Signing Season … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs
Things are generally quiet around the National Football League right now. It’s probably another week or so before many of the league’s movers and shakers head back to the office. They are at the beach, hitting the links, on the lake or in the case of the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, climbing Mount Rainier.
Sometime today, Goodell, Seattle coach Jim Mora and Seahawks executive Todd Leiweke along with two guides are expected to reach the snow-covered summit of Rainier, at more than 14,000 feet. It’s all being done for a Seattle area charity.
There aren’t many NFL types doing something as physically demanding. They are just glad to be away and getting a breather before the long season. They’ll start rolling back into the office over the next few weeks and activity will pick up around the league.
That’s when the signing season will really get serious, as clubs try to get all their draft choices and a few veterans under contract before the start of training camp.
Actually, this year NFL teams have really gotten a jump on getting the 256 selections from April’s 2009 Draft with deals.
As of Tuesday evening, more than 100 deals had been announced around the league.
That’s out of the ordinary this early in the signing season. Ordinarily it takes the deadline of training camp to get things done. Players cannot take part in camp without a signed contract. In the off-season they can practice without a deal, but once camp starts they must put their John Hancock to paper.
There are two teams that have already signed all their draft choices: Chicago and the New York Jets. Two other teams – Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – have all but one of their draft choices already under contract.
On the other side, there are six teams that haven’t signed a choice yet, including Dallas with 12 choices. Others that have not announced a signing are Cleveland, Indianapolis, Oakland, New Orleans and St. Louis.
The Chiefs have three of their eight picks signed: fifth-round OT Colin Brown and seventh round choices TE Jake O’Connell and K Ryan Succop.
As usual, the earliest picks have not yet agreed to terms. Only two first rounders (QBs Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez) and one second-round pick (RB LeSean McCoy) have signed contracts. That’s three of the first 64 players drafted, including the Chiefs first-round pick, DE Tyson Jackson.
It will be interesting to see how long it takes Jackson’s agent Eugene Parker to get a deal done with Scott Pioli because he’s one of three players sandwiched between the big deals given Stafford (six years/$72 million) and Sanchez (five years/$60 million). Jackson, OT Jason Smith in St. Louis and LB Aaron Curry in Seattle have those deals as bookends for their demands. But you can bet the Chiefs, Rams and Seahawks are unwilling to talk about money that would put those players in the same salary scale as the two quarterbacks.
Among the 23 choices in the third round that remain unsigned is a Chiefs pick, DE Alex Magee.
In the fourth-round there are 24 unsigned players including Chiefs choice, CB Donald Washington.
Only 16 fifth-rounders are without deals, and there are 15 players unsigned in the sixth-round, including Kansas City-bound WR Quinten Lawrence.
Only 13 of 47 choices in the seventh round are unsigned, including RB Javarris Williams, the first of the Chiefs three picks in the round.
Why Lawrence and Williams remain unsigned is hard to understand. The payouts to players on these deals generally fall into a slotting system, with the pick before making more and the pick after making less. The players drafted after Lawrence and Williams both have agreed to deals.
Of course, they could have already agreed to terms and are keeping the news on the down low. Generally teams won’t announce a signing until they have the player’s signature. Agents tend to make announcements once a deal is agreed upon.
There are no trophies and prizes for getting draft picks signed early. If there was, the Bears would be the defending champions; for the second year in a row, they have all their draft choices under contract before July.
Dallas with all 12 of its picks, New England with 11 of 12 and Denver with nine; those are the teams with the most contract work to get done before the start of camp.
THE BATTLE TO REACH THE SUMMER OF MOUNT RAINIER
Last December during an NFL meeting, Leiweke presented a challenge to the NFL Commish. “What is it?” Goodell wondered.
“I want you to climb Mount Rainier with us,” Leiweke said.
Goodell agreed, but later had second thoughts.
“I was thinking, ‘Oh my. What did I just do?’” Goodell told the Seattle Times. “I really didn’t know what it entailed, frankly.”
The group got a practice session in on Monday and Goodell learned that climbing a mountain is as much mental as physical.
“There’s really a technique to climbing,” Goodell said. “It’s not just putting one foot in front of the other. There’s a technique to the way you move your foot and how your body posture is and how you can take more efficient steps. And I never really thought about that. It seems like such a simple thing just putting one foot in front of the other. Absolutely not!”
