Whitlock: Chiefs Need Change - Page 4

**DeezNutz** · 12-10-2006, 08:45 PM

J shows restraint b/c of Lamar's health, which suggests that his condition might be particularly grave now. But Gonzo's statement is a little surprising, as is JW's slap at Law (only b/c of his previous man crush). Proceed with the following: First good column in a long time...Hate to say I agree with (insert fat joke)...blah, blah, blah.

Ravens show why Chiefs need to make some changes
By Jason Whitlock

McClatchy Newspapers

(MCT)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - When it was over, after Kansas City football fans had been treated to three hours of undeniable proof of the Chiefs' playoff unworthiness, Brian Waters sat at his locker stall and preached that the season isn't over.

Waters is a warrior and a terrific leader, so his pronouncements didn't ring hollow.

But words cannot erase what we witnessed on Sunday. A real playoff team, the Baltimore Ravens, invaded Arrowhead Stadium, undressed the Chiefs and ended a decade-long December streak.

The Ravens abused KC's offensive line and Trent Green, torched the Chiefs' zone pass defense and ended Kansas City's December home winning streak with relative ease.

Ravens 20, Chiefs 10.

The Chiefs hadn't lost inside Arrowhead Stadium in December since 1996. Significant? Absolutely. The loss signifies that it's time for the Chiefs to go a different direction in terms of player personnel and, quite possibly, the people acquiring the personnel.

The Chiefs, the franchise that owned this city in the 1990s, have grown terribly stale.

We've seen this same act for 10 straight years. The Chiefs, 7-6, are always just good enough to make us believe that they might be able to sneak into the playoffs. Eight times out of 10 - and I mean this literally - the Chiefs aren't good enough to back into the playoffs, and they're certainly no threat to win a Super Bowl.

You're tired of it. I'm tired of it. And, when the players are being bone honest, they're tired, too.

"I wouldn't be bitter if they let me go," perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez told me when the locker room cleared out.

Gonzalez is headed for a contract showdown with the Chiefs. He's analyzed the roster, considered KC's inability to take the next step, looked at all the young ascending players who need to get paid - Larry Johnson, Kawika Mitchell, Jared Allen - and reached the conclusion that this could be a volatile offseason in Kansas City.

Gonzalez stressed that he'd like to remain in KC.

"But right now, to me, winning is more important (than staying in KC)," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez sounded the way Marty Schottenheimer sounded at the end of his 10-year run in Kansas City. For a decade, Gonzalez has given the Chiefs everything, and he's been rewarded with two one-and-done playoff seasons and eight years of false hope.

He sounded like a confident professional open to the idea of trying it somewhere else before his skills decline. Gonzalez's good friend, Shannon Sharpe, left Denver after 10 years and won another Super Bowl in Baltimore.

You can't blame Gonzalez for pondering the thought of playing in New Orleans, Seattle or Denver.

The Chiefs have a lot of holes to fill, and it's going to take plenty of cap space to fill those holes. The Chiefs need two defensive tackles, a young corner to replace Ty FLaw (and Ty, I still think you're a Hall of Famer; you just let me down this year), another linebacker, a No. 1 receiver, a right tackle, a fullback and, maybe, a new starting quarterback.

Hey, that's no shot at Trent Green, who had an awful game on Sunday. It's a statement about Green's age and where the Chiefs are headed. Herm Edwards believes Brodie Croyle is Kansas City's quarterback of the future (2008).

If that's the case, you can get a one-year, veteran quarterback cheaper than Green. Or maybe some other team - Carolina, Washington - would give up something of value for Green in a trade.

My point is the Chiefs should be open to every possibility this offseason. They don't need one or two pieces to contend. They need an injection of new blood and energy.

Today I'm not going to call for Carl Peterson to step down. Given Lamar Hunt's health situation and what the Hunt family is dealing with at this time, it's an inappropriate time to make those sorts of demands.

