The Past, Present, But Mostly The Future
I’m going to save many of my thoughts about Carl Peterson, the man and the myth, for a few days down the road.
Let’s focus on the present and future, because that’s what matters most in this situation the Chiefs are facing right now.
First, there are those in the pundit class that are selling this as a firing and that Peterson did not resign on his own accord. Clark Hunt says that’s not true, that the change came after several conversations between the men about Peterson’s future and the future of the team. If you don’t want to believe that, then you are calling Hunt a liar and the man has given no one any reason to ever doubt the veracity of his spoken word.
Peterson was leaving at the end of the 2009 season, so moving up the exit makes sense for the franchise. It also makes sense for the man. Spending a year as a lame duck leader just doesn’t sound like Carl Peterson.
Hunt has already begun a search for a new leader, actually leaders. Peterson’s dual role of president and general manager will be split into separate jobs. The president will handle the business end of the business. The GM will handle the football side.
The way Hunt talked Monday the new president is someone already involved in the franchise or at least with the family’s sporting interests. The new GM is going to be new to the Chiefs and not someone currently employed by the team. Hunt makes it plain he’s looking for some new ideas, a fresh look at the way the Chiefs go about the business of evaluating personnel and putting together a team.
Hunt wants somebody who has already done that before in some capacity for a winning franchise. This new man must be a shrewd evaluator of talent to be considered by Hunt. That’s always the No. 1 trait anybody seeks in a GM: the ability to know talent when he sees it on the field, whether it’s at college games or within the NFL ranks.
That means whoever the new GM is must have a track record of being able to evaluate players. The new GM must have a resume that shows he can create a football atmosphere that allows that talent to come together to create a winning team.
The GM will also have to be an effective leader, a good communicator and a person of integrity and honor. Those are Hunt’s words.
The names will soon start coming, appearing in the newspaper, on the Internet and spit out on sports talk radio. The rumor mill will burn long and loud in the coming weeks because this is a plum job in the NFL. Any football person would love to have the chance to work where there is ownership stability, with top-notch facilities and a city that cares about its team.
What Clark Hunt is searching for is available. That type of person is out there in the football world. He certainly was 20 years ago. What Clark seeks as the new leader of the Chiefs – talent evaluator, effective leader, communicator, integrity – sounds very much like the same things that his father was searching for in the fall and early winter of 1988.
When Lamar Hunt got done with the process, he found his man.
His name was Carl Peterson.
10:30 pm CST and still no mention of this news on ESPN. we will see if it rates a mention on sports center.
Make a statement! Dont reward failure and give Clark Hunt anymore of your money.
Contact them before its too late and they steal $25 million taxpayer money!
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Phone: 573/751-8479
E-mail: mdfb@ded.mo.gov
Thanks Bob, Nice article. But, there are still a bunch of fly by the seat of the pants writers out there that will still think he got fired. It was the first time I have heard Clark Hunt speak and he sounded like he knows what he wants. I hope he can find someone to replace Peterson. I do think this will create a serious problem though. I think that now he is gone, too many people are going to be disrespectful of what he actually did for the Chiefs. It seems a lot of these folks are too young to remember what it was like before he came here. I do think he stayed too long. I was watching the local news here in Springfield and heard the comment from a question they asked on their website about his resignation. Some of these people want to do another rebuild next year. LoL, one reply was fire all the coaches and get rid of all the veteran players. I think this team is going the right direction and I dont want to go through another season like this one. I just have some problems with the play calling and our defense. Sorry Gunther but I think it is time for you to retire also.
I call BS Bob,
“so moving up the exit makes sense for the franchise. It also makes sense for the man.”
IT makes absolutely no sense for CP to resign NOW, effective at the end of the season, when clark himself said the interview process will only start in 3wks and will likely take 6-8 wks.
CP could have just as well resigned at the end of the season.
Why pick today-Monday, after a horrible loss on the day before, and a $25 million tax credit the chiefs are trying to push through tommorrow?
That sure doesnt sound like a great time to ‘resign’ when everyone is calling for your head?
the answer is right there.
Best wishes for Carl, always gave me his parking pass at the marriott in san diego.
Bob, do you think this is a sign that Herm is basically in trouble? I thought he would get another year, but would understand since the NFL is a win now league and isnt into big rebuild projects. I still feel that a guy like an Aaron Curry, along with a few FA’s, a strong draft and this is a playoff team with an easy schedule.
Would this effect the chemistry in the locker room? 2-12 is not pretty, however 7 of the games have been, so it makes you wonder just how close this team is….I’d say very, considering every week was a team that has played well this year save oakland.
John, I have been all over the web and searching for sportscast.The only place that really had any comments I saw was from Bob and the AP report that everyone is carrying. I think we will hear a lot more tomorrow from almost everyone. I think they are trying to gather their thoughts before they make idiots of themselves.
