Chiefs Mellinger: The Chiefs Have Hit Rock Bottom - Page 3

FloridaMan88 · 10-28-2012, 09:36 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/28...ck-bottom.html

Chiefs have hit rock bottom

By Sam Mellinger

The Kansas City Star

The picture of the Chiefs’ now historical level of “professional” football incompetence is their overmatched head coach, asked a simple question about why his star running back only got five carries in another blowout loss, saying “I’m not exactly sure.”

The Chiefs are beyond disappointment, beyond even the kind of stink that makes your eyes water, and are now neck-deep in the all-time pool of pathetic with Matt Millen’s Lions, Turner Gill’s Jayhawks and Buddy Bell’s Royals.

Keep in mind, the Raiders stink, too. They won only two games this season before beating the Chiefs 26-16, a sort-of-close final score that makes it seem like the Chiefs had a chance.

Here’s coach Romeo Crennel’s explanation:

“Well, generally, if the other team is able to score, that puts you down,” he says. “… You can say this is similar to what we’ve been talking about all along. We get penalties at inopportune times, we turn the ball over, then we allow teams to score.”

These are your Chiefs, Kansas City. And with the next two games shown nationally in prime time, the rest of the country will see why you’ve been booing so much, and why it’s past time for the coach and general manager to be fired.

At some point, the team may just be bad enough for owner Clark Hunt to break his silence.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few weeks ago, Crennel put up a sign in the locker room that will ensure he never gets another head-coaching job. On it, he urged the team to “ELIMINATE BAD FOOTBALL.”

Just a humble suggestion here, but maybe the new sign should say: “OK, LET’S JUST ELIMINATE HISTORICALLY INEPT FOOTBALL AND THEN WE’LL WORRY ABOUT MERELY BAD FOOTBALL.”

You might’ve heard this stat by now, but it’s so amazing it should be repeated a million times and shouted from the rooftops and included in every story once Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli are canned for leading this mess: The Chiefs are the first team to go seven weeks without a lead in regulation since 1940.

Nineteen-forty.

Do you know what the NFL was in 1940? The Brooklyn Dodgers finished second in the NFL’s Eastern Division. The Pittsburgh Pirates renamed themselves the Steelers. Players had day jobs. Lamar Hunt turned 8 years old.

The men in charge of today’s NFL have taken great strides to make sure a team is never so unable to compete with other professional teams that it trails six of seven games by at least 17 points. That’s a staple of the NFL’s success, actually. The league is built on parity.

The Chiefs have become parody.

Think about this: The Royals haven’t played in 25 days, finished their season like dogs, and still have two wins since the Chiefs’ last victory.

The Chiefs have been a fireable offense for Crennel and Pioli, but now the team is bad enough that the men in charge might think about apologizing when they’re fired.

This is an all-time level of pathetic, bad enough that fans are paying to fly banners mocking the team over the stadium, and incompetent enough that fans are already wearing paper bags and plan on coming to the next game dressed in mourning. At least one fan wrote to the team demanding his tickets be refunded — and they were.

This is the team Pioli has spent four offseasons and four drafts building.

Much has been said — both on the record and off — about how bad the Chiefs were when Pioli was hired, and only some of it is exaggerated. They won two games the year before, and the coach Pioli hired famously told the players he inherited that he could win two games with 22 guys off the street. Well, the Chiefs still haven’t won two games this season with the presumed “Right 53” guys that Pioli has spent four years accumulating.

He has talked so much about changing the Chiefs’ losing culture, but really, he’s just updated it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hunt hasn’t said a word publicly about any of this, which is being taken by some fans as a sign of detachment. That perception is understandable, but also wrong.

Hunt is listening to angry fans, responding to some personally, inviting a few to lunch … and at least one for a two-hour meeting in his office. He talked publicly during last year’s bye week. His silence now may be frustrating, but indications are that it’s purposeful.

A source distanced the team from a report of an extension for Pioli, remember, and if Hunt says anything publicly now, he’s going to be asked about his faith in Pioli. At the very least, that appears to be a question he’s not willing to answer at the moment.

