Last year defined "the Patriots' way." After an offseason filled with turmoil over spygate, the players continued to be loyal to the coach and his staff. During the season opener, their MVP quarterback goes down and they finished 11-5. That's "the Patriots' way."
Last year defined "the Herm Edwards way." After an offseason filled with nothing but angry grumblings from a fanbase starved of wins, the players were completely silent. During the season opener, we lost a game in the final minute because Herm wouldn't just run it up the middle, and we finished 2-14. That's "the Herm Edwards way."
If you take a look at how these "ways" work, they aren't too different.
"The Patriots' way" builds through the draft, supplements the roster with free agency and trades, and plays a pass heavy pro-style offense.
"The Herm Edwards way" builds through the draft, supplements the roster with free agency (but never really trades for anybody), and plays a offense that leans towards the team's strengths.
Similar in theory, similar in practice. What makes these "ways" so different?
The people at the top.
Who's your head coach?
Who's your general manager?
That'll tell you a lot about who's going to have nine wins or more next year.
Where does this leave the Chiefs?
We have an experienced offensive coordinator as our head coach, a respected pro personnel director as a general manager, and a whole lot of cap room.
So far we have traded for a quarterback and a linebacker. Don't get me wrong, these trades addressed needs, but we need more than that to field a winning team next year.
So what do we do?
Do we...
Sign every mildly talented free agent and field a Carl Peterson-ish team? This can work. Under this mentality, we won a lot of games, but down the stretch it may have been our undoing.
Do we...
Wait until the draft, trade for more draft picks, and go hog wild on selection Saturday/Sunday? This can also work. A team like the Colts proved this can work for long periods of time. Especially if you happen to draft Peyton Manning.
Or do we...
Bring in staff and players that we have prior work experience with and help build strong bonds between your players? Bill Parcells has shown this can be effective. Wherever he goes, he brings people with him and he always seems to be successful.
So far, we have used "the Parcells way."
No complaints, anything is better then Herm.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Change of Location
Hello loyal readers,
I've changed locations over to the bleacherreport.com (looking for articles author by Mitch Bennett). I'll copy and paste some of my articles here, but most of my in depth stuff will be on bleacherreport.com.
Thanks for reading guys,
Mitch B.
P.S. to see my first round mock draft-
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/136592-the-mitchell-reports-unofficial-first-round-mock-draft
Enjoy!
I've changed locations over to the bleacherreport.com (looking for articles author by Mitch Bennett). I'll copy and paste some of my articles here, but most of my in depth stuff will be on bleacherreport.com.
Thanks for reading guys,
Mitch B.
P.S. to see my first round mock draft-
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/136592-the-mitchell-reports-unofficial-first-round-mock-draft
Enjoy!
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Mitchell Report: An Investigation of the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs
The first thing every analyst outside of Kansas City was saying the Chiefs needed was a franchise quarterback (excluding Chris Mortenson). If you had been watching the Chiefs' games this past season (and God bless you if you suffered through the worst season in franchise history), you might feel that Thigpen had already been designated as Quarterback of the Future. Thigpen's numbers were relative to any young quarterback in the NFL, but the one that might have determined his fate in KC was his 1-10 record as a starter. As a Thigpen fan, I chalk this up to be a consequence of the lack of talent around him and a defensive backs coach that plays a head coach on TV. However, what's done is done, and Cassel, for now, is being designated Franchise Quarterback.
Cassel is an interesting figure. He stepped in key situations from day one and delivered eleven wins on an aging team that was injury prone. To be realistic, if Thigpen took over a Pinto as Chiefs' quarterback, Cassel took over a Cadillac. With a 16-0 team with strong veteran leadership and a base of diverse talent, Cassel stepped into a situation few quarterback could dream of, but rather then being selfish or spoiled, he embraced the role of leader and played well down the stretch. It will be exciting to watch a quarterback in Kansas City not named Brodie Croyle, so no complaints here; just simple observation.
