Whitlock: Pioli’s ego may get in way of building a winner

[Tribal Warfare]

Pioli’s ego may get in way of building a winner
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

There’s a huge difference between ego and confidence.

Self-importance (ego) prevents a person from seeing the value in others. Self-confidence empowers a person to seek out the value in others.

Some of you keep asking me why I’m troubled by my belief that Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli has a massive ego. You argue that my ego is out of control and therefore it’s inappropriate for me to judge Pioli.

It would be a waste of my time to dispute your perception. It would be the equivalent of me engaging the white and black people who alternately complain that I hate white or black people.

Regardless of the size of my ego, I’m a sports columnist, not a general manager or coach. It’s not my job to inspire other men and women to do their best work. This column is a solo act. I get paid to tell people what I think.

Pioli is paid to be a leader of men. Guys with massive egos generally fail at leadership.

In my time here, the Chiefs were blessed with two talented, self-confident coaches — Marty Schottenheimer and Dick Vermeil. And, of course, the Chiefs had a general manager, Carl Peterson, with a rather large ego.

Marty had a good 10-year run and left. Vermeil built a great offense, won 30 of his final 48 regular-season games and left after five years. Schottenheimer and Vermeil gave it their best shots and had the self-confidence to move on and let someone else coach the Chiefs.

Peterson hung on here for 20 years. He had to be forced out.

A gigantic ego is a character flaw when it comes to building a team. It’s generally a sign of weakness, insecurity and a lack of qualifications.

Charlie Weis’ feeling of football superiority just might cost him his job at Notre Dame. He had all the answers when he hit South Bend. College football has humbled him. During the three-year stretch before this season, Weis lost so many games that Irish fans longed for Gerry Faust.

Weis, like Pioli, gained a big reputation riding Bill Belichick’s considerable coattails.

I want Pioli to succeed. Far more people read my column when the Chiefs are in a playoff race than when they’re circling the toilet drain. I have no interest in a long-running feud with Pioli. A reenactment of King Carl vs. Ball State’s Finest would be boring and predictable. Plus, I wrote several columns championing Pioli for the job. I don’t need another Ty Law.

But I’m not going to sugarcoat what I see.

From the moment he arrived, Pioli has conducted himself in the most egotistical fashion imaginable. He set a tone for the entire organization that is, in my opinion, counterproductive to winning.

He and Todd Haley mishandled Brian Waters, bullying the Pro Bowl guard for no real reason. Last week on WHB (810 AM), former Chief Tim Grunhard complained about the way the new regime has alienated many of the former players, making them feel unwanted. Within the walls of the security-enhanced Arrowhead Stadium offices, a culture of fear and intimidation permeates the cubicles. The separation of the business side and football side of the Chiefs makes the Kansas basketball and football teams seem like best friends.

And you’ve previously read my complaints about the rules and regulations restricting media access to the team.

Some of you might argue that this is just the typical growing pains of new leadership. I disagree. OK, some of you might argue you don’t care about any of this as long as the Chiefs win.

What I’m trying to warn you is that all of the Mickey Mouse garbage has a good chance of standing in the way of winning.

All of these Belichick cronies (Weis, Crennel, Mangini, etc.) leave New England believing they know all the secret keys to building a winning environment. So far, Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons general manager, is the only one proving he can export Belichick’s success.

Dimitroff drafted Matt Ryan, who looks like a young Tom Brady.

I respect Belichick and all that he has accomplished. But Brady was the key to New England’s dynasty. The Patriots lucked into the most fearless QB in league history. Belichick supported him with a terrific defense (and signal stealing).

Properly coached, motivated players win football games. FBI-like security, CIA-like surveillance and Rush Limbaugh-like bluster do not give a team a competitive advantage on Sundays.

I’m concerned Pioli isn’t focused on the right things. His ego might be getting in the way. Was acquiring Matt Cassel and giving him a $60-million contract a sound football decision, or was it an example of Pioli servicing his own ego? Was Pioli trying to prove he discovered Tom Brady twice?

As I always do, I’m going to react and adjust to new information. I’ve yet to reach a final conclusion about Pioli. Nine months in, I’m unimpressed.

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Her and Martha Washington/Dazed and Confused

Damnit, I knew that.

Check ya later.

[Smed1065]

Or a NY win against a team..........-

See then Jizz now!

[philfree]

I think the title of the aticle should have been......"Whitlock
Whishes he could get in the way of the Chiefs building a winner." What a pig....

PhilFree

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by Smed1065

Or a NY win against a team..........-

See then Jizz now!

I have no idea what you're talking about... so here's Phobia with a corn cob on his head.

[Christofire]

http://www.kcconfidential.com/?p=8623

Here are some of Grunhard's actual quotes Mecca referenced earlier, fwiw. The actual link has commentary by some guy named Greg Hall, which I deleted, but you can click the link if you want to see it.