Hunt hired and has supported Pioli. Nearly everybody thought it was the best hire the Chiefs could make at the time. Hunt wants to believe in Pioli. Hunt wants to build a franchise like the Steelers, the NFL’s model of consistency, and firing a GM after four seasons is a rotten way to do it.

But this team is pathetic enough he may not have a choice.

Megbert · 10-28-2012, 10:41 PM

I went to a bar today to watch the game. Usually I'm at home watching ST. Anyway the bar I went to was a 'Chiefs' bar and had quite a few fans there. I think all of them want the Chiefs to still win this season like there's some chance of a turnaround. After Brady's 2nd or third scramble I said something along the lines of "that's our leading rusher'. Guy next to me said "i don't care as long as we win' or some thing along those lines. I think I'll go back on Nov 18th wearing the the blackout arrowhead shirt.

Strongside · 10-28-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZORChiefFan

I went to a bar today to watch the game. Usually I'm at home watching ST. Anyway the bar I went to was a 'Chiefs' bar and had quite a few fans there. I think all of them want the Chiefs to still win this season like there's some chance of a turnaround. After Brady's 2nd or third scramble I said something along the lines of "that's our leading rusher'. Guy next to me said "i don't care as long as we win' or some thing along those lines. I think I'll go back on Nov 18th wearing the the blackout arrowhead shirt.

Did Scott Pioli show up and give everyone $100 Chiefs gift cards?

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-28-2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZORChiefFan

I went to a bar today to watch the game. Usually I'm at home watching ST. Anyway the bar I went to was a 'Chiefs' bar and had quite a few fans there. I think all of them want the Chiefs to still win this season like there's some chance of a turnaround. After Brady's 2nd or third scramble I said something along the lines of "that's our leading rusher'. Guy next to me said "i don't care as long as we win' or some thing along those lines. I think I'll go back on Nov 18th wearing the the blackout arrowhead shirt.

Wow.

Can't wait.

bowener · 10-28-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Janus

A suggestion for the next banner to fly over Arrowhead... "ELIMINATE BAD FOOTBALL, FIRE PIOLI"

Winner

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-28-2012, 10:52 PM

I would have fired Pioli, Crennel, and Daboll after the game.

#1 Bronco's Fan · 10-28-2012, 10:59 PM

How can you say this is rock bottom when they'll probably lose Thursday?

Saccopoo · 10-28-2012, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaWolf

Geno better be worth the pain we're going through this season...

Geno is the guy.

He's not going to fail. He's got all the tools. This franchise needs Geno.

And he's the best option that we've got. Free agent or draft. And if, for some inexplicable reason, he doesn't work out, you draft another QB. And another. And another. Until someone does. But Geno is the man.

Geno! Geno! Geno!

NJChiefsFan · 10-28-2012, 11:40 PM

Rock bottom will be after two straight blow outs on national TV. If, at the very least, Romeo isn't fired after those two games I will be blown away. I am all too familiar with how this organization is run but I would be shocked if at the very least Romeo wasn't fired after the PIT game.

Saccopoo · 10-28-2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Worst Chiefs team I've ever seen given the talent on this roster...

Dude...

You bought into the lies.

This team is devoid of talent.

Pioli's drafts have been total shit.

His best drafted player, in terms of actual, on-the-field production has been a seventh round kicker. His free agent acquisitions have been atrocious. (I do like Hillis, Boss and Winston, but Cassel broke both Boss and Hillis and it's horrible blocking for Cassel. The announcers stated as much quoting Winston about Cassel's huge drop backs.)

Special teams suck other than Brown. Our return game is horrible.

Our featured offensive player is a 5'6", 175 lb. slot guy.

Our best defensive player is (on a team starting six first round draft picks on that side of the ball) Flowers, who is a Herm/Peterson second round pick holdover.

What talent?

Yes, coaching brings talent out and maximizes it, but you watch these guys...it's hard to pick out any standouts right now. Perhaps they've just resigned themselves to their current fate, but I'll give you some examples:

Jared Allen last year with the Vikings.
TJ Ward with the Browns this season.
London Fletcher for his career.