Again, the group expects to reach Rainier’s summit on Wednesday.
VIKINGS ALREADY TRYING TO LEVERAGE BRETT FAVRE
If you follow the NFC, you know that one of the best rivalries in the conference features the Packers against the Vikings.
Over the years, a lot of cheeseheads have gotten used to being able to get tickets for the Pack-Vikes game at the Metrodome. Lambeau Field is always sold out, so sometimes the trip to MSP is the only chance Packers fans get to see their favorite team in person. Minnesota hasn’t been in a consistent sell-out situation for years.
Thus, the Vikings are going to take advantage of the Packers fans lust, especially with Favre expected to join them in the next 10 days. Anybody that wants to buy tickets for the Green Bay-Minnesota game on Monday night October 5th must buy a ticket to the Aug. 21st pre-season game between the Vikings and Chiefs.
Many teams have used this tactic before and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Chiefs did something similar this season. The club’s two most attractive games at Arrowhead feature Dallas and Pittsburgh. The Steelers followers are notorious for taking over opposing stadiums when tickets are available and there are tickets available. To get them, the Chiefs should attach one of their pre-season games to that purchase.
SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
BENGALS – signed seventh-round draft choice FB Fui Vakapuna.
BILLS – signed sixth-round draft choice DB Cary Harris and seventh-round DB Ellis Lankster.
GIANTS – The NFL suspended LB Michael Boley for one game for violations of the league’s personal conduct policy.
PACKERS – signed fourth-round draft choice G T.J. Lang.
TITANS – signed fourth-round OT Troy Kropog.
lets hope everyone gets to camp on time. This organization needs to get started on the right foot.
Forget Brett Favre! The Vikings would have no trouble selling ALL of their tickets if they picked up STEVE DEBERG!
Bob,
Is it normal for rookies to continue working with coaches up to this point? I don’t recall that in the past, but maybe I just wasn’t paying attention.
With the Chiefs recent history (20 years?), agents tend to be in the driver’s seat. You can squeeze a little extra from a team without a lot of superior players. I do not expect everyone to be in camp when it starts, probably by then of the first week. So the rooks can spent extra time looking valuable, it just adds to their first pay check.
I fully expect the Chiefs to get high prices for games against the “known” teams. The rest of the season will be a throw in for we fans.
“I fully expect the Chiefs to get high prices for games against the “known” teams. The rest of the season will be a throw in for we fans.”
-Unless the Chiefs were to sign STEVE DEBERG!
I bought group tickets to the Steelers game last week. I had to buy tickets to the Seahawks preseason game also or they wouldn’t me buy the Steelers one. The ticket rep said the same is true for the Cowboys game.
Haley and Pioli must go.
I agree. They are the worst twosome in the NFL.
Looks like the GB fan pictured above wrote that G on his face while looking in the mirror. It’s backwards.
We should have never let Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson out of their contracts.
That’s right.
A friend of mine bought twenty tickets for the Cowboys game from group sales… Club level… 150 bucks each. They included nosebleed seats for the Seahawks game.
Cue yet another Elton John paraphrase more fake Rin posts above ^ in tribute to He that is me - real Rin:
“Green eyes…fake Rin’s got (HUGE) green eyes.”
heh heh heh!
Now then, back to football…today we shall talk about nee speak of ‘the after hours.’ No, Rin is not referencing the Twilight Zone episode many a year ago - ra’her, this wasted period since KC’s Chief messers (yes, correct spelling) ’search’ & ‘check’ took squat here in show me.
This ‘down time’ NFL has been perfect for them as well fandom, as an indication of just how little they will as they have done.
Among the ‘nays’ by way non-participation: an OG and OLB - as well several unsigned draft choices despite other teams having already signed all of theirs.
“Any 22″ has given way to “you can’t get there from here.” And so, they haven’t and remain on the treadmill their own making, getting nowhere fast.
Cue Simon & Garfunkel: ‘check’ is a rock, he’s on an island - where are the Chiefs headed? ’search’ he…
Well said Rin. The Chiefs new tandem has been a major disappointment to date.
Agree Rin.
As do I, anonymous other brother Daryl.
