The 2009 Patriots look nothing like the Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli creations that dominated the league for most of this decade. Tom Brady's reconstructed knee has something to do with that, but the complete lack of a defense hasn't helped much, either. Especially in the second half.
"This was a problem against the Bills and an insurmountable one against the Jets, who rang up 197 yards and 13 points in the second half to 57 yards and a field goal in the first. Worse, the first two quarterbacks they've faced, Trent Edwards and rookie Mark Sanchez, finished with passer ratings of 114.1 and 101.1. It is unlikely the last game either plays this season will be the Pro Bowl."
That was Ron Borges, who has made a living panning Belichick and the organization, even as they reeled off three Super Bowls in four years. But he actually makes a good point here (hey, it happens). Of course, no Borges column would be complete without getting in a few shots, and this time he targets Randy Moss.
It's July, the slowest month of the year for the NFL, and it's driving you nuts. You need a fix. A hit. Anything NFL to pull you through the dog days.
FanHouse is here to help with an in-depth look at each division that should have you plenty prepared for training camp. We're calling it Summer Scramble. This morning we look at some Burning Questions in the AFC West and offer a ridiculously early prediction of how the division will finish.
Matt Cassel was already a very rich man when he signed a one-year franchise tender with the Kansas City Chiefs that paid him nearly $15 million for the upcoming season. And now, it appears as if he will be really, really rich as word on the street is that he's signed a multi-year deal with the Chiefs.
This shouldn't be that surprising -- in all likelihood, Scott Pioli read my article this morning proclaiming Cassel an "underrated quarterback." Or, alternately, Pioli has followed Cassel's entire career and recognizes his Tom Brady-esque "benchwarmer turned franchise quarterback" potential. Hard to tell really. (Update after the jump.)
I can understand why a room full of grown men might not respond well to daily dressing downs, particularly from a new head coach not much older than than they are. But that's the situation in Kansas City.
Herm Edwards got his walking papers after a 2-14 effort last season, which, inexplicably, was only half as many games as he won the year before. Scott Pioli, who replaced Carl Peterson as the team president and general manager, hired former Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley to help turn things around.
The Chiefs got right to work on the rebuilding: they sent a second-round pick to the Patriots for Matt Cassel, giving them a franchise quarterback and somebody for Haley, whose success in Arizona landed him this gig, to build the team around.
In the three drafts prior to Scott Pioli's arrival in Kansas City a few months ago, the Chiefs selected in the first round defensive end Tamba Hali, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
For varying reasons, all three players could be elsewhere a year from now. Pioli, who came to Kansas City from New England, hired Todd Haley to replace Herm Edwards, and Clancy Pendergast to rebuild a defense that lost its way in recent seasons under Gunther Cunningham. This includes a switch to the 3-4 defense, a scheme Pendergast had some success with during the Cardinals' 2008 late-season surge.
Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.
Compared to last April, the 2009 Chiefs draft was unremarkable. A year ago, the team landed five players who contributed immediately, and a handful of others will get opportunities this season.
But unlike 2008, Kansas City finally has a franchise quarterback. New general manager Scott Pioli sent a second-round pick to New England for Matt Cassel (and linebacker Mike Vrabel). Cassel, who went nine years between starts, led the Patriots to an 11-5 record last season and parlayed that into a handsome payday (eventually) and a starting gig.
The Chiefs continued their Scott Pioli-led roster overhaul, signing unrestricted free agent center Eric Ghiaciuc away from Cincinnati. Ghiaciuc started 16 games for the Bengals last season, and made at least 12 starts each of the last three seasons.
Kansas City already has two centers on its roster, including Rudy Niswanger, who made 15 starts in 2008. What happened prior to Pioli's hire, though, seems to be pretty inconsequential these days -- case in point, Tony Gonzalez's unloading last week. Pioli has made it very clear that he will be heading into 2009 and beyond with a roster filled by guys who fit his vision.
Updates all over the place: It would appear Mr. Lombardi was premature with his call -- Peter King is reporting (via Twitter!!) that no deal is in place. And as PK noted earlier, he's in Kansas City, so this seems to be the more reliable report at the moment.
Matt Cassel is, according to reports from Mike Lombardi on the NFL Network, suddenly an even richer man than he was when the Patriots franchised him and sent him to the Chiefs. That's because, reportedly, he has signed a six-year deal (with $36 million guaranteed!) that will ostensibly make him the face of the franchise for Kansas City.
The contract is, obviously, also a pretty big sign that Todd Haley and GM Scott Pioli truly believe that Cassel is legit. Of course not as (relatively) legit as Matthew Stafford, but, hey, he played at Georgia.
Last year, the Chiefs put together one of the most impressive two-day draft showings I can remember. Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, Brandon Flowers, and Jamaal Charles -- all taken in the first three rounds -- saw significant playing time as rookies, and fifth-round defensive back Brandon Carr started every game. (Worth pointing out: the Chiefs might try to move Dorsey.)
It wasn't enough to save Herman Edwards' job; after taking the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2006, he only managed six wins the last two seasons. But new general manager Scott Pioli and new head coach Todd Haley have plenty of young talent to rebuild the team, and in March, they traded for their franchise quarterback: former Patriots backup Matt Cassel who, according to NFL Network's Mike Lombardi, just signed a six-year, $36 million deal. Not Matthew Stafford money, but it'll keep him comfortable.
Amidst all the traditional pre-draft speculating and sandbagging, the Kansas City Chiefs went out and made some actual news, dealing disgruntled tight end Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta for a 2010 second-round pick.
It's a trade that certainly sent shock waves through K.C., what with one of the best and most popular players in franchise history being sent packing. It should open some eyes around the league, too, with Gonzalez finding a near-perfect fit with Matt Ryan in Atlanta. More than that, though, the deal could have ripple effects through the entire weekend -- the Chiefs' No. 3 pick is more in play now than ever, and there will be at least a handful of teams looking to take advantage.
The 2009 Patriots look nothing like the Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli creations that dominated the league for most of this decade. Tom Brady's reconstructed knee has something to do with that, but the complete lack of a defense hasn't helped much, either. Especially in the second half. 
It's July, the slowest month of the year for the NFL, and it's driving you nuts. You need a fix. A hit. Anything NFL to pull you through the dog days. 
I can understand why a room full of grown men might not respond well to daily dressing downs, particularly from a new head coach not much older than than they are. But that's the situation in Kansas City. 
In the three drafts prior to 
Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 
The Chiefs continued their 
Last year, the Chiefs put together one of the most impressive two-day draft showings I can remember. 
Amidst all the traditional pre-draft speculating and sandbagging, the Kansas City Chiefs 
