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So I've started to trim down the Kansas City Chiefs roster for Saturday's cut down day. The Chiefs must go from 75 to 53 players meaning 22 players will be released by Saturday afternoon.

I went through the entire Chiefs roster and picked out the guys that I thought were locks to make the roster. It would take a Bernard Pollard-sized surprise for one of the locks to be released. As Pollard has shown us, what we think is a lock and what GM Scott Pioli thinks is a lock are two different things.

I also went through and put all the players into one group that were not locks -- bubble players. Some players -- like Maurice Leggett and Shaun Smith -- are probably going to make the roster. But can you say that for sure? I'm not sure that you can. Another example -- both Rudy Niswanger and Casey Wiegmann are listed under the bubble players. No, they're not going to cut them both but can't you envision a scenario where they keep one over the other? I'm not sure who's in the lead at this point.

The Chiefs currently have 75 players. I've got this split up with 40 bubble players and 35 locks. That means in my scenario there are 40 players playing for 18 roster spots (plus the practice squad).

I'm sure you won't all agree with me so give us your take in the comments.

BUBBLE PLAYERS

• C Rudy Niswanger
• C Casey Wiegmann
• CB Jackie Bates
• CB Travis Daniels
• CB Mike Richardson
• CB/S Maurice Leggett
• CB/S Donald Washington
• DE Alex Magee
• DE/DT Dion Gales
• NT Garrett Brown
• NT Derek Lokey
• DE/NT Shaun Smith
• FB Mike Cox
• G/T Colin Brown
• G Darryl Harris
• G Dan Santucci
• G/T Ikechuku Ndukwe
• LB Justin Cole
• LB Cory Greenwood
• LB David Herron
• LB John Russell
• LB Pierre Walters
• LS Thomas Gafford
• C Lemuel Jeanpierre
• QB Tyler Palko
• RB Jackie Battle
• RB Tim Castille
• RB Javarris Williams
• S Reshard Langford
• S DaJuan Morgan
• S Ricky Price
• OT Bobby Greenwood
• TE Leroy Banks
• TE Jake O'Connell
• WR Rich Gunnell
• WR Jeremy Horne
• WR Quinten Lawrence
• WR Verran Tucker
• WR Jerheme Urban
• WR Terrance Copper

LOCKS

• CB Brandon Carr
• CB Brandon Flowers
• CB Javier Arenas
• S Eric Berry
• S Kendrick Lewis
• DE Glenn Dorsey
• DE Wallace Gilberry
• DE Tyson Jackson
• NT Ron Edwards
• G Ryan Lilja
• G Brian Waters
• K Ryan Succop
• LB Jovan Belcher
• LB Tamba Hali
• LB Derrick Johnson
• LB Corey Mays
• LB Cameron Sheffield
• LB Andy Studebaker
• LB Mike Vrabel
• LB Demorrio Williams
• G Jon Asamoah
• P Dustin Colquitt
• QB Matt Cassel
• QB Brodie Croyle
• RB Jamaal Charles
• RB Thomas Jones
• S Jon McGraw
• OT Branden Albert
• OT Ryan O'Callaghan
• OT Barry Richardson
• TE Tony Moeaki
• TE Leonard Pope
• WR Dwayne Bowe
• WR Chris Chambers
• WR Dexter McCluster

Sam Hurd is not looking to leave the Cowboys, but he is hoping for a chance to be a regular contributor as a wide receiver.

According to a source, the Cowboys have had some inquiries on Hurd's availability but nothing appears imminent.

Teams have inquired about Sam Hurd, who wants to contribute as receiver | Dallas Cowboys Blog | The Dallas Morning News

He was in Dallas the same time Todd Haley was.

 

photo source

Real football is just days away, but that’s just on Sundays (and Mondays, and sometimes Thursday, but you know what I mean). What will you be doing to pass the time between games?

There will be yardwork, schoolwork, and plain old work work to be sure, but I hope that’s not all you’ll be limiting yourself to over the next few months.

