Chiefs Whitlock- It’s OK to question Pioli and the Chiefs - Page 2

C-Mac · 03-08-2009, 08:16 AM

It’s OK to question Pioli and the Chiefs

Wednesday afternoon, on my drive on I-70 to watch the Tigers and the Sooners tangle, I passed the time listening to sports-talk radio.

I find one of our local stations unlisten-Neal-able, so you can assume which station and which show entertained me along the highway. And you can guess which host nearly made me drive off the highway.

The New Don Fortune expressed his disinterest in needing access and information from our New Carl Peterson, Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli. The New Don and his trusty sidekick, Mad Jack Harry, spent several minutes telling their listeners that we should trust Pioli implicitly and not waste emotion or energy worrying whether Pioli reveals himself, his plans or his players to the media.

Having worked in sports-talk radio, I’m aware the discipline requires a dramatic and healthy loosening of journalistic standards. But basic common sense and backbone are allowed and occasionally encouraged when hosting a radio show.

Supporting the new regime does not equate to rejecting the primary (and redeeming) role of the media.

It’s our job to acquire information and pass it along to you. Based on what we’ve seen from the Bill Belichick era in New England and our first two months with Pioli, gathering pertinent and enlightening information about the Chiefs is going to be rather difficult.

The Patriots, under Belichick and Pioli, reached the conclusion that too much media access disrupts locker-room chemistry and undermines the voice of the head coach. In New England, Belichick has turned the Boston media into an easy-to-play foil for his players.

He’s brainwashed his players into believing the media are evil, incompetent and stirrers of chaos. Obviously, we are not perfect. A collection of human beings cannot be flawless. There are instances when individual moments of incompetence make the media appear wicked or solely interested in controversy.

But overall, we attempt to be a watchdog of those with power. When we fail to play that role, generally speaking, terrible things happen. The Iraq War is a worst-case scenario. We trusted our president implicitly, led the cheers when we declared war on Iraq and declined to demand answers to difficult questions. Hundreds of billions of dollars later, and with our economy in collapse, we now blame poor, minority homeowners for the fall of our society.

I apologize. I digress.

Let me give you a worst-case scenario in the sports world.

If, in an attempt to duplicate New England’s three-Super Bowls dynasty, we neglect our journalistic, democracy-ensuring duty to challenge Pioli, there’s a far better chance that he replicates Carl Peterson’s Kansas City era than Belichick’s New England one.

Unchallenged leaders are dictators and quickly turn unethical.

For years, Kevin Kietzman and Jack Harry whined on radio that Peterson, in attempts to have them fired, harassed their former television bosses. Kietzman and Harry complained about Peterson’s heavy-handed tactics with players, their agents and their families.

Peterson acquired his nickname, King Carl, the old-fashioned way. We rolled over and gave him a kingdom. When he ushered in an era of winning after years of mediocrity, he treated the media as though his decisions and actions were above question. He became complacent and stale.

Scott Pioli is a human being. He’s capable of making the same mistakes as you, I or King Carl.

Sometimes people misidentify why they’re successful. Belichick and Pioli think the New England locker room is special partly because Belichick and the players have made the local media irrelevant. Belichick and Pioli believe in CIA-like secrets.

I’m sure there’s some value in all of it. But football isn’t all that hard to figure out. Find yourself a tough, talented quarterback who is willing to stand in the pocket and deliver the football under pressure, pray that he doesn’t get injured, and you’ll win a lot of games.

The Sixburgh Steelers won four titles with Terry Bradshaw and two with Ben Roethlisberger. They’ve had three different young coaches lead them to those six titles. John Elway took the Broncos to five Super Bowls and won two. Kurt Warner has played in three Super Bowls. Brett Favre played in two. Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb win a lot of football games. Did I mention Joe Montana, Troy Aikman and Tom Brady?

In his first big decision as general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, Scott Pioli traded the 34th pick in the draft for Matt Cassel, a backup in college and in the pros. Because New England slapped Cassel with the franchise tag, Clark Hunt is going to pay Cassel a lot of money in 2009 or give him a big-ticket, long-term contract.

