Time for Pioli to put reputation on the line

This is the time for Scott Pioli to live up to reputation
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

The NFL lockout appears to now be on its last breath, too much money on both sides not to make a deal, so today starts the first week since the Super Bowl where legitimate football talk is not only welcome but appropriate.

And with that comes the realization that everything we’ve come to know about Scott Pioli means the Chiefs should have an advantage now.

Or, at least, they’ll have an advantage if their general manager is as good as his reputation.

He has done well for the Chiefs so far, but his next test is about to begin. It’s one that through previous statements and reputation he should be especially qualified for, and one more test upon which the franchise’s championship hopes depend.

First it was the hiring of a young, unproven and somewhat risky head coach in Todd Haley.

Then it was a $63 million contract to Matt Cassel, who hadn’t been anybody’s No. 1 quarterback since high school.

Soon it will be six months of personnel decisions crammed into maybe two weeks.

Because this lockout will almost certainly end this week. It could be as soon as today. And when it happens, a period of player signings and trades will begin that’s already been described as chaotic and unprecedented in league history.

The usual courting of big-talent players will be reduced from a personal visit with detailed tour and fancy dinner to a quick phone call with little more than a take-it-or-leave-it offer.

Conversations with people inside the game reveal that most expect the winners to be the ones who’ve established continuity within their organizations, done their research, refuse to panic, and are most confident.

This is essentially what Pioli has talked about doing since the day he arrived in Kansas City 2 1/2 years ago.

“Obviously I can’t put my name on this,” says one agent whose clientele includes current and past Chiefs. “But the way this thing is playing out plays right into Scott’s hands. There are some teams around the league you wonder how they’ll navigate. The most obvious would be Oakland. Not there with (Kansas City).”

There is a theory that the Chiefs will suffer from what is effectively a missed offseason of development because this is a young and improving team that needs all the practice it can get.

But look at it this way: the Chiefs have a head coach entering his third year, a defensive coordinator entering his second season (and sixth at that position in the NFL), and an offensive coordinator who’s been on staff for three years and in the NFL for 34.

This is Cassel’s third season as the Chiefs’ starter, and he’ll again be throwing to Dwayne Bowe and handing off to Jamaal Charles and protected by Brian Waters and others.

Defensively, stars such as Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson and Brandon Flowers return to the same system.

Maybe the Chiefs could’ve used some more time together in the offseason, but in that regard they’re no different than any other NFL team. Just around the division, they figure to be ahead of Oakland (unstable quarterback situation) and Denver (new head coach).

What makes it even better for the Chiefs is the new collective bargaining agreement is expected to include key points that benefit the team.

First, a sort of Robin Hood revenue sharing program will take more money from the teams generating the most local revenue to distribute among the teams generating the least. Even after heavy renovations to Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs rank in the bottom third in local revenue.

Second, a salary floor, which could begin in 2012 or ’13, means the Chiefs must spend significantly more on players than they have in recent seasons. The Chiefs played with one of the lowest payrolls in football last year, and even after accounting for long-term contracts given to Charles and Johnson, project to be way under the league minimum. A long-term deal with Hali would be a good place to start.

So what we have here is the potential for something like the Chiefs’ dream scenario.

The new CBA will not only provide the Chiefs with money for players, but also require that they spend it.

And the guy making the decisions is particularly qualified to navigate

If Pioli is as good as his reputation the Chiefs should benefit from the upcoming craziness.

And if he’s not, we’ll know fairly soon.

This makes me soo excited for the season! The chiefs WILL be a surprise contender!

I agree glad we are starting now. I have a feeling this going to be a interesing year for KC.

Glad to see the cap ceiling and floor are going to be closer now. But doesnt sound like they have to catch up to the floor right away which probably means no big FA moves this year. Which is too bad because with a couple more WR, a vet DT, and another RB we could be dangerous.

We are dangerous as it is. I wouldn't have been surprised if we went after a few top tier guys this year.. but with the lockout lasting as long as it did I'd be surprised if we really went after new starters. There would be too much of a learning curve in too short of a time. There is no way we aren't major players next year though, especially if we get some of the younger stars on our team locked up this year.

Now that we have our second WR we can get by on what we have as far as starters. Upgrades would be nice. We should still get another WR in FA for sure though, just incase Baldwin plays like a big time rookie. Plus a Slot Wr would be great to have too when McCluster isn't lined up there.

A starting caliber RB would be great too. Obviously not one that replaces Charles, but we need two RB's and one younger than Jones would be nice.

We need to find some OT's also, because I think Albert and Richardson are the only ones we even have under contract.

We are dangerous as far as the division goes. The Rams are dangerous as far as their division goes too, but arent a threat to win it all. And you speak of a learning curve. I'd rather have a veteran like Edwards learning in a short time over a rookie any day. If we stand pat with what we have we wont be real SB contneders this year. Not that winning the division for a second year in a row wouldnt be cool. But for those that think a rookie WR and a 6th rnd NT puts us into instant SB contention is a little far fetched to me. Seems we are on similar page as far as needs. need more WR depth and o-line for sure. I would like just about any true NT. for RB I would love Mcclain

Edwards doesn't need to learn the defense.

Our defense could have won us some games last year, and even if its exactly same as last year its just better by default. Our only weakness on offense was WR. We addressed that by adding someone whos more talented that any WR currently on the roster. I'm also assuming Baldwin isn't the last new WR for the Chiefs this year. Shit our offense is going to be better with Moeaki and McCluster being in their second years. Its going to be better with Cassel having one of the best QB coaches in the NFL.

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Join date: 2010-04-01

Subject: Re: Time for Pioli to put reputation on the line Yesterday at 7:20 pm

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Edwards doesn't need to learn the defense.


I was talking about Edwards as a WR learning quicker than our rookie WR.

Ron Edwards would not make a good WR! Just fucking with you. Braylon is in the same boat though. He really doesn't make for a good WR either.

I honestly dont see how we miss the playoffs next year. This team has been collecting talent since Pioli walked into office. He has added leaders..Cassel, Weigmann, Jones, and Berry. He's added playmakers..McCluster, Moeaki, Berry, Arenas, and now hopefully Baldwin. He's added experienced winning coaches like Crennel, Muir, and Weis for a year. This team is just as stacked with talent as the Chargers are if you ask me..their talent is just matured right now. Our talents arent maxed out yet..not even close. I cant wait to see what this team does..I really feel like a super bowl appearance is in our future. All the pieces are slowly falling into place..

The Chiefs are winning a playoff game next year, at least(assuming some of these deals do happen).

Completely agree..Were in line to be the next elite team in the NFL.