Dear Scott Pioli: a 2010 Chiefs Offseason Christmas List
by Jon Yoon on Dec 30, 2009 9:14 AM CST
Email
PrintOver the past few weeks, I talked about some of the things the Chiefs need to do in regard to coaching and personnel. I'm going to summarize those discussions in one single piece. If I were to write a letter to the Chiefs' Front Office, it would go something like this:
Dear Mr. Pioli:
When you accepted the job as General Manager of the Chiefs, I'm sure you knew what you were getting yourself into. You inherited a team in a state of repair. You also knew that the Chiefs have one of the most loyal fan bases in the country. What you may not have known is how hungry this fan base is for a championship.
To be frank, Chiefs' fans are angry and many of them are angry at you. To understand why, you have to understand the history. Under the previous ownership, we fans have been duped too many times. Our previous front office assembled a number of teams that were just good enough to be contenders, but never good enough to take it to the next level. Needless to say, after so many years of unfulfilled expectations, we went from "trust you" to "show me."
Some of these expectations are unfair. We shouldn't expect you to turn a wrecked ship around with the snap of a finger. We should understand that you walked into 2009 handicapped with a lame duck scouting team, with a few very short months to prepare for the draft and free agency, and with limited time to do in-depth self-scouting. If you want a certain culture or a certain defense, you should be allowed to do it, even if that means taking a step back before taking a step forward. Some of our anger toward the front office is too much too soon and I'm sure that's the side of our anger that might frustrate you.
But much of that anger is justified. Our 2009 draft isn't looking so hot and we did close to nothing in free agency to bring in long-term foundational players. Looking back on 2009, it seems like we cut a lot more talent than we brought in. Our Chiefs can't win, they're sloppy, and they're unbearable to watch. Worse, after two consecutive years of foundation building, there are only a handful of players that this organization can build around. Maybe those poor outcomes are the result of your attempt to build a foundation. That excuse may fly in 2009, but it won't in 2010. We expect.... No, we demand that 2010 be significantly better.
Here are some issues that have bothered us fans that we expect to be resolved in 2010:
- #1 - Coaching - Whomever you decide will be your Head Coach in 2010, realize that he is not Bill Belichick. He shouldn't be expected to coach the team, call plays and coach the Quarterbacks. Shame on Todd Haley for suggesting it, but shame on you for letting it happen. We don't know the rationale behind this decision so we can excuse the mistake in 2009. We will not excuse sitting back in 2010 and not aggressively upgrading our anemic coaching staff
- #2 - Show us "the Chiefs Way" - most Chiefs' fans are now pretty well versed in the Patriot Way. We get that you want to build the Chiefs in that same image and that that sometimes means cutting more talented players who don't get it in exchange for less qualified players who do. We've also seen this same approach fail under Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini's watch in other organizations. To the fans, most of the 2009 free agency moves felt like they were decided within a vacuum and frankly, many of us are scared that the Chiefs are trying too hard to become the Patriots instead of trying to build their our own identity. We hope that 2010 will be the year that you start building the Chiefs instead of a poor-man's version of the Patriots. Make it a point that 2010 be the year when you start building a unique identity for the Chiefs.
- #3 - Relentlessly self-scout and hold no prisoners - Yes, we are mostly talking about Matt Cassel here. Sometimes it feels like certain players are held to different accountability standards than others. We trust that you will thoroughly evaluate him (and other players) and that you will not allow your prior opinions to influence your current evaluation. We know he's a good kid, but this has to be about what he can do on the field 3+ years from now. Many fans don't think Matt Cassel is the answer and if he's a mistake, we can forgive that mistake if you take immediate corrective action. The last thing we want is to set this franchise back three years because we were waiting around on a quarterback who was never the answer in the first place. If you choose not to bring in legitimate competition for Cassel, you better be right about him, or else Chiefs' fans will be livid at you and rightfully so. This applies to everyone on this roster, whether they're Herm guys or Pioli guys. And all these guys need to be held to the same standard. You've had a full year to self-scout this team. Particularly at the Quarterback position, 2009 was the year to make some mistakes; 2010 is the year when we have to take corrective action on those mistakes. There is no longer an excuse for miscalculation. Not in 2010.
- #4 - The Draft, The Draft, The Draft - So far, the 2009 draft isn't looking so good. That's discouraging for a team trying to build a nucleus of young players, especially given your reputation for being such a draft guru. We can excuse a bad first draft, given the circumstances. Hopefully with your own scouting team in place, you'll do a better job. This year, you have all your resources in place. We expect and demand that you be razor sharp in the 2010 draft.
- #5 - Free Agency - We realize you shouldn't make decisions to appease the fans, but we've also been through two consecutive inactive offseasons. Chiefs' fans are dying for offseason moves that will inspire hope or confidence. Some of us realize that the threat of an uncapped year might make this more difficult. But if there is any window for the Chiefs to land any marquee free agents this offseason, the fans expect you to aggressively pursue it.
I don't speak for all of the Chiefs' fan base. Some have already made up their mind about you and others only focus on short-term results. Yet others will defend you to the death and make excuses for you, no matter what moves you make. I speak for a segment that falls into neither of these categories. This season was really tough for us fans to endure. We want to be patient with you, but it's hard and our patience is wearing thin. If we don't see significant improvement in all five of the areas listed above, you can expect a disgruntled fan base and you cannot afford to disengage the fan base to extreme levels this soon in your career.
The excuses are over. You have all your guys in place. You've had a full year to get your evaluations air-tight. Let's wipe the slate clean. Let's forget about all the moves, good or bad, the Chiefs made in 2009. Our Christmas wish is that 2010 be the year when you start to get the Chiefs moving rapidly in the right direction.
Sincerely,
The great fans of the Kansas City Chiefs
225 comments
|
17 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
One more thing...
Don’t raise ticket prices… in fact, lower them. We will be hard-pressed to fill Arrowhead Stadium with the current state of affairs as it is!
Pioli doesn't control ticket prices
Pioli is the football side of things, Thum runs the business end. Put that on your Christmas list to Thum or Hunt and I’ll get behind that!
You can't blame Pioli on the free agents he tried to bring in
Chiefs’ fans are dying for offseason moves that will inspire hope or confidence.
It’s not his fault that Haynesworth signed for big $$$$ elsewhere and there weren’t a lot of other NTs available in free agency
It’s not his fault that Zach Thomas got hurt, when Zach was supposed to be one of the leaders on the team.
It’s not his fault that Amani Toomer didn’t have it anymore and there weren’t a ton of other WR options out there
And let’s give the draft more than one year before evaluating it as a bust. Collin Brown could come off of IR and be a stud on the line. Tyson Jackson could anchor the D-line for years to come. It’s way too early to evaluate the 2009 draft.
Give him time, it may take another couple of years, but Pioli has a proven track record. It will happen.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
Oh yeah,
And quit hating on Matt Cassel. He’s only a second year starter. A “sophmore slump” is very common for Quarterbacks. Look at Matt Ryan. Matt was put in a very difficult position having to learn a new offense one week before the season, loosing his Right Tackle and the backup Right Tackle a week before the season, constant turnover on the line and WRs, an inexcusable amount of dropped passes by WRs.
And to say Croyle is not “legitimate competition” is another thing I don’t understand. Croyle has starting NFL experience and looked very good against Baltimore this year.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
I'm not convinced either way on Cassel
But I really don’t know what could be done right now even if management is convinced he probably isn’t the answer. They can maybe take a developmental QB late in the draft, but it’s not like that guy would be ready to play next season.
Just build a solid team around Cassel & search for his (potential) replacement in another year or two. Unless his confidences has been completely shattered, he WILL be a better QB next season.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
Yoon Nailed it on Cassel
No ones hating on him! Yoon said it exactly right, he needs to be evaluated with a sharp eye. If your not concerned about Cassel’s accuracy then your being blinded by hope. I personally can live with some of the WTF decisions he makes (running outta bounds for a sack) at times, that SHOULD be correctable, but if he’s incapable of throwing accurately, he ain’t got a chance in this league.
True
His accuracy has become a concern. I blame the receivers for most of the drops, but he could have made their job easier on a lot of them. I’m just hoping that the issue has more to do with timing.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
I think Cassel is "in his head" too much....
…With all of the drops I think he feels a load of pressure to put the ball on the money. Several times Matt has over thrown the reciever and to me it looks like he is trying to lead the reciever too much instead of throwing a liitle short and letting the reciever make the play. With all of the problems this offense has I think Cassel feels he needs to be perfect which ironically leads to incompetions and interceptions.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
by BigRedChief on Dec 30, 2009 10:12 AM CST up reply actions
ummm Maybe but
what about all the throws behind guys on crossing routes? And the over throws by 6 yrds on receivers running wide open down the sidelines?
