Chiefs Whitlock: Pioli’s ego may get in way of building a winner

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-26-2009, 11:30 PM

Pioli’s ego may get in way of building a winner
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

There’s a huge difference between ego and confidence.

Self-importance (ego) prevents a person from seeing the value in others. Self-confidence empowers a person to seek out the value in others.

Some of you keep asking me why I’m troubled by my belief that Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli has a massive ego. You argue that my ego is out of control and therefore it’s inappropriate for me to judge Pioli.

It would be a waste of my time to dispute your perception. It would be the equivalent of me engaging the white and black people who alternately complain that I hate white or black people.

Regardless of the size of my ego, I’m a sports columnist, not a general manager or coach. It’s not my job to inspire other men and women to do their best work. This column is a solo act. I get paid to tell people what I think.

Pioli is paid to be a leader of men. Guys with massive egos generally fail at leadership.

In my time here, the Chiefs were blessed with two talented, self-confident coaches — Marty Schottenheimer and Dick Vermeil. And, of course, the Chiefs had a general manager, Carl Peterson, with a rather large ego.

Marty had a good 10-year run and left. Vermeil built a great offense, won 30 of his final 48 regular-season games and left after five years. Schottenheimer and Vermeil gave it their best shots and had the self-confidence to move on and let someone else coach the Chiefs.

Peterson hung on here for 20 years. He had to be forced out.

A gigantic ego is a character flaw when it comes to building a team. It’s generally a sign of weakness, insecurity and a lack of qualifications.

Charlie Weis’ feeling of football superiority just might cost him his job at Notre Dame. He had all the answers when he hit South Bend. College football has humbled him. During the three-year stretch before this season, Weis lost so many games that Irish fans longed for Gerry Faust.

Weis, like Pioli, gained a big reputation riding Bill Belichick’s considerable coattails.

I want Pioli to succeed. Far more people read my column when the Chiefs are in a playoff race than when they’re circling the toilet drain. I have no interest in a long-running feud with Pioli. A reenactment of King Carl vs. Ball State’s Finest would be boring and predictable. Plus, I wrote several columns championing Pioli for the job. I don’t need another Ty Law.

But I’m not going to sugarcoat what I see.

From the moment he arrived, Pioli has conducted himself in the most egotistical fashion imaginable. He set a tone for the entire organization that is, in my opinion, counterproductive to winning.

He and Todd Haley mishandled Brian Waters, bullying the Pro Bowl guard for no real reason. Last week on WHB (810 AM), former Chief Tim Grunhard complained about the way the new regime has alienated many of the former players, making them feel unwanted. Within the walls of the security-enhanced Arrowhead Stadium offices, a culture of fear and intimidation permeates the cubicles. The separation of the business side and football side of the Chiefs makes the Kansas basketball and football teams seem like best friends.

And you’ve previously read my complaints about the rules and regulations restricting media access to the team.

Some of you might argue that this is just the typical growing pains of new leadership. I disagree. OK, some of you might argue you don’t care about any of this as long as the Chiefs win.

What I’m trying to warn you is that all of the Mickey Mouse garbage has a good chance of standing in the way of winning.

All of these Belichick cronies (Weis, Crennel, Mangini, etc.) leave New England believing they know all the secret keys to building a winning environment. So far, Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons general manager, is the only one proving he can export Belichick’s success.

Dimitroff drafted Matt Ryan, who looks like a young Tom Brady.

I respect Belichick and all that he has accomplished. But Brady was the key to New England’s dynasty. The Patriots lucked into the most fearless QB in league history. Belichick supported him with a terrific defense (and signal stealing).

Properly coached, motivated players win football games. FBI-like security, CIA-like surveillance and Rush Limbaugh-like bluster do not give a team a competitive advantage on Sundays.

I’m concerned Pioli isn’t focused on the right things. His ego might be getting in the way. Was acquiring Matt Cassel and giving him a $60-million contract a sound football decision, or was it an example of Pioli servicing his own ego? Was Pioli trying to prove he discovered Tom Brady twice?

As I always do, I’m going to react and adjust to new information. I’ve yet to reach a final conclusion about Pioli. Nine months in, I’m unimpressed.

