Chiefs Whitlock: Pioli’s ego may get in way of building a winner - Page 8

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-26-2009, 11:30 PM

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.

Marcellus · 09-27-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Could you at least make your avatar blink on and off so I can try to read what you post when it it is off?

JuicesFlowing · 09-27-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree, that is disappointing ... and on TV, that ribbon screen is too nuclear, they need to tone down the brightness a bit. But whatever.

LaChapelle · 09-27-2009, 09:57 AM

LEts change the culture, but keep the old culture!!!!11
The ROF and alumni have lead us to vic-tor-ys
Our SB winning QB is on SSI

Pablo · 09-27-2009, 09:59 AM

Anyone who defends or endorses J Whit from here on out is a ****ing moron. The end.

**SAUTO** · 09-27-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

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

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..

There you go dane, he tells you how it is himself.

**SAUTO** · 09-27-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

He was basically talking about how now there are giant security gates everywhere and you have to be escorted by a security guard everywhere. He was talking about how in the past if you were friends with Herm or something you could have walked in and spoke with him now you can't get anywhere near that area.

Then he went on to say that they don't care about any past Chiefs players, they don't care to honor or respect them and he wonders what the reaction would be in Green Bay if they did something like that because frankly they wouldn't dare.

He talked about how he has a friend that works for the Chiefs and he said I won't name names or the favor I ask of this person every year but for this person do to the favor for me I had to meet them across the street from the stadium.

what the **** does any of that have to do with winning games?

Shag · 09-27-2009, 10:05 AM

Wow, Whitlock is a complete joke lately. He has zero credibility left on Pioli, as he very clearly has a personal dislike for him, which he has made no effort to hide. He's lost all objectivity, which will make any observations he has about the GM look petty, regardless of their validity...

milkman · 09-27-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

There you go dane, he tells you how it is himself.

I don't think that Dane ever argued that he wasn't paid to tell you what he thinks.

A columnist is paid to write his opinions.

What he has argued is that Whitlock is not fabricating stories.

Pablo · 09-27-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

what the **** does any of that have to do with winning games?

It doesn't.

But clearly the new front office = evil because they won't let Tim fucking Grunhard walk around freely. ****.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-27-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

There you go dane, he tells you how it is himself.

Please get a carbon monoxide detector in your shop.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-27-2009, 10:21 AM

You know, unless we win 3 games this year this will be the worst three year stretch of any team in the past 22 years.

That's pretty ****ing amazing.

Hammock Parties · 09-27-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

You know, unless we win 3 games this year this will be the worst three year stretch of any team in the past 22 years.

That's pretty ****ing amazing.

We're about due for some good karma.

When the Chiefs win it all we'll be able to look back and say...I was there...in hell with Herm and Carl.

booger · 09-27-2009, 10:24 AM

jwhit = total assclown

**DeezNutz** · 09-27-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

There you go dane, he tells you how it is himself.

That's what columnists do.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-27-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Please get a carbon monoxide detector in your shop.

09-26-2009, 11:30 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $352813	Whitlock: Pioli’s ego may get in way of building a winner 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.
Posts: 42,218

09-27-2009, 09:57 AM	#108
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	LEts change the culture, but keep the old culture!!!!11 The ROF and alumni have lead us to vic-tor-ys Our SB winning QB is on SSI
Posts: 8,588

09-27-2009, 09:59 AM	#109
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North da River Casino cash: $1459356	Anyone who defends or endorses J Whit from here on out is a ****ing moron. The end.
Posts: 40,882

09-27-2009, 10:05 AM	#112
Shag MVP Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Casino cash: $1643342	Wow, Whitlock is a complete joke lately. He has zero credibility left on Pioli, as he very clearly has a personal dislike for him, which he has made no effort to hide. He's lost all objectivity, which will make any observations he has about the GM look petty, regardless of their validity...
Posts: 5,155

09-27-2009, 10:21 AM	#116
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7919572	You know, unless we win 3 games this year this will be the worst three year stretch of any team in the past 22 years. That's pretty ****ing amazing. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,860

09-27-2009, 10:24 AM	#118
booger Don't Tug on Superman's Cape Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clear out in the sticks Casino cash: $948550	jwhit = total assclown __________________ 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
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