First, I’m on record of saying that I am not a King Carl fan, but it is what it is for at least ‘08 so…I offer the following:

Statistically, for the last several years there has been a trend for running backs who lead the league in carries and yards to be injured. Most of them were also subjected to the Madden Curse *grin* Considering Larry’s 2 previous seasons and production on the field, we needed Larry. Forget the hype in the media. We all wanted him. I did.

Jared Allen – Enjoyed last year absolutely and we all know about the 4th qtr stats and his needed improvement to stop the run. That said, I hate to see him go. To leverage his potential move to Minn, move Turk to DE and go after interier linman to short up the run stop on defense. This move doesn’t mean we loose a player in Allen, but rather gain picks and give Turk a position he’s better suited for in the draft. My thoughts:

1st Choice: Dorsey or Ellis if Available.

17th Pick: A lot has already been stated about Jake Long as a legitimate top 10 pick as and offensive lineman. After that, its a stretch to capture AND pay a Clady or Otah top money when they still have skill development ahead of them.

Getting additional picks next year especially in the 2nd round is a bonus. We get good players and don’t pay the coin.

As for another 3rd round. We need players now. Given all the existing picks we currently have, adding another 3rd rounder still means we have good players available.

I think this adds to the rebuilding strategy and still gives us options for picks next year. I realize Jared Allen was coming into his own and played well this past year. I don’t see his DUI’s as an issue but if we can speed up the rebuilding process through his departure so be it. At least it means we’re adding to the rope for Karl. He either succeeds or move him out.

HEADS UP IF WE DRAFT ANYONE FROM UCLA ON SATURDAY!!!!

I guess my whole point is this: there is plenty to be pissed at Carl about without including the Jared Allen situation, a situation that he has mostly handled correctly. I mean, is Pacman Jones going to get through one good year in Dallas and demand a raise and then call Jerry Jones out because he can’t get his sweetheart deal? Sometimes you have to face the music when you ack a fool. I’ve had to personally when I was younger, so this is in no way a hypocritical statement.

Is it possible that the Chiefs aren’t paying Allen because they don’t have the money because of the renovation?

If so, then the Chiefs should have an obligation to tell the fans the truth.

Dear Carl,

Please finish upgrading your stadium while raising ticket prices (the only possible reason you could still have your job) and find someone competent to run the football operations. Could it be that you are not capable of both? In case your ego does not allow you to answer that question correctly, the answer is NO.

Please ask your ticket department why after 19 years of owning 18 season tickets, I do not even receive a phone call when I canceled 12 of them. Yes, I once had 17 friends that wanted to watch the Chiefs at every home game. You are the reason for that but that time was over many years ago. After your 5 year plan failed (even though I am certain you intended to quite candidly tell us it was really a 20 year plan that you in all honesty meant to say was to be broken up into 5 year segments) I now have 3 friends that want to go to the games 1/2 of the time and 2 extra tickets that I can (on a very lucky day) trade for 75 cents and a warm, already opened Natural Light just before game time. I’m sure I didn’t receive a phone call from your ticket department because of that huge BLANK white piece of paper on your wall that says “SEASON TICKET WAITING LIST” on top. Newsflash: The brokers are no longer buying the tickets which is the ONLY reason Arrowhead has been “sold out” recently. Is the local TV affiliate willing to “buy” the amount of tickets that will be necessary to keep the home games on TV? Maybe you could use the stadium renovation as an excuse to move the games to CommunityAmerica Ballpark which could probably sell out. At least the players are already used to playing on a field destroyed by soccer games.

Please take a look into the empty stands late and most likely early in the season and ask yourself if you are doing a good job.

I don’t want to see Allen leave. I am sure he does not see much hope for success here in the near or long term future here in Kansas City. He does his job, please do yours Carl. Despite what some fans may believe, the Chiefs are NOT considered a good or even a mediocre team. I am sure Miami would have handled them easily at the end of last year.

Allen has a couple off DUI’s. How many fans could be arrested for DUI after a Chief’s game? Do you complain about the fans leaving Arrowhead drunk? Allen has been great on and from what I understand off the field since his problems so get over it.

I can’t wait for that first pre season game. Particularly the part when you will talk with your lackey and fellow elitist and great great long time friend Twibell about that outstanding young man, the 6th round draft pick you brilliantly found at Southwesternsideofthesouthpartof Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences. By the way, that person you will speak so proudly of will be jobless the next week and I doubt that you will care. Justin Phinissee may have been the worst kick returner in the league last year. Of course, he may have been the best. Who knows? I do know where your brilliant late signee Drummond stood. (On his a** in last)

Yes, I will be watching from home during the pre season. I am a fan and and probably an idiot for buying season tickets which of course include the preseason but not enough of an idiot to actually go to those preseason games. I’ll give those tickets as well as most of the regular season tickets this year to people that don’t get a chance to go but want the “Arrowhead Experience”. The same “Arrowhead Experience” that I am sure will no longer exist once you are done turning it into an elitist country club.

I am sure this will all be solved when you miraculously find 5 starters in this year’s draft.

As a fan I wish you the best of luck. As a realist, I know luck is our only hope.

Pretty clear that we all have different arguments with different opinions. Doesn’t make either one of us wrong. I still believe that the front office is largely to blame, but choose to agree if you wish.

As with any good argument, it’s always interesting to hear the other side. I was originally dead set on the idea that the front office was absolutely crazy to get rid of Allen. I still think they’re stupid, but have woken up to the realization that maybe they’re not as much to blame as I originally thought. Good discussion, everyone.