Chiefs Pioli doesn’t know why Manning spurned Chiefs BY ADAM TEICHER

Mr_Tomahawk · 03-20-2012, 12:58 PM

Pioli doesn’t know why Manning spurned Chiefs
BY ADAM TEICHER

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/20...#storylink=cpy

Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said today he wasn’t aware why quarterback Peyton Manning spurned the Chiefs, and Pioli never asked him why.

“When this whole process started, after he was released, he and I were in communication with one another, as I was with his agent,’’ Pioli said on the same day that the division-rival Broncos announced they had signed Manning. “He had a plan, and he let me know that. He didn’t get into the details. He was up front about what he was doing and some of the visits he wanted to take and that we weren’t initially going to be a part of that, and I respected that.

“He had a plan and he executed it. He didn’t explain to me nor did I ask . . . I don’t think it was my place to do that. Those private conversations with a guy like Peyton, I don’t think it’s my place to divulge what he and I talked about or communicated about.’’

Manning wound up meeting with the Broncos, Cardinals, Titans and Dolphins. Other interested teams, including the Chiefs, couldn’t get an audience with him.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean the other teams he wasn’t going to talk to, that there was anything wrong with those places,’’ Pioli said. “He just had favorites and places he wanted to pursue for his reasons. I don’t think it would be fair for me to characterize why those teams and why not other teams. It’s not really my place to do that.’’

Asked why he didn’t press Manning on the issue, Pioli said, “If you spend time and energy and emotion fretting over things you can’t control, that’s time and energy we would have wasted not getting Eric Winston done, not getting Kevin Boss done and not getting the other players done.’’

Pioli said the Chiefs notified starting quarterback Matt Cassel that they would be attempting to contact Manning.

“He was aware of it before, during and after,” Pioli said. “Matt is aware there’s going to be competition. There’s nothing to hide from him. Peyton was available, we were interested and Matt knew about that.’’

Instead of Manning, the Chiefs signed Brady Quinn, who joins Cassel and Ricky Stanzi at quarterback. Quinn said Monday he was told Cassel would be the starting quarterback.

The Chiefs had earlier indicated they would bring in someone to challenge Cassel for the starting spot.

“It’s something we were very clear with Brady about and something that’s abundantly clear to Matt and Ricky: The best players that give us the best chance to win on Sunday are going to be the ones to play,’’ Pioli said. “I think we have three quarterbacks on our roster that certainly have the potential and the ability to be starting quarterbacks in the NFL. So there is competition here. Brady has started and played in the National Football League. Ricky hasn’t done that yet, but I also think Ricky has some upside.’’

The Chiefs claimed Kyle Orton off waivers from Denver late last season, and he ended up starting three games for them. But the Chiefs were unable to re-sign him, and he instead joined the Cowboys as Tony Romo’s backup.

Pioli suggested that Orton’s contract with the Cowboys became too rich for the Chiefs.

“I know it was one heck of a contract he received,’’ Pioli said. “A very, very generous contract.’’

Posted on Tue, Mar. 20, 2012 01:45 PM

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/20...#storylink=cpy

03-20-2012, 12:58 PM	Topic Starter
Mr_Tomahawk Prestige Worldwide Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Spring Hill, KS Casino cash: $2910526	Pioli doesn’t know why Manning spurned Chiefs BY ADAM TEICHER Pioli doesn’t know why Manning spurned Chiefs BY ADAM TEICHER Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/20...#storylink=cpy Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said today he wasn’t aware why quarterback Peyton Manning spurned the Chiefs, and Pioli never asked him why. “When this whole process started, after he was released, he and I were in communication with one another, as I was with his agent,’’ Pioli said on the same day that the division-rival Broncos announced they had signed Manning. “He had a plan, and he let me know that. He didn’t get into the details. He was up front about what he was doing and some of the visits he wanted to take and that we weren’t initially going to be a part of that, and I respected that. “He had a plan and he executed it. He didn’t explain to me nor did I ask . . . I don’t think it was my place to do that. Those private conversations with a guy like Peyton, I don’t think it’s my place to divulge what he and I talked about or communicated about.’’ Manning wound up meeting with the Broncos, Cardinals, Titans and Dolphins. Other interested teams, including the Chiefs, couldn’t get an audience with him. “That doesn’t necessarily mean the other teams he wasn’t going to talk to, that there was anything wrong with those places,’’ Pioli said. “He just had favorites and places he wanted to pursue for his reasons. I don’t think it would be fair for me to characterize why those teams and why not other teams. It’s not really my place to do that.’’ Asked why he didn’t press Manning on the issue, Pioli said, “If you spend time and energy and emotion fretting over things you can’t control, that’s time and energy we would have wasted not getting Eric Winston done, not getting Kevin Boss done and not getting the other players done.’’ Pioli said the Chiefs notified starting quarterback Matt Cassel that they would be attempting to contact Manning. “He was aware of it before, during and after,” Pioli said. “Matt is aware there’s going to be competition. There’s nothing to hide from him. Peyton was available, we were interested and Matt knew about that.’’ Instead of Manning, the Chiefs signed Brady Quinn, who joins Cassel and Ricky Stanzi at quarterback. Quinn said Monday he was told Cassel would be the starting quarterback. The Chiefs had earlier indicated they would bring in someone to challenge Cassel for the starting spot. “It’s something we were very clear with Brady about and something that’s abundantly clear to Matt and Ricky: The best players that give us the best chance to win on Sunday are going to be the ones to play,’’ Pioli said. “I think we have three quarterbacks on our roster that certainly have the potential and the ability to be starting quarterbacks in the NFL. So there is competition here. Brady has started and played in the National Football League. Ricky hasn’t done that yet, but I also think Ricky has some upside.’’ The Chiefs claimed Kyle Orton off waivers from Denver late last season, and he ended up starting three games for them. But the Chiefs were unable to re-sign him, and he instead joined the Cowboys as Tony Romo’s backup. Pioli suggested that Orton’s contract with the Cowboys became too rich for the Chiefs. “I know it was one heck of a contract he received,’’ Pioli said. “A very, very generous contract.’’ Posted on Tue, Mar. 20, 2012 01:45 PM Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/20...#storylink=cpy
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