Thanks for Thanksgiving

It seems appropriate for this week's blog to include what I'm thankful for. Of course family, friends, and health are foremost. But there has to be some part of the 2008 season we can all find to be thankful for...

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oh! Cornerbacks!

Personally, I'm content with Ty Law getting a chance for post season play with Brett Farve - mainly because .... HE'S NOT HERE!!!!! I think one task we have definitely accomplished this year is finding two quality - young cornerbacks. It's probably too early to tell...but based on last week, Maurice Leggett maybe a third.

I'm also thankful for the promise of Tyler Thigpen. Yes, I'm still voting for Thigpen. IMHO, Thigpen really only made one mistake last week against the Bills. Now before you reach for the mouse to tell me 3...three....III....turnovers by Thigpen....keep this in mind: The two interceptions are on curl routes that are a three step drop and fire. Thigpen spends all three drops selling, than looks and fires. As Mitch Holthus put it...that route has a problem!

Looking back through the games to Atlanta, the film showed receiver's nearly getting this on almost every instance of it. In some cases the corner gets it, but can't hang on to it. While Thigpen got the credit for NOT throwing an interception - coach's should have known this was coming. Either its design or execution has been sketchy from the onset of Thigpen starting. After all, flip a coin enough times, it will land on the other side! Before you place this on Chan, the receivers aren't helping this route. These curls could be bread & butter for us, but not until our receivers learn to get separation.

There! I said it.

How about SHOWing us some separation. I could also go into a complete rant about catching balls that hit you in the hands, but that's just not in keeping with the Thanksgiving "Glass-Half-Full" spirit. (You've have no idea - how hard that was to type)

One last thing. I keep hearing about how young this team is. And I believe there is truth in the "rookie wall." And for the 2008 Chiefs, that isn't going to be just a guy or two. But here is what is killing me. Derek Johnson is in his fourth year of pro-football. In fact, he is in a contract year. If ever there was a time to show (I mean, SHOW) coaches what you're made of .... it's a contract year.

After the Bills Trent Edwards crossed the line of scrimmage last week, he became a running back. Why then was Derek Johnson still backing up 2, 3, to 4 yards deep in the end-zone? Why? You can't tell me that Gunther needs to explain to him how the rules work. Chalk it up to sluggish return, his girl-friend having a baby, the flu, whatever. But if you can't feel the game...you better be the most studied guy on the field. That TD was unacceptable. Come on DJ. We need you. Shows us what you are made of.

Boy...this was my warm-fuzzy! At least I left the Special-Teams alone.

Turkey day, then its off to Oakland. The land of Italian cookies. I love SF. Tough game though, expect the Raiders to play a lot of Man-to-man and continue to pry on our run coverage. Best o'luck to Herm and his men. We're going to talk pretty in depth about what the Chiefs can expect with Kendall and Len on pre-game from Oakland.

Till then...Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.