So this is why they call it “Black Monday.” Per Football Weekly:
Monday was D-Day in the Chiefs’ scouting department, as the vast majority of the staff was released by GM Scott Pioli, according to multiple sources.
Most of the Kansas City’s existing staff knew they were on borrowed time when Pioli was hired to replace Carl Peterson earlier this year, but they were kept on to at least get the club through draft weekend. Now that those duties are over, the axe has reportedly fallen on multiple holdovers from the old regime.
Pioli now will look to bring in his own staff of scouts, a younger group that shares his vision when it comes to evaluating and selecting talent.
Wow, use them and lose them, huh? Sound Off, Addicts!
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Starting from the top and working down. Lets get it right!!
Not shocked at all.
hopefully these scouts didnt purposely blow their jobs knowing they were done with
My only question is, if you had that little faith in these scouts, why even let them be part of the process in this years’ draft? You obviously don’t trust their instincts or ability to evaluate.
Is that why we got Tyson Jackson? Is that why our draft this year was just mediocre? Maybe it was Belicheck and not Pioli. Look at what Bill did this weekend! He got everything he wanted and more draft picks for next year! We got a guy we HOPE will be great for the #3 pick overall. Are you kidding me?
We wiffed on Curry, Orakpo, Maybin, Laurenitis, and Maualuga. So now that the draft weekend is over, can the scouts. We could have done better watching Schein or Kiper. And now fire the scouts, so it’s not Pioli’s fault this wasn’t a good draft because he didn’t have his scouts?
Magee should be solid, ok, the Lawrence kid has some upside and will contribute. Anything else here? Oh, yeah, we wasted our Mr. Irrelevant pick too!
So yeah, get’em gone, cause there’s no video of any prospects on youtube, and Pioli went to the combine himself, so what do we need these yokels for? For picks like Webb or Cloud? Or Jackson?
This certainly makes it easier for Pioli to scapegoat the departing scouts should this year’s draft come to be perceived as a major flop.
Because Pioli and Haley arrived so late, they had to stick with the former regime’s scouting department, notes, evaluations, etc because they had already done most of the heavy lifting. Too late to try and play catch up with a whole new staff.
New owner, first time GM, first time HC . . . things are not going to be very pretty around here over the short term guys. I say it’ll take at least 4 years to get the new organization up and running full steam. Only problem is, if recent experience is any indication, most Chiefs fans will likely not have the patience required for such a massive overhaul. I predict Haley will be scapegoated by Pioli after a couple of years. This franchise is going to languish for a while.
At Ease SGT!!!!!!
Only time will tell if this draft class was mediocre, bad, or the best ever.
Pioli and Haley are doing their best to undo all that was done by Herm!
yeah, the timing is suspect. at worst, this confirms that our draft was poop. at best, these guys got paid to do nothing for two months.
AHHH Double D, you’re killing me.
This team will not languish. We will improve and already have improved. Better QB, better LBs, better D-line, better administration, and better coaching.
Losing Tony will hurt, changing to 3/4 will be uncomfortable, but we will not languish. Have faith DD. We will not fail.
Patience everyone, patience!!!!! Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Is this the same scouts that got us Croyle?
We could have done no worse if they were fired day 1. How is it that we weren’t even targeting Laurenitis? I thought they said they wanted “Smart, Tough, Aggressive” players. Is Washington smart? Maybe not so smart off the field. Not a “character” guy, but we picked him.
On a positive note, the rest of the AFC West had a worse draft than us. Denver, what was that all about? Alzhiemer Al got a speedster and a bunch of stuff they gotta figure out what to do with. SD seemed to not know what they wanted I don’t think they filled many needs. So we got that going for us.
I hope we don’t win the division at 6-10.
Rome wasn’t but Atlaanta was, and so was Miami.
yeah hanson has a point. Anyone can tell that TJ was a top ten player. in a weak class like this. looking at what KC did, they ran their own draft. they didnt allow other teams to do them in and “schtoop” them. they took who they wanted, and didnt care. sure a lot of questions, the one i thought they couldve done was call seattle and say “were taking curry and if you want him, swap the 4 with our 3 and toss in a 3rd.” but it looks like KC remade their persona more than anything.
