Interview With Rhonda Moss: From KC610 Sports

  Transcribed 6/19 by Cecil Lammey, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

CECIL LAMMEY: Hey guys, what's up? It's The Audible. I am your host Cecil Lammey, joined with my co-hosts, the great Sigmund Bloom and the awesome Marc Faletti. We're talking football nonstop, like we always do about this time, so let's go and talk some Chiefs football today. Joining us on the VIP line - is there a bigger VIP with the Chiefs? Of course not, it's Rhonda Moss, our good friend from KC610 Sports in KC. Rhonda, what's up?

RHONDA MOSS: Well the Chiefs start their minicamp today, and it lasts through Sunday. Then they have three more OTAs, and then they're off until they hit training camp on July 24th.

LAMMEY: Man, look at this - she's already firing right away with the great Chiefs information. So Rhonda, my first question for you has to do with the quarterback situation. Now, it's recently come out in the KC Star: New Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey says there's no question in his mind that Brodie Croyle can be a franchise quarterback. Now, Chan did make Kordell Stewart look pretty good when he was with the Steelers, so what's the deal here? Of course he's going to say that. But can he really get the best out of Brodie Croyle?

MOSS: I think he can, the way they simplified this offense. When Mike Solari was here, he was basically a rookie offensive coordinator, and I really believe that he was afraid some times. Afraid to call certain plays or maybe he was afraid that he didn't have the talent to get those plays done. So I think he called the game kind of scared. With Chan, this guy - to me he is so dry, he's so funny. We talked to him last week and I asked about this offense and he's like 'it's not like I have pixie dust I'm just going to throw and they're going to be great. You know, they have to work at it.' And there's no name for this offense, it's not the West Coast, it's not this and I asked him what are you calling it and he said 'We have to win. And we have to win - we can win by one more point than the other guy.' So you know, that's Chan. He's very dry. He's very simple. He says 'I'm not a genius' but he's won wherever he has gone. And with Brodie, yes it starts with Brodie, but it also starts with that offensive line, and they have to get that in order. And that's what they are working on right now - figuring out who is going to be those five guys on that line.

MARC FALETTI: So Rhonda, you know there has been talk that Larry Johnson is healthy and even has some of that old fashioned swagger back. Do you think that LJ is primed for a big year again and will he be able to hold up?

MOSS: Well let me just correct you - Larry never lost that swagger, even with a broken foot. With that said, yes, I talked to last week and yeah he's back. He's practicing, he's doing everything, and he's running hard. And when talking to Brodie and with Larry the one thing that Brodie is going to have that he didn't have last year is Larry Johnson. And that's going to make a big difference with this offense. Because they are run first and a power running game and that's what they want. And that's what they have in Larry.

SIGMUND BLOOM: Rhonda, there's a lot of positive reports coming out about Missouri product rookie Will Franklin. Now the two guys ahead of him, Jeff Webb and Devard Darling, have had undistinguished NFL careers to this point. Are they still ahead of him? Will this team give Will Franklin a chance to win the starting job right out of the gate?

MOSS: Well yes, it's Herm Edwards. He will play rookies. And if he's ahead of those guys, he'll get a shot at it. And that's one of the things Herm said- some of the questions heading into training camp is 'who is going to be beside Dwayne Bowe?' And you need two of those guys, really. Is it going to be Jeff Webb, Devard Darling, or Will Franklin? But yeah, Herm's not afraid, if he's ahead of the curve and ahead of these guys, the other guys, he will play Will Franklin. He'll get a shot.

LAMMEY: Now Rhonda, I want to expand on the Larry Johnson talk a little bit. You know him, you know that attitude we were talking about, that personality. Let's talk about the mental aspect of coming back from an injury. Give our listeners kind of an insight to what type of guy Larry is and how that's going to help him. Because we all know, physically he feels like he's about 100% right now, but mentally, a guy, can he trust his legs, can he trust it like pre-injury, can he go back to doing the same things? So give a little bit of insight about what type of guy Larry is and how it's going to help him get back on the field 100% physically and mentally.

MOSS: Well, the mental aspect, yes, there's not a question that he won't worry about the foot. Larry's never been hurt before. This is the first time in his career, whether it be high school, college or professional, that he's actually been hurt and missed a significant amount of games. He's got that attitude. And he also, I think, in the back of his mind, has something to prove. I mean, realize, he signed that big contract last year and then got hurt. So, yes, he has something to prove. He plays it in his mind, like nobody believes. He still feels people don't believe in him, his attitude and whatever. And you see a change, especially in his attitude because this is a very young team and Larry is a veteran now. So he is taking it upon himself to really talk to the rookies and get to know them and for them to know him and guide them so they can come to him if they have any questions or need any help. And so in that aspect he's changed a little bit but its still Larry. Me personally? I don't want him to change. You want that attitude; you want that surliness because that's what he needs. He bets against himself. 'Well they say I can't do this, well I'm going to do it better than anybody else.' And so that's what he does. And I don't think he's going to worry about his foot at all when it comes to the start of the season and when the games count.

