Chiefs Whitlock: The person Hunt hires gets the best job in football - Page 3

FloridaMan88 · 01-03-2009, 11:28 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/963879.html

The person Hunt hires gets the best job in football

Clark Hunt is interviewing candidates for what could be the best job in football.

Maybe that explains his deliberate approach to finding and securing Kansas City’s next general manager.

If a qualified man wants to be an NFL GM, running the Kansas City Chiefs should be his dream job. Scott Pioli, Kevin Colbert and Chris Polian — the most qualified and coveted future GMs — have more reason to pursue Clark Hunt than Hunt has to pursue them.

Why?

•The Hunt family employed Carl Peterson for 20 years, demonstrating a level of loyalty and patience that is pretty much nonexistent in professional sports.

•The Hunts gave Peterson a degree of autonomy that is pretty much nonexistent in professional sports.

•The Chiefs are more than $30 million below the salary cap and are in position to unload a few more unproductive, expensive veterans this offseason.

•The Chiefs are one season away from playing in a fancy, exciting renovated Arrowhead Stadium.

•There’s no one within the football side of the organization that a new GM has to show any loyalty. He can clean out the scouting department and coaching staff.

•Expectations are low.

My initial instinct in writing this column was to criticize Clark Hunt for appearing to go about fixing his broken franchise without a concrete plan. Things aren’t going the way I anticipated.

When Hunt fired Peterson with two weeks left in the regular season, I assumed Hunt had identified his next general manager. I thought within days of the season’s end, Hunt would lock up New England’s Pioli or Pittsburgh’s Colbert or Indy’s Polian.

Instead of a new football king to trumpet, we were treated last week to our departing King (Carl) granting an exclusive Internet podcast interview to his last loyal subject, Bob Gretz. Peterson doesn’t have the good sense to be embarrassed by his cowardice. But agreeing to a final, 7-minute Bob Gretz tongue bath further diminishes Peterson’s legacy.

Peterson has refused to discuss his dismissal with legitimate members of the media for three weeks. At this point what Peterson has to say about his tenure is irrelevant.

Like most Chiefs fans, I’m ready to move on.

And that includes moving on from Peterson’s last significant action — hiring Herm Edwards.

In fairness, Herm might just be collateral damage from the ugly end of Peterson’s era. But the Chiefs ended the 2008 season in poor fashion, including a gutless performance at Cincinnati.

Why hasn’t Hunt disposed of Edwards and his coaching staff? They’re unsalvageable. Why leave an unpleasant task to a GM who had nothing to do with the team’s 6-26 record the last two years?

And if Hunt would like to see a new GM retain Edwards, I don’t see how leaving Edwards publicly twisting for days (and potentially weeks) enhances his locker-room credibility. Herm is damaged goods.

But, after thinking everything through, I decided emotion was overruling sound judgment. None of my gripes (or yours) really matter.

Hunt has the job. He can afford to sit back a little and let candidates woo him.

He needs to hear from Pioli, Colbert and Polian what they’re going to do for the Kansas City Chiefs. What the Hunts will do for a general manager is a matter of record. Peterson, Jack Steadman and Hank Stram were all allowed to stay beyond their usefulness. Gunther Cunningham is the only head coach to be fired by the Chiefs during the last 20 years. Over the same time frame, the Browns, another team looking for new leadership, have canned coaches Bud Carson, Jim Shofner (interim), Bill Belichick, Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Terry Robiskie (interim) and Romeo Crennel.

There’s no reason for desperation. The situation isn’t desperate.

If Hunt lands the right GM, the Chiefs can experience the kind of turnaround the Dolphins did this season. Bill Parcells and his coach, Tony Sparano, sparked a one-win-to-11-win turnaround in Miami.

I can’t imagine a scenario in which Hunt doesn’t land a top-flight general manager. I’m willing to wait.

ChiefsCountry · 01-04-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange

His track record as the Chiefs' owner says otherwise.