Excluding quarterback, there is a laundry list of needs for the 2009 Chiefs. On the defensive side of the ball, we may have found talent in young corners, Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr and Maurice Leggett (I nicknamed his Maurice Legit during the Denver and Oakland games). However, we are still in need of a pass rush (see Jared Allen, former chief and 2007-2008 pro bowler, thanks Carl Peterson) and Tamba Hali and Turk McBride are starters in college, backups in the pros. We also need one or two solid linebackers to help Derrick Johnson and newly acquired Vrabel, and another free safety wouldn't hurt. On the offensive side of the ball, we are adequate, but still hurting. A right tack, a right guard and probably a new center (no offense Rudy Niswanger, but your name just makes me giggle). A speedy wide receiver wouldn't hurt (see Jeremy Maclin) and a run blocking full block (Tony Richardson, run blocker for Priest Holmes when he had 27 rushing TDs in a season, Adrian Peterson when he broke the single game rushing record and Thomas Jones who had a career year last year, thanks again Carl Peterson). Other then that, I think we'll be okay. Maybe a kicker too.
"With the 3rd pick in the NFL draft the Kansas City Chiefs select...."
-Aaron Curry, linebacker, Wake Forest. Curry is the definition of young athlete. He's physically gifted and would fill a huge hole in the Kansas City Chiefs linebacking unit. He's a playmaker that sheds blocks and displays good technique in tackling. He was a monster at this years NFL scouting combine (if you're in to that sort of thing), out-performing most at the 40 yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, 60 yard shuttle and broad jump. That's hope is favorite color is red.
-Eugene Monroe, offensive tackle, Virginia. Monroe has a monstrous frame at 6'5" and 309 lbs. He could fix protection problems that are in desperate need of attention. He could play either right or left tackle, while his former teammate at Virginia (Branden Albert, 15th overall selection last year) could move to either guard position to accommodate Monroe. He could be key in both pass protection and a rushing attack, showing the ability to get down field and hit somebody. This kid could definitely look good in the Red and Gold.
-Jeremy Maclin, wide receiver, Missouri. This may be a long shot, but Maclin would add good speed to a receiver core in desperate need. Maclin dangerous speed would compliment possession receivers Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe. Maclin displays good hands, spectacular speed, elusiveness and did I mention, phenomenal speed?! Not to mention he's be driving I-70 from St. Louis to Columbia for two years, it's not a stretch to say he stays on I-70 for a stop in Kansas City.
Also in consideration....
-Brian Orakpo, defensive end, Texas. Orakpo translates perfectly into the 3-4 with an ability to play linebacker.
-Rey Malualuga, linebacker, Southern California. I'm going to be honest, I had to look up how to spell this kid's name. That aside, he's an instinctive and powerful athlete when he's healthy.
Guys late to keep an eye on....
-Chase Daniel, quarterback, Missouri. He met with the chiefs at the combine and is a Thigpen prototype. He's unrated because of a poor senior year and could be a good late round pick. Bare in mind, this wouldn't be the first quarterback drafted post 5th round by Pioli (see Matt Cassel and Tom Brady).
-Deon Butler, wide receiver, Penn State. This 5'10" speedster could be the next Dante Hall as a third receiver for the Chiefs. Even if he doesn't pan out, all you lost was a 7th round draft pick, so nothing to worry about.
In conclusion, the darkest and coldest of night is just before day break, let's hope that sun is just about to break the horizon, because it's dark and I'm scared and cold.
Cassel is an interesting figure. He stepped in key situations from day one and delivered eleven wins on an aging team that was injury prone. To be realistic, if Thigpen took over a Pinto as Chiefs' quarterback, Cassel took over a Cadillac. With a 16-0 team with strong veteran leadership and a base of diverse talent, Cassel stepped into a situation few quarterback could dream of, but rather then being selfish or spoiled, he embraced the role of leader and played well down the stretch. It will be exciting to watch a quarterback in Kansas City not named Brodie Croyle, so no complaints here; just simple observation.
Excluding quarterback, there is a laundry list of needs for the 2009 Chiefs. On the defensive side of the ball, we may have found talent in young corners, Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr and Maurice Leggett (I nicknamed his Maurice Legit during the Denver and Oakland games). However, we are still in need of a pass rush (see Jared Allen, former chief and 2007-2008 pro bowler, thanks Carl Peterson) and Tamba Hali and Turk McBride are starters in college, backups in the pros. We also need one or two solid linebackers to help Derrick Johnson and newly acquired Vrabel, and another free safety wouldn't hurt. On the offensive side of the ball, we are adequate, but still hurting. A right tack, a right guard and probably a new center (no offense Rudy Niswanger, but your name just makes me giggle). A speedy wide receiver wouldn't hurt (see Jeremy Maclin) and a run blocking full block (Tony Richardson, run blocker for Priest Holmes when he had 27 rushing TDs in a season, Adrian Peterson when he broke the single game rushing record and Thomas Jones who had a career year last year, thanks again Carl Peterson). Other then that, I think we'll be okay. Maybe a kicker too.
