Lions, Tigers, Elephants and Chiefs???? by MP

Exciting, imaginative, fun, risky, opportunistic and electrifying. These are all adjectives not heard much around Arrowhead Stadium over the past 10 years unless you were talking about the visitors. Not anymore! These are all actual comments heard during the Chiefs 31-10 drilling of the road favorites, the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

It's been awhile since the circus has come to Kansas City, but Coach Todd Haley and OC Charlie Weiss could have been mistaken for Barnum and Bailey because they brought it back to Arrowhead!

Whether it was naked bootlegs, Wildcat formations, end arounds pitched back to split out QB's, gutsy calls on 4th down, SportsCenter highlight catches, or on-side kicks, the Chiefs threw everything short of the kitchen sink at the Niners and it was awesome!

Haley set the tone early in the first half, going for it on 4th and 1 at about mid-field. That alone was a far cry from the normal conservative Chiefs gameplan, and to top that off Haley then cat and moused San Fran by showing they were going for it, then showing punt, then bringing back the offense. The move got the Niners to call timeout and ultimately the Chiefs got a first down igniting the crowd and establishing the early advantage. That was the beginning of an exciting day and one that the Chiefs would test the mechanics of the scoreboards in Arrowhead.

All 3 phases of the game were highlights and when can you remember the last time that was the case with the Chiefs? Offensively they racked up a whopping 457 yards! Dexter McCluster was unreal again with a special 31 yard TD reception from Cassel in the first half. Rookie TE Tony Moeaki was Tony Gonzalez-esque and Jamaal Charles was ultra effective again with 97 yards on 12 carries. Warhorse Thomas Jones ground out 95 yards on 19 tries.

Special Teams were highlighted by a big return from McCluster, another fearless day of returns from Javier Arenas, and great tackling all day.

LB Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson and Brandon Flowers led the new and improved Chiefs defense to 4 sacks and one INT with solid play all day. “I credit the defensive line. With them stopping the run, that allowed us to rush the quarterback. The offense played tremendous on that side of the ball by scoring a lot of points and making them throw the ball. Credit those guys for allowing me to rush this week.” Hali said.

Scoring shook out like this for the Chiefs: It started with McCluster and the 31 yard screen play in the 2nd quarter. After a Ryan Succop 32 yard FG, the Chiefs took a 10-7 lead to halftime. The second half scoring for the Chiefs began with a play you may see in a sand-lot game. Cassel was split out left at WR, McCluster in motion, comes down the line gets the handoff and pitches to Cassel who hits a wide open D Bowe down the left sideline for 45 yards and a touch. Moeaki struck next on the one handed, circus job late in the 3rd. Thomas Jones capped the scoring and put the game on ice for the Chiefs with a 3 yard run mid 4th quarter.

"It was exciting," rookie tight end Tony Moeaki said. "Matt just threw a really great ball and put it in a great spot. I just tried to make the catch."

Anyone who thinks the 49ers were a cupcake win are crazy. They gave the Saints all they wanted last week on MNF and came to town hungry for a win. The Chiefs now 3-0, the first time since 2003, get to take a week off and get ready for 2 tough games on the road in Indianapolis and the Houston Texans.

Around the ole horn.....it was great to see the game with VC! We tailgated and enjoyed a fantastic day at Arrowhead. I am lucky to have the friends I do and as always I appreciate you reading our blog!!!!

A "Beauuuuuutiful" day for Chiefs! by VC

Simply put, it was a Beauuuuuutiful day!

On a day when the Chiefs honored 62-year broadcaster Bill Grigsby, who made a living with his "beauuuuuutiful" descriptions on the air, the Chiefs were every bit a Super Bowl contender with their 31-10 pasting of the San Francisco 49ers.

Prior to kickoff, Grigs and his family were flanked on the Arrowhead Stadium turf with Mitch Holthus and Len Dawson, whom Grigs teamed with for the final years of his radio career. Now in a wheelchair and battling throat cancer, Grigs could be seen smiling as the team paid tribute to the man who called the Super Bowl IV victory over Minnesota. I had goosebumps when Grigs' voice was calling that January 1970 game over the PA while the video portion was centered on Hank Stram, whose "come on boys" and "that's the way boys" could be heard while the ole coach was smiling with his rolled up program in hand.

Nice!

Wow!

Awesome!

I'm sure Grigs' smile never left as the Chiefs began their dismantling of the 49ers, who entered the game as 2 1/2-point favorites. KC jumped out to a 7-0 lead before San Francisco cut the margin to 7-3. But the defense clamped down and pitched a shutout the rest of the way before the Niners scored a meaningless touchdown late in the game.

Standing in Section 111, Row 6, Seat 16 I turned to ole buddy Matt Patterson when the Chiefs lined up to punt near the end of the first quarter. "I'm going for it," I told Patterson. "Are you?"

"Nope, field position baby," Patterson countered with his as-usual conservative approach.

"Not me," I said as the Chiefs faced fourth-and-short from near midfield. "I'm goin for it."

The Chiefs lined up to punt then all of a sudden switched their punting team with their offensive unit. San Francisco, obviously confused, quickly called timeout.

"HA, told you," I said.

The Chiefs brought their punt team back on the field during the TV timeout. "I'm still going for it," I told Matt.

Then the Chiefs did it again. Once again, they hustled the offensive unit back on the field as the play clock was nearing 15 seconds. They got the first down on a short running play which kept the ball out of the 49ers' hands.

"You were right, VC," said Patterson after giving me a fist-five. "Good call."

The Chiefs rolled up 457 yards of total offense, including 250 yards passing and three touchdowns from QB Matt Cassel, who was 16-for-27 on the day. That included a one-handed grab from tight end Tony Moeaki in the back of the end zone that put the Chiefs up 24-3 late in the third quarter.

"It was a great day for the Chiefs," linebacker Derrick Johnson told The Topeka Capital-Journal. "Each win, we're getting more and more confident."

