O'Connor Sports Talk

D Rose is here to stay

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:55:00 +0000

Hello world... I know it has been a while since my last update and I apologize. Been a little busy over here in the desert. Anyway, my very first blog post was about 2 years ago and in it I stated that Derrick Rose was COMING. Well now I'm saying Derrick Rose is HERE! If you doubted me then I beg for you to doubt me now. You see when I wrote that post D Rose was a rookie in the midst of carving up the Boston Celtics and Rajon Rondo in the 1st round of the playoffs. Boston was coming off their Championship season and although Kevin Garnett wasn't playing they still had the leagues best defense. What I saw then was Rose not only stepping his game up the way great players do in crunch time, but also raising his teammates along with him. That is the sign of a great player. The Bulls that season were .500. 41-41 and squeaked into the playoffs. They should not of been challenging the Celtics the way they were and yet Rose would not let them believe that. He pushed his team and lead by example. He wasn't a leader then, at least vocally, but he was determined and it rubbed off on his team. They came up short that series, but it was not for a lack of trying. They were young, they had an odd roster of players that didn't really compliment each other and they had zero experience.

Fast forward 2 years and what you see out of Rose this year is exactly what I thought he would become. I'm not going to say I thought it would happen this early. The kid is still a kid at 22 years old. I didn't think he would become the youngest MVP ever (which he will this year). But I saw the potential. Rose has "it". He has whatever it is that makes great players great. Besides all the freakish physical gifts he has its the stuff inside that makes him so incredible. The drive, the desire and the hate he has for losing. Rose is now the best player on the court every single time he steps on it. I truly believe that right now at this moment he is the best basketball player on the planet. He's going to carry the Chicago Bulls deep into these playoffs and maybe all the way to the title.

There are about 5 teams I think can win it this year. Chicago, LA, Miami, San Antonio and Oklahoma City. Winning it all takes a lot of skill and a lot of luck. Chicago doesn't have the most "talent" on their roster from top to bottom, but they have the best player and sometimes that's all you need. You need a guy that can take you over the hump when all else is created equal. Here's to Derrick Rose. I'm proud that he put in the hard work to realize his potential. Go Bulls!

Response to Coack K arrogant quote

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:38:00 +0000

Coach K recently said the following...

“Every time we play one of our [ACC] teams, we’re the one they need to beat,’’ Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “More so now than ever. It’s usually been somebody else [and Duke]. Now it’s just us. We’ll see if that makes us better or not.’’

Guess he forgot UNC leads Duke in every statistical category thats meaningful and um... Has won 2 titles in 5 years!!! The things old age does to a mans memory.

So this is my response...

This is like the "they hate us because we win" crap K spews.

Mike, we hate you because you teach a douchey, dirty style of basketball and get a free pass from the media.

We hate you for Code Reds and chest stomps.

We hate you for teaching flopping on jumpshot. And flopping on defense. And for flopping your way out of a season so Pete Gaudet could absorb your losses.
We hate you for nipple twisters and jersey grabbing.

We hate you for yelling "F*** you" at a much better man than you.

We hate you for refusing to let Chris Collins fade into obscurity as he was clearly born to do.

We hate you for tampering with committed recruits.

We hate you for actually being the "better half" of your marriage.

We hate you for calling your self a "leader of men who happens to coach basketball" because a "self-serving snake oil salesman who happens to coach basketball" seems to be a better fit.

We love you for being a very talented and challenging second-fiddle for three decades.

We love you for the entertainment you have provided by underperforming your seed in March.

We love you for pitching hissy-fits when Dean would push your buttons.

We love you for letting us witness three years of Ty Lawson embarrassing Greg Paulus.

We love you for giving us gems such as "G is the real victim".

We love you for being the epitome of the phrase "necessary evil."

Chiefs VS. Ravens. Numbers don't lie.

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 01:29:00 +0000

The Ravens came into this AFC wild card game and showed what a veteran playoff team looks like. They have won there last 3 wild card games and all of them had similar reasons for success. Create turnovers, control the clock and play a full 60 minutes of football. The Chiefs showed they aren't ready for the playoffs, but they definately wont be a one year wonder. This team is built for long term success and adding a few more pieces in this years draft and maybe a veteran or two will go a long way in helping this team get over the hump it now sits on. There is no place worse for a franchise then middle of the pack. Not bad enough to get a high draft pick, not good enough to win a super bowl. The Chiefs will not be one of those teams, they have talent that can still get better and improve upon a suprisingly strong, fun 2010 season. That 7 game Playoff losing streak, which is an NFL record, will not be increasing that much more, if at all.
Anyway, here is a look at some numbers that will show you exactly what happened in this game.

0 - Passes thrown to Dwayne Bowe. I have a whole lot I want to say about this, but it just baffles my mind that a guy who was a huge part of your success on the season cant even get one shot. You couldnt throw an out route? No slants in the game plan? Was it too cold for the fade? If Kevin Curtis can get signed on Wednesday and get 2 targets on Sunday, Bowe should have recieved his fair share.

3 - There is a bunch of 3's, but Im going to focus on the one I thought played the biggest role and that is the number of first downs the Ravens recieved from Chiefs penalties. Like they needed our help! The Ravens had 26 first downs compared to the Chiefs 8, but if you expect to win any game you cannot give your opponent extra opportunities.

