Chiefs Clark Judge: Rating smartest, boldest, scariest offseason moves - Page 11

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-14-2009, 12:01 PM

Rating smartest, boldest, scariest offseason moves
May 13, 2009
By Clark Judge
CBSSports.com Senior Writer

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11743195

Five boldest moves

Kansas City hiring Scott Pioli

Some people automatically put this one in the win column. Not me. Not after Charlie Weis fizzled at Notre Dame and Romeo Crennel bombed out in Cleveland. OK, so they were former New England coaches, and Pioli was a decorated GM. They still fall from the same tree. The question I have is this: How much was Pioli responsible for what happened in New England? "I guess we're about to find out," said one NFC general manager.

The good news is that Thomas Dimitroff had New England ties, too, and he circled the bases in his first turn as a GM in Atlanta. The bad news: Pioli's first draft with Kansas City: There are reaches everywhere. He also reversed the team's Get Young Now policy by adding 30-something discards like Bobby Engram, Zach Thomas, Monty Beisel and Mike Vrabel. You can do that when you're at or near the top, like New England. But this is a team that lost 23 of its last 25, for crying out loud.

Five biggest gambles

Kansas City acquiring Matt Cassel

I know what he did with New England. But that was the Patriots, and tell me where you find Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Richard Seymour and Bill Belichick in the 816 area code. Cassel was surrounded by a raft of talent on the field and on the sidelines in New England, and I'm still looking for that support group here. So he produced a couple of 400-yard passing games and won 10 of 15 starts. That was nice. But I want to see him reproduce it here. OK, I know what you're thinking: What do the Chiefs have to lose -- especially when all they surrendered for Cassel and Vrabel was a second-round draft pick? Try this: They're paying Cassel $14.65 million in guaranteed salary. If he turns out to be the next Scott Mitchell I know some bean counters in red suits who will demand explanations.

htismaqe · 05-15-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Wilt? Excuse me?

And how does discussing Rothlisberger's "Franchise QB worthiness" equate to "bitching" about Matt Cassel?

I think you need a break, Dude.

Take a look at this thread, dude. The discussion about Roethlisberger started as an attack on Cassel. There's been nothing but thinly-veiled bitching about Cassel since the day we passed on Sanchez. I wasn't just talking about you.

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-15-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

I don't at all disagree. But it's all in the past now. What's wrong with HOPING that Cassel can be the franchise QB we need? Does passing on Sanchez sting so much that people can't get over it?

It's been less than three weeks, first off.

And if Sanchez goes on to have an incredible career in NY I'd say that people will NEVER get over it.

See Blackledge over Marino for proof.

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

Pretty ****ing laughable if you ask me.

Personally, I don't find it to be a laughing matter, whatsoever.

To each his own.

**Reaper16** · 05-15-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

I don't at all disagree. But it's all in the past now. What's wrong with HOPING that Cassel can be the franchise QB we need? Does passing on Sanchez sting so much that people can't get over it?

Pretty ****ing laughable if you ask me.

Nothing wrong with hoping. I don't like the assertion that an honest off-season discussion, that has for the most part lacked the vitriol that people disliked when Mecca or Hamas would take up this issue, is somehow equivalent to being "unable to get over" Sanchez.

htismaqe · 05-15-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It's been less than three weeks, first off.

And if Sanchez goes on to have an incredible career in NY I'd say that people will NEVER get over it.

See Blackledge over Marino for proof.

It could have been three HOURS, it doesn't change the fact that NONE of us have any control over it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Personally, I don't find it to be a laughing matter, whatsoever.

To each his own.

Some people get way too bent out of shape over a game that's supposed to be entertainment. Perhaps I'm just jaded, but I'm WAY past complaining about every move the team makes.

And on that tangential note, I keep seeing references to the fact that this year's n00bs have ruined the board. The constant negativity has done it's share of damage as well.

htismaqe · 05-15-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Nothing wrong with hoping. I don't like the assertion that an honest off-season discussion, that has for the most part lacked the vitriol that people disliked when Mecca or Hamas would take up this issue, is somehow equivalent to being "unable to get over" Sanchez.

Because certain people evidently can't discuss it without taking backhanded swipes at other posters. And no, I'm not talking about you.

Take a look at the last few posts - it's me, you, and Dane disagreeing - without ANY vitriol. Hell, you and I have been arguing about this for over TWENTY FOUR HOURS without any shouting or name calling.

**Reaper16** · 05-15-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

Some people get way too bent out of shape over a game that's supposed to be entertainment. Perhaps I'm just jaded, but I'm WAY past complaining about every move the team makes.

I've got a whole lot more youthful energy left to channel into surly negativity. Sports have already made me an unhappy, bitter husk of a person, but I'm too committed to stop now. I'm no quitter.

**Reaper16** · 05-15-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

Take a look at the last few posts - it's me, you, and Dane disagreeing - without ANY vitriol. Hell, you and I have been arguing about this for over TWENTY FOUR HOURS without any shouting or name calling.

That's good, right? Like, its fine that we can have this argument? I hope that it is.

htismaqe · 05-15-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I've got a whole lot more youthful energy left to channel into surly negativity. Sports have already made me an unhappy, bitter husk of a person, but I'm too committed to stop now. I'm no quitter.

I've got plenty of "real life" to piss me off. I lost my vested interest in football a few years ago. Hell, I'm fairly certain it was the day Vermeil's boys pissed away that game to Philly at home.

If it weren't for this place and the discussion, I'm not sure I'd even follow it that closely anymore.

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-15-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

It could have been three HOURS, it doesn't change the fact that NONE of us have any control over it.

Well, that's what a discussion forum is for, right? To present our own point of view of an issue, decision, action or inaction of our beloved football team. And if the subject is continually brought up, then I'd assume that it would be continually discussed.

