JC and his Disciples

by CHIEFER on Dec 14, 2009 4:56 PM CST

Optimism. Where is it? I don't see it anywhere around AP. Sure, all of you could comment this right now without even reading the rest of this and give me a laundry list of reasons why no one is really optimistic around here...and I'm sure I would mostly agree with all of you. I would even compare trying to be optimistic with this '09 Chiefs team to dropping your cell phone, chapstick, writing utensil, etc. in between your seat and the center arm rest/console of your car- next thing you know you are digging your hand down there while watching the road and you get your fingertips on the object but your hands starting to hurt or is either too big to squeeze all the way down to the floor of your car to retrieve your object . Even better, you're just plain scared of taking your eyes off the road and don't want to crash into a snow bank, hit a deer, drive over black ice, etc. (depending on where you geographical location is) Either way, its frustrating, annoying, and has happened to all of you many times. Kind of like our Chiefs and their weekly game play.

On a week to week basis since the first pre-season game against Houston, we've been frustrated and annoyed, venting in every which way we can to each other about how this team does/doesn't do the right things to become winners. That's the job you take when you hand over your "fan card" to the Kansas City Chiefs world. I mean honestly, if AP wasn't here, we'd be stuck with watching ~~Freddy Kruger's~~ Adam Teicher's scary video blog every week. There's my first reason to be optimistic and it fits well because it has nothing to do with what the Chiefs do on Sundays...it's Arrowhead Pride, of course....

I joined Arrowhead Pride on March 8, 2009. Not even a year into this blog and I've checked it more than once, every day since. This write-up isn't going to be all about Arrowhead Pride and I don't have a wonderful Chiefs experience to share (nothing against you KCSatchmo, you are truly blessed to have had the opportunities you had to experience what the Kansas City Chiefs are really all about and I respectfully commend you for sharing it with us) because I am not from Kansas City, nor was I born there, nor have I ever been to Kansas City. I became a fan at a very young age due to my Grandfather being a huge Len Dawson buff. His favorite thing about Len Dawson besides being a four time AFL champion and leading the Chiefs to a win in Superbowl IV, was the fact he could quarterback the Chiefs on a daily basis and still make it in time to do his sports reporting for the local Kansas City news. The rest is history and to make a long story short, Direct TV's Sunday Ticket has raised me ever since Priest came over after winning the Superbowl with the Ravens. I was 12 when that happened so for a solid 10 years I've been bleeding, peeing, pooping, spewing red and gold.

Some of you might say, "Ha! This kid ain't even had KC bbq yet, and he's trying to tell us to feel optimistic? The hell does he know?"

Let me tell you...

Last year, prior to the Matt Cassel era, the season ended for us very early due to our ineffectiveness and the domination of the Broncos and Chargers in our division. Even though we lost a lot of games by 10 points or less, we all were under the impression that this team had some talent and showed some good signs for being the youngest team in the NFL. The last few game were important because with playoffs out of the picture, you play for each other, you play for a job, and you play for a future with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now, if you guys can remember, right off the top of your heads, I'm hoping you could name two guys that are still on the team this year that finished last season with a reason for us to be optimistic about the following season...those two players were Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles. And due to their stellar game play towards the end of the season, we all knew in the back of our heads that this team had some promise for the future based on the talent those two guys harbored. Oh, and the fact Herm Edwards probably wouldn't be the coach in 2009.

Then the unexpected happened and our long time GM who drafted the best linebacker to ever play this game had some news for us. Everybody remembers what they were doing the day Carl Peterson resigned...I was eating taco bell, just about to slap my mild sauce on my soft shell taco and across ESPN Bottomline I read he was stepping down. My initial reaction was excitement. Can't lie, I loved the fact this team was going to change direction and become different. It excited me, it gave me something to talk about to my year old Superbowl winning Giant fan friends, and Brett Favre-less Jet fan friends. We all had an optimistic approach to the new management and personnel that was going to be in control of something we all love and adore, our Kansas City Chiefs...

Fast forward 10 months and here we are 3-10, and could easily say the best moment of this season for the Kansas City Chiefs wasn't even done on the football field. It was when this team released Larry Johnson, which helped unleash JC. Definitely a crazy season as far as transactions for us as Chiefs fans, and it has definitely been a roller coaster ride as far as what to expect everyday when you log on to AP. But as far as Sundays go, we are all in the same situation we were in last year going into week 15. But my friends, this year is different...VERY different. Why? We have players who have cemented themselves in "franchise player concrete". Who are those guys? I'm ranking them in order of importance to the future of this team and becoming a playoff bound group. Keep in mind, one player will never fix a team, it's a collective effort.

