GRETZ: Understand the Future - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 01-11-2008, 09:13 AM

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/01...nd_the_future/

GRETZ: Understand the Future
Jan 11, 2008, 8:24:20 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

If you are a fan of the red and gold, then there’s plenty to ponder as you sit and watch the quadruple-header of NFL action in the playoffs this weekend…

For instance, could the Chiefs be playing on this weekend a year from now?

Absolutely. It happens every year in the NFL.

Over the last five seasons, on average half of the teams that made the post-season last year did not make the playoffs the next season. This year it was six teams. The previous two years it was seven teams that did not return. There were five new faces in 2004 and the 2003 playoffs had eight new faces.

In this decade, the number is again six changes per season, or half the field.

This year the Chiefs, New York Jets, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Chicago did not make the post-season after being part of the playoffs in 2006. The Ravens, Eagles, Saints and Bears all won division titles last season. This year they finished fourth, fourth, third and fourth in their divisions.

Those clubs were replaced by teams like Tampa Bay; just last year the Buccaneers finished the season 4-12. And by Washington; the Redskins were 5-11 in the 2006 season.

This season, Green Bay made the playoffs with a 13-3 record. Last season they were 8-8 and the season before, they finished 4-12. In two years they went from four victories to 13 and the playoffs. Tennessee made the playoffs this year with a 10-6 record. Last season they were 8-8 and the season before, they finished 4-12. In two years they went from four victories to 10 and the playoffs.

Both Green Bay and Tennessee did it by building their roster through the NFL Draft, which is the direction the Chiefs plan to take in 2008.

So, it’s not impossible that the Chiefs could make a jump into the playoffs next year.

Is it likely? Now that’s the better question.

Understand this about what the Chiefs – especially Herm Edwards – are trying to build at Arrowhead. They want a team that makes the playoffs every year and more importantly, they want a team that has the chance to win in January. The Chiefs most recent visits to the playoffs in 2003 and 2006 were simply as participants. They didn’t have a chance to actually contend for the championships because both of those teams were badly flawed. In ‘03 it was a weak defense that doomed their chances; last year it was a weak offense.

To reach the level of talent and production that would make them a real contender for a title may take more than the 2008 off-season can provide this franchise. The offense and special teams must improve dramatically and the defense must continue its growth.

For all that to happen in the next 12 months is a reach. To get this job done right, to build this team not as just a team that plays in January, but wins in January will need more than a one-year turnaround.

What they don’t want is a flash in the pan season, then a fall back to the middle of the pack. Take New Orleans; the Saints were 3-13 in 2005, then went 10-6 and played in the NFC Championship Game in 2006. This year, they fell to 7-9.

The Chiefs do not want to be Tampa Bay. The Bucs were 5-11 in 2004, then went 11-5 the next season. They fell back to 4-12 in 2006 and then this year won the NFC South with a 9-7 record. That’s a roller coaster to stay away from.

Here’s the statistic that gnaws at the folks at Arrowhead: of the league’s 32 teams, 25 have won games in the playoffs during this decade. Two of the seven teams that have not are Cleveland and Houston, expansion teams that began play in 1999 and 2002. The Browns have gone to the playoffs but have not won.

Of the other five teams, the longest drought without a post-season victory belongs to Cincinnati, as the Bengals haven’t won since January of 1991. It was January 1992 when Detroit won its last game in the playoffs, January 1994 for the Chiefs, January 1997 for the Dallas Cowboys and January 1999 for the Arizona Cardinals.

Getting back to the playoffs isn’t the goal. Winning in January is the prize.

Eleazar · 01-11-2008, 10:08 AM

Basically, scare tactics - scaring season ticket holders, that they might miss something historic... like the Chiefs actually winning a playoff game.

Memo to Gretz: Nobody cares that we made the playoffs last year because we looked like complete fools. We never had a chance. We've never had a chance since 1993. Next year is not going to be any different. The franchise is in the worst state it's been in since the early 1970s, someone has well said.

and quit making excuses for lack of results.

Hammock Parties · 01-11-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Getting back to the playoffs isn’t the goal. Winning in January is the prize.

And that's why we raised ticket prices!

**Baby Lee** · 01-11-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

Basically, scare tactics - scaring season ticket holders, that they might miss something historic... like the Chiefs actually winning a playoff game.

Memo to Gretz: Nobody cares that we made the playoffs last year because we looked like complete fools. We never had a chance. We've never had a chance since 1993. Next year is not going to be any different. The franchise is in the worst state it's been in since the early 1970s, someone has well said.

and quit making excuses for lack of results.

If we didn't have a chance in 95 or 97, why is it such a source of angst?
Seems to me both were close losses, so there was a chance. And in 97 it came down multiple times to an atrocious call by the refs that more than decided the difference.

