Chiefs Teicher: Pioli wants Chiefs’ signings to send a message to the team... - Page 3

DaWolf · 03-22-2010, 11:09 PM

Pioli wants Chiefs’ signings to send a message to the team

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/03/22...#ixzz0iyPMGsJP

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

ORLANDO, Fla. | Job No. 1 for Scott Pioli remains to change the losing culture that inevitably permeates an organization after it wins 10 games in three seasons, as the Chiefs have done.

The best way to continue that process, he decided, was to rock everybody’s world. Pioli, the Chiefs’ general manager, appears to have accomplished that with the team’s first free-agent signing.

Thomas Jones, a veteran running back who rushed for more than 1,400 yards last season, plays the same position as Jamaal Charles, who finished last season in a spectacular manner and was chosen the team’s most valuable player.

The message, Pioli said at the NFL meetings, was not aimed at Charles so much as everyone. That message: No matter what you’ve accomplished, don’t get too comfortable.

“I can’t tell you whether Jamaal will play more or Thomas Jones will play more,” Pioli said. “The roles will figure themselves out. The best players will play. The players will sort that out themselves. We’re trying to do this at every position. Look at the offensive line now. There are a number of players there that can start.

“Everyone is competing for jobs. That’s how teams get better.”

Pioli spent nine seasons as personnel director for the Patriots before he joined the Chiefs last year. Together with coach Bill Belichick, Pioli was charged with changing a similar culture in New England.

He told a story about New England signing a free agent to compete with an established starter in one of his first seasons with the Patriots. The incumbent publicly complained about the lack of respect his employers were showing.

“It uncovered a reality of the culture there that was very unhealthy,” Pioli said. “That was something we weren’t going to tolerate.”

Pioli said he has no concrete examples of Chiefs players feeling the same sense of entitlement but has no doubt it’s there.

“In the last 14 months, it’s been palpable,” Pioli said. “You can sense certain people seem or appear to have a degree of entitlement. The reality is that none of us are entitled to anything. We have to go out and prove ourselves every day in our jobs, all of us.”

Charles rushed for almost 1,000 yards over last season’s final eight games after taking over as the featured back from Larry Johnson. His 259 rushing yards in the final game against Denver set a franchise record.

The Chiefs wanted to find someone to help share the workload with Charles but came away with more than that in Jones. He was released by the Jets because he was due a large roster bonus.

New York wanted to re-sign Jones, but the Chiefs pried him away.

“We can’t always dictate the timing of a signing,” Pioli said. “He had just been released. This was the meeting point of need and opportunity. The player wanted to be here. We wanted him. We felt it was an upgrade. We said from the beginning we’re always going to try to create competition within our organization. This was not a statement about any other player.

“He’s still a very good player. He’s a very competitive, smart, tough player. He fits exactly what we’re looking for.”

The Chiefs face a similar situation with the free-agent signing of veteran center Casey Wiegmann, who previously played for the Chiefs from 2001 through 2007.

That move affects incumbent center Rudy Niswanger, who for the first time since he became a starter faces serious competition for his starting spot.
“Don’t make it out to be some sort of ominous sign that means this player is on the way out,” Pioli said. “Here’s what it means for Rudy: It means there’s going to be stiff competition for his position just like every other player has. We’re trying to get better.

“That competition will sort itself out. We’re trying to put the five best offensive linemen that fit out on the field. Other than that, we’re not going to be boxed into anything.”

Wiegmann played two seasons for Denver after leaving the Chiefs. The Broncos released him after last season’s end in part because they believed at 285 pounds he had trouble standing his ground against increasingly large defensive tackles.

But Pioli said the Chiefs saw the situation differently.

“He played well last season,” Pioli said. “He was effective. We went back and watched games specifically against some of the bigger players and the bigger nose tackles and Casey played well. He’s a very smart, crafty football player and still a solid starter in the National Football League.”

Including guard Ryan Lilja, the Chiefs now have four players with extensive starting experience for the three inside spots on their offensive line.

Lilja and Brian Waters figure to start at guard, leaving Wiegmann and Niswanger to compete at center.

In addition to Jones, Wiegmann and Lilja, the Chiefs signed wide receiver Jerheme Urban and defensive tackle Shaun Smith and re-signed two of their own free agents, linebacker Mike Vrabel and wide receiver Chris Chambers.

In keeping with the pattern Pioli set with the Patriots and last year with the Chiefs, none will make big money. Lilja gets $7.5 million over three years, Jones $5 million over two.

