#47 Jon McGraw beginning to look like a former hated #47

by ChiefsnotChefs on Nov 23, 2009 7:10 PM CST

Maybe I'm just caught up in the hooplah ( I think that's how you spell it) of our big-time playmakers yesterday on both sides of the ball, but Jon McGraw to me for once did not look so lost out there going against the receivers for Pittsburgh.

McGraw made some BIG hits on the Steelers backs - 8 tackles I believe, 7 of which were solo. Can't remember if he did in this game, but McGraw lately had the knack of getting tackles for a loss. Both are around the same size McGraw being 6'3" about 210 and Lynch being 6'2" and 220. I realize the possibility of McGraw being the Pro Bowl cailber type of player Lynch was is slim to none, and I hope he will definitely be a role player in the future for this team. He is 30 and does not have a ton of years left, but I really have a feeling that we'll get something special out of the former K-State 2nd rounder over the next few years.

Poll

Do you agree?

Are you high? No way.

25 votes

He'll be a decent starter but nothing special

105 votes

Lynch 2.0

30 votes

I hate the Donkeys. Refuse to answer

36 votes

196 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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I'm just pleased that he can make an open-field tackle

That, and he can stuff the run fairly well.

It’s probably a bit too early to compare him to Lynch, but what I’ve seen on the field thus far is definitely promising.

"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech

by ArrowSpread on Nov 23, 2009 7:32 PM CST reply actions

Amen!

Something that St. Bernard could never do, no matter what his AP-ologists have been saying all fall.

I’m happy with his play. He’s no Pro Bowler, but he definitely has a place here.

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Nov 24, 2009 10:11 AM CST up reply actions

Did you really have to remind us of Lynch?

What next, Romanowski and Sharpe?

by Archyrr on Nov 23, 2009 7:40 PM CST reply actions

He made really solid tackles...

It was weird to see as a Chiefs fan…A safety making a solid tackle.

Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...

by woodman212 on Nov 23, 2009 8:10 PM CST reply actions

not since william bartee...oh I kid

by SDChief on Nov 23, 2009 8:17 PM CST up reply actions

...There's something missing from that picture...

Can’t quite put my finger on it

Welcome to Chiefs REBUILD - Version 2.0 /The Clark Hunt Edition
Chiefs will be lucky to go 4-12 in 2010

by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 23, 2009 9:56 PM CST reply actions

Most of John Lynch's right arm?

by Soria's Unibrow on Nov 23, 2009 10:44 PM CST up reply actions

No

It’s something from McGraw’s arm. Like…a bag of groceries.

Welcome to Chiefs REBUILD - Version 2.0 /The Clark Hunt Edition
Chiefs will be lucky to go 4-12 in 2010

by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 23, 2009 11:45 PM CST up reply actions

You know how to set 'em up 'n' knock 'em down, KCS.

Well-played.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Nov 24, 2009 1:07 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

And thanks for playing!

We have some wonderful parting gifts for you…

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Nov 24, 2009 1:08 AM CST up reply actions

Don't forget McGraws special teams playmaking abilities.

Hali, Johnson, Vrable, Mays, Williams, Studebaker, Belcher

-Come Get Some-

by Chiefsfan85 on Nov 23, 2009 10:47 PM CST reply actions

McGraw was a stiff for so long

He seems to be one defensive player who is actually improving under KC’s new D staff.

by burntorangehorn on Nov 23, 2009 11:16 PM CST reply actions

Yes. He seems quicker.

Not quite the elite skill set of your typical starter in the league, but DECENT athleticism and good awareness that’s evolving into excellent awareness, before our eyes. His effective speed is vastly improved. For years, he seemed sort of lost and out of his depth on regular D. This says a lot about how poor the coaching likely was before Haley brought his loser coaching and loser coaches in.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Nov 24, 2009 1:11 AM CST up reply actions

I'm holding out for similar improvement by the front seven

I think KC has had some of the worst front-seven coaching in the league, on average, over the course of the post-58 years.

by burntorangehorn on Nov 24, 2009 6:45 AM CST up reply actions

Their front 4 has been deficient since #58's last season or two.

I thought the org took a huge bite out of DT’s last couple seasons by letting the D-Line deteriorate to the point that the 245-lb Thomas was _starting_@_DE. Pitiful waste of talent and a silent cry for help. And whom did they add to the d-line since then that anyone has given a shit about? Jared Allen? And how much success did they have retaining the one guy they DID develop in-house?

Also a failure to distinguish between measurables and real talent/football IQ in personnel acquisitions.

Basically, I feel the fault lay in the front office and, to the extent that the coach influences personnel decisions, the coach. But not from the position coaches, per se. What few times over the years I looked into Peterson’s scouting dept., it looked like an old, comfortable good old boys network that had done little or nothing to distinguish itself and plenty to indict itself and remained essentially unchanged for decades. It’s hard to know how well the LBs are being coached, when they’re behind a line with significant deficits.

I don’t know if they systematized it to the point where numbers were believed more than their eyes, or if the game had simply passed the scouting department by. Sometimes the right things happen for the wrong reasons (luckily more often than humans deserve) and the wrong things for the right reasons. A good set of eyes can tell the difference, which is why I LOVE when Haley says things like “I gotta go with what I see on the practice field (whether you like it or not, Mr. Reporter).”

I think Pioli’s method of “churning” the roster will turn up more of the kinds of athletes that respond to the kind of coaching that KC’s coaches provide. I know, as a teacher, that certain students are inspired by my style to great things and certain others…, well, let us just say they aren’t so inspired. It doesn’t mean I’m bad or another teacher is better, because some of the ones I inspire are turned off by some of my colleagues (and the dept WANTS different styles and for everybody to teach pretty much everything, to give students a choice).

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Nov 24, 2009 10:35 PM CST up reply actions

He's done well but...

I’d still prefer an upgrade…

No offense to Jon but there are just some things that he just won’t be able to do. But a ST ace is always needed and thats what he is.

Good depth, solid ST player, avg. starter.

by butchcassidy on Nov 24, 2009 6:26 AM CST reply actions

Also great to have for an aggressive nickel or dime package

playing up close to the line and mostly used to attack the line to either

run-stuff against offenses that want to run against the smaller personnel package, or
blitz the passer, or
as a changeup, after your presence in tight has affected protections, dropping back into the pattern.

But I agree, as deep safety, he lacks closing speed in space.

Another special teamer I’d like to see given a try at DB is Terrance Copper (or “Cooper,” as you may know him from his many t.v. appearances). I think he’s a good enough athlete that it’d be nice to see him find a way to get some minutes on regular O or D. He doesn’t look to be in the immediate running to start @ WR, barring injury, but that’s definitely a rock I’d be wanting to turn over as coach.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Nov 24, 2009 10:49 PM CST up reply actions

Paper or plastic?

Blame my wife!
Waiting until August 2010

by sir eccles on Nov 24, 2009 9:37 AM CST reply actions

McGraw is a VERY good career backup.

He’s not the guy you want starting on the opening day roster but, you don’t think twice about getting him playing time. He’s not the best but he rarely makes costly mistakes.

He would have a spot on just about any team in the league just due to his extraordinary special teams play. Probably the best tackler on the team.

Not too bad for a guy who bags groceries!

by Chiefsfan1970 on Nov 24, 2009 11:13 AM CST reply actions