Charles Deserves MVP Consideration

He's likely not going to win the award, because no one is going to beat out Peyton Manning, but it is time Jamaal Charles started to receive some heavy accolades. His performance Sunday against the Oakland Raiders alone sets him apart as one of the great players in this league. His performance was legendary as he racked up 195 yards receiving and hauled in four touchdowns. He added another 20 yards and a score on the ground to help the Kansas Chiefs Chiefs clinch their first playoff birth since 2010. But the truth is, Charles has been the heart and soul for this Chiefs team all season, carrying a super-human like load this year for a Chiefs offense that has mostly struggled aside from his production.

Many football pundits may peg Charles as a simply a speed back due to his track history, but this season it is obvious that he has had to earn many yards the hard way. His body has held up astonishingly well despite touching the ball over 300 times with two games yet to go in the season. But it is not just his 1,181 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground that should be opening eyes, it's the fact that he leads all running backs in receiving by a wide margin. His 65 grabs and 655 yards have been extremely key for the Chiefs this year, as their down field passing game has struggled under weak-armed but efficient quarterback Alex Smith. Charles leads all Chiefs receivers in yards, catches and touchdowns and is Smith's go-to on his frequent check-down plays. His value to the Kansas City offense is immeasurable and it is terrifying to think what would become of that unit without Charles in the lineup.

There is no doubt that if a back like Adrian Peterson had the kind of day that Charles had Sunday at Oakland that there would have been talk of immediately ushering him to the Pro Football Hall of Fame without a seconds remorse. But, as it is, Charles remains under the radar and playing for the small-market Chiefs keeps him out of the limelight of the national media and his classy demeanor on and off the field keeps his name off of local headlines. But this season it is very important to recognize this great player and appreciate what his talent means for this upstart Kansas City Chiefs team who have fought back from a 2-14 season a year ago to sit currently tied with the best record in the AFC with the Denver Broncos. Charles has not merely played a role in this turnaround, he has flat out BEEN the turnaround. Peyton Manning is certainly the catalyst for the Denver Broncos sublime passing attack, and it is very hard to argue against Manning being the MVP of the NFL in 2013, but if there is a guy who deserves to go neck- in- neck with Manning, it is absolutely Jamaal Charles.

Mizzou Looks to Continue Dream Season

It was only four short months ago that Missouri Head Coach Gary Pinkel was the first name that most media pundits would utter when talking about the coaching "hot seat." His Tigers were coming off a lackluster first season in the Southeastern Conference as Mizzou failed to make a bowl game for the first time in eight years, their recruiting seemed to be flailing and fans were beginning to grumble. The team had to deal with a myriad of injuries including most of their starting offensive line and quartarback James Franklin who missed four games as a starter. It was clear that things were going to have to chance in 2013 for the Missouri program.

And now we sit here, on a cold week in December awaiting the 5th ranked Tigers first ever trip to the SEC Championship Game this Saturday when they battle the also surprising Auburn Tigers. The journey has been so gratifying for coach Pinkel and his group of resilient players. They were picked 6th in the SEC East and most thought that a bowl game would be a suitable goal. "We just want to keep battling," Pinkel stated emphatically. "I have a responsibility to the University of Missouri to build a great program that’s respected.” And respect is something that has come in large doses this year as the Tigers have marched to an impressive 11-1 record. It is undeniably fitting that a team that found it so hard to gain respect a year ago, has received it so glowingly only a year later.

If there is one player that has provided a metaphor for his teams' surprising success, it is running back Henry Josey. His 951 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns may lead the team, but it is undoubtedly his persistence and leadership that has made the biggest impact. Josey suffered a severe knee injury during the 2011 season and the early prognosis was not positive. After tearing his ACL, MCL, PCL and patella tendon, it was a very real possibility that Josey would never play football again. For a year and a half he rehabbed, strengthened and believed. "No one knows what he's had to go through and all the work he's gone through and his determination." Gary Pinkel said before the 2013 season even began. And determined Henry has been especially this past Saturday as his 57 yard touchdown run catapulted Missouri to a 28-21 win over Texas A&M which vaulted Mizzou into this weekend's SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

So now we get to watch this Missouri team, which has dealt with so many emotional and physical ups and downs in the past two years play upstart Auburn for the championship of the most prestigious football conference on earth. An Auburn team that has seemed destined for greatness all season after rebounding from an 0-8 conference season in 2012. An Auburn team that just defeated its arch-rival Alabama on one of the most thrilling plays in the history of college football. And Missouri knows that they will have to look past the bravado and the large Georgia Dome stage to emerge victorious. A win on Saturday would give Mizzou the respect that they so richly desire and have fought so hard to obtain. But regardless of outcome, the Tigers have unquestionably opened the eyes of their own fan base as well as the nations.