The Backbone of this Team

Jamaal Charles - Wow, just wow. Jamaal you have exceeded my expectations as far as this year goes. If there's anything to be happy about AP, please, enjoy the effort and playmaking ability Jamaal Charles gives us. I think it was Rotoworld.com that put "Chris Johnson-esque" in a sentence yesterday regarding his 76-yard TD run which is the longest TD run in Chiefs history. If that play didn't make you spill your beer or catapult you out of your sofa to fist pump and scream, then stop reading right now. I think what we need to see out of Jamaal in the next three games is his toughness. Fragility has been one of his knocks and I want him to prove he is ready to be the man for us.
Tamba Hali - 7.5 sacks on the year, and he might have more once the season is said and done than we had all of last year. Does anybody want to throw a jab at Tamba for not playing up to his first round potential? Guy is playing lights out and is gaining respect not only throughout the AFC West, but the NFL as well. Definitely a bright spot for our defense with the hard work he has put in to become what he has. Tamba is somebody to be very excited about.
Brandon Flowers - A lot of you might not agree with me here, but when I watch Brandon play I see a man trying to do it all in a below average secondary. He has 46 tackles, 3 INT's this year, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries, but has been banged up at a few points this year as well. I mean I followed him coming out of Va Tech and when we drafted him, for me it was like a kid on Christmas morning. I just think as long as he is in our secondary we will be fine.
Dwayne Bowe - Definitely an off year for Bowe, which is ironic because WR's are usually susceptible to breaking out in their third year in the league. And you can't use the line, "he had a new quarterback", because he has had 4 different QB's over the course of his career including Cassel, and that is very hard for a WR especially with 3 years experience. Yes the drops have been another thing that has frustrated us but drops happen, and Bowe isn't Bobby Wade, he will catch the ball.
Ryan Succop - Jesus I wish they let him kick those 50 yarders yesterday. He's 19-23 on the year which is great for a rookie kicker in the NFL. He has a very strong leg for kickoffs as well and as long as our offense gives him chances to kick in the future I think we have ourselves a kicker who could be just as valuable to us as a K like Jason Hanson was to the Detroit Lions.
Dustin Colquitt - Clearly Haley's favorite player, and why not? First of all he doesn't wear braces, so that automatically makes him better than Mike Scifres, but I think it's easy to say the AFC West has the two best punters in the league. Just like WtexKC said in his write-up about Steve Hoffman and why he has been such a big part to the success of our special teams, it's because of guys like Colquitt and Succop that he can coach to the best of his abilities.

Honorable Mentions

Branden Albert - I love Albert but I think he needs to move to guard to prove he is first round caliber. That is just my opinion though. I mean the guy cut weight, he can move, I would've moved Waters to center and Branden to LG in the summer but hey, that isn't my call.
Chris Chambers - I wanted to put Chambers on this list but with the transactions this team makes and the amount of money we have with the uncapped year, I just don't know what is going to happen. I like Chambers a lot though, he dropped a key pass yesterday but still, he's made a lot more great plays than he has bad and he re-established himself as a go-to-guy in an offense that was on life support before he got here. Imagine what our offense would've been like if we never claimed Chambers with Bowe's suspension?
Glenn Dorsey - Please, tell me what defensive coordinator wouldn't want to build a defense around this guy. The Lombardi Award winner and Bronco Nagurski, Outland, and Lott Trophy winner coming out of college, but he hasn't looked like that for us. I understand, it takes time for defensive lineman to develop but look at Brian Orakpo this year. Guy has 11 sacks. Now I am not saying Glenn Dorsey needs to get sacks, and he has shown spots of progress this year, which is exciting, but he's not on my list for reason to be optimistic about this season going into next. Don't judge me.
Matt Cassel - You know how Coach Haley loves using the line- "We don't want yo-yo players here in Kansas City, we want the guys that give us the best chance to win." Well Coach, Matt Cassel has been a yo-yo player this year. Yeah I said it, and I'm sticking by it. There has been games where this guy has looked like he did in New England, running around and slingin' the ball like he's throwing to Randy Moss and Wes Welker. But then again there has been games where he has looked like the guy who lost out to Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart for a starting job in college...looking uncomfortable, nervous and hesitant. He has 0 TD's and 6 INT's in his last two games at home. Has 13 TD's and 13 INT's on the year, and he'll be lucky to finish with more TD's than INT's this year. I hope he's the guy of the future because he's shown flashes of it, but I am not buying in yet.

