What is our team identity going to be?

via www.georgeblowfish.com

Ever since Scott Pioli and Todd Haley came to the Chiefs I have been wondering when we are going to establish our identity. Last year we heard alot about the "right 53" and getting good veteran talent in to coach up our core of youth already in place from before. We brought in handful after handful of Free Agent veterans to "push" the younger guys. Some ended up sticking for the start of the season like Mark Bradley, and Sean Ryan. Others like Zach Thomas, Amani Toomer, and Ashley Lelie didn't stick. After the jump im going to explain what our 2010 team identity could be. 

Every team in the NFL has an identity, a fingerprint that is different from the next. When most people look at the Ravens they think of Ray Lewis and their defense. If its the Colts its got to be Peyton Manning and their offense. With the Cowboys its not even their players, its Jerry Jones. The 2010 Chiefs are in need of an identity. But lets back track a little, have we been without an identity the past 3 seasons? No we haven't, it just wasn't a good identity, it wasn't something that you would want to let be known. We sucked, we were horrible, we relied on old broken down players who became fan favorite because we had to cheer for someone. Our drafts didn't produce enough fruit to pay off on the field, and our coaching staff would have been put to shame by some college programs. Our teams back then had the identity and label across the NFL as losers. Do you think any kid growing up, just getting into football, would honestly look at the Chiefs from a few years ago and say "wow, I like them!" No probably not because when you are young you want to establish yourself as a winner.

Clark Hunt knew we needed to do something drastic to change the entire identity of the franchise, so in comes Pioli. After Pioli in comes Haley and the fiery approach to changed the foundation has been set. Pioli has a certain demeanor about him that I have yet to figure out. I know on here he is referred to as the "Don" and his image appears mixed with mafia, yeah its all fun and games, but look at that seriously, here is the meaning for "Don" from Wikipedia:

Don (honorific)

Although originally a title reserved for royalty, select nobles, and church hierarchs, it is now often used as a mark of esteem for a person of personal, social or official distinction, such as a community leader of long standing, a person of significant wealth, or a noble, but may also be used ironically. As a style, rather than a title or rank, it is used with, and not instead of, a person's name.

Simply put people respect Pioli. His identity is one of respect and its already leaving its mark on the entire Kansas City Chiefs organization. We drafted high quality, leaders. They may be rookies and unproven in the NFL but their track records at their colleges and hometowns are that of leaders. Hiring Pioli was key to this transformation.

This offseason we have seen a major change in identity. We snagged up Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel. Two individuals that have a knowledge of the NFL. Two individuals who have been successful in the NFL. These two men are going to leave their marks on the offensive and defensive sides respectively. They are known, respected, and thought about throughout the NFL. They are going to add to this teams presence even though they dont play. Other teams are going to look at our staff and say "okay, they got Crennel, and Charlie we have to watch out for them."

Our identity in 2010 is unknown yet. Maybe it will be that of winners, or losers. Maybe we will be bonecrushers, or a team that still cant tackle. Whatever our identity turns out to be I like the early returns, I think our identity is going to be that of a team on the rise, that you can no longer overlook. Its going to be a young team with a core of players led by well known coaches. If Pioli has any input on our 2010 identity I would think he would want this team to be respected. What do you think our identity is going to be?