"With the 3rd pick in the NFL draft the Kansas City Chiefs select...."
-Aaron Curry, linebacker, Wake Forest. Curry is the definition of young athlete. He's physically gifted and would fill a huge hole in the Kansas City Chiefs linebacking unit. He's a playmaker that sheds blocks and displays good technique in tackling. He was a monster at this years NFL scouting combine (if you're in to that sort of thing), out-performing most at the 40 yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, 60 yard shuttle and broad jump. That's hope is favorite color is red.
-Eugene Monroe, offensive tackle, Virginia. Monroe has a monstrous frame at 6'5" and 309 lbs. He could fix protection problems that are in desperate need of attention. He could play either right or left tackle, while his former teammate at Virginia (Branden Albert, 15th overall selection last year) could move to either guard position to accommodate Monroe. He could be key in both pass protection and a rushing attack, showing the ability to get down field and hit somebody. This kid could definitely look good in the Red and Gold.
-Jeremy Maclin, wide receiver, Missouri. This may be a long shot, but Maclin would add good speed to a receiver core in desperate need. Maclin dangerous speed would compliment possession receivers Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe. Maclin displays good hands, spectacular speed, elusiveness and did I mention, phenomenal speed?! Not to mention he's be driving I-70 from St. Louis to Columbia for two years, it's not a stretch to say he stays on I-70 for a stop in Kansas City.
Also in consideration....
-Brian Orakpo, defensive end, Texas. Orakpo translates perfectly into the 3-4 with an ability to play linebacker.
-Rey Malualuga, linebacker, Southern California. I'm going to be honest, I had to look up how to spell this kid's name. That aside, he's an instinctive and powerful athlete when he's healthy.
Guys late to keep an eye on....
-Chase Daniel, quarterback, Missouri. He met with the chiefs at the combine and is a Thigpen prototype. He's unrated because of a poor senior year and could be a good late round pick. Bare in mind, this wouldn't be the first quarterback drafted post 5th round by Pioli (see Matt Cassel and Tom Brady).
-Deon Butler, wide receiver, Penn State. This 5'10" speedster could be the next Dante Hall as a third receiver for the Chiefs. Even if he doesn't pan out, all you lost was a 7th round draft pick, so nothing to worry about.
In conclusion, the darkest and coldest of night is just before day break, let's hope that sun is just about to break the horizon, because it's dark and I'm scared and cold.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Congrats!
Hey everybody,
Just a quick congrats on making it three years under Herm. Let's hope for a quick turnaround, but in the meantime look at our players and be proud of their individual accomplishments. Even though this is a team sport, some of our players have done respectable things.
That said, let's look forward to the NFL combine (Feb. 18th) and the NFL draft (April 25th and 26th). We got Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman and Chase Daniel coming out from Mizzou. And of course Crabtree and Stafford that may be on the board when the third overall comes around.
And let me leave you with a very special qoute:
"America is all about speed,
Hot, Nasty Ass Speed"
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Sincerely,
Calamity Phoenix
Just a quick congrats on making it three years under Herm. Let's hope for a quick turnaround, but in the meantime look at our players and be proud of their individual accomplishments. Even though this is a team sport, some of our players have done respectable things.
That said, let's look forward to the NFL combine (Feb. 18th) and the NFL draft (April 25th and 26th). We got Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman and Chase Daniel coming out from Mizzou. And of course Crabtree and Stafford that may be on the board when the third overall comes around.
And let me leave you with a very special qoute:
"America is all about speed,
Hot, Nasty Ass Speed"
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Sincerely,
Calamity Phoenix
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
And I'm back, with some stats....
There have been a lot of rumors floating around about Herm Edwards predicted dismissal in Kansas City. Depending on who you're listening to, you'll get a variety of explanations. Mr. Jim Rome (talk show host of "Rome is Burning”) believes, and I quote, "Herm Edwards is a good coach, and he should stay in Kansas City."
In my opinion, and this is JUST my opinion, Jim Rome is dead wrong. I'm a stats man myself, so I'll try to explain my belief, and why I feel Herm isn't a good head coach.
