Hunt outlines changes the Chiefs are making to get the red back in Arrowhead

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs owner outlines changes to get the red back in Arrowhead
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star
Clark Hunt is sitting at a small table in his enormous suite at Arrowhead Stadium, hands in his lap, his voice steady and professional. But really, he may as well be standing in front of you all, arms outstretched, his words as sweet as he’s capable of making them sound:

Hug?

The Chiefs owner is here, talking to you, emphasizing a philosophy shift in the franchise he holds so dear. Hunt wants you to expect something very different from the Chiefs you came to know in recent years. Some of what he is doing sounds very cool for fans, some of it will help the team make more money. Some of it will do both.

Hunt knows it won’t mean much if the team doesn’t win, but while the new football men he hired work on that part, it’s significant that the man who took so much heat last year — taunting banners flying over the stadium, nasty name-calling, stacks of angry letters — is extending a hand.

“Certainly the football side of the Chiefs the last four years was more guarded in how information was shared externally,” he says. “There’s still teams in the league that operate like that, but what I’ve seen in the last 12 months, attending ownership meetings and being on the digital committee, is an understanding that, hey, the model is shifting and we have to be more open.”

Hunt is doing everything he can to make sure the hiring of coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey is the end to a brutal four-year run marked by arrogance and detachment, bottoming out with a 2-14 thud last season that made Arrowhead quiet and fans wearing bags on their heads.

Hunt won’t blame the problems on anyone. He doesn’t bring up any names. But when Scott ***** was hired and given total football control four years ago, he brought a hyper-secretive and isolated style that — especially as the losses piled up — turned off many loyal fans.

But it was more than just losing that turned off many fans, so Hunt and club president Mark Donovan know that more than just winning is needed to bring them back. Consumers fans — have more power and more options than ever, so everyone lost with that old model. The Chiefs had empty seats, quiet or booing crowds, and fans who felt pushed away to prove it.

That’s not how the Chiefs became Kansas City’s passion. That’s not how they became a wildly profitable business.

Without a strong sense of connection, many fans drifted, and the Chiefs are now trying to woo them back with gifts and technology. The Chiefs were the first NFL team to use paperless tickets last year, and going forward, this is will be their vehicle of choice.

“Really, we want the experience with our fan base to be one where they’re an insider,” Hunt says. “Where they feel like an insider. Where they’re getting to see things, and hear things, and learn things that people generally don’t have an opportunity to do.”

The key to this is the season-ticketholder card the Chiefs created last year. Paperless tickets make it easier for fans to transfer seats or replace lost items. Now the club is adding a loyalty program that is part Foursquare, part frequent flier account and the first of its kind in the NFL.

The buzzword here is value. Part of winning back fans is to create more value in that card than mere admittance to the stadium. For instance, go to team events like next week’s draft party, and you’ll earn points. Show your card at various club sponsors and you’ll receive a discount. You get the idea.

Collect enough points and you can “buy” experiences that otherwise aren’t for sale, like pregame sideline passes or dinner with Reid.

The card is also important to the Chiefs, because they can gather data. Scanning those cards tells them all sorts of information — how early you arrive at the stadium, what you buy when you’re there, how often you attend club events during the week, etc.

You can look at this part in two ways. The Chiefs can use the information to maximize their profits (when and how to better staff the stadium, for instance) or to improve the efficiency of a fan’s game day experience. Both are true.

All NFL teams are working to bring fans into their stadiums instead of having them home on their couches. There are league-wide initiatives, like certain replays in the stadium that aren’t shown at home, and the Chiefs are working on other ways to enhance the stadium experience — cameras following players from their cars to the locker room, better cell phone reception, more fantasy football stats, etc.

This is all coming at a crucial time for the Chiefs. They still call Arrowhead “the loudest stadium in the NFL,” but that has been more of an outdated reminder of better times than an honest point of pride in recent years. They have fallen behind.

Again, the best way to change that is for the Chiefs to win. But fans have been disappointed by far more than losses in recent years. Heck, the Chiefs still haven’t won a playoff game since January 1994 so this isn’t a front-running fan base. Just one that wants to feel their love reciprocated.

The Chiefs think this is the way. They’re trying to replace the disconnect of the past four years with something closer to the party of the 1990s — and they’re doing it with the latest technology and a more open philosophy.

In other words, they want you back. And they’re changing to do it.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

You don't like the Dorsey hire either ?

Dorsey is unknown.

I like his background, thus, his potential.

I would have preferred a pairing with a different coach.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by milkman

Dorsey is unknown.

I like his background, thus, his potential.

I would have preferred a pairing with a different coach.

