CHIEFS: ON THE WAY BACK OR SINKING FAST?

The wound and the gift are the same. That simply means that what has hurt you may well be the thing that saves or advances you forward. Is that true with the Chiefs’ upswing? Will injuries continue to plague the Chiefs health?  First, let’s look in on our discussion topic, before we talk about the rebounding Chiefs.

Actually, we, Monday Niters, was hosted by Lloyd Greenfield and his smart seven-year-old granddaughter. She is bright, personably and healthy in every way. Speaking of health care, the Monday Niters are going to be present at a “Community Conversation” about health care. It’s gonna be October 11 and it is sponsored by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City. The foundation seriously wants  to know what everyday citizens think and want to do about their health care. In fact, every Monday Niter will be prepared to express their views, three weeks from this Saturday.

Now, that announcement swiftly turned the discussion into a history lesson.About the health care providers of the past and today.  Right away, the guys started shouting out dentists, physicians and nurses, from the past. Dr. Carl Peterson (physician); Dr. T.T. Lowry (dentist); and Dr. George Taft (physician) were mentioned early. Then quickly, the attention turned to hospitals, prominent to our community back in the fifties and sixties. There was Wheatley Hospital and of course, there were The Queen of the World and General Hospital Number Two. And then very capable and pace-setting nurses entered the conversation. Honorably mentioned were Clara Shields Maddox, innovative public health nurse, at the then- Wayne Miner Health Center.

And Ike brought up the name of a current physician, Dr. Joahn Betts-Hall. And Dr. Allen brought up the well-known dentist, Dr. Frank Haugh. And most notable among female health administrators was Dorothy Roberts, co-developer of the Dental Department down at the now-Rodgers Health Center. Even Ivy Ganaway was mentioned as having a formidable pre-natal program at Swope, sponsored by the Jackson County government. Everyone mentioned were truly game-changers and contributors. Wonder what they would say at the “community conversation” the second weekend in October? Has the health of our people improved or stayed the same?

The same question should be asked about our new-life Chiefs. This team has improved y’all, in just one week. The tv commentators were shouting out names, most of whom we did not know and had never heard of. But they performed well, winning the stats game, against the highly-favored Denver Broncos. Now, those same no-namers will have to show the same stuff, against Miami (who beat New England two weeks ago). These no-namers were superlative in their replacement roles e.g.  Knile Davis ran well replacing the injured Jamaal Charles. And Vickerson, former Bronco, performed well consistently. Even brittle Alex Smith passed with “bullet-like” precision. But they lost and few will remember the scoreless “ten minutes” in the third quarter, when the Chiefs just showed out.

Consequently, it was as if the Chiefs were inspired…..because of the key-player injuries. Thus, it could be said that the poor showing against Tennessee actually worked to the Chiefs’ advantage. Truly, they are a better team, overall as a result. Maybe out of all that crap, came something good, some noticeable improvement, some brighter days ahead. Maybe there is something to the saying that “the wound and the gift are the same”. Do the Monday Niters believe this “wound and gift” thing will continue forward to Sunday’s game against the Dolphins in Miami? Here’s what the guys think…..

Dr. Charles Allen        Because of the last game, Chiefs are playing well           Chiefs by 7

Paul Booker                All the Chiefs are in the MASH unit (injured)                 Miami by 10

Carl Clark                   Chiefs must play a complete game to win                        Miami by 7

Bubba Cleaver            Chiefs will pick on somebody their size                          Chiefs by 10

Ike Gardner                 Don’t be taken in by KC’s performance last week          Miami by 10

Lloyd Greenfield        Compliments to the Chiefs’ passing game                       Chiefs by 7

Ollie Hubbard             Chiefs are gearing up                                                       Chiefs by 3

Jim Nunnelly              A setback is designed to propel a comeback                   Chiefs by 10

Ed West                            Reserves are filling in with confidence                                        Chiefs by 7

CHIEFS: MUST BE PUSHY AND FASTIDIOUS TO KEEP WINNING...

