JoPo: Carl has us all fooled - Page 4

siberian khatru · 12-19-2006, 07:54 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/16270526.htm

Let’s face it — Chiefs aren’t that good

JOE POSNANSKI
The Kansas City Star

Picture, if you will, a football team. This is not any ordinary football team. This is a team that has made the playoffs one time in the last nine years. Once. In nine years. This obviously is not a particularly good football team.

In those nine years, this team has been led by four different head coaches (three defensive guys, one offensive guy), guided by four quarterbacks (all backups from other teams) and has finished, on average, 22nd in the league in total defense.

You have pictured a team in total disarray, yes? Let us divulge that team also has been miserable away from home — a 25-46 road record over those nine years. No toughness. This team has had just one of its drafted defensive players make the Pro Bowl over that nine-year drought (and that was a fluke, he was on the bench the very next year). This team has not been to a Super Bowl in Lance Armstrong’s lifetime.

This team embarrassed itself with a Monday night meltdown on national television. This team’s defensive slapstick inspired the commissioner to joke about them during his annual state of the NFL speech. This team had one coach quit suddenly and go into broadcasting, one coach resign to spend time with his grandkids and a third coach dismissed rather coldly and then brought back to be defensive coordinator.

Close your eyes. You are picturing one of the NFL dregs, right? The Detroit Lions? The Arizona Cardinals? The Houston Texans?

Of course, you know by now — you’ve known all along — that we are talking about the Kansas City Chiefs. And yet, somehow the Chiefs have avoided being considered one of those NFL dregs. Every home game sells out. People all over town wear red to work every Friday. Every July, no matter how many years since the team has tasted playoff success, Chiefs fans hope again.

How is this possible? You have entered the Chiefs zone.

•••

It’s strange. We all lived through every one of those Chiefs failures the last nine years. I was there for every one of them. And yet, until they were all piled up one after another like dominoes, I did not quite realize exactly how bad it has been. One playoff in nine years? Four coaches? Four backup quarterbacks? That bad a road record?

If the idea of the NFL is to make the playoffs — and I suspect most of us would say that’s the idea — the Chiefs are right there with the Lions, Cardinals and Browns.

But it doesn’t feel that way, does it? I suspect this has a lot to do with Chiefs president/CEO/general manager Carl Peterson. I know many people believe that he is somehow content with losing (as long as the stadium is filled), but I have never bought that. I think he wants very much to win. He has done everything he knows to win.

The truth of course is that under Peterson, the Chiefs haven’t won. In the early years, they couldn’t quite win playoff games. And over the last nine years, they haven’t even won enough to make the playoffs. Why not? I think the answer is more complicated than “he isn’t trying” or “he doesn’t care.” My quick explanation is that the hardest thing to do in football is a build a team with the right balance between offense and defense, and Peterson has never found that balance. Good teams can beat you more than one way. The Chiefs, under Peterson, have not had that variety.

But what Peterson has done — I think better than anyone in sports — is convince everyone that his mediocre teams are actually good and promising. How? He has kept the Chiefs from having one of those comical 3-13 seasons. He has always found players with star quality — Derrick Thomas to Joe Montana to Marcus Allen to Tony Gonzalez to Priest Holmes to Larry Johnson. And the Chiefs have just missed the playoffs enough times to keep everybody coming back for more.

I’ll bet if you asked big NFL fans to name the four teams that have made the playoffs just once since 1998, everybody would get Detroit. Most would pick Arizona. Most would pick Cincinnati (though the Bengals look on pace to make the playoffs this year and get out of this league of losers).

And I suspect very few would name Kansas City. They seem better than that.

This year’s team is a perfect example. These Chiefs were once 7-4 and two touchdowns ahead of Cleveland. They looked to be a playoff team for sure. They looked to be a team on the rise. Everybody in town was excited. Truth was, they were playing over their heads. They have lost three straight, and really they were not too competitive the last two.

