Looking At The Chiefs Draft … Monday Cup O’Chiefs
Perspective is a funny animal. Four people can stand shoulder to shoulder and look at the same picture, in the same light and see different things. And they all might be correct in their interpretation of the vision before them. Even black and white has shades of grey and shadows that can be translated to mean different things.
It’s the same with the NFL Draft. One man sees the selection of a player as a reach, while another sees it as assurance that the team making the decision got their man. One group thinks a team’s draft class is filled with projects and over-valued players, while another sees potential and future stars.
So it goes with NFL Draft class of 2010 for the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s a class of seven players that will play an important role in whether the franchise can dig itself out of the hole that comes with a 10-38 record over the last three seasons.
Without question, the Chiefs were able to draft some talented players, a handful of playmakers that is so lacking on the roster. Eric Berry, Dexter McCluster, Javier Arenas could bring big plays and yardage and point production to the offense, defense and kicking game.
“We’ve got good football players,” said GM Scott Pioli. “Team speed has been improved. I think we’ve added smarter players, we added competitive players, physical, tough players and all those things that we added along with the speed improved the overall competitiveness. We feel we improved a lot of things, but we improved this football team.”
The early buzz from the media on the Chiefs draft was the character angle; that they went out and sought players that fit their mold of the right 53 based on personality. Pioli’s comments were directed toward that picture.
“We want to make sure it’s understood that we went out and got good football players here too,” he said.
There’s no denying the Chiefs drafted some very good athletes and some potentially very good NFL players. Berry was the best defensive back in the draft. McCluster was the best of the new breed of hybrid backs, who can line up in the backfield or at wide receiver. Arenas was the best returner available in this draft class. Third-round G Jon Asamoah was considered the second best pure guard in the draft. Third-round TE Tony Moeaki was the best complete tight end (receiving/blocking) available in the class.
In sheer athletic ability and potential, the Chiefs draft class is very good, maybe very, very good.
But any team’s draft does not go down in a vacuum that is apart from the roster that those players are about to join for the ‘10 season. Where those players fit and what holes they may fill are also important. So are the holes that remain.
As talented as the players are in this second draft class from Pioli/Haley, they did not address some of their perceived positions of weakness, such as the offensive line, defensive line at nose tackle and inside linebacker and a pass rusher.
The worst part of the Chiefs performance in the ‘09 season was their defense against the run. They allowed an average of 156.5 rushing yards per game. They gave up 4.7 yards every time the opponent ran the ball. Cleveland’s Jerome Harrison had the biggest rushing day of the season and Browns history when he ran for 286 yards. Harrison was one of six backs that topped 100 rushing yards against the Chiefs defense and two other backs ran for 99 and 97 yards.
There were seven players selected, but it’s hard to see how any of those picks addressed a dreadful run defense. They selected several safeties, the last line of defense, especially when it comes to the run. When asked what they had done since the end of last season to address their pitiful run defense, the GM and head coach pointed to areas other than the draft.
“Number one, we are developing the guys that we have here on campus,” said Haley. “Those guys are working their backsides off trying to move up the ranks so to speak. I think we are all really excited about that process and where it is right now.
“If you go back through our season, you can’t blame every big run on our defensive line. It is an 11-man defense in the truest sense of the word especially if you are talking 3-4 and how everybody has to fit. You can’t pin that on any one group. So anybody that was added on defense was added in effort to improve the defense as a whole and I think that is the bottom line.”
The coach and GM would not identify the returning players they are counting on to step up and improve their run defense. But it’s not hard to round up a list of names that includes the likes of Jovan Belcher, Andy Studebaker, Tyson Jackson, Alex Magee and Glenn Dorsey. Maybe even Derrick Johnson is part of that group.
Pioli was quick to point to another very important addition: defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.
“He is going to help us and help this defense get better,” Pioli said of Crennel. “He is not lining up as one of the 11 on the football field but I think he is going to help our defense.”
