Whitlock: Peterson drowning in river of denial - Page 4

tk13 · 04-21-2005, 01:07 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11445941.htm

Peterson drowning in river of denial

JASON WHITLOCK

You don't have to be Mel Kiper Jr. to figure out why the Kansas City Chiefs struggle in the draft.

Carl Peterson is no different from you or me. Denial and a lack of discipline make him prone to repeat the same mistake.

Peterson is no different from the overweight man or woman who hops on the Internet, researches the top fad diets, learns everything he/she needs to know about shedding 20 or 30 pounds and then quickly fails to execute once the menu is passed around at The Peach Tree.

Seriously, when you think of Peterson camped inside the “war room” this Saturday contemplating the 15th pick in the draft, think of your kind, gold-hearted friend who hits the basement of Mi Cocina on a Saturday night only hours after crying about getting used by groupies and playas.

“I just like to dance,” your friend says while passing out a phone number to everyone except the busboy.

Yes, Carl Peterson likes to dance on draft day. It's the Super Bowl for NFL general managers and team presidents. The problem for Chiefs fans is Peterson dances like no one's looking. He's in total denial that the Chiefs have a problem on draft day.

Wednesday afternoon, Peterson and his longtime, primary dance partner Lynn Stiles met with the media and discussed Miami cornerback Patrick Surtain, Saturday's draft and, most interestingly, for a brief moment whether Peterson was aware that Chiefs fans were dissatisfied with the way he and his scouting department perform on Super Bowl Saturday.

“You know something, we have 72,000 season-ticket holders,” Peterson said. “We've renewed 95 percent of those people again this year. I haven't had a letter or a fax or a phone call from any of those people. And I haven't, honest to goodness, I haven't had any letters from outside of that, if you want to say, sphere of what I consider real Kansas City Chiefs fans, because they step up each year and put their money down and say, ‘I'm here to see the Chiefs.'

“So, candidly, the criticism comes from some of the media,” Peterson went on. “I've even got it at this point (after) 16 years, and I don't consider it criticism. I consider it speculation. And that's what they get paid to do, speculate. And I respect that.”

Here's some more media speculation: Peterson is lost in denial. There are boatloads of Kansas City Chiefs fans irate about his inability to perform on draft day, and he's convinced himself that because they still buy tickets they're unaware of his draft failure.

Hey, people read my newspaper column. Therefore, I'm not 5 to 6 pounds overweight. Problem solved. You follow?

It's like your cousin who swears he doesn't have a drug or alcohol problem because he hasn't missed a day of work in five years. Never mind the fact that he has two out-of-wedlock, one-night-stand kids whom he yells at for no reason when he's hung over.

What makes matters so frustrating when it comes to Peterson is he's been through years and years of counseling. He knows what to do on draft day. He spends months traveling the country preparing for his annual Super Bowl. He's been burned so many times — Trezelle Jenkins, Ryan Sims, Junior Siavii, Eddie Freeman, Greg Hill, Sylvester Morris, Harvey Williams, Kawika Mitchell — that he really has no excuse for screwing up.

The Chiefs generally get burned in the first two rounds of the draft when Peterson chooses to go with potential over production. Stiles fell in love with Jenkins' wingspan and 6-foot-8 frame. The Chiefs should forbid Stiles from ever using a measuring tape.

“Personally, I look at production,” Peterson said when asked how he balances a prospect's potential versus his college production. “… Potential can get you into trouble.”

You see? Peterson knows what to do. He gets in the war room and panics. There's a lot of pressure in the war room. It's no different from stepping to the free-throw line with only a few seconds on the clock and the game hanging in the balance.

The college production of Sims, Siavii and Freeman never matched their talent. Should we be surprised that they have experienced or are experiencing the same problems here?

