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

[C-Mac]

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.

[kcfanXIII]

if he wrote this about the real media, and not just the sports media, i could agree. how in the hell did he get from trying to rebuild a football franchise to the iraq war? sorry, if it doesn't work out pioli isn't responsible for the deaths of thousands of our soldiers. this is pure garbage.

[Halfcan]

Jwitt needs to find another job.

[FringeNC]

Originally Posted by milkman

Safeest in that he (Cassel) has already shown that he can play in the NFL, and showed improvement from his first game to his last.

And I highly doubt that he will be held to a higher standard with Cassel because of the very fact that, unlike Sanchez and Stafford, he has done it in the NFL.

If anything, he will be excused because he went the safe route.

I disagree. If we give up the 34th pick and make Cassel one of the highest paid players in the league (which I'm assuming we'll do), Pioli is placing a big bet here. If Cassel doesn't perform at a Pro Bowl level, Pioli's reputation is going to take a huge hit. Pioli didn't trade for Cassel because he was the safe choice, he traded for him because he thought he was the best choice. Not saying he is right or wrong, but there is nothing safe about in my opinon.

Now had he gone the rookie route, there is the incubation period for rookie QBs, plus the built-in excuse that there are quite a few 1st round QB flops. There is very little pressure on Pioli in that scenario for at least two years. By acquiring Cassel, the pressure is on he and Pioli to perform well from day one.

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

Because you may have missed it....

The Chiefs had a media conference call with Cassel; because he couldn't be there. However, during the call Matt said he was in the same building as the reporters and wasn't allowed to meet with them. The TV cameras ran down the hall a got footage of him leaving another room where he called from.

If Carl had done the same thing this board explodes. I just hope we don't give someone a free pass because he is the new guy.

By the way, I did miss that.

And where ever it comes from, it's crazy as hell to lie to the media in a situation like that. It's definately not a good start. I suspect media relations and privacy are going to be a whole new world.

I don't think it reflects on the football stuff though. His mere hiring earns him a full year or two of "wait and see" freedom.

And as such, I'll defend the need to "wait and see".

While I think that stunt is outright stuipd, it doesn't impact my faith in Pioli's football abilities. They are completely different things.

That he's acting like BB (even the bad parts) is a good thing in my mind. Until proven otherwise, I'll wait and see on the football side.

[Mojo Jojo]

Originally Posted by jAZ

Isn't that more Belicheck rather than Carl Peterson? But no doubt, if Carl had pulled that at any time after the "5 year plan" expired... he'd be crushed.

So Scott acts because that is the way BB did it? However I agree with you.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

The first part of your post is correct. How may times in the past ten years have we heard that if this was any market outside of KC Carl would be hung out to dry. Now it is wrong because the KC media and/or fans may ask a question?
Come on DCS you are better than that post.

I said "they should open up the door a little more". What are you disagreeing with exactly?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

I disagree. If we give up the 34th pick and make Cassel one of the highest paid players in the league (which I'm assuming we'll do), Pioli is placing a big bet here. If Cassel doesn't perform at a Pro Bowl level, Pioli's reputation is going to take a huge hit. Pioli didn't trade for Cassel because he was the safe choice, he traded for him because he thought he was the best choice. Not saying he is right or wrong, but there is nothing safe about in my opinon.

Now had he gone the rookie route, there is the incubation period for rookie QBs, plus the built-in excuse that there are quite a few 1st round QB flops. There is very little pressure on Pioli in that scenario for at least two years. By acquiring Cassel, the pressure is on he and Pioli to perform well from day one.

I disagree.
Cassel is his free pass.

He went out and traded for the hot commodity, the NFL proven commodity.
If he turns out to be a one year wonder, then how was Pioli supposed to know that?

If he drafts a QB, and that QB busts, then they question why he drafted that QB when he could have taken a safer position.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by milkman

I'm sorry, but as much as I was opposed to the Cassel trade, I hope, as Messier does, that Cassel gives us ten years+ of top tier QB play.

He's ours, for better or worse, so hoping for anything less would just be stupid.

I agree, don't like the move but hopefully he delivers us a Super Bowl.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

I disagree. If we give up the 34th pick and make Cassel one of the highest paid players in the league (which I'm assuming we'll do), Pioli is placing a big bet here. If Cassel doesn't perform at a Pro Bowl level, Pioli's reputation is going to take a huge hit. Pioli didn't trade for Cassel because he was the safe choice, he traded for him because he thought he was the best choice. Not saying he is right or wrong, but there is nothing safe about in my opinon.

Now had he gone the rookie route, there is the incubation period for rookie QBs, plus the built-in excuse that there are quite a few 1st round QB flops. There is very little pressure on Pioli in that scenario for at least two years. By acquiring Cassel, the pressure is on he and Pioli to perform well from day one.

And that's exactly why I believe Cassel is Pioli's hedged bet.

I mean, let's be realistic here; Croyle, Martin, and Gray are going to be a part of this roster? Hell, Thigpen might end up traded or on the waiver wire. I'd LIKE to think that my new Head Coach has an eye for seeing true talent Vs. "fill the roster", yes?

We'll see. That's all I can ultimately say.

[DeezNutz]

Is it possible for this board to expunge the term "safe" when talking about a ****ing draft pick?

[FringeNC]

Originally Posted by milkman

I disagree.
Cassel is his free pass.

He went out and traded for the hot commodity, the NFL proven commodity.
If he turns out to be a one year wonder, then how was Pioli supposed to know that?

If he drafts a QB, and that QB busts, then they question why he drafted that QB when he could have taken a safer position.

Who is going to give Pioli a free pass with Cassel?

[Messier]

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

So Scott acts because that is the way BB did it? However I agree with you.

You've somehow got it in your head that Pioli isn't his own man, and that he was just a BB yes man. I don't know how everything was run in NE, but I'm gonna go ahead and guess that you don't either. I'll go with the general opinion of the NFL community that Pioli is a great football man, and was one of, if not the best candidate to be promoted to GM.

[Mojo Jojo]

Originally Posted by milkman

I disagree.
Cassel is his free pass.

He went out and traded for the hot commodity, the NFL proven commodity.
If he turns out to be a one year wonder, then how was Pioli supposed to know that?

If he drafts a QB, and that QB busts, then they question why he drafted that QB when he could have taken a safer position.

Steve Puellar, Steve Bono, Scott Mitchell, Jeff Hosterler etc... all good NFL back up QB's on good teams who went to other teams as the starter. A NFL hot commodity is nothing more than the flavor of the day. John Elway, Dan Marino, Phil Simms, Peyton Manning etc. were not traded for as back ups. Only Eli was acquired in a trade and I don't think the Chiefs have the #1 pick this year.

Pioli is doing the same thing Carl did. However; now it's the right way to build a team.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by milkman

I disagree.
Cassel is his free pass.

He went out and traded for the hot commodity, the NFL proven commodity.
If he turns out to be a one year wonder, then how was Pioli supposed to know that?

If he drafts a QB, and that QB busts, then they question why he drafted that QB when he could have taken a safer position.

exactly

[Mojo Jojo]

Originally Posted by Messier

You've somehow got it in your head that Pioli isn't his own man, and that he was just a BB yes man. I don't know how everything was run in NE, but I'm gonna go ahead and guess that you don't either. I'll go with the general opinion of the NFL community that Pioli is a great football man, and was one of, if not the best candidate to be promoted to GM.

Once again...20 Years ago CP was the hottest GM candidate in the NFL. Three teams including the Chiefs were pursuing him. What is different today? Carl had a history of success...Scott has a history of success. Please I just want the freedom to question someone. That is what makes boards fun.