Chiefs WHITLOCK - Herm is innocent, Carl is evil - Page 6

Hammock Parties · 10-14-2008, 11:00 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/841754.html

In the minutes after the Chiefs failed to unload unhappy tight end Tony Gonzalez, Herm Edwards sent a clear, concise, fair and accurate message Tuesday afternoon:

The aborted fire sale and current mess at Arrowhead Stadium are not his creation or a reflection of his coaching methods.

When asked by radio reporter Rhonda Moss what Gonzalez’s trade request said about Carl Peterson, the Chiefs organization and its current head coach, Edwards — perhaps unintentionally — summarized his position on the whole affair.

“It doesn’t say anything about me,” Edwards responded. “It doesn’t say one thing about me. It has nothing to do with me. You need to ask the player that. That’s not for me to answer. I’m not going to answer for a football player. I don’t have to do that. I answer for the decisions that I make, what comes out of my mouth.”

Edwards couldn’t have been more transparent.

Kansas City’s inability to retrieve reasonable compensation for Gonzalez is not Herm’s fault. Larry Johnson’s third assault case and possible suspension (by the league or the Chiefs) are not Herm’s fault. The lack of league-wide interest in the services of Damon Huard, Patrick Surtain and Donnie Edwards is not Herm’s fault.

You can blame Herm for Kansas City’s 5-16 record over the past two seasons, but it is unfair to make him culpable for the sad reality that things are likely to get worse before they get significantly better for the Chiefs.

Carl Peterson is responsible for that.

Much will be made of Herm’s apparently smug and dismissive tone at Tuesday’s news conference. He said he hadn’t spoken to Gonzalez about the situation and probably wouldn’t. Edwards said he hadn’t spoken to Larry Johnson about his latest off-field mishap. With his team sitting at 1-4 and reeling from an embarrassing loss at Carolina, Edwards is focused on controlling what he can control and leaving the rest in God’s hands or the people responsible for the problem.

It’s a prudent approach, if you believe the truth will set you free.

It’s no secret that the Chiefs are an organization burning in flames, and Edwards seems to be getting more and more comfortable letting everyone see the gas, matches and electric fans sitting on Carl Peterson’s desk.

Let’s look at this objectively, shall we? Peterson has run this ballclub like a private fraternity. His special pledges — Gonzalez, Johnson, Priest Holmes and, to a lesser degree, Donnie Edwards — have been rewarded with contracts that haven’t necessarily been in the best interest of the football team.

•Peterson misread Gonzalez’s ability to deal with a rebuilding process.

•Peterson misread Johnson’s ability to handle success, money, leadership and a 400-carry season.

•Peterson misread Holmes’ desire to continue playing football after recovering from a hip injury by any means necessary.

•Peterson misread Donnie Edwards’ ability to remain healthy after more than a decade of being injury free.

•And most damaging, Peterson miscalculated by a year the right time to blow up the roster and usher in a youth movement.

All of that misreading, miscalculating and special friendship with players who have never won the Chiefs a single playoff game created the chaos that has turned the franchise into a laughingstock.

Look, if the Patriots give Tom Brady and Tedy Bruschi one contract extension too many, I’ll understand it and totally forgive Bill Belichick. If the Colts let Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison overstay their usefulness, it’s defensible. Those players won championships for their franchises.

But the NFL is the league that dumps Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, runs Brett Favre to New York and lets Joe Namath hobble around Los Angeles and O.J. Simpson limp across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

Meanwhile, Carl Peterson tosses golden parachutes to his favorite draft picks and free-agent signings over drinks at the Capital Grille.

It’s unprofessional. It’s irresponsible. It’s a good-old-boy network in a league that requires a ruthless disloyalty when it comes to money.

You know what used to irritate Marty Schottenheimer? Every time he tried to take a hard-line disciplinary stance with Derrick Thomas, the Golden Child would run to his adopted father (Peterson) for protection.

Gonzalez has spent the last two weeks upset that he didn’t get to break the tight-end record at home against the Broncos. He had his family in town. The Chiefs were going to stop the game and have a quick ceremony.

