GRETZ: The End of Scholarships

Kerberos · 06-10-2006, 07:31 AM

I looked at the threads from here to yesterday at 0800 and didn't see this. I could have missed it???

Good read from Gretz and I hope it has some merit!

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/06..._scholarships/

The Chiefs finished up another week of OTA workouts on Thursday at the Sports Complex. They had a remarkable turnout of players taking part, with over 80 players on the field in the hot June sun.

That the turnout was so large is a good sign that the players have come to understand how important this off-season work is to extending their futures with the new regime of Herman Edwards. If they haven’t figured out yet, they will soon. There are no scholarships at Arrowhead University this year.

Scholarships? That’s when a player hangs around on the roster because of what he might be, not what he is or has been. It tends to happen when a team has a long-term coach, GM or personnel leader. They tend to grant second, third, sometimes fourth chances to players, despite the fact they’ve not earned them on the field, whether it be practice or in games.

What happens when a new coach shows up is that the scholarships end for players from the previous regime. When a new personnel leader comes in, even more scholarships disappear. These players no longer have an advocate in the personnel meetings that are constantly held in the off-season and during training camp. It does not matter if they were once high draft choices, or major acquisitions through free agency or trades. There are new eyes watching and they see only what they see. The past is not important. Only the present and what it means to the future.

That’s the case at Arrowhead right now. The double punch of Edwards and Bill Kuharich has taken away the safety net for some of the players on the roster. The meter is ticking on their futures. They can certainly extend their time wearing red and gold by making big strides in the off-season and then training camp.

But there’s no more waiting.

There have already been a number of these moves made in the last six months. CB Eric Warfield would be a good example. It’s not often that a five-year starter, who has just turned 30 years old is cut loose for reasons other than financial. That wasn’t the case with Warfield; the Chiefs had simply grown tired of his inconsistent play and his lack of focus on and off the field. His scholarship was pulled. They simply got tired of waiting for him to mature.

There are others still on the roster that should be worried, mostly on the defensive side of the football. Let’s start on the line, where Ryan Sims and Junior Siavii rank as draft disappointments. Sims has not produced like the sixth pick in the draft should after four seasons. Siavii should really be concerned. Right now, he’s not practicing because of sore knees. Without a scholarship, the former second-round pick can’t afford sore knees. He needs to be on the field and he needs to be producing plays and impressions in Edwards’ mind.

The same goes for Julian Battle in the secondary. A former third-round pick didn’t play for two years and then missed last year with an injury. If he doesn’t step forward in this off-season and pre-season, his chances of staying around Arrowhead aren’t very good.

On the offensive side of the ball, there’s a great opportunity for young receivers Jeris McIntyre and Craphonso Thorpe. There are at least two roster spots available at that position with the departures of Marc Boerigter and Chris Horn in free agency. Both are former draft choices, and this will be McIntyre’s third attempt to make the roster, and Thorpe’s second. If they don’t step through the door, they will be out the door.

One of the worst words any coach hears is “potential.” If a player has potential, it means he’s not performing.

And that means he’s not long for work in 2006 at Arrowhead Stadium.

milkman · 06-10-2006, 07:43 AM

The only person these guys really have to worry about is Carl.

When Carl decides that Sims and Siavii have used up their all chances, then they'll be shown the door.

And doesn't seem just a little ridiculous that Gretz throws Thorpe's name into this?

Kerberos · 06-10-2006, 08:24 AM

With the "Cunningham Rips Sims" thread I think we will all see that Sims is just about out the door.

He comes to OTA's FAT and out of shape in his contract year. I will repeat that: You would think he would have come to OTA/Training Camp in the BEST shape of his life like last year. Makes you wonder WHAT THE HELL IS HE THINKING?

Thorpe? Maybe just using some reverse psychology? Who knows. I just hope we don't get rid of some people that might be a step or two away from being at the cutting edge? It's kind of a double edge sword!

.

jspchief · 06-10-2006, 08:35 AM

If there is any truth to this article at all, Junior Siavii is a goner.

