02-09-2024, 04:06 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-20-2024, 09:43 AM by lemonoppy. Edited 1 time in total.)
Guy Oats - Kansas City Tribune Sports Staff Writer
The Kansas City Coyotes have not had the start that was promised to fans as the season began. Despite being blown out in the Ultimini last season, sports analysts expected the Coyotes to once again reign supreme in the DSFL North division. Returning offensive superstars such as Lenard McRobinson, Purdy Mediocre, and Leonard McCoy were poised to wreak havoc again on their way to another post season run. However, the trio have seemed to lose focus on the task at hand, resulting in three straight losses to start the year. To get a better understanding of what may be going wrong in the Kansas City locker room, I decided to get a close up look at the dynamics of the team during the Week 4 game versus the Birddogs. With my media sideline pass, I was able to get a first hand account of everything going on.
The atmosphere around the stadium was buzzing. Fans were eagerly optimistic that this week would be the start of something great. A win that could ignite the fire under the Coyotes that would burn all the way to the Ultimini and then some. I overheard fans saying that they "just need to let the plays develop organically", and "not to try and force it". The people in purple and gold were anxious for the game to begin, and I could feel the excitement. However, that all changed once I hit the grass on the sideline. Players warmed up on their own or in small "pods". On one end of the field was rookie running back Will Nuck warming up alone. On the other end was star linebacker Dulio's Beard, who seemed to have more of an interest in his grooming routine than preparing to play a football game. Two players, simply chatting it up, were wide receiver Leonard McCoy and incumbent running back Purdy Mediocre. Then, the stadium erupted with cheers as phenom quarterback Lenard McRobinson emerged from the tunnel, lightly jogging as Money on My Mind by Lil Wayne played over the stadium speakers. As he came down the tunnel, fans leaned over the wall to try and get a high five or some signed memorabilia - McRobinson did not waiver. His pace remained consistent as he jogged on to the field for his own light stretching routine. I observed as he tossed a couple balls to various members of the training staff in what felt more he was preparing for a backyard pickup game instead of an organized league event. It was then that my eyes caught a new sight. It was like a vision into the future - Rookie first round pick Tim Riggins (who recently made the change to wide receiver from tight end), and fellow Rookie 5th rounder (and backup quarterback) Russell Jimmies were working through a route tree on their own. I could see discipline, diligence, and determination swirling around them as if it were tangible energy. Ball after ball left Jimmies fingertips and perfectly arrived into Riggins hands. After several minutes of the pair working together, Jimmies gestured to fellow rookie Will Nuck and starting center Big Show. On his call, the trio then practiced exchanges. Center to quarterback, then quarterback to running back. When Show snapped the ball to Jimmies, he took it with gentle but firm hands as if he were receiving a newborn baby. And when he handed the ball off to Nuck, it was smooth as butter every time. Soon, captains were called and the game was starting.
The game started off rough for the Coyotes offense. Several drives started and ended before you could blink an eye. The defense was staying tough, though, and keeping the team in the game. At the end of the first quarter, KCC finally struck paydirt with a LM to LM connection, giving the Yotes a 7-6 lead. The second quarter was as boring as the first. A lone field goal for Kansas City with Dallas' Hammerfall pounding it in from 1 yard out and a field goal of their own, leaving the score 16-10 at the half. I could feel the fans were growing annoyed. McRobinson was a respectable 8/12 with 89 yards and a touchdown, but he was far from the electric player they had known to love. As the second half began, the crowd grew more restless. Punt followed by punt with a turnover sprinkled in here and there. A lone field goal each was the result of another 15 minutes of play, and by the time the 4th quarter began, you could hear the rumblings. First it started with a small section, and from my perspective I couldn't quite make out what they were saying. Something something followed by a series of claps. Then, the clapping grew louder, and the chanting became much louder, and then it was clear...
"We want Jimmies!" clap clap clap clap clap. We've all heard that chant before. Fans get tired and rowdy of losing, sometimes they are right, sometimes they aren't. It didn't appear that the coaching staff was inclined to make any decision during this game. And perhaps that was the right decision, as in the waning moments of the game, McRobinson hit McCoy again for the goa ahead touchdown with 2 minutes to go. The strange thing is, not an ounce of emotion was shown by either of them, or really anyone on the offense. Perhaps the returning superstars have checked out - their bags already secured - and see these games as a chore. In this old reporters eyes, that is a disservice to the fans and the league. I can't say for certain, but I have seen a lot of ball - and this Kansas City team needs to find the guy that's got that dog Coyote in him. They may need to look elsewhere to find the packs true leader, but I think he is already on the roster, and his name is Russell.
