Sam Mellinger

The Kansas City Star

We’re mostly moved in by now, just boxes to unpack, and even in a week where three meals will be plates full of wings I peaked last night grilling out for the first time in years while drinking my last Saison-Brett.

/Sheds tear./

Anyway, this week’s book recommendation is Jack McCallum’s Dream Team, which is awesome even if you care only a little about one of the following: basketball, sports phenomenon, the 1990s, or the greatest team ever assembled.

This week’s food recommendation is steak tacos at Frida’s. Even better than Bichelmeyer Meats, though the things are totally different.

Let’s get to it. As you’d imagine, the big topic is the Chiefs, and as always, thanks for your help.

@kcroyalsfann Uh guys, @mellinger is really just a dog. That explains a lot. #profilepic

Well, here’s the deal. I hate the picture they use in the paper. I look like a 14-year-old poet.

The one from London is outdated by now, and after that, I don’t have many pictures of myself.

So you get my dog, at least for now, because she’s awesome.

@smileyksus was it your plan all along to get rid of Whitlock, Pos, Brady, and Babb just so we wouldn’t have a choice but to read your stuff?

Guys, I’m not sure how I can make it any clearer, or how many more co-workers I have to run off before you all realize: I am an absolute nightmare to work with.

@PinkelAsksSiri So babb leaves for wash post. When will you leave for the greener pastures such as some western kansas newspaper? #twittertuesday

Unfortunately, you guys are stuck with me, at least for a little while. I’m very happy for Kent, because it’s not often — especially in this business, it seems — that someone’s personal desires line up with professional opportunities. That specific job at that specific paper means a lot to Kent, just like my specific job at my specific paper means a lot to me.

I don’t know how long you’ll have to put up with me, but it would take a pretty amazing thing to pull me away.

And, now, it seems most of you want to talk about the Chiefs.

@DMBelew Who did the Chiefs miss more, Hali or Flowers? Could they have even won if both had played? #TwitterTuesday

I’ve watched the game three times now — once live, twice on DVR — and in my mind it’s Tamba and it’s not even close. Part of the reason is that Tamba is just the better player, and most of it is that Atlanta’s offense line — the weak link in that unit — needed ZERO help from tight ends or running backs to keep Matt Ryan clean.

I mean, it’s not just that Ryan was only sacked once^ and hit just three other times, it’s that the Chiefs hardly ever made him adjust a passing lane or rush a throw or do much of anything he wouldn’t have done in 7-on-7.

^ by Justin Houston, who did a bit of a truncated Tamba-hawk after.

Tamba doesn’t solve that on his own, because if he was playing on Sunday the Falcons could’ve just doubled him with a tight end or running back they weren’t using on anyone else. But he makes it a lot better, at the very least, forces Ryan to break a sweat.

@JamesKLight So the @kcchiefs Super Bowl formula is the 01 Ravens, 03 Bucs? But our D just allowed 40 in the home opener. This plan is flawed.

Seems to be, yes. What’s strange to me is the game went more or less the way I thought. The Chiefs moved the ball, and couldn’t stop Atlanta. That’s basically what a lot of us expected, right? But seeing it in real life is a different deal.

I expected Romeo — who has the job because of his defensive mind and the way players love him — to at least scheme up a defensive stop or two, and to not coach a team that falls apart after a missed field goal.

But, you know, all that said…

@xXDanteHicksXx Am I naive for not hitting the panic button 1 WEEK into the regular season? #Chiefs

No. I’m with you. I thought 9-7 before the game, and I think 9-7 now. They go on the road this weekend, but Buffalo looked as bad as the Chiefs. Maybe you can get one there. After that, the Chiefs play in New Orleans, where the Redskins just won (with a much better quarterback, obviously).

A lot of problems got exposed the other day, problems much bigger than injuries and a suspension, but if Derrick Johnson gets healthier and Brandon Flowers can play and Tamba is the same guy we’ve come to expect then the other problems at least get easier to fix.

Last year, the Giants lost to the Redskins by two touchdowns at home in the season opener. They ended up OK.

I trust we’re all reasonable enough to understand I’m not predicting that, but I also think the apocalyptic panic is a bit premature.

?@Nin_Hendo64 What’s the expectations for Chiefs after yesterday’s dismantling by Atlanta? #AFCWestChamps?

9-7, just like before. Remember that number.

@NJohnson_3 D was terrible, but what do you make of Baldwin being MIA? Is Thomas Jones on as an assistant coach or something? #TwitterTuesday

I have no idea why the training camp all-star didn’t play more, but I just included this because it made me laugh.