FALETTI: Now, you know, Rhonda, I'm in Austin, so I know a fair bit about Mr. Jamaal Charles and I can safely say that the reviews on his performances were often quite mixed, whether it's his fumbling, his toughness, or his patience. What do you see as his role in 2008 and how has he looked so far?

MOSS: Well, it's funny because I talked to him a week ago and he's funny. He's a nice kid, he's fast. They're telling him to slow down because he's too fast. He wants to do everything really fast, and they kind of have to pull him back a little bit. But Herm likes him. I mean, he's a different kind of runner than Larry or Kolby Smith for that matter, so they like him. He will get an opportunity in certain situations. It's funny, because when I was talking to him, his locker is right next to Larry's and I said 'Is Larry being nice to you?' And he said 'Yes, but I have to bring him steak and donuts.' I thought 'The life of a rookie.'(laughter) So, they like him, and he will get an opportunity and they will use him in certain situations.

BLOOM: Rhonda, the last time we talked to you, you set us straight on the middle linebacker position and that Napoleon Harris was not going anywhere. There was no reason to assume that Donnie Edwards would play in the middle like some places were reporting. Now that we've had a chance to watch almost three weeks of OTAs, how are the linebackers responding to Gunther Cunningham, now running the linebackers in addition to being the defensive coordinator? And is there anybody who really seems to be taking to his treatment and his coaching?

MOSS: Well yeah, the phrase they describe Gunther with is he's a character. And he's getting in the mix again - he's coaching up these linebackers. I talked to Demorrio Williams yesterday. I wanted to talk to Napoleon but he - I asked him if I could talk to him for a couple of seconds and his answer was no. So he hasn't practiced for a couple of days, his knee is bothering him. I'm not quite sure if it's his knee or his ego. I'm not sure on that. But Demorrio is playing on the outside. You know, again, I will be very, very surprised if they move Donnie to the middle because they want the speed, the athleticism, and I just don't see Donnie at that spot. I mean, he's just not a middle linebacker, and he's not - and he's older. So to me, if they are going to do that I will have to see it in training camp, because I don't see it now.

LAMMEY: And Rhonda, my next question for you has to do with that number one wide receiver there in KC. Of course, it's Dwayne Bowe, the fabulous LSU Tiger receiver who really showed great all around skills - red zone, jump ball skills, ball tracking skills. The guy can do it all. So have we just seen the tip of the iceberg with Dwayne Bowe? Are we to see the best is yet to come with this kid?

MOSS: Well, if you talk to him - yeah, because he has changed his name. It's not Dwayne Bowe - it's D-Show or D-Bowe because every time he's going to put on a show. Whatever. He's a character. But yeah, he's much more comfortable, and you can see it in his attitude and the way he's out there on the practice field - he's not a rookie any more, this is his second year. And he talked about it yesterday where everybody talks about that sophomore jinx. Well, that sophomore jinx, he says, is not going to happen to him. He's going to go out there, catch passes, score two touchdowns a game and all of that. So, no, he's got this - I want to say arrogance but it's not in a malice kind of way, you know? He's always got a smile on his face and he wants to be THAT guy and I think now with the way Chan Gailey is running this offense, he's going to get an opportunity to be THAT guy.

FALETTI: Speaking of THAT guy, I'm sure the Chiefs are expecting a lot out of Glenn Dorsey. I know the Chiefs were not so good against the run - 28th in the league last year. Do you think he is the type of guy, like Albert Haynesworth, who single-handedly transforms a defense or are they asking too much of a guy like that to suddenly vault them at least back to mediocrity, stopping the run like that?

MOSS: Well, and that's the thing. I mean, when I talked to Demorrio yesterday, he had said that the main thing for his job, being an outside linebacker, is stopping the run. But it starts up front. And not only do I have to stop the run, I have to get to the quarterback. And with Jared Allen being gone, Tamba Hali moved to the right side, and then to have Alfonso Boone at the left end - which I'm kind of still questioning that move because I don't see him as a left end - but yeah, I mean there is no reason why he can't do it. They haven't had a guy like that in a long time. And there is no reason why he can't be the kind of guy that's going to stop the run and change the game.

BLOOM: Let's talk about the other first-round pick, then. So we talked about Dorsey. Brandon Albert - now you've had a chance to see him for a few weeks. Still very early but they are playing him at left tackle. In your opinion, does he look like a natural left tackle or do you think the Chiefs are maybe stretching a little bit, turning this college guard who only played a few games at left tackle in his last year to left tackle? Or will he hold down that last spot for the next seven years, the way he looks right now.