Now 3-0, the Chiefs enjoy their bye week while preparing for Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 10.

But this day belonged to the Chiefs. My Ole Pottnuh Tex, Grigs' nickname dubbed by Dawson, had to be smiling after this one. Because it was a Beauuuuuuutiful Day at Arrowhead!

MNF at Arrowhead and 2 Weeks of the NFL.....by MP

Week 2 is in the books for the 2010 NFL season. Many strange things are certainly taking place, the least of which not being the Kansas City Chiefs at 2-0 and atop the AFC West!

I was at the Monday night opener at Arrowhead and the atmosphere was unbelievable. I knew were in for a wild night when getting to the parking lot 3 hours early and seeing the entire N lot almost full!

The wildness continued as a torrential rain storm hit at about the start of the 2nd quarter and basically lasted all night. We got pummelled!! Maybe what caused the heavens to open was a 56 yard run by Jamaal Charles. His second touch of the game, toward the end of the first quarter he bounced out left and BOOM, took it to the house! That triggered the rain and despite the downpour, we were still in for many great things that night.

Most of you saw the game I am sure, but of course the defense and 12 tackles from Derrick Johnson were highlights. The return game from Javier Arenas and Dexter McCluster, who was barely able to play and still busted a 94 yard return for a TD, was electrifying. Those were the obvious ones.

I liked Glenn Dorsey for the first time since he was at LSU. I have read the criticism of lack of carries for Charles and I am one of the few who likes the split carries with Thomas Jones. I think that makes for a nice thunder and lightening type of attack! Most of all that night I liked the Chiefs toughness. They hung on and ground it out against a better team. They could have easily given that game up and they didn't. They gutted it out!

What I didn't like was our rook Safety Eric Berry who was schooled by Antonio Gates and our QB Matt Cassel, who in one word was, atrocious! So let me transition or segue...

Fast forward to today and the Chiefs on the road at Cleveland. First of all the Chiefs and the Browns played a watchable game, which is unusual, and of course a great outcome for us, a 16-14 win. Cassel looked like a different guy. Granted he had more time to throw, but he actually looked down the field and despite having trouble getting the plays on time, finished with one of the best games he has had as a Chief. Berry continues to miss coverage and almost cost us the game. The announcers rave about how fast he is, but I see how much he is hurting us. Maybe I am too hard on he kid and he will smarten up!

McCluster was no factor today and Charles still split carries with Jones. That was effective today too I thought as Jones ran for 83 yards on 22 carries and Charles grabbed 49 yards on 11 carries with a 20 yard burst included. I was impressed with the play-calling today, the highlight being a 4th and 1 with just over 2 minutes left and Haley going for it on around the Browns 40. Jones went over the top and barely got the yard but allowed the Chiefs to run out the clock. Gutsy call for sure!

Don't get me wrong, I am still only hoping for 8 wins at best, but seeing some good signs from the Chiefs. I will be back at 1 Arrowhead Drive next week to see if they can go 3-0 against the Niners!!! A favorable game for a marginal team in my opinion to continue a nice start.

So check around the league in the bizzarro world of the NFL. Dallas and Minnesota are winless and Tampa and KC undefeated! You can never figure these deals, but wow, Wade Phillips has to be almost gone in Dallas. Brett Favre looks maybe even beyond his age and the Vikes are on the ropes. Other noted stuff: Jay Cutler off to a great start in Chicago with Mike Martz calling the plays...I am suffering through this horrific Colts, Giants, Manning bothers love fest deal, and surprised how bad the Giants defense is and how the Colts are totally dominating them. The NY Jets are over-hyped, but I am impressed at how they played against New England today especially with all of the injuries their defense has sustained. Check the the return of Michael Vick. He looks as quick as ever and has led the Eagles to an even start. Last NFL bit....I like Jim Schwartz Head Coach of the Detroit Lions a lot! They get beat on that horrific catch rule where Calvin Johnson gets robbed and the Coach does not complain about the call or rule one time. Great stuff. And on that rule....explain how the ground cannot cause a fumble....but it can cause an incompletion. Make sense to anyone?

Other stuff collegiate style: very disappointed as I really thought Texas Tech would beat Texas or at least play them tougher. I still like Tech as my pick for the South...have you seen OU and Texas play? Air Force gave OU all they wanted and Texas had trouble with some other rummies. I am not surprised and predicted the difficulties the Jayhawks would have. Have you been watching Daniel Thomas from KSU? He is the best player so far in the country. I know I can get an amen from my man VC, who watched him in the Farmageddon game go for 181 on 30 plus totes in the 90 degree heat. One tough mother for sure!!! Another kid I like is Taylor Martinez, the frosh from Nebraska. He has unreal quicks and did a job on the Washington Huskies!! Call of the year goes to Mark Dantonio coach of the Michigan State Spartans....fake field goal in OT to beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and send them to 0-2. Unreal!!!

That is all I have....you have to love the fall and football season!! As always thank you for reading our blog!! Go Chiefs!

DT Makes Statement in Opener! by VC

He had something to prove in last week's season opener against UCLA. Boy, did he ever.

Daniel Thomas was no doubt the best player on the Bill Snyder Family Stadium turf. He made enough statements he may be one of the best players in the country after his 234-yard outing on 28 totes in K-State's 31-22 win.

But after the game, he wasn't thinking Heisman Trophy speech or Big XII player of the year honor.

"I wanted to go out there and prove I'm the best athlete in the family," Thomas told The Topeka Capital-Journal as brother Jerrett was in attendance. "He played Division II football, and he still thinks he's got it."

Ha, any doubt who is the best now?

I stood there along with 51,056 other fans and marveled at his jukes and cuts. He was definitely a man among boys as the Wildcats avenged last year's 23-9 loss at The Rose Bowl.

"He's a very accomplished back," UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said after the game. "They use him in a lot of different ways. He's very powerful from the waist down and he was too much for us today. We could not get him down."

