Crennel to Lead Chiefs

Well, it’s official. The Kansas City Chiefs have hired Romeo Crennel as its head coach. Maintaining Romeo is a great move because the team can build upon the success it achieved during his three-game stint as interim coach, and it eliminates all distractions as the team enters the offseason.

Crennel is a brilliant defensive coordinator so I’m hoping he maintains this role. The Chiefs now must find an offensive coordinator who’s not afraid to stretch the field and create bigger plays for the quarterback and our running backs, similar to what Charlie Weis did during his time here. I would welcome the addition of Mike Mularkey or Marty Mornhinweg to the Chiefs staff. Both are proven offensive coordinators who currently lead potent offenses for the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles respectively.

The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Maze Runner was a fun read! Vivid descriptions of the Runners sprinting through the Maze fighting monsters, discovering secret passageways and trying to decipher secret codes, was reminiscent of scenes from Lost. I’m really looking forward to continuing the journey with The Scorch Trials.

View all my reviews

What’s Your Biggest Professional Accomplishment?

Arik Hanson posed a question on his blog Communications Conversations, entitled: “What’s Your Biggest Professional Accomplishment?”

It’s definitely a Midwestern tendency to not brag about one’s accomplishments, but if I were to look back on my professional career to date, I’d say my biggest highlight was when I received the 2007 Bill DeLay Award for Distinguished Service to the Greater Kansas City PRSA Chapter. Working in the non-profit world for nearly 10 years and looking to expand my networking base, a colleague of mine suggested I join the local PRSA chapter. After attending one of the Chapter’s monthly professional development luncheons, I immediately volunteered for the PRISM Awards Committee and soon after accepted the role of volunteer website manager. I remained website manager for nearly five years, working with an outside agency to produce a new website and Intranet portal for select Chapter members. I was also elected to serve on the Board of Directors as VP, Communications, in 2007 and 2008. During the Chapter’s annual PRISM Award ceremony, after all of the category winners receive their PRISM and Silver awards, they announce and present three special awards (Roger Yarrington PR Professional of the Year, Best of Show and Bill DeLay Award for Distinguished Service) at the end of the program. The awards are much anticipated and a complete surprise to the recipients. In my case, it’s also a little embarrassing when the previous winner prepares a lengthy speech highlighting my accomplishments in a packed banquet room of nearly 500 attendees. In the end, it was truly a honor to be recognized that night.

Another highlight is winning the 2009 Missouri Hospital Association Show-Me Excellence Award. I received a first place award for CARE, an internal monthly newsletter I produce for the employees and physicians at Research Medical Center, a 511-bed acute-care hospital located in Kansas City, Mo. The CARE entry and my email newsletter campaign also was recognized by the Greater Kansas City PRSA Chapter and Kansas Hospital Association.

2012 Pro Bowl Rosters Announced

Congratulations to Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali on their selection to the 2012 AFC Pro Bowl Roster. It’s a shame Brandon Flowers wasn’t selected because he was deserving of a roster spot too.

Below is a photo I took of Johnson and Hali at this year’s training camp in St. Joseph, Mo.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sunset

I just returned from an unbelievable vacation in Palm Desert, CA.

Midwest Heart Associates

Midwest Heart Associates continues to expand at Research Medical Center. The newly renovated clinic space includes the Midwest Heart Associates’ cardiac rehabilitation program, Center for Wellness and the hospital’s Center for Cardiac Imaging. Midwest Heart Care, which has five accredited chest pain centers, offers the highest quality heart care in the Kansas City metro area. Visit Midwest Heart Care for more information.

Chrysler – Whatever Happened to Style?

This commercial aired during the Golden Globes a couple of weeks ago. I got chills after viewing the spot….great visuals, music and script!

Vary Your Communications to Reach Non-Wired Employees

Matt Wilson wrote a nice article on Ragan.com highlighting various channels of communication with the intent of reaching multiple audiences.