The Kansas City Coyotes have not had the start that was promised to fans as the season began. Despite being blown out in the Ultimini last season, sports analysts expected the Coyotes to once again reign supreme in the DSFL North division. Returning offensive superstars such as Lenard McRobinson, Purdy Mediocre, and Leonard McCoy were poised to wreak havoc again on their way to another post season run. However, the trio have seemed to lose focus on the task at hand, resulting in three straight losses to start the year. To get a better understanding of what may be going wrong in the Kansas City locker room, I decided to get a close up look at the dynamics of the team during the Week 4 game versus the Birddogs. With my media sideline pass, I was able to get a first hand account of everything going on.
The atmosphere around the stadium was buzzing. Fans were eagerly optimistic that this week would be the start of something great. A win that could ignite the fire under the Coyotes that would burn all the way to the Ultimini and then some. I overheard fans saying that they "just need to let the plays develop organically", and "not to try and force it". The people in purple and gold were anxious for the game to begin, and I could feel the excitement. However, that all changed once I hit the grass on the sideline. Players warmed up on their own or in small "pods". On one end of the field was rookie running back Will Nuck warming up alone. On the other end was star linebacker Dulio's Beard, who seemed to have more of an interest in his grooming routine than preparing to play a football game. Two players, simply chatting it up, were wide receiver Leonard McCoy and incumbent running back Purdy Mediocre. Then, the stadium erupted with cheers as phenom quarterback Lenard McRobinson emerged from the tunnel, lightly jogging as Money on My Mind by Lil Wayne played over the stadium speakers. As he came down the tunnel, fans leaned over the wall to try and get a high five or some signed memorabilia - McRobinson did not waiver. His pace remained consistent as he jogged on to the field for his own light stretching routine. I observed as he tossed a couple balls to various members of the training staff in what felt more he was preparing for a backyard pickup game instead of an organized league event. It was then that my eyes caught a new sight. It was like a vision into the future - Rookie first round pick Tim Riggins (who recently made the change to wide receiver from tight end), and fellow Rookie 5th rounder (and backup quarterback) Russell Jimmies were working through a route tree on their own. I could see discipline, diligence, and determination swirling around them as if it were tangible energy. Ball after ball left Jimmies fingertips and perfectly arrived into Riggins hands. After several minutes of the pair working together, Jimmies gestured to fellow rookie Will Nuck and starting center Big Show. On his call, the trio then practiced exchanges. Center to quarterback, then quarterback to running back. When Show snapped the ball to Jimmies, he took it with gentle but firm hands as if he were receiving a newborn baby. And when he handed the ball off to Nuck, it was smooth as butter every time. Soon, captains were called and the game was starting.
The game started off rough for the Coyotes offense. Several drives started and ended before you could blink an eye. The defense was staying tough, though, and keeping the team in the game. At the end of the first quarter, KCC finally struck paydirt with a LM to LM connection, giving the Yotes a 7-6 lead. The second quarter was as boring as the first. A lone field goal for Kansas City with Dallas' Hammerfall pounding it in from 1 yard out and a field goal of their own, leaving the score 16-10 at the half. I could feel the fans were growing annoyed. McRobinson was a respectable 8/12 with 89 yards and a touchdown, but he was far from the electric player they had known to love. As the second half began, the crowd grew more restless. Punt followed by punt with a turnover sprinkled in here and there. A lone field goal each was the result of another 15 minutes of play, and by the time the 4th quarter began, you could hear the rumblings. First it started with a small section, and from my perspective I couldn't quite make out what they were saying. Something something followed by a series of claps. Then, the clapping grew louder, and the chanting became much louder, and then it was clear...
"We want Jimmies!" clap clap clap clap clap. We've all heard that chant before. Fans get tired and rowdy of losing, sometimes they are right, sometimes they aren't. It didn't appear that the coaching staff was inclined to make any decision during this game. And perhaps that was the right decision, as in the waning moments of the game, McRobinson hit McCoy again for the goa ahead touchdown with 2 minutes to go. The strange thing is, not an ounce of emotion was shown by either of them, or really anyone on the offense. Perhaps the returning superstars have checked out - their bags already secured - and see these games as a chore. In this old reporters eyes, that is a disservice to the fans and the league. I can't say for certain, but I have seen a lot of ball - and this Kansas City team needs to find the guy that's got that dog Coyote in him. They may need to look elsewhere to find the packs true leader, but I think he is already on the roster, and his name is Russell.