One thing we've learned about the NFL through the years: the leaked rumors are never true and serve some ulterior purpose. So let's decipher the true meaning behind this rumor. Pioli obviously recognizes that demanding complete control is folly; the job is too big for one man. So he's saying that he wants complete control to ferret out all of the weak owners that will kowtow to his every whim. Those teams will be off his list. Then he will focus on the organizations that have wise owners. To me, this rumor is another strong indication that Pioli is coming to KC.

He wants total control of football operations - which the new GM will have. I doubt he's insisting on control over the price of club seats and sponsorships.

I could very well be wrong, but from what I've read, he wants TOTAL control. Shanahan-like.

Cap decisions, contracts, the like.

It is the only way to get Stafford.

:spock:

You do realize that the highest Pioli has drafted a QB was in the 3rd round - Kevin O'Connell?

What makes you think that Pioli would go QB with a Top 5 pick? He's NEVER came close to doing that before.

Why would you say Cleveland? They are and exspansion team, even though they kept the name, they have never won a playoff game.

Remember, Clark can't move quite as fast as solo owners, because he's actually Chariman of a group (with his 3 other siblings). He's probably not the biggest shareholder by any large margin; I would presume each of Lamar's 4 heirs have roughly equal ownership of the chiefs.

You know, I hope your dumb ass doesn't have any children.

If you do, I feel sorry for those poor little bastards.

I was under the impression, perhaps mistaken, that while his siblings all hold equal shares, they agreed to give Clark complete control because they have no real interest in the team, other than the money they can make from it.

Why would you say KC over Cleveland?

Cleveland has more pieces in place, IMO. Better players at more positions.

Is your sarcasm meter broken, or was it my delivery? I was trying to make a corolation of the Pioli/Stafford love fests on this place. :)

I was also under the impreession that Clark is the only one with a vote.

After reading the rest of this thread, a couple posters have done a better job than I of detailing it.
I think it was Adam Shien (sp?) or Randy Cross on Sirius yesterday (10 1/2 hour drive, listening to NFL Sirius) who said it best.

Cleveland has no tradition, they are the Browns in name only. They are an expansion team, that has only been in one playoff game, with no wins. The team moved to Baltimore in the dark of the night. The Chiefs have actually been to two playoffs, since the 9-7 appearance by the new "Browns."

KC is getting a virtual new facility, plenty of money to spend and a young owner wanting to win.
Clark has exhibited, in the last couple weeks, that he is ready to put his stamp on this team and move on.

I could be wrong, but that is my take.

WTF. You're raised in a football family and you don't wanna take part in the ball club? The ball club that your father loved dearly. A Historic Ball club that was part of the foundation of what we now call the NFL. F-That, those ungratefull bastards!

I would be fist fighting Clark for control of the team

Probably a combo of the 2.

:D