FanHouse JohnnieMorton

When former NFL player Johnnie Morton tried his hand at mixed martial arts, he found out the hard way that MMA isn't a sport that a novice should jump into:

Morton's former 49ers teammate Jeff Ulbrich is also interested in MMA, but while Morton apparently misjudged how difficult it would be to fight professionally, Ulbrich is under no illusions that the sport is easy.

When former NFL player Johnnie Morton tried his hand at mixed martial arts, he found out the hard way that MMA isn't a sport that a novice should jump into:



Morton's former 49ers teammate, Jeff Ulbrich, is also interested in MMA, but while Morton apparently misjudged how difficult it would be to fight professionally, Ulbrich is under no illusions that the sport is easy.

Yesterday, MDS pointed out that former 49ers and Lions head coach Steve Mariucci is open to returning to the NFL, but he doesn't want to move away from Northern California. That sorta limits his options, obviously, but working for Matt Millen can force you to re-evaluate what you're willing to put up with to do something you love.

Interestingly, today's Detroit Free Press, declares that "Mariucci takes shot at Matt Millen," although anybody who's heard Mariucci speak for more than 10 seconds might find it hard to believe he'd take a shot at anybody. In the original Marquette Mining Journal piece MDS cited, Mariucci was quoted as saying:

"Matt Millen has changed 58 coaches already, and he's now finally changing players," Mariucci said. "Sure I've stayed in touch with some of them and some of the coaches, and on occasion Bill Ford Jr. -- I respect the heck out of Bill, he'll take that team over some day."

As far as taking swipes at former employers go, I'd say this ranks right up there with the Johnnie Morton-Matt Millen homoerotic shouting match from 2003. Except very, very different.

The thing is, I'm sure Mariucci could write a 700-page book on his experiences with the Lions, but reporting that Millen has changed 58 coaches and is finally changing players hardly seems scandalous. Even for the guy who cries every time he sees Brett Favre. That said, it's hard to pass up on a chance to point out Millen's inadequacies.

Not quite as catchy as Paul Simon's choice of "Joe DiMaggio," but it's a question the Chiefs might be asking.

The answer to the title's question, of course, is New Orleans (who apparently are trying to stockpile on former Chiefs named "Horn"), and the more apt question might be, "Why did the Chiefs let you go, Chris Horn?"

Some Chiefs' fans might be wondering the same thing now that they see the current WR crew. Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker are the starters, as expected. Dante Hall is the 3rd WR, as expected. Filling the 4th slot is ... Jeff Webb?

Certainly, Chris Horn's departure didn't make many waves when his pen left the Saints' paper. But you have to think that Trent Green was thinking otherwise. Horn had become Green's safety valve, so when Tony Gonzalez inevitably had double coverage, Green had no problem looking in Horn's direction.

That safety valve might become crucial to Green this year. For all of his wondrous skills, Larry Johnson still has to prove that he is as effective a receiver out of the backfield as Priest Holmes was. Kennison is a good target, but still prone to dropping passes. Parker became a favorite target of Green's at the end of last season, but that was the same story in 2004, and he is still being counted upon as a dep threat. He remains a somewhat unknown commodity. Hall will certainly never become a possession receiver. That leaves Jeff Webb or, in a worst case scenario, Chris Hannon. In fact, Hannon's making the roster is a good indication of the depth problem the Chiefs have at WR.

I have long chastised those who criticized the Chiefs' offense for lacking talent in the WR corp. After all, this is the offense that managed to be in the top three for each of the last several seasons, and Green has thrown for over 4,000 yards consistently. But each time, Green had a WR he could look to on third downs, first Johnnie Morton, then Chris Horn.

Horn was small and slow, but dependable, and that is what Dick Vermeil loved about him. Perhaps Herm Edwards wants to make sure he puts his own stamp on the team, but for his sake and the team's, Jeff Webb better not drop any passes on third down.