Dierdorf remembers being an NFL novice
CBS analyst
Dan Dierdorf, who will be calling today’s Chiefs-Patriots game along with
Greg Gumbel, understands it could be a blowout.
“We’re always prepared for that,” he said by phone. “When you got a young team like the Chiefs, one of the youngest teams I’ve seen on paper, going up against a team like the Patriots, you’re definitely prepared for that possibility.”
So what will keep today’s game from being a close-your-eyes romp?
“First of all, the Chiefs’ young players need to adapt to their surroundings rather quickly,” he said. “They have to get over the urge of seeing all these Patriots — guys that they’ve seen on television — and perhaps wanting to go get their autograph.
“They can’t stand back and go, ‘Wow. There’s Tom Brady!’ or ‘Wow. Randy Moss!’ ”
Dierdorf, too, remembers being a bit wide-eyed as a young offensive lineman with the Cardinals.
“My first game was against the Cowboys, and I was going up against Bob Lilly,” Dierdorf said. “Does it get any harder than that? Here I am, going up against one of the greatest defensive tackles of all-time. I was scared. I was shaking. Don’t ask me how I did.
“But there’s a big difference, too, from being a freshman in college and playing against a junior or a senior, versus being a rookie in the NFL and playing against a veteran who is 35 or 36 years old. You feel intimidated.”
The move by Herm Edwards to rip up the Chiefs’ roster and go with youth was necessary, Dierdorf said.
“Oh, absolutely,” he said. “This had to be done. And I think Chiefs fans are very savvy. They know this was necessary, and they’ll get behind these young guys as long as they see the potential.”
No assumptions
Dierdorf, by the way, said no one should just assume today’s game will be lopsided.
“Let’s be honest: The Patriots have some question marks, too,” he said. “Tom Brady hasn’t played in the preseason. The Patriots’ secondary is a little bit iffy. There are changes on that team.
“This isn’t necessarily the same Patriots team we’re all used to seeing.”
KC is the place
ESPN’s Chris Fowler was applauding Missouri and Illinois for having their matchup on a neutral field and had suggestions of other rivalries on neutral fields, including this one:
“Nebraska-Iowa in Kansas City. OK, so this one lacks the star power of (some) others because the Hawkeyes are down and the Huskers need to regain some luster. But they will. These Corn Belt neighbors ought to collide once in a while. Both could use a bit more glamour in their nonconference slates.”
@ Go to
KansasCity.com to read more from Jeffrey Flanagan in his blog, “Over the Top.”
To reach Jeffrey Flanagan, call 816-234-4492 and leave a message or send e-mail to jflanagan@kcstar.com.