Yes we know it took 2000 years to build Rome, J-Train. I love your breaking news posts!
Why not a WR in the second round?????
OMG! I meant Third round! F’n shoot me.
I think we’re at least approving of Jackson as a top 10 pick, and willing to admit that trading down with the #3 was never very likely.
We got 2 starters with our 2nd-round pick.
With our 3rd-round pick, we got some extra insurance on DL, with a (football) smart player with proven versatility. Magee was also a coach on the field, who kept his fellow linemen on task.
Washington’s probably a bit of a reach, but his improvisational skills and ability to see the whole field in the midst of the fray is without question.
But the whole defense is going to change its philosophy. The 2nd safety is going to be more a guided missile in the box than an extra hat defending empty space down the field.
The Chiefs made poor man’s choices at DE for their 4-3, always looking for that rare person who can play stout against the run and run down the QB. And got mostly persons who were a bit weak in both areas, while doing both better than most (but not well enough). The 3-4 fits the players the Chiefs have and the players they’re most likely to find, and they’re going to train their ‘tweeners to be BIG LBs, rather than small DEs.
There’ll be more sheer mass at the line on the snap than the Chiefs have had since Dan Saleamua and Neil Smith left.
As far as WR goes, look at the malcontents who are still out there and then look at the team that can out-bid everyone else, at will.
Also, notice that Belichick didn’t waste a lot on LBs. Wonder why? Well, look at all the LBs that got drafted, and think who’s likely to come out in FA. Who did he pick up? Ron Brace in the middle. (My recommendation, btw).
Get used to it, friends. The new system CREATES big-name LBs, just like the Denver zone-blocking scheme generaled by Smellway created RBs.
It’s not necessarily easy to see cause and effect, because it’s the effect that gets our attention.
We all remember Emmitt Smith, but we all forget Eric Williams.
Braylon Edwards looks like a possibility, with all the WR talent Cleveland’s brought in. And we can probably out-bid Arizona for Boldin, if it comes down to it. In either case, we probably don’t want to show our hand too early, if we want the bidding to remain reasonable.
Let ‘em feel lonely and forgotten for a while after the draft.
Let the Boldin’s and Edwards’s simmer for awhile. Let Plaxico sweat it out a bit. Have a look at Leroy Hill. See the progress being made by everyone in the next OTA.
Not sure about Denver. For McDaniels’ offense, it’s said you need what I’d call a great “pick ‘n’ roll” RB. Shanahan’s 1-cut and then run downhill kind of runner might not be optimal for their offense. Speaking of RB, do you think Edgerrin could carry the rock a few times for us?
“Did you sign off on Croyle?”
“Who put Trezelle Jenkins at the top of the board?” No feet.
“Who put Victor Riley at the top of the board?” No feet.
“Who put Tamba Hali at the top of the board?” Poor body core strength (for a DE).
Also, after years in the league, Pioli and Haley and Pendergast, for that matter, probably have their own list of contacts. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be worth hiring in the first place. How long was Terry Bradway the director of player personnel?
I’ve finished out contracts I knew wouldn’t be renewed, myself. If you have any integrity, you play out the string like a professional. If you don’t, then you didn’t deserve the job in the first place, and it WILL come back to haunt you (or your next employer).
It’s just one of those uncomfortable situations. Clearly firing these guys before the draft would’ve been a huge blunder. But why keep them around if you’re planning to replace them, eventually? Give ‘em generous severance, and let ‘em seek employment full-time as soon as possible.
Might just be bad luck for a few of ‘em, who are very very good at what they do, but that’s what happens to a losing outfit under new mgmt.
It’s interesting that some the former Herm supporters are predicting doom and gloom, etc, ad nauseum. Not gonna happen. The main impediment to the Chiefs winning has been removed. We are going to be in the business of scoring points and kicking ass, period. This team is going to win games this year. All you Herm lovers can cry all you want to, but there won’t be anymore winning two of the last 25 games type debacles under Pioli/Haley. If you don’t believe me, hide and watch.
Hammer,
Not exactly sure who you are referring to as “former Herm supporters” but the simple fact is that Herm is not here anymore so as far as I’m concerned he’s not even part of the equation.