@c_jackley will never view Tony G the same again after he posterized his own peeps. Game was out of hand by then. #classless

I don’t understand this. Like, at all. This is insanity. Do people really think this? This is Gonzalez’s move, it’s who he is, and celebrating a touchdown isn’t exactly rubbing fans’ faces in feces here.

Gonzalez became a first-ballot Hall of Famer in Kansas City, the Chiefs traded him away, and for the most part he’s been very respectful. It’s cute that Matt Ryan’s trying to take the credit/blame for “making” Gonzalez do the dunk, because I can’t imagine he wasn’t dying to do it anyway, and I think anyone who had a problem with it needs some perspective.

What was he supposed to do, apologize for scoring?

@BobbyCave Yesterday has to be the first day of the last year of Cassell as Chiefs QB, right? ESPN already saying Chiefs take a QB in ‘13;

Ah, right. The hate raining down on Cassel. I get it, the guy’s limited and probably around the 20th to 22nd best starting quarterback in the NFL and that’s a hard way to go through the league.

But save it with draft projections, please. As long as Scott Pioli is the GM here, for better or worse, Matt Cassel will be the starting quarterback.

Then again…

@ChiefsOrioles12 Let’s see Cassel is now 2-9 vs Good teams,Only that fail of a GM chiefs have thinks that’s good.

The definition of “good” is obviously subjective. A real quick run through Cassel’s gamelog isn’t impressive. There’s wins against the Steelers and Broncos in 2009, the Chargers and Seahawks in 2010, and the Chargers last year.

None of those teams were world-beaters, but it’s also true that outside the Packers win last year, the Chiefs as a team haven’t had any great wins. Obviously these two things are related.

I guess I’m still where I’ve been on Cassel: of course the Chiefs would be better off upgrading, but the narrative that he’s the worst quarterback since the invention of the forward pass is out of control.

Then again…

@ryanjnoonan who finishes with more wins as a KC Chiefs starting QB: Matt Cassel or Elvis Grbac?

Right now, Grbac leads 26-18. If the Chiefs get to 9-7, Cassel would pass him this year. Even if they don’t, seven or eight wins is a lock to extend this group to next year. Depending on the circumstance, six or fewer will probably do it. So even just based on opportunities, yeah, Cassel should pass Grbac late this season or early next fall.

And there will be bitching the entire way.

@mmMOUF is football the “easiest” sport you cover to write about?

I’m not sure how you mean that, but no, I don’t think it’s the easiest. Baseball is probably the easiest for me, just because it’s where I have the most experience. But they all have their pluses and minuses. You get better access in baseball, but there’s more to write about in football.

I will say I’m looking forward to tomorrow, when the coaches film on NFL.com comes out. That type of reporting/research in football is vastly ahead of baseball.

@rcwerner21 What % of the time do you pause and retreat before hitting the Send button when submitting a story?

Never. My send-button trigger-finger is fearless, like a spartan warrior.

@DanielSWesley I still hold that the #Royals will win 90+ games before the #Chiefs win 12+ games again. After this weekend would you agree?

Well, winning 90 baseball games is much easier than winning 12 football games. In the last two seasons, baseball teams have won 90 games 18 times. Football teams have won 12 games 10 times.

So with that context, yeah, I do think the Royals can get to 90 before the Chiefs get to 12. A lot of people think I’m stupid for this, and they may be right, but I just don’t think the Royals are all that far from clicking. Their stance on Luke Hochevar isn’t encouraging, but they do play in the American League’s worst division and if they can add the right pitchers and Eric Hosmer isn’t broken and they can fix right field.

Getting to 12 wins in the NFL takes a lot more. You need a dominating season, lots of health, an easier schedule that breaks the right way…there’s just more factors.

But, let’s be honest. Kansas City would be thrilled with 10 NFL wins or 85 MLB wins in a season.

@kent_swanson Fantasy owner asked me to veto a trade for Fred Jackson after the fact that he got hurt. Not fair or warranted?

Screw that. The guy’s gotta wear it. There are not take-backsies, if you trade for a guy who gets hurt, your guy gets hurt and you have to figure something out.

And if he traded for Jackson AFTER the injury, then he not only has to live with it but he should be up for further punishment for doing something that dumb, like the first round of beers next time you get together or something.

@bmd473 who has it worse as a fan MUFball, KUFball, or Chiefs. #twittertuesday

KU football, and it’s not close. Is this really a question? The Chiefs are much better than anyone is in the mood to believe right now, and Mizzou just joined the baddest league in the country, with all kinds of renovations and improvements on the way.

I assume you’re coming from the perspective of Mizzou living with the fifth down thing, and the Chiefs not winning a playoff game since ‘93, and KU fans at least having basketball. But yous aid KU football, not KU, and the NFL is built in such a beautiful way that nobody’s THAT far from winning and Mizzou football will be a fascinating story going forward.