I’m not a guy who makes excuses for players like Bowe, he’s earned all the crap he gets, but that throw that some are sayin Bowe got gator arms on was WAY over Bowes head, could he may have gotten a hand on it? Yeah, maybe, could have just tipped it up and made the int anyway. Was it catchable NO WAY! I’m not to certain that bowe was sure that ball was thrown to him, I think he may have thought someone was behind him that Cassel was throwing too.
by JohnNdallas on Dec 30, 2009 10:21 AM CST up reply actions
That's an incredibly stretch
to say the ball was uncatchable. It wasn’t “WAY” over his head, it was high but there was no other way for that ball to be thrown due to the coverage on Bowe. I’m not saying it was a great pass but it was hardly uncatchable for a tall receiver like Bowe. He didn’t even leave the ground in his “attempt” at catching that ball.
Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...
Yep
I place more of the blame on bowe than I do on Cassel
by badassz1987 on Dec 30, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
There will always be bad throws by every QB in the NFL.....
….We tend to focus on the plays Cassel doesn’t make and less on the ones he does. Find me another young QB, with similar playing experiance, that can stand in the pocket with a heavy pass rush and put a ball on the money with consistancy. QB is a difficult position to play no doubt and when you have little faith in your recievers to catch the ball or your o-line to give you the time it becomes that much more difficult. Time is all that is being asked for from Pioli and Cassel and too many of us fans can’t find the strength to give them the that. This team won’t get better overnight.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
by BigRedChief on Dec 30, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions
Your right!
Lets just Crown Cassel, he has no flaws, should NEVER be evaluated. Name him MVP and be done with it!
by JohnNdallas on Dec 30, 2009 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
I never said to crown him....
….and I never said he was free of blame. I was saying you are acting like you are ready to cut him loose after 1 season, without a full offseason and without the benefit of a decent o-line or recievers that can consistantly catch the ball.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
that isn't what he said
he said we should give them time before being so critical of him.
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
Money Ball
Regardless of where his head is at..he doesn’t have a money ball. His throws are inconsistently placed..which is a problem for the WR and the QB. Matt needs to correct that..not the WR. When Matt shows some consistency with ball placement I will throw more poo at the WRs for dropping them. Until then..they’re equally at fault in my eyes.
by Knocknheads on Dec 30, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
Just Look at How Bad Tom Brady Was in the Superbowl
Even Hall of Fame QBs cannot get it done without a solid offensive line and time to throw… Cassel will be ok once he can relax and kno he isn’t the only one on the field that has to make a play and no time to do it…
Re: offensive line
This is the part that worries me most. The offensive line has improved by leaps and bounds. In Cincinnati, he got what I would consider to be average protection. Not stellar, but not bad either. And he was still missing easy throws. His accuracy has got to improve. At this point in the season, Aaron Rodgers is doing a ton more with a lot less protection.
are you serious bitching
because he had one game this season with decent pass protection and wasn’t 100% on. if you had been dodging bullets all season long, i guarentee that you’d be expecting them to happen even during a game where not as many fly by. when the line actually performs decently for more then just one game a season, maybe he can trust them to protect him to make more accurate throws.
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
One game? Come on now.
It’s pretty well noted around here that the better his protection is, the worse he seems to play. To say he’s only had one game of decent protection is a stretch to say the least.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 31, 2009 12:20 PM CST up reply actions
and that only proves my point even more
when you get use to something happening, you are constantly expecting it to happen. take going to sleep for an example. if you are so use to going to sleep with noise around, when it’s quit you can’t sleep.
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
And to say Croyle is not "legitimate competition" is another thing I don’t understand. Croyle has starting NFL experience and looked very good against Baltimore this year.
Croyle is not legitimate competition because there is no chance in hell that he would win the competition. Not due to his talent and abilities but due to the fact that #7 is the starting QB…..PERIOD. No matter what Croyle or the other guy does, #7 is the QB. That is not legitimate competition and has absolutely nothing to do with Croyle.
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
by bonesjackson on Dec 30, 2009 1:32 PM CST up reply actions
I just don't get it.
Warner was no competition to Matt Leinart in Arizona either. But who did Haley go with? Everyone conveniently misses that little part of history in this discussion, which by the way, where is the picture of the dead horse?
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
Haley was the OC, NOT the HC at Arizona.
Playing Warner was not his call. That was Whisenhunts call.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 1:53 PM CST up reply actions
also,
Pioli wasn’t at AZ. Cassel is Pioli’s boon or bust in KC.
by NJ Chiefs Fan on Dec 30, 2009 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
Don't think so
Pioli can fire Haley at any time. He’s not going anywhere.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
Haley had no part in that at all
< His hand was forced on him and he really wanted to start Leinart. >
I hope the sarcasm thing works I always forget how to do it.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
Yes
The Cards in charge did not draft Leinart, big difference. Pioli and Haley chose #7.
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
by bonesjackson on Dec 30, 2009 1:58 PM CST up reply actions
bones - see, right there is the issue that some/many of us have vis-a-vis the QB deal
… namely, there IS no competition … Cassel has been ordained as starting QB, period … even without allowing Croyle the chance to prove or disprove his value to the team
there is NO LEGITIMATE COMPETITION at the QB spot and that fires my beans, because I believe Croyle WOULD be better … perhaps he’s not, but in the interests of THE TEAM he should absolutely be given a long, hard look (and I don’t mean just the practice field)
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
if cassel doesn't pan out
i doubt haley or pioli would have an issue with pulling the plug on his starting job. the problem is they are giving cassel a chance to prove his worth to the team yet you guys don’t won’t that. you want a payton manning now, and anything less than that isn’t good enough, and so you would have us play musical chairs with the QB in hopes to find one. this same tactic drew a ton of criticism when it was used for the o-line. “the o-line needs time to gel together”, was the argument. if we played musical chairs with the QB you guys would be bitching about not giving cassel enough time to develop a report with the receivers. you are pissed off that we suck again and are just looking for someone to blame.
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
someone is bitter
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
You can't use the O-line as an example w/o proving our points for us.
That unit didn’t improve until some new players were tried out at certain positions. the same could be said for the WRs, and RB. Why wouldn’t that ring true with the QB as well?
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 31, 2009 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
i think this was for my post one up
but i would say not really. i mentioned the o-line swap not because i agree with it or disagree it, but only to show the change of atmosphere. a tactic that was once consider wrong is no being deemed ok and we are wrong for not using it. but there is a difference between the two jobs in which i think is being overlooked because of lack of results. the difference is that the o-line depend on no one to complete their task. they block the defense from getting in to the backfield and make holes for the running back. cassel throwing the ball has no effect on them what so ever. LJ tripping in the backfield does not help them or hurt hem in making holes for the running back. but in cassel’s case the play of others effects his. if the o-line fails to block, he gets flattened. if his receivers fail to catch the ball or run the correct route, his accuracy looks off. because both the o-line and the receivers have played sub-par this year, i think it’s unfair to look for cassel’s replacement so soon. i will concede the fact brookie hasn’t been dealt the world’s greatest hand, with herms system and his injuries, but pioli and haley think cassel is the better of the two and they see more then we do. all i’m saying is that it’s not very fair to cassel to throw him under the bus. they picked cassel to be the starter so we should at the very least give him one more year before playing musical QB.
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
Let me start off by saying I hope Pioli gets it straightened out, but it is his fault. He knew as well as everyone what the redskins were going to give Haynesworth. He should of had a backup plan.
Granted Thomas did get hurt but he was not even going to be good enough to play significant minutes.
He should of seen on tape that Toomer did not have anything left just like Thomas.
It is his fault for letting Haley think he was all world coach and get rid of Gailey who could outcoach Haley in a second.
I agree on giving the draft more time but if you watch the drafted players play this year they are either very bad or very poorly coached. You can make that decision. I go with a little of both.
The chiefs have always been a fan friendly organization but now they are arrogant. Good evaluators and coaches make do with the players they have to fit a scheme will they are getting players to fit the scheme they want. Look at what Gailey did last year. That was scheming and coaching at its best. That was not the scheme Gailey wanted to run but he made due with what he had. The 2 best players to come out of the 2009 mess are Charles and Cottam and they refused to play them for 3/4 of season because they did not draft them. Hopefully Pioli and Haley will learn from their mistakes. I do believe Haley is in way over his head.
by montanachief on Dec 30, 2009 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
I don't think KC EVER wanted to go after Haynesworth
I think they KNEW he’d be overpriced, and has a bad attitude.
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers
Pioli said in an interview that he tried to get him
But, he wasn’t going to spend that kind of money.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
Really?
I’d heard rumors that he tried to land haynesworth, but didn’t realize Pioli had confirmed it himself. I can’t say that I like the guys attitude, but I do have to wonder how much better the DL would be with him there in the middle.
but it probably wasn’t worth finding out for a guaranteed $12m per season. Man I hate Danny Snyder.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
I don't think they had a chance to go after him....
