Good morning Gil. I SAID, GOOD MORNING GIL!!!

Perhaps everything you need to know about life, you can learn from Bill Murray movies. In particular, "What About Bob?!" Bob Wiley had three simple mechanisms for combating life's fears and difficulties:

• "If I fake it, I don't have it!"
• "Baby Stepping"
• "Death Therapy"

Last Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs continued to baby step their way!

The Chiefs had five areas plaguing them game in and game out throughout September and October. These were:

1) Poor defending 3rd downs
2) Can't stop the run
3) Play of the Offensive line
4) Quarterback position
5) Special Teams coverage

That last two weeks, they have performed much better on third downs. The last two weeks, Tyler Thigpen has done more than expected and enough to say he deserves the starting quarterback role.

This week against Tampa Bay, the offesensive line had their best game of this season. And FINALLY, the chiefs play a game in which the oppponets longest run is only 10 yards.
That just leaves special teams coverage. Page Coach Priefer. Coach Mike Priefer, please report to fan accommodations.

TYLER THIGPEN
Against the Jets, the play of OUR number 4, was a welcome surprise. But this surprise came with a certain amount of skepticism. Mainly, could he do it again? This time, against a better team with film study that New York didn't have (save Atlanta). The answer was yes.

Thigpen seems to be a very complete player. He's physical, mechanically sound, fundamentally strong, and mentally prepared. Several weeks ago Tyler and Len Dawson began discussing Tyler's play in the locker room and on the team charter. While Lenny certainly has a lot to teach, Tyler reaching out to Len indicates his desire to learn and improve.

Thigpen's play against the Bucs was prepared and poised. Proof he is studying and learning. He is doing his homework. If there is one lesson I've learned from 20 years with Lenny...it is players can get beat physically; players can get beat mentally; but it is tough to beat a player both ways.

Tyler's growth is a process and I'm sure he'll have a moment of ... we'll... ugly (or two) before the season ends. After all, even Dawson still holds the record for most fumbles in a game (7 against San Deigo-1964: spooky huh?).

BERNARD POLLARD
I really want to like 49. I do. I do. No, I really do. But here is the problem. I'm genetically pre-disposed to be intolerant when no progress is evident. Here is an example from last week's game against the BUCs. In overtime, Tampa Bay is in the shotgun, 1st and 10 from their own 26. Jeff Garcia threw a short pass to Michael Clayton, who proceeded to bounce off 49 and YAC his way down to the KC 45.

BP is charging Clayton with his arms and head down. This is football 101. Always see what you are tackling, if for no other reason than safety!! Second, his arms at his side do absolutely no good. Had he even partially wrapped Clayton, the results would almost asurdely have prevented the YAC.

Although there were a half dozen different plays that could have swung the BUCs/CHIEFs contest. Pollard's lack of fundementals continue to hurt the defense.

KOLBY SMITH
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Kolby. Man, this is a sad injury. Kolby seems to be a team oriented player who finally got the chance to show some skills. And he was! One minute you're having a great game, and the next minute you through for the year. The toughest part of my day is worrying about lunch at halftime.