***
OTC: Grunhard Is Heartbroken Over His Chiefs, As Am I

“Heartbroken. Completely heartbroken. It’s just like they’ve thrown the last shovel of dirt on the ex-players.”
Tim Grunhard, former starting center for the Chiefs, when asked how he feels about the depths that the Chiefs’ franchise has sunk to and the distant relationship that now exists between the Chiefs’ new regime and the organization’s former players, 810 AM

“They don’t even want us to be seen out there (at Arrowhead). I’ve talked to some of the older (ex-Chiefs’ players) who are around a lot and they’re basically aced out also.”
Tim Grunhard, 810 AM

“It’s kind of disappointing because when you hear about places like Green Bay and (former Packer) Frank Winters goes back and some of the Pittsburgh Steelers go back (to Pittsburgh), and even Neil Smith when he goes back to Denver, they’re treated like gold.”
Tim Grunhard, 810 AM

“I think that’s a shame. The (Chiefs) organization has been disappointing. I know they have more important things to worry about than a bunch of grumpy old football players have to say – and believe me they have some things they need to worry about – but that was kind of the last straw for me.”
Tim Grunhard, 810 AM

“To lose 24 out of 26 football games with a Kansas City Chiefs uniform on is disappointing. To have the offensive line playing the way they are, as the Achilles Heel of that team, is disappointing.”
Tim Grunhard, 810 AM

“You still have that 10% of (Chiefs’ fans) who are crazy (about the team) and you have 10% who couldn’t give a rat’s ass about the Kansas City Chiefs. But that other 80% is kind of on the fence and I think they are gonna sink.”
Tim Grunhard, 810 AM

“I’m hoping that Haley and Pioli can get this thing turned around and if they do I think that 80% will still jump onboard. But boy, oh boy, it’s gonna be tough. Especially with all those renovations and the Taj Mahal of the club level, all these restaurants – that’s not Chiefs’ fans! I guess you don’t need to have 80,000 fannies in the seats if you have 20,000 paying $5,000 a ticket.”
Tim Grunhard, 810 AM

“I talked with some of the people in the (Chiefs’) organization – the marketing people have never been to the football side, and they’re not really allowed to go over there. I mean there’s a lock and key, there are passwords, there’s security after security. There’s like three levels of security! It’s like the Pentagon out there now.”
Tim Grunhard, 810 AM

***

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

There's about 5% of his take that is worth a shit. If you're trying to tell me that Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier, Len Dawson, or Otis Taylor can't get a foot in the door, I'm gonna' say you're full of shit.
And lets face it; the greatest player from Grunhard's era is enshrined in Canton and has left the Earthly plane.
Does that mean I discount the other players from that time who played well and comprised a good team? No.
But I can understand why Pioli isn't going to make time for them either.

[orange]

Originally Posted by SNR

So Posnanski's gone, you say?

Joe Posnanski:

So, I’m not sure why it took 10 days for Pioli to pull the trigger. I’m not sure why he left Herm dangling out there for those 10 days while his assistant coaches fled like high school kids on graduation day. I’m not sure why the Chiefs would throw Herm overboard late on a Friday afternoon with a news release and a couple of pointless statements. I’m not sure what it says about an organization that it would treat a loyal man like that. Actually, I’m precisely sure what it says about the Chiefs.

Put it this way: Scott Pioli better win fast. He isn’t winning anyone over with his class.

http://www.kansascity.com/180/story/998818.html

[HMc]

why do you need former players wandering around the joint anyway?

"Have a seat Tyson, let's talk about what it's like to play on a team that stinks for your entire career."

[Christofire]

The focus should be on the football operation, period. Yeah, it would be better PR if the older players were able to get a little love, but with so many having media connections (Grunhard, etc.), there's probably method to the madness.

[KCChiefsMan]

****ing stupid

[HMc]

i'd bet the vast majority of former players have zero interest in hanging around arrowhead drive.

obviously grunhard has a bee in his bonnet as a media type

[BigRock]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

There's about 5% of his take that is worth a shit. If you're trying to tell me that Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier, Len Dawson, or Otis Taylor can't get a foot in the door, I'm gonna' say you're full of shit.

He doesn't mean them, he means himself and other Carl-era guys. Being a Carl draftee, Grunny's used to 20 years of belly rubs and handjobs. If Carl found you and you were worth a shit, you had it made.

The funniest part is complaining about the stadium. I know the 90's were fun for you, Tim, but feel free to join the rest of us here in 2009.

Isn't he coaching a high school team now? Shouldn't he have better things to do than hang around Arrowhead?

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by BigRock

He doesn't mean them, he means himself and other Carl-era guys. Being a Carl draftee, Grunny's used to 20 years of belly rubs and handjobs. If Carl found you and you were worth a shit, you had it made.

The funniest part is complaining about the stadium. I know the 90's were fun for you, Tim, but feel free to join the rest of us here in 2009.

Isn't he coaching a high school team now? Shouldn't he have better things to do than hang around Arrowhead?

Actually during that interview he said he had tickets to the Raiders game so he had a choice to go watch the Chiefs play or watch his kids play and he went to watch his kids play.

I think when he mentions a guy like Frank Winters being welcomed back by the Packers he views himself kind of the same way and see's how different things are here.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Actually during that interview he said he had tickets to the Raiders game so he had a choice to go watch the Chiefs play or watch his kids play and he went to watch his kids play.

Shock of shocks, but I think most dads would do the same thing. At least, the dads that are worth a shit would. And Grunny has always struck me as a good guy, so I'm not surprised.

I think when he mentions a guy like Frank Winters being welcomed back by the Packers he views himself kind of the same way and see's how different things are here.

Serious question: Is Frank Winters a media guy like Grunny is?

[the Talking Can]

this is unreal

this is a 3 yr old crying.....

jesus christ what the ****....i can't even think of a word this is so far beyond "embarrassing"