i jus wanted 2 say that just becuz u got chops dosent make u a undisciplined musician. musicians should have chops and technique....the discipline comes in when u know when and when not 2 use it. there are times when it is ok for u 2 strech on kit, and other times when u dont. sum songs do call 4 a bit more energy from the drummer.....
...it really doesn't have to be chops though. In my case, the Lead drummer before me had crazy grooves and worked his fills around 'em. That's what made that cat a strong force musically. Actually, any drummer really.
...a lot of cats can play a 6/8 ballad.....but can they make it Swing? That's a different story. The nuances, the "feel"....etc.
....Ray Luzier (Pro Drummer) said in his clinic that he had to replace a drummer in the studio for a song that required to play a mean Shuffle. The drummer didn't get fired because he is a member of the band but he did not get to play all of the tracks on his bands CD because his feel was not right for some songs. So, to sum it up, it's not always a chops thing that can get you fired.