Quarterbacks In The News … Monday Cup O’Chiefs
It’s the middle of June. The Stanley Cup finals are just over (Go Pens!); same with the NBA finals (Go Lakers.) Baseball is really warming up. This week it’s the U.S. Open golf tournament.
The radar screen of sports is full. But there are reasons the NFL is America’s favorite pastime and why pro football can always grab headlines, no matter the time of year or competition.
One of those reasons is quarterbacks. And, there have been plenty in the news just over the last three days as we enjoyed an early summer weekend. Let’s update.
KYLE ORTON IS DENVER’S STARTING QUARTERBACK: New head coach Josh McDaniels made the announcement of his decision Saturday morning at a team meeting as the Broncos were holding mini-camp in suburban Denver.
“We said from Day One that when it was clear and apparent to us through the number of practices and meetings that you evaluate the quarterback on, that we would make a decision and we have,” McDaniels told the Denver media. “Kyle has the job right now, but we’ll see if he can keep it.”
But really, why now? The regular season is three months away. Training camp is five or six weeks away. What’s the hurry?
Well, if you are McDaniels right now you are trying to limit any possible distractions and disruptions, as you seek to bring stability to a team that has had anything but that since he took over. Even now in the mini-camp, they must deal with the boycott of WR Brandon Marshall who is unhappy with his contract and upset with team doctors and how they handled his hip injury last year.
“This is what I expected,” said Orton, who came over in the big trade that sent Jay Cutler to the Bears. “This is what I worked for, but this isn’t the ultimate goal. My ultimate goal is to get this team where we want to be and that’s in the playoffs.”
Orton’s competition for the job came from Chris Simms.
“Kyle’s extremely underrated,” Simms said. “He was underrated in college, he was underrated with the Bears. He throws the ball very well. He’s a smart guy. He’s a big guy. There’s a lot of pluses about Kyle, and I have the ultimate respect for his game.”
DONOVAN MCNABB GETS MORE MONEY: The Eagles didn’t sign their quarterback to a contract extension. They simply re-wrote his present deal, which has two years remaining, and gave him another $6 million.
Now, McNabb will collect $25 million over the next two seasons rather than $19 million.
So what was the point? The point was to make McNabb happy, and take off the plate questions from him, and questions about him and his immediate future. The Eagles quiet a potential problem, and while it cost them $6 million, they aren’t on the hook for anything in the future beyond 2010.
“I’m comfortable right now. I’m comfortable at this point because of the team we have and the confidence level,” McNabb told the Philly press corps. “Going into training camp, guys are excited about what we can do. That’s where my comfort level is right now.
“I looked at it as the situation that these 2 years are very important. With the type of team that we have, I think it’s important that we focus on what we have to do to achieve that common goal, and that’s obviously to win a Super Bowl. Anything past that will take care of itself. In these 2 years, we feel like we can get the job done.”
The new terms of the contract call for McNabb to receiver $24.5 million for two years, with a chance to earn incentives of another $1 million.
VIKINGS PLAN TO CHECK OUT FAVRE AND HIS RIGHT ARM: We have learned that we can’t believe everything that we hear and read about Brett Favre and his situation. So take this latest bit of news with that in mind.
The Vikings apparently want to get a first-hand look at Favre’s arm and how he’s recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his biceps. Whether this happened over the weekend, or will come down this week sometime was not part of the report out of ESPN. The network cited “a source” but no name was given to that source.
The Vikings had their final off-season workout this past Friday and they will not gather again as a team until they report to Mankato for training camp on July 29.
Also over the weekend, Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, told a West Virginia TV station: “Whether he plays anymore or not, I don’t know. I don’t know because I’m not sure that Brett is sure what he wants to do. Physically, I think he’ll be fine, maybe a couple of weeks. But we will know one way or the other. Then again, does he still want to play?
“Can he play? Absolutely. He’s still as good as anybody in the business, even at 40 years old. It’s just whether or not he wants to go play or not.”
SANCHEZ GETS BIG-MONEY DEAL BUT NOT STARTING JOB, YET: The New York Jets wrapped up their off-season work late last week and did it with two big moves by rookie QB Mark Sanchez.
First, he signed a $50 million contract. Then, he went out and had his best performance of the off-season work, hitting five straight completions and a TD pass on the last plays of the final practice before training camp.
Still Sanchez is fighting to be the Jets starting quarterback with Kellen Clemens.
“We probably won’t know (the starter) until …who knows?” said head coach Rex Ryan. “Whenever it becomes obvious to us, we’ll make the decision. Obviously, you’d prefer it sooner than later, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Obviously Sanchez has the edge as players with $28 million in guaranteed money seldom watch from the bench. But Clemens is not conceding anything.
“From what I’ve been told, the only thing that matters is that it’s an open competition and the best player will play,” said Clemens. “It doesn’t say the highest-paid player will play, it’s the best player. If they change their approach, I’ll change my approach.”
As for Sanchez, he was just getting comfortable when the off-season work came to an end.
“I just let it out,” Sanchez said. “I said, ‘Hey, it’s the last day of camp, just have fun, be yourself, play like you did in college’.”
