The 'True Patriot' Way

As Poz noted, Scottie may have set a new record for the most number of words used in a press conference to never actually say anything. The one thing he did make clear (other than this process is a process that they will process until it is fully processed), is that they are going to do things the "Patriot" way. While I am certain he loves his country with all his heart, I'm assuming he was referring to his previous employer, the New England Patriots -- which I gather is a franchise in the National Football League. I'm not too sure, because I haven't had much reason to pay attention to such matters in the past couple of seasons.

OK, so what do we know about said New England Patriots -- vis-a-vis the way they conduct their business? And how does this contrast to the current conditions at the construction detour around One Arrowhead Drive?

First there is that coach guy in Foxboro. He is, by all accounts, a sneaky, secretive, ruthless cuss. Something akin to Dick Cheney in an unhemmed hoody sweatshirt. He gives a tight-lipped, cards-to-the-vest, contentious press conference, and considers giving injury reports to the press to be a HIPAA violation. Whereas, the coach currently occupying the office at Arrowhead is a loose-lipped, media whore, and walking soundbite. He's about as transparent as Lindsay Lohan's day-planner. If Belichick is Dick Cheney, Herm Edwards is Mike Huckabee.

And remember the other coach in Scottie's life - his father-in-law, da big tuna. Not exactly Mr. Charming, either. What I'm trying to say is, I could be dead wrong, but if the past performance is an indicator of future results -- I'm more likely to be invited to Sarah Palin's for vegan sushi than Herm is to be coach of the Chiefs this time next month.

Then there is the issue of drafting and free-agents. I have a feeling that the Scott Pioli version of the Chiefs will not be drafting anyone with the #3 overall pick. I could be wrong, but it sho nuff ain't the Patriot way. The Pats under Pioli and Belichick never had a pick this high, so who knows what they would have done with it? However, they do not tend to over-pay unproven players, which is what almost always happens in that part of the draft. This is the death spiral that keeps the Detroit Lions' entire salary cap tied up in wide receivers who have established solid careers selling Chevrolets. And also why the Lions suck and will constantly suck; and a top-five draft position is as perennial as the ochre-colored snow in Wayne County, Michigan. This is the circle that annually swirls the Lions around the bottom of the bowl.

No, the "Patriot" way is to trade that pick to some stupid bozo, who's into sizzle over substance -- *cough* Al Davis *cough* -- and get 3 more picks and a solid-role player. The "Patriot" way is to have bench depth. They don't just beat you with their starters. They beat you the way the Florida Gators beat you. When your starters are spent, they plug in more fresh legs that are nearly as good as the starters. When their starters go down, they have #2's who can compete with your #1's. They do it by evaluating talent late on day one and into day two, a lot better than anyone else does. They select Tom Brady with the 199th pick -eleven places after the Chiefs were congratulating themselves over snagging awesome guard/frequent flyer/pine warmer/insurance agent Darnell Alford. They grabbed Matt Cassell at 230, ONE PICK AFTER KC got their "quarterback of the future", James Kilian (Who the...? Exactly).

To be fair, Carl Peterson never had to forfeit a first-round pick after pleading guilty to espionage charges. But then again, it may have been worth the risk.

The point is, don't expect flash. Don't expect sizzle. Don't be surprised if there is not blockbuster name in Pioli's draft selections, or top-rated free agent acquisitions. One other thing of substance Scottie told us -- he is not here to amass talented players. He's here to build a team that wins championships.

I'm skeptical by nature, but I like the sound of that, for a change.

Your faithful scribe,
Mr. Doggity