Whitlock: Vermeil's sets team's whiny tone

tk13 · 02:46 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10250469.htm

Vermeil sets team's whiny tone

JASON WHITLOCK

Grumpy old men were in style just a year ago. Their maturity, wisdom and patience were hailed as critical ingredients that could ignite a professional sports organization to success. Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon and Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil were seen as pro sports' new breed.

Now, a year later, grumpy old men look like grumpy old men.

Bill Parcells' Dallas Cowboys are 3-7. So is Joe Gibbs' Washington team. Vermeil's Chiefs entered Monday night's game against the defending champion New England Patriots with a 3-6 record and left Arrowhead Stadium with an identical record to the Cowboys and Washington.

Patriots 27, Chiefs 19.

NFL coaches in their 60s look lost and totally out of place.

Vermeil's Chiefs are the biggest disappointment. Coming off a 13-3 season, the Chiefs were expected to contend for the Super Bowl. Instead, midway through the season they're fighting for respectability. Regardless of the Chiefs' final record, that respectability will elude them if the Chiefs players continue to mimic their whiny, grumpy football coach.

Football teams often mirror their head coaches. Vermeil and his coaching staff have spent much of the season whining about officiating and whining about every piece of misfortune. The Chiefs, perhaps because of the constant whining of the coaching staff, are one of the most penalized teams in the NFL.

Vermeil, his staff and his players whine about every call. Monday night, with the nation watching, the Chiefs complained about every perceived missed pass-interference call. Trent Green threw an interception in the end zone just before halftime. He was trying to squeeze the ball into tight end Tony Gonzalez, who was covered by two defenders. Even before New England safety Rodney Harrison was tackled, Gonzalez and Green hunted down a referee and demanded to know why Harrison wasn't called for holding Gonzalez.

The ref should have asked Green why he ever threw the ball to Gonzalez. T.G. was never open. Not for the slightest second. Green made an error, but he blamed the official for it.

“You saw the play, didn't you?” Vermeil said disgustedly. “I'm not going to say anything about it.”

He added: “It was a low throw.”

That's typical Chiefs behavior. Vermeil can't believe the Chiefs aren't at the top of the AFC West and in playoff contention. It can't be his fault. He's not willing to take responsibility for Kansas City's failure. It shouldn't be a surprise that his players are unwilling to shoulder responsibility.

This all began last off-season. The Chiefs finished last season losing four of their last eight games, including a playoff game at home. With nine players selected to the Pro Bowl, the Chiefs celebrated in Hawaii as if they'd won the Super Bowl. No one took responsibility for last year's failure.

The Chiefs have a Super Bowl hangover… without the Super Bowl.

The offensive players blamed the defensive players. The defensive players blamed Greg Robinson. No one looked in the mirror, including KC's grumpy coach.

You have to wonder whether Vermeil is the right coach to move the Chiefs forward. His message has worn thin. I'm not sure he has the necessary energy or emotion to ignite this football team next season. Coaching in the NFL is for young men with lots and lots of energy. Vermeil might also be too nice for this situation. The Chiefs need a coach to come in and strike fear in the players. The Chiefs are financially committed to some underachieving players for next season. Jerome Woods, Greg Wesley, John Browning, Eric Hicks and William Bartee all received new contracts last offseason.

It's going to be difficult to overhaul KC's roster.

Kansas City's best offensive players are all well-established veterans. Will Shields, Willie Roaf, Trent Green and Priest Holmes are nearing the end of their careers or moving out of their prime years. Brian Waters and Tony Gonzalez are in their prime.

Besides Jared Allen, the Chiefs don't have any young players waiting in the wings. Running back Larry Johnson, the former first-round pick, must be one of the worst first-round picks in the history of the franchise. And that's saying something. For the second week in a row, without an injured Priest Holmes, Johnson didn't take an offensive snap. Derrick Blaylock carried the load for 60 minutes. The Chiefs have accomplished nothing this season and haven't set up anything for next year.

I'm sure Vermeil and his players will be whining about these facts all offseason.