There are three books out this fall that Chiefs fans may want to find time to read. I’m giving you a preview of each of these titles below. Check them out and see if you can’t work one (or more) into your autumn reading list.

It’s pretty easy to decide which of the three books to lead off with. Lamar Hunt: The Gentle Giant Who Revolutionized Professional Sports by David Sweet is set to hit stores sometime this month. Pretty good timing considering the recent dedication of the Lamar Hunt statue at Arrowhead. 

photo source 

 Here’s some of what the publisher’s website has to say about the book.

Author David A.F. Sweet delves deep into Hunt's impact on sports in Lamar Hunt: The Gentle Giant Who Revolutionized Sports, revealing never-before-disclosed details of this soft-spoken man's true importance to many different popular sports. Hunt's human side is brought to light as well.  As a teenager, he had said his ambition in life was simply, "To do bigger and better things than my dad." His lifelong love of sports transformed the sporting landscape into the massive industry that everyone recognizes today.

The book is being published in hardcover by Triumph Books and retails in stores for $24.95.

The second book is Sports Illustrated Blood, Sweat & Chalk: Inside Football's Playbook: How the Great Coaches Built Today's Game. It is written by Tim Layden who has been writing at SI for 16 years. 

photo source  [author's note: I have no idea if this play is in the book]

Sports Illustrated published an excerpt of the book on their website last month. Here is the intro they used.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Tim Layden's book, "Blood, Sweat and Chalk; The Ultimate Football Playbook; How the Great Coaches Built Today's Game,'' examines the roots of many of football's most iconic offensive and defensive systems. What follows here is a chapter on the Ryan Family, including Buddy and his "46" defense and son Rex and his groundbreaking pressure system. Blood Sweat and Chalk is available in bookstores on Aug. 3 and can be ordered here.

This book was released last month. It is in hardcover and retails for $26.95.

The last title I want to let you know about is NFL Unplugged: The Brutal, Brilliant World of Professional Football by Anthony L. Gargano. This book is scheduled to be released near the end of the month and retails for $25.95.

I received an advance copy of the book and started reading it last weekend. While I haven’t finished it yet, I can say that it is very interesting thus far. It takes the reader into the meeting rooms, locker rooms, huddles, and dog piles of the NFL with eyewitness reporting and player interviews.

What I have really noticed so far is just how terrible the wear and tear is on the NFL player. This book is just in time to lend its voice to the debate on the merits of an 18 game season. 

Patrick Allen over at Arrowhead Addict is also reading the book. He put up a post with an excerpt about Mike Vrabel that you might like.

The book is published by Wiley, and this is what their website has to say.

Behind every glittering NFL game on television is a world of happy pain for a hundred men. NFL Unplugged lets you see that world through the eyes of the pros who live and sweat in it. Here are the places the cameras don't go: the locker room where coaches' speeches can deflate or motivate, the huddle where fart jokes vie with playcalling, the training camp where locusts and heat conspire to break the strongest bodies and shake the most determined minds. Now you can experience it all up close and unplugged.

There you have it, three intriguing books that are hitting stores, just as the hitting starts on the field of play. These are by no means the only football titles that are coming out right now, but I do feel that these particular titles have something to offer the readers here at Arrowhead Pride. I know most of the members here are always looking for a new and better understanding of the game and their team. Hopefully one (or all) of these books can help with that.

The Chiefs ran some wildcat plays in preparation for the Packers, and they added a new wrinkle -- WR Jerheme Urban took some of the snaps along with WR/RB Dexter McCluster.

Bob Gretz - CBS Sports Rapid Reports

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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was talking about the right tackle spot at his Tuesday afternoon press conference. The starter, Ryan O'Callaghan, has been out over a week with some sort of injury. That's caused Barry Richardson to step into the first team role.

Richardson is a guy last year that I don't think a lot of people knew much about. He was drafted late (sixth round) in that 2008 draft and didn't see a whole lot of time as a rookie. Haley says now, with him playing more, that there's "a lot more known, most of it being good."

