The Pioli Way
We've all heard about the vaunted "Patriot Way". As the 2009 Draft is now in the books, let's not lose sight of what Pioli has brought to KC.
"The Patriots way starts with hard work and discipline and creating a culture where everyone is on the same page, everyone knows their role, everyone believes in the system and everyone does their job. That’s the core of the Patriots way. Everyone will know their role and know their job.”
This draft has put these principles front and center. As I see it there are three parts to the "Patriot Way" and I'll outline them and how Pioli has put this into practice this year.
Principle # 1 - Hard Work, Discipline and Culture of Unity:
This first principle has been on display from almost the beginning of the Pioli-Haley Era. From Coach Haley telling the team during the mini-camp that (paraphrasing) "You can't afford to get stupid when you are tired" to the run-in with Brian Waters (No one is greater than the team), hard work and discipline will be expected.
The culture of unity will come as the foundation has been laid with the first mini-camp. While it's hard to say, the trade of Tony Gonzales will ultimately contribute to this culture as well if for the simple fact that the security blanket is gone and the others on the offense will have to step up.
Principle # 2 - Everyone Knows Their Roles:
This starts with defining roles and skills. This also meshes with Principle #1. This begins with the GM and Pioli understands this well.
“The mission of this football team, and the direction is to build a football team. We built a team in New England, and we’re going to build a team here. My job is not to collect talent, it’s to build a team. Individuals make Pro Bowls, teams win championships. That’s our goal here. Win championships, win football games - to build this team with the right kind of people, with the right kind of players, to consistently compete for championships. We’re going to build a big, strong, smart, fast, tough, disciplined football team and we’re going to do that by going out and finding big, strong, smart, fast, tough, disciplined football players. It sounds very simple and hopefully in certain ways, it will be.”
“This is going to be a very methodical process in building this football team, and we’re going to start from the ground up and build a foundation, move ahead, and touch every part of the football operation. The patience that I know Clark has told me he’s going to show it going to be rewarded.
The GM and the Coaches have to determine what roles and skill sets are needed for their systems. Here are two minor examples (slips of the tongue I would say since there is so much secrecy around Arrowhead) of roles and skills within the new Chiefs systems:
Defense and 4th rd pick Donald Washington. Coach Haley answered the question about Washington's potential impact this way:
He’s had inside experience, playing inside over the slot which is easy to talk about but takes unique guys. They have to have the skills and they have to have the intelligence to play in there because it takes someone who understands what’s going on. He’s played it; he’s shown he’s a confident player inside over the slot and has the physical ability.
Offense and Bobby Engram. Many people have complained about how we've upgraded the WR's but the following quote from Haley is very telling:
"He’s very good at what he does as a slot receiver," said Haley, who once coached receivers for the Jets and Bears and Cowboys. "We don’t really have anybody on campus that is that inside receiver, so to speak. That’s a big thing for the offenses I’ve been involved in. Torry Holt has obviously made a lot of hay outside the numbers as an outside receiver. In trying to fill the holes, (slot receiver) was a need."
With the secrecy surrounding the systems the Chiefs intend to play, it will be very difficult for the media and even fans to get a good idea of how players fit. Most were shocked this weekend by a couple of our picks early especially since we didn't choose to address the O-Line before the 5th round. Note what Kent Babb had to say on April 20:
- Pioli's close eye on the offensive line. I just don't think that, more than 20 years after his final snap as a college lineman, Pioli is still so interested in watching an NFL line that he hovers around it for at least three practices. Pioli was measuring everything during the three practices reporters were allowed to attend this weekend, but no unit got his attention quite like the offensive line. He stood uncomfortably close at times, not talking to anyone or smiling, and carrying with him a notepad and pen. It's possible that Pioli was sizing up exactly what the Chiefs have -- and likely finding out it's not as much as most NFL teams would like.
The offensive line got most of his attention and yet his major focus in the draft was the D-Line. A lot of us and me included have assumed that the O-Line needs major renovating, Pioli obviously see it a little differently and probably in the light of what system they are planning on running.
Principle # 3 Everyone Believes in the System and Does Their Job.
The Patriot Way system is not just the 3-4 defense and the spread offense. It's the whole package. Haley addressed this overall concept after the first mini-camp on April 17:
“There’s an art to practicing efficiently and fast. This is going to be an up-tempo deal. There’s an art to getting done what you need to get done as a player technique-wise but, at the same time, not being out of control because the first tendency is the adrenaline gets running and guys get out of control and then there’s a pile on the ground and then you’ve got problems.”
Pioli and Haley are already doing their jobs. Keep this in mind the next time you read a critics view of our draft or offseason. They are looking at it from a flashy point of view but remember these are also prognosticators who don't lose too much when their wrong but they also don't have three Super Bowl rings.
Here's to the start of a great Season and beyond.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
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Excellent post.
