The Pioli Watch Thread
 

I'm hijacking the thread starter to use for an "updates" area. Sorry cardken. Here are a few recent updates:

Last updated 1/13/09 2:30pm CDT (final update)

Why exactly?

Because Bill Williamson writes for one of the Denver papers.

If he wrote for the Star, he'd be saying that the KC job is the best one available.

just forget about Pioli ..... too much competition for us to get him.


since when have the chiefs ever won ANY KIND of competition

Bill Williamson used to write in Denver too. Of course he's gonna say that. Although it is probably one of the most attractive jobs out there.

Ok... makes sense. It just seemed he was spouting off without giving a reason as to why it's such a good gig relative to the others.

I think Pioli would probably be a good GM, but I also think there are several candidates out there that would be quite servicable for the Chiefs. So I'm not getting bent out of shape if he goes somewhere else. If he wants to be our GM he'll be here; if not, someone else will be. I'm can't quite understand the Pioli lovefest that seems to be running rampant on ChiefsPlanet lately.

1. Offense (or at least its possibilities with a good, healthy RB)
2. Level-headed owner, who has shown willingness to shell out huge amounts for FAs
3. Location

4. Owner also willing to shell out large amounts of cash to Coach and GM.

Just a gut feeling, but it won't be the end of the world if we ended up with Polian and not Pioli.

Really not being a homer, but with our draft position, and cap status, I don't see how any job would be a more ideal situation for a new GM than this one.

That is very homerish.

Cleveland and Denver are much better options.

KC is still pretty decent place to land though

how so?

There are a lot of things to look at.

1) Size of the metro area - this goes a long way to determining revenue streams for individuals as well as the team.

2) Owner (financial security, willingness to spend money, commitment to winning)

3) Stadium

4) How many pieces are currently in place

5) franchise reputation

1) Metro size - Denver is clearly larger with 2.8 million, but KC and Cleveland are pretty similar in size (1.8 million and 2.2 million respectively). Also, KC is (my guess) a much more regional draw grabbing people from all of the surrounding states that don't have NFL teams. While Ohio is more populated than MO or KS, Cleveland is also competing with Cinci, Pittsburgh and Detroit outside of its DMA.

2) Owner - This one is a bit of a toss up because we don't know too much about Clark other than he steps back and lets his football people run the show. This is probably attractive. Denver is probably more attractive here as well, but I don't know that Cleveland is.

3) Stadium - Arrowhead has a great reputation and should be even better as a revenue generator once the remodel is done. I don't know that any team has an advantage here, but I would suspect that with everything coming online KC would have an advantage over Cleveland.

4) How many pieces are in place - KC is way behind here, but they have a high draft pick and a lot of space under the cap to work with. KC also has lowered expectations so a new GM will have more of a honeymoon period than the other two cities you've mentioned.

5) Franchise reputation - All 3 cities have great fans. Much of the negative associated with KC walked out the door when Carl was canned. I don't think that any team has an advantage here.

Looking at it all, Denver is probably the most attractive scenario with KC edging out Cleveland. I'm sure a Browns fan would counter my thoughts, but thats the great thing about being a fan.

Good take, but I tend to think Cleveland is a better destination.

It's impossible to prove that Cleveland having a larger regional population but also more crowded with NFL teams makes it better or worse, but I think it's better. That's a much bigger audience for endorsements, advertising deals, TV and radio shows, etc.

As for the stadium (I should have included other facilities too), in a few years Arrowhead will be up there with Cleveland and Denver but as of right now they have the more recent modern facilities. That will be an issue for some free agents as well as revenue potential.

As for reputation, I was thinking more of the league reputation. KC is known for being cheap, stingy, and a little cold on the player front as Brian Waters recently pointed out in an interview. Sure, all that can change with Carl's replacement but it will take a few years to undo that impression that's out there. As for fans - well right now KC had a lot of low turnout and you can probably expect some of that to happen next year too.

What KC has in it's favor is cap space and draft position, but pieces already in place trumps those in my opinion. I'd rank the current GM opportunities like this:

1) Denver
2) Cleveland
3) KC

The Broncos definitely have areas of need and are more than just a coach or a few players away from being a true SB contending team, but with that being said ... they're not that far away.

We saw teams like ATL and MIA turn it around in less than a year with much less talent - I don't think that's a stretch. But, just b/c those 2 teams were able to do what they did in 2008 shouldn't make anyone think that it will easily happen in Denver.

The AFCW is weak and aside from SD... there's a lot of work to be done still in OAK and KC. So, from a competitive division standpoint, taking the HC job in Denver is truly one of the better (if not the best) openings right now.

The core on offense is young and very talented - that is appealing.

