Putting Pioli on the line

The Chiefs are moving forward with new starting quarterback Brady Quinn, who lost his first game of the season to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by twenty-eight points and failed to throw a touchdown two short weeks ago.  The turnovers did not stop with a new quarterback, as Quinn threw for two interceptions.  The Chiefs failed to score a touchdown on offense, as the only touchdown came from of a blocked punt; in fact the Chiefs' offense only managed a total of three points. The Chiefs are coming off a bye-week and will be facing their biggest rival, the Oakland Raiders, but it is doubtful that Kansas City will be able to win without consistency from the quarterback position.

Chiefs' General Manager Scott Pioli

(Image from www.BleacherReport.com)

During the bye-week, Scott Pioli (pictured above), the general manager of the Chiefs, went on a "damage-control circuit", going to all the various local television shows to discuss the Chiefs struggles this season, but one fact remains; Pioli has nobody to blame but himself.  Pioli was the man who orchestrated the trade for Matt Cassel, signed backup quarterback Brady Quinn, and drafted third string quarterback Ricky Stanzi (out of the University of Iowa). Ultimately, the fact that none of these quarterbacks can lead the franchise falls on the shoulders of Pioli, who allowed quarterback Kyle Orton to leave Kansas City following an impressive outing when he stepped in for an injured Matt Cassel.  Orton led the team to wins over the unbeaten Packers and playoff bound Broncos, but was let go by Pioli.  Since the Chiefs had no shortage of money, the fact that Pioli didn't shell out for the best Chiefs quarterback since Trent Green became yet another strike in a long list of offenses that could have individually justified the termination of Pioli.

Quarterback Ricky Stanzi

(Image from www.BleacherReport.com)

There is one solution to the "Pioli problem," and that is to let Quinn have one more start at quarterback before switching to Ricky Stanzi.  If Quinn and Stanzi are unable to win after each have been given two starts, then it will be clear that one man is responsible: The man who brought them to Kansas City in the first place. The Chiefs should take a good long look at the quarterbacks Pioli has chosen to lead the team and make the decision to fire him.

 

Chiefs' Owner Clark Hunt

(Image from www.BleacherReport.com)

The decision of Pioli's fate truly resides in the hands of owner Clark Hunt, but the choice is as clear as the message the fans have been broadcasting all year: Fire Pioli.  In fact, a movement known as "Save Our Chiefs" has started to gain serious momentum.  This movement was a sponsor of the banner that was flown over Arrowhead Stadium that read "Bench Cassel, Fire Pioli", and is now focused on blacking out Arrowhead to send a strong message to the Chiefs owner.  Clark Hunt cannot continue to allow Pioli to run the Chiefs, especially considering that a major decision will be made in the upcoming draft about the quarterback of the future for the Chiefs.