Teicher: Chiefs seem adrift while Raiders ride momentum

[Eleazar]

Chiefs seem adrift while Raiders ride momentum

Adam Teicher
ESPN Staff Writer



KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The most notable event of the week for one AFC West favorite came when the Oakland Raiders signed their franchise quarterback, Derek Carr, to a five-year contract extension.

The most notable event of the week for the division's other top contender came when the Kansas City Chiefs announced -- one month before the start of training camp -- they were looking to hire a new general manager.

Talk about a tale of two franchises. Carr and Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie were all smiles at Friday's news conference to announce the quarterback's contract. Carr, even though he's now the highest-paid player in NFL history, talked about his desire to leave some money for teammates who are also due for a raise. McKenzie talked about his desire to get that accomplished.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs hid behind a prepared statement that didn't explain their reasons for letting go of general manager John Dorsey.

In Oakland, they have a plan. With Carr signed for the long term, McKenzie and the Raiders are free to secure some of their other good, young players such as linebacker Khalil Mack, offensive lineman Gabe Jackson and wide receiver Amari Cooper.

In Kansas City, the Chiefs don't have a plan or if they do, they need a better one. Looking for a GM with training camp looming should never be a part of the script.

The week's developments in Oakland and in Kansas City won't necessarily determine the course of the AFC West race in 2017 and for years to come. They will make things more difficult for the Chiefs, who tied with the Raiders at 12-4 last season but won the AFC West title because they swept the two games against Oakland.

Both teams until recently looked as if they had sustainability. The Raiders have many good, young players and the financial resources to keep them around for a while. The Chiefs are well coached by Andy Reid and his staff and also have a talented roster that was being continually restocked because of Dorsey's smart drafting. The Chiefs in April drafted Patrick Mahomes II, perhaps giving them an eventual franchise quarterback of their own.

Suddenly, it's natural to wonder about the Chiefs, who don't look as if they're being guided by any well-thought-out plan. Early in June, they released their most accomplished and experienced wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin, two years after signing him as a free agent.

Now, after discussing a contract extension with Dorsey earlier in the offseason, they're looking for his replacement. That task is more daunting given the mixed results from chairman Clark Hunt in hiring GMs. Dorsey was a good hire. The previous general manager, Scott Pioli, was not.

Hunt needs to get this one right. The Chiefs have to keep up with their rivals in Oakland, who have a general manager, money to burn and a smart plan.

The Chiefs, for the moment, have none of the three.


http://www.espn.com/blog/kansas-city...-ride-momentum

[Rasputin]

Jack Del Rio is Norve Turner only defense than offense.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by splatbass

You have no information to base "looks like a Reid power grab" on, yet you still said it.

That's why I said 'looks like'. If there were anything defnitive, it would be be a much more firm claim.

[Rasputin]

I don't think it was an Andy Reid power play he has no reason to have a power play he is in with Clark like Flynn NTTAWWT

However and this could be key. Is it possible that it was Dorsey making a power play for what ever reason I have no idea? That still doesn't make since because it was suppose to be a three headed monster King Ghidorah esq with both heads report only to Clark. They were suppose to be equal so nothing makes since of anything and that's where we are. Because C H U E F S

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

That's why I said 'looks like'. If there were anything defnitive, it would be be a much more firm claim.

Based on all we are hearing, what are the options that are actually plausible?

1. Hunt and Dorsey were at an impasse over money on his contract so Hunt fired Dorsey... now, for some reason. (official story)
2. Hunt and Dorsey had a personal falling out
3. Reid and Dorsey had a personal falling out, Reid won the power struggle, convincing Hunt that he couldn't work with Dorsey any longer.
4. Combination of the above

Nothing else really makes sense.

To me, #1 doesn't make sense because Hunt could have let Dorsey remain through the season while continuing to work on a deal, and he probably wouldn't have let the top candidate league-wide in Ballard get away if he knew Dorsey was going to be a problem. And if a deal really was impossible with Dorsey, he'd have been much smarter to move on in January not in June.

#2 is possible, but it doesn't seem like the Hunts, who were devoted to Carl Peterson and Scott Pioli even with their toxic personalities for about twice as long as they should have been.

