Whitlock's grades...

I always look forward to "Professor" Whitlock's annual grades for the Chiefs and this year's were just as good as usual.  I've just read the article once, but, so far, my only complaint is that Whitlock gave Thigpen a C+ (78).  

Whitlock's main point is that Thigpen is not a franchise quarterback and had a low completion percentage (58%) even though he operated in the shotgun offense, which makes it easier for quarterbacks to complete passes.

Whitlock bases a player's grade on how well he meets or fails to meet Whitlock's preseason expectation for him.  Under this criteria, I'm not sure how Thigpen could receive anything besides an "A."  I assume that before the season started, there were no expectations for Thigpen since nobody had ever heard of him.  And, I would assume that, after the Atlanta game, everybody expected that Thigpen would or should be cut. 

Given these assumptions, and the fact that, after the Atlanta game, Thigpen threw for over 2,400 yards with 16 TDs (and 8 picks), I don't see how he could receive anything but an "A."  I think these are pretty good numbers for a guy who most people thought should have been cut in September.  Granted, he had some bad games at the end of the season (Den. SD. Cinn.), but he also does not have a lot of offensive power around him.    

Thigpen may not be a franchise quarterback.  He may not even be the quarterback next year.  But, given his experience level and the expectations for him this year, he had a pretty good year.  In fact, given his expectations, he probably had the best year of any Chief.  

Anybody have any thoughts on the "grades."

RROTW

The context of this photo should be a big hint. Bonus points for naming the St. Louis Cardinal in the picture.

Furcal close to signing with the Braves...

FoxSports.com has reported that Rafael Furcal is close to signing with the Atlanta Braves.  It is believed that, on Tuesday, Furcal will sign a three year deal that has a vesting option for a fourth year. 

Apparently, Oakland offered Furcal a four year deal, but he would prefer to return to one of his prior teams (Atlanta or L.A.).

Ding dong the witch is dead...

King Carl that is. I agree with Louie that this day should have come long ago, but I am happy that it has finally arrived. Carl Peterson helped make the Chiefs respectable but could never bring home a championship. The time for new leadership is long overdue. The real question, however, is what will Whitlock write about now that King Carl is gone?

The End of Carl

Personally I wish this day had come 4 or 5 years ago, but I am still glad the day has come. I would like to hear what you all think.

RROTW

Vega correctly identified Pat Tabler last week. Will he make it three for three? Or will somebody identify this random royal first? Kurt Outrageous, you should get this one, but my money is on Vega.

Royals non-tender four...

Bob Dutton reports that the Royals have non-tendered John Bale, Joey Gathright, Jason Smith and Jairo Cueva.  The Royals also resigned Esteban German to a one year deal.  The Royals did not release the terms of the German deal, but he made 1 million last year so I would assume that German will make, at least, that amount this year.

Of course, the Royals did not non-tender Buck or Teahen.  This means that, unless we make some more trades, our bench this year will, at least, include Buck (who made 2.2 million last year), Teahen (who made 2.3 million), Gload (1.3 million) and German (1 million).  Buck and Teahen are eligible for arbitration and will most likely receive some sort of raise.  So the Royals will spend, at least, 6.8 million dollars on these four bench players.   

The Royals won 75 games last year.  There is no reason for a 75 win team with a 70 million dollar payroll to spend approximately 10% of its payroll on its bench. This is just a waste of money.  Of course, individually, a person can make a case for each of these four players to remain on the team.  On the whole though, the Royals would be better off having four replacement type players on the bench making the league minimum and using the rest of the money to sign a high level free agent.

Of course, I am bound by the laws of logic and reason.  The Royals apparently are not.

   

Confirmed Coffman is Best Tightend in World

Chase Coffman won the award for Nation's best tightend. He was First-Team All-American as a tightend. Somehow the Big 12 coaches picked a loser Sooner as the best tightend in the Big 12. Hmmmm.

2009 KC Royals

Thoughts on the KC Star's projected Royals lineup?

Sooners victory over Missouri was a fluke

Shockingly, Oklahoma was able to pull out a huge win against the Missouri Tigers despite the Tigers 17 point underdog status. Must have been a fluke.

Moments after Saturday’s defeat, OU QB Sam Bradford told ABC sideline reporter Lisa Salters the Sooners were motivated by statements made by Missouri players calling OU’s last two wins over the Tigers “flukes.” An exhaustive search returned zero bulletin-board material coming from Missouri coaches, players or media last week.

I am baffled how the planets and stars must have aligned for the Sooners to have beaten the Tigers not just once...or twice....but three times. Clearly, flukes.

Random Royal of the Week

Vega was last week's winner by recognizing famed Royal reliever Steve Farr. As a hint for this week's RROTW, I remember watching this Royal play at Royals Stadium (before it was the K) when I first started going to Royals games in the late 80s (man I feel old).

No progress since Corby Jones era?

Whitlock concluded his most recent column by saying the Big 12 Championship game proved that the current Missouri Tigers are not better than the Tigers of the Corby Jones era. I think Whitlock is wrong and hyperbole prone. Oklahoma, as much as I hate to say it, is that good. Sure this season was a huge disappointment, but I think we've come a long way from the Corby Jones/Larry Smith era.

Anybody have a prediction for the Big 12 game? Unfortunately, I think Oklahoma will beat us 49-31. Of course, some will say that I am being pessimistic, but I think I am just being realistic. And, if we win, I will be pleasantly surprised instead of being disappointed. Post predictions in the comments and the person with the closest prediction gets to post on this blog for free for the next month.