5 - Turnovers. The Chiefs came into this wild card game only commiting 14 turnovers all year, second in the NFL to the Patriots. I really thought they would keep that total, win or lose, after this game. Winning the turnover battle is CRUCIAL to success and the Chiefs blew it. The second half of football the Chiefs imploded, coughing up the ball 4 times!!! Good luck winning the game with that many turnovers.

9 - Carries for Charles. This guy does not care who he plays, he's going to get yards. 82 yards on 9 carries is good for a 9.1 yard average. I know that when your down that logically the fastest way to come back is to pass. Well when your getting 3.9 yards per pass completion there might be a better alternative and Charles is that alternative. I really hope he gets more carries next year. He could break all sorts of records.

20.4 - Cassel was not the Cassel we saw all year these last 2 weeks and his QB rating in this game was just terrible. He completed 9 of 18 passes for 70 yards with 3 INT. He cannot play like this in any game if he wants to give the Chiefs a chance to win. You cannot expect to run if you cannot pass and vice versa. Balance is the key and Cassel inefficiency played a very big role in why the Chiefs were dismantled. They couldn't sustain drives which played a part in our defense getting worn down.

27 - Unanswered points scored by the Ravens. The Chiefs took a 7-3 lead and all signs were pointing up. Then the ball dropped. Offensively, defensively and even special teams. Being outscored 20-0 at home in a playoff game is just flat out embarrassing

40 - Total plays the Chiefs managed to run. They just couldn't stay on the field. If it wasn't a 3 and out it was a turnover. Really gave Baltimore more than enough opportunites to win the game and a veteran team like that one doesn't need any help.

41:44 - Baltimores time of possession. Thats almost 3 quarters!

So as you can see the Chiefs lost everything. They didn't control the clock. They didn't force enough 3 and outs. They didn't sustain drives and didn't get their key personnel involved in the game. They simply played like a team that was outmatched. On the opposite side the Ravens showed why they have been winning these games the last few years and will probably give Pittsburgh all it can handle in next weeks game.

On a side note: This years Chiefs played hard, they played smart and they showed that the Chiefs as an organization is back on the right track! Im excited for the future of this organization. Im excited to watch these players keep developing. Im excited to see this team reach its ultimate goal of competing for a championship. Its going to happen sooner rather than later.

Oakland did Chiefs no favors. Or did they?

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:15:00 +0000

Oakland flew in to Kansas City and totally outplayed the Chiefs. Every aspect of the game went in Oaklands favor to the point it was almost laughable how badly the Chiefs were beaten. Without knowing for sure I'd say Oakland gave Matt Cassel 142 bruises and that's not counting his ego. If I was Todd Haley the Chiefs offensive line will be running gassers til the bruises heal. You cant play football like that. The 2009 version of the Chiefs roared its ugly head. The offensive line should be ashamed of its play. The defense should be angry at letting Michael Bush run for so many yards and Todd Haley should be kicking his own ass and his coordinators asses for putting together that kind of a game plan. It was the worst game played this year. Worse than the Broncos defeat. Worse than the collapse in the 4th quarter against Houston.

Yet the Chiefs are going to the playoffs. The world is not over. In most cases it's the team that finds a rythm in the playoffs that wins it, not the team thats hot going in. Look at last years Super Bowl winner. The Saints lost their last 3 games before coming together in the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl. The point is the Chiefs still have a chance and I think Oakland did what the Chiefs needed them to do. They forced them to look at themselves in the mirror and own up to the fact that if they really want to be a factor in these playoffs, they have to play their best for 4 quarters. Half ass attempts against teams in the playoffs will get you embarrassed and I bet the Chiefs are sick of that feeling.

The Chiefs in 2010 have done a great job of taking a defeat and moving passed it. Regrouping and coming back stronger. Look at their schedule. They lost 2 and then won 2. Lost 2 then won 2. Lost 1 and won 2. So whats next? Are they going to follow this L with 2 or maybe 3 wins or are they going to lose agian and go home? I bet they win and I bet Oakland forced them into a matchup that gives them the best chance to do that.

At first glance you look at the Chiefs Wild Card matchup with the Ravens and you get a bad feeling. Its the Ravens, their 12-4 and their defense is always great. With what happened to Cassel and the offensive and defensive lines against Oakland you'd think it's going to be a lot worse against Ray Lewis and the Ravens defensive crew. Not so fast. The Ravens give up some yards. 318.9 per game to be exact. They give up 224.9 passing and 93.9 rushing so they can be exploited. The Chiefs have been great at recognizing whats working on offense and taking advantage of it. If they can find holes in the front 7 and run, they run. If they can find holes in the secondary and pass, they pass. Its as simple as that. The Chiefs just need to find out what works, find it quickly and take advantage of it.

The Ravens have weapons on offense. They have a strong armed QB in Flacco and a multi purpose running back in Rice. They have Boldin, who is as good as any at catching a short pass and turning it into a big gain. They screen pass very well because their offensive lineman can get out in space and make blocks. The Chiefs defense is going to have to stay disciplined, keep gap control and fly to the football. If they miss a tackle for a 2 yard gain it can turn into an 80 yard gain so getting the ball carrier on the ground is imperrative.

After the loss to Oakland it's easy to write the Chiefs off. They've had a great year. Accomplished far more than what was expected. They won their first division crown since 2003 and will host their first playoff game since January 11, 2004. The players are developing and the fan base is returning to its glory days. All signs for the future point up, so who cares if we win or lose against the Ravens, atleast we made it. Well I dont think that attitude is going to fly in the locker room. I bet the players and coaches want something more. I bet the Ravens come into Arrowhead and the Chiefs give them everything they can and I bet the Chiefs come out on top.

