Tag: Kansas City Chiefs

It’s past time for the media to stop catching blame

When athletes get frustrated, media members catch the wrath, but they’re the wrong people to direct anger at.

As someone who has spent a portion of life in the journalism industry, I’ll be the first to admit the media is far from perfect. In the age of the 24/7 news cycle, the priority has changed from making sure a story is accurate to being the first to bust out the breaking news label. The change in priorities has led to (at best) sloppy and lazy journalism, and ultimately, distrust towards the media world. Yes, there are people who work in the industry that are about being the headline themselves, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of individuals who still understand the foundations of what journalism is about. Therefore, the attacks on media when they are actually doing the job is unwarranted and ridiculous. When athletes in sports have bad games, that’s not the fault of the media. Unfortunately, there are many players who fail to take responsibility for their actions.

Let’s start with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the first example. Excuse me if I can’t narrow down the number of flops to a single case when it comes to Rodgers. For starters, he lied about his COVID vaccination stance last season, and when the media remembered what was said, he said they were out to get him. This season, the reigning two-time NFL MVP isn’t playing up to that standard, and not only is it the media’s fault, it’s everyone else around him. Receivers, coaches, the front office, pretty much the whole organization not named Rodgers have passive-aggressively caught some wrath. The bottom line is if A-A-Ron (Google Key and Peele if you don’t understand where I got that from) wants to be snippy, he should look in the mirror for who’s catches the brunt of his frustration. He stunk against the San Francisco 49ers in last year’s divisional playoff loss, and he couldn’t do anything with three second half interceptions from (Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB) Tom Brady in the NFC Championship Game the year before. Those opportunities slipped away, and it looks like a far cry for Rodgers and the Packers to get a chance like that anytime soon. I get the hurt feelings, but the media is the wrong place fight.

For the second example, let’s go to the NBA and discuss Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. This man actually has people in the media afraid to criticize him, and I have no idea why. James may be a once-in-a-generation player, but he, or no other human being, is above criticism or questioning. So when media members ask him questions about the terrible play of guard Russell Westbrook, they’re probably asking because it was James who wanted him on the Lakers in the first place. Keep in mind I’m not the only one who felt bringing Westbrook to the team would be a horrible fit, but LeBron the general manager didn’t listen. Now, Westbrook is doing what he has always done, building whole neighborhoods with bricks from three-point land (along with committing the careless, back-breaking turnovers like he’s still a rookie), and the Lake Show is officially unwatchable. Meanwhile, the leader of the player-empowerment movement lets Westbrook take all of the darts, knowing he was the ring leader for this transaction. Instead of taking responsibility, James acts like he’s just a player, and says the media is trying to “bait” him into saying something messy. No, the press is asking simple questions, and it’s not critical just because people aren’t worshiping the ground he walks on. What’s happening is LeBron can’t overcome deficiencies to flawed rosters anymore, and the realism of that is something he’s having a tough time dealing with.

Finally, let’s come back to the NFL and look at what Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams. This case is particular damning because unlike Rodgers and James, Adams actually put hands on a media member. After the Raiders lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on the road Oct. 10, a pissed off Adams shoved a photographer to the ground, resulting in misdemeanor assault charges. I want someone to explain to me what that photographer did to deserve that treatment. If Adams is going to be upset at anything or anyone, maybe it should be the fact Las Vegas blew a 17-0 lead, or perhaps at fellow receiver Hunter Renfrow for tackling each other on a fourth down pass that sealed the Raiders’ fate on that night. I guess Adams figured pushing on media would be better than injuring himself punching a wall or locker. Needless to say, this is not the way to deal with anger, and no matter how upset a player is, there’s no excuse for coming after press in that manner. Let’s make sure you don’t run into your teammate before acting that way Davante.

Trust me when I say I can understand why there are serious trust issues with the media. The actions of some within the industry can be enough to set off emotions that are better off being left alone. With that said, it’s not the media’s fault if a player is performing below standards. It’s not the media’s fault when said athlete wants to call himself a leader, but deflects and hides when accountability is called for. It’s not the media’s fault when a player and his (or her) teammates let an opportunity for a big win slip away. The actions of Rodgers, James and Adams are just a few of the many cases where public figures want to go after the media when things don’t go their way, or are questioned about their actions (see Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving from the past weekend). If they want all the spoils of success, then they should know criticism comes along with the status from it. The local boxing gym would be the place to find a punching bag, but for the foreseeable future, the media will continue to be a suitable substitute for receiving frustrations…and shoves.

Maybe one day, the NFL will be honest with us, and themselves

A lot has happened since March 11, 2020, when the world literally changed forever. It was then when the COVID pandemic really start to grip everything and everyone, and the sports world was not spared from its outreach. The NBA and NHL postponed their respective seasons, and the NCAA cancelled March Madness altogether. MLB didn’t have a clue on how to deal with the pandemic, and their season was shortened to 60 games, more than half of the 162-game campaign we’re accustomed to. Even the English Premier League and other soccer organizations in numerous countries were forced to stop their seasons due to the virus. In other words, the world as we knew it stopped before our eyes.

The one league that was able to escaped the wrath of COVID (at least initially) was the NFL, that was only because they were in their offseason. Eventually, even they would have to adapt to change. The draft would be held virtually, and so would training camps. The preseason was cancelled, and the first game action came with the season-opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs Sept. 10 of that year. The season was largely playing out in empty stadiums, and there would be at least one game held each day of the week due to postponements caused by the pandemic.

