Gretz thinks we should sacrifice the cap in 06 and 07 and go all out in FA...

Chiefs Pantalones · 01-29-2005, 01:58 PM

GRETZ: Bubbling Mailbag
Jan 28, 2005, 5:41:51 AM by Bob Gretz

This week’s epistles on the conference championship games and Ty Law have drawn plenty of reaction from the readers. So, let’s hit the mail bag.

From Steve: “How was Bill Cowher able to rebuild the Steelers so quickly, going from 6-10 to 15-1? I know they didn’t win the AFC Championship Game, but they were there. How did they do it, and why can’t the Chiefs do the same thing?”

Good question, Steve. However, remember this, there have been plenty of examples in recent seasons of teams that have gone from outhouse to penthouse in one season. Don’t forget, Dick Vermeil’s Rams did just that in 1999 and won the Super Bowl. Those stories do not guarantee long-term success. Let’s see what the Steelers are able to do in 2005 before we say Cowher has built a contender that will last.

But here’s how Cowher got this thing done: he went back to his roots. He had been trying to open up his offense with the passing game for the last few years and that produced mixed results at best. This year, he went back to the running game. He signed free agent Duce Staley for a contract that hardly broke the Pittsburgh bank. Jerome Bettis decided to stay around at a reduced price. Defensively, they got big seasons out of LB James Farrior and S Troy Polamalu, but the big addition was the return of coordinator Dick LeBeau, who brought back the Blitzburgh-style defense.

The Steelers are a very stable organization and that allows a coach to make decision based on what he believes, not what he needs to do to satisfy the owner. Now, on the situation with Ty Law; reaction ran 75-25 against the Chiefs going after the Patriots veteran cornerback. Here are just some of the reactions:

“Spend millions on an over 30-year old corner? That’s crazy … You pointed out many of the negatives involving Law; it’s not worth the risk … the Chiefs need to do something and stop sitting on their hands in free agency, so why not go after Law? Go after somebody? … Law would fill a hole in the Chiefs defense for 2005. What’s wrong with signing him?”

As I wrote earlier in the week, Law may not be a bad signee, if he’s healthy and his money demands are realistic. But we also must remember this: right now Law is not a free agent. He’s under contract to the Patriots, and yes his cap number means that deal will be re-negotiated. Until he becomes available, yapping about Law seems rather senseless.

Now, the question (If not Law, then who?) is legitimate. Unfortunately, right now it’s a waste of time trying to outline the possibilities. Free agency does not begin until March 2nd. In the time between now and then, there are a host of potential free agents who will re-sign with their teams and will not become available. There’s another handful of players that are under contract for next year, but they will become available because of salary cap concerns.

Rest assured the Chiefs know the potential free agents, and the other players who may become cap casualties. And also rest assured the Chiefs will go out and sign some free agents this year. I’m not sure why everyone assumes they will sit out the free agency season: Carl Peterson is on record saying the team will have money under the cap to go after several players.

Let’s wrap it up with this e-mail from ChiefsGiant: “Here’s what I want to know: are the Chiefs going to go for it in 2005, with it being Dick Vermeil’s last season, or are they going to approach the season as part of the so-called “big picture”? Personally, I want to go for it, but I also don’t know if I could take spending a couple years going 4-12 if we blow up the salary cap and end up having to dump players. What are the Chiefs going to do?”

Now, here’s the best question of the week. ChiefsGiant, you are right, it’s not who, it’s what are the Chiefs going to do? The last time the organization said collectively “Let’s Go For It” was 1998, when they took chances on players like Chester McGlockton and continued to roll the dice with guys like Andre Rison and Wayne Simmons. That blew up in the team’s face and ultimately drove Marty Schottenheimer into a short retirement.

But like you ChiefsGiant, I think they should go for it. This offensive talent is not going to be around here forever. Sacrifice the cap in 2006 and 2007 and make a run for the title. If not, then 2005 becomes a lame duck season.

sorry if repost

go bo · 01-29-2005, 02:06 PM

it would be great to see the chiefies do this, but only if they can get players like priest holmes, or even lionel dalton...

**Rausch** · 01-29-2005, 02:37 PM

If we win a superbowl this year we could go 1-42 afterwards and I'd still be ****ing glowing...

Gor for it all. Spend whatever is necessary for TALENTED FA's we think can help.

Chiefs Pantalones · 01-29-2005, 02:41 PM

I agree, Brad.

I don't want them to spend it all on one guy or two, but spread it out, but still be pretty high on the signing bonus, that way they WILL sign with us. Players could give a crap about the salary, they want that signing bonus. Lamar is gonna be gone soon he can't take all that money with him. His family will have PLENTY left over when he sadly passes, no matter what, and the Chiefs will still be here.