?@AM_Hiles How many Chicken Z Mans have you enjoyed after you got back from London?

I’m not sure if I should admit this out loud, but we’re all friends here, I’ve always been honest with you guys, so here goes: zero.

Please don’t judge me.

My first meal back in Kansas City was wings at the Peanut, and when I had my Joe’s craving it happened on a Wednesday night so I got the burnt ends, which were ridiculously good. I live my life with no regrets, but I do feel like an a-hole for not having a Z-Man yet.

@AlanSwansonmed8 Colin “Optimus” Klein was discussed in Media as being a potential Heisman yet is not currently listed on the national fan ballots

No offense, but so what?

@Andycoldy we all know optimus klien’s badassness but, what about arthur brown and the #KSUFB defense?

Also very badass. That team is built in a way that’s just impossible not to like. You have, at least in my mind, the very best COACH in college football with a quarterback he trusts implicitly and a linebacker that makes every play on the field.

Absolutely cannot wait for that game next weekend in Norman.

@Simmsbillj Ariz ST is kind of a must win for Mizzou Sat, right? I see a 3-5 SEC record, meaning this game could determine bowl eligibility.

I don’t think so. Missouri played well the other night, led deep into the third quarter. People seem to have taken from that game that MU can’t compete in the SEC, but I think most of that is built on emotion and wanting to see them fail after leaving the Big 12.

Mizzou is 1-1. The only wins that would be shocking are Alabama and South Carolina. The Tigers should beat Arizona State, Central Florida, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and Syracuse. That’s six wins right there. They also have good shots against Tennessee, Florida, and Texas A&M, even if all those games are on the road. Win one or two of those, and you have some cushion in the others.

They’re going to be fine in the SEC, whether people want to hear that or not.

@brentbeats First Tebowing was all the rage. Then Eastwooding. What would Mellingering entail? And as a departing shot, Babbing? #TT

I mean, I’d like to pretend it’d be something awesome that would make me feel like a ninja or something, but more likely, it’d just be staring at my phone, checking e-mails, and getting hungry.

@joebonge Which member of the Royals roster/staff would be most likely to break bad Walter White style? My vote is Chino Caddahia. #TT

Don’t underestimate Dayton, or Eddie Rodriguez. Both those guys have some soldier potential.

@caleboverman how many starts after the #Royals sign an extension with Jeremy Guthrie will he require TJ surgery? #TwitterTuesday

That’s not nice.

Six. The answer is six.

@AlexMScott Missouri’s bigger rival ten years from now: KU, Arkansas, or other? #TwitterTuesday

Kansas, because on a day where the Jayhawks lost at home to a bad program and the Tigers lost by three touchdowns in their first SEC game an absolute war broke out between the fan bases on Twitter and other websites.

There’s just too much invested here to expect it to go away overnight, and every time I hear someone make the insane point that one school doesn’t care about the other it’s drowned out by five people from one school talking about how bad the other school sucks. I’m not sure why people want to run away from this.

Embrace it. Sports hate can be fun.

@evblackwell Weis had a bad day Sat. But didn’t last year show KU is seriously lacking in talent, depth everywhere? What did we expect?

Well, if you expected KU to lose to Rice congratulations on all that money you must’ve won betting against Vegas, which had the Jayhawks as something like a 10-point favorite.

That was a bad, bad, awful loss for KU and Charlie Weis on a lot of levels.

Not as bad as Turner Gill’s incompetent self losing to North Dakota State, but, then, if that’s the standard they might as well shut the program down.

@T_Dwyer Remind me why I was excited about the Dayne Crist era again? #twittertuesday

My guess is you forgot he lost his job in the season opener at Notre Dame last year. Common mistake, it seems.

@countzerokc Covering both the Chiefs & Royals how often do you have to consult the thesaurus to find different ways of saying they suck

Well, I think suckitude is my favorite. For whatever reason, the editors won’t always let “suck” in the paper but I’ve gotten suckitude in a few times. But I guess over the years, I’ve used curb-stomped, molly-whopped, a metaphor about a windshield smeared with manure…it’s important to be as specific as possible.

@RealJEllis If I #HelpYouDoYourJob and submit a #TT question, will you #HelpMeDoMyJob by filling in on conference calls and answering emails?

Absolutely not.

This is a delicate balance I’m working on over here, making silly blog posts and needing to keep up on sports and, well, I gotta run now: that Bills replay from the other day isn’t watching itself, guys.

Comments

No comments have been posted. Perhaps you'd like to be the first?

Sign in with Facebook to comment.