Chiefs Whitlock: On second thought, forget about Gruden coaching Chiefs - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 01-18-2009, 12:33 AM

On second thought, forget about Gruden coaching Chiefs
By JASON WHITLOCK
The Kansas City Star

It took all day and phone conversations with a former Tampa Bay quarterback and Warren Sapp, but I’m over my Jon Gruden love affair.

It was brief but passionate. From the moment the Buccaneers announced they were dumping Coach Chuckie, I wanted Gruden patrolling Arrowhead sidelines as passionately as I once wanted Jeff George slinging passes in red and gold.

Gruden is a winner. He overcame Al Davis’ senility and turned the Raiders into a Super Bowl-caliber team. Gruden then skipped down to Tampa, passed Brad Johnson off as a starting quarterback and led Tony Dungy’s Bucs to a Super Bowl title.

Gruden is two for two. He shows up and playoff victories follow. Plus, he’s a superstar, a big-time personality, an entertainer worth the price of admission. Gruden is Tuna Lite, the Baby Parcells.

Honestly, Gruden would make my life a joy. There would be an endless supply of things to write about if Gruden replaced Carl Peterson as king of Kansas City.

But I’m over it … I think.

“He would do a fine job in Kansas City,” Sapp told me. “Why not? The thing that would really be exciting for Gruden in KC is that he’d have a strong-armed young quarterback to work with. Hell, Tyler Thigpen damn near saved Herm Edwards’ job.”

This is where I had to tell Warren to slow his roll.

Tyler Thigpen is not Kansas City’s quarterback of the future. The Chiefs need to draft and develop a franchise quarterback.

“Well, Gruden has never groomed a young quarterback,” Sapp acknowledged. “He’s turned some into head cases.”

Exactly. The former Buccaneer QB I talked to on Saturday made the same point. His contention was that Gruden is a perfect fit for a veteran team, not a young rebuilding club.

“Gruden would be great for Dallas,” the former QB said.

Gruden might also work for the Jets and Brett Favre.

I’m over it. And I’m preparing for the remote possibility that Herm Edwards will be retained.

Seriously, what’s the holdup? The Senior Bowl heats up on Monday. Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo just took the head-coaching job with the Rams. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the new coach of the Broncos. Spagnuolo and McDaniels were supposed to be on Scott Pioli’s short list for Kansas City.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is now on the clock. I fully expect to hear about a new contract extension for Ferentz at Iowa any day now.

If the Chiefs were looking for an excuse to hold onto Edwards for another year, Clark Hunt certainly has it. All of Pioli’s coaching friends have landed gigs. The Chiefs might as well wait to enter the Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren and Mike Shanahan sweepstakes next year.

Well, there are rumors that Shanahan doesn’t plan to sit out a year. A Denver radio station even reported that the Chiefs were interested in hiring Shanahan.

I’m against Shanahan unless John Elway is part of the package.

Is Shanahan a good coach? No question. But he’s not Belichick, Parcells, Holmgren or even Gruden.

Shanahan is the guy who was smart enough to put a couple of offensive pieces around Elway. Dan Reeves wasn’t smart enough to do it, so Elway could only carry Reeves to the Super Bowl. Elway won two Super Bowls for Shanahan.

And please don’t hand me the garbage that running back Terrell Davis won those titles. You just don’t understand football if you fail to recognize what a unique, once-in-a-lifetime talent Elway was. He’s the best to ever play the game.

Shanahan has done little in the decade since Elway walked away.

If there is an Elway available at the No. 3 pick, then I say sign Shanahan.

If not, the Chiefs need to look somewhere else for their next coach. Which means there might not be a “next” coach this offseason.

I’ve decided not to blame Clark Hunt if Edwards is retained. It will be an indication that Kansas City’s new GM lacks confidence. He wants a year to figure things out before he attaches his name to any major decisions.

It’s difficult for me to be too hard on Pioli, either. I woke up Saturday morning convinced Gruden would be KC’s savior. I went to bed Saturday night unable to identify a coaching savior.

I wonder if Jeff George is ready to transition into coaching.

sodcat · 01-18-2009, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCFGoldenKnight

Chris Simms or Bruce Gradkowski.

thats funny! and most likely true!

**Dylan** · 01-18-2009, 08:24 AM

Gruden: Good Lord, Gruden, the so called "Offensive Guru," has never developed a QB in Tampa Bay. Come to think about it, I can't name one player, Gruden had developed. He loves signing FA's and/or players from other teams, though.

