The columnists dissect the 2003 season and take a look at what's ahead for the Chiefs in '04. Read it here in a series of columns beginning next week.
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By Bob Gretz
January 14, 2004 (morning)--Last year, Dick Vermeil showed his loyalty to Greg Robinson by retaining him on his coaching staff.
Robinson paid back that loyalty on Tuesday by resigning as the defensive coordinator of the Chiefs.
It was an extraordinary act by Robinson. He put aside ego, all pretense and he fell on his sword for Dick Vermeil. Team and Vermeil came ahead of himself. No small wonder why the head coach was so emotional when he talked about Robinson and why he felt like he let his assistant down.
In more than 25 years of covering the NFL, I’ve never witnessed anything that came close to Tuesday’s morning gathering. The raw emotion was unforgettable. It was a window into the world that Vermeil has created with his football team. It was a window into the world of coaching and all the twists and turns that make the business so exciting and so heart breaking.
First, Robinson did the right thing in offering to resign. Secondly, Vermeil did the right thing in accepting. After everything that happened with the Chiefs in 2003, the focus was entirely on Robinson and the defense. It would have been impossible for this organization to make enough changes in other areas to overcome the negativity that would have surrounded Robinson’s further employment.
There’s no question the defense was broken. Robinson and the defensive staff tried their best, but in the end it did not come together on the field. Last year, Robinson was handicapped by a defense that had few talented players. This season, the talent level was improved, but it still wasn’t enough.
What was missing was a defensive mind-set that’s absolutely imperative to success in the NFL. Yes, football today is more complicated than it was years ago. Defenses must react to offenses, they must take part in the chess game.
But they must do it with an attitude that was seldom evident around the Chiefs defense. It was never there in 2002, showed itself early in 2003, but then disappeared, returning just briefly for the Chicago game. For that, the players, Robinson, the defensive staff and Vermeil must share the blame.
Beyond scheme, beyond talent, what this Chiefs defensive unit needs is an infusion of passion. When Vermeil picks Robinson’s successor, that’s should be the most important part of his resume.
There are many people celebrating Robinson’s departure, reveling in kicking a man when he’s down, laughing at the raw emotion he was willing to share on what was probably the worst day of his professional life. If you are one of those people, like the classless folks who started a web site to promote the firing of Robinson, please seek help. You believe the success of the team is more important to you, than the people who give their blood, sweat and tears each and every day to make it work. You are deranged and can not a hold a candle to a man like Robinson.
Anybody who witnessed what happened at Arrowhead Stadium on Tuesday morning should now have a better understanding of what the people who coach in this business put on the line. They don’t always get it right, they don’t always produce. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Rain Man:
They did this weird thing, and it probably saved my life. Between shooting Tom and Kenny, they all sat down, and they had taken some Peanuts books from the bedroom I shared with Kenny, and they read them out loud. Pete, the white guy, read the male voices, and Julie, the girl, she read the female voices. The black guy - I think his name was Lincoln or something, but I never remembered that until now - he went in and made a sandwich in the kitchen and then came out and listened to them while Kenny and I were tied up.
They were reading one of the books where Lucy was a psychiatrist and Charlie Brown would tell her his worries, and then she would be mean to him and then charge him a nickel. The guy looked up at me and asked me if I had a nickel and I didn't, and he said that he would've let me go if I only had a nickel. She did a high voice for Charlie Brown's little sister, and they all laughed about it, and Lincoln was eating his sandwich and to this day I smell gunpowder when I see a loaf of Wonder bread.
You know.. with your writing talent and Talisman's artistic skills, I think you should look into making a children's book. I could see popups and even some polls being worked into the book.
You could call it something like: My day With the Deranged and Twisted Hippie Chief Fans [Reply]
Originally Posted by Rain Man:
Those hippies just wanted to watch, too.