Monday, someone asked me this simple question: If you had a choice to build for the future, would you take this year’s Chiefs team or the 4-11-1 team from 1988 that Marty Schottenheimer inherited?

The obvious answer is that you would take this year’s team. That was my thought.

But look again: That 1988 team had three defensive Pro Bowlers — Dino Hackett, Albert Lewis and Deron Cherry. Defensive end Neil Smith was about to emerge, cornerback Kevin Ross had Pro Bowl years ahead, and the Chiefs had a high draft pick (which Peterson used to take Derrick Thomas). That team also had a powerful running back (Christian Okoye), a solid offensive line, two productive wide receivers and a veteran quarterback (Steve DeBerg). There were some pieces there. And the Chiefs won.

Now, look at this year’s team. They will likely have no defensive Pro Bowlers this season. It’s way too early to predict that any of the young defenders will emerge the way Smith, Ross and others did. The Chiefs will have a mediocre draft pick, so they probably will not get a franchise player like Thomas. They do have the great running back, but the offensive line — especially at tackle — struggles. Hall of Famer Will Shields may retire. Trent Green doesn’t look the same after his injury, and he will be 37 before next season. The Chiefs do have the fabulous Tony Gonzalez, assuming they re-sign him. Otherwise, their receiving corps is shaky and aging fast.

The point is, this Chiefs team really isn’t very good. But, like always, they had people around town (at least for a while) believing they were good. Heck, I believed it, too. This is what the Chiefs do well. They get everyone to believe. Trouble is, they’re going to miss the playoffs again. And they do that well too. Too well.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-19-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dongless

I do. Since the Chiefs have to compete with them and all, in order to get to the playoffs.

Or not.

C'mon, Donger. You know the point Rufass was trying to make is that since everyone else is mediocre, it's OK for the Chiefs to be mediocre.

So what it the NFC has 6 teams at 6-8? We play in the AFC. It has nothing to do with us. He's just another apologist who says "well if the Chiefs played in the NFC they'd be in the playoffs"

But they don't. Tough.

**Donger** · 12-19-2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

C'mon, Donger. You know the point Rufass was trying to make is that since everyone else is mediocre, it's OK for the Chiefs to be mediocre.

So what it the NFC has 6 teams at 6-8? We play in the AFC. It has nothing to do with us. He's just another apologist who says "well if the Chiefs played in the NFC they'd be in the playoffs"

But they don't. Tough.

Heh. Sorry, I completely misunderstood what you were saying.

Yes, I agree.

kc rush · 12-19-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

If 7-7 today gives you a chance to make the playoffs – and it does in the NFC — are you mediocre and, if so, what does that say about some other teams?

Uh, it says that they are mediocre teams playing in a bad division.

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-19-2006, 11:06 AM

While it will most likely not happen, I hope Clark gets rid of everyone, from Carl to the scouts to the janitors. This organizations needs a thorough colon cleansing.

Thig Lyfe · 12-19-2006, 11:08 AM

Damn. Good column.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Well you know when JOPO turned on the Royals GM he was out 3 months later?

Let's hope he still has the powah.

(Although, in that case as well as this, he was a little slow on the uptake. No matter, though, as when he finally got it, he got it good, and articulated it wonderfully)

FAX · 12-19-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

While it will most likely not happen, I hope Clark gets rid of everyone, from Carl to the scouts to the janitors. This organizations needs a thorough colon cleansing.

This would be a great time to do it, Mr. Vanilla Thunder. The Mighty Clark asserts his authority after assumption of the undivided throne.

Thing is, if it doesn't happen soon, it probably won't until Carl's contract expires.

FAX

**Bob Dole** · 12-19-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

While it will most likely not happen, I hope Clark gets rid of everyone, from Carl to the scouts to the janitors. This organizations needs a thorough colon cleansing.

The offices have looked pretty clean the few times Bob Dole has been in there. He could probably leave the janitorial staff alone.

