shaneo69
01-04-2008, 12:48 PM
WEIR: Believe It Or Not
Jan 04, 2008, 10:09:19 AM by Eileen Weir
Seeing is believing and count me a believer. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards and General Manger Carl Peterson conducted their joint year-end press conference on Thursday and achieved the impossible. They gave hope and optimism to fans who will take nothing but misery and disappointment away from the 2007 season.
Stating he is invigorated by the challenge that 2008 presents in filling Arrowhead amidst stadium renovations and reviving Kansas City’s hometown team to a competitive level, Peterson effectively shored up the spirits of a sagging city-wide morale. Observing that the nature of the National Football League is to elevate poor teams and encumber elite teams, the GM summed up the Big Time by testifying that those who don’t enjoy the challenge shouldn’t be in the league. That truth extends from owners to ticket holders, and Peterson reaffirmed his confidence in Chiefs fans that they would weather the storms and remain loyal to their team through the current difficulties.
Those looking for radical change in the Chiefs philosophy, processes and practices got a first taste on Thursday. Not prone towards the theatrical, typically guarded in how and when he disseminates information, Peterson showed a new card from his deck, though it took a keen eye to see the slight-of-hand. The inattentive could have easily missed the startling statements made by the Chiefs management, lulled by the top executive’s even tone and consummate composure.
But here is the big news.
First and foremost Peterson acknowledged his error in allowing the offensive line to age beyond its ability to protect the quarterback and run block. Chiefs fans and media who have been waiting for an admission of fallibility from the top decision-maker since his insertion into the system nineteen years ago finally got the glimpse of humanity they have so long craved. Calling to mind 1995-1997 when the team tried every which way to obscure the fact that their number one pick, Trezelle Jenkins, was a flat-out bust, public professions of mistakes have not been the team’s hallmark. Throughout that two-year time period the unspoken desire of all Chiefs supporters was for the management to simply say, “We blew it.” Forgiveness would have been generously forthcoming.
Evidently Peterson has learned that confession is good for the soul. Thursday’s appearance showed him as more plainspoken than is his normal tack. Fortifying his refreshing approach, Peterson unflinchingly unveiled the team’s commitment to building through the draft, clearly in deference to Coach Edwards’ belief system, and explained the team’s historical dependency on free agency as a reflection of the head coaching philosophies of Dick Vermeil and Gunther Cunningham. With two years under the belt of Coach Edwards, the entire Chiefs personnel staff has acquiesced to build the team in his image.
Of the two, Coach Edwards, carrying a greater reputation for straight talk into the room, came off cagier. Eyes focused downward for most of the media session, the coach instantly enlivened when talk turned towards toughness and the draft, favorite themes of the head man. Unwavering from his mandate that toughness will be a trademark of any team under his direction, Coach Edwards struggled to conceal a wry smile while attempting to describe the elusive characteristic and how it is achieved. Never straying far from his player and scouting roots, the coach slipped in a sly statement about “looking now to the draft and how we do things,” which subtly indicated his dissatisfaction with the team’s past methods.
Demonstrating that he is still a man of discretion, Peterson almost imperceptibly laid a championship-ringed hand on Edwards arm as the coach began remarking on the collegiate quarterback class coming into the 2008 draft. Couching his comments with the caveat that he had not adequately evaluated the college QB’s, Edwards finds none of the top recruits electrifying. Whether Peterson’s understated attention-getter was intended to quell the coach’s commentary or alert Edwards to tread carefully when discussing draft picks prior to proper appraisal, the minor move served as a reminder that Peterson is still in command.
Not yet an open book, Peterson repeatedly referred to a plan, a plan that is currently in process, without ever stating it in any general or specific terms.
The early-January visit to Arrowhead did much to reinforce convictions that the Chiefs are in need of a major overhaul in every way, but offered indicators that positive change is imminent. With construction underway at the Truman Sports Complex, the exterior of Arrowhead resembles a war zone and the interior offices, meeting spaces, and team facilities are dated, threadbare and inadequate, not unlike the roster. Peterson promises to restore pride to the organization by 2009 with a New Arrowhead and a vastly different Chiefs team built on a new philosophy that begins now. I believe it.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/01/04/weir_believe_it_or_not/
Jan 04, 2008, 10:09:19 AM by Eileen Weir
Seeing is believing and count me a believer. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards and General Manger Carl Peterson conducted their joint year-end press conference on Thursday and achieved the impossible. They gave hope and optimism to fans who will take nothing but misery and disappointment away from the 2007 season.