Good thing for us purple faithful. Thanks to an anemic passing game that generated only 64 yards through the air, the Wildcats prevailed. No doubt, if it wasn't for DT, K-State probably loses this game. Although it would have been interesting, simply for the fact that another running back had a pretty good day in William Powell, who added 72 yards on six carries including a 28-yard TD scamper in the first half.

"We need to have more than what we got," K-State coach BIll Snyder said earlier this week, referring to his passing game.

Hopefully that will improve. Hopefully, we get a better look at the passing attack in today's 6:10 p.m. game against Missouri State. The Football Championship Subdivision and coached by former KU coach Terry Allen won't have the defense that UCLA had when it sacked Carson Coffman six times. The Bears surrendered 315 yards passing to Eastern Kentucky last week.

I've heard a couple people on sports talk radio this week compare DT to Darren Sproles, who ironically had the last 200-yard game in a Cat uniform.

The stats don't lie, either. Thomas got 181 yards in the second half, including a 35-yard jaunt that was the blow that knocked down the Bruins for good.

"I think we just learned from last year that you have to come out in the second half and continue to push and work hard," Thomas said. "Coach said that we needed to come out and finish the game and fortunately we did."

"Daniel was outstanding," Powell said. "Words cannon explain it. He is a great running back, and that is all I can say. Daniel gets the whole team excited. I see him making plays, and that just makes me want to play that much harder. When he comes out and I go in, I don't want there to be any discrepancy. I want to get in there and be able to produce just like he does."

"He's a great back," left guard Zach Kendall said. "I think he's the best in the nation. I hope for Daniel that the (Heisman) hype goes up, because he deserves it."

Oh, K-State make sure Daniel's family is at every game from now on. If his brother can motivate him like that, give him front row tickets, baby!

"My mom and dad, my brother and my cousin, this is the first time they've seen me play together since high school," Thomas said. "I thought about that last night. I just wanted to go out and play good in front of them."

My shout this week goes to Hodgeman County High senior Evan Kreger. All the Kansas 8-man football player did in his team's opener was score 10 TDs in his team's 74-8 win against Pawnee Heights. That is a Kansas 8-man record and ties a national 8-man record, according to the National High School Record Book. Oh, his TD's were via running, interception return and punt return. Nice!

VC Picks Big XII To Go 12-0 in Opening Weekend

I won't get very rich doing this, but sometimes the fact that I can puff out my chest and say I was right is more satisfying.

The Big XII will go 12-0 in Week 1 of the college football season, which began with Iowa State's victory Thursday night over Jerry Kill's Northern Illinois Huskies. Coach Kill is known in Kansas having graduated from Southwestern College, was an assistant at juggernaut Pittsburg State and later was was Emporia State's head coach.

The Game of the Weekend in the conference, and the one that could put an end to a perfect weekend, takes place in Manhattan. That will be me in the south end zone of Bill Snyder Family Stadium wearing purple. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, 50,000 others will don the purple and white as well.

An ABC regional audience will be tuning in to watch Snyder's Wildcats and Rick Neuheisel's UCLA Bruins. These two coaches are very familiar with each other as Neuheisel is the former coach at Colorado. The Bruins beat the Cats 23-9 last year at the Rose Bowl.

Snyder announced earlier this week that senior Carson Coffman would quarterback the Wildcats. Coffman had an exceptional spring, and sources indicate that his arm is healthy going into the fall. I hope. In six games last year, the son of former K-State great Paul Coffman only had two TD passes and 860 passing yards. That won't get the job done and won't take K-State even within a sniff of a division title in 2010.

Chances are, it's feast or famine for Coffman. If he struggles Saturday, look for Sammuel Lamur to get the nod next week against Missouri State.

No doubt, senior Daniel Thomas is K-State's go-to guy. Thomas had 1,265 yards rushing last year and was named the Big XII Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

Coffman will have two dandies to throw to in transfers Chris Harper (Oregon) and Broderick Smith (Minnesota). That will bolster the K-State passing game which sets up DT in the ground attack.

K-State is a 1 1/2-point favorite. Look for the Cats to cover the spread. The Wabash Cannonball chugs on!

K-State 19, UCLA 13.

North Dakota State at Kansas. Before you Jayhawk faithful start waving too much wheat, you might take notice. The Bison aren't that bad. They're not that good, but they're not that bad. They were 3-8 last year, but since 2006 have beaten Ball State, Central Michigan and Minnesota.

The Turner Gill era begins at KU. Defense, once a staple of Mark Mangino's teams, must improve from last year's No. 85 ranking in scoring defense.

All eyes will be on lefty Kale Pick, who had a monster spring game. He's trying to fill the shoes left behind by Todd Reesing. Ouch, not good!

There's no line on this game since NDSU is an FCS member. I'd venture to guess this would be a 28-point line if there was one.

KU wins, but not by four TDs...by six.

KU 45, Bison 3.

Colorado vs. Colorado State (at Denver). Beware of the Colorado defense, which for the first time since 1996, had at least one sack in each game in 2009. The Buffs return seven starters and 26 lettermen on defense.

The Rams prevailed 23-17 in Boulder last year. Dan Hawkins may be coaching for his Buffalo life, and this would get some support back in his favor.

Colorado is a 12-point pick in this one. CU wins but doesn't cover the spread.

Buffs 22, Rams 14.

Missouri vs. Illinois (at St. Louis). Illinois used to own its neighbor to the west. Now it's the Show-Me State that doesn't lose to the Illini. Last year it was all Tigers, 37-9.

MU coach Gary Pinkel nearly has as many coaching victories as Snyder at K-State. Snyder has 142 and Pinkel 140. Go figure.

It'll be interesting to see how Mizzou handles the Derrick Washington dismissal from this week.

Too much Blaine Gabbert, who threw for 24 TD passes in 2009.

Vegas says MU by 11 1/2. Take the Tigers.

