Practice Report 11/5 Update
From the Truman Sports Complex
Apparently bored with football talk around a 1-6 team, the media horde made the topic of conversation in the Chiefs locker room on Thursday about signage.
When the Chiefs returned from their bye weekend they found new slogans, placards and the like posted around the facility. The media got a look at one of those, because it’s posted in the hallway between the team’s locker room and the administrative offices. The sign reads:
“Losers assemble in small groups and complain about the coaches and other players. Winners assemble as a team and find ways to win.”
The signage came from Todd Haley and his coaching staff, and according to the coach was posted at this time because his assistant who was “in charge of signage and posters and he’s just been slow.”
“They are just word that I think are important,” Haley said. “They may be signs that I’ve had up in other places, or thoughts that we came up with as a staff. I think you’ll see more and more.
“They are little reminders to the players to keep them thinking about the direction they ought to be thinking.”
Haley said the posting of sayings and slogans has nothing to do with the situation involving Larry Johnson.
Back to football: defensive backs Jon McGraw and Mike Richardson were the only players missing from the Chiefs Thursday practice session, held under sunny skies and mild temperatures at the team’s facility.
McGraw was on site, but not taking part in the work. The veteran safety was in the rehab area, as he continues to deal with what has been described by the team as a leg muscle strain. That he’s not working in today’s practice makes it very doubtful that he’ll be availble on Sunday in Jacksonville.
Richardson is out because of illness for the second consecutive day, making his doubtful his particpation against the Jaguars. He had been the extra defensive back in the Chiefs nickel defense for the last two games.
C Rudy Niswanger was taking part in practice on that injured left knee.
I don’t want to make any of you guys angry, but I hope that McGraw never steps on the Defense again this year during a passing situation.
I mean yeah, through sheer will and determination he made his way from different teams and from special teams on the Chiefs to a starting role, but he has always been slow, with no top end speed, not even close to Flowers.
But after seeing him get his ankles broken by Sproles a couple of games ago, and showing next to no speed, this guy needs to be relegated to package plays only.
He can fly to the ball and has had a sack, but we need to put this guy in run situation only because he couldn’t chase even the slower receivers i truly believe that.
What’s the deal with developing defensive talent on this team this decade? I’m young but it was obvious to see Jared Allen whiffing on so many run plays in his first two years because all he ever did was rush the passer. I’m sure you guys can give testament to him being horrible on run support… but how did he magically become such a great player, was it really just him stopping the booze?
I don’t understand how Derrick Johnson hasn’t been as productive as he has.. If he were drafted by the Steelers or Ravens, I bet my bottom dollar he would have been an all world outside linebacker..
A little interesting to note that the comments for various topics are starting to wane with a 1-6 team. No surprise there.
My point is that we’re getting down to the diehard Chiefs fans, the ones that have either supported the team with ticket/merchandise purchases over the past many years, or those, like me, who live outside the KC market but remain loyal for various reasons.
For me, it’s because KC is my hometown and I was alive to live and regal in the glory days of the late 60s. Anyway, over the past many years we’ve seen the good, bad and ugly, have we not?
I wonder why we haven’t been more like the Steelers over the past several decades and less like what we are at present? It’s a legitimate question.
ThunderChief says:
“A little interesting to note that the comments for various topics are starting to wane with a 1-6 team. No surprise there.”
It’s a bye week, for one thing. I think everyone is a little hungover from all the LJ drama, too.
Things will pick back up after Sunday.
I’m still holding out hope that we’ll see some improvement in this team in the second half of the season. That starts at Jacksonville.
Bob,
No offense, but I would like to see more in depth coverage on practice…
like, is kolby smith still splitting carries with Charles?
Is Lance Long lining up in the slot? Chris Chambers, where is he at in practice today? It seems like you used to post more stuff like that, and now its just an snapshot of who did NOT practice.
I care more about the guys that practice and what they are doing…
I think he only has a slight window when media is allowed during practice. I agree, but dont think its his fault!
Don’t feel to bad ChuckDiesel, I feel the same about Niswanger at Center. He’s a hell of a guy and all that, but…
I think the lack of participation has more to do with the fact we haven’t had much to discuss lately. I do think you’ve got a point though ThunderChief about the fair weather crowd falling off. The loyal fans remain though and we post because it’s kind of like our version of coaches posting signs… It’s fun. P.S. What are the current odds on LJ being active after Jacksonville?
what a waste of time for haley haters…
WHO CARES ABOUT SIGNS
these things are in EVERY locker room, seriously, some of the BEST use inspirational quotes, war quotes, you name it, to gain an edge…
its just like the people who see chambers is signed and say “well I hate the move, Our OL still sucks” well DUH, the OL DOES SUCK, but so do a lot of other positions, this is a rebuild…
a new philosophy, a new attitude, guess what, thats a GOOD thing…if you think its not, fine, but the previous attitude had 6 wins in two years, the new one, now has a clean slate.
Some player’s career may have been miss handled by past coaches. But that is in the past, I do not believe we can sue or picket their homes. The new guys have to fix this. So far after a half a season, not much has been done. In fact I have been beating it to death, Haley team is not one minute better than the day he took over. But enough of that. Sunday if the Chiefs can run and stop the turn and not get beat with passes in the middle or deep, they have a legit chance to win.
those hard on bob must realize camp reports are far different than practice reports, ultimately, practice is very very closed and the reporters arent supposed to leak much…its a disadvantage to let another team know where everyone is lining up
not any better? how could he be? they didnt want to waste money on FA’s before they had a decent base of talent, they had NOTHING to work with…the scott pioli todd haley team will consist of this past draft, the next draft, and free agency this offseason…
if there isnt improvement next year, you can complain…but now? please…herm/vermeil both were terrible with drafting.
