GRETZ: Understand the Future

[Tribal Warfare]

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/01...nd_the_future/

GRETZ: Understand the Future
Jan 11, 2008, 8:24:20 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

If you are a fan of the red and gold, then there’s plenty to ponder as you sit and watch the quadruple-header of NFL action in the playoffs this weekend…

For instance, could the Chiefs be playing on this weekend a year from now?

Absolutely. It happens every year in the NFL.

Over the last five seasons, on average half of the teams that made the post-season last year did not make the playoffs the next season. This year it was six teams. The previous two years it was seven teams that did not return. There were five new faces in 2004 and the 2003 playoffs had eight new faces.

In this decade, the number is again six changes per season, or half the field.

This year the Chiefs, New York Jets, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Chicago did not make the post-season after being part of the playoffs in 2006. The Ravens, Eagles, Saints and Bears all won division titles last season. This year they finished fourth, fourth, third and fourth in their divisions.

Those clubs were replaced by teams like Tampa Bay; just last year the Buccaneers finished the season 4-12. And by Washington; the Redskins were 5-11 in the 2006 season.

This season, Green Bay made the playoffs with a 13-3 record. Last season they were 8-8 and the season before, they finished 4-12. In two years they went from four victories to 13 and the playoffs. Tennessee made the playoffs this year with a 10-6 record. Last season they were 8-8 and the season before, they finished 4-12. In two years they went from four victories to 10 and the playoffs.

Both Green Bay and Tennessee did it by building their roster through the NFL Draft, which is the direction the Chiefs plan to take in 2008.

So, it’s not impossible that the Chiefs could make a jump into the playoffs next year.

Is it likely? Now that’s the better question.

Understand this about what the Chiefs – especially Herm Edwards – are trying to build at Arrowhead. They want a team that makes the playoffs every year and more importantly, they want a team that has the chance to win in January. The Chiefs most recent visits to the playoffs in 2003 and 2006 were simply as participants. They didn’t have a chance to actually contend for the championships because both of those teams were badly flawed. In ‘03 it was a weak defense that doomed their chances; last year it was a weak offense.

To reach the level of talent and production that would make them a real contender for a title may take more than the 2008 off-season can provide this franchise. The offense and special teams must improve dramatically and the defense must continue its growth.

For all that to happen in the next 12 months is a reach. To get this job done right, to build this team not as just a team that plays in January, but wins in January will need more than a one-year turnaround.

What they don’t want is a flash in the pan season, then a fall back to the middle of the pack. Take New Orleans; the Saints were 3-13 in 2005, then went 10-6 and played in the NFC Championship Game in 2006. This year, they fell to 7-9.

The Chiefs do not want to be Tampa Bay. The Bucs were 5-11 in 2004, then went 11-5 the next season. They fell back to 4-12 in 2006 and then this year won the NFC South with a 9-7 record. That’s a roller coaster to stay away from.

Here’s the statistic that gnaws at the folks at Arrowhead: of the league’s 32 teams, 25 have won games in the playoffs during this decade. Two of the seven teams that have not are Cleveland and Houston, expansion teams that began play in 1999 and 2002. The Browns have gone to the playoffs but have not won.

Of the other five teams, the longest drought without a post-season victory belongs to Cincinnati, as the Bengals haven’t won since January of 1991. It was January 1992 when Detroit won its last game in the playoffs, January 1994 for the Chiefs, January 1997 for the Dallas Cowboys and January 1999 for the Arizona Cardinals.

Getting back to the playoffs isn’t the goal. Winning in January is the prize.

[PHOG]

That clown is on espn news now.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Bwana

Dear Gretz: I don't give a crap if the Chiefs make it to the playoffs if they can't win a playoff game. In order to do that, the have to totally rebuild, not try to stuff a few band-aids in key positions to fill the seats of Arrowhead.

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Building through the draft and developing young players is a great idea. Too bad the team didn't make a full fledge effort to do that the past two years. Excuse us if we aren't quite sold on Herm's drafts and development at this point.

I think his draft picks have been fine. I just dont think Herm the coach is quite with how the game is being played today.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by frazod

And sometimes teams that sucked during the previous season will continue to suck during the following season, especially if they are horribly managed and coached, BLOB.

finally something we can agree about and get behind.

[Rain Man]

Shut up, Gretz.

[blueballs]

I had heard that the refs hated DV and his coaches
called them arrogant
looks like that arrogant either trickled up or down

[FAX]

Originally Posted by blueballs

I had heard that the refs hated DV and his coaches
called them arrogant
looks like that arrogant either trickled up or down

Where did you hear that, Mr. blueballs?

FAX

[blueballs]

here