Pioli says Chiefs can turn around after 0-2 start

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Pioli says Chiefs can turn around after 0-2 start
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star




Like seemingly much of Kansas City, general manager Scott Pioli is more than a little stunned by the Chiefs’ 0-2 start.

But Pioli said Tuesday that his confidence in the Chiefs is not shaken and he remains convinced the Chiefs can still make something of their season.

“If any one of us knew what the answer was, we wouldn’t be sitting where we’re sitting right now,” Pioli said. “But I also don’t think it’s the end of the world. We have 14 games left. We’re certainly digging a hole but it’s not something we can’t get out of. Everyone within the organization is disappointed in the results so far. We’re all surprised because I don’t think any one of us went into the season thinking we would be 0-2. I don’t think any of us anticipated that.

“(He expects the Chiefs) to improve, get better and start winning some games in whatever order that is. Those are my expectations, but I want to be clear those are mine and our expectations. I think those are the players’ expectations, the coaching staff, the fan base. Our expectations at the beginning of this year were that we were going to be winning games. Right now, we haven’t done that. (But) we’re two games into a 16-game season.”

The Chiefs are one of six 0-2 teams in the NFL, but they weren’t close to winning either game. Their scoring differential of minus-34 points is second-worst in the league behind only Tennessee.

As the general manager, Pioli built the roster. Asked whether he was guilty of overestimating the abilities of some of the Chiefs’ players, Pioli said, “We think the roster is good enough. I think it is. Now it comes down to executing. We improved this team through free agency and did quite a bit of spending to improve this team whether it was contract extensions or the signing of other players. Time will tell if it was enough. I think it was.”

Regarding their spending, figures supplied by the NFL Players Association showed the Chiefs to have more than $26 million in available room under the league’s salary cap. Pioli said he didn’t regret not using more of that available cap space when the Chiefs built their roster.

“I think there are things we did do that helped this football team,” Pioli said. “I also know for a fact that this year alone we’re spending over $141 million in cash this year. That’s more than $20 million over the cap.

“It’s been proven time and time again that there’s not a direct correlation between spending cap dollars and winning. There’s not.”

Pioli said the Chiefs would need to allocate some of their available 2012 salary cap space toward the 2013 cap. He didn’t provide 2013 cap figures, but his comments indicate the Chiefs might otherwise be snug against the cap next season.

“We had better have cap room this year to roll over for next year to make sure we’re (in good shape),” Pioli said. “(Using available salary cap space) is not a year-by-year, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants thing.

Pioli during the offseason also hired Romeo Crennel as head coach, promoting him from defensive coordinator. Crennel finished last season as the interim coach. The Chiefs went 2-1 in those games and fell just short of making the playoffs and completing a dramatic turnaround.

Crennel remains the defensive coordinator this season as well. But the poor play of the Chiefs’ defense is a big reason for the 0-2 start. They have allowed 75 points, which is tied for worst in the league.

Asked whether Crennel was the right coach to direct the Chiefs out of their hole, Pioli said, “Absolutely he is. I think he’s doing a good job. I really do.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/18...#storylink=cpy

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Cash spending vs. the cap.

Two different things.

What he's saying is 100% true and accurate. It's been verified by independent entities.

The Chiefs' cap number is somewhere between 15-20M under the cap. However, in cold, hard cash, they're like 7th in the league in spending.

I've read 3rd in the league in overall cash spending.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Cash spending vs. the cap.

Two different things.

What he's saying is 100% true and accurate. It's been verified by independent entities.

The Chiefs' cap number is somewhere between 15-20M under the cap. However, in cold, hard cash, they're like 7th in the league in spending.

So what's the difference or why doesn't cold hard cash apply to the league salary cap?

[Black Bob]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Fortunately, the Spin Doctor finds himself spinning these days.

The fans don't buy it any longer.

The smart fans. Your average Joe just wants to see them win. It's going to be hard to get Pioli out. He has Clark's ear and I think Clark's expectations are low.

[Black Bob]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

So what's the difference or why doesn't cold hard cash apply to the league salary cap?

I think it is like bonus money but I don't know?

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Micjones

They can turn it around. Will they? That's the real question.
If they get thumped again this weekend...the wheels might come off this thing.

This.

I think we've over reacted quite a bit, and rightly so.

But if we clear our heads and look at it as football people and not as emotional fans, we can see that this team does in fact have the talent to right the ship.

We've seen them do it. We've seen DJ hit his correct assignments. We've seen the D-line hold up against the run. We know what Charles and Bowe are capable of.

It's a matter of WILL they do it?

We know these players are CAPABLE of doing it.

It's just a matter of whether they'll get it done or not, and whether RaC has the ability to get a high level of play out of them.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by Dave

I was about to post a pic of " Baghdad Bob"

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

This.

I think we've over reacted quite a bit, and rightly so.

But if we clear our heads and look at it as football people and not as emotional fans, we can see that this team does in fact have the talent to right the ship.

We've seen them do it. We've seen DJ hit his correct assignments. We've seen the D-line hold up against the run. We know what Charles and Bowe are capable of.

It's a matter of WILL they do it?

We know these players are CAPABLE of doing it.

It's just a matter of whether they'll get it done or not, and whether RaC has the ability to get a high level of play out of them.

Um, Matt Cassel.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by BlackBob

So why isn't this going to change when the cap minimum goes into effect next year?

Because it doesn't have to. The "cap minimum" is spending vs. the cap.

They're already satisfying the criteria going into effect.

They could literally not change a thing and be fine, at least that's the way I understand it. I'm not really cap guru, either.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by BlackBob

The smart fans. Your average Joe just wants to see them win. It's going to be hard to get Pioli out. He has Clark's ear and I think Clark's expectations are low.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they don't have a nice string of shitty teams lined up on the schedule like previous seasons... until possibly December (after Luck has 14 games under his belt). OTOH, they could go on a nice little winning streak to end the season and spin it all offseason...

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Dave

Um, Matt Cassel.

I guess i need to define "Right the ship".

By "right the ship" i mean become competitive and able to carry Matt Cassel, not become the Falcons.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Cash spending vs. the cap.

Two different things.

What he's saying is 100% true and accurate. It's been verified by independent entities.

The Chiefs' cap number is somewhere between 15-20M under the cap. However, in cold, hard cash, they're like 7th in the league in spending.

That is possibly even more pathetic.

Does the cash spending include coaches salaries and executive golf memberships?

[Black Bob]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Because it doesn't have to. The "cap minimum" is spending vs. the cap.

They're already satisfying the criteria going into effect.

They could literally not change a thing and be fine, at least that's the way I understand it. I'm not really cap guru, either.

Thanks... Hopefully there will be some in depth articles about this going into next year.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by Dave

Um, Matt Cassel.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

The Program ‏@theprogramkc

The Star's @adamteicher is on The Program now. Time to fix the #Chiefs



Adam just said Pioli is going no where. FML

[Black Bob]

Originally Posted by ChiefsandO'sfan

Adam just said Pioli is going no where. FML

You can't underestimate guys like Pioli imo... He's a master manipulator. Not just some used car salesman.