Sort of correct. But every organization has to make the FIRST move to correct the mistakes of the past. To give up on the 08 season before it started is unacceptable. Even for us fans. That is right, there is a lot of season left.
All that said, Pioli did nothing to inspire any confidence based strictly on his actions since hired. I refuse to believe Pioli chose to make this year, 2009, a LOST YEAR. And because you start out with nothing does not mean you keep shuffling more nothing and wait until some unknown date in the future. Seriously what is your opinion of why we have 4 TEs, time and money spent on WRs with no hope Cassel will not be hit before he can look for any of those slow WRs, and of course, why we only look to NE and MIA for bodies or depth.
I guess I got turned off from posting when there were problems with posters earlier this year. Just not much to really say with the way the team is playing. I just hope that they can address the OL problems better this next off season. As one poster stated I still believe Jared Allen still ignores the run to try getting to the QB. It’s now he has two tackles next to him whose job it is to stop the run. Just not sure why DJ is not playing up to his potential, other then he just doesn’t fit into this system, he also may be gone next year. I just hope they can turn it around with this next game. Go Chiefs!
James,
I hope you realize I was joking. Anybody who visits this site regularly should know I agree with you 100% and support Haley and Pioli including the signs. I think it’s way too premature to already write off the new coach and GM at this point. I also think the vitriol toward them in many cases is the intense dislike some have of the close lipped, hard assed old school approach they take. So be it. I say more of the same. But if we all agreed we wouldn’t have much to talk about.
If this has already been mentioned, I apologize – I don’t get to read this blog everyday. But, is it a REALLY bad sign when your team comes OUT of the bye week in worse injury shape than when we went in? Still love my Chiefs – beat those spotted cats!
If DJ doesn’t fit into 3-4 and he was in a 4-3 last year where does he fit. Those are the only base defenses ran in the NFL. The guy just has to learn how to be consistent and play like his hair is on fire every game and in every practice.
I’m like some of you I would love to see Morgan get the start Sunday. Mcgraw is slow Chuckdiesal and I do think he’s got heart, but the guy isn’t a starting safety in the league. He’s a good special team guy but he just doesn’t have the athleticism to play safety in the league. Morgan is a young guy with good speed, atheleticism, and the guy gets after it. I’m actually excited to see this guy get on the field and show some of what he’s shown in the presesaon.
El cid you kicking a dead horse. Get over it. No Pioli didn’t improve the o-line or wideouts. Its year one. This team had so many holes in it he wasn’t going to be fixed it in one offseason. Bottom line this is just year one. Whoever thought we were going to fill all these holes in the team in one offseason seriously wasn’t realistic about how bad this team was.
We won 6 games in 2years. I mean that is flat out ridiculous. So to think Pioli/Haley was going to in here in one season and turn us into playoff contenders was wishful thinking. That being said if the offense improves slightly we should win another 5 or 6 games looking at the schedule. At the end of the day its too early to be critical of Pioli or Haley next season we should be alot better off than where we are right now. Fans just need to learn its a process when your team went from being one of the contenders in the divison to the Lions you’ve got to realize no matter who is here right now it is going to be a process.
The signs helped NE a long time ago .
They have to get Cassel a little time , It can be done and the Chiefs have the people to do it .
Just hope they dont leave them sitting .
Hey I just stumbled across a website petitiononline.com stop LJ. It is to prevent LJ from touching Priest Holmes rushing records. Let us ALL sign to see if Haley and Pioli really want the right 53 on our team. When I left the site there was 23,793 signatures. We have to send the message that we do not accept LJ and his actions.
Mr Hunt did not found this TEAM for LJ or any other player to show such disregard for the TEAM and the city. Do this for our TEAM, do it for Mr. Hunt, do it because you know it is the right thing to do.
It is always about the TEAM and the right 53!
In Haley I trust! Maybe we all should.
ThunderChief: Probably because we have not won as many Super Bowls as the Steelers. Also, regarding their national popularity, don’t discount that the economic problems of that region have actually contributed to that team’s national following: As people leave Pittsburgh to find work elsewhere, they still follow the Steelers. WSJ did an article on this a few years ago.
Hey, who believes that bit about a slow assistant?
Better question, WHY THE HELL DOES ANYONE CARE
Matt in OMA ;
Better late than never—-Coach in NE had that big anchor with the sign that said ” WHO WANTS TO GO DOWN WITH THE SHIP , JUMP ON ”
Thats when they started winning .
Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs
Messin up the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign
Sign the petition
petitiononline.com
Deactivate LJ now
time check 0814 and there are 26,057 signatures.
It is always about the TEAM and the right 53!!
ChuckDiesel says:
But after seeing him get his ankles broken by Sproles a couple of games ago, and showing next to no speed, this guy needs to be relegated to package plays only.
I’m not saying I disagree with you, CD…but Sproles has broken many, many, many ankles in the NFL. Any of our safety’s would have ended up in the same boat as McGraw did in that situation (1 on 1 with Sproles in space).