Who do you think planned the on-field party, Herm or Carl? Who do you think raised Tony’s expectations for a hey-look-at-me moment and set up potential conflict between star player and head coach, Herm or Carl?

The way the club is currently managed, a coaching staff filled with Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, Bill Walsh, Don Shula and Hank Stram couldn’t lead the Chiefs to .500.

**dirk digler** · 10-15-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Tony extended his contract after Herm's first year. Toward the end of the year and after the playoff loss to the Colts where the Chiefs offense consisted of repeatedly running LJ into 8 man defensive fronts guys like LJ, Tony and Green all came out and made comments about the questionable play calling and direction of the offense. Tony was on notice.

Tony would also have to blind to see that the team didn't need to be rebuilt. The offense was getting old and Herm had already begun to bring in players that would buy into Herm's drivel.

The Chiefs have been rebuilding for three years. You don't need to play 10 rookies to begin rebuilding. Herm has given his draft picks and free agent signings plenty of playing time from day one.

Chiefnj you are buying into Carl\Herm's BS about them rebuilding for 2 years. They weren't and everyone knows that. Yeah they plugged in a couple of rookies because they had no one else better. Last year this was the oldest team in the NFL. That is not rebuilding that is plugging holes trying to get by. Also you don't rebuild by starting Damon Huard.

**Rausch** · 10-15-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Chiefnj you are buying into Carl\Herm's BS about them rebuilding for 2 years. They weren't and everyone knows that. Yeah they plugged in a couple of rookies because they had no one else better. Last year this was the oldest team in the NFL. That is not rebuilding that is plugging holes trying to get by. Also you don't rebuild by starting Damon Huard.

This is a change of strategy to buy time.

The plan failed. The plan was to run a cover 2 with the DV/Saunders/Solari system and improve the D enough to win a playoff game.

Failed hard.

Now we have a real OC who's handcuffed by the HC, the GM, the constantly injured talent, and the looming last year under contract...

Chiefnj2 · 10-15-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Chiefnj you are buying into Carl\Herm's BS about them rebuilding for 2 years. They weren't and everyone knows that. Yeah they plugged in a couple of rookies because they had no one else better. Last year this was the oldest team in the NFL. That is not rebuilding that is plugging holes trying to get by. Also you don't rebuild by starting Damon Huard.

Did Hali, Page, Pollard and Webb get a lot of playing time as rookies? Did Bowe, McBride, Tyler, Kolby Smith, Taylor and Nap Harris get playing time last year? Did young guys like Brackenridge and Patterson get a shot?

Teams rebuild with older QB's all the time. Herm gave Croyle every chance in the world to win the starting job last year and Croyle couldn't do it.

Reerun_KC · 10-15-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Did Hali, Page, Pollard and Webb get a lot of playing time as rookies? Did Bowe, McBride, Tyler, Kolby Smith, Taylor and Nap Harris get playing time last year? Did young guys like Brackenridge and Patterson get a shot?

Teams rebuild with older QB's all the time. Herm gave Croyle every chance in the world to win the starting job last year and Croyle couldn't do it.

Wierd according to Hard Knocks.. Croyle had about as much chance as you or I did at starting.... Carl vetoed that..

**Rausch** · 10-15-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Wierd according to Hard Knocks.. Croyle had about as much chance as you or I did at starting.... Carl vetoed that..

That's a ****ing myth...

Chiefnj2 · 10-15-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Wierd according to Hard Knocks.. Croyle had about as much chance as you or I did at starting.... Carl vetoed that..

I didn't realize you took the majority of snaps in preseason.

**HemiEd** · 10-15-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

He is one of the very few who appears committed to making the exact same mistakes over and over again. FAX

Isn't that close to the definition of insanity?

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 10-15-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

BS.

Peterson hired Herm. Traded for him even.

Your HC and GM should work as a team, even more so when the HC is the GM's choice. If it doesn't work with your old friend and first choice why would anyone think it could work with Peterson and someone who isn't?