Certain guys will continue to bust ass.

I'm not seeing much of that right now from anyone other than...yeah, it pains me to say it, but Cassel. At least he's trying. But he's got minimal starter talent for this level. Great guy for a backup/#2 QB, and he's trying out there, but he's not a starter in this league.

Hammock Parties · 10-28-2012, 11:56 PM

It's painfully obvious that the only REAL talent on this team is:

Herm's guys.
Justin Houston.
The OL Pioli brought in.

Everyone else is mediocre at best.

It's a decent roster, somewhere around league average thanks to Herm, but QB and HC issues totally undermine it.

NJChiefsFan · 10-28-2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

It's painfully obvious that the only REAL talent on this team is:

Herm's guys.
Justin Houston.
The OL Pioli brought in.

Everyone else is mediocre at best.

It's a decent roster, but QB and HC issues totally undermine it.

I add Berry to that. At least a fully good-to-go Berry over "mediocre". Still though, the point is made. The good news is that in this league a great QB cures some of that. A good coach helps as well. If we found both, or at least a QBOTF, I think we start moving up the ranks quicker than a normal bottom 3 team.

Psyko Tek · 10-29-2012, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Janus

A suggestion for the next banner to fly over Arrowhead... "ELIMINATE BAD FOOTBALL, FIRE PIOLI"

I like NUKE THEM FROM SPACE

or FLAMING AIDS TREE

**Dave Lane** · 10-29-2012, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

That may be the greatest coaching quote I've ever heard.

Coach Spicoli: "I don't know."

You warned us about Romeo.

**the Talking Can** · 10-29-2012, 04:50 AM

CLARK HAD LUNCH WITH A FAN

ALL IS WELL

**DeezNutz** · 10-29-2012, 05:24 AM

First rule of sports journalism in KC: Don't ever say it can't get worse.

Mellinger has set himself up to look foolish, and this could come as soon as Thursday.

"Wait, Now This is Rock Bottom"

