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**dirk digler** · 01-14-2004, 09:19 AM

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news_article...RNYVT5ZWBXRP4A

An Act of Supreme Loyalty
1/14/2004 6:17 AM

The columnists dissect the 2003 season and take a look at what's ahead for the Chiefs in '04. Read it here in a series of columns beginning next week.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Bob Gretz
January 14, 2004 (morning)--Last year, Dick Vermeil showed his loyalty to Greg Robinson by retaining him on his coaching staff.

Robinson paid back that loyalty on Tuesday by resigning as the defensive coordinator of the Chiefs.

It was an extraordinary act by Robinson. He put aside ego, all pretense and he fell on his sword for Dick Vermeil. Team and Vermeil came ahead of himself. No small wonder why the head coach was so emotional when he talked about Robinson and why he felt like he let his assistant down.

In more than 25 years of covering the NFL, I’ve never witnessed anything that came close to Tuesday’s morning gathering. The raw emotion was unforgettable. It was a window into the world that Vermeil has created with his football team. It was a window into the world of coaching and all the twists and turns that make the business so exciting and so heart breaking.

First, Robinson did the right thing in offering to resign. Secondly, Vermeil did the right thing in accepting. After everything that happened with the Chiefs in 2003, the focus was entirely on Robinson and the defense. It would have been impossible for this organization to make enough changes in other areas to overcome the negativity that would have surrounded Robinson’s further employment.

There’s no question the defense was broken. Robinson and the defensive staff tried their best, but in the end it did not come together on the field. Last year, Robinson was handicapped by a defense that had few talented players. This season, the talent level was improved, but it still wasn’t enough.

What was missing was a defensive mind-set that’s absolutely imperative to success in the NFL. Yes, football today is more complicated than it was years ago. Defenses must react to offenses, they must take part in the chess game.

But they must do it with an attitude that was seldom evident around the Chiefs defense. It was never there in 2002, showed itself early in 2003, but then disappeared, returning just briefly for the Chicago game. For that, the players, Robinson, the defensive staff and Vermeil must share the blame.

Beyond scheme, beyond talent, what this Chiefs defensive unit needs is an infusion of passion. When Vermeil picks Robinson’s successor, that’s should be the most important part of his resume.

There are many people celebrating Robinson’s departure, reveling in kicking a man when he’s down, laughing at the raw emotion he was willing to share on what was probably the worst day of his professional life. If you are one of those people, like the classless folks who started a web site to promote the firing of Robinson, please seek help. You believe the success of the team is more important to you, than the people who give their blood, sweat and tears each and every day to make it work. You are deranged and can not a hold a candle to a man like Robinson.

Anybody who witnessed what happened at Arrowhead Stadium on Tuesday morning should now have a better understanding of what the people who coach in this business put on the line. They don’t always get it right, they don’t always produce.

Abba-Dabba · 01-14-2004, 09:41 AM

I may be classless and I may be deranged but I know a DC when I see one.

Ultra Peanut · 01-14-2004, 09:43 AM

Even little old ladies hate Bob Gretz...

**BigRedChief** · 01-14-2004, 09:43 AM

He needs to pull his lips away from King Carl's backside

a little more often and come up for some air cuz he obviously trippin...What an As#. If we don't get "riled" up GR is back again next year and another window of oppertunity closes in the Chiefs history.

We were mad as hell and we didn't take it anymore.

Bite me Gretz! nlm

**Bob Dole** · 01-14-2004, 09:43 AM

The more Bob Dole thinks about the comments in this column, the more pissed off Bob Dole gets.

Want to swap places for a year, Bobby? Bob Dole will most certainly enjoy cruising around town in your car that probably cost more than Bob Dole's house. Bob Dole has always wanted to attend the 101 Banquet--it would be really cool to do it on someone else's dime. See every Chiefs game for pay? Hell yes! Have a website where I can spout off my opinion like it means something?

Okay. Forget that last one.

