Soren Petro-Rumor Pioli has signed an extension

[FAX]

Hmmm ... you present an interesting and well-thought-out interpretation of events, Mr. BigRock. I'm not so sure it is 100% correct, however.

Although I agree with your assessment that it serves Pioli's selfish interests that Chiefs fans be portrayed in the media and viewed generally as unreasonable, irrational, and irresponsible, it may well be that those terms reflect his honest opinion of us. If so, we can be assured that Pioli won't be fielding a winning team for our benefit. Nor will he have any inclination to do so. He has no significant ties to this community, no internal motivation to please us, to be accepted, or even to be liked by the fans. His loyalty and allegiance lies with the Hunts and with them alone ... the people who sign his checks.

And, I also dispute your description of the comments made by Roleo and Clark as "speaking out". Both of them delivered the most vague platitudes imaginable and what I would normally categorize as "pap". If that is "speaking out", Bob the Mute is a Swedish ventriloquist. To me, it sounded like typical, minimal Chiefs spiel designed to placate a fan base that is all too eager to lap up banal PR crumbs as though they were secret truths delivered from a mountain top.

Secondly, Pioli's silence means nothing and should be viewed as nothing because it is nothing. We have absolutely no idea what he is thinking or doing. In fact, one the standard damage control tactics for withstanding a critical, public blitz is to avoid the temptation to respond while allowing time for emotions to subside. You simply hunker down and weather the storm as it blows itself out of its own accord.

Third, although it is possible that Pioli is contemplating life after the Chiefs, the only indication we have as to his future is the scuttlebutt associated with his supposed extension and there is no reason at this point to believe that it isn't true. In fact, a vote of confidence in the GM at a time like this is more consistent with the Chiefs' traditional business practices than any other decision they might make.

Finally, if the reports are factual that Cassel is expected to return to practice soon and then to regain his starting position, nothing whatsoever will have changed and all the hubbub and the uproar and the complaints echoed in the media and flown above the stadium will have accomplished nothing, meant little, and achieved less in the long run. And this, sadly, is more likely to be the ultimate outcome ... no effect, no change ... life goes on ... business as usual.

FAX

[BigRock]

Originally Posted by FAX

Hmmm ... you present an interesting and well-thought-out interpretation of events, Mr. BigRock. I'm not so sure it is 100% correct, however.

Well, it's based entirely on interpretations, so no matter how much I believed it I would never claim it to be 100% correct. Given our knowledge of Pioli and how he operates, it just seems like a valid possibility.

I'll put it this way: I find it more likely than the idea that right in the midst of this here 2012 season, Clark Hunt decided to give Scott Pioli an extension.

Originally Posted by FAX

And, I also dispute your description of the comments made by Roleo and Clark as "speaking out".

I was merely pointing out that they said something while Pioli did not. I was not trying to suggest anything about their comments other than the most basic fact that they were made.

Originally Posted by FAX

We have absolutely no idea what he is thinking or doing.

I think we can make educated guesses. We saw with Haley how Pioli uses the media to set narratives and to get his spin on things filtered out into the atmosphere. And in a very short period of time, we've seen three such attempts: that Pioli was never convinced of Cassel, that Pioli's biggest problem has been his failure to take the lead and be in the spotlight, and that the second mistake wasn't even his fault. All which are designed to downplay his failures.

It would be quite a coincidence if such transparent attempts at making excuses on Pioli's behalf weren't being orchestrated by the very man who benefits from them. Particularly when that man is known for doing this exact type of thing.

Originally Posted by FAX

the only indication we have as to his future is the scuttlebutt associated with his supposed extension and there is no reason at this point to believe that it isn't true.

This seems a tad defeatist, Mr. FAX. I mean, if the guys pushing this story really did have such a major scoop, and if they put it in a box called All The Major Scoops We've Had, it would likely die of loneliness from having no one else to talk to.

Personally, I'll probably wait until the story reaches the staunch standard of, say, twitter accounts of KC Star writers before slipping the noose over my head.