I want at least one Super Bowl victory before I call I hit the coffin lol

Calcountry · 01-29-2005, 03:42 PM

live for today, for tomorrow we are all dead.

htismaqe · 01-29-2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

If we win a superbowl this year we could go 1-42 afterwards and I'd still be ****ing glowing...

Gor for it all. Spend whatever is necessary for TALENTED FA's we think can help.

Yep.

I want a change, from Carl Peterson on down. I also realize that such a change likely means losing seasons.

Let's win a Super Bowl and then clean house.

go bo · 01-29-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

If we win a superbowl this year we could go 1-42 afterwards and I'd still be ****ing glowing...

Gor for it all. Spend whatever is necessary for TALENTED FA's we think can help.

well, glowing would be nice...

chiefqueen · 01-29-2005, 07:51 PM

I agree w/Gretz. We will be in rebuilding mode in 2006 no matter what happens in 2005. DV already said he's retiring after 2005. CP is strongly hinting at it and Lamar is hinting about turning the team over to Clark.

whoman69 · 01-30-2005, 12:10 AM

I am convinced that going after the highest priced free agents makes a team worse. You tie up big money in one guy who has already had some time in the limelight, so his days are numbered. You then cannot afford to hit other weak spots on your team. I look more towards the model of the Patriots and Steelers. They go after good players that will not break the bank. They stay within a sane fiscal structure and it keeps them where they need to be. I look at a team like the Colts who are going to blow big money on several players, yet leave huge holes in their team. They will never get over the hump. When they crash, it could be very hard.

**Mr. Kotter** · 01-30-2005, 12:12 AM

Yep.

Gretz is right, as far as I'm concerned on THIS one....

**Manila-Chief** · 01-30-2005, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go bo

it would be great to see the chiefies do this, but only if they can get players like priest holmes, or even lionel dalton...

Go ... my disagreement with you is over the word "only" ... I think they ought to do all they can to put a winner on the field for this year. Period!!! Go for it NOW!!! Yes, choose wisely but spend all they can to put forth the best possible team.

Of course if we win a S.B. ... I can put up with 5 or 6 years of rebuilding (it will probably take longer than that for me to come back to earth) ... but, if Kingless, Gun, and D.V. do all they can to fix the D and it doesn't work I'll be satisfied. Yes, I'll be unhappy but knowing they tried will consol me, even if we have to go into a rebuilding mode because of a shot cap.

But, Yesssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!! I must say this in fairness... Most of the time I don't like reading Bob Gretz, but I agree 100% with him on this.

I sure hope he is a mouth piece for the F.O.on this issue. Because, if the F.O. does it's usual just patch things up bit routine ... then it will be a half dozen years before we start winning again anyway. I say that because D.V. will be gone, most of the O will be gone, and I hope Kingless will go ... So, after this year it is likely to be rather bleak around Chiefdom!!!!!

FloridaChief · 01-30-2005, 12:47 AM

Gretz is right. Gor for it now...

ROYC75 · 01-30-2005, 08:24 AM

With who we have on offense now, I agree, we are not getting young very quick.

But in reality, wouldn't be nice to have a team built along the lines of New Englands, you know a front office followed by a defense that can stop teams from scoring.

htismaqe · 01-30-2005, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

With who we have on offense now, I agree, we are not getting young very quick.

But in reality, wouldn't be nice to have a team built along the lines of New Englands, you know a front office followed by a defense that can stop teams from scoring.

Yeah, it would be nice.

But so would a Super Bowl appearance for the first time in 3 decades.

It's time to forget about the future.

**Baby Lee** · 01-30-2005, 09:02 AM

Quote:

wouldn't be nice to have a team built along the lines of New Englands

And the best way to begin that process is to go all out for a player the Pats consider not worth the cost?

