Chiefs Sam Mellinger Nails It! - Page 5

Marcellus · 11-18-2012, 07:39 PM

Sam Mellinger | Chiefs’ disconnect with angry fan base grows deeper
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

The elevator door opens, and here comes Clark Hunt. He is dressed in a dark suit, like always, solemn look on his face as he walks through a basement hallway at Arrowhead Stadium. Over his head, a television plays the final seconds of another remarkably inept showing by the team he inherited from his father and that is now embarrassing the family name.

“The Chiefs lose again,” the voice on the television says.

Hunt doesn’t look up. Doesn’t speak. Just keeps walking, into the locker room of the undisputed worst team in football. The door shuts behind him. A security guard in the hallway turns the TV off, and it’s just as well because the Chiefs’ pathetic 28-6 loss to the mediocre Bengals is finally over. By now, we’ve all seen enough from a 1-9 clown show.

The only things left are shame, ugly accusations about mistreatment from fans, and questions.

If not now, then when? If the Chiefs can land like an anvil at the bottom of the NFL in year four of a process that was supposed to be competing for the division championship, then what, exactly, could it possibly take for major changes?

If not after this, then what?

“I’m not feeling very good at this point,” coach Romeo Crennel says.

Some perspective: Bill Self’s winning percentage at Kansas is .835. Nick Saban’s at Alabama is .831, Tom Brady’s in New England is .774, and Michael Jordan’s in playoff series is .806.

Opponents at Arrowhead Stadium since last November are at .889.

Arrowhead used to be one of the toughest places in the NFL to play. Television executives loved having games here, the barbecue smoke in the parking lot and screaming fans inside making for some of the league’s best theater.

Now, fans are literally dressing for a funeral – an organized statement to wear black in mourning of the franchise they fell in love with.

Chiefs officials – Hunt, most notably – have done a rotten job of showing it, but they’ve been privately concerned about a growing fan resentment for some time now. Hunt continues to meet with angry fans, partly to gather information to help diagnose the problem.

Until now, team brass held a stubborn belief that the loudest dissent came from a vocal minority, but in a season full of milestone losses, here comes one more: Arrowhead evenly split between fans dressed in black, fans dressed in other colors and empty seats.

If this doesn’t push Hunt to make major changes in the coming weeks, then it’s fair to wonder what could.

A handful of fans are accusing the team of confiscating critical signs or kicking them out of the stadium. A team spokesman made a point to “vehemently” deny security guards had orders to remove critical fans, saying the only issues were mass distribution of flyers impeding pregame traffic.

Either way, it’s one more piece of evidence of an undeniable and enormous disconnect between team and town. A family paid for an obituary in Sunday’s Star for a man who died “of complications from MS and heartbreaking disappointment caused by the Kansas City Chiefs.”

Two fans write in to say they saw “Pioli doesn’t” taped underneath “Kansas City knows” on a t-shirt for sale in a store. Fans are wearing black, or paper bags, or both. One section passed time during the game with a paper airplane contest.

And those are the ones who still bother to show up for games.

Here is an incomplete list of things to happen more often this fall than the Chiefs winning:

The team captain being benched, the quarterback suffering a concussion, a banner flying over the stadium calling for the GM to be fired, the head coach saying he doesn’t understand what happened with the team, and players celebrating a touchdown that didn’t count.

So far, you are as likely to catch the Chiefs on a day their coach fires himself as defensive coordinator as you are a day they win a game of football. One of their two biggest free-agent acquisitions called fans “sickening and disgusting.” The other one got cut a few weeks back.

Their offense has managed 12 touchdowns, 20 field goals and 31 turnovers. They’ve now lost six of 10 games by 16 points or more, the most in the league, and they’ve trailed by at least 17 every game but two. Dwayne Bowe has 49 catches, and Dustin Colquitt has 49 punts.

If you didn’t know better, you’d think fixing a tragic comedy of a football team takes more than posting a sign that says “ELIMINATE BAD FOOTBALL.”

The Chiefs should be used to talking about blowout losses by now, but they’re not getting any better at it.

Crennel, for instance, has tried to send messages this year by switching quarterbacks and cutting cornerbacks and giving up his defensive coordinator duties to concentrate more on offense (the Chiefs have responded by scoring 19 points in 25 possessions), and pledged that anyone who turns the ball over will be benched.