I can see their faces now. One was a white guy, and he had this long brown wavy hair and light blue eyes. He was the one who was pulling the trigger. There was a black guy with a big afro and sunglasses, and a brown leather jacket with a reddish shirt that was open at the collar. He never said a word the whole time. And the girl.
The girl was small and blonde, and her name was Julie. I know that because the white guy kept calling her that when he was talking. She was wearing a red top, and her hair was blonde, but it was also black. I don't know how to describe it. Pete, the white guy, called her when they started the shooting, and she came in wearing my mom's wedding ring. I'll never forget that as long as I live.
Those hippies went on to star in The Mod Squad. And to refresh your memory, he prefers Linc' to Lincoln. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Talisman:
I believe this is how they got the idea for Monty Hall's "Let's Make a Deal."
You may be right, because after they killed Tom, they told me they were going to kill me next, but gave me the option to pick what they said was "Curtain Number 2." I didn't know what they meant, but I thought I had no choice, so I said, "Curtain Number 2." They laughed and said that Curtain Number 2 meant that they would kill Kenny first. I remember them pulling him over near the lava lamp and putting the gun to his head, and then the shooting. He slumped over, and I thought to myself, "Oh my god! They killed Kenny!" [Reply]
well denise you should know that most of the time the planet is a clam place but when your dc killed our chance at a superbowl we have the right to go crazy [Reply]
I'm sick and tired of listening to Bob Gretz who is no more than a cheerleader and mouth piece for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is certainly NOT a journalist, as his comments are always biased towards the Chiefs and his "job" is dependent upon having a good relationship with the Chiefs. Don't believe it? Ask Jason Whitlock about what happens when the professional sports teams you report on black list you.
Sure Gretz has it good - rubbing elbows with the players, with Carl Peterson (what's with the hair Carl???) and other A list people, and being invited to great parties, etc. Must be a lot of fun and an enviable position, but isn't your first duty, Mr. Gretz, to be impartial and report on the Chiefs?
Gretz is so biased that it is almost impossible to listen to him on the Fox. Just listening to him suck up to and kiss Carl P's rump makes me want to puke. Have you no pride Bob? How many times has Gretz cut off a caller in order to protect Carl or the organization from a difficult or embarassing question? More times than I can remember.
The latest back bending ^ss-kissing given by Gretz were the comments about the FireGregRobinson.com website. What happened to people's first amendment rights? Gretz's name calling was unwarranted.
Gretz was dramatic in his discussion of Robinson's firing and about what a great guy he and the franchise is. Geeze Bob, that's nice, let me shed a tear for another millionaire losing a job. I'm sure GR's benefits will eclipse what most people make in a lifetime. How does Gretz know GR wasn't asked to resign? Given his connection with DV, it would make sense. That way Vermeil wouldn't have to embarass a good friend by firing him.
I wish Gretz would have as much empathy for the hundreds or perhaps thousands of hard working people who have been laid off in the past couple of years by Sprint and other local companies.
I have a lot more empathy for those hard working people than an Asst. football coach who makes more money than the average person would know what to do with. GR will surely land on his feet, with or without Gretz's flowery comments. I'm not so sure about people who have lost their life savings after being laid off from local companies. [Reply]
Originally Posted by davebutler:
I'm sick and tired of listening to Bob Gretz who is no more than a cheerleader and mouth piece for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is certainly NOT a journalist, as his comments are always biased towards the Chiefs and his "job" is dependent upon having a good relationship with the Chiefs. Don't believe it? Ask Jason Whitlock about what happens when the professional sports teams you report on black list you.
Sure Gretz has it good - rubbing elbows with the players, with Carl Peterson (what's with the hair Carl???) and other A list people, and being invited to great parties, etc. Must be a lot of fun and an enviable position, but isn't your first duty, Mr. Gretz, to be impartial and report on the Chiefs?
Gretz is so biased that it is almost impossible to listen to him on the Fox. Just listening to him suck up to and kiss Carl P's rump makes me want to puke. Have you no pride Bob? How many times has Gretz cut off a caller in order to protect Carl or the organization from a difficult or embarassing question? More times than I can remember.