And maybe Carl just needs to surrender his general-manager duties. Maybe he still has value as a president and CEO. Also, I'd like to hear from Carl about why this organization has grown stale since Schottenheimer bolted.

Not even Peterson can deny that it's time for major changes in Kansas City.

Deberg_1990 · 12-10-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

The thought of a full-on rebuild really sucks to me.

Not to me. Just like Whitlock said, this organization has become stale and safe.

Its time for a serious shakeup. They have tried everything else but that and nothing has worked.

Direckshun · 12-10-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

You can't blame Gonzalez for pondering the thought of playing in New Orleans, Seattle or Denver.

Oh yes I can.

I still blame Neil Smith.

BigRock · 12-10-2006, 11:05 PM

How did Denver even get into the discussion? Like they're about to win anything?

**dirk digler** · 12-10-2006, 11:16 PM

Yep I have to agree with Whitlock and alot of people on here. Carl has to go and we need to clean house top to bottom.

Mecca · 12-10-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

I guess i'm just not ready for the R word yet. I feel like we can junk a lot of dead weight, have a great draft & pickup a meaningful FA or 2 & go with it in '07.

The thought of a full-on rebuild really sucks to me.

We aren't winning anything now...........Atleast when you are rebuilding you can point to your young talent where you'll be in a few years and your cap room........our team is just old and declining for the most part.

Otter · 12-10-2006, 11:42 PM

We just need to stop buying tickets to see this team.

No, I don't live in MO but have been there for four games over the last six years and if the Chiefs come anywhere between the Patriots out to Pittsburgh and down to Baltimore I go to see them.

(Baltimore is the coolest stadium by the way, so much in walking distance)

Peterson has proven he's not going to change while he has the revenue and isn't capable either way of much better. My last ticket was that cluster **** at Pittsburgh until Peterson is gone.

I bitched and made an idiot out of myself a lot over the last six years on this board with this team but I've never said quit.

Today is "quit" till Peterson is gone for me. You can put that in the bank.

PastorMikH · 12-10-2006, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

You can't blame Gonzalez for pondering the thought of playing in New Orleans, Seattle or Denver.

If Tony were to go to Denver I would be very, very disappointed in him. And as much as he has done in KC, if he were to go to Denver I'd feel the same way that I felt about Neil Smith getting Recognition in KC afterwards.

30 other teams out there (well, 29 'cause I'd feel almost the same about the Raiders) and there are only 3-4 TEs that come close to TE so I know 20+ teams would have interest in him if he's not F-Tagged. If he were to choose Denver, that would be worse than a slap in the face.

RedThat · 12-10-2006, 11:57 PM

I'd like to see this team keep Gonzo.

He is one of the most consistent players this franchise has had. A sure bet to go to the hall of fame imo. I still think Gonzo has a solid 3-5 years of football left in him. It will be difficult to accept if he were to go.

But, I think he is gone after this year. I hate to say that. But, if he is smart, and wants a chance to win a SB, he is better off somewhere else.

It aint gonna happen in KC. Not as long as Carl is here. He would be wise to play somewhere else.

*For those that think Green has trade value. I have to disagree. Do you really think a team out there is going to give up something for a 36 year old quarterback?

PastorMikH · 12-11-2006, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBull

*For those that think Green has trade value. I have to disagree. Do you really think a team out there is going to give up something for a 36 year old quarterback?

We have.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 12-11-2006, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBull

I'd like to see this team keep Gonzo.

He is one of the most consistent players this franchise has had. A sure bet to go to the hall of fame imo. I still think Gonzo has a solid 3-5 years of football left in him. It will be difficult to accept if he were to go.

But, I think he is gone after this year. I hate to say that. But, if he is smart, and wants a chance to win a SB, he is better off somewhere else.

It aint gonna happen in KC. Not as long as Carl is here. He would be wise to play somewhere else.

*For those that think Green has trade value. I have to disagree. Do you really think a team out there is going to give up something for a 36 year old quarterback?

