Vision

Since I haven't done a purely scout related post in a little while, here is one. I was reading a terrific book recently, called Wild Goose Chase, and toward the tail end of the book he raised the point of having a vision for yourself and your vocation. Not sure why this got me started on how important I feel a long-term plan for a sports franchise is, but that's what I connected. I also thought about that phrase I and so many other scouts have heard countless times, our motto: Be Prepared. Especially as a Chiefs fan, these ideas seem particularly important as the franchise puts together a new front office and coaching staff.

One certainly has to be impressed by Scott Pioli's organizational pedigree with the New England Patriots. That said, many experts give Bill Belichick and the Kraft family most of the credit for resurrecting the Patriots franchise. Especially in later years, the Patriots have been able to let go of star players and replace them with new (and cheaper) talent. While the Patriots' model is commendable and has shown extraordinary results, a 2-14 franchise has a much taller mountain to climb to return to prominence. I hope that Pioli has a vision for the Chiefs organization, and is prepared to keep to that plan despite minor setbacks.

This is how my scout leaders have always explained the motto as being prepared for an activity or plan, so that if all goes well, it will succeed. But they have also expressed that it NEVER happens as you planned, but a prepared person has not only thought about the potential pitfalls, but is better able to react to the ones that are not foreseeable. For example, no one could see Michael Vick getting thrown out of the league for a fighting pitbull ring that he ran under the table for years. As the star player for the Falcons franchise, the loss of Vick was devestating to the team. But it was made all the more devestating because the front office was not prepared to handle a PR nightmare.

I feel bad singling out the Falcons, especially since they seem to have righted the ship since then, but I sincerely believe that their plan of action after the scandal broke was horrific. They hired an inexperienced coach from the college ranks, knowing that college coaches typically do not adjust well to the NFL, and then were surprised when that coach bailed for more money at the University of Arkansas. Don't get me wrong, I think Bobby Petrino is lower than dirt, but I could of told them that before they hired him! It's why I wouldn't hire Nick Saban either. Both coaches only care about enhancing their own reputation. That's where being prepared starts: putting trust into trustworthy people. I truly believe that Todd Haley is a talented coach, especially on the offense, but I hope that Pioli has developed enough of a character sketch of Haley to trust his judgment fully.

Pioli has a great city with one of the most loyal fan bases in the league behind him. If he shows early on that his and Haley's vision will turn around this disoriented franchise, I'm sure he will be well on his way to fulfilling his own goals in life. And hey, who said making thousands of Midwesterners proud of a once-great franchise again isn't a meaninful enterprise? I'm pretty sure I would sign up for that job if I had the talent.