JoPo: Carl has us all fooled
 

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/16270526.htm

Let’s face it — Chiefs aren’t that good

JOE POSNANSKI
The Kansas City Star

Picture, if you will, a football team. This is not any ordinary football team. This is a team that has made the playoffs one time in the last nine years. Once. In nine years. This obviously is not a particularly good football team.

In those nine years, this team has been led by four different head coaches (three defensive guys, one offensive guy), guided by four quarterbacks (all backups from other teams) and has finished, on average, 22nd in the league in total defense.

You have pictured a team in total disarray, yes? Let us divulge that team also has been miserable away from home — a 25-46 road record over those nine years. No toughness. This team has had just one of its drafted defensive players make the Pro Bowl over that nine-year drought (and that was a fluke, he was on the bench the very next year). This team has not been to a Super Bowl in Lance Armstrong’s lifetime.

This team embarrassed itself with a Monday night meltdown on national television. This team’s defensive slapstick inspired the commissioner to joke about them during his annual state of the NFL speech. This team had one coach quit suddenly and go into broadcasting, one coach resign to spend time with his grandkids and a third coach dismissed rather coldly and then brought back to be defensive coordinator.

Close your eyes. You are picturing one of the NFL dregs, right? The Detroit Lions? The Arizona Cardinals? The Houston Texans?

Of course, you know by now — you’ve known all along — that we are talking about the Kansas City Chiefs. And yet, somehow the Chiefs have avoided being considered one of those NFL dregs. Every home game sells out. People all over town wear red to work every Friday. Every July, no matter how many years since the team has tasted playoff success, Chiefs fans hope again.

How is this possible? You have entered the Chiefs zone.

•••

It’s strange. We all lived through every one of those Chiefs failures the last nine years. I was there for every one of them. And yet, until they were all piled up one after another like dominoes, I did not quite realize exactly how bad it has been. One playoff in nine years? Four coaches? Four backup quarterbacks? That bad a road record?

If the idea of the NFL is to make the playoffs — and I suspect most of us would say that’s the idea — the Chiefs are right there with the Lions, Cardinals and Browns.

But it doesn’t feel that way, does it? I suspect this has a lot to do with Chiefs president/CEO/general manager Carl Peterson. I know many people believe that he is somehow content with losing (as long as the stadium is filled), but I have never bought that. I think he wants very much to win. He has done everything he knows to win.

The truth of course is that under Peterson, the Chiefs haven’t won. In the early years, they couldn’t quite win playoff games. And over the last nine years, they haven’t even won enough to make the playoffs. Why not? I think the answer is more complicated than “he isn’t trying” or “he doesn’t care.” My quick explanation is that the hardest thing to do in football is a build a team with the right balance between offense and defense, and Peterson has never found that balance. Good teams can beat you more than one way. The Chiefs, under Peterson, have not had that variety.

But what Peterson has done — I think better than anyone in sports — is convince everyone that his mediocre teams are actually good and promising. How? He has kept the Chiefs from having one of those comical 3-13 seasons. He has always found players with star quality — Derrick Thomas to Joe Montana to Marcus Allen to Tony Gonzalez to Priest Holmes to Larry Johnson. And the Chiefs have just missed the playoffs enough times to keep everybody coming back for more.

I’ll bet if you asked big NFL fans to name the four teams that have made the playoffs just once since 1998, everybody would get Detroit. Most would pick Arizona. Most would pick Cincinnati (though the Bengals look on pace to make the playoffs this year and get out of this league of losers).

And I suspect very few would name Kansas City. They seem better than that.

This year’s team is a perfect example. These Chiefs were once 7-4 and two touchdowns ahead of Cleveland. They looked to be a playoff team for sure. They looked to be a team on the rise. Everybody in town was excited. Truth was, they were playing over their heads. They have lost three straight, and really they were not too competitive the last two.

Monday, someone asked me this simple question: If you had a choice to build for the future, would you take this year’s Chiefs team or the 4-11-1 team from 1988 that Marty Schottenheimer inherited?

The obvious answer is that you would take this year’s team. That was my thought.

But look again: That 1988 team had three defensive Pro Bowlers — Dino Hackett, Albert Lewis and Deron Cherry. Defensive end Neil Smith was about to emerge, cornerback Kevin Ross had Pro Bowl years ahead, and the Chiefs had a high draft pick (which Peterson used to take Derrick Thomas). That team also had a powerful running back (Christian Okoye), a solid offensive line, two productive wide receivers and a veteran quarterback (Steve DeBerg). There were some pieces there. And the Chiefs won.