KC Jones · 06-10-2006, 08:38 AM

Didn't we promote Bill Kuharich from within the organization? What a load of croc - he's been helping pick and develop these guys all along, and his favorites are still going to get their 'scholarships'.

**dirk digler** · 06-10-2006, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

If there is any truth to this article at all, Junior Siavii is a goner.

I hope he is. Great job drafting him CP.

milkman · 06-10-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I hope he is. Great job drafting him CP.

Didn't I read somewhere that Siavii was a guy that Gunt had a woody for, so Carl acceded to his wish?

RedandGold · 06-10-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Didn't I read somewhere that Siavii was a guy that Gunt had a woody for, so Carl acceded to his wish?

My memory migh be a little off, but I remember Junior being a Vermeil pick. At the time, I believe that there was mention of one of the Oregon coaches being on Vermeil's staff in St. Louis, and we ended up drafting both Siavii and Samie Parker from Oregon.

teedubya · 06-10-2006, 09:29 AM

buh bye bartee your scholarship ran out in 1998.

jspchief · 06-10-2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedandGold

My memory migh be a little off, but I remember Junior being a Vermeil pick. At the time, I believe that there was mention of one of the Oregon coaches being on Vermeil's staff in St. Louis, and we ended up drafting both Siavii and Samie Parker from Oregon.

I seem to remember Siavii being a Vermeil guy too, but don't really remember any specifics that make me think that.

Kerberos · 06-10-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I seem to remember Siavii being a Vermeil guy too, but don't really remember any specifics that make me think that.

Vermeil got a woody when he talked about him when they drafted him and he also said he was RAW talent and needed a lot of work.

I guess his work habits (or lack there of) have caught up with him.

.

milkman · 06-10-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedandGold

My memory migh be a little off, but I remember Junior being a Vermeil pick. At the time, I believe that there was mention of one of the Oregon coaches being on Vermeil's staff in St. Louis, and we ended up drafting both Siavii and Samie Parker from Oregon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I seem to remember Siavii being a Vermeil guy too, but don't really remember any specifics that make me think that.

My memory is spotty, at best, so I'll take your word(s) for it.

Point being that, while Carl is the man to blame, his failure has always been relying too heavily on his moron coaches for input.

His ultimate failure is hiring those morons, to begin with.

jspchief · 06-10-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

My memory is spotty, at best, so I'll take your word(s) for it.

Point being that, while Carl is the man to blame, his failure has always been relying too heavily on his moron coaches for input.

His ultimate failure is hiring those morons, to begin with.

Our drafts under Vermeil were terrible IMO. We drafted a ton of guys based on "potential" rather than production. The only times we got it right was when we traded picks away, or when Carl superceded Vermeil (LJ).

milkman · 06-10-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Our drafts under Vermeil were terrible IMO. We drafted a ton of guys based on "potential" rather than production. The only times we got it right was when we traded picks away, or when Carl superceded Vermeil (LJ).

Agreed.

But we didn't draft well in Gunt's time, or Marty's either, at least on the offensive side.

A couple of the Vermeil era picks still have time to make an impact, like Kawika and Parker, so it may not end in a total washout.

RedandGold · 06-10-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Agreed.

But we didn't draft well in Gunt's time, or Marty's either, at least on the offensive side.

A couple of the Vermeil era picks still have time to make an impact, like Kawika and Parker, so it may not end in a total washout.

I'm pretty certain that Svitek, Mitchell, and Derrick Johnson will end up okay. Who knows, we might even get something out of Kris Wilson as well.