The GM also made the point that while the Draft was over, the personnel season did not stop.
“We’ve got how many months before the season opens?” Pioli asked. “There is still time. Any opportunity we get to continue to improve the talent of the team, we are going to continue to improve.”
The Chiefs pass rush got the quarterback on the ground just 22 times last year, the second worst pass rush in the league. Only Jacksonville (14) had fewer sacks. That came a year after they set an NFL record for pass-rush futility with an all-time low of 10 sacks.
And now, Pioli/Haley have had two drafts, selected 15 players and there has not been a pass rusher among them. Seven of those picks had sacks in college; last year’s No. 1 DE Tyson Jackson had he most with 18.5 sacks in four seasons at LSU. As a rookie, Jackson did not have a sack and was credited with only four QB pressures.
In this year’s draft class, Berry had three sacks, Arenas seven, fifth-round S Kendrick Lewis finished with three sacks and fifth-round DE/OLB Cameron Sheffield was the most prolific with 15 sacks.
Turning attention to pass protection; the Chiefs allowed the sixth highest total of sacks in the league last year with 45. QB Matt Cassel went down 42 times and was the fourth most sacked QB in the league. There’s also no question that the protection improved in the second half of the ‘09 season. There were 30 sacks in the first eight games, and the number was cut in half over the last eight games.
With the selection of just one offensive lineman in the Draft, Pioli/Haley are stating that they are comfortable with the holdover blockers and the additions of Casey Wiegmann and Ryan Lilja. Obviously they are counting on continued improvement by tackles Branden Albert and Ryan O’Callaghan, young guards like Colin Brown and Darryl Harris and competition on the interior with Wiegmann, Lilja, Brian Waters and Rudy Niswanger.
The 2010 class that joined the Chiefs through the NFL Draft did not please everyone; they never do. But the team’s approach highlights one factor that those outside the circle often forget – a team’s improvement or regression from one year to the next is influenced more by the performances of returning players, than those added through the draft.
At least that’s what Pioli and Haley are counting on.
“When we draft, it’s a combination of need and best players available,” said Pioli. “I think sometimes with the multitude of needs we feel that we entered this with, it was a matter of need meeting opportunity and best player available. It was a combination of those two things.”
Now, here are some thoughts on the seven players selected:
1st round/5th pick – S Eric Berry: It would have been very hard for the Chiefs to pass up a player rated as highly as Berry. Yes, they went against convention by drafting a safety at such a lofty point of the Draft. (More on that angle of the Berry pick coming up on Monday afternoon.) And yes, the Chiefs can be accused of simply filling the hole they created on their back line when they released Bernard Pollard before the start of the ‘09 season. All that has nothing to do with Berry and what he can get done in the ‘10 season. If he’s not a starter from game No. 1, it will be a disappointment for the Chiefs. If Crennel isn’t deploying him in multiple fashions by mid-season, it will be a disappointment. Berry is going to make mistakes, but his background says he learns from those and seldom has that problem again.
2nd round/36th pick – WR/RB Dexter McCluster: All draft choices are a gamble, but taking McCluster is a real roll of the dice for the Chiefs. If he diminutive McCluster gets blown up by opposing defenses and can’t get on the field, and he offensive line has problems, there will be real second guessing on why the team did not go for a tackle with that lofty choice. Haley wanted to add a playmaker to the offense and McCluster can be that; but his skills are not that different than those of RB Jamaal Charles. Was McCluster a luxury that a team still trying to build its foundation can afford? Obviously Pioli and Haley thought so because they took him rather than a quartet of nose tackle types that went in the second round: Torell Troup, Lamarr Houston, Linval Joseph and Terrence Cody.