This has to be a sure sign Herm is about to see his last two NFL games with the HC hat on. I don’t know of any New GM that takes the reins of a team that has gone 15-32 in the past 3 seasons and will keep any of the coaching staff intact. Things usually change big time with this type of resignation.
Keep up the great work Coach Edwards. ALL of KC is behind you and we know that you will lead us back to glory very soon now.
AND NOW, Clark Hunt has RE-affirmed Herm’s The Man!
In fact, he did so again earlier today, stating on his interview that he told Herm he’s doing a good job to date with the rebuild & that though any new GM brought in may feel he wants to go a different direction Clark himself will have and make the final say so.
heh heh heh
Rin Tin Tin, WTF are you talking about reaffirming Herm is the man? If Clark is looking for a “fresh perspective, with new a set of eyes” I believe the intent is a total housecleaning that’s including Herm Edward will be going too.
Better re-read or read Bob’s article and Clark’s statement and interview too (available on video, go to kcstar.com) in total…you are wrong, and Rin is right – yet again.
Unless you presume to speak for Clark or bend his verbiage into an image -misshapen- that works for you.
Herm’s The Man!
I have many times, I can assure you that the new GM will want a guy of his choice not someone who’s forced upon him.
BTW, how am I wrong all the evidence proves the contrary even from Bob’s previous articles in the season?
Tribal Warfare says
“I can assure you that the new GM will want a guy of his choice not someone who’s forced upon him.”
- better read Bob Gretz latest analysis/breakdown of what Clark Hunt said…that new GM will have to abide by the current ‘going young’ plan that is already in place, you know, the one Herm got started.
If the new GM does not fall in line as it were, well…he won’t be the Chiefs new GM- of ‘that’ Clark Hunt has assured & RE-affirmed.
- Tribal Warfare says
“BTW, how am I wrong all the evidence proves the contrary even from Bob’s previous articles in the season?”
- we all read, see and hear what we want to – desired belief a resultant ‘truth’… in this, you are not pristine either.
I believe Herm may get one more year to get this program fully up and running. The new GM may be able to come in and request more young vetren players as well as change some of the assistant coaches. At this time it’s all still a lot of speculation on every ones part as we will have no idea who will be hired and what they will do. Stay tuned for more news as it breaks! Thanks Bob for all the info.
Carlm you and I agree I do not want an repeat of this year, next year.
If they want to stay inhouse for a GM how about herm. I do not like he as a head coach but I feel he might be better providing direction from a higher level. I hope Kuharich is pass on. On the business side how about clark. He could move to KC and be part to the solution and the problem.
His dad brought him in to learn the business so he would be the man.
Yes, Virginia there really is a Santa Claus.
Being a Season ticket holder I have not gotten in communication in the mail that it is time to purchase tickets-Clark is this because you had to do something for the fan before asking for money?
I think its 50-50 on Herm staying. If he is allowed the one remaining year on his contract, I believe he’ll be “asked” to make some changes to his staff in order to be “allowed” his final year.
I sure hope Herm keeps his job. It would be a shame to allow him to start rebuilding this year with all the young talent brought in and not have the chance to finish what he started and someone else gets hired and still all the glory. That just wouldn’t be fair to anybody. I say Clark should at least allow Herm to coach through next season and see where the team’s record and where the team stand after next season. You can’t turn a franchise around when the GM and coach are not on the same page. Obviously Peterson didn’t want to do what we did this past offseason in 2006 or 2007. And it took a 4 and 12 season for Peterson to be convinced of doing things Herm’s way. I can only hope the new GM shares Herm’s vision in rebuilding and will come in and also bridge the gap by signing good young free agents to go along with next year’s draft picks.
Ed,
I have read that the chiefs dont have ‘enough talent’, and although that may be true, the talent they do have have been underperforming on Herm’s watch.
Herm still struggles with game day management, for taking responsibility for failure, and managing his assistants. The defense is still horrible inspite of all the draft picks and FA thrown its way.
Finally, its been almost 3yrs, and when you evalute Herm’s 1st draft with the chiefs (2006) things dont come up Rosy.
Its time for some Real change.
Rin likes the part where Clark Hunt stated the fans negativity had ‘nothing’ to do with Carl resigning.
Clark: “It had no bearing on the situation”.
Gee; someone who was having a self-congratulatory party over their skewed belief the fragrant scent their own effluvium carried the hope faux reverie got shot all to hell, huh…shattered.
heh heh heh
Rin can see a scenario where Herm may decide of his own voalition he will resign – as Peterson -rather than stay in a situation as a lame duck Coach which might also entail him being asked- no, make that ‘ordered’ to change any of his coaches against his will/own best judgement.
