Mid-Term Evaluation: Grading Scott Pioli

[Nightfyre]

Please provide your grade of Scott Pioli through the first two and a half years of service, along with some insight about why you graded him so.

Mine:

Changes in Head Coaches:
Firing Chan Gailey - B - It was a no-brainer. Keeping him on in the capacity of an offensive coordinator was somewhat of a mess, but maybe they got some intel out of him they otherwise wouldn't have.

Hiring Todd Haley - B - I like Todd Haley. I think he has the capacity and balls to bring us to the Superbowl. He definitely does things his way, which is both good and bad. He is also willing to adapt as he goes.

Drafting:
2009 -
Round 1:
Tyson Jackson - (D) A 5-tech drafted at number 3 who should have been drafted somewhere around the middle of the first round. Jackson has failed to impress in his first two seasons; however, that is typical of defensive lineman as their development cycle is thought to average three years. He cannot possibly live up to his draft position.

Round 2:
Matt Cassel - (C) - Cassel has probably played at a B- level, but the huge contract he is under mitigates his play. Further, Pioli continues to stick with him despite his limited upside and time-in-service.

Mike Vrabel - (C) - provided below-average play due to his speed, but supposedly provided veteran leadership. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on that part.

Round 3:
Alex Magee - (F) - Traded to the Buc's to swap a fifth round pick for a sixth round pick two years later.

Round 4:
Donald Washington (C) - A high upside pick that just didn't pan out. I like this pick at the time. Still on the roster (they refuse to give up on him)

Round 5:
Colin Brown (F) - Didn't even make the opening season roster.

Round 6:
Quinten Lawrence (C) - Mediocre non-contributor, Currently on the Practice Squad

Round 7:
Javarris Williams - (C) - Released and subsequently signed with the Texans.

Jake O'Connell - (C) - How does this guy justify a roster spot?

Ryan Succop - (A) - What a pickup. A good kicker with the leg to become an elite one.

2010:

Round 1:
Eric Berry - (A+) - A super high upside pick with great intangibles, made the pro-bowl his first year.

Round 2:
Dexter McCluster - (C) - An undersized player they envisioned at the slot. He did win us the first game of the 2010 season, but he suffered an injury. It's hard to pin down just what McCluster will contribute. Regardless, at this point it appears unlikely to be worth a second round pick.

Javier Arenas - (B-) - He is likely a career nickel-back, which he does well and has upside at. Given the frequency with which nickel-backs are used in todays NFL, I am going to say he has potential to justify his draft position, but he will have to become pretty elite.

Round 3:
Jon Asamoah - (B+) - He is starting in 2011, and while he does not yet appear to be elite, he certainly has the potential.

Round 4:
Tony Moeaki - (B) - An elite tight-end in the making. The only caveat is that he has difficulty remaining healthy. May the lord bless us with a miracle surgeon.

Round 5:
Kendrick Lewis - (A) - A starting FS whose play in 2010 was adequate. Here's hoping he continues to improve.

Cameron Sheffield - (B) - After suffering a freak neck injury in 2010, we finally get to see Sheffield this year. He appears to be a moderate-upside player.

2011 Draft:
Round 1:
Jonathon Baldwin - (B+) - A top ten talent/athlete with character questions and a skill-set in severe need of an overhaul. Drafted near the bottom of round 1. His measurables are off the charts. He is slightly bigger than Larry Fitzgerald and as athletic. He must improve his attitude, his route-running, and his ability to break off press coverage. Amazing Hands. I hope this kid pans out, because I see Larry Fitzgerald upside.

Round 2:
Rodney Hudson - (B) - A highly-touted guard/center, but slightly undersized. Based on the preseason he is going to take some polish, but another good selection based on the information we have now.

Round 3:
Justin Houston - (B+) - A first round talent who dropped due to a failed drug test. He appears to have elite upside based on what we have seen thusfar.

Allen Bailey - (B+) - Another highly talented individual who appears to have elite upside.

Round 4:
Jalil Brown - (B) - Appears to have the stuff to make it as a number 2 corner, based on what we've seen thusfar.

Round 5:
Ricky Stanzi - (B) - Appears to have a better skillset and arm than Cassel, but we do not have a sufficient sample to draw any conclusions yet.

Round 6:
Gabe Miller - (C+) - Currently on the IR. I have not seen him play yet.

Jerrel Powe - (B) - Appears to have quite the upside for a nose tackle. Many would have been happy to see him drafted in round four, let alone six.

Round 7:
Shane Bannon - (C) - Currently on the practice squad.

OVERALL DRAFTING GRADE: B
I added less weight to the first draft given the timeframe in which Pioli was added.

Notable Free Agents:
2009:
Jovan Belcher - An UDFA who appears to have high upside as a MLB.
Terrence Copper - Special Teams player

2010:
Casey Weigman - A veteran with good presence in the locker room. Played well early in the season but lost too much weight/steam in the second half to be effective.

Thomas Jones- A veteran presence in the lockerroom, probably responsible for us maintaining Charles (an oft overlooked point.) On the other hand he did break our first round picks hand.

Ryan Lilja - A great pickup at Guard. A starter with some miles left on him.

Shaun Smith - An awesome pickup on the defensive line. He moved on to the Titans but provided one of his best years to KC.

Mike Brown - Lost too much speed to be effective.

Jerhame Urban - Still has a roster spot anyway.

2011:

Steve Breaston - Appears to be a solid addition, currently starting opposite Bowe.

Kelly Gregg - Hopefully he can show Powe the ropes. no one is sure how much he has left in the tank.

Steve Piscitelli - Safety depth, sort of.

Brandon Siler - Appeared to be a terrific pickup until he hit the IR.

