Tradition Tuesday: Scoping the Choncosphere, 7-15-08

While we attempt to cover topics of a more varied spectrum, the rough focus of this blog is the rivalry between the Kansas City Chiefs (represented by yours truly) and the Denver Broncos (sponsored by Cecil and Old No. 7). We developed this focus based on what we call The Tradition, a bi-annual event wherein fans of Bronco Country matriculate across the gorgeous plains of Kansas and plant themselves in Missouri for a weekend to occasionally watch Denver defeat the home team at the Truman Sports Complex. I then return the favor and make my way westward, all but guaranteed to watch the Chiefs lose in Denver.

It's a hoot and a holler, we occasionally bring the wives, and we always torture our livers. Therefore, we've managed to keep The Tradition alive with "Tradition Tuesday," our weekly state-of-the-rivalry address. It's a synopsis of what's going on in Chiefs and Broncos news. It's seldom original, and tends to come off as whiny in some form or another. We love it, nevertheless.

Our long-time friends over at Arrowhead Addict have assembled a small army of staff writers for themselves in the past year and change. One of the more long-winded (and anti-editing) scribes penning for AA goes by the moniker of stevenh. Yesterday, he offered his breakdown of the AFC West and how the clubs in the division will fare this year. The post is interesting to say the least. There's little said about the Chiefs, but mr. h believes that the Chargers still maintain a stronghold for winning the division, however, LaDainian Tomlinson is allegedly on schedule for a season-ending injury of some sort or another, in which case, Norm's '08 party is over before the Jungle Juice gets iced. As far as Oakland, stevenh thinks they're a mess. Well, said. I think Oakland will surprise some folks with a couple more victories than expected and likely contend with the Chiefs for third in the West, the other manning the basement. stevenh on the other hand, disagrees:

I’ll make a bold prediction here, I say the Broncos finish last in the AFC West this year. I’m not just saying that because I hate them with a passion, but I honestly believe this will be a very trying time for the Donks this year.

Also on the Addict is -- get ready -- some Brett Favre news. AA HCIC Adam linked to this story/letter wherein the author invites Old No. 4 to come down to KC and park under center. It's nice and heartfelt, complete with token Brodie Croyle bashing and Joe Montana references. I found it rather, uh, let's see...starts with an "l," ends with an "e," and there might be an "am" in there somewhere.

Over at Predominantly Orange, Kim linked to this Woody Paige piece of shit that suggests a scoreboard mascot change: adios, Bucky the Bronco; hola, Dorky the Donkey.

Michael Ash over at Warpaint Illustrated concludes his preview of the 2008 Denver Broncos. In the first of two parts on the installment, he assessed Denver's disappointing '07 season, along with the draft and recent successes and failures against division opponents.

Any AFC West team with designs on winning the division must deal with the San Diego Chargers. The bad news for Denver is that they haven’t beaten San Diego since a Week 2 victory in 2005.

Worse yet, they haven’t even come close in recent efforts. In two games last season
the Broncos lost to the Chargers by a combined score of 64-6.

In his conclusion, he lists reasons for optimism, reasons for concern, and highlights suspect characters within the organization, which ranges from star players up to the coaching staff.

But looking at the big picture, the biggest concern facing Denver appears to be their continued reliance on Mike Shanahan as both head coach and the unofficial general manager. While no one can argue against his coaching success, Shanahan’s reputation as a personnel evaluator has taken a serious hit in recent years with several failed drafts and a laundry list of bad moves in free agency...

...Denver was wildly inconsistent in 2007, which makes the prediction business a little difficult. While the Broncos are capable of upsetting better teams, they’re just as likely to get beaten by a team they have no business losing to... While many in Denver seem to be hoping for something definitive -– either a return to the playoffs that vindicates Shanahan, or another sub-.500 year that sparks a change of some sort -- the feeling here is that the Broncos will frustrate everyone by finishing the year 8-8.

Chris at Arrowhead Pride has started another series, this one centers on the most interesting matchups on the Chiefs schedule this coming season, and of course it starts with the first week of the season when KC squares off with the reigning AFC Champs.

HercRock has been writing about nothing but golf for over two weeks. We like Orange Bucksnorts, so we're optimistic that Sunday's golf post -- with obligatory Elway photo and Herm Edwards bashing -- will be the last. He's also managed to procure some tickets, as apparently Bronco tickets went on sale Saturday. Herc -- no KC tickets? Too much time in the sun out in them fairways. Clearly.

Shawn over at Chiefs Gab is worried about the Chiefs getting their draft picks signed in time for camp. I don't get it. Why worry? Is there history that suggests this might be an issue?

Finally, the crew over at Bronco Talk says there's uncertainty as to whether or not Samie Parker will make the Denver squad. And Bronco Country just wouldn't be the same without a Jay Cutler interview in which we heard about diabetes and B-Marsh. Yawn.