1st Down And About A Mile To Go

Last week someone suggested that I say something about the The Kansas City Chiefs when I was struggling to think of something to get on here and vent about. I rejected the idea because I had resolved to embrace the new Chiefs regime with optimism. My biggest complaint the past several years with the team I have followed faithfully was their former General Manager, Carl Peterson. Peterson's five year plan to reach the Super Bowl fizzled out years ago with the ghost of Joe Montana, standing on a Miami sideline shortly after being knocked out of a wild card playoff game, wearing a dazed and forlorn look on his face that told the world that his career was over.

There have been a few small peaks cresting out of the deep, dark valleys over the years. Derrick Thomas, Priest Holmes, Trent Green, Tony Gonzalez, the Dick Vermeil era, what the hell even Marty Schottenheimer. For the most part though, it has been pretty dismal. I know Schottenheimer had them in the playoffs most of the time and Vermeil put together a pretty exciting offense, but there was just never any real probability that we had a horse that was going to finish the race.

Finally, mine and a lot of other Chiefs fans prayers were answered, when The Hunt Family finally pulled the plug on Peterson and told him to hit the bricks. GOOD FREAKING RIDENSE! Usher in a feeling of excitement when The Chiefs won the Scott Pioli sweepstakes and plucked him from the front office of the New England Patriots (perhaps the best run organization in all of professional sports). Then more chips fell in to place. Todd Haley was signed to be the head coach after leading the offense of the NFC champion, Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl; and the icing on the cake the acquisition of rising star quarterback, Matt Cassell. We had something to get excited about.

Despite my efforts to cling to my optimism, my hope is starting to fade. One of the most popular, if not the best player in Chiefs history, Tony Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. It's not like he was washed up either. Last year he was still in the top two or three Tight Ends in the league. Then you have locker room cancer, Larry Johnson. I think after retires he will be sitting in the stands of Arrowhead Stadium still talking about how much he wants out of Kansas City.

In the past couple of days, things have gotten worse, Cassell went down in Saturday's preseason game with a sprained MCL. He's gone two to four weeks and probably for the season opener against Baltimore. Then today, Todd Haley announced that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has been relieved of his duties. We aren't even to the regular season yet and we're overhauling the staff. I'm not even sure if Gailey has been fired. It would make sense, he goes through coaching jobs pretty frequently. He might want to give Canada a shot next. Maybe he could bring his own brand of mediocrity to the Argonauts or the Rough Riders.

If there is anyone out there who can offer me something to still be excited about with this team, please let me know.

Dumbfounded

Unless you've lived under a rock for the past few months, you've inevitably heard all of the talk about healthcare reform and have probably developed some strong opinions about it. I am not going to share mine on this blog; that's not why I do this. Frankly people who try cramming their political and social views down the throats of others make me want to puke. 

I do, however, have to share something that would have to make anyone raise their eyebrow to the idea of politicians and bureaucrats running our healthcare system. I read on Yahoo! that 3900 prison inmates were accidentally sent economic stimulus checks. Furthermore, 2200 of the inmates actually got to keep the checks. I have to wonder sometimes if all of the various aides and staff members on capitol hill are there to help these people tie their shoes and wipe the drool off of their chins. Again, dumbfounded!

The Hairless Variety

Last night I got rid of the beard I had been wearing for the past couple of months. It was time. I was very quickly starting to look like someone that you wouldn't want to see on the airplane you were traveling on. Not to mention after lunch at Taco Bell yesterday, I had to spend some time removing nacho cheese and volcano sauce (whatever the hell that is) from my mustache. Maybe it's time for me to learn how to eat like a big boy and not slop everything all over my face.

Here's the problem I am now facing: I think the beard might have been the source of my inspirational anger. I couldn't think of anything good to get on here and rant about. So I am, in effect, ranting about not having anything to rant about. So I am asking that if any of the ten or so people who read this blog can think of anything good that might get me ticked off, please comment about it. Throw some fuel on the fire. Just know that I'm not interested in commenting on the Ark City Commissioners or the Arkalalah Beer Garden.

A Time Out For Family

I didn't start this blog with the intention of using it as forum for my personal life and I still don't intend to. My goal will always be to provide a humorous take on something from the lighter side of the news. Today, however, I really feel the need to post on a couple of things much more close to home.

First of all, I want to wish my father, Richard Johnson, a Happy 59th Birthday. I love you Dad and will see you soon.

Second, on a tragic note, I want to acknowledge my Uncle Les and Aunt Judy. Les and Judy had to say goodbye yesterday to their son, Shannon. Shannon was only 38 years old and had been afflicted with a condition which had been slowly attacking him for as long as I can remember. I know my aunt and uncle along with their other son, Travis are dealing with the sadness of their loss. Since I couldn't be there, I had to take advantage of the opportunity to pass on my love and sympathy to them. We all have to take comfort in the fact that Shannon's suffering is finally over and he will never have to experience anything bad ever again. Goodbye, Shannon.

What the Favre?

As of yesterday, it's official. Brett Favre is not only back in the NFL, but he'll be playing for his long-time rivals the Minnesota Vikings. People in Minnesota are so happy that they are making out with strangers on the streets. People in Wisconsin are so mad they could punch a baby (not literally - don't send me any angry e-mails).  I don't agree with the cheeseheads who find this to be sacrilege, but I'm not happy about it. I've never been much of a Packers fan, but like a lot of people I was a Brett Favre fan. It was hard to not be. I mean come on, he was/is the gunslinger. The NFL's all time leader in touchdown passes, yards and of course, interceptions.  This is messed up. I think this is worse than when Michael Jordan came out of retirement to play for the Washington Wizards. To see Brett Favre come out of the visiting locker room at Lambeau Field in Vikings purple would be like seeing Kurt Cobain playing for Pearl Jam. At least we won't have to worry about the latter happening.