….he signed with Washington so fast I cannot figure out how he was not tampered with.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Re: Haynesworth
Don’t know about Haynesworth, but I saw Denver bring in a legit Nose Tackle, Brian Dawkins from the Eagles, and Andra Davis from the Browns. All of those guys came out of free agency. If the Broncos could bring in three key 3-4 players under new management, why couldn’t we?
by Jon Yoon on Dec 30, 2009 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
How old is Brian Dawkins, Jon?
How much did they pay for him?
See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp
actually if you really want to put a nail on it, it is his fault… as many have alluded to, and he himself has said, his greatest strength is scouting talent… granted you don’t always hit the nail on the head… but this free agent crop has left something to be desired, especially with what was available from the time he took his job… he has to be held accountable for something… or else what is he doing?
draft eric berry and darryll stuckey.... and our defense problems are next to solved...
Well-written, balanced, witty - and most of all, NOT hysterical
Doesn’t get much better than that. Rec’d.
John
"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"
Well Done
I thought that was well written. Pretty factual, and pretty realistic to what most lifelone Chiefs fans have for their expectations. I would not think twice about bringing in Cowher either. If a lot of what is being said about Haley is true, he will not win the respect of the players with that approach no matter what caliber, what draft pick or talent level.
Good stuff
No excuses in 2010.
Cassel, having absolutely no reason to trust his line, needs to play like he trusts his line. It’s that very reason that he’s been so up and down this season. Even when he has time, he feels like he doesn’t, and I am a firm believer that is the cause for a lot of his errant throws.
I disagree that we need to bring in more competition at the QB position. Brodie has done the things Haley has asked of him, and has looked good in limited playing time. I think if Cassel were really to flop, Haley wouldn’t mind seeing with his own eyes what Croyle could do if given the reins.
Rec’d.
"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech
Rec'd
Very well said, in fact I think this letter should be sent with signatures of all who agree with it. Make sure it is CC’d to Hunt and Thum too.
I personally would sign it in an instant
for whatever that is worth.
John
"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"
I'd sign it in a sec
Predictions as of 06.24.2009.
Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.
by 58 was my friend on Dec 30, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
Rec Jon
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
You have got to be joking.
I am so happy a letter like this will never be sent or seen by Pioli.
My mom calls her laptop a CPU. She tells me her CPU is infected with bugs.
Then she tells me that she thinks I should fix the CPU and get rid of the bugs because I bought the laptop.
ME – “well, what do you mean mom?”
MOM – “This thing is slow. The CPU doesn’t work, and it has bugs.”
ME – “slow how mom?”
MOM – “Internet is slow”
ME – “mom, you have dial up”
MOM – “Well, how am i supposed to know that?”
In other words, Pioli is working with what he has. He can only do so much. You sound like my mom.
Im Cakn Patna n Eatn it 2
by Bipolaroid on Dec 30, 2009 9:53 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
He's responsible
for part of what he has, and by opening day next year will be responsible for even more than that. The letter is putting him on notice that we hold him accountable for fulfuilling his responsibilities. No excuses.
by NJ Chiefs Fan on Dec 30, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions
Bipolaroid ... with all due respect, that's BS
I’ll grant that Pioli can only do so much … but … he seemed to do NOTHING with what he had, other than add players willy-nilly with no thought for team needs or what was here to begin with
he had all winter to learn more about the team and the holes (O-Line anyone?) but failed to even BEGIN to address those in the draft, much less Free Agency
he arrogantly brought in a QB without bothering to give that QB protection … he and Haley (and I’ll put it on Pioli for now) have steadfastly refused to give Croyle, a QB with a far better arm, even a look in games, even after it was apparant to a blind man that we were going nowhere fast
he looked like the second coming of Old King Carl bringing in Toomer, Goff and other washed up vets, while pushing talent to the background for the sake of some “Right 53” logo … he allowed Haley to ditch one of the best OC’s in the business while doing double duty and being so far in over his head he’s drowning and lost
his 2009 draft was below average at best … and what he had to begin with was a VERY good start on a team rebuild, but he’s pretty much pushed that away as if none of the players or talent that was here when he arrived existed
Bipolaroid, you seem like one of those “defend Pioli at any cost, for anything” people Jon Yoon notes in his post
I’m willing to give both Pioli and Haley another year to prove themselves, but as Jon noted, it HAS to done differently … if not, I won’t be the only one calling for some heads
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
Good
Let’s just say this years draft is average, and we only win 4 games next year.
I guess by what you said, you will be screaming for heads. So, let’s replace Pioli, haley and everyone else for new. Then after the new GM drafts average and not to YOUR liking, the process will begin AGAIN.
You are on these blogs like I am. You think you have a good understanding about how to fix as I do. but let’s get one thing straight. You, me, Jon, and everyone else on here are not even remotely close to running or getting a chance to make the changes we would like.
Do you know how ignorant someone comes off demanding something when they have no idea what it takes or have even done it before? Come on, lets get real here.
Dear Mr Pioli,
I work as a FSO for a contacting firm – Mr Pioli, I demand you do this and this and this and not that or I will be mad about the state of the football team. With my background in football, I demand it happen now. I have been watching and cheering on the Chiefs for 80 years, and I know how it is done and what it takes. My dad coached little league, and I will make this team just as good as his was. Mr Pioli, do what I say now, or I will not be a fan any longer.
Sincerely,
90% of the fan base.
Now, what I like to read, are peoples ideas on how to improve, or what they think and would like to see. Not DEMAND or ELSE. It’s like when if I say “hey i think we should trade our #3 pick to san fran for both their 11 and 12 picks, what do you think?” I get bashed on here because in YOUR eyes, it is NOT WHAT YOU WANTED as an armchair GM.
Just be a fan -–noun -an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc
Just to let you know, it is nothing personal. That “letter” comes off like a 13 year old trying to tell his dad how to do something….
Im Cakn Patna n Eatn it 2
by Bipolaroid on Dec 30, 2009 2:27 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I see what you are saying,
but I read it as reasoned expectations being layed out from a customer to a service provider.
by NJ Chiefs Fan on Dec 30, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions
could be worse.
I live in DC, and you should hear what people are saying about the skins. As bad as the skins are, they have much more problems than the chiefs. To be honest, if we compare the organization, we are leaps and bounds ahead of them. Skins, and not just my opinion, are worse off than the raiders.
Albert Haynesworth will be available….not sure if its a good fit personality wise though, but he can stop the run!
Im Cakn Patna n Eatn it 2
Re: Bipolaroid
Thank you for your comments. Realize that this is not a letter I would actually send. I just thought it would be an interesting way to wrap up some of the analysis I did over the last few weeks about some things I think the Chiefs can or should do. It’s purely for entertainment value. I would encourage you to read some of my thoughts from previous weeks when I went over some recommendations for improvement on offense, defense, special teams, and coaching staff. Purely armchair GM thoughts, but point being, this letter was just a different way of wrapping up those thoughts.
But even if I did send a letter like this, I don’t see the problem. It’s not like I was presenting Pioli with my mock draft list. I’m not a draft guru and don’t pretend to be. I agree—that would be obnoxious. I was demanding that this front office round out the coaching staff, do better in the draft and free agency, and extensively self-scout players on this roster. It would be no different than shareholders going to a board meeting and complaining to a company’s CEO and Executives. Based on my experience, the good CEOs listen to their customers.
Because if Corporate America has taught us anything, it’s that bright people make really stupid decisions sometimes. AIG, GM, etc…. If being a Chiefs’ fan the past 20 years has taught us anything, it’s that we can’t sit idly by and place absolute trust in our GM to get the job done.
I’m sorry you viewed this as amateurish. View it instead as a wrap-up of things I “think” the Chiefs should do and see how it reads that way.
I think
You’re prematurely judgeing this past draft, Jackson, Magee, Washington, Williams, Brown, Lawrence, O’Connell, and Succop.
Jackson and Magee might make huge strides next season after they’ve had a year to get it.
We never really got to see Brown play.
Williams showed some promise.
Succop………..our rookie of the year
Lawrence and O’Connell, neither one has set the world on fire, but what do you expect from late round rookies their first season?
Washington was raw coming out, we all knew that, I think he deserves one more year.
Our Rookie FA’s weren’t exactly busts this season, Studebaker is the only one springing right to mind. Is Mays a rookie or a second year player?
We’ve had some pleasant surprises.
Pioli’s FA………Goff, a lot of people thought he had another year in him, Pioli was wrong, O’Callaghan was definately not a bad move. Brown over Pollard…….not too high on that one. Wade, Chambers, Long have all been bright spots at one point or another. Castille might look like a whole other RB behind a more physical line. Ryan was a flop at TE, but Cottam stepped it up from last yr, and Pope has looked decent at times. I think Lelie should have been retained.
Pioli’s definately busy and churning the roster constantly scroungeing for talent.
