Something Different

After lurking here all season I'm going to take a shot at a post. My views are likely to be very controversial.

1. Pioli is the right man for the job.

Carl Peterson teased the fan base for 20 years. Yes, he revived a moribund franchise bringing Marty in, but his body of work other than that is abysmal ( as in number of playoff wins). If not for the loyalty of the late Lamar Hunt, he'd not have lasted that long.

Does the fan base really want more of the same? Why keep trying to shuttle free agents in and out to prop the thing up? Grow your own says I.

Pioli erred bringing in Haley. Perhaps he thought Todd could develop into a head coach. If so it appears that Haley required more mentoring and development than Pioli was either willing or capable to provide. Or, Haley was too stubborn to accept it However, Haley did not have to accept the offer to come here. If he let his ego get in the way of doing his due diligence about just WTF he was getting into, then shame on him. And double shame on a presiding head coach whining to the press about some mysterious phone calls. I don't care what what was going on, you don't do that and it may very well be that that one slip may cost him his carreer. I hope not.

Scott Pioli came from a high level position in what is arguably the most successful franchise of the last 15 or so years. If he can replicate only 75% of that success we should all jump for joy. Folks, the Chiefs were really in the tank when he got here. If he wants to instill accountability and integrity what's wrong with that? So he's not warm and fuzzy. You want warm and fuzzy spend a weekend with you grandma.

2. Babb's piece was a pathetic attempt at an exposé.

My bias....The Star is a rag and best suited to line a bird cage. When I saw the ' Anxiety ' piece on the front page of an a Sunday edition my gut reaction was that the Star must be hungry for circulation. I found it to be a lame attempt at sensationalism. If the organization was fat and needed to be reorganized to build a results oriented culture then so be it. Of course there will be bitterness when things change after a 20 year reign of mediocrity. It is normal for people to be distressed about being held accountable if they never were.

Taking another shot at the Star, I noticed Mellinger writing this last Sunday about how difficult it must be for the Chiefs to hire an OC because of the working conditions at Arrowhead. Are you kidding me? This is an OC dream job! You have a head coach who will also run the defense. The OC gets to run his own show! Turn the damn thing over to Dabol and let it rip.

3. We don't know enough about Cassell yet.

I'm neither a supporter or a detractor. All I know is that the first year was a disaster with a stressed out HC doing double duty and no real help. Year 2, with a quiche schedule, a little OC help and a breakout year from a couple playmakers and he goes to the Pro Bowl. In year 3 the wheels come off the whole thing.

Objectively, that's where it is. I've read all the criticism. I'm not sure all of it is justified. For me, I'd have to go back and study the video of every game to make a reasonable judgement. How much time was there after the snaps? What kind of separation were the receivers getting? Where was the ball being placed in terms of catchability? How many dropped catches and on and on.

That stated the expectation must be one of significant improvement in his play should he be the starter this season. If he needs to throw 200 balls through a tire every day then so be it. If he needs to work on his release then he needs to do whatever it takes to make significant improvements in any area that is a weakness. If he does not show real improvement on all areas of his play this year, then by all means call for his head. We'll know after the first two games. And for Pete's sakes have a competent backup ready.

4. Sign Carr let Bowe go.

I like the notion of the "right 53" and that teams win Superbowls while players go to the Pro Bowl. I don't think Bowe fits within the framework that is trying to be built. Yes, he's tough to tackle and has good YAC. For me though the dropped passes negates the occasional highlight grab. And, isn't there just the sense of an attitude problem? Don't be surprised if he's not around this year. I won't gnash my teeth if he's not. I'm very confident a suitable replacement will be found.

Carr is a different story. Let's keep this secondary intact and build on a developing strength.

5. Please, Scott and Clark don't think for one minute about bringing Peyton here.

For starters, what makes you all think he would come to KC if, and it is an if, the Colts and he part ways? Secondly who in their right mind would sign a 36 year old with his physical problems. From what I've read that one nerve hasn't regenerated. And whose to say on his first game he doesn't get slammed good and it's goodnight again.

6. Don't mortgage the farm on RG3

Seriously. Trade a bunch of high picks for a gamble?. Really?. Where is it written that he is a sure thing?. Well, he's exciting, eh? So what? Vick's exciting, Tebow's exciting, yada, yada. I'll take boring and three consecutive division titles. Let's take a pass on this one for now.

Folks, this is not going to be the same type of organization. Clark is not his father though one has to believe he wants nothing more than to hoist the trophy bearing his name. Pioli didn't come here to fail. If the openness isn't what it used to be that should be the gripe of the press and it will be because they need dirt, controversy and other fodder to write or talk about. For me, it's all about progress and results.

Lastly every Chiefs player should have it engrained about what it takes to win the big dance. Three key plays made the difference in Indy. Welker and Hernandez drops and Manninghams catch. Every play counts if you want it all.

Oh. One more thing....that ad with the guy in his tighty whites really was way too funky.