Answer Bob – Part #3

OK, here are the rest of your questions from the weekend and answers to a few more posts that came rolling in with Answer Bob Parts #1 and #2.

Enjoy.

Niblick says: Was the problem with the right side of the offensive line only O’Callaghan? He took most of the criticism. How did Lilja perform? It seemed the whole right side struggled.

Bob says: Against Atlanta, the whole offensive line struggled. It wasn’t just left or right. And it wasn’t only the offensive line. Remember the sack of Matt Cassel that pushed field position back and gave Ryan Succop a 53-yard FG try? That’s the one that really had Todd Haley frosted after the game. Well, that sack was courtesy of a running back (Kestahn Moore) trying to cut block the blitzing linebacker and failing miserably. I don’t think the O-Line is going to be as bad as it was last year for the first half of the season, but whether it can be as good as the group that blocked in the second half of the year, I’m not sure. Stay tuned.

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vincent says: I love your work! 1.) Will the Chiefs have a vertical passing game and is Cassel improving throwing 20+ yards? 2.) What players do you see as being on the developmental squad? 3.) I figure Arenas, Leggett and McGraw will be the primary DB backups. How do you separate the difference between the other players? Lewis/Langford/Washington/Richardson/Bates/Daniels??? I think only 2 will make it. 4.) I have heard that the biggest development of a player is between year 1 and 2. What players seem to have made the jump and which are still treading water?

Bob says: Thanks for your nice words. 1.) I don’t think the Chiefs will ever be among the league’s top vertical passing teams in ’10. Whether they have the quarterback to do that is questionable and they sure don’t have the receivers. No defense is worried about Chris Chambers or Dwayne Bowe beating them deep in a foot race. 2.) Players for spots on the practice squad change on almost a daily basis. But based on what’s been shown in practices and games and what the coaches are saying about them, I’d bet we see the likes of WR Jeremy Horne, TE Leroy Banks, OT Tyler Eastman, DT Garrett Brown, LB Cory Greenwood, LB John Russell, CB Jackie Bates and either QB Tyler Palko or Bill Stull. 3.) Here’s how I have the DBs rated right now, in order of skill and productivity potential – Brandon Flowers, Eric Berry, Kendrick Lewis, Brandon Carr, Jon McGraw, Javier Arenas, Maurice Leggett, Reshard Langford, Travis Daniels, Mike Richardson, Jackie Bates, Donald Washington, DaJuan Morgan and Ricky Price. Figure they carry nine DBS for sure, maybe a 10^th for special teams. That nine usually breaks down to four corners, four safeties and a swing man. I think it comes down to deciding between Daniels and Richardson for special teams play. 4.) I personally believe that the biggest season or improvement is when a player goes from his second year to his third year. At some point in the future I’ll write about why I feel that way, but that would put the focus clearly on the guys remaining from that 2008 draft class – Dorsey, Albert, Flowers, Morgan, Charles, Carr and Richardson.

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Nate says: This may be a powder keg question but here it is. The first draft of Pioli and Haley was conducted with the work and recommendations of the scouting dept of the previous administration. That entire group had to know they would be fired as soon as the draft was over. Given the poor results of that draft I wonder how many of them said the hell with it and didn’t really attempt to do the best job possible?

Bob says: Nate, you have very bad information and whatever source gave you the idea that Pioli/Haley conducted their ’09 Draft with the old regime’s information is either a liar, or has no idea. In fact, Pioli left the old scouts out of the equation for that draft. He relied on the information he was able to bring from New England. I can tell you this – the old staff had Colin Brown, Donald Washington, Quinten Lawrence and Javarris Williams off their board. They were not considered players that should be drafted. Actually, had Pioli spent more time listening to those guys and less time discounting everything they had to say, he might have had a better draft than the one that came down with his own information.

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Paul says: Is Croyle good enough and able to take over and win at QB if something happens to Cassel?

Bob says: Don’t know for sure. I think in a one-game situation, absolutely. But we have no idea over an extended period of time how Croyle would handle the position. It’s really an unknown to everyone, including the Chiefs. Makes you wonder why they didn’t sign a veteran guy in the off-season.

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Jerry says: How do you rate this coaching staff? How are they doing as far as developing players? Thank you.