It's funny how a humiliating loss to you most hated rival can fuel you to dig deeper. How it can motivate you and force you to refocus. It's funny how your rival can give you the seeding you need to match up with a team you can beat. It's funny how your rival can actually do you a favor.

2010-2011 Top 5 NBA Power Forwards

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 21:47:00 +0000

Power Forwards in the NBA are freaks of nature. Their giant, explosively skilled athletes that control the paint with their scoring and defense. Their play can impact a game on multiple levels, from hitting 3's to blocking shots. These guys are super athletic rim rockers who make embarrassing their opponents a daily habit.

1. Dirk Nowitzki - This guy keeps getting better and better. Hes the premier power forward today as his shooting level is on par with all time greats regardless of position. He takes advantage of his size and picks his spots on the floor to destroy opponents. His 24.1 ppg and 7.4 rpg are impressive, but I like his 54 fg%, 40 3pt fg% and 88 ft%. Those are awesome shooting % for anyone.

2. Pau Gasol - He is the smoothest post player in the league. He isnt the strongest, but skill wise his post play is unequaled. His BBall IQ is on par with his skill which makes him a nightmare to try and contain. 18.9 ppg and 11 rpg are the nuts and bolts of what he brings you. He's the perfect robin to Kobe's batman.

3. Kevin Garnett - He's not the same 20-10 KG that we grew to love in Minny, but hes a better player overall. His defensive level of intinsity and the way he pushes his teammates to be better is the stuff legends are made of. 15 ppg and 9.5 rpg is gravy on top of the intangibles.

4. Amare Stoudemire - The Knicks are back and Amare is the reason why. His scoring has never been questioned as his 26.3 ppg isnt the eye raiser. Its his 2.2 bpg that show he's taking his game to the next level committment wise. If the Knicks are going to keep winning, Amare is going to get serious MVP consideration.

5. Kevin Love - I dont care about Minnesotas record. This throwback player gets it done in a big way. His 20.8 ppg and league leading 15.5 rpg show that his game is on point every night. If his post play wasn't enough, throw in his 43% 3 pt shooting and you see how he can attack defenses on every level.

Honorable Mention - Tim Duncan, Blake Griffin, Chris Bosh, Jeff Green, LaMarcus Aldridge.

Chiefs Grab the Torch

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 01:25:00 +0000

The Kansas City Chiefs are your 2010 AFC West Champions. The Chiefs have won ugly (think Cleveland) and they've won pretty (think ST Louis). They've done it with a dominating ground game and an opportunistic defense. They have the discipline, hunger and belief that their not done yet. You know what? I believe they aren't done yet too.

The Chiefs ended San Diego's strangle hold on the division by opening up the 2010 season with a win and continuing to win even when they shoulda lost. Everybody kept waiting for them to fall apart, for their youth and inexperience to take over and close games to turn into losses. Well it never happened. They won despite all odds.

They have a few players who used this season to finally display the talents we all knew they had (think Dwayne Bowe and Derrick Johnson). We had players settle in to new positions and thrive now that they're comfortable (think Tamba Hali and Glenn Dorsey). We had players show they were capable of being the best at their position (think Matt Cassel, Jamal Charles and Brandon Flowers). We had a Rookies prove they deserved to be drafted (think Tony Moeaki, Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster and Kendrick Lewis).

The 2010 Chiefs got contributions from everywhere. The Players and the Coaches all did what they had to do week in and week out to give the team a chance to win. Fortunately they won enough to grab the torch from San Diego and show they're going to be division players for the forseable future!

2010-2011 Top 5 NBA Small Forwards

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 20:37:00 +0000

THis Christmas Im giving everyone the treat of another NBA top 5 by position blog! Today Ill be giving you the small forwards who are having a sensational year and really helping their teams win.

Small Forwards - Think versatility, production from multiple spots on the courts. Depended upon to make the smart and tough play. SF in the NBA can do everything and usually they do it among the best in the game.

1. Lebron James - The most productive player in the game today. He scores, dishes out assists and rebounds. His defense is among the best you'll see from a perimeter player and his chase down blocks are always eye catching. His Numbers are down only to his lofty standards, but 24.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 7.1 apg is not a "down" year for anyone else.

2. Kevin Durant - This 22 year old scoring champ is going to collect a lot of awards in his career. He's the corerstone of the OKC Thunders franchise and makes them a must see team every night. His 27.5 ppg leads the league and his also pulling in 6.6 rpg while handing out 3 apg. Throw in a block and a steal and you see how this guy helps his team out everywhere on the court.

3. Carmelo Anthony - Melo gets some negative publicity these days, but it is having zero effect on his game. Hes scoring 24 ppg and collecting 8.3 rpg. He's matchup nightmare as he has bullish size and figure skater agility. One of the more consistent players in the league, and really loves the big game moments.

4. Paul Pierce - 12 years Paul has been schooling people on the fundamentals. Hes an old school player meaning he might not be crazy athletic, but hes smart, knows how to get his shots and constantly makes you pay for mistakes. His 18.2 ppg lead a veteran Boston club and his 5 rpg and 3 apg are solid. He's as clutch as they come and if theres a game winner to be made, Paul Pierce will make it.