2nd round/50th pick – CB Javier Arenas: Haley called the addition of a returner for his team not a need, but “a must.” That explains everything about why Arenas was drafted so early. Most NFL teams had him as a third-round selection, so grabbing him in the mid-second round wasn’t that great of a reach. Plus, the Chiefs think Arenas can bring something to their defense playing the nickel corner spot. But it’s the return game that matters most with Arenas and that was a major need must that had to be filled. Arenas allows them to get two jobs out of him: returner and corner. That will help on Sunday’s when trying to drop he roster to 45 players. Last year, the Chiefs pretty much ignored their lack of a returner beyond Charles on kick returns. Haley wasn’t going to make the same mistakes again.
3rd round/68th pick – C/G Jon Asamoah: As a guard, he was No. 2 in the class of 2010, behind only first-round draft choice Mike Iupati. Teams pegged him as a third-round choice, and the Chiefs got to him with the fourth pick of the fourth. Asamoah was stuck with a bad team last season and that certainly didn’t help him when it came to evaluation of tape. The Chiefs could have gone for Alabama G Mike Johnson; but he went 30 picks later on the final choice of the third round. Brian Waters is now 33 years old so this appears to be a big picture selection, meaning Asamoah may not immediately contribute.
3rd round/93rd pick – TE Tony Moeaki: Based on pro potential, this is the best value pick of the 15 that Pioli/Haley have made so far in their time with the Chiefs. Moeaki was considered the prospect with the best upside as both a blocker and a catcher. There were better catchers in the draft, and maybe a better blocker as well. But there wasn’t anyone better than could do both and that’s why he was the fourth tight end drafted this year. Amazingly, three of those top four wore question marks because of injury concerns: Jermaine Gresham, Rob Gronkowski and Moeaki. If he can remain healthy in his NFL career, a new TE Tony could hold he job for years to come.
5th round/136th pick – S Kendrick Lewis: Most teams projected Lewis as a seventh-round pick, or a guy who would be signed as an undrafted free agent. The Chiefs had to approach their two fifth-round selections in a bit of a different manner because they had no more picks after No. 142 in the fifth round. So maybe they reached a bit for Lewis. He was a productive safety at Mississippi, producing 226 total tackles in three seasons. There were a couple of highly rated players still there in North Carolina DT Cam Thomas and South Florida WR Carlton Mitchell.
5th round/142nd pick – LB Cameron Sheffield: This is a projection in moving from defensive end to outside linebacker. With Tamba Hali, Mike Vrabel, Andy Studebaker and Pierre Walters, Sheffield has his work cut out for him. There were many other players available at that point that could have addressed other positions of need.
I don’t know how anyone can say Berry was only needed because the Chiefs cut Pollard. Berry should have been the pick even if Pollard was still here.
You shouldn’t write these when you’re drinking.
You elude to the fact that offensive line and pass rush weren’t identified this draft. Yet we drafted a guard in the third and an OLB in the fifth.
You say in 2 years with 15 picks the Chiefs haven’t drafted a pass rusher. Again. OLB/DE Cameron Sheffield. In the post draft presser Pioli said they drafted him because they like his PASS RUSH ABILITY.
Asamoah was not drafted with the fourth pick of the fourth round.
I’ve come to expect better from you Bob. Maybe specify a little bit rather than lumping players into 1 category.
They didn’t draft a pass rusher early, but they drafted one. As for the comment about them not addressing areas of weakness like the o-line, well that just doesn’t make any sense. Jon Asamoah is an o-lineman, and a good one.
Nice article.
To Tim Bob:
They didn’t adress an area of weakness. They addressed an area where we are pretty strong already in G. Lilja and Waters will be the starters at guard. Weigmann will be the starting C.
Asamoah will be a replacement for Waters in a year or two. Still a great pick, but he shouldn’t be starting this year unless there’s some major injuries.
Pollard & L.Johnson were like a block wall standing in between the team and a lot of players that fit and have more to offer .
Fit is the most important term on a team in football .
Jacksonville has more talent than any team in the NFL , but alot of them are in the way each other . Right after Johnson left , J. Charles changed every thing . Pollard was all about Pollard .
Don’t forget about Arenas and his blitzing capability. Pioli said that he hadn’t seen a better blitzer from the corner than Arenas in years if ever, which speaks volumes.
