Chiefs Message simple for K.C. ownership: Young Chiefs need time

Marco Polo · 09:02 PM

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10863340

Now that the Kansas City Chiefs are through with minicamp and on to summer vacations, I'd like a word with Clark Hunt.

Patience.

There. I said it. Patience. Repeat it. Remember it. And put it away somewhere for safe keeping, there to retrieve if and when this season turns south for the Chiefs.

Frankly, it should be more when than if because the Chiefs are young in key positions, aren't sure what they have at quarterback and feature an offensive line with more holes than the daily stock report.

That's where Clark Hunt comes in. He is the Chiefs' chairman of the board, and someone who seems to have the strength, common sense and good intentions of his father, Lamar.

But it's his patience that will be stretched as the Chiefs try to end the nine-game losing streak that closed the 2007 season.

That won't be easy. This is a team that traded away its top defensive player, has its star running back returning from a serious injury and shares the same division with mighty San Diego.

Guaranteed, as sure as there will be losses there will be pressure to make changes, and it's not dramatic changes that are needed here now.

It's experience.

In essence, Kansas City is where Baltimore was entering the 2002 season, only with one difference: Unlike the Ravens of six years ago, Kansas City hasn't announced that it doesn't expect to compete for a division title or that it is rebuilding from the bottom up.

In fact, I'm still waiting for someone from the Chiefs to mention the word "rebuilding," even though that's exactly what's going on.

"More than anything else, we're in a transition phase," said coach Herman Edwards.

I don't get it.

"We were probably one of the oldest teams in football," explained Edwards, "and without getting rid of all the veterans we basically became one of the youngest teams in football -- and that's the transition.

"We already had some young players that were here. First- and second-year guys. Now, all of a sudden, we've added 35 rookies to the mix. When you look at our football team, we have 12 players with six or more years' experience. Everyone else going to camp has five years or fewer."

One of them is starting quarterback Brodie Croyle. The Chiefs made a commitment to him last season, and they're sticking by it. They don't question his ability to play; they would simply like to see him hang around for 16 games to get a read on the guy.
Then there's the offensive line. Willie Roaf is gone. So are Will Shields and Casey Wiegmann. The Chiefs are in the process of -- dare we say it? -- rebuilding around holdovers Brian Waters and Damion McIntosh, with first-round draft pick Branden Albert the prized prospect. Look for him at left tackle.

"It's not a concern," Edwards said of a unit that will feature three new starters. "The offensive line has to play together. That's the key for us now. If they play together they have a chance to be successful."

Both the offensive and defensive lines are critical to Edwards' makeover, with the Chiefs determined to be more physical on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Having first-round pick Glenn Dorsey will help, with the defensive tackle wowing coaches and scouts with his play at last weekend's camp.

"He can be special," said Edwards.

So can this team, but it must be given time. I don't know if the Chiefs finish last in the AFC West, but I do know they don't finish first. Look, they had to get worse before they got better, and last year they bottomed out with a 4-12 finish.

Now they are doing the right thing by going young, fast and strong.

That's smart. San Francisco did it in 2000 when, following its first losing season since 1982, it started a raft of draft picks. The 49ers finished 6-10, but their rookies gained invaluable experience.

A year later they were in the playoffs.

The same thing could happen in Kansas City if the Chiefs are allowed to grow. That's where the patience comes in. If Chiefs fans don't know what they're in for, at least the team's chairman of the board should.

"Our expectations are to win," said Edwards, "and the first thing is to establish our home identity again. We lost that a little bit.

"What's great for us is that there are so many young guys on this team who, whatever happened in the past, weren't part of it. So they have no idea what we went through. All they understand is that they're going to have an opportunity to come here and play right away.

"We're going to be young. We're going to be energetic. And we're going to be physical. And I think we're going to have a chance to win our share of games. It's just a matter of winning that first one."

I don't know where it happens, but, I must admit, I like the Chiefs' early schedule. They open at New England; then play the Raiders at home before going to Atlanta, returning to face Denver and traveling to Carolina. Then they have a bye.

Do the math, and after New England you find opponents with a combined 22-42 record. That doesn't mean Kansas City beats them, but it does mean it should have a chance.