When you fail it's not just one head. You can the GM which means the HC, Coordinators (at least most likely,) and even a good helping of position coaches as the new regime takes over.

You were hired to IMPROVE the team. If you can't after your fourth try (Carl, with 4 different HC's) or your third year (Herm) why keep these people around?

This is really only Herm's 2nd year. Carl wouldn't let Herm do this from the start. He made him play Dickie V ball for a year with Mike Solari filling in for Jesus. I'm not saying Herm should stay, I want him the whole front office cleaned out, but this is really only his 2nd year. All that said, deal with it. They're going to be around through 2009. Clark won't fire them. Even if they go 1-15.

**dirk digler** · 10-15-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Did Hali, Page, Pollard and Webb get a lot of playing time as rookies? Did Bowe, McBride, Tyler, Kolby Smith, Taylor and Nap Harris get playing time last year? Did young guys like Brackenridge and Patterson get a shot?

Teams rebuild with older QB's all the time. Herm gave Croyle every chance in the world to win the starting job last year and Croyle couldn't do it.

We are going to agree to disagree on this.

If you are "rebuilding" you don't sign a 30+ yr old LB who is on their last legs. You don't sign a 30+ yr old tackle that can't play. You don't keep old farts like Welbourne, Turley and Kennison around.

They tried to plug holes and not really rebuild.

What they are doing this year is rebuilding.

**Rausch** · 10-15-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Flopnuts

This is really only Herm's 2nd year. Carl wouldn't let Herm do this from the start.

No, it's his third year.

It's Herm's fault for not having the huevos to demand a rebuild (just like DV did) year one.

You know the guy, you took the job, demand YOUR team (Just like Marty, DV, and hell even Gun did.)

Looking back now Herm came in to manage a Pizza Hutt not to reinvent fine dining in his area. If you put off who you are and what you believe in for 2 years and then come out later and proclaim "THIS IS WHAT I WANT! THIS IS WHAT I'M ABOUT!" contrary to the two years before...

Well, don't be shocked when the theatre's empty...

Reerun_KC · 10-15-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

That's a ****ing myth...

I will never forget the episode that they are sitting around that table, talking about the QB's.. Curl wanted Croyle, Carl kept saying he wanted Huard, because he gives us the best chance to win now...

I was sick to my stomach when I watched that....

Reerun_KC · 10-15-2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I didn't realize you took the majority of snaps in preseason.

Ssshhhh, My noodle arm would resemble Huards....

CoMoChief · 10-15-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

Clark is a smart dude. I also think he knows he has to make his own bones in the NFL. His father was respected for 1) creating the AFL; 2) winning a SB; and 3) playing a big hand in the merger that created the modern day NFL. Clark hasn't done jack shit. He'll get no respect in club 32 until he does.

I think he cleans house, at least on the football side of the organization.

Eh - Clark was already very well respected around the league before Lamar passed away.

**Rausch** · 10-15-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I will never forget the episode that they are sitting around that table, talking about the QB's.. Curl wanted Croyle, Carl kept saying he wanted Huard, because he gives us the best chance to win now...

I was sick to my stomach when I watched that....

Croyle was Herm's boy from the word go. He wanted Croyle to start but he was so ****ing gag-reflex terrible in the preseason there was no option.

Carl didn't force anything he just called an easy shot from the inside.

There's this odd dichotomy where Carl knows more than fans think about football and fans know more than Carl thinks they do about football...

**HemiEd** · 10-15-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Who do you feel Herm would do that for? Who are "Herm's Guys?"

Short answer: NO ONE...

Ron Edwards, McIntosh, can there be any other explanation?