Chambers ($1.9 million) and Vrabel ($1.6 million) will get make less than $2 million in base salary this year. Wiegmann ($855,000) can climb to about $2 million with incentives if he winds up as the starter.

Urban and Smith will each make $630,000.

While Pioli was with the Patriots, rarely did New England distort its salary structure for free agents. The Patriots were willing to pay big money to their own players they wanted to retain.

“I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied with what we’ve done but I’m encouraged that we’ve done some things to make our football team better,” Pioli said. “When I say better, I feel we’re better in the locker room and I feel that we’re better on the field.”

jspchief · 03-23-2010, 07:58 AM

I'm sorry, but I'd prefer signings were used to improve the team rather than "send a message".

In fact, a much better way to send that message would be something along the lines of "Mike Brown, you have been horrible on gameday, get the F off my team".

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-23-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I'm sorry, but I'd prefer signings were used to improve the team rather than "send a message".

In fact, a much better way to send that message would be something along the lines of "Mike Brown, you have been horrible on gameday, get the F off my team".

Marcellus · 03-23-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

So, to recap:

Pat Kirwan, Tim Ryan, Randy Cross, Soloman Wilcots, The New York Daily News, The New York Post and Newsday all reported that the Jets were given an opportunity to match the offer made by KC and declined.

Adam Teicher says the Jets wanted him back.

Damn, this one is hard to figure out. Was it Professor Plum in the Library with the candlestick?

So they go sign LT? That makes a lot of sense to me. Go from a 1400 yard back to a 500 yard back.

I am sure they are they much happier to have LT than Jones.

DBOSHO · 03-23-2010, 08:32 AM

Man i hope to jesus that we can draft berry and cassel gets better. Idk if i can sit though another kc game with "touchdown" mike brown in the secondary. **** that shit.

Frosty · 03-23-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I'm sorry, but I'd prefer signings were used to improve the team rather than "send a message".

In fact, a much better way to send that message would be something along the lines of "Mike Brown, you have been horrible on gameday, get the F off my team".

I don't see Mike Brown on the roster. Is there any talk of of re-signing him?

Ralphy Boy · 03-23-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

They need more signings then that to impress me.

Chiefs need a major overhaul. We've just begun IMO.

I was just thinking about how, based on creating competition, they need to draft another DE to compete with TJ's suck.

If they really want to create competition, they could have kicked the tires on Dwan Edwards or Cory Redding. They wouldn't even have to say that either would replace TJ, it could be that they'd just be depth or replace Dorsey, who wasn't their pick so they wouldn't be admitting the failure of a rookie season that TJ had.

jspchief · 03-23-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arc

I don't see Mike Brown on the roster. Is there any talk of of re-signing him?

No.

My point was, we just endured an entire season of seeing certain players play horrible week in and week out. The team was terrible, so there was little reason to not start "sending messages" by putting other guys on the field.

If there is any sense of entitlement on this team, it was fostered by the lack of roster moves in several positions last year. The entire "sending a meesage through off-season moves" idea may just be a fabricated way to dress up a "Chiefs try to get better " article, but the notion that it's a good way to scare players into being better strikes me as absurd.

mcaj22 · 03-23-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

So they go sign LT? That makes a lot of sense to me. Go from a 1400 yard back to a 500 yard back.

I am sure they are they much happier to have LT than Jones.

LT is a name. Like TO or Moss. He maybe up there in age but he still is a face that gets some attention. Jets fans will buy his jersey in the same way they did Favre. He is a better name than Thomas Jones regardless of who performs better. LT will put people in the seats. It was a good move for the Jets and at the same time a great move for us with Jones because he is a player we need.

I agree with others that the logic of this article is silly, because if nobody's job is safe then why does the 60 million dollar QB get a free pass but the only player that actually performed last year on offense in JC doesn't? You might as well draft a CB in the first round and give Brandon Flowers some competition too with that logic.

Brock · 03-23-2010, 09:02 AM

Why do people keep bringing up Lawrence Taylor? He's been retired for a long, long time.

**DeezNutz** · 03-23-2010, 09:03 AM

Sweet! First sentence: "change the...culture." Yes!

Empty ****ing rhetoric, FTMFW.

chiefscafan · 03-23-2010, 09:56 AM

Ok for the people quoting Sirius NFL radio and the NFL network you need to tell the whole story. Yes the jets had a chance to match the offer and they declined. However you fail to mention that every source I previously mentioned said we can't figure out why they wouldn't.

