If Kansas City Chiefs fans thought that new head coach Todd Haley and GM Scott Pioli would bring new stability to the organization, they should think again. The KANSAS CITY STAR is reporting that Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters is asking to be released or traded after being “shocked” by the arrogance of the two in their first meetings - confirming what he has heard about Haley from Arizona Cardinals players at the Pro Bowl.
There were three Cardinals at the Pro Bowl this year: Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner, all of whom played under Haley’s direction as Arizona’s offensive coordinator, and all of whom have their reasons for bad-mouthing Haley to his new star lineman. But old grudges aside, Haley and Pioli did themselves no favors with Waters in terms of making good first impressions.
According to the report, Waters flew out to Kansas City to specifically meet with Haley and Pioli to find out their long-term plans for the team. Which sounds reasonable, especially since Waters is one of the few good players on the team who have had to suffer through the team’s ennui in recent years. But Haley and Piloi’s apparent reactions were anything but reasonable:
“Pioli declined to meet with Waters, saying they had nothing to discuss, the source said. And Haley began his hallway conversation with Waters by proclaiming that 22 players off the street could win two games, the source said.“
Which we all know is not true: the Lions had 22 players - some of them who weren’t pulled off of the unemployment line! - and they still managed to go 0-16. And it’s also a huge slap in the face by a head coach meeting with the supposed anchor of his offensive line, essentially telling him that I put anyone in your spot and it wouldn’t matter.
I can’t imagine why a Pro Bowl player and one of the more respected linemen in the game would be offended by that. So now you can add Waters to Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez as Chiefs’ offensive stalwarts asking to or thinking about leaving the Chiefs. But that’s OK - when you have as much talent as the Chiefs, you can afford to be this arrogant.
5:11 pm on February 27th, 2009
"Arrogance" - the new fragrance from Calvin Klein.
5:12 pm on February 27th, 2009
Still having to play for the Chiefs should make Brian Waters angry enough.
5:15 pm on February 27th, 2009
Troubled Waters?
5:33 pm on February 27th, 2009
If Herman Edwards had not coddled the Chiefs for the last 4 years, the team (and Mr. Waters) wouldn't be so astonished by this "arrogance". A new broom sweeps clean, Brian.
5:53 pm on February 27th, 2009
Maybe the Chiefs should sign John Waters. Their new mascot could be a pink flamingo.
8:26 pm on February 27th, 2009
Or sign Roger Waters. The Chiefs' play is as depressing as anything from "The Wall".
12:29 am on March 1st, 2009
Pioli and Haley have earned the right to demonstrate some arrogance. At least they have been successful. Maybe Waters should quit whining and try to help them turn around a floundering franchise.
4:34 pm on March 2nd, 2009
Unfortunately for Pioli and Haley the success they experienced in New England is only good for a cup of coffee and story time at the local bar. The NFL is a what have you done for me lately league so the All pros they are ticking off will play a very important part in the length of their tenure.
It would be wise of them tone down the rhetoric and work with what they have. Their New England success means nothing now… (see Crennell, Mangini, Weiss and even Bill Belichek who was fired in his first stint as a Head Coach).
Success is earned…not carried over from whence you came