Playing the KC - CAR game tomorrow? (1 Viewer)

[menobrown]

Pushing the game back a day, especially on such short notice, would cause major hardships for a lot of fans. Flights, hotels, etc,etc. Seems like a small thing to push it back a day but it's not and what is a day going to do anyway? The game should be played as scheduled and to be honest for the Chiefs players involved I think it's not exactly bad that they have a way to join together on the field and vent their emotions as one collective group.

 

[death of the cool]

The game won't be canceled for many reasons...revenue being one, but it goes beyond that. Many people depend on the games for paychecks. It also messes with the league's competitive balance.

I remember when the league moved the Saints game to NY (Giving the Giants an extra home game) because of the hurricane, and they said they would never do that again because of the unfair competitive advantage. Many things factor in such as strength of schedule, draft picks, and wins by common opponents.

The game my be postponed a few days, but they will not cancel it.

 

[menobrown]

The game won't be canceled for many reasons...revenue being one, but it goes beyond that. Many people depend on the games for paychecks. It also messes with the league's competitive balance.

I remember when the league moved the Saints game to NY (Giving the Giants an extra home game) because of the hurricane, and they said they would never do that again because of the unfair competitive advantage. Many things factor in such as strength of schedule, draft picks, and wins by common opponents.

The game my be postponed a few days, but they will not cancel it.

Postponing the game a few days would end up doing exactly what you said the league said it would never do and that is give the Chiefs and Panthers next two opponents a competitive advantage.

This game is so not getting postponed. I imagine the Panthers already flew out or are in the process of doing so today. Not even taking into account the competitive balance aspect you are talking about a logistical nightmare for the Panthers team and out of town fans.

 

[GregR]

The NFL is not going to "cancel" the game. At the most I could see the NFL playing the game on Monday night.

If I was going on my gut with what will happen, I would say that the NFL will get input from the Chiefs, who will say that they want to go on and play the game as usual....much like the Redskins did with Taylor.

I think this game gets played at the normal time with a surreal feel and heavy hearts.

Not that I would expect any different. Call me cynical, but no one wants to lose the cash the game generates. It is truly sad that cash trumps everything, and I'm not naive enough to believe otherwise.

To look at it from a positive side, not all of the aspects of not wanting to lose the cash are worthy of cynicism. It's not just the owner. There are a couple hundred to a thousand people's income at stake, including blue collar folks like the ticket takers, the concession workers, people selling parking, etc, for whom that money may represent getting Xmas gifts for the kids, or they may need it just to get by. I don't know how Arrowhead does it, but in Houston some stadium concessions are worked by charities or churches as ways of raising money, so that money is going out and doing more good in the community after the game is done.The financial impact isn't just about a small segment being greedy, there's a lot of people impacted that deserve to be considered in making a decision.

 

[Sarnoff]

This game is so not getting postponed. I imagine the Panthers already flew out or are in the process of doing so today. Not even taking into account the competitive balance aspect you are talking about a logistical nightmare for the Panthers team and out of town fans.

The NFL already said that the Panthers' flight has no bearing one way or the other. They had to travel today, and the decision will be made later. If they hadn't traveled, the decision would be unchangeable. But getting them there today allows the NFL to decide what to do about it at a later time. They could just send them back.

 

[Sarnoff]

why can't they play a make-up game the same week as the wildcard round? Neither of these teams will be playing that week anyways.

Absurd to extend the regular season for a meaningless game though, right? Therefore, I say cancel it.

I think there could be an issue with SOS tiebreakers affecting wild cards, but the chances of that having an impact are remote at this time. Just something the NFL would have to consider.

 

[menobrown]

This game is so not getting postponed. I imagine the Panthers already flew out or are in the process of doing so today. Not even taking into account the competitive balance aspect you are talking about a logistical nightmare for the Panthers team and out of town fans.

The NFL already said that the Panthers' flight has no bearing one way or the other. They had to travel today, and the decision will be made later. If they hadn't traveled, the decision would be unchangeable. But getting them there today allows the NFL to decide what to do about it at a later time. They could just send them back.

All I've read is the NFL told the Panthers to keep their regular travel plans and there is no way on gods green earth the NFL would have them travel to KC and send them back.

 

[Sarnoff]

This game is so not getting postponed. I imagine the Panthers already flew out or are in the process of doing so today. Not even taking into account the competitive balance aspect you are talking about a logistical nightmare for the Panthers team and out of town fans.