5. Luol Deng - Luol gets the nod over Granger and Gay because and the Bulls are winning. Luol has started every game this year and played at a very high rate. His scoring (17.7 ppg) has dipped a little since Boozer came back, but as a third option thats a really high mark. 6 rpg and 3 apg just show how versatile he is.

Honorable Mention - Rudy Gay, Danny Granger, Wilson Chandler, Ron Artest, Trevor Ariza

2010-2011 Top 5 NBA Shooting Guards

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:11:00 +0000

This is a continuation of my 2010-2011 NBA top 5 by position thus far in the season. As stated a few teams and players are off to sizzling starts and Im identifying the guys who are having the most impact from their position.

Shooting Guards. A shooting guard in the NBA is, for the most part, the player who dominates on the offensive end. The top shooting guards are able to handle scoring loads and defensive assignments other players are simply not able to do. They have inside/outside games and can take over a game on either end of the court. These players are my favorite to watch cause they contribute in a variety of ways.

1. Kobe Bryant - The Lakers guard is the second best shooting guard ever and its not even close. He has 5 rings and is in position to collect number 6. He scores at will from all over the court and is also the best on ball defender in the game today. He's having a typical Kobe season, scoring 25.7 ppg while dishing out 4.7 apg and collecting 5.3 rpg. Simply put he does everything and he does it on a consistent basis.

2. Manu Ginobili - Manu is one of the most exciting players to watch. He's constant energy and plays with no fear. He's averaging 19.8 ppg and handing out 4.9 apg and even that doesn't tell the whole story. If his team needs a play, Manu is the guy they call on, regardless of what it is or how unlikely it might be to make.

3. Dwayne Wade - Dwayne is a dynamic baller on par with the games best. His skill is only matched by his determination and will to succeed. He has the ability to take over games or a finals series (2006 anybody?). His stats have went down since joing forces with LBJ, but 23.5 ppg and 4.5 apg is among the games best.

4. Kevin Martin - This SG doesn't get near the pub he deserves. He's a scorer and can put the ball in the hole regardless of where he is on the floor. His 23.6 ppg is great, but his 44% 3 point shooting is among the games elite.

5. Eric Gordon - This 21 year old ball of thunder was the best 3 point shooter on the U.S. National team this past summer, but he doesn't camp out behind the arch and will rise up and dunk on anybody. He's averaging 23.7 ppg and 4.6 apg and will continue to be a force for the LA Clippers for a long time.

Honorable Mention - Monta Ellis, Ray Allen, Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas, Joe Johnson

2010-2011 NBA Top 5 Ppoint Guards

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:58:00 +0000

The NBA Season is off to a great start. Several teams have stepped up to be serious title contenders and several players have had great seasons thus far. This is my Top 5 players by position this year. This is not a popularity vote or a career achievement vote. This is strictly based on what Ive seen from these positions for this season.

Point Guard: Spearheads teams offense, sets tempo offensively and defensively, sets teammates up for scoring opportunites and breaks down his man to get into the paint at will.

1. Rajon Rondo - He isn't the most popular Celtic, but this guy is a wizard with the ball. Leads NBA in assists at 13.8 per game. Last guy to average 14 apg? John Stockton in 89-90 and 90-91. Rajon is no slouch on defense as his 2.4 steals per game are currently 3rd in the league.

2. Chris Paul - Chris is playing near his peak. I say near because his numbers are below his career averages, but his influence on his teammates has been better then ever. He's 4th in assists at 9.7 per game and his thievery is the best in the NBA at 2.8 steals per game.

3. Derrick Rose - Derrick has had to carry the load for the Bulls this year with first Boozer and now Noah out with injuries. His 24.2 ppg lead all PG's and his 8.6 apg are a career high. This 3rd year pro is only getting better as his often criticized 3 point shot is finding the net at 42%, making him truely unguardable.

Derron Williams - D-Will is having a career year so far for the Jazz. His 22.3 ppg is a career high and his 9.7 apg is around his career mark. He has lead Utah to some serious comeback victories and in the process earned his team a reputation for playing for 48 min every game.

Raymond Felton - Talk about career changing. Raymond got out of Larry Browns bogged down system and into Mike D'Antoni's high octane system and is having the type of year many experts didnt know he was capable of having. Leads New Yorks surprising playoff push with 18.4 ppg and 9 apg.

Honorable Mention : Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Tony Parker, John Wall, Jason Kidd.

Break from football - Lets talk College Hoops!

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:05:00 +0000

Well it's time to talk a little hoops as the college season is in full force. I have had time to digest what is happening around the country in what is shaping up to be a great college season. Here are a few thoughts of mine from the early season.

Duke took a major blow in losing Kyrie Irving for what might be the rest of the year. For those of you who think this will take them out of the hunt, go back and re-evaluate things. Irving is sensational and gave Duke a tremendous advantage at the point guard slot, but losing him doesn't diminish the other players Duke has. Id argue that losing a post player would hurt them much more as Duke has a bunch of depth on the perimeter. Nolan Smith can lead this team and Curry and Dawkins can fill in his scoring role. Duke will be there in the end, but they aren't the unbeatable force they were 2 weeks ago.

Ohio State isn't getting enough love. The Buckeyes have everything you need to cut down the nets in April and are my early year pick to get it done. They have Leadership in 5th year senior David Lighty, a huge post player in Sullinger and awesome cohesiveness. I really enjoy watching them play as they get up on you defensively and really execute on the offensive team. Thad Matta has been close before, losing in 2007 to Florida, but this year he has what it takes to finally gt it done.