Mizzou 33, Illinois 11.

Western KY at Nebraska. Not much to say about this one. The ninth-ranked (coaches poll) Huskers are coming off a 10-win season, and the Hilltoppers were 0-12. The Huskers are favored by 37 1/2 points.

The big question? Who quarterbacks the Big Red?

Nebraska 56, Hilltoppers 2.

Utah State at Oklahoma. The Sooners are 34-point faves. OU is the No. 7 team in the land according to the coaches poll.

Landry Jones broke Sam Bradford's OU record for passing yards by a freshman with his 3,198 yards last year. Jones also led the nation's freshmen in touchdown passes (26) and passing yards.

This will be ugly.

Sooners 61, Utah State 6.

Washington State at Oklahoma State. The homestanding Cowboys have won nine games in a year only seven times, and coach Mike Gundy has done that back-to-back.

You think K-State runs the ball? You haven't seen the Pokes running, have you? OSU led the conference in rushing for the fourth straight year.

WSU was 1-11 in 2009. OSU was 9-4.

OSU is 15 1/2-point favorite. Sounds good to me.

OSU 36, WSU 20.

Texas vs. Rice. A 2:30 pm ESPN game, Texas begins life without Colt McCoy. Taking his place is sophomore Garret Gilbert, who ended his freshman season by playing his first full collegiate game in the national title game. He completed 15 passes for 186 yards and two TDs.

Texas is ranked in the top five. The Longhorns are 30 1/2-point favorites. That's a lot for a road team.

Hook 'em Horns, but not by the spread. Texas 30, Rice 7.

Stephen F. Austin at Texas A&M. Yawwnnnnnnnn!

Aggies 50, SFA 0.

SMU at Texas Tech (Sunday). This one is a 2:30 pm ESPN game. The Tommy Tuberville Era begins for the Red Raiders, who return Taylor Potts at QB. Potts threw for 3,440 yards and 22 TDs.

Only 14-point favorites? Gimme a break!

Tech's scoring doesn't miss a beat. Tech 55, SMU 10.

By 6 pm Sunday, if you see me sticking my chest out, you'll know why. Have a great Labor Day weekend, everyone!

My shout this week goes to Bubba Starling. Remember this kid's name. He's the quarterback at Gardner-Edgerton High just outside of KC. This dude is getting attention from every major college. And football isn't even his sport. He wants to play baseball and pitch in the bigs. Bubba quarterbacked the Trailblazers to the 4A state championship game in 2009 where they lost to juggernaut Hutchinson.

Chiefs Eagles from Section 111 Row 6 by MP

So we begin another NFL season and yet another that I will continue to hope the Chiefs get better and head back to playing a respectable level of football.

I was very excited to head to Arrowhead to see the "New Body Same Soul" for the first time against the Philadelphia Eagles Friday night live and in person. Equally exciting was the renewal of our half season tickets where we are 6 rows from the field this year!

We arrived right as the gates opened and quickly found a new wrinkle from the Chiefs this year. First cars to the parking lot get to park furthest from the stadium!! Hey genius idea, think about that one. You go to an event and pay 22 beans to park and you get to get out of the way so those arriving later can park closer! Smooooooooth!!

I put that past me and headed into Arrowhead about an hour before kickoff to check out the new digs. They have a nice homage to former Chiefs in a museum type set up on the main concourse with Red lighting added for effect. Some new mural work on the walls were nice and much better from a line standpoint with concessions and also restrooms. I think they may have even thrown in a couple of extra porta-whizzers in the parking lot!!!I love my seats but couldn't help but notice that all of the renovation dollars could not been seen once you are looking at the field. No new seats, all the other stuff the same from a watching the game point of view.

Now we get to game time. First play from scrimmage and Jamaal Charles coughs it up and BANG....57 seconds in, Eagles up 7. The Chiefs offense in the first quarter was as bad as I have ever seen it. I think Cassel finished the game completing 14 or 15 passes for 85 yards! Yes, I said 85 yards!! Can you believe that? He simply cannot or they will not allow him to throw the ball down the field. They competed well all things considered, and in the second quarter ran something I think they need to run all the time, the No Huddle. While running that they marched the ball down the field and with a variety of short quick hitters from Charles, Dexter McCluster, and Thomas Jones they scored on a short pass from Cassel to Dwayne Bowe to tie it up at 7.

The defense was the best part of the deal. They got after Eagle QB Kevin Kolb all game long, collecting 5 sacks and numerous hurries. I never saw them with the exception of Tamba Hali a few times last year, get after any QB like they did Kolb. Most impressive was Andy Studebaker and DeMorrio Williams at LB and watching rookie Safety Eric Berry close on the ball. Berry will be a big-timer!! Most disappointing was fat, nose tackle playing DE, Glenn Dorsey. Tyson Jackson another top choice from LSU, like Dorsey was equally pathetic.

The defense played well and the offense was decent and it turned into a good, but ugly game. Rookies WR/RB McCluster and return specialist Javier Arenas were fun to watch and should prove to be very good draft picks. The Eagles got a fluky TD against a weak Chiefs prevent defense to win 20-17. Still the Chiefs lose again and bottom line, I do not care if pre-season or not, we need wins!!!

The long ride back I listened to 810 Sports and Todd Haley talk about the fact the Chiefs were going to play that way all year. More or less making excuses for the Chiefs already. Personally I think if Haley lays an egg against San Diego and maybe another early home loss, I would get him out of here and back to doing something he knows, Golfing! Matt Cassel must improve. He seems to lack vision of the field. He should not have the excuses of poor offensive line play like he did last year, they looked much better.

Overall it was still fun. Walking out of the Stadium I looked up and saw the "middle level" or where the yellow seats are, and from outside you can see the new enclosed area with new bar, new seating area, all posh stuff. It seems to me the renovations were made to placate the "blue bloods", not the true fans. I thought there were some nice touches and a few cool deals, but really to me it was the same as it has been. That is still fantastic, but maybe I was expecting too much. The parking thing chapped me quite a bit, but hopefully they will come to their senses on that.

