Pioli says Chiefs can turn around after 0-2 start

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Pioli says Chiefs can turn around after 0-2 start
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star




Like seemingly much of Kansas City, general manager Scott Pioli is more than a little stunned by the Chiefs’ 0-2 start.

But Pioli said Tuesday that his confidence in the Chiefs is not shaken and he remains convinced the Chiefs can still make something of their season.

“If any one of us knew what the answer was, we wouldn’t be sitting where we’re sitting right now,” Pioli said. “But I also don’t think it’s the end of the world. We have 14 games left. We’re certainly digging a hole but it’s not something we can’t get out of. Everyone within the organization is disappointed in the results so far. We’re all surprised because I don’t think any one of us went into the season thinking we would be 0-2. I don’t think any of us anticipated that.

“(He expects the Chiefs) to improve, get better and start winning some games in whatever order that is. Those are my expectations, but I want to be clear those are mine and our expectations. I think those are the players’ expectations, the coaching staff, the fan base. Our expectations at the beginning of this year were that we were going to be winning games. Right now, we haven’t done that. (But) we’re two games into a 16-game season.”

The Chiefs are one of six 0-2 teams in the NFL, but they weren’t close to winning either game. Their scoring differential of minus-34 points is second-worst in the league behind only Tennessee.

As the general manager, Pioli built the roster. Asked whether he was guilty of overestimating the abilities of some of the Chiefs’ players, Pioli said, “We think the roster is good enough. I think it is. Now it comes down to executing. We improved this team through free agency and did quite a bit of spending to improve this team whether it was contract extensions or the signing of other players. Time will tell if it was enough. I think it was.”

Regarding their spending, figures supplied by the NFL Players Association showed the Chiefs to have more than $26 million in available room under the league’s salary cap. Pioli said he didn’t regret not using more of that available cap space when the Chiefs built their roster.

“I think there are things we did do that helped this football team,” Pioli said. “I also know for a fact that this year alone we’re spending over $141 million in cash this year. That’s more than $20 million over the cap.

“It’s been proven time and time again that there’s not a direct correlation between spending cap dollars and winning. There’s not.”

Pioli said the Chiefs would need to allocate some of their available 2012 salary cap space toward the 2013 cap. He didn’t provide 2013 cap figures, but his comments indicate the Chiefs might otherwise be snug against the cap next season.

“We had better have cap room this year to roll over for next year to make sure we’re (in good shape),” Pioli said. “(Using available salary cap space) is not a year-by-year, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants thing.

Pioli during the offseason also hired Romeo Crennel as head coach, promoting him from defensive coordinator. Crennel finished last season as the interim coach. The Chiefs went 2-1 in those games and fell just short of making the playoffs and completing a dramatic turnaround.

Crennel remains the defensive coordinator this season as well. But the poor play of the Chiefs’ defense is a big reason for the 0-2 start. They have allowed 75 points, which is tied for worst in the league.

Asked whether Crennel was the right coach to direct the Chiefs out of their hole, Pioli said, “Absolutely he is. I think he’s doing a good job. I really do.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/18...#storylink=cpy

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The point isn't Carr vs. Routt, it's writing a pair of $25 million dollar checks in the form of guaranteed money to both Carr & Bowe.

The mere fact that this didn't happen proves that Clark Hunt is cheap, regardless of "cash spent".

Not paying Carr and finding an almost-as-good replacement for cheaper is exactly what a good GM is supposed to do. Now you can bitch all day about not spending that money on something better - but you can't tie up that much money in your secondary.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Not paying Carr and finding an almost-as-good replacement for cheaper is exactly what a good GM is supposed to do. Now you can bitch all day about not spending that money on something better - but you can't tie up that much money in your secondary.

First off, there's no such thing as the salary cap. It's a guide, not a hard cap.

Secondly, drafting and developing solid to great players is the cornerstone to becoming and sustaining great franchises. Letting Carr walk just proved that money is more important that team building.

Especially when Matt Cassel and his $63 million dollar contract is still in town.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by The Iron Chief

We aren't who Pioli thinks we are.

He doesn't know what he doesn't know.

I never thought it would be possible for the Chiefs to hire a GM who had his head FURTHER up his ass than Carl Peterson did his last 5 seasons here, but Pioli takes the shit cake.

If what Teicher says is true, and Pioli does not draft a quarterback next season, Arrowhead will be a ****ing ghost town.

The good news is, if Clark is a dumbass and retains Pioli for year 5, our non-division opponents for next year:

Washington
Philadelphia
Houston
Dallas
New York
Indianapolis
Tennessee
Jacksonville

He will be exposed two years in a row as an utter ****ing imbecile.

Shit, maybe the Titans, Jags and Colts can improve enough and really help us out.

[New World Order]

Everyone needs to face the facts, we are an extremely poor man's version of the Dallas Cowboys, without the capable qb

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I don't feel that way.

Ideally, we need to see an epic collapse by CASSEL, and we need the rest of the team to play well.

There are plenty of players on this team that i feel are, and should be, major contributers to this team. An epic collapse would mean that those players aren't who we thought they were, and that the team would need to be rebuilt from top to bottom AGAIN.

I don't feel like waiting another 3-4 years.

I'd much rather RaC figure it out, the D figure it out, and Cassel shit his pants and force his way off the starting lineup.

In other words, we need our defense to play solid and Cassel to shit the bed.


17-6 losses every week would do it

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

He doesn't know what he doesn't know.

I never thought it would be possible for the Chiefs to hire a GM who had his head FURTHER up his ass than Carl Peterson did his last 5 seasons here, but Pioli takes the shit cake.

If what Teicher says is true, and Pioli does not draft a quarterback next season, Arrowhead will be a ****ing ghost town.

The good news is, if Clark is a dumbass and retains Pioli for year 5, our non-division opponents for next year:

Washington
Philadelphia
Houston
Dallas
New York
Indianapolis
Tennessee
Jacksonville

He will be exposed two years in a row as an utter ****ing imbecile.

Shit, maybe the Titans, Jags and Colts can improve enough and really help us out.

Colts won't be an automatic win either

[Pasta Little Brioni]

No game is an automatic W or L. Do you people learn nothing watching this league over the years?

Somebody tell the Patriots that games against the NFC West don't count...

[TEX]

I'm through listening to Scott Pioli.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

First off, there's no such thing as the salary cap. It's a guide, not a hard cap.

Secondly, drafting and developing solid to great players is the cornerstone to becoming and sustaining great franchises. Letting Carr walk just proved that money is more important that team building.

Especially when Matt Cassel and his $63 million dollar contract is still in town.

Exactly! They had the cash to spend. But they chose to field a lesser quality player in order to save money. While ignoring that same mindset with regards to players Pioli hand picked.

That's about all you need to see to identify the priorities of this team...

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

He doesn't know what he doesn't know.

I never thought it would be possible for the Chiefs to hire a GM who had his head FURTHER up his ass than Carl Peterson did his last 5 seasons here, but Pioli takes the shit cake.

If what Teicher says is true, and Pioli does not draft a quarterback next season, Arrowhead will be a ****ing ghost town.

The good news is, if Clark is a dumbass and retains Pioli for year 5, our non-division opponents for next year:

Washington
Philadelphia
Houston
Dallas
New York
Indianapolis
Tennessee
Jacksonville

He will be exposed two years in a row as an utter ****ing imbecile.

Shit, maybe the Titans, Jags and Colts can improve enough and really help us out.

The Titans and the Colts will, but as long as our GM is still there we won't be doing shit either. If Gene Smith is fired after this season then yes there will be a very noticeable improvement.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Exactly! They had the cash to spend. But they chose to field a lesser quality player in order to save money. While ignoring that same mindset with regards to players Pioli hand picked.

That's about all you need to see to identify the priorities of this team...

So far, Routt hasn't been bad at all.

I'm not even sure it's even a downgrade at all.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by BossChief

So far, Routt hasn't been bad at all.

I'm not even sure it's even a downgrade at all.

It's a little difficult to tell since the defense looks like 11 monkeys in a washing machine.

FAX

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by FAX

It's a little difficult to tell since the defense looks like 11 monkeys in a washing machine.

FAX

[OnTheWarpath15]

Pioli thinks the roster is good enough.

Good enough.

Two words I never want to hear from the mouth of the GM of a professional sports team.

Good enough equals doing the bare-bones minimum.

Good enough equals adequate.

Good enough equals mediocre.

Good enough equals nearly 20 years without a playoff win.



I played organized football from Age 7 through HS. Was offered to play small college ball but an injury derailed that opportunity.

I LOVE FOOTBALL. Always have.

But this franchise is draining my love for the game out of me.

And that pisses me off.

[Crush]

Pioli needs to contract AIDS as soon as possible.