bloodsunday
08-18-2005, 07:12 AM
Posted on Thu, Aug. 18, 2005
Chiefs in need of attitude adjustment
By JASON WHITLOCK
The Kansas City Star
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Right now, the Chiefs think they qualified for the playoffs during the offseason. They think Carl Peterson did all the hard work, signing Patrick Surtain, Kendrell Bell, Sammy Knight and Carlos Hall.
It’s difficult to believe, but it’s certainly true: A team that has qualified for the playoffs once in six years is overconfident and lazy.
The Chiefs are up in River Falls, Wis., practicing and carousing as if they’re on a summer vacation camping trip. The Chiefs are currently filming a remake of “American Pie.”
“And one time at training camp,” Junior Siavii and Greg Wesley hung out with the Minneapolis police force.
“And one time at training camp,” kicker Lawrence Tynes broke the nose of a bouncer at Boomer’s, a bar in River Falls.
“And one time at training camp,” Dick Vermeil decided to let his veteran players decide how often and how hard they want to practice.
Look, again, there’s no reason to overreact to Friday’s exhibition performance against the Vikings. The Chiefs took on one of the NFL’s best offenses, and I don’t imagine that KC’s offense will get shut down too often at the 1-yard line.
No, what’s troubling is the attitude and practice habits of the ballclub. Everybody is on a personalized schedule. Trent Green, Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzalez, Willie Roaf, Jason Dunn, Bell, Siavii, Eddie Kennison, Will Shields and anybody else with a profile, an injury, a little leverage or an attitude comes and goes as he pleases.
Vermeil trusts his veterans to work at a comfortable pace. It’s a good move, as long as overall leadership and effort don’t suffer.
The Chiefs are suffering. The team gets spanked on Friday night by the Vikings, and, judging by police reports, the Chiefs got blitzed Saturday night and started spanking any and everybody not wearing a Vikings uniform.
Tough guys.
The Chiefs took it easy on Daunte Culpepper and the Vikings. It makes sense they’d have plenty of pent-up aggression to scrap outside of bars.
Three Chiefs arrested in four days — although probably not a record — is still rather embarrassing. It’s a sign that the focus isn’t there. It’s further confirmation that the club probably doesn’t have the right attitude.
These guys are arrogant. And Vermeil needs to be asking himself whether the team is reflecting his arrogance. For good reason, Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders believe they’ll figure out a way to get KC’s offense in the end zone. But does that mean KC’s offensive stars should practice only when they feel like it?
Green, Holmes, Shields, Roaf, Dunn and Gonzalez are the Chiefs’ most valuable leaders. They can’t lead from the training room or the sideline. If healthy, they have to be out on the field, pushing their offensive and defensive teammates.
The veterans all want to “save” their legs for the season. They say Vermeil’s practices are just too long. I’d rather see Vermeil shorten his practices and require everyone to participate. If your big guns aren’t out on the field practicing, you’re not accomplishing half as much as you think.
Things are just too laid back at River Falls. You’d really have no idea that this team has something to prove. There’s been a lot of individual success, but in four years these coaches and players have accomplished nothing as a group.
Chiefs in need of attitude adjustment
By JASON WHITLOCK
The Kansas City Star
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Right now, the Chiefs think they qualified for the playoffs during the offseason. They think Carl Peterson did all the hard work, signing Patrick Surtain, Kendrell Bell, Sammy Knight and Carlos Hall.
It’s difficult to believe, but it’s certainly true: A team that has qualified for the playoffs once in six years is overconfident and lazy.
The Chiefs are up in River Falls, Wis., practicing and carousing as if they’re on a summer vacation camping trip. The Chiefs are currently filming a remake of “American Pie.”
“And one time at training camp,” Junior Siavii and Greg Wesley hung out with the Minneapolis police force.
“And one time at training camp,” kicker Lawrence Tynes broke the nose of a bouncer at Boomer’s, a bar in River Falls.
“And one time at training camp,” Dick Vermeil decided to let his veteran players decide how often and how hard they want to practice.
Look, again, there’s no reason to overreact to Friday’s exhibition performance against the Vikings. The Chiefs took on one of the NFL’s best offenses, and I don’t imagine that KC’s offense will get shut down too often at the 1-yard line.
No, what’s troubling is the attitude and practice habits of the ballclub. Everybody is on a personalized schedule. Trent Green, Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzalez, Willie Roaf, Jason Dunn, Bell, Siavii, Eddie Kennison, Will Shields and anybody else with a profile, an injury, a little leverage or an attitude comes and goes as he pleases.
Vermeil trusts his veterans to work at a comfortable pace. It’s a good move, as long as overall leadership and effort don’t suffer.
The Chiefs are suffering. The team gets spanked on Friday night by the Vikings, and, judging by police reports, the Chiefs got blitzed Saturday night and started spanking any and everybody not wearing a Vikings uniform.
Tough guys.
The Chiefs took it easy on Daunte Culpepper and the Vikings. It makes sense they’d have plenty of pent-up aggression to scrap outside of bars.
Three Chiefs arrested in four days — although probably not a record — is still rather embarrassing. It’s a sign that the focus isn’t there. It’s further confirmation that the club probably doesn’t have the right attitude.
These guys are arrogant. And Vermeil needs to be asking himself whether the team is reflecting his arrogance. For good reason, Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders believe they’ll figure out a way to get KC’s offense in the end zone. But does that mean KC’s offensive stars should practice only when they feel like it?
Green, Holmes, Shields, Roaf, Dunn and Gonzalez are the Chiefs’ most valuable leaders. They can’t lead from the training room or the sideline. If healthy, they have to be out on the field, pushing their offensive and defensive teammates.
The veterans all want to “save” their legs for the season. They say Vermeil’s practices are just too long. I’d rather see Vermeil shorten his practices and require everyone to participate. If your big guns aren’t out on the field practicing, you’re not accomplishing half as much as you think.
Things are just too laid back at River Falls. You’d really have no idea that this team has something to prove. There’s been a lot of individual success, but in four years these coaches and players have accomplished nothing as a group.