How many rookies have had their development and career cut short, and how many teams wasted their draft picks because they couldn’t get their guy into camp? Rookies are already behind, simply because they are a rookie. They need to be in camp at the beginning. Instead, they can’t get a contract worked out right away, they show up late and they are even more behind, mentally and physically. Guys that should’ve been a starter end up riding the bench all year because they don’t know what’s going on, and they are always playing catch-up.

Ryan Sims quickly comes to mind. He showed up late, wasn’t in that great of shape, and had a season-ending injury a few games in. Ryan never reached his full potential, and now he’s on another team. Can you imagine how different things might have been had Minnesota been paying attention? In case you don’t know, or don’t remember, Kansas City was trying to trade up to get Sims, and couldn’t get a deal done before the 15 minutes expired. The Vikings also wanted Sims. Had they been paying attention, and sprinted to the commissioner, they could’ve taken Sims instead. Oh well.

The Chiefs #1 pick is a wide receiver, a skill position, and is someone who should not be missing any camp. If the Chiefs want him to be productive this year, he needs to be signed now.

Oops, I forgot what kind of offense KC has:
Run, Run, “Wait, what down is it?” Run, “Damn! I thought it was second down!” Punt.

On second thought, all offensive Kansas City rookies will be just fine.

The LJ Situation
As for Larry Johnson, I’d like to talk aboot Carl Peterson’s end for a minute. In 2003, against the wishes of the head coach, and against the needs of the team, King Carl put his foot down and drafted a running back instead of a defensive player. LJ confirmed as much in his ABC postgame interview after the Titans MNF game in ’04.

In the ’03 playoff game with the Colts, Indy scored 38 points and never punted, while the Chiefs ’03 top draft pick sat on the bench. But, I suppose it’s still too early to grade Carl’s ’03 draft class (and if you can’t see, I’m rolling my eyes).

My point is, Carl and LJ are joined at the hip, so it’s pretty funny to me now to see Carl turn on him. With Herm “It’s All Trent Green’s Fault” Edwards & Mike “I Know What I’m Doing” Solari telling everyone who will listen that they would give LJ the ball, and without the threat of a passing game, opposing teams, oh I don’t know, came up with a crazy game plan of, drum roll, FOCUSING ON LARRY JOHNSON! What a concept! Because of that, Larry had to run the ball 100 more times to get the same yards he had in ’05.

Last year LJ carried the Chiefs, he was 42% of the offense and set an NFL record for carries in a season, but he can’t block, so no raise and NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!

5 Year Plan
We are in year 18 of Carl’s 5 year plan, and this much we know:
1) Every team that has EVER been in the AFC West has been to a Super Bowl in the last 12 years (Seattle, Tampa Bay, Denver, Oakland, & San Diego), except the Chiefs.
2) The Arizona Cardinals have won more playoff games than the Chiefs in the last 12 years.
3) Perennial losers can go from worst to Super Bowl or Championship game in one year (Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, St. Louis, Baltimore, Jacksonville), except the Chiefs.
4) Good teams, like New England & Denver, NEVER seem to have trouble signing quality players.

But hey, who cares? As long as we can save a couple of bucks on Larry Johnson and Jared Allen, and as long as we can keep the masses coming to fill up Arrowhead to watch a mediocre team, then it’s a good season, right?!!! (note heavy SARCASM)

The Chiefs seem more concerned with making money than with winning a title, which is why the Chiefs are quickly becoming the Chicago Cubs of the NFL. But that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.