He has vacillated between “ELIMINATE BAD FOOTBALL” and “PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL” signs, but is still wondering what else he can do to stop his team’s pathetic football.

“We’ll evaluate and determine if there’s anything else we can do,” Crennel says.

Thing is, too many in the Chiefs’ locker room seem to be in denial. Flowers mentioned that some people think the Chiefs are among the NFL’s top five in talent. Shaun Smith called for fan loyalty, and pointed out that only two teams can play in the Super Bowl. Jamaal Charles said a coaching change would only set the Chiefs back, as if they’re not already there.

The Chiefs are playing worse than bad football. This is football so bad it’s turning one of the league’s most loyal and passionate fan bases into its most angry and outwardly disrespectful.

Maybe it’s only natural that some of the men in the locker room are in denial about that. But after another blowout loss where empty seats and fans dressed in mourning outnumbered everyone else, the owner must now face reality.

To reach Sam Mellinger, call 816-234-4365, send e-mail to smellinger@kcstar.com or follow twitter.com/mellinger. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/18...#storylink=cpy

Boom!

Setsuna · 11-18-2012, 08:26 PM

The Jags almost ****ed up and won. About had a heart attack.

KCUnited · 11-18-2012, 08:27 PM

It's the typical transgression. Bust your ass to become boss, have kids, let your wife baby them while you're putting in work, grow old, hand the business over to them and everything goes to shit because they either a) don't give a **** or b) are too big of pussies to do what needs to be done.

**SAUTO** · 11-18-2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setsuna

The Jags almost ****ed up and won. About had a heart attack.

**** off.
Posted via Mobile Device

**OnTheWarpath15** · 11-18-2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

**** off.
Posted via Mobile Device

Discuss Thrower · 11-18-2012, 08:29 PM

Pioli got an extension. You can't believe a luck of what the KC media sez.

**Iowanian** · 11-18-2012, 08:29 PM

Shaun Smith is right, only 2 teams CAN play for the super bowl.

We as Chief fans know this, because we have been watching 2 completely different teams than the one he have given loyalty, money, agony and tears. We Chief fans have watched teams move, be created from scratch and go to superbowls since the last Chiefs playoff wins.

The Titans and Panthers were created from concept and been in a superbowl since the Chiefs last win and the Texans are strong contenders this year.

Since the last Chiefs PLAYOFF WIN....Chiefs fans have agonizingly watched The Broncos, Chargers, Raiders and Lowly Seahawks compete for 5 superbowl titles...FIVE Championships from the AFCW since the Chiefs have last sniffed a single wildcard round playoff win.

And players who have been here 5 minutes want to judge us? I want them to drink from a hog confinement septic tank for their uninformed stupidity.

FAX · 11-18-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

Could be. I know I'm tired of playing spy games with this group. It's a lot of work trying to be a Cheaps fan. Instead of bringing me pleasure, they make my head hurt

That is for certain sure, Mr. stonedstooge.

FAX

**Smed1065** · 11-18-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

So he vest time to fly around the country every other week to watch a team suck ass but has no interest in improving the situation outside of the negativity being an inconvenience?

Doesn't pass the smell test.

Its the money test it does not pass. Oil stinks but is profitable.

HonestChieffan · 11-18-2012, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Pioli, Crennel, etc. worked in BOSTON. If catching some crap in KC is a problem, I don't know how they survived the east coast.

I could give a damn about Pioli or roscoe crennel. What I hope is we have not become the ugly fan. Im old fashioned and really believe we were pretty special. But reading the FB comments makes me almost ashamed. Chalk it up to a few very ignorant posters but calling for Peoli to die or be killed is simply wrong

Lets not become those guys

Warrior5 · 11-18-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

He knows he has to fire Pioli.

I bet he's pulling out his hair trying to ID the replacement GM.

Why wait? Serious question... he gains nothing and loses everything putting this off. He doesn't need to retain Pioli to start working his replacement.

**DeezNutz** · 11-18-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

I could give a damn about Pioli or roscoe crennel. What I hope is we have not become the ugly fan. Im old fashioned and really believe we were pretty special. But reading the FB comments makes me almost ashamed. Chalk it up to a few very ignorant posters but calling for Peoli to die or be killed is simply wrong

Lets not become those guys

I don't think you have to worry about this. We're the pretty prisoner who has been getting ****ed for years.

It's time we let our asses get stank so that we can instigate change.

Al Bundy · 11-18-2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

In his defense, he is not the most articulate sperm in the load.