Although I agree that we could have addressed the D Line better but at some point(new NT would have been nice) you have to have faith in your young guys that they’ll continue to grow. Hopefully we’ll pick up some more help before training camp arrives
I think the Chiefs draft to philosophy, need and ability.
Last year the Chiefs took T. Jackson first because he was a productive player who fit a need on the team….all based on a defensive philosophy— we were going to be a 3-4 defense. Our philosophy on defense dictated that pick and the 3rd (McGee).
I think the Chiefs have a adopted a philosophy regarding Special Teams– of Offense, defense and special teams, the special teams is the easiest to dominate/win. That’s usually the weak link on most teams. The Chiefs have a good special teams coach, two very good kickers, good coverage and they finished it off by drafting great returners.
The Chiefs drafted special teams dominance with their second round. The Chiefs should make great strides next year with their special teams and that’s part of a plan— most teams are vulnerable there and the Chiefs will attack it.
And speaking of “attack,” that’s part of Haley’s style on offense. He wants an advantage on field position. He wants the other team’s defense on its heals from the start of every series. His receivers and running backs are getting to be a very scary group of skill position players. His offensive line is adequate and one draft away from being strong. His new coordinator has plenty to work with. Haley is designing a hard-to-defend, strong field position, attacking offense. He has speed, instinctive runners and a top-tier O coordinator to work with him (and Haley is a brilliant O coordinator in his own right).
As for the defense, I think they will be an attacking defense within a year or two. The secondary needs pass rushing help— and when they get it, they have ball-hawkers who can return their picks or fumble recoveries the distance. God help the opposing offense if E. Berry,Arenas, Flowers or DJ get their hands on the ball. Arenas and Berry are as dangerous with a pick as anyone.
I see a changed Chiefs team with a philosophy. I think that drives their drafts going forward as much as need (based on their philosophy on offense, defense, special teams) as talent/best player available and character.
That mix is how the Chiefs pick players and it doesn’t fit a neat traditional method of predicting a draft. Yes, the Chiefs do have glaring needs to be filled such as NT and ILB, but I would assume Pioli is very aware of that. I think he’s a draft away from filling the team’s needs. That being said, I think they are happy that they are checking their needs off one by one. Some of those needs we aren’t privy to but make sense if you are privy to the plan. The philosophy.
I know the numbers weren’t that great compared to the rest of the league – but if you think about it, the Chiefs sack numbers more than doubled. What we have to do is see the improvement, and realize this team is getting better. The OL started to make some strides toward the end of the season. That, combined with Jamaal Charles emergence, really took our running game to a level we hadn’t seeing in a long time. You cannot NOT see there was improvement!
Now, are the Chiefs going to represent the AFC in the championship game this year? I don’t know, probably not. But they WILL make more progress – that is certain. And, really, after three or four years of continued decline, we need to see the growth and remain hopeful that in a few years the Chiefs will be back in contention.
I still can’t believe that at 50 they passed on any of the good NT’s available at the time. They still could have had Arenas at the Moeaki pick, or even the 4th rounder they had originally. A good NT will make Dorsey and TJax look awesome and make Pioli look like the genius everyone takes him for.
I pretty much agree with Bob. We drafted some damn good players. I was just really surprised that we didn’t address our major weakness…stopping the run. I guess they have a lot of confidence in the guys we already have. A lot more than I do, apparently. But hey, there’s a reason why they do what they do…and I do what I do. So, we’ll see.
@ Jon in Dayton
The draft is full of players that may or may not make it in the NFL. It is each teams job to evaluate every player available to them and give said player a grade. The grades are then put in order from best down to worst and create a draft board. Unfortunately, none of us were able to see Pioli’s draft board. If a player doesn’t have a grade high enough to be selected in a particular round, then you chose another position that better keeps to your board. Now, that does mean that you may not have another opportunity to draft that player and the position may not have the depth to go back and get a good player. That is part of the game when in the draft. Would you rather add a more talented player at a position you may not immediately need (BPA), or would you rather reach for a player that fills a need, but has less talent than a different player. IMO, BPA is the best way to draft for any team. Especailly one so desperate for talent all over the field. We have 10 wins in 3 years because we suck. Not because we needed a mediocre NT (that is most likely how the Chiefs felt about the NTs available in this draft). Draft the best players available and let them fight it out to field the best 53 man roster possible.