Herm like every coach will eventually leave due to some factor – be it their age and/or burnout, a new challenge elsewhere, firing, resignation, retirement, etc.
Biggest bang for KC buck, would it behoove the Chiefs management to wait till spring 2010 to bring in a brand new coach (and also draft a young QB) to raise the spirits of a fandom to embrace a new way as well as the thence newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium?
Or, would it be better $ and fan interest wise to do so sooner, like Spring next, 2009?
We shall see…
“Time for some Real change”? That is what was begun this year. We are in the first real year of real change. This is just like a politicians mantra….change, change, change, and it is the same with different faces. Finally, Herm E has gone down the hard road of real change and everyone who wanted change can’t deal with it. Well, wake up and realize that when you really want change, it takes patience, hard work, and consistency to allow the changes to work.
We already had the change, now let’s get behind it. The new GM will end up being an excellent choice, I’m sure of that. Clark is a smart businessman and wants success from his team. As a group of leaders, I’d bet they stick with the current plan and we will see improvement every year from here forward. Thanks Clark, thanks Carl for being realistic, and thanks to all for having the foresight to get down and dirty this year, committing to the future.
First of all how can you say Herm picks been underperforming when we got 16 rookies and its their first year. Next the defense is bad true but that is because he has a defensive coord. that doesn’t even belong on his staff. He didn’t hand pick Gunther to be his defensive coord. he was inherited. Just like the old roster he inherited in 2006 that he had to blow up in 2008. THe guy needs to be allowed to pick his own defensive coord. that understands Cover 2. Yes Gailey play-calling has been questionable lately but at least the offense is much better than last year’s.
Give the guy another year with a new defensive coord. chosen by him that understands the Cover 2 scheme and then lets see how this team does.
I’m not certain of herms DOT,(Date of Termination) But I am certain that when ever that day comes it will be announced as “his resignation” and all those who support him will believe that it was a resignation, and all those who don’t will believe he was fired.
Like Bob, he truly believes that Peterson resigned, to me it’s all semantics, Positive results are all that matters.
It is the only decent thing to do,given the circumstances (Peterson’s).
I just wonder if herm has earned the same considerations.
Herm is gone…he blew it. It will set back the Chiefs for another 1-2 years. Hem was a mistake from the beginning. Carl would have saved himself had he not signed Herm….makes you think that he did not really hire Herm and maybe that was more Hunt. If you think about it, Hunt saves $60 million under the cap uses Herm and his youth movemment as an excuse…once that failed to produce anything he fires Carl. Did Hunt want to lose? But he did leave himself a nice excuse and a obvious scapegoat.
Its an odd day to be a part of. Its hard to see that after 20 years Carl is stepping down. I have been a chiefs fan since I was born (24 years ago) and cant remember the Chiefs without him. I know when I was growing up that I could count on 3 things 1. My dad was going to make me play football 2. If i didnt play football, Id get to move a woodpile everyday. 3 The Chiefs were going to the playoffs. Didnt matter, they always went. I cant believe how far we have fallen. And while I believe that Carl and Marty were responsible for that, in the End, Carl is responsible for this as well. That doesnt mean he is a bad GM, just that its time for change. Carl may go somewhere else, and do great. But here, its time to move on. Trust me everyone, this is just the beginning of the change. More to come. Remember, you can change coaching philosophies and still keep young players. You can RE-Affirm all you want that herm will be back, but just because someone has said it in the past, doesnt mean its going to occur. Just because someone thinks they are going to stay, doesnt mean they will. I believe that the new GM will have more say in who stays and who goes than one may think. Heres hoping Marty comes back as a GM. The man had a better eye for talent than 95% of people out there. I dont want him coaching, but man would i love him drafting for us. Feel free to call me and idiot now.
As a lifetime Chiefs fan I will always hold Carl and Marty in high regard for what they did–but it was time for a change. I like Herm and he is not the disaster many feel but he needs to go as well. They need a clean sweep. And please no Terry Bradway.
The I.T. Guy
“Marty…The man had a better eye for talent than 95% of people out there…man would i love him drafting for us. Feel free to call me and idiot now.”
- (cue Sgt. Joe Friday): no name calling, just the facts…
Schottenheimer picks who amounted to anything:
1989: 12 picks brought but D.Thomas…also for a brief tenured McNair, R. Thomas & Jones, higher drafted failures like an Elkins, Worthen, Petry, Sancho, Tobey, Phillips, McGovern & Turner. GRADE: A with Thomas, D- without.
