David Bell
Some Chiefs History
–> A Tribute to the Legendary George Toma
Groundskeeper Extraordinaire
The Super Bowl hype has started, so this is my version of some “hype.”
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The Mythical Groundskeeper, George Toma, is no myth at all and he’s preparing the field for the Super Bowl… again. He is now 94 years old and there’s a plethora of articles written this past week about the “man.” He has been primarily the groundskeeper for the Chiefs and Royals and every Super Bowl field since the beginning. No, not the beginning of time. It’s worthwhile to pick up one of the many articles about Toma circulating out there this week. First, he defined himself, saying that he was:
“The Nitty Gritty Dirt Man.” Here is a link to an article at FOX4 News of Kansas City, by Carey Wickersham called, “Legendary groundskeeper says this may be his last Super Bowl” in which he quotes Toma as saying
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“I’m slow now, I’m walking with a cane, but I throw the cane away now and then. I walk over to the field and make sure there are no depressions. I’m getting old right now, and I’m still hanging in there as long as I can. I enjoy what I’m doing as long as I live.”
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Back in 1997, Snickers made a couple of commercials with Toma. Here’s one:
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Rookie CBs: McDuffie and Watson Quotes
Laddie Morse had an excellent article here at ArrowheadOne about the Chiefs Rookies. I think it is worth a second peek. See his article
–> “Chiefs Rookies Rule the Roost.”
It’s a tribute to the Chiefs choosing a direction and going with youth. It may have been a gamble, but it has worked out extraordinarily well. Extensive credit must be given to Cornerbacks Coach Dave Merritt and Safeties Coach Donald D’Alesio. It is also a tribute to Brett Veach and the scouting staff.
Both young men — McDuffie and Watson — acquitted themselves well when questioned in the Presser on Friday. McDuffie dug into what was expected, saying:
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“Yeah, I think one is going to be stopping the run–I think a big thing we have to do is just tackle. A big thing in this game, missed tackles can lead to leaky yardage. That’s what (Steve Spagnuolo) really talks about especially in these later games. I think it just comes down to making plays on the ball at the end of the day. We know the ball is going to — Jalen Hurts is going to take his shots. They have good receivers who can make plays. So, it’s going to be on the back end to stop the ball when they throw it.”
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Jaylen Watson elaborated during his time before the camera:
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“It’s just going to be important that everyone (does) their job, it’s just as simple as that. They’ve got a great receiving corps, a great O-line – just a great overall team (from) top to bottom. So we’re going to (have) to come in, and everyone (has) to do their job, fly around, have fun and let the rest handle itself.”
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Both CBs played well against a top WR duo. They also supported coming up and making solid plays, defending against the run in the AFCCG. In the Super Bowl, they again will face a dynamic WR duo, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Brown is always dangerous, no matter who he is going up against, and the pairing of Brown and Smith is another tough aerial combo against whom a young secondary will be matched and challenged.
Chris Clark, on “Locked-on-Chiefs,” feels that Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the best one-two WR pair in the NFL, but the pairing of Brown and Smith follows just behind that of the Bengals duo. At the same time, the Chiefs secondary defended Chase and Higgins, giving up a TD, but limiting the damage and preventing YAC.
Rookie Rogue Safety #3, Bryan Cook!
Bryan Cook committed a PI penalty, timing his hit on a WR a fraction of a second too early. However, he also tipped the pass that Joshua Williams picked off. If he has an exposure early in his career –> it is over-exuberance. However, I believe in his aggressiveness. He is the #3 safety behind Justin Reid and Juan Thornhill. Since the Eagles are a run-heavy offense, Cook should get a lot of looks up in the box. Combined with the rookie Corners, the Chiefs (with all their rookies) held to Bengals to 20 points or less. Job One. Job Done.
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Improving the Injury Report Outlook
On Super Bowl Media Day, L’Jarius Sneed and JuJu Smith-Schuster were in front of the cameras. Chris Clark of Chiefs Corner and Locked on Chiefs spoke about their being present, saying that in the past if players who were on the injured list made the next game presser, they were going to be able to play. LB Willie Gay was not mentioned, but I cannot see him not being able to play, and I will take Matt McMullen’s scoop on that. If all three WRs are active, including Kadarius Toney, I think things are looking up for the Chiefs at Phoenix. The one thing that would be missing from the speed attack is Mecole Hardman, who is listed as doubtful, and besides, Reid has said he’s almost certainly out.
Eagles HCs and the Super Bowl
One interesting tidbit of news has to do with the Kansas City Connection. Four Eagles Head Coaches have reached the Super Bowl. All four have Kansas City Chiefs coaching in their resume.
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• Andy Reid — Chiefs & Eagles HC)
• Dick Vermeil — Chiefs and Eagles HC
• Doug Pederson — KC OC & Eagles HC & HC at Jacksonville
• Nick Sirianni — K.C. Coaching Staff 2009-2012 and current the Eagles HC
• Pederson was also Reid’s QB at Philly for a year
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Parade Send-off from Neighbors
of Willie Gay and Noah Gray
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The local crowd of neighbors for Willie Gay and Noah Gray gave them something to remember –> a parade in the local environs as the players departed for KCI. I think that is special and illustrates how closely tied Kansas City Fandom is to the players. One local resident said,
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“It was so much fun. It was so fun to have him wake up on a Sunday morning along with the entire neighborhood and have a parade ready for him when he came out.” -Kristen Brinks, a Gray neighbor
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Willie Gay also had a parade. Linebacker Willie Gay’s neighbors also gave him a hero’s send-off as he got ready for the trip down to Arizona. They even escorted him through the streets. I am telling you, now Willie Gay will play in the Super Bowl.
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Phoenix Arrival & Welcoming Committee
Upon arrival in Phoenix, as the Chiefs deplaned, it was an interesting experience as well. Although, I do think that Kelce and PMII dressed ‘down.’
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They even had their headline greeter: Chiefs heralded RB Christian Okoye!
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Super Bowl Underdogs — Again
The nation’s celebrated observers, commentators, analysts, and oddsmakers have once again conspired to choose the Chiefs opponents as the favorite. Good enough. The Chiefs have fared well in such betting circumstances. I see a lot of reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming contest. My reading on Kadarius Toney also indicates positive movement toward playing, and I feel the same about JuJu Smith-Schuster, L’Jarius Sneed, and Willie Gay. Mecole Hardman may fail to make it, but 3 of 4 is goodness, and Hardman will be missed. You may say to yourself, “meh” when I post the following: but the Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be activated.
Last but not least, is a pointer at the –> “Franchise: Episode 13.” It has a great introduction about the formation of the Chiefs, which includes comments by Clark Hunt on his father and it then covers this year’s approach to the Super Bowl. If I had to predict anything, the Chiefs mission from the off-season to the Super Bowl will be completed.
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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