Saturday morning will dawn with Chiefs Nation once again torn like bi-polar disorder. Optimism will reign as Herm Edwards and VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich lead the NFL Draft war room. Pessimism will seep in as everyone again realizes Carl Peterson has final say.
Last season, Edwards and Kuharich joined brain cells to form a formidable scouting team. The Chiefs landed three defensive starters in DE Tamba Hali and safeties Bernard Pollard and Jarad Page. Additionally from the 2006 draft, Jeff Webb could turn into a slot receiver and Brodie Croyle might be your quarterback of the future. That would be five starters from one draft, and impressive haul by any estimation.
Edwards spent his first tour of duty with the Chiefs as an advanced scout in the 1990s, so his eye for college talent is polished. The credentials of Kuharich include 14 years as an assistant to the GM in New Orleans (although any tenure in the Saints front office might not be a plus on the resume).
Moreover, Edwards had spent just four months on the job by the time of last Aprils draft, while Kuharich had been recently promoted by the organization. In Fridays press conference, both men stressed how much more comfortable they both are within the system after a full calendar year together.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs draft selection will not occur in a vacuum (although that could provide the perfect distraction for Carl at 11:00a Saturday. Where is the Hoover?). The draft score card of Peterson is infamous. More Chiefs fans could list Ryan Sims, Trezelle Jenkins, Slyvester Morris and Junior Siavii than their anniversary dates.
It is no secret to anyone in the Midwest (nor should it be to Carl himself), the Chiefs drafts under Peterson have been woeful. To be fair, every team has misses. The dynastic Patriots selected colossal bust Andy Katzenmoyer in the first round just prior to their three titles. But while every GM is entitled to a handful of gaffes, no GM has steadily wasted the drafts like Peterson.
Earmarking the Chiefs 22 starters on both offense and defense in 2007, only eight were drafted by the Chiefs before Herm arrived. A mind-boggling TWO of those eight are on the defense. Derrick Johnson and Jared Allen on the defensive side of the football, Larry Johnson, Ronnie Cruz, Samie Parker, Tony Gonzalez, Brian Waters and Casey Weigmann on offense. Of course, Cruz might be replaced and Weigmann has reportedly contemplated retirement. You could add Donnie Edwards, who was originally drafted by Kansas City, but he played the prime of his career in San Diego.
Essentially, Peterson has swung and missed more times than Britney Spears with an umbrella. He has been forced to build a team around free agents and other teams castoffs, an impossibility in todays NFL. Everyone agrees the draft is the lifeblood of a franchise. When draft after draft produces little or no long term talent for an organization, its a zero-sum game.
There is hope Saturday. There is hope that Carl realizes the game has passed him by. There is hope he realizes he has lost the vision that helped rebuild a forlorn franchise nearly two decades ago. There is hope Carl understands, this is no longer his poker game. He is merely dealing the cards.
A moment indelibly jumped out Friday. As the three Chiefs wise men approached their positions in front of the media, Peterson placed his papers at the center seat and began to sit down. As Carl pulled his chair, Edwards grabbed his shoulder, leaned in and whispered something. Herm nudged Carl to one of the outer seats and then took his position, the center chair. Carl, obviously flustered, muttered, "Ok, ok..." as he was stiff-armed by his head coach.
It was an obvious metaphor, so clear for everyone to see. The influence of Carl eroding before our very eyes, as a new brain trust takes the center seat. Let us hope Carl moves to the outer seat this weekend.
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Saturday morning will dawn with Chiefs Nation once again torn like bi-polar disorder. Optimism will reign as Herm Edwards and VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich lead the NFL Draft war room. Pessimism will seep in as everyone again realizes Carl Peterson has final say. 