11-23-2004, 02:06 AM	Topic Starter
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1902500	Whitlock: Vermeil sets team's whiny tone http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10250469.htm Vermeil sets team's whiny tone JASON WHITLOCK Grumpy old men were in style just a year ago. Their maturity, wisdom and patience were hailed as critical ingredients that could ignite a professional sports organization to success. Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon and Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil were seen as pro sports' new breed. Now, a year later, grumpy old men look like grumpy old men. Bill Parcells' Dallas Cowboys are 3-7. So is Joe Gibbs' Washington team. Vermeil's Chiefs entered Monday night's game against the defending champion New England Patriots with a 3-6 record and left Arrowhead Stadium with an identical record to the Cowboys and Washington. Patriots 27, Chiefs 19. NFL coaches in their 60s look lost and totally out of place. Vermeil's Chiefs are the biggest disappointment. Coming off a 13-3 season, the Chiefs were expected to contend for the Super Bowl. Instead, midway through the season they're fighting for respectability. Regardless of the Chiefs' final record, that respectability will elude them if the Chiefs players continue to mimic their whiny, grumpy football coach. Football teams often mirror their head coaches. Vermeil and his coaching staff have spent much of the season whining about officiating and whining about every piece of misfortune. The Chiefs, perhaps because of the constant whining of the coaching staff, are one of the most penalized teams in the NFL. Vermeil, his staff and his players whine about every call. Monday night, with the nation watching, the Chiefs complained about every perceived missed pass-interference call. Trent Green threw an interception in the end zone just before halftime. He was trying to squeeze the ball into tight end Tony Gonzalez, who was covered by two defenders. Even before New England safety Rodney Harrison was tackled, Gonzalez and Green hunted down a referee and demanded to know why Harrison wasn't called for holding Gonzalez. The ref should have asked Green why he ever threw the ball to Gonzalez. T.G. was never open. Not for the slightest second. Green made an error, but he blamed the official for it. “You saw the play, didn't you?” Vermeil said disgustedly. “I'm not going to say anything about it.” He added: “It was a low throw.” That's typical Chiefs behavior. Vermeil can't believe the Chiefs aren't at the top of the AFC West and in playoff contention. It can't be his fault. He's not willing to take responsibility for Kansas City's failure. It shouldn't be a surprise that his players are unwilling to shoulder responsibility. This all began last off-season. The Chiefs finished last season losing four of their last eight games, including a playoff game at home. With nine players selected to the Pro Bowl, the Chiefs celebrated in Hawaii as if they'd won the Super Bowl. No one took responsibility for last year's failure. The Chiefs have a Super Bowl hangover… without the Super Bowl. The offensive players blamed the defensive players. The defensive players blamed Greg Robinson. No one looked in the mirror, including KC's grumpy coach. You have to wonder whether Vermeil is the right coach to move the Chiefs forward. His message has worn thin. I'm not sure he has the necessary energy or emotion to ignite this football team next season. Coaching in the NFL is for young men with lots and lots of energy. Vermeil might also be too nice for this situation. The Chiefs need a coach to come in and strike fear in the players. The Chiefs are financially committed to some underachieving players for next season. Jerome Woods, Greg Wesley, John Browning, Eric Hicks and William Bartee all received new contracts last offseason. It's going to be difficult to overhaul KC's roster. Kansas City's best offensive players are all well-established veterans. Will Shields, Willie Roaf, Trent Green and Priest Holmes are nearing the end of their careers or moving out of their prime years. Brian Waters and Tony Gonzalez are in their prime. Besides Jared Allen, the Chiefs don't have any young players waiting in the wings. Running back Larry Johnson, the former first-round pick, must be one of the worst first-round picks in the history of the franchise. And that's saying something. For the second week in a row, without an injured Priest Holmes, Johnson didn't take an offensive snap. Derrick Blaylock carried the load for 60 minutes. The Chiefs have accomplished nothing this season and haven't set up anything for next year. I'm sure Vermeil and his players will be whining about these facts all offseason. Last edited by tk13; 11-23-2004 at 02:46 AM..
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