New GM Dorsey brings energy, enthusiasm to first training camp with Chiefs

[mdchiefsfan]

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/07/19...nthusiasm.html

July 19
BY VAHE GREGORIAN
The Kansas City Star

The sheer, sincere energy radiates, almost enough to make you flinch or squint, as John Dorsey walks in the room and introduces himself.

As the new Chiefs general manager prepared to embark Friday for an inspection of the operation at Missouri Western, where the team begins training camp with a trickle Monday and in earnest on Friday, it was hard not to get reeled in by his boyish enthusiasm.

He spoke of the franchise being a “crown jewel” once it’s awakened and vowed he “will not rest” until then. He talked of an organization that is “symmetrically aligned” and of the good people he is working with — “You can feel that around here ” — in the aftermath of a reign of error that he isn’t interested in addressing.

“I don’t live in the past; I live in the present and look forward to the future,” Dorsey said. “I’ll learn from the past, but I won’t live in it. I am who I am.”

And who he is couldn’t contain his anticipation of the home opener against Dallas on Sept. 15.

“Here’s what I can’t wait to hear,” he says, before bellowing out a somewhat disturbing, impossible-to-describe roaring sound. “These fans are unbelievable. I mean, I just want to hear them cranked up.”

Toward that end, here’s what he says fans should look for in the first year of the new regime of Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid.

“Everybody should expect a team that will be very competitive, that will represent the brand of the Kansas City Chiefs and what it stands for,” he said. “You’re going to see a bunch of guys that are excited and competitive and are going to compete their (tails) off for the AFC West — and rightfully so.

“That’s what you should be doing. That’s why you’re in the business.

“And you’re going to see a group of guys who are going to come together like a big family,” he adds, meshing the fingers of both hands together, “and the closeness in the locker room can buy you (victories).

“We’re all in this together; everybody’s on the same page.”

If that proves true in the long haul, it will an achievement in itself after the splintering within under predecessor Scott Pioli.

But by way of example, Dorsey points first to Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and president Mark Donovan, speaking of each with admiration and later illustrating the flow chart by finding four Styrofoam plates and arranging them with Hunt represented at the top and Donovan, Reid and himself on the same line.

“The structure that Clark has set up, it works, it really does,” he said, adding that they have worked to create a “belief system” together. “Listen, not one guy has all the answers, but collectively, if you can take everybody together, the fist is much more powerful than (a finger).”

He added, “I know my strengths and weaknesses, but I’ll find the solution. Does that make sense? Just give me a little time and some patience, and I’ll use every resource available and I’ll find the solution.”

While Dorsey stressed the essentials of cooperation and communication throughout the organization, top to bottom, the dynamic that will be most evident and likely most vital to the franchise’s future after years of futility will be the one between Reid and him.

The duo became close during their time together in Green Bay, where Reid was an assistant from 1992-98 before his 14-year run as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles ended with a 4-12 campaign a year ago.

“Andy and I talk three times a day, even on vacation; we’re like two brothers,” he says, pulling out his cell phone to show a picture of his 2-year-old, “Baby Jack,” eating watermelon that he recently texted Reid. “That’s what we share; that’s part of the friendship, and that’s we do.

“We communicate. In the positions were in, and this includes Clark and Mark as well, we’re in constant communication. Constant communication makes effective organizations, and that’s the way it is.”

For a more tangible illustration of how that plays out, Dorsey retraced the steps of how they went about going after quarterback Alex Smith from the 49ers.

“The coaches did their evaluation, overall assessment of the team. We (in personnel) did our overall assessment of the team,” said Dorsey, who had spent most of the last two decades making his mark with the Packers in that capacity. “That way everybody gets a separate, objective opinion. Then Andy and I sat and talked, and it was interesting because we both were spot-on … about our needs.

“So then I assessed all of the quarterback pool there was, in the NFL and in college. I assessed it, then I ranked them, I broke them down. And it wasn’t even close. Alex Smith was the only option.”

The division of labor, Dorsey said, also should benefit Reid.

“I think it’s huge. His plate was full when he was in Philly, now; I mean, really full,” he said. “And the way that Clark has structured it, my job is to bring the chess pieces to the game and say, ‘There you go, big boy, let’s go play.’ ”

With a smile, he added that Reid is a “pretty good offensive schemer” — who will have more time for that again — among his other attributes.