Herm Edwards Career
Number of Seasons: 8
Number of Winning Seasons: 4
Number of Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 2-4
Number of seasons with 11 or more wins: 0
Number of Seasons with 10 or more losses: 4
Number of Divisional titles: 1 (with NYJ)
Herm's record with Jets: 39-41
Record under previous Jets coach: 29-19
Herm's record with Chiefs: 15-33 (including a 6-26 run in the past two seasons)
Record under previous Chiefs coach: 44-36
Herm Edwards rankings (average of yearly rankings of teams, Jets and Chiefs)*
Pass offense: 21st
Run offense: 17th
Total offense: 22nd
Pass defense: 11th
Run defense: 23rd
Total defense: 17
*worst being 32nd, best being 1st
Enough statistics, WE GET IT
What I'm trying to explain is this.
Herm is a middle of the road coach on a good day. His specialty is pass defense, which makes sense, because he played defensive back his entire career. Herm is not a good head coach; he is a great defensive back's coach.
I'm not speaking to the man's character however, he isn't a bad person. Undoubtedly he is a determined and driven individual, but he isn't his mentor Tony Dungy. Let's move on, and get better.
In my opinion, and this is JUST my opinion, Jim Rome is dead wrong. I'm a stats man myself, so I'll try to explain my belief, and why I feel Herm isn't a good head coach.
Herm Edwards Career
Number of Seasons: 8
Number of Winning Seasons: 4
Number of Playoff appearances: 4
Playoff record: 2-4
Number of seasons with 11 or more wins: 0
Number of Seasons with 10 or more losses: 4
Number of Divisional titles: 1 (with NYJ)
Herm's record with Jets: 39-41
Record under previous Jets coach: 29-19
Herm's record with Chiefs: 15-33 (including a 6-26 run in the past two seasons)
Record under previous Chiefs coach: 44-36
Herm Edwards rankings (average of yearly rankings of teams, Jets and Chiefs)*
Pass offense: 21st
Run offense: 17th
Total offense: 22nd
Pass defense: 11th
Run defense: 23rd
Total defense: 17
*worst being 32nd, best being 1st
Enough statistics, WE GET IT
What I'm trying to explain is this.
Herm is a middle of the road coach on a good day. His specialty is pass defense, which makes sense, because he played defensive back his entire career. Herm is not a good head coach; he is a great defensive back's coach.
I'm not speaking to the man's character however, he isn't a bad person. Undoubtedly he is a determined and driven individual, but he isn't his mentor Tony Dungy. Let's move on, and get better.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Prior Work Experience
When applying for any job, the number one most important section on your resume is prior work experience. An employer looks at who you worked for, and what those employers thought of you.
If Carl Peterson applies for a new job, he can say he brought together a decade and a half of some of the best Chiefs football since the Hank Stram days. Some may hate him, some may love him, but at the end of the day he wanted to bring in the best players and win now.
When Herm Edwards is applying to be an assistant manager at Burger King this offseason, he’ll be able to say he drove two franchises into the ground after their hall of fame coaches retired. In both New York and Kansas City, Edwards’ first season were successful at 10-6 (with Jets) and 9-7 (with Chiefs), in both cases the teams slowly declined to 4-12 records. After his last 4-12 season with the Jets, he was traded to the Chiefs and after a 9-7 record under Dick Vermeil’s old team, he buried them to 4-12 claiming it was rebuilding. Edwards has rebuilt a 4-12 team into a 2-12 team who will probably end up at 3-13.
This offseason we will be searching for a new GM, President of Operations and possibly Head Coach. Hopefully we will look into what these new prospects have done with their pervious jobs and perhaps call their references.
On a happier note, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!
Keep reading and I’ll keep writing. Thanks guys and gals!
If Carl Peterson applies for a new job, he can say he brought together a decade and a half of some of the best Chiefs football since the Hank Stram days. Some may hate him, some may love him, but at the end of the day he wanted to bring in the best players and win now.
When Herm Edwards is applying to be an assistant manager at Burger King this offseason, he’ll be able to say he drove two franchises into the ground after their hall of fame coaches retired. In both New York and Kansas City, Edwards’ first season were successful at 10-6 (with Jets) and 9-7 (with Chiefs), in both cases the teams slowly declined to 4-12 records. After his last 4-12 season with the Jets, he was traded to the Chiefs and after a 9-7 record under Dick Vermeil’s old team, he buried them to 4-12 claiming it was rebuilding. Edwards has rebuilt a 4-12 team into a 2-12 team who will probably end up at 3-13.