I especially agree with principle #2, and I think it’s lost on some people. Not every player is meant to be a star, but you can find guys who play a role and do their job extremely well. They can be unsung contributors and are the ultimate team players who help bring your team to the next level. Put them all together and they are smaller pieces to a bigger puzzle, and as they say, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
In New England, I think Kevin Faulk is a great example. I don’t think the guy has ever been to a Pro-Bowl, and he’s not mentioned with the likes of a Tom Brady or Richard Seymour when talking about “marquee” players on the Pats, but he’s been around forever and does it all for us. Excellent at picking up blitzes and pass protection, always reliable to convert on crucial third downs (whether he’s taking a hand-off or catching passes), can return punts if needed, and is a heads-up player (one instance comes to mind immediately – 2007 vs. the Ravens, Tom Brady has just been intercepted after Wes Welker tipped a piss in the air. Ed Reed is looking to take it to the house, and out of nowhere comes Kevin Faulk to strip the ball away and give the Pats the ball back).
You can bet that Pioli is looking for these type of players to fill your roster.
Nice to see you around again KCGold
I guess that pickup of Tyson Jackson made you realize that KC really is NE circa 2001, with our own Richard Seymore and everything. Deciding to join the party early so you can say you were pulling for the Chiefs all season long when we hoist that Lombardi trophy in less than a year?
Ha!
You can do your best New England impersonation all you want, there’s no way the Chiefs beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Just keep Mr. Pollard away from Tom Brady ;)
+1
NESilver thank you for all your posts.
IMO we need to stop trying to convert you and just accept you for a Patriots fan.
you don't have to win and you don't need to fight. Supertramp
This is really good, well thought out post.
Good reminder after the draft of what Pioli is bringing to KC. He is not just talking, we are actually starting to see results in his actions and the moves they have made. The more I look at picks like Washington, the more I am excited about his potential. They all may not contribute this year, but they targeted players that should be able to do some special things down the road.
And
One of the most overlooked aspect of our free-agent signing and late-round draft-picks that we added to the team is their ability to contribute on special teams, which weren’t very special last year. Mark my word, this year we will win the field position battle on special teams, and that is not an option with Pioli. All these guys we got so far this off season will either start or contribute immediately on offense, defense, or most likely, special teams. Yes, they will be special this year!
Great post
just made my optimism post look like it belogedas a comment on this.. Rec’d
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Pioli really knows what he's talking about.
I just can’t see how this guy is a possible fluke as some are saying.
The draft supports what he’s saying. He’s looking to build a winning TEAM…he’s not interested in selecting superstars unless they fill a vital role.
Individuals go to pro bowls, while teams win championships, but the two are not mutually exclusive concepts. KC could’ve done much better than Tyson effing Jackson.
by burntorangehorn on Apr 28, 2009 11:04 AM CDT reply actions
No... we couldn't
a 5-technique is the lynchpin, the glue that holds the 3-4 defense together. The 5-tech is even vital to the success of the 4-3 Under scheme. Tyson effing Jackson was the BPA for our scheme and filled the most difficult to staffing void along the front 7.
I totally agree
Jackson not only addresses a need, but I think he is a hell of a football player, as well as a great person. He will do well on the field and off.
He wasn’t much of a football player in college, that’s for sure.
by burntorangehorn on Apr 30, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions
No, nose tackle is the fulcrum of the 3-4. The 5T end is not. It is vital to the success, but a 5T end is one of those positions that does not come at a high premium like QB, LT, etc. People said Curry would have to be pretty amazing in order to justify spending the #3 overall pick on an outside linebacker, but in fact a 5T is an even less premium position than outside linebacker. Furthermore, I don’t know if you caught a whole lot of LSU, but the guy wasn’t exactly a standout there.
by burntorangehorn on Apr 30, 2009 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Are you so sure of that?
No games have been played yet this year, so I say let the results be the answer to that. I suspect you also think sexy and draft pick have to be a mutually INCLUSIVE concept in order for it to have been a good pick? Check history and see how many “sexy” or “can’t miss” picks turned out to be busts, and how many non-sexy or even non-drafted people that the so-called experts whiffed on made it big. Last year, all the experts gave us at least an “A” for the draft because of all the big names drafted. Tell me, how did that go for us last year? Something like two wins, maybe? I don’t know Jackson or any other picks the Chiefs made, and I don’t know the “experts” either. But I do know that it takes more than a sexy pick, or a high draft grade to make it happen on the field. It takes football players. And I believe the Chiefs picked up a few of those in the draft. They will do their talking on the field. THEN we can grade them.
Who said anything about sexy? What did I suggest that would’ve been sexy? I just don’t want to see KC reach and pay dearly for an overrated defensive lineman who couldn’t even produce (impact, not statistics) much at the collegiate level.
by burntorangehorn on Apr 30, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Burntorangehorn~
I do not blame ya for stating your opinion, you really believe that crapola you post in response tho~?
Well considering the backasswards long horns, I really think ya do believe in that crapola you spout~
Ol' Kansan' Chief
You’re extremely clever.
What “crapola” did I post? Just because I’m realistic about things doesn’t mean my opinion is crapola. Criticizing questionable decisions isn’t crapola. As for the supposed backasswardness of the Longhorns (it’s one word, not two), might you indulge me with an example of it?
Perhaps, but then, neither he nor I did.
by burntorangehorn on May 5, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

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