Now, look at this year’s team. They will likely have no defensive Pro Bowlers this season. It’s way too early to predict that any of the young defenders will emerge the way Smith, Ross and others did. The Chiefs will have a mediocre draft pick, so they probably will not get a franchise player like Thomas. They do have the great running back, but the offensive line — especially at tackle — struggles. Hall of Famer Will Shields may retire. Trent Green doesn’t look the same after his injury, and he will be 37 before next season. The Chiefs do have the fabulous Tony Gonzalez, assuming they re-sign him. Otherwise, their receiving corps is shaky and aging fast.

The point is, this Chiefs team really isn’t very good. But, like always, they had people around town (at least for a while) believing they were good. Heck, I believed it, too. This is what the Chiefs do well. They get everyone to believe. Trouble is, they’re going to miss the playoffs again. And they do that well too. Too well.

He's not a real fan.

Wow. Hit all the points that have been made on the Planet the last few weeks.

Kind of makes you feel sick when it's all laid out in front of you... Detroit and Arizona... :Lin:

Truth.

i dont think he could have said it any better. sad but true. :hmmm:

Trent Green doesn’t look the same after his injury

I don't know about that. Trent doesn't look the same since his protection became a big steaming pile of shit. He has always struggled with accuracy, but because of his leadership qualities, game management, Priest Holmes, and the O-line buying him major time he has been able to maximize his potential. Now he's missing two of those elements.

...and please don't think I'm trying to hang any blame on LJ - but I do think Priest was a better receiving threat and better at pass protection.

I agree with everything except the accuracy part, accuracy is Trents strongest suit.

JoPo is just now getting this?

hard to disagree with this article.

Since when?

You know its bad when Mr. Sunshine, Puppies & Hugs points out the negatives.

'01 - 56.6%

'02 - 61.1%

'03 - 63.1%

'04 - 66.4%

'05 - 62.5%

'06 - 62.1%

Yep, this is the JoPo version of a bitch-slap.

I thought it was dead-on.

Well you know when JOPO turned on the Royals GM he was out 3 months later? :hmmm:

Lyndon Johnson said, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost middle America." He decided to quit.

Maybe JoPo is KC's Walter Cronkite. If a team has lost JoPo ...

Waita justa danga minute, here, Luigi.

A 13 and 3 team isn't good? A 10 and 6 team isn't good? We've had good teams in the last 9 years. Two of them to be exact.

FAX

I'm inclined to go with KCJones on this one.

Trents accuracy has never been DEAD ON ... he is no Payton Mangina.

He has lost his nerve in the pocket due to suspect protection that has led to the decline of his quick release. Top that with our receivers inability to make separation quickly it makes Trent hold the ball longer.

It was Trents quick release and receivers actually catching the ball that made a lot of plays in the past.

If anything the quick release he was always good for has been hampered by rushing LBackers and protection that sucks. I don't know that we miss Willie Roaf as much as we miss T-Rich and Priest blocking behind the rest.

Just IMO.



Our 13-3 team in 2003 had one of the most PUD schedules the first 9 games in the NFL. Look at the Bears schedule this year.... I think you will see that had they actually had to play MORE good teams (above .500) that thier record may not be as good as it is now. We were an above average team with pud schedule IMO.

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Great article by JoPo we definitely need to clean house and I hope Clark will do this now that he is in charge.

His percentages here were nothing to scoff at. The STL system he was supposed to run demands great accuracy as well.

"Defensive slapstick". :LOL:

The only line JoPo forgot was "fool me for 18 years, shame on me".

I tired of Peterson's transparent act 3 years ago, quit buying season tickets and thusly quit being a "real fan". More people need to do the same and Clark will get the message that Carl has overstayed his welcome (by about a decade).

Do you think people will do that, considering Lamar passed and the stadium is getting rennovated?

I'd say its definitely increased the odds.

why?

This article is amazing. I think I'm going to puke.

If I could, I'd Rep JoPo for saying all of this...

He paints the picture that Chiefs fans are ignorant rubes who likes a constant kick in the nuts.

I can't give you a specific reason.

When I read the Clark Hunt's interview in this weekend's paper, I got the impression that he wants to bring some new folks into the organization.

I'd say that Lamar's passing, coupled with my perception based on the KC Star article, contributes to my thought of Carl moving on.

I could be totally out in left field though....or wishful thinking.

Tough times ahead. We have a below-average GM and a below-average head coach. The previous five years you had Vermeil and Saunders in charge of the offense -- that's why it didn't suck. Now you have Carl and Herm in charge of it. There's no brain power at Arrowhead anymore on either side of the ball. Herm and Carl are not complete morons, but they're hardly difference makers, either.

If it works to have ClarkHunt DUMP or Demote Carl Peterson it will be worth it.

This article could be way shorter. Here...

The reason Chiefs fans keep coming back is because we are ALMOST good every year.

