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Gunther Cunningham’s a character. Like an Oreo cookie, but without the creamy middle, he’s not complicated. What you see is what you get.
Gunther just says stuff.
“They (Kansas City) keep wanting to dump players,” Cunningham, now defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, told the Detroit Free Press. “I would like to be there to catch a lot of them, because I know a couple of those guys.”
The Lions acquired defensive end Turk McBride off waivers last season. McBride couldn’t make the switch to linebacker for the Chiefs, but Cunningham’s convinced the Chiefs have talent.
“Some of those young kids I coached, I really believed they were going to be good players, and I know I’m right about that,” Cunningham told the Free Press. “Now what’s happened there is the same thing in any organization. A new guy comes in, and they decide to go to the 3-4 defense when the structure of the personnel was built for the 4-3.”
One player the Lions might be interested in is former first-round pick Glenn Dorsey. Cunningham was defensive coordinator for the Chiefs when Dorsey was drafted. Dorsey’s a good player, and he improved over the season, but was it enough? If the right team came knocking, I believe Scott Pioli would trade him.
What Cunningham said reminded me of a conversation I just had. Last season fans showed they had a limit and as a result the Chiefs experienced their first blackout since 1990.
You could say Cunningham’s recent comments are the “right fit” for how some in Kansas City view Pioli and Todd Haley. Last year’s draft wasn’t all Pioli was cracked up to be, a real yawner, and decisions – when it came to who they let go compared to who they kept – were questionable. Trading a younger Bernard Pollard and keeping Mike Brown got the chat rolling.
I’m a visual person, so picture it like this, an Old West feel with fans on the fence, hats tipped back, arms crossed with a wait-and-see look on their face.
One response I’ve heard quite a lot of after the Chiefs finalized their 2010 staff was “no more excuses.” Fans are looking for players to come to Kansas City and they expect real fruit from this year’s draft.
Some of the moves the Chiefs made this past season wouldn’t have made sense for a team trying to win now, but they weren’t looking for the immediate, they were forming a foundation. From this point forward, I feel fans can honestly evaluate Pioli and Haley, because now they know what they have and where they need to go.
Pioli came to Kansas City with the reputation and shiny resume, but he’s human. To hire a new general manager is big, but a head coach as well?
Those are major changes, especially for a team that didn’t finish the process until late in the offseason. At times the perception was that the 22 “off the street” were being outplayed by the ones who got away, but with not much time Pioli and Haley had to hit the ground running.
I’m not saying they get a free pass, but they did need time to assess. Keep in mind, the Chiefs do have extra draft picks because of some of those moves, so it wasn’t about just “dumping” players as Cunningham said. I’m convinced last season set the stage for this season.
Cunningham’s right, because the Chiefs did and still might let go of more talent, but even though players like Dorsey have ability, making him play in a 3-4 could be like sticking a square peg in a round hole. Both the player and the Chiefs would be better served if something could be worked out.
Everyone would walk away happy, and if it helps the Chiefs down the road, who’s going to care? Hey, if you can’t find the shiny side, then start polishing the dull side.
When things go bad, what it seems isn’t always what it is. I think I’d be hard pressed to find anyone who’d criticize what the Chiefs have done since their last game. Now all that needs to happen is for Pioli to work his magic.
FREE AGENCY BUZZ: Speaking of players, free agency is still a couple weeks off, but it hasn’t stopped the wish lists. At the top is defensive end Julius Peppers, who has a strong desire to play for a team who runs a 3-4 defense.
“I’m not going to say I want to play for any team or I prefer to play anywhere,” Peppers told the Associated Press, “because I really haven’t thought about it. I haven’t thought about playing for X, Y or Z.”
Peppers made $16.7 million in a one year-deal with Carolina this past season after being hit with the franchise tag. If Carolina were to use the franchise tag on him again, that would jump to $20 million. All indications point to Peppers’ time being over in Carolina. So Peppers, 30, is open to anywhere.