**Bob Dole** · 12-19-2006, 11:20 AM

Since the Miracle at the Meadowlands came up in another thread...

KC needs a Morris Spielberg.

FAX · 12-19-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Since the Miracle at the Meadowlands came up in another thread...

KC needs a Morris Spielberg.

Yep. Unfortunately there is only one Morris Spielberg.

Unless you count Morrie Spielberg, the hairlipped greengrocer.

FAX

Wile_E_Coyote · 12-19-2006, 11:28 AM

chicken or egg? The second favorite topic on one of the Chiefs most popular fan sites, poop

Deberg_1990 · 12-19-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

But what Peterson has done — I think better than anyone in sports — is convince everyone that his mediocre teams are actually good and promising. How? He has kept the Chiefs from having one of those comical 3-13 seasons. He has always found players with star quality — Derrick Thomas to Joe Montana to Marcus Allen to Tony Gonzalez to Priest Holmes to Larry Johnson. And the Chiefs have just missed the playoffs enough times to keep everybody coming back for more.

Great job JoPo. You just summed up everything ive been saying the past couple of weeks, but did it better than i ever could. I think i just found my new signature...

Time for this bum to be shown the door....

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-19-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

The offices have looked pretty clean the few times Bob Dole has been in there. He could probably leave the janitorial staff alone.

They shall stay on then.

Should Clark give the janitorial staff free colon cleansings for their great work?

Mr. Laz · 12-19-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

This organizations needs a thorough colon cleansing.

this town needs an enema...

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-19-2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

this town needs an enema...

Now that would be SWEET if the Joker were our next GM.

FAX · 12-19-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

Now that would be SWEET if the Joker were our next GM.

You mean, we don't, Mr. Vanilla Thunder?

"Now comes the part where I relieve you, the little people, of the burden of your failed and useless lives. But remember, as my plastic surgeon always said: if you gotta go, go with a smile."