Eleazar · 01-11-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

If we didn't have a chance in 95 or 97, why is it such a source of angst?
Seems to me both were close losses, so there was a chance. And in 97 it came down multiple times to an atrocious call by the refs that more than decided the difference.

I mean that in the sense of neither team being IMO a real contender for the super bowl.

**Baby Lee** · 01-11-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

I mean that in the sense of neither team being IMO a real contender for the super bowl.

Indy came within a near catch at the end of the game of going to the SB, the Chiefs were the Bronco's toughest playoff opponent.
Plus, we would've gotten Pittsburgh at home each time, instead of the Colts and Broncos going on the road.

Frazod · 01-11-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

I mean that in the sense of neither team being IMO a real contender for the super bowl.

We were the best team in the league in 1997. It took an unholy combination of Marty's stupidity, the Rat's blatant cheating and an epic fist job by the refs for the shit-sucking Broncos to beat us, and still they only barely beat us.

We haven't had a real chance since then.

King_Chief_Fan · 01-11-2008, 10:42 AM

an article to give Herm Edwards a couple more years of free pass.

milkman · 01-12-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

We were the best team in the league in 1997. It took an unholy combination of Marty's stupidity, the Rat's blatant cheating and an epic fist job by the refs for the shit-sucking Broncos to beat us, and still they only barely beat us.

We haven't had a real chance since then.

Marty was the HC.

We never had a chance.

**BigMeatballDave** · 01-12-2008, 08:34 AM

I'd much rather have another 4-12 season so we could get another top 5 pick. Having a fluke 'good' season and Carl will think we are close to competing, then he'll sign a bunch of has-been veterans.

FringeNC · 01-12-2008, 08:38 AM

Another brilliant piece by Gretz -- as if the other 31 teams don't want to be consistently good, and win games in January.

All teams try to build through the draft. There is no new strategy here. Gretz is simply pleading with the fans that despite the last 20 years, Carl is going to get it right this time.

The NFL is a competitive league. If you want to be consistently good, it takes more than wanting it to make it happen. You have to be able to out-draft guys like Scott Pioli and Bill Polian, and then have great coaches on top of that. The assumption that Gretz neglected to mention, and it's a huge assumption, is that Carl and Herm are two of the best at their jobs in the business.

milkman · 01-12-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Another brilliant piece by Gretz -- as if the other 31 teams don't want to be consistently good, and win games in January.

All teams try to build through the draft. There is no new strategy here. Gretz is simply pleading with the fans that despite the last 20 years, Carl is going to get it right this time.

The NFL is a competitive league. If you want to be consistently good, it takes more than wanting it to make it happen. You have to be able to out-draft guys like Scott Pioli and Bill Polian, and then have great coaches on top of that. The assumption that Gretz neglected to mention, and it's a huge assumption, is that Carl and Herm are two of the best at their jobs in the business.

Assumption?

Hell, I'd call that a bald-faced lie.

**cdcox** · 01-12-2008, 08:57 AM

"Getting back to the playoffs isn’t the goal. Winning in January is the prize."

This statement is a complete contradition to the idea behind his "Why can't Carl do it again" piece.

**the Talking Can** · 01-12-2008, 09:26 AM

DUH

Gretz is only a decade behind the fanbase....but talks down to them anyway....

TEX · 01-12-2008, 10:06 AM

All this "building for the future" BS just buys Herm more time. Now, after backing into the "rebuild" - they're all for it.

Unfortunatley, Herm's here until his contract expires. But at least we're more than half way through it now.

milkman · 01-12-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

All this "building for the future" BS just buys Herm more time. Now, after backing into the "rebuild" - they're all for it.

Herman ****ing Edwards sucks ass, clearly, but in fairness, he did seem to be pushing for that rebuild from the start of last offseason.

Carl handcuffed him.

Now that Carl has backed into, the problem is that neither one of them knows how the **** to get it done.

