Whitlock: Chiefs’ All-Pro guard Waters wants out of Kansas City

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs’ All-Pro guard Waters wants out of Kansas City
By JASON WHITLOCK
The Kansas City Star

Chiefs Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters asked the organization Thursday to release or trade him this offseason, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Waters asked for his release two days after a brief meeting with new head coach Todd Haley and after being told by first-time general manager Scott Pioli that he had no interest in meeting with Waters, the source said.

Waters, according to the source, was offended and shocked by the arrogance of Haley and Pioli. Waters’ meeting with Haley and follow-up phone conversations confirmed in the nine-year vet’s mind that the negative reports about Haley that he heard from Arizona Cardinals players while at the Pro Bowl were accurate, according to the source.

The Cardinals players told Waters and tight end Tony Gonzalez that Haley, Arizona’s offensive coordinator, was aloof, condescending and ignored by veterans, the source said. Anquan Boldin, Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald Jr. — Arizona’s offensive stars — were all members of the NFC Pro Bowl team.

Haley could not be reached for comment Thursday night. Haley bickered with Boldin and Warner during the NFC championship game. And when he was an assistant with the Cowboys, Haley had several run-ins with flamboyant receiver Terrell Owens.

The source said when Waters informed Haley of his desire to relocate, Kansas City’s coach scolded Waters and indicated that the Chiefs would not release Waters from his contract. Waters signed a seven-year contract extension with the Chiefs in 2005. Waters, a four-time Pro Bowler, is 32 and would seemingly have decent trade value.

Waters declined public comment on Thursday.

He is the second high-priced Chiefs offensive star to ask for his release. Running back Larry Johnson has repeatedly asked to be let go. All-pro tight end Tony Gonzalez expressed disappointment when coach Herm Edwards was fired and has stated he will take a wait-and-see approach with the new regime.

Waters’ dissatisfaction is surprising given his reputation as a locker-room leader and his dedication to the organization. Waters is heavily involved in charitable activity in the Kansas City community and was a finalist for the NFL’s 2008 Man of the Year Award.

According to the source, Waters flew to Kansas City specifically to meet with Haley and Pioli and hear their plan for the direction of the organization. Pioli declined to meet with Waters, saying they had nothing to discuss, the source said. And Haley began his hallway conversation with Waters by proclaiming that 22 players off the street could win two games, the source said.

Waters considered his options Wednesday, flew to Dallas and then tried reaching owner Clark Hunt and Pioli before telling Haley on Thursday that he felt their differences were irreconcible, the source said.

Waters joined the Chiefs in 2000 and became a starter in 2001.

[Hootie]

I don't know if I really like the fact our GM and coach think they are that much bigger than the players...it's unnecessary if you ask me.

[orange]

Originally Posted by baitism

I don't think you are quite understanding my point, so lets put it this way.

I am a teacher, and I am also a basketball coach. I have coached my team to 2 state titles in 4 years, but my students are doing terrible in class and my teaching evaluations are horrid. So should I get fired? Because, after all, I am a teacher first; coaching is secondary.

Much like Waters off the field things are secondary to his primary job, being a football player.

Again, if Waters sucks on field, why hasn't Pioli simply released him?

My impression is he'd be out the door if he wasn't earning the money.

[Mecca]

This doesn't surprise me Waters was the first guy out after Herm was fired with "the success this team has in the future is because of Herm Edwards"

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by Hootie

I don't know if I really like the fact our GM and coach think they are that much bigger than the players...it's unnecessary if you ask me.

At this point, we really don't know if this is the case. We have only heard half the story.

Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. (something my dad used to say)

[The Buddha]

Originally Posted by baitism

I don't think you are quite understanding my point, so lets put it this way.

I am a teacher, and I am also a basketball coach. I have coached my team to 2 state titles in 4 years, but my students are doing terrible in class and my teaching evaluations are horrid. So should I get fired? Because, after all, I am a teacher first; coaching is secondary.

Much like Waters off the field things are secondary to his primary job, being a football player.

[POLITICAL]

With the way things are these days, you'd be given a raise if you took your team to two state titles. You'd probably be BY FAR the highest paid teacher in the school.

[/POLITICAL]

[Mecca]

Waters was one of the biggest supporting mouth pieces for the past regime this shouldn't be surprising.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by orange

• Is a spokesperson for the Chiefs breast cancer awareness campaign.

HOF!

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Waters was one of the biggest supporting mouth pieces for the past regime this shouldn't be surprising.

When he started that, he lost alot of respect from many of us...

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by Hootie

I don't know if I really like the fact our GM and coach think they are that much bigger than the players...it's unnecessary if you ask me.

That's the other part of this. The team sucked, but 22 players off the street would not have won two games. Twenty-two players off the street could not have defeated the Lions.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

That's the other part of this. The team sucked, but 22 players off the street would not have won two games. Twenty-two players off the street could not have defeated the Lions.

You could take the AFC Probowl team and Herm would struggle to win 9 games a year with them...

You give a good coach 22 warm bodies and they will win a football game or two.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

You could take the AFC Probowl team and Herm would struggle to win 9 games a year with them...

You give a good coach 22 warm bodies and they will win a football game or two.

Not in the NFL. Those guys would need some talent.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

Not in the NFL. Those guys would need some talent.

I cant argue that, but you can see where coaching can overcome marginal to minimal talent and someone wins a game or two..

But you can also see where a coach like Herm actually hurts the talent and causes them to be less effective that normal....

[The Buddha]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

Not in the NFL. Those guys would need some talent.

I'm thinking someone like the Cyclones last year would have gotten PWNED by the Lions.

But, if you're talking NFL-quality walk ons, like players that just don't QUITE make teams, then we totally could have won a few games with really good coaching.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I cant argue that, but you can see where coaching can overcome marginal to minimal talent and someone wins a game or two..

But you can also see where a coach like Herm actually hurts the talent and causes them to be less effective that normal....

I don't think Haley has proven enough to make that comment. He comes across like twenty-two random people off the streets of downtown KC could win two games. That's wrong.

[baitism]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

I don't think Haley has proven enough to make that comment. He comes across like twenty-two random people off the streets of downtown KC could win two games. That's wrong.

Only if they played the Chiefs twice...