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

[FAX]

On the positive side of the ledger, continuity is an important factor in the NFL. There seems to be a correlation between long-tenured leadership and winning. That mainly applies to HCs, though.

By the way, has anyone taken the time to compare Carl's first 4 years to Dr. Evil's first 4?

If my drug-addled memory hasn't failed me entirely, it seems like I read somewhere that Carl got off to a pretty good start here in KC ... both in terms of the draft (DT) and the coach (MS) ... before things began to wane over the next two decades, of course.

It would make for an interesting article in the Star, I think. A good hook for Babb, maybe.

FAX

[O.city]

IIRC, or remember reading correctly, Carl walked into a pretty good situation, much the same as Pioli.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by FAX

By the way, has anyone taken the time to compare Carl's first 4 years to Dr. Evil's first 4?

Carl's first 50 games: 31-18-1, 1-2 playoffs

Pioli's first 50 games: 21-29, 0-1 playoffs


Carl's worthwhile (contributor+) picks:

Derrick Thomas, Robb Thomas, Todd McNair, Tim Grunhard, Dave Szott, Tim Barnett, Charles Mincy, Dale Carter

Pioli's worthwhile (contributor+) picks:

Tyson Jackson, Ryan Succop, Eric Berry, Dexter McCluster, Javier Arenas, Jon Assamoah, Tony Moeaki, Kendrick Lewis, Rodney Hudson, Justin Houston, Dontari Poe


Carl wins W/L record.

Draft is a push.

Carl's best players blow Pioli's out of the water.

Pioli is slightly better at grabbing mediocre contributors. He's got fistfuls of Charles Mincys and Todd McNairs, and no Derrick Thomases or Dale Carters.


Wins over winning teams

Carl - 11
Pioli - 3

[O.city]

Pioli has drafted a bunch of guys that, in 3 years could be real difference makers.

Problem is, when he had a draft spot to grab a real difference maker, he shit out Tyson Jackson and Baldwin

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Carl's first 50 games: 31-18-1, 1-2 playoffs

Pioli's first 50 games: 21-29, 0-1 playoffs


Carl's worthwhile (contributor+) picks:

Derrick Thomas, Robb Thomas, Todd McNair, Tim Grunhard, Dave Szott, Tim Barnett, Charles Mincy, Dale Carter

Pioli's worthwhile (contributor+) picks:

Tyson Jackson, Ryan Succop, Eric Berry, Dexter McCluster, Javier Arenas, Jon Assamoah, Tony Moeaki, Kendrick Lewis, Rodney Hudson, Justin Houston, Dontari Poe


Carl wins W/L record.

Draft is a push.

Carl's best players blow Pioli's out of the water.

Pioli is slightly better at grabbing mediocre contributors. He's got fistfuls of Charles Mincys and Todd McNairs, and no Derrick Thomases or Dale Carters.


Wins over winning teams

Carl - 11
Pioli - 3

Interesting, Mr. GoChiefs. And kind of funny. A couple questions for which I have no idea how to find the answers as I am the worst researcher on the Earth as we know it ...

1. What was the Chiefs record in the year(s) prior to Carl/DE? I wonder if we're talking about an even playing field, you know?

2. Didn't Carl hire MS in his first year on the job? If so, that compares very favorably to the Haley/Romeo hires.

3. Those draft picks you've listed ... those were selected during the 50 game period of time you're comparing? (I didn't word that very well, but you catch my drift, right?)

Assuming that both GMs started from a similar baseline in terms of existing players, record, etc., it appears that Carl takes the cake and DE locks the bathrooms. Pretty interesting, actually.

FAX

[O.city]

Carls ways worked very well, when running the ball and playing defense were the way to go. Dunno what he would do know.


Apparently, Pioli is following the same method.

[FAX]

Oh ... and Szott and Grunhard were no slouches in my book. Have we drafted an o-lineman anywhere close to those guys?

Also, when was Neil Smith drafted? After the 4th year of Carl's tenure?

FAX

[notorious]

Doing a 360 turn puts you right back on the same path.

[Hammock Parties]

He was drafted by the previous regime.

[Otter]

I can't believe some of you guys are talking about Carl Peterson. Just go away. Seriously. Go get drunk and jerk off over your high school sweet heart while your at it.

[O.city]

Pioli has drafted some guys who absolutely have the potential to become game changers. However, if they don't, isn't that even on him a little for putting the wrong people in charge to make it happen?

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by FAX

1. What was the Chiefs record in the year(s) prior to Carl/DE? I wonder if we're talking about an even playing field, you know?

2. Didn't Carl hire MS in his first year on the job? If so, that compares very favorably to the Haley/Romeo hires.

3. Those draft picks you've listed ... those were selected during the 50 game period of time you're comparing? (I didn't word that very well, but you catch my drift, right?)

1. 4-11-1, 4-11, 10-6, 6-10

2. Yes

3. I've compared Carl's first four drafts to Pioli's first four. That's a little unfair to Pioli because DeQuan Menzie could be a Hall of Famer.

[RedNFeisty]

I'm still excited for this team and know they can turn it around, they have the weapons.

[Urc Burry]

Originally Posted by O.city

Pioli has drafted a bunch of guys that, in 3 years could be real difference makers.

Problem is, when he had a draft spot to grab a real difference maker, he shit out Tyson Jackson and Baldwin

Not defending the Tyson Jackson pick, but getting a potential #1 receiver who we knew was a project and a force at the OLB with one first rounder? I'm not going to complain about that

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

That's a little unfair to Pioli because DeQuan Menzie could be a Hall of Famer.

and