INDIANAPOLIS — Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli made a surprise media-center appearance Saturday morning, then received a surprise himself.

Stepping up to the podium at Lucas Oil Stadium, Pioli was initially stunned by a booming, deep voice cutting over the PA, announcing a player’s arrival on a distant stage.

“I thought that was God,” Pioli jokingly said.

Pioli said he only had a minute or two to talk, as he was on his way to watch offensive lineman run their 40-yard dashes — which he compared to “watching paint dry.” He later acknowledged that when it comes to the guys up front, it’s not the 40 that means the most — but he likes all his players big and fast.

Along those lines, Pioli discussed the long-term task of transforming the 2-14 Chiefs squad that he and coach Todd Haley inherited after the 2008 season, calling that team the slowest he’d ever been around. Pioli cited the emergence of former track standout Jamaal Charles and the addition of Dexter McCluster as indicators the Chiefs are gathering a stable of speedsters.

– Marc Sessler

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