My analysis of Scott Pioli and his Interview

[Amnorix]

I just watched the full interview on KCChiefs.com where Pioli was introduced. As a close Patriots' watcher and expert (well moreso than you guys, for now anyway) in the ways of the Patriots and Mr. Pioli, I saw several things that were very interesting and figured I'd share them. I see everyone is creating separate threads on Pioli, so this is legit I guess.

First, I think Herm is likely gone. I strongly suspect that one reason for the delay in announcing Scott (I'll suggest another below) is the status of Herm Edwards.

Scott praised Herm, but when asked to give his assessment of his strengths as a coach, all he could come up with is that he liked him personally and that his players played hard for him. While that's clearly important, he didn't say ALOT of the buzzwords that I would expect him to say if he were giving a coach high praise.

I noted, correctly, in a prior thread that you could expect to hear Pioli say that he would build a "big, strong, tough, smart, disciplined" football team. None of those buzzwords came through. The phrases Belichick uses to praise the coaches he highly respects, such as Shanarat, were not used.

Then Clark Hunt went on to say that Scott would basically investigate and then report to him with a recommendation. What I strongly suspect is that Clark didn't want to fire HErm, but wants to keep him. Maybe because he feels a sense of obligation to him for handing him such a young roster, or perhaps just to save the $4MM. But what Scott and Hunt agreed on was that Scott would "give him a chance" -- i.e. have discussions iwth him and get to know the players/personnel better to make a better assessment, from the inside as it were, of Herm, and then recommend to Clark whether he will be kept or discharged.

I strongly suspect Herm will be gone in about 2 weeks.


Second, the last exchange, at the very end of the interview, was very telling. The reporter asked if Scott had to CLEAR trades, etc. with Clark. Scott's answer was that Clark will be INFORMED of everything that happens, before it happens. He also used a few other phrases that make it clear that Scott has complete control over all football operations.

That may well have been another sticking point that slowed this process down -- discussions over the degree of control Scott would have. He obviously wants what Parcells and Belichick always wanted -- complete control.

Other than that, I would recommend that any Chiefs fan on here watch the video. It explains that "Patriots' Way", and the modus operandi for the Chiefs going forward.

He also references some of the unique challenges the Chiefs present compared ot the Patriots team that won a SB two years after BB/SP arrived. The roster is much younger here now, and there is no veteran core of players, nor a recent tradition of winning. In some ways, his job is harder here than they had with the Patriots. However, there is plenty of cap room which wasn't the case in NE. The problem, however, is that everyone in the NFL (practically) has plenty of cap room these days, so it may not be that much of a competitive advantage.

[kysirsoze]

Great post. I was worried about the possibility of holding onto Herm for one more year while Pioli gets familiar with the roster and such but your points make a lot of sense.

I think his scant praise for Herm was a way of firing Herm with class. That way when he lets him go it's not as obviously for incompetance and just because the organization is going in a different direction.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

I watched it this morning, and that last exchange you mentioned kind of bothered me.

Your take will hopefully shed some light.

It left me feeling like Clark is carrying a heavy hand over Scott, and Scott needs to get approval on everything. He actually said that, that Clark would know everything and be involved before anything was done. In fact, Scott kept looking over to Clark for approval signals on things he was saying.

Scott is the expert here, not Clark, Clark just has the money. Lamar sure never operated that way.

I disagree. It's just a matter of respect. If people asked Belichick if the Crafts would be kept involved I suspect he would say something similar, purely out of respect and in an effort to maintain a good working relationship. Notice Pioli never said anything about deferring to Hunt's judgement. Just that Clark would know about the decisions.

[kysirsoze]

godammit, I'm always late on threads!!! I must have the last post on half the threads on here. Gotta learn to strike while the iron's hot!

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

I disagree. It's just a matter of respect. If people asked Belichick if the Crafts would be kept involved I suspect he would say something similar, purely out of respect and in an effort to maintain a good working relationship. Notice Pioli never said anything about deferring to Hunt's judgement. Just that Clark would know about the decisions.

