In K.C., Randy Covitz writes new Chiefs GM John Dorsey is “regarded as a people person, unlike the man he is replacing in Kansas City, the unapproachable Scott Pioli.” Dorsey previously served as Packers Football Operations Dir and has been a Packer “since his playing days as a linebacker” from ’84-89 and has “turned down opportunities to leave Green Bay in the past.” But Dorsey worked with Chiefs coach Andy Reid when Reid was a Packers assistant from ’92-98 and “couldn’t pass up this chance” (K.C. STAR, 1/14). ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson wrote, “Make no mistake, the power structure of the Chiefs has changed.” This is “Reid’s show.” Dorsey will be “Reid’s right-hand man” and will be “a good one” (ESPN.com, 1/13).
YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN: New Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell said he does not foresee the team acquiring QB Tim Tebow during the offseason, and ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said he was “stunned” by the statement. He said he did not think Jaguars Owner Shad Khan would "hire a GM who would not want Tebow.” Kornheiser added, “Here’s why I would want Tebow if I was Jacksonville: I would sell out seats. They don’t sell out now” (“PTI,” ESPN, 1/11). ESPN's Chris Mortensen noted Tebow was a topic of discussion during Khan's interviews "with several GM candidates, and it would’ve been a dealbreaker with Caldwell." Mortensen: "Khan openly admitted to his candidates of his desire for Tebow. Sources said it was his desire for Caldwell that trumped his desire for Tebow” (“Sunday NFL Countdown,” ESPN, 1/12).
YANKEE THRIFT: In N.Y., Mike Lupica wrote Yankees Managing General Partner & co-Chair Hal Steinbrenner is “right about his payroll, whether Yankees fans want to hear that or not.” Steinbrenner is “probably scratching his head these days and wondering why he has committed more than $90 million next season to six players who will be over the age of 38,” including 3B Alex Rodriguez, SS Derek Jeter, LF Ichiro Suzuki, and Ps Andy Pettitte, Hiroki Kuroda and Mariano Rivera. That is more than A's VP & GM Billy Beane "gets to spend on a whole baseball team in Oakland” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/13).
LOCAL COLORS: In Ottawa, Don Brennan reports word “spread quickly over the weekend that Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group was strong considering the unique, two-colour handle” Ottawa Red Blacks as the name for its CFL team. OSEG Sports Properties President Jeff Hunt said, "It’s on the short list. We’re going to do some focus groups in a week to test some short listed names.” Hunt all along has said that the team’s name “would be unique to Ottawa.” Brennan writes the Red Blacks is “certainly that ... and unique to all sports” (OTTAWA SUN, 1/14).
