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

[Tribal Warfare]

for anyone just reading this thread for the 1st time, this theatrical scene sums up the general sentiment

[FAX]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Mellinger is spot-on with what he wrote this morning. There's no trust. In fact, the more Pioli says it, the LESS we believe it.

So there's no proven connection between more spending and winning? But is there a proven correlation between not spending and guaranteed losing?

And there's certainly a proven connection between having elite franchise QB's and winning championships, yet Pioli continues to ignore that, hang his hat on "The Patriot Way", (which ironically is built around an elite franchise QB that in their collective genius they themselves passed on 5 times before picking), and "The Right 53."

He could win back the fans very quickly by admitting that mistakes were made and that great leaders re-evaluate themselves and do things differently. But it's not in his constitution. He could win hearts by saying that until we become a champion, that he has failed. Instead, he says that the goal is to "get better, improve, and win some games"?

He hides behind the curtain of arrogance, this "I know what the fans are saying but this is the truth" stuff. But the reality is that he's actually the LAST to know what all of us have figured out:

It ain't working. And if it ain't working, you have to change it.

Excellent points all, and well stated, Mr. CaliforniaChief.

I award this post 19 Cassel balls.

FAX

[Black Bob]

Originally Posted by BossChief

They actually changed the rules for how a bonus can be spread to eliminate that loophole.

That's why players aren't getting crazy signing bonuses anymore and the focus is on guaranteed dollars.

I've been saying this about our spending for over a year now...the only reason we are under the cap right now is due to the rollover.

Thanks. That's more in line with what I thought and I thought I read that somewhere. It's going to be a even playing field starting next year and Clark wanted this. He was a major part of the negociating this.

We did roll over money. I think it would have been used on Manning if possible. I think we could have used more free agents but they have to want to come to KC. Several guys came to visit and left. Tolbert was one. Yeremiah Bell was another. Aubrayu Franklin? There were more.

I personally do not think Clark is cheap. I think he's in over his head and being manipulated but he's not cheap.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BlackBob

I personally do not think Clark is cheap. I think he's in over his head and being manipulated but he's not cheap.

He's cheap.

He failed to write a check for $25 million to Brandon Carr for guaranteed upfront money and he failed to write a similar check to Dwayne Bowe.

Don't fool yourself: He's cheap.

[Black Bob]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

He's cheap.

He failed to write a check for $25 million to Brandon Carr for guaranteed upfront money and he failed to write a similar check to Dwayne Bowe.

Don't fool yourself: He's cheap.

Carr's a mystery but I get not signing Bowe long term. We can tag him once or twice and force him to play hard.

Maybe Carr just really wanted to go to Dallas and didn't want to stay?

[FAX]

As a scientist and self-motivated raconteur, I've taken it upon myself to conduct some grass-level research into this matter. I've checked out twitter and several other Chiefs sites and even looked at the comments sections below articles and things.

Here's what I have found; there are a ton of Chiefs fans who firmly believe that their role is to support the team through thick or thin. In fact, they think that it is their responsibility to bolster the team's self-image by purchasing Chiefs stuff and going to games when we suck. This, of course, is odd considering it's very similar to sending Hitler a get well card after he shot himself.

These people believe what Pioli and Crennel say. They will never waiver and they will never quit on the team. That, my friends is why the Chiefs have been able to dump elephant dung on our heads for 50 years and call it manna. Because these people are so committed, I fear that our dreams of mutiny are out of reach and our goals to overthrow the installed powers are hopeless. It is time to drink and drink heavily. Or, should you happen to possess some marijuana, that would probably work too.

FAX

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by BlackBob

Carr's a mystery but I get not signing Bowe long term. We can tag him once or twice and force him to play hard.

Maybe Carr just really wanted to go to Dallas and didn't want to stay?

He didn't offer Carr that contract because he didn't want Flowers to get pissed. Pioli is a ****ing idiot.

[CaliforniaChief]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Personally I think Pioli is headed in the right direction, our roster is better than it was 4 years ago and again we need a better QB but who's availabe ??? I know draft one but it's an awful high risk with a first round pick.

There's less risk with not drafting one than to try. Especially now that the signing bonuses for first rounders won't break the bank or kill the franchise for years to come.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BlackBob

Carr's a mystery but I get not signing Bowe long term. We can tag him once or twice and force him to play hard.

Maybe Carr just really wanted to go to Dallas and didn't want to stay?

A contract was never offered, so he never had an opportunity to choose.

Clark Hunt is cheap. Don't fool yourself.

[CaliforniaChief]

Bowe is an elite receiver and should be paid as such. There's just no doubt about that.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

I know draft one but it's an awful high risk with a first round pick.

The Chiefs should have given up their entire 2012 draft and next year's number one for RGIII.

If that had happened, would the Chiefs currently be 0-2 and outscored a billion to one?

Would anyone miss Poe, Allen, Stephanson, Menzie, Wylie or Hemingway?

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The Chiefs should have given up their entire 2012 draft and next year's number one for RGIII.

If that had happened, would the Chiefs currently be 0-2 and outscored a billion to one?

Would anyone miss Poe, Allen, Stephanson, Menzie, Wylie or Hemingway?

How about Stafford v. Jackson, Cassel, Magee, Berry, McCluster, Arenas ??

[Black Bob]

Originally Posted by FAX

These people believe what Pioli and Crennel say. They will never waiver and they will never quit on the team. That, my friends is why the Chiefs have been able to dump elephant dung on our heads for 50 years and call it manna. Because these people are so committed, I fear that our dreams of mutiny are out of reach and our goals to overthrow the installed powers are hopeless. It is time to drink and drink heavily. Or, should you happen to possess some marijuana, that would probably work too.

FAX

Good post and I agree. It's going to be impossible to get your average Joe Fan to care if we win a few games.

He didn't offer Carr that contract because he didn't want Flowers to get pissed. Pioli is a ****ing idiot.

Said the reporter... Maybe that was specualtion? It would be hard to prove that...

I want Pioli out.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

At this point, isn't this what we need?

I don't feel that way.

Ideally, we need to see an epic collapse by CASSEL, and we need the rest of the team to play well.

There are plenty of players on this team that i feel are, and should be, major contributers to this team. An epic collapse would mean that those players aren't who we thought they were, and that the team would need to be rebuilt from top to bottom AGAIN.

I don't feel like waiting another 3-4 years.

I'd much rather RaC figure it out, the D figure it out, and Cassel shit his pants and force his way off the starting lineup.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

He's cheap.

He failed to write a check for $25 million to Brandon Carr for guaranteed upfront money and he failed to write a similar check to Dwayne Bowe.

Don't fool yourself: He's cheap.

Could care less about Brandon Carr. They needed to open the check book for Bowe though.