Everyone pretty much agrees the move makes sense for the Chiefs. Pioli still needs to publicly explain it, and it’s our job to seek a detailed explanation. We shouldn’t accept a brief statement on a press release.

It is fun and fashionable to beat up on the media. In our arrogance, we have refused to adequately police, examine and reshape ourselves. We’re paying a heavy price for our failure. We’re losing credibility.

It’s in your best interest to demand better from us. Don’t be fooled into believing we should go away or act as a propaganda machine for some newly-elected, popular-in-comparison-to-Peterson (or Bush) leader.

wild1 · 03-08-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

Move forward 20 years. A new GM is in place. Kicked the old guy out...brought rings on his fingers and a new coach. Are you too blind to see it is the same old song. What is the quote about those who don't pay attention to history are doomed to repeat it?

I'm sorry, I can't hear you equating Pioli's credibility to Carl's, those super bowl rings are distracting me.

Messier · 03-08-2009, 09:35 AM

While I don't mind any opportunity to slam Kevin Kietzman and Jack Harry, Whitlock ironically comes off as the whiniest of all. What is this, the third article complaining about not being given any info from the Chiefs?

There is nothing more boring and annoying than articles proclaiming ones own importance.

Deberg_1990 · 03-08-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild1

I'm sorry, I can't hear you equating Pioli's credibility to Carl's, those super bowl rings are distracting me.

Carl had a couple championships when he came to KC.

USFL titles.

Messier · 03-08-2009, 09:39 AM

It's like Whitlock thinks he's doling out some sort of "punishment" by saying, until you talk to me I'm going to question all of your moves. Somehow I don't think Pioli cares.

**the Talking Can** · 03-08-2009, 09:48 AM

wait, is fatlock claiming to be a journalist now?

you know, someone who actually works to uncover and report on a story?

yes, we need those...we always need those

we don't need columnists...they do nothing but offer up generally childish and dumb opinions....i hope to god Pioli ignores them...that was Carl's problem, he couldn't ignore them...

if Pioli never read a word written by a columnist in Kansas City it would be a major step towards success for this franchise...

Mojo Jojo · 03-08-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Carl had a couple championships when he came to KC.

USFL titles.

Still two more pro titles than you will ever win.

Adept Havelock · 03-08-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Messier

It's like Whitlock thinks he's doling out some sort of "punishment" by saying, until you talk to me I'm going to question all of your moves. Somehow I don't think Pioli cares.

Yep. Another Half-Whit whine fest.

**morphius** · 03-08-2009, 10:05 AM

Well, when you can't get any information I guess you have to write crap like this. Sure it is okay to question what Pioli does, but right now not a lot has happened to make any real complaints.

Jack · 03-08-2009, 10:10 AM

Truth and accurate news reporting are strange bedfellows and the main reason I haven't subscribed to any news papers in the last decade. They are entertainers and nothing more. Whitlock defining his role as watchdog is quite a reach. His fumbling, rambling narrative leaves so much to be desired.

I could care less if they consider Pioli aloof and arrogant. Bottom line is I want to see the team win. Here is arrogance:

"He’s brainwashed his players into believing the media are evil, incompetent and stirrers of chaos. Obviously, we are not perfect. A collection of human beings cannot be flawless. There are instances when individual moments of incompetence make the media appear wicked or solely interested in controversy."

Coogs · 03-08-2009, 10:13 AM

I will have to agree with Whitlock on this one. 610 AND 810 are both damn near unbearable to listen to anymore.

**DaFace** · 03-08-2009, 10:18 AM

This is just stupid. Comparing Pioli to Bush? Come on now. One is the head of a governmental entity (the U.S. government). We all have no choice but to pay taxes to that entity, so we have a right to question the moves they make. And while there is no set rule saying so, if 90 percent of the people feel one way about an issue, that individual has an obligation to try and make sure that strong majority wins out.