Green is worth a 3rd-4th Rounder to a team like Washington. That's about it. I think McNair sucks, but he only warranted a 4th rounder to a desperate Baltimore team. We probably can't get much more for an older Green coming off a major injury, even though he is clearly a better QB.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 12-11-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

If Tony were to go to Denver I would be very, very disappointed in him. And as much as he has done in KC, if he were to go to Denver I'd feel the same way that I felt about Neil Smith getting Recognition in KC afterwards.

30 other teams out there (well, 29 'cause I'd feel almost the same about the Raiders) and there are only 3-4 TEs that come close to TE so I know 20+ teams would have interest in him if he's not F-Tagged. If he were to choose Denver, that would be worse than a slap in the face.

Agreed. Tony going to Denver would be just as big of a stab in the back as Neil Smith's defection. Both would (or are...to me) unforgivable.

Chan93lx50 · 12-11-2006, 12:33 AM

Shitty thing is if we rebuild after this year we are leaving the rebuilding process up to HERM??????

mcan · 12-11-2006, 01:13 AM

So....

Anybody out there wish had given Al Saunders a chance to make this team a SuperBowl contender before the door shut on the offense?

I sure do...

BenC1357 · 12-11-2006, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcan

So....

Anybody out there wish had given Al Saunders a chance to make this team a SuperBowl contender before the door shut on the offense?

I sure do...

No. Because we would have lost far more games, many in the fashion that we lost in Cleveland. That's just a guess, but a pretty safe one if you ask me.

It is time for Carl to go, but I don't see the Hunts firing him. He'll be here until his contract is up. That, or I guess there is a possibility that if Lamar passes away Clark could come in with the ax.

I think I may be in denial, mostly because I fear the idea of "rebuilding", but it might be time to completely overhaul the roster. It's a risky thing to try. Some teams go into long slumps, something I'm not too thrilled about.

BigRock · 12-11-2006, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcan

So....

Anybody out there wish had given Al Saunders a chance to make this team a SuperBowl contender before the door shut on the offense?

I sure do...

What would Saunders have accomplished that Vermeil couldn't all those years? Does Al have magic defense-fixing beans? And didn't the door close when Roaf retired?

