High School Football Is Back!

The 2011 high school football season in Kansas City has started--you can't beat Friday night lights. I took in the Center-University Academy game at Center on Friday. UA had a very small number of players, but put up quite a fight until yielding late in the third quarter.

If you have never caught a high school game, check one out. Typically parking is free and the admittance fee is under $10.

Practice Games Are Useless to Fans

Well, another round of practice NFL games is in the books and I am not sure I know any more about the Chiefs, Giants or any of my favorite NFL teams than I did before they played these games.

Oh, I can tell a few things: The Chiefs are still troubled by offensive, defensive line problems and still have not found a capable receiver to line up opposite Dwayne Bowe or a back up QB we can really trust. Also we have found out that first round pick WR Baldwin is a twit and a diva.

It does offend me, as it does many others, that the clubs charge full freight for these games. To me they should cut the price of everything but food, alcohol and souvenirs for the games. Get a good atmosphere, couple it with a decent team, and you will get fans to come because they will get hooked on the experience. Make it great: make the practice games, which are "lite"anyway the equivalent of the "free" version of an iPhone app, wetting the desire for the real and full thing.

Just sayin.'

Football Camps Ongoing--Progress Slow

well the first round of exhibition games is coming to a close and you can really tell--nothing. Usually you discover what you already know. In the Chiefs case, we needed help on both lines and it is clear that we don't have it yet--certainly not to any depth. We could use a back up QB too.

The Chiefs will be hard pressed to repeat as AFC West champs this year. The Raiders are better, the Chargers are better and there are no games against the NFC West. Kansas City could play better and be a better team overall and still have a worse record and not win the conference.

Meantime the Giants lost also, although by the much more respectable score of 20-10 to Carolina.

The Chiefs need to go and start hitting now in camp.

Nifty time of year this--football and baseball going.

Meantime, Over in Baseball...

Whoops, almost published a blank space!

Although if we were just talking about the Royals and trade deadline action, we would indeed have nothing to say, because nothing is happening or happened. Cabrera, Frenchy and all the rest are all still here. Wilson Betemit's trade to Detroit is the only action so far from the Royals who have pitching bits that might intrigue teams more than the position players.

Meantime, the Giants won the Beltran sweepstakes, the Phils grabbed Hunter Pence, the Cards and Jays added to their rosters with multiplayer trades. The trade deadline is Sunday, July 31 at 3 p.m. CT.

Free Agency, Signings and Losses

Wow, this is like a mix master out here with these contracts flying around! You can't hardly keep up, even with the internets!

Players the Chiefs no longer have include Brian Waters, Chris Chambers, Ron Edwards, and possibly Shawn Smith. Good news is that we have signed almost all 2011 draftees, including our first round pick and picked up also Steve Breston. Overall in the league there seems to be much less holding out by first rounders. I am not entirely sure why, but I do like it. Sign and get in there and practice and learn stuff!

For the Giants, they are having trouble with the great defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora and his contract; he is not fully signed and happy. They have put him on the Did Not Report list after he didn't show for camp. They released Tiki Barber, who wants to return to the NFL, from being restricted. Madison Hedgecock was released. They signed excellent Jets punter Steve Weatherford. The Giants better watch out for Philly, who have resolved their QB delemma by trading Kevin Kolb, and signing Vince Young (shoot, this guy has a .600 winning percentage for games he starts in the NFL!), and signed that guy from the Raiders with the long name, the ridiculously good CB who no one throws on.

No big splashes from the Jets yet. They cut Mark Brunnel, who provided Mark Sanchez with strong back up work, and lost Mizzou product Brad Smith to Buffalo. They wanted the aforementioned DB but lost out to the Eagles.

Around the league, many players have been cut that have been staples at their teams. Antwaan Randle-El was cut by Pittsburgh for example. Lots of players with a bit left in the tank will be available to sign as free agents this year, especially if they are willing to take a cut in pay. Going to be a very interesting year.

NFL Lock Out Over

Well, the lock out is over. Agreements and votes were taken and now the season can proceed. "Silly Season" will be condensed greatly, and perhaps a bit less silly. Drafted players need to get signed, get their playbooks and get learning. Free agents signed. Etc.

In this condensed time, we will find out some things...

We'll find out what players managed to stay in the best shape without the OTAs they were used to that helped keep them accountable for their conditioning.

We'll find out what teams have the best scouting for obscure free agents, undrafted college players, and late draft picks, because these players will not have much time to show themselves.

We'll find out which rookies are the quickest studies and able to pick up complex pro play books.

Teams with established quarterbacks and coaches will have an advantage over those who are searching or have just changed.

There are a few teams that should just figure on rebuilding and not winning much this year, and their fans will hate every moment of the 2011-12 season.

Chiefs shopping list: Another wide out (we did draft one, but should look at FAs), nose tackle, offensive line, running back.

Giants shopping list: New accuracy for Eli. Really. The team was OK, but all those turnovers--nightmares!

Jets shopping list: Offensive line, running back, receiver. I seem to remember struggling to score at times.

Fantasy players are thrilled.

Code writers for the video games are frantic...

NFL: Getting Close?

Well the owners liked their plan. The players? Not so much.

More meetings this weekend between owners and players. There is still space for slip ups. One game has been canceled--the Hall of Fame game. Some are optimistic, but I do think they could still strike. It would be a very bad idea. Just saying.