I always look forward to going, but am becoming impatient with the Chiefs. "New Body Same Soul" is the season motto with the new Arrowhead....maybe the Chiefs motto should be "New Stadium Same Disappointment." If Todd Haley and Matt Cassel cannot figure it out soon, that is exactly what it will be.

VC looks at MIAA, KCAC football!

Kansas and Kansas State grab a lot of the football attention in the Sunflower State, but more and more headlines in the state's newspapers are being grabbed by teams that play in the MIAA and KCAC.

When you think successful MIAA teams, Pittsburg State immediately comes to mind. However, these aren't your Grandpa's Gorillas, though. Pittsburg State, 3-time national champs, is picked sixth in the 10-team MIAA in 2010. In fact, four of the top five picks are schools outside of Kansas. Northwest Missouri State is the unanimous pick. The media have Washburn second and the coaches slot Nebraska-Omaha in the runnerup position. The media's top five is rounded out by Mo. Western, UNO and Central Missouri State. The coaches tabbed Washburn third followed by Western and CMS.

Behind Pitt State are Fort Hays State, Missouri Southern, Emporia State and Truman.

Northwest received nine first-place votes from the 10 coaches. Since he couldn't vote for his own team, Mel Tjeerdsma voted for Washburn, which still could only muster enough points for third in the coaches poll.

The Bearcats have won 37 straight conference games and won the national championship a year ago after losing in the title game four years in a row.

"We have 24 or 25 seniors, and their challenge is this year," Tjeerdsma said. "They've been a part of a lot of great things, but their identity is this year."

I hope the MIAA never changes its ways and keeps the annual Northwest-Pitt game at Arrowhead Stadium. This game has drawn close to 30,000 annually and is the perfect halfway point between Maryville and Pittsburg.

Washburn has 20 seniors returning from last year's 8-3 squad that finished in a four-way tie for second in the league. Encouraging for Ichabod faithful is the fact that 10 players with starting experience on offense return along with eight on defense along with the punter and kicker.

"We're pretty well set personnel-wise," Washburn coach Craig Schurig told The Topeka Capital-Journal. "The positions we do have to replace, we have guys who haven't started games but they do have some experience, and we expect them to make a huge impact."

Dane Simoneau, a second-team All-MIAA selection last year, will quarterback the Ichabods. He threw for a school-record 2,955 yards and 26 TDs. Simoneau also plays shortstop for the baseball Bods. I only know that because Brent Matile, a good friend of mine and a member of the Washburn baseball team, told me.

Pitt State no longer has Chuck Broyles roaming the sidelines. Now it's longtime assistant Tim Beck, who was an assistant for 22 years, the past 16 as offensive coordinator.

Emporia State was 2-9 last year. Fourth-year coach Garin Higgins is just 9-23 as the head Hornet. I hope for his sake some W's come his way this fall.

"From a standpoint of wins and losses, it doesn't look good," Higgins said. "But we feel good about where we're going. Our players are developing, and we have some good players coming back."

The Friends Falcons are the pick in the Kansas Conference and get this, their starting QB left the team before spring practice for personal reasons and their top defensive player was dismissed this past winter for a violation of team rules.

And yet they're picked to win their fourth conference championship in the last five years.

"We're unhappy because 8-2 is just not good enough," Friends coach Monty Lewis told The Wichita Eagle. "The expectation here is championships. Not to mention we've yet to ring that bell for a playoff win."

Sophomore Jayme Bristow will quarterback the Falcons and will likely be throwing to huge targets in 6-6 Doug Pierce and 6-5 Mike Hyde, a pair of all-KCAC selections.

The Ottawa Braves are the No. 2 pick and keep an eye on All-American wideout Clarence Anderson, whose 2,563 yards of total offense led the country in 2009.

"We're very talented, but we're inexperienced," OU coach Kent Kessinger noted. "How our guys step up is how we'll be."

Jake Johnson, Travis Toon and Bobby Adamson are in a three-way battle for the QB job which was manned by KCAC offensive player of the year Ethan Haller.

"This team has to be the hardest working team we've had," Kessinger told The Ottawa Herald. "We are not going to sneak up on anybody. We start off with a tough game (vs. Baker). It is going to be a challenge. We will get everybody's 'A' game."

Playing Baker is a great way to kick off the football season. Baker and Ottawa are separated by only a few miles. That game is Saturday, Aug. 28. Kudos to both schools for resuming this series. Nice!

Tabor was 0-10 last year so it re-hired Mike Gardner, who spent the last four years at Malone College. Before that, he coached Tabor to back-to-back KCAC titles in 2004 and '05.

"I have no regrets about leaving and I have no regrets about coming back," Gardner said. "It was a chance to come back to Kansas, which is home, and that's where I want to be."

Remember the name Jordan Mosier, whom I believe was recruited to play linebacker for the Bluejays. Jordan is in our student loan program I work for at the Kansas Masonic Foundation. So is Brent Matile, a name I noted earlier.

Ditto for Derek Bledsoe, who helped me write my blog last week on the AFC. Derek is a wide receiver at Kansas Wesleyan in Salina. Derek facebooked me Friday that he injured his back in practice but hoped to be back on the practice field Saturday.

I hope Derek sees some playing time this fall. The Coyotes, a running team in 2009, are going to the spread offense this fall.

"Their attitudes were tremendous," KWU coach Dave Dallas told The Salina Journal after their first fall workout. "It was just night and day from where we've been from last year at this time to where we are now."

KWU was 5-5 last year. The Coyotes don't open until Sept. 11 at Tabor.

One encouraging thing for Dallas' Coyotes was that 125 participated in the first workout. That included 70 who took part in spring practices.

One more thing I want to make note which is huge for teams in the KCAC. The KCAC Board of Presidents recently passed a Sports Regulation Initiative that will allow schools in all sports to add practice time, game competition and possibly financial aid to fall more closely in line with NAIA national guidelines.

