I have heard all the fire Karl and Herm talk I can handle. Lately, it seems us Chief fans have gone soft. We’ve been blinded by all the gilts and glamour of recent NFL teams success, saying to ourselves: “When is it our turn?”

Since my birth in 1979, I have never experienced a super bowl season or even the team playing in that game. For years I cherished the hard nose defense and brusing offense in previous years. To think that players like Marcus Allen, Derrick Thomas, Nick Lowery, Christian Okoye, Derion Cherry, Warren Moon, and even Joe Montana grace Arrowhead stadium. All had great highlights and breathe taking moments, but never anything to have a parade about.

Now, as we embark on another rebuilding season, I see the point and purpose of it all. The Kansas City Chiefs have never been an organization that demands quality. They offer excuse after excuse for why this season will not be the one. We have been written off as a quality team ever since D. Vermeil left. That’s why we have a draft. It’s the opportunity for the fans, teams, and entire organization to hope in the future. It’s the chance for use to imagine super bowl parades in February. This years draft is no exception.

With this year being officially labeled as the rebuilding period, the draft is stocked with need talents for the Chiefs. I will do my best to play General Manager for a day and provide the Chiefs with the best chance to success immediately and on a long term bases. Besides, who can be satisfied with a parade for just one year?

2008 NFL Draft

WHO:  With the fifth overall pick in the 2008 draft the Kansas City Chiefs selected Darren McFadden from the University of Arkansas.

WHY:  Trade Larry Johnson and select Darren McFadden with the 5th overall pick in the draft. Trading LJ now is the best for both parties. With a new offensive line (another need in this years draft), LJ running will continue to struggle. LJ requires wide enough holes for him to square his shoulders and punish the second level backs. His best days are behind him as he holds the most recorded carries in the NFL. How much longer can we expect him to produce with a developing line? McFadden has more speed and versatility than LJ, while blocking and recieving better. The one two punch of Kolb Smith and Darren McFadden will strike fear into the rest of the AFC West division for years to come. With the entrie division retooling and developing, why not pull the trigger now?

My suggested trade party should be the Cowboys for their second first round pick, their 2nd rounds pick in this year’s draft, and next years first round pick in the draft. They coveted him last year but King Carl could provide no solution. We will remove his bloated salary off the books and allow us to sign Allen next year instead of slapping the franchise tag on him again. We can use the Cowboys additional picks to select quality Offensive linemen and add quality defensive back picks in the later rounds.

This years draft should be focused on improving the offense. There is an obvious need for lineman and wide receivers that will provide quality minutes in the future. There should be no rush to select a receiver this year because of the talent expected next year. After addressing their needs on offense, the Chiefs should select speed and toughness to fill holes in the defense secondary. With Herm at the helm, despite his past years with the Chiefs or any other team, we can be confident he has a plan. What that plan is remains to be seen, but at least we know they have one. Say goodbye to the vets and hello to new faces. Kansas City has relied on Band-Aid fixes to problems for too long. Addressing needs in the draft will provide long term benefits.  

Chief fans are ready for the parade through the streets of downtown to celebrate our team’s success. The after party is at the Royals stadium catered by Gates barbeque! We are ready to take to the streets and scream out in joy and happiness in our Super Bowl champions. Even though it’s hard to believe, you still must. The true joy will only come through the agony of many defeats. And over the years, we have faced enough.

The future was ever apparent on Sunday night. No it didn’t take a flux capacitor to show us the way. Nor did the Delorean come out of the garage for a spin. We had a glimpse of two future all star players on both teams. Let’s start with my favorite, and no I am not back down from my prediction of 6 games, the LA Clippers.

We all know Sam Cassell is great. He is the undeniable leader of this team. His swagger makes the team look like veterans during these playoff games. Props go out to a great coach Dunleavy in making the proper adjustments to succeed. But what about Shaun Livingston?

