Often we have heard the expression addition by subtraction. This means a team has improved itself by the elimination of a non-productive player, a cancer to team chemistry or a clubhouse lawyer. This cleansing process often comes about when there is a change in the coaching structure or front office of the franchise. Such is the case with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Recently, we were informed that Brian Waters, a stalwart right guard for the Chiefs, had left his Texas home to come to K.C. There he hoped to have a pow-wow with head coach Todd Haley and GM Scott Pioli.Terrible timing, bad instincts and poor form. Pioli and Haley are in the process of putting together a coaching staff, a scouting staff, their free agent wish list and their draft big board. Waters was quickly rebuffed by Haley saying he didn’t intend to meet with him — besides he could go 2-14 with guys off the street!! The uninvited Waters demanding a meeting with Pioli and Haley would be like one of the bankers from Citibank demanding an audience with President Obama.
Mr. Waters further flamed the fires by going to see the Grand Marshall of Dissension — Jason Whitlock. By airing the dirty laundry of their meeting, Mr. Waters was going behind the back of his employers, and playing for support and sympathy from the fans. Unfortunately, such actions only seem to weaken the fiber of the relationship between the coach and players.
This brings us back to the addition by subtraction. The Eagles have been a better and more harmonious team since they released Terrell Owens than the Cowboys have been since signing T.O. The Dolphins became a better team after they eliminated malcontent Jason Taylor and all the distractions that came with him last year. The Falcons were finally able to rebuild once Michael Vick was halfway across the country behind bars. The Tennessee Titans became a team the minute they benched Vince Young. The list goes on and on.
I am not suggesting that Brian Waters is in the same class of troubled stars (nor Jason Taylor, for that matter). What I am suggesting is that this staff will not tolerate self-serving, coddled veterans who could distract form team chemistry and mislead impressionable rookies and young players.
Pioli and Haley have the unenviable task of changing the team mantra — particularly after past two player’s coaches coddled the players. I suggest that the loyal Chiefs fans support their efforts wholeheartedly. I, for one, am sick of Larry Johnson and his off-the-field adventures. Waters, by his recent actions, may have joined L.J. on the express train out of town. If Tony Gonzalez isn’t careful, he could join them, too.
The sum of the team and its culture is more important than any one star. That’s why B-Dub, L.J. and Tony G. might soon have new teams if they don’t soon have new attitudes. Remember, the colors — Red and Gold — are more important than the cast of characters.
FanSided Sports Blog
Kings of Kauffman
NFL Mocks
Stock Car Spin
Bolt Beat
Just Blog Baby
Predominantly Orange
Ramblin' Fan
Loading ...
Old Chief,
You nailed it. This is one of your best efforts. This team will kick butt if the players will look to better their teammates before trying to put forward their own personal agendas.
Amen!!!!!!!
Red and Gold come first!!!
In Pioli we TRUST
Old Chief speakum big truth. Let sickness be gone from Arrowhead. The Pioli/Haley spirit in the great sky know how to spend wampum. Will make Chiefs into great Warriors once again. Now we smoke peace pipe.
Great post. LJ needs the boot, period. However, Brian Waters is a bit of a disappointing case. His attitude sucks (or has been blown out of porpotion, who knows) but I would rather have to pick up 1-2 starters on the line than 2-3 O-liner starters before the begining of the year. Nevermind probowl O-liners. Tough scenario to deal with right after bringing in a QB who we will want to protect as much as possible. On the other hand I think Tony will be excited with all the positive changes going on and be on board for at least this year. Best case: LJ- gone for whatever we can get. Waters- relationship with Pioli and Haley gets patched up and we don’t have to worry about replacing him THIS year. Tony- reamins a proud Chief and puts up another 1000.
LJ gone? Yes please. But I don’t think putting him in the same conversation as B-dub is fair. And to put him in the same discussion as Tony G is ludicrous. Work out whatever Tony needs and let him do what he does. Waters will get in-line I think once the pads are on. LJ can kiss my ass. If he breaks every major rushing record this season I will not back off that statement. He is Dead to me after his rant last season.
So we miss out on Housh, and now are looking at Engram? Never been a Engram guy myself. Really want Olshansky though. He would be a nice addition to the D-line.