The NFL already said that the Panthers' flight has no bearing one way or the other. They had to travel today, and the decision will be made later. If they hadn't traveled, the decision would be unchangeable. But getting them there today allows the NFL to decide what to do about it at a later time. They could just send them back.

All I've read is the NFL told the Panthers to keep their regular travel plans and there is no way on gods green earth the NFL would have them travel to KC and send them back.

Of course they could. It's a charter flight. They have to travel back anyway if the game is played.Sports Illustrated

The Chiefs (1-10) are scheduled to play at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday at noon CT, against the Carolina Panthers (3-8). One league source in the NFL office said officials were still trying to decide Saturday morning whether the game will be played on Sunday as scheduled. He said his guess was that the game would not be postponed or canceled, due to the complications of when to re-schedule the game in the remaining weeks of the season, or how a cancellation might affect the other 30 teams in the league in terms of competitive fairness.

"There is a ripple effect,'' the source said. "It's not simply two teams affected here. I'm not sure in recent history we've ever just canceled a game. But what's under consideration are all the factors involved if they don't play, when do they play? It's a pretty tight schedule to try and make a game up at some later point. These things have to be thought through. Nobody wants to play a football game right now if you're a Kansas City Chief, but what does that do to the other 30 teams? It gets a little complicated from a schedule standpoint and a competitive standpoint.



The league source said the NFL did not feel it was mandatory to make a decison in regards to the game before Carolina boarded its mid-day flight to Kansas City. "If the Panthers have to fly back from Kansas City without having played the game, it's not that big of an issue to deal with,'' the source said. "We'd rather take the time to think through all the ramifications.''

Kansas City mayor Sly James said that he's spoken with the Chiefs, who believe the game Sunday should be played.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Play the game. There have been other tragedies just this year and they were played though.

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

The NFL should give the Chiefs the #1 overall pick in next year's draft.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

The NFL has announced that the Panthers and Chiefs game scheduled for 1:00PM ET on Sunday will kick off as scheduled.

 

[Bonezerelli]

Sorry folks, it's a business. Tons of carsh on the line. Sunday it should be.

 

[degenerate]

bump cam?

 

[Lionz will turn it around!]

Playing the game, the day after having one of their players shoot themselves in the head at the facility, is not the right move here by the NFL. But in hindsight, waiting another 24hrs wouldn't really do much for their emotional state either and the game has to be played but I would think the better/classy move would be to play the game on Monday.

 

[Lionz will turn it around!]

The NFL should give the Chiefs the #1 overall pick in next year's draft.

They will probably will get that on their own. But, if the NFL did that for them b/c of what happened today, remember, this is a copy cat league.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Cancel. How much difference will there be in waiting 1 day? It would just be a token gesture.

 

[12punch]

The NFL should give the Chiefs the #1 overall pick in next year's draft.

They will probably will get that on their own. But, if the NFL did that for them b/c of what happened today, remember, this is a copy cat league.

You think everybody will start trying to lose every game to get the top pick?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Team Captains and Coaches were part of decision to play

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Team Captains and Coaches were part of decision to play

-QG

Yahoo reporter says 2 players felt 'resgined' to playing-QG

 

[Ministry of Pain]

It's a tragedy the players and coaches for KC plus the fan base there has to show up for the game. Not sure how you make it up but if this were most companies they would close the doors for 2-3 days until things could calm down a bit.

I have not read thru the thread, will be interesting to see why folks believe this game is a good idea.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I think the game should not be played or at least postponed but it does not matter what we think..the show must go on and will go on.Presidents being killed or dying has not stopped the game, hurricanes, death and destruction have not stopped the game, muslim terrorists knocking down buildings and killing thousands have not stopped the game, and sadly this situation will not either.The KC Chiefs and the NFL will offer up a minute of silence and the ball will be kicked off.

They postponed games after 9/11Pretty sure they didn't postpone the Redskins game after Sean Taylor was killed. I do remember they played the first play without a free safety.My guess is they play it tomorrow as scheduled.

Yeah they played the game after Sean Taylor died. The Bills won 17-16 with 5 FGs and a safety. Joe Gibbs called back-to-back timeouts to ice Rian Lindell before a 51-yarder with just seconds on the clock, got a 15-yard penalty, and Lindell made the 36-yarder to win. I don't think I'd remember any of that if not for it being the Sean Taylor game. You are correct - they ran their first defensive play with only 10 players.Taylor's situation was a bit different though as he was an innocent victim, he didn't kill anyone else, didn't die potentially in front of players/coaches at the team facility. :(

And it wasn't the day before, I was in the car going to work when I heard he died. IIRC I think Taylor was shot, stayed alive for a period of time and then died, I could be wrong but I think that is what happened.