So my fellow APers, (love saying that) throughout this dismal season, keep your heads up. This off-season is going to be a fun ride. With an un-capped year, plenty of money, and 3 draft picks in the first 2 rounds (that could change of course) you have to be optimistic about what the future holds for Arrowhead Pride and this Kansas City Chiefs team.

Please, it's fun to vent, and we've been blessed to have a hangout like Arrowhead Pride to show it and talk about it but as fans we need to stay optimistic. This team has players on it we need to start realizing have the potential to be the best in the league.

For now, let's let the magic of Arrowhead Pride do all the work in comforting us with the rest of this season, and most importantly, all have a Happy and Healthy Holiday with your families and friends and a wonderful New Year.

chiefer

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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Good stuff and RECed

It just makes me sad to look at that list of names. Is that really the entire list of guys we think can be part of a championship? sadly, it’s spot on. I guess we could add Carr…maybe. Jackson…hopefully. O’Callaghan…possibly.

Yep. That’s about it. sure there are other players who can play a role as backups. But at best we have roughly half of the starters we need to be serious contenders.

Long long way to go.

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Dec 14, 2009 6:06 PM CST reply actions

i would hope jackson and carr make that list though

i really would – jackson in his rookie season so far hasn’t been great but he hasn’t been terrible. most importantly hes had a healthy season thus far and he’s doing the most important thing to get better…practice. as long as he’s in the loop he’ll be fine, just need ta little time to learn the technics of being a 3-4 DE in the NFL. im excited for him.

Carr is a we’ll see IMO but has the potential to be good cornerback in the NFL, just have to wait and see.

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 12:20 AM CST up reply actions

Jury's definitely out on a few other guys, sure

But I think the list was aimed more at guys who’ve shown promise. Carr has definitely shown some at times, more than Jackson at least. I have never had anything positive to say about the Jackson pick, but I would be thrilled to be proven very, very wrong on him.

Really, though, there are ten guys on that list, one honorable mentions are counted. That’s not a bad core of players. A team needs 24 starters (and a few who should start on many other teams) who can provide steady play, and I think ten after one season is good. There’s a lot of room to grow. Another round of draft picks, a few more swap-outs as undesirable contracts expire, and I think you’ll find this team catching up to the learning curve.

I will add this name to the list: Derrick Johnson. If Haley wises up, he’ll use him.

by burntorangehorn on Dec 15, 2009 11:50 AM CST up reply actions

Having deleted all this year's games from my DVR

I can say with confidence (that I won’t backtrack and discover any error) that Jackson is the real deal. I can’t remember seeing him get manhandled by a single blocker, while I’ve seen this happen a lot to the player on his immediate right. Could be selective memory. I’m only human and I DO root for the kid…

I don’t think watching what he does will EVER look pretty, but when he teams up with Dorsey and a real deal at the nose, I think you’ll start appreciating the beauty of making offenses look ugly.

Do I see him making mistakes? Yes. Am I concerned about those mistakes? Yes. But I think his job becomes much more clear-cut when it takes more than just the C to peel Edwards to one side of the intended gap or the other.

Prediction for '09: Chiefs are looking like a .500 team, especially considering Denver's inattention to D-Line, Chokeland's disarray, and a San Diego team that looks like it's on the decline. With a weak schedule, Chiefs steal a few and win between 7 and 9 games, and if .500 or better, will contend for supremacy in a weak division.

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 8:49 PM CST up reply actions

I see the Backbone 5 out of 6 are Herm Edwards guys and studs.

And out of the rest 2 out of 4. Oh yea and out of both lists that only accounts for the last two chief drafts with Herm and I add Carr to that list of the backbone. I miss Pollard and it makes me think once again.
Alot of people talk smack on Herm and then come right back and talk about the players he brought to KC and how much we like them. Herm did alot of GOOD things for the Chiefs and Clark, Pioli, Petterson all screwed up a good thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like Haley and I am not jumping off the wagon or anything I’m just saying The Worm should of been our coach for atleast this season.

by kcchiefstd on Dec 14, 2009 6:21 PM CST reply actions

He had 3 drafts

2 extra 1st day picks from JA trade. All the picks were top half of the round due to shitty onfield performance and he came up with 5 guys? Not exactly impressive.