Peppers had a standout year with 10.5 sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles and a touchdown. He also made the Pro Bowl. There’s plenty left in the tank, but if interested, the Chiefs would have competition. One team would be the New England Patriots, who say they’re very interested in the eight-year veteran.
Peppers has 25 sacks over the last two seasons, the Chiefs 32. In this case, one man could make a huge difference.
The Chiefs do want to move quickly on some of their own. They like the chemistry between Chris Chambers and Matt Cassel. Chambers came to Kansas City looking as if he was on his last leg, but his 16.2-yard average said otherwise. As thin as the Chiefs are at receiver it’d be silly to let him go, and I’m sure he can be had for a good deal.
The Chiefs would like to re-sign Mike Vrabel, but only if the price is right. I wouldn’t have a problem with it, because what would it hurt? If he’s willing to come back and not break the bank, he’ll add experience, toughness, and leadership. The Chiefs are young, so keeping Vrabel would be smart.
The other player that the Chiefs want to re-sign I’m sure will cause plenty of debate. That player is Mike Brown. The Chiefs like him, but I’m not so sure on this one because, even though he finished with 103 combined tackles (79 solo), he’s not the guy that I used to draft for my fantasy football team. Personally I think he’s about done.
I expect the rumor and speculation to ramp up the closer we get to March 5, but it doesn’t stop fans from hoping, wanting, or wishing that the Chiefs will nab a top free agent. Defense or offense, it really doesn’t matter, because the Chiefs are a needy bunch.
Be sure to check back as we’ll eventually be getting into draft talk, but I’ll finish with Pioli.
“What I loved was the way the fans hung in there,” said Pioli on the Chiefs official Web site, kcchiefs.com. “I spent my time before home games and after home games mingling among the fans out in the parking lots and again, I guess all I really want to say is thank you and please continue to hang in there and support us. The amount of hours that people are working, we’re working hard, we’re working smart, and I’m going to do everything in my power to give this city, this community, a football team that we can all be proud of.”
Good day, Chief fans!
Gunther Cunningham’s a character. Like an Oreo cookie, but without the creamy middle, he’s not complicated. What you see is what you get.
Gunther just says stuff.
“They (Kansas City) keep wanting to dump players,” Cunningham, now defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, told the Detroit Free Press. “I would like to be there to catch a lot of them, because I know a couple of those guys.”
The Lions acquired defensive end Turk McBride off waivers last season. McBride couldn’t make the switch to linebacker for the Chiefs, but Cunningham’s convinced the Chiefs have talent.
“Some of those young kids I coached, I really believed they were going to be good players, and I know I’m right about that,” Cunningham told the Free Press. “Now what’s happened there is the same thing in any organization. A new guy comes in, and they decide to go to the 3-4 defense when the structure of the personnel was built for the 4-3.”
One player the Lions might be interested in is former first-round pick Glenn Dorsey. Cunningham was defensive coordinator for the Chiefs when Dorsey was drafted. Dorsey’s a good player, and he improved over the season, but was it enough? If the right team came knocking, I believe Scott Pioli would trade him.
What Cunningham said reminded me of a conversation I just had. Last season fans showed they had a limit and as a result the Chiefs experienced their first blackout since 1990.
You could say Cunningham’s recent comments are the “right fit” for how some in Kansas City view Pioli and Todd Haley. Last year’s draft wasn’t all Pioli was cracked up to be, a real yawner, and decisions – when it came to who they let go compared to who they kept – were questionable. Trading a younger Bernard Pollard and keeping Mike Brown got the chat rolling.
I’m a visual person, so picture it like this, an Old West feel with fans on the fence, hats tipped back, arms crossed with a wait-and-see look on their face.
One response I’ve heard quite a lot of after the Chiefs finalized their 2010 staff was “no more excuses.” Fans are looking for players to come to Kansas City and they expect real fruit from this year’s draft.
