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 :
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.
When Bob Gretz has to work 40+ hours a week at a job he despises instead of getting paid to do something that most of us can only dream about, his analysis will actually mean something to Bob Dole.
We spend our hard earned dollars and emotions to support a team. We're the team's customer whether Bobby G. likes it or not. And as with any customer, we've got every right to bitch about poor service when that's what we're provided.
And we're entitled to do it without some hired ass-clown calling us "classless." [Reply]
I only read the site 2-3 times, so I may have forgotten every single thing posted there. But IIRC, it was reasonable in tone that merely pointed out GR's failings and demanded that he be held responsible for them. I don't think that's classless.
And I've seen very few people kicking GR when he's "down." In fact, I've seen quite the opposite -- most folks thanking him and saying what a classy guy he was. Indeed, even www.firegregrobinson.com has changed its front page to thank GR for doing the right thing. [Reply]
*sniff*Sniff* Boo FN HOO i want a win in the playoffs.I want a superbowl. I dont spend my money on Chiefs gear&scream at the TV. to watch GROWN men cry, he knew the deal. Give us a SuperBowl VICTORY! [Reply]
It isn't classless. The Fans pay for the tickets, parking, memorabilia, etc. The Fans have a right to complain because ultimately, we are the ones that pay the tab for everything. When we go to a restaurant, we have a right to complain to the manager if the food and the service sucks. I see no difference here. No reason the kick the guy now that he's already quit, but as Fans, we have the right to voice our displeasure for certain employees we feel that are giving us crappy "service". [Reply]
I don't get it. He seems to think that Robinson should have been dimissed, yet has issue with those "classless" people who were proactive in making their opinions known? He seems to give kudos to Robinson for his emotion, yet calls those of us who emote, "deranged?"
The difference is that I don't get paid (and paid handsomely) to support this team. Robinson did. And his "contribution" did not justify his getting paid for it anymore. [Reply]
Gretz is a moron. If he believes that the success of the team is more important to the mercenaries who routinely switch loyalties based on who's signing their paycheck than it is to fans who have voluntarily agonized over the team for DECADES, then Gretz needs help. What a clueless columnist.
Maybe he should forego his paycheck for a while to rediscover his passion for the team. Or maybe he should just go get paid to write for another team. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bob_Damned_Dole:
When Bob Gretz has to work 40+ hours a week at a job he despises instead of getting paid to do something that most of us can only dream about, his analysis will actually mean something to Bob Dole.
We spend our hard earned dollars and emotions to support a team. We're the team's customer whether Bobby G. likes it or not. And as with any customer, we've got every right to bitch about poor service when that's what we're provided.
And we're entitled to do it without some hired ass-clown calling us "classless."
I agree with you Bob, I spend a ton of money on tickets, merchandise, and emotions and if I want to bitch and moan about the team I feel I have every right.
I totally take exception to what he said and I think it is a disgrace that he would call us that and especially to Lattimer and headsnap. I think we should start a new website called http:\\www.bobgretzisanazzclown.com [Reply]
The thing that strikes me most about this is that we aren't talking about a profession in which a guy holds a position for 25 years and then gets canned. How many teams (including college) has Greg Robinson worked for in his lifetime? Probably a hell of a lot more than you or I will. And HE KNOWS that when he takes a job it isn't a permanent position.
On top of all that, he did a piss-poor job. He can be sad that he let his friend down, but it isn't like he hasn't been fired before, and it certainly wasn't like he didn't deserve it.
So f%$K off Gretz. Go to Price Chopper, buy a family-size can of pork and beans, and put your overrated pie hole to better use. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bob_Damned_Dole:
When Bob Gretz has to work 40+ hours a week at a job he despises instead of getting paid to do something that most of us can only dream about, his analysis will actually mean something to Bob Dole.
We spend our hard earned dollars and emotions to support a team. We're the team's customer whether Bobby G. likes it or not. And as with any customer, we've got every right to bitch about poor service when that's what we're provided.
And we're entitled to do it without some hired ass-clown calling us "classless."
Originally Posted by Rain Man:
Gretz is a moron. If he believes that the success of the team is more important to the mercenaries who routinely switch loyalties based on who's signing their paycheck than it is to fans who have voluntarily agonized over the team for DECADES, then Gretz needs help. What a clueless columnist.
Maybe he should forego his paycheck for a while to rediscover his passion for the team. Or maybe he should just go get paid to write for another team.
That's a very good point. GR's got two SB rings from the Broncos to soothe his pain from screwing our season. We ain't got shit, just more of the usual heartbreak. [Reply]