I totally agree with Pioli not giving Cassel a free pass next season, if he struggles next season give Croyle a chance. Don’t worry about a QB controversy. If Croyle still looks better than Cassel hand him the ball, if he’s really that fragile Cassel should be back to starting in no time.
I agree with most of your post and but to say he isn’t trying to do his job whole heartedly I disagree. I’m giving Pioli 2 or 3 years before I jump all over him. We have more of a core of players than you think. The question on my mind is, are we going to build off of them, or are they going to be dealt to bring in what Pioli thinks is a better core for this team, people that fit his idea of the right 53. Is Hali, Albert, Dorsey, Flowers, Carr, Bowe and Waters to name a few, part of Pioli’s 53 or are they pieces to bring in those players?
I think this team is going to be almost as different from this year as it was last year. I’m hoping for 5-11 or 6-10 next season. Improvement, slowly climbing up from the bottom with a breakout year the season after that. I expect some of Herms guys to be gone by way of trade to put together Pioli’s Roster.
by mcclanahanman on Dec 30, 2009 9:56 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
My hopes:
For one no more “Herm guys” and “Pioli guys” because I feel guys like Cottam wouldn’t have sat most of the year if not for that mentality. Their all yours now Pioli. As bad as Brown has played there was no reason for D Morgan not to be out there. He did pretty good in his one start. Studabaker should have stayed in the line up and Charles only played after the LJ experiment failed.
Excellant read Jon!
Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!
I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.
The honeymoon is over.
Just this morning I read that the early rebuilding history for Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells, Bill Cowher organizations was painfull for each franchise. I also was reading that even locking into a coach is up in the air for some teams given the bargaining agreement status. Don’t be surprised if Haley is nothing more than a place holder until that all shakes out.
The post sums up my sentiments as well.
I am also tiered of every GM now trying to find the next Brady, Miles Austin, etc. It just seems that wasted effort is made trying to find the rising star for a nickel ninety five. It’s like my parents scavenging every garage sale for good as new stuff. There is a reason that crap is in the garage sale.
by BCRavenJHawkfan on Dec 30, 2009 10:22 AM CST reply actions
Nailed It...
There is a reason that crap is in the garage sale.
Perfect for what Pioli had to choose from the FA scrap table. I’m giving another year. As Jon stated, he’s got his robots in place now. 2010 will be the deciding factor because his head is officially in the guillotine. If he fails to produce a team and coaching staff capable of winning and competing in every game next year, then I will call for his head. There are no excuses, with the FAs that are coming out next year and the number of draft picks we have in the first 3 rounds, why we shouldn’t win at least six games next year and be competitive in all 16. No more blowouts or sorry-ass performances, I can’t take another year like the last three…
Things to get the Chiefs back on the winning side of football:
1. Haley resign as offensive coordinator or do the following;
a. Feed JC more
b. Take the cuffs off of Cassel and let him air it out
2. Fire Clancy "Calls" Playslikeass
by kcchiefsfan72 on Dec 30, 2009 12:54 PM CST up reply actions
DAMNIT...
Only meant for this to be enclosed….
There is a reason that crap is in the garage sale
Things to get the Chiefs back on the winning side of football:
1. Haley resign as offensive coordinator or do the following;
a. Feed JC more
b. Take the cuffs off of Cassel and let him air it out
2. Fire Clancy "Calls" Playslikeass
by kcchiefsfan72 on Dec 30, 2009 12:55 PM CST up reply actions
My take on this year and the future....
…Pioli slapped lipstick on this pig this year and it wasn’t near enough. Time for a new pig. This offseason will be the one to watch because Pioli is gonna go to the fair in hopes of finding a shiny new blue ribbon pig. This is where Pioli starts to take blame or hopefully credit for what he is or will build.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – MLK
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Great Post...
If the chiefs are 3-13 again next year there are going to be some problems.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Dec 30, 2009 10:55 AM CST reply actions
I just thought I would throw in a total Homer comment...
It Worked! And was rediculous! If we do win 9 though, I am going to direct everyone to this post next year…
Great post Jon Yoon
My favorite line
…and you cannot afford to disengage the fan base to extreme levels this soon in your career.
Predictions as of 06.24.2009.
Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.
by 58 was my friend on Dec 30, 2009 11:28 AM CST reply actions
let's not forget
that cassel hasn’t had a qb coach this year!
we are so used to not seeing players being coached up in regards to their respective positions that we automatically assume that players do not progress…
having the physical skills is the unteachable/coachable part.
using the skills, growing, and the mental part is for coaches to work with.
let’s see what he (and brodie) can do with a qb coach.
"We're not losers, we just can't win!"
by chief Stevie_k on Dec 30, 2009 11:29 AM CST reply actions
i like croyle
i think people just were scared off of supporting him by his fragile season, and perhaps more so because we’ve portrayed him as a ‘herm boy,’ thus taking out our anger of herm on brodie.
from what i’ve seen of him, he has a good arm. other than injuries, my only problem so far with brodie has been that he hasn’t ever put any ‘touch’ on throws. he doesn’t put any air under the ball. the same could easily be said for cassel too, though.
"We're not losers, we just can't win!"
by chief Stevie_k on Dec 30, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think anyone is saying cut him
At least I’m not. I say you go into training camp with an open mind, may the best QB win, if that’s Cassel, so be it BUT, if it’s Croyal or Gut, so be that too!
Good Post
I’m caustiously optomistic about next season. My expectations for the offseason dealings are: Pioli is making lots of moves to improve personnell at all levels. We first and foremost need an OC and QB coach. If Pioli is active in the FA market that will be a good sign. We will see in the next 60 days what the outlne looks like. Bleeding Red and Gold in CA
by BBell78 on Dec 30, 2009 11:34 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I like it
Jon I’m with you on 99%. You can’t build up until you have a solid foundation, but 2 -3 yrs (counting Herm) of foundation building is enough for any fan to endure. You must have a full coaching staff to get the best from the players as well.
2009 was the year of establishing the future of the Chiefs, now lets get it on and go forward. We are hungry for the playoffs and won’t be satisfied until we have the SB Trophy.
My favorite is the entirity of comment #2. and the line,
Make it a point that 2010 be the year when you start building a unique identity for the Chiefs.
This season is ground zero
Pioli opted to not try and patch things this season. Once they traded Gonzalez for a second rounder NEXT year, that should’ve been clear: this year was all about finding out what this team has, and seeing which players can help in the future.
Personally, I would’ve preferred some more patching and a 6 or 7 win season. But this team was in even worse shape than I thought, and this year we weren’t going anywhere anyway. Even something as random as the schedule didn’t break right for us, and we had too far to go to even get near the playoffs, so 3 wins while evaluating, or 6 wins while patching short-term with players who’ll be gone in two years, either way you’re going nowhere. Might as well take the worse record if it helps you more going forward.
Pioli made certain decisions that were hard to accept: trading Gonzo for a pick a year away; drafting d-lineman (who take a couple years to develop) with the first two picks in the draft; not signing any high-priced free agents in their 20’s; not bringing in more vets to patch the OL; signing veteran character free agents to set examples, rather than for their ability— but these are all reasonable moves if you accept that this season was going to be ground zero washout, a necessary year for the new regime to find out everything about the players here and to start rebuilding the organization from the ground up and instilling a long term winning culture.
We could’ve done things like run the Arrowspread and made our OL look a little better and maybe won a couple more games, but that wouldn’t tell you whether or not those OL could play in an offense that we’re going to be playing when we’re good again. Now the front office should know all about these guys, and know exactly which areas they need to improve on going forward, and which players just need to go.
If we had patched instead, we’d have a couple more wins this year but would be no closer to a Super Bowl, and in fact might even be further from it, drafting lower and having long-term money commitments to players who might not be good when the team is again.
It’s very hard to accept a year like this as a Chiefs fan, because we just had a couple of disastrous seasons that got us nowhere. It sucks to endure, but we’re almost done with it.
There are a lot of things that people complain about this year that aren’t going to be problems starting next year: Haley’s not going to have three jobs, Cassel’s going to have more help and will look better, a lot of the scrubs we have now will be replaced by better players, PIoli and his scouts will have more knowledge of our players and our needs. So I don’t care much about any of those issues; this year was going to hurt bad anyway, and now it’s almost over.
As for Haley as OC, my own theory is that when they came in, Haley and the front office asked Gailey for his evaluation of the offense, and in Gailey’s mind, the OL was halfway decent— especially in an Arrowspread offense— and LJ was still a useful back, and Bowe was a top receiver, etc. But as training camp went along, Haley disagreed with a lot of that, and decided that he couldn’t trust Gailey’s take on things, so he took over himself. Doesn’t mean either guy was wrong— if we ran a Gailey-type offense, then some of our OL wouldn’t look as bad, etc. But the coach has to trust his OC and if he can’t, he needs to make a change. Since the season was about to start and this year was going to be a bust anyway, I don’t care if Haley did it himself, I assume it helps him learn more about the players and figure out exactly what he needs his OC to do going forward. These things will all be different next year.
