New GM Dorsey brings energy, enthusiasm to first training camp with Chiefs

[mdchiefsfan]

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/07/19...nthusiasm.html

July 19
BY VAHE GREGORIAN
The Kansas City Star

The sheer, sincere energy radiates, almost enough to make you flinch or squint, as John Dorsey walks in the room and introduces himself.

As the new Chiefs general manager prepared to embark Friday for an inspection of the operation at Missouri Western, where the team begins training camp with a trickle Monday and in earnest on Friday, it was hard not to get reeled in by his boyish enthusiasm.

He spoke of the franchise being a “crown jewel” once it’s awakened and vowed he “will not rest” until then. He talked of an organization that is “symmetrically aligned” and of the good people he is working with — “You can feel that around here ” — in the aftermath of a reign of error that he isn’t interested in addressing.

“I don’t live in the past; I live in the present and look forward to the future,” Dorsey said. “I’ll learn from the past, but I won’t live in it. I am who I am.”

And who he is couldn’t contain his anticipation of the home opener against Dallas on Sept. 15.

“Here’s what I can’t wait to hear,” he says, before bellowing out a somewhat disturbing, impossible-to-describe roaring sound. “These fans are unbelievable. I mean, I just want to hear them cranked up.”

Toward that end, here’s what he says fans should look for in the first year of the new regime of Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid.

“Everybody should expect a team that will be very competitive, that will represent the brand of the Kansas City Chiefs and what it stands for,” he said. “You’re going to see a bunch of guys that are excited and competitive and are going to compete their (tails) off for the AFC West — and rightfully so.

“That’s what you should be doing. That’s why you’re in the business.

“And you’re going to see a group of guys who are going to come together like a big family,” he adds, meshing the fingers of both hands together, “and the closeness in the locker room can buy you (victories).

“We’re all in this together; everybody’s on the same page.”

If that proves true in the long haul, it will an achievement in itself after the splintering within under predecessor Scott Pioli.

But by way of example, Dorsey points first to Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and president Mark Donovan, speaking of each with admiration and later illustrating the flow chart by finding four Styrofoam plates and arranging them with Hunt represented at the top and Donovan, Reid and himself on the same line.

“The structure that Clark has set up, it works, it really does,” he said, adding that they have worked to create a “belief system” together. “Listen, not one guy has all the answers, but collectively, if you can take everybody together, the fist is much more powerful than (a finger).”

He added, “I know my strengths and weaknesses, but I’ll find the solution. Does that make sense? Just give me a little time and some patience, and I’ll use every resource available and I’ll find the solution.”

While Dorsey stressed the essentials of cooperation and communication throughout the organization, top to bottom, the dynamic that will be most evident and likely most vital to the franchise’s future after years of futility will be the one between Reid and him.

The duo became close during their time together in Green Bay, where Reid was an assistant from 1992-98 before his 14-year run as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles ended with a 4-12 campaign a year ago.

“Andy and I talk three times a day, even on vacation; we’re like two brothers,” he says, pulling out his cell phone to show a picture of his 2-year-old, “Baby Jack,” eating watermelon that he recently texted Reid. “That’s what we share; that’s part of the friendship, and that’s we do.

“We communicate. In the positions were in, and this includes Clark and Mark as well, we’re in constant communication. Constant communication makes effective organizations, and that’s the way it is.”

For a more tangible illustration of how that plays out, Dorsey retraced the steps of how they went about going after quarterback Alex Smith from the 49ers.

“The coaches did their evaluation, overall assessment of the team. We (in personnel) did our overall assessment of the team,” said Dorsey, who had spent most of the last two decades making his mark with the Packers in that capacity. “That way everybody gets a separate, objective opinion. Then Andy and I sat and talked, and it was interesting because we both were spot-on … about our needs.

“So then I assessed all of the quarterback pool there was, in the NFL and in college. I assessed it, then I ranked them, I broke them down. And it wasn’t even close. Alex Smith was the only option.”

The division of labor, Dorsey said, also should benefit Reid.

“I think it’s huge. His plate was full when he was in Philly, now; I mean, really full,” he said. “And the way that Clark has structured it, my job is to bring the chess pieces to the game and say, ‘There you go, big boy, let’s go play.’ ”

With a smile, he added that Reid is a “pretty good offensive schemer” — who will have more time for that again — among his other attributes.

“He is a gentleman; he is a leader. Andy’s really good at molding young men,” he said. “You know why? Because he is honest, he’s truthful. Guys believe in him. He’s going to tell it like it is, good or bad.”

His own upbeat aura notwithstanding, Dorsey has that in him, too.

He knows he’s in a honeymoon phase, of course, and he might prefer to undersell and overdeliver.

“I just wish the fans would taper down,” he said, smiling but maybe not quite joking. “I know they’re excited, but this is a marathon, not a sprint. It can’t happen overnight.”