But, again, the Chiefs are in denial. On Wednesday Peterson defended the play of Sims and Siavii, suggesting it's much too early to call either a “bust.” It's not too early to suggest that neither player helped the Chiefs last season. At one point Stiles basically said the only problem with last year's draft was that Kris Wilson got hurt and the coaching staff didn't put Samie Parker on the field early enough.

Stiles could be right. But it doesn't explain why a team with such horrifying defensive talent wasted picks on two offensive players a year ago. See, when you're trapped in denial, even when you do something right, it turns out to be wrong.

Let me show Carl Peterson the way. Hi, my name is Jason Whitlock, and I'm a recovering Gates-aholic. It's been two days since my last presidential platter.

Otter · 04-21-2005, 08:36 AM

Sixteen years, one season of winning a playoff game.

Brass tax baby.

I was 15 years old sixteen years ago.

Sure-Oz · 04-21-2005, 08:40 AM

Carl better do the right thing and get Surtain saturday!

Michael Michigan · 04-21-2005, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Carl, I've followed the team thru thick and thin for 30 years, I subscribe to Sunday Ticket so I can watch the Chiefs every Sunday, I buy Chiefs collectibles and wear Chiefs clothing out in public, promoting the team. I don't think you should marginalize me just because I happen to live 1,000 miles away from Arrowhead and don't lead a lifestyle that allows me to fly into KC 8 Sundays a year to watch them in person.

Get a different lifestyle.

Be a real fan.

Signed C.P.

shaneo69 · 04-21-2005, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

I don't think so. They have nearly always drafted poorly in the first three rounds, regardless of who's coaching.

It's just that, back then, our bad early round picks were offensive busts, and now they're defensive busts.

Michael Michigan · 04-21-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Mac

Guys..... the real fan and media blame comment was tounge and cheek...you know humor.
Give the guy a break, he was just having fun with the media. It is humorous to see many here believing that those are his true thoughts.

KCTitus · 04-21-2005, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

I don't think so. They have nearly always drafted poorly in the first three rounds, regardless of who's coaching.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaneo69

It's just that, back then, our bad early round picks were offensive busts, and now they're defensive busts.

True.

Rexx · 04-21-2005, 08:57 AM

Guys, I've only posted a few times, but this statement really is absurd. I've been to one game in Arrowhead but live and die Chiefs football. To say, the real fans attend the games and he has received no validation of fans being unhappy is mind boggling. I actually am starting to wonder if he actually thinks fans are satisfied with the way things are going.

I've emailed the Chiefs asking for an apology. I will be surprised if I get anything in return. I sometimes wonder how I can stay a loyal fan to this organization with goons running the show. Unfortunately, Lamar Hunt is too old and senile to recognize and respond. It's pathetic and really pisses me off, so if anyone has more contact information regarding the Chiefs please post. There going to hear about my frustration!

C-Mac · 04-21-2005, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rexx

Guys, I've only posted a few times, but this statement really is absurd. I've been to one game in Arrowhead but live and die Chiefs football. To say, the real fans attend the games and he has received no validation of fans being unhappy is mind boggling. I actually am starting to wonder if he actually thinks fans are satisfied with the way things are going.

I've emailed the Chiefs asking for an apology. I will be surprised if I get anything in return. I sometimes wonder how I can stay a loyal fan to this organization with goons running the show. Unfortunately, Lamar Hunt is too old and senile to recognize and respond. It's pathetic and really pisses me off, so if anyone has more contact information regarding the Chiefs please post. There going to hear about my frustration!

He has been very much aware of the fans rumbling thru out his whole tenure up until what.......yesterday.
I cant believe that anyone really thinks he is oblivious to the fans all of a sudden.

bricks · 04-21-2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Carl better do the right thing and get Surtain saturday!

it kinda sounds like your holding your breath.

bricks · 04-21-2005, 09:26 AM

People, don't go to the games! Stop rewarding these jackasses! CP is an a**hole!

bricks · 04-21-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rexx

Guys, I've only posted a few times, but this statement really is absurd. I've been to one game in Arrowhead but live and die Chiefs football. To say, the real fans attend the games and he has received no validation of fans being unhappy is mind boggling. I actually am starting to wonder if he actually thinks fans are satisfied with the way things are going.