"We'll be competitive," said Edwards. "No doubt about it. I feel better about us right now than I did last year because of the young guys."

Clark Hunt should, too. He has the nucleus for an improved team, but growing takes time. The Chiefs have 12 draft picks, and rookies don't step in and star overnight. Sure, plenty of rookies should step in for Kansas City, but I don't know how successful they will be.

"I think, without us saying it, our fans know what we're going through," said Edwards. "They're pretty knowledgeable. We're going through a transition phase, and they get it.

They understand where we're going."

Hunt should, too. That doesn't mean the picture is glum. That was last year. On the contrary, things are looking up in Kansas City with the influx of young talent. The Chiefs should be one of the most intriguing clubs this season -- not to see them win but to watch them develop. But that takes time, and time means patience.

Hunt can start practicing now.

"He wants to be involved in this, too," said Edwards. "We talked about this when I first got here. He knew we were going to go through this. He knew we were inheriting a veteran football team, and that, eventually, we would have to go this way.

"After last year it was evident. Now, it's time. We've really got to go in this direction."

Marco Polo · 06-12-2008, 09:31 PM

No interest in the article or is it a repost?

Hammock Parties · 06-12-2008, 09:32 PM

I know Clark Hunt has patience.

I wonder about the fan base.

kstater · 06-13-2008, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I know Clark Hunt has patience.

I wonder about the fan base.

Chicken dinner.

I think we can all agree most on this board knows it will be a couple more years, yet most of the fan base will likely be impatient.

King_Chief_Fan · 06-13-2008, 06:29 AM

Clark expects this team to compete for a playoff spot. At least that is what he said.

I know Herm won't be SURPRISED when his team goes 5-11. Will Clark?

CoMoChief · 06-13-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I know Clark Hunt has patience.

I wonder about the fan base.

If the Hunt family has patience that allows Carl to stay at the helm for 20 years, then he can wait a few years more for allowing this young team to gel.

milkman · 06-12-2008, 09:32 PM

I only have one comment about this article.

Well, duh.....

BigRock · 06-12-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

In fact, I'm still waiting for someone from the Chiefs to mention the word "rebuilding," even though that's exactly what's going on.

I'm pretty sure they have. I think even Carl said it.

stlchiefs · 06-12-2008, 09:37 PM

I don't recognize it as a repost, it's a fine article just nothing to really comment about IMO. I agree they need to give the players time, on the other hand 2-3 year players need to step up and prove themselves this year, i.e. Croyle, Tank, Turk, etc. They've had their time to learn now it's time to sink or swim.

ChiefsCountry · 06-12-2008, 09:58 PM

Considering it was Clark's idea to rebuild this way, I think he has the patience for it.

**Manila-Chief** · 06-13-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10863340

"He wants to be involved in this, too," said Edwards. "We talked about this when I first got here. He knew we were going to go through this. He knew we were inheriting a veteran football team, and that, eventually, we would have to go this way.
"After last year it was evident. Now, it's time. We've really got to go in this direction."

My question ... Why didn't he start the rebuild back when he first arrived? Herm came in knowing his philosophy on offense was to control the ball, but, yet, lied to us telling us he wanted the D.V. offense to continue only to handcuff the OC after a couple of games and give him an impossible task -- i.e. run D.V. offense under Herm's philosophy. A quality coach would have made the changes from the beginning, gotten rid of the elderly, and started building "his" team. We would be on the verge of having a fairly good team this year.

I thought it took time for Herm to get Clark's ear, but, in the quote above he says that Clark knew from the beginning it had to be done. They should have over ruled CP wanting to win to make more $$$. My question is not "patience" but "CP's" control ... I believe I've seen pictures of CP on the field talking with Herm during practice? I have very little hope of Herm becoming a winning coach, and especially if CP continues his influence. Fan's patience will be waiting for CP to exit stage left!!!!

Deberg_1990 · 06-13-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manila-Chief

My question ... Why didn't he start the rebuild back when he first arrived? Herm came in knowing his philosophy on offense was to control the ball, but, yet, lied to us telling us he wanted the D.V. offense to continue only to handcuff the OC after a couple of games and give him an impossible task -- i.e. run D.V. offense under Herm's philosophy. A quality coach would have made the changes from the beginning, gotten rid of the elderly, and started building "his" team. We would be on the verge of having a fairly good team this year.

