Chiefs Fans Feel Ignored and Other AFC West News

The Kansas City Chiefs are 1-5 and there is a growing divide between the fans and the team’s leadership. It’s gotten to the point where the fans are flying banners over the stadium and in the parking lot.

Chiefs fans feel ignored according to Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star. Maybe the displeased fans are a vocal minority, but even if they are damage has been done. Arrowhead is no longer the home-field advantage it was a decade ago.

Over the bye week general manager Scott Pioli did interviews with several radio stations and newspaper columnists. It was damage control and it was contrived rather than authentic. The Chiefs are treating the fans like other franchises, and over time the relationship has eroded.

At one time the city and the Chiefs were like a young couple in love and now they are the bitter old married couple. Maybe winning can reunite the fans with the city, but a single win isn’t going to cut it when the Chiefs were expected to contend in 2012.

The Chiefs look to get started with a win over the Raiders on Sunday and they will have to choose the best 46 players to activate for the game because all 53 players are healthy, according to Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star.  

In other AFC West news...

 

Oakland

Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times says Sebastian Janikowski is usually on target at Arrowhead Stadium.

Shane Lechler’s knee isn’t bothering him according to Dennis Allen via Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Denver

Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post says the Broncos linebackers have shown they don’t need D.J. Williams.

Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post reports that cornerback Tracy Porter was the only Bronco to not practice on Friday.

San Diego

Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego says the Chargers are still looking for the right mix at outside linebacker.

Antonio Gates says injuries linger longer now that he’s been playing for 10 years, according to Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego.