Chiefs You knew this was coming!!!...Whitlock

**BossChief** · 11-22-2009, 04:58 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...y/1585560.html

Bowe a victim of the win-at-all-costs pressure
By JASON WHITLOCK
The Kansas City Star

This column is not intended as a rationalization of Dwayne Bowe’s mistake relating to performance-enhancing drugs. Nor is it intended to be a demonization of Chiefs head coach Todd Haley.

My perspective on the world is colored by my football-playing experience and my belief that most of the media tend to see the sports world from the perspective of coaches and executives.

As members of the media, we get more access to coaches and executives than we do the athletes. The typical sports columnist or broadcaster is closer in age to the head coach or general manager/athletics director than the athletes.

The most surprising thing about Bowe’s suspension for using a PED is that he is the only member of the Chiefs to get busted. Bowe claims he used a diuretic to lose weight. Haley spent the offseason demanding that the Chiefs lose weight.

I know many of you don’t care about what may have driven Bowe to skirt the rules. You believe if you were paid millions of dollars to play a game, you’d have little trouble staying in proper condition. You’d do everything the right way as long as you were paid a huge sum of money.

The truth is, you’d struggle with right-and-wrong decisions just as much as today’s athletes. Humans are flawed. We all react differently to pressure. It brings out the best in some of us and the worst in others.

The culture of football begs athletes to cheat. Not to single out Mark Mangino, but listen to the stories we’ve heard this week about the culture inside the Kansas football program. That culture — minus the mean-spirited personal attacks — exists throughout college and professional football.

Injured players are pressured to play. They’re treated poorly by the coaching staff. Players who get away with circumventing rules relating to PEDs and excel on the field are rewarded with accolades and huge contracts.

Dwayne Bowe did exactly what the NFL asked him to do. Football demands that an athlete heal as soon as possible and by any means necessary. Football demands that an athlete get leaner, faster and stronger as soon as possible and by any means necessary. Football doesn’t tolerate excuses.

When someone raises an objection to the unethical culture of football, fans object. They argue that society has become “too soft.” They complain that kids don’t keep score in soccer matches and everyone must play in little league.

Do football fans realize that society has become far more unethical, too? Maybe a softer society is preferable to a more unethical one?

It feels like most Americans will do just about anything for money these days. And we’re disappointed when athletes mirror the rest of society. Dwayne Bowe is a kid compared to the 40- and 50-year-olds who cut corners in corporate America.

I understand personal accountability. And I realize Bowe should’ve never put himself in a situation in which he needed to cut weight quickly.

We want 20-something athletes to be leaders and role models. They’re famous and make a lot of money. You can say the same about the coaches. But we don’t want to hold them to the same high standards as athletes. Coaches and executives create the win-at-all-cost environment.

There are a number of people who view Mark Mangino as a victim. Mangino’s defenders believe his coaching approach prepares young people for a cruel world. It also prepares them to be cruel.

In their desperation to hold onto their money and fame, coaches are becoming more ruthless. The athletes take the majority of the heat. It’s very rare that a situation arises like what we’re witnessing at Kansas. The culture of football rarely gets challenged publicly.

Chiefs fans are so desperate for victories that it’s difficult to discuss the “winning” culture Scott Pioli and Todd Haley are putting in place at Arrowhead Stadium. Bowe’s suspension for PEDs is a reflection of that culture. It is.

Respect is at the foundation of ethics. If there is no respect, there is even less adherence to ethical standards.

Haley’s coaching style is disrespectful. For all the celebration of Bill Belichick and the Patriots Way, I understand why some people believe the Patriots Way was tainted by “spygate.”

In terms of wins and losses this season, I had low expectations for Haley and Pioli in year one. What I expected were a few individual success stories. Bowe is another flop. Tamba Hali’s 3 1/2 sacks, a rookie kicker and Jamaal Charles’ long run against the Raiders are our signs of progress.

The “process” to a winning culture is a lot more confusing than I anticipated.

Hammock Parties · 11-22-2009, 05:00 AM

worst thing he has written in awhile

rambling and incoherent

**BossChief** · 11-22-2009, 05:14 AM

What is wrong with some people?

Doesn't anyone take ****ing responsibility anymore?

Droid is responsible for putting something in his body that he knew was banned.

Everyone knew the moment that Droid was named as suspended, that Whitlock would blame Haley.

I love it how he starts off the article with saying he doesn't want this to turn into Haley demonization and then beats around the bush for awhile then lets the shit fly trying to further demonize Haley.

Whitlock is probably the most predictable writer I have seen.

rocks · 11-22-2009, 05:55 AM

Total Crap.

milkman · 11-22-2009, 07:34 AM

I thought it was his best article in a long time.

|Zach| · 11-22-2009, 07:37 AM

I know it is really fashionable to hate Whitlock articles but I don't see the problem with this one...

Or most of them.

**Bwana** · 11-22-2009, 07:38 AM

A complete pile of steaming poo.

KCUnited · 11-22-2009, 08:41 AM

I don't see the players that are coming back next year showing up to workouts and camp serverly overweight in the culture that Haley/Pioli are creating right now. The multiple high profile players that showed up to workouts overweight this year are a reflection of the prior regimes culture not Pioli's "winning" culture as Whitlock describes it above.

-King- · 11-22-2009, 08:45 AM

People have a hate whitlock at all costs mind set too. I really didn't see anything wrong with the article except the part about haley. The other things are true. Plays do want to win at all costs. That's why they play when they shouldn't. That's why mike sellers said that he wouldn't tell the trainers if a teammate had signs of a concussion because he didn't want to be labled a snitch.
Posted via Mobile Device

Deberg_1990 · 11-22-2009, 08:51 AM

Dane should be happy now. Sounds like JWhit stole the idea for this from him.

**ExtremeChief** · 11-22-2009, 08:51 AM

While I still am not thrilled with Haley's play calling, I like that he is making players accountable. The former regime was entirely too soft on players. I don't know if Haley will create winners out of these guys but I sure think they will be tougher physically and mentally. We will see if he can actually coach the x's and o's as we go on.

KCUnited · 11-22-2009, 09:08 AM

Anybody remember that interview with Pioli before training camp where he was talking about watching film from last season and how you could see guys getting overweight as the season went along?

I can't remember if it was a TV or print interview.

|Zach| · 11-22-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

A complete pile of steaming poo.

What exactly is it about this article?

Dinny Bossa Nova · 11-22-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

worst thing he has written in awhile

rambling and incoherent

Clayton, I believe it would be very big of you to help Jason out instead of constantly bashing him. Take the little guy under your wing. Coach him up and make a good writer out of him.

Think of all us folks you could make happy. Every column he writes would be loved by all.

Think of all the papers The Star would sell. People would be lining up to buy the paper every time his column was in it.

Then some big time newspaper would probably snatch him away and he'd go on to be a bigtime writer in a bigtime city. Kinda like Johnny Damon or sumthin.

Dinny

Reerun_KC · 11-22-2009, 09:15 AM

JW has become so total ilrelevant now... Why anyone would care what he has to say is beyond me...

Dude is a 2 star hack...

11-22-2009, 04:58 AM
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1794088	You knew this was coming!!!...Whitlock http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...y/1585560.html Bowe a victim of the win-at-all-costs pressure By JASON WHITLOCK The Kansas City Star This column is not intended as a rationalization of Dwayne Bowe’s mistake relating to performance-enhancing drugs. Nor is it intended to be a demonization of Chiefs head coach Todd Haley. My perspective on the world is colored by my football-playing experience and my belief that most of the media tend to see the sports world from the perspective of coaches and executives. As members of the media, we get more access to coaches and executives than we do the athletes. The typical sports columnist or broadcaster is closer in age to the head coach or general manager/athletics director than the athletes. The most surprising thing about Bowe’s suspension for using a PED is that he is the only member of the Chiefs to get busted. Bowe claims he used a diuretic to lose weight. Haley spent the offseason demanding that the Chiefs lose weight. I know many of you don’t care about what may have driven Bowe to skirt the rules. You believe if you were paid millions of dollars to play a game, you’d have little trouble staying in proper condition. You’d do everything the right way as long as you were paid a huge sum of money. The truth is, you’d struggle with right-and-wrong decisions just as much as today’s athletes. Humans are flawed. We all react differently to pressure. It brings out the best in some of us and the worst in others. The culture of football begs athletes to cheat. Not to single out Mark Mangino, but listen to the stories we’ve heard this week about the culture inside the Kansas football program. That culture — minus the mean-spirited personal attacks — exists throughout college and professional football. Injured players are pressured to play. They’re treated poorly by the coaching staff. Players who get away with circumventing rules relating to PEDs and excel on the field are rewarded with accolades and huge contracts. Dwayne Bowe did exactly what the NFL asked him to do. Football demands that an athlete heal as soon as possible and by any means necessary. Football demands that an athlete get leaner, faster and stronger as soon as possible and by any means necessary. Football doesn’t tolerate excuses. When someone raises an objection to the unethical culture of football, fans object. They argue that society has become “too soft.” They complain that kids don’t keep score in soccer matches and everyone must play in little league. Do football fans realize that society has become far more unethical, too? Maybe a softer society is preferable to a more unethical one? It feels like most Americans will do just about anything for money these days. And we’re disappointed when athletes mirror the rest of society. Dwayne Bowe is a kid compared to the 40- and 50-year-olds who cut corners in corporate America. I understand personal accountability. And I realize Bowe should’ve never put himself in a situation in which he needed to cut weight quickly. We want 20-something athletes to be leaders and role models. They’re famous and make a lot of money. You can say the same about the coaches. But we don’t want to hold them to the same high standards as athletes. Coaches and executives create the win-at-all-cost environment. There are a number of people who view Mark Mangino as a victim. Mangino’s defenders believe his coaching approach prepares young people for a cruel world. It also prepares them to be cruel. In their desperation to hold onto their money and fame, coaches are becoming more ruthless. The athletes take the majority of the heat. It’s very rare that a situation arises like what we’re witnessing at Kansas. The culture of football rarely gets challenged publicly. Chiefs fans are so desperate for victories that it’s difficult to discuss the “winning” culture Scott Pioli and Todd Haley are putting in place at Arrowhead Stadium. Bowe’s suspension for PEDs is a reflection of that culture. It is. Respect is at the foundation of ethics. If there is no respect, there is even less adherence to ethical standards. Haley’s coaching style is disrespectful. For all the celebration of Bill Belichick and the Patriots Way, I understand why some people believe the Patriots Way was tainted by “spygate.” In terms of wins and losses this season, I had low expectations for Haley and Pioli in year one. What I expected were a few individual success stories. Bowe is another flop. Tamba Hali’s 3 1/2 sacks, a rookie kicker and Jamaal Charles’ long run against the Raiders are our signs of progress. The “process” to a winning culture is a lot more confusing than I anticipated.
Posts: 47,140

11-22-2009, 05:00 AM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4630478	worst thing he has written in awhile rambling and incoherent __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,145

11-22-2009, 05:14 AM	#3
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1794088	What is wrong with some people? Doesn't anyone take **ing responsibility anymore? Droid is responsible for putting something in his body that he knew was banned. Everyone knew the moment that Droid was named as suspended, that Whitlock would blame Haley. I love it how he starts off the article with saying he doesn't want this to turn into Haley demonization and then beats around the bush for awhile then lets the shit fly trying to further demonize Haley. Whitlock is probably the most predictable** writer I have seen. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,140

11-22-2009, 05:55 AM	#4
rocks Box of Rocks Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Joplin Missouri Casino cash: $10004900	Total Crap.
Posts: 315

11-22-2009, 07:34 AM	#5
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	I thought it was his best article in a long time. __________________
Posts: 70,769

11-22-2009, 07:37 AM	#6
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5276768	I know it is really fashionable to hate Whitlock articles but I don't see the problem with this one... Or most of them.
Posts: 53,446

11-22-2009, 07:38 AM	#7
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139463647	A complete pile of steaming poo. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,759

11-22-2009, 08:41 AM	#8
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2208244	I don't see the players that are coming back next year showing up to workouts and camp serverly overweight in the culture that Haley/Pioli are creating right now. The multiple high profile players that showed up to workouts overweight this year are a reflection of the prior regimes culture not Pioli's "winning" culture as Whitlock describes it above.
Posts: 33,960

11-22-2009, 08:45 AM	#9
-King- ▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓ Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $2405743	People have a hate whitlock at all costs mind set too. I really didn't see anything wrong with the article except the part about haley. The other things are true. Plays do want to win at all costs. That's why they play when they shouldn't. That's why mike sellers said that he wouldn't tell the trainers if a teammate had signs of a concussion because he didn't want to be labled a snitch. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 63,894

11-22-2009, 08:51 AM	#10
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Dane should be happy now. Sounds like JWhit stole the idea for this from him.
Posts: 66,914

11-22-2009, 08:51 AM	#11
ExtremeChief Poser Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: BFE, MO Casino cash: $9991344	While I still am not thrilled with Haley's play calling, I like that he is making players accountable. The former regime was entirely too soft on players. I don't know if Haley will create winners out of these guys but I sure think they will be tougher physically and mentally. We will see if he can actually coach the x's and o's as we go on. __________________ When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
Posts: 2,354

11-22-2009, 09:08 AM	#12
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2208244	Anybody remember that interview with Pioli before training camp where he was talking about watching film from last season and how you could see guys getting overweight as the season went along? I can't remember if it was a TV or print interview.
Posts: 33,960

11-22-2009, 09:15 AM	#15
Reerun_KC Rock Chalk Jayhawks! KU!!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $8301160	JW has become so total ilrelevant now... Why anyone would care what he has to say is beyond me... Dude is a 2 star hack...
Posts: 934