MOSS: Well he's a massive guy. And, yeah, I think he's taking to it. I think the person you have to worry about is Damien McIntosh who has never played right tackle. And he didn't know he was going to be playing right tackle until they basically got to OTAs or until they drafted Brandon Albert and wanted him to play left tackle. So it's a new position for him (McIntosh) as well and he's going do it, and he's going to learn it and everybody thinks it's so easy, you just go from right to left or left to right and it's not. You have to kind of relearn everything. But I think eventually, he will be a better right tackle then he was a left tackle. And Brandon Albert - yes, he is a rookie - he hasn't played left tackle (only a few games, as you said, in college). But from what I've seen and from what I am hearing from the coaches and the other veterans is, he's doing a good job. And hopefully he will do a good job. That's Brodie's blind side and last year the Chiefs - that offensive line gave up 55 sacks and that's got to stop. And that's where it starts, is up front. I mean, Brodie's got to be protected and the way this offense is going and the way that Chan Gailey has it running, you're going to see a lot of roll-outs, a lot of bootlegs with Brodie.

LAMMEY: You're listening to The Audible, on the VIP line from 610 Sports in KC, it's Rhonda Moss. Now, Rhonda, you said it yourself, it all starts up front - that offensive line and the defensive line on the other side. And Chiefs fans of course, can't ever forget the combination of Neil Smith and Derek Thomas. Now Jared Allen is gone to the Vikings, so let's talk a little bit more defensive line but about a seventh-round pick that you guys had, Brian Johnston, defensive end from Gardner-Webb. Picked in the seventh round, we got to talk to him before the 2008 NFL Draft. We were completely impressed by his strength of character and what football savvy this kid had. He just wants to out and hit people. He was tired of the Combine process and the workout process. He just wanted to hit people. So, is there a chance that this seventh-round pick - I mean, a lot of people didn't know Jared Allen coming out of Idaho State - is there a chance that Brian Johnston could be the new Jared Allen (or Jared Allen light)?

MOSS: Well, I think that's putting a lot of pressure on the kid, but yeah, I mean, trust me, all of these kids - and I call them kids respectfully - have an opportunity, especially under Herm Edwards. He likes to play young guys, and if he sees the ability he'll give them a shot. I mean, Bryant, he's a big kid. He's big. So he will have an opportunity. Now, if he can handle everything, that's another thing. And you know, watching OTAs, it's not like training camp. Because in OTAs you're basically practicing in shorts and a helmet. You know, it's not live; it's not like they are tackling or hitting or anything like that. But you see a little of what they're trying to do in terms of the defensive line and the offensive line and what guys are going to be plugged in here and there. But really, when we get to training camp, that's when you're really going to see (what) this team looks like. Because right now, they have so many young guys, and this is basically a new team and a young team that they have to see what they have in all of these guys, even the undrafted rookie free agents.

FALETTI: So another young guy we're all very curious about, taking Ty Law's place, we've got Brandon Flowers stepping into the cornerback spot -

MOSS: Yes - and he's wearing Ty's number, which I don't think he should do.

FALETTI: Wow. Wow, that's actually really surprising. Do you think the secondary has gotten to, again, a place of respectability or is this an area where they are going to suffer again this year?

MOSS: Well, Brandon Flowers, he has this confidence about him and feels that he can do anything and he's just kind of taking over this position, but who knows? I mean, is Patrick Surtain going to be a starting corner and Brandon Flowers on the other side? We've got Dimitri Patterson, you have a couple of other guys too - you have Brandon Carr drafted out of Grand Valley State I think. So you have, you know, decisions to make, and I'm telling you it's all going to happen and who steps up, come training camp. And it could be Brandon Flowers on one side and Patrick Surtain on the other. And that's why they drafted this kid.

BLOOM: Keeping with this theme of youth and young guys getting a chance to play, another young player who is getting a chance to show what he's got in OTAs has been Tyler Thigpen. Taking a lot of the second team quarterback snaps ahead of Damon Huard who has kind of been the 'In Case of Emergency: Break Glass' quarterback behind Brodie Croyle. So is this something where they are seeing what Thigpen has, they are seeing how it might work out if he's the back-up or is this a sign of things to come - is he really the back-up? Will we see the team maybe even start to shop Damon Huard and go with two, young, untested quarterbacks into 2008?

MOSS: I think so. I think they really want Tyler Thigpen to kind of take over that back-up quarterback spot. They also have David Greene as well. And you know what? If it all works out the way they want? And everything falls into place? I could see them cutting Damon Huard.

LAMMEY: Holy cow. If you want to keep up with the Kansas City Chiefs, of course, you listen to 610 Sports and Rhonda Moss. Rhonda - simply amazing as always my friend.

MOSS: Anytime you guys.