Anyway, I predict that next year, we’ll probably only win 6 games or whatever, but we’ll have more pieces in place, and the improvement will be noticeable. It won’t be fun to miss the playoffs yet again, which we probably will, but the building project will finally be noticeable and the foundation will start to be more clear, so there’s that to look forward to.
by Offense of the 70s on Dec 30, 2009 11:58 AM CST reply actions 4 recs
+1
Nice post.
My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:
"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley
R.I.P. C.H., #15
by Red N Gold Beast on Dec 30, 2009 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
Offense - I agree with you regarding evaluation but have a major beef with Pioli/Haley
this year was all about finding out what this team has, and seeing which players can help in the future
absolutely … so why was Croyle not given the last 4 starts? very clear we’ve been headed noplace fast for a long time … practice field is not the place to evaluate, esp a QB with a strong arm
thing is, overall, I wouldn’t have an issue with him blowing it all up if Herm hadn’t done the same thing a year ago … and for my money, I’d rather Pioli had kept Herm and Chan and continued the rebuild that was started in 2008 … instead, he SEEMED to act as if it never happened
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
so why was Croyle not given the last 4 starts?
Because Cassel is not an experience Quarterback. There’s only one way to get experience.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
And
brokie sucks and is not an nfl qb, we already know this so why waste more time playing him in games
badassz - I must say ...
the depth of your great knowledge of the subject is surpassed only by your stunningly educational comments … truly you have perception of this beyond the scope of mere mortals, and your clarity of expression is beyond remarkable, along with your amazing command of the written word and language
thank you for your insight, no doubt your talents are wasted as a mere “blogger”
“NEXT!”
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
by upamtn on Dec 30, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
upamtn _ i hear you brotha
Thing is – with Cassel’s fat pay day compliments of his sugar daddy – Scotty, we won’t be seeing much of any QB on the field Sundays UNLESS
drum roll!!!!!
Cassel goes down.
I see our situation similar to the one in Carolina. You think for a moment that John Fox would not want to bench Delhomme? All the Jake apologist would not have had a the chance to see what Matt Moore was capable of if Jake had not fallen.
I want to see Brodie (not the young Brodie under Herm) but the new and much tougher Haley’s version of Croyle. Because Scotty gotta stay thru with his huge investment, we won’t be seeing Croyle not unless #7 falls. I know Scotty is afraid of Croyle looking much better in games than #7 and winning fans over. If that happens, Scotty wouldn’t look like what everyone bills him to be – the amazing talent evaluator.
Predictions as of 06.24.2009.
Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.
by 58 was my friend on Dec 30, 2009 2:35 PM CST up reply actions
Wrong Bigred
my “says you” was to the clown declaring Croyal a bust. I’m a Croyal guy, I want to see him get a shot too if Cassel can’t get his shit together soon.
I also like what little I seen of Gut too.
ummm I dunno, I just kinda form my lips and the words come out...
He played under HERM and GAILEY! Nuff said!
I wouldn't call Brodie a bust because he was taken in the 3rd not the 1st...
….But it seems to me that you might have it in for Cassel, thats the way I read it anyway. Unfortunatly, when given his oppertunity, Brodie was unable to stay upright and found himself injured or being outplayed by Damon Huard. My father always says “You have to use the right tool for the right job.” Brodie has always had the right tools but he just can’t seem to get them to do the right job.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
cpa - same could be said of Croyle
given where the team was at a few weeks ago, I felt then it would have been in the best interests of the team (for the future) to see what Croyle can do in THIS OFFENSE
unless Cassel is some “$acred Cow” or Haley is lying thru his teeth when he talks bout competition and best player on the field, then Croyle should be out there for games
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
I wouldn't mind seeing more of Croyle
I just think that Haley wants to get Cassel as much experience as possible. It’s just not been very pretty this year, overall.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
It's just not been very pretty this year
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
by cpa913 on Dec 30, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
so how many chances are we suppose to give croyle
he has had a few years now to show he can be a starter and he cant do it, plus you dont pay $60million for a qb so he can be a backup.
banshee - how many chances has Croyle had this year? Baltimore and he was decent ...
… especially for it being the opener, and more so, he had 2 weeks to learn the newly installed playbook, system and terminology
now let’s turn it around: how many chances are we supposed to give Cassel? his QB rating is 58%, which is atrocious … he had the first 3/4 of the year and didn’t get it done … what horrible damage would have got down had Croyle had these last 4 games as starter?
sure, maybe we’d have lost … oh, wait, never mind
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
hes had the last few year to prove if he can be an nfl starter
you cant go week to week with the qbs wondering who the starters going to be. They made the decision that cassel is the starting qb for this team. I just dont get why so many people are ready to give up on cassel, if brodie was the starter and not doing good everyone would be saying to put cassel in, how about we stick with 1 guy for a couple of season and see how it turns out.
brodie has yet to win a game as an nfl qb, my opinion its an easy decision who the starter should be.
Croyle is a backup
Cassel needs to get all the experience he can with this offense. Developing him is the goal. The team needs to be used to working with him, and the coaches need to see what he has to work on going forward.
Croyle’s just a backup QB, there’s no need to waste time trying to develop him. They’ve seen them both in practice all year long, and saw Croyle in the first game of the year. If Croyle looked at all like a QB of the future, he might have played more. But he didn’t. He’s never actually done anything in the NFL, and he isn’t someone who is going to be a big part of the team’s future.
At this point, if they want to sit Cassel down early in the last game, that’s fine, no need to risk any more battering of him. But Croyle’s never done anything to merit starting a QB controversy over.
This management team invested a lot in Cassel to be the QB of the future, that decision has already been made based on the time Pioli spent with him in New England. Barring injury, Cassel’s going to get at least all of next year as the starting QB at the very least, and by that time Croyle will be gone anyway.
In terms of other QBs, if they can find someone young and with more potential than Gutierrez this offseason, that guy might end up getting a shot after next year if Cassel doesn’t work out. I’d like to see them bring in someone like Graham Harrell into training camp and give him a shot to beat out Gutierrez. But regardless, Croyle is just an afterthought, he’s not someone in the plans for this team.
by Offense of the 70s on Dec 30, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Offense - and just how many games this year has Cassel looked like anything other than a backup himself?
over half … easily
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
I second that
Cassel looking anything other than a backup?
Through 14 games as the Chiefs QB – Cassel look exactly like what he’s suppose to look – a 7th Round Draft pick – yes. A long shot. Just because of that 2008 season with one of the best teams in NFL, add-in a hell of a coaching staff with Pro Bowl talents at his disposal, it does not change the fact that 31 other GM’s in the league pass on him on draft day in 2005. Pioli loves picking up long shots late in the draft with hopes that he finds the diamonds in the rough. Matt Cassel is a great guy, speaks and carries himself well with the media. In terms of what he is capable of – I think we’ve seen the best of him.
Predictions as of 06.24.2009.
Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.
by 58 was my friend on Dec 30, 2009 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
Thats it
I am done with Cassel.
- will be traded for Keith Null in my fantasy keeper’s league.
Predictions as of 06.24.2009.
Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.
by 58 was my friend on Dec 30, 2009 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
58 - well said and agreed, in fact I'll add this ...
31 other GMs passed on him at least 6 times, most of them passed him over 7 times
there’s a reason
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
very well, actually ... but it doesn't happen often
Belichick and Pioli were hoping lightning would strike twice in the same place
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
if the issue then is "other talent" then why is it Pioli has dumped talent in favor of his mythical "Right 53"
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
really
what receivers did we dump at the start of the season? the only receiver we had last year that could have helped cassel was TG. the TG was one of the smartest moves pioli could have made, as he got max value for a 30+ TE. TG would have made a big difference in the offense this past year if we kept him, but he’s on his way down. by getting rid of him before he started showing obviously was a great move, so i fail to see the talent that was dumped for the “mythical” right 53
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
Brady,Marino, Montanna
Brady was 6th round pick….. Montanna was a stretch—NO ARM. Marino,,, ;lots of teams passed on him as well.. The Draft is a CRAP shoot. It takes at least 3 years for most QBs to develope.
by BBell78 on Dec 30, 2009 5:42 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Brady was a true diamond in the rough....
…Montana was the perfect QB for the WC system that was in its infant stage and Marino was selected behind a few other QBs that turned out ok.