What I find interesting is how so many here are willing to put all their faith in people who have yet to have any success in their current roles. Based on the moves I’ve seen so far, I am beginning to seriously question whether this team will be able to manage 2 wins this year. While allowing for the possibility of additional roster moves, I am having a hard time figuring out how people are able to conclude this team is better now than it was at the end of last season. Based on who we’ve lost and who we’ve acquired so far, I am of the exact opposite opinion.
I tend regard myself as a pretty optimistic, open-minded guy and frankly I’m not seeing a whole lot of sizzle on the grill. Time will tell.
Double D,
I am seeing a lot of sizzle. You and I have always agreed that first year defensive linemen (i.e. Glenn Dorsey) have a sharp learning curve and rarely have a great first year. I have every reason to believe that with adequate coaching and the proper defensive scheme, players such as Dorsey are going to make their presence felt a great deal on the field. Tank Tyler is probably more suited to be a nose tackle than anything else. In a 3-4 defense, I think the trio of Dorsey-Tyler-Jackson will start the year out solidly and will build on that. We already have some very good talent in the defensive backfield and I am sure that the coaches will be able to find the right mix of veteran and young linebackers to work well together on defense.
Offensively, the sky is the limit. Our offensive line is making definite progress. We have our franchise quarterback. We have some decent running backs. The coaches will sort through our receivers and find the right mix there as well. This offense is going to be about lighting up the scoreboard. What Chan has to work with this year is going to be a group of young eager Chiefs players in the right system for them to succeed. What is there not to be optimistic about?
Both offensively and defensively this team is going to be much better. Two games? That is just a bad dream from our distant past. I would be utterly astounded if the Chiefs only won two games this year. We will compete for the AFC West title, and we may make a run at the playoffs. I am pretty optimistic myself, and I see the Pioli/Haley era as the start of something special. If I am wrong, feel free to tee off on me for being a fool. But, (and it is a big but) [I like big buts and I cannot lie] I am not wrong on this. You are correct, time will tell.
The transition of Dorsey and Tyler into the 3-4 and whether that proves to be successful is far from proven. Jackson’s learning curve as well needs to be factored into that equation. Bottom line, major question marks about our DL going into a season that opens brutally, schedule-wise. Our LB corps hardly inspire confidence. All we have so far is two aging-not-able-to-play-a-full-16-game-schedule veterans somehow mixed in with DJ (unproven), Hali (unproven), McBride (unproven), and God only who knows who else. DBs are the only area of our D that I have any level of confidence in and that was entirely based on how they performed under the former scheme – nobody knows what they’ll be able to do under a completely different philosophy? Oh and Clancy Pendergast is about the last guy I would have chosen to take our D to the next level. Any bets on how long he’ll last in KC?
Offensively, the biggest question I have to ask is exactly who is going to make up for the massive amount of production we lose as a result of trading away our best weapon? Cassel sure looked good sitting behind the wheel of a Ferrari (who wouldn’t?) but statistically he’s indistinguishable from Thigpen. Now that Cassel has inherited a 1990 Dodge Omni with bad breaks (no defense), recently removed spark plugs (Gonzalez), a missing right door (our RT is who?), and a transmission that only goes in reverse (running game), will he still look as sexy as he did before? Seriously, who is Cassel going to throw to other than D Bowe?
No sizzle.
I don’t think we will see alot of sizzle at all but I think we will win way more often than we have the past few years. There are many question marks, but these spots can still be filled. We have a lot of time before game #1. I don’t agree with Boldin or Edwards, but I would not mind Peppers and a RT. BTW, Cassel is not a Thigpen. Apperently he eats, sleeps, and breaths football. I think the guy will make other players better and will have a fine year. I agree with The Hammer, there is some bright side.
Please tell me again what you guys are basing on all this faith on? I can’t speak for anyone else around here, but I happen to live in the “Show Me” state and tangible results are what it takes to merit my belief and loyalty.
When it comes to replacing Tony, I can’t think of any free agent receiver currently on the market that can bring what he brought. Next year’s (likely low) second round pick? No? Then who? All you guys that seem to believe we’ll somehow still be a better team without Tony G please tell me who you think is available to make this team even more productive offensively than Tony did? I’m absolutely dying to know.
