Whitlock: Chiefs’ All-Pro guard Waters wants out of Kansas City

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs’ All-Pro guard Waters wants out of Kansas City
By JASON WHITLOCK
The Kansas City Star

Chiefs Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters asked the organization Thursday to release or trade him this offseason, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Waters asked for his release two days after a brief meeting with new head coach Todd Haley and after being told by first-time general manager Scott Pioli that he had no interest in meeting with Waters, the source said.

Waters, according to the source, was offended and shocked by the arrogance of Haley and Pioli. Waters’ meeting with Haley and follow-up phone conversations confirmed in the nine-year vet’s mind that the negative reports about Haley that he heard from Arizona Cardinals players while at the Pro Bowl were accurate, according to the source.

The Cardinals players told Waters and tight end Tony Gonzalez that Haley, Arizona’s offensive coordinator, was aloof, condescending and ignored by veterans, the source said. Anquan Boldin, Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald Jr. — Arizona’s offensive stars — were all members of the NFC Pro Bowl team.

Haley could not be reached for comment Thursday night. Haley bickered with Boldin and Warner during the NFC championship game. And when he was an assistant with the Cowboys, Haley had several run-ins with flamboyant receiver Terrell Owens.

The source said when Waters informed Haley of his desire to relocate, Kansas City’s coach scolded Waters and indicated that the Chiefs would not release Waters from his contract. Waters signed a seven-year contract extension with the Chiefs in 2005. Waters, a four-time Pro Bowler, is 32 and would seemingly have decent trade value.

Waters declined public comment on Thursday.

He is the second high-priced Chiefs offensive star to ask for his release. Running back Larry Johnson has repeatedly asked to be let go. All-pro tight end Tony Gonzalez expressed disappointment when coach Herm Edwards was fired and has stated he will take a wait-and-see approach with the new regime.

Waters’ dissatisfaction is surprising given his reputation as a locker-room leader and his dedication to the organization. Waters is heavily involved in charitable activity in the Kansas City community and was a finalist for the NFL’s 2008 Man of the Year Award.

According to the source, Waters flew to Kansas City specifically to meet with Haley and Pioli and hear their plan for the direction of the organization. Pioli declined to meet with Waters, saying they had nothing to discuss, the source said. And Haley began his hallway conversation with Waters by proclaiming that 22 players off the street could win two games, the source said.

Waters considered his options Wednesday, flew to Dallas and then tried reaching owner Clark Hunt and Pioli before telling Haley on Thursday that he felt their differences were irreconcible, the source said.

Waters joined the Chiefs in 2000 and became a starter in 2001.

[SBK]

What's hilarious about Waters wanting to sit down and discuss the direction of the team is that by the time we're good he's too old anyway.

[RUSH]

Originally Posted by doomy3

I fully agree with that. You can't be a total dick to a player for no reason.

But you can be a dick to a player who thinks he is entitled to know the direction of the team, because he made a pro bowl on a 2 win team. It sure sounds like he didn't make an appointment either, and that he just showed up. Very rude thing to do. Who the hell does he think he is? Take your paycheck and shutup

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by doomy3

Truth is though, we lose Waters, TG and LJ all in one offseason, and we may truly see if 22 guys off the street can win more than 2 games.

LJ is a non-issue, IMO. But Waters and Gonzo would definitely sting in the short term.

Gonzo would be especially useful for a young QB.

[Reaper16]

"22 players off the street could win two games."

Christ almighty, do I like our new head coach. Hell yeah.

[DaWolf]

First, this article is by Whitlock so half of it is probably BS or very exaggerated.

Second, good. This is why this organization never got anywhere, players think that they need to have input into how the team is put together. Do your damn job, and let the big boys do theirs. I don't just get to walk into my CEO's office and ask what's up with the company...

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by RUSH

But you can be a dick to a player who thinks he is entitled to know the direction of the team, because he made a pro bowl on a 2 win team. It sure sounds like he didn't make an appointment either, and that he just showed up. Very rude thing to do. Who the hell does he think he is? Take your paycheck and shutup

Like Hamas said, this is just part of the story. Who knows what else happened leading up to this. It is weird that him and Haley were having some conversation in the hallway and Haley makes the line about 22 players. The whole thing seems strange.

[FAX]

Wow.

My first reaction was, "Damn. Waters is a good guy (one of our locker room leaders) and they pissed him off for no reason!" Then, I started thinking about all the changes that are necessary here in order to turn things around. Pioli and Haley have an enormous task ahead of them. Good management practices aside, they have their hands full with little time to give meetings to an offensive guard regarding the future direction of the team - a direction they probably don't have nailed down yet.

The stunning aspect of this is the difference in philosophies. Uncle Dick and Herm would have given Waters a soda and a hug. It appears that hugs will be few and far between in this regime. Still, in this day and age it's important to demonstrate respect throughout the food chain. People expect it. From that perspective, it's a little worrisome.

FAX

[Frosty]

So Waters flew to KC on the eve of free agency, with Pioli and Haley still evaluating the team and wanted them to drop everything to talk to him?

"Sorry Brian. We're a little busy at the moment."

[doomy3]

This does sound very familiar to what Parcells is known for though...

This is very similar to Jason Taylor last year

[kcchiefsus]

I like it but I hope this is smoothed over, as well as issues with some of our other malcontents. We already have enough needs without adding left guard and tight end to the list.

God this team seriously sucks ass. But yeah, i'm sure we can do it entirely through the draft /rolls eyes

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaWolf

First, this article is by Whitlock so half of it is probably BS or very exaggerated.

You say his sources were lying?

This is not a typical whitlock article. It's almost as if he is playing reporter instead of columnist.

[Christofire]

Sure sounds like Whitlock is firing up a little anti-Pioli propaganda here:

Waters asked for his release two days after a brief meeting with new head coach Todd Haley and after being told by first-time general manager Scott Pioli that he had no interest in meeting with Waters, the source said.

The fact that he goes to the effort to tag him as a "first-time GM" says to me that his next article is going to rip Pioli for not having the experience to recognize how his attitude/actions are going to hurt the team, blah blah blah. How ironic ... Whitlock spends years and years and years ripping Carl for arrogance, etc., and now within two months, he's already on the same path with Pioli.

[Reaper16]

Every player on the Chiefs roster needs to buy into the TEAM concept. Haley clearly intends to coach a team, not a group of individuals.

I mean, I love Waters and all. But this story only has me feeling optimistic.

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsus

God this team seriously sucks ass. But yeah, i'm sure we can do it entirely through the draft /rolls eyes

Might as well, the guys we had last year couldn't do it, period.

No one on the Chiefs the past two years should be considered indispensable. Win and we'll take your feelings into account. Lose and go shut up and sit on the bench.

[SBK]

Originally Posted by Christofire

Sure sounds like Whitlock is firing up a little anti-Pioli propaganda here:



The fact that he goes to the effort to tag him as a "first-time GM" says to me that his next article is going to rip Pioli for not having the experience to recognize how his attitude/actions are going to hurt the team, blah blah blah. How ironic ... Whitlock spends years and years and years ripping Carl for arrogance, etc., and now within two months, he's already on the same path with Pioli.

Whitlock would be the guy ripping the coaches for a bad game plan the day after they won the Super Bowl.