Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 5, 2007 6:52:12 GMT -5
sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmbvMVTtjBFZC6RXFkt8TjgdsLYF?slug=ap-batteredchiefs&prov=ap&type=lgns
Fifth straight loss leaves KC hurting in many ways
By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
December 4, 2007
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Five straight losses have left the Kansas City Chiefs hurting in both body and mind.
Linebacker Donnie Edwards and left tackle Damion McIntosh were injured in Sunday's 24-10 loss to San Diego, and both are questionable for this week's game at Denver, along with several other starters and backups.
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Edwards has a hamstring injury, and coach Herm Edwards said Monday that McIntosh has a knee injury and would be day to day. Their value became readily apparent almost as soon as they left the field.
LaDainian Tomlinson, held to 60 yards and no scores in the first half, romped for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the second half while Edwards, the defensive leader, was in the training room nursing his hamstring. He had scoring runs of 31 and 28 yards when the defense appeared to be out of position and let him get into open space and use his breakaway speed.
After McIntosh limped to the bench in the second half, the Chargers had four of their eight sacks.
Herm Edwards also said running back Larry Johnson would probably be out for the fifth straight game with an injured foot, and that backup guard Rudy Niswanger was scheduled for an MRI on his injured knee and would probably be out, possibly for the season.
Quarterback Damon Huard, who was too hurt in the last minutes to take the field, will probably be OK, Edwards said.
Quarterback Brodie Croyle, who had started two games but was held out Sunday with a deep bruise in his back, will try to practice on Wednesday as the Chiefs (4-8) begin what could be the toughest stretch of an already tough season.
Three of the next four games are on the road, starting with Sunday's game at Denver, a place where the Chiefs have almost always had trouble winning. Kansas City already lost once this season to the Broncos, 27-11 at home on Nov. 11.
"It will be a challenge, no doubt," Edwards said. "But we've played fairly decently on the road. We've been in every game on the road. We've been in every game."
If Niswanger misses the last four games, it will be another blow to what Edwards had hoped could be an opportunity for young players to gain valuable experience. The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder is in his second season and projected as possibly starting at either center or guard next season. So far, he has gotten only sporadic playing time, but the plan had been to increase his minutes.
"That hurts us some," Edwards said. "He's a young player we're looking at. The only saving grace is he's played some. Now he's got some experience under his belt. You wish he could finish up these next four."
The loss followed what has become a familiar pattern of running out of gas in the second half. Tied 10-10 at intermission, the Chiefs failed to get any points in the final two periods. Kansas City has not scored in the fourth quarter in four straight games.
"For some reason, we're not finishing," said defensive end Jared Allen, who not only had two sacks Sunday but also caught a 2-yard pass on a tackle-eligible play for his first NFL touchdown.
"I have no reason why we're not finishing. We're playing great football in the first half. For some reason, we're coming out in the second half and we let one drive affect our whole game."
One possible reason for the second-half dry spells is the Chiefs' lack of a home run threat. Tight end Tony Gonzalez is having another Pro Bowl-caliber year, and caught 10 passes against the Chargers for 140 yards. But with the possible exception of rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs won't have anyone who can break a long gainer until Johnson gets back. And at this point, there's no assurance he will be back this season at all.
"It's just a matter of making plays," Edwards said. "We have to play games so tight because we've got flaws. And we have to play games close to have a chance to win them. And when you don't make a play and it goes the other way, all of a sudden it puts you in a position like last week, when you get down two scores.
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Fifth straight loss leaves KC hurting in many ways
By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
December 4, 2007
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Five straight losses have left the Kansas City Chiefs hurting in both body and mind.
Linebacker Donnie Edwards and left tackle Damion McIntosh were injured in Sunday's 24-10 loss to San Diego, and both are questionable for this week's game at Denver, along with several other starters and backups.
ADVERTISEMENT
Edwards has a hamstring injury, and coach Herm Edwards said Monday that McIntosh has a knee injury and would be day to day. Their value became readily apparent almost as soon as they left the field.
LaDainian Tomlinson, held to 60 yards and no scores in the first half, romped for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the second half while Edwards, the defensive leader, was in the training room nursing his hamstring. He had scoring runs of 31 and 28 yards when the defense appeared to be out of position and let him get into open space and use his breakaway speed.
After McIntosh limped to the bench in the second half, the Chargers had four of their eight sacks.
Herm Edwards also said running back Larry Johnson would probably be out for the fifth straight game with an injured foot, and that backup guard Rudy Niswanger was scheduled for an MRI on his injured knee and would probably be out, possibly for the season.
Quarterback Damon Huard, who was too hurt in the last minutes to take the field, will probably be OK, Edwards said.
Quarterback Brodie Croyle, who had started two games but was held out Sunday with a deep bruise in his back, will try to practice on Wednesday as the Chiefs (4-8) begin what could be the toughest stretch of an already tough season.
Three of the next four games are on the road, starting with Sunday's game at Denver, a place where the Chiefs have almost always had trouble winning. Kansas City already lost once this season to the Broncos, 27-11 at home on Nov. 11.
"It will be a challenge, no doubt," Edwards said. "But we've played fairly decently on the road. We've been in every game on the road. We've been in every game."
If Niswanger misses the last four games, it will be another blow to what Edwards had hoped could be an opportunity for young players to gain valuable experience. The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder is in his second season and projected as possibly starting at either center or guard next season. So far, he has gotten only sporadic playing time, but the plan had been to increase his minutes.
"That hurts us some," Edwards said. "He's a young player we're looking at. The only saving grace is he's played some. Now he's got some experience under his belt. You wish he could finish up these next four."
The loss followed what has become a familiar pattern of running out of gas in the second half. Tied 10-10 at intermission, the Chiefs failed to get any points in the final two periods. Kansas City has not scored in the fourth quarter in four straight games.
"For some reason, we're not finishing," said defensive end Jared Allen, who not only had two sacks Sunday but also caught a 2-yard pass on a tackle-eligible play for his first NFL touchdown.
"I have no reason why we're not finishing. We're playing great football in the first half. For some reason, we're coming out in the second half and we let one drive affect our whole game."
One possible reason for the second-half dry spells is the Chiefs' lack of a home run threat. Tight end Tony Gonzalez is having another Pro Bowl-caliber year, and caught 10 passes against the Chargers for 140 yards. But with the possible exception of rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs won't have anyone who can break a long gainer until Johnson gets back. And at this point, there's no assurance he will be back this season at all.
"It's just a matter of making plays," Edwards said. "We have to play games so tight because we've got flaws. And we have to play games close to have a chance to win them. And when you don't make a play and it goes the other way, all of a sudden it puts you in a position like last week, when you get down two scores.
Need last-minute expert fantasy football advice? Watch Fantasy Football Live Sundays at noon ET/9am PT