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.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by milkman

Sounds like a complicated way of saying you have to take the best player available, with an eye on need and positional value.

Which is what I've said for a while now.

errr...best player available for YOUR needs and YOUR team. Not just some random talented guy.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

errr...best player available for YOUR needs and YOUR team. Not just some random talented guy.

Correct. Every team should have a different order for their BPA. According to philosophy, make up of their roster, etc. Whether you run 4-3, or 3-4 LBs, and DEs will change dramatically from board to board for example.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Correct. Every team should have a different order for their BPA. According to philosophy, make up of their roster, etc. Whether you run 4-3, or 3-4 LBs, and DEs will change dramatically from board to board for example.

And this, by the way, is why Mel Kiper is pretty much useless as a commentator. Not only does he not recognize team-specificity in evaluating players, he's incapable of doing it for any team, mcuh less whoever is up next.

Sure, he can say "that team needs an LB", but he's basically incapable of the next step "and that's why, for THIS team, THAT player is a bad fit. This other guy is a better fit because of the scheme they run."

He's just an expensive suit, manicure and hair style who talks football the way a car salesman talks cars. Not only couldn't build an engine, they can barely do more than turn the key...

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

And this, by the way, is why Mel Kiper is pretty much useless as a commentator. Not only does he not recognize team-specificity in evaluating players, he's incapable of doing it for any team, mcuh less whoever is up next.

Sure, he can say "that team needs an LB", but he's basically incapable of the next step "and that's why, for THIS team, THAT player is a bad fit. This other guy is a better fit because of the scheme they run."

He's just an expensive suit, manicure and hair style who talks football the way a car salesman talks cars. Not only couldn't build an engine, they can barely do more than turn the key...

Reptastic.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

errr...best player available for YOUR needs and YOUR team. Not just some random talented guy.

Well, I didn't expect them to be looking at and drafting for other team's needs.

Duh........

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Here's how the Patriots run their draft, generally.

1. they compile the usual, ridiculous list of all players coming out of college. They then SEVERELY whittle it down. Every player that doesn't fit their system gets kicked out, REGARDLESS of talent. They just ignore players that don't fit their system -- whether because they're a bad fit (that 285 lb DE that is too small for DE and too big/slow for OLB or whatever). It's my understanding that the Patriots "board" is much smaller than the average team.

Does Stafford or Sanchez make the cut, IYO?

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by jAZ

Does Stafford or Sanchez make the cut, IYO?

No clue. I pay no attention to college football or draftnik discussions, really. I wait until the draft is complete, and then read up on the players drafted by the teams that I am focused on, such as the Patriots and their rivals.

[RippedmyFlesh]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

No clue. I pay no attention to college football or draftnik discussions, really. I wait until the draft is complete, and then read up on the players drafted by the teams that I am focused on, such as the Patriots and their rivals.

That is the difference in being a chiefs fan that will finally change.We fretted over that
because of carl's poor choices.Now we can relax and checks things out after trusting the right moves have been made,That is a big leap of faith for a chief's fan.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Amnorix in OP

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

Told ya.

[T-post Tom]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Told ya.

What was the Pats' record for the 3 seasons prior to BB/SP? I'm too lazy to look it up.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

What was the Pats' record for the 3 seasons prior to BB/SP? I'm too lazy to look it up.

Those were the Bobby Grier / Pete Carroll seasons, as Parcells left after 1996. We went 10-6 in 1997, with a playoff loss to, err, the Steelers I think. Two very tight games against them that year.

9-7 in 1998, and then 8-8 in 1999.

Carroll may or may not have gotten a fair shake as a coach. Bobby Grier's drafts were TERRIBLE, and we were way over the cap.

[Hammock Parties]

Amno, do you have a take on Pioli's machinations with Shanahan?

[T-post Tom]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Those were the Bobby Grier / Pete Carroll seasons, as Parcells left after 1996. We went 10-6 in 1997, with a playoff loss to, err, the Steelers I think. Two very tight games against them that year.

9-7 in 1998, and then 8-8 in 1999.

Carroll may or may not have gotten a fair shake as a coach. Bobby Grier's drafts were TERRIBLE, and we were way over the cap.

Depending on your definition of winning, that seems to contradict part of your original post. (Then again, compared to Herm's record, 10-6, 9-7, 8-8 looks pretty good.):

"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."

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

What was the Pats' record for the 3 seasons prior to BB/SP? I'm too lazy to look it up.

Its better to compare the Chiefs to the Pats era of the early 90's. 90-92. Right before Parcells arrived.

Rock bottom. Exactly where the Chiefs are at.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by RippedmyFlesh

That is the difference in being a chiefs fan that will finally change.We fretted over that
because of carl's poor choices.Now we can relax and checks things out after trusting the right moves have been made,That is a big leap of faith for a chief's fan.

That's not necessarily true.

I am happy that Pioli was hired, because he gives the Chiefs instant credibility around the league that other potential GMs would not have.

However, he wasn't my top choice, and I won't simply just give him a free pass just because he's Scott Pioli.

So far, in the short time he's been on the job, I am pleased with the way he's handled things, and happier than a hog farmer in shit that he, and Clark, fired Herman ****ing Edwards.

However, if he brings in Mike Shannahan (most overrated head coach in the last 30 years) or Paul Pasqualoni as HC (59 years old, and spotty record at Syracuse), then I will be pissed.