I agree with you that a good NT is key for the 34 defense and the developement of both Dorsey and TJax. For one reason or another, after more than one full year of evaluating all the players in this draft, they didn’t feel that any of the NTs wold fit. Cody, fat. Torel Troup, drafted way to early. Cam Thomas, history of not being high motor guy and questions of fitting as a NT. Maybe one or all of these guys would have been worth a late flyer and see if they could develope as a project. The only one that went late was Cam and his questionable motor was enough to probably keep him off Pioli’s board.
This offseason isn’t over. If they feel that NT is a need, they will address it. I know one of the UDFAs we signed is a NT project (and he was Captain of the football team his senior year) and his motor has never been questioned. Plus, the Jags just released John Henderson. He could be a good fit with experience and size. I would like Henderson to right a wrong from awhile ago. We should have drafted him or Albert Haynesworth the year we traded up to get Ryan Sims.
It’s been stated a million times, but it hold true to the doubters. We were not going to fill every hole in this one draft. Half these players won’t turn out to be more than good depth. If we are lucky we have 5 starers and 2 Pro Bowlers. This team was in such a hole when Pioli got here, it will take more than 2 drafts to fix it. Thanks Carl!
Some of you need to switch to decafe.
This draft fits perfectly with what Pioli wants/plans for the Chiefs. Look at both and you get a peek at how he is putting it all together. I believe his “plan” has got nothing to do with winning immediately or even putting a ballanced team on the field but in 4-5 years there will be a team in place that will “hopefully” be an upper level team for the distant future.
Year one, he wanted to fix DE, so he used his first two pick to do that. Year two he wanted to increase team speed and he did. He is all about the SAFE way. No chancy picks, the type of guys the fans dream of, no he goes for guys who he believes will play the entire length of their contract. I do not like it but given enough time it may well work.
The only oddity I really dislike is his wonderment about TEs. Both years he has dumped extra picks for two TEs. Unusual to say the least because Haley is not a “throw the ball to the TE type”. Which begs, just how involved in the big plan is Haley? Maybe he is not here for the finished product that Pioli plans.
These two drafts shows Pioli’s hand all over it and that maybe more important than who the kids are. Mad Chief?
@ JP
I understand that we as fans cannot see what the Mgt. of teams see. I grant them that, just baffled is all. I hope that we address the NT need further in the offseason, other than the NT that we picked up during free agency, unless Crennel thinks that he will fit the bill.
Love the Berry and Asamoah picks along with McCluster. I think he is going to cause huge matchup issues. I like the Arenas pick as well but thought we could have addressed another higher value need at the 50 pick and still got Arenas and Moeaki with the picks we had after 50.
TimBob I think you can kiss Bob’s Butt! (from your post you come off as an inconsiderate jerk). He could use it considering he has been working his butt off bringing us the best dang coverage on the Chiefs draft that can be found. I think a few clerical errors are allowed, especially considering most of us make them on a daily basis. He also could have been a whole lot more critical of our draft than he was. It flat does not make any sense to be too critical or too optimistic about this draft. If it does not pan out then Pioli and his cronies won’t be here long and the Chiefs won’t be good for a long time. I personally think it is very risky to add playmakers without first solidifying the interior of your team.