Beginning in 2011, the 10 football teams will be able to have 15 spring practices with a full-contact intrasquad scrimmage and they can add a second nonconference game and play 11 games.

"It's about what's fair compared to the rest of the NAIA," KCAC commissioner Scott Crawford told The Topeka Capital-Journal.

KCAC teams this past spring were limited to 10 one-hour practices.

Next week, I go back to the bullpen and summon Jim Blaauw, a faithful Kansas Mason who helped me this summer with student loan interviews. During the school year he is a football official for small colleges and high schools. Jim will look at the rules changes that are in store for football this fall.

Finally my shout this week goes to someone who is very close to my heart. Me! Yea, you read correctly. I'm puffing out my chest today because I took the season series between Patterson and I 4 games to 1 thanks to Rory McIlroy's finish at the PGA Championship. Patterson and I each picked five guys to win. Neither had the winner but McIlroy had the highest finish of those selected. For those who haven't been following, yours truly correctly picked International players to win the U.S. and British Open and the purple-clad Lakers to win the NBA. Patterson won our golf tournament but only because we played the ball down. Play it up and I know things would have been different! So the VC/MP Trophy goes to the Elder Statesman. Can't wait to have the chance to repeat in 2011! Thanks for reading guys!

Ty From the Cheap Seats...Revised NFC Picks!

With all due respect to Matt and Gary here are my revised predictions for the NFC.

East-Eagles sneak past the Boys and an improved Skins team with Big Blue bringing up the rear (Coughlin may pop an eyeball!) South-Saints win it in a walk. Fugettabout Matty Ice and the overrated Falcons. I have Detroit as the wild card! Seriously, check out the Lion's schedule (NFC East teams that see a trip to Detroit as an R and R in Bangkok-if you were a Viet Nam vet, or stayed at a Holiday Inn last night!) The Lions are solid and improving on both sides of the ball in the second year of underrated coach Jim Schwartz's tenure. They will be tough to reckon with and no one including Da Bears, Vikes and the Pack, gets up to play the LAMBS! West-49ers will squeeze by Arizona. Seattle and the Rams play paper rock scissers for worst in the NFL!

There you have it. Green Bay replaces New Orleans as the class of the Division. The Boys disappoint Jerry again. But the biggest news by far will be Lions roaring back to respectability behind coaching, schedule (every game at 1pm on Sunday!) solid offense, blossoming QB, being taken lightly, and a rock on D named Suh!

That's how it looks from the cheap seats.

I AM TALKING NFC! by MP!!!

I am ready for some football! Are you??? You have to be....the MLB season could NOT last any longer. How many times can the Yankees or Red Sox be pronounced out of the pennant race? Let's talk yours and my language and here is my NFC preview for the upcoming 2010-11 NFL Season!

First Round Byes or (Division Winners) will be: New Orleans NFC South, Dallas NFC East, Chicago NFC North, and Seattle because someone has to win the NFC West.

My Wildcards are: The New York Giants from the East and Carolina Panthers from the South.

Here are my takes. I think Dallas wins another wild one in the East primarily due to their whole team minus Tony Romo. In spite of Romo they will do it. Felix Jones is a beast, Miles Austin is solid and watch out for Dez Bryant as a big-time play-maker as a rook. You still have old reliable in Jason Witten and Marion Barber is tough on the goal line. On D they are tough too. I think their secondary is weak, so they will give up some points, but still win a lot of shootouts. Lookout for Anthony Spencer who they liken Rickey Jackson and of course the always scary DeMarcus Ware. Their division competition will be the G Men who are gonna grind it out with the best of them. I like Shanahan and the 'Skins to win a few surprises, but they will duke it out with the E A G L E S at the bottom of the division, still 2 tough teams though! The 'Boys will win their division but still have Tony Romo and will not win the big game. They will either blow it in the 2nd Rd or Championship game.

The NFC West is weak. San Fran is better, but Seattle should win it. I am certainly not a Pete Carroll fan but that division is horrific. Arizona doesn't have a QB and now Fitzgerald is banged up, St. Louis is an embarrassment and will get Sam Bradford killed, and then you have SF. I like the fire from Mike Singletary and I really like Frank Gore and the 1 year add of Brian Westbrook. I also think that Michael Crabtree, Teddy Ginn and TE Vernon Davis are some good weapons. However, Alex Smith is going to be tough to overcome and will make too many key mistakes which is why I favor the Seahawks by a nose. If for some reason Seattle goes with Charlie Whitehurst as QB, all bets are off!!!!

The NFC North is tough. You have Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota who are all beasts. Detroit may be improved too, and yes of course Dad I listen to ya! I think with or without Favre, I rate Minnesota and Detroit behind Chicago and GB. The Pack have the best QB, but lack some other skill positions and are declining on defense. These are the main reasons I take Da Bears!! I think Mike Martz will have the offense humming with a much improved Jay Cutler at QB. I really like the young back Matt Forte, and they have some decent outside guys at WR. The D is improved with the pickup of Julius Peppers and the improved health of Brian Urlacher and Tommie Harris.

The NFC South will still go marchin' through to New Orleans, but a much closer race. I think Carolina and Atlanta will make it interesting this year. Atlanta has the more and more comfortable connection with Matty "Ice" Ryan and Tony Gonzalez, to go with Michael Turner, some good WR's and a decent D. Carolina are my Wildcard choice because of the duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in the backfield. The defense is usually tough in Carolina and John Fox has to win to keep his job. They were decent with Jake Delhomme over the past few years so I am not worried about them being questionable at QB with either Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen. The Saints will be the class though, polishing the impressive offense that we all saw last year. Expect the Saints defense to be a little better this year too with another year under Coordinator Gregg Williams and DE Will Smith getting after the opposing QB's.

