NSLU Dispatch: Patience and the Hiatus That Wasn’t

Dang it. I have seen everything possible now, haven’t I?  For all is vanity and a striving after wind — there is nothing new under the sun? All I did was report two weeks ago that there was a column of smoke out on the horizon — that the smoke had to do with a Marcus Peters Trade but, I had found no substantiated reason for believing it. Not only that, but among my friends, detractors and enemies, the thought was pooh-poohed with comments such as it ‘ain’t never  happenin’!

Guess what? It’s happenin’!

One of the sites around, can’t even recall which one, had a post which contained a poll. I voted “no” on the trade of Marcus Peters. Beneath that column of smoke, maybe started by someone in the front office of the Chiefs, was a fire and that fire didn’t burn out and now we hear Peters is out in LA. So much for my vote.

An article I’d written earlier — to appear in this spot — wasn’t really a Chiefs story, nor much about football, but a speech I gave back in the mid-1960’s at the Jr/Sr prom as a Freshman. I modeled it on Robert Benchley’s “Filling that Hiatus.” The reason the thought was apropos was that I was scrambling around trying to find a subject to write about — or talk about — or think about. Guess what? It turns out the call isn’t to fill the hiatus, but to remain calm, step away from the keyboard: Sir… hands above your head. Do it Now!

And There Was Patience

Brett Veach thus far, in his short-lived career as the Kansas City Chiefs General Manager, has been interesting to say the least. Not only this, but every move that has been made from Butker to Peters has been a step in a positive direction. There is no reason to believe that the fledgling tenure of Veach is “still-born.” We do not yet, and may never know, why Veach traded Peters — we know enough to have some valid observations, stemming from the actors behavior on stage and apparently off. But we have no proof. I think most of us related well to the trade of Alex Smith and receiving Kendall Fuller, a top Slot Corner, and a 3rd round pick in return. We then signed a RCB type in David Amerson. Most of us were applauding or at least cautiously optimistic — after all we had the talent of Marcus Peters on the left side. At that point, people were throwing their hands above their heads, pleading the the NFL Gods who always seem to mess with Kansas City’s owner, coaches and GM and their plans as if it were Zeus casting disparaging looks from Olympus and following those with hard thrown lightning bolts.

I know, I know — Laddie had his piece on Saturday afternoon that said the trade was a catastrophe, intimating an unmitigated disaster.

I, on the other hand, have taken a look at what apparently went on behind closed doors… and that the tea leaves were read… and Peters had to go. The decision was made by the GM — I am pretty sure — but he had input from the coaching staff and it might just be fortunate rather than not, to have Peters be offered up now and at least get something in the sacrifice of what might be a HoF talent, or risk losing it all by not making the trade. Think here of Abraham and Isaac. Or think what would happen if this particularly self-destructive play disintegrates as if struck by a phaser wielded by Captain Kirk.

If indeed this was the GM’s decision, I would preach — patience — were I at the pulpit. Something about all good things come to those who wait (patiently). We, none of us out here in the nether-sphere of fandom, know what went on at the Kingdom, when it went on, when the decision was made and we don’t yet know what the return is going to be… yet.

Then There Was… Cautious Optimism

I remain cautiously optimistic and the reasons for that can be as numerous as all the critiques. Yes, we lose the talent at one position, but what if we get a return three-fold? I suggest that we go back and take a look at what Brett Veach has accomplished since taking it all on after Dorsey was “let go.” I think he has done the right things with the right players at the right time. I am going to continue to make that bet on this “Gent.”

Over at FanSided was a post this afternoon that referred back to a Bill Maas radio interview, listen in here:  When I heard from former Chiefs Defensive Tackle Bill Mass on 610 Sports Radio. This reference to the Maas interview came from that article and is worth the time as the article notes. The take Mass had was that you would, in the end result, be pleased. (Editor’s Note: Bill Maas is an ex-DT who played for the Chiefs from 1984-to-1992. He currently works for Fox Sports).

At this juncture, I would have to state that I have no reason to believe that Veach is being held up at gun-point. The trade will, in the end, have positive effects on the Kansas City Chiefs. Patience.

David Bell — toes in the snow and turning purple in the western Rockies

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