Stating he is invigorated by the challenge that 2008 presents in filling Arrowhead amidst stadium renovations and reviving Kansas City’s hometown team to a competitive level, Peterson effectively shored up the spirits of a sagging city-wide morale. Observing that the nature of the National Football League is to elevate poor teams and encumber elite teams, the GM summed up the Big Time by testifying that those who don’t enjoy the challenge shouldn’t be in the league. That truth extends from owners to ticket holders, and Peterson reaffirmed his confidence in Chiefs fans that they would weather the storms and remain loyal to their team through the current difficulties.
Those looking for radical change in the Chiefs philosophy, processes and practices got a first taste on Thursday. Not prone towards the theatrical, typically guarded in how and when he disseminates information, Peterson showed a new card from his deck, though it took a keen eye to see the slight-of-hand. The inattentive could have easily missed the startling statements made by the Chiefs management, lulled by the top executive’s even tone and consummate composure.
But here is the big news.
First and foremost Peterson acknowledged his error in allowing the offensive line to age beyond its ability to protect the quarterback and run block. Chiefs fans and media who have been waiting for an admission of fallibility from the top decision-maker since his insertion into the system nineteen years ago finally got the glimpse of humanity they have so long craved. Calling to mind 1995-1997 when the team tried every which way to obscure the fact that their number one pick, Trezelle Jenkins, was a flat-out bust, public professions of mistakes have not been the team’s hallmark. Throughout that two-year time period the unspoken desire of all Chiefs supporters was for the management to simply say, “We blew it.” Forgiveness would have been generously forthcoming.
Evidently Peterson has learned that confession is good for the soul. Thursday’s appearance showed him as more plainspoken than is his normal tack. Fortifying his refreshing approach, Peterson unflinchingly unveiled the team’s commitment to building through the draft, clearly in deference to Coach Edwards’ belief system, and explained the team’s historical dependency on free agency as a reflection of the head coaching philosophies of Dick Vermeil and Gunther Cunningham. With two years under the belt of Coach Edwards, the entire Chiefs personnel staff has acquiesced to build the team in his image.
Of the two, Coach Edwards, carrying a greater reputation for straight talk into the room, came off cagier. Eyes focused downward for most of the media session, the coach instantly enlivened when talk turned towards toughness and the draft, favorite themes of the head man. Unwavering from his mandate that toughness will be a trademark of any team under his direction, Coach Edwards struggled to conceal a wry smile while attempting to describe the elusive characteristic and how it is achieved. Never straying far from his player and scouting roots, the coach slipped in a sly statement about “looking now to the draft and how we do things,” which subtly indicated his dissatisfaction with the team’s past methods.
Demonstrating that he is still a man of discretion, Peterson almost imperceptibly laid a championship-ringed hand on Edwards arm as the coach began remarking on the collegiate quarterback class coming into the 2008 draft. Couching his comments with the caveat that he had not adequately evaluated the college QB’s, Edwards finds none of the top recruits electrifying. Whether Peterson’s understated attention-getter was intended to quell the coach’s commentary or alert Edwards to tread carefully when discussing draft picks prior to proper appraisal, the minor move served as a reminder that Peterson is still in command.
Not yet an open book, Peterson repeatedly referred to a plan, a plan that is currently in process, without ever stating it in any general or specific terms.
The early-January visit to Arrowhead did much to reinforce convictions that the Chiefs are in need of a major overhaul in every way, but offered indicators that positive change is imminent. With construction underway at the Truman Sports Complex, the exterior of Arrowhead resembles a war zone and the interior offices, meeting spaces, and team facilities are dated, threadbare and inadequate, not unlike the roster. Peterson promises to restore pride to the organization by 2009 with a New Arrowhead and a vastly different Chiefs team built on a new philosophy that begins now. I believe it.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/01/04/weir_believe_it_or_not/