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.”

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

You forgot Brees

I was strictly responding to AFC teams

which would be our competition to get into the playoffs this year

we are really looking at hoping Alex Smith can hang with or be better than the 2nd tier AFC QBs this year- Dalton, Tannehill, Schaub, etc to give us a chance at the playoffs.

he has to be or its going to be a long season

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by milkman

Just once, I'd like be wrong on the major decisions this franchise makes.

You have the benefit of being able to claim you were right without having to prove it. Since they (nor any other team) have ever implemented your ideas there is no way to prove you wrong. You can only prove that their way didn't work (which of course has yet to be seen with this regime), not that your way would work any better.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

You forgot Brees

mcajj can correct me if I'm out of line here, but I'm pretty sure he's referencing AFC QBs.

[Ceej]

Everywhere I've read has said the Ravens are going to be one of the teams who regress the most.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Sorter

mcajj can correct me if I'm out of line here, but I'm pretty sure he's referencing AFC QBs.

Yep, got it. Get in line

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Yep, got it. Get in line

aaargggghhhhh

[Setsuna]

No they guaranteed no matter what Alex does he has at least 3 years with what they gave up. Does this trade sound familiar? Deja vu?

[Mav]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I'd trade Alex Smith for Phillip Rivers in a second.

Alex has never played at the level Rivers has shown to be capable of.

Not even close

uhhh, What? Rivers, especially the last two years, has been a piece of shit at qb. Now, some of that isn't his fault. They have let all of his talent leave. Sproles, LT, Gates is always hurt, they didn't want to play Vincent Jackson, but lets be real...Last year especially, he was not a better qb than Alex Smith. Alas, I would still trade ALex Smith for Phillip Rivers today though.

Originally Posted by BossChief

Paired with a coach like Andy Reid, Phillip could ascend. As it sits, I see him 5-8th best.

I don't know about that match up. That looks to have a Andy Reid, Mike Vick feel to it. I don't think that would go so well. He would need a coach that would instill more discipline in him like Jim Harbaugh.

Originally Posted by mcaj22

you can say whatever you want but at the end of the day

Pats- Brady
Steelers - Big Ben
Colts - Luck
Broncos - Peyton
Ravens - Flacco

those five teams have a QB that can go on hot streaks and win games at any given time and carry their team. That is the difference maker, you can call the Ravens or Colts overrated or taking a step back but as long as these teams have franchise or elite QBs they are in the running for a winning season more times than not. No matter what position players or coaches leave

Except that Big Ben, couldn't do shit last year, and now has lost Wallace, they didn't improve the line, and what do they have at running back? Oh, and their defense is even worse than it was last year. The steelers are going to finish last in the AFC north.

Originally Posted by RunKC

I still think that the Ravens are the best team in the league right now, especially with Crabtree getting hurt in SF.

Their QB and front 7 combined are better than anyone in the AFC and that's what really matters.

Uhhhhhhh......No, The bengals have the best front 7 in the AFC. The Chiefs ultimately might have a better front 7 when all is said and done. The ravens lost far too much to be considered the best team in the afc. They are not even the best team in their own division. that is the bengals.

You don't lose Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Anquan Boldin, Cary Williams, Bernard Pollard, Paul Kruger, and Vonta Leach, and still say you are better than what you were.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by Clayton Bibsby

No they guaranteed no matter what Alex does he has at least 3 years with what they gave up. Does this trade sound familiar? Deja vu?

No they didn't. His contract is structured so they can get rid of him if he doesn't perform. We gave up the draft picks either way, so that isn't an issue.

[RunKC]

Uhhhhhhh......No, The bengals have the best front 7 in the AFC. The Chiefs ultimately might have a better front 7 when all is said and done. The ravens lost far too much to be considered the best team in the afc. They are not even the best team in their own division. that is the bengals.

I said combination of QB and front 7, not just the front 7.

[DTLB58]

I think the Bengals are gonna win the North this season.

I think the Steelers continue in decline and don't make the post season again which will lead to Haley's departure despite an elite QB on the roster.

The Ravens and Colts will land both Wild Card spots.

Chiefs aren't there yet, but watch out for '14.

But what do I know...I say we go 9-7

[DTLB58]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I'd trade Alex Smith for Phillip Rivers in a second.

Alex has never played at the level Rivers has shown to be capable of.

Not even close

I would tend to agree but I would wait a season under Reid to make that trade. Here's why: PR makes horrible game changing mistakes, under Harbaugh AS did not. If Reid can keep that attribute in Smith's game plus add in the deep ball, I'll keep AS.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Clayton Bibsby

No they guaranteed no matter what Alex does he has at least 3 years with what they gave up. Does this trade sound familiar? Deja vu?

[DTLB58]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

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.

I love Jaws and I hated the AS trade. But we don't know how he will play in Reid's offense. With high % passes to the RB's and TE's which could really open things up for Bowe and whoever might else emerge he could be a 65% accurate passer with 25+ TD's.

[ChiefAshhole20]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

You don't lose Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Anquan Boldin, Cary Williams, Bernard Pollard, Paul Kruger, and Vonta Leach, and still say you are better than what you were.

Both Elam and Brown are going to be upgrades over Lewis and Reed, maybe not leadership-wise, but both can be considered for DROY. Williams can be a blow, but with a healthy Suggs, and acquisitions on the Dline should help with the coverage. Dumerville is cheaper and better than Kruger. The only big hole that remains is the need left from the Boldin trade, but that's what happens when you pay your undeserving QB 100+mil.