09-26-2009, 11:30 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $642813	Whitlock: Pioli’s ego may get in way of building a winner Pioli’s ego may get in way of building a winner JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY There’s a huge difference between ego and confidence. Self-importance (ego) prevents a person from seeing the value in others. Self-confidence empowers a person to seek out the value in others. Some of you keep asking me why I’m troubled by my belief that Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli has a massive ego. You argue that my ego is out of control and therefore it’s inappropriate for me to judge Pioli. It would be a waste of my time to dispute your perception. It would be the equivalent of me engaging the white and black people who alternately complain that I hate white or black people. Regardless of the size of my ego, I’m a sports columnist, not a general manager or coach. It’s not my job to inspire other men and women to do their best work. This column is a solo act. I get paid to tell people what I think. Pioli is paid to be a leader of men. Guys with massive egos generally fail at leadership. In my time here, the Chiefs were blessed with two talented, self-confident coaches — Marty Schottenheimer and Dick Vermeil. And, of course, the Chiefs had a general manager, Carl Peterson, with a rather large ego. Marty had a good 10-year run and left. Vermeil built a great offense, won 30 of his final 48 regular-season games and left after five years. Schottenheimer and Vermeil gave it their best shots and had the self-confidence to move on and let someone else coach the Chiefs. Peterson hung on here for 20 years. He had to be forced out. A gigantic ego is a character flaw when it comes to building a team. It’s generally a sign of weakness, insecurity and a lack of qualifications. Charlie Weis’ feeling of football superiority just might cost him his job at Notre Dame. He had all the answers when he hit South Bend. College football has humbled him. During the three-year stretch before this season, Weis lost so many games that Irish fans longed for Gerry Faust. Weis, like Pioli, gained a big reputation riding Bill Belichick’s considerable coattails. I want Pioli to succeed. Far more people read my column when the Chiefs are in a playoff race than when they’re circling the toilet drain. I have no interest in a long-running feud with Pioli. A reenactment of King Carl vs. Ball State’s Finest would be boring and predictable. Plus, I wrote several columns championing Pioli for the job. I don’t need another Ty Law. But I’m not going to sugarcoat what I see. From the moment he arrived, Pioli has conducted himself in the most egotistical fashion imaginable. He set a tone for the entire organization that is, in my opinion, counterproductive to winning. He and Todd Haley mishandled Brian Waters, bullying the Pro Bowl guard for no real reason. Last week on WHB (810 AM), former Chief Tim Grunhard complained about the way the new regime has alienated many of the former players, making them feel unwanted. Within the walls of the security-enhanced Arrowhead Stadium offices, a culture of fear and intimidation permeates the cubicles. The separation of the business side and football side of the Chiefs makes the Kansas basketball and football teams seem like best friends. And you’ve previously read my complaints about the rules and regulations restricting media access to the team. Some of you might argue that this is just the typical growing pains of new leadership. I disagree. OK, some of you might argue you don’t care about any of this as long as the Chiefs win. What I’m trying to warn you is that all of the Mickey Mouse garbage has a good chance of standing in the way of winning. All of these Belichick cronies (Weis, Crennel, Mangini, etc.) leave New England believing they know all the secret keys to building a winning environment. So far, Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons general manager, is the only one proving he can export Belichick’s success. Dimitroff drafted Matt Ryan, who looks like a young Tom Brady. I respect Belichick and all that he has accomplished. But Brady was the key to New England’s dynasty. The Patriots lucked into the most fearless QB in league history. Belichick supported him with a terrific defense (and signal stealing). Properly coached, motivated players win football games. FBI-like security, CIA-like surveillance and Rush Limbaugh-like bluster do not give a team a competitive advantage on Sundays. I’m concerned Pioli isn’t focused on the right things. His ego might be getting in the way. Was acquiring Matt Cassel and giving him a $60-million contract a sound football decision, or was it an example of Pioli servicing his own ego? Was Pioli trying to prove he discovered Tom Brady twice? As I always do, I’m going to react and adjust to new information. I’ve yet to reach a final conclusion about Pioli. Nine months in, I’m unimpressed.
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