The #1 reason CP should say YES to Al Saunders - (And the main reason he won't)

[B_Ambuehl]

Forget about the fact that he's coordinated the top offense in the nfl the last 4 years. Forget the fact that he's obviously the best candidate available and already on the staff. Forget the fact that whether he stays or goes could decide whether hall of famers on the offensive line stay or go.

The real reason Saunders should be named head coach is right here. The real reason Saunders WON'T be named head coach is also right here as well.

This was from last summer and I bookmarked it for future reference.

Some of you may recall a guy from the coalition by the name of "former db" from training camp last year. He's a media guy and former football player from Pittsburgh who is also a die hard chiefs fan. He covered the Chiefs training camp last year and provided some really good interviews and info. Anyway, he had this to say about a conversation with Frank Ganz last summer:

http://www.chiefscoalition.com/Forum...=29295&hl=ganz

Some of you already know I'm up here in Pittsburgh. Frank Gantz Sr. lives here too and we're very familiar with each other because he is, of course the former coach and he knows me from my job as a television reporter.

Now that thats out of the way, I spotted Gantz and his wife in a grocery store, Whole Foods (bunch of healthy stuff).
He was wearing Chiefs shorts, t-shirt and cap, he made me laugh.

Anyway here are some of the things he shared with me based on the conversations he has with Vermeil about three times a week.

NEW COACH:
Gantz believes Herman Edwards will get strong consideration as the next Chiefs head coach, for a couple of reasons. First, he says head coaches wear out their welcome very fast, even if they're winners. Most importantly, he says the Chiefs front office is enamored with Edwards. Al Saunders will be considered too HOWEVER... HOWEVER, Saunders and Carl Peterson are the two primary parities in regards to the political in-fighting within the organziation. Gantz says the Saunders doesn't back down to Peterson, gets in his face and will tell him his ideas are wrong. They don't share the same philosophy in regards to player evaluations either. I got the strong impression, and Gantz feels this too, that Saunders would be the person to knock Peterson's ego sideways. So Gantz wouldn't be surpirsed if Saunders is passed over as Vermeil's successor.

LARRY JOHNSON:
He says the Chiefs are very sorry Derrick Blaylock is gone. They say that Larry Johnson can't do nearly as many things as Blaylock. They must reconfigure a lot of packages minimize Johnson's short-comings. Gantz says Johson can run, but there's a lot more to the game than just running the rock.

BOOMER GRIGSBY:
May be a starter. Gantz and I had fun talking about the MLB position, as does everyone else. Vermeil told him that Boomer is awesome and that Vermeil isn't letting on to how well this guy REALLY is to the media. Apparently, Boomer is ALWAYS, ALWAYS in position to make the tackle and his technique is flawless. Here's the funny part of our conversation, Gantz asked me why did Grigsby last until the 5th round. I'm like, DUHHHHH!!! He laughed like hell. Gantz and I both think the battle at MLB is between Boomer and Scanlon. He really likes Kawitka Mitchell but it doesn't seem like he's the answer. Everybody is caught up with Boomer's mentality and core toughness to play the position. I informed Gantz of Boomer's gymnastics background and he was even further impressed with the kid.

KENDRELL BELL:
He's NOT healthy from what Vermeil shared with Gantz. Now I thought Bell came back to practice after straining his groin. Perhaps Vermeil is keeping his health undercover but Gantz' voice was noticably grim when talking about Bell's health.
I just hope he is 100 percent by training camp.

GANTZ:
We plan on bumping into each other at training camp because Vermeil asked him to address the team and Gantz is excited to do so. He and I both believe the Chiefs were brilliant in drafting the punter in the third round. Now, while we talked for about 20 minutes, his wife was smoothly filling the cart. She's a wonderful lady, very understanding of two football nuts talking Chiefs football at the deli counter.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Coogs

If Holmes is still healthy, Holmes is the starter and LJ comes off the bench. And this is nothing against Holmes. Best offensive player in the NFL being a backup is just wrong.

