Chiefs receive an F for first quarter of season

 
            When Warpaint, the Kansas City Chiefs galloping mascot, left a rather unfriendly pile of horsey-poo on the goal line before the player introductions at Sunday’s 27-16 loss to the visiting New York Giants, I told my buddy Rick Dean, who sits next to me in the Arrowhead Stadium press box, “I hope that’s not foreshadowing of what we are about to see on the field.”
            Unfortunately, it was.
            The Chiefs were once against embarrassed by a stronger, more experienced and much, much more talented football team.
            Quarterback Matt Cassel ran for his life the entire game.
            Jamal Charles fumbled the opening kickoff and before you could say, “Would someone please clean up Warpaint’s mess,” it was 7-0 in favor of the Giants.
            For the second week in a row the Chiefs were horrible on third-down plays, making just 2 of 15 (folks, that’s a 13 percent success rate), and featured running back Larry Johnson averaged just 2.9 yards per carry and was nowhere to be found when the team sniffed the goal line.
            After the game, first-year head coach Todd Haley said the first quarter of the season is over for his 0-4 Chiefs and in my opinion they receive an F.
            If I could give them a lower grade, I would.
            As I left the stadium, a longtime employee asked if I’d ever seen a Chiefs team with less talent.
            Even back in the forgettable 1980s there were one or two players who always seemed to rise above the team’s miserable record to bring some personal pride and success to our town.
            But I don’t see any such player on this team.
            Cassel might be an outstanding quarterback, but when you’re running for your life every time you pass the ball, it’s impossible to give solid evaluation.
            The Blue Springs High School offensive line would challenge the Chiefs unit, and if I were Cassel, I’d say a prayer every time a passing play is called in from the sidelines.
            “I know those guys give it 110 percent every play,” Cassel said, when asked about his protection. “It’s my job to look downfield and deliver the ball.”
            That can be a very stressful task when a 298-pound defensive end is breathing down your neck after leaving a blocker prostrate on the ground.
            “We’re 0-4 and we need to find a comfort level,” Cassel said, when asked about the dreadful start. “We’ve played four very good teams, and I have been very inconsistent, but we need to keep working to get better.”
            I’m not pointing an accusing finger at Haley or his quarterback. The coach is going into a war zone with a sling shot for a weapon and Cassel is spending more time running for his life than trying to spot one of his no-name wide receivers.
            “We have to stick together,” said Haley, a stand up coach who doesn’t back down from any question, “and gain some confidence. This isn’t a happy place right now.”