Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
Peanuts creator Charles M. Schultz once said “Charlie Brown must be the one who suffers, because he’s a caricature of the average person. Most of us are much more acquainted with losing than winning. Winning is great, but it isn’t funny.”
Kansas City Chiefs fans have emulated Charlie Brown since the team’s 1970 Super Bowl IV victory. They’ve been led to believe only to have the ball pulled away at the last moment.
Lin Elliott infamously missed three field goals in a 10-7 playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts in 1996 when the Chiefs were odds-on favorites to reach the Super Bowl. The joke then was that he tried to hang himself after the game but couldn’t kick the chair out from under his feet. That is funny.
Kansas City’s opponent this weekend probably sees a different fictional character when they look in the mirror. The New York Giants‘ reflection is that of King Kong. Bound and fighting the flashbulbs of large market media, they long to break free and reclaim their beauty.
This year is different from the past in Kansas City, though. The Chiefs have a player that isn’t likely to be bullied by Lucy van Pelt. Teammates and fans alike are tired of being laughed at and are following his lead.
Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston was named the AFC defensive player of the week yesterday marking the second time this season that he’s been honored with the award. Nose tackle Dontari Poe described him in one word. ”BEAST!” Poe said of Houston.
In the Chiefs’ 26-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston forced a fumble, recovered two, and sacked Eagles quarterback Michael Vick five times (four unassisted). He also pressured Vick four times, had four tackles for a loss, and defended three passes.
You may think I’m trying to dupe you, but No. 50 (Houston) is on pace to nearly double Derrick Thomas‘ Chiefs single season record of 22.5 sacks. If he keeps this up, he’ll have 40 at season’s end.
There will be no bringing a dunce to a giant gorilla fight in Arrowhead on Sunday. The Chiefs now have a beast of their own and are looking to be great… not funny.
Troy Alan is a Kansas City Chiefs writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TRantMedia or “Like” him on Facebook
