Please don't resort to using childish name-calling tactics. It makes you look like a doosh.

2. NO POLITICS UNLESS IT PERTAINS TO THE NFL. Politics are a hotbed for dooshbag activity. There are political boards out there... go to them if you want to discuss your political points of view. Thank you.

3. NO RELIGION UNLESS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SAINTS OR FIGHTING IRISH. I have no problem with people's faith. Personally, I believe in God. But this is an NFL blog... not a God blog. There are plenty of those around for you Bible-thumpers as well. Thank you.

All I ask is that you respect these guidelines. By posting your comments you are agreeing to abide by them. If you cross the line and violate these simple requests you will get banned.

This blog is yours. Not mine. I just set it up and appointed myself as the uber-moderator to police against the dooshbags.

BTW, my real name is Nick (a.k.a. dinoartist). I'm a Charger fan. Been so for all my life. I know my team... I know more about the Chargers than most Charger fans. I'm a realist and I try to keep things in focus. You don't need to tell me the Chargers are a team without a Super Bowl. Don't you think I already know that??? LOL

Have fun guys and GO CHARGERS!!!