 

[GregR]

If they are going with what the Chiefs decided would be best for them, then it sounds like it was handled about as well as it could be.

 

[DesmondBishop]

I voted postpone, but in retrospect, is one day going to make people feel better about playing? Highly unlikely I think. In any business, there are going to be groups of people, depending on who he was really "close" to, that group or person is going to really have a difficult time with this. So no matter whether it is Monday or Friday, this game and probably the next several games are going to be very difficult for that person or group of people that he was really close to. Of course everyone is going to feel bad and be upset, I worked in an office with 500 employees, when we got an email that someone passed, if I knew the person or not I felt bad for them and their family, but could do my job. I had someone die in the group/department that I actually worked in, even though we were not best friend or anything, it still effected me much differently, I definitely lost focus on work.Basically what I am saying is, they are not going to cancel their season, so most likely the NFL gives them until Monday or maybe they just make them play Sunday, but regardless, it is not going to make it easier for the guys Belcher was close to, healing takes a lot longer than 24 hours.

This is a much smaller group. 55-60 players, staff of maybe 30 coaches, clerical, front office. Very close knit with spouses and SO's and it's possible many players knew the girlfriend/mother. The business is an emotion-based, unique atmosphere generally. And then there are the people actually involved. Crennel is supposed to have his head on straight tomorrow? He doesn't play he has to think and motivate, how's he supposed to do that after being involved and seeing what he saw today?And teams live out of the practice facility, not the stadium; it's not just tomorrow, it's all of today, no one's doing anything.Competitively, one team or another is at a disadvantage, etc.However, it's already been announced the Panthers are flying in this afternoon like usual. It sounds like they will play. There was a team meeting by the Chiefs and it's possible the league gave them the choice and maybe they voted to play. In situations like this sometimes people like to work, it helps.Minnesota had a Tuesday game if I remember correctly, they could even wait that long if they decide it's the best for everyone.

All very good points and to be honest I considered that while typing up my post. But just like every job I have been part of, there are always groups that are separate from the whole. I would be willing to bet not everyone knew Javon closely, I bet many hardly knew him at all on a personal level. Think about it, when do you think lb's and kickers hang out? or lb's and wr'ers? I think we all have this delusion that football teams are these really tight knit group of guys, and up until the 2000's that was probably fairly accurate. But now most teams have quite a bit of turnover every year, every position has it's own coach and schedule to stick to. Not saying they don't know each other at all, but I am thinking it is not like all of us non-NFL people have in our heads. But then again I could be wrong, I often am, just ask my wife.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Sorry folks, it's a business. Tons of carsh on the line. Sunday it should be.

This. No grained. Why postpone a game b/c of a minor tragedy. Sets. Terrible precedent. Would inconvenience tens of thousands. Silly. Moment of silence, then life goes on.

 

[pantagrapher]

It's a tragedy the players and coaches for KC plus the fan base there has to show up for the game. Not sure how you make it up but if this were most companies they would close the doors for 2-3 days until things could calm down a bit. I have not read thru the thread, will be interesting to see why folks believe this game is a good idea.

I don't know that I'd call it a "good idea." It's one of the limited choices available and I don't think it's any worse than the other options. I wouldn't pretend to know how to tell people to grieve in this situation. I'm sure each player and coach is dealing with it his own way. But if they get this game over with, they can get onto other stuff the rest of the week instead of having to have it hanging over them. But like I said, I hesitate to speak for anyone in a matter like this.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Maybe the Chiefs play inspired football today in honor of there fallen team mate

 

[Gigantomachia]

Not to be too blunt, but how do we feel this will influence the play of the chiefs? Is it one of those situations--a.k.a. Favre after his father's death--where they go off and play above their abilities, or it is this just too much allowing the Panthers an easy win?

This is still a "fantasy" site correct??

 

[deadlyrange0321]

Not to be too blunt, but how do we feel this will influence the play of the chiefs? Is it one of those situations--a.k.a. Favre after his father's death--where they go off and play above their abilities, or it is this just too much allowing the Panthers an easy win?This is still a "fantasy" site correct??