The owner is very dedicated and willing to spend $ - that is appealing.

The city, franchise history, the stadium, the fans - those are all appealing.

There really aren't any big negatives that come to mind, other than the obvious holes that need to be filled... but, that's going to be the case with any open HC gig.

I think if you look at the open positions right now in DEN, STL, OAK, SEA, NYJ, CLE, DET... who am I missing ... of all those openings, while several of them have stable pieces to the puzzle in place, I think Denver is the most attractive - by far.

So, we'll see how it goes. I think this is good for Denver. Shanahan did amazing things, I'll always hold him in the highest regard, but all good things come to an end.

Reputation shouldn't be a factor for a new GM. Prestige, maybe, but not reputation. The rep was caused by Carl, not by the rest of the team. The new GM brings his own rep with him, and the players will recognize the rep of our new coaching staff and GM. That's why i think it's important we land recognized, established coaches that players want to play for.

As for the Fans, KC is known for having some of the most dedicated fans. That's what KC's reputation is, having loud, dedicated fans. It's well known why the fans weren't showing up to games last season. But if we bring in a known coach and draft a franchise QB, arrowhead will be packed again in no time. If history tells us anything, it should tell us that even a 7-9 type of ball club will pack the stadium

Owner is most important. The rest, not so much.

Shefter: Pioli Update
 

http://blogs.nfl.com/2008/12/31/brow...ould-end-soon/


Browns’ search for GM could end soon
Posted: Adam Schefter | Adam Schefter |

Cleveland’s search for a general manager is heating up and could be wrapped up as early as today.

Those within the league say the Browns would like an answer from the leading candidate, Scott Pioli, today. The Browns are meeting with Pioli in the New England area today. If Pioli takes the job, the Browns general manager search is over and the one for a new head coach will commence. If the Browns fail to lure Pioli to Cleveland, they then would turn to Falcons president Rich McKay, who is next on Cleveland’s wish list.

Many thought McKay would be on the Lions’ wish list to complete the triangle of power in Detroit with Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew. But Cleveland is the team that has requested and received permission to interview McKay.

But the next move looks like it belongs to Pioli.

McKay wouldn't be a bad idea.

I thought Pioli was in KC today? Or at the least, meeting with Clark?

if he signs with Cleveland without even meeting with Kansas City and seeing what they have to say, he was never seriously considering the Chiefs anyway.

Take notes Clark...

This is how you aggressively pursue a top GM candidate.

Of course we wouldn't want the Chiefs GM search (or "Chiefs Duty" as I'm sure Clark would call it) to interfere with Clark's holiday vacation.

:spock:

jesus christ.

forget collecting information and making a well thought-out decision, lets just throw a bag of money at the biggest name.

duh, of course.

Yep.

Somehow I really, really doubt Clark is ignoring the GM search so he can kick back and relax right now.

It may just be that Pioli values the Browns job more highly than the Chiefs. It sucks to hear a bit, but let's take off the rose colored glasses and realize that KC probably isn't the top job available.

Also, I think there really are a number of qualified candidates for the spot. More candidates than there are open spots right now actually.

It's always funny watching hapless Chiefs apologists attempt to defend every bone-headed move the Chiefs make.

It would be interesting to hear your rationale for why the Chiefs shouldn't be pursuing a GM like Scott Pioli as aggressively as Cleveland apparently is.

Pioli is NOT coming to KC. Period.

He wants total control, and Clark has gone on record MANY times to say that the football side and the business side would be run by two separate people.

Denny Thum has been with the organization for over 30 years, pre-Carl, and is one of the best cap guys out there. Clark isn't going to throw him to the curb over some guy that has been carried most of his career by someone else.

He's not coming here.

Get the **** over it.

You gripe about anything that the Chiefs do. If you were running the show, we'd fire everyone after the first loss of every year and hire an entirely new organization, griping the whole time about how they're not doing it right. You're just unbearably ignorant.

Have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe, Pioli isn't the guy that Clark's after? He's just another hot name. I have a good feeling that clark wants one of the boys from baltimore, indy or NYG.

It would be interesting to hear your rationale as to why Pioli is all of a sudden some hands down, OMFG the greatest GM candidate out there. Some of you swear like Pioli is the only option. I'd rather we didn't get Pioli TBH.

Clark could offer him HJ's, BJ's and ZJ's to come to KC. Pioli may just not want to and would rather go to Cleveland. What further rationale is needed?

exactly. These control freak GMs need to learn they don't run the whole show, they are still hired employees.

Take notes Clark...

This is how you drive off potential candidates because of your impatience.

good point. and with the demand of Pioli, he is similiar to a free agent. The Chiefs do not typically spend big dollars on free agents just the same as they are not going to spend lots of money on Pioli.