That may most aptly be summed up by the fact that 53 of the 90 names on the Chiefs’ training camp roster are new.

“I’m just throwing this number out there flippantly, but the average shifting is probably 20,” Dorsey said. “But when you’re 2-14, you better do something.”

But even if he does consider himself a realist, even if he acknowledges “you never know what you have” until you see it, Dorsey is thrilled to be in the thick of the transition on the eve of his first Chiefs camp.

“It’s a new season,” he said. “I want to see this team (and) who they really are.”

And no matter who it is and how far it has to go, he adds, “When we wake up in the morning, that’s why we’re here, to not only make ourselves better but make our community better. Let’s do something special today.”

[Mav]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Is he bringing a legitimate QB? No? Then who cares?

Yeah, the guy who had a 6-2-1 record last year, and a 19-5-1 the past two years, yeah, scrub.

Originally Posted by el borracho

I'm not sure I qualify as a fan anymore. For some reason I don't understand, the Chiefs organization continually fails to address the most important position in the game. It is fundamentally flawed.

Well at least you are honest. You are a dumb shit who isn't a fan because you already feel failure before they have even had one practice. Its cool. Just try not to be too miserable with your chiefs when they make the playoffs....

Originally Posted by tredadda

They did address it with whom they felt was the best available this year. You would think they passed on Luck or RGIII or freaking Aaron Rodgers for Alex Smith with the way some on here complain.

Great point, but no need to talk the suicidal off the cliff. Much better just to push those ****ers off the ledge who steal my oxygen.

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by Coogs

This is just a personal opinion, but I think he/they did.

You and I have very different definitions of the term "legitimate qb".

[Hammock Parties]

Yeah, the guy who had a 6-2-1 record last year, and a 19-5-1 the past two years, yeah, scrub.

This is not an acceptable barometer for good QB play.

Kyle Orton had a 21-12 stretch to start his career, but those wins were almost entirely based on his running game and defense, much like Alex Smith.

[mlyonsd]

Out of all the off season changes I like the Dorsey move the best. Of course I thought that about fat Scott so feel free to tell me to

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Yeah, the guy who had a 6-2-1 record last year, and a 19-5-1 the past two years, yeah, scrub.

Well at least you are honest. You are a dumb shit who isn't a fan because you already feel failure before they have even had one practice. Its cool. Just try not to be too miserable with your chiefs when they make the playoffs....


Great point, but no need to talk the suicidal off the cliff. Much better just to push those ****ers off the ledge who steal my oxygen.

Well, the Chiefs organization hasn't really earned the benefit of the doubt- have they?

By the way, nice name-calling. Speaks volumes about you as a person.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Dorsey's job, not mine, is to identify and acquire for the Chiefs the next Tom Brady/ Aaron Rogers/ Peyton Manning/ top five quarterback. If that wasn't possible in the 2013 draft, then such is life... the Chiefs have to wait. What I find inexcusable and completely unacceptable is the exorbitant price the Chiefs elected to pay for a guy who, in the best of times, throws for less than 200 yards per game and less than two touchdowns a game. The Chiefs could have gotten that kind of production from just about anybody without that hideous trade.

Lets see what he can do under Reid's offense before passing judgement on the quality of the trade. It was not exactly like played under offensive gurus. It is Dorsey's job to find the next Manning/Brady/Rodgers, but if there isn't one available this year then he should address the QB situation the best way possible. To just throw this season away because there isn't one in the draft is foolish. Elite QBs almost never hit the market and when they do there is usually a reason for it.

[MeaTy The Pimp]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Dorsey's job, not mine, is to identify and acquire for the Chiefs the next Tom Brady/ Aaron Rogers/ Peyton Manning/ top five quarterback. If that wasn't possible in the 2013 draft, then such is life... the Chiefs have to wait. What I find inexcusable and completely unacceptable is the exorbitant price the Chiefs elected to pay for a guy who, in the best of times, throws for less than 200 yards per game and less than two touchdowns a game. The Chiefs could have gotten that kind of production from just about anybody without that hideous trade.

Maybe I'm being a little bit of a homer, but I am going to wait until I see Alex smith in whatever "non-cookie cutter" offensive system that Reid puts into place before I give up on this season. Maybe Alexwill have a good year. Maybe this team will fully come together and whoop some ass.

But then again, i have been disappointed the last several years...

[tmax63]

I don't get some of you guys. They evaluated the position, found it lacking and got the consensus best qb available. Yeah they might of overpaid a little but to land the best available sometimes you have to. Nowhere has anyone said that they will now ignore the position for the next 5-10 years. I'd almost bet that they evaluate the position next year and, if still found lacking, attempt to get the best available then as well. I don't sense the same ego or refusal to see the facts the last regime showed.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by el borracho

You and I have very different definitions of the term "legitimate qb".