What would you have done?? He was handed an aging team that was built for the short term, but they were still "good enough" for one more run.

Would you have stormed in and replaced everyone right away?? Herm took what was given to him and made the best of the situation.

If anything, i will agree that Herm and Carl should have done a full blown rebuild last year instead of the half-a**ed job they did. Croyle should have started from day 1.

**noa** · 06-13-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

What would you have done?? He was handed an aging team that was built for teh short term, but they were still "good enough" for one more run.

Would you have stormed in and replaced everyone right away?? Herm took what was given to him and made the best of the situation.

Yeah, when he first got here, he thought he'd have Willie Roaf for one last go, and it was before Trent Green's eggs got scrambled, and LJ was coming off a monster season, so it didn't really make sense to dismantle at that moment.

kc rush · 06-13-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

What would you have done?? He was handed an aging team that was built for the short term, but they were still "good enough" for one more run.

Would you have stormed in and replaced everyone right away?? Herm took what was given to him and made the best of the situation.

If anything, i will agree that Herm and Carl should have done a full blown rebuild last year instead of the half-a**ed job they did. Croyle should have started from day 1.

This is one of the main reasons I dislike Herm. They kept talking about playing young guys but Huard was there in the beginning. They had Welbourn, Turley, Carney, Law, Terry, and Drummond playing late in the year when it was clear the team was going nowhere.