Double D,
The tight end does not play that big of a pass catching role in Todd Haley’s offenses. Although Chan will be the coordinator, the offense will still be some blend of the Haley offense. I don’t dismiss the departure of Tony Gonzalez as being of no consequence, but I think it is something which needed to happen for various reasons. D-Bowe is going to have to play a big part in the offense, as is Engram, and the best of the other receivers. Cottam will not have as big a role catching the ball as Tony did, but Cottam can still catch the ball. Haley and Pioli have already said it is about having the right 53 players. When the Chiefs take the field in September the right 53 players will be on the roster to accomplish what needs to be done. I don’t subscribe to the theory that the Kansas City Chiefs were entirely dependent upon Tony Gonzalez. Nor am I going to bash Tony in any way. He gave us years of great play at his position. But Tony is a done deal. He is gone. Others will take up the slack as they have done since the beginnings of football. This year will not be a black year, it will be a red and gold year.
Double D by the sounds of it you expect this team to be worse than last year and that you can not handle it any longer. Well I on the other hand will reserve all of this ill judgment untill they prove to be as bad or worse than last years squad. What are you trying to acomplish anyway?
I’m just saying I have yet to see anything that makes me believe this year’s team will be better than what we saw last year. And yes, I have seen at least one thing happen that sofar gives me reason to believe this team may be worse. If Waters ends up getting traded for a pick, or gets cut or benched, then I have little doubt this team will indeed be worse off.
Hammer,
Haley has never had a TE of Tony G’s caliber to work with. It seems a pointless argument to claim that Haley’s offensive style does not feature using TE’s as receivers. When you lack TE talent, it doesn’t make sense to have the TE as part of your passing attack. Come on.
We wont replace Tony’s production on the field even if we had received a #1 from Atlanta. He’s possibly the greatest tight end ever to play the game. But if Tony wanted to be a Chief he would be. It’s not as much about the talent as it is the mind set. You don’t see the good teams ( Patriots, Eagles, Giants )kissing the ass of players that don’t want to be their. Thats what the bad teams to ( Ocho Cinco/ Bengals )
We all want the Chiefs to be an elite team. We all want other teams to look at the schedule and say crap we have to play the Chiefs. Getting to that level will require everyone being on the same page from top to bottom. At times it will be painfull, but in the end it will be worth it.
The most talented team doesn’t usually win. The team that signs all the big name free agents ( like many of you are complaining we didn’t) never win it all, see the Redskins.
The 2009-2010 season will be fun to watch. I would be suprised if the Chiefs make the playoffs but an improvement over last year is a no brainer, even with a much tougher schedule. Considering their opponents 6-10 / 7-9 should be considered a success.
I think 7-9 is do-able. You never know what could happen, no one on earth would have predicted the Dolphin’s doing what they did last year.
We’re facing the NFC East. Maybe not as scary as one might think. Who was it? Nicks to NYG? Everyone denied it, but it looked to me like they had SERIOUS downturn on D-Line last year, and Osi Umenyora will be coming off season-ending injury this year. On the offensive side, they’re hoping a rookie will give them what they’ve been missing since Plax shot hisself.
Every team that made big moves with this year’s rookie class is going to experience serious growing pains. Washington might be dominant, with the d-line changes they made, assuming Haynesworth stays healthy. But Dallas? Is it me, or are they just a joke that keeps getting worse?
Philly is likely the real deal, if the addition of Peters is all that crappy o-line from last year needed. Otherwise, I see THEM slipping, even with a high-dollar left tackle.
4 home games in the division. 4 wins. Heh. Surprise everyone and split with the NFC East. There’s 6. Then steal one or two on the road in the division and we’re at 7 or 8 wins. Heck, if we get LUCKY… Heh.
Will we miss the offense we had with Tony in there or will we just miss Tony’s stats? More power to him in Atlanta, but Michael Turner’s going to have some tough sledding trying to run to the so-called “strong side” when Tony’s on the field.
We needed to fire everyone right down to the hot dog venders and start over. You dont need an entire scouting staff to make the draft choices we made, Pioli and Haley did it all by themselves. Boy we ar screwed now that we sent Tony packing, he helped us win six games in two years.