Whitlock Should Ditch Complaints, Go Back To Gates
Originally, I planned that today’s column would be spent reviewing the attributes of our new assistants. However, after reading Jason Whitlock’s most recent article entitled “Chiefs loading up on secrecy,” I abandoned that topic. Instead, I have chosen to write a rebuttal to Mr. Whitlock.
First, let me say that I appreciate Jason, his work and his talent. But sometimes he just gets out on a tangent and can’t let it go. I have seen it with Damian Nash at Mizzou, who he interviewed after a bitter loss, then published his displeasure with playcalling and patterns of substitution by the coaching staff. This resulted in Mr. Nash permanently landing in Coach Pinkel’s doghouse.
Another example was his most recent diatribe with Brian Waters. Through amplification, as well as conjecture he has pitted the longest-tenured veteran player and NFL Man of the Year against the new GM and head coach..
Now, Jason is upset with the cloak of secrecy at One Arrowhead Dr. He feels that he should be on the sidelines at every practice, be allowed in the locker room after every practice and be consulted by Haley and Pioli on every personnel decision.
WRONG! Haley and Pioli are not interested in developing articles for the Star and embellishing the personalities of individuals. Their job is to rid the Chiefs locker room of self-serving wannabe stars and develop team concepts without interference from the outside. I have often thought in K.C the last several years we have glorified our players with individual radio shows and spots which in many cases were not earned or justified. As Dwayne Bowe said today in an interview, “It’s kinda nice, we are coming together — it is important for me to keep a low profile with so many young and new players”
Jason wake up and smell the barbeque. It’s not about individuals anymore — its about team. I am reminded of Joe Kapp, the journeyman QB who led the Vikings to the super Bowl in the 70s, who said “Winning it’s about 40 guys for 60 minutes.” Save your critiques for the regular season. Ultimately, Haley and Pioli will be held accountable for their record. Let them do it their way without interference from the media.
As for you, I suggest you go to the nearest Gates and drown your displeasure with an order of long ends.


















Haley is a hard nosed, tough minded, accept no B.S., selfless kind of guy. He is not “touchy feely” like Vermiel, and does like to hear himself talk like Herm. If you haven’t noticed the Chiefs have sucked for many years now, and maybe, just maybe, Todd Haley’s despotism is exactly what an underachieving and underperforming team like the Kansas City Chiefs need. Todd Haley is not here to make friends or look good in front of a camera (that is obvious to all who have witnessed any of his press conferences). He is here to change the mentality of a losing franchise and win. Want proof?
As you know Derrick Johnson was our first round pick in 2005. He has been a full time starter on our defense for the last four (4) years, and for the last four (4) years the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense has stunk. The Chiefs have been trying to focus their defense on him ever since he arrived in Kansas City. In a recent article, Zach Thomas indicated that the new defense will allow Derrick Johnson to excel. Don’t we hear that every year? Is it time to stop counting on Derrick Johnson? I like Derrick and wish him well. I can see he is trying and working his butt off, but are we kidding ourselves by placing our trust in him? I wish I could be “pollyanna” in regards to Derrick Johnson, but take a look at the evidence:
Things can change in the blink of an eye. After Mr. Larry Johnson lost his contract appeal I was certain he was a goner. I was pretty sure of it when the official KC Chiefs website was selling his jersey for close to seven bucks. Now anything is possible, but I would be completely shocked if he is traded or released at this point. He is virtually certain to be our opening day starter, and I am glad, except for missing out on that seven dollar jersey (At present you can only buy his authentic home jersey for $245.00).
Our Rufus Dawes is no general and I do not know why this pen name was chosen. As you are all aware, our Rufus Dawes has been the Kansas City Chiefs’ “media watchdog” that rebuts, or mitigates, any negative media or fan opinion, sentiment, and comment via the Chiefs website. Throughout the years I have always assumed that Rufus Dawes was Carl Petersen. He admittedly loved to read the newspapers and websites, and I am sure he did not appreciate all that he read. He needed and/or wanted a medium in which to address the truths and lies that appeared in the media. However, since Mr. Petersen’s firing on December 15, 2008, Rufus Dawes has authored another nine (9) articles. (The earliest archived article was published on March 19, 1998). Mr. Petersen is long gone and it is now safe to assume that he was not Rufus Dawes. So who is?
The good doctor’s recent Chase Patton article left me pondering the following question: Should Brodie Croyle have a spot on our roster? Wouldn’t he be better off competing for a roster spot on another team, than fighting it out for our team’s third spot?