Whitlock: Chiefs Need Change - Page 4

**DeezNutz** · 12-10-2006, 08:45 PM

J shows restraint b/c of Lamar's health, which suggests that his condition might be particularly grave now. But Gonzo's statement is a little surprising, as is JW's slap at Law (only b/c of his previous man crush). Proceed with the following: First good column in a long time...Hate to say I agree with (insert fat joke)...blah, blah, blah.

Ravens show why Chiefs need to make some changes
By Jason Whitlock

McClatchy Newspapers

(MCT)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - When it was over, after Kansas City football fans had been treated to three hours of undeniable proof of the Chiefs' playoff unworthiness, Brian Waters sat at his locker stall and preached that the season isn't over.

Waters is a warrior and a terrific leader, so his pronouncements didn't ring hollow.

But words cannot erase what we witnessed on Sunday. A real playoff team, the Baltimore Ravens, invaded Arrowhead Stadium, undressed the Chiefs and ended a decade-long December streak.

The Ravens abused KC's offensive line and Trent Green, torched the Chiefs' zone pass defense and ended Kansas City's December home winning streak with relative ease.

Ravens 20, Chiefs 10.

The Chiefs hadn't lost inside Arrowhead Stadium in December since 1996. Significant? Absolutely. The loss signifies that it's time for the Chiefs to go a different direction in terms of player personnel and, quite possibly, the people acquiring the personnel.

The Chiefs, the franchise that owned this city in the 1990s, have grown terribly stale.

We've seen this same act for 10 straight years. The Chiefs, 7-6, are always just good enough to make us believe that they might be able to sneak into the playoffs. Eight times out of 10 - and I mean this literally - the Chiefs aren't good enough to back into the playoffs, and they're certainly no threat to win a Super Bowl.

You're tired of it. I'm tired of it. And, when the players are being bone honest, they're tired, too.

"I wouldn't be bitter if they let me go," perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez told me when the locker room cleared out.

Gonzalez is headed for a contract showdown with the Chiefs. He's analyzed the roster, considered KC's inability to take the next step, looked at all the young ascending players who need to get paid - Larry Johnson, Kawika Mitchell, Jared Allen - and reached the conclusion that this could be a volatile offseason in Kansas City.

Gonzalez stressed that he'd like to remain in KC.

"But right now, to me, winning is more important (than staying in KC)," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez sounded the way Marty Schottenheimer sounded at the end of his 10-year run in Kansas City. For a decade, Gonzalez has given the Chiefs everything, and he's been rewarded with two one-and-done playoff seasons and eight years of false hope.

He sounded like a confident professional open to the idea of trying it somewhere else before his skills decline. Gonzalez's good friend, Shannon Sharpe, left Denver after 10 years and won another Super Bowl in Baltimore.

You can't blame Gonzalez for pondering the thought of playing in New Orleans, Seattle or Denver.

The Chiefs have a lot of holes to fill, and it's going to take plenty of cap space to fill those holes. The Chiefs need two defensive tackles, a young corner to replace Ty FLaw (and Ty, I still think you're a Hall of Famer; you just let me down this year), another linebacker, a No. 1 receiver, a right tackle, a fullback and, maybe, a new starting quarterback.

Hey, that's no shot at Trent Green, who had an awful game on Sunday. It's a statement about Green's age and where the Chiefs are headed. Herm Edwards believes Brodie Croyle is Kansas City's quarterback of the future (2008).

If that's the case, you can get a one-year, veteran quarterback cheaper than Green. Or maybe some other team - Carolina, Washington - would give up something of value for Green in a trade.

My point is the Chiefs should be open to every possibility this offseason. They don't need one or two pieces to contend. They need an injection of new blood and energy.

Today I'm not going to call for Carl Peterson to step down. Given Lamar Hunt's health situation and what the Hunt family is dealing with at this time, it's an inappropriate time to make those sorts of demands.

And maybe Carl just needs to surrender his general-manager duties. Maybe he still has value as a president and CEO. Also, I'd like to hear from Carl about why this organization has grown stale since Schottenheimer bolted.

Not even Peterson can deny that it's time for major changes in Kansas City.

