In 2009, after aquiring GM Scott Pioli, QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel from the New England Patriots, the joke started going around that the Chiefs were trying to be the Patriots of the midwest. In 2010, when the Chiefs got coaches Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis, both of which coached in New England during the Patriots championship runs, the joke started to take off even more. Page 2 Commentary on ESPN.com even went as far as desinging a new logo for the Chiefs that involved simply putting an arrowhead on the patriot's hat. When the Chiefs surprised everyone last year going 10-6, it looked like that Patriot way had rubbed off on the Chiefs.
Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star wrote a very interesting article on Pioli's attempts to change the culture in Kansas City to that of how it was in New England. Others had failed in their attempts, so it's not a guarantee that it can be done. "His undertaking with the Chiefs is enormous, and Pioli knows success will depend not on following the Patriot Way, but rather following what works — and tweaking it to what his team requires. It’s easier sometimes to lean on a template." While Babb alludes that the Chiefs have attempted to follow the blue print step by step, I think Babb's comparison to the Chiefs Way and the Patriots Way is missing one vital component.
Compare the culture, the seeking of free agents, and the drafting strategy all you want. The reason why others have failed where Bill Belichick has succeeded is because of the quarterback. You can't replicate Tom Brady, as much as you try. The Patriots have had sustained success because of Brady. In only one season when Brady has been around the entire year, the Patriots have only missed the playoffs once, and that was back in 2002. He has taken the team to four Super Bowls, won three, and been named Super Bowl MVP twice. The only time since 2002 that the Patriots have missed the playoffs was in 2008, when Brady tore his ACL against the Kansas City Chiefs in the opening game of the year. This gave Matt Cassel a chance, and he played his way into a big contract with the Chiefs (this would have been the main story line had Cassel not been injured last week).
I'm not sure of Pioli thought that Cassel could fit the mold of that blue print necessity or if he just intended for him to be a short term solution. No matter which one it was, the Chiefs can't say they are close to having the sustained success that the Patriots perpetually have.
What they can say is that the culture that can surround that quarterback when the time comes is gradually being put into place. The Pioli-Haley regime chaced off the cynics and underachievers their first season in Kansas City. They then drafted and acquired high-character, no off-field-issue individuals that could add to the team's character and police the locker room. These "choir boy" types (as named by those that don't appreciate the Patriot strategy) have been a good thing for the Chiefs, and have added to the team cohesiveness. They were a major reason why the Chiefs won the AFC West last year, and a main reason why the Chiefs responded from three straight losses to win four straight games this year.
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