FAX

12-19-2006, 07:54 AM
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $-1375050	JoPo: Carl has us all fooled http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/16270526.htm Let’s face it — Chiefs aren’t that good JOE POSNANSKI The Kansas City Star Picture, if you will, a football team. This is not any ordinary football team. This is a team that has made the playoffs one time in the last nine years. Once. In nine years. This obviously is not a particularly good football team. In those nine years, this team has been led by four different head coaches (three defensive guys, one offensive guy), guided by four quarterbacks (all backups from other teams) and has finished, on average, 22nd in the league in total defense. You have pictured a team in total disarray, yes? Let us divulge that team also has been miserable away from home — a 25-46 road record over those nine years. No toughness. This team has had just one of its drafted defensive players make the Pro Bowl over that nine-year drought (and that was a fluke, he was on the bench the very next year). This team has not been to a Super Bowl in Lance Armstrong’s lifetime. This team embarrassed itself with a Monday night meltdown on national television. This team’s defensive slapstick inspired the commissioner to joke about them during his annual state of the NFL speech. This team had one coach quit suddenly and go into broadcasting, one coach resign to spend time with his grandkids and a third coach dismissed rather coldly and then brought back to be defensive coordinator. Close your eyes. You are picturing one of the NFL dregs, right? The Detroit Lions? The Arizona Cardinals? The Houston Texans? Of course, you know by now — you’ve known all along — that we are talking about the Kansas City Chiefs. And yet, somehow the Chiefs have avoided being considered one of those NFL dregs. Every home game sells out. People all over town wear red to work every Friday. Every July, no matter how many years since the team has tasted playoff success, Chiefs fans hope again. How is this possible? You have entered the Chiefs zone. ••• It’s strange. We all lived through every one of those Chiefs failures the last nine years. I was there for every one of them. And yet, until they were all piled up one after another like dominoes, I did not quite realize exactly how bad it has been. One playoff in nine years? Four coaches? Four backup quarterbacks? That bad a road record? If the idea of the NFL is to make the playoffs — and I suspect most of us would say that’s the idea — the Chiefs are right there with the Lions, Cardinals and Browns. But it doesn’t feel that way, does it? I suspect this has a lot to do with Chiefs president/CEO/general manager Carl Peterson. I know many people believe that he is somehow content with losing (as long as the stadium is filled), but I have never bought that. I think he wants very much to win. He has done everything he knows to win. The truth of course is that under Peterson, the Chiefs haven’t won. In the early years, they couldn’t quite win playoff games. And over the last nine years, they haven’t even won enough to make the playoffs. Why not? I think the answer is more complicated than “he isn’t trying” or “he doesn’t care.” My quick explanation is that the hardest thing to do in football is a build a team with the right balance between offense and defense, and Peterson has never found that balance. Good teams can beat you more than one way. The Chiefs, under Peterson, have not had that variety. But what Peterson has done — I think better than anyone in sports — is convince everyone that his mediocre teams are actually good and promising. How? He has kept the Chiefs from having one of those comical 3-13 seasons. He has always found players with star quality — Derrick Thomas to Joe Montana to Marcus Allen to Tony Gonzalez to Priest Holmes to Larry Johnson. And the Chiefs have just missed the playoffs enough times to keep everybody coming back for more. I’ll bet if you asked big NFL fans to name the four teams that have made the playoffs just once since 1998, everybody would get Detroit. Most would pick Arizona. Most would pick Cincinnati (though the Bengals look on pace to make the playoffs this year and get out of this league of losers). And I suspect very few would name Kansas City. They seem better than that. This year’s team is a perfect example. These Chiefs were once 7-4 and two touchdowns ahead of Cleveland. They looked to be a playoff team for sure. They looked to be a team on the rise. Everybody in town was excited. Truth was, they were playing over their heads. They have lost three straight, and really they were not too competitive the last two. Monday, someone asked me this simple question: If you had a choice to build for the future, would you take this year’s Chiefs team or the 4-11-1 team from 1988 that Marty Schottenheimer inherited? The obvious answer is that you would take this year’s team. That was my thought. But look again: That 1988 team had three defensive Pro Bowlers — Dino Hackett, Albert Lewis and Deron Cherry. Defensive end Neil Smith was about to emerge, cornerback Kevin Ross had Pro Bowl years ahead, and the Chiefs had a high draft pick (which Peterson used to take Derrick Thomas). That team also had a powerful running back (Christian Okoye), a solid offensive line, two productive wide receivers and a veteran quarterback (Steve DeBerg). There were some pieces there. And the Chiefs won. Now, look at this year’s team. They will likely have no defensive Pro Bowlers this season. It’s way too early to predict that any of the young defenders will emerge the way Smith, Ross and others did. The Chiefs will have a mediocre draft pick, so they probably will not get a franchise player like Thomas. They do have the great running back, but the offensive line — especially at tackle — struggles. Hall of Famer Will Shields may retire. Trent Green doesn’t look the same after his injury, and he will be 37 before next season. The Chiefs do have the fabulous Tony Gonzalez, assuming they re-sign him. Otherwise, their receiving corps is shaky and aging fast. The point is, this Chiefs team really isn’t very good. But, like always, they had people around town (at least for a while) believing they were good. Heck, I believed it, too. This is what the Chiefs do well. They get everyone to believe. Trouble is, they’re going to miss the playoffs again. And they do that well too. Too well.
Posts: 71,919

12-19-2006, 11:06 AM	#49
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6868717	While it will most likely not happen, I hope Clark gets rid of everyone, from Carl to the scouts to the janitors. This organizations needs a thorough colon cleansing. __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,653

12-19-2006, 11:20 AM	#53
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $-1344563	Since the Miracle at the Meadowlands came up in another thread... KC needs a Morris Spielberg.
Posts: 51,605

12-19-2006, 11:28 AM	#55
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	chicken or egg? The second favorite topic on one of the Chiefs most popular fan sites, poop
Posts: 6,009