There are those who think the Chiefs are winning again because the recent upsurge by the Royals,  just stole all the attention.

In case you haven’t been watching, the Chiefs are beginning their climb, as well. Independent of and maybe because of the recent success of the baseball Royals. Not sure about that one. But we do know that the Chiefs have won three consecutive games, beating San Diego, St. Louis and recently,  the New York Jets. Now, our Chiefs are among the elite, nine AFC teams that have won at least five games, so far. Now, we are not asking for a parade or nothing like that. But, it does also say that the Chiefs must stay healthy and continue to be “fastidious” about their play. We’ll talk more about exactly what they should do….right after we pursue this “healthy” thing, among the Monday Niters.

The Monday Niters are certainly fastidious and meticulous about their health. For instance, Congressman Cleaver eats only fish. Nutritional experts would call him a “pescatarian”, eating only fish. He is definitely picky about what he eats. But, Dr. Charles Allen is  worried about “not worrying” so much. He is making a special effort to preserve his mental health, by just taking care of things quickly.  Now, Lloyd is quite concerned about his incremental weight gain. Thus, he goes up to the Southeast Community Fitness Center and walks up to three miles. But the other guys are a little more practical about the things they “must” do to insure their good health.

Simply, Paul Booker says that he never forgets to take his medicine. So does Carl Clark. Carl is so concerned about his cholesterol that he not only takes his medicine on time; but goes to the doctor, every three months(even if he is feeling okay). And even though Ike is not always as perky these days, he still insists on eating  leafy vegetables and exercise. He is demonstrating that even though one part of you may not be optimal, you must still remain vigilant on the things that are. And lone-lady Mila Banks still goes about, in spite that she is now over one hundred years old. Recently, her young friends, Carol and Charles Allen from Columbia, recently drove up to take her to lunch on her birthday. Mila insists on executing her life, just like she has always done.  So one can see now that  being healthy is an important thing to definitely emphasize. Be picky and ticky and be damn proud of it. Just like the Chiefs ought to be doing, in spite of the light winning streak.

Actually, many did not think the Chiefs would be as healthy as they were.  This unexpected upsurge  seemed to start,  when the Chiefs beat San Diego, convincingly out in Callie. Then, came the Rams and right after that,the Chiefs beat the Jets. That nameless defense started sacking and tackling better. Shortly after that, Alex Smith seemed to settle down and forget about the heart he left in San Francisco. And Jamaal Charles became a better running back, mainly because Knile Davis was about to take his spot. All jelling at a time, when Tony G and others around town, was going wild about the Royals. But fastidious teams like Denver, New England, and Dallas are still seeking to “get better”. That is the kind of fastidiousness that is needed, with our Chiefs. In our opinion, we cannot rest or let down, just because we have won three straight games. Push. Push on. Push on harder.

That being said, the Monday Niters generally believe that the Chiefs are healthily climbing, at the appropriate time. They are halfway into the season and unlike last year, they seem to have played their worst games, early on. Last year, this time, the Chiefs were 8-0, but shaky as hell. Now, at 5-3, they actually seem to be a better overall team. But again, they must remain fastidious and vigilant, as if they were 0-8. Do you agree fellow Monday Niters? How will the Chiefs do against Buffalo Bills at noon on Sunday? Will the cold, upstate New York weather affect the Chiefs? As the Chiefs slide into second place in the AFC West, will the Chief improve even more? They certainly should keep on pushing  Here’s what our fastidious Monday Niters think…

Dr. Charles Allen       Why stop now?                               Chiefs by 14

Paul Booker                KC will round up the Bills             Chiefs by 14

Carl Clark                   I’m following the crowd!               Chiefs by 7

Ike Gardner                 KC will show their true color        Bills by 13

Lloyd Greenfield        KC is capable of playing               Chiefs by 10

Ollie Hubbard             Home on the range                        Chiefs by 12

Jim Nunnelly              Bowe breaks a long one                 Chiefs by 7

Ed West                      Improvement continues                 Chiefs by 7

Bubba Cleaver            KC is on a roll !!!                          Chiefs by 7