Take
a Memo
Peterson
should step in to fire Robinson
Posted
1-6-03
by
CK Rairden
Landmark columnist
Chiefs GM Carl Peterson claimed himself to be “one
tough S.O.B. negotiator” earlier this season as yet
another first round draft pick was missing camp.
Well, now it’s time to put up or shut up. Head coach
Dick Vermeil is back home in Pennsylvania after giving
defensive coordinator Greg Robinson a vote of confidence
before leaving. Vermeil, loyal to a fault, is willing
to allow Robinson another chance at running (or ruining)
the Chiefs defense.
Robinson doesn’t deserve it.
****
This is where it’s time for the self-appointed tough
S.O.B. general manager to step up and do the job of firing
Greg Robinson. And it shouldn’t take much to quit
on Robinson. Everyone else has—
—Chiefs fans across the country quit on Robinson
in week six after Drew Brees laughed when asked if he
was concerned that the Chiefs could stop him in game six
on a last minute 71-yard drive that would give the Chargers
the win. Brees went 6-7 on that drive, his last completion
for the game winning TD. The Chiefs offense piled up 34
points, but lost thanks to Robinson’s defense giving
up three fourth quarter TD’s.
—Chiefs fans at Arrowhead quit on Robinson in week
seven after his brilliant idea to put Bronco retread linebacker
Glen Cadrez on Broncos TE Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe lit up
Cadrez for 214 yards and two TD’s. The Chiefs offense
scored 34 points again, but it was not enough as Denver
scored 37 against Robinson’s defense in an overtime
win.
—On the last Sunday of the season, with a slim opportunity
at the playoffs still alive, the Chiefs defense finally
quit on Greg Robinson. The missed tackles and assignments
and allowed the Raiders to run at will and hold the ball
for over 40 minutes while giving up 24 points on a muddy
track.
It’s time to quit on Robinson.
****
The Chiefs need to cut some of the dead weight that inhabited
the defense, and add free agents that can contribute.
That much was at least noted by Vermeil. They need linebackers,
they need defensive backs and they need defensive lineman.
It’s hard to envision hungry free agents wanting
to play in the system Robinson has designed and it’s
even tougher to envision any big name free agents willing
to play in the “spinner defense.”
What do you say to a run stuffing defensive tackle when
he comes in? Sure—we know you can stop the run, we
know you can get to the quarterback, but how are you in
coverage against wide receivers?
The free agents will be available, and that is one thing
Carl Peterson is very good at, signing free agents that
can come in and contribute. But none of the events can
play out with Greg Robinson still in place calling the
shots on defense.
****
Carl Peterson’s five-year Super Bowl plan has now
morphed into three year Dick Vermeil Super Bowl plan.
No matter how you look at it, the plan enters its fifteenth
season next year without even an appearance in a Super
Bowl. This “plan” now includes nine straight
seasons without a playoff victory, and five straight missing
the playoffs entirely.
But a window of opportunity has opened for Carl Peterson.
Instead of being despised by Chiefs fans for another hold
out due to his self appointed S.O.B. persona and booed
when introduced at Arrowhead Peterson can be a leader
and go against his friend and head coach.
He can do the right thing for the Kansas City Chiefs
football team and its loyal fans.
He can fire Greg Robinson.
(CK Rairden can be reached by email
at ckden@yahoo.com)
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