As the world attempted to return to normal, the NFL was determined to do the same. They wanted to be strict as far as COVID protocols went, pinning the responsibility on the franchises to make sure coaches and players adhere to the rules as the 2021 regular season loomed. No longer would games be postponed due to spikes or outbreaks, they would be forfeited and handed to the team that was supposed to play the infected one. The league wanted to stay on schedule, perhaps thinking (and it’s not out of the norm for the NFL to act this way) they can do so because they are “The Shield.” It would be logical to think this stance was premature when considering a pandemic is still going on, but when has the NFL listened to anybody going against their vision?

With everything I just said, here we are, almost two years after having our lives turn upside down, and there’s a harsh truth staring at us and the league. COVID (and all of its variants) is still very much a factor, and because of that, the NFL is doing what they vowed not to do a few months ago, postponing three games on Friday. The Las Vegas Raiders–Cleveland Browns matchup has been moved from Saturday to Monday, and two more games (The Washington Football Team–Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks–Los Angeles Rams) were pushed back from Sunday to Tuesday. While the move shows a sign of basically being in the same place we were with the pandemic at this point last year, it also shows what the league, and many others, are ultimately about when push comes to shove. Anyone with a little intellect can see money is always the priority when it comes to the decision making in the NFL.

Bottom line, a forfeited result means a loss of revenue for everyone involved, and the NFL knows this better than anyone. What this means is they’ll do anything to protect their profit, even if it means going back on their original word. The funny thing is many people would understand if money is the first motivating factor, as long as the organization is honest about it. Instead, the NFL continues to hide behind other reasons while conducting their business, and attempts to tell us so as if we can’t see through them. Postponing the three games shows exactly why someone can not (and should not) take what the league says seriously, because eventually, the truth comes to life, and it’ll likely involve lots of dollar signs. Then again, nobody can expect the NFL to be honest with them if they can be honest with themselves first.

Everything is fine in Chiefs Kingdom…right??

This past Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs had what a lot of people looked at as a “get right” game against the Philadelphia Eagles on the road. The Chiefs did win 42-30 at Lincoln Financial Field to even their record at 2-2, but it looked eerily similar to a good amount of games involving Kansas City. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked good in throwing five touchdowns, including three to wide receiver Tyreek Hill. That in and of itself is no surprise, but what’s also no surprise is the leaky defense, and the lack of a consistent running game to compliment Mahomes. The assumption from most in the sports media is the two-time defending AFC champions will get it together, and eventually, be back in the Super Bowl for a third consecutive season. The reality is the Chiefs have serious issues that need fixing before any postseason play can be thought of. Three of those issues have nothing to do with the team itself, and those are the rest of the clubs in the improving AFC West. They (at least after the first month of NFL action) are turning what was seemingly a walk in the park for Kansas City into anything but.

Let’s start with the Los Angeles Chargers, who are sitting at 3-1. The Chargers, under first-year head coach Brandon Staley and the next big thing (maybe) in quarterback Justin Herbert, look like they are starting to turn the corner after years of inconsistency. It’s no secret Los Angeles has one of the most talented rosters in the league, but bad coaching blunders and inexcusable penalties have kept the club from even coming close to reaching their potential. Lack of mental toughness has also hurt the Chargers, but based off of what we have seen in the last couple of weeks, there’s reason to believe that might be past history. Los Angeles beat the Chiefs on the road and the Las Vegas Raiders at home (there were far more Raiders fans than Chargers supporters in SoFi Stadium on Monday night). In both games, the Chargers had to stave off comebacks from their opponents, and in years past, those games would have been losses. So far, L.A. has been able to show why this year will be different, and if it continues, they could factor into results impacting not just the division, but the conference.

Speaking of Las Vegas, they, like the Chargers, also sit at 3-1. It would be reasonable to say the Raiders and Los Angeles have a good amount in common when it comes to talking about what holds them back (undisciplined play, clock management issues, etc.), but Vegas has also found ways to win games that would be losses any other year. The Raiders have had to come from behind to win in all of their victories, including two from double-digits against the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins, respectively. From the exterior, it looks like head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr are finally on the same page (stay tuned to see if this continues), and the defense looks respectable for a change. Slow starts in games is something the Raiders will have to fix going forward. If the loss to the Chargers taught them anything, they would learn it’s hard to win week after week having to climb out of huge holes, especially a 21-0 deficit at halftime. If Vegas can remedy that problem, they can find themselves in the middle of the playoff picture. On top of all this, the Raiders believe they should have swept Kansas City last season, so anyone can bet those two games are circled on the calendar.

Finally, there are the Denver Broncos. Any guess what their record is? If your answer is 3-1, that would be correct. Yes, the Broncos caught a loss to the Ravens last Sunday, but that doesn’t take away from the identity they have built through the first four games. Unlike L.A. and Las Vegas, Denver’s strength lies on the defensive end, where they are fourth in the league in total yardage allowed. The offense doesn’t lack for talent either if they can stay healthy. Wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler both suffered significant injuries (Hamler is gone for the year with a torn ACL in his left knee), and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who has played well after winning the job from incumbent Drew Lock, is battling a concussion. The running game, led by Melvin Gordon, has been solid. Long story short, if the offense can catch up to the defense, this is a team that is also dangerous to the Chiefs chances of running away with the division.

Keep in mind I still expect Kansas City to win the AFC West. Like many others, the Chiefs were my pick at the beginning of the year, and it’s far too early to jump off of that wagon. Having said that, there are a few issues the team has to deal with in a quick manner, or the percentage of things not being okay go up in a hurry. The defense is a turnstile, and the lack of a consistent ground attack is a red flag. These factors, along with the other three teams in the division, could combine to be too much for even the great St. Patty (Mahomes) to overcome. In other words, it’s not safe to assume all is well in Chiefs Kingdom, because right now, that’s far from the truth.