As much as you'd like it to just go away, it won't. I assume that it will be a sticking point until Cassel proves himself to be worthy of passing on Sanchez. Which to this point, is far from proven.

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

Some people get way too bent out of shape over a game that's supposed to be entertainment. Perhaps I'm just jaded, but I'm WAY past complaining about every move the team makes.

Then don't. No one's forcing you to participate, pro or con.

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

And on that tangential note, I keep seeing references to the fact that this year's n00bs have ruined the board. The constant negativity has done it's share of damage as well.

LOL. That's a reference to multiple neg reps I've received from a certain n00b who would leave that message with nearly each and every post I'd make in a certain thread.

htismaqe · 05-15-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

That's good, right? Like, its fine that we can have this argument? I hope that it is.

Absomahlutely.

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-15-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

Because certain people evidently can't discuss it without taking backhanded swipes at other posters. And no, I'm not talking about you.

Take a look at the last few posts - it's me, you, and Dane disagreeing - without ANY vitriol. Hell, you and I have been arguing about this for over TWENTY FOUR HOURS without any shouting or name calling.

And this is exactly the reason why some folks have left recently.

There are several n00bs that have entered discussion intent on name-calling and busting balls. Guys with less than 500 posts just ripping away at people. Personally, I'll rip right back (as would Hamas) but Mecca, CC and some of the other guys just aren't cut out for it and decided to bail.

It's a shame, really.

**Reaper16** · 05-15-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

I've got plenty of "real life" to piss me off. I lost my vested interest in football a few years ago. Hell, I'm fairly certain it was the day Vermeil's boys pissed away that game to Philly at home.

Ugh. That game was infuriating. I had just finished up a matinee performance of The Diviners at NWMSU that day, and I snuck out of set take-down to go eat with my family. That game was on the TV and it was just brutal to watch.

htismaqe · 05-15-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Well, that's what a discussion forum is for, right? To present our own point of view of an issue, decision, action or inaction of our beloved football team. And if the subject is continually brought up, then I'd assume that it would be continually discussed.

By all means, yes. I didn't ask anybody to stop posting. In fact, a couple of the worst "offenders" are guys I wish would come back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

As much as you'd like it to just go away, it won't. I assume that it will be a sticking point until Cassel proves himself to be worthy of passing on Sanchez. Which to this point, is far from proven.

The fact that the two are going to be continually compared is ridiculous. What happens if we don't trade for Cassel and STILL pass on Sanchez? Sanchez isn't a Chief, wasn't a Chief, and probably won't ever be a Chief. Cassel should be judged on his own merits - what Sanchez does from here on out is irrelevant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Then don't. No one's forcing you to participate, pro or con.

Again, I'm not suggesting anybody should not post. It's all part of the discussion. If we all agreed on everything, this place would be pretty boring.

**Reaper16** · 05-15-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

And this is exactly the reason why some folks have left recently.

There are several n00bs that have entered discussion intent on name-calling and busting balls. Guys with less than 500 posts just ripping away at people. Personally, I'll rip right back (as would Hamas) but Mecca, CC and some of the other guys just aren't cut out for it and decided to bail.

It's a shame, really.

It wasn't the name-calling that caused people those guys to leave. It was the constant assault of telling them that they weren't allowed to criticize Pioli at all. A lot of posters, many of them these n00bs/dupes with less than 500 posts, wanted a more positive environment (which is fair, I suppose). But to achieve it, they chose to make anything that seemed "negative" at all an unforgivable sin.

**Reaper16** · 05-15-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

The fact that the two are going to be continually compared is ridiculous. What happens if we don't trade for Cassel and STILL pass on Sanchez?

Then Thigpen will always be compared to Sanchez & Cassel.

Pioli had to address the QB situation. He had a number of options to pick from. He chose to acquire Cassel. The other options, especially in the short term, are always going to followed for the "what if?" factor. It may not be fair, but its simply a fact that the comparison is going to be made.

05-14-2009, 12:01 PM
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	Clark Judge: Rating smartest, boldest, scariest offseason moves Rating smartest, boldest, scariest offseason moves May 13, 2009 By Clark Judge CBSSports.com Senior Writer http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11743195 Five boldest moves Kansas City hiring Scott Pioli Some people automatically put this one in the win column. Not me. Not after Charlie Weis fizzled at Notre Dame and Romeo Crennel bombed out in Cleveland. OK, so they were former New England coaches, and Pioli was a decorated GM. They still fall from the same tree. The question I have is this: How much was Pioli responsible for what happened in New England? "I guess we're about to find out," said one NFC general manager. The good news is that Thomas Dimitroff had New England ties, too, and he circled the bases in his first turn as a GM in Atlanta. The bad news: Pioli's first draft with Kansas City: There are reaches everywhere. He also reversed the team's Get Young Now policy by adding 30-something discards like Bobby Engram, Zach Thomas, Monty Beisel and Mike Vrabel. You can do that when you're at or near the top, like New England. But this is a team that lost 23 of its last 25, for crying out loud. Five biggest gambles Kansas City acquiring Matt Cassel I know what he did with New England. But that was the Patriots, and tell me where you find Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Richard Seymour and Bill Belichick in the 816 area code. Cassel was surrounded by a raft of talent on the field and on the sidelines in New England, and I'm still looking for that support group here. So he produced a couple of 400-yard passing games and won 10 of 15 starts. That was nice. But I want to see him reproduce it here. OK, I know what you're thinking: What do the Chiefs have to lose -- especially when all they surrendered for Cassel and Vrabel was a second-round draft pick? Try this: They're paying Cassel $14.65 million in guaranteed salary. If he turns out to be the next Scott Mitchell I know some bean counters in red suits who will demand explanations.
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