**Mr. Kotter** · 01-14-2004, 09:45 AM

Not many of us were "reveling" or "laughing" at Greg Robinson yesterday.

Many of us were relieved and happy about his leaving. However, that is NOT the same as "celebrating" or "kicking him" when he is down. And, frankly, those who DID DO those things are classless and perhaps deranged.

However, most of us were simply pleased that our Defense now has a chance to improve next year. Vermeil's loyalty to Greg almost prevented that.

The bottom-line is GR did not get the job done. As a football fan, none of us should feel sorry for him leaving because he failed.

As a person though, none of us should "celebrate" his failure.

siberian khatru · 01-14-2004, 09:45 AM

The funny thing is, I like everything else he said in that column. But that one paragraph is like the turd in the punch bowl.

Michael Michigan · 01-14-2004, 09:45 AM

This is exactly how the Chiefs PR and front office people look at fans.

Classless morons who should just pay up and shut up.

Can you imagine these guys if they had to deal with a tough daily media?

They would all be in therapy.

Chiefnj · 01-14-2004, 09:48 AM

What a prick.

Let's get things straight. Robinson didn't come out and resign. He went to Vermeil and said "if you want I'll resign." Vermeil came back and said "yes, it is best if you do." Only then did GROB give in. I still don't understand why he did it since, allegedly, his contract was up in a few weeks. The team could have simply said we aren't renewing it. I guess that rumor about his contract being up wasn't true.

Second, the fans have a right to call out a coach who hasn't done his job. Even if it's the fault of the players, the coaches get the brunt of the criticism. It's the nature of the beast. Without the fans there is no team, there is no revenue, Gretz has no job. Was it classless to have threads about forms of torture and wishing bodily harm - no doubt. Some people were no better than the people in Philly who cheer injured players. But, there is nothing wrong with calling for a better coordinator after the present one has fielded the worst defenses in the history of the team.

Braincase · 01-14-2004, 09:51 AM

Gretz can kiss my ass. If Robinson had been fired last year when he should've been fired, we'd be trading smack with the Patriots and they'd have to come to our house this weekend.

Classless for starting a web site? Sheeyit, how else would you like us to get the message to you guys. All too often the Kansas City Chiefs management does stuff that stinks and there has to be a way to get the message to you clowns. The FANS HAVE A RIGHT TO GET PISSED!

Ask anybody that's ever had pay $20.00 to park in a urine-induced mudpuddle.

siberian khatru · 01-14-2004, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrainCase

Ask anybody that's ever had pay $20.00 to park in a urine-induced mudpuddle.

ENDelt usually passes out in them for free.

**Bob Dole** · 01-14-2004, 09:54 AM

Hey now! Raising the parking fee for our first playoff game in years was in no way, shape or form "classless."

Michael Michigan · 01-14-2004, 09:55 AM

The amazing thing is Gretz writes all this and is such a cowardly writer---he doesn't even put an e-mail address to comment.

siberian khatru · 01-14-2004, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Michigan

The amazing thing is Gretz writes all this and is such a cowardly writer---he doesn't even put an e-mail address to comment.

He's not cowardly, he's arrogant -- he has absolutely no interest in anything you'd have to say.

**morphius** · 01-14-2004, 09:58 AM

Doesn't being fanatical as we are, I mean that is what fan is short for after all, automatically mean we are a bit deranged?

If Gretz thought it was classless to created a web site about GR to try and get him fired, was classless, well, we are fanatics after all, and we want our team to succeed. If Greg hadn't done the right thing, there is no way that Gretz would be writing an article about how classless it was.

But I guess if it is classless to tell people how we feel in a place that the public can read, what does that make you Gretz?

Spott · 01-14-2004, 09:59 AM

I guess it wasn't classless to get my KCChiefs.com newletter the day after we lost telling me about all the Chiefs memorabilia they have for sale.

