Alongside the Plaza Lights and the Lake of the Ozarks sits ripping Carl Peterson as one of Kansas Citys all-time favorite pastimes. Heck, this sports talk host has shared in the festivities plenty over the past three years. The Chiefs quiet free-agency period has been widely ridiculed for lack of movement and hollow explanations. Peterson, Kansas Citys general manager, has waltzed around the open manhole by citing both economics and talent.
According to Peterson, the Chiefs foremost couldnt afford to go out and add big guns as they did last year. After the additions of Patrick Surtain, Sammy Knight and Kendrell Bell, there simply wasnt the money needed to make such improvements again. However, Peterson has also stated this Chiefs team was 10-6 last season, a successful record by almost any franchises standards. Kansas City was the last team left out of the AFC playoffs and the last one in ended up winning the Super Bowl (the Steelers at 11-5). Another words, -we are a pretty darned good team already.-
But neither of these reasons best spell why Chiefs Nation shouldnt fret after a signing period more boring than C-SPAN. Yes, adding new Texans WR Eric Moulds would have been nice. Its pretty clear new Giants LB Lavar Arrington is better than anything the Chiefs trot out there. Multiple names switched teams that could have helped the red and gold. But the addition of Herm Edwards as head coach is potentially the greatest difference maker available this winter.
Sitting at the most recent Chiefs press conference, its pretty obvious the atmosphere is different at One Arrowhead. While Dick Vermeil spun folksy yarns and politely (for the most part) answered all media questions, Edwards is direct, curt and sometimes combative. However, Vermeils charm often camouflaged his weaknesses. He had turned over the majority of responsibility and control to both coordinators; so much he was often more of a motivating overseer than an outspoken leader. Sure, Vermeil knew what was going on, but his moniker, Grandpa Dick, stuck for a reason. When someone else has built the car, you dont always look under the hood and know how to fix it.
It was abundantly clear that the locker room had no respect for accountability. Myriad off the field problems, from Eric Warfields multiple DUIs to the now infamous 2005 Training Camp Gone Wild, plagued the team but never resulted in fines or suspensions. Vermeil always defended his players, often playing down the severity of the situations publicly. When DT Lionel Daulton was ejected from a loss at Buffalo last year for clearly shoving Willis McGahee into the turf after the play was over, I asked Vermeil if he would take any disciplinary measures on Daulton. Vermeil seemed astonished it was even a question, dismissing the notion and rationalizing Daultons actions as merely emotions of the game and misinterpreted by the officials.
Edwards military upbringing and strict demeanor immediately changes the coddling atmosphere. Its also clear Edwards has his finger on everything. He ripped the plasma TVs and pool table out of the locker room to enforce a business setting. He demanded the Chiefs arrowhead logo displayed everywhere to remind the franchise of its purpose. Midway through last season Vermeil memorably (and badly) mispronounced two of his rookies names, even calling Will Svitek (Svee-teck) -Tim Smy-meck.- Edwards, meanwhile, has his hand so far in the personnel cookie jar hes admitted sometimes the scouting department resents it.
But thats what this franchise needed. A dramatic change from the previously goofy and often startlingly out of touch coaching staff. The Vermeilisms were cute sound bites and a good laugh every Monday morning, but it belied a regime that had lost its way. Of course, another season of missing the playoffs will dog Edwards just like any other Chiefs head coach. However, this franchise is immediately more equipped, better prepared and supremely focused with Edwards steering the ship. Even if it eats you up inside, give King Carl a tip of the cap. One of the most important additions of the offseason has a new Kansas City zip code.
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DA LOVES THE KIDS: Part 2 Not everyone is thrilled with the hiring of Eric Spoelstra. INSTANT CLASSIC: Free-agent Joe Horn blasts his old coaches and asks for Dolphins forgiveness, all live on the show! INSTANT CLASSIC: The man who took down Kimbo Slice: overnight celebrity Seth Petruzelli talks about the fight that stunned the fight world. BEST OF: Author Jeff Pearlman on the controversial Cowboys dynasty. Uh, ew. BEST OF: Heat rookie Mario Chalmers needs help hot-boxing. Cough, cough.. BEST OF: DA is named a Godfather. Can he handle the responsibility or will he sleep with the fishes? BEST OF: DA witnesses the greatest kids game ever. Rock, paper, scissors, space! STAR WARS GEEKS: Part 1 DA goes where no sportstalk host has gone before: Star Wars premier night.
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and Carl agree... Damon is a nice name. SUPER BOWL XL: D.A. does his best investigative work ever. It's the field turf press conference from Detroit. INSTANT CLASSIC: The Mark Mangino Montage tastes better than ever! INSTANT CLASSIC: The 2007 Herm-Gasm. 'Nuff said. INSTANT CLASSIC: The Chiefs Dept. of Misinformation is at it once again. Are the Chiefs wearing white or not? Don't ask them. INSTANT CLASSIC: Chicago's legendary Mike North joins DA to preview Chiefs- Bears. Da Bears! INSTANT CLASSIC : The annual DA Show NBA Mock Draft is here... with a return from Stormbot. FEATURED AUDIO: Royals legend Denny Matthews has bought his first cell phone. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as 6-4-3. FEATURED AUDIO: A fond DA Show farewell to Buddy Bell. He really was "Our Buddy." FEATURED AUDIO
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2007 One NIT NIT Moment.
The 2006 Caller Hall of Fame Track One: Christopher Walken's legendary roast
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local TV anchors slip up on the broadcast and luckily the D.A. Show was rolling
tape. 6-6-06:
The Crypt Keeper's Holiday Crazy
Ray displays his talent for singing. Could he make a run at the next American
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takes it on the chin with this famous call from R.B. Missed
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edition of The One NIT NIT Moment. We
couldn't leave Alex the Intern out of the mix, check out the drunk dial message
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D.A. Show tribute to Alan Thicke.
Is
Crazy Ray really crazy? Take a listen to find out.
A
D.A. Show Investigation reveals color commentators handing out the pink slip
to local college coaches.
Quinner's
feeling a bit down. We ask, what's wrong with Quinn Snyder? Herm Edwards gave us quotable material right from jump street. He gets a montage based on his introduction presser. A
staple of any good office party. It's the Dick Vermeil montage XP: final edition.
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callers finally had their own chance to put their stamp on the Vermeil montage Why
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Alongside the Plaza Lights and the Lake of the Ozarks sits ripping Carl Peterson as one of Kansas Citys all-time favorite pastimes. Heck, this sports talk host has shared in the festivities plenty over the past three years. The Chiefs quiet free-agency period has been widely ridiculed for lack of movement and hollow explanations. Peterson, Kansas Citys general manager, has waltzed around the open manhole by citing both economics and talent. 
