Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 21, 2008 23:47:59 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/452532.html
Give the Clark Hunt Chiefs a chance
The Chiefs are starting over, and that means we should, too.
As best we can, we need to let go of the past, distance ourselves from the disappointment, turn our attention away from King Carl and evaluate the Clark Hunt-led Chiefs with renewed optimism.
What happened on Thursday, when Hunt met individually with a representative of every local media outlet with a passion for the Chiefs, was the most significant moment in Chiefs history since Lamar Hunt hired Carl Peterson and Marty Schottenheimer.
It appears to me that Clark Hunt, Lamar’s successor, took the ’07 calendar year to analyze and assess this city’s favorite franchise. He considered his thoughts, formulated a plan and then announced his intentions to the public through the media.
He did exactly what an SMU valedictorian is supposed to do when given a high-profile asset to manage.
Now, some of us may be disappointed that Peterson wasn’t immediately eliminated from the organization. And some of you might be dismayed that Herm Edwards wasn’t given his walking papers.
Kansas City football fans have a right to desire blood — 4-12 seasons, 14 years without a playoff victory, Peterson’s unapologetic arrogance, an unimaginative offense and horrendous drafting will make pigskin fans angry.
But you don’t necessarily need a public hanging for proof of decisive change.
What Hunt said was plenty decisive. He — not King Carl — laid out expectations and direction for the 2008 season and beyond. Hunt demanded an improved offense, the development of a young, franchise quarterback, tangible improvement in performance and record throughout the season, and Hunt created the clear perception his loyalty rested with Edwards, not Peterson.
In the previous 19 years, Peterson set the agenda while Lamar Hunt watched, supported and cheered like a typical season-ticket holder.
There has been a clear shift in power. To ignore that would be unreasonable, and so would be suggesting that Clark Hunt’s words have no credibility.
There is not one reason to disbelieve Clark Hunt. His father never lied to us. Lamar played it straight. This was Peterson’s team to run, and Lamar was willing to live with the consequences of Peterson’s decision-making.
Well, now Clark Hunt has stated he’s going to take a bigger role in the oversight of the franchise. He’ll have an office in the new Arrowhead Stadium. He hinted that he and his wife, a Lee’s Summit native, have considered setting up permanent residence in Kansas City. He called the Chiefs his No. 1 priority.
I say let’s give the man a fair hearing. Throw away the old baggage. I’m going to back down on my Peterson attack and come up with a new nickname. Maybe “The Artist Formerly Known as King Carl” or “The General Manager Formerly Known as King Carl.”
Seriously, we should do what Hunt did last year. Let’s sit back and analyze the entire 2008 year and offer hardcore opinions next January.
This is a new era. I don’t think this is a desperate ploy by Clark Hunt to appease disgruntled season-ticket holders. Hunt legitimately believes in Herm Edwards. Peterson believes in Edwards, too.
Hunt and Peterson think Herm can fix the Chiefs. We have nothing to lose by offering our support. The decision has been made.
If we don’t see real improvement next season, if Edwards is wrong about Brodie Croyle and the Chiefs pass on Boston College’s Matt Ryan and he shows flashes of being a franchise QB, then we can gather a posse, storm Arrowhead Stadium and demand that Peterson, Edwards, Bill Kuharich, Lynn Stiles, Denny Thum, Gunther Cunningham and all the rest be turned over to an angry mob.
That would be an enjoyable, satisfying day. I don’t anticipate it happening. I have confidence that Clark and Herm know what they’re doing. That perspective will be represented in this column until further notice (or the first time Herm and thingy Curl mismanage timeouts and the clock).
Give the Clark Hunt Chiefs a chance
The Chiefs are starting over, and that means we should, too.
As best we can, we need to let go of the past, distance ourselves from the disappointment, turn our attention away from King Carl and evaluate the Clark Hunt-led Chiefs with renewed optimism.
What happened on Thursday, when Hunt met individually with a representative of every local media outlet with a passion for the Chiefs, was the most significant moment in Chiefs history since Lamar Hunt hired Carl Peterson and Marty Schottenheimer.
It appears to me that Clark Hunt, Lamar’s successor, took the ’07 calendar year to analyze and assess this city’s favorite franchise. He considered his thoughts, formulated a plan and then announced his intentions to the public through the media.
He did exactly what an SMU valedictorian is supposed to do when given a high-profile asset to manage.
Now, some of us may be disappointed that Peterson wasn’t immediately eliminated from the organization. And some of you might be dismayed that Herm Edwards wasn’t given his walking papers.
Kansas City football fans have a right to desire blood — 4-12 seasons, 14 years without a playoff victory, Peterson’s unapologetic arrogance, an unimaginative offense and horrendous drafting will make pigskin fans angry.
But you don’t necessarily need a public hanging for proof of decisive change.
What Hunt said was plenty decisive. He — not King Carl — laid out expectations and direction for the 2008 season and beyond. Hunt demanded an improved offense, the development of a young, franchise quarterback, tangible improvement in performance and record throughout the season, and Hunt created the clear perception his loyalty rested with Edwards, not Peterson.
In the previous 19 years, Peterson set the agenda while Lamar Hunt watched, supported and cheered like a typical season-ticket holder.
There has been a clear shift in power. To ignore that would be unreasonable, and so would be suggesting that Clark Hunt’s words have no credibility.
There is not one reason to disbelieve Clark Hunt. His father never lied to us. Lamar played it straight. This was Peterson’s team to run, and Lamar was willing to live with the consequences of Peterson’s decision-making.
Well, now Clark Hunt has stated he’s going to take a bigger role in the oversight of the franchise. He’ll have an office in the new Arrowhead Stadium. He hinted that he and his wife, a Lee’s Summit native, have considered setting up permanent residence in Kansas City. He called the Chiefs his No. 1 priority.
I say let’s give the man a fair hearing. Throw away the old baggage. I’m going to back down on my Peterson attack and come up with a new nickname. Maybe “The Artist Formerly Known as King Carl” or “The General Manager Formerly Known as King Carl.”
Seriously, we should do what Hunt did last year. Let’s sit back and analyze the entire 2008 year and offer hardcore opinions next January.
This is a new era. I don’t think this is a desperate ploy by Clark Hunt to appease disgruntled season-ticket holders. Hunt legitimately believes in Herm Edwards. Peterson believes in Edwards, too.
Hunt and Peterson think Herm can fix the Chiefs. We have nothing to lose by offering our support. The decision has been made.
If we don’t see real improvement next season, if Edwards is wrong about Brodie Croyle and the Chiefs pass on Boston College’s Matt Ryan and he shows flashes of being a franchise QB, then we can gather a posse, storm Arrowhead Stadium and demand that Peterson, Edwards, Bill Kuharich, Lynn Stiles, Denny Thum, Gunther Cunningham and all the rest be turned over to an angry mob.
That would be an enjoyable, satisfying day. I don’t anticipate it happening. I have confidence that Clark and Herm know what they’re doing. That perspective will be represented in this column until further notice (or the first time Herm and thingy Curl mismanage timeouts and the clock).