Haley acknowledged that the Chiefs do need to stay healthy because, as he said earlier in the week, the Chiefs don't have enough depth anywhere.

"Depth is always going to be an issue and that’s just the way it is at most places," he said. "Those types of players are difficult to find, particularly at the tackle position, right or left. I don’t think they’re just producing them off a conveyor belt."

I think he realizes that the starters could be a decent team in 2010. However, there are always injuries that mess up your plans. Somewhere along the line a starter is going to miss multiple games and a huge weakness will potentially open up.

The Chiefs health will be one of the major story lines in the 2010 season. They've been pretty lucky so far so it'll be interesting to see how long that holds up.

Where The Chiefs 2010 Draft Picks Stand Two Weeks From The Chargers

This is review for many of you but a summary of where the 2010 draft picks stand almost completely through training camp and the preseason.

Morry Gash - AP

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The Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers will meet at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night for the preseason finale.

I talked with Brandon over at Acme Packing Company about a couple of things Packers-related items.

The first question was about Aaron Rodgers sitting out (waiting on Favre) before becoming the starter. I figured that was relevant to the Chiefs because Matt Cassel sat for several years before becoming the starter. I also asked about Bryan Bulaga. Remember him?

Two questions and answers after the jump.

How much of a difference did it make for Aaron Rodgers to sit on the bench for the first few years? Did it help him a lot?

QB Aaron Rodgers was awful during his limited playing time in 2005 and 2006. He wasn't ready and the rest of the offense didn't help him either. They rebuilt the offensive line and receiving corps through the 2006 draft. QB Brett Favre had an awful 2006 season statistically, and I can't imagine Rodgers would have done any better. His career stat lines might have avoided a couple ugly seasons, but he was ready to start by 2007. He's always seemed to have a lot of confidence in himself and I don't think an awful rookie season would have lessened it in the long run. 

How's Bryan Bulaga coming along? There were some folks who thought the Chiefs might take him.

Bryan Bulaga is going to be a really good left tackle in the NFL. He looks like a natural at the position, he moves laterally with ease, and the pass rusher is done once he gets his hands on him. Unfortunately I don't expect you'll see him on Thursday because he missed the last preseason game with a hip flexor and they don't seem eager to rush him back.

Top Five Fantasy Football Rookies

I wrote this for SBNation.com so you know I had to include a certain Chiefs rookie....

More photos » Orlin Wagner - AP

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The big NFL roster cut down day is coming on Saturday when teams must go from 75 to 53 players. That's 22 players, per team (maximum), that will be on the market Saturday afternoon.

If you're wondering if the Kansas City Chiefs are keeping an eye on all the players that are cut then you probably haven't paid attention to the Chiefs in the last year.

Of course they're going to be looking at everyone. If history repeats itself, we could see some significant movement from the Chiefs.

Last year on Sept. 6, the day after the big cut down, the Chiefs released starting right tackle Barry Richardson. In his place, they picked up off of waivers Ryan O'Callaghan.

Today both players are on the roster but over the last year O'Callaghan was the starting right tackle.

The Chiefs roster is in a little bit better shape this year than last so I'm not sure that they'll find another starter on waivers but it does show you that a lot can change this weekend.

Pick out a few of the perceived weak spots on the team and you can bet the Chiefs will be looking at the waiver wire for those positions.

There will also be big-named, high-priced veterans released this weekend. Vested veterans (four years of experience) have their base salary fully guaranteed if they're on the roster week one of the regular season. That means there will be plenty of players that are released before week one and will continue to be on the market after the first game.

In short: There's going to be the potential for a lot of movement over the next couple weeks.

More photos » J. Meric - Getty Images

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The Kansas City Chiefs may be missing two starters when they play the Green Bay Packers in the final preseason game on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

Last week, the Chiefs were without starting right tackle Ryan O'Callaghan. He hasn't practiced since then so we can probably expect to see him on the sidelines Thursday. We're not sure what O'Callaghan's injury is or if it's serious.

