Whitlock: Chiefs hope money doesn’t go to Dorsey’s head

[Deberg_1990]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/722079.html


Man, we love to beat up the Hunts and Carl Peterson for their frugality, but you have to feel for them today.

Their reward for a 4-12 season was the right to select an unproven player at the top of the draft and give him more than enough money to kill his eye of the Tiger.

Congratulations, Glenn Dorsey. If you handle your money properly, you will live a fantastic life for the next 50 years, thanks to the potential you displayed at Louisiana State University.

The Chiefs have no such guarantees. In fact, they’re likely to spend the next two years holding their breath, praying that Dorsey is a solid NFL player and somewhat worthy of a $50 million contract that includes at least 20 million guaranteed dollars.

If Dorsey is a flop, it will be easy to blame KC’s latest draft failure on The Artist Formerly Known as King Carl. He’s had terrible luck identifying young defensive tackles. He misfired on Ryan Sims, Junior Siavii, Eddie Freeman and, quite possibly, Tank Tyler and Turk McBride, too.

In those instances, it’s fair to fault Peterson and his scouting department. Sims was inconsistent at North Carolina. Siavii didn’t even really like football at Oregon. Freeman was a ridiculous reach in the second round. Character questions haunted Tyler before the draft. And the Chiefs somehow surmised that McBride could be an emergency fill-in at defensive end while Jared Allen sat out a 2007 suspension.

If Dorsey bombs, we shouldn’t blast Peterson. Dorsey was a no-brainer selection at No. 5. Seemingly every draft projection had Dorsey pegged as the top defensive tackle, and a lot of experts viewed him as the most talented player in the draft. At No. 5, every team in the league would’ve been more than happy to take Dorsey.

If he fails, there will be two likely causes: 1. Injury; 2. The ridiculous amount of money he was guaranteed before ever playing an NFL down.

Rarely do we talk about the role money plays in the success or failure of a young player. Most people agree — including commissioner Roger Goodell — that NFL rookies are paid way too much money.

We think it’s unfair that an unproven player such as Dorsey received a better contract than Tony Gonzalez has ever received during a Hall of Fame-worthy career.

Obviously, it’s a bad business model. It’s the equivalent of a law firm handing associates better deals than the firm’s partners. The NBA and Major League Baseball don’t allow this sort of consistent foolishness (although MLB teams are starting to give out fat signing bonuses).

The current NFL setup creates instant locker-room disharmony. It’s my contention that no pro-sports league deals with a higher percentage of veteran players dissatisfied with their contracts. I’d say 97 percent of NFL players believe their contracts should be renegotiated. And at this time of the year, when top-10 rookies are having dollar bills rained on them, the percentage of unhappy veterans is 99.

The system needs to be revamped for competitive reasons, too.

Football is just too violent and challenging to give a young person all that money. It’s like boxing. Mike Tyson was on his way to dethroning Muhammad Ali as the greatest and then Iron Mike got filthy rich and soft. It’s hard to run five miles at 5 in the morning when you have mansions in five states and five time zones.

Do you think Glenn Dorsey is as hungry today as he was two years ago at LSU?

Money changes people — in good and bad ways.

Tiger Woods is the only athlete I’ve ever seen be given lifetime financial security at the outset of his career and perform every day as though he doesn’t have a nickel in his pocket. But Tiger was raised from birth to be the world’s best golfer.

OK, Glenn Dorsey, Jake Long, Chris Long, Matt Ryan and Darren McFadden, the players at the top of the 2008 NFL draft, weren’t given Tiger money. But it might feel like it to them. You never really know.

The addition of mega millions makes maturity even more important when developing young athletes. NFL owners and general managers are constantly weighing whether a young player can handle the responsibility of being rich.

The Rams selected Chris Long, a defensive end, with the second pick in the draft. He doesn’t have as much upside as Dorsey. But Long’s father, Howie, is in the Hall of Fame and a wealthy broadcaster for Fox.

Like Tiger Woods and the Mannings, Chris Long was groomed for NFL greatness at an early age.

I’m sure the Hunts and Peterson believe Dorsey can handle the wealth they just gave him. Well, “believe” is probably too strong a word. I’m sure they hope he can handle all that money and still retain the attitude necessary to excel in the trenches.