#3 makes sense given the crazy timing of the decision and the fact that Reid was extended immediately.

#4 might be true, but all of those reasons are pretty weak individually if you say it took all of them to make 'a combination of things'. It does not seem like a Hunt move quickly come to the decision to fire the general manager with the season about to begin because of a combination of non-fireable things.

I can only think it was #3. Nothing else makes a lot of sense.

[FloridaMan88]

Teicher's article conveniently overlooks the part about the Raiders being in a lame duck status for the next two years until they move to Las Vegas.

That would seem to be the definition of "adrift".

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I'm not a Andy Reid guy but think he is the best coach in the division and far out superior over Jack Del Rio.

Pretty much.

As mentioned this isn't going to have a huge impact on the field this year. We'll probably promote some fill-in until the offseason or whenever more guys are available.

I have a hard time seeing this as some ugly thing. Dorsey and Hunt probably wanted different things and agreed to part ways...

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Cochise

Based on all we are hearing, what are the options that are actually plausible?

1. Hunt and Dorsey were at an impasse over money on his contract so Hunt fired Dorsey... now, for some reason. (official story)
2. Hunt and Dorsey had a personal falling out
3. Reid and Dorsey had a personal falling out, Reid won the power struggle, convincing Hunt that he couldn't work with Dorsey any longer.
4. Combination of the above

Nothing else really makes sense.

To me, #1 doesn't make sense because Hunt could have let Dorsey remain through the season while continuing to work on a deal, and he probably wouldn't have let the top candidate league-wide in Ballard get away if he knew Dorsey was going to be a problem. And if a deal really was impossible with Dorsey, he'd have been much smarter to move on in January not in June.

#2 is possible, but it doesn't seem like the Hunts, who were devoted to Carl Peterson and Scott Pioli even with their toxic personalities for about twice as long as they should have been.

#3 makes sense given the crazy timing of the decision and the fact that Reid was extended immediately.

#4 might be true, but all of those reasons are pretty weak individually if you say it took all of them to make 'a combination of things'. It does not seem like a Hunt move quickly come to the decision to fire the general manager with the season about to begin because of a combination of non-fireable things.

I can only think it was #3. Nothing else makes a lot of sense.

That's likely how it turned out... as someone else mentioned, firing a HC with what Reid has accomplished in KC isn't happening and would create a revolt. Most will forget about Dorsey in 2 weeks.

[ChiTown]

Nice things..............we can't have them

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Pretty much.

As mentioned this isn't going to have a huge impact on the field this year. We'll probably promote some fill-in until the offseason or whenever more guys are available.

I have a hard time seeing this as some ugly thing. Dorsey and Hunt probably wanted different things and agreed to part ways...

I agree. I think at least for the next five years our foundation is set and if Patrick Mahomes II turns into Elite and we win a Super Bowl (s) with him then John Dorsey deserve be in CROH. Good things are coming just have to believe it.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Nice things..............we can't have them

These things happen.

It's not like there was civil war like the Chargers or Colts once had.

Sometimes mommy and daddy just don't love each other anymore...

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Oakland was a 7 win team last year without the Vegas move fueled bogus late game calls

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Rausch

These things happen.

It's not like there was civil war like the Chargers or Colts once had.

Sometimes mommy and daddy just don't love each other anymore...

Chargers and Colts.....

2 teams that have been to or won a SB in the last 25 years. We are bumping up against 50, but yeah, things do happen.....................like 47 years of not getting it done. I know, I know, trust the process

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Oakland was a 7 win team last year without the Vegas move fueled bogus late game calls

Two teams in the AFCW won 12 games and another won 9.

I'm guessing schedule might have had something to do with that...

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Chargers and Colts.....

2 teams that have been to or won a SB in the last 25 years.

That's not what I was talking about - I was referring to bitter infighting.

Every team in the league, including expansion teams, has met or exceeded our post-season success other than Cleveland...

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Rausch

That's not what I was talking about - I was referring to bitter infighting.

Every team in the league, including expansion teams, has met or exceeded our post-season success other than Cleveland...

I get it, and my point was that I don't care about in-fighting. Just get to the fkg SB already.