The kid was spectacular off the bench. He was like a burst of energy every time he entered the game or even touches the ball. When the tempo was pushed he controlled the game. When a shot was needed he took it. It was clear that he learned a couple of points playing behind Sammy. But playing behind him next season is not an option. He will definitely start next season and be an all star the following year. His strength, speed, and height are light years beyond most point guards in the league. Of course there are some exceptions, but the kid is headed for big things from here on out. If the Clippers are going to win this series, look for Shaun Livingston to have huge games.

If Phoenix is to win this series, forget about the MVP. Steve Nash has been missing since is game one performance. I have seen some MVP’s in the playoffs during my lifetime, and they never disappear during any round of the playoffs or take games off. That is why the Suns will go as far as Boris Diaw will take them. Oh and by the way, he will be an all-star in a year or two as well. The kid has handles and a mid range jump shot. If you include his passing ability and finishing at the whole, you will see what I mean.

After being ignored and ship out of Atlanta, he has blossomed into a viable threat during the playoffs. As the years progress, picture his defense getting better and long range jumper developing. Throwing lobs to Amare and Marion, and then catching them from Nash. It’s going to be crazy in Phoenix for years to come. So get use to seeing this team in the playoffs. And don’t sleep on Barbosa either. The kid has wheels off a Lamborghini. Can you even imagine this team healthy? There is no team in this league that could play with this team during these playoffs.

This series give you a glimpse of things to come. Next year will be bigger and better for both teams as they age and advance during this years playoffs. In next year’s season, both players will continue to grow into there roles and shine in those results. In a year or two, both of these players will be common talk in all NBA locker rooms and sport shows alike. It’s good to see the future in these playoffs because it makes for exciting games. Just don’t say I didn’t predict it!

Loyalty is not a word practice in the NBA. How could you, in your right mind of think, fire a coach that gets your team into the playoffs year, after year, after year? Well first you would have to have huge balls, or just be Geoff Petrie and the Aloof Brothers (sorry it was to easy)!

After 8 years of consecutive appearances in the playoffs, the Sacramento Kings decide to part ways with Rick Aldeman.  Why? Only because he is the most successful coach in Kings history. Plus the Aloof brothers had been disappointed with there teams performance for seasons. Why?

Egos! The Aloof brothers are more interested in building a trophy case winning team than a successful winning franchise.  Keep in mind that the Sacramento Kings won the Pacific Division titles while going 61-21 in 2000-01 and 59-23 in 2001-02. Plus the team went to Game 7 of the Western Conference finals in 2002 before losing to a Los Angeles Lakers with Shaq and Kobe. What more did they want him to do?

Coach Adelman was 752-481 in 16 seasons as a coach, and won 395 games while in the last eight years in Sacramento. Where is the love? Obviously not in the NBA, where more teams have decide to make moves based on right now. Many NBA team thwart their success by numerous coaching changes and player switches. Those types of decisions make or break a team in a heart beat. Look at Minnesota and Kevin Garnett who hasn’t had a playoff run since his boy Marbury left time for some extra cash. Where were Mayberry and Garnett this year? Rarely do you see any team stick together for a long term with out major changes in line ups, including coaches.  Remember win teams stuck together like Magic’s Lakers, Michael’s Bulls, Larry Celtics, and even Isaiah’s Piston.  Not anymore, because now it’s what’s in it for me attitude or the F U pay me!

The Kings are the latest example o####rowing trend in the NBA. No matter how you cut it, teams want immediate success and are determine to reach it even if it means firing the most successful coach in team franchise history. It doesn’t even matter if you take your team to game 6 with the defending champions or that you lost your team’s defensive player for one game and still almost won. It’s the playoffs and we want championships titles!

It’s like in grade school when every person gets an award but you. Despite receiving that attendance award every year, it was the honor roll! Do you remember that feeling of seeing everyone else receive their awards?  The Aloof brothers did and they decided that it wasn’t going to happen any more. So instead, improving each year, they just decided to fire the teachers!

I know you might not believe it right now, but the Clips played three great quarters of basketball. In fact they have so many long armed player they can't lose this series. It going to happen! The Clippers will beat the Suns in 6 games during this second round match up.