Players sign on and then they die.

They're either old or washed up. Gawd forgive me.

C-Mac · 01-18-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaid

...and this is where someone started drinking the special kool-aid. Was Elway a great QB? Yes. Best to ever play the game?

There no doubt he was the most gifted physically talented QB of our era and perhaps the greatest when you look at all the intangibles. As it pains me to say it, if I had to pick a one QB for to play for my all pro team, it would have to be Elway.

EyePod · 01-18-2009, 08:50 AM

Man, Whitlock has some weird man-crush on Jeff George. It's borderline creepy.

**wazu** · 01-18-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyePod

Man, Whitlock has some weird man-crush on Jeff George. It's borderline creepy.

It's self-deprecating humor. They are old buddies, and there was a time when Whitlock was promoting Jeff George when it was actually a legitimate idea.

**wazu** · 01-18-2009, 09:06 AM

As for Gruden, I am split. I'm not sure who the great, young QBs were that he turned into headcases. I suspect they were weak-minded to begin with and couldn't hold up to the legitimate demands of the game at the NFL level. I mean, aren't we talking about Chris Sims? Doesn't he have a tattoo of his male BFF on his ass or something?

13and3 · 01-18-2009, 09:09 AM

we need marty, or herm, someone who can evaluate talent in the draft,. The rat is not that person

58-4ever · 01-18-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13and3

we need marty

Yeah, about as much as I need big red sores all around my johnson.

Agent V · 01-18-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13and3

we need marty, or herm, someone who can evaluate talent in the draft,. The rat is not that person

Yeah. Just ask Eddie Royal.

**the Talking Can** · 01-18-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief103182

Yeah. Just ask Eddie Royal.

or Maurice Clarett

siberian khatru · 01-18-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

or Maurice Clarett

Hey, those "free picks" don't count.

Adept Havelock · 01-18-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

It's a valid arguement, if one places Elway on the 80's 49er roster he could've won 4 superbowls like Montana did.

He's one of the best...but the best? Nope.

It's not just what the man did, but when he did it (considering the rules of the game).

BucEyedPea · 01-18-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

As for Gruden, I am split. I'm not sure who the great, young QBs were that he turned into headcases. I suspect they were weak-minded to begin with and couldn't hold up to the legitimate demands of the game at the NFL level. I mean, aren't we talking about Chris Sims? Doesn't he have a tattoo of his male BFF on his ass or something?

Gruden is what I call a camoflaged hole. He's not a genius. He just looked like one. The Bucs won their SB because they knew the Raider's playbook and well. Lynch said he knew exactly where the ball was going. The Raiders didn't change their playbook which gave Gruden that edge with Dungy's team.

Plus Gruden didn't treat players well and is too much of a hot-head.

I say the Chiefs are better off without him. He's been exposed for what he really is—a mediocre coach.

boogblaster · 01-18-2009, 10:26 AM

Elway good and lucky .. didn't win a SB till T. Davis got there ...

Brock · 01-18-2009, 10:30 AM

Gruden sucks. He's a camera-hounding fool.