I find that Dorsey saying he doesn't have an "ego" is having an "ego" in it'self. I think he is just saying that to get Chiefs fans approval.

I'm not going to trust these guys until we draft and start a first round qbotf.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

You nicely summed up the ludicrous ideology that represents a lot of people on this board. Too many people had all their eggs in the Geno basket. No Geno then these guys obviously have no idea what they are doing since its a lock Geno is going to be successful in the NFL.

We have the #1 pick in arguably the worst draft in 15 years. That's not Reid or Dorsey's fault and because you can't force feed them the QB you want then they must be idiots right.

When they were hired they were genius and the right guys, they trade for Alex Smith they are now idiots who only care about 8-8.

I think a lot of people were excited by the Reid hire (I wasn't, but I was in the minority).

However, when he and Dorsey used the same blueprint at QB that has failed this franchise for 30 years, it would almost be impossible for many to simply sit back and not begin to question the decision.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by milkman

I think a lot of people were excited by the Reid hire (I wasn't, but I was in the minority).

However, when he and Dorsey used the same blueprint at QB that has failed this franchise for 30 years, it would almost be impossible for many to simply sit back and not begin to question the decision.

I have said it before and I will say it again. You don't do things just do them or to say you tried.

Trading for Cassel want the mistake ***** made, there wasn't a decent QB in that draft. Not covering his ass with a back up plan or addressing it later was the mistake

This QB draft class sucks and what it comes down to is Reid and Dorsey thinking Alex Smith is a better NFL QB than Geno Smith is going to be based off of their criteria, whatever that may be.

Its not difficult to understand. Whether they will be correct is yet to be seen.

I am still in the belief drafting Geno #1 would have sold tickets and filled the stadium so I dont think the Alex Smith trade has a damn thing to do with $ or tickets sales. It has to do with that's who they think is the best option.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

You nicely summed up the ludicrous ideology that represents a lot of people on this board. Too many people had all their eggs in the Geno basket. No Geno then these guys obviously have no idea what they are doing since its a lock Geno is going to be successful in the NFL.

We have the #1 pick in arguably the worst draft in 15 years. That's not Reid or Dorsey's fault and because you can't force feed them the QB you want then they must be idiots right.

When they were hired they were genius and the right guys, they trade for Alex Smith they are now idiots who only care about 8-8.

I'm sure John Dorsey is a brilliant personnel evaluator who will string together some very nice drafts for KC.

And I'm sure Andy Reid actually is the QB guru that people in the NFL claim him to be. And he's probably the best head coach this Chiefs team has had since Dick Vermeil, and probably even better.

But the Alex Smith decision was dumb. It was a dumb decision. Andy even said he wanted Smith because he had a bizarre fascination with the player from afar in Philadelphia all those years. He let his emotions and enormous fat gut do the thinking on that QB decision. Coaches do it all the time, so whatever.

The problem is he did it at the exact wrong ****ing time. And yes, that shit DOES matter. Coming off of the Cassel years, which came after 3 seasons of Huard/Croyle/Thigpen at the tail end of a 30 year drought of 1st round QBs in the midst of approaching the 20 year anniversary of the last time the Chiefs won a playoff game isn't just bad timing. IT'S ****ING HORRIBLE TIMING.

It's the WORST ****ing timing you could possibly have in a new regime.

He shouldn't be tied down to the franchise's previous decisions and mistakes? BULL. ****ING. SHIT. He IS the franchise now, therefore the previous mistakes are HIS responsibility to fix. And he did it the worst ****ing way he possibly could.

So yes, it DOES matter that the Alex Smith trade happened, and yes it IS Reid/Dorsey's fault that they chose it. The perceived quality of QB talent in the draft should have nothing to do with it. They like Geno according to Bad Guy's source. Yet NOW they say that. They couldn't ****ing wait. They had to pull the Alex Smith trigger a whole ****ing 2 weeks BEFORE THE TRADING SEASON could begin.

That's called not thinking. It's called being stupid. They made a terrible terrible decision. That doesn't mean they're terrible at their jobs, but it DOES mean that they better ****ing win a playoff game pronto if their grand master plan is going to work.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I have said it before and I will say it again. You don't do things just do them or to say you tried.

Trading for Cassel want the mistake ***** made, there wasn't a decent QB in that draft. Not covering his ass with a back up plan or addressing it later was the mistake

This QB draft class sucks and what it comes down to is Reid and Dorsey thinking Alex Smith is a better NFL QB than Geno Smith is going to be based off of their criteria, whatever that may be.

Its not difficult to understand. Whether they will be correct is yet to be seen.