The other is the head of a privately-owned business. No one is forced to give them a dime. It doesn't matter whether the media questions them or not, they are going to act in the best interest of the team (and moreso of the business). Every person in Kansas City could feel one way about what the Chiefs should do, and they don't have to do a damn thing. It's not even in the same ball park.

Whitlock's just pissed that he doesn't have anything fun to write about anymore, so he gripes about not having anything to write about (but pins it on Pioli).

Chiefaholic · 03-08-2009, 10:19 AM

Comparing Pioli to Carl is rediculous. The two are night and day different in almost every aspect of the game.

1. Carl = 20 years....Advanced to AFC Championship once
Pioli = 6 years.....3 Superbowl Rings

2. Carl = Releys on free agency to patch holes for mediocracy
Pioli = Builds through draft and fills roster with second teir FA's

3. Carl = Strokes ego by telling media when he takes a piss
Pioli = Keeps internal decisions quiet until the "DEAL IS DONE"

4. Carl = SUCKS at drafting starter caliber players
Pioli = Proven record of drafting quality players in later rounds

5. Carl = Hated by other franchises, agents, players, and fans
Pioli = Respected by everybody that matters (**** the media)

6. Carl = Boo'ed by the fans in HIS stadium
Pioli = Fans cheered as he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy

7. Carl = Spends the offseason on vacation and making speeches to the media to stroke his ego

Pioli = Spends the offseason hiring the best staff possible, studying game tape, looking for AFFORDABLE FA's that allow us to build a TEAM, and preparing for the draft in detail.

I could go on for hours....

kc-nd · 03-08-2009, 10:38 AM

Jason,

Use your brain. Report on what is happening.

You don't need to talk to someone - or have someone say something - in order to be a better journalist.

If you have to have someone explain everything to you, how are you ever going to learn to think?

HC_Chief · 03-08-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

wait, is fatlock claiming to be a journalist now?

you know, someone who actually works to uncover and report on a story?

yes, we need those...we always need those

we don't need columnists...they do nothing but offer up generally childish and dumb opinions....i hope to god Pioli ignores them...that was Carl's problem, he couldn't ignore them...

if Pioli never read a word written by a columnist in Kansas City it would be a major step towards success for this franchise...

Superlative.

Just Passin' By · 03-08-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

But overall, we attempt to be a watchdog of those with power. When we fail to play that role, generally speaking, terrible things happen. The Iraq War is a worst-case scenario. We trusted our president implicitly, led the cheers when we declared war on Iraq and declined to demand answers to difficult questions. Hundreds of billions of dollars later, and with our economy in collapse, we now blame poor, minority homeowners for the fall of our society.

It's blatant lies like these that have contributed so greatly to the downfall of the mainstream media. To make matters worse, he's putting such blatant political lies in a sports column. When people ask me my opinion as to why I think print media is in its death throes, I point to crap like this.

