Hunt’s Home Run
From the Truman Sports Complex
To mix some sports and metaphors here, Clark Hunt hit a home run in hiring Scott Pioli as the Chiefs GM.
But Chiefs fans just need to remember one important thing: it’s a home run in the bottom of the first inning. There are a lot of decisions and a lot of football to be played before this homer leads to a Kansas City victory or championship.
When Pioli used that dreaded “P” word during his introductory news conference on Wednesday evening at the Chiefs offices, I could hear more than a few voices from Chiefs Nation sigh. Chiefs fans feel they have been very patient. They are tired of waiting. It’s now been 39 years since that January day in New Orleans when Lenny, Bobby, Buck, Otis and the boys strolled off the playing field at Tulane Stadium with Lombardi Trophy No. 4.
They want another one, and they want it now.
They are going to have to wait. Pioli is not some Football Shaman, who comes with a bag full of pigskin pixie dust that he’ll sprinkle around the locker room and practice fields that will suddenly turn this franchise into a Super Bowl contender.
Pioli is very good at what he does and among those available, Hunt could not have found a better man with a better resume to take his organization forward. He comes in with experienced boots on the ground and roaring full speed ahead. The great thing about Pioli is that he’s been there, done that. In nine years with the Patriots, he and Bill Belichick developed a franchise that has been the football model for the rest of the NFL.
For Hunt to get half of that combination is about as good as it gets. The only thing better is if Belichick came along.
But even if he did, it’s going to take more than just changing this guy’s zip code to make it happen. There’s a lot of heavy lifting and work ahead for Pioli. He promised to build a foundation and look at every aspect of the football operation at the Chiefs. This is not something that’s going to get done in what’s left of this week, or this month, even this year.
Pioli’s father-in-law happens to know a thing or two about football. Bill Parcells has many sayings, and one is “you are what you are.” Meaning if you are 2-14, that’s what you are, 2-14. You aren’t some 8-8 team that had six games of bad luck. At best in 2008 the Chiefs were a four or five win team. Some injuries and bad luck cost them, but they were not good enough to even be mediocre.
They need talent, they need an identity and most of all they need to become a team.
It’s going to take time. Pioli called it a methodical process.
Impatient fans don’t want to hear that either. They are thrilled an excited about Pioli’s arrival, just like any first inning home run brings the crowd to its feet. But there are eight more innings to go before victory can be claimed.
Clark Hunt got it started in the right direction. Scott Pioli has a lot of bases left to run.
From what I have read, this is quite the hire, he seems to be qualified in many ways, I dont expect him to be magic, but I think he instantly brings respect from around the league to the franchise, as well as from the KC fan base. Who knows what he can do, but a guy like Suggs, or Peppers, may want to sign here now, and I do hope that with Bradford staying for an important year to get better, i hope Curry makes his way to KC, or a LB of some sort.
As for Herm, I cant give an opinion, I like Herm, but I dont like a lot of the staff, hard to really put in an opinion because its hard to know what kind of chemistry Herm has with the team, and if its going anywhere…
Bob, would love to read something on what some inside the organization expect in regards to Tyler Thigpen as the starting QB next season, as well as the potential 3-4 switch that only makes sense if you really know the roster, I dont see how it fits.
To better understand how and why the Chiefs will be a successful franchise again, watch the full 47 minute press conference. I did. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/981423.html
I was blown away and impressed with Scott Piloi’s knowledge, demeanor, respect for others, honesty and integrity. Exubes leadership and vision. I believe the “fresh outside perspective” Hunt wanted and that Pioli brings to the Chiefs is a sincerity and integrity that has not always been in NFL franchises.
Does anyone else see the simiarities with Scott and Hunt. Not just age and generation. But demeanor and approach. Thoughtful, educated, in best interest of the organization to bring about success, unselfishness, no ego, etc. That’s a pretty big paradigm shift to other NFL franchise cultures.
They are donig it the right way. I’m proud to be a Chiefs fan!
According to Bill Williamson over at ESPN, the Broncos are about ready to hire Mike Priefer away from us to coach their special teams. Good riddance! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out Mike!
Hopefully he’s just the first coach of many (all) who will be exiting Arrowhead in one way or another in the coming week.
I saw a very intelligent and focused man describe a process that is based in reality. I think Chiefs fans will be patient because there is a quiet professionalism on display that is flat out impressive. If Scott Pioli can surround himself with equally bright and focused people, I assume he will make steady progress towards building a team that can challenge for championships for years to come.
And that’s what I want to see. Will Scott Pioli bring in people who are made from his mold. Will he put into play what he says must be done to win championships in the NFL?
Ewing Kauffman said he was successful because he surrounded himself with people smarter than himself. I assume this is what Pioli has in mind. He needs a head coach as sharp and tough as Bill Belichick……and assistant coaches….and scouts, etc…
There is a clarity of purpose and approach from both Clark Hunt and Scott Pioli today that was refreshing and comforting. I will be patient because it will be fun to watch the creation of a new Chiefs franchise. I am convinced this will be a fascinating process and positive results will follow. This is as good as it gets for serious fans.
A nice change from card shark nee used car aka snakeoil salesman Carl & ‘play it close to the vest’ yet hint of what may come Scottie.
Course, same thing happened when Carl was hired 20 years ago, and Vermeil & Herm and…we shall see if this is another empty suit or one full o’ substance.
