Whitlock: Chiefs are going the wrong direction

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs are going the wrong direction
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

It’s not working, the “process,” the “Patriots Way,” the musical wide receivers, the $63 million quarterback, the yelling and screaming.

Sunday, the Chiefs darn near made your eyes bleed.

The Denver Broncos took the baton from the San Diego Chargers and obliterated the last pieces of progress left over from the Chiefs’ thought-to-be shocking-at-the-time victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A week ago, I spared you the final score. This week I will not shield you from the unfiltered truth:

Denver 44, Kansas City 13.

This thing is headed the wrong direction. Not only was the Pittsburgh victory a total fluke, but it’s lost all of its glitter, thanks to the Steelers’ four-game losing streak, including a loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

You can’t shine this up. For the first time since 1983, John Mackovic’s first season as head coach, the Chiefs surrendered 40-plus points in back-to-back games.

That’s right. This is starting to smell like the 1980s on the field and in the stands. Arrowhead Stadium was just a touch more than half-filled on Sunday, and Broncos fans comprised a good 30 percent of the spectators.

The only thing missing was Bill Kenney. Unfortunately, Matt Cassel wishes he played at a level as high as Kenney.

Todd Haley benched The Sixty Million Dollar Man after Scott Pioli’s prize acquisition completed 10 of 29 passes for 84 yards and two interceptions through three quarters of play. Haley denied Cassel the opportunity to get angry, fling the ball with confidence and authority and put up some meaningless stats.

Cassel’s 14.6 QB rating for the afternoon wasn’t all his fault. His receivers, particularly Bobby Wade, dropped numerous passes, failed to complete routes and generally conducted themselves as if they had little interest in risking a Brian Dawkins mouth shot.

So much for the myth that this Haley-coached team never quits. His players don’t care that he yells and screams anymore, if they ever did. He’s getting tuned out. In the first quarter, Wade shouted back at his coach and had to be restrained by his teammates.

The scare-and-intimidation tactics by Haley and Pioli aren’t a viable long-term plan. This “process” is immature. You can see it in the players’ uneven performance and demeanor. Even a proud, distinguished veteran like Mike Vrabel is beginning to crack.

When the Broncos converted a fourth-and-inches into a fourth-quarter touchdown, Vrabel flipped his middle finger to the Denver bench as he walked off the field.

“I was frustrated,” said Vrabel, the former Patriots star. “I’ve been on the other end of one of those (blowout victory) and it’s a lot of fun. Well, now I’ve been on the other side, and it’s not good.”

None of this is good. The Chiefs aren’t getting better. They have a lone bright spot — linebacker/defensive end Tamba Hali, who recorded three sacks on Sunday and has 6 1/2 for the season. He’s drawn several holding penalties this year and has been a consistent defensive force.

No disrespect to Hali, but let me ask this question: Is this the emergence of a true pass-rush force or the second coming of Eric Hicks?

You remember Hicks’ 2000 season. He put up 14 sacks in a disappointing 7-9 season. For a season, Hicks looked like a building block, a foundational block for a bright defensive future.

Over the next six seasons, Hicks recorded 26 1/2 sacks. He was a solid NFL player. He never had another double-digit sack season.

You could argue that if Kansas City had a second playmaker along its front four, Hali would get 10-plus sacks this season. Someone else might argue that Hali is simply doing what he did his first two seasons when he was playing opposite Jared Allen, and Hali’s 6 1/2 sacks look awesome solely because no one else on the Chiefs gets a whiff of the opposing quarterback.

Hali had eight sacks his rookie year and 7 1/2 sacks in year two. He had three sacks last season.

I’m sorry. I can’t pinpoint a legitimate bright spot. Running back Jamaal Charles can’t hold onto the football. He’s fumbled three times. Chris Chambers? He’s likely to fall off the same cliff as the other off-the-street receivers Haley showcases for a week or two.

This season is a disaster. You can’t blame these back-to-back blowout losses to AFC West foes on Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards.

When they took over, Marty and Carl didn’t blame Frank Gansz and Jim Schaaf.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Buster Hymen

So, here we are again.

The same group of people, savoring in the failure of the Chiefs. Like a group of children on Christmas morning, in giddy anticipation of the failing of the team they supposedly love. The "I told you so" factor, much more important to them than any semblance of success. No regard for the fact that the team is on track to finish as many, including themselves had predicted, a 4 or 5 win team.

Is this the point where a faux fan like ROR jumps off for a few years until the team is rebuilt to respectability? If he has in the past, which he's admitted to, this would be the time. Will he take any others with him?

Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it. It doesn't take long to figure out who just doesn't have the stomach for the bad. It's easier to have such lofty expectations when you don't have anything invested emotionally. They'll say their concern is genuine, and that they just want whats best for the team. Yet the hate for the team is stronger than any troll exhibits. If the 2-14 team of last year wins 4 or 5 this year will it be enough to subdue the hate?