I will say this though, had Bledsoe not gone down for an extended period of time, Tom Brady probably wouldn’t be starting in this leauge. Had Montana not been placed in the exact system for his skills at the exact right time, I’m not sure he is “The Greatest Ever”. And had Marino not had some knee injury questions he would have been a lock high 1st rounder along with Kelly and Elway.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Your statement
really makes no sense. Ever hear of a guy named Montana or Favre every other team passed on them too, that means nothing. And I dont recall brokie being the 1st overall pick in the draft so that would mean that every gm in the league passed on him also
I think Croyle could have done as good if not better, w/o costing a 2nd round pick and tons of money that could be better spent on FAs for the O-Line and elsewhere
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
i would say you and bones are being too critical too soon
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
Agree again with the gist of your post
Developing Cassel is the goal. You won’t really know if Cassel is going to be the guy long-term until you play him a bunch of games with the players who are possibly going to be here long-term (e.g., JCharles). The decision to NOT develop Croyle has already been made, won’t be reversed.
I’m agnostic re whether they draft another QB in the later rounds, possibly to compete after 2010 if Cassel doesn’t improve. Not enthusiastic about Harrell, however.
I do expect with this coming off-season we will get more than 6 wins with the 2010 schedule
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Dec 30, 2009 4:23 PM CST up reply actions
Excellent post, Offense of the 70s
Thanks for writing a clear, astute summary of the past year in Chiefs football. I concur with your evaluation and agree with your predictions for the 2010 season. For myself, I think going the ’don’t try to patch it up’ route was the best choice for KC management.
I find your theory re the roles of Haley and Gailey in the pre-season to be persuasive, and if goes well with the things that happened: Bowe listed low on the depth chart, the relative chaos of the O-line in the first part of the season, giving LJ the benefit of the doubt at the start of the season and not dumping him in the offseason, signing Goff and then replacing him for poor performance, etc.
IMHO
Firing Gailey was a good move, for all the reasons stated above in Offense of the 70’s post.
I Hated the so called ARROWSPREAD! A waste of time and it hurt Croyal and Thigpens development.
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
rec'd - excellent post, Jon!
Our 2009 draft isn’t looking so hot and we did close to nothing in free agency to bring in long-term foundational players. Looking back on 2009, it seems like we cut a lot more talent than we brought in.
how very true … Jon, you said everything many of us have been thinking/feeling for a long, long time … draft issues, coaching, QB, roster, FA … if those things aren’t properly addressed and show significant signs of progress in 2010, I think a lot of us are going to be more than “rightfully upset” with Pioli … and others
I think the thing that’s bothered me most, at a deeper level, is the “gut feeling” that Pioli’s trying (or wanting) to turn this into “Patriots West” … we’re not about that here, never have been and never should be
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
Nice post Jon, and I agree with 95% of it.....
But I’m pretty sure Pioli is aware of the state of the Chiefs and the fan base. You could send this to him, but it would be pretty useless. He knows better than most of us where the Chiefs are. He’s aware of the unruly fan base (we did just blackout for the first time in 20 years).
Pioli is not an idiot. He knows the heat is on. Hopefully writing this let you blow off some steam.
BTW, #2 was my favorite. Very nice. I want the Chiefs to be unique. Not a poor mans Patriots.
My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:
"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley
R.I.P. C.H., #15
by Red N Gold Beast on Dec 30, 2009 12:11 PM CST reply actions
I for one will be all ears if Pioli is out as point man in an end of season press conference.
But God I hope he doesn’t try to spin it the way Carl would.
by BCRavenJHawkfan on Dec 30, 2009 12:18 PM CST reply actions
I would like to see these things:
- Big FA or 2.
- Draft a Safety.
- draft a OT, an move albert to G an Waters to C, Rudy to G or bye rudy.
- New O an D coordinators. an a QB coach.
- more than 7 wins next year.
Would ya like a free NANAA!
by Jazzy Megalodon on Dec 30, 2009 12:26 PM CST reply actions
What I Hate the Most
Is seeing our old players starting on good teams!
Keyaron Fox
Benny Sapp
Scott Fujita
Kawika Mitchell
Why did we let these guys go? They could all be starters on this team! And all on Defense!
That is definitely something Pioli can do better for the Chiefs in the future
I know, I know, we let some go this year, Pollard mainly most of the rest of the quality guys we got a draft pick for. But Peterson let some guys go because of Cap issues and such and that needs to change. Maybe less $ for the Big Stars or in some cases the old Stars and more $ to keep young talent in KC.
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Dec 30, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
Cassell
He plays “by the book”. I dont want a QB that throws the ball where the receiver is designed to be. I want a QB that see where the receiver is going and put it in the spot where only that receiver can get it. THE END. EVERYTHING ELSE ANYONE ELSE SAYS IS POINTLESS. I dont care where bowe supposed to be, i care that Cassell still threw the ball in a spot where Bowe (or chambers) hardly had any chance at catching it. Look at Rex Grossman. Sure he lost the bears the super bowl and Orton got em half way to the superbowl, but he could improvise. His problem was he had Favre vision. He tried to force too many.
by Zupek on Dec 30, 2009 1:03 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
funny
THE END. EVERYTHING ELSE ANYONE ELSE SAYS IS POINTLESS
well, I guess that’s one way to “win” your debate
haha
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers
he plays by the book because he lacks experience
as you gain more experience you start to experiment more. i don’t expect cassel to ever be a HoF QB, but i think that he has shown that he has enough to be good if given the time to develop
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
Draft view seems shortsighted
Your draft view seems shortsighted. Already you’ve decided the 2009 draft is a bust and seem to want a 2010 draft that Mel Kiper will give an A+ to before a single player touches the field. That’s not how you judge a draft in a successful way.
by VermeilLikesToCry on Dec 30, 2009 1:10 PM CST reply actions
I have a question
for anyone that thinks that Pioli is doing a terrible job and thinks he did a terrible job in the offseason and the draft. What exactly would you have liked for him to do? There was no one in FA that was worth getting, the ones that were available got way overpaid, example haynesworth. I for one am glad that Pioli didnt go this route of just throwing $ at players. The draft was just as pathetic, again name me someone that we could have drafted that is doing any better than what we have, there is no one that is making an impact on their current team so what makes anyone think that they would be if they were here, example Aaron Curry was the “cant miss” that everyone wanted Pioli to take, look what hes doing, nothing, if he were here everyone would be calling him a bust. People who say our draft was terrible seem to forget that we got a starting (and our best lb) and our franchise qb for the next 6 yrs, that seems like a pretty good 2nd rd pick to me.
by badassz1987 on Dec 30, 2009 1:18 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
We need a NT
If the 3-4 D is going to work, we need a real NT. The only option in UFA is Wilfork and we should really open up the wallet on that. There are 2 possibilities in the draft and both will be gone before our second pick.
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
Dan Williams, TN, Mount Cody, AL, Gerald McCoy OK
Isn’t that three draft options? (Assuming McCoy can put on a few pounds)
Also, isn’t there supposed to be quite a few NTs available as FAs? San Francisco, Green Bay, etc.?
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
Never saw McCoy as a NT
Don’t think any scout has said so either. I was looking at Williams and Cody but McCoy will be gone before our second pick also so the point holds.
SF (Franklin) has a guy but he is over 30 and I would prefer to avoid those guys. I have also read that they plan to tag him.
GB (Pickett) is also over 30 and has been sharing downs with a rookie. GB views him as depth, I don’t think he is a great option but better than what we have now.
Ferguson from Miami will also be available but he is 35. Not where I want to go.
Best option in RFA is a guy by the name of Tank Tyler and I think we know what that means….
Wilfork IMO is the option that fills the need, gives us many years of not worrying about that position.
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
by bonesjackson on Dec 30, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions
agree about McCoy... he's not a NT
Wilfork, Hampton and Pickett are all viable options in FA
Nothing wrong with getting a guy over 30, and drafting his future replacement
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers
man not enough of potential and available NT players
We should try out some SUMO players
by 72chiefs on Dec 31, 2009 5:23 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
He'll be very expensive!
It’ll be worth it though.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
Ryan Pickett, Green Bay Packers
He splits time with Raji, He is a decent pick up.
I think seymour is also a FA
Im Cakn Patna n Eatn it 2
Seymour is not a NT
He is a DE in a 3-4.
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
by bonesjackson on Dec 30, 2009 3:58 PM CST up reply actions
Read Bipolaroid's post a little closer, he mentions Seymour as a possible FA signing.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Not saying cassel is Tom...
But am I the only one that noticed he basically produced the same record last season has Tom did this season with the patriots… Hmm.. Seems to me cassel can achieve with coaching and talent around him.
by Chieffan_Toby on Dec 30, 2009 3:08 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Prove it... Don't just speculate...