Great topic! For three years I’ve tried unsuccessfully to get buy-in from senior management on the idea of digital signage. I’d love to install three kiosks and 30+ TVs throughout our 500-bed hospital so I’m able to stream promotional videos, promote our Facebook/Twitter pages, upload new physician announcements, etc.

I knew my job was evolving back in ’08 and I was ready to enter the world of social media and digital communications. I still continue to produce print and electronic newsletters for our employees and physicians, but the addition of digital signage can reduce printing costs and streamline the communication process. I’m certain that the implementation of digital signage will increase employee engagement scores too.

I’m Posting Every Week in 2011!

I’ve decided I want to blog more. Rather than just thinking about doing it, I’m starting right now.  I’ll be posting on this blog once a week for all of 2011.

I know it won’t be easy, but it might be fun, inspiring and awesome. Therefore I’m promising to make use of The DailyPost, and the community of other bloggers with similiar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.

If you already read my blog, I hope you’ll encourage me with comments and likes, and good will along the way.

Several Chiefs Deserve Pro Bowl Spots

The NFL officially announces the 2011 Pro Bowl rosters tomorrow, but I’ve compiled my list of Chiefs who merit roster spots.

Dwayne Bowe
Dwayne Bowe is an easy selection for voters. This has been Dwayne’s breakout year with 67 receptions, 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s handled criticism from fans and coaches very well, which seems to have led to a renewed work ethic and discipline to his game. He’s quietly amassing big numbers and emerging as a star in this league. Despite dropping two crucial catches against Indianapolis and Houston, he’s earned a starting spot on the Pro Bowl roster.

Quarterback Matt Cassel prepares to take the practice field at training camp in St. Joseph, Mo.

Matt Cassel
Matt Cassel should be another easy selection for voters. Through Week 15, the leader of this team has passed for 3,000+ yards and 27 touchdowns, and thrown just five interceptions. Taking snaps from a weak offensive line, he was unfairly criticized for his performance last season, but general manager Scott Pioli made the necessary adjustments in the off-season to improve the offensive line, which has definitely made Cassel a better player.

Jamaal Charles
We all know what Jamaal Charles can do running and catching the ball. He’s another lock to make the roster with his 6.5 yards/per carry and nearly 1,400 rushing yards. With a big game against the Raiders this weekend, he could surpass running back Arian Foster of the Texans and capture the NFL rushing title. I hope he gains the necessary 120+ yards this weekend so he can surpass the 1,500-yard mark too.

Brandon Flowers
Brandon Flowers is one of my favorite players. He doesn’t have the flashy numbers of other defensive backs, but he’s quickly established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. If we had a winning record last season, I felt he’d have made the Pro Bowl roster. I’m still upset over two bad calls on him that cost the Chiefs victories on the road against Houston and Oakland.

Tamba Hali
Tamba Hali has been consistent all year, compiling 12 sacks overall. We haven’t had a fearless pass rusher since the days of Jared Allen.

Derrick Johnson
Another one of my favorite players, I feel Derrick Johnson should’ve made the Pro Bowl last season. With a 4-12 record last season, it’s easy to overlook players on a weak defense. With 116 tackles and one of the leaders of Romeo Crennel’s defense, Derrick should be a lock at the linebacker position.

Running back Thomas Jones enters the practice field.

Thomas Jones
Thomas Jones is a beast! He’s brought proven leadership and toughness to this team, traits I witnessed first-hand during training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. With one game remaining, he’s only 120 yards short of 1,000 yards, which, if accomplished, would make six straight seasons he has gained 1,000+ yards. In last week’s win against the Rams, Jones became the 25th player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 career yards. It’ll be tough to make the roster, but I hope he’s selected as an alternate.

Casey Wiegmann, Brian Waters, Ryan Lilja and Branden Albert
I truly believe at least two of these linemen should be selected to the Pro Bowl. They’ve been superb all year, giving Cassel plenty of time to make plays and move the offense. The additions of Wiegmann and Lilja in the off-season have definitely strengthened the line and reduced the number of sacks on Cassel.