I hope you are right.

[EyePod]

Two weeks is wayyyyy too long for Herm to stay (if he's going to be fired). The Senior Bowl stuff starts next week. If it gets done, it's done before then. I'd say tomorrow at the latest.

[PunkinDrublic]

Just remember to say hello to Herm next time you're at arrowhead and he's directing you to your parking spot.

[rtmike]

I was watching the interview and couldn't help but get goose pimples a few times.

You know, I'm a little sick of the locals laughing at me when I wear my Chiefs red. Especially coming from folks in this state. But I will remember every one of them when the tide's turned.

It's a proud day to be a Chiefs fan. Our future looks very bright. Thank you Mr. Hunt.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by Laz

i think Herm is still around for 2 reasons

1. Clark likes him
2. Herm will be the "rooney rule" candidate as Herm will interview to keep his job.

Clark likes him, but has promised Pioli control over football operations. I would like to see the DC from Minnesota interviewed.

[KChiefs1]

http://books.google.com/books?id=rUF...um=5&ct=result

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by whoman69

Clark likes him, but has promised Pioli control over football operations. I would like to see the DC from Minnesota interviewed.

Frazier looks to be the favorite in STL, now that Haslett has been told he's no longer being considered.

[KChiefs1]

http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-p...apanal010.html

[Coach]

I would be curious to see what Pioli will do. It has been well established in here the both Pioli and Edwards' philosophy does not match. However, the issue here is that Clark was really wanting to keep Herm around for another year, for whatever unknown reasons.

To me, it makes more sense to let Herm walk, and get the available coaches that are out there (Spagnuolo, Frazier, Ryan, etc.) so that the new coach can implement his own assistants and his system, and get the players that both matches Pioli and the coach's philosophy in 2009, and depending on the Draft and FA signings, that this year should show some (hopefully) improvement, with the goal of contending for the playoffs in 2010, along with the fact that Arrowhead Stadium will be fully remodeled, which would really energize the fan base.

If Herm is retained, and bombs out again (this is very probable, since the man can't coach, along with his assistants), then the Chiefs just completely wasted a year.

Of course, there are one year wonders that can occur (see Smith, Sparano) so that could be a possibility.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I can't remember who made the comment in the book, BB or SP, but they knew that Brady would be their starter within a year or two.

I think it's commonly believed by most Patriot "experts" that Brady would've been the starter at teh start of '02 even if Bledsoe hadn't gotten hurt, and possibly earlier than that, depending on how 2001 went.

Of course, it's impossible to say for sure, and many Patriots fans would've been in riot. I'm amazed to this day how bitter the Brady/Bledsoe debate was even after 2001.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Claythan

Sounds like there's gonna be a ton of people bitching on this board...

...only this time we select Richard Seymour instead of Bernard ****ing Pollard...

...FYI I don't know if you guys were bitching about Seymour, just throwing a name out there.

Some were. Famously, Boston Globe sportswriter Ron Borges trashed the pick, saying how stupid they wre to take a guy from Georgia with only 1.5 (or whatever) sacks his senior year instead of a real stud like WR David Terrel.

Here's the good news -- Pioli could honestly not give a **** what any of you fans think. The Belichick way is that THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING, and you have no ****ing idea what you are talking about.

Of course, if you get results on the field, then you're fine. If not, then you will be excoriated, and the media will crucify you because you don't work to get them to love you.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Some were. Famously, Boston Globe sportswriter Ron Borges trashed the pick, saying how stupid they wre to take a guy from Georgia with only 1.5 (or whatever) sacks his senior year instead of a real stud like WR David Terrel.

Here's the good news -- Pioli could honestly not give a **** what any of you fans think. The Belichick way is that THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING, and you have no ****ing idea what you are talking about.

Of course, if you get results on the field, then you're fine. If not, then you will be excoriated, and the media will crucify you because you don't work to get them to love you.

not in kc. our media are a bunch of pussies