Open letter to the Kid

Friday, Nov. 14, 2003 | 10:35 a.m.

All-time series: Chiefs lead, 11-9.

Last time: The Chiefs won, 17-15, in Kansas City in 1993.

Notable: All eyes are focused on the Sunday night tilt between Dallas and New England. We, however, never take the easy way out, and we shift our sights on the only other game of the weekend that pits teams with winning records against the spread against each other. Factoring in the chalk, the Chiefs and Cincy combine for 14 victories. No game this weekend has two teams that combine for a higher figure, so this one promises to be close ... Kansas City owns an NFL-best, plus-18 turnover figure, so the Bengals had better hang onto the ball ... the teams have split the past six games in Cincy ... the Bengals have won their last three at home. In those last two, RB Rudi Johnson has rambled for 283 yards and three TDs ... even worse for the Chiefs, Sports Illustrated put them on its cover this week.

Prediction (6-4) -- Bengals 28, Chiefs 27.

-- Jets coach Herman Edwards

on QB Chad Pennington, who has

rallied the team from 14- and 11-point

deficits to force overtime the last two weeks.

Jeremy Shockey New York Giants Giants Stadium East Rutherford, N.J. 07073 Dear Cosmo Kid,

We were shocked, and saddened, to learn of the posterior cruciate ligament that you tore in your left knee Sunday at home against the Atlanta Falcons.

Initial reports said you were essentially done for the season but that you wouldn't need surgery, because it was only a partial tear. So, at this point, we're all about accentuating positives and eliminating negatives.

Mr. In-Between? That would be your coach, Jim Fassel, who seems to need to get your 4-5 team to the playoffs and win a game in the postseason to stretch his tenure with the Giants into an eighth season.

New York, by the way, is 2-3 in the playoffs under Fassel, a record that includes a 34-7 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa.

You knew that, though, Jeremy. You know plenty, and we applaud the private stance you've taken. You haven't yapped with the local media jackals there in the Big Apple, or in that Jersey meadow, for a little while.

You jogged by them Wednesday, though, like a champ at the start of practice. Knee be damned.

Tiki Barber -- your teammate who has fumble-itis so bad that one message-board contributor suggested he get elective surgery to shorten ligaments and tendons in his arms, to tighten his pigskin cradle -- suggested as much.

Barber's brother, Ronde, tore his PCL last December but played through it to participate in the Super Bowl for Tampa Bay.

Tiki told the Newark Star-Ledger that Ronde concentrated on putting his mind over matter, which he has also imparted to you.

"If you don't mind, it doesn't matter," said Tiki Barber. "But it's different with Shockey, because he has a severe bone bruise as well. I think he'll be OK as soon as the swelling and pain goes away.

"It's a matter of convincing yourself that you're OK. I think that's going to be Shockey's biggest challenge."

Barber's biggest challenge? Well, Dr. Joel Goldberg, the Giants' director of counseling services (i.e., psychologist), didn't visit practice Wednesday to talk to you, Jeremy.

We understand that, upon seeking a second medical opinion, you might miss only three games. Clearly, Fassel's long-term status rests on your short-term shoulders, er, knee.

There isn't a more important tight end in the league, as your 48 receptions, 29 for first downs and 535 yards lead Tony Gonzalez, Todd Heap, Shannon Sharpe, Marcus Pollard and everyone else at your position.

A mediocre Giants offense would be awful without you. Again, you know that, and that your relationship with Fassel, to say nothing of your desire to work for him next year, will be tested over the next month or two.

In fact, we believe you, even more than quarterback Kerry Collins, are the one person who will make or break Fassel's future in New York.

"It's going to hurt not having him in there," said offensive tackle Luke Petitgout. "He likes to get after people."

We'll suspend operations on the Cosmo Kid updates until you return to the field. In the meantime, you need to get that wheel well. That requires premium R&R, so we'll see you early Friday afternoon.

For someone who was in our company 36 hours before a game this season, the one at Washington on Sept. 21, we fully expect that you'll be ready to go this weekend.

All kinds of festivities are planned around the second anniversary of the Palms. No doubt, you've already heard. George will get you on some lists.

We'll get some Padron Anniversario maduro torpedoes at the cigar shop next to N9NE, but keep that to yourself. Those smokes are too rare for the Havana Honey commoner to horde.

We'll get the usual medium-plus filet mignon at N9NE, whose crew is prepping for your arrival by stocking up on extra Cointreau, vodka, and lime and cranberry juice.

(Should you opt for a Blue-Woo, Orange Mule or Pink Cello, the ghostbar folks are ready, too.)

Kid, it'll be a blast. See you next week, too, and the week after. And Dec. 12, too. You're in New Orleans that weekend, but it's the Sunday night game. We trust that you'll hit town before sundown that previous Friday.

One thing. In executing The Lawnmower at Rain, favor that right leg.

Sincerely,

Division hits

NFC: West -- Seattle coach Mike Holmgren vows to open up a Seahawks attack against Detroit. South -- Carolina RB Stephen Davis (ankle) sat out last week's victory over Tampa Bay, but expect him to go all out vs. his former team (Washington) on Sunday. North -- WR Dez White, Chicago's top receiver, hasn't been approached for contract-extension talks and likely will play elsewhere in 2004. East -- Hue Jackson, a former USC assistant under Paul Hackett, assumes play-calling duties Sunday as Washington coach Steve Spurrier focuses more on defense.

AFC: West -- Don't adjust your set. That will be the Chargers in blue uniforms in Denver. The Broncos made a fashion goof earlier in the season, in San Diego, giving the Chargers the option Sunday. They took it. South -- Tennessee QB Steve McNair leads in rating (107.3) and fan Pro Bowl voting. North -- At his current pace, Baltimore RB Jamal Lewis (2,054 yards) will not reach the record (2,105 yards) that Eric Dickerson set in 1984. East -- Uh, oh. Miami owner Wayne Huizenga gave coach Dave Wannstedt a vote of confidence Tuesday.