We may even say "tough times ahead"...but you know they will make a push for the playoffs next year, YOU KNOW THEY WILL. But, they will be 8-8 or 9-7.

The end.

Carl's not going anywhere. Sad really.

I think that's fair and accurate. They're the definition of mediocrity, and it's reflected in the franchise.

Does he have a contract? If so, how much time remains on it?

Question for you, htismaqe....

Even if CP was to be let go, wouldn't you expect Kuharich or Thum to get the job? Or do you think the whole FO would be scrapped?

Either of those two would basically be Carl D. Peterson Jr., IMO.

Sh*t hits home, really.

Shame. Cardinals of the AFC.

Ouch.

Good, sensible analysis. Good to see someone not parroting the usual "Carl doesn't care about winning" tripe. It's ludicrous to say such a thing. He's tried to win. He's just failed, and nobody has ever held him accountable.

He's got 3 years remaining on a 4-year deal.

I can't believe anyone would say that Trent isn't accurate. I'll admit that this year he hasn't been very accurate, especially on those passes out to the flats. But most years he's been with the Chiefs, he's been one of the most accurate QBs in the league. If you couldn't see that, you must be blind. Sure, he's not Peyton Manning. But Peyton Manning's don't come around that often.

I think Clark is just like his dad. Lamar cleaned house ONCE in the franchise's history, and it took a decade of averaging 4 or 5 wins a season to get him to do it. Beyond that, the guy that oversaw the whole mess (Jack Steadman) was not only retained by the team, but he's in the RING OF FAME.

I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Carl get extended AGAIN, if that's what Carl wants. And if he decides to move on, a guy like Thum will take over.

hahahaha

Funny how Dawes already had a response to this article posted at 1:48:56am.

Yo Rufus...we're not in the NFC. Never have been. Likely never will be.

Second, you could probably define "mediocre" by looking at KC's record next to the record of the team leading the AFC West.

12-2
7-7

See the difference?

This line kills me......

are you mediocre and, if so, what does that say about some other teams?

Who gives a flying **** about other teams?

All I know is that the team I root for is 7-7. And honestly, they're lucky not to be 5-9 or 4-10.

Well, that little nugget of information made me vurp.

It says that the other teams suck.

Truth be told, they do. The NFL just isn't very good this year.

I do. Since the Chiefs have to compete with them and all, in order to get to the playoffs.

Or not.

C'mon, Donger. You know the point Rufass was trying to make is that since everyone else is mediocre, it's OK for the Chiefs to be mediocre.

So what it the NFC has 6 teams at 6-8? We play in the AFC. It has nothing to do with us. He's just another apologist who says "well if the Chiefs played in the NFC they'd be in the playoffs"

But they don't. Tough.

Heh. Sorry, I completely misunderstood what you were saying.

Yes, I agree.

Uh, it says that they are mediocre teams playing in a bad division.

While it will most likely not happen, I hope Clark gets rid of everyone, from Carl to the scouts to the janitors. This organizations needs a thorough colon cleansing.

Damn. Good column.

Let's hope he still has the powah.

(Although, in that case as well as this, he was a little slow on the uptake. No matter, though, as when he finally got it, he got it good, and articulated it wonderfully)

This would be a great time to do it, Mr. Vanilla Thunder. The Mighty Clark asserts his authority after assumption of the undivided throne.

Thing is, if it doesn't happen soon, it probably won't until Carl's contract expires.

FAX

The offices have looked pretty clean the few times Bob Dole has been in there. He could probably leave the janitorial staff alone.

Since the Miracle at the Meadowlands came up in another thread...

KC needs a Morris Spielberg.

Yep. Unfortunately there is only one Morris Spielberg.

Unless you count Morrie Spielberg, the hairlipped greengrocer.

FAX

chicken or egg? The second favorite topic on one of the Chiefs most popular fan sites, poop

Great job JoPo. You just summed up everything ive been saying the past couple of weeks, but did it better than i ever could. I think i just found my new signature...

Time for this bum to be shown the door....

They shall stay on then.

Should Clark give the janitorial staff free colon cleansings for their great work?

this town needs an enema...

http://www.tias.com/stores/strickler...ures/7196a.jpg

Now that would be SWEET if the Joker were our next GM.

You mean, we don't, Mr. Vanilla Thunder?

"Now comes the part where I relieve you, the little people, of the burden of your failed and useless lives. But remember, as my plastic surgeon always said: if you gotta go, go with a smile."

FAX

glad somebody got it, Mr. Fax.

The problem is that the Mighty Clark has been filthy rich his entire life. When you have his kind of money $1,000 here and $100,000 there is like pocket change.

I can't think of a single thing the fans can do that would hit him DEEP ENOUGH in the pocketbook to actually make him want to change things.