He was probably trying to say something profound and it just sorta came out that way.

FAX

Rep.

Saccopoo · 11-18-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief77

Totally agree at least with my own actions. I used to scream n stomp and be frenzied during games. Now I dont feel any emotion for bad Chief football, and have so much disgust for this organization, it seems like it will be hard to ever cheer for these guys. I hate our Qbs, I hate our clueless coach, and I Despise the front office.

The purge is coming, and when it does, I'll don the Red and Gold again and yell and scream and support it regardless of the wins or losses.

This is my team. Our team.

We're from Kansas City, Missoula, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Australia, etc., but we are all Chief fans.

This team, our team, was taken over by a meglomaniacal tyrannt, a person with no concern for what the Chiefs were and what they should be. They damn near destroyed this team, but in the depths of the darkest hour, the fans began to rise, began to understand that it is indeed our team, and they took it back from the brink of utter desolation.

They took it back because they loved this team and what it stands for.

No, too much effort has been given, too much passion has flowed not to cheer and support this team, our team - the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pioli will be fired. They purge will happen.

And I will never be a bigger fan of the Chiefs than at that moment. I hope you will be as well.

Warrior5 · 11-18-2012, 08:53 PM

Occupy Arrowhead.

CoMoChief · 11-18-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

That is really REALLY funny.

11-18-2012, 07:39 PM
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $2822662	Sam Mellinger Nails It! Sam Mellinger \| Chiefs’ disconnect with angry fan base grows deeper By SAM MELLINGER The Kansas City Star The elevator door opens, and here comes Clark Hunt. He is dressed in a dark suit, like always, solemn look on his face as he walks through a basement hallway at Arrowhead Stadium. Over his head, a television plays the final seconds of another remarkably inept showing by the team he inherited from his father and that is now embarrassing the family name. “The Chiefs lose again,” the voice on the television says. Hunt doesn’t look up. Doesn’t speak. Just keeps walking, into the locker room of the undisputed worst team in football. The door shuts behind him. A security guard in the hallway turns the TV off, and it’s just as well because the Chiefs’ pathetic 28-6 loss to the mediocre Bengals is finally over. By now, we’ve all seen enough from a 1-9 clown show. The only things left are shame, ugly accusations about mistreatment from fans, and questions. If not now, then when? If the Chiefs can land like an anvil at the bottom of the NFL in year four of a process that was supposed to be competing for the division championship, then what, exactly, could it possibly take for major changes? If not after this, then what? “I’m not feeling very good at this point,” coach Romeo Crennel says. Some perspective: Bill Self’s winning percentage at Kansas is .835. Nick Saban’s at Alabama is .831, Tom Brady’s in New England is .774, and Michael Jordan’s in playoff series is .806. Opponents at Arrowhead Stadium since last November are at .889. Arrowhead used to be one of the toughest places in the NFL to play. Television executives loved having games here, the barbecue smoke in the parking lot and screaming fans inside making for some of the league’s best theater. Now, fans are literally dressing for a funeral – an organized statement to wear black in mourning of the franchise they fell in love with. Chiefs officials – Hunt, most notably – have done a rotten job of showing it, but they’ve been privately concerned about a growing fan resentment for some time now. Hunt continues to meet with angry fans, partly to gather information to help diagnose the problem. Until now, team brass held a stubborn belief that the loudest dissent came from a vocal minority, but in a season full of milestone losses, here comes one more: Arrowhead evenly split between fans dressed in black, fans dressed in other colors and empty seats. If this doesn’t push Hunt to make major changes in the coming weeks, then it’s fair to wonder what could. A handful of fans are accusing the team of confiscating critical signs or kicking them out of the stadium. A team spokesman made a point to “vehemently” deny security guards had orders to remove critical fans, saying the only issues were mass distribution of flyers impeding pregame traffic. Either way, it’s one more piece of evidence of an undeniable and enormous disconnect between team and town. A family paid for an obituary in Sunday’s Star for a man who died “of complications from MS and heartbreaking disappointment caused by the Kansas City Chiefs.” Two fans write in to say they saw “Pioli doesn’t” taped underneath “Kansas City knows” on a t-shirt for sale in a store. Fans are wearing black, or paper bags, or both. One section passed time during the game with a paper airplane contest. And those are the ones who still bother to show up for games. Here is an incomplete list of things to happen more often this fall than the Chiefs winning: The team captain being benched, the quarterback suffering a concussion, a banner flying over the stadium calling for the GM to be fired, the head coach saying he doesn’t understand what happened with the team, and players celebrating a touchdown that didn’t count. So far, you are as likely to catch the Chiefs on a day their coach fires himself as defensive coordinator as you are a day they win a game of football. One of their two biggest free-agent acquisitions called fans “sickening and disgusting.” The other one got cut a few weeks back. Their offense has managed 12 touchdowns, 20 field goals and 31 turnovers. They’ve now lost six of 10 games by 16 points or more, the most in the league, and they’ve trailed by at least 17 every game but two. Dwayne Bowe has 49 catches, and Dustin Colquitt has 49 punts. If you didn’t know better, you’d think fixing a tragic comedy of a football team takes more than posting a sign that says “ELIMINATE BAD FOOTBALL.” The Chiefs should be used to talking about blowout losses by now, but they’re not getting any better at it. Crennel, for instance, has tried to send messages this year by switching quarterbacks and cutting cornerbacks and giving up his defensive coordinator duties to concentrate more on offense (the Chiefs have responded by scoring 19 points in 25 possessions), and pledged that anyone who turns the ball over will be benched. He has vacillated between “ELIMINATE BAD FOOTBALL” and “PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL” signs, but is still wondering what else he can do to stop his team’s pathetic football. “We’ll evaluate and determine if there’s anything else we can do,” Crennel says. Thing is, too many in the Chiefs’ locker room seem to be in denial. Flowers mentioned that some people think the Chiefs are among the NFL’s top five in talent. Shaun Smith called for fan loyalty, and pointed out that only two teams can play in the Super Bowl. Jamaal Charles said a coaching change would only set the Chiefs back, as if they’re not already there. The Chiefs are playing worse than bad football. This is football so bad it’s turning one of the league’s most loyal and passionate fan bases into its most angry and outwardly disrespectful. Maybe it’s only natural that some of the men in the locker room are in denial about that. But after another blowout loss where empty seats and fans dressed in mourning outnumbered everyone else, the owner must now face reality. To reach Sam Mellinger, call 816-234-4365, send e-mail to smellinger@kcstar.com or follow twitter.com/mellinger. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/18...#storylink=cpy Boom!
Posts: 69,468