I agree...Not quite sure how it will play out. Seems like it could go either way. One, where the Chiefs play their best game, but they also could get completely blown out, or will the Panthers let up if they get a lead?Definitely some uncertainty, and while this situation is tragic (I totally get that and feel bad for the daughter left behind and the rest of the families), I don't think it's makes me less humane to ask these questions.

 

[bakes]

Sorry folks, it's a business. Tons of carsh on the line. Sunday it should be.

This. No grained. Why postpone a game b/c of a minor tragedy. Sets. Terrible precedent. Would inconvenience tens of thousands. Silly. Moment of silence, then life goes on.

Why are you talking like Captain Kirk? KC may come out and play inspired football; maybe as much in support of Crennel as anything else.

 

[KellysHeroes]

The show must go on

So you're saying that if he'd shown up and shot a teammate instead of his girlfriend that they'd still be playing this game?

what about if a meteorite hit the stadium?

C'mon. Really? Natural disasters move games... that's fine. He blasted his brains out in front of his coach and the GM. The game must go on? Why *must* it?

Because the NFL is above all else, a business. Once you think about the ticket sales and ad revenue lost by canceling the game you realize how unlikely that it will happen.Also, I don't think we should presume to know how these players want to grieve. Torrey Smith came out and had a fantastic game hours after his brother died. The distraction of the game might be exactly what they want.

It's not like it was an accident, a player committed a horrible crime the day brfore. The game shouldn't be cancelled to it, if some players or coaches feel they can't perform their duties to the team then they should excused with pay.

 

[Avery]

Obviously a difficult situation.

On one hand I think that having the distraction of a game is a good thing for those involved. I've buried myself in work after a tragedy and it was good "therapy" to have that time not to think about what happened.

On the other hand, this is the first day "back at work" for most of the team personnel since the incident, so all the talk that first day will be discussing what happened. Hard to focus on the job at hand.

All in all, I'm just glad I don't have to make the decision as there probably isn't a "right" answer.

 

[letter_j]

Per NFL Network: Chiefs will do a moment of silence for "all the victims of domestic violence"...the Chiefs players have decided that Belcher's locker will be left intact...and Jamaal Charles' wife is the victim's cousin and Charles introduced Belcher to her.

 

[renesauz]

I'm really not seeing the point of postponing.This is a horrible tragedy. Particularly for this young woman and her family. A lot of people, of course, are going to have a hard time processing this. But how much easier is it going to be on Monday or Tuesday? Is that extra day worth inconvenience for so many people? I just don't see how.

My thinking as well. There's no way to postpone a single game more than a couple of days, and this certainly doesn't call for postponing the entire NFL schedule. Assuming a 2 or 3 day window until a funeral...a 1 or 2 day postponement might even make things more problematic. Guys greatly affected by it today are going to be affected tommorow and Tuesday anyway, so even in that regard there isn't much to gain.Absolutely play today.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

It should be left up to the Chiefs players and coaches to decide if they want to play.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Per NFL Network: Chiefs will do a moment of silence for "all the victims of domestic violence"...the Chiefs players have decided that Belcher's locker will be left intact...and Jamaal Charles' wife is the victim's cousin and Charles introduced Belcher to her.

WOW...HE MUST FEEL SO AWFUL

 

[renesauz]

Talking heads driving me crazy. We all get how devastating this is to those close to it. The best thing for them really would be to take this weekend off. But HOW does the NFL logistically pull that off? They can't postpone a single game more than a couple of days...and those couple of days would be inadequate in this case.

The only other option than would be to postpone the entire NFL schedule like they did for 9/11. Nice sentiment...but highly impractical with huge implications. It would set a precedent that would force the NFL to do this every time a player died. WIth 1500+ players...this happens every couple of years. At a cost of several million dollars MINIMUM, plus the huge inconveniance to thousands or even tens of thousands of employees and fans...such a policy simply makes no sense. IN this case...it makes even less sense. Belcher murdered someone, and committed suicide. You can't let this kind of tragedy affect the lives of ANYONE who wouldn't be personally touched anyway regardless of when it happened. It may be a minor inconveniance for fans (who didn't take a plane flight to attend), but a murder-suicide should in no way impact them if it can be helped. Why let people know that a suicide can affect tens of thousands of people? That's tantamount to encouraging such things.

Individuals deserve time off after a tragedy to deal with the consequences...but for public figures this is simply not always realistic or possible. Or, at the very least...the timing of their time off is not always flexible.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Romeo Press Conference after the game, very well said.