Which means we're basically at his mercy.

And if we did hit him hard enough to tick him off....he'd move the team.

Let's put the janitorial staff at GM. They won't ask for as much money, they probably follow the NFL and its workings pretty well, and if the Chiefs did win a Super Bowl, it would be the NFL's greatest story ever told. "Toilet Bowl to Super Bowl- The Super Bowl Kansas City Chiefs"

Plus they don't have that far to go to be better than Carl. One playoff berth in 9 years. I think they could do it just fine.

Not for 25 years, he won't.

The $ amount of the penalties in the new lease definitely register on his rader.

People need to stop making excuses for Green. Excuses are what got us Gunther back as DC.

You are not going to stand here and make a case that does anything but admit that Trent Green is in decline.

Meh, Carl is just waiting until the time is right to win a SB, then he can retire and go out on top a winner.Just ask him, he"ll tell ya .........

Only four teams have a worse AFC record than KC (Oakland, Miami, Cleveland, Houston). Two of those teams beat the Chiefs.

KC has the second worst record against the AFC (3-7) behind only the Raiders.

Thats really some sad facts.

3 come the light of Sunday morning.

Yeah, those throws to Ed Reed of the Ravens and Donnie Edwards of the Chargers were right on target where none of our players were able to touch them. And, no, Trent wasn't under heavy pressure in those situations.

He can't pass accurately on the run which means DEs know exactly where to find him: 5 to 7 steps back in the pocket.

If you can, check out his passes in previous games this season. Just a few memorable ones: He's thrown to a closely-covered Dante 2 yards beyond the line of scrimmage on a 3rd and 7. He's inexcusably thrown low short-distance passes to Hall and Kris Wilson who were relatively open in the end zone in the last 3 games (both caught - big kudos to the receivers). He's also thrown way wide right to Wilson standing off in the flat (incomplete).

A few games ago, Trent said one of his picks was due to his feet being set wrong. He still has problems with his footwork. When he exaggerates the quick ducking of his head to 'sell' the run on a play-action pass, the defense instantly knows it's a fake hand-off -- the last QB that did the head duck thing was Sonny Jurgensen. Have we ever seen Trent duck his head on a real hand-off? He doesn't duck it at all!

Those 60% passing completion rates you've shown don't tell the whole story. Most of those were on teams loaded with offensive talent (thanks to his buddy Dick Vermeil). Let's see his QB ratings of the games he's played so far this season.

And let's keep an eye on his passing game these next two games and see if he's really worth the money that Dick and Carl are giving him. Based on what I've seen, Damon's done better and would make a great full-time starting QB.

ROFL Exactly! Hey Rufus, it means that some other teams are mediocre too...you incredible DOLT!

At least one of those passes you mentioned - the INT to Donnie Edwards - had nothing to do with Trent's accuracy.

This offense, as was the offense under Vermeil both here and in St. Louis, is predicated on "spots". The QB isn't necessarily throwing to a WR. He's throwing to a spot on the field where he expects the WR to be. It's a timing offense.

That being said, he hasn't been as accurate this season.

Someone posted it earlier, but the Chiefs have scored 1 TD or less (not including FG's) in 7 games this season. 3 1/2 played by Trent, 3 1/2 played by Huard. Almost all of those games came against good defenses. Both QB's suffered when playing good D's.

Trent is a year older than last season. People can drop off dramatically at that age. Plus, he had his damn head almost knocked off. I would not be surprised to see that his production is suffering. I hope for his sake that he gets out after this season, before he gets hurt again next year with this "transition offense" we seem to be running.

I agree that coming off a severe injury, and at Trent's age, we have to be careful to see if his production might decline.

That said, it's only been two bad games... against what are probably the best two teams in football, and maybe the best two defenses right now. I think people are throwing him under the bus WAYYYY too quickly.

i am hopeing that clark has a good vision for this team. and i hope that vision doesnt include carl peterson

Sad, but true, good read. I am going to take a pass on NFL Sunday ticket next year as well. Until the management pulls its head out of its ass, it's not worth it to pay the extra money to watch ones team get spanked every week. I'll just listen to the games on the internet, or catch the ones that happen to be on TV in my area.

I have a feeling you're going to be hoping for at least 3 more years.

I really like Trent Green as a quarterback, but I think it may be time to just gut the offense. Do we really want to lock up Gonzalez to a huge long-term deal? Shields is about to retire. We have no tackles.

Trent is signed for next year, but I think there's a big escalation in his contract. Maybe we need to start over and suggest to Trent it'd be better for him to finish his career in Washington. They need a QB, and have a lot more weapons than we do on offense.

There's not going to be any re-loading on offense, because we have no one left that is competent of pulling it off.