03-08-2009, 08:16 AM
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $-1136301	Whitlock- It’s OK to question Pioli and the Chiefs It’s OK to question Pioli and the Chiefs Wednesday afternoon, on my drive on I-70 to watch the Tigers and the Sooners tangle, I passed the time listening to sports-talk radio. I find one of our local stations unlisten-Neal-able, so you can assume which station and which show entertained me along the highway. And you can guess which host nearly made me drive off the highway. The New Don Fortune expressed his disinterest in needing access and information from our New Carl Peterson, Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli. The New Don and his trusty sidekick, Mad Jack Harry, spent several minutes telling their listeners that we should trust Pioli implicitly and not waste emotion or energy worrying whether Pioli reveals himself, his plans or his players to the media. Having worked in sports-talk radio, I’m aware the discipline requires a dramatic and healthy loosening of journalistic standards. But basic common sense and backbone are allowed and occasionally encouraged when hosting a radio show. Supporting the new regime does not equate to rejecting the primary (and redeeming) role of the media. It’s our job to acquire information and pass it along to you. Based on what we’ve seen from the Bill Belichick era in New England and our first two months with Pioli, gathering pertinent and enlightening information about the Chiefs is going to be rather difficult. The Patriots, under Belichick and Pioli, reached the conclusion that too much media access disrupts locker-room chemistry and undermines the voice of the head coach. In New England, Belichick has turned the Boston media into an easy-to-play foil for his players. He’s brainwashed his players into believing the media are evil, incompetent and stirrers of chaos. Obviously, we are not perfect. A collection of human beings cannot be flawless. There are instances when individual moments of incompetence make the media appear wicked or solely interested in controversy. But overall, we attempt to be a watchdog of those with power. When we fail to play that role, generally speaking, terrible things happen. The Iraq War is a worst-case scenario. We trusted our president implicitly, led the cheers when we declared war on Iraq and declined to demand answers to difficult questions. Hundreds of billions of dollars later, and with our economy in collapse, we now blame poor, minority homeowners for the fall of our society. I apologize. I digress. Let me give you a worst-case scenario in the sports world. If, in an attempt to duplicate New England’s three-Super Bowls dynasty, we neglect our journalistic, democracy-ensuring duty to challenge Pioli, there’s a far better chance that he replicates Carl Peterson’s Kansas City era than Belichick’s New England one. Unchallenged leaders are dictators and quickly turn unethical. For years, Kevin Kietzman and Jack Harry whined on radio that Peterson, in attempts to have them fired, harassed their former television bosses. Kietzman and Harry complained about Peterson’s heavy-handed tactics with players, their agents and their families. Peterson acquired his nickname, King Carl, the old-fashioned way. We rolled over and gave him a kingdom. When he ushered in an era of winning after years of mediocrity, he treated the media as though his decisions and actions were above question. He became complacent and stale. Scott Pioli is a human being. He’s capable of making the same mistakes as you, I or King Carl. Sometimes people misidentify why they’re successful. Belichick and Pioli think the New England locker room is special partly because Belichick and the players have made the local media irrelevant. Belichick and Pioli believe in CIA-like secrets. I’m sure there’s some value in all of it. But football isn’t all that hard to figure out. Find yourself a tough, talented quarterback who is willing to stand in the pocket and deliver the football under pressure, pray that he doesn’t get injured, and you’ll win a lot of games. The Sixburgh Steelers won four titles with Terry Bradshaw and two with Ben Roethlisberger. They’ve had three different young coaches lead them to those six titles. John Elway took the Broncos to five Super Bowls and won two. Kurt Warner has played in three Super Bowls. Brett Favre played in two. Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb win a lot of football games. Did I mention Joe Montana, Troy Aikman and Tom Brady? In his first big decision as general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, Scott Pioli traded the 34th pick in the draft for Matt Cassel, a backup in college and in the pros. Because New England slapped Cassel with the franchise tag, Clark Hunt is going to pay Cassel a lot of money in 2009 or give him a big-ticket, long-term contract. Everyone pretty much agrees the move makes sense for the Chiefs. Pioli still needs to publicly explain it, and it’s our job to seek a detailed explanation. We shouldn’t accept a brief statement on a press release. It is fun and fashionable to beat up on the media. In our arrogance, we have refused to adequately police, examine and reshape ourselves. We’re paying a heavy price for our failure. We’re losing credibility. It’s in your best interest to demand better from us. Don’t be fooled into believing we should go away or act as a propaganda machine for some newly-elected, popular-in-comparison-to-Peterson (or Bush) leader.
Posts: 5,661

03-08-2009, 09:35 AM	#17
Messier MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $10005050	While I don't mind any opportunity to slam Kevin Kietzman and Jack Harry, Whitlock ironically comes off as the whiniest of all. What is this, the third article complaining about not being given any info from the Chiefs? There is nothing more boring and annoying than articles proclaiming ones own importance.
Posts: 7,610