To be honest, I have not seen Alex Smith play that many games in his career.

By looking at the numbers that have been thrown about that include his entire career, he looks to be a QB who has been groomed into being a very good NFL QB. He just wasn't groomed by the Chiefs... but the 49ers. 30 TD/10 INT's, along with his completion percentage and won loss record in the regular season is noteworthy.

Then you throw in 5TD's/0 INT's in 2 playoff games, and that is more intriguing. Plus, he led his team from behind twice late in the 4th quarter to win one game, and rallied his team to a game tying fg late in the NFC Championship game.

Now he may prove out to be what you and others think, but for now I think we have a legit NFL QB on our hands.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by tredadda

Lets see what he can do under Reid's offense before passing judgement on the quality of the trade. It was not exactly like played under offensive gurus. It is Dorsey's job to find the next Manning/Brady/Rodgers, but if there isn't one available this year then he should address the QB situation the best way possible. To just throw this season away because there isn't one in the draft is foolish. Elite QBs almost never hit the market and when they do there is usually a reason for it.

good post.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by tmax63

I don't get some of you guys. They evaluated the position, found it lacking and got the consensus best qb available. Yeah they might of overpaid a little but to land the best available sometimes you have to. Nowhere has anyone said that they will now ignore the position for the next 5-10 years. I'd almost bet that they evaluate the position next year and, if still found lacking, attempt to get the best available then as well. I don't sense the same ego or refusal to see the facts the last regime showed.

this too.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Yeah, the guy who had a 6-2-1 record last year, and a 19-5-1 the past two years, yeah, scrub.

Well at least you are honest. You are a dumb shit who isn't a fan because you already feel failure before they have even had one practice. Its cool. Just try not to be too miserable with your chiefs when they make the playoffs....


Great point, but no need to talk the suicidal off the cliff. Much better just to push those ****ers off the ledge who steal my oxygen.

at least we have our new 'just passing by'....(although, it will obviously be hard to top the most embarrassingly wrong poster in chiefsplanet history...4 years of being wrong, holy shit snacks)

amazing how the dumbest member of a fanbase always follows the backup QB to KC...and then proceeds to lecture all us rubes about the glories of backup #54...



rinse, wash...

[Easy 6]

Preach on Brother John!

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

at least we have our new 'just passing by'....(although, it will obviously be hard to top the most embarrassingly wrong poster in chiefsplanet history...4 years of being wrong, holy shit snacks)

amazing how the dumbest member of a fanbase always follows the backup QB to KC...and then proceeds to lecture all us rubes about the glories of backup #54...



rinse, wash...

Have you ever got your testes caught in a can opener whilest opening miracle whip. It's no almond joy.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Dorsey's job, not mine, is to identify and acquire for the Chiefs the next Tom Brady/ Aaron Rogers/ Peyton Manning/ top five quarterback. If that wasn't possible in the 2013 draft, then such is life... the Chiefs have to wait.

Yeah, those guys grow on trees. Everyone in the league has a future Hall of Famer at QB except the Chiefs.

Originally Posted by el borracho

What I find inexcusable and completely unacceptable is the exorbitant price the Chiefs elected to pay for a guy who, in the best of times, throws for less than 200 yards per game and less than two touchdowns a game. The Chiefs could have gotten that kind of production from just about anybody without that hideous trade.

Exorbitant? What the ****? Have you seen the Chiefs second round draft history? In 2010, the Chiefs selected McCluster (who's been garbage) and Arenas, who was traded. What about such "gems" as Junior Siavii, Eddie Freeman, William Bartee, Kris Wilson or a second rounder for Patrick Surtain?

You have absolutely NO idea if the trade value was "exorbitant" because Alex Smith hasn't played a single down in Kansas City. Furthermore, 95% of this forum LOVED the results of the Trent Green trade, due to the fact that the Chiefs had such a potent offense, yet he guided the team to really only ONE playoff appearance which was a loss (Huard was the better QB in 2006).

For example, let's look at the NFL Value Chart, which I think is outdated, but it will at least give us a base for this conversation:

#12 overall: 1,200 points
#34 overall: 560 points

So, if Alex Smith guides this team to a 6-10 record this year (like Trent Green in 2001), the Chiefs will surrender a 3rd round draft choice, which would put the draft value at somewhere around 215 points. At that point, the Chiefs will have paid about 775 points, which is about 34% less than what they paid for Trent Green. If they go 8-8 or better, the value equals somewhere around 400 points, or 960 in total, which is about 20% less than the Green trade. Either way, it's much less than the Chiefs paid for Green to play for six seasons and lead the Chiefs to no playoff victories, yet people still revere him.

Regardless, IF Alex Smith leads this team to a single playoff game during his tenure, it could be considered to be a much better trade than the Trent Green trade, especially considering the fact that the Chiefs passed on Drew Brees, who is a probable Hall of Famer.