Pioli, KC talks heating up
Discussions between the Kansas City Chiefs and Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli have intensified, according to an NFL source.
Although contract negotiations had not begun as of early Saturday night, word out of Kansas City was that the possibility of a marriage was picking up momentum.
Even before he interviewed last Monday, Pioli was presumed to be the Chiefs’ top choice to run their football operation. That hasn’t changed since Kansas City chairman Clark Hunt conducted a thorough, close-to-the-vest search that has included multiple candidates.
Hunt, interim president Denny Thum, and Pioli have increased their dialogue and think they could form a strong partnership, which is crucial, because regardless of whom the Chiefs hire, that person will have to work closely with Thum.
As part of the search for a general manager, Hunt has stated that he plans to split the job, with Thum handling business matters and the new hire focusing mostly on the football side.
Although it has been suggested that Pioli, 43, might be seeking total control and thus wouldn’t be comfortable with such an arrangement, the increased intensity of talks indicate that might not be the case.
Hunt has decided to split the job after former general manager Carl Peterson, who was with the club for 20 years, held both titles. In dividing the job, Hunt has said he wants a general manager who would be a ‘‘fresh set of eyes’’ and ‘‘shrewd evaluator of talent.’’
Pioli, a two-time Sporting News Executive of the Year Award winner, would qualify.
While Pioli and the Chiefs moved closer, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has emerged as a top candidate to become the Denver Broncos head coach, according to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network.
McDaniels had a second interview with the Broncos last Thursday.
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Why is this still dragging on? What's taking these teams so long? How hard is it to hire a GM or head coach? This is football. Just football.
Our next president of the United States hired his chief of staff, attorney general, secretary of state, national security advisor, etc etc in less time.
No wonder these teams are eternal losers.
My understanding is that Kansas City is a great community to live in and the team certainly has a solid fan base and a good tradition. I live in Colorado and have been in Denver around game day and the fans travel in droves to support their team. I hate to see Pioli go but this could be a good move for him.
bz, if you've spent 3 hours in KC you've spent a decade there. It's a forgettable town, the BBQ isn't very good and they have umm a lot of shopping malls. They still shop at Wal-mart even though a former executive bought the team and proved the Wal-Mart way isn't the way to run a winning organization.
Still they're nice mostly unsophisticated people and I think the Pioli family would quickly get bored living there. Plus the schools aren't much to brag about - they fight teaching evolution in science class. It's all Pioli's if he wants it but I can't see a guy like him staying long when reality hits his family.
Exactly how long did it take our next president to hire his staff? Certainly more than a month. The Two year campaign certainly included thoughts and meetings regarding possible staffs. At least I hope so.
I just don't understand, why Pioli is leaving. He got the greatest coach ever, awsome owner, best qb in the league. I just don't understand, what else he could get somewhere else, that he does nto have it here.... Unless, he like chalange..
CJ your opiiniion of KC is dead wrong, my guess is you have never spent anytime there. Ï have live iin both Boston and KÇ and would choose KÇ everyday of the week...
For starters they have some of the highest standarized test scores so maybe you need to re-think yor whoe schools suck theory....Plus the BBQ is better and less expensive then anything NE has to offer. Ì think its funny someone calls KC eternal losers....Quick question what was being said about us before BB got here. When KC was winning division tiitle after division title..
OH by the way Piolis wife is from KS so if it was that bad they wouldn't be considering it.. Both are fantastic situations is just depends on where he would rather be...I hope he stays but I also understand that KC is an ideal situation for any new gm. Age,salary cap, talent...they have a lot of flexibity...
Hey CJ, you have no clue what you are talking about. Let's assume for a second that you actually did spend three hours in Kansas City. If you hung out at a mall, and then went to the mall barbecue place does that make you some sort of a travel critic?
You can never make any judgements about a city unless you have spent a considerable amount of time and you were with people who knew the city.
I believe you are demonstrating that it is YOU that lacks sophistication. What a tool!
Pioli would be a fool to pass up this opportunity. I don't think he's a fool, so if he's offered it, I think he will be the new GM of the Kansas City Chiefs.
11-5andout
Pioli's wife is the Tuna's daughter, Dallas. So when did he coach in KC for her to grow up KS???? He coached the Giants and was on the Pat's staff before that...
I read an article either on here or espn that stated she grew up in wichita,ks... I will try to find it and submit a link....
I am sure that CJ does not represent most New England fans. True, Kansas City is not Boston. There are not 10 million people there. It does not have 300 year old colleges or buildings. That doesn't make it a "forgettable town". You didn't tell us if you actually spent 3 hours there, but if you landed with that attitude I am sure that you did not have a good time.
Kansas City has great BBQ. People are straightforward and they will tell you how they feel. For a man of his position, Pioli would find excellent private schools, and public schools in Kansas or the Missouri suburbs. I can't argue that inner city KCMO schools are having a hard time right now. Pioli and his family are going to love it.
11-5andout?: Bill Parcels played football as LB in college @ Witchita State University in Kansas where he met his wife. He was also an assistant coach @ WSU in 1965.
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