I am still in the belief drafting Geno #1 would have sold tickets and filled the stadium so I dont think the Alex Smith trade has a damn thing to do with $ or tickets sales. It has to do with that's who they think is the best option.

This is a point that you and I have disagreed about for years.

I believed then, as I believe now, that trading for Cassel was the mistake.

I believe that you draft a guy with potential and hope that NFL coaching brings that potential to realization.

A QB that has had 4 years of NFL coaching that still had the flaws that Cassel still had is never going to be a franchise QB.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by SNR

So yes, it DOES matter that the Alex Smith trade happened, and yes it IS Reid/Dorsey's fault that they chose it. The perceived quality of QB talent in the draft should have nothing to do with it. They like Geno according to Bad Guy's source. Yet NOW they say that. They couldn't ****ing wait. They had to pull the Alex Smith trigger a whole ****ing 2 weeks BEFORE THE TRADING SEASON could begin.

That's called not thinking. It's called being stupid. They made a terrible terrible decision. That doesn't mean they're terrible at their jobs, but it DOES mean that they better ****ing win a playoff game pronto if their grand master plan is going to work.

OK.


So you think this is still happening with a class equal to last years talent of QB class.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by milkman

This is a point that you and I have disagreed about for years.

I believed then, as I believe now, that trading for Cassel was the mistake.

I believe that you draft a guy with potential and hope that NFL coaching brings that potential to realization.

A QB that has had 4 years of NFL coaching that still had the flaws that Cassel still had is never going to be a franchise QB.

So you think Cassel could have led the 49'rs to OT in the NFCCG?

The comparisons between Smith and Cassel are ridiculous. Wait and see.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

So you think Cassel could have led the 49'rs to OT in the NFCCG?

The comparisons between Smith and Cassel are ridiculous. Wait and see.

Where did I compare Smith to Cassel?

I have said it time and time again.

Smith is better than Cassel.

But better than bad does not equal good.

Smith is an efficient game manager.

He is not going to lead a team to the SB.

He may be carried by a team to the SB.

Matt Cassel is just too bad to even manage that.

And the suggestion that Smith "led" the 9ers to OT in the NFC Championship game is laughable.

If he just manages to convert just a couple of third downs, the Giants would not have been in position to get that game to OT.

[crossbow]

Originally Posted by milkman

I think a lot of people were excited by the Reid hire (I wasn't, but I was in the minority).

However, when he and Dorsey used the same blueprint at QB that has failed this franchise for 30 years, it would almost be impossible for many to simply sit back and not begin to question the decision.

This is exactly the point. You would asume they were going to do something bold and creative like people that get paid millions of dollars are supposed to do. But they did what we have seen countless times over a 30 year span and excpect us to get excited. When these guys show me something that separates them from the other medocre loser team managers, I will buy into their bullshit. So far a kid playing Madden could have made better moves then this. I just can't accept this lazy inept move its just too lame to forget.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by crossbow

This is exactly the point. You would asume they were going to do something bold and creative like people that get paid millions of dollars are supposed to do. But they did what we have seen countless times over a 30 year span and excpect us to get excited. When these guys show me something that separates them from the other medocre loser team managers, I will buy into their bullshit. So far a kid playing Madden could have made better moves then this. I just can't accept this lazy inept move its just too lame to forget.

The Alex Smith move is ONLY bad if they commit to him as a long-term QB. And we don't know that yet. If it's a short-term move and it helps get the Chiefs winning games again, then I don't care about trade comp.

[crossbow]

The Alex trade is a totaly bad move because they will now win enough games to be out of reach to draft a franchise QB. I wouldn't be so angry if they hadn't done this so many pathetic times and failed at it.

[gblowfish]

If they draft a tackle, and Geno becomes a star, that will be typical Chiefs.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by crossbow

The Alex trade is a totaly bad move because they will now win enough games to be out of reach to draft a franchise QB.

I don't blame anyone in One Arrowhead if they think another losing season is completely unacceptable. I'm in the camp that they need to find a franchise QB this year and it should hopefully be with the first pick. I don't know if they'll pass on Geno. I don't know if they're positioning for a trade out. I don't know if they like somebody later in the draft.

But I don't blame anyone in this organization for wanting to win in 2013. And I don't think the idea of tanking for a QB next year is a very good idea.

[crossbow]

Not suggesting they tank for a draft pick but that 2nd is huge to this team and the 3rd next year will be too. If not the first then isn't there someone in this years 2nd that could play the QB position? If they would at least try then the fans would give them time. But to do the exact same thing you did with the exact same team for the last freeking 30 years is beyond rediculous.