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Dec 14, 2009 6:32 PM CST up reply actions

The first one was average and who came with that one

Bowe Pollard Page Tyler McBride. All players I would STILL have on our roster. playing a 4/3 defence. But since the only players left from that draft are Page and Bowe you can say it was average but I say those moves were mistakes buy PIOLI.

by kcchiefstd on Dec 14, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

Also we got Branden Flowers with the Jarred Allen trade so.

Albert,Flowers,Charles,Carr,Leggett,Morgan to me that is pretty danm good.

by kcchiefstd on Dec 14, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions

I'll give you

Albert, Flowers and Charles. Carr might wind up being good. I’ll even thrown in Dorsey.

Leggett and Morgan are wishful thinking.

Tank and Turk did nothing here and nothing since they left.

Pollard/Page – not my cup of tea, but I can see why some like them.

So at best that’s 7 guys in 3 years. Not saying the Herm/CP drafts were aweful, but certainly nothing to write home about.

Pioli only gets a pass because you can’t judge a draft in year 1. If Jackson/McGee.Washington aren’t contributing by the end of next year, we’ll both be critical.

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Dec 14, 2009 6:59 PM CST up reply actions

The 2008 draft was the only one where CP wasn't picking all the players. That was a pretty good draft.

Many experts said the Chiefs had the best draft of any team in the league. I say a lot of bad things about Herm but, I will always stand by this: Herm is a GREAT evaluator of talent. He just doesn’t know what to do once he acquires it.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 14, 2009 8:35 PM CST up reply actions

Good point about 2008 draft.

Funny how Herm looks less bad as time goes on.

by hmills110 on Dec 14, 2009 11:09 PM CST up reply actions

One mor thing to remember

Everything we have been complaining about all year. Those players would not be Chiefs if Edwards was here I am sure of that and WONDER how much BETTER we would of been with Herm still in charge. Personall opinion HERM > Pioli and Haley. My choice was promote Herm to GM and let him decide if he wanted to coach or bring a HC in.
I deffinatly think Herm and Gailey together are WAY better than Pioli and Haley. although Haley might be better without Pioli messing with things. I am really starting to wonder if we did not get worse at GM and I am no fan of Petterson.

by kcchiefstd on Dec 14, 2009 6:28 PM CST reply actions

That not jumping bus or anything that was thoughts from Day 1

I am on track with our staff as long as next year showes MAJOR improvment and to go 6-10 would of showed expected improvment 3 wins means we went BACKWARDS when you look at the age of our roster and the improvments expected of young players.

Once again I will say it FAIL year one for PIOLI
I say he gets this off season if it is not CONSIDERABLY better than give him the boot Clark PLEASE.

by kcchiefstd on Dec 14, 2009 6:32 PM CST reply actions

We are gonna have to

be extremely active in FA this offseason to make a real difference. I’m all for the draft and I’m looking forward to it, but we are gonna need some proven talent to jumpstart the Chiefs movement next year. I for one will not be mad at Pioli for throwing some serious cash at a few guys that have shown the ability to get it done on the field. Building for the future is that much better when the ilght at the end of the tunnel is visible………

by Hail2DaChiefs on Dec 14, 2009 7:24 PM CST up reply actions

I hope you don't mean KC should follow the Dan Snyder model.

by hmills110 on Dec 14, 2009 11:17 PM CST up reply actions

+1

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 12:27 AM CST up reply actions

Not exactly mills

But I would like to see some movement in FA seeing as how we have so many holes to fill. Frivolous spending no, a few quality acquisitions that will supplement our draft picks next year……absolutely.

Dan Snyder = Fail

by Hail2DaChiefs on Dec 15, 2009 7:45 AM CST up reply actions

Sorry for the provocation. Even-tempered and rational response. Well played.

I expect him to make one, maybe two, aggressive moves in FA early. But it won’t be the WOW! UPSIDE! pick, most likely. Just someone almost certain to come in and do his job at a high level. Got my eye on Mawae, Wilfork, etc. But I wouldn’t be too surprised at a marquee WR, even though that’s not the PIT-style team-building. I think this crew wants to draft and develop its own WRs

It will be interesting to see how Pioli plays it. Look for him where others are not. For instance, if there’s a run on a particular position group in the draft, look for him to be aggressive early elsewhere, and to churn the roster later at that position, and take the best of the also-rans. We’re not exactly happy, yet, with how things turned out, but we’re still optimistic about Ndukwe, Alleman, and O’Callaghan, for instance, and if ANY ONE of these guys becomes a regular starter in a solid O-Line, that’s tremendous value. If Lawrence and/or Long put an end to worries about slot receiver, that’s tremendous value.