I also believe that Bob was correct in his statements. The guard that we drafted was not for an immediate need but rather to groom to take over in a year or two. Not to mention that his forte is run blocking not pass coverage he “hopefully” will develop that. The DE/OLB that we drafted will be a project and he may or may not ever develop into a good pass rusher. So I don’t know how you can say that Bob is incorrect when he states that they really did not address their two biggest weakness in this draft because they did not, directly nor conventionally do it.
el cid,
I have to disagree about Pioli not wanting to win right now. He just has a different view of going about it. But, like I’ve said…he knows a lot more about football than I do. I would have done things differently…but, I’m just a fan. Apparently, after evaluating the talent we already have…they have a plan for improvement from within. I’m not convinced. But, I’ll wait to see the team on the field before I make judgements…or say that Pioli blew it by drafting player X over player Y.
I’m still excited about the upcoming season…and think we’ll have a chance to field a good team. Nothing is going to dampen my spirits on that.
“The only oddity I really dislike is his wonderment about TEs.”
Any concern about this going forward (seemed to be an epidemic in NE)…
Jon I agree, Pioli isn’t the genius, you trade two picks to move up to grab a TE, when you have 4 or 5 on the team already! They should have been trading down to get more picks, but then again, Pioli is no Belichick. Did anyone see how the Patriots wheeled and dealed, it definately wasn’t Pioli that ran that draft room in NE ever!
Pioli may not have ran the draft room in NE (not that anyone ever believed that he did) but he hopefully learned something while he was there.
‘C’ level draft at best. What happened to building the foundations, the O and D lines, first?
arrowhead1978
We have to have tradeable picks to even have the chance trade down. If we could get the record to put us in the mid-to-late first round area THEN we could trade down. No body, except the Jets in ‘09, wants to trade up to No. 5. I am not blaming Pioli for drafting at his spot and I am sure that he would have traded down if possible but the value probably didn’t fit the pick. I am just baffled by the choices in the later picks. Love the first two.
Jody says:
“‘C’ level draft at best.”
Love all the “draft grades” a few days later. I wish one of you guys that can see the future could clue me into the winning lotto numbers this week.
Trading picks – I doubt Pioli will ever get as involved as NE does. He was there but it is not what he does. Remember when looking at what/why he does things, it is all about the SAFE choice. Trading you may not gain because you are trading something for a future hope. He just does not buy into that. He may give picks away (two years, two TEs) but gain picks, just not what he is about.
Sorry Mad Chief all you got out of my post was Pioli does not want to win. A minor thought at best.
Just wondering? who will be the LBs on your good team? run stopper? TE? Wr, #1,2 or 3. Apparantly we will use a slot, did not see it much last year. Of course there will be a team on the field, how good, will see. Once again seems like good kids with ability to play but missing pieces may haunt this team for at least two more years. Just my view.
5 or 6 safeties and ,or corners in there on passing downs will change this game so much .
When your are covering the outside flats and have help covering your back , you would be jumping the ball , thats going to shut down some one .
I think we are going see a lot of ball controll .
If Berry’s going for the ball and Flowers is going for the reciever at the same time , should shut down the likes of Rivers .
(9:15 on the 13 of Sept.-that’s 140 days from now)
el cid says:
“Sorry Mad Chief all you got out of my post was Pioli does not want to win. A minor thought at best.”
No…that’s not all I got from your post.
“who will be the LBs on your good team? run stopper? TE? Wr, #1,2 or 3.”
As for that? I have no idea. But, I’m thinking that Haley, Weis, and Crennel do. Or at least who they THINK can do the job(s). Whether or not they are right? That remains to be seen.
Adailius Thomas was released by the Pats just one hour ago. I think we need him what say you.
“I think we need him what say you.”
I think you are right Danny W.
I think we at least need to kick the tires on AT and Faneca
I would imagine Pioli would have interest in Thomas. Doesn’t mean we’ll get him though.
And according to AP, John Henderson is scheduled to visit the Chiefs tomorrow.
I was just going to say…vets are starting to come free. DT’s John Henderson and Chris Hovan, LB’s Clint Ingram and Adalius Thomas. I’m sure more will be out there soon.
This is when the Chiefs need to pounce. These are opportunities that ought not be passed up.