“He is a gentleman; he is a leader. Andy’s really good at molding young men,” he said. “You know why? Because he is honest, he’s truthful. Guys believe in him. He’s going to tell it like it is, good or bad.”

His own upbeat aura notwithstanding, Dorsey has that in him, too.

He knows he’s in a honeymoon phase, of course, and he might prefer to undersell and overdeliver.

“I just wish the fans would taper down,” he said, smiling but maybe not quite joking. “I know they’re excited, but this is a marathon, not a sprint. It can’t happen overnight.”

That may most aptly be summed up by the fact that 53 of the 90 names on the Chiefs’ training camp roster are new.

“I’m just throwing this number out there flippantly, but the average shifting is probably 20,” Dorsey said. “But when you’re 2-14, you better do something.”

But even if he does consider himself a realist, even if he acknowledges “you never know what you have” until you see it, Dorsey is thrilled to be in the thick of the transition on the eve of his first Chiefs camp.

“It’s a new season,” he said. “I want to see this team (and) who they really are.”

And no matter who it is and how far it has to go, he adds, “When we wake up in the morning, that’s why we’re here, to not only make ourselves better but make our community better. Let’s do something special today.”

[milkman]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

So Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers are game managers?

I would argue that Manning is an elite game manager.

But to clarify, those that I define as game managers are those that strugglev when plays break down.

Aaron Rodgers is the best in the game when plays break down, so no, Rodgers is not defined as a game manager.

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

And, you would have that second rounder next year as well, that if need be, can be moved so you can move up to grab a qb if its that bad.

It wont be though. The 49ers will get your next years second rounder. The chiefs are winning more than 8 games.

Unless the QB we drafted were a first rounder, top half of the first rounder, etc... he would not likely be someone you could turn the reins over to immediately anyway.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Back to Flacco, I realize that winning a Super Bowl often implies that a QB is "Elite" and it could be argued, even by me, that Flacco is an elite QB.

But that said, for some reason, I vacillate between elite and nearly elite with him. I have no dislike of the man and I'm familiar with his success, it's just for me, one day I think he's elite, the next day I don't.

He's a tough call for me.

I'll gladly take near-elite. I'll gladly take a guy with the potential to become near-elite.

And that's the thing - while people defending Alex Smith to the death continue to claim there are only 4-5 elite QB's, they conveniently do not mention that there are many more guys that are near-elite or have the talent to become elite/near-elite.

Love him or hate him, Jaws was spot on with his assessment of AS as the 20th best starting QB in the league. And that's not good enough.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by O.city

I dont' really see alot of middle ground this year though. I think we'll either be bad or pretty good. I don't think we'll be mediocre.

Alex Smith in Andy Reid's offense, however or whatever wrinkles he adds, will either excel at throwing the football or will be lost, because in the end, he's going to be asked to throw the football in a pass happy offense.

When Alex was the 49ers qb the last two years, he was given 2 plays to go to the line of scrimmage. He could check to either one of those that he thought was best against the defense shown. If Andy Reid gives him the freedom in some what of that fashion, being if its audibles or the two play system, you are going to see a lot of runs. That's the golden question.

There is Andy Reids history, vs what alex smith said to NFL network.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by milkman

I would argue that Manning is an elite game manager.

But to clarify, those that I define as game managers are those that strugglev when plays break down.

Aaron Rodgers is the best in the game when plays break down, so no, Rodgers is not defined as a game manager.

Him, or Roethlisberger. They are both great when a play breaks down. Good points.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

When Alex was the 49ers qb the last two years, he was given 2 plays to go to the line of scrimmage. He could check to either one of those that he thought was best against the defense shown. If Andy Reid gives him the freedom in some what of that fashion, being if its audibles or the two play system, you are going to see a lot of runs. That's the golden question.

There is Andy Reids history, vs what alex smith said to NFL network.

This isn't something thats isolated to Alex Smith. A good number of Qb's are allowed to do this.

But it also depends on the personnel on the field.

[BossChief]

Alex Smith = Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan = borderline elite

So, Alex Smith is borderline elite in Danes book.

That has nothing to do with Geno, EJ, Tyler or Glennon...that has to do with trying to rationalize a bad move our chosen team has made, once again.