The Chiefs may also be missing starting outside linebacker Tamba Hali. The Kansas City Star reports Hali had his "ankle heavily taped" while working out on Tuesday. Again, there's no specifics on his injury.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley has previously said that generally players need to practice to play. I imagine he'd be willing to break that rule in the regular season when the games count. In the preseason, though, there's no reason to push players who are hurting.

Also missing practice this week has been the usual suspects: Guard Darryl Harris, outside linebacker Cameron Sheffield and defensive back Maurice Leggett. We're not sure if any of those guys will play but it seems unlikely.

Chris Chambers also missed practice but Haley indicated that "we're in good shape" when asked about him.

More photos » Charlie Riedel - AP

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The Kansas City Chiefs are the second ranked rushing team in the NFL through three games of the 2010 preseason. Between Thomas Jones, Jamaal Charles and Jackie Battle (team rushing leader), the Chiefs are showing where the strength of their team lies.

Now it's time for the Chiefs to put their strength against the Packers', who were the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL last year.

I talked with Brandon over at Acme Packing Company to determine how the Packers will handle the Chiefs rushing attack.

Their run defense was fantastic in 2009 but they've struggled this preseason. Their backup linebackers have played a lot, which I'm sure hasn't helped. They've also had to throw their rookie 3rd round pick Morgan Burnett into the fire as the starting strong safety, and his coverage skills (he picked off QB Peyton Manning last week) are well ahead of his run support (he gave up a huge run to RB Joseph Addai). I expect it will be great again in 2010 once all the starters are back and playing full-time, including starting SS Atari Bigby who's missed all of training camp with an ankle injury.

Anyone remember the name B.J. Raji?

Unfortunately, there won't be much time to test the starters vs. starters. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said this week that QB Aaron Rodgers and the starters would only play for a series so I suspect we can expect a similar amount of time from the defense.

That's too bad because I'd love to see where the Chiefs rushing attack stands against one of the best in the NFL.

More photos » G. Newman Lowrance - Getty Images

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In 2009, Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel completed 55% of his passes. It was a major drop from his 2008 season with the New England Patriots when he completed 63.4% of his passes. Chiefs coach Todd Haley said at one point this offseason that anytime you're hitting over 65% of your passes, you're probably doing something right.

Well, Cassel has started completing more of his passes in the 2010 preseason. He's completed 75%, 73.7% and 60.9% of his passes in limited action thus far in the preseason. Those are very good numbers.

The problem? He hasn't gone deep.

Here are his passing numbers with the yards per attempt in parentheses.

• 6/8 - 25 yards (3.1)
• 14/19 - 125 yards (6.6)
• 14/23 - 85 yards (3.7)

"I think in every offense you want to have the ability to make big plays," Cassel said Tuesday afternoon. "Also, when you get those big chunk plays it makes it a lot easier to not go for second and third down each and every time. You want to have the ability to (make big plays) and there have been a few times where we have kind of missed opportunities throughout the preseason to have that happen."

It seems as if the Chiefs haven't even tried to go deep. I would say that's by design (since its preseason) but that was the case last year as well. Most of their top passing plays this preseason have been on run and catches.

"I think when you look at the preseason itself we haven’t really gone into a game in which we game planned and broken down all the film and gone into it," Cassel said, perhaps giving a reason the Chiefs haven't opened up the offense.

I don't think this is a game planning thing. It seems that it's similar to last year when the Chiefs were unable to stretch the field the majority of the time.

We'll see if things change in 2010 because that's something the Chiefs will have to do if the offense will become any sort of a threat.

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September already? Seriously? It's odd that it feels like time is flying, but I also feel like I've been waiting forever for the season to start. Just a few more days to go! In the meantime, enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news.

Tuesday was just another day at Chiefs practice, with a lot of this and a lot of that, and during another long session in the sun, it’s easy sometimes for the action to fade into a two-hour blur.

Then Dexter McCluster lines up somewhere in the offense, and there’s reason to pay attention. So Tuesday, the rookie took turns at receiver, Wildcat quarterback and kick returner, and he looked like a weapon at all three positions. Add running back to the equation, and coach Todd Haley has a quandary to contend with — because those on the sideline aren’t the only ones who pay attention when McCluster lines up.

