Your weekly dose of Rufus...

shaneo69 · 02-03-2005, 09:38 AM

I guess he's once again telling us that if Carl drafts busts, our team will suck and we must sit back and enjoy it.

DAWES: You Might Have Missed It
Feb 03, 2005, 1:28:33 AM by Media Watch by Rufus Dawes

The Pittsburgh Steelers are at it again following a model they and other successful NFL teams originated back when free agency was supposed to change the way the league works. Hardly noticeable, to all but a few general mangers that is and a dedicated blogger like me, the Steelers are apparently prepared to say good-bye to Keydrick Vincent, who started 27 games at left and right guard the past two seasons. The Steelers finished second in the NFL in average rushing yards per game (154) in 2004.

Now the loss of a starting guard on the surface doesn’t signal anything significant and to tell the truth Vincent isn’t gone yet. Free agency doesn’t begin until March 2. But if Vincent does depart he will follow a long line of starters who, upon becoming free agents, the Steelers have parted ways with when the price for keeping them became too high. “They don’t have plans for me,” Vincent admitted after talking to team officials late last month. (Jerry DiPaola, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 28, 2005)

If Vincent leaves as he expects, he will join Rod Woodson, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Neil O’Donnell, Charles Johnson, Carnell Lake, Dewayne Washington, Carlos Emmons, Orpheus Roye, Mike Vrabel, Earl Holmes, and Wayne Gandy among others who were all starters on successful Steelers teams through the years but that the franchise never missed when they left via free agency. Like the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh has a distinctly different way of building a team that doesn’t fit the popular public or media perception. No one could accuse Pittsburgh of being a major player in free agency and the Patriots have taken a similar approach. Meanwhile, the Eagles did become more active this year picking up Jevon Kearse in free agency, but that move overshadowed the departure of starting cornerbacks Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor.

Today’s winning franchises look to re-sign players they believe are worth it; they look to replace others from within first and then try other means. They know the value of players currently on their team, look for players who fit their system, and work behind the scenes to acquire them through the draft or, in the case of New England, by waiting until the later stages of free agency and picking up bargain players – ones who are companion pieces, not marquee talent. The Patriots have only two players who count more than $5 million against the salary cap and rank no better than 25th in the NFL in average annual payroll. (paid as opposed to cap computations)

Pittsburgh has always built from within. Kendall Simmons, the Steelers’ 2002 first-round draft pick, who is coming off an injury, will likely take Vincent’s place next season. Moves like this too often escape notice. In their place, we get urgings such as this one:

“Please, Bill Polian (Indianapolis general manager). Legions of Colts fans would rather have you spend money on importing (my italics) than keeping Edgerrin James.” (SI.com, January 24, 2005).

Understanding and problem solving are obscured when fashionable opinion conforms to pieties like free agency is the way to go. A small matter like Keydrick Vincent’s possible departure may be useful in breaking up the smug certainty that unless the Chiefs move quickly in free agency in 2005 all is lost. Or so I would hope.

htismaqe · 02-03-2005, 09:42 AM

For the most part, he's right.

But he completely ignores that fact that the "Patriot/Steeler" method HASN'T WORKED FOR US.

**BigRedChief** · 02-03-2005, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

For the most part, he's right.

But he completely ignores that fact that the "Patriot/Steeler" method HASN'T WORKED FOR US.

King Carl is no Scott Pioli.

htismaqe · 02-03-2005, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

King Carl is no Scott Pioli.

That's what it boils down to.

If this staff could draft WORTH A SHIT, we'd be ok now...

Chiefnj · 02-03-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That's what it boils down to.

If this staff could draft WORTH A SHIT, we'd be ok now...

Do you think it is primarily the draft coming up short, or the development? For instance, I found that scouting report on Keyaron Fox and posted it yesterday. He seemed like he could be a very good linebacker and make an impact his first year. In reality he didn't even step on the field when our 2nd and 3rd LBs were banged up.

htismaqe · 02-03-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

Do you think it is primarily the draft coming up short, or the development? For instance, I found that scouting report on Keyaron Fox and posted it yesterday. He seemed like he could be a very good linebacker and make an impact his first year. In reality he didn't even step on the field when our 2nd and 3rd LBs were banged up.

I honestly think it's both.

1) They pick guys that NEED development (according to pre-draft scouts) and then don't develop them -- Battle and Mitchell come to mind.

2) They pick guys that appear to be ready (according to pre-draft scouts) and then simply don't play them -- Johnson and Fox come to mind.

Calcountry · 02-03-2005, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That's what it boils down to.

If this staff could draft WORTH A SHIT, we'd be ok now...

Better trade down, the pressure of that number one pick not panning out is just too great.

htismaqe · 02-03-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunnytrdr

Better trade down, the pressure of that number one pick not panning out is just too great.

Yeah, trade down into the 2nd...at least there, the expectation is that he will be a GUARANTEED BUST.

Mr. Laz · 02-03-2005, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunnytrdr

Better trade down, the pressure of that number one pick not panning out is just too great.

you joke, but i think Carl DOES think this way

BigChiefFan · 02-03-2005, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

For the most part, he's right.