Cassel has proof.. Thus making him more of a sound Investment… Maybe u should go back up to where u ripped that poster for his lack of blogging abilities… Because urs a are
certainly not shining at the moment.
by Chieffan_Toby on Dec 30, 2009 3:14 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Excuse the typo please and don’t make that means of your attack.
by Chieffan_Toby on Dec 30, 2009 3:15 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Toby - if I could I would
I’d have had Croyle in as starter for the last 4 games this year to prove or disprove one way or another
as far as speculation goes, that’s all we have from Haley regarding “competition” and “best player at the position” … pure speculation and no “proof”
thanks for your significant and enlightening contributions to the discussion
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
Please
tell me ONE thing that croyle has done in his career to show that he even deserves another chance at being our qb
His wife is kinda hot.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
by BigRedChief on Dec 30, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
badassz - Croyle did alright in the Balt game, the first game after a new offense had been installed, new playbook, new system, new terminology
Croyle has a far better arm, stronger and more accurate than Cassel … Croyle has better pocket presence than Cassel and does NOT get that “deer in the headlights” look the way Cassel does … Croyle also makes his defensive reads faster than Cassel
so really, there’s no reason NOT to put Croyle out there … he’s better in every way
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
He
looked ok in that game until the end and if my memory serves me correctly we were down by a td and had the ball and croyle cracked under the pressure of trying to lead the team down for a tying td and he folded like a cheap card table. If I remember correctly we didnt even gain a single yard on that drive and ended up turning the ball over
Brodie in the first 3 qtrs and Cassel closes out the 4th. Play to both strengths!
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
by BigRedChief on Dec 30, 2009 5:41 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Tell me one thing #7 has done
You can’t say #7 doesn’t have the right players to be successful but Croyle ever has. Croyle is also a year younger than #7.
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
by bonesjackson on Dec 30, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
the thing about playing croyle in the last few games of the season
is that it proves nothing, except to the fans. if pioli and haley see something they don’t like in croyle then why wast games that can be used to give cassel experience just to satify a handfull of fans. i say handfull, because, while i’ve heard a fair number of cassel haters, only about half of those actually believe that brookie should be given more time as starter.
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
Upamtn, I got into one of these discussions a few weeks ago.
Hang in there brother! Don’t expect anybody to come around though. lot’s of Croyle haters.
1970 - I hear ya, Brother
nice to know that some of us would like to see true, open competition … as it should be, IMNSHO
and if they’d given Croyle the last 4 games to start and he DIDN’T pan out, I’d be out there saying Croyle sucks, too … but that’s just it: Pioli/Haley haven’t given the guy a chance (this year) … they ran Cassel out as The Next Big Thing … which would be great if he WAS, but he’s shown little to prove he’s anything but a backup
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
I am not sure But I think Croyle is a FA after this season
The CBA might change that but if Croyle had started and proven valuable, it might have actully favoured Croyle’s contract negotiation more than the Chiefs. Now maybe Croyle is resigned and we do have a competition because both are signed longer term options. Who knows. But I imagine that a team or two will be interested in kicking the Croyle tires this off-season if he does go FA.
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Dec 30, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions
I dont hate
croyle he is just not good and is not a nfl qb imo , we wasted the last 3 years trying to MAKE him our franchise qb and he couldnt even beat out huard for the starting spot that shows how good he is
no ... Croyle was the starter but was injured ... that's when Huard went in, just as he did when Trent Green got hurt the previous year
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
your right we should start croyle this week
and after the 2nd play when he gets hurt, cassel will be right back in there
he hasnt proved anything this year
he has 3 wins with on offensive line thats 1 of the worst in the nfl, receivers who cant catch a cold, and a defense that gives up over 200yd/game rushing
you keep saying have open compitition, they didnt bring cassel in for that. do you think the vikings should have open compition when they brought favre in there, no he was brought in to be the starter period
now im not comparing cassel to favre, but you get the point
I don't hate Croyle
What I am saying is Cassel has PROOF he can work….for example New England. Brody doesn’t.. Simple enough… No hatrid. Why gamble? Every snap is expierence matt needs with this team good or bad.
by Chieffan_Toby on Dec 30, 2009 3:30 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Toby - fair enough, as far as it goes
but it’s not a “gamble” for a 3-8 team (as we were a few weeks ago) that’s going NOWHERE to stop and reassess what they have … realistically … had they run Croyle out for the last 4 games, sure, we might have lost … wait, we did! so … what’s there to gamble? what is there to lose?
and think of what might have been … suppose, just suppose, Croyle had gone out and played lights out … like that would be a BAD thing???
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
Just to argue....
…say that scenario did happen. Say Croyle starts those games and sucks it up all over the field. Then how big of a clowns do Haley and Pioli look like?
Giving Brodie a fair shake or not, I just can’t imagine Pioli or Haley benching a guy who gives us a better chance at winning. I just can’t. The competitor in them, that made them successfull in the first place, would be screaming to get out. I just can’t believe they would give Cassel the nod just because he is “their boy”.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Red - that's my point: they won't and don't give Croyle the chance ...
… even though Croyle MIGHT give us a better shot at winning and he MIGHT be better than Cassel … so they go with Cassel and lose, again and again
they won’t, because if he DID do well, they’d look foolish … and we can’t have THAT now, can we?
that would be like starting LJ instead of Charles … oh, wait … never mind
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
i just dont get it
what in watching any of brodies games makes you think he is better then cassel. HE HAS NEVER WON AN NFL GAME! enough said
banshee, one more time with feeling, just for you
Croyle has a far better arm, stronger and more accurate than Cassel … Croyle has better pocket presence than Cassel and does NOT get that "deer in the headlights" look the way Cassel does … Croyle also makes his defensive reads faster than Cassel
any questions? good …
enough said!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
more accurate....
cassel 59.3
croyle 57.7
cassel 39tds 28ints
croyle 8tds 8int
cassel 6600 career passing yards
croyle 1600 career passhing yards
and if you look at croyle funny he gets hurt and is out for 6 weeks
oh yes i see what your saying he is much better then cassel
by banshee_01 on Dec 30, 2009 4:10 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
ok
Cassel – 14 starts
Brodie – 1 start
This will only go round and round. It’s just not apples to apples and it never will be.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Brodies passer rating week 1- 116
Cassels highest passer rating this season in any game.-106.
Brodies completion % week 1-66%
Cassels completion % Season-59%
Also, it MUST be taken into account that in week 1 this offense was only 2 weeks old. Brodie played against one of the best defenses we played this year AND, he didn’t have 1) Jamal Charles running the ball or 2) Chris Chambers to throw to. He also didn’t have the benefit of a MUCH improved O-line. He made some great plays in that game and looked like a more mature QB than he has in the past.
No matter what you think of him, Brodie has played very well in limited time. In his short amount of field time he HAS looked better than Cassel. His stats actually support that fact. I don’t like stats so, to me, he just LOOKS better out there. More confident, quicker release, better accuraccy. He does at the very least LOOK like the better qb of the 2.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 4:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
rec'd and props on a good comment, 1970
too bad more people can’t see the truth for what it is, thanks for spelling it out clearly
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
Brodie: Year 3 with the Chiefs - Cassel: Year 1
Brodie has had two full seasons to look great for 1 game this year. Cassel has looked good in a few this season and he is in his first year with the Chiefs and 2nd as a starter. Let’s not throw Matt from the ship just because this season hasn’t turned out the way we all wanted.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Red - not so fast, my friend
those other 2 years, Brodie was in a different system (not to mention he was injured and didn’t play much) … Matt, on the other hand, played all of last year … in the sense of actual playing time (not with this set of players) Cassel has had far more experience on the field (and thus SHOULD look far better)
not throwing him under the bus or off the ship … just saying, as you (or someone) noted earlier … I’d like to see what Croyle has, I think he has more tools than Cassel and since it was a lost season of evaluation anyway, why not
cannoli, huh? yum!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
you could also use the argument
that croyle has worked with these receivers before and knows their habits.
UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p
Yup.
Shit for WRs and shit for an O-line…The ENTIRE time he has been a Chief. Playing in a Herm Edwards offense hasn’t helped him a damn bit either.
Brodie hasn’t had a fair chance in this sytem with this WR corps and this O-line. It’s a MUCH better situation than it was under Herm.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 31, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
BTW
I’m not trying to throw Cassel under the bus. I’m simply disappointed with his play. I would like to know for sure that the best QB is the one on the field.
I truly hope Cassel can turn out to be the man because the future of this team is counting on it. He IS the chosen one or, the “sacred cow” so, he needs to step his game up and prove that he is worthy of the confidence that Halioli has in him.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 9:11 PM CST up reply actions
Croyle one start, Cassel ELEVEN starts ... and three wins ...
truly awe inspiring! yes indeed, he must be the Greatest QB Of All Time, yup, no question about it!!! Cassel is better than Montana and Elway and Manning and Marino … there is not a single QB in the world better than Matt Cassel!
congratulations, banshee, I am now TOTALLY CONVINCED that Cassel is the answer to all things Chiefs … he’s the best QB since Unitas, he’s the best thing since sliced bread!
your stats are CONCLUSIVE and can leave NO DOUBT that Matt Cassel is the BEST QB EVER!!!
(excuse me, my psychiatrist is calling)
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
did i ever say anything close to that in anything ive posted on here
no all Im saying is Cassel is a hell of alot better qb then Brodie I have never said he is the best qb ever.