Dexter McCluster is a jack of all trades for Chiefs' offense from KC Star

As the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Cassel is hoping to reverse the fortunes of a franchise that has gone 6-26 the last two years and hasn’t won a playoff game since the 1993 season.

"I’m excited about this kid," Chiefs coach Todd Haley. "He’s still developing. He’s still making progress. For him to go into this year with a stable environment should make a big difference."

This time Cassel has weapons around him from Yahoo! Sports

KC Star Photo Gallery: Dexter McCluster's preseason

Cassel indicated some frustration with the inability to get the ball down the field.

"Every offense wants to have the ability to make big plays and have production because when you get those big plays, it makes it a lot easier to not be on first, second and third down each and every time," he said. "There have been a few opportunities where we’ve kind of missed the (chance) to have that happen throughout the preseason." Hopefully that will become a positive for us."

Chiefs Buzz | Cassel wants big plays; Chiefs release Long; injury update from KC Star

The Kansas City Chiefs took on the Philadelphia Eagles last Friday night and were taken down by a score of 20-17.

On a night when the defense flourished, the Kansas City offense did not do as well overall. With this piece, I recapped what the offense did and didn't do against the boys from the city of brotherly love.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Review of Chiefs Offense from Bleacher Report

Andy Reid says it’s nothing to be concerned about. Ask him about the Eagles’ offensive line and he says not to worry, everything is fine.

OK, but why is that I can’t stop thinking back to last Friday’s game and all the times the Kansas City Chiefs poured in on Kevin Kolb like commuters coming through the subway turnstiles at rush hour? I didn’t just imagine that, did I?

Didinger: Questions Surround Eagles' O-Line from CSNPhilly.com

Following the news of Stephen Strasburg being injured for the Washington Nationals, ESPN columnist Bill Simmons "tweeted" the following:

"Updated list of sports cities that God apparently hates: Cleveland, Buffalo, Seattle, Washington."

Kansas City is missing from that list. And it's missed on most "these sports cities are jinxed" lists.

Kansas City underrated for its sports misery from The Kansas City Kansan

If things play out this season as I expect them too NFL fans should be treated to an epic duel for Defensive Rookie of the Year Honors between defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and safety Eric Berry.

Suh and Berry, both top five picks, come into the NFL with incredible hype, and I expect them both to live up to it.

Battle Of The Beasts: Ndamukong Suh Against Eric Berry For DROY from Bleacher Report

In a perfect world, my starting fantasy lineup this season would feature Drew Brees, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Miles Austin and Jermichael Finley. That would be the same perfect world in which my daughter rides her pet unicorn to school, Scarlett Johansson stalked me and the IRS didn’t exist.

Well, two out of three ain’t bad, right? (Hey, Scarlett, for the last time — no means no!)

The Perfect Draft: Not an elusive fantasy from KC Star

Bill Grigsby, the grand ambassador for Kansas City and member of the Chiefs’ radio team for 46 years, has had a setback.

Grigsby, 88, told me he is battling a form of prostate cancer. Grigs has undergone treatment for the disease and, like everything in his life, he is optimistic about beating the illness.

Say a prayer for ol’ Grigs from The Red Zone

Eric McClung: A surprise running back or wide receiver that will score double-digit touchdowns, you ask? How about someone that will be playing both positions! Rookie Dexter McCluster of the Kansas City Chiefs will be all over the field with ample opportunity to record explosive plays and long-distance scores. In addition to playing slot receiver, McCluster will see time in the backfield, and was even paired with Jamaal Charles in the backfield during a preseason game.

FF Roundtable: 10-Touchdown Surprise Player from RotoTimes [editor's note: Chambers is also mentioned further down the article]

31. Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs

...I think if we learned one thing from the Pete Carroll Era it is when an NFL coach needs to switch things up in order to try and reach his players it usually doesn't end well. I smell a cowboy hat and a chin full of dip by Week 6.