06-12-2008, 09:01 PM	Topic Starter
Marco Polo Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 41°59.4′N 87°39.6'W Casino cash: $5818908	Message simple for K.C. ownership: Young Chiefs need time http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10863340 Now that the Kansas City Chiefs are through with minicamp and on to summer vacations, I'd like a word with Clark Hunt. Patience. There. I said it. Patience. Repeat it. Remember it. And put it away somewhere for safe keeping, there to retrieve if and when this season turns south for the Chiefs. Frankly, it should be more when than if because the Chiefs are young in key positions, aren't sure what they have at quarterback and feature an offensive line with more holes than the daily stock report. That's where Clark Hunt comes in. He is the Chiefs' chairman of the board, and someone who seems to have the strength, common sense and good intentions of his father, Lamar. But it's his patience that will be stretched as the Chiefs try to end the nine-game losing streak that closed the 2007 season. That won't be easy. This is a team that traded away its top defensive player, has its star running back returning from a serious injury and shares the same division with mighty San Diego. Guaranteed, as sure as there will be losses there will be pressure to make changes, and it's not dramatic changes that are needed here now. It's experience. In essence, Kansas City is where Baltimore was entering the 2002 season, only with one difference: Unlike the Ravens of six years ago, Kansas City hasn't announced that it doesn't expect to compete for a division title or that it is rebuilding from the bottom up. In fact, I'm still waiting for someone from the Chiefs to mention the word "rebuilding," even though that's exactly what's going on. "More than anything else, we're in a transition phase," said coach Herman Edwards. I don't get it. "We were probably one of the oldest teams in football," explained Edwards, "and without getting rid of all the veterans we basically became one of the youngest teams in football -- and that's the transition. "We already had some young players that were here. First- and second-year guys. Now, all of a sudden, we've added 35 rookies to the mix. When you look at our football team, we have 12 players with six or more years' experience. Everyone else going to camp has five years or fewer." One of them is starting quarterback Brodie Croyle. The Chiefs made a commitment to him last season, and they're sticking by it. They don't question his ability to play; they would simply like to see him hang around for 16 games to get a read on the guy. Then there's the offensive line. Willie Roaf is gone. So are Will Shields and Casey Wiegmann. The Chiefs are in the process of -- dare we say it? -- rebuilding around holdovers Brian Waters and Damion McIntosh, with first-round draft pick Branden Albert the prized prospect. Look for him at left tackle. "It's not a concern," Edwards said of a unit that will feature three new starters. "The offensive line has to play together. That's the key for us now. If they play together they have a chance to be successful." Both the offensive and defensive lines are critical to Edwards' makeover, with the Chiefs determined to be more physical on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Having first-round pick Glenn Dorsey will help, with the defensive tackle wowing coaches and scouts with his play at last weekend's camp. "He can be special," said Edwards. So can this team, but it must be given time. I don't know if the Chiefs finish last in the AFC West, but I do know they don't finish first. Look, they had to get worse before they got better, and last year they bottomed out with a 4-12 finish. Now they are doing the right thing by going young, fast and strong. That's smart. San Francisco did it in 2000 when, following its first losing season since 1982, it started a raft of draft picks. The 49ers finished 6-10, but their rookies gained invaluable experience. A year later they were in the playoffs. The same thing could happen in Kansas City if the Chiefs are allowed to grow. That's where the patience comes in. If Chiefs fans don't know what they're in for, at least the team's chairman of the board should. "Our expectations are to win," said Edwards, "and the first thing is to establish our home identity again. We lost that a little bit. "What's great for us is that there are so many young guys on this team who, whatever happened in the past, weren't part of it. So they have no idea what we went through. All they understand is that they're going to have an opportunity to come here and play right away. "We're going to be young. We're going to be energetic. And we're going to be physical. And I think we're going to have a chance to win our share of games. It's just a matter of winning that first one." I don't know where it happens, but, I must admit, I like the Chiefs' early schedule. They open at New England; then play the Raiders at home before going to Atlanta, returning to face Denver and traveling to Carolina. Then they have a bye. Do the math, and after New England you find opponents with a combined 22-42 record. That doesn't mean Kansas City beats them, but it does mean it should have a chance. "We'll be competitive," said Edwards. "No doubt about it. I feel better about us right now than I did last year because of the young guys." Clark Hunt should, too. He has the nucleus for an improved team, but growing takes time. The Chiefs have 12 draft picks, and rookies don't step in and star overnight. Sure, plenty of rookies should step in for Kansas City, but I don't know how successful they will be. "I think, without us saying it, our fans know what we're going through," said Edwards. "They're pretty knowledgeable. We're going through a transition phase, and they get it. They understand where we're going." Hunt should, too. That doesn't mean the picture is glum. That was last year. On the contrary, things are looking up in Kansas City with the influx of young talent. The Chiefs should be one of the most intriguing clubs this season -- not to see them win but to watch them develop. But that takes time, and time means patience. Hunt can start practicing now. "He wants to be involved in this, too," said Edwards. "We talked about this when I first got here. He knew we were going to go through this. He knew we were inheriting a veteran football team, and that, eventually, we would have to go this way. "After last year it was evident. Now, it's time. We've really got to go in this direction." Last edited by Marco Polo; 06-12-2008 at 09:02 PM.. Reason: F'ing copy-paste format
Posts: 2,506

06-12-2008, 09:31 PM	#2
Marco Polo Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 41°59.4′N 87°39.6'W Casino cash: $5818908	No interest in the article or is it a repost?
Posts: 2,506

06-12-2008, 09:32 PM	#3
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4730478	I know Clark Hunt has patience. I wonder about the fan base. __________________ Chiefs game films
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06-13-2008, 06:29 AM	#5
King_Chief_Fan Praise Him Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: none ya Casino cash: $5915486	Clark expects this team to compete for a playoff spot. At least that is what he said. I know Herm won't be SURPRISED when his team goes 5-11. Will Clark? __________________ No Jesus No Peace Know Jesus Know Peace Ephesians 2:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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06-12-2008, 09:32 PM	#8
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	I only have one comment about this article. Well, duh..... __________________
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06-12-2008, 09:37 PM	#10
stlchiefs Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St. Loser, MO Casino cash: $10005674	I don't recognize it as a repost, it's a fine article just nothing to really comment about IMO. I agree they need to give the players time, on the other hand 2-3 year players need to step up and prove themselves this year, i.e. Croyle, Tank, Turk, etc. They've had their time to learn now it's time to sink or swim.
Posts: 4,160

06-12-2008, 09:58 PM	#11
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2338752	Considering it was Clark's idea to rebuild this way, I think he has the patience for it.
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