I wonder if multi pert has trouble remember his name when he answer his phone . Bobs site has become his personal blog . Sad Carl Sad
I assume all but one are joking, right? Cassel for a second rounder, overhaul the defense, and patch the roster with vets.
Tony G deal was disappointing but necessary. No real help for Cassel on offense. The apparent dislike for the player currently on roster.
All in all a wash. At least there is a future which is more than any can say of herm/carl.
That Gump is not from me. If people have such a pittiful life that they have to impersonate me, I truly feel sorry for them.
Yes it was. Stupid is as stupid does.
Gump all those posts were from the One & Only Rin . He is the only person that has a personal grudge with the Chiefs> could he be a disgruntle X employee Carl.
Yes Anon,
I know. People that have read this site have a pretty good idea for my feelings. As far as who’s forging mine and others names, I’m trying my best to follow my own advice…Don’t feed the troll.
All these fake Rin posts are from me, and my other brother anonymous and too a few others. I envy Rin Tin Tin’s brilliance.
If I could only find a way to get him to stop from posting I would and have tried but that’s not ever going to happen obviously.
I guess I’ll just have to learn to deal with it and him. Unfortunately I have never been able to accept others opinions.
But Rin is teaching me to and that’s for sure.
I never said I didn’t like your post . Just leave it as yours stop using everybody’s blog name . It confusing the minions .
No Anonymous, it wasn’t real Rin this one. I nee He is e’er busy doing what Bob G suggested: e’er pointing out those who use His username; willst I continue to? Shall.
Too, wolves in sheep’s clothing i.e., those who accuse others are usually doing the very thing they rail about.
Alas, those that are unable or unwilling to read others comments whether they agree or not & then move along without resorting to subterfuge (using others names) bring what wrath that may come on themselves…truly, they’ve no one to blame but themselves, and lay in that bed they make.
I real Rin agree with legitimizing this username system used herein. So many folks want nee long to be real Rin- I can understand that, yet while many would try but one is/was chosen - real Rin - I that is He, that’d be me…heh heh heh.
A nominal $ fee too wouldst & willst Rin pay for the privilege of continuing His compelling takes on all things football & too life. That mine e’er faithful followers too would want it so is naught lost on anyone.
As always Rin will take no prisoners…He is here to slay- er, ’stay’, whatever system may be.
I apologize and will try to stop using Rin Tin Tin’s user name as I have been doing.
Forgive me.
What this blog needs is to be policed, by the ever-mighty power of STEVE DEBERG!!
I’m not sure if any of you were aware, but Debbie did Dallas because she couldn’t handle Steve DeBerg.
Also, God wanted to create the world in ten days, but Steve DeBerg only gave him six.
Steve DeBerg 4 Life!
Chiefs will be great this season, I love what Pioli/Haley are doing.
I hope everyone will just start using Rin Tin Tin
Bob,
Thanks for listening to us and getting back on track to your normal excellent self. Rookie signing for the Chiefs seem pretty typical. I don’t know the Pats signing history but should we be expecting slow signings from the new regime?
PS: some one yesterday thought I might be Whitlock. While we could probably share suits he is dark chocolate and I am white chocolate. We look across the street from each other politically. The most important difference between me and Whitlock: I love the Chiefs. Whitlock loves
bad quarterbacks and looking in the mirror.
I plan on using his name. He’s been giving me rave reviews here recently.
Sorry, I just impersonbated Rin yet again. Or was it one of my other innocent fellow bloggers or one of their aliases? Probably.
Real Rin we bow down to you. We are not worthy.
Real Rin talks and people listen nee follow…heh heh heh!
2, 3, 4
Rin bows only to Steve DeBerg.
A random onlooker once taunted Steve DeBerg. Steve DeBerg punched the guy so hard that both of his parents died.
I would by far rather have only one real Rin than all these stupid fake posts going on. Whoever is doing that…..I know you can’t be a Chiefs fan…..maybe a Raiders or Broncos fan. If you are a Chiefs fan then please stop making things far worse than one real Rin could ever make it. Otherwise I expect you to continue as an enemy of the Chiefs and the Chiefs kingdom. Thanks a lot. Here’s to the day Bob makes it possible to ban you for life.
Unless you are, in fact Steve DeBerg himself, in which case, we welcome you, our king and savior!!
