Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt on Expectations, GM Scott Pioli, QB Matt Cassel

Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt hosted a fan forum for season ticket holders along with the 'Voice of the Chiefs' Mitch Holthus.

Basically, season ticket holders were allowed to ask Mr. Hunt questions on a conference call.   It's worth a listen, which you can find at the KCChiefs.com player. 

Here are a few of the more interesting questions.

What do you realistically want to hope to see from the team in 2009?

"I want to see improvement. I want to see that really in every phase of the game.  Last year we struggled, specifically on defense.  So, I think we'll be looking to see the defensive side of the ball improve. 

"We also were weaker than we would have liked on special teams.  I think from the the preseason you can tell that we made some progress in those areas.  Now it's up to coach Haley to get the offense going.

"Certainly what he accomplished with Arizona, and his time in Dallas and his other stops along the way in the NFL, I have every confidence in his ability to make that happen.  I think we're also going to see a team that's very well conditioned and one that will not give up no matter the circumstances.  They'll play hard to the whistle on every play."

What is the status of Matt Cassel?

"I think that's a question that's on the mind of every Chiefs fan, myself included.  I think it's widely known that Matt did practice on Monday. 

"We're not going to, at this point, disclose his status for this weekend.  And that's really by design and something that I hope our season ticket holders can understand.  We want to try to not help the Baltimore Ravens as they prepare to play the Chiefs. 

"And even if we did know the answer as to whether Matt will be available this weekend, it's not something we would want to share at this point. 

"When we get to Wednesday,which is the day NFL teams have to disclose their injuries, we will disclose his status for the game.  But, we want to keep the Baltimore Ravens guessing for as long as we can."

Who is the next Chiefs player are next to go into the Hall of Fame?

"We're fortunate to have a fairly lengthy list of candidates here over the next several years.  If I had to pick a couple of players from the modern era, I might mention Willie Roaf or Will Shields.  

"But, I think also in terms of a Senior inductee, like Emmitt Thomas a year ago, we've got our fingers crossed for Johnny Robinson or Otis Taylor. I think both of those men would be very deserving of being enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

"We've been fortunate to have a Chief go in the last two years, I think as we move forward we're going to see a number of players from the modern era as well as the Super Bowl era inducted as well."

On putting together a leadership group with Scott Pioli:

"The sports business is largely a people business.  I feel, to be successful and have a chance to reach our goal of realistically competing for a championship, the most important thing I could do is have the best leadership group in the National Football League.  

"The first move in that regard was bringing in Scott Pioli as our general manager.

"At the time I hired him I think I said I felt he was the finest executive in the National Football League.  And now, eight or nine months later, I feel exactly the same.  He has more than lived up to my expectations.  

"He's somebody I would describe as all substance.  One of the most hard working individuals I've ever been around.  Somebody who is extremely knowledgeable.

"He truly is an excellent evaluator of football talent.  He's somebody who doesn't push all that responsibility on someone on his staff.  He seeks input from his staff but at the end of the day relies on his judgment.

"The changes I've seen on the roster over the short period he's been here tells me we've got the right guy."