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 Michael Michigan:
The amazing thing is Gretz writes all this and is such a cowardly writer---he doesn't even put an e-mail address to comment.
Some of us may view things from a different perspective than you. Some of us may look at it that Greg Robinson should have been gone last year for being ineffective, and pretty much stole a Million Dollars from Lamar Hunt, and an overdue superbowl....FROM THE MOST LOYAL FANS IN THE NFL. Tell me a single salesman, making 25k/year with the worst sales record at his business,that is given 3 years of non-performance?
If I drive 6hrs each way to 4-5games, pay hundreds of dollars for tickets, $20 to park...eat $6 Hotdogs, washed down with $6 cups of beer, buy hundreds of dollars on Chiefs apparel, flags, etc....I have the right to compain and bitch....at least until my hoarse voice is clear...
So here's to you Mr. Column writing bitch man.......Before you wag your finger at fans, partularly ones that spend more time discussing the Chiefs than you do, remember this.
Coaches, Players, GMs, and Sportswriters come and go. They leave for better jobs, more Free Agent Money, or to write for bigger papers. The one things that remains the same, is the Me, the fan....who will still be cussing personell decisions long after you've moved on to Florida and play shuffleboard in a new Dolphin's hat. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Michael Michigan:
Agreed. I smell a column--I think I'll contact Gretz to see if he's got the nads to go on record.
Oh, oh! Can you quote me as a deranged, classless Chiefs fan?
"Deranged, classless Chiefs fan Kevin was outraged at Gretz's comments. 'Whoever this Bill Gretz guy is, he doesn't know what he's talking about,' said Kevin. 'Is he new or something?'" [Reply]
Originally Posted by Michael Michigan:
Agreed. I smell a column--I think I'll contact Gretz to see if he's got the nads to go on record.
If you need a quote from a "man on the board," I'll provide one for you:
"Bob Gretz can kiss my shiny metal ass. But that's just an expression. My ass is really neither shiny nor metal. It's from Bender, on Futurama. Hey, do you ever watch that on Adult Swim? Adult Swim's cool. Oh, and Bob Gretz sucks, and stuff." [Reply]
Originally Posted by morphius:
Doesn't being fanatical as we are, I mean that is what fan is short for after all, automatically mean we are a bit deranged?
