Chiefs Whitlock- It’s OK to question Pioli and the Chiefs - Page 13

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.

Just Passin' By · 03-08-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

I've broken down tape in the ESPN, ABC and CBS trucks. Have you? Come on you are a joke. Just admit you are a fan and have never done anything in football.

What the hell does any of this bullshit have to do with your perceived need for the Chiefs to be telling their stories to a bunch of assclowns who think a press pass makes them special?

CaliforniaChief · 03-08-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

I've gone down in the ESPN, ABC and CBS trucks. Have you? Come on you are a joke. Just admit you are a fan and have never done anyone in football.

FYP

Mojo Jojo · 03-08-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

Well, let's just throw the blanket out there then.

Len Dawson and Mitch Holthus are exempt from the following statement:

There are varying degrees of shit, but shit is still shit. And quite frankly, I can't name ONE journalist or radio "personality" in the KC market that merits a prize of ANY sort.

Your articles are guaranteed to contain pablum and/or disinformation, and/or personal opinion that has more to with agenda than facts, in large, small, or medium quantities, and you ask some of the stupidest ****ing questions in press conferences with the Chiefs that I've ever heard.

If I were Pioli or Haley, I wouldn't exactly be getting "morning wood" over the prospect of spending five minutes with you, much less a half hour or more.

I have never asked a question at a Chiefs press conference. I'm not with any publication or electronic media...I just want to know why we can't question Scott, Todd, Clark etc...?

CaliforniaChief · 03-08-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

What the hell does any of this bullshit have to do with your perceived need for the Chiefs to be telling their stories to a bunch of assclowns who think a press pass makes them special?

Because unlike the elite in the KC media, apparently we don't appreciate USFL success and failed 20 year plans.

Mojo Jojo · 03-08-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

What the hell does any of this bullshit have to do with your perceived need for the Chiefs to be telling their stories to a bunch of assclowns who think a press pass makes them special?

Because when it was Carl it was worth talking about. Jason, Jack, KK and everyone on this board wanted answers. What has changed except Scott has his dick in you mouth?

CaliforniaChief · 03-08-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

Because when it was Carl it was worth talking about. Jason, Jack, KK and everyone on this board wanted answers. What has changed except Scott has his dick in you mouth?

Excellent.

Ah, the good old days.http://chiefsplanet.com/BB/images/smilies/thumb.gif

**KcMizzou** · 03-08-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

I have never asked a question at a Chiefs press conference. I'm not with any publication or electronic media...I just want to know why we can't question Scott, Todd, Clark etc...?

It's not that you can't. Anyone can question anything.

But if you're butthurt that you can't literally question them, as in... in person... that's your problem.

Their job is to rebuild an NFL franchise, PR is way, way down on the list of priorities. (As it should be.)

It's no coincidence, that while the regular guy on the street is fine with it... the media's having a shit fit.

Mojo Jojo · 03-08-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Because unlike the elite in the KC media, apparently we don't appreciate USFL success and failed 20 year plans.

"Elite KC media?" Anyone will tell you this is one of the kindest media markets in America. In fact...some media types will tell you that is why Carl kept his job so long.

FAX · 03-08-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

Because when it was Carl it was worth talking about. Jason, Jack, KK and everyone on this board wanted answers. What has changed ... ?

I think I know what's changed. We have a new GM who isn't taking questions.

I think that's it.

FAX

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-08-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

I have never asked a question at a Chiefs press conference. I'm not with any publication or electronic media...I just want to know why we can't question Scott, Todd, Clark etc...?

What are you talking about?!?!? We question them ALL THE ****ING TIME on this board!

Or do you mean "why can't Whitlock pull a Brian Waters and just march on in the offices unannounced and start grilling whomever the hell he pleases"?

**KcMizzou** · 03-08-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

I think I know what's changed. We have a new GM who isn't taking questions.

I think that's it.

FAX

It's that simple.

Mojo Jojo · 03-08-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

What are you talking about?!?!? We question them ALL THE ****ING TIME on this board!

Or do you mean "why can't Whitlock pull a Brian Waters and just march on in the offices unannounced and start grilling whomever the hell he pleases"?

It happens in every market. Do we want to be in the big leagues or do we want to cave to the new guy?

Just Passin' By · 03-08-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

Because when it was Carl it was worth talking about. Jason, Jack, KK and everyone on this board wanted answers. What has changed except Scott has his dick in you mouth?

Your stroking yourself over USFL victories and you talk shit to me? Go back to drinking from Peterson's "bottle".

Mojo Jojo · 03-08-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

I think I know what's changed. We have a new GM who isn't taking questions.

I think that's it.

FAX

Same story as 20 years ago. Maybe somebody should have asked questions then.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-08-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

Because when it was Carl it was worth talking about. Jason, Jack, KK and everyone on this board wanted answers. What has changed except Scott has his dick in you mouth?

Can we let Pioli and Haley do a draft, build a team, and play ONE ****ING SEASON FIRST????

Can we do THAT before we release the hounds and start breaking down every move these guys make?

03-08-2009, 08:16 AM
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $-1146301	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.
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