#StanziTime

I was born a Kansas City Chiefs fan.  It's in my genes, which kind of makes the Chiefs part of my family.  However the 2012 version of this team has pushed disappointment and frustration to new levels.  Not only do the Chiefs not win games, but they look like they don't know what they are doing in the process.  The blowouts keep piling up, and with no improvement in sight the tensions between angry fans and front office are about to lead to a full-scale civil war.  They are completely hapless on the field, and we fans, (family), are saddened by it all.  It's like watching a close family member get overtaken by alcohol, become addicted to meth or crack, or vote democrat.  It hurts us.  It hurts us because we can't do a thing to fix it, and we want them to be successful and happy.

Now I totally understand that the problems with the 2012 Chiefs are vast.  From the front office all the way down to the beer vendors, there are issues contributing to the epic fail we see on the field each week.  They are like a car with multiple mechanical problems, from a slipping transmission and leaky brake lines, to the cracked windshield and broken steering wheel, and pieces keep falling off along the way.  (However, the radio works. Gotta have tunes!)  But perhaps instead of replacing one broken piece with another broken piece, why not try the shiny new piece that's sitting in storage?  I know it's not a name brand, but maybe it could work if given a chance.  It might even be enough to get your jalopy to the shop for an overhaul.

As of this moment, Matt Cassel has only thrown 6 touchdown passes but has thrown 12 interceptions.  He currently has a rating of 66.7.  Brady Quinn has thrown 0 touchdowns and 3 interceptions and carries a rating of 52.9.  The Chiefs are -21 in turnover ratio.  -21!  And the vast majority of ALL the Chief's turnovers this season can be attributed to Matt Cassel, who leads the universe in turnovers this year.  And let's not forget last season's superstar Tyler Palko, who managed to get all the playing time while Cassel was injured.  It's no secret that the quarterback play has been less than stellar.  But the Chiefs continuing to alternate between a dumpster fire and a train wreck at the quarterback position make the coaching staff look stupid.  What is preventing them from trying the perfectly good "rookie" sitting on the sidelines?

Ricky Stanzi

I'm talking, of course, of Ricky Stanzi, who the Chiefs drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft.  The former Hawkeye has never been flashy, or even thought of as an elite quarterback, even in college, but all he did was win games.  The improvement in his play from his junior year to his senior year was so dramatic, it had to play a  roll in the Chiefs' decision to take him in the draft.  No one expected him to be the franchise quarterback for the Chiefs,  but I was absolutely thrilled he was drafted by Kansas City,  but for whatever reason, he hasn't been
able to crack that number 2 spot on the depth chart and couldn't even get on the field last season even though Tyler Palko was serving up interceptions like deep fried Twinkies on a stick while filling in for Matt Cassel.

What I want to know is.....why?  There is no possible way, scientifically, mathematically, alphabetically, or numerically he could do ANY worse than the current one-two punch of Cassel and Quinn.  If he is not good enough to play in the NFL, why keep him on the roster?  Cut him and let him go play somewhere else.  By playing Stanzi, the worst that could happen would be........pretty much what has already been happening week after week.  Maybe it could light a spark.  Who knows?  He has great familiarity with Tony Moeaki, who was also drafted out of Iowa by the Chiefs, (and is also criminally underutilized in the offense.)  Big targets in Bowe and Baldwin.  (who are both injured right now) . And still a pretty good running attack with Jamal Charles and company.  He doesn't need to be John Elway.  He could be Steve Deberg and that could be enough to get the offense clicking.  Maybe they're afraid Stanzi could have a little success, which would also make the staff look stupid for keeping him on the bench all season. 

Look, I'm not a football genius.  And there is a fair amount of homerism in me wanting to see Stanzi get some playing time.  (Go Hawkeyes!)  But you haven't tried everything until you've actually tried everything and by not putting Stanzi in the game, you're spinning your wheels.  Maybe instead of flying the "Fire Pioli" signs at the games, fans should be waving the "#StanziTime" signs.  I like Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn.  I want them to do well.  But they aren't and haven't been for some time now.  Give Stanzi a shot with the number 1 offense and see if there is anything that can be salvaged from this season.  Then maybe you can temporarily appease some of the fans.........like me.

Oh, and Stanzi's favorite target in college, Marvin McNutt, is on the Eagles' practice squad.  Might want to check him out.

P.S.  PAY BOWE!!!!!