You mean two ****ing years as owner. One which he didnt want to upset his dad's wishes and then blew then thing up.

blueballs · 01-04-2009, 01:00 AM

I'm sure no one else in the NFL saw what Chan has done
and the wild cat and it's variations are dead and gone

kansas hawk · 01-04-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

herm

now go kill yourself

....

orange · 01-04-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

You mean two ****ing years as owner. One which he didnt want to upset his dad's wishes and then blew then thing up.

Exactly. HIS two years. Someone just above brought up Lamar Hunt and all he did for the NFL - well, Lamar is gone.

Clark's the man, now, and nobody is going to take the Chiefs job because of what Lamar meant to the NFL.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-04-2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange

Exactly. HIS two years. Someone just above brought up Lamar Hunt and all he did for the NFL - well, Lamar is gone.

Clark's the man, now, and nobody is going to take the Chiefs job because of what Lamar meant to the NFL.

God I hope Shannahan ends up in KC. The meltdown in Denver would be epic.

**pr_capone** · 01-04-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kansas hawk

....

orange · 01-04-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

God I hope Shannahan ends up in KC. The meltdown in Denver would be epic.

It would almost be worth it to watch the mass tongue-swallowing and self-immolation on this board.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-04-2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange

It would almost be worth it to watch the mass tongue-swallowing and self-immolation on this board.

There would be a meltdown on both boards for sure. I think Mike is one of the best coaches in the league as long as he keeps his paws off the defense. I'd love to see him here.

orange · 01-04-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

There would be a meltdown on both boards for sure. I think Mike is one of the best coaches in the league as long as he keeps his paws off the defense. I'd love to see him here.

You know what would be even more priceless? - Al Davis rehired Art Shell a second time.

Quesadilla Joe · 01-04-2009, 01:15 AM

Shanahan has said a few times this week that he is not going to go to a team unless it is ready to win now. He doesn't want to rebuild. I just hope Norv doesn't get fired.

Shanahan brought Denver a lot of great memories that we will cherish forever, but if he goes to SD I will burn down the restaurant he is building.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-04-2009, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange

You know what would be even more priceless? - Al Davis rehired Art Shell a second time.

Or a third...........

"Bob" Dobbs · 01-04-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange

And let's not forget, alot of that unspent cap money was due to trading away their best player rather than pay the market price.

Carl did that. That doesn't mean the next guy'll do it too.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-04-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutler7624

Shanahan has said a few times this week that he is not going to go to a team unless it is ready to win now. He doesn't want to rebuild. I just hope Norv doesn't get fired.

Shanahan brought Denver a lot of great memories that we will cherish forever, but if he goes to SD I will burn down the restaurant he is building.

What if he went to KC? KC isn't rebuilding, they're going to be putting the finishing touches on it. They'll compete for the division in 10.

orange · 01-04-2009, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Or a third...........

I was kind of pointing to the possibility of Al Davis rehiring Mike Shanahan a second time, you know.

Did that go over your head?

It's alright - it's early in the year. You've got plenty of time to pull it together.

[edit] What do I have to type to get the rat icon? Did the webmaster disable that expecting Shanahan might end up KC's coach?

