Chiefs Mellinger: First three months of Dorsey’s Chiefs regime far cry from *****’s - Page 3

**Tribal Warfare** · 04-06-2013, 03:54 PM

First three months of Dorsey’s Chiefs regime far cry from *****’s
By Sam Mellinger
The Kansas City Star
John Dorsey knows Kansas City. By now you’ve heard that part of his story. His wife is from the area, and their first date was at Jack Stack. When the Chiefs introduced him as their new general manager, he called it his dream job.

But living in a place can be very different than visiting. He just bought a house here. This is real now. Working a dream job can be very different than dreaming about it. So we wanted to check in after three months and see if anything had changed.

“No way, this place is awesome, man,” he says. “Here’s an example. We went down to Oklahoma Joe’s (on Wednesday), Andy and I and some other guys, and we sat in line for 40 minutes. The people were great. This is the good thing about the Midwest: Everybody respects your space. It’s a cool thing.

“Some guys would come up and talk to us; they’re genuinely excited. That’s what it’s all about. It’s the people, man.”

Dorsey will talk your ear off about Kansas City. The other day, as the lawn mower was going by his office window, he realized it was never this nice in Green Bay until mid-May, at least. You hear Dorsey talk, and you hear others in the Chiefs offices talk about him, and you begin to understand a franchise-defining change.

We don’t know if Dorsey will succeed in Kansas City. Nobody does. But after three months, there are clues about how the Chiefs are, and will continue to be, different.

He doesn’t spend any time trash-talking his predecessor, for one. This was a favorite pastime of Scott *****’s. Publicly and privately, directly and indirectly, ***** wanted you to know what kind of mess he inherited.

Dorsey never mentions that he arrives on the heels of what many involved called the worst football year of their lives.

“We’re just trying to get people excited, because that’s a good working environment,” Dorsey says.

The second major difference between this regime change and the one that preceded it is that Dorsey isn’t overhauling the front office. ***** talked constantly of changing the culture and spent a lot of time firing and hiring people. Dorsey has spent a large chunk of his time meeting and working with and listening to people who were here long before January.

“Not one guy has all the answers, my God,” Dorsey says. “This is a hard job now. There are going to be some people here who are going to help and it’s good to have everybody here to do this.”

That leads to the third major difference between Dorsey and *****. Whenever possible, ***** would namedrop Bill Belichick. Dorsey doesn’t talk much about Green Bay. Doesn’t tell stories about drafting Aaron Rodgers or winning the Super Bowl with the league’s youngest roster or what they saw in Clay Matthews that 25 other teams passed on ... unless you ask.

Dorsey isn’t coming to Kansas City expecting people to kiss his Super Bowl rings as much as he’s hoping the people here can help him win another one.

“I think you’ve got to earn everybody’s respect,” he says. “I’m trying to earn everybody’s respect in the organization. I only know one way. I have no ego. I like to work. I like work, I like football, and I love my family.”

The Chiefs’ last four years were filled with drama. Carl Peterson ran the organization for two decades, and although he probably should have been replaced a year or two earlier, you can now look back and see a professionalism that went missing when he departed. He had his quirks — quite frankly… — but people genuinely liked working for him. There’s something to be said for that.

It’s only three months, of course, but there seems to be a steadiness and professionalism returning to the Chiefs’ offices. You don’t hear stories of paranoia, or micromanaging, or bizarre rules about who can make color copies.

This is still an NFL organization, so secrets are still closely guarded. Besides, NFL teams are bigger than the general manager. Owner Clark Hunt was going to push his franchise in this direction no matter who he hired as general manager.

But the sense from the inside is one of confidence, comfort and a renewed optimism. You can see that in Dorsey as he talks about the rewards of hard work and the focus on empowering his scouts. Get people invested, he says. Get them excited. That’s how you build a winning culture.

Again, we don’t know how this story will end. Dorsey is only three months into the job. His first draft is three weeks off, his first game six months away. All we have are these hints. But all these hints are positive.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-06-2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

Unfortunately Dorsey has already done one important thing identical to what Fat Scott did when he arrived in KC... trade for a true fan-wet dream-caliber veteran QB to be the Chiefs starting QB.

I understand that some people feel that way but I spoke to someone today at great length that's been a frequent contributor for two decades at both ESPN and the NFL Network that had the opposite view.

Without going into too much detail, the "League" views the Chiefs as a real playoff threat this season and the consensus is that the Alex Smith move was genius, especially when coupled with Reid. The "League" has also been extremely impressed with their moves in free agency.

I was also told that the Bills have no interest in Smith, have targeted Nassib and will take him with their second round pick, so eliminate him from contention. If there's an unlikely run on QB's, they'll be more than happy to trade up into the late first round and grab him.

