Thought you weren't going to get one of these for a second week in a row, huh? Joel Thorman over at Arrowhead Pride was awesome enough to answer a few questions for us. When their post is up, I'll link back to my answers to their questions. Thanks a ton!
1) Tell us a little bit about the Chiefs' front office and ownership. How have Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley done in your eyes?
AP: It's a mixed bag. They inherited a team that was really, really bad and in year one of the Pioli/Haley era the Chiefs were...really, really bad. The second year, however, the Chiefs won the division and made the playoffs. This year, the third year, has been mixed so we're not really sure what to make of them yet. I think most fans are frustrated that the team isn't competing for a playoff spot right now but given everything that's transpired this year (Losing Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry and now Matt Cassel) I can understand it more. So basically my answer is that Haley/Pioli are a mixed bag right now. There's really no consensus on them.
2) Injuries haven't been kind to the Chiefs this year - which injury has hurt the team worse, Jamaal Charles' or Eric Berry's?
AP: Charles, I think. There's an argument for Berry because the Chiefs were able to do a ton of stuff with his versatility but Charles was the homerun hitter. He was the guy that made you know you'd be competitive in every game.
AP: I think we're nearing a consensus that Cassel is not the guy that's going to lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl. I still think he's going to line up under center for KC next year (because the Chiefs haven't acquired anyone better) but they're not winning a title under him. So the focus shifts to the draft where for the first time in years we're seriously wondering if the Chiefs will draft a quarterback in the first round. KC has never had a franchise quarterback, never. This is important to fans that they find one.
AP: Considering the timing of it all, in Week 12, this is an excellent pick-up. Really, your quarterback goes down in November and you replace him with someone of equal talent? That's very rare. That said, I'm hoping he plays a lot on Sunday, whether he starts or not. He seems like a smart guy, he doesn't have a history of throwing a lot of picks and could help the rest of the Chiefs offense continue to develop. I think Orton gives the Chiefs a chance to be competitive down the stretch.
AP: The question of the year. We really don't know. I go back and forth on this all the time. On the one hand, the Chiefs have to see he's clearly the best play maker in the passing game so he needs to be in KC long-term. On the other hand, you wonder if the Chiefs want to give him a boatload of money. I just don't know which way they'll go but my guess, for now, is that Bowe gets slapped with the franchise tag next year. That's what I think happens but what I want to happen is KC to sign him over the offseason to a long-term deal.
AP: 20-10 Chicago.
Thanks again, Joel!