BIG BEN SURVIVES BETHPAGE BLACK ON 81 SHOTS: Last Monday night, Ben Roethlisberger got a phone call. Tiger Woods was the voice on the other end. Woods had just gotten done playing a practice round on the Bethpage Black course that will host the U.S. Open this week on Long Island.
Woods told him that the course was so tough the Steelers quarterback would not break 100 when he took part in the U.S. Open Challenge later that week.
Roethlisberger showed him. He shot an 11-over 81 to win the challenge, beating Michael Jordan by five shots. Singer Justin Timberlake and a contest winner from Phoenix filled out the foursome that had to deal with the tight fairways, high rough and fast greens that are hallmarks of an Open track.
“He played great,” said Roethlisberger’s caddy, pro golfer Rocco Mediate, last year’s Open runner-up. “That course is hard. What’d he shoot — 11 over? That’s pretty good. He’s very strong and he has a lovely putting stroke.”
Big Ben plays to a 3-handicap, and shot a 42 on the front side with a triple bogey. He followed with a 39 on the back-nine, with a pair of birdies. Not only did he break 100, he bettered the low score of 84 posted in this event a year ago by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
“I came in with such high expectations,” Roethlisberger said. “But, when Tiger called me the other day and said I had no chance, I got discouraged. But it wasn’t as hard as I thought. I’m real happy.”
Bob…there were no Chiefs in your Cup O’Chiefs this morning. I choked it down, though…but it was a little blah. Ha!
Question for the day:
What will make this years Chiefs “successful”…in your opinion?
More wins than last year? Not finishing in last place? 5 wins…6 wins…8 and 8? Nothing short of making the playoffs? Or maybe winning the division?
What level do they need to reach before you’re personally satisfied with the season?
If the Chiefs show a consistently improving team play on both sides of the ball, a fourth quarter tenacity throughout the season and a better than average special teams performance, most of ChiefsNation will be happy.
If LJ develops an average ability to block, Dwayne Bowe snags all catchable passes coming his way and Glenn Dorsey finds a niche, the team might have to start another season ticket waiting list.
If they achieve the foregoing, they will likely be a .500 team.
Stopping any team on 3rd down even if its 3rd & long.
I ditto Scott’s comments to Bob-G - seems awful lot like the “Bottom of Bird Cage - a few hours early edition.”
A “successful” season will be our starting QB making it through the end of the season without landing on IR, a truthful evaluation of our players, genuine attempts by those referred to by Rin as “Search and Check” to quit turning this into New England West and make this the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, and an action plan to keep any of our top three players from leaving via FA or trade for 2nd round or later draft choices. Oh, and 2 wins over the Oakland Raiders is also a must for any season to be considered successful.
What are our criteria for a successful 2009 in terms of this blog?
A couple suggestions:
1) Successful refutation of “Rin” by people at least 1/3 of the time (which is to be rated by people other than just Rin). Comments stating you’ll be Ignoring or cussing out Rin is not sufficient to be considered successful but rather perhaps a potential show of fear and failure of one’s ability to communicate effectively.
2) Successful exposure of the one who’s been floating around as “anonymous” - I know it’s not you Harold - as Jason Whitlock…the infamous fishwrap columnist.
I thought Whitlock was Rin. You’re confusing me, SG…
Scott, that’s funny since “anonymous” was labeling SG/Rin as being analogous in viewpoints (and/or the same person?? - proof that some people simply do not read very many posts on here).
If you can prove a strong case for Whitlock being Rin, I’m okay with that too.
Yeah SG….when I post as anonymous I almost always correct it right away. There was one time I didn’t….but it was part of a conversation we were having and I thought it was obvious.
Whitlock is Rin? anonymous is Rin? Maybe Rin is anonymous and maybe anonymous is Whitlock and Whitlock is Rin. Why in the world am I talking about Rin? I decided I wasn’t going to talk about Rin. So of course I’m not talking about Rin….I’m talking about Whitlock. So…from now on I’ll talk about Whitlock…but not about Rin….who is Whitlock…..anonymously.
So….today was “cup of Broncos”????????
Boy I hope those guys are mediocre this year….so they lose but don’t have real high draft picks…
SG says:
“If you can prove a strong case for Whitlock being Rin, I’m okay with that too.”
Unfortunately, I have no real evidence. Just a feeling. They both have a penchant for stirring up sh*t…without really saying a whole lot in the process. And the man-crush on Brian Waters thing.
It’s called “ignore them” both of the 2 ppl mentioned previously should simply be ignored. Their ignorant posts are cries for attention so ignore them and they’ll go to some other website looking for attention and leave us peacefully alone. However, Bob seems to be getting melancholy of late …
Give the dude a break. I agree with ya sorta, but not much Chiefs news going on right now anyway. IMO, chill out…..
gorillafan,
Speaking for myself…I was just joking about today’s article (I thought it was obvious)…and was just bustin’ Bob’s chops a little. He’s got a sense of humor, so I doubt if he minds. I know there’s very little Chief’s news out there at the moment. And it’s gonna’ get a lot worse before it gets better, I’d say.