I've emailed the Chiefs asking for an apology. I will be surprised if I get anything in return. I sometimes wonder how I can stay a loyal fan to this organization with goons running the show. Unfortunately, Lamar Hunt is too old and senile to recognize and respond. It's pathetic and really pisses me off, so if anyone has more contact information regarding the Chiefs please post. There going to hear about my frustration!

2 years ago, I attended a Chiefs game live. Went to watch the Broncos @ Chiefs live at Arrowhead Stadium. Always wanted to attend a Chief game, and, always wanted to see what Arrowhead stadium was like. Mind you, I came all the way from Toronto, Canada to watch them. Now, after hearing that fucking a**holes statements, I regret going, and will never go again! fuck you CP!!! Go shove it!!

Logical · 04-21-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I listened to the press conference live, and I thought that everything Peterson said that was referred to in this column (and on the radio here in KC) about the fanbase was tongue-in-cheek. I thought he was being self-effacing. In all, he said what you'd expect and want a GM to say in the same situation. I don't like that he's still here, and I hope we draft well finally, but I'm not sure what people expect from him. He's not going to stand up and say "yes, folks, we can't draft for shit, we just give up for this year" and he's not going to throw any of his players under the bus (Sims and Siavii).

Truth is, I don't think it matters what he says. A lot of people just hate the guy and they'll tear him apart nomatter what he says, right or wrong.

And evidently some people will defend him, just because Whitlock is the one criticizing, no matter how correct JW is on the matter.

Logical · 04-21-2005, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

That sound you hear coming from the Mid-West is steam releasing from Rufus Dawes ears as he fires up the ole 'puter for some righteous PR justice.

Brock · 04-21-2005, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bricks

People, don't go to the games! Stop rewarding these jackasses! CP is an a**hole!

I've attended nearly every game since 1983. Carl Peterson certainly isn't going to stop me from a day at the stadium, no matter how futile the team is.

Logical · 04-21-2005, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCTitus

...Most fans around here love to hate the team now and I accept that.

Yeah, I find it funny...I have an odd sense of humor.

I think you really don't get it, we don't love to hate the team, but we do despise the team management for their ineptness. That is not at all the same as hating the team.