1990: 11 picks brought Grunhard & Szott…that equates to 9 washouts. Grade: C-
1991: 11 picks brought Harvey Williams…Tim Barnett, Joe Valerio. GRADE: C-
1992: 10 picks brought Dale Carter…and Blundin, and Mike Evans, and Tony Smith and…GRADE: C-
1993: 5 picks resulted in Shields & Montana via trade…and nothing else. GRADE: A
1994: 10 picks equated to Hill, Bennett, Dawson, Greene & Penn…and a bunch of Tellers. GRADE: C
1995: 8 picks = Trezelle Jenkins, Bono in trade, Vanover. GRADE: C at best.
1996: 9 picks brought Woods, Tongue, Browning & Edwards…Marty sent Joe Horn packing, and also traded a pick for S William White. Bravo. GRADE: C at best, all considered.
1997: 6 picks brought Tony Gonzlez…with him a grade of A. Without? D-…; Grade With him an A…without? As with DT in ’89, all considered a D-.
1998: 7 picks, highlight Eric Warfield…Victor Riley was the #1, #2 went for McGlockton. GRADE: D
Well, there you have it…the ‘Marty knack’ for drafting or otherwise trading for talent – what final tally grade-wise?
D, D-, C, C, C, A, C-, C-, C-, D-. 10 years, average grade of below average – and that’s being kind.
Again, no name calling…just the facts.
No Rin Tin Tin, YOU are man,lol. I appreciate the great laugh every day.
Rin’s humor is a result of watching so-called Chief fans ‘blog’ their collective hearts out this forum.
Why pay for cable or satellite when you get the Comedy Channel here, daily. Some of the best (if not the brightest) unknown comics in the entire world bring their acts here each & every.
heh heh heh
Agree with Rin on Marty as talent evaluator of College players as Chief’s HC. However, once they were in the league, he did a little better. His San Diego drafts were much better. This then begs the question, was it Marty or Carl making the picks? This being said, Marty’s obvious strength was in breaking down an opposing team and finding ways to beat them. That’s more HC material than GM responsibility.
Marty? uh…..NO!
Two more polar opposites do not exist.
Marty blew our chance (Not only my opinion but that of Will Shields and Tim Grunhard too) at winning a Superbowl because he refused to play and develop Greg Hill.
Where herm hasn’t the confidence in his ability to coach veteran players, Marty was to conservative to live with a young guys mistakes while he developed.
Greg Hill and Marcus Allen would have been an awesome tandem, behind T Rich and Anders and our O-line, unstoppable.
Not suggesting Marty as head coach, merely responding (not questioning mind you) to Rin’s assertion that Marty was not a good draft manager. Have also read comments here that Marty might make a good GM. I would tend to disagree with that one as well. Clark said “fresh ideas”, that doesn’t sound like he’s real interested in Marty as GM.
The only thing I would pay Marty to do is evaluate free agents.
lol, I like Marty as a HC during the regular season. Playoff HC or GM he is not. I respect the guy but I am not hoping to see him back in KC.
Agreed with john,larry,etc. Marty can coach but Gm he is not. Everyone knows AJ smith built that San Diego roster,but what Smith fail to realize is that you still need a good coach to win in the NFL with all that talent.
I still think herm would be a good GM and clark run the business side. They believe in what they are doing together and who would be better.
I still think Peterson got fired.
I dont want marty back at all he had his chance and blew it alot. As a GM, I dont think he would be good at that either. I just want a worthy GM the guy from New England would be my pick. I dont want the guy from NJ either that would be just as bad.
Does Gretz even reply to these comments?
Are you nuts? How do you expect Gretz to respond to better than 40 comments, or the previous article on the resignation with 120 comments. Get real!
There are still 2 games left in the season, no way Clark was or is going to say Herm is fired. No GM prospect is going to come here and have a HC pushed onto them that they dont agree with. There are 3 candidates that Clark should be contacting Pioli, Polian, and DeCosta. None of those 3 would take the job if Herm is the coach.
“Are you nuts? How do you expect Gretz to respond to better than 40 comments, or the previous article on the resignation with 120 comments. Get real!”
So what good is this?
Carl was “asked” to resign. If one wants to spin that as not a firing, they can do so, but the FACTS are that Carl had a 4 year contract, and he’s leaving before 3 years of it are up. That’s a firing with dignity. Happens all the time. Donald Rumsfeld and Spiro Agnew “resigned” also. And Carl deserved that, for all he’s done for the Chiefs and the Hunt family. But he’s not leaving because he wants to leave, and he’s not terminating all involvement in Chief affairs because he wants to, now matter how it’s spinned and will be spinned. Now lets hope that Scott Pioli says yes, and Herm is the next to “resign”.
Keep up the unproductive work Coach Edwards. ALL of KC is sick of you and we know that you will make excuses and lead us back to 2 and 14 very soon now.
AND NOW, Clark Hunt has RE-affirmed Herm’s The Man On The Hot Seat!