Kansas is better than last year and its not even close. Last years team depended too much on Sherron Collins and his inconsistent play. Sure, Sherron was a competitor and really elevated his game at times, but he also never learned to defer to the hot hand and always seemed to play to "get his". This years Kansas team plays together and plays really hard. Adding Selby to the lineup isnt fair to the rest of the country. With the Morris twins holding down the paint and a bundle of shooters around the perimeter Kansas can attack defenses on every level.

North Carolina isn't going to the NIT, but they aren't back on top yet either. UNC came into the year with high expectations and they still should. It takes time for a team to gel, especially one with 1 transfer senior and a butt load of freshman and sophmores learning how to play together. They need to move the ball better to create easier looks and shots simply have to go in. I think they're on the right path as long as they learn from mistakes and continue to get better at execution. This team is a year away, and if they are lucky and get everyone back, watch out.

Kemba Walker is playing out of his mind. Its been a long time coming for this junior point guard. He came to UCONN with grat expectation and is finally living up to his high school reputation. Im happy for him and I think he can take UCONN on a great journey the rest of the year. If he continues to get help from his young supporting cast, he'll give them a chance in every game.

Charles Jenkins is a senior guard at Hofstra University and is really a very underrated player nationally. Hes 6'3 and averages roughly 25ppg. If this guy was 2-3 inches taller he would be talked about as a lottery. In any case he will play NBA ball and he will have a long career. Nothing is more valuable to any team than a go-to scorer.

Kansas State is really struggling to put the ball in the hole and it starts and ends with Jacob Pullen. In games he has struggled KSU has been terrible. They arent a efficient defensively as last year so they really need him to play well.

Heres to hoping this year ends how it has started. Theres a lot of unpredictability in college hoops. These are 18-22 year old kids and its hard to predict how pressure is going to affect them. The stars will shine in the end and it might not be who we thought it would be.

Chiefs VS St. Louis Post Game

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:54:00 +0000

The Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) drove down 1-70 and put a beating on the St. Louis Rams (6-8) to keep their playoff dreams alive and well. Kansas City won the Govenors Cup and are still undefeated against the Rams in St Louis.

Matt Cassel is now a living legend. Cassel showed his worth on Sunday and to the Chiefs that worth is priceless. Cassel completed 15-29 passes for 184 yards. He threw a TD and an INT. Pretty? No. But Cassels performance showed the organization, his teammates and the fans how much he is invested in this team and how badly he wants to win. He is a Chief and, by all accounts, proud of it.

Running game found its footing. A week after being held to 48 yards rushing against San Diego. The Chiefs got physical and looked like the NFL's leading rushing team. The Chiefs rang up 210 yards on 42 carries for a 5.0 yards average. Charles continues to prove he's the most explosive back in the league as he gained 126 yards on 11 carries. This is becoming routine as he's been carving up defenses this way all year. Jones had 62 yards, Cassel had 17 and Battle chipped in 9. If the Chiefs continue to do this they will be playing well into January.

Defense clamped down. The Defense needed a consistent game to build off of and Sunday was the perfect starting point. The Rams couldn't find a rhythm in the air or on the ground. The Chiefs were all over the field, harrassing Bradford into completing just 21-43 passes for 181 yards and 2 INT's. Gilberry came up with 3 sacks, but the whole Chiefs defense bottled up the rookie and forced errant throws that the secondary continually batted to the turf. Up front the Rams had zero running lanes as Pro Bowler Steven Jackson was held to 67 yards on 19 carries. This is the type of team effort the Chiefs need going forward.

The Chiefs control their own destiny which is where a team wants to be this time of year. There are only 2 games left and both are at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs need to build off this game and continue to pound the ball and play hard-nosed, smart football. This is not a team anyone wants to see in the playoffs.

Chiefs VS St. Louis Pre Game

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:25:00 +0000

The Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) travel to St Louis to take on the Rams in a battle for The Govenors Cup. Surprisingly, The Chiefs lead the AFC West and the Rams are tied with Seattle for the lead in the weak NFC West. Neither team was expected to be serious threats in the respective divisions, yet both teams enter this game hoping to increase their chances of a playoff berth.

Cassels leadership showed more with him sidelined. Nobody thought Cassel was the teams MVP at the beggining of the year, but thats exactly what he is. With Cassel sidelined last week the Chiefs looked hopeless and the offense was stuck in mud. Cassel is engine to this offene. He's fifth in the NFL in passer rating and that undermines his value to this club. With Cassel back the Chiefs can atleast expect more than 67 yards of total offense.

Chiefs need stars to shine. Charels and Bowe played terrible last week. No other way to say it. Big games are when a team needs its best players to shine and these two stars fell out of the sky. In order for the Chiefs to bounce back these two need to carve up a St. Louis defense thats giving up 123 yards rushing per game and allowing 230 yards passing. The key will be to strike early on offense as the Rams birght spot is holding offenses to 33% conversions on third downs.

Defense needs to dig in and earn a reputation. Right now the Chiefs defense is solid, not great, in any one area. Some weeks the run defense is good and the pass defense is shaky and vise versa other weeks. The Chiefs need to put their heels in the ground and keep the plays in front of them. No big plays, limit yards after contact and force the Rams to settle. Forget turnovers, the Chiefs need to limit yards.