DOES BELICHICK STILL SET THE STANDARD? from WEEI

Hunter, Tommy (11-2, 3.66) vs Bullington, Bryan (1-3, 6.00)

Poll What sport are/were you the best at:

• Baseball
• Football
• Basketball
• Track/Running
• Soccer
• Other

  272 votes | Results

The #28 Greatest Royals player of all-time is Tom Gordon.

#28 Tom Gordon

1988-1995
79-71 4.02 ERA
1149 2/3 IP 999 K 587 BB

Before Joakim Soria, before Jeremy Affeldt, there was Tom Gordon.

Tom "Flash" Gordon was a quiet, unassuming pitcher young pitcher with a wealth of talent that the Royals never seemed sure what to do with. Was he a starter? Was he a reliever?

Tom stood just five-foot-nine and gave hitters a steely gaze when on the mound. He skyrocketed through the Royals minor league system with a devastating knee-buckling curveball. He learned the curve from his father, a one-time Negro League pitcher. Gordon learned it by repeatedly flipping a baseball into a trash can.

''It wasn't just throwing it into the can. I had a 7-foot fence between myself and the can and I had to get it over the fence....A lot of people have their own way of doing it; that was one of the ways I did. It took a full two years to learn.''

Tom Gordon was from Avon Park, Florida, the birthplace of Royals legend Hal McRae and a place filled with poverty, drugs and violence. The Royals selected Gordon out of high school in the sixth round of the 1986 Amateur Draft. Tom struggled mightily with his command in his first two pro seasons, walking 89 batters in 131 innings. But that curveball made him nearly unhittable and in 1988 he began to harness his control.

He began the year in A ball with Appleton (Wisconsin). After seventeen starts and a 2.07 ERA, the Royals promoted him to AA Memphis. Gordon would make just six starts there, winning them all, giving up just two earned runs in 47 1/3 innings of work. He was then moved up to AAA Omaha, where he won all three of his starts, giving up just three runs in 20 1/3 innings. For the year, he had pitched at three different levels of professional baseball, going 16-5 with a 1.55 ERA. In 186 minor league innings, Gordon struck out an amazing 263 hitters.

The Royals, in a playoff race with the Oakland Athletics, called Gordon up to the big leagues in September. He performed admirably, giving them three shutout relief appearances and a quality start in Oakland before being roughed up against the Mariners to end the year. Even Major League hitters were dazzled by his curve, striking out eighteen times in just 15 2/3 innings. Baseball America named Gordon its Minor League Player of the Year.

''He has a curveball that no one can hit. Slow, fast, or in between, they don't hit it. If we could teach it, we'd have everyone throwing it.''
-Royals General Manager John Schuerholz

Despite having Gordon throw over two-hundred innings in 1988, the Royals debated whether to keep him as a starter, or move him to the pen and make him a closer. The feeling was that with only a plus fastball and a plus curveball, Gordon lacked the repertoire to succeed as a starter.

"I had a lot of inconsistency because I was really only a two-pitch pitcher. To find that third pitch -- a changeup -- was something I knew I needed to do, but I couldn't get a grasp of it."

Gordon began the year in the bullpen, the perceived weakness of the team heading into the seasons. Gordon struggled with his command but overall pitched well, and combining with another young reliever named Jeff Montgomery, they turned the middle relief innings into a team strength.

By the All-Star break, Gordon had a 3.14 ERA with ten victories out of the pen - although six of those wins were due to him blowing the lead. Royals manager John Wathan finally put Gordon into the rotation on July 17, and Gordon responded with a ten strikeout performance over eight innings in a 3-2 win over Milwaukee. Two starts later, he hurled a complete game shutout over the eventual American League East champs. It would be the first of five consecutive wins by Gordon, giving him a 16-4 record and a 2.57 ERA with only five weeks left in the season.

Then Flash hit the wall. He would drop his next five decisions, giving up five or more runs in four starts. He ended the year 17-9 with a 3.64 ERA and would finish second in Rookie of the Year balloting behind Orioles reliever Gregg Olson and ahead of a young man named Ken Griffey Jr.

