Chiefs Take A Look At Tackle, Corner And Linebacker

by Joel Thorman on Dec 11, 2008 6:57 AM CST in 2008 Campaign Comment 16 comments

The Chiefs director of college scouting Chuck Cook spent time looking at 5 prospects in person this season. Below are the players he went to see, player ranking (via NFL Draft Countdown) and Cook's thoughts. Big thanks to Bob Gretz for gathering this information.

Michael Oher (Ole Miss)

#2 ranked tackle

Cook says...

"He's got the best feet I've seen in years for an offensive lineman. He's very physically gifted and there really isn't anything he can't do at left tackle. I can't imagine anything other than major injury that would keep him from coming into the league and playing well at left tackle for the next 10 or 12 years."

Just today Herm said he feels set at left tackle. Hmm...

Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State)

#1 ranked cornerback

Cook says...

"He's a very physical player. But that's just part of the whole package with him. He's what you are looking for at the corner."

Just today Herm said he feels set at cornerback. Hmm...

Rey Maualuga (USC)

#1 ranked inside linebacker

Cook says...

"With his aggressiveness and temperament he could bring to a defense the same thing that Shawne Merriman brought to San Diego when he went down there. He's very good inside, plus he can run. He can cover the field inside to out."

Bill Kuharich also saw Maualuga in person.

Brian Cushing (USC)

#2 ranked outside linebacker

Cook says...

"He's very aggressive and loves to be in the middle of the action. He can play outside and I think he has the skills to rush the passer."

Another USC guy. Killing two birds with one stone perhaps?

Mike Mickens (Cincinnati)

#4 ranked cornerback

Cook says...

"He has the corner temperament that you are looking for. He's always ready for the next challenge. He's a good athlete and he's not afraid to get physical. I think he'll play a long time in the NFL.

Last week Gretz brought to us the 5 players VP of player personnel Bill Kuharich scouted in person this season.

T Eugene Monroe (Virginia)
OLB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest)
MLB Rey Maualuga (USC)
DT B.J. Raja (Boston College)
TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State)

Remember, this isn't a final list by any means. It doesn't include underclassmen because they haven't officially declared. This year, moreso than others with the looming possibility of changes being made to the collective bargaining agreement (which could result in changes like a rookie cap or no progress between the two sides and a cap-less season in 2010), there will likely be a large number of underclassmen declaring. The Chiefs would be wise to be up on as many prospects as possible because anything can happen on draft day.

Poll

Which college prospect intrigues you the most?

Michael Oher

37 votes

Rey Maualuga

167 votes

Malcolm Jenkins

5 votes

MIke Mickens

0 votes

Brian Cushing

14 votes

None of them

19 votes

242 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Before anyone mentions it

I don’t think Carl Peterson has a grudge against USC players because he went to UCLA.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Dec 11, 2008 6:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

IMHO

With the defensive coaches we have now, Rey Maualuga = Derrick Johnson

He may bring the intensity and the ability, but I don’t think the coaches we have are capable of bringing him to the next level. And the next level we should be striving for is not mediocrity, but greatness for every player.

We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.

"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Dec 11, 2008 8:11 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bill Kuharich article

I remember reading the article where he talked about all of the players he saw in person. He said that Maualuga misses too many tackles for his liking. That can’t be a good sign that we’ll take him. He had really good things to say about everyone else but Maualuga. Don’t know if I’m reading into that too much.

by Droppin Deuces on Dec 11, 2008 9:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I watch all USC games (though I'm a Penn State guy), and...

Maualuga isnt that bad… Theres NO WAY you pass up on a guy like Maualuga. A guy that can bring intensity, and a leadership the same instensity and leadership Shawn Merriman brought to the Chargers. You just can’t pass that up.

If we let Rey slip, fine. As long as we get either Laurinaitis, Orkapo, or Johnson (we may have bad luck with Johnsons)…

If we don’t grab one of these guys (including Maualuga), it better be for good reason. And I don’t mean a S or CB. It better be a top notch O-Lineman (Monroe, Oher, etc etc)

by ROC 27 on Dec 11, 2008 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

saw that too

The only reason I picked him is it was either that or “none of them”.

Oher is amazing, but I don’t know if we would go big on a LT when we have Albert. Unless we wanted to move Albert to G or RT or something wonky like that. I guess we could slide Albert to LG and move Waters to C?

I like where we stand at CB… but knowing the chubby Herm has for secondary players, I guess it’s not out of the question that we will snag a few in the next draft – I just hope we don’t blow a high pick on one when Carr and Flowers look like the real deal.

I’m not opposed to Laurinaitis, Malugalugalugalugaluga or Cushing. I’d like to have a killer DE even more. Our front 7 just needs some help, period. I’ll take it however it comes.

I think we filled some good holes with this last draft. I hope we can continue this trend and build a foundation for years to come.

by Ochophosphate on Dec 11, 2008 12:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

that we’re fine with Albert @ LT. He’s doing a great job.

And as of right now, we’re in a 3 way tie (again) for the #3 pick. Detroit and Cincy are the Top 2 picks. And you gotta think that Both teams may take a look at both these guys.
But in our case we have some needs more than others. LB and DE is one. Which is why I think that we SHOULD (key word: "should") trade down into a spot that will assure us Maualuga, Laurinaitis, Johnson, or Orkapo. Cause @ 3/ 4/ or 5, it MAY be a little high for those guys. That way we can make a little splash Draft day by getting an extra pick (3rd Rounder possibly) or a via trade.

by ROC 27 on Dec 11, 2008 1:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Woops!

And as of right now, we’re in a 3 way tie (again) for the #3 pick. Detroit and Cincy are the Top 2 picks. And you gotta think that Both teams may take a look at both these guys.

I meant “And you gotta think that Both teams may take a look at Oher”

by ROC 27 on Dec 11, 2008 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bill Kuharich

i don’t know how much water Kuharich’s words hold because when you’re dealing with the upcoming draft you’ve gotta be able to gamble, like playing poker… and sometimes that means you wear your poker face. maybe he’s downplaying interest in Maualuga hoping it will deter other scouts who read his article, and nudge the odds of Mauluga landing here in our favor. who really knows when it comes to scouts talking about the draft… how soon do the poker faces really come out?

either way, i’d be happy with getting Rey or Laurinaitus. i’m not that up on defensive ends, but i’d have no problem with DE as a top pick either. pass rush or bust.

by ManDude on Dec 11, 2008 7:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Great point

We are pretty much set at CB and Albert is holding down LT fantastically so naturally they will talk up all the CBs and LTs in the draft, but they need LBs so they will try to downplay them.

by ChiefDJ on Dec 11, 2008 10:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs