Article by:  James Kemplay
Posted 6/17/2010

It hasn’t even been a week after the almost destruction of the Big 12 conference and major conference realignment shifting everything in college sports into total Armageddon, yet still tremors are being felt from this almost catastrophic earthquake that would have ended the NCAA as we know it.  The new Big 12 seems bonded with the new idea of a highly profitable 10 team conference with a rumored large TV deal that saved this apocalypse from happening.  Still there are several fears that without an anchor and something to stop Texas from driving this ship into rough waters that might cause Universities to jump ship once again from the Big 12, Armageddon might just on hold before it reaches this run away ship called the Big 12.

Enter Mr. Jerry Jones.  In this new college realignment proposal money seems to be the driving factor in all this, and nobody is more powerful in the sport of football then the Dallas billionaire.  Jones has been quoted recently in the Lawrence Journal-World how he would love to see his alma mater Arkansas rejoin his home state of Texas in the new Big 12.  He knows that this conference is on the verge of being lost at sea and nothing is bigger than SEC football (the current home of Arkansas) and he also knows no way would they even consider moving to the Big 12 without some sort of stability and a 12^th team.  Enter everyone’s dream girl in conference realignment, Notre Dame.

Jones has mentioned that he would love to see the Big 12 add Arkansas and Notre Dame to the Big 12 and that would turn TV sets on from coast to coast and cause money gushing out of Big 12 faucets everywhere.  But who in anyone’s wildest dreams would believe Arkansas who is in the most stable and powerful football conference in the country and Notre Dame who is the most visible and arguably the most powerful team in college sports to leave everything they have now to join the unstable and possibly still sinking Big 12 conference?

Not in Jerry Jones’ world.  How do you get this to work?  It’s almost too logical and makes too much since.  It solves EVERYONES problems in 2 simple moves.  The biggest problem everyone has is how you going to keep everyone together that’s left in the Big 12 and keep all the power out of Texas and provide stability and anchor to this ship?  Easy, plug in Notre Dame.  They are the two most power football programs in the country, Texas and Notre Dame and the cash cows that could turn this uncertain conference into the richest (that’s right Big 10 RICHEST).

Born in the Dominican Republic Albert was raised in Independence, Missouri, played high school ball at Fort Osage High School, and college ball at Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City.  Pujols even met and married his wife Deidre Pujols in Kansas City.  The Pujols’ even still do some charity work with their Pujols Family Foundation in Kansas City.  St. Louis may claim him as their own but he will always be Kansas City's son.

Pujols and his career .334 batting average and 373 home runs is regarded in almost every single baseball circle as the best player in the game and is in line for the richest payday in Major League baseball history.  Cardinal fans every where wonder how much its going to cost to keep their prize prospect in Cardinal Red.

If recent contracts to other Major League ball players who hold the same importance as Albert does to their team is any indication of what it could cost to keep Albert in St. Louis then the new contract given out to Philly’s Ryan Howard should be used as a guideline.  Howard signed a 5 year extension for what is believed to be worth $25 million per season ($125 Million total) with the Philly’s and if he is worth that, Pujols should have a value well above that.  Currently Braves manager Bobby Cox is on record jokingly or not as saying Pujols is worth $50 million per year and not many people would really argue that fact.

Pujols’ contract currently will expire after the 2011 season and is said to be thought of as the most sought after free agent in baseball history.  If the Cardinals can not find a way to pay King Albert what could be upwards to $30 to $35 million per season he very well could become a free agent.  Knowing this big time family man, Albert only has 2 places he really would consider going, either taking less than true market value money to stay in St. Louis or the unlikely but possible scenario of taking that same $30 to $35 million per year to finally come home and play for his real home town team the Kansas City Royals.

Now you’re thinking Pujols in Kansas City?  Are you crazy? Well if you look at what would be conspiring in the 2012 season for the Royals this crazy fantasy may not be as far fetched as many of you reading this may think.  After the 2011 season (same time Pujols would become a free agent), the Royals would be free in clear of the massive contracts of Jose Guillen ($12 Million per season) and Gil Meche ($11 Million per season) for a total savings of $23 Million per season its not far fetched to think the Royals could at least offer Albert a 5 year $175 million contract (that’s $35 Million per season and thats $10 Million a year above Howards deal) to come home and play for his home town team.  It may not ever happen, but you can’t say the Royals couldn’t afford it even being the small market team they are.

By 2012 the Royals might be even one of the most exciting young teams in baseball with all the talent they have accumulated in the minor leagues that could be / should be major league ready by the 2012 season.  If owner Dan Glass has the stones to at least try to accomplish this by opening his Wal-Mart money bag, the City of KC and the Royals as a whole would be much better for it. 

Former Eagles RB Brain Westbrook passed his physical with the St. Louis Rams and inched one step closer to becoming Steven Jackson's backup in 2010.  After passing his Physical with the Rams, Westbrook the Eagles all time leader in yards from scrimmage (9,785 yards) went home to 'think it over' on his playing future with the Rams.

Does it really matter who starts for KSU against UCLA in their first game?

No, you can throw out any average quarterback and as long as they do not turn over the ball and have a threat of a passing game this team will be competitive, that is what Bill Snyder will do for you (see 2009).  This season’s success and failures will ride on the defense and Daniel Thomas.  

Last year’s vast improvement in slowing air and ground attacks must continue.  The front seven must first get pressure on the pass happy offenses of the Big 12 but also must slow spread running games and be prepared for power running from teams such as Nebraska.  This variety of attacks poses problems for a defense that is not deep.  The starters for the Cats will be solid and will tend to be very good but there is a void of depth; giving up 79 points to the starters on offense.  The front seven must step up and be two deep at most spots for this team to have an outstanding year.

The best friend of the nameless quarterback will be Daniel Thomas.  The 2009 Big 12 Newcomer of the year looked more like a running back on Saturday night than at any time last season.  Coach Snyder is not afraid to ride a running back and this will happen again this year.  Thomas needs to stay healthy if this team is to be a contender in the Big 12 North. He should get some rest with the emergence of Braden Wilson, William Powell and John Hubert as other viable threats from the backfield.  

What was learned from the spring scrimmage?  First, the receiving corps will be good. Brodrick Smith, transfer from Minnesota (via Garden City HS) was a stud.  Outside of dropping a wonderfully thrown ball in the first quarter he was great, 12 receptions 167 yards and four touchdowns.  Second, the first team defense is good only allowing 144 yards to the second team offense.  Finally, Bill Snyder is a gamer, after blowing out his knee Coach Snyder was ready for the game and moving quite well.  

2010 Prediction Time

 Carson Coffman will be the starting quarterback on September 4th against UCLA.  If he plays like he did Saturday this team will be hard to beat.  I think he will play like Grant Gregory, he won’t win many games but he will not lose many either.  This is right where the Cats would like him to be.

The defense will be a top 15 defense nationally.  I feel something special is going to happen with this side of the ball.  If they stay healthy this will be one of the top defenses in the conference right with Nebraska.  

Kansas State will make a bowl game and contend for a North division crown.  The Cats will go 9-3 and 5-3 in conference, losing at Baylor, vs. Texas and at Missouri. KSU just misses out on a Big 12 Championship birth to the Huskers.  

Rumored today that recently released Tennessee Titans DT John Henderson has many teams requesting to meet with the 320+ DT, but his agent has confirmed that he will be visiting Kansas City this Tuesday (4/27).  Henderson would give the Chiefs their first true 3-4 DT.  Stay tuned for more...

In summary, if the Royals don't find a way to fix this bullpen, even a 3.12 ERA from the top 4 starters for a full season may not save the Royals from another 90+ loss season.  For many of us Royals fans visiting the K this season, the worse 2 innings in baseball may not leave many us left in the stands past the 6th inning.  If we can't fix the pen, maybe we can talk Major League Baseball into letting us buy beer past the 7th inning, because Royals fans left in "The K" might need it.

The NFL draft is just a few weeks away and there are all sorts of chatter on message boards and mock drafts trying to predict what the Kansas City Chiefs will do with the 5^th over all pick in the 2010 draft.  In my last article I made a case for Notre Dame wide out Golden Tate with the 5^th pick, but this basically was my cry for the Chiefs if looking wide receiver not to take Dez Bryant.  If I had a wish list Clausen would be on the top of mine.

To do this the Chiefs need to take care of 3 things first… Number 1 trade one of your second round picks for a young offensive tackle sooner rather than later (this should happen I feel anyways as it appears now the top tackle in the draft will be gone by the time the Chiefs pick).  Number 2 determine if there is a market still for your starting quarterback now in Matt Cassel, and Number 3 Do your homework on Clausen (which I believe is already done).

Once these hurdles are done, the order of business would then have to work down in order and be handled properly.  Right now there is a good young starting left tackle in Baltimore that isn’t happy where he is at and would be a perfect in Kansas City.  There are even rumors that the Chiefs are interested in Baltimore’s young 24 year old, 6’9, 340 pound left tackle Jared Gaither.  If the Ravens would take the Chiefs 2^nd round pick (36^th overall) this should be a no brainer and a easy move to make no matter what.  Getting a franchise LT for a second round pick is perfect for these Chiefs and opens the door for many options with the 5^th over all in the draft.  *HINT Jimmy Clausen, cough, cough*.

The rest would have to wait until draft day, but you would have an offensive line made up of LT Jared Gaither, LG Brian Waters, C Casey Wiegmann, RG Ryan Lilja, and RT Brandon Albert.  I don’t know about you but I would take that to start the season, and you would still have the 5^th overall pick in the draft as well as a 2^nd round pick (50^th overall) left in your bag.

On draft day you will have to wait until your pick comes and if Jimmy Clausen is there the Chiefs should see if there is a market for current QB Matt Cassel.  Hmmm, wonder if the Bronco’s would still make that deal for Cassel now?  Could we get Denver’s 2^nd round pick (45^th overall), or maybe their 3^rd round pick with a conditional middle to late round pick in 2011?  I don’t know about you but that sounds awfully tempting.  If those domino’s fall (and trust me those are highly possible) your looking at having a more accurate, stronger armed QB under center with 3 years all ready in the system (Clausen started all 3 years at Notre Dame in the same system as the Chiefs run, and oh yeah, his mentor and former coach at Notre Dame happens to be the Chiefs new Offensive coordinator in Charlie Weis) than a QB with only 3/4^th’s of year in Matt Cassel in this system, and you would/should have 2 picks in the second or 1 in the second and 2 in the 3^rd .

We will get to why Clausen is better than Cassel here in a minute because all this is based on the fact that Clausen is a better fit than Cassel here in KC, but if all this comes true here is what you’re looking at as a Chiefs fan.   Your offense is set with the exception of maybe a TE and another WR, you now have your OWN franchise drafted QB (Clausen), a new pro-bowl caliber LT (Gaither), an extremely athletic young RT (Albert), and could still have two 2nd or 3^rd round picks depending on what you get for Cassel to help build on your defense.  Besides this draft is loaded with Linebackers and Safety's to areas the Chiefs need and can get later in the draft.

This off season has been busy and productive for the Kansas City Chiefs so far.  The offensive line picked up a major additions in guard Ryan Lilja and center Casey Wiegman and a decent slot reciever in Jerheme Urban.  Now if the Chiefs feel current LT Brandon Albert can man the island, KC has now the flexability to draft to fill a huge need in several categories. 

The Chiefs currently are in major need of the following area's "defensive tackle, linebacker, safety, and a dependable wide receiver. Now all eyes are drewling over the current crop of defensive & offensive tackles, stud safety Eric Berry, and receiver Dez Bryant, Kansas City maybe sitting in great shape to pick up a top 5 player that instantly fills a need.

But here is what could happen and I wouldn't have any objections to this pick, taking Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate with the 5th over all pick.   Now most of you are thinking, James, your a Notre Dame homer (well yes this is true), or Tate is not but a late first round talent, why draft him as high as 5 with all the players we could get available that are better than Tate, including the before mentioned Bryant?

Yes the Chiefs need Defensive help in a major way, I even have them taking safety Eric Berry in our most recent Mock Draft.  But here could be our problem, what if both stud defensive tackles, and Berry are gone and the Chiefs believe Albert can be a good starting left tackle in this league with the new staff of coaches they have?  If you want top 5 talent or value your left most likely with WR Dez Bryant, QB Jimmy Clausen, or out of position DE/OLB Jason Pierre-Paul.

We don't need Clausen since we have Cassel, Pierre-Paul might not even touch the field much as a rookie much behind Tamba Hali and Mike Vrabel and the Chiefs need impact here.  That leaves us with WR Dez Bryant and the beginning of my argument of why Golden Tate would be a better pick than Bryant.

First off, lets look at what all fans look at, numbers:
Dez Bryant - 6'2, 215 pounds, career totals: 147 catches, 2,425, 29 TD's
Golden Tate - 5'11, 195 pounds, career totals: 157 catchs, 2,707, 26 TD's

As we look at production in college they both are about a wash, Bryant has the measurables you look for in an NFL receiver, but 4 things work against him that Tate has for him.  Tate was a huge play maker on special teams and can return kicks and punts, is not a pre-madonna, no off the field baggage, and most importantly knows this offense maybe more than any current Chiefs player (remember Tate played 3 seasons with current OC Charlie Weis at Notre Dame). 

Now everyone including myself is hoping Eric Berry or tackle Russell Okung falls to us at 5 in the draft, but if both are off the board, and Chiefs brass are looking receiver I sure hope they take a long look at Golden Tate before looking at the head case of Dez Bryant, we already have a pre-madonna receiver with Dwyane Bowe. Tate would at least be a more productive player to take at 5 and with his play on special teams and knowadge of the offense would make bigger impact than last years 1st round pick Tyson Jackson, but that's not saying much.

It is rumored that now that Washington has gone down the Larry Johnson path that fomer Steelers running back Willie Parker will now visit St. Louis as a back up for Stephen Jackson.  It's almost pretty clear that Parker will take any reasonable offer and would be a great addition in the Rams backfield.

Down the road off I-70 lots of wispers and talks in expert circles say the Kansas City Chiefs are looking at free agent safety Darren Sharper.  The former Eagles and Saints safety has been linked and rumored to Kansas City all offseason, but it appears with the dept in the draft at safety, the Chiefs may hold out on signing Sharper until after the draft especially considering the recent work out Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Cornell visited for Tennessee all world safety Eric Berry.

.....Stay tuned to Metro Sports for all the details.

He was the Royals 1st round pick of '09 and thew 5 1/2 scoreless innings in 3 appearances this spring.  He Stuck out 6, walked 1, and was as impressive as he could have been.  Yet, Royals rookie pitcher Aaron Crow will still start his professional career in the minors. 

Now only 2 questions remain on the offensive line.. 1) Who Plays Right Tackle and 2) Will the Chiefs still use the 5th over all pick on a Left Tackle and move Brandon Albert over to Right Tackle? 

Sunday's drubbing at the hands of the Giants is just another notch on board for our belittled Chiefs team.  I was not at nor saw Sunday's game but really all you need to do is check the box score.  27-16 score, 429-193 in yards, and 2-1 in the turnover column.  It is just glaring how bad this team has become with out watching one snap of the game.

After browsing through the box score, and looking back on our other 3 games, it is clear we are missing something every great team now has, a savior, a leader, the white knight who seems to save the day.  It seems every good team has one, and not all of them are on one side of the ball.  New England has Tom Brady, Baltimore has Ray Lewis, and a team like Pittsburgh has 2 (Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu).  These guys are all Hall of Fame players, able to carry their team on their back when needed.  The Chiefs have Zero of these players, not even one close to the caliber either. 

Through all the big 1st round picks, not one has turned into even a mere Pro-Bowler, or resemble anything of one. Everyone in the media, the fans, and it's starting to sound like the team it's self is pointing fingers at the top.  General Manger Scott Pioli is taking the heat for not having any playmakers and everyone seems to be up in arms about his bring in anyone anytime approach but all he’s doing is bringing in other teams scraps.

To that I ask all the fans and the media “who should we get then?”  The biggest name this past free agent market that could have filled a major hole would have been DT Albert Hanyesworth, but would you really be much happier with a $100 million dollar defensive e tackle who now is limping around on the disabled list?  We complain about the line, but who where we to get once Pioli came on board?  Who where we to get?  The best option out there we could have gone for was OT Stacy Andrews who many scouts grade out at the same level or less as our own Brandon Albert.  Pioli is trying something most of you forget our old GM never did the last 10 years, improve our roster by any means available.  Yes we are getting left other teams rejects, but our players aren't any better and in many cases worse.

Many other people are pointing at our Ego-manic head coach in Todd Haley and his bench players who don’t do it the right way philosophy.  Media and Fans are out raged that we are not taking shots down field and players like Derrick Johnson are 3^rd on the depth chart.   You don’t think this method works?  Ok, let’s give you the play book.  You call the plays with this in mind, if you run the ball with Larry Johnson your always going to get around 2 to 3 yards per play, and with anyone else it could go for 5 or 6 yards or a loss of 3 or 5 yards.  If you pass you have a grand total on average of 2 seconds to throw the football.  Now go try and do what you’re complaining about.  On defense your front 3 are adjusting to completly new rolls and your linebackers are mostly square pegs in round holes with the exception of Mike Vrabel.  Now try to pressure a quarterback or stop the run with players learning to play the position and do it at the highest level against teams who are the best in the league.  This isn't going to happen over night people.