The whole deal will go through New Orleans! I predict the Saints coming out of the NFC after a bruising and tough battle in the Championship against Daaaaa Bears!!! The Saints will be primed for the Bowl, especially if they get the keys to the medicine cabinet from Sean Payton!

Around the Horn: Time to own up and pay up! VC I think did a tinge better in the PGA than I did. He had Rory McIlroy and Steve Stricker and The Big Easy, Ernie Els, who all did fairly well and better than my best. Great work VC! Hey how about a nod to my Dad who had Rory, Jim Furyk and a few others who made a nice run. I am still proud of Phil who went out in style shooting 67 in the final round, though we all know if he was in contention it would have been 77 in the final round!! Hey speaking of the PGA.....what in the heck was that? Sorry I didn't realize spectators could stand in a fairway bunker! I feel for Dustin Johnson. It may have been a rule, but still borderline. Since we are talkin' borderline....did Bubba really go over the water at the flagstick with the title on the line? I was expecting him to drop another and not leave 'til he hit it on!! Come on Bubba! This is running on or I would add more....thank you for reading and feel free to add any comments!!

VC Calls Upon KWU Player to Break Down AFC!

It's time to break down the 2010 NFL season. Today we look at the teams in the chase for the Lamar Hunt Trophy, or in other words the AFC. Patterson's NFC preview follows in the coming days.

Since I'm a good judge of talent, I've decided to call upon my football ace in the hole and good friend. He's a wide receiver for the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes out of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. He knows something about championships, too, being a member of some outstanding Kansas Class 3A state titles at Silver Lake High.

Give it up for Derek Bledsoe. Derek breaks down each team and predicts his division champs. His AFC representative in the Super Bowl can be found at the end. Take it away, Derek!

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - Baltimore hopes to have an explosive offense this year with their excellent receiving corps and Ray Rice and Willis McGahee to back it up. The Raven defense looks to be just as good as it has been.

Cincinnati Bengals - If the Bengals can figure out a way to make both Ochocinco and T.O. happy it will be a miracle.

Cleveland Browns - I hope Cleveland can figure out their QB situation soon to make up for their lack of defensive stopping power.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Pittsburgh's offensive success will likely depend on the success of Roethlisberger.

I like Cincinnati to win the North.

AFC East
Buffalo Bills - All of you Buffalo fans out there may want to just sit this year out because the Bills don't look like they will put up any points and will most likely give up all those points that they won't score.

Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins look to improve on last year's 7-9 struggle and still look to capitalize through Brandon Marshall. Their tough schedule, though, can play a factor if they don't win the games they should.

New England Patriots - The Patriots are still relying on their passing game with Tom Brady and Randy Moss in the cockpit as they look to find a consistent running game and a defense to back it up.

New York Jets - On the offensive side, the Jets look to bring back a solid running game and hope to add on to their passing game with Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. Defensively, they may still be a little shaky while Rex Ryan continues to figure things out, but I hope to see big things out of Darrelle Revis (that is if he works out a deal with the team).

I look forward to the Jets taking this division.

AFC South
Houston Texans - The Texans are still hoping to find the one year when they can succeed, but this year may not be the one. Their offense looks to be pretty good, but without a pass defense they might fall short again.

Indianapolis Colts - The Colts look to be just as good as they always are, but like the Pats, they rely heavily on their passing game.

Jacksonville Jaguars - Jacksonville is hoping that they can win games with their ground attack and a mainly passing league. This effort may be worthless if they can't defend the pass, though.

Tennessee Titans - Being a Titans fan, I always hope that they can put the Colts in their place and this year I believe they have a solid chance if they can bring a consistent defensive power to every game. I expect big things out of the running duo of Vince Young and Chris Johnson.

Sadly enough, I think the Colts will win the South....again.

AFC West
Denver Broncos - The Broncos bring back a good O-line but the O-line doesn't have much to protect. On the bright side though, they are in the same division as the Chiefs and the Raiders so they should still end up alright.

Kansas City Chiefs - With no defense and not enough good WR's, the Chiefs' success will likely be determined by Jamaal Charles.

Oakland Raiders - Hopefully Jason Campbell can make something out of nothing. Not a good year for the Raiders.

San Diego Chargers - Unlike the other teams in the AFC West, I have high hopes for the Chargers. I look forward to another dominant offense and an above-average defense to win the division title.

Chargers win the West. Hands down.

So who's your pick to win the AFC Championship, DB?

"I'm gonna have to go with the Jets!"

Great! I've been waiting a long time to say this: The Jets...J-E-T-S-JETS!JETS!JETS!

Thanks, Derek, and good luck this fall in Salina!

Next week I'll be previewing the KCAC and MIAA, both of whom sport nationally ranked programs. I might even get some thoughts from Derek on this if he has time.

My shout this week goes to Bryce Brown, who finally saw the light and is coming home! The highly publicized recruit from Wichita left good ole Rocky Top Tennessee this week and will be enrolling at Kansas State, where he will be eligible to play in 2011. He's joining his brother Arthur, both of whom were standouts at Wichita East High.

VC picks Cheese Head to win PGA

It's the last Major on the golf calendar. They play for the Wanamaker Trophy and this year an old abandoned air field along two miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline near Sheboygan, Wis., is home to the 92nd PGA Championship, which begins Thursday.

Oh, and the champagne is on ice as well. Patterson and I have had this friendly wager all summer. I'm up three games to one in the best-of-seven series. His only 1-up came in our head-to-head golf outing in June. My three conquests came by correctly picking International players to win the U.S. and British opens as well as the Lakers over the Celtics in the NBA Finals.

If I can correctly pick the winner of the PGA, out comes the champagne and the K-State Fight Song will be played on the loudspeakers enough so that Patterson can hear them clear down in the Ozarks! If he somehow prevails, a Game 6 will be necessary which means the KSU-KU game (football) in Lawrence will be necessary to determine the outcome of our wager.

Anyway, back to golf. Celebration comes later!