"For me, the easiest adjustment was coming from the minor leagues as a starter and going to the bullpen, because it didn't matter to me how I got to the big leagues. I didn't care if I was pitching middle relief or set-up or whatever. I think that transition was a lot easier because I didn't try to over-emphasize anything. I just went out there and pitched. But once they asked me to start, that was a tough transition."

Gordon spent the entire 1990 season solidly in the rotation, and responded with a decent, albeit not great, season. He won twelve games, posting a 3.73 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 195 1/3 innings, but walked 99 hitters.

''He does lack confidence, and at times you have to reinforce it. All last winter, he wondered if he was going to be in the big leagues - after winning 17 games. 'I don't think the league has caught up to him yet. His biggest problem has been walks. He has to keep confidence in his stuff.''
-Royals Manager John Wathan

The emergence of rookie Kevin Appier and the signing of free agent Mike Boddicker meant Gordon would open the 1991 season back in the pen. But an early injury to Mark Gubicza thrust Gordon back into the rotation and he responded with a thirteen strikeout performance in Yankee Stadium. That start would begin a sizzling stretch where he gave up just eight earned runs in six starts over 48 1/3 innings.

"I just love pitching. I feel like I can be a No. 1, 2 or 3 starter, but I know what my role is for the Royals."

Gordon faltered in June and by July had lost his spot in the rotation to Luis Aquino. He would pitch as a long-reliever/set-up man the rest of the season, posting a 2.73 ERA as opposed to his 4.77 ERA as a starter.

Gordon opened the 1992 season in the rotation, but by May his ugly 5.64 ERA sent him back to the pen. He would struggle all season, ending with a 4.59 ERA. In 1993, he was back in the pen, only to end the year in the rotation pitching well (3.36 ERA in fourteen starts). The Royals were growing impatient with his inconsistency.

Most Strikeouts/9 innings, Royals History (min. 100 starts)
1. Tom Gordon 1988-1995 - 7.82
2. Zack Greinke 2004-2010 - 7.61
3. Kevin Appier 1989-2004 - 7.12
4. Gil Meche 2007-2010 - 6.91
5. Jose Rosado 1996-200 - 6.05

Gordon was left in the rotation for all of the 1994 season and responded with a decent season - 11-7, 4.35 ERA in twenty-four starts before the strike happened. When play resumed, the Royals were in cost-cutting mode following the death of owner Muriel Kauffman. Gordon became trade bait, with rumors that the Royals might even non-tender him. They instead offered him a contract and kept him as their #2 starter behind Appier, instead cutting costs by dealing Cy Young winner David Cone.

Gordon struggled mightily to begin the year. But three complete game, one earned run performances in June helped resurrect his season. Unfortunately, the Royals only one won of those starts, and the team struggled to give Gordon much run support. The team's struggles began to wear on Gordon.

"I don't like to lose, and these guys (teammates) don't like to lose either. I'm sick of this. We heard in spring training that we weren't supposed to be a good team. But we are a good team. We need to do what it takes to win games."

The Royals would finish a distant second place to the Indians, thirty games back. Gordon would take a 3.97 ERA into the last game of the season, a tilt with the juggernaut Indians in Jacobs Field. Gordon would last just one inning, giving up ten runs, lifting his ERA to 4.43 in what would be his last start in a Royals uniform.

Gordon explored free agency that winter, and left the door open to staying in Kansas City, despite the cost-cutting.

"They actually offered something to my agent that was a 63 percent pay cut. How in the heck do you accept that? I've always found Herk to be one of the most gracious people I have ever met. I love Kansas City, and I know we can work out a deal."

Instead, the Royals were ready to part ways.

"I think Flash would like to stay here. But we are not going to be able to pay him."
-Royals General Manager Herk Robinson

Gordon would sign a two year, $5.8 million deal with Boston. After a season and a half of being a mediocre starter, Gordon was named the Red Sox closer late in 1997. In 1998, he led the league in saves and inspired a Stephen King novel.