Take it for what it's worth. It's not "Bible" but it was interesting and I appreciated the input, especially since we're so close to the draft.

Again, FWIW.

Hammock Parties · 04-06-2013, 08:24 PM

The Chiefs aren't a playoff threat while Peyton Manning is in the AFC West.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-06-2013, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonton Prejudice

The Chiefs aren't a playoff threat while Peyton Manning is in the AFC West.

For shits and grins, let say the Broncos, Patriots and Ravens are solid bets to win their divisions. That leaves three spots open.

I'd be shocked if both the Texans and Colts both made the playoffs in 2013. It's not outside the realm of possibility, but it would surprise to see either take a step back.

The Steelers are on a slow train to mediocrity. The Bengals seem to be stuck in neutral. The Jets and Dolphins are going in opposite directions and the Bills are a mess. The Raiders and Chargers are crap.

It's not outside the box thinking that the Chiefs could be pushing for a playoff spot in 2013.

Hammock Parties · 04-06-2013, 08:33 PM

Those teams you mentioned - the Colts, Texans, Steelers and Bengals - have a huge advantage over the Chiefs. They aren't in year one of a new system installing a completely new offense, defense, etc.

We're an 8-8 team at best next year. 2014 we can start talking playoffs if Alex Smith isn't a disaster.

I also think the Chargers are a sleeper.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-06-2013, 08:34 PM

We'll wild card. Ive never doubted that. Its the choice for the future that concerns me.
Posted via Mobile Device

Rasputin · 04-06-2013, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonton Prejudice

The Chiefs aren't a playoff threat while Peyton Manning is in the AFC West.

9 - 7 could win this pathetic ass division so even with shitty Alex Smith @ QB we could win the division despite the QBs.

Hammock Parties · 04-06-2013, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

9 - 7 could win this pathetic ass division so even with shitty Alex Smith @ QB we could win the division despite the QBs.

The Broncos are probably a 14-2 team.

tk13 · 04-06-2013, 08:39 PM

The AFC is terrible. If the Chiefs are even average they'll be in the hunt. I actually feel like the Bengals and Colts may be the only two truly ascending teams at this point. Bengals have a good young D, a solid QB and AJ Green. The Colts have Luck. The Ravens are a mystery because they've had so many changes. Everyone else is backtracking and/or getting older.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-06-2013, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonton Prejudice

Those teams you mentioned - the Colts, Texans, Steelers and Bengals - have a huge advantage over the Chiefs. They aren't in year one of a new system installing a completely new offense, defense, etc.

We're an 8-8 team at best next year. 2014 we can start talking playoffs if Alex Smith isn't a disaster.

I also think the Chargers are a sleeper.

I think the Chargers have a shit offensive line, no reliable or game breaking running back, crap at WR and a broken down tight end. With a new head coach, they're looking at 5-11 at best (at this point).

The Steelers don't have an advantage. They've been 8-8 and haven't upgraded their roster or coaching staff. The wheels are coming off the Mike Tomlin regime, and quickly.

The Bengals have an opportunity to make some noise but somehow, they fall short. I wouldn't count them out but I wouldn't count them in, either. They have extra draft choices due to the Palmer trade in a 50 deep draft.

The Texans really took a dump in December. I'm a believer in Luck and the Colts but he did take a ridiculous amount of sacks and they're changing their offense.

Nothing is a given.

tk13 · 04-06-2013, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonton Prejudice

The Broncos are probably a 14-2 team.

Thanks for the insight Hootie.

Imon Yourside · 04-06-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Dick Willie

I believe Dorsey is a Genoite.
Posted via Mobile Device

We're ready to believe you! /Ghostbusters style

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-06-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonton Prejudice

The Broncos are probably a 14-2 team.

They were 13-3 last year.

How many playoff games did they win?

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-06-2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

9 - 7 could win this pathetic ass division so even with shitty Alex Smith @ QB we could win the division despite the QBs.

The 2011 NY Giants won the Super Bowl with a 9-7 record.

The 2008 Arizona Cardinals were two minutes away from a Super Bowl with a 9-7 record.

All that truly matters is getting into the playoffs.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-06-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Dick Willie

We'll wild card. Ive never doubted that. Its the choice for the future that concerns me.
Posted via Mobile Device

The Ravens, Giants and Packers were all wild card Super Bowl winners.

Hammock Parties · 04-06-2013, 08:46 PM

Homer Dane going HAM this offseason.