Considering the source and lack of direct quotes, we would probably be wise not to jump to any conclusions about what exactly went down or about what either Waters, Haley, or Pioli actually felt or said at the time or afterwards.
Nonetheless, there is probably some kernel of truth to all of this and because of that likelihood, I feel there are a couple of aspects to this story that are a little troubling.
First off, Brian Waters has never been anything but a model citizen for the Chiefs organization. He plays consistently well, is a perennial pro bowler, and as far as I can tell has always done his best to help this team succeed. While no coach or GM should feel obligated to kiss the ass of any player, players such as Tony G and Brian Waters have at least earned the right to be accorded a certain level of respect, trust, appreciation, and honesty. Seriously, can anybody point to any time in his career when Brian Waters has been anything other than a stand up guy both on and off the field?
How hard would it have been for Haley/Pioli to simply tell Waters “now is a really bad time, can we reschedule this?” instead of “you’re just 1 among 22 losers” or “I have nothing to talk to you (Waters) about?” How would anybody not consider such responses to be anything other than disrespectful and I frankly can’t see why Haley/Pioli needed to go there – assuming of course they did.
The other aspect of this that concerns me is that it tends to further substantiate the growing perception that Haley’s relationship with players might be best characterized as that of a young, arrogant hothead. In pro football, just as in the real world, it’s the sort of leadership that most people find hard to follow.
This really has nothing to do with coddling players, it is about the life fact that respect is a two-way street.
DD:
Very well said. IMO, the arrogance of Pioli and Haley is the most disturbing part of the story. I am not buying the line that they were too busy to spend 15 minutes with one of the leaders of the team. Many people are drinking the kool-aid now. When that wears off, this arrogance will set people off. Not many see it now, however.
Double D,
You are right on with everything you said. Waters reportedly was going to meet with both of them to tell them he was on board and wanted to help in any way he could. You don’t treat someone like that. Like I said in another post……..Matt Cassel said yesterday that Pioli’s door was always open for him. Why wouldn’t it be for Waters? If you are busy you could at least come out and say now is not a good time, but you appreciate him coming and you’ll get together soon. Haley just proved what Fitzgerald and Boldin said about him to Waters in Hawaii.
For those of you that cheer on anything Pioli or Haley do need to stop and think for yourself for a moment. Is it really okay to be disrespectful to someone that has been nothing but a loyal soldier and good in the community? There is a thing called tact. I’m a teacher. If I’m busy with something and your children came to my classroom would you want me to treat your child like that? No, you’d want me to either make time or say right now isn’t a good time. I’ll be more than glad to meet with you in the morning tomorrow or after school.
How about we keep them all and win some games? mmmmk?
It is one thing if we trade guys in the middle of their contract that we are “prepared to replace” and/or some team wants to give us fat trade picks for them “JA”.
Other than that, the ball and chain that is their contract says they stay.
Two pro bowlers and a hall of famer? I would tell them. We will trade you if we can get a 1st rounder for you. Cause, in the end, if you trade one of these guys, you need a 1 to 1 trade for talent and what they bring to the team. Other than that. Sit on em.
100% agreed with Old Chief. Double D you kind of sound like a battered wife, trying to make excuses for your husband. Just kidding everyone has a right to their opinion, but if players don’t want to be here show them the same door they walked in through. If i were to make as much money as any one of those three i would be happy to play the game i love.
nice piece old chief
So Brian Waters gets mad once in his career, and you throw him in with LJ, the guy probably was disappointed, yeah he is probably in the wrong too but it will go away in a little while. I’m Not buying him as a cancer or even the thought of it.
Waters sees that the money river just got turned on again and he wants to bathe in it before we draft. Period.
Old Chiefs article is much less about the players (esp. Waters) who are being mentioned in the comment thread and more about the mindset of a winning team. Malcontents need to be purged. I am not saying BW or TG are malcontents – perhaps LJ could be considered such, but if players do not think about the team first, and they act out to bring down the locker room, they need to move on.
I think we were shown just a small piece of the entire matter as it relates to the BW “conversations”. My take is that Whitlock was trying to poison the well and he threw Waters under the bus to do it.
If you look at TG last year it is pretty simple. He wanted to leave, he did not and he went out and had a great year stat wise. It would be hard for me to include him in a list of malcontents.