Chiefs Are Playing Cat and Mouse With Fans

After Kansas City’s 45-20 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, the bandwagon that had been carrying the Chiefs toward the 2004 Super Bowl is leaking oil, shredding tires and running out of gas.

And people are jumping off as fast as they can.

“At least the Chiefs are letting us down easy this time,” Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock wrote. “Credit them for their honesty.

“They’re not even pretending to be a legitimate Super Bowl threat anymore, and there are obvious signs that the remarkable chemistry that carried them to a 9-0 start is fraying. The Chiefs are well aware of their weaknesses, and they display those flaws more grotesquely on each road trip. The Chiefs are comedian Tom Green swallowing a mouse ... only we’re not laughing.”

Trivia time: Shaquille O’Neal ranks fifth in the NBA in rebounding. Who was the last Los Angeles Laker center to lead the league?

Speaking of bad endings: Martin Fennelly, who writes for the Tampa Tribune, was not shocked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ meekly surrendering their NFL championship status when they were eliminated from playoff contention by Saturday’s 30-28 loss to Atlanta.

“The Bucs lost focus early and lost focus late. All season. They either fell behind or fell short. When games came down to crunch time, the champs got crunched. No focus, pure and simple. That’s players. That’s coaching. They weren’t accountable enough, responsible enough, motivated enough, and it cost them.”

It’s the thought that counts: Rocky Mountain News columnist Bernie Lincicome has some DVD gift suggestions for last-second shoppers.

“The First Base Coach’s Workout: Demonstrates major league training techniques, such as the one-handed scratch, the crossed-ankle lean, the back-pocket wrist rest and the perpetually exploring finger. Pigeons are optional. (Deluxe version includes guest slouching by place kickers and relief pitchers).

“Sports Classics -- Dogs on the Field: The long, detailed history of every second baseman who has ever played for the Colorado Rockies.

“Great Oakland Raider Sportsmen: The disc is blank.”

They can handle the truth: The Atlanta Hawks have the second-worst winning percentage in the NBA (.241) but are the league leaders when it comes to assessing what’s wrong with their play.

The latest candid analysis came from center Theo Ratliff.

“We’re talking about we’re not as bad as our record [7-22],” Ratliff said. “That’s a lie. We are as bad as our record.

“That’s why we keep getting whipped.”

Trivia answer: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 16.9 rebounds in the 1975-76 season. O’Neal’s best finish as a Laker was second to Dikembe Mutombo in 1999-2000.

And finally: From Bob Ryan, on ESPN’s “The Sports Reporters”:

“In the world of pro sports, nothing has changed. Calling someone a ‘homosexual’ is still sports’ worst insult. Come out of the closet? Ha! Put a double bolt on the door.”