Doubtful.

I concur....

Evidently most people on here have never taken a completely demolished company (Team) and rebuilt it. It's not something you do overnight....first you find out about people and their character, something that only comes out in adversity. It's easy to be a supporter of the Company (team) when things are going well....the real test is when all the rats turn to eating each other, looking for someone to blame.

Was I disappointed in yesterday...yes and on several levels. But unlike most reactionaries, I try reason. The people who react most harshly are those who want the most headlines or recognition....

I'm glad the people who have hired me to assist in turning around failing operations had more patience than most of you. If any of you were captains of business, you'd be impossible to work for.

As for all the people who complain about Haley's persona...how many of you have bosses who sugarcoat when you do something wrong? I can't tell you the number of times that I've left a room missing an important body part because myself or my Team failed in an assignment.

Please feel free to wail away at Pioli and Haley...I guess i will try to use the same set of skills learned from business. Patience....a great deal of it. And common sense...not panic or anger.

mmaddog
*******

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

I'm wondering where are all of the Haley supporters.

I'll be here off and on Denise....I'm disappointed in the performance yesterday, but I need more time to really judge his ablity to coach.

mmaddog
*******

[gblowfish]

Most long time Chiefs fans understand rebuilding. We've been through it with Mackovic, Levy, Marty, Herm, now Pioli/Haley. You can't blame fans for being angry when our last playoff win was 16 years ago against a team that doesn't exist any more. And during that time season tickets have increased by more than 300%, with another increase most likely pending for next year. You can only expect fan patience for so long. All we've asked for is true improvement. Having one more win than last year is not much of a measuring stick. So don't piss down our backs then tell us it's raining.

[C-Mac]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I have to keep mentioning Kenney now...just to draw C-Mac's reaction.

Dude, its not about Bill Kenney.
Its about you trying to be a journalist without checking out your facts first and then admitting when your mistaken. Whitlock knew them, you didn't.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by C-Mac

Dude, its not about Bill Kenney.
Its about you trying to be a journalist without checking out your facts first and then admitting when your mistaken. Whitlock knew them, you didn't.

Nah, you just like Bill Kenney for some reason.

I've done plenty of research. He was garbage. And George's post backs that up.

There's really no better comparison to make.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Most long time Chiefs fans understand rebuilding. We've been through it with Mackovic, Levy, Marty, Herm, now Pioli/Haley. You can't blame fans for being angry when our last playoff win was 16 years ago against a team that doesn't exist any more. And during that time season tickets have increased by more than 300%, with another increase most likely pending for next year. You can only expect fan patience for so long. All we've asked for is true improvement. Having one more win than last year is not much of a measuring stick. So don't piss down our backs then tell us it's raining.

I'd be happy to match my long time standing as a Chiefs fan with anyone on here. I was at most of the games during the 80's when you felt like you had your own personal Usher in the December games.

I am OK with anger...it's good and shows passion. What i am not OK with is people who are rushing the Castle (unintended pun) with pitchfork and fire. You don't turn around teams in 11 games, and you sure as hell don't make them winners unless the cupboard was full when they arrived. That is nowhere near the case with this team.

To be honest...most of the complaining is coming from writers (on and off this board) that want to sell print and see their name on a column. Dissent and dissidence sell newsprint....

mmaddog
*******

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Nah, you just like Bill Kenney for some reason.

I've done plenty of research. He was garbage. And George's post backs that up.

There's really no better comparison to make.

While I am no Bill Kenney supporter...if we are going to take out garbage stats, then a whole lot of marquee names lose some glitter also.

mmaddog
*******

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by C-Mac

Since Bill Kenney there was also Todd Blackledge, why not mention him as a failure? He was so bad that Kenny came in and replaced him on long passing downs.....bet you didn't know that.

Kenney went to the Pro Bowl in 1983 and had a career completion % of 54.7 and a career passer rating of 77. He was by no means a franchise QB or worthy of anyone's Ring of Fame but he does not fall under your description of the ultimate Chiefs passer rating "level of failure" as you used in the context of your column.

Its obvious that you never watched him play and your not familiar with his stats....but I seriously doubted you would ever admit it.

God, I HATE having to re-hash Ms. Kenney's Chiefs Career over and over and over again.
Blackledge was drafted because Kenney sucked. You already know all the guys we could have had. Kenney could never stay healthy for a whole season. He was a lot like Damon Huard or Elvis The Pants Wetter, always getting dinged up. If you look at how he made the Pro Bowl in 1983, he was the third or fourth choice, because better QBs passed on playing in the game. He also only had big passing stats because Joe Delaney died the summer before that season, and the Chiefs had no running attack. So they threw 40 times a game. Sure, he had big passing stats, and a losing record. Kenney was one of the main reasons the Chiefs sucked in the 1980s. I don't ever, EVER want to live through another decade with a mediocre QB like that. I was there for the whole thing. I saw it all. Believe me, this guy sucked like a Hoover.