03-08-2009, 09:39 AM	#19
Messier MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $10005050	It's like Whitlock thinks he's doling out some sort of "punishment" by saying, until you talk to me I'm going to question all of your moves. Somehow I don't think Pioli cares.
Posts: 7,610

03-08-2009, 09:48 AM	#20
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9122208	wait, is fatlock claiming to be a journalist now? you know, someone who actually works to uncover and report on a story? yes, we need those...we always need those we don't need columnists...they do nothing but offer up generally childish and dumb opinions....i hope to god Pioli ignores them...that was Carl's problem, he couldn't ignore them... if Pioli never read a word written by a columnist in Kansas City it would be a major step towards success for this franchise... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

03-08-2009, 10:05 AM	#23
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $5705027	Well, when you can't get any information I guess you have to write crap like this. Sure it is okay to question what Pioli does, but right now not a lot has happened to make any real complaints.
Posts: 26,023

03-08-2009, 10:10 AM	#24
Jack Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Centralia, WA Casino cash: $10005010	Truth and accurate news reporting are strange bedfellows and the main reason I haven't subscribed to any news papers in the last decade. They are entertainers and nothing more. Whitlock defining his role as watchdog is quite a reach. His fumbling, rambling narrative leaves so much to be desired. I could care less if they consider Pioli aloof and arrogant. Bottom line is I want to see the team win. Here is arrogance: "He’s brainwashed his players into believing the media are evil, incompetent and stirrers of chaos. Obviously, we are not perfect. A collection of human beings cannot be flawless. There are instances when individual moments of incompetence make the media appear wicked or solely interested in controversy."
Posts: 616

03-08-2009, 10:13 AM	#25
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $-2315651	I will have to agree with Whitlock on this one. 610 AND 810 are both damn near unbearable to listen to anymore.
Posts: 21,910

03-08-2009, 10:18 AM	#26
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $-1933101	This is just stupid. Comparing Pioli to Bush? Come on now. One is the head of a governmental entity (the U.S. government). We all have no choice but to pay taxes to that entity, so we have a right to question the moves they make. And while there is no set rule saying so, if 90 percent of the people feel one way about an issue, that individual has an obligation to try and make sure that strong majority wins out. The other is the head of a privately-owned business. No one is forced to give them a dime. It doesn't matter whether the media questions them or not, they are going to act in the best interest of the team (and moreso of the business). Every person in Kansas City could feel one way about what the Chiefs should do, and they don't have to do a damn thing. It's not even in the same ball park. Whitlock's just pissed that he doesn't have anything fun to write about anymore, so he gripes about not having anything to write about (but pins it on Pioli).
Posts: 53,155

03-08-2009, 10:19 AM	#27
Chiefaholic Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $430027	Comparing Pioli to Carl is rediculous. The two are night and day different in almost every aspect of the game. 1. Carl = 20 years....Advanced to AFC Championship once Pioli = 6 years.....3 Superbowl Rings 2. Carl = Releys on free agency to patch holes for mediocracy Pioli = Builds through draft and fills roster with second teir FA's 3. Carl = Strokes ego by telling media when he takes a piss Pioli = Keeps internal decisions quiet until the "DEAL IS DONE" 4. Carl = SUCKS at drafting starter caliber players Pioli = Proven record of drafting quality players in later rounds 5. Carl = Hated by other franchises, agents, players, and fans Pioli = Respected by everybody that matters (**** the media) 6. Carl = Boo'ed by the fans in HIS stadium Pioli = Fans cheered as he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy 7. Carl = Spends the offseason on vacation and making speeches to the media to stroke his ego Pioli = Spends the offseason hiring the best staff possible, studying game tape, looking for AFFORDABLE FA's that allow us to build a TEAM, and preparing for the draft in detail. I could go on for hours....
Posts: 4,832

03-08-2009, 10:38 AM	#28
kc-nd Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Casino cash: $1674900	Jason, Use your brain. Report on what is happening. You don't need to talk to someone - or have someone say something - in order to be a better journalist. If you have to have someone explain everything to you, how are you ever going to learn to think?
Posts: 595