12-10-2006, 08:45 PM	Topic Starter
DeezNutz PermaBanned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Jouissance Casino cash: $10011570	Whitlock: Chiefs Need Change J shows restraint b/c of Lamar's health, which suggests that his condition might be particularly grave now. But Gonzo's statement is a little surprising, as is JW's slap at Law (only b/c of his previous man crush). Proceed with the following: First good column in a long time...Hate to say I agree with (insert fat joke)...blah, blah, blah. Ravens show why Chiefs need to make some changes By Jason Whitlock McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) KANSAS CITY, Mo. - When it was over, after Kansas City football fans had been treated to three hours of undeniable proof of the Chiefs' playoff unworthiness, Brian Waters sat at his locker stall and preached that the season isn't over. Waters is a warrior and a terrific leader, so his pronouncements didn't ring hollow. But words cannot erase what we witnessed on Sunday. A real playoff team, the Baltimore Ravens, invaded Arrowhead Stadium, undressed the Chiefs and ended a decade-long December streak. The Ravens abused KC's offensive line and Trent Green, torched the Chiefs' zone pass defense and ended Kansas City's December home winning streak with relative ease. Ravens 20, Chiefs 10. The Chiefs hadn't lost inside Arrowhead Stadium in December since 1996. Significant? Absolutely. The loss signifies that it's time for the Chiefs to go a different direction in terms of player personnel and, quite possibly, the people acquiring the personnel. The Chiefs, the franchise that owned this city in the 1990s, have grown terribly stale. We've seen this same act for 10 straight years. The Chiefs, 7-6, are always just good enough to make us believe that they might be able to sneak into the playoffs. Eight times out of 10 - and I mean this literally - the Chiefs aren't good enough to back into the playoffs, and they're certainly no threat to win a Super Bowl. You're tired of it. I'm tired of it. And, when the players are being bone honest, they're tired, too. "I wouldn't be bitter if they let me go," perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez told me when the locker room cleared out. Gonzalez is headed for a contract showdown with the Chiefs. He's analyzed the roster, considered KC's inability to take the next step, looked at all the young ascending players who need to get paid - Larry Johnson, Kawika Mitchell, Jared Allen - and reached the conclusion that this could be a volatile offseason in Kansas City. Gonzalez stressed that he'd like to remain in KC. "But right now, to me, winning is more important (than staying in KC)," Gonzalez said. Gonzalez sounded the way Marty Schottenheimer sounded at the end of his 10-year run in Kansas City. For a decade, Gonzalez has given the Chiefs everything, and he's been rewarded with two one-and-done playoff seasons and eight years of false hope. He sounded like a confident professional open to the idea of trying it somewhere else before his skills decline. Gonzalez's good friend, Shannon Sharpe, left Denver after 10 years and won another Super Bowl in Baltimore. You can't blame Gonzalez for pondering the thought of playing in New Orleans, Seattle or Denver. The Chiefs have a lot of holes to fill, and it's going to take plenty of cap space to fill those holes. The Chiefs need two defensive tackles, a young corner to replace Ty FLaw (and Ty, I still think you're a Hall of Famer; you just let me down this year), another linebacker, a No. 1 receiver, a right tackle, a fullback and, maybe, a new starting quarterback. Hey, that's no shot at Trent Green, who had an awful game on Sunday. It's a statement about Green's age and where the Chiefs are headed. Herm Edwards believes Brodie Croyle is Kansas City's quarterback of the future (2008). If that's the case, you can get a one-year, veteran quarterback cheaper than Green. Or maybe some other team - Carolina, Washington - would give up something of value for Green in a trade. My point is the Chiefs should be open to every possibility this offseason. They don't need one or two pieces to contend. They need an injection of new blood and energy. Today I'm not going to call for Carl Peterson to step down. Given Lamar Hunt's health situation and what the Hunt family is dealing with at this time, it's an inappropriate time to make those sorts of demands. And maybe Carl just needs to surrender his general-manager duties. Maybe he still has value as a president and CEO. Also, I'd like to hear from Carl about why this organization has grown stale since Schottenheimer bolted. Not even Peterson can deny that it's time for major changes in Kansas City.
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