10-14-2008, 11:00 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $840478	WHITLOCK - Herm is innocent, Carl is evil http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/841754.html In the minutes after the Chiefs failed to unload unhappy tight end Tony Gonzalez, Herm Edwards sent a clear, concise, fair and accurate message Tuesday afternoon: The aborted fire sale and current mess at Arrowhead Stadium are not his creation or a reflection of his coaching methods. When asked by radio reporter Rhonda Moss what Gonzalez’s trade request said about Carl Peterson, the Chiefs organization and its current head coach, Edwards — perhaps unintentionally — summarized his position on the whole affair. “It doesn’t say anything about me,” Edwards responded. “It doesn’t say one thing about me. It has nothing to do with me. You need to ask the player that. That’s not for me to answer. I’m not going to answer for a football player. I don’t have to do that. I answer for the decisions that I make, what comes out of my mouth.” Edwards couldn’t have been more transparent. Kansas City’s inability to retrieve reasonable compensation for Gonzalez is not Herm’s fault. Larry Johnson’s third assault case and possible suspension (by the league or the Chiefs) are not Herm’s fault. The lack of league-wide interest in the services of Damon Huard, Patrick Surtain and Donnie Edwards is not Herm’s fault. You can blame Herm for Kansas City’s 5-16 record over the past two seasons, but it is unfair to make him culpable for the sad reality that things are likely to get worse before they get significantly better for the Chiefs. Carl Peterson is responsible for that. Much will be made of Herm’s apparently smug and dismissive tone at Tuesday’s news conference. He said he hadn’t spoken to Gonzalez about the situation and probably wouldn’t. Edwards said he hadn’t spoken to Larry Johnson about his latest off-field mishap. With his team sitting at 1-4 and reeling from an embarrassing loss at Carolina, Edwards is focused on controlling what he can control and leaving the rest in God’s hands or the people responsible for the problem. It’s a prudent approach, if you believe the truth will set you free. It’s no secret that the Chiefs are an organization burning in flames, and Edwards seems to be getting more and more comfortable letting everyone see the gas, matches and electric fans sitting on Carl Peterson’s desk. Let’s look at this objectively, shall we? Peterson has run this ballclub like a private fraternity. His special pledges — Gonzalez, Johnson, Priest Holmes and, to a lesser degree, Donnie Edwards — have been rewarded with contracts that haven’t necessarily been in the best interest of the football team. •Peterson misread Gonzalez’s ability to deal with a rebuilding process. •Peterson misread Johnson’s ability to handle success, money, leadership and a 400-carry season. •Peterson misread Holmes’ desire to continue playing football after recovering from a hip injury by any means necessary. •Peterson misread Donnie Edwards’ ability to remain healthy after more than a decade of being injury free. •And most damaging, Peterson miscalculated by a year the right time to blow up the roster and usher in a youth movement. All of that misreading, miscalculating and special friendship with players who have never won the Chiefs a single playoff game created the chaos that has turned the franchise into a laughingstock. Look, if the Patriots give Tom Brady and Tedy Bruschi one contract extension too many, I’ll understand it and totally forgive Bill Belichick. If the Colts let Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison overstay their usefulness, it’s defensible. Those players won championships for their franchises. But the NFL is the league that dumps Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, runs Brett Favre to New York and lets Joe Namath hobble around Los Angeles and O.J. Simpson limp across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Meanwhile, Carl Peterson tosses golden parachutes to his favorite draft picks and free-agent signings over drinks at the Capital Grille. It’s unprofessional. It’s irresponsible. It’s a good-old-boy network in a league that requires a ruthless disloyalty when it comes to money. You know what used to irritate Marty Schottenheimer? Every time he tried to take a hard-line disciplinary stance with Derrick Thomas, the Golden Child would run to his adopted father (Peterson) for protection. Gonzalez has spent the last two weeks upset that he didn’t get to break the tight-end record at home against the Broncos. He had his family in town. The Chiefs were going to stop the game and have a quick ceremony. Who do you think planned the on-field party, Herm or Carl? Who do you think raised Tony’s expectations for a hey-look-at-me moment and set up potential conflict between star player and head coach, Herm or Carl? The way the club is currently managed, a coaching staff filled with Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, Bill Walsh, Don Shula and Hank Stram couldn’t lead the Chiefs to .500.
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