Also when LT was signed these same sources were like why would you decline the chance to resign jones to sign LT maybe the jets see something we don't but the chiefs I think got the better of the deal.

On a personal note I live in CA and the only time I see the chiefs is the SD game. I've watched the last five and while LT was amazing the first two, when he wasn't injured, has looked a step slower every year. He'll be running behind a great line so maybe he will look good but he doesn't have the burst he use to. Jones is the better signing plus jones seems to run better when he is pissed off at his previous team. Example TB after beening told he sucked with zona and the Jets after being let go by Chicago. Also all u need to know what kind of teamate and locker room person he was by the jets publicly thanking him for 3 years of service. Believe me guys these are the kind of signings pioli is famous for. Have faith in him guys HErm and Carl left a big mess that pioli and Hailey are almost done cleaning up. Mark my words we are a powerhouse team again in a little less than two years. Good times are ahead.

FD · 03-23-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaWolf

Pioli said he has no concrete examples of Chiefs players feeling the same sense of entitlement but has no doubt it’s there.

Ahem, Brian Waters.

FD · 03-23-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaWolf

“I can’t tell you whether Jamaal will play more or Thomas Jones will play more,” Pioli said. “The roles will figure themselves out. The best players will play.

Like LJ playing over Charles?

**DaneMcCloud** · 03-23-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forward Dante

Like LJ playing over Charles?

Or Goff over ANYONE

Or Vrabel over Studebaker

Or game planning the offense around Lance Long

Or benching and cutting Mark Bradley in favor of Lance Long

Or bitching out Dwayne Bowe early and often, thus ****ing with his confidence

Or Niswanger versus a corpse

Or Mike Brown versus a corpse

See, there's no history there!

rtmike · 03-23-2010, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arc

I don't see Mike Brown on the roster. Is there any talk of of re-signing him?

I read that he's an unrestricted fa & still unsigned.

Could this mean we're going after a quality safety in the draft? Who knows...

But by not signing him & the other two practice squad players, that leaves only Morgan, McGraw & Page.