To quote ‘The Who’ – “won’t be fooled again (a rhetorical question?)
Pioli has that ‘younger version’ looking pate of former NY Giants GM George Young. If Scottie is as successful, good days are ahead, whether Herm agrees to work ‘with’ him or decides to leave on his own terms…as always a man true to himself.
Rin are you suggesting Clark has not reaffirmed Herm’s the MAN?
Let the backpedaling begin.
Bob, I think you completely under estimated Chiefs fans. Chiefs fans are patient when the wagon is headed in the right direction. The 2008 Chiefs had no identity as you mentioned. The O, D and coaching were at times befuddling and not progressing or even showing any consistency. Supporting that would not have been patience, it would have been ignorance (see Tin, Rin Tin).
Just as Carl and Marty brought a fresh wind and success thru KC, Scott and a YTD coach will do the same. Hopefully, Scott can take the Chiefs that final couple of steps to another Super Bowl championship. The BS that has been the Chiefs the last 1-1/2 years is over!
Rin loves it when the people beg of him…una vez mas:
Time check: 12:40 a.m. CST, Thursday, January 15, 2009…and yup cupp, Herm’s STILL The Man!
Hey!
Today marks the 42nd anniversary of Superbowl I, day my KC Chiefs destroyed the greatest football team in NFL history thence, today and ever more – the 1960s Green Bay Packers. That the scoreboard opertaor got confused and had it ending 35-10 GB was pure oversight on his part.
Despite those who only see the final score, that game did not become a rout until it was 3/4 over, GB not able to get any real breathing room until the final minute the 3rd quarter, when it became 28-10 Packers.
Former Packers will now admit- but would dare not back then – that Coach Vince Lombardi was in fact worried about playing the Chiefs…halftime’s 14-10 GB lead (KC missed a field goal, otherwise 14-13) had NFL derrieres aplenty ‘puckering’ like a Herm Hater after today’s Pioli positive Herm talk presser.
Rin recalls how after the game several of the KC Chiefs including Coach Hank Stram & QB Len Dawson stated – paraphrasing – they were ‘not’ convinced GB was better than the Chiefs…certainly not 35-10 better at any.
Had KC played the Packers 10 times, I believe we could/would have won at least 3 & maybe half the games…whereas the Jets who defeated BALT would have (my opine, depsite my being an old AFL fan) lost about 7 of any 10 games they’d have played against BALT had they done so at that time. The 1969 Chiefs v MIN? Probably 6 or 7 games out of 10 would go to Kaycee. Truth be too had KC played OAK in the AFL Title Game ’69 10 times, I fear we would have done no better than split at best and very likely won only 3 games based on how strong the Raiders were from ’67-’69. Those OAK Raiders were the best team in pro football 1968 & 1969 my opine, with apologies to my Chiefs, the Jets, the Colts & the Vikings.
Hey, howya doin’ Scottie Pioli!
Bob,
I agree with aPauled. It’s not impatient to want your team to win. Before this season began, the majority of Chiefs fans were on-board with the rebuild. It wasn’t until it was evident that no progress was being made and that the Chiefs were actually regressing…especially on the defensive side of the ball…that the “natives got restless.”
How did it feel to watch St. John ask the first question last nite, knowing that if King Carl was still here, it would have most likely been either you or Roger Twibell? The times they are a-changin’.
“The times they are a-changin’.”
- but not really…for:
Time check: 9:54 a.m. CST, Thursday, January 15, 2009…and yup, Herm’s STILL The Man!
heh heh heh
I know you favor another year for Herm. Herm’s a nice guy but I just don’t feel 2 and 23 the last 25 games rates another year for him. It wasn’t all his fault, but a large part could be. Coaching staff and personnel decisions for a couple. Why not a different coach to start fresh with Pioli?
Ok, let’s say Pioli and Hunt keep Herm. Here, in my opinion, is what Herm needs to do to continue to build the team he, Pioli and Hunt desire. Promote David Gibbs as defensive coordinator and Eric Price as offensive coordinator. Each of them have the experience at the college level and with Herm guiding them they both will be able to become successful in the NFL for a long time. I believe both of them will be passionate and agressive in their game planning as well as bring a breath of freshness to their respective sides of the field.
Choke…Cough…..Hack….Spit…
What did u just say Robert?
Have Herm Train/Teach/Learn 2, not just 1 but 2 rookie coaches to become successful coordinators?
I want some of what ever you been smoken dude.
Well welcome to the Chiefs Pioli! Thanks Clark for getting someone who has the ability to finish building a team. For those who don’t know why Herm is not gone and not saying he will I’m not Pioli. The Chiefs roster had 70 different players thats a lot and almost all of them played. So given the age of most of them Herm knows talent his coaching methods maybe disbuted but his personnel scouting cannot. Also with a roster full of basically rookies who play pretty hard for Herm why not give him one more year and if he don’t get it done you could go after Cowher or another coach that Pioli could take his time getting and as he says get it Right.
Bob nailed it on most of us feeling the ongoing frustration of almost 40 years without a Superbowl berth. When change is in the wind, let it blow at gale force! I think that mindset reflects most of our feelings.
However, we’ve had a force feeding of patience all this time, so why not allow this Pioli process to play out? Also, it seems the personalities of Pioli and Clark Hunt are a perfect fit so that’s a good thing as well.
Rin ten ten… take off the rose colored glasses, the clock is ticking and your boy Herm is about to get the boot.