KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs players and coaches at One Arrowhead Drive won’t dwell on the current 9-0 record.
Toss general manager John Dorsey’s name in the hat as being one with the team.
“There’s no way I’d ever do that,” Dorsey said. “I go 1-0 every week. I will never do that other stuff.”
Sep 29, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey watches warmup before the game against the New York Giants at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking to four reporters during an impromptu Tuesday afternoon sit down at the Chiefs training facility, Dorsey touched on a variety of topics, including the team’s successful run to start the season.
While Dorsey wouldn’t expound on the Chiefs’ winning streak, he did take a moment to reflect on how the team’s foundation played a role in the historic turnaround.
It starts in the area where the players have an opportunity to bond every day.
“We’ve always talked from a thematic standpoint in terms of the locker room,” Dorsey said. “Once you can get guys to embrace their teammates in the locker room, understanding that the fist is much stronger than the finger, everybody is pulling together for the same common goal, and then all of sudden you have a leader like Andy (Reid), he’s a really good leader of men.”
Chiefs players have been singing Reid’s praises throughout the record-setting run, as well as the team’s unity and family atmosphere.
And rightfully so when considering the growing list of triumphs since Week One.
The accomplishments include the Chiefs becoming the first team in NFL history to start 9-0 after posting the league’s worst record the previous season; Reid is the first coach in team history to start 9-0 in his first year with the club; the Chiefs defense has allowed 17 or fewer points through nine games, becoming the first team to accomplish that feat since the 1977 Atlanta Falcons; among others.
Dorsey preferred to keep the focus on the team and how much he’s enjoyed watching them grow while embracing a winning culture.
“To me, that’s the most fulfilling thing is to see those guys when they came to training camp, they came in as teammates,” Dorsey said. “But to see them now as a group of young men collectively working towards the ultimate goal, that’s what I most take away from. But I’m still going week-by-week.”
In the meantime, the Chiefs are preparing for the stretch run of seven remaining games, which includes five matchups against AFC West rivals and a Week 11 showdown against the Denver Broncos.
Given the fast start, the Chiefs should make the playoffs if history holds true.
In the Super Bowl era, 18 teams have started 9-0 and all 18 qualified for the playoffs, according to the “Seven from Sunday” notes released by NFL Communications.
But while Dorsey appreciates what he’s seen from the Chiefs, don’t expect him to look that far ahead.
“What I like about this roster is I think the defense is playing very well, the offense is making improvement,” Dorsey said. “I’m kind of curious to see how we play in the next seven games. That’s what I’m looking forward to. One week at a time.”