Some of the moves the Chiefs made this past season wouldn’t have made sense for a team trying to win now, but they weren’t looking for the immediate, they were forming a foundation. From this point forward, I feel fans can honestly evaluate Pioli and Haley, because now they know what they have and where they need to go.
Pioli came to Kansas City with the reputation and shiny resume, but he’s human. To hire a new general manager is big, but a head coach as well?
Those are major changes, especially for a team that didn’t finish the process until late in the offseason. At times the perception was that the 22 “off the street” were being outplayed by the ones who got away, but with not much time Pioli and Haley had to hit the ground running.
I’m not saying they get a free pass, but they did need time to assess. Keep in mind, the Chiefs do have extra draft picks because of some of those moves, so it wasn’t about just “dumping” players as Cunningham said. I’m convinced last season set the stage for this season.
Cunningham’s right, because the Chiefs did and still might let go of more talent, but even though players like Dorsey have ability, making him play in a 3-4 could be like sticking a square peg in a round hole. Both the player and the Chiefs would be better served if something could be worked out.
Everyone would walk away happy, and if it helps the Chiefs down the road, who’s going to care? Hey, if you can’t find the shiny side, then start polishing the dull side.
When things go bad, what it seems isn’t always what it is. I think I’d be hard pressed to find anyone who’d criticize what the Chiefs have done since their last game. Now all that needs to happen is for Pioli to work his magic.
FREE AGENCY BUZZ: Speaking of players, free agency is still a couple weeks off, but it hasn’t stopped the wish lists. At the top is defensive end Julius Peppers, who has a strong desire to play for a team who runs a 3-4 defense.
“I’m not going to say I want to play for any team or I prefer to play anywhere,” Peppers told the Associated Press, “because I really haven’t thought about it. I haven’t thought about playing for X, Y or Z.”
Peppers made $16.7 million in a one year-deal with Carolina this past season after being hit with the franchise tag. If Carolina were to use the franchise tag on him again, that would jump to $20 million. All indications point to Peppers’ time being over in Carolina. So Peppers, 30, is open to anywhere.
Peppers had a standout year with 10.5 sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles and a touchdown. He also made the Pro Bowl. There’s plenty left in the tank, but if interested, the Chiefs would have competition. One team would be the New England Patriots, who say they’re very interested in the eight-year veteran.
Peppers has 25 sacks over the last two seasons, the Chiefs 32. In this case, one man could make a huge difference.
The Chiefs do want to move quickly on some of their own. They like the chemistry between Chris Chambers and Matt Cassel. Chambers came to Kansas City looking as if he was on his last leg, but his 16.2-yard average said otherwise. As thin as the Chiefs are at receiver it’d be silly to let him go, and I’m sure he can be had for a good deal.
The Chiefs would like to re-sign Mike Vrabel, but only if the price is right. I wouldn’t have a problem with it, because what would it hurt? If he’s willing to come back and not break the bank, he’ll add experience, toughness, and leadership. The Chiefs are young, so keeping Vrabel would be smart.
The other player that the Chiefs want to re-sign I’m sure will cause plenty of debate. That player is Mike Brown. The Chiefs like him, but I’m not so sure on this one because, even though he finished with 103 combined tackles (79 solo), he’s not the guy that I used to draft for my fantasy football team. Personally I think he’s about done.
I expect the rumor and speculation to ramp up the closer we get to March 5, but it doesn’t stop fans from hoping, wanting, or wishing that the Chiefs will nab a top free agent. Defense or offense, it really doesn’t matter, because the Chiefs are a needy bunch.
Be sure to check back as we’ll eventually be getting into draft talk, but I’ll finish with Pioli.
“What I loved was the way the fans hung in there,” said Pioli on the Chiefs official Web site, kcchiefs.com. “I spent my time before home games and after home games mingling among the fans out in the parking lots and again, I guess all I really want to say is thank you and please continue to hang in there and support us. The amount of hours that people are working, we’re working hard, we’re working smart, and I’m going to do everything in my power to give this city, this community, a football team that we can all be proud of.”
Good day, Chief fans!