And right now, we still have LJ going to the bench on 3rd downs.

The threat of LJ on 3rd and 6 or so still has to be honored. Play action with LJ and use him as a receiver instead of just using him as a blocker in the drop back scheme.

you gotta figure that IF priest comes back that he will be our 3rd down/goal line back.

he's better blocking and catching .... and he seems to be able to sneak through into the endzone better too.


i imagine that larry johnson gets 2/3 of the total carries though

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Laz

you gotta figure that IF priest comes back that he will be our 3rd down/goal line back.

he's better blocking and catching .... and he seems to be able to sneak through into the endzone better too.


i imagine that larry johnson gets 2/3 of the total carries though

I would agree that you gotta figure that.

Point being however that if Holmes doesn't get hurt, the best offensive player in the NFL is still a backup.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Coogs

I would agree that you gotta figure that.

Point being however that if Holmes doesn't get hurt, the best offensive player in the NFL is still a backup.

that's what has to happens when you have the 2 best RB's in the league on the same team.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Well, what's your opinion?

the answer is: it doesn't matter

AS has created a #1 ranked O with both, and if we had a defense worth a shit either could take us deep into the playoffs....but my comment was about people being stupid enough to think that one play in the Dallas game is the reason we're not in the playoffs...

[B_Ambuehl]

It's also funny that some feel it was AS's play calling on that same 1st and goal series that may end up costing this team a win and a playoff spot.

Well, if you're gonna use the facts as a basis to argue, over the last 4 years there are 31 other teams who evidently had worse play calling then that. That's using both the offensive and redzone stats as reference points and you know what they say about the stats....they don't lie.

[MahiMike]

Damn it Carl!!!!!

[Redcoats58]

If there is any coach that earned the head coach position it's Saunders. Until I read this I didn't want Saunders as the next HC but now I've changed my mind. You could say that Saunders has had more production out of this offense with some of the mediocre players we have then anyone else in the NFL. I think we really need to push the firecarlpeterson.com webpage. Peterson is the thorn in the Chiefs side.

[FringeNC]

I read a rumor somewhere that Clark Hunt is going to have a lot of say about the next coach. Perhaps he likes Al. Perhaps CP would quit if Al was hired. Dreaming, I know...

[Redcoats58]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

I read a rumor somewhere that Clark Hunt is going to have a lot of say about the next coach. Perhaps he likes Al. Perhaps CP would quit if Al was hired. Dreaming, I know...

I would love this scenario.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Redcoats58

If there is any coach that earned the head coach position it's Saunders. Until I read this I didn't want Saunders as the next HC but now I've changed my mind. You could say that Saunders has had more production out of this offense with some of the mediocre players we have then anyone else in the NFL. I think we really need to push the firecarlpeterson.com webpage. Peterson is the thorn in the Chiefs side.

It's funny. I'm also fast changing my position on Peterson after reading this. I've wanted AS as HC all along. Now I may have to join you in the fire-Peterson movement too.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Redcoats58

I would love this scenario.

Me too. Hope Clark is on Saunders' side.

[Brock]

I think Peterson will end up hiring Saunders. If Saunders wants to stay, that is. The Rams have him on speed dial.

[stevieray]

Clark has to be more involved if this organization is ever going to get over the hump.

High money contracts ultimately glaze over the desire to win for some players. They get paid very well when they lose, while we pay to watch it.

I hope Clark is on the sideline of every game next season, even if briefly.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Brock

The Rams have him on speed dial.

ya think so?

i always got the impression that the didn't really think Saunders was HC material.

[Johnson&Johnson]

Originally Posted by jspchief

If you want status quo, give Saunders the job.
If you want more 7-9,8-8,9-7 seasons, give Saunders the job.
If you want change, don't give Saunders the job.

I agree.

You are always the one thats got your head screwed on straight. Some of the things I read from Chiefs fan here are shocking. Many does not have the ability to see things beyond the 1st level of our problems.