Kansas City ready to blitz Philadelphia

The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA -- The Kansas City Chiefs' first visit to Philadelphia could be a momentous occasion in a city rich with history. The City of Brotherly Love may want to consider a new nickname when Derrick Thomas and the Chiefs' tenacious blitzes get through with the Eagles' beleaguered offense. By the end of the day, could Philly be the birthplace of life, liberty and the pursuit of Bobby Hoying? ''Their third down defense goes into a frenzy,'' Eagles coach Ray Rhodes said. "They give you every conceivable blitz you can think of.'' This could be bad news for the Eagles (0-3), who have scored only 15 points in three games, rank 25th in the league in total offense and 25th in passing offense. The Chiefs (2-1) are allowing the fewest total yards (222.3) and passing yards (101.3). Their 14 sacks are second only to Seattle, which recorded nine against Philadelphia in the season opener. Thomas leads the league with seven sacks. Kansas City is coming off its 23-7 ''mud bowl'' victory over San Diego in which the Chiefs held Ryan Leaf to 1-of-15 passing for minus 19 yards. ''Hopefully we can run the ball on first and second down,'' Eagles center Steve Everitt said. ''Teams that have gone third and long against them have been brutalized.'' Interestingly, the Chiefs have never played so much as an exhibition game in Philadelphia. Both previous meetings were at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City beat Philadelphia 24-17 in 1992, and the Eagles won 21-20 in 1972. Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer coached Rhodes with the New York Giants in the 1970s, persuading Rhodes to switch from receiver to defensive back. Despite Philadelphia's early struggles, Schottenheimer fears this matchup with his former pupil. ''The thing I'm most concerned about in Philadelphia is Ray Rhodes. It is going to be a dog fight. I know this: I wouldn't want to go one-on-one against Ray Rhodes in a fist fight right now because Ray is not in a very good mood.'' Actually, Rhodes' disposition was rather pleasant during practice Thursday. Taking a break from finding a way to slow the Chiefs' blitz, Rhodes joked with reporters about how he would react if rookie Allen Rossum would end the touchdown drought by returning a punt for a TD. ''I might run out there and carry him off the field myself,'' Rhodes said. ''I think we've got to do something positive, period. Never mind early,'' Rhodes said. ''We've got to get something going. The fans have every reason to be disappointed in our football team.'' The Eagles are underdogs at home for good reason. The fortunes of the offense could rest with rookie left tackle Tra Thomas, who has the unenviable task of trying to contain Derrick Thomas. Hoying hurt his lower back and neck against the Cardinals. Though he says he'll be ready to start, he didn't practice until Thursday, when he split time with backup Rodney Peete. Rhodes said it could be a game-day decision. ''All the games that I've played in, I've never had to come out and miss a game,'' Hoying said. ''So I don't expect it to be this week.'' The Eagles also learned on Thursday that defensive tackle Rhett Hall will miss at least six weeks with a patella stress fracture in his left knee. Chiefs backup Rich Gannon is expected to make his third straight start at quarterback for Elvis Grbac, who is out with a separated shoulder. The Chiefs also will be without defensive end Chester McGlockton (back) and guard Dave Szott (biceps). ''I always prepare myself to play no matter what,'' Gannon, a Philadelphia native, said. ''I'm not surprised. I really didn't think Elvis would be ready to play this week.'' It is not quarterbacks, but cornerbacks that worry Rhodes. James Hasty and Dale Carter allow Schottenheimer to unleash his blitzers without a second thought about getting burned with the deep ball. ''They're just going to line up and play physical bump-and-run, and they don't mind getting in your face,'' Rhodes said.