This offseason we will be searching for a new GM, President of Operations and possibly Head Coach. Hopefully we will look into what these new prospects have done with their pervious jobs and perhaps call their references.
On a happier note, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!
Keep reading and I’ll keep writing. Thanks guys and gals!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Leadership
This week, I'm going to dispel from the usual, and write about at issue at the core of the Chiefs' problems.
Leadership. Confidence. Character.
These three qualities define excellence in the NFL. They are the holy trinity of competitive team sports. In the NFL, you can get to the postseason with two of the three, win the super bowl with all three and get the first overall draft pick with none of the three.
Take a close look at some of the teams that will have one of the top five draft picks in April:
Detroit Lions- Head Coach Rob Marinelli will be fired at the end of the season and the General Manager has already been fired, resulting in no defining leadership. Nothing this team has done is giving confidence on offense and defense this year. Character has been hard to see through the turmoil of a 0-13 season.
Cincinnati Bengals- The orange and black has become a character desert. Between Chad Johnson (not Ocho Cinco), Carson Palmer, and Head Coach Marvin Lewis you may be able to find a smidgen of character, most of which comes from Carson Palmer. Palmer has displayed leadership, but is so caught up with injuries he isn’t a factor. Finding confidence with all that has gone on has been like looking for a hairpin in the Sahara desert.
I won’t bore you explaining the Raiders, the Chiefs or the Rams. They are all sitting in the same situation as the Bengals and Lions; the Raiders, of course, exemplify a lack of leadership, confidence and character. This all starts with coaching and managing.
You may be hearing about a team in Dallas that has been having problems. They have the best collection of talent in the NFL this year, but somehow they will probably miss the playoffs. Why? Wade Phillips is not a good head coach and Jerry Jones isn’t acting like a good manager. To simplify it, they aren’t Bill Parcells.
Bill Parcells brings confidence, leadership, and character to every organization he goes to. He’s turned around the Jets in the past, the Dolphins this year and has brought three different teams to the playoffs, brining two of the three to the super bowl.
Dick Vermeil brought three different teams to the playoffs as well, and won a super bowl with the Rams in 1999. Mike Martz took Vermeil’s team back to the super bowl in 2001, and lost.
You watch the Chiefs this Sunday, and tell me where our leadership is? Where our character is? Where our confidence is?
Leadership. Confidence. Character.
These three qualities define excellence in the NFL. They are the holy trinity of competitive team sports. In the NFL, you can get to the postseason with two of the three, win the super bowl with all three and get the first overall draft pick with none of the three.
Take a close look at some of the teams that will have one of the top five draft picks in April:
Detroit Lions- Head Coach Rob Marinelli will be fired at the end of the season and the General Manager has already been fired, resulting in no defining leadership. Nothing this team has done is giving confidence on offense and defense this year. Character has been hard to see through the turmoil of a 0-13 season.
Cincinnati Bengals- The orange and black has become a character desert. Between Chad Johnson (not Ocho Cinco), Carson Palmer, and Head Coach Marvin Lewis you may be able to find a smidgen of character, most of which comes from Carson Palmer. Palmer has displayed leadership, but is so caught up with injuries he isn’t a factor. Finding confidence with all that has gone on has been like looking for a hairpin in the Sahara desert.
I won’t bore you explaining the Raiders, the Chiefs or the Rams. They are all sitting in the same situation as the Bengals and Lions; the Raiders, of course, exemplify a lack of leadership, confidence and character. This all starts with coaching and managing.
You may be hearing about a team in Dallas that has been having problems. They have the best collection of talent in the NFL this year, but somehow they will probably miss the playoffs. Why? Wade Phillips is not a good head coach and Jerry Jones isn’t acting like a good manager. To simplify it, they aren’t Bill Parcells.
Bill Parcells brings confidence, leadership, and character to every organization he goes to. He’s turned around the Jets in the past, the Dolphins this year and has brought three different teams to the playoffs, brining two of the three to the super bowl.
Dick Vermeil brought three different teams to the playoffs as well, and won a super bowl with the Rams in 1999. Mike Martz took Vermeil’s team back to the super bowl in 2001, and lost.
You watch the Chiefs this Sunday, and tell me where our leadership is? Where our character is? Where our confidence is?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