01-14-2004, 09:19 AM
dirk digler Please squeeze dirk digler's Avatar Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO	Guess what? Gretz call us classless and deranged http://www.kcchiefs.com/news_article...RNYVT5ZWBXRP4A An Act of Supreme Loyalty 1/14/2004 6:17 AM The columnists dissect the 2003 season and take a look at what's ahead for the Chiefs in '04. Read it here in a series of columns beginning next week. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Bob Gretz January 14, 2004 (morning)--Last year, Dick Vermeil showed his loyalty to Greg Robinson by retaining him on his coaching staff. Robinson paid back that loyalty on Tuesday by resigning as the defensive coordinator of the Chiefs. It was an extraordinary act by Robinson. He put aside ego, all pretense and he fell on his sword for Dick Vermeil. Team and Vermeil came ahead of himself. No small wonder why the head coach was so emotional when he talked about Robinson and why he felt like he let his assistant down. In more than 25 years of covering the NFL, I’ve never witnessed anything that came close to Tuesday’s morning gathering. The raw emotion was unforgettable. It was a window into the world that Vermeil has created with his football team. It was a window into the world of coaching and all the twists and turns that make the business so exciting and so heart breaking. First, Robinson did the right thing in offering to resign. Secondly, Vermeil did the right thing in accepting. After everything that happened with the Chiefs in 2003, the focus was entirely on Robinson and the defense. It would have been impossible for this organization to make enough changes in other areas to overcome the negativity that would have surrounded Robinson’s further employment. There’s no question the defense was broken. Robinson and the defensive staff tried their best, but in the end it did not come together on the field. Last year, Robinson was handicapped by a defense that had few talented players. This season, the talent level was improved, but it still wasn’t enough. What was missing was a defensive mind-set that’s absolutely imperative to success in the NFL. Yes, football today is more complicated than it was years ago. Defenses must react to offenses, they must take part in the chess game. But they must do it with an attitude that was seldom evident around the Chiefs defense. It was never there in 2002, showed itself early in 2003, but then disappeared, returning just briefly for the Chicago game. For that, the players, Robinson, the defensive staff and Vermeil must share the blame. Beyond scheme, beyond talent, what this Chiefs defensive unit needs is an infusion of passion. When Vermeil picks Robinson’s successor, that’s should be the most important part of his resume. There are many people celebrating Robinson’s departure, reveling in kicking a man when he’s down, laughing at the raw emotion he was willing to share on what was probably the worst day of his professional life. If you are one of those people, like the classless folks who started a web site to promote the firing of Robinson, please seek help. You believe the success of the team is more important to you, than the people who give their blood, sweat and tears each and every day to make it work. You are deranged and can not a hold a candle to a man like Robinson. Anybody who witnessed what happened at Arrowhead Stadium on Tuesday morning should now have a better understanding of what the people who coach in this business put on the line. They don’t always get it right, they don’t always produce.
Posts: 66,702

01-14-2004, 09:41 AM	#16
Abba-Dabba MVP Abba-Dabba's Avatar Join Date: May 2001	I may be classless and I may be deranged but I know a DC when I see one.
Posts: 18,232

01-14-2004, 09:43 AM	#18
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills BigRedChief's Avatar Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water	He needs to pull his lips away from King Carl's backside a little more often and come up for some air cuz he obviously trippin...What an As#. If we don't get "riled" up GR is back again next year and another window of oppertunity closes in the Chiefs history. We were mad as hell and we didn't take it anymore. Bite me Gretz! nlm
Posts: 80,122

01-14-2004, 09:43 AM	#19
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas	The more Bob Dole thinks about the comments in this column, the more pissed off Bob Dole gets. Want to swap places for a year, Bobby? Bob Dole will most certainly enjoy cruising around town in your car that probably cost more than Bob Dole's house. Bob Dole has always wanted to attend the 101 Banquet--it would be really cool to do it on someone else's dime. See every Chiefs game for pay? Hell yes! Have a website where I can spout off my opinion like it means something? Okay. Forget that last one.
Posts: 50,130