03-22-2010, 11:09 PM
DaWolf Cry havoc... Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10007725	Teicher: Pioli wants Chiefs’ signings to send a message to the team... Pioli wants Chiefs’ signings to send a message to the team Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/03/22...#ixzz0iyPMGsJP By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star ORLANDO, Fla. \| Job No. 1 for Scott Pioli remains to change the losing culture that inevitably permeates an organization after it wins 10 games in three seasons, as the Chiefs have done. The best way to continue that process, he decided, was to rock everybody’s world. Pioli, the Chiefs’ general manager, appears to have accomplished that with the team’s first free-agent signing. Thomas Jones, a veteran running back who rushed for more than 1,400 yards last season, plays the same position as Jamaal Charles, who finished last season in a spectacular manner and was chosen the team’s most valuable player. The message, Pioli said at the NFL meetings, was not aimed at Charles so much as everyone. That message: No matter what you’ve accomplished, don’t get too comfortable. “I can’t tell you whether Jamaal will play more or Thomas Jones will play more,” Pioli said. “The roles will figure themselves out. The best players will play. The players will sort that out themselves. We’re trying to do this at every position. Look at the offensive line now. There are a number of players there that can start. “Everyone is competing for jobs. That’s how teams get better.” Pioli spent nine seasons as personnel director for the Patriots before he joined the Chiefs last year. Together with coach Bill Belichick, Pioli was charged with changing a similar culture in New England. He told a story about New England signing a free agent to compete with an established starter in one of his first seasons with the Patriots. The incumbent publicly complained about the lack of respect his employers were showing. “It uncovered a reality of the culture there that was very unhealthy,” Pioli said. “That was something we weren’t going to tolerate.” Pioli said he has no concrete examples of Chiefs players feeling the same sense of entitlement but has no doubt it’s there. “In the last 14 months, it’s been palpable,” Pioli said. “You can sense certain people seem or appear to have a degree of entitlement. The reality is that none of us are entitled to anything. We have to go out and prove ourselves every day in our jobs, all of us.” Charles rushed for almost 1,000 yards over last season’s final eight games after taking over as the featured back from Larry Johnson. His 259 rushing yards in the final game against Denver set a franchise record. The Chiefs wanted to find someone to help share the workload with Charles but came away with more than that in Jones. He was released by the Jets because he was due a large roster bonus. New York wanted to re-sign Jones, but the Chiefs pried him away. “We can’t always dictate the timing of a signing,” Pioli said. “He had just been released. This was the meeting point of need and opportunity. The player wanted to be here. We wanted him. We felt it was an upgrade. We said from the beginning we’re always going to try to create competition within our organization. This was not a statement about any other player. “He’s still a very good player. He’s a very competitive, smart, tough player. He fits exactly what we’re looking for.” The Chiefs face a similar situation with the free-agent signing of veteran center Casey Wiegmann, who previously played for the Chiefs from 2001 through 2007. That move affects incumbent center Rudy Niswanger, who for the first time since he became a starter faces serious competition for his starting spot. “Don’t make it out to be some sort of ominous sign that means this player is on the way out,” Pioli said. “Here’s what it means for Rudy: It means there’s going to be stiff competition for his position just like every other player has. We’re trying to get better. “That competition will sort itself out. We’re trying to put the five best offensive linemen that fit out on the field. Other than that, we’re not going to be boxed into anything.” Wiegmann played two seasons for Denver after leaving the Chiefs. The Broncos released him after last season’s end in part because they believed at 285 pounds he had trouble standing his ground against increasingly large defensive tackles. But Pioli said the Chiefs saw the situation differently. “He played well last season,” Pioli said. “He was effective. We went back and watched games specifically against some of the bigger players and the bigger nose tackles and Casey played well. He’s a very smart, crafty football player and still a solid starter in the National Football League.” Including guard Ryan Lilja, the Chiefs now have four players with extensive starting experience for the three inside spots on their offensive line. Lilja and Brian Waters figure to start at guard, leaving Wiegmann and Niswanger to compete at center. In addition to Jones, Wiegmann and Lilja, the Chiefs signed wide receiver Jerheme Urban and defensive tackle Shaun Smith and re-signed two of their own free agents, linebacker Mike Vrabel and wide receiver Chris Chambers. In keeping with the pattern Pioli set with the Patriots and last year with the Chiefs, none will make big money. Lilja gets $7.5 million over three years, Jones $5 million over two. Chambers ($1.9 million) and Vrabel ($1.6 million) will get make less than $2 million in base salary this year. Wiegmann ($855,000) can climb to about $2 million with incentives if he winds up as the starter. Urban and Smith will each make $630,000. While Pioli was with the Patriots, rarely did New England distort its salary structure for free agents. The Patriots were willing to pay big money to their own players they wanted to retain. “I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied with what we’ve done but I’m encouraged that we’ve done some things to make our football team better,” Pioli said. “When I say better, I feel we’re better in the locker room and I feel that we’re better on the field.”
Posts: 6,798

03-23-2010, 07:58 AM	#31
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I'm sorry, but I'd prefer signings were used to improve the team rather than "send a message". In fact, a much better way to send that message would be something along the lines of "Mike Brown, you have been horrible on gameday, get the F off my team". __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

03-23-2010, 08:32 AM	#34
DBOSHO trap champ Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	Man i hope to jesus that we can draft berry and cassel gets better. Idk if i can sit though another kc game with "touchdown" mike brown in the secondary. **** that shit. __________________ Orginator of the group repost
Posts: 5,445

03-23-2010, 09:02 AM	#39
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Why do people keep bringing up Lawrence Taylor? He's been retired for a long, long time.
Posts: 47,314

03-23-2010, 09:56 AM	#41
chiefscafan Veteran Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: manhattan beach, CA Casino cash: $9688215	Ok for the people quoting Sirius NFL radio and the NFL network you need to tell the whole story. Yes the jets had a chance to match the offer and they declined. However you fail to mention that every source I previously mentioned said we can't figure out why they wouldn't. Also when LT was signed these same sources were like why would you decline the chance to resign jones to sign LT maybe the jets see something we don't but the chiefs I think got the better of the deal. On a personal note I live in CA and the only time I see the chiefs is the SD game. I've watched the last five and while LT was amazing the first two, when he wasn't injured, has looked a step slower every year. He'll be running behind a great line so maybe he will look good but he doesn't have the burst he use to. Jones is the better signing plus jones seems to run better when he is pissed off at his previous team. Example TB after beening told he sucked with zona and the Jets after being let go by Chicago. Also all u need to know what kind of teamate and locker room person he was by the jets publicly thanking him for 3 years of service. Believe me guys these are the kind of signings pioli is famous for. Have faith in him guys HErm and Carl left a big mess that pioli and Hailey are almost done cleaning up. Mark my words we are a powerhouse team again in a little less than two years. Good times are ahead.
Posts: 4,425