Given everything that’s transpired over the offseason, you would think that the vibes emanating out of Kansas City and Miami these days would be similar. Both the Chiefs and the Dolphins took almost identical approaches to rebuilding their clubs, each deciding that an influx of young, fresh faces would be needed in the hopes of reversing their fortunes. Each of them started by cutting a host of aging stalwarts, with the Chiefs bidding farewell to the likes of Ty Law and Eddie Kennison, just as the Dolphins asked Trent Green and Keith Traylor to turn in their playbooks. They each stockpiled the draft picks in April and aimed first to rebuild in the trenches — both teams’ top two picks were spent on linemen. Both avoided shelling out gobs of cash to high-priced free agents. And, perhaps most strikingly, each traded away their star defensive end, with the Chiefs sending Jared Allen up to Minnesota and the Fins shipping Jason Taylor up to the District. Yet despite all the similarities the teams share, they are hardly on equal footing when it comes to the future. In Miami, optimism has been restored, whereas in Kansas City, the outlook is bleaker than it has ever been. http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Columns/2008/sohn072808.htm
I was just going to post this myself. Pretty good read. Nice to see a national posting putting the Dolphins in a positive view. It's been a while since that has happened.
No doubt. The Chiefs seem to be gutted by a lack of talent at OL and QB. Hopefully for them Albert and Richardson will help, but I wonder if that's enough. Brody Croyle- good arm, but he hasn't produced so far. He's also got a very small frame, I wonder if his body will hold up- he's already popped an ACL at least once, i'm thinking twice.
Good read! Yeah, I think Miami will slowly be getting some attention from the National Media, if for no other reason, due to Parcells being here. However, when we start winning a few early on, the whole nation will be jumping on our bandwagon!
Ain't that the truth. He is a classic example of an absolute idiot with a few moronic catch phrases and cheesy motivational speeches. When he broke out that word document with the crap written on it during that one press conference I don't know how anybody can take him seriously. How quickly he destroyed the amazing offense Dick Vermeil installed there.
How true, he is completely in over his head as a head coach. After the JETS fiasco, I was really surprised that anyone would want to hire him as a Head Coach. They had a great draft this year though. When you have an inept HC and a meddlesome, heavy-handed, GM you are in trouble as a team. Look at the Bears, I still can't believe that they fired that guy who is now with the Bills. He is a very good HC, he deserved better...
and how is that? for better or worse? Herm inherited a talented team with tons of solid players. they had a world-class offense with a below avg. defense. but they were always competitive and in the play-off mix under Vermeil. Herm has dismantled that offense, and made it bland and aweful. the defense is better but still weak, and most of all, they just have a losers mentality. all the talent in the world wont make up for deficient coaching and front office personnel. thats why this team wont be good any time in the near future. and thats why i'm optimistic about our future. we have a football god overseeing things here.
I just don't see how people are getting that KC is that bad. I mean they have Larry Johnson which is helpful and their defense has been on the upswing the last few years. Also they had a good draft, so although they probably won't be a good team I do see them doing positive things.
They've got Gonzalez as well. I'm kinda surprised Herm didn't trade him away yet. Bowe made a great showing last year as a rookie with horrible QB play.
The Chiefs did have a good offseason. I think the difference between here and there is all about attitude. I kind of agree w/ the poster that said something about Herm=Wanny. They aren't entirely the same but having a weak link at the top creates a culture of mediocrity. Having proven, successful guys running your organization that demand the players to step up their game really makes a difference. I think its the attitude that cam w/ the 3 headed monster of Tuna/Ireland/Sparano that has us on the right track. Our talent is still nowhere near top-tier.
They had a very good draft top to bottom and I think with youngsters like Bowe, they'll be up in no time.
Pretty good assesment, the attitude in Miami is so much more condusive to production on the field. Yeah, we may not have Top Tier Talent but, an well prepared team with the right attitude can be very very succesfull. Don't need alot of "stars" to win, just a solid team that play together. Of course, a couple of stars go along way into making that happen.
wow, for a second I thought the author was going to say Miami was the team headed in the wrong direction. I mean the Chiefs had an amazing draft. They do have issues at quarterback, but their future is bright. Just like Miami's...
Not to mention keeping stars like LJ, Gonzalez, and Surtain. Along with a very good and up-and-coming safety duo. If it weren't for Herm and QB issues, I'd even consider them a dark-horse wild-card team.
That's the gist of it. What sort of attitude this team has will only been revealed through the grind of the season. About all we can say at this stage is that Sparano, with the heft of Parcells behind him, talks a good game.
Yeah they had a great off-season and have many up and coming players I have to strongly disagree with the article.
Comparing several key players: Chiefs have Gonzalez, we have Fasano - Advantage Chiefs Chiefs have LJ/Kolby, we have Ricky/Ronnie - Push Chiefs have Bowe, we have Ginn - Slight advantage Chiefs. We're not in bad shape and neither are the Chiefs.
Come on, he deserves a little more credit than that. He makes the last guy look like a pastor or a boy scout leader... I see good things in our future. He isn't making any promises or any concessions to the media.
Hmm that sounds familiar, like what we tried the last few years before commiting. Yeah the Chiefs have some good players, but every team does. Its the things that they have been doing and the attitude there in general that is being commented upon. They had a good draft many say. Dorsey was possibly the best pick in the draft .... who COULD have been a monster next to Allen. HELLO?? NO BRAINER!! But they let him walk. Alberts? A talented player .... with some big questions. A high risk/reward. They have a decent core, but its about more than that, its about a team. THATS what BP, Ireland and Tony have been building, a team! They have solidified special teams, worked hard on the trenches, brought in quality backups, stockpile picks, cut salary, advance some youngsters etc etc. And the team is sending out good vibes, people are all saying the right things, trying hard, fighting. I would not at all be shocked if KC was picking first in the draft after this season.
To add, Gonzalez was considering retirement this off-season but held it off then stated that he may not be back after this one.
Keyword, if it wasn't for them having Herm. One more outburst and you're on waterboy duty. And that's are you kiddin me, coach sir.
If their rookies perform (Albert and Dorsey in particular) and everything goes their way, they can be a dark-horse wild-card team. Don't forget Huard may be still in the mix if Croyle struggles and he helped get them into the playoffs when Green was out. Tony G has enough left in the tank, I don't doubt that. He can last for a few more years.