[HolyHandgernade]

I think the premise is good, but I just don't get that bad feeling with Dorsey. Dorsey just strikes me as a man who loves to play football. I remember watching a pregame clip where he was pumping up his team with chants and stuff. I think he's the type of player that lives to be great, he isn't just measurables like Sims was. I agree that the rookie draft contrcts are out of whack, but I have little reason to fear the money wasn't well spent despite it.

-HH

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by PGM

I hate when guys are considered possible "busts" like he did to turk and tank. They've played one F'n year so far. We will know alot more after this season as they both should make contributions. If Tank can't beat out Ron Edwards this year I may agree with his point though.

I don't understand the defensive line positions that well to know the difference in the jobs of a LDT and a RDT in the 4-3 scheme, but it appears they want to have Tyler and Dorsey play the same position for when they do the rotation of linemen thing. That could be a good thing, if that is the position where you don't want a real drop off in talent when the backups are in.

[Thig Lyfe]

Originally Posted by Chief Chief

My problems with this $hitlock piece:

1. The subject matter of it is at least 5 years too late.

2. While we don't know how this is going to pan out this season or 4 seasons from now, we do at least know that Dorsey proved himself worthy of a #5 pick in spring OTAs. In other words: If Dorsey becomes a bust, the blame would be on him for becoming rich and turning soft, rather than on CP for a lack of eye for talent since Dorsey's shown his extremely high level of talent and skills prior to signing.

You no is verry gud at reedin'.

[jlscorpio]

I think we can take some comfort in the fact that the first thing GlennDor said to Clark was..."I promise I'll work hard"

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Coogs

I don't understand the defensive line positions that well to know the difference in the jobs of a LDT and a RDT in the 4-3 scheme, but it appears they want to have Tyler and Dorsey play the same position for when they do the rotation of linemen thing. That could be a good thing, if that is the position where you don't want a real drop off in talent when the backups are in.

Doh, that is right Tank is supposed to be Dorsey's back up this year. I recall reading that somewhere now that you mention it. Well if he can't give us some solid rotational play, I may agree with his statement

[teedubya]

THe NFL really needs to change this shit... the holdouts are ridiculous, and the contracts do create a rift in the lockerroom.

He is making MORE than Gonzalez has ever made... that shit is ludicrous.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Ari Chi3fs

THe NFL really needs to change this shit... the holdouts are ridiculous, and the contracts do create a rift in the lockerroom.

He is making MORE than Gonzalez has ever made... that shit is ludicrous.

Yep and once the vets get really fed up with these guys making more, you will see more of them holding out for more cash, so they aren't being paid less than some rook.

[kcsam07]

god i hate this guy everything he posts is negative its never positive!! i mean how can u call tank and turk busts my god its been 1 freaking year!! his last name should be witless not whitlock

[Boon]

It's bullshit he makes more than TG.

These rookie contracts are ridiculous.
Maybe the first few years should be a base play plus incentives.
And the base pay is the same for all rookies.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by kcsam07

god i hate this guy everything he posts is negative its never positive!! i mean how can u call tank and turk busts my god its been 1 freaking year!! his last name should be witless not whitlock

Witless!

That's brilliant!

I bet nobody ever thought of that before!

[kcsam07]

Originally Posted by milkman

Witless!

That's brilliant!

I bet nobody ever thought of that before!

i sense some sarcasm correct?????/

[milkman]

Originally Posted by kcsam07

i sense some sarcasm correct?????/

Must have purchased that sarcasm meter when you signed up.

[blueballs]

Now Tony G knows how Marcus Allen felt
young punk ass basketball player ain't proved shit

[FAX]

I don't really care if the money goes to his head as long as it doesn't go to his stomach.

Dorsey The Disruptor needs to stay in 50 million dollar shape for the next 5 years.

FAX

[Chiefaholic]

Originally Posted by PGM

I hate when guys are considered possible "busts" like he did to turk and tank. They've played one F'n year so far. We will know alot more after this season as they both should make contributions. If Tank can't beat out Ron Edwards this year I may agree with his point though.

Tank and Turk will benefit from playing next to a player the caliber of Dorsey.