With the completion of the recent draft and the hot and heavy breathing, panting and other reactions to the various draft picks I thought of a few things. One was the seeming over specialization of some of the picks and their listed playing positions. I saw a lot of OUTSIDE Linebackers, or INSIDE Linebackers or Offensive Linemen going as LEFT Tackle and such. I don’t know about you, but the thought strikes me that maybe these guys could be specializing themselves out of playing anywhere.
Think about it… If a guy can play only ONE position in a defense, either outside or inside, then how many plays a game will he be in? Will he just sit on the sidelines because there are no places for him in the game? Personally, I want a guy who can LINEBACKER – wherever that may be on the field. I want a guy who can play OFFENSIVE LINE, thus ensuring a quality backup wherever needed. This is certainly true since generally a team will only carry nine or so offensive linemen.
I think of a baseball player years ago with the Atlanta Braves named Jerry Royster. The guy could play all the positions except possibly pitcher and catcher. He, in my opinion, was the most valuable player on the team, because he could play ANYWHERE. Give me a football player like that on the Chiefs any day of the week, not a player who can only get in on third downs with less than five yards to go and with other team using two receivers and with a spread backfield and…
You get the point.
I was also thinking of the subject of healthy hates. Around where I work there is a Raider fan (poor soul), a Packer fan, a Vikings fan, and even a few Cowboys fans. There are two of us Chiefs fans. We have a wonderful time harassing each other and expressing either our loyalty to our teams or disdain for the others. I have to admit that I have what can only be called a healthy hate for the Raiders and Cowboys, extending into college to the Texas Longhorns and any other team in the SEC (I am, after all, a life-long Razorback fan).
I think about this healthy hate when I am at Arrowhead, especially on Raider or Bronco game day, and how it is, truly, healthy. I firmly believe that everyone needs a focus in their lives and mine just happens to be football. Having a healthy hate gives a purpose and a reason, not to mention some good plain fun, to everyday activities. Each day I know that I can target a Raider, a Bronco, a Longhorn, or any other team. Of course, this in no way gives one the right to be abusive, physical or aggressive to these fans. After all, they are supporting their team the way you are. Nothing chaps me more than seeing jerks and morons being idiotic and stupid to another fan.
Remember, we are CHIEFS! We are the class fans of the NFL and we should always show it. A visiting fan should be treated with the utmost courtesy and respect, for that is how we would wish to be treated in their stadium. Have fun, have a healthy hate but don’t be an idiot about it.