Keary Colbert - Has a roster spot. Maybe he can show some of his old magic.

Le'ron McClain - An all-pro FB should provide excellent improvement in the short yardage running game, an area sorely missed last season.

Free Agency Grade: B-
We have added some players, however I would say Pioli has only done a slightly above-average job thusfar acquiring talent through free agency.

Pioli's overall grade: B

He has substantially improved the roster and the coaching staff. However, he has a long way to go to bring us to the Bowl.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by chris

Lame

Tell me why we're here then. Are we all just supposed to be cheerleaders. Put on your skirt, missy, and go back to the sidelines.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

I can honestly see that happening with this schedule, and this QB. But, even at 7-9, it is heading in the right direction with all this young talent.

IMO 7-9 is not heading in the right direction (barring unforeseen injuries).

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

I can honestly see that happening with this schedule, and this QB. But, even at 7-9, it is heading in the right direction with all this young talent.

If this team has as much talent as some of you claim (not specifically you, Ed) this team should win at least 9 games.

You can't ignore the schedule in 2010 and then use it as an excuse in 2011.

[King_Chief_Fan]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Just playing Devil's Advocate, no need for some of you to get your panties in a bunch, but...

Has he officially "turned this team around?"

What if this team goes 6-10 or 7-9 this year?

tougher schedule and growing pains with rookies cause me to think it could be as you indicated

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Just playing Devil's Advocate, no need for some of you to get your panties in a bunch, but...

Has he officially "turned this team around?"

What if this team goes 6-10 or 7-9 this year?

we have no idea what is going to happen in the future. If you take that into consideration then every grade for Pioli will be incomplete until the team actually wins the super bowl.

When Pioli inherited the team it was heading down and had won 4 games iirc. Two years with Pioli and the team is heading up and won 10 games and a division.

I consider that turning it around.

We don't know if that success will continue but this is a grade request not a prediction request.


btw i've already said the Chiefs could actually be a better team this year and end up with a worse record because of the SOS. I was hammered for it but i still believe it.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

If this team has as much talent as some of you claim (not specifically you, Ed) this team should win at least 9 games.

You can't ignore the schedule in 2010 and then use it as an excuse in 2011.

Exactly. I hate this built in schedule excuse. Good teams beat other good teams.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I hate this built in schedule excuse. Good teams beat other good teams.

This. A million times this.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

If this team has as much talent as some of you claim (not specifically you, Ed) this team should win at least 9 games.

You can't ignore the schedule in 2010 and then use it as an excuse in 2011.

The schedule was very soft last year, anyone that says different has their head buried in the sand.

Give me the NFC West every year please, 40% of the team's win total. They may not win a single game against the NFC this year, it would not surprise me.

So that right there could be the difference between 10-6 and 6-10.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

This. A million times this.

Agreed...

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

The schedule was very soft last year, anyone that says different has their head buried in the sand.

Give me the NFC West every year please, 40% of the team's win total. They may not win a single game against the NFC this year, it would not surprise me.

So that right there could be the difference between 10-6 and 6-10.

As NJ said, good teams beat other good teams.

If this team has as much talent as some people think, and are "turned around" as others think, there's no reason to win fewer than 9 games.

[milkman]

I think the talent on this roster is capable of competing with most of the teams in the league.

67% of games last season were decided by a touchdown or less.

That's one or two plays a game that decide the outcome.

This team's fortunes, as I've said numerous times, lies squarely on Cassel.

The plays he makes, or fails to make, could be the difference between 10-6 or 6-10.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Exactly. I hate this built in schedule excuse. Good teams beat other good teams.

It was not meant as an excuse, sorry you took it that way.

If you think this team is good enough, and are far enough along for the schedule not to matter, I do not. They got 4 wins last year, that could be 4 losses this year.

Are they headed in the right direction? Yes, but they are sure not elite yet.

They are not Pittsburgh, New England, San Diego, or Green Bay.

***Matt Cassel***

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

It was not meant as an excuse, sorry you took it that way.

If you think this team is good enough, and are far enough along for the schedule not to matter, I do not. They got 4 wins last year, that could be 4 losses this year.

Are they headed in the right direction? Yes, but they are sure not elite yet.

They are not Pittsburgh, New England, San Diego, or Green Bay.

the only real difference is at QB....but we're not supposed to talk about that


point is, as milkman said, this season comes down to Cassel...if he's the superstar that reerun and that weirdo pats fan says he is, then we're fine...

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Exactly. I hate this built in schedule excuse. Good teams beat other good teams.

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

This. A million times this.

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Agreed...

this is the biggest twisted piece of crap ever

'good' is an extremely relative term

Houston is a good team but saying that winning against them is the same as winning against the Steelers is just plain stupid.

every year in the NFL there are 8 or so elite teams that will get their wins no matter what. There are also around 8 crappy teams that aren't going to make it regardless. The rest of the teams in the league have their win/loss record go up and down based on SOS.

So technically yes "good teams win no matter what" but only the elite type teams.

There is huge grey area around that statement.

The Chiefs are NOT elite yet so they can still be a better team than last year and have a worse record because of their SOS.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

the only real difference is at QB....but we're not supposed to talk about that


point is, as milkman said, this season comes down to Cassel...if he's the superstar that reerun and that weirdo pats fan says he is, then we're fine...

Agreed, and as per my previous posts, I went back and put Cassel in stars on the post you quoted.

If only he could play like he did in Seattle last year, that was almost like a fantasy coming true. The team was obviously there all along, Cassel was clearly the difference.

I must admit though, he looked pretty good up in Green Bay after a couple series. Bowe was just sick though, catching everything in the general area.