01-29-2005, 01:58 PM
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $7888717	Gretz thinks we should sacrifice the cap in 06 and 07 and go all out in FA... GRETZ: Bubbling Mailbag Jan 28, 2005, 5:41:51 AM by Bob Gretz This week’s epistles on the conference championship games and Ty Law have drawn plenty of reaction from the readers. So, let’s hit the mail bag. From Steve: “How was Bill Cowher able to rebuild the Steelers so quickly, going from 6-10 to 15-1? I know they didn’t win the AFC Championship Game, but they were there. How did they do it, and why can’t the Chiefs do the same thing?” Good question, Steve. However, remember this, there have been plenty of examples in recent seasons of teams that have gone from outhouse to penthouse in one season. Don’t forget, Dick Vermeil’s Rams did just that in 1999 and won the Super Bowl. Those stories do not guarantee long-term success. Let’s see what the Steelers are able to do in 2005 before we say Cowher has built a contender that will last. But here’s how Cowher got this thing done: he went back to his roots. He had been trying to open up his offense with the passing game for the last few years and that produced mixed results at best. This year, he went back to the running game. He signed free agent Duce Staley for a contract that hardly broke the Pittsburgh bank. Jerome Bettis decided to stay around at a reduced price. Defensively, they got big seasons out of LB James Farrior and S Troy Polamalu, but the big addition was the return of coordinator Dick LeBeau, who brought back the Blitzburgh-style defense. The Steelers are a very stable organization and that allows a coach to make decision based on what he believes, not what he needs to do to satisfy the owner. Now, on the situation with Ty Law; reaction ran 75-25 against the Chiefs going after the Patriots veteran cornerback. Here are just some of the reactions: “Spend millions on an over 30-year old corner? That’s crazy … You pointed out many of the negatives involving Law; it’s not worth the risk … the Chiefs need to do something and stop sitting on their hands in free agency, so why not go after Law? Go after somebody? … Law would fill a hole in the Chiefs defense for 2005. What’s wrong with signing him?” As I wrote earlier in the week, Law may not be a bad signee, if he’s healthy and his money demands are realistic. But we also must remember this: right now Law is not a free agent. He’s under contract to the Patriots, and yes his cap number means that deal will be re-negotiated. Until he becomes available, yapping about Law seems rather senseless. Now, the question (If not Law, then who?) is legitimate. Unfortunately, right now it’s a waste of time trying to outline the possibilities. Free agency does not begin until March 2nd. In the time between now and then, there are a host of potential free agents who will re-sign with their teams and will not become available. There’s another handful of players that are under contract for next year, but they will become available because of salary cap concerns. Rest assured the Chiefs know the potential free agents, and the other players who may become cap casualties. And also rest assured the Chiefs will go out and sign some free agents this year. I’m not sure why everyone assumes they will sit out the free agency season: Carl Peterson is on record saying the team will have money under the cap to go after several players. Let’s wrap it up with this e-mail from ChiefsGiant: “Here’s what I want to know: are the Chiefs going to go for it in 2005, with it being Dick Vermeil’s last season, or are they going to approach the season as part of the so-called “big picture”? Personally, I want to go for it, but I also don’t know if I could take spending a couple years going 4-12 if we blow up the salary cap and end up having to dump players. What are the Chiefs going to do?” Now, here’s the best question of the week. ChiefsGiant, you are right, it’s not who, it’s what are the Chiefs going to do? The last time the organization said collectively “Let’s Go For It” was 1998, when they took chances on players like Chester McGlockton and continued to roll the dice with guys like Andre Rison and Wayne Simmons. That blew up in the team’s face and ultimately drove Marty Schottenheimer into a short retirement. But like you ChiefsGiant, I think they should go for it. This offensive talent is not going to be around here forever. Sacrifice the cap in 2006 and 2007 and make a run for the title. If not, then 2005 becomes a lame duck season. sorry if repost
Posts: 26,630

01-29-2005, 02:06 PM	#2
go bo Flop = Man of Steel!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: independence Casino cash: $10006405	it would be great to see the chiefies do this, but only if they can get players like priest holmes, or even lionel dalton...
Posts: 36,678

01-29-2005, 02:41 PM	#4
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $7888717	I agree, Brad. I don't want them to spend it all on one guy or two, but spread it out, but still be pretty high on the signing bonus, that way they WILL sign with us. Players could give a crap about the salary, they want that signing bonus. Lamar is gonna be gone soon he can't take all that money with him. His family will have PLENTY left over when he sadly passes, no matter what, and the Chiefs will still be here. I want at least one Super Bowl victory before I call I hit the coffin lol __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,630

01-29-2005, 03:42 PM	#5
Calcountry Shoot the tube Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $8721645	live for today, for tomorrow we are all dead.
Posts: 28,250

01-29-2005, 07:51 PM	#8
chiefqueen On my throne Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $8152060	I agree w/Gretz. We will be in rebuilding mode in 2006 no matter what happens in 2005. DV already said he's retiring after 2005. CP is strongly hinting at it and Lamar is hinting about turning the team over to Clark.
Posts: 4,179

01-30-2005, 12:12 AM	#10
Mr. Kotter The Dude Abides Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dakota Country Casino cash: $5715285	Yep. Gretz is right, as far as I'm concerned on THIS one.... __________________ "I've always said I worry about legacy and winning rings more than making money at this moment...We see what's going on around the league, but at the same time, I'll never do anything that's going to hurt us from keeping the great players around me.”
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01-30-2005, 12:47 AM	#12
FloridaChief Banned Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tampa Casino cash: $10004900	Gretz is right. Gor for it now...
Posts: 5,271

01-30-2005, 08:24 AM	#13
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5439400	With who we have on offense now, I agree, we are not getting young very quick. But in reality, wouldn't be nice to have a team built along the lines of New Englands, you know a front office followed by a defense that can stop teams from scoring. __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
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