I really don’t expect him to make the number of “Impact Player!!!!” signings that most here would like to see. It’s likely to be much more of a “Keep setting the table” sort of thing, so that impact players are more likely to emerge unexpectedly and/or prosper if brought in with great expectations. As excited as I am about Eric Berry, for instance, I think we’re just as likely to see another BORING lineman, who’s as close to a sure thing as you can find.

Look for more BORING LBs near the end of their careers to show up, some young ‘tweeners – the kinds of guys most will shake their heads at. This 3-4 should become a defense that could make a Gary Stills into a quality rush LB, once they finish tinkering with DL. So look for 2 or more late picks/UDFA ’tweeners to be brought in and compete. Pioli may surprise with a smaller LB or two, with speed, who goes overlooked by other teams, along the lines of what Indianapolis has quietly done with their LB corps. You can get away with smaller and quicker once you’re done getting stout in the front 5 and have at least one banger at ILB (which KC has).

All this is based on general observations and what Pioli did in ‘09. 2010 is a new year, and while progress was fairly easy to make just by roster-churning at the bottom, it should keep getting harder to realize gains with such tactics, which are fine for building depth, but not guaranteed to turn up impact starters. So I think what you’re saying has a lot of truth. But how that actually plays out is hard to say.

Pioli sizes up as a patient man, though, so I kind of doubt we’ll see many dramatic moves. More likely, he’ll just keep team-building in a conservative way, always staying in position to capitalize on the happy surprises and scheming to avoid the unhappy sort. This means not mortgaging the future for upside, but being in position to capitalize on upside when it emerges.

This patient approach surprised Pioli, himself, when the Patriots won a SB when by rights, they were a year away from really contending. Says something about the “right 53,” when you look at it that way.

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I think we'll see

NT, 1-2 OL, and maybe a Safety in FA. Nobody earth-shattering, mind you…just nice, solid role-players.

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Dec 15, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions

yes

this off season will tell us a lot about our future just by how pioli handles it….

an uncapped year with a load of money?

going to be a fun off season, thats for sure.

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 1:09 PM CST up reply actions

Still think where they now need impact players the most is on the perimeter.

And I’m not sure how they go about securing them (as if I am sure about anything else – heh.). But it does look like they might/could get the most value at NT and OL later, but there is SERIOUS drop-off at WR and DB very early on.

Will be talking (and listening a lot) with (to) Steve after this season about how the terraces look in the various position groups coming out this year.

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 9:04 PM CST up reply actions

Most of the top CB's are like 180 lbs

I could see the top WR’s just carrying those poor souls right down the field :( Haydn top CB in the draft is 187 lbs. yech

We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram

by Steve_Chiefs on Dec 16, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions

That's one of the attractions of Mays

and cover-2.

Just seems like DBs who can match up in the NFL aren’t in the college farm system. Is it something about the demands of the position, or is it just that the tall guy who can run gets to start at WR and the little guy who can run gets a shot at CB, all the way back to Pop Warner?

by hmills110 on Dec 16, 2009 6:19 PM CST up reply actions

Daniel Snyder

has a reputation for throwing the most money at a FA without really making his team “better”. He doesn’t use the draft, and when he does, it’s usually not very good. I mean look at all the good players on that team and tell me how many were drafted by Snyder. Campbell and LaRon Landry are the only ones that come to mind, I am sure theres a few offensive lineman, Chris Samuels imparticular who had a stellar career and had an unfortunate injury, but other than that who? London Fletcher was d rafted by the Rams, DeAngelo Hall signed a huge contract last year and was drafted by the Falcons, Fred Smoot was drafted by the Redskins but he then left and ended up coming back? RIP to Sean Taylor but that was probably his best pick value wise in a draft since hes owned this team.

Pioli is nothing like Snyder – he already said in the interview with Haley that he wont sign somebody just because they have the money. They are looking for the right guys for the right position to mesh the right way. I am confident in Scott and Todd’s evaluations of what players they need to get into Chief uniforms so this team can start winning on a consistent basis.

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 12:44 PM CST up reply actions

It's a strange thing, though.