When you’re left with a bare cupboard, no game changer on the roster, no white knight, and no foundation, how would you rebuild a team into winner?  Over night?  Too many fans and media sound like we should be doing this thing now and we should see signs of a winner by now.  It’s not going to take one year, nor 2... This is in worse shape then any of us could have imagined.  Folks, we were not going to beat the Giants, Ravens, or Eagles this year so quit complaining. 

To win, the Chiefs will need to draft and develop there own Ray Lewis, or their own Adrian Peterson.  They need a white knight, the player this origination can build around.  Maybe they really think they have it in Matt Cassel, but running for his life on every play with no play makers around him makes it hard for us to evaluate this one.  One thing I strongly believe in is this regime is going to do what it takes to find that white knight and be able to keep him.  No more King Carl, who when he finds one, trades it away (take the Jarrod Allen deal for example).  What would this team be like with 69 coming off the edge getting 10+ sacks a year and allowing us to disguise blitz’s and drop more players in coverage?  I’m sure 400 yards passing wouldn’t happen on Allen’s watch.

To win we need our Priest Holmes, or our Derrick Thomas, or our Len Dawson to carry our team.  It is the only thing I believe holding this rebuilding project up.  Until we draft this guy (cause finding them in free agency or by trades are hard to do) we can’t evaluate anything with what Scott Pioli or Todd Haley are doing, we just know from a history stand point their method, vision, and drive is a proven winner.  So before you call for their heads, let them find or build around their cornerstone.  Let Scott do what he does and that's finding that player.   You can bet Bill Belichick didn’t find Matt Cassel or Tom Brady... he doesn’t have the time to scout 6^th or 7^th round pick players.  You can also bet that Haley knows how to teach a player the right way of doing things (there was a good reason Arizona with no running game and a 40+ year old QB reached the Super Bowl).

So to the Whitlock's and the TV and Radio know it all's, don't complain and scream to the Chiefs to do something better when you yourself have no idea yourself of how to fix it, and yes I don't either, but I have faith in people who do.  Scott Pioli knows the players it takes, he's wearing rings to prove it, and Todd Haley hasn't forgot how to teach and motivate players.  None of us have rings or even been to the big game. so lets trust they know what they are doing is right and in 3 years and we don't see a playoff team, we can cry for change  Rome wasn't built in a day, and nor will the Chiefs, but to build an empire you need to lay a foundation, and drafting the right players and playing the players who do it the right way is how you build it, brick by brick.  And hey, one thing about Kansas City, if you build the right team, your white knight might be the 80,000 fans in the Sea of Red.  When Arrowhead was full, no matter what team we put on the field, the Chiefs we're as hard to beat has anyone.

The Kansas City Chiefs have traded backup Quarterback Tyler Thigpen to the Miami Dolphins for undisclosed draft pick.

Miami who recently lost starting quarterback Chad Pennington to injury where left with Chad Henne to replace Pennington.   Thigpen moves into on Offense that uses the Wildcat formation a lot and this offensive favors the mobile Thigpen.

THE FANS TAKE:  As many fans love Thigpen in Kansas City, this was a great move for Kansas City that may cover up the error for trading a draft pick for both offensive linemen busts Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe from the Miami Dolphins for an undisclosed selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.  This may be take place for the undisclosed pick for Allenman and Ndukwe.

OTHER NOTES:  G/T Ryan O'Callaghan who was aquired off waivers from New England back on the 9th has replaced Ndukwe as the starting right tackle.  This marks the 4th new player to try to take over the RT spot since training camp started (Damion McIntosh, Barry Richardson, and Ndukwe).

It's Red Friday across Kansas City today as the Chiefs prepare for their home opener this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders in the New Arrowhead, but many local eyes are still looking at Matt Cassel’s braced left knee.

Cassel has worked all week and took more reps and has done more work than he did last week and it appears that he will be in uniform no matter what.  Chiefs head coach Todd Haley has said that he may use Cassel at times Sunday if that’s only all he can do.  Question is, is a part-time Cassel better than a full-time Brodie Croyle?