Bob says: It’s way too early to tell how good these guys are at developing players. I think we will see fairly quickly, especially on the defensive side of the ball since the only personnel improvement is going to have to come from players that were already on board getting better. It’s a strange staff that Pioli/Haley has put together. The veteran guys are top notch with coordinators Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel and Steve Hoffman. Bill Muir is as good an offensive line coach as there is in the league. Gary Gibbs handles the linebackers well and Emmitt Thomas is especially good with young defensive backs. But after those guys and assistant head coach Maurice Carthon, the rest of the staff is very inexperienced, not only in NFL coaching, but coaching in general. There’s going to be a lot of coaching the players and coaching the coaches this year.

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Dean says: We have several new position coaches this year. What are they bringing to the team? What differences should we expect to see from them?

Bob says: Dean, please refer to previous answer for some answers to your questions. I think Emmitt Thomas will make a difference for sure in the secondary. After that, we are going to have to see how guys like Anthony Pleasant (defensive line), Otis Smith (secondary), Richie Anderson (wide receivers) and Bernie Parmalee (tight ends) fit into the roles and how they develop players. The odds say some will get it done, and others will not.

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chris says: Thank you for the service that you provide to us rabid chiefs fans. I appreciate you. Regarding the Chiefs: What is the beat on Cory Greenwood? He’s a guy that I’ve been curious about since they picked him up. What are the chances that he makes the 53 man roster? What is the general feeling regarding the departure of Krumrie and the arrival of Anthony Pleasant? After seeing Tim on Hard Knocks, and especially after watching our D-Line performance the last few years, I began to wonder whether he was actually TEACHING the players, or just trying to get them to play with a lot of intensity. What have you seen regarding this so far? Does it look like Wallace Gilberry is working his way onto the field more and more? He’s a guy that I was excited about towards the end of last season and I’ve heard good things about him from you and others. Do you think the Chiefs feel the same way? Thanks Bob!

Bob says: Thanks Chris for your kind words. Greenwood has a chance to stick around, more likely on the practice squad than the active roster. He’s a very talented athlete, who played college football in Canada at a level that’s probably equal to Division III football in the States. There’s a big learning curve for this kid. But he’s smart, shows some instincts for the game and can really move on the field. I would expect him to be hanging around the Chiefs this fall in some capacity. Krumrie worked hard to try to drill into his defensive linemen how to play the game up front, not just to play with intensity. Why it didn’t work has far more to do with the talent he was handed than his methods and manner. Pleasant is not a shouter or a screamer in the mold of Krumrie. But he sells fundamentals just as strongly. Time will tell if one was a better coach than the other, or they were both hamstrung by no talent. Gilberry just needs to become more consistent in his performances and productivity. When that happens, they won’t be able to keep him off the field.

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David says: One time I read about Jon Asamoah the writer says he is looking strong, and then the next time I read about him they say he is getting shoved all over the field! What is the truth?

Bob says: It very well could be both are true. That’s why I caution readers, fans and fellow media members about making too much out of what they see in one practice. Making a football team or finding a roster spot in the NFL is about stringing together a series of snapshots over time that become a movie that football coaches want to see. On a singular basis, they are just snapshots, that don’t tell the whole story. I will say this about Asamoah – more often than not he’s looked good in the practices. He’s got some learning to do, but he has very good feet, allowing him to move well.

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vincent says: I have noticed that the Chiefs do not have a QB coach. When you have 17 members of the coaching staff, isn’t it odd that the most important position on the field does not have a coach?

Bob says: They do have a quarterbacks coach and his name is Charlie Weis. If there’s one thing Weis can do its coach passers. Piece of evidence #1 – Tom Brady. Don’t think that the quarterbacks are neglected in receiving coaching, because I can assure you they are not. Just between Haley and Weis they have two pretty good sets of eyes watching them.

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Ray says: 1.) Wiegmann has been pretty invisible. Is that because Niswanger is stepping up or because Wiegmann is either hurt or ineffective? 2.) Is Lokey a legitimate challenge at NT? Maybe Brown? 3.) Who currently on the roster is the best strong side ILB? Best weak side ILB? 4.) Is there any current player who has a chance to provide pass rush opposite Hali? It seems like a lot of Hali’s pressures / hurries would be sacks if he wasn’t the only pass rush threat on the downs Gilberry isn’t in there. 5.) What position of need is most likely to have good players available from other teams and who are some candidates?