11-18-2012, 08:26 PM	#61
Setsuna Paladin Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Gator Country Casino cash: $10008487	The Jags almost ****ed up and won. About had a heart attack.
Posts: 13,215

11-18-2012, 08:27 PM	#62
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2008244	It's the typical transgression. Bust your ass to become boss, have kids, let your wife baby them while you're putting in work, grow old, hand the business over to them and everything goes to shit because they either a) don't give a **** or b) are too big of pussies to do what needs to be done.
Posts: 34,069

11-18-2012, 08:29 PM	#65
Discuss Thrower "You like to drink?" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: "I like to drink." Casino cash: $2976869	Pioli got an extension. You can't believe a luck of what the KC media sez. __________________ Chiefs 2016 Opponents: Home: JAX, TEN, NO, TB, NYJ. Away: HOU, IND, ATL, CAR, PIT Chiefs 2017 Opponents: Home: BUF, MIA, PHI, WSH, AFC North. Away: NE, NYJ, NYG, DAL, AFC South
Posts: 42,892

11-18-2012, 08:29 PM	#66
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4638454	Shaun Smith is right, only 2 teams CAN play for the super bowl. We as Chief fans know this, because we have been watching 2 completely different teams than the one he have given loyalty, money, agony and tears. We Chief fans have watched teams move, be created from scratch and go to superbowls since the last Chiefs playoff wins. The Titans and Panthers were created from concept and been in a superbowl since the Chiefs last win and the Texans are strong contenders this year. Since the last Chiefs PLAYOFF WIN....Chiefs fans have agonizingly watched The Broncos, Chargers, Raiders and Lowly Seahawks compete for 5 superbowl titles...FIVE Championships from the AFCW since the Chiefs have last sniffed a single wildcard round playoff win. And players who have been here 5 minutes want to judge us? I want them to drink from a hog confinement septic tank for their uninformed stupidity.
Posts: 61,556

11-18-2012, 08:53 PM	#74
Warrior5 Stram was Cav Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $9044010	Occupy Arrowhead. __________________ The best pass defense is attacking the passer.
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