IF it is so black and white as you describe, why did Hunt reach out to him and try to get him in for a visit?

Look at all of the coaches that have come out of the New England system. They've been tearing the league up. LMAO

And there is a good chance the front office personal will do the same....

If Pioli is smart he'll test the waters before he makes a decision.

That's fine....I want DeCosta anyways.

Cleveland just got burned by a NE castoff, I'm surprised that are jumping back in to the NE hype so quickly.

Due diligence?

If I'm looking to hire someone for my company, and there's a rumor that one of my candidates has no interest in working for me, I'm going to at least ask and hear it from him directly - then move on.

I'm honestly starting to believe that Cleveland is the only place interested.

+111111

But, how can that be Mr. Warpath? Isn't Pioli a GM god?

No kidding!

The media sure seems to think so.

You get dumber every day.

Me too, but I'm not going to throw a ****ing hissy-fit if Clark hires someone else - like others will when Pioli inevitably is hired by Cleveland, or decides to stay put in NE.

Good luck trying to beat Baltimore and Pittsburgh every year:thumb:

I think whoever has been in charge of the Steelers and Ravens drafts over the last decade, should be at the top of the list.
Both of those teams, seem to hit draft success on a regular basis, it appears to me.

Don't forget that Cleveland Rocks! (According to Ian Hunter and POTUSA.)

THe right GM for the CHiefs is the one that insists Herm be fired.
I will support and applaud any GM that does that.

Exactly. :clap:

when did a quiet search become the same as no search at all?

everyone associated with the Chiefs said Clark is being professional, methodical, and won't leak anything about candidates. no one knew about Carl being ousted until the day it happened, either.

way to get your panties in a bunch just because the chiefs aren't on the ESPN bottom line every 2 minutes.

I'd at least hope we had a serious interview with Pioli. If he preferred Cleveland and/or Cleveland's situation, fine.

No panties in a bunch here. Clark has shown that he can do the right thing when he needs to. I expected King Carl to be here another year. Clark didn't wait and pulled the trigger.

I don't expect Pioli to come here. Never have, even though he's my top candidate. We just don't rate as a top job anymore. But my point since 2004 was just ask the guy, he turns ya down move on.

Chris Poilan would be okay with me. The Ravens front office guys will do. Hell, 95% of this board could do better than King Carl has done the last 10 years.

Dude, you shouldn't make accusations like this unless you have even the faintest idea of what's going on.

I heard on Sirius NFL Radio today Pat Kirwan bashing the Browns for this move, saying it was unreasonable to force Pioli to make a decision today, as if they had some kind of leverage. We'll see how this turns out, but if Pioli wanted a few days to think about it, this was a very bad move for the Browns.

What's a ZJ? :p

Yup.

Cleveland has already demonstrated that they:
-Have no patience and feel they can bully GM candidates around because they feel like their GM position is such a prized position
-Obviously have shown that the GM does NOT have ultimate power to decide the next head coach, because they already fired their head coach and are interviewing other candidates without the new GM present
-Obviously have shown that the GM position is not one to feel comfortable with, given that they fired their last GM after only a few seasons

I don't know why any top candidate would want to go to Cleveland after knowing all that.

this

Wow, it looks like the Browns are really trying to improve by getting the best guys. Everything I read says the requested permission for discussions first with ever candidate.

is this a joke?

Agreed.

decent, but not the top job anymore.

When we were looking for a coach in 2002 and 2005 we were considered the best job out there available.

Clark has officially requested permission to speak to Pioli.

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal...s_request.html

I believe this is the problem
same group that gripes about getting no respect
immature

Kansas City is the best job out there for a couple of reasons.

1) Clark Hunt is extremely smart, more patient than just about all the other owners, and does not meddle strongly in football affairs. Plus he is getting a new stadium that will bring in more revenue and he is financially stable as far as I know.

2) The amount of cap space and the lack of bad contracts (LJ excepted) provides a blank canvas for a new personnel man to form whatever he wants with really no restrictions.

The only thing that would make Pioli work for Lerner in Cleveland rather than come to KC is based on where he and his family want to live.

You're forgetting that Pioli wants total control wherever he goes.

That is something Clark has repeatedly said is not going to happen in KC.

The football and business sides of the organization will be headed by different people.

Pioli is evil. Evil only works in New York, New England, etc. Not KC's type. Like Larry Johnson.

No way he even makes it here. Cleveland will wrap him up tighter than the lid on a pickle jar now.

Oh well....NEXT!!

I hope he makes it here. Like I mentioned, if it were me I'd listen to all parties. But I'm not a highly touted GM candidate with millions of dollars being thrown at me. Heck I'd say yes to $500,000 a year lol.

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.