Excellent post Harold C. It’s really quite simple as you say; alas, the ‘imposter’ nee the several are by their own green-eyed actions bringing down Bob G’s board. When/if Bob has had enough he will say so and stop this, rest assured.
I Rin shall continue to castigate the failings at One Arrowhead Drive…
Yes that maybe the answer to the problem . We would all use just one blog name . That would stop confusing bloggers when a post with your name is contrary to the way we posts.
Well ya know….I have to agree with….um…Rin Tin Tin here…Steve…um…Deberg…is by far the finest man that has ever live…he had a couple of legs and…um…a great arm…ya know..speaking of great…these Fig Newtons are hot!
I find it funny that last year you didn’t see any failings with the chiefs . What a great year that was 2-14 . With Herms the man comment all year long but wait Hunt didn’t confirm it did he .What has change (Hm Hm ) Carl & Herm were shown the door finally . No problem with the chiefs then why not.
Huh?
What?
Well…ya know….um…what?
I’m still the only Head Coach in franchise history to take my team to the post season his first year. I don’t believe the new guy will be able to match that.
Agreed Coach Edwards. You’re the best ever and you having gone is the team and we the fans loss. That you have left Haley a product that is ready to win is to his benefit. But I’m certain he will mess it up anyway.
As you are well aware its not how you start its how you finish . Who cares that Herm got a old team to 1 playoff game only to be embarrass at the end of the game.look at the rest of Herms term as coach. If you are a great coach most start slow & build towards a wining team over a period of time .If you are right then you can say I told you so . Yet why do I have the feeling that if you are wrong we wont hear that .
Having said all that Herm Edwards is still a better coach than Haley will ever be, in my opinion.
Check out this Chiefs blog!
Cue yet more ‘fake’ Rin tributes above to He that is me, real Rin … NO ONE can write as He, speak like He, nor cause the rabble come out in droves genuflection to He via imitation as ‘THE’ one and only - Rin Tin Tin…heh heh heh!
Rin leads, the rest follow - keep those adulatory tributes comin’ in!
Cue yet more ‘fake’ Rin tributes above to He that is me, real Rin … NO ONE can write as He, speak like He, nor cause the rabble come out in droves genuflection to He via imitation as ‘THE’ one and only - Rin Tin Tin…heh heh heh!
Rin leads, the rest follow - keep those adulatory tributes comin’ in!
“Imitation ‘IS’ the sincerest form of flattery”… now if only ‘fake’ Rin was bright enough to know how to make a
heh heh heh!
Real rin is
‘Fake’ rin is
As in “green” eyed…
Again, real Rin is 8), ‘fake’ rin be
heh heh heh
As in real Rin be daddy-o
Here’s ‘check’ wishing he hadn’t of mentioned that “any 22″ nonsense of his -
Anonymous what are u basing this Herm better than Haley on. The guy hasn’t even started his head coaching career. And wasnt u the same guy crying fire Herm. NOw we get a new coach and u bashing him before he even get started. Seriously I think alot of you all are on here jus to whin about something don’t matter what this organization does you’re going to complain.
ON a lighter note hopefully Pioli gets all our picks signed by the start of pre-season. I’m looking forward to a strong year. And I like the decision Mr. Hunt has made in hiring Pioli. I like the fact Pioli hired Haley. I think for this young team he’s just what they needed. Also i’m not doubting any decision Pioli makes because he’s got 3 rings and I have none enough said. So to all you Pioli doubters find another team because this organization is on the brink of greatness. IN PIOLI WE TRUST
Let’s keep this site for what it is for. Comments on the chiefs and articles that Bob writes. If the need to fake someone else’s user name strikes, go to another teams site. Now, let us hope that Pioli gets the draftees signed along with some key position players for the o-line.
kr24, well said.
Do you anticipate any rookie holdouts?
I hope I’m wrong but I think Jackson will be a hold-out. The 2 quarterbacks taken in draft were overpaid for no experience and there is no defensive end gonna make that kind of money. Especially a rookie. His agent may think differtly thereby holding out. We still need help on o-line.
“We still need help on o-line.”
I’m not sure I see anyone who’s going to fill whatever holes there are remaining.
Maybe not but to have someone who wants to play and win would go a long way.