Boomer Sooner

http://video.kansascity.videos.vmixcore.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=1574952&item_index=1423&genre_id=845&sort=date

Like Only "Mad" Mike DeArmond can do.

Peculiar Receiver Dominates World

Chase Coffman Named AFCA 1st-Team All-American
Senior Is Second-Straight Tiger Tight End To Earn The Honor
Dec. 4, 2008
Columbia, Mo. – University of Missouri senior tight end Chase Coffman (Peculiar, Mo.) has been named a 1st-Team All-American by the American Football Coaches’ Association (AFCA) for his outstanding play in 2008. Coffman has established himself as the top tight end in the country, and despite missing two games in November due to a foot injury, he has 79 catches for 872 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
Coffman is the second straight Tiger tight end to be named 1st-Team All-American by the AFCA, as he follows in the footsteps of 2007 All-American Martin Rucker, who is now playing for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.
The Big 12 Conference leader in receptions per game (7.90), Coffman ranks 5th in the NCAA among all players in the category, and he also ranks 6th in the Big 12 (20th in the NCAA) in receiving yards per game (87.20).
Earlier this season, Coffman established himself as the most prolific pass-catching tight end in NCAA Division I-A (FBS) history, breaking the former record of 217 catches by Louisville’s Ibn Green (1996-99). Coffman has 236 career receptions for 2,544 yards and an MU-record 29 touchdowns entering the final two games of his Tiger career.


Coffman and his teammates will play in their second-straight Big 12 Conference Championship Game this Saturday as they take on the Oklahoma Sooners in Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.

Next kU football coach

kU's athletic director has already found Mangino's replacement.

This article by Jason Whitlock was hysterical. If you haven't read enjoy!

Carl and Al: LOL for BFF
I am not at liberty to explain how I obtained a confidential instant-message exchange between Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson and Raiders owner Al Davis.
But I was able to verify that if this computer communication between Peterson and Davis did indeed happen on Tuesday, it reveals a troubling and hilarious relationship between two of the most outdated and inept football executives working today.
Enjoy.
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: Al, I apologize for not being able to personally thank you following our big victory over your Raiders on Sunday. It goes without saying that I will forever be in your debt.
DarthRaider@oldncrazy.com: Carl, don’t worry about it. Anything the Raiders organization can do to keep you employed within our division we are committed to making happen. We’ve read the reports back here that Clark Hunt is thinking about replacing you. The Raiders do not want to see that happen. We hope that 2-14 is enough progress for Clark to keep you and Herm Edwards around for at least one more season.
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: Al, we feel the same way about you here in Kansas City. The Chiefs need you in charge in Oakland so we have a shot at avoiding last place in the AFC West. Your stewardship of the Raiders has given us great pleasure in Kansas City. We love what you’re doing with JaMarcus Russell. I’m not sure we could’ve won that game without JaMarcus’ assistance.
DarthRaider@oldncrazy.com: Again, don’t worry about it. After the way Tyler Thigpen played in the first game, we felt like we owed you the best of JaMarcus Russell. If you notice, we made a point of putting the game in his hands rather than Darren McFadden’s.
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: That was great. McFadden ran for 160 yards in the first game, and he only ran it seven times in Oakland. THANK YOU!!!
DarthRaider@oldncrazy.com: We owed it to you. Hell, you drafted Glenn Dorsey. Would it really be fair for us to get maximum production from our talented rookie when your overweight rookie can’t get off the line of scrimmage? I wouldn’t do that to you, Carl. We’ve been milking the NFL for money for too long together for me to take advantage of your inability to draft.
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: Hey, you drafted JaMarcus Russell No. 1 overall. He’s as bloated and out of shape as our defensive tackle. We both know how to screw up a high draft pick.
DarthRaider@oldncrazy.com: Quit being so defensive. We all have our weak spots. You can’t draft and I run off good coaches. I’m comfortable with my weaknesses.
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: I drafted Derrick Thomas, Tony Gonzalez and Larry Johnson. You can’t hit them all.
DarthRaider@oldncrazy.com: You know what Derrick Thomas, Tony Gonzalez and Larry Johnson will get you?
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: What?
DarthRaider@oldncrazy.com: One playoff victory since 1993.
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: LOL. That’s about as funny as Tom Cable as head coach. Was Larry The Cable Guy unavailable? Wouldn’t return your calls?
DarthRaider@oldncrazy.com: Easy, Carl. Your guy Herm isn’t exactly setting the world on fire. He’s a defensive “guru” and his defense can’t get off the field.
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: Hey, why are we taking shots at each other? We both got what we wanted this weekend. I got a victory and can lie to my fan base and claim we’re making real progress. You helped me remain employed through the holidays. Happy Holidays, Al!
DarthRaider@oldncrazy.com: Happy Holidays to you, too. Speaking of the holidays, my wife saw a wonderful black leather trench coat she thought would be perfect for you. Are you still wearing the old one we got you as a thank you for selecting Trezelle Jenkins?
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: Funny you should mention Christmas. My wife and I were on the Plaza shopping the other night and spotted a lovely black leather sweat suit we thought you might like. And actually you sent me the original trench coat when I gave Carlton Gray a record contract. When we drafted Trezelle, you just sent flowers.
DarthRaider@oldncrazy.com: My memory is so bad. I can’t keep straight all the gifts I sent you. But I’ll never forget the black Mercedes we got you when you chose Elvis Grbac over Rich Gannon. You still driving that?
KingCarl@huntmoney.com: Hey, Al, it was good catching up. I gotta go. Mike Shanahan just e-mailed, and I have to assure him our defensive ends will continue to be fooled on every bootleg.