For those that were hoping to see Ellis come here from the Cowboys, looks liker he might sign with the Raiders:
https://www.sportingnews.com/blog/real_scouts/entry/view/25527/Raiders_to_Sign_Ex-Cowboys_OLB/DE_Ellis/25527
The coach is the most imporant part of todays game. KC could have the best of all the key people to make this the most winning team this town has ever seen.
Thanks to Clark Hunt for making all the moves at the right time.
Starting with two very promising QB’s, A def. that looks like it is more than just good.
Running backs and Recivers that are taking it in to be good,along with coaches that are willing to try things that may be hard to defend,with this all being guided by someone who know’s what he is doing,things ARE really looking up.
Harold C.,
Get a grip buddy, It will be alright.
Ratso,
I’ve been saying the same thing for a year now.
I agree Scott. I don’t really mind that there was information on the Broncos. I like to hear what the enemy is up to in addition to hearing about our Chiefs.
So many QBs…so many expectations…so little evidence of measure to count and count on - to wit, Kyle Orton & Matt Cassel: exhibits 1 & 1A, veritable flip sides of a double-sided coin; I smell Bono on each.
Orton is…
Younger than Cassel by half a year yet is the more experienced NFL player in terms of game experience- despite having missed one entire season already due to injury.
Orton has also dealt with adversity, the injury as well playing with teams ‘not’ to be confused with Belichick’s creations. Yet, as a rookie he led CHIC to the NFC Central Title.
Cassel is…
The flip side: he sat, watched and got gatorade first for Carson Plamer, then Tom Brady. He was benchsitting extraordinaire at USC and the same three years straight NE until fate cast a giant hand in 2008.
In 4 years of college ball he threw 33 passes; in 3 years NFL he threw 39 passes afore ‘08. When he did get to start and played the entire season? He led the New England Patriots … home for winter.
No playoffs, despite having that Patriot mystique on his side: Brady, Belichick, Pioli and the rest at his disposal. Kyle Orton had…da Bears.
Now he’s ours…been delivered to our door, Matt. What to expect? In a world of ‘what have you done for me lately’, QB comparison Orton & Cassel 2008 gives this grist for the mill:
ORTON - 465 / 272 / 2972 / 18-12 / 58.5 /
CASSEL - 516 / 327 / 3693 / 21-16 / 63.4 /
(a quick computation will also affirm their TD and INT ratios as nearly identical.)
Other?
Cassel is the better based on more yards gained running - he is the poorer same based on an NFL high more sacks taken than any QB in the league; Randy Moss must not block any better than Larry Johnson but in talent on the record NEs All Pro lineman recent past numbered 3 (Mankins, Koppen and Light) - more than CHIC’s 2) (Kreutz/Tait.)
Other still?
Yes yes by all means, the schemes are different, and the players, coaches and and…well, to the misguided who anoint Cassel as KC’s ‘franchise’ QB based on the flimsy evidence to date, vis a vis the savior we’ve been waiting for- to this Rin’s advice be…wait some more.
Will not surprise me in the least that Orton will have the better season… only ‘if’ being whether Cassel can beat out Tyler Thigpen as KCs starting QB.
See guys…
Notice how Rin didn’t even mention the “Rin is Whitlock” accusation?
Reference Cassel
I said Bono…gesundheit. Could just as well have said Pelluer, or Grbac, or Huard or… journeyman - but that would a slap at those other three QBs.
Yeah…we might as well have signed Jeff George, huh?
Let’s not insult Whitlock’s intelligence. No one is as daft as Rin.
True Red & Gold says:
“Let’s not insult Whitlock’s intelligence.”
Whitlock’s intelligence? Hmmm…not sure I’ve ever seen those two words back-to-back before.
I’ll admit, though…that I had to look up “daft” in the dictionary. I like it.
Yeah, for once…I have to say I agree with “True” Red & Gold…Daft is a good word to use to describe old Rin.
“I don’t really mind that there was information on the Broncos.”
LOL - at least it wasn’t a morning Raiders update - I don’t think we would be able to mistreat a bird in such a cruel way to line its cage. If we don’t give Bob a hard time - he’ll think we aren’t reading his stuff anymore…
Rin - should you ever be so wrong as to use the words Bono or Grbac…we may have to settle things at ten paces. What wastes of 13-3 seasons from great Chiefs defenses (not to mention the whole Gannon thing)!!! Scary how substantive your comparison was though…
SG said:
“Scary how substantive your comparison was.”
- as always! Mine genius does as it must, the talented do but what they can…
Stay behind Rin - He’ll protect you!
June 15, 2009 - True Red & Gold says:
Let’s not insult Whitlock’s intelligence. No one is as daft as Rin
Sorry Josh, that was not me. Everyone that knows me knows that I enjoy Rins ramblings and I especially like the way he gets most of your goats!
Someone has been posting as me (True Red & Gold) for some time. Which is fine with me, after all the maturity level of posters has taken a steady decline this off season.
TR&G
I’m think most of us who have been visiting this site for a while figured those comments couldn’t have come from you.
It’s too bad this is going on; it’s got to be hurting participation.
I’m sure it is, but I don’t really care, because after all, I’m not really a Chiefs fan in the first place!