The "Legacy" of Carl Peterson

So, I'm going to wander into a parallel universe for this post. A parallel universe where I would have a good grasp of grammar and a similar desire to get into a line of work where I could make no money. Obviously, in this parallel universe I am a sportswriter.

Upon hearing the news that Carl Peterson had "resigned" as the President/CEO/General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, I'm pretty sure that my first thought was, "Awesome!" I also imagine that my first thoughts were clouded by the sub-mediocre performance by the Chiefs in the last, I don't know, decade? So, how do I really feel?

The truth is, I never really got a good vibe from Peterson. I mean, every time he made a public appearance he was dressed in one of his black leather coats, wearing dark sunglasses with his hair slicked back. I always thought he was channeling the sleazy look of a used car salesman. I suppose the truth is, though, that we wouldn't be in a position to be frustrated with the Chiefs today if it weren't for him. Being born in 1985, I'm lucky enough that I can't remember the dismal Chiefs teams from that decade, but from what I hear, it was pretty bad. So when Peterson came along in 1989, it signaled a new era. With the addition of Peterson's first head coach, Marty Schottenheimer, and players like Dale Carter, James Hasty, Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, Marcus Allen, Joe Montana, etc., the Chiefs quickly got things turned around. Beginning with the 1990 season, the Chiefs made six straight playoff appearances, advancing to the AFC Championship game after the 1993 season. With this success came what we know Arrowhead Stadium for today: a big sea of red on gamedays and the best tailgaiting in the NFL.

After a 13-3 record in 1995, the Chiefs began their descent into mediocrity. The team has made the playoffs twice since 1995, that's an eleven year span (including this year). Six times in that same span, the Chiefs have finished with a losing record. Even with the abundance of mid to high first round draft picks, the team has been unable to reload for runs at the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl. These draft day blunders (which I won't mention.. too painful) fall directly on the GM.

As for now, I really do think the Chiefs are headed in the right direction. This year's team, while they are just 2-12, is young. The experience the players are getting on the field will hopefully translate to wins sometime in the near future. I just hope that the new GM will see the rebuilding phase through and not try and bring in old, washed up veterans (see Carl Peterson). Kansas City fans deserve a winner!

So, King Carl, thanks for putting the Chiefs on the map. Maybe you were smarter back in the early 90s, or maybe everyone else was dumber, or maybe it was a whole lot of beginner's luck. But whatever the case, we owe it to Carl Peterson for teasing us with teams on the brink of championships, for filling up Arrowhead and, I hate this term, but for "re-energizing" the fan base.

Oh yeah, thanks for driving the team into the ground too. You won't be missed.

As if there already aren't enough sports bloggers in the world, I just felt I had to give my two cents on the topic. So, thanks for reading!

Oh, and I haven't forgotten about that long post about my first semester.. right now it's kind of looming on the horizon like one of those big projects. You know, the kind that you don't know how to start.