Well then I take back my post....
….banshee can beat that horse as much as he pleases. I wouldn’t want anyone telling me I couldn’t look at brunettes with big breasts…..
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Red - that's the spirit! open discourse and freedom of expression for all ...
… as far as I’m concerned, banshee can beat a horse, a rabbit, a goldfish … banshee can beat anything he wants, it’s fine by me …
… but I still disagree with him
Happy New Year, Red!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
plus if croyle is so good
i dont think that 2 different coaching staffs would have him sitting on the bench
he has had his chances over 4 years to be a starter and he cant do it.
Croyle has the tools that I think upamtn likes in a QB....
….I think he wants to see Brodie given the oppertunities that Cassel has gotten this year. Agree or disagree the argument is there and he has displayed some good points.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
But they will continue to look like fools if we keep losing....
….I don’t think Croyle fixes the problems around the QB position… or the position itself. If you were to suggest drafting a promising young QB (there are lots that will be dropping this year) then I would be all in. We have seen Brodie perform and he isn’t the fix.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
I would love for Croyle to do well..he's a good kid
But personally it would be a set back for cassel to miss games.. just my opinion.
agreed
i mean i get the argument to start him and all but we should work with cassel because he has the best potential to be a nfl qb and a leader on this team… croyle has had enough chances. but he does make a good backup qb like matt leinert in arizona
Really nice post Jon....
….sorry that the main core of it was lost in the Cassel/Croyle AP madness (that I am guilty of contributing to). I for one read the whole artical and agree with several points. Thanks.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
John--I respect much of your work
but this really reads like standard AP-commenter fare. Part of it is the format (the “letter to the GM” is so…bloggy), part of it is the style (laying out “expectations,” as if the fan as any authority at all), but worst of all it just lacks any real underlying analysis (which you ARE good at).
You didn’t give us anything we don’t already know, just a mishmash of recycled sports talk radio slogans.
See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp
It is worth noting that in your closing, you said, "I don't speak for all of the Chiefs' fan base."
but then you signed it:
Sincerely,
The great fans of the Kansas City Chiefs
c’mon man.
See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp
Thanks for the feedback
I spent the past few weeks doing an analysis of the offense, defense, special teams, and coaching staff, so I wanted to find a way to weave that into some kind of a wrap-up. I should have included those links, which had a lot more substance. I agree that the wrap-up on its own is just mish-mash.
But the main reason I chose a letter format was I thought it would be a clever way to also blend in some thoughts on my mind about the general impatience of the fan base for results. I wanted to convey the idea that we fans can’t pretend our front office is perfect, but we also can’t expect them to get it all right in that short a period of time. I think based on comments, you can kind of see a little bit of that tug-of-war.
Maybe a little hokey, but just wanted to try something different. Again, thank you for your feedback.
This comment meant more to me than your entire article!
I love how you defend your thoughts and mix it up with the crowd. Cool stuff. In particular, I think this post, expanded to show why the average fan is wrong about Haley, Pioli, and Cassel would be one worth reading.
If you hadn’t raised my expectations so high over the past year(s), I wouldn’t have said a word, but you really are one of the best Chiefs writers.
See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp
I would not
sign this letter if it were something that was sent to 1 Arrrowhead Drive.
I do agree with some points but disagree with others too much. I agree we need to get Haley some help as far as coaching. I think we need a new OC and DC. I’m glad he didnt mention replacing Haley because its wayyyy too early to make that decision. Haley is coaching 1 of 3 types of players. Young and Inexperienced..prone to rookie mistakes and the like. And guys who have nothing to offer us, who are only here because we have to fill out the roster, and 3..the Veterans brought in to “show the young guys how to win”. Now I agree with bringing in guys like Toomer, Engram, Goff, Vrabel and Thomas..some of them may not have been around long, or produced much, but the knowledge they brought to the team is priceless.
#2..I disagree with the “self evaluation” in 1 way and that is Matt Cassel. Cassel has had good and bad moments, on a bad team. You cant evaluate him fairly with the blitz/pass rushes he has faced, with receivers dropping so many passes. I admit that yes..he has a problem overthrowing the ball, especially on deep routes. But Cassel is a young QB and we DO have time to wait around on him. Our team is bad. Another season of watching Cassel is fine and if he doesnt show much during next season, then I agree its time to move on. I dont think theres any 3 years wait on Cassel in the works. If he doesnt show improvement..or regresses next season, I think hes on the edge of being pushed out of KC. People have been highly critical of him and some of the blame needs to be placed elsewhere. Go take a look at his interceptions. How many of them were poorly thrown vs. catchable/tipped passes?
Re: Cassel
Petey, by no means am I giving up on Cassel. But if we don’t bring in legit competition at QB and Cassel isn’t the answer, we set this franchise back a few years. If you want a long-term QBOTF, you have to wait one year to draft him, hope you have the draft position to do it, spend about 2 years grooming him and preparing him to become better, etc…. If Cassel ends up tearing it up in the preseason and early season in 2010, then you have a good problem to have—you have a franchise QB and a backup QB you can either wave around for trade value or keep as an emergency QB.
Why does it set the QB a few years to wait on the decision? #1) if Cassel isn’t the answer in early 2010, you can use the second half of the 2010 to immediately give a young QB reps; #2) by 2011, your QB is one year of coaching and practicing into the evaluation process; #3) when you don’t have competitive options, you often aren’t as quick as you should be to cut the cord on the starter when you realize he’s not the guy.
Cassel could be the guy, but he has a lot to prove before we can label him as that guy. And I would argue that he’s really done nothing in 2009 to build that case.
I disagree that having two good quarterbacks is a good problem to have.
Can anybody name the last team that actually had two good quarterbacks (and we all knew they were both good at the time)?
See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp
Croyle
he weighs 195lbs.. He had injury issues at ’bama. he is to fricking frail to be QB.. He has to be able to take the big hits… Croyle is to frail. Cassell will be very good QB next year. His judgement is impaired while running for his life. Hopefully that all changes this weekend… OH GOD just let us win against the Jackasses
by BBell78 on Dec 30, 2009 5:50 PM CST via mobile reply actions
The Croyle subtext to this thread only illustrates the general inability of our average fan to make sound judgments and quality analysis.
It’s not even up for debate. Same exact crowd was rooting for Tyler Thigpen to start over Cassel as well. It’s comical at this point.
See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp
by Justin Bopp on Dec 30, 2009 5:55 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Well sorry for expressing opinions. Isn't that what this is all about?
I have argued for Cassel this entire post but had I been on the other side I don’t think that means we as fans have an “inability” to make sound judgements. The only thing you have contributed to this post is criticizing the author for “standard AP-commenter fare”. Give me a break.
Here is a quality analysis: You need to complain about your own subtext to this thread as it has nothing to do with this thread. We get it you’re smart, we’re stupid, your Dad can beat up our Dads.
Here is a sound judgement from an “average fan”: If you don’t like it, stop reading it. If you don’t agree with it then don’t post on it. You haven’t contributed a thing to this thread. So go illustrate your general inability to relate to the average fan and share your sound judgments and quality analysis with someone who cares.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
LOL
I really didn’t mean to hurt your feelings bro.
See Data Differently.
beyondtheboxscore.com | Twitter: @ justinbopp
Didn't hurt my feelings, you insulted me and everyone on this blog....
….In reading your post I felt that you were attacking the very thing that makes this blog great, the fans. Above average, below average, bandwagon, fairweather we all come to this blog to get information and discuss said information on the one thing we all have in common, the Chiefs. The tone of your post seemed to me to be like you were stepping over all of us in the gutter with your nose in the air. Passion is what drives us as fans, no matter how we express it, and to be dismissed as “average” or not able to make “sound judgements” is just plain insulting.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
+1 red
That was a very generalizing statement. To say that those of us who want to see Croyle get some play in the “garbage time” of the season are incapable of making sound judgments is ridiculous. Also, regarding Thigpen, it is VERY well noted around here how I feel about Thigpen so, that doesn’t ring true either.
BTW: to=too.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 9:06 PM CST up reply actions
PUT IT UP
I will put my name on it. now is the time for the fans to have a voice . lets stand up and make the front office know we mean it.
by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Dec 30, 2009 8:55 PM CST reply actions
PUT IT UP
Do it like the fans wanted Holmes record, “Holmes record”, and not 2.7! I think screw feelings, and if 90% of everyone feels the same Send It!
by kriscrossley1977 on Dec 31, 2009 11:30 AM CST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Ahmad Bradshaw says Cowboys won’t win with Tony Romo at QB
- Cruz: Manningham’s Super catch wasn’t drawn up that way
- Whitney Houston performed the greatest national anthem in sports history (video)
- Justin Tuck visits New York City cop who survived gunshot wound to head
- The Giants won the ‘Brain Bowl,’ too
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