Bob says: 1.) Wiegmann has been running this week with the first team offense and figures to be part of that package come Saturday in Tampa. He’s not been hurt or ineffective. 2.) Lokey is a legitimate challenger for playing time at the nose. With his lack of prototypical size for the nose, I don’t see him as dominating playing time there, but he can help. Brown has looked good, but is probably headed for the practice squad. 3.) The best strong side ILB on the roster in my opinion is Mike Vrabel, followed by Jovan Belcher. The best weak side ILB is Derrick Johnson. I think they should take the LB look they have in the nickel and make it part of the base defense with Andy Studebaker and Tamba Hali outside and Vrabel and Johnson on the inside. It gets the four best linebackers on the field together. 4.) I think making those moves would provide Hali some pass rush help on the other side. 5.) I would say the Chiefs would probably look at offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends and maybe wide receivers on the waiver wire. As for candidates, it’s way too soon, but anybody that was with the Patriots and Cardinals in 2008 would be a good guess.

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BigJimInWisconsin says: Yes, this is Chiefs related … who is the hottie brunette cheerleader that is featured individually in the slideshow corner of your website? You know, the one with the fine cheekbones and pretty smile? A certain song by The Fabulous Thunderbirds comes to mind; “I’d walk 10 miles on my hands and knees…” Go CHIEFS

Bob says: Ah Big Jim you have a very good eye!

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Michael says: Will the Chiefs look for a veteran QB to replace Palko, or will they stick with him?

Bob says: I’ve got to think they’ll take a long look at the veterans that might become available when rosters are cut. The pickings are slim in that area right now, guys like Jeff Garcia, Daunte Culpepper, Todd Collins, etc. A few more names should make themselves available come September.

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John says: Will Jarrad Page count against the Chiefs as a roster spot if he continues to hold out into the regular season?

Bob says: No, without a signed contract he doesn’t count against any roster limits.

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Marc says: Paraphrasing Derrick Johnson, “I’ve got to go out and make plays, if that happens it all will take care of itself.” Where were the plays against the Falcons? Wake up Derrick Johnson. I’ve been a big fan and I understand why Haley is pushing him to be consistent and he’s flip flopping between first and second team. One tackle against the Falcons. He was in place to make several plays but whiffed at many.

Bob says: that’s been the profile of D.J. since he’s been in the league. He’s got a lot of talent and a lot of desire, but he’s too inconsistent. He’s been that way for five seasons and I’m not sure why anybody should expect him to be any different in year No. 6. I hope for his sake he can improve on that. If not then 2010 is going to be even tougher for him than last year was.

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rufus says: I think RB Michael Turner, Ron (Ray) Rice & Jamaal Charles are the top RB’s in the league. The Chiefs got a wake up from a solid set of lines of a team headed to the playoffs this year. Not to make excuses, but they played a very good team and got beat, but they didn’t look as poor as they did the last three years.

Bob says: when the smoke was all gone, they did not get clobbered the way they did in 2008 playing in Atlanta. If you remember that game, Tyler Thigpen made his first start at quarterback and was just awful and they didn’t play like an NFL team. On Friday night, they looked like an NFL team. They just weren’t good enough to beat a team that’s better than them.

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RW says: Interesting comments. Read the straight lines, between the lines and then trust your own eyes as to where this Chief’s team is right now. For me, it all adds up to another long season without many W’s. Why the Chiefs failed to adequately address the front 7 on defense in the off-season is still a poser to me. The O-Line is average on a GOOD day and so humble realism already sets in for my 2010 season expectations.

Bob says: I know it’s a phrase that’s beaten to death these days, especially by the kids, but it is what it is. To think the Chiefs have done enough to make a huge turn around in their fortunes is folly. They will be better, but not that much better. Stay real.

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Tim says: Bob’s right. We just don’t have enough talent right now. It seems to me Haley & Co. believes it is more important to acquire & develop some skill players first because skill & speed are our most glaring weaknesses. They obviously feel an avg. O-line can do enough to allow better skill players to improve our time of possession & point total to where we can win more games & minimize defensive shortcomings. Our Special Teams play has improved immensely. I would look for next year’s draft to provide another OL or two, a NT & a GOOD WR prospect. Then you would have at least 3 young, quality OL (Albert, Asamoah & whoever else).