Patterson, always thinking how he can stay one step ahead of the competition, has changed the rules. No International vs. the U.S. in this major. This time we each pick five men who we think will win the PGA Championship which is at Whistling Straits.

No need to bother reading Patterson's selections. Here are mine, baby!

Lee Westwood was going to be one of my final five, but he withdrew Friday due to a calf injury that could hurt the European chances in the Ryder Cup come October. A win at the Bridgestone Invitational this past weekend would have vaulted him from No. 3 to No. 1 in the world.

"I will be out for as long as it takes to get better," Westwood said. "I am just hoping that it will be in time for me to play in the Ryder Cup."

I like London's Justin Rose, who has notched three top three performances in 2010 and four top-10 outings. That included wins in the Memorial and AT&T National where he shot 18-under and 10-under, respectively. He also added a third-place finish in the Honda.

Ernie Els of South Africa is almost always in contention when it comes to a Major. That's why he's another of my final five selections.

Els has two titles this year, both in March, at the WGC-CA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational. He carded respective rounds of 18-under and 11-under in those outings. Four times he's finished in the top three and six times in the top 10.

I tried to get advice from Bren Fisher, my ace in the hole who's golfing at Pittsburg State during the school year. He's been too busy this summer playing in the Kansas Amateur and some tournaments in his hometown of Emporia, but I know Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has been a favorite of his. Any favorite of his is a favorite of mine, thank you very much!

McIlroy shot 15-under to win the Quail Hollow Championship in early May. He followed it up with a 10th-place showing in The Memorial and a third-place tie in the British Open in which he was the 18-hole leader.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell is beaming with confidence after his win in June at the U.S. Open. That was played near the Pacific Ocean (Pebble Beach) so he knows something about winning near lots of water.

But my pick to win the PGA? The Cheese Heads will be partying all across Wisconsin starting Sunday when native son Steve Stricker hoists the Wanamaker Trophy.

The 43-year-old from Edgerton, Wis., has made 13 of 14 cuts this year on the PGA Tour. He has three top-three finishes, including firsts in the Northern Trust Open in February and John Deere Classic in July.

The No. 4-ranked player will be competing in his first PGA Championship on home state soil.

"We are thrilled to have a fellow Wisconsite join the world's best field and have a chance to make a run for the coveted Wanamaker Trophy," PGA Championship Director Barry Deach said. "Wisconsites love their golf events and I am certain that many will rally to support Steve as he takes on the unpredictable course that is the Straits."

Hey, Cheese Heads, you supply the cheese, I'll furnish the first case of champagne!

My shout this week goes to Sean Sewell and his dad Scott of Topeka. Sean, a member of the Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band, had a couple photographs of the Kansas State Wildcat football team in the latest Sports Illustrated Big XII preview. This included a two-page spread on pages 104-105 of the Wildcat team running from the lockerroom to the field from a year ago. His dad also had a couple photos in the magazine. Sean texted me this past weekend he's had pictures used on SI.com before but never in the magazine. Scott does freelance work and has shot K-State sporting events as well as those for the Royals. Nice work, guys!

PGA Last Major of the Year and I Take......by MP

Phil Mickelson, Jeff Overton, Tim Clark, Kenny Perry, and Geoff Ogilvy are my Big 5 selections!!!! For what? They will finish highest or win the 92nd PGA Championship, held this year at Whistling Straits in Haven Wisconsin.

It should be exciting and VC and I are picking 5 each to see who can better choose the winners or higher finishers in the last big one of the year. I like my guys and will tell you why, here they are in no particular order.

Phil is the best in the world and should the world's best go without a major?? He is playing well and definitely a favorite. Yeah yeah I pick him every time, boring I know, but how can I leave my man out?

Next: this kid Jeff Overton. The Evansville Indiana product has 5 top 5's this year, and finished 11th at the British. Guess what folks, Whistling Straits is an Irish type, links style course. I like him and he is in the hunt this week at the Bridgestone. He hits it a ton and is nice around the greens. Keep an eye out for this youngster if not now, soon!

Tim Clark from South Africa won the Players Championship this year which many consider a major and maybe tougher to win than this tourney, the PGA Championship. He is always steady and can get as hot as anyone. He also has been knocking on the door of a major for a long time. Clark finished 12th at the US Open this year at Pebble.

Kenny Perry is my next pick. He is getting longer in the tooth and running out of time to win a big one. He choked a Masters away a few years ago, but I think the big man from Kentucky is a solid choice. Another guy who can get red hot with the short stick, Kenny Perry is playing awfully well right now and may just surprise some folk.

Last but not least is Aussie Geoff Ogilvy. We haven't heard from this former US Open Champ lately. He is playing well of late and on a sizz, and I believe he is too good a player to win one big one and go on hiatus. This guy has the whole game tee to green. He has the nerve to grind it out in the majors and is a fantastic iron player, which is a premium at this locale.

Keep an eye out for the "pinched nerve". It is the signature hole at the Pete Dye Whistling Straits course and is a 223 yard Par 3 with trouble everywhere!!!

Lookout VC, my stable of guys are tough. The Wanamaker trophy is on the line along with our running competition. The difference is I am not leaning on any golf ringers for help with my choices!!! I also get a kick out of you taking Stricker whom I have been talking up all year! Oh well, if Stricker wins he is due and it couldn't happen to a better guy and more deserving player. Good luck VC!!

Around the Horn: Fantasy football draft time is coming along soon and the Hall of Fame Game this weekend! Who thinks the T.O. pickup was good? Can he and 85 play together and make the Bungals contenders? I am likin the Chiefs in the division as the year approaches. I think SD is the favorite, but maybe a split with them with sweeps over Oakland and Denver. Wouldn't that be sweet?? I am getting worn down with the 500 game MLB season and excited for NFL and college football!!! Thanks everyone for reading....feel free to leave us comments, we would love to hear you give us static on our crazy picks or stories!