12-10-2006, 08:45 PM
DeezNutz PermaBanned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Jouissance Casino cash: $10011570	Whitlock: Chiefs Need Change J shows restraint b/c of Lamar's health, which suggests that his condition might be particularly grave now. But Gonzo's statement is a little surprising, as is JW's slap at Law (only b/c of his previous man crush). Proceed with the following: First good column in a long time...Hate to say I agree with (insert fat joke)...blah, blah, blah. Ravens show why Chiefs need to make some changes By Jason Whitlock McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) KANSAS CITY, Mo. - When it was over, after Kansas City football fans had been treated to three hours of undeniable proof of the Chiefs' playoff unworthiness, Brian Waters sat at his locker stall and preached that the season isn't over. Waters is a warrior and a terrific leader, so his pronouncements didn't ring hollow. But words cannot erase what we witnessed on Sunday. A real playoff team, the Baltimore Ravens, invaded Arrowhead Stadium, undressed the Chiefs and ended a decade-long December streak. The Ravens abused KC's offensive line and Trent Green, torched the Chiefs' zone pass defense and ended Kansas City's December home winning streak with relative ease. Ravens 20, Chiefs 10. The Chiefs hadn't lost inside Arrowhead Stadium in December since 1996. Significant? Absolutely. The loss signifies that it's time for the Chiefs to go a different direction in terms of player personnel and, quite possibly, the people acquiring the personnel. The Chiefs, the franchise that owned this city in the 1990s, have grown terribly stale. We've seen this same act for 10 straight years. The Chiefs, 7-6, are always just good enough to make us believe that they might be able to sneak into the playoffs. Eight times out of 10 - and I mean this literally - the Chiefs aren't good enough to back into the playoffs, and they're certainly no threat to win a Super Bowl. You're tired of it. I'm tired of it. And, when the players are being bone honest, they're tired, too. "I wouldn't be bitter if they let me go," perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez told me when the locker room cleared out. Gonzalez is headed for a contract showdown with the Chiefs. He's analyzed the roster, considered KC's inability to take the next step, looked at all the young ascending players who need to get paid - Larry Johnson, Kawika Mitchell, Jared Allen - and reached the conclusion that this could be a volatile offseason in Kansas City. Gonzalez stressed that he'd like to remain in KC. "But right now, to me, winning is more important (than staying in KC)," Gonzalez said. Gonzalez sounded the way Marty Schottenheimer sounded at the end of his 10-year run in Kansas City. For a decade, Gonzalez has given the Chiefs everything, and he's been rewarded with two one-and-done playoff seasons and eight years of false hope. He sounded like a confident professional open to the idea of trying it somewhere else before his skills decline. Gonzalez's good friend, Shannon Sharpe, left Denver after 10 years and won another Super Bowl in Baltimore. You can't blame Gonzalez for pondering the thought of playing in New Orleans, Seattle or Denver. The Chiefs have a lot of holes to fill, and it's going to take plenty of cap space to fill those holes. The Chiefs need two defensive tackles, a young corner to replace Ty FLaw (and Ty, I still think you're a Hall of Famer; you just let me down this year), another linebacker, a No. 1 receiver, a right tackle, a fullback and, maybe, a new starting quarterback. Hey, that's no shot at Trent Green, who had an awful game on Sunday. It's a statement about Green's age and where the Chiefs are headed. Herm Edwards believes Brodie Croyle is Kansas City's quarterback of the future (2008). If that's the case, you can get a one-year, veteran quarterback cheaper than Green. Or maybe some other team - Carolina, Washington - would give up something of value for Green in a trade. My point is the Chiefs should be open to every possibility this offseason. They don't need one or two pieces to contend. They need an injection of new blood and energy. Today I'm not going to call for Carl Peterson to step down. Given Lamar Hunt's health situation and what the Hunt family is dealing with at this time, it's an inappropriate time to make those sorts of demands. And maybe Carl just needs to surrender his general-manager duties. Maybe he still has value as a president and CEO. Also, I'd like to hear from Carl about why this organization has grown stale since Schottenheimer bolted. Not even Peterson can deny that it's time for major changes in Kansas City.
Posts: 47,521

12-10-2006, 11:05 PM	#48
BigRock Pritay Pritay Pritay Good Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The State of Euphoria Casino cash: $3215412	How did Denver even get into the discussion? Like they're about to win anything?
Posts: 6,785

12-10-2006, 11:16 PM	#49
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3034644	Yep I have to agree with Whitlock and alot of people on here. Carl has to go and we need to clean house top to bottom.
Posts: 66,392

12-10-2006, 11:57 PM	#53
RedThat Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Casino cash: $10004900	I'd like to see this team keep Gonzo. He is one of the most consistent players this franchise has had. A sure bet to go to the hall of fame imo. I still think Gonzo has a solid 3-5 years of football left in him. It will be difficult to accept if he were to go. But, I think he is gone after this year. I hate to say that. But, if he is smart, and wants a chance to win a SB, he is better off somewhere else. It aint gonna happen in KC. Not as long as Carl is here. He would be wise to play somewhere else. *For those that think Green has trade value. I have to disagree. Do you really think a team out there is going to give up something for a 36 year old quarterback?
Posts: 6,666

12-11-2006, 12:33 AM	#57
Chan93lx50 Veteran Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Casino cash: $10004900	Shitty thing is if we rebuild after this year we are leaving the rebuilding process up to HERM?????? __________________
Posts: 1,847

12-11-2006, 01:13 AM	#58
mcan Apr 13,1949 – Dec 15, 2011 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $9996085	So.... Anybody out there wish had given Al Saunders a chance to make this team a SuperBowl contender before the door shut on the offense? I sure do...
Posts: 3,761

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