Bob says: good analysis and right on the mark. The problem comes when you draft and think you’ve got the holes patched, and then a hole pops open at another position. They need a year where they hit big in the draft and free agency, to get ahead of the curve so to speak.

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jim says: I understand the cautious optimism, or guarded pessimism, whichever way you choose to frame the Chiefs picture, but I still don’t think we are finished with additions to the 2010 version of the Chiefs. By the end of the third game, we’ll have a much better idea of who we are, and the final depth chart thingy, but don’t be surprised if we pick up on or two quality people. Hopefully an O-line and D-line pick up. I still like us at 7-9. Thoughts?

Bob says: Jim good points. If they can score a couple players in September like a Chris Chambers or Ryan Lilja type then it would be a big help for the roster and depth chart. I view the Chiefs as a 6-10 team. I think 7-9 would be possible. I think 8-8 and Haley should be coach of the year.

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el cid says: Interesting questions and answers. As for the Chiefs fans being patient, I think that will come to a raging crash by the end of ’10 season, especially if Haley cannot find a way to win more than 6 games. Less than a month before a MNF game and no sign of offense by Weis at least at QB and WR. The next game will show a lot about what is the Chiefs or like Haley says “work in progress” (we are not ready yet).

Bob says: this is where I think coaches out think themselves. Here’s a new coordinator coming into a team that he’s still getting to know. So he should be experimenting with play calls and game planning in these four pre-season games. Instead, the coaches don’t want to show anything to future opponents and they make everything vanilla. What good is that if you don’t know what your own team can do? I think Haley and Weis should take the lock off the playbook and really put the players into positions where they and we can find out just how good they can be.

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Michael says: Bob thanks for answering my book of questions; you’re the best. Were Cassel’s numbers under center and in the shotgun similar when he was starting for New England? I could have sworn there was more concern about his play under center at that time and when he was first coming to KC. No matter, I think we’re going to find out soon enough. This year, I am cautiously optimistic about the Chiefs prospects. Even still, I don’t have a good idea of what to expect in terms of their record. I’m hoping to have a better idea by the end of pre-season.

Bob says: Michael I went back and looked and during the ’08 season with the Patriots, Cassel had an 88.2 passer rating taking snaps under center and an 89.7 rating in the shotgun. A marginal difference.

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RW says: I agree that Pioli is far from the fall on his sword type guy and won’t be shy about standing aside when Clark Hunt’s short patience results in Haley getting the ax. To me, neither Pioli nor Haley has been all that impressive to date but maybe I’m a bit too harsh? If 2010 is a replay of 2009, there should be plenty of fans wanting to help Clark Hunt back up the truck so to speak. Patience of the fans has been more than tested. It’s bordering on abuse.

Bob says: Hard to argue those points RW; you are right on the money.

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Josh says: Bob, I appreciate your optimism. I’d love to wager a beer with you for that December recall. Either way, I’d win: my beloved Chiefs have a quarterback worthy of the franchise investment, or I get delicious, wagered beer. Not sure what an investment is, but it must be expensive.

Bob says: You are on. As for expensive, these days for me Natty Light is big ticket, but I’ll bet you an ice cold Iron City or IC Lite. Game on.

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PAChiefsFan says: Wow important would you say it is for the Chiefs fans that are waiting for the direction of the team to change to do their part. I would like to think the local fans are planning on being the 12th man and making Arrowhead Stadium the loudest stadium in the NFL, once again. All I am reading is how people want to win at least 6, 8 or even maybe 10 games and they will get excited. That’s not going to happen if the boys in red and gold hear nothing but crickets coming from the stands. I understand they may not have the talent level on the team that they need but loud fan support will help maximize their effort to win. I don’t have the luxury of being there at every home game living in PA so I hope the locals are ready to step up

Bob says: Don’t ever forget the motto of the state of Missouri – The Show-Me State. I think Chiefs fans in the Kansas City metro and around the Midwest want to be shown there is something to get excited about. That’s just the way it goes. That’s how it happened in 1989-90. They must see evidence that Pioli/Haley know what they are doing, and the decisions being made are pushing the team in a winning direction.