These games are what they wanted, no they have to finish what they started. The Chiefs haven't played meaningful December football in a long time. Well, these last 3 games are as important for the franchise as anything in recent years could be. Win and your in the playoffs and your rebuilding job is a dashing success. Lose and have questions arise about where the team is headed. This is where good teams start to prove their metal.

Scoring shouldnt be a problem for either team. The Rams and Chiefs are light years ahead of where they were projected to be and both have key pieces in place on offense and defense. The Chiefs, at this point, are better overall so look for them to get the stops they need when they need them. It's not ging to be pretty but the Chiefs get the win 27-24 in a game that comes down to the wire.

Chiefs VS Chargers Pre Game

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 19:16:00 +0000

The Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) host the San Diego Chargers (6-6) Sunday in a game between the current landlord of the Division and the new kids on the block. The Charger have won the division the last 4 years and they have no desire to give up their property without a fight. The Chiefs will fight, and fight to kill as they feel it is their time to take over leasing rights.

Jamaal Charles runs for pay check and pay dirt. Jamaal leads the NFL with a 6.2 yards per carry average. He is 3rd in rushing yards behind newby Arian Foster and Maurice Jones-Drew. I cant beat this horse enough and I dont care what the Chargers defense is ranked. Give this guy the ball... A LOT! Hand it to him, pass it to him hell let him return kickoffs and punts. He needs to be a MAJOR factor today and that only happens if the coaches game plan that way. The Chiefs will.

Croyle is 0-9 but even Ryan Leaf has an NFL win. You know what that means? It can happen. As long as Brodie plays within his means, doesn't force anything and gives the ball to the best running back tandem in the league he wont hurt us and dont be surprised if his cannon arm gets unleashed on more than one occassion.

Seconday cant be second to anybody today. The Chargers are a vertical passing team and Rivers is having an MVP type of season. The key for the Chiefs is for Flowers and Carr to stay with their guys long enough for the pass rush to get their. It worked for Oakland, generating 4 sacks and a boat load of hurries, and allowed them to fluster Rivers. The Chiefs can and should be able to get pressure even in their dime packages with Arenas providing an additional rusher. The secondary is the key to the game.

Special teams need a special moment. It happened in the home opener and it could happen again. The Chargers special teams unit has been suspect and the Chiefs have 2 guys who can take it to the house every time they touch the ball. The Chiefs are going to need to win the feild position battle on the road in this pivitol game. McCluster gets the ball up feild quickly and Arenas explodes through mouse holes. 1 of them needs to make a big play.

My guess is the Chargers come out pumped and ready to take the division, but to many drive killing mental mistakes happen due to the extra addrenaline and the Chiefs hang around just enough for Brodie to get comfortable and the plays the Chiefs need to make they make and pull out the biggest win of the new era. The game should have plenty of highlights, big hits and momentum swings and the Chiefs pull it out on the road for their 9th win of the year. 31-24 Chiefs.

Chiefs VS Broncos Post Game

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:43:00 +0000

The Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) defeated the Denver Broncos (3-9) 10-6 in a sloppy game at Arrowhead Stadium. The win avenged an earlier loss against Denver and gave the Chiefs a 2 game lead in the dividion with only 4 to play.

Bowe's show was put on hold. Dwayne Bowe came into the game with a record 7 straight games with a TD catch and had been playing lights out football for the Chiefs. Well not only did he not catch a TD, he didnt catch a ball. Champ Bailey did a great job on Bowe and no doubt he was bracketed by safties, but Bowe needs to atleast show up in the box score. Dont expect this to become a trend, Bowe has a lot to prove this year and wont let 1 game derail his goals.

Chiefs Secondary outplays Broncos passing attack. The Broncos are primarily a passing offense. Orton does a great job getting the ball out quickly and his recievers make plays. Sunday that was all thrown out the window. Orton was held to 9-28 (32.1%) for 117 yards. Thats a 46.3 QB rating for a guy who boasts a 93.0 rating on the year. The Chiefs secondary was all over the feild and showed it can be a huge differense maker down the stretch.

Charles gaining more yards with more reps. Over the last few games the Chiefs game planning has Charles carrying the rock more then Jones and its been paying dividens in the W L collums. Charles gained 116 yards on 21 carries while the Chiefs as a whole ran for 185 yards. Charles getting the bulk of the carries is the winning formula the Chiefs need to stick with down the stretch as Charles is boasting a 6.2 yards per carry average.

Haley went soft. Haley is a rough and tough coach and KC is better because of it. Sunday after the bell he chose to do the politically correct thing and give McDaniels a hug. Sure its good sportsmanship and the right thing to do, but a hug? Come on Haley, you cant get soft on KC fans now.

Kansas City has a huge matchup with San Diego next week. Win that game and the Chargers are eliminated for contention. Lose and the Division crown likely comes down to the final regular season game against Oakland. Get ready for a slobber knocker ladies and gentleman.

Chiefs VS Seattle Post Game

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:38:00 +0000

WOW!

The Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) went to Qwest Field to face the Seattle Seahawks (5-6) and won their second road game of the year 42-24. The Chiefs needed to win this game and they did so with a dominating performance.