01-18-2009, 12:33 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $922813	Whitlock: On second thought, forget about Gruden coaching Chiefs On second thought, forget about Gruden coaching Chiefs By JASON WHITLOCK The Kansas City Star It took all day and phone conversations with a former Tampa Bay quarterback and Warren Sapp, but I’m over my Jon Gruden love affair. It was brief but passionate. From the moment the Buccaneers announced they were dumping Coach Chuckie, I wanted Gruden patrolling Arrowhead sidelines as passionately as I once wanted Jeff George slinging passes in red and gold. Gruden is a winner. He overcame Al Davis’ senility and turned the Raiders into a Super Bowl-caliber team. Gruden then skipped down to Tampa, passed Brad Johnson off as a starting quarterback and led Tony Dungy’s Bucs to a Super Bowl title. Gruden is two for two. He shows up and playoff victories follow. Plus, he’s a superstar, a big-time personality, an entertainer worth the price of admission. Gruden is Tuna Lite, the Baby Parcells. Honestly, Gruden would make my life a joy. There would be an endless supply of things to write about if Gruden replaced Carl Peterson as king of Kansas City. But I’m over it … I think. “He would do a fine job in Kansas City,” Sapp told me. “Why not? The thing that would really be exciting for Gruden in KC is that he’d have a strong-armed young quarterback to work with. Hell, Tyler Thigpen damn near saved Herm Edwards’ job.” This is where I had to tell Warren to slow his roll. Tyler Thigpen is not Kansas City’s quarterback of the future. The Chiefs need to draft and develop a franchise quarterback. “Well, Gruden has never groomed a young quarterback,” Sapp acknowledged. “He’s turned some into head cases.” Exactly. The former Buccaneer QB I talked to on Saturday made the same point. His contention was that Gruden is a perfect fit for a veteran team, not a young rebuilding club. “Gruden would be great for Dallas,” the former QB said. Gruden might also work for the Jets and Brett Favre. I’m over it. And I’m preparing for the remote possibility that Herm Edwards will be retained. Seriously, what’s the holdup? The Senior Bowl heats up on Monday. Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo just took the head-coaching job with the Rams. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the new coach of the Broncos. Spagnuolo and McDaniels were supposed to be on Scott Pioli’s short list for Kansas City. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is now on the clock. I fully expect to hear about a new contract extension for Ferentz at Iowa any day now. If the Chiefs were looking for an excuse to hold onto Edwards for another year, Clark Hunt certainly has it. All of Pioli’s coaching friends have landed gigs. The Chiefs might as well wait to enter the Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren and Mike Shanahan sweepstakes next year. Well, there are rumors that Shanahan doesn’t plan to sit out a year. A Denver radio station even reported that the Chiefs were interested in hiring Shanahan. I’m against Shanahan unless John Elway is part of the package. Is Shanahan a good coach? No question. But he’s not Belichick, Parcells, Holmgren or even Gruden. Shanahan is the guy who was smart enough to put a couple of offensive pieces around Elway. Dan Reeves wasn’t smart enough to do it, so Elway could only carry Reeves to the Super Bowl. Elway won two Super Bowls for Shanahan. And please don’t hand me the garbage that running back Terrell Davis won those titles. You just don’t understand football if you fail to recognize what a unique, once-in-a-lifetime talent Elway was. He’s the best to ever play the game. Shanahan has done little in the decade since Elway walked away. If there is an Elway available at the No. 3 pick, then I say sign Shanahan. If not, the Chiefs need to look somewhere else for their next coach. Which means there might not be a “next” coach this offseason. I’ve decided not to blame Clark Hunt if Edwards is retained. It will be an indication that Kansas City’s new GM lacks confidence. He wants a year to figure things out before he attaches his name to any major decisions. It’s difficult for me to be too hard on Pioli, either. I woke up Saturday morning convinced Gruden would be KC’s savior. I went to bed Saturday night unable to identify a coaching savior. I wonder if Jeff George is ready to transition into coaching.
Posts: 42,059

01-18-2009, 08:24 AM	#17
Dylan The Lede Join Date: Aug 2007 Casino cash: $10016591	Gruden: Good Lord, Gruden, the so called "Offensive Guru," has never developed a QB in Tampa Bay. Come to think about it, I can't name one player, Gruden had developed. He loves signing FA's and/or players from other teams, though. Players sign on and then they die. They're either old or washed up. Gawd forgive me.
Posts: 33,643

01-18-2009, 08:50 AM	#19
EyePod Forgetting 2013 season end. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Around Casino cash: $9995735	Man, Whitlock has some weird man-crush on Jeff George. It's borderline creepy. __________________ I did not believe in Mahomes until week 1. I've been woke ever since. I'm on board this freight train.
Posts: 5,800

01-18-2009, 09:06 AM	#21
wazu ... Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $2212295 VARSITY	As for Gruden, I am split. I'm not sure who the great, young QBs were that he turned into headcases. I suspect they were weak-minded to begin with and couldn't hold up to the legitimate demands of the game at the NFL level. I mean, aren't we talking about Chris Sims? Doesn't he have a tattoo of his male BFF on his ass or something?
Posts: 27,763

01-18-2009, 09:09 AM	#22
13and3 R8R H8R Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $9996027	we need marty, or herm, someone who can evaluate talent in the draft,. The rat is not that person
Posts: 574

01-18-2009, 10:26 AM	#29
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	Elway good and lucky .. didn't win a SB till T. Davis got there ... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

01-18-2009, 10:30 AM	#30
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Gruden sucks. He's a camera-hounding fool.
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