01-14-2004, 09:45 AM	#20
Mr. Kotter The Dude Abides Mr. Kotter's Avatar Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dakota Country	Not many of us were "reveling" or "laughing" at Greg Robinson yesterday. Many of us were relieved and happy about his leaving. However, that is NOT the same as "celebrating" or "kicking him" when he is down. And, frankly, those who DID DO those things are classless and perhaps deranged. However, most of us were simply pleased that our Defense now has a chance to improve next year. Vermeil's loyalty to Greg almost prevented that. The bottom-line is GR did not get the job done. As a football fan, none of us should feel sorry for him leaving because he failed. As a person though, none of us should "celebrate" his failure.
Posts: 46,807

01-14-2004, 09:45 AM	#21
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan siberian khatru's Avatar Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium	The funny thing is, I like everything else he said in that column. But that one paragraph is like the turd in the punch bowl.
Posts: 70,281

01-14-2004, 09:45 AM	#22
Michael Michigan scribe Michael Michigan's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2000	This is exactly how the Chiefs PR and front office people look at fans. Classless morons who should just pay up and shut up. Can you imagine these guys if they had to deal with a tough daily media? They would all be in therapy.
Posts: 2,762

01-14-2004, 09:48 AM	#23
Chiefnj MVP Chiefnj's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Willis, Harris and Davis.	What a prick. Let's get things straight. Robinson didn't come out and resign. He went to Vermeil and said "if you want I'll resign." Vermeil came back and said "yes, it is best if you do." Only then did GROB give in. I still don't understand why he did it since, allegedly, his contract was up in a few weeks. The team could have simply said we aren't renewing it. I guess that rumor about his contract being up wasn't true. Second, the fans have a right to call out a coach who hasn't done his job. Even if it's the fault of the players, the coaches get the brunt of the criticism. It's the nature of the beast. Without the fans there is no team, there is no revenue, Gretz has no job. Was it classless to have threads about forms of torture and wishing bodily harm - no doubt. Some people were no better than the people in Philly who cheer injured players. But, there is nothing wrong with calling for a better coordinator after the present one has fielded the worst defenses in the history of the team.
Posts: 6,811

01-14-2004, 09:51 AM	#24
Braincase Banned Braincase's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn	Gretz can kiss my ass. If Robinson had been fired last year when he should've been fired, we'd be trading smack with the Patriots and they'd have to come to our house this weekend. Classless for starting a web site? Sheeyit, how else would you like us to get the message to you guys. All too often the Kansas City Chiefs management does stuff that stinks and there has to be a way to get the message to you clowns. The FANS HAVE A RIGHT TO GET PISSED! Ask anybody that's ever had pay $20.00 to park in a urine-induced mudpuddle.
Posts: 15,429

01-14-2004, 09:54 AM	#26
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas	Hey now! Raising the parking fee for our first playoff game in years was in no way, shape or form "classless."
Posts: 50,130

01-14-2004, 09:55 AM	#27
Michael Michigan scribe Michael Michigan's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2000	The amazing thing is Gretz writes all this and is such a cowardly writer---he doesn't even put an e-mail address to comment.
Posts: 2,762

01-14-2004, 09:58 AM	#29
morphius World's finest morphius morphius's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2000	Doesn't being fanatical as we are, I mean that is what fan is short for after all, automatically mean we are a bit deranged? If Gretz thought it was classless to created a web site about GR to try and get him fired, was classless, well, we are fanatics after all, and we want our team to succeed. If Greg hadn't done the right thing, there is no way that Gretz would be writing an article about how classless it was. But I guess if it is classless to tell people how we feel in a place that the public can read, what does that make you Gretz?
Posts: 26,002

01-14-2004, 09:59 AM	#30
Spott Court Jester Spott's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Orlando	I guess it wasn't classless to get my KCChiefs.com newletter the day after we lost telling me about all the Chiefs memorabilia they have for sale.
Posts: 20,136