When Anthony Sherman showed up for the Kansas City Chiefs training camp dressed in nothing but cutoff overalls, he became the focus of everyone with a camera or a set of eyeballs. These Chiefs, with a roster constructed by John Dorsey and Andy Reid, don’t bring in players who you’d call goofballs. In fact, they are steadfast in creating a cast of actors who are steady guys, more apt to star as policemen, attorneys or doctors in shows like Law & Order or Grey’s Anatomy than they would be to play zany character roles in Seinfeld or say, 30 Rock.
First, let me say that even though ex-Chiefs center Eric Kush also showed up last year in a camouflage tank top and shorts… and then was later released… it doesn’t mean I think Anthony Sherman is about to get cut or traded. The reason Sherman might get traded or released is because he only had 5 total touches on offense in 2015 (1 rushing and 4 receptions for 34 yards total). However, Sherman is a special teams explosives expert so it may be difficult for his special teams coach, Dave Toub, to see him go, if Reid and Dorsey decide to cut Sherman.
Also, you might not necessarily classify Sherman as a goofball. One thing is clear, the 2016 Chiefs team building theme is “No GoOFbAlLs.” That is to say, the 2016 Kansas City Chiefs roster is filled with stable, consistent, hard working and confident people. Players who… just don’t typically lose control of their emotions.
That ability to stay calm in the face of adversity is a quality that came to the forefront when the Chiefs went 1-and-5 in their first 6 games last year… right before reeling off 11 straight victories.
Whether you agree or not that a person like Tyreek Hill should be a part of this team, he is now doing and saying all the things a person should be saying and doing. A sign that there is a high probability that John Dorsey and Andy Reid were right about Hill, and that they are on the right track with the rest of their decisions concerning who is, and who is not, going to be on this team.
In the history of the Kansas City Chiefs, they’ve had been a few “goofballs,” for lack of a better word. Or perhaps we’ll just call them overtly colorful personalities. There have been guys like Dwayne Bowe or Shaun Smith or Jared Allen or Larry Johnson or Dale Carter, who all seemed to be more commonplace on teams of yesteryear. You could even go so far as to place head coaches Todd Haley… and at times Herman Edwards… in the Goofball club. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with being a goofball… most people would likely stick me in that category. It’s only an observation I’m making about this year’s club.
In fact, a lot of teams need a player or two who can help liven things up a bit. Kind of like Barney Fife did on the Andy Griffith Show. Or if that’s too retro for your taste… like Tony did on N.C.I.S.. BTW… if you didn’t already know this… Michael Weatherly’s character “Anthony DiNozzo” will no longer be on the ever popular N.C.I.S. TV drama but you will find him as Dr. Jason Bull, the main character in a new show called, “Bull.”
John Dorsey and Andy Reid’s current team is built around guys who are more like Will Shields… than Will Ferrell. Although, if they ever do make “The Life Story of Will Shields,” I hope they get Will Smith to play his part (I recognize Smith will have to gain about 150 pounds, but I believe he can do it… after all he pumped up nicely for his role as Muhammed Ali).
I noticed this trend amongst the many twitter accounts that K.C. players possess. Almost every account reflects that player’s solid character and confident personality. You would think a team could go a long ways without the distractions that some players bring to their respective teams.
Take a look at some screen captures of the current players twitter accounts, players on the Kansas City Chiefs roster this year.
It’s easy to see this cast of characters making strong decisions that could help lead this team to a championship. Characteristics like: learning from mistakes, working hard, remaining reliable, weathering a storm, not pointing fingers, taking responsibility, keeping optimistic and confident. Plus, you can see an increasing number of the Chiefs players being tenacious in their pursuit of a ring.
There’s a championship quality to this team. From the looks of the way this team is constructed, it’s easy to see why fans are talking like “this is their year.” They can start by bringing home an AFC West crown first… then be on their way to bigger and better things.
What do you say Chiefs fans? Are these Chiefs made for the short term… the long term… or is this their one shot and then they must think about rebuilding? The way this roster is put together, it looks like they could be good for a long time to come.