MMA isn't the only place the ground and pound takes place. The Chiefs #1 rushing attack was at it again, running the ball 48 times for 270 yards. That's a blistering 5.6 yards per rush average! Compare that to 20 yards on 12 carries (1.7 yards per rush) Seattle managed to eke out and you can see the Chiefs dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Jamal Charles is more than a speed back, he is the total package. Running behind an offensive line missing its best player in Brandon Albert, the Chiefs RB made it look elementary. He had 22 Carries for 173 yards (7.9 yards per rush) and a touchdown. He is definitely one of the best RB in the league and topped a thousand yards with 5 games to go.

Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe have taken their games to an elite level. No other QB WR tandem in the NFL is playing a this high of a level. Cassel completed 22 of 33 pass attempts for 233 yards and 4 TD. Bowe caught 13 passes (tying his record set 2 weeks ago) for 170 yards and 3 TD. If these guys continue to play like this the Chiefs will continue their assault on defenses well into the playoffs. Its amazing that these two players were written off at the beginning of the year.

The Chiefs defense is peeking when it matters most. The Defense, led by Derrick Johnson (6 tackles, 1 sack), came to play in this game. They had 2 INT and a Fumble Recovery and harassed the Seahawks play makers all day long. This was a statement game for this unit and it showed they can be a force down the stretch.

The 1 area that raised some eyebrows was the not so special special teams unit. They Allowed a FG to be blocked and a punt block that led to a score. If they clean up this mess there isn't a whole lot other teams can look forward to when they play the Chiefs.

Overall this game can give this team a lot to be proud of. They controlled the clock (41.03 - 18.57), were efficient on offense and made plays on defense. They went on the road in November and beat a team leading their division. Statement game? No, the Chiefs just did what we are starting to expect from them.

Chiefs VS Seattle

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 17:48:00 +0000

The Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) are clinging to a 1 game lead in the AFC West and a victory against the NFC West leading Seattle Seahawks (5-5) can put a halt to the 4 game road losing streak they currently possess.

The Chiefs need to win this game - The schedule is not going to change and the Chiefs play 3 of their next 4 on the road. In order to be a good team you have to win in November and December. These next 6 games will make or break the Chiefs 2010 season.

Advantage - The Chiefs lead the league in rushing yards per game so statistically they have an advantage every game. They need to pound on Seattle with Jones then run by them with Charles. If the Chiefs win the battle in the tranches and control the line of scrimmage they will have a great shot at winning the game.

Mistake free football - The Chiefs lead the NFL with only 7 turnovers all year and they are one of the least penalized teams. The Oakland game showed us what happens when the Chiefs leave their composure at home. If they take care of the ball and play smart, penalty free football they'll control the game.

Game clock is crucial - Controlling the ball is a goal of every NFL team. They want their offense to score, but also to hold the ball and keep the pressure on the other teams defense. On the road it is crucial to win the game clock battle by running the ball well on offense and forcing 3 and outs on defense. How the Chiefs defense plays will determine how the offense will attack Seattle.

Prediction - My game ball is going to our running backs. Jones and Charles will eat up the clock, run for over 200 yards and allow us to leave Qwest Field with a victory. The Chiefs win the game 27-13.

Chiefs Earning Recognition

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 17:09:00 +0000

Individual accolades are a byproduct of team success. If the team is winning then the players generally get recognized. The Chiefs are finally winning and some players are having Pro Bowl caliber seasons.

I'll give you 4 for offense and 4 for defense.

Offense

QB Matt Cassel - He knows his role, but he's setting a new standard for the "game managing" quarterback. He has 18 TD to just 4 INT. His 96.2 QB Rating is 7th in the league and ahead of notable QB's Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. He's playing his best football down the stretch.

RB Jamal Charles - Every run is a big run for this RB. He's 7th in the league in rushing yds with 848 and he has done it on 139 carries. That's less than anyone in the top 20. His 6.1 Avg is "maddenesque".

WR Dwayne Bowe - D Bowe is "THE SHOW". Leads the league with 11 TDs and at least 1 in the past 6 games. Really coming on strong since "the drop" against Indianapolis. Looks to be hitting his stride at the right time and has become Cassels favorite target.

LT Brandon Albert - This giant, nimble footed LT has really held his own against some of the best pass rushers in the NFL. A big reason the Chiefs lead the league in rushing yards and fewest sacks allowed.

Defense

OLB Tamba Hali - Hes tied for 6th in the NFL with 8 sacks and even that doesn't tell the whole story. He is relentless off the edge against the pass and rush. Teams game plan away from him and still cant avoid him. His pass coverage has also improved dramatically.

CB Brandon Flowers - Becoming one of the premier corners in the league. Shuts down top receivers and makes ferocious tackles at the line of scrimmage. Game changing talent.

ILB Derrick Johnson - His nose for the ball is impressive. He's a true sideline to sideline tackler and when he hits you you stop moving. Deserving of the 5 year contract extension he signed recently.

DT Glen Dorsey - This mammoth of a DT is playing up to his paycheck. He is making plays vs the run and constantly getting pressure on the QB. The Pro Bowl needs to see the "Gorilla Dance".

Check back at the end of the year to see which Chiefs players get the recognition the crave and a complete breakdown of the Pro Bowl Roster.