You can add two receivers and a tight end to the possibilities. Mark Clayton, Michael Clayton, and Todd Heap. None have been released, but may be released soon. At least that is rumored. I guess they can use Henderson as a nose tackle. He might also be a good 3-4 DE. I don’t think he ever played in a 3-4.
Henderson may be at a point in his career where a move to NT would benefit him. He certainly isn’t as swift as he used to be, but he is still big and strong. Maybe being a plugger over the center eating up space would extend his career. Also, we certainly ignored NT, but maybe they actually think Dorsey can fit there. I know he’s a bit small, but so is Jay Ratliff in Dallas and no one would argue that he’s pretty damn effective!
Pioli went wild with castoffs last year so there is a possibility for acquiring guys who get cut loose by their current teams.
But doubt it. All the WRs of last year was because the Chiefs had guys like Bradley and Copper who a special teams types or #5 and 6 guys. About anyone could do what they offered. Not so this year. Signed a free agent NT and, I guess, they have enough vet LBs and OLs to survive. So I do not expect much more, maybe a few more college FAs for practice guys (not to mention cheaper).
I will give the organization a C+ at best .The glaring needs were not addressed but they did bring in speed that was lacking for years.
I fully expect another veteran signing or two at this point. Not sure how many we have on our roster right now, but I would think before camp, an UDFA or two, along with one of our PS guys from last year get cut in favor of some vets. We signed Mike Brown late, as well as guys like Lelie and Toomer, and traded for Ndukwe and Alleman. Plus, they added plenty during the season as mentioned by el cid.
Some guesses as to who they might look to acquire on the cheap in the next month or so.
NT John Henderson
LB Adalius Thomas
WR Marty Booker
CB Ralph Brown
LB Keith Bullock
WR Laverenues Coles
DE Ryan Denney
DE Marques Douglas
OT Mike Gandy (this seems most likely)
NT Jimmy Kennedy
LB Chike Okeafor
WR Josh Reed
DL Brian Robinson
NT Hollis Thomas
LB Chaun Thompson
WR Kelley Washington
Mostly guys who have already played their best football, but any of them could play a role here and potentially provide some veteran leadership. One thing the Pats always did well was dig up free agent gems during the off season. Maybe we can improve our depth still.
I was expecting them to sign Gandy a long time ago. Still hope they do. A.Thomas might work, but it looks like the Jets or Dolphins might get there first. I actually think they might be able to get Channing Crowder from the Fins, who now have Dansby and some younger linebackers. They should also check on Antonio Pierce’s injury situation (which, they probably are).
Henderson and Douglas would provide some good veteran bulk on the DL, as would B. Robinson, but Robinson is like 36, I think. H. Thomas did some good stopgap work for the Saints not long ago.
I like your list, Colby, but I think a lot more vets are going to come free here soon as teams choose to go with the younger players they just drafted. Not going to be All-pros, but some of Henderson ilk will be avialable, and they could help.
you cant have a luxory pick on offense when your offense is STILL LOUSY WITH ONE PLAYMAKER…you kill me bob
and you are seriously saying rush LB isnt a position of need?
and how do you know cam thomas was even on the board…
WOOOO. Brain Fart! What if we give J.C. to someone for very good W/R have McCluster be our next Chris Johnson or get 1st or 2nd round draft pick next year!! Woooo. Just a little gass what you think!!!
Pollard was cut because he was a “punk” he didn’t know how to tackle and wouldn’t be coached. Enough about him.UFA and undrafted rookies need to be carefully selected. Crennel and Weis, and E. Thomas have been our best off season moves to date. Lets win 10 this year then talk about it.(Big if) long way to go from Hermie and Carl guys, give them a shot.
One thing I want to point out as a fan who wasn’t “fully satisfied” with our draft in bold letters for everyone to see and remember:
After all the rounds of the draft and the first month of the offseason…the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (on paper) are a MUCH-IMPROVED FOOTBALL TEAM.