"Come on, Tom", she whispered. "Come on, Tom, one two three, now. You know how it goes."

But not tonight. Gordon opened up the top of the ninth by walking the handsome yet evil Yankee shortstop, Derek Jeter, and Trisha remembered something her father had once told her: when a team gets a lead-off walk, their chances of scoring rise seventy-five percent.

If we win, if Tom gets the save, I'll be saved.
-"The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon"

The month of August is nearly over and that means it's time for another player of the month award to be handed out. The Wizards went 2-1-1 in the month of August, continuing their good run of form that they started in July. Wins over New England and LA also helped the Wizards start to pull themselves out of the goalscoring slump they've been in basically all season. KC scored 7 goals in the month of August, while allowing only 3, a .75 GAA for Jimmy Nielsen and his 8th shutout of the season. On the goal scoring front, Kei Kamara led the way with 2 goals and 3 assists in the month. Birahim Diop finished with 2 goals and an assist. Davy Arnaud had a goal and an assist. Jimmy Conrad and Jack Jewsbury also added goals while Ryan Smith had an assist this month.
Overall this month comes down to two players in my opinion, Kamara and Michael Harrington. Kamara continues to have a career year adding 2 more goals and 3 assists bringing his total to 8 goals on the season. Factor in his 3 assists and he's been a part of over half the Wizards goals this season. Harrington is having a coming of age season that SHOULD see him get a call up to the national team hopefully this January if not sooner. August was another good month for him as he's basically shut down the right hand side for KC.

This month the winner is...
photo courtesy of Thad Bell

Kei Kamara

Can't argue with the month that Kamara's had, he was involved in 5 of the Wizards 7 goals and has had himself some very good games.

More photos » Orlin Wagner - AP

And people wonder why pitchers have arm problems.

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Highlights:

 

• Yuni walks twice and homers.
• Royals put 7 runs up against Lee, 4 earned.
• Rangers go yard 4 times, to go with 3 doubles.
• Chavez sucks.  That is all.
• Royals score 5 runs in one inning.
• That win was fun, now time to go see how the Ranger fans are taking the loss.

Game 132 Overflow Thread

Today the Wizards announced their first homegrown player signing, goalkeeper, Jon Kempin. Kempin today signed a Generation Adidas contract with the Wizards and will now join the Wizards roster. He won't take up one of the team's 24 roster spots, instead he'll occupy one of two "homegrown" slots on the roster, giving the Wizards the ability to have 25 players on the team currently. In the end Kempin was likely the favorite to be signed due to his experience with the US U-18 national team. He's been called into the U-17 residency program in Florida and is still a member of the U18 player pool for the United States. Barring major injury issues to both Jimmy Nielsen and Eric Kronberg, I do not expect to see Kempin in net and probably not even on the bench this year for the Wizards. I don't see this becoming a like the Bill Hamid situation in DC. But in the end you never know. Congrats to Jon on this big even in his life and to the Wizards on keeping a local kid in town to play with his home team.

More photos » G. Newman Lowrance - Getty Images

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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley said that he and his staff would convene on Tuesday afternoon to determine playing time for Thursday's matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

It's the fourth preseason game when teams usually pull back on the reins a little bit. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said on Tuesday they are playing Aaron Rodgers and the first team offense for one series on Thursday. For just one series, I'd ask: Why? The risk far outweighs the reward.

The fourth preseason game generally sees the starters play less than a quarter, if at all, anyway.

Last year, the Chiefs started Brodie Croyle and he played the entire first half. But that's also because Matt Cassel had gone down with an injury the week before and Croyle needed the playing time to prepare for the opener.

This time around Croyle has been out with an injury the last two preseason games and again could use the playing time.

Haley said on Tuesday afternoon, "I think it’s a fair statement that he’s missed a considerable amount of time that adds up pretty quick for a quarterback. I think snaps that he can get will be positive, that’s for sure."

This is my guess on the rotation: Matt Cassel and the starters play 2-3 series and Croyle plays into the fourth quarter with Palko closing things out.