10-28-2012, 09:36 PM
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $-497094	Mellinger: The Chiefs Have Hit Rock Bottom http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/28...ck-bottom.html Chiefs have hit rock bottom By Sam Mellinger The Kansas City Star The picture of the Chiefs’ now historical level of “professional” football incompetence is their overmatched head coach, asked a simple question about why his star running back only got five carries in another blowout loss, saying “I’m not exactly sure.” The Chiefs are beyond disappointment, beyond even the kind of stink that makes your eyes water, and are now neck-deep in the all-time pool of pathetic with Matt Millen’s Lions, Turner Gill’s Jayhawks and Buddy Bell’s Royals. Keep in mind, the Raiders stink, too. They won only two games this season before beating the Chiefs 26-16, a sort-of-close final score that makes it seem like the Chiefs had a chance. Here’s coach Romeo Crennel’s explanation: “Well, generally, if the other team is able to score, that puts you down,” he says. “… You can say this is similar to what we’ve been talking about all along. We get penalties at inopportune times, we turn the ball over, then we allow teams to score.” These are your Chiefs, Kansas City. And with the next two games shown nationally in prime time, the rest of the country will see why you’ve been booing so much, and why it’s past time for the coach and general manager to be fired. At some point, the team may just be bad enough for owner Clark Hunt to break his silence. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A few weeks ago, Crennel put up a sign in the locker room that will ensure he never gets another head-coaching job. On it, he urged the team to “ELIMINATE BAD FOOTBALL.” Just a humble suggestion here, but maybe the new sign should say: “OK, LET’S JUST ELIMINATE HISTORICALLY INEPT FOOTBALL AND THEN WE’LL WORRY ABOUT MERELY BAD FOOTBALL.” You might’ve heard this stat by now, but it’s so amazing it should be repeated a million times and shouted from the rooftops and included in every story once Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli are canned for leading this mess: The Chiefs are the first team to go seven weeks without a lead in regulation since 1940. Nineteen-forty. Do you know what the NFL was in 1940? The Brooklyn Dodgers finished second in the NFL’s Eastern Division. The Pittsburgh Pirates renamed themselves the Steelers. Players had day jobs. Lamar Hunt turned 8 years old. The men in charge of today’s NFL have taken great strides to make sure a team is never so unable to compete with other professional teams that it trails six of seven games by at least 17 points. That’s a staple of the NFL’s success, actually. The league is built on parity. The Chiefs have become parody. Think about this: The Royals haven’t played in 25 days, finished their season like dogs, and still have two wins since the Chiefs’ last victory. The Chiefs have been a fireable offense for Crennel and Pioli, but now the team is bad enough that the men in charge might think about apologizing when they’re fired. This is an all-time level of pathetic, bad enough that fans are paying to fly banners mocking the team over the stadium, and incompetent enough that fans are already wearing paper bags and plan on coming to the next game dressed in mourning. At least one fan wrote to the team demanding his tickets be refunded — and they were. This is the team Pioli has spent four offseasons and four drafts building. Much has been said — both on the record and off — about how bad the Chiefs were when Pioli was hired, and only some of it is exaggerated. They won two games the year before, and the coach Pioli hired famously told the players he inherited that he could win two games with 22 guys off the street. Well, the Chiefs still haven’t won two games this season with the presumed “Right 53” guys that Pioli has spent four years accumulating. He has talked so much about changing the Chiefs’ losing culture, but really, he’s just updated it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hunt hasn’t said a word publicly about any of this, which is being taken by some fans as a sign of detachment. That perception is understandable, but also wrong. Hunt is listening to angry fans, responding to some personally, inviting a few to lunch … and at least one for a two-hour meeting in his office. He talked publicly during last year’s bye week. His silence now may be frustrating, but indications are that it’s purposeful. A source distanced the team from a report of an extension for Pioli, remember, and if Hunt says anything publicly now, he’s going to be asked about his faith in Pioli. At the very least, that appears to be a question he’s not willing to answer at the moment. Hunt hired and has supported Pioli. Nearly everybody thought it was the best hire the Chiefs could make at the time. Hunt wants to believe in Pioli. Hunt wants to build a franchise like the Steelers, the NFL’s model of consistency, and firing a GM after four seasons is a rotten way to do it. But this team is pathetic enough he may not have a choice.
Posts: 49,648

10-28-2012, 10:41 PM	#31
Megbert New and shiny. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: KC KS Casino cash: $9270260	I went to a bar today to watch the game. Usually I'm at home watching ST. Anyway the bar I went to was a 'Chiefs' bar and had quite a few fans there. I think all of them want the Chiefs to still win this season like there's some chance of a turnaround. After Brady's 2nd or third scramble I said something along the lines of "that's our leading rusher'. Guy next to me said "i don't care as long as we win' or some thing along those lines. I think I'll go back on Nov 18th wearing the the blackout arrowhead shirt.
Posts: 10,198

10-28-2012, 10:52 PM	#35
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	I would have fired Pioli, Crennel, and Daboll after the game.
Posts: 59,997

10-28-2012, 10:59 PM	#36
#1 Bronco's Fan Banned Join Date: Nov 2011 Casino cash: $10004900	How can you say this is rock bottom when they'll probably lose Thursday?
Posts: 232

10-28-2012, 11:40 PM	#38
NJChiefsFan I've Made a Huge Mistake Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Casino cash: $4500423	Rock bottom will be after two straight blow outs on national TV. If, at the very least, Romeo isn't fired after those two games I will be blown away. I am all too familiar with how this organization is run but I would be shocked if at the very least Romeo wasn't fired after the PIT game.
Posts: 12,495

10-28-2012, 11:56 PM	#40
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1050478	It's painfully obvious that the only REAL talent on this team is: Herm's guys. Justin Houston. The OL Pioli brought in. Everyone else is mediocre at best. It's a decent roster, somewhere around league average thanks to Herm, but QB and HC issues totally undermine it. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,668

10-29-2012, 04:50 AM	#44
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9402208	CLARK HAD LUNCH WITH A FAN ALL IS WELL __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585