But he completely ignores that fact that the "Patriot/Steeler" method HASN'T WORKED FOR US.

Comparing us to the Patriots in the first place is a joke. They were coming off a Super Bowl and and what did they do? Did they stand pat? No, they went out and TRADED for one of the best HBs in the league. We chose to re-sign the same scrubs that made up one of the worst defenses 3 years running (4 years now). Also, both teams have been to the Super Bowl in the last 15 years. I don't seem to recall King Carl getting the Chiefs to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs PR department is a bunch of windbags, who have an excuse for everything. I've never heard so many excuses in all my life.

siberian khatru · 02-03-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

For the most part, he's right.

But he completely ignores that fact that the "Patriot/Steeler" method HASN'T WORKED FOR US.

Because it's not about which philosophy works best. Regardless of which path you take, YOU STILL HAVE TO EVALUATE TALENT. Which this organization has been doing poorly for some time.

htismaqe · 02-03-2005, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Because it's not about which philosophy works best. Regardless of which path you take, YOU STILL HAVE TO EVALUATE TALENT. Which this organization has been doing poorly for some time.

True.

siberian khatru · 02-03-2005, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

True.

You pretty much covered it in Post #6 while I was typing.

Calcountry · 02-03-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

For the most part, he's right.

But he completely ignores that fact that the "Patriot/Steeler" method HASN'T WORKED FOR US.

That is because strategy is worthless without successful talent evaluation.

Talent evaluation="worth it"

Mr. Laz · 02-03-2005, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunnytrdr

That is because strategy is worthless without successful talent evaluation.

Talent evaluation="worth it"

there it is...

if you evaluate talent properly you can have success either way

evaluate free agents properly and you can fill the holes you need to

evaluate draftees properly and you can avoid alot of big spending in free agency.

thus our problem = whomever is doing the talent evaluation for the chiefs sucks ... and it shows in FA and the draft.

02-03-2005, 09:38 AM	Topic Starter
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	Your weekly dose of Rufus... I guess he's once again telling us that if Carl drafts busts, our team will suck and we must sit back and enjoy it. DAWES: You Might Have Missed It Feb 03, 2005, 1:28:33 AM by Media Watch by Rufus Dawes The Pittsburgh Steelers are at it again following a model they and other successful NFL teams originated back when free agency was supposed to change the way the league works. Hardly noticeable, to all but a few general mangers that is and a dedicated blogger like me, the Steelers are apparently prepared to say good-bye to Keydrick Vincent, who started 27 games at left and right guard the past two seasons. The Steelers finished second in the NFL in average rushing yards per game (154) in 2004. Now the loss of a starting guard on the surface doesn’t signal anything significant and to tell the truth Vincent isn’t gone yet. Free agency doesn’t begin until March 2. But if Vincent does depart he will follow a long line of starters who, upon becoming free agents, the Steelers have parted ways with when the price for keeping them became too high. “They don’t have plans for me,” Vincent admitted after talking to team officials late last month. (Jerry DiPaola, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 28, 2005) If Vincent leaves as he expects, he will join Rod Woodson, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Neil O’Donnell, Charles Johnson, Carnell Lake, Dewayne Washington, Carlos Emmons, Orpheus Roye, Mike Vrabel, Earl Holmes, and Wayne Gandy among others who were all starters on successful Steelers teams through the years but that the franchise never missed when they left via free agency. Like the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh has a distinctly different way of building a team that doesn’t fit the popular public or media perception. No one could accuse Pittsburgh of being a major player in free agency and the Patriots have taken a similar approach. Meanwhile, the Eagles did become more active this year picking up Jevon Kearse in free agency, but that move overshadowed the departure of starting cornerbacks Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor. Today’s winning franchises look to re-sign players they believe are worth it; they look to replace others from within first and then try other means. They know the value of players currently on their team, look for players who fit their system, and work behind the scenes to acquire them through the draft or, in the case of New England, by waiting until the later stages of free agency and picking up bargain players – ones who are companion pieces, not marquee talent. The Patriots have only two players who count more than $5 million against the salary cap and rank no better than 25th in the NFL in average annual payroll. (paid as opposed to cap computations) Pittsburgh has always built from within. Kendall Simmons, the Steelers’ 2002 first-round draft pick, who is coming off an injury, will likely take Vincent’s place next season. Moves like this too often escape notice. In their place, we get urgings such as this one: “Please, Bill Polian (Indianapolis general manager). Legions of Colts fans would rather have you spend money on importing (my italics) than keeping Edgerrin James.” (SI.com, January 24, 2005). Understanding and problem solving are obscured when fashionable opinion conforms to pieties like free agency is the way to go. A small matter like Keydrick Vincent’s possible departure may be useful in breaking up the smug certainty that unless the Chiefs move quickly in free agency in 2005 all is lost. Or so I would hope.
Posts: 4,910

02-03-2005, 09:42 AM	#2
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	For the most part, he's right. But he completely ignores that fact that the "Patriot/Steeler" method HASN'T WORKED FOR US.
Posts: 100,022