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.

   

2009 KC Royals

Thoughts on the KC Star's projected Royals lineup?

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.