The latest back bending ^ss-kissing given by Gretz were the comments about the FireGregRobinson.com website. What happened to people's first amendment rights? Gretz's name calling was unwarranted.
Gretz was dramatic in his discussion of Robinson's firing and about what a great guy he and the franchise is. Geeze Bob, that's nice, let me shed a tear for another millionaire losing a job. I'm sure GR's benefits will eclipse what most people make in a lifetime. How does Gretz know GR wasn't asked to resign? Given his connection with DV, it would make sense. That way Vermeil wouldn't have to embarass a good friend by firing him.
I wish Gretz would have as much empathy for the hundreds or perhaps thousands of hard working people who have been laid off in the past couple of years by Sprint and other local companies.
I have a lot more empathy for those hard working people than an Asst. football coach who makes more money than the average person would know what to do with. GR will surely land on his feet, with or without Gretz's flowery comments. I'm not so sure about people who have lost their life savings after being laid off from local companies.
Never liked Gretz, but if his use of two negative words to describe a group of people leads to a 200+ post thread, that seems to indicate that people can be awful sensitive to criticism.
People who dedicate time, effort, and money for the primary purpose of criticizing somebody, need to be able to accept a little criticism directed towards them.
Seems like some folks delight in letting us know that they are willing to take the low road.
Quite Frankly, if you brag about taking the low road, no need to get all worked-up about somebody saying that you took the low road.
It is remarkable that somebody went through the trouble of starting a website with that title. If you want to do something remarkable, expect a few remarks. [Reply]
If one knows he has hamburger and attempts to make Chatueau Briande out of it for 3 consecutive years, then that person is a foolish cook. Blaming the ingredients for your own failures is just assinine. [Reply]
Originally Posted by memyselfi:
I don't pay money to see those movies. It was on HBO and I sat through ten minutes of it before I walked out of the room. Never saw movie. And if you must know, I have huge issues with Hollywood glamorizing and trivializing torture and death of human beings...
I'm done with this issue unless people keep asking questions.
The smart thing to do would be to not pay for cable - especially premium channels that glorify sex and violence. If you are paying for Pulp Fiction, then you are part of your so-called problem. [Reply]
Originally Posted by jettio:
Never liked Gretz, but if his use of two negative words to describe a group of people leads to a 200+ post thread, that seems to indicate that people can be awful sensitive to criticism.
People who dedicate time, effort, and money for the primary purpose of criticizing somebody, need to be able to accept a little criticism directed towards them.
Seems like some folks delight in letting us know that they are willing to take the low road.
Quite Frankly, if you brag about taking the low road, no need to get all worked-up about somebody saying that you took the low road.
It is remarkable that somebody went through the trouble of starting a website with that title. If you want to do something remarkable, expect a few remarks.
How is making a website to get a failing DC fired taking the low road?
I found it pretty remarkable that you kissed Taco John's ass so much in his departure.
People can accept criticism. But when you say someone is 'deranged' and needs professional help because they want to see a change in this team then you're going a little bit too far.
That's not "just a little criticism". That's a heavy personal attack that Gretz just flug around like it was one of his 4 chins. [Reply]
Originally Posted by :
People can accept criticism. But when you say someone is 'deranged' and needs professional help because they want to see a change in this team then you're going a little bit too far.
Exactly. Gretz's owes Chiefs' fans an apology. In fact, his quotes should be put up on the the GR web site. How dare Gretz go off on Chiefs fans for simply trying to voice their opinions? How is saying GR should have been fired a bad thing? [Reply]
Originally Posted by FringeNC:
Exactly. Gretz's owes Chiefs' fans an apology. In fact, his quotes should be put up on the the GR web site. How dare Gretz go off on Chiefs fans for simply trying to voice their opinions? How is saying GR should have been fired a bad thing?