04-21-2005, 01:07 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1452500	Whitlock: Peterson drowning in river of denial http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11445941.htm Peterson drowning in river of denial JASON WHITLOCK You don't have to be Mel Kiper Jr. to figure out why the Kansas City Chiefs struggle in the draft. Carl Peterson is no different from you or me. Denial and a lack of discipline make him prone to repeat the same mistake. Peterson is no different from the overweight man or woman who hops on the Internet, researches the top fad diets, learns everything he/she needs to know about shedding 20 or 30 pounds and then quickly fails to execute once the menu is passed around at The Peach Tree. Seriously, when you think of Peterson camped inside the “war room” this Saturday contemplating the 15th pick in the draft, think of your kind, gold-hearted friend who hits the basement of Mi Cocina on a Saturday night only hours after crying about getting used by groupies and playas. “I just like to dance,” your friend says while passing out a phone number to everyone except the busboy. Yes, Carl Peterson likes to dance on draft day. It's the Super Bowl for NFL general managers and team presidents. The problem for Chiefs fans is Peterson dances like no one's looking. He's in total denial that the Chiefs have a problem on draft day. Wednesday afternoon, Peterson and his longtime, primary dance partner Lynn Stiles met with the media and discussed Miami cornerback Patrick Surtain, Saturday's draft and, most interestingly, for a brief moment whether Peterson was aware that Chiefs fans were dissatisfied with the way he and his scouting department perform on Super Bowl Saturday. “You know something, we have 72,000 season-ticket holders,” Peterson said. “We've renewed 95 percent of those people again this year. I haven't had a letter or a fax or a phone call from any of those people. And I haven't, honest to goodness, I haven't had any letters from outside of that, if you want to say, sphere of what I consider real Kansas City Chiefs fans, because they step up each year and put their money down and say, ‘I'm here to see the Chiefs.' “So, candidly, the criticism comes from some of the media,” Peterson went on. “I've even got it at this point (after) 16 years, and I don't consider it criticism. I consider it speculation. And that's what they get paid to do, speculate. And I respect that.” Here's some more media speculation: Peterson is lost in denial. There are boatloads of Kansas City Chiefs fans irate about his inability to perform on draft day, and he's convinced himself that because they still buy tickets they're unaware of his draft failure. Hey, people read my newspaper column. Therefore, I'm not 5 to 6 pounds overweight. Problem solved. You follow? It's like your cousin who swears he doesn't have a drug or alcohol problem because he hasn't missed a day of work in five years. Never mind the fact that he has two out-of-wedlock, one-night-stand kids whom he yells at for no reason when he's hung over. What makes matters so frustrating when it comes to Peterson is he's been through years and years of counseling. He knows what to do on draft day. He spends months traveling the country preparing for his annual Super Bowl. He's been burned so many times — Trezelle Jenkins, Ryan Sims, Junior Siavii, Eddie Freeman, Greg Hill, Sylvester Morris, Harvey Williams, Kawika Mitchell — that he really has no excuse for screwing up. The Chiefs generally get burned in the first two rounds of the draft when Peterson chooses to go with potential over production. Stiles fell in love with Jenkins' wingspan and 6-foot-8 frame. The Chiefs should forbid Stiles from ever using a measuring tape. “Personally, I look at production,” Peterson said when asked how he balances a prospect's potential versus his college production. “… Potential can get you into trouble.” You see? Peterson knows what to do. He gets in the war room and panics. There's a lot of pressure in the war room. It's no different from stepping to the free-throw line with only a few seconds on the clock and the game hanging in the balance. The college production of Sims, Siavii and Freeman never matched their talent. Should we be surprised that they have experienced or are experiencing the same problems here? But, again, the Chiefs are in denial. On Wednesday Peterson defended the play of Sims and Siavii, suggesting it's much too early to call either a “bust.” It's not too early to suggest that neither player helped the Chiefs last season. At one point Stiles basically said the only problem with last year's draft was that Kris Wilson got hurt and the coaching staff didn't put Samie Parker on the field early enough. Stiles could be right. But it doesn't explain why a team with such horrifying defensive talent wasted picks on two offensive players a year ago. See, when you're trapped in denial, even when you do something right, it turns out to be wrong. Let me show Carl Peterson the way. Hi, my name is Jason Whitlock, and I'm a recovering Gates-aholic. It's been two days since my last presidential platter.
Posts: 55,071

04-21-2005, 08:57 AM	#52
Rexx Seeing Red! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NM, USA Casino cash: $10005814	Guys, I've only posted a few times, but this statement really is absurd. I've been to one game in Arrowhead but live and die Chiefs football. To say, the real fans attend the games and he has received no validation of fans being unhappy is mind boggling. I actually am starting to wonder if he actually thinks fans are satisfied with the way things are going. I've emailed the Chiefs asking for an apology. I will be surprised if I get anything in return. I sometimes wonder how I can stay a loyal fan to this organization with goons running the show. Unfortunately, Lamar Hunt is too old and senile to recognize and respond. It's pathetic and really pisses me off, so if anyone has more contact information regarding the Chiefs please post. There going to hear about my frustration!
Posts: 204

04-21-2005, 09:26 AM	#55
bricks Hey Teacher! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: land of maple syrup Casino cash: $9902559	People, don't go to the games! Stop rewarding these jackasses! CP is an a**hole!
Posts: 5,513