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.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Well, this is, technically, Pioli's first job as GM. Though he says there was a 50-50 power split in NE, no one is 100 percent sure that was accurate.

It's not impossible. But it's not likely, and to talk about it without a shred of evidence is reeruned.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

so, you think he was normal human hie entire life, but the minute he became a GM he turned into a monster, like he drank an evil potion or something?


really?

Yes, and Carl Peterson was smart , didn't have plastic hair, and wore a member's only jacket instead of long leather one before he became KC's GM

That office has bad juju.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

so, you think he was normal human hie entire life, but the minute he became a GM he turned into a monster, like he drank an evil potion or something?


really?

No.

I think there's hyperbole from Whitlock. But I'm not ready to dismiss everything he's saying.

The Pats were so successful so quickly and the Hoodie was so instrumental in their success that I think it's entirely possible that we don't know nearly as much about Pioli's football acumen as many would like to think.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

It's not impossible. But it's not likely, and to talk about it without a shred of evidence is reeruned.

There's no question that JWhit needs to roll out more specific evidence or he needs to pipe down.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

No.

I think there's hyperbole from Whitlock. But I'm not ready to dismiss everything he's saying.

The Pats were so successful so quickly and the Hoodie was so instrumental in their success that I think it's entirely possible that we don't know nearly as much about Pioli's football acumen as many would like to think.

I have to argue that it's quit possible hoodie is going to jack this team up working by himself. The trade of Seymour doesn't at this time look like a good idea. It may pay off in the long run.

Mayo is hurt and they have no leadership on defense now and they look bad. Plenty of time to straighten the ship but it looks rough now. I think they lose today.

[LaChapelle]

Whitlock tring to tear down ala sports radio 810 again? The players are interested in going over to the Royals.

[Red Dawg]

Is Fatlock really this stupid? Scotty P has been less than one season and through Fatlock's infinite knowledge he will not buiold a winner because his ego is too big? What the hell is he talking about.

Scott and Haley are trying find players intrested in the team and winning. Not thier stats and their contracts. Scott will put a winner on the field. It wasn't all Bill. Look at how they are doing right now. The dynasty is starting to fall down.

[LaChapelle]

Interesting Maas and Grunhardt were part of that mass exit too.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I have to argue that it's quit possible hoodie is going to jack this team up working by himself. The trade of Seymour doesn't at this time look like a good idea. It may pay off in the long run.

Mayo is hurt and they have no leadership on defense now and they look bad. Plenty of time to straighten the ship but it looks rough now. I think they lose today.

That defense was already on the descent last year.

They've really not done a good job of replenishing the defense with fresh talent over the years.

One of the reasons that I was more supportive of the idea of bringing Eric DeCosta or one of the Steeler candidates over Pioli.

That being said, Whitlock is ****ing moron whose suggestion that ego will get in the way of Pioli's ability to perform his job is one of the most ridiculous things I believe I've ever seen in print media.

[AJKCFAN]

Please fire this POS excuse of a sportswriter ASAP, KC Star!

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I have to argue that it's quit possible hoodie is going to jack this team up working by himself. The trade of Seymour doesn't at this time look like a good idea. It may pay off in the long run.

Mayo is hurt and they have no leadership on defense now and they look bad. Plenty of time to straighten the ship but it looks rough now. I think they lose today.

As soon as Brady returns to form, the Hoodie will look like a genious again.

Getting a first for RS, however, was a steal. Older player who was not going to be with the team much longer anyway? Sign me up.

[Marcellus]

Ego or not you can't argue Pioli isn't obsessed with building a winner and not just a 1 year run.

[CHIEFS58]

what a tub of reerunedness. theres a difference in king carls ego and pioli. peterson didnt go to the super bowl, and pioli is from the parcells lineage. BIG DIFFERENCE. i dont think this pile of crap knows the difference in ego and being confident that you know what youre doing. the fact that he can cut and paste definitions certainly doesnt mean that he understands.

[JuicesFlowing]

This entire article is Whitlock explaining that he's upset with Pioli because of restricted media access. And really, Whitlock is STILL complaining about the Cryin Waters deal?

[dirk digler]

I was hoping for more specifics like Jason said he was going to provide. All I read is he is still upset about Waters and restricted media access. Honestly who gives a rat's ass?

The one thing I don't like is how they have treated the Chiefs alumni and I hope that gets resolved. I read Grunhard's comments earlier this week and it is disappointing along with displaying the Ring of Honor on the ribbon screen instead of having their names on the stadium like they used to.