The dawn of a new NFL dynasty may be rising over Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Several coaches and players of the most recent dynasty have joined the Chiefs. Putting together the blueprint used by the New England Patriots to dominate the NFL, the Chiefs have begun to assemble the talent to recreate the power of the three-time Super Bowl champion Patriots, a team that broke and set countless team and player records during the first decade of the twenty-first century. The Patriots are also the only NFL team to ever have a perfect 16-0 regular season.
Could the Chiefs have a similar future? Yes. The pieces are beginning to fall into place for the Chiefs to recreate the success of the Patriots’ dynasty.
After finishing a franchise-worst 2-14 after the 2008 season, the Chiefs needed to make changes…big changes. They needed better leadership. They needed proven success. They needed a winner. Enter Scott Pioli.
Teaming up with Bill Belichick, Pioli used his keen skills of scouting and player evaluation to help build an NFL dynasty. The only NFL franchise to win three Super Bowl titles in four seasons. Pioli, New England’s former Vice President of Player Personnel, is known for his shrewd draft selections. He was the guy who drafted Tom Brady with the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft. We all know how that turned out.
Pioli’s tremendous talent has garnered him a list of NFL executive awards longer than Troy Polamalu’s hair. Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly, Dallas Morning News, and the San Francisco Chronicle have all bestowed the award for NFL Executive of the Year upon Pioli. And, they’ve each done it twice.
In its list of “All-Decade Moments,” ESPN named Pioli the “Personnel Man of the Decade.” Yeah, he’s that good. Scary good.
Signing productive free agents and pulling off excellent trades, Pioli established a culture of winning in New England. Yet, it took more than Pioli to create this climate of success. Pioli was surrounded by talented coaches and players on the Patriots. After his first season with the Chiefs, Pioli is now bringing that same winning attitude and staff to Kansas City. He’s creating a new dynasty, and it’s all by design.
As the Chiefs’ new “chief” (a.k.a. General Manager), Pioli hired the offensive and defensive coordinators that brought three championships to New England: Charlie Weis for offense and Romeo Crennel for defense. Pioli has also hired the following coaches who all have ties to the Patriots’ organization:
Joel Collier, the secondary coach during the Patriots’ historic 16-0 season, is the Assistant General Manager.
Anthony Pleasant, a defensive end on the Patriots’ 2001 and 2003 championship teams, is the Assistant Defensive Coach.
Otis Smith, a cornerback on the Patriots’ 2001 championship team, is the Defensive Quality Control Coach.
Maurice Carthon, who has worked in the Patriots’ organization, is the Assistant Head Coach.
Pioli has also brought several former New England players to the Chiefs. He traded for quarterback Matt Cassel, who led the Patriots to an 11-5 season in 2008 after Tom Brady’s knee injury knocked him out for the season. Mike Vrabel, a linebacker for the Patriots on their three championship teams and the 16-0 team, was also included in that trade. Pioli has also signed three other New England players from the famous 16-0 team: Ryan O’Callaghan, Corey Mays, and Matt Gutierrez.
With the momentous signings of the talented Chris Chambers and Thomas Jones, the Chiefs are positioning themselves for future success. Pioli, a draft genius, must be excited to have five draft picks in the first 102 picks, including the fifth pick overall in the upcoming 2010 NFL draft. The Chiefs are getting into prime shape to compete not only in the AFC West, but also in the rest of the conference.
Gathering coaches and players that created the Patriots’ dynasty, Pioli is using his exceptional personnel skills to assemble a future dynasty with the same strategy that won him the Lombardi Trophy three times. Using his trusty bow, proven arrow, and sharp sight, Pioli is aiming for the bull’s eye to win a fourth.