blueballs · 01-04-2009, 01:21 AM

Shanahan to INDY
watch the fan base turn on him
like Cutler on Rivers

01-03-2009, 11:28 PM
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $2672906	Whitlock: The person Hunt hires gets the best job in football http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/963879.html The person Hunt hires gets the best job in football Clark Hunt is interviewing candidates for what could be the best job in football. Maybe that explains his deliberate approach to finding and securing Kansas City’s next general manager. If a qualified man wants to be an NFL GM, running the Kansas City Chiefs should be his dream job. Scott Pioli, Kevin Colbert and Chris Polian — the most qualified and coveted future GMs — have more reason to pursue Clark Hunt than Hunt has to pursue them. Why? •The Hunt family employed Carl Peterson for 20 years, demonstrating a level of loyalty and patience that is pretty much nonexistent in professional sports. •The Hunts gave Peterson a degree of autonomy that is pretty much nonexistent in professional sports. •The Chiefs are more than $30 million below the salary cap and are in position to unload a few more unproductive, expensive veterans this offseason. •The Chiefs are one season away from playing in a fancy, exciting renovated Arrowhead Stadium. •There’s no one within the football side of the organization that a new GM has to show any loyalty. He can clean out the scouting department and coaching staff. •Expectations are low. My initial instinct in writing this column was to criticize Clark Hunt for appearing to go about fixing his broken franchise without a concrete plan. Things aren’t going the way I anticipated. When Hunt fired Peterson with two weeks left in the regular season, I assumed Hunt had identified his next general manager. I thought within days of the season’s end, Hunt would lock up New England’s Pioli or Pittsburgh’s Colbert or Indy’s Polian. Instead of a new football king to trumpet, we were treated last week to our departing King (Carl) granting an exclusive Internet podcast interview to his last loyal subject, Bob Gretz. Peterson doesn’t have the good sense to be embarrassed by his cowardice. But agreeing to a final, 7-minute Bob Gretz tongue bath further diminishes Peterson’s legacy. Peterson has refused to discuss his dismissal with legitimate members of the media for three weeks. At this point what Peterson has to say about his tenure is irrelevant. Like most Chiefs fans, I’m ready to move on. And that includes moving on from Peterson’s last significant action — hiring Herm Edwards. In fairness, Herm might just be collateral damage from the ugly end of Peterson’s era. But the Chiefs ended the 2008 season in poor fashion, including a gutless performance at Cincinnati. Why hasn’t Hunt disposed of Edwards and his coaching staff? They’re unsalvageable. Why leave an unpleasant task to a GM who had nothing to do with the team’s 6-26 record the last two years? And if Hunt would like to see a new GM retain Edwards, I don’t see how leaving Edwards publicly twisting for days (and potentially weeks) enhances his locker-room credibility. Herm is damaged goods. But, after thinking everything through, I decided emotion was overruling sound judgment. None of my gripes (or yours) really matter. Hunt has the job. He can afford to sit back a little and let candidates woo him. He needs to hear from Pioli, Colbert and Polian what they’re going to do for the Kansas City Chiefs. What the Hunts will do for a general manager is a matter of record. Peterson, Jack Steadman and Hank Stram were all allowed to stay beyond their usefulness. Gunther Cunningham is the only head coach to be fired by the Chiefs during the last 20 years. Over the same time frame, the Browns, another team looking for new leadership, have canned coaches Bud Carson, Jim Shofner (interim), Bill Belichick, Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Terry Robiskie (interim) and Romeo Crennel. There’s no reason for desperation. The situation isn’t desperate. If Hunt lands the right GM, the Chiefs can experience the kind of turnaround the Dolphins did this season. Bill Parcells and his coach, Tony Sparano, sparked a one-win-to-11-win turnaround in Miami. I can’t imagine a scenario in which Hunt doesn’t land a top-flight general manager. I’m willing to wait.
Posts: 39,102

01-04-2009, 01:00 AM	#32
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	I'm sure no one else in the NFL saw what Chan has done and the wild cat and it's variations are dead and gone
Posts: 14,233

01-04-2009, 01:15 AM	#40
Quesadilla Joe Abolish The Salary Cap! Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $3848675	Shanahan has said a few times this week that he is not going to go to a team unless it is ready to win now. He doesn't want to rebuild. I just hope Norv doesn't get fired. Shanahan brought Denver a lot of great memories that we will cherish forever, but if he goes to SD I will burn down the restaurant he is building.
Posts: 19,807

01-04-2009, 01:21 AM	#45
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	Shanahan to INDY watch the fan base turn on him like Cutler on Rivers
Posts: 14,233