Whitlock: Chiefs Need Change

**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.

**DeezNutz** · 12-10-2006, 08:51 PM

I understand where Tony G's coming from; JW is talking to him moments after a near season-ending loss. Of course he's pissed, but the comment, however, is a little too close to sounding like quiting on his teammates for my tastes. It's similar to how the media folks blasted Tiki Barber for announcing his retirement mid-season.

ChiefsCountry · 12-10-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

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.

This part makes sense actually especially with Lamar's health. I agree with the gm part, promote Bill Kuharich to gm. He did a pretty good job with the Saints, even though they did the stupid thing by trading everyone for Ricky Williams. I think that was Dikta and Tom Benson's doing though.

stevieray · 12-10-2006, 08:53 PM

would anyone blame him for leaving?

I know I couldn't do it.

siberian khatru · 12-10-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

And maybe Carl just needs to surrender his general-manager duties. Maybe he still has value as a president and CEO.

A lot of us have been saying this for years.

Quote:

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

Wanna bet?

Deberg_1990 · 12-10-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

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.

Thats interesting...i was thinking pretty much the same things just an hour or so ago.....

Its probably time for Green to move on as well. Get a new offense installed here.

Wile_E_Coyote · 12-10-2006, 08:58 PM

What Peterson has to do is juggle enough change to keep the fan base. But not to much to lose the one major thing he has brought to KC, the fan base.

He's gotten away with it for a long time. If they rebuild, will they still come?

**Iowanian** · 12-10-2006, 08:58 PM

The unfortunate thing is, the Chiefs won't have any leverage to get anything out of Gonzalez....Its too bad he wasn't under contract and tradeable....so he doesn't end up in Denver.

Whitlock's column could be cliff notes of the past 2 weeks of Chiefsplanet.

**DeezNutz** · 12-10-2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

would anyone blame him for leaving?

I know I couldn't do it.

Considering that he doesn't make his home in KC, I guess not. But wouldn't it be refreshing for a big-name athlete to feel some sense of loyalty and obligation to a community? Maybe I'm just too old school, but if I see Tony G. in a Donks uniform, I'll puke all over my shoes.

My quick answer to your question: yes, f--- 'em.

**the Talking Can** · 12-10-2006, 09:02 PM

he just copied my post...

anyways, I now hope we let Gonzo go...he deserves to win, and we need to rebuild....I hope CP can get over his ego make hard decisions - gonzo gone, Green gone - but I doubt it....

we'll cling to Green, keep Gunther, and probably over pay for Tony...and spend another year going no where...

shaneo69 · 12-10-2006, 09:02 PM

Whitlock: "And maybe Carl just needs to surrender his general-manager duties. Maybe he still has value as a president and CEO."

No. As long as Carl is in the organization, he will be calling the shots. Kind of like Bobby Clarke with the Flyers.

He needs to separate himself completely from the franchise. Then Clark Hunt needs to go through a full search process for someone new to run the franchise, not just promote Carl cronies Kuharich and Thum.

siberian khatru · 12-10-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

he just copied my post...

anyways, I now hope we let Gonzo go...he deserves to win, and we need to rebuild....I hope CP can get over his ego make hard decisions - gonzo gone, Green gone - but I doubt it....

we'll cling to Green, keep Gunther, and probably over pay for Tony...and spend another year going no where...

Yep. "Rebuild" is not in Carl's vocabulary.

GoodDaySir! · 12-10-2006, 09:07 PM

Tony will look great in orange and blue.

**DaKCMan AP** · 12-10-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

The unfortunate thing is, the Chiefs won't have any leverage to get anything out of Gonzalez....Its too bad he wasn't under contract and tradeable....so he doesn't end up in Denver.

Whitlock's column could be cliff notes of the past 2 weeks of Chiefsplanet.

It may piss him off, but if he's set on leaving then slap the franchise tag on him. The price can't be that bad since TE's aren't among the NFL's highest paid positions. At least we'd be guaranteed something in return.

**Iowanian** · 12-10-2006, 09:08 PM

Carl isn't going to "rebuild".

He's got 3 years left on his contract, he's built his foundation and knows his legacy is a shitty post season record. He'll try to fill some gaps, bring in 2-3 FAs and WILL re-sign Gonzalez, because he's "one of his sons".

I like Green being here, and wouldn't call for him to be gone at this point, but if its indeed time to rebuild...and Shields retires, 88 is gone.....I'll wager Green would have some decent value to a team like Chicago.

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, 08:51 PM	#2
DeezNutz PermaBanned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Jouissance Casino cash: $10011570	I understand where Tony G's coming from; JW is talking to him moments after a near season-ending loss. Of course he's pissed, but the comment, however, is a little too close to sounding like quiting on his teammates for my tastes. It's similar to how the media folks blasted Tiki Barber for announcing his retirement mid-season.
Posts: 47,521

12-10-2006, 08:53 PM	#4
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2315273	would anyone blame him for leaving? I know I couldn't do it.
Posts: 71,355

12-10-2006, 08:58 PM	#7
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	What Peterson has to do is juggle enough change to keep the fan base. But not to much to lose the one major thing he has brought to KC, the fan base. He's gotten away with it for a long time. If they rebuild, will they still come?
Posts: 6,009

12-10-2006, 08:58 PM	#8
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4638454	The unfortunate thing is, the Chiefs won't have any leverage to get anything out of Gonzalez....Its too bad he wasn't under contract and tradeable....so he doesn't end up in Denver. Whitlock's column could be cliff notes of the past 2 weeks of Chiefsplanet.
Posts: 61,556

12-10-2006, 09:02 PM	#10
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	he just copied my post... anyways, I now hope we let Gonzo go...he deserves to win, and we need to rebuild....I hope CP can get over his ego make hard decisions - gonzo gone, Green gone - but I doubt it.... we'll cling to Green, keep Gunther, and probably over pay for Tony...and spend another year going no where... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

12-10-2006, 09:02 PM	#11
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	Whitlock: "And maybe Carl just needs to surrender his general-manager duties. Maybe he still has value as a president and CEO." No. As long as Carl is in the organization, he will be calling the shots. Kind of like Bobby Clarke with the Flyers. He needs to separate himself completely from the franchise. Then Clark Hunt needs to go through a full search process for someone new to run the franchise, not just promote Carl cronies Kuharich and Thum. __________________ "I like Chiefs president Carl Peterson. I respect his business savvy. I envy his management skills and his penchant never to be driven by the whims of popularity. I admire his willingness to take responsibility for decisions that don’t work out the way he would have wanted." - Rufus, from KCChiefs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 4,910

12-10-2006, 09:07 PM	#13
GoodDaySir! Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	Tony will look great in orange and blue.
Posts: 287

12-10-2006, 09:08 PM	#15
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4638454	Carl isn't going to "rebuild". He's got 3 years left on his contract, he's built his foundation and knows his legacy is a shitty post season record. He'll try to fill some gaps, bring in 2-3 FAs and WILL re-sign Gonzalez, because he's "one of his sons". I like Green being here, and wouldn't call for him to be gone at this point, but if its indeed time to rebuild...and Shields retires, 88 is gone.....I'll wager Green would have some decent value to a team like Chicago.
Posts: 61,556