06-10-2006, 07:31 AM
Kerberos Chiefs Baby Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Casino cash: $10000632	GRETZ: The End of Scholarships I looked at the threads from here to yesterday at 0800 and didn't see this. I could have missed it??? Good read from Gretz and I hope it has some merit! http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/06..._scholarships/ The Chiefs finished up another week of OTA workouts on Thursday at the Sports Complex. They had a remarkable turnout of players taking part, with over 80 players on the field in the hot June sun. That the turnout was so large is a good sign that the players have come to understand how important this off-season work is to extending their futures with the new regime of Herman Edwards. If they haven’t figured out yet, they will soon. There are no scholarships at Arrowhead University this year. Scholarships? That’s when a player hangs around on the roster because of what he might be, not what he is or has been. It tends to happen when a team has a long-term coach, GM or personnel leader. They tend to grant second, third, sometimes fourth chances to players, despite the fact they’ve not earned them on the field, whether it be practice or in games. What happens when a new coach shows up is that the scholarships end for players from the previous regime. When a new personnel leader comes in, even more scholarships disappear. These players no longer have an advocate in the personnel meetings that are constantly held in the off-season and during training camp. It does not matter if they were once high draft choices, or major acquisitions through free agency or trades. There are new eyes watching and they see only what they see. The past is not important. Only the present and what it means to the future. That’s the case at Arrowhead right now. The double punch of Edwards and Bill Kuharich has taken away the safety net for some of the players on the roster. The meter is ticking on their futures. They can certainly extend their time wearing red and gold by making big strides in the off-season and then training camp. But there’s no more waiting. There have already been a number of these moves made in the last six months. CB Eric Warfield would be a good example. It’s not often that a five-year starter, who has just turned 30 years old is cut loose for reasons other than financial. That wasn’t the case with Warfield; the Chiefs had simply grown tired of his inconsistent play and his lack of focus on and off the field. His scholarship was pulled. They simply got tired of waiting for him to mature. There are others still on the roster that should be worried, mostly on the defensive side of the football. Let’s start on the line, where Ryan Sims and Junior Siavii rank as draft disappointments. Sims has not produced like the sixth pick in the draft should after four seasons. Siavii should really be concerned. Right now, he’s not practicing because of sore knees. Without a scholarship, the former second-round pick can’t afford sore knees. He needs to be on the field and he needs to be producing plays and impressions in Edwards’ mind. The same goes for Julian Battle in the secondary. A former third-round pick didn’t play for two years and then missed last year with an injury. If he doesn’t step forward in this off-season and pre-season, his chances of staying around Arrowhead aren’t very good. On the offensive side of the ball, there’s a great opportunity for young receivers Jeris McIntyre and Craphonso Thorpe. There are at least two roster spots available at that position with the departures of Marc Boerigter and Chris Horn in free agency. Both are former draft choices, and this will be McIntyre’s third attempt to make the roster, and Thorpe’s second. If they don’t step through the door, they will be out the door. One of the worst words any coach hears is “potential.” If a player has potential, it means he’s not performing. And that means he’s not long for work in 2006 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Posts: 5,638

06-10-2006, 07:43 AM	#2
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	The only person these guys really have to worry about is Carl. When Carl decides that Sims and Siavii have used up their all chances, then they'll be shown the door. And doesn't seem just a little ridiculous that Gretz throws Thorpe's name into this? __________________
Posts: 70,769

06-10-2006, 08:24 AM	#3
Kerberos Chiefs Baby Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Casino cash: $10000632	With the "Cunningham Rips Sims" thread I think we will all see that Sims is just about out the door. He comes to OTA's FAT and out of shape in his contract year. I will repeat that: You would think he would have come to OTA/Training Camp in the BEST shape of his life like last year. Makes you wonder WHAT THE HELL IS HE THINKING? Thorpe? Maybe just using some reverse psychology? Who knows. I just hope we don't get rid of some people that might be a step or two away from being at the cutting edge? It's kind of a double edge sword! . __________________ ____________________________________________ She aint a hoe if you don't get laid, and it aint a show if I don't get paid-- Everlast
Posts: 5,638

06-10-2006, 08:35 AM	#4
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	If there is any truth to this article at all, Junior Siavii is a goner. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
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06-10-2006, 08:38 AM	#5
KC Jones Genious Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $10012761	Didn't we promote Bill Kuharich from within the organization? What a load of croc - he's been helping pick and develop these guys all along, and his favorites are still going to get their 'scholarships'.
Posts: 5,366

06-10-2006, 09:29 AM	#9
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9470002	buh bye bartee your scholarship ran out in 1998.
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