04-06-2013, 03:54 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2777187	Mellinger: First three months of Dorsey’s Chiefs regime far cry from *’s First three months of Dorsey’s Chiefs regime far cry from *’s By Sam Mellinger The Kansas City Star John Dorsey knows Kansas City. By now you’ve heard that part of his story. His wife is from the area, and their first date was at Jack Stack. When the Chiefs introduced him as their new general manager, he called it his dream job. But living in a place can be very different than visiting. He just bought a house here. This is real now. Working a dream job can be very different than dreaming about it. So we wanted to check in after three months and see if anything had changed. “No way, this place is awesome, man,” he says. “Here’s an example. We went down to Oklahoma Joe’s (on Wednesday), Andy and I and some other guys, and we sat in line for 40 minutes. The people were great. This is the good thing about the Midwest: Everybody respects your space. It’s a cool thing. “Some guys would come up and talk to us; they’re genuinely excited. That’s what it’s all about. It’s the people, man.” Dorsey will talk your ear off about Kansas City. The other day, as the lawn mower was going by his office window, he realized it was never this nice in Green Bay until mid-May, at least. You hear Dorsey talk, and you hear others in the Chiefs offices talk about him, and you begin to understand a franchise-defining change. We don’t know if Dorsey will succeed in Kansas City. Nobody does. But after three months, there are clues about how the Chiefs are, and will continue to be, different. He doesn’t spend any time trash-talking his predecessor, for one. This was a favorite pastime of Scott ***’s. Publicly and privately, directly and indirectly, * wanted you to know what kind of mess he inherited. Dorsey never mentions that he arrives on the heels of what many involved called the worst football year of their lives. “We’re just trying to get people excited, because that’s a good working environment,” Dorsey says. The second major difference between this regime change and the one that preceded it is that Dorsey isn’t overhauling the front office. * talked constantly of changing the culture and spent a lot of time firing and hiring people. Dorsey has spent a large chunk of his time meeting and working with and listening to people who were here long before January. “Not one guy has all the answers, my God,” Dorsey says. “This is a hard job now. There are going to be some people here who are going to help and it’s good to have everybody here to do this.” That leads to the third major difference between Dorsey and *. Whenever possible, *** would namedrop Bill Belichick. Dorsey doesn’t talk much about Green Bay. Doesn’t tell stories about drafting Aaron Rodgers or winning the Super Bowl with the league’s youngest roster or what they saw in Clay Matthews that 25 other teams passed on ... unless you ask. Dorsey isn’t coming to Kansas City expecting people to kiss his Super Bowl rings as much as he’s hoping the people here can help him win another one. “I think you’ve got to earn everybody’s respect,” he says. “I’m trying to earn everybody’s respect in the organization. I only know one way. I have no ego. I like to work. I like work, I like football, and I love my family.” The Chiefs’ last four years were filled with drama. Carl Peterson ran the organization for two decades, and although he probably should have been replaced a year or two earlier, you can now look back and see a professionalism that went missing when he departed. He had his quirks — quite frankly… — but people genuinely liked working for him. There’s something to be said for that. It’s only three months, of course, but there seems to be a steadiness and professionalism returning to the Chiefs’ offices. You don’t hear stories of paranoia, or micromanaging, or bizarre rules about who can make color copies. This is still an NFL organization, so secrets are still closely guarded. Besides, NFL teams are bigger than the general manager. Owner Clark Hunt was going to push his franchise in this direction no matter who he hired as general manager. But the sense from the inside is one of confidence, comfort and a renewed optimism. You can see that in Dorsey as he talks about the rewards of hard work and the focus on empowering his scouts. Get people invested, he says. Get them excited. That’s how you build a winning culture. Again, we don’t know how this story will end. Dorsey is only three months into the job. His first draft is three weeks off, his first game six months away. All we have are these hints. But all these hints are positive.
Posts: 43,419

04-06-2013, 08:24 PM	#32
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1020478	The Chiefs aren't a playoff threat while Peyton Manning is in the AFC West. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,731

04-06-2013, 08:33 PM	#34
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1020478	Those teams you mentioned - the Colts, Texans, Steelers and Bengals - have a huge advantage over the Chiefs. They aren't in year one of a new system installing a completely new offense, defense, etc. We're an 8-8 team at best next year. 2014 we can start talking playoffs if Alex Smith isn't a disaster. I also think the Chargers are a sleeper. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,731

04-06-2013, 08:34 PM	#35
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	We'll wild card. Ive never doubted that. Its the choice for the future that concerns me. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 77,135

04-06-2013, 08:39 PM	#38
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1677500	The AFC is terrible. If the Chiefs are even average they'll be in the hunt. I actually feel like the Bengals and Colts may be the only two truly ascending teams at this point. Bengals have a good young D, a solid QB and AJ Green. The Colts have Luck. The Ravens are a mystery because they've had so many changes. Everyone else is backtracking and/or getting older.
Posts: 56,600

04-06-2013, 08:46 PM	#45
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1020478	Homer Dane going HAM this offseason. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,731