Motley Crue 'Red Hot' in Miami

September 14th, 2014

Motley Crue's third show in the state of Oklahoma in as many days solidified the fact that the band is still capable of delivering a great rock show to a raucous crowd. An overflow crowd over over 10,000 invaded the outdoor amphitheater at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK on this night and never let up as the band torched through a barrage of nostalgic hits. Before the show, rock fans young (but mostly old) littered the small casino in anticipation of a great night of rock and roll debauchery; they would not be disappointed.

Before the Crue would grace the crowd with its 32-year-old presence, local rockers Hinder took the stage to a nice reception. It was clear that many in attendance were not aware the band's original singer (who no one seemed to know the name of) would not be fronting the band on this night. Regardless, the new-aged-rockers belted out a few hits such as "Lips of an Angel," to respectable cheers, although some of the older rockers started with chants of "Crue! Crue! Crue!" as Hinder's set wound down.

After an abnormally long break, Motley Crue's intro tape hit and the crowd revved to a frenzy. The opening bass chords of "Red Hot" and the emergence of the band's singer, Vince Neil sent cell phone cameras flying high overhead as well as roars of excitement. Neil was in very top form on this night, hitting high notes on songs like "Livewire" that he previously allowed the crowd to sing in his stead. The band really began hitting their stride during the three song stretch that included their 2008 hit "Saints of Los Angeles," "Too Young to Fall In Love," and "Same Ol' Situation." The large (and cramped) crowd seemed to grow louder after each song and even wildly cheered on guitarist Mick Mars' short solo.

Unusually missing from a night of typical Motley mayhem was Tommy Lee whom appeared to be relegated to a backup role during this show. His playing was intense and precise, although his kit was barely visible to most fans. He did not perform a solo, or indulge in any "look at me" behavior which usually accompanies any Crue concert. He did receive a huge pop when he emerged from his kit to play the opening chords of "Home Sweet Home" which never fails to sent a nostalgic rock crowd swaying with delight. The final song of the night would be "Kickstart My Heart" from their most successful album, "Dr. Feelgood." A tune that proved to be the final nail in the coffin of a tremendous showing by a band who's live show has been ridiculed in the past for various reasons. The end could very well be near for this band, who has survived everything from ex-wives and death to reality shows and lawsuits. But it is clear that the masses (including the 10,000 plus in Miami) still clamor for their presence.

Setlist

Red Hot

Wildside

Louder than Hell

Saints of LA

Too Young to Fall in Love

Same Ol' Situation

Looks that Kill

Don't Go Away Mad

Livewire

Shout at the Devil

MF of the Year

Too Fast for Love

Primal Scream

Dr. Feelgood

Girls Girls Girls

Home Sweet Home

Kickstart My Heart

Iron Maiden Go 'Aces High' in Kansas City

The last time legendary heavy metalers Iron Maiden rolled through the Kansas City area, they drew a measly 3,000 people in support of their "Brave New World" album in 2000. On September 7th, 2013, the band brought Megadeth and a ton of nostalgia with them as their "Maiden England" tour hit the Sprint Center on a lively Saturday evening. A crowd of over 12,000 packed the beautiful arena in downtown Kansas City, MO and witnessed Maiden's spectacle, which was a throwback to their 1988 tour by the same name.

It was clear from the opening chords of "Moonchild" that the crowd would be on board for the long haul as the thunderous applause nearly shook the building following the band's first song of the night. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson continued to urge the crowd to "Scream for me Kansas!" (despite the venue being on the Missouri side, a common mistake and one we will let slide especially from a foreigner), but the crowd never actually needed to be prompted as the band rolled through a rising set including songs from "Number of the Beast," "Powerslave," and "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son."

The star of the night was Dickinson, who is known as one of the great metal singers of all time and at age 55, was more than willing to run around the stage like a man 25 years his junior. His voiced soared over three guitars, bass and drums throughout the evening. The rest of the band were amazingly tight as well, especially during the 12 minute production "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son." All in all, it was a glorious night for metal as the band were cheered valiantly for their efforts following the song "Running Free," their final song of the show. As the members of Iron Maiden all head towards their 60's, there is no guarantee that the Kansas City area will ever catch a glimpse of these legends again, but for one night in September...the city was ruled by Eddie.

By Clint Switzer