If they deemed that this quarterback class was trash, fine.

Doesn't mean you give a borderline first and second round picks for a marginal upgrade to Cassel or even going out and signing a guy like Matt Moore.

Not too many of us would have been pissed if we did that and kept those picks.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Cochise

Unless the QB we drafted were a first rounder, top half of the first rounder, etc... he would not likely be someone you could turn the reins over to immediately anyway.

I think the league is changing quite a bit in that way.

Andy Dalton was a second rounder, and Russell Wilson is a 3rd rounder. I think that in the right situation, which, as presently presented both would be pretty good spots for a rookie qb to succeed if drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round. Good running game, decent to good defense. I think the Chiefs are a situation that could present that kind of option if Alex Smith does suck. Which is entirely possible.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Alex Smith = Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan = borderline elite

So, Alex Smith is borderline elite in Danes book.

That has nothing to do with Geno, EJ, Tyler or Glennon...that has to do with trying to rationalize a bad move our chosen team has made, once again.

If they deemed that this quarterback class was trash, fine.

Doesn't mean you give a borderline first and second round picks for a marginal upgrade to Cassel or even going out and signing a guy like Matt Moore.

Not too many of us would have been pissed if we did that and kept those picks.

Whats the deal man? We are having a civilized conversation and you come in here with this.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by O.city

This isn't something thats isolated to Alex Smith. A good number of Qb's are allowed to do this.

But it also depends on the personnel on the field.

I will not pretend to know how Andy Reid handles his qbs. And when in speaking for Alex Smith, audibling, or controlling the line of scrimmage, was not something he was ever allowed to do under Nolan, and Especially not under singletary.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Elite QBs

Rodgers
Brees
Peyton Manning
Roethlisburger
Brady

Eli Manning is most certainly Elite.

Despite the fact he's won two Super Bowls, he's the unquestioned future of the New York Giants.

He's one of those rare guys where gaudy stats do indeed matter in the conversation because of those Super Bowl wins. The guy threw for 77 yards shy of 5,000 in 2011 (the last year they won the Super Bowl) and he's thrown for at least 4,000 yards three out of his nine years in the league and was 52 yards shy of his fourth 4,000 yard season last year.

IMO, it doesn't get anymore "Elite" than Eli.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Alex Smith = Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan = borderline elite

So, Alex Smith is borderline elite in Danes book.

That has nothing to do with Geno, EJ, Tyler or Glennon...that has to do with trying to rationalize a bad move our chosen team has made, once again.

If they deemed that this quarterback class was trash, fine.

Doesn't mean you give a borderline first and second round picks for a marginal upgrade to Cassel or even going out and signing a guy like Matt Moore.

Not too many of us would have been pissed if we did that and kept those picks.

God, there are just so many factors that people leave out when they discuss Matt Ryan. First, he plays in a dome. Second, he has SO MANY WEAPONS AROUND HIM. I don't think he is anywhere, NEAR elite. How elite do you have to be to throw to Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

I will not pretend to know how Andy Reid handles his qbs. And when in speaking for Alex Smith, audibling, or controlling the line of scrimmage, was not something he was ever allowed to do under Nolan, and Especially not under singletary.

It just depends I guess.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Alex Smith = Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan = borderline elite

So, Alex Smith is borderline elite in Danes book.

Yeah, that's what I said.



And if Matt Ryan's going to the Hall of Fame, I guess they might as well prepare the Andy Dalton bust as well.

Originally Posted by BossChief

That has nothing to do with Geno, EJ, Tyler or Glennon...that has to do with trying to rationalize a bad move our chosen team has made, once again.

If they deemed that this quarterback class was trash, fine.

Doesn't mean you give a borderline first and second round picks for a marginal upgrade to Cassel or even going out and signing a guy like Matt Moore.

Matt Moore wasn't an option, as he re-signed with Miami as a backup. Kind of like Kyle Orton in 2012.

Originally Posted by BossChief

Not too many of us would have been pissed if we did that and kept those picks.

Are you referring to Clay, SDH and yourself? Do you realize that the "us" you're referring to equals about .001% of the Chiefs fan base?

[BossChief]

Matt Moore + Geno Smith/Robert Woods/Kevin Minter + a second round pick next year + 5 million in cap space

Or

Alex Smith

?