Billy Butler deserves long term contract

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:34:00 +0000

Billy Butler is a 24 yr old hitting machine. He does what he is supposed to do and its time the Royals start to look at doing what they should do, which is sign him to a long term deal. Billy is making near the league minimum in salary this year and that fact doesn't sit right for me. You see Billy is hitting an outstanding .344, which is currently third in the American League. The two guys ahead of Billy are Vladimir Guerrero and Justin Morneau. Their salaries? Vlad gets 5.5 mil and Justin gets 15 mil. Granted they've had a little better career thus far, but Billy has to project as having more potential at this stage in their careers. Billy salary is only 470k! The league minimum is 400k! For a guy thats also second in hits, third in doubles, tenth in on base percentage, twenty first in slugging percentage the salary doesn't equal the production. Billy has three years of big league experience. He is eligible for arbitration from 2011-2013, which means he is ineligible for free agency, is without a contract, cannot agree to terms on a new contract with his current team and has been on the roster for three years. This means that Billy and the Royals have to submit salary offers and an arbitrator decides which is fair based on players with similar ability and years of experience. If I was in Billy's situation I would want the long term security, the respect of my peers, my owners trust and more than anything to be paid what I am producing. He deserves more then what we are currently giving him and I would argue more than what we will offer him. Baseball is a grueling sport, 162 games is a lot and the players get paid less than any other sport per game. When you have a gem, you reward him or you let him sign somewhere that will. Unfortunately for Royals fans, letting them go to someone who will is a familiar story. My stance? Pay this man!

Been Awhile. NBA, NFL thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Fri, 21 May 2010 02:08:00 +0000

Hello out there! It's been a long time since I've written as I've been really busy with work and school along with military obligations. I will be writing a lot more frequently now that I have the time!

NBA Thoughts:

First let me write a little bit on Derrick Rose since he is who I last wrote about. In case you don't know I am an avid Chicago Bulls fan and D. Rose happens to be the man for my team. I wrote that he was coming and if you didn't believe me then you definitely should now. He improved in all aspects of the game in his second season, including defense. He played well at home (838pts, 251ast) and on the road (781pts, 218ast). He brought a high energy level to every game and definitely showed he is an ascending talent and will be a force in coming years!

If LeBron James doesn't pick Chicago as the next city to play for he is more foolish then anyone thought. Chicago is a large market and the Bulls are a team on the rise. I believe LBJ wants to be a winner in the near future, and Chicago is the team that provides that opportunity.

The Boston Celtics are playing out of their minds and more credit should be given to Rajon Rondo. He is the head of that snake and they'll only go as far as he takes them. I believe that is to the finals, but not to the championship.

The Los Angelas Lakers are by far the best team. The have size and skill in the post. Great perimeter defense. Ability to go big or small without compromising effectiveness and a coach who understands game tendencies better than anyone else. Oh yeah, they have Kobe (second best shooting guard ever) Bryant as well.

If there was ever going to be a player to break Michael Jordan's NBA record for most years leading the league in scoring (10 for Michael) it is Kevin Durant. The kid has an unreal offensive game and can do anything he wants on that side of the court. Just for the record I'm not making a predictions on that just yet other than to say he'll come close.

NFL Thoughts:

JaMarcus Russell is the biggest embarrassment of the NFL. He took advantage of guaranteed money, got fat (literally) and happy and wasted an opportunity any regular guys would love the shot of getting. I cant stand the guy and I hope he never plays again. He should be ashamed.

The New York Jets have been talking a big game this offseason. Super Bowl? I think not. The team got lucky last year to make the playoffs. Losing Thomas Jones to the Kansas City Chiefs will hurt a lot more than people realize and Mark Sanchez still has a long way to go after throwing 20 int's and coughing up 10 fumbles (losing 3). They should let their play speak for them.

I love Bret Farve and think he should play as long as he is productive. But I am getting really tired of the retire/unretire act and the wait til last minute to decide if Im playing routine. It puts the franchise in limbo and hurts his fan base. He is a legend , but this act is almost as old as he is.

This NFL season is going to be full of surprises. I think one of the biggest is going to be the Kansas City Chiefs. It starts with the home opener against San Diego. The NFL is smart in bringing the Chiefs back to prime time and a resurgence is definitely on the horizon in the near future for this proud franchise.

Tim Tebow, in my opinion, is already a star person and he will be a star player once he figures out the nuances of the NFL. Good things happen to those who work hard, stay humble and cherish opportunities. To bad Tebow doesn't have Russell's arm strength.

Final Thoughts:

Sports are and have always been my passion. Im an unbiased sports evaluator who speaks my mind, welcomes argument and loves statistical evaluations. If you have a comment or point to make, make it!

Joshua

Derrick Rose is Blooming

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua O'Connor) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:40:00 +0000

Mr. Rose is getting taken to school by Rajon Rondo, but listen to me when I tell you he is coming into his own. The fact is he's increased his PPG from 16.8 to 19.5 and AST from 6.3 to 7.3 in the playoffs. The problem is he has also increased his TO from 2.49 to 5.8 and some of these, like the alley oop attempt to Noah with about 3 minutes to go in a 2 point game of game 5 of the playoffs, are too costly not to notice. Im not going to bash on the Rookie, he has played lights out in 3 of the 5 games and for a 20 year old he is starting to develop into a solid all around player also averaging 6 RPG.

Rose is only 87 games into his pro career and I am going to go ahead and say that he will be the best point guard in the NBA in 3 years. He will develop a solid jumper, he'll stop barreling down the lane with his head down and God willing he'll start using his hops more and dunk on a few flat footed, unsuspecting 7 footers on a regular basis. I love his effort and if he can devote more of himself on the defensive end he'll easily challenge Chris Paul for best thief in the NBA.

Derrick isn't there yet ladies and gentlemen, but he is coming.