[C-Mac]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Nah, you just like Bill Kenney for some reason.

I've done plenty of research. He was garbage. And George's post backs that up.

You so funny.
Obviously you haven't done enough research or you wouldn't have presented Kenney as having the lowest QB rating of all Chiefs QB's.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by mmaddog

I'd be happy to match my long time standing as a Chiefs fan with anyone on here. I was at most of the games during the 80's when you felt like you had your own personal Usher in the December games.

I am OK with anger...it's good and shows passion. What i am not OK with is people who are rushing the Castle (unintended pun) with pitchfork and fire. You don't turn around teams in 11 games, and you sure as hell don't make them winners unless the cupboard was full when they arrived. That is nowhere near the case with this team.

To be honest...most of the complaining is coming from writers (on and off this board) that want to sell print and see their name on a column. Dissent and dissidence sell newsprint....

mmaddog
*******

It's important to recognize that the Chiefs have made almost no progress, at all. In some ways they are worse, or getting worse. No one is saying Haley, Pioli and Cassel are doomed to fail. But there's certainly ZERO reason to believe any of them are the answer at this point.

The Chiefs need to nail this upcoming offseason like they have never nailed an offseason before.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by C-Mac

Obviously you haven't done enough research or you wouldn't have presented Kenney as having the lowest QB rating of all Chiefs QB's.

Which, of course, I didn't.

But, fun fact...when I was researching the lowest-rated games by Chiefs quarterbacks, I stopped at David Krieg as the guy who actually turned in a worse game than what Cassel did yesterday.

Guess who managed to sink even lower....

BILL KENNEY!

So, like I said. Cassel hasn't quite reached the bottom of the barrel just yet. Kenney set that bar loooooooooow.

[T-post Tom]

I love it when posters here go all Carl Peterson and say that someone else isn't a "real" fan. Or that they're a "faux" fan because they're disgusted with a coaching staff/franchise in disarray. I've been a Chiefs' fan for over 25 years. And I've watched enough professional football to realize when a head coach SUCKS. And Haley SUCKS. Period. He's in over his head. Now I'm willing to give a rookie head coach some slack. But Haley has taken the slack and hung this team in the most dreadful way. Sorry apologists, but there's no excuse for the incredible level of Haley's ineptness. Seriously, enough is enough. Here are but a few of his transgressions:

1. Fired Chan Gailey in an untimely fashion.
2. Changed playbook in an untimely fashion.
3. Alienates players with his Napoleon complex.
4. Consistently makes bad personnel choices. (ex. Lance Long,Mike Brown)
5. HORRIBLE playcalling and game time decisions. (ex. fake punt vs. Donks)

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

It's important to recognize that the Chiefs have made almost no progress, at all. In some ways they are worse, or getting worse. No one is saying Haley, Pioli and Cassel are doomed to fail. But there's certainly ZERO reason to believe any of them are the answer at this point.

The Chiefs need to nail this upcoming offseason like they have never nailed an offseason before.

First...let me say I am impressed with your response. Normally I would have expected an angry retort...shows you have grown in your job.

I guess I see small change....and that gives me hope. Am I disappointed in Haley in certain areas, yes. I think his stubborness in not hiring an OC is his downfall. Do I like his anger and fire...damn straight. I'm glad he yelled at Bobby Wade yesterday....told me he was passionate about stupid f***ing mistakes continuing to happen. People seem to forget Cowher was no different even when he was a DC here under Marty.

I'm ready to strip both the Offense and Defense down to core players that have shown they belong...

On Defense

The Brandons....
Tamba Hali
Tyson Jackson
And a couple of fill in linebackers

On Offense

Jamaal Charles (but not as the lone feature back)
Matt Cassel (get him an OL before tossing him out)
Brandon Albert (the kid is learning)


Special Teams

Ryan Succop
Dustin Colquitt
&
A couple of other Special Teamers who have been true ball hawks

Beyond that...I would clean house of everyone else. I can't think of anyone else who deserves to stay. DJ has played himself out of a job and Vrabel and Brown are too old to build on. Mays has shown flashes of being good but is overmatched much too much.

The rest of the offense is well....offensive.

mmaddog
*******

[BigChiefFan]

It could be argued, that's he's actually a good coach, who has won a few games, with shit talent.

[MOhillbilly]

im so disgusted with this club that i quit watchin at the start of the 4th to dye the daughters hair.
it turned out awesome BTW.