Cassel wants more big plays from Chiefs

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel has gone on record that the chiefs need to throw the ball down the field more, and I couldn't agree more. The Chief's lack of a big play threat has been a big fat albatross hanging on the neck of an offense that has shown promise but has yet to break through and find consistency.

Cassel indicted that part of the Chief's problem was that the team hasn't shown much of its playbook this preseason, although last year's offense hardly struck fear in opposing defenses when it had the ball and was using its full array of plays. Getting the ball to running backs Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles is the primary focus of the offense, and rightfully so, but the Chiefs must be able to stretch the field to give its backs running room and keep safeties away from the line of scrimmage.

While no one is expecting the Chiefs to put up its Dick Vermeil era numbers, the team will need more points per game while its defense continues to experience growing pains. The problem the Chiefs face is it lacks a Randy Moss type receiver that can stretch the field. Dwayne Bowe has looked promising in spurts, and Chris Chambers can do this. Hopefully Charlie Weiss can use his creativity to keep defenses off guard with a few big plays so Kansas City's real strength, its rushing attack, can be effective.

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Mission Couple Busted for Growing Marijuana

Mission Couple Busted for Growing Marijuana

A Mission Couple was arrested Friday. 300 Marijuana plants were found growing in their home in the 5200 block of Reeds Rd. Todd and Eva Norman both face felony charges of cultivating and selling Marijuana. That is quite an operation, who said dope smokers just sat around all day watching Family Guy Re-runs.

The latest bust comes on the heals of two other very recent drug busts in Johnson County. Last week an Overland Park man was arrested after Sheriff's Deputies found 96 pot plants growing in his house. Joseph Radetsky was charged with cultivating marijuana and not having a tax stamp for his marijuana. Did you know that you have to pay taxes on your marijuana in the state of Kansas? Also this month, a former Johnson County Sheriff's officer was busted for growing Marijuana and Mushrooms in his home.

I don't know what is going on here, in this economy we should be applauding individuals who show an entrepreneurial spirit, not arresting them. At least we got some dangerous drugs off the street, Johnson County is not doubt safer than it was last week. Watch out for those pot heads driving 40mph on 435, Far out man!

Fast-Food Ratings Released

A report today released by the Kansas City Star's financial section detailed the best (and worst) values in the fast-food industry. The survey polled 6,500 people and assembled information on best values, foods and more.

The full report, which can be found here, listed restaurants such as Panera and Chipotle as favorite large chains, while Subway lead the mega chains category. Starbucks lead the fast service category, and P.F. Changs was listed at number one for the full chains.

Many of these winners are no surprise due to its niche and value; Subway attracts both sandwich lovers and those looking for "healthier" options and Starbucks has had a large following for years. Some restaurants that did make the top five surprised me, most notably McDonalds at second place for mega chains. McDonalds is cheap, but it is hardly what comes to mind when I think of quality food on the go. Overall, the list has few surprises, and confirms that Americans mostly love the same fast-food restaurants as they did twenty years ago.

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More Legal Trouble for Mizzou Football Program

More Legal Trouble for Mizzou Football Program

For the fourth time this month, a member of the Missouri Football Program is facing legal trouble. Early Sunday morning, Beau Brinkley, a reserve tight end, long snapper, and Kearney native, was arrested in Columbia on suspension of drunk driving and illegal window tint.

August started with a DWI arrest for assistant coach Bruce Walker (nice example). Personally, I believe he should have been fired immediately. A couple of weeks later, Will Ebner, one of Mizzou's returning Linebackers and likely starter was also arrested for drunk driving. A troubling pattern for MU Football was already emerging when we learned last week that leading rusher and starting tailback Derrick Washington had been suspended indefinitely by the team. We discovered a few days later that a restraining order had been granted by a woman who says Washington Sexually assaulted her. No arrest has been made or charges filed in that case.

The events of this last month are unusual for a Missouri Football program that has been disciplined in the past. Head Coach Gary Pinkel needs to send a strong message to his players and coaches that this will not be tolerated. Missouri will have enough trouble on the field this season as they have been plagued with injuries as well. If nothing else, Mizzou nation can always be comforted by the fact that KU still sucks!

USA Basketball Has Right Attitude at World Basketball Championships

Team USA appears to be looking to send a message to the world that its poor showing in the last World Basketball Championship was a fluke. The Americans crushed Slovenia, 99-77 today to jump out to a 2-0 start. Team USA, which many have deemed the American "B" team due to its lack of high-profile stars such as Kobe Bryant or Lebron James, has looked impressive after appearing to be uninspired in its last WBC outing.

Now at 2-0 following big wins over Slovenia and Croatia, Team USA is looking to do something it hasn't achieved since 1994: win the World Championship. To do so, it will rely on young players that were absent from the United States' gold medal winning squad of 2008. After poor showings in 2002 and 2006, many pundits wrote off this team due to its lack of marquee players and the overall youth. Despite the low expectations, the Americans have looked dominant so far, with Kevin Durant appearing unstoppable at times.

What makes this year's team have a shot at the title is a new attitude. Young, hungry players are exactly what the national team needed for a rejuvenation. Many NBA stars look at the WBC as a secondary event compared to the NBA and the Olympics, and this attitude showed in 2006 when many players seemed disinterested and lethargic on the court. By fielding a team of young, hungry players eager to prove their skill to the world and other NBA players, this team will have a chance to win the WBC and earn an automatic berth into the next summer olympics.

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