01-11-2008, 09:13 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3097187	GRETZ: Understand the Future http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/01...nd_the_future/ GRETZ: Understand the Future Jan 11, 2008, 8:24:20 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ If you are a fan of the red and gold, then there’s plenty to ponder as you sit and watch the quadruple-header of NFL action in the playoffs this weekend… For instance, could the Chiefs be playing on this weekend a year from now? Absolutely. It happens every year in the NFL. Over the last five seasons, on average half of the teams that made the post-season last year did not make the playoffs the next season. This year it was six teams. The previous two years it was seven teams that did not return. There were five new faces in 2004 and the 2003 playoffs had eight new faces. In this decade, the number is again six changes per season, or half the field. This year the Chiefs, New York Jets, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Chicago did not make the post-season after being part of the playoffs in 2006. The Ravens, Eagles, Saints and Bears all won division titles last season. This year they finished fourth, fourth, third and fourth in their divisions. Those clubs were replaced by teams like Tampa Bay; just last year the Buccaneers finished the season 4-12. And by Washington; the Redskins were 5-11 in the 2006 season. This season, Green Bay made the playoffs with a 13-3 record. Last season they were 8-8 and the season before, they finished 4-12. In two years they went from four victories to 13 and the playoffs. Tennessee made the playoffs this year with a 10-6 record. Last season they were 8-8 and the season before, they finished 4-12. In two years they went from four victories to 10 and the playoffs. Both Green Bay and Tennessee did it by building their roster through the NFL Draft, which is the direction the Chiefs plan to take in 2008. So, it’s not impossible that the Chiefs could make a jump into the playoffs next year. Is it likely? Now that’s the better question. Understand this about what the Chiefs – especially Herm Edwards – are trying to build at Arrowhead. They want a team that makes the playoffs every year and more importantly, they want a team that has the chance to win in January. The Chiefs most recent visits to the playoffs in 2003 and 2006 were simply as participants. They didn’t have a chance to actually contend for the championships because both of those teams were badly flawed. In ‘03 it was a weak defense that doomed their chances; last year it was a weak offense. To reach the level of talent and production that would make them a real contender for a title may take more than the 2008 off-season can provide this franchise. The offense and special teams must improve dramatically and the defense must continue its growth. For all that to happen in the next 12 months is a reach. To get this job done right, to build this team not as just a team that plays in January, but wins in January will need more than a one-year turnaround. What they don’t want is a flash in the pan season, then a fall back to the middle of the pack. Take New Orleans; the Saints were 3-13 in 2005, then went 10-6 and played in the NFC Championship Game in 2006. This year, they fell to 7-9. The Chiefs do not want to be Tampa Bay. The Bucs were 5-11 in 2004, then went 11-5 the next season. They fell back to 4-12 in 2006 and then this year won the NFC South with a 9-7 record. That’s a roller coaster to stay away from. Here’s the statistic that gnaws at the folks at Arrowhead: of the league’s 32 teams, 25 have won games in the playoffs during this decade. Two of the seven teams that have not are Cleveland and Houston, expansion teams that began play in 1999 and 2002. The Browns have gone to the playoffs but have not won. Of the other five teams, the longest drought without a post-season victory belongs to Cincinnati, as the Bengals haven’t won since January of 1991. It was January 1992 when Detroit won its last game in the playoffs, January 1994 for the Chiefs, January 1997 for the Dallas Cowboys and January 1999 for the Arizona Cardinals. Getting back to the playoffs isn’t the goal. Winning in January is the prize.
Posts: 43,464

01-11-2008, 10:08 AM	#16
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Basically, scare tactics - scaring season ticket holders, that they might miss something historic... like the Chiefs actually winning a playoff game. Memo to Gretz: Nobody cares that we made the playoffs last year because we looked like complete fools. We never had a chance. We've never had a chance since 1993. Next year is not going to be any different. The franchise is in the worst state it's been in since the early 1970s, someone has well said. and quit making excuses for lack of results.
Posts: 80,659

01-11-2008, 10:42 AM	#22
King_Chief_Fan Praise Him Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: none ya Casino cash: $4745486	an article to give Herm Edwards a couple more years of free pass. __________________ No Jesus No Peace Know Jesus Know Peace Ephesians 2:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Posts: 12,362

01-12-2008, 08:34 AM	#24
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	I'd much rather have another 4-12 season so we could get another top 5 pick. Having a fluke 'good' season and Carl will think we are close to competing, then he'll sign a bunch of has-been veterans.
Posts: 59,997

01-12-2008, 08:38 AM	#25
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $-1823986	Another brilliant piece by Gretz -- as if the other 31 teams don't want to be consistently good, and win games in January. All teams try to build through the draft. There is no new strategy here. Gretz is simply pleading with the fans that despite the last 20 years, Carl is going to get it right this time. The NFL is a competitive league. If you want to be consistently good, it takes more than wanting it to make it happen. You have to be able to out-draft guys like Scott Pioli and Bill Polian, and then have great coaches on top of that. The assumption that Gretz neglected to mention, and it's a huge assumption, is that Carl and Herm are two of the best at their jobs in the business.
Posts: 10,234

01-12-2008, 08:57 AM	#27
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-648231	"Getting back to the playoffs isn’t the goal. Winning in January is the prize." This statement is a complete contradition to the idea behind his "Why can't Carl do it again" piece.
Posts: 46,037

01-12-2008, 09:26 AM	#28
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9072208	DUH Gretz is only a decade behind the fanbase....but talks down to them anyway.... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

01-12-2008, 10:06 AM	#29
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Galveston, TX Casino cash: $-1526873	All this "building for the future" BS just buys Herm more time. Now, after backing into the "rebuild" - they're all for it. Unfortunatley, Herm's here until his contract expires. But at least we're more than half way through it now. __________________ "Do we have time to run WASP?"
Posts: 37,119