For all the criticism, I thought that Redskins team REALLY got after New Orleans this week. And while we’re talking about all the problems with the team, the players you list sound like a rogue’s gallery of premiere players. Sorta like Dallas, where everyone says on the one hand “Yeah, they really suck,” and on the other hand “They are underperforming, considering how talented they are.” That “They’re talented” thing is always creeping in…

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 9:07 PM CST up reply actions

RE: Mills

No harm my friend……I believe we are on the same page, however you managed to further elaborate on the matter.

I for one will not be mad at Pioli for throwing some serious cash at a few guys

A Mawae or a Wilfork would be worth an investment given our plight at this time and a solid player that is proven and a good fit for the “Right 53” plan will be coveted and have other offers on the table.

I understood what we were getting in Pioli from day one – a very methodical approach to building a dynasty…..and I am all for it. If we do have the opportunity to grab a FA or two once in awhile that will fit into this master plan of drafting and roster churning then I say make and honest effort to get them.

I am definitely looking forward to watching it all unfold. As mad as I get every Sunday this season, I am well-versed in the art of looking at the big picture so I look forward to seeing where Pioli can take the franchise………

by Hail2DaChiefs on Dec 15, 2009 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

I really hope

I really hope that Madden cover never happens. The Madden Curse is real I tell ya.

by Chiefs123 on Dec 14, 2009 6:53 PM CST reply actions

Yes

Great looking cover, but please no.

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on Dec 14, 2009 10:48 PM CST up reply actions

Herm should have been our DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

He’s more of a technique and X’s and O’s. If someone took the camera away from Herm, he’ll actually do just fine. I think he got carried away once he was on camera. I know the HC is usually the face of a franchise but Herm loves the interviews and speaking to the media way too much. His focus was more towards what the media perceived him as opposed to what his players perceived him (which was like, oh well, Herm won’t make the players accountable if they didn’t give 100%)

No doubt. I have to agree when it came to talent evaluation, especially in the secondary, Herm is A+. For those who remembered Dale Carter – I wonder how much of Herm’s influence was on getting him at #20 overall in 1992 draft when Herm coached KC’s secondary.

Predictions as of 06.24.2009.

Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.

by 58 was my friend on Dec 14, 2009 7:33 PM CST reply actions

Ah, the days of Carter...and Hasty

Was Herm still around when KC took Woods and Tongue? I loved that secondary. Tongue obviously was a product of good coaching when he was in KC. Pollard reminded me a little of him, to be honest.

by burntorangehorn on Dec 15, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

pollard took a pick 6 back this week

looked awesome. guy is playing his butt off in houston. good for him, shame on us.

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

exactly the kind of statements people make

when they don’t read the fanshots…

Worst Burned Rate

If you only knew...

by IISaiNtII on Dec 15, 2009 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

dont care about that

i read the fanshots saint, im a steady contributor to the fanshot section of arrowhead pride too- but what does that tell me? bernard shouldn’t have been cut. idc if he has a worst burned rate, hes made that defense better. is someone out there going to really tell me they would rather have mike brown this year than bernie pollard based on how he has been playing in houston?

am i alone? has bernard pollard had to admit to the media that the texans have been losing because of his poor play? b/c at one point this season that was mike browns case.

dont get me wrong, i like mike brown. hes a physical, hard hitting safety and has definitely been one of the best in the last decade but hes passed his prime and isnt that guy anymore.

last year we had the youngest ream in teh league – it was clear when pioli got here he was going to bring in vet guys that he thought could devise a blueprint for these young guys on how to play their position and perfect their craft. guys like zach thomas, mike vrabel, and mike brown. even chambers. mike brown has been a good leader for our secondary…

but we’ve still given up huge plays and 2 losses in our record are because of mike browns poor tackling skills and bad angles.

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

Pollard isn't making them better or worse

He’s providing the exact type of play he provided us here. The people in front of him are better than what we had… namely the LB’s. So to that effect, he wouldn’t be playing any better or worse than Brown in my opinion.

If you only knew...

by IISaiNtII on Dec 15, 2009 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

i just think bernie

has a lot more raw talent at the age he is at now than mike brown – although i do agree with what you are saying, but when we cut pollard i didnt agree with it, and in week 15 i still dont agree with it.

i liked bernie, a lot. i feel like we quit on him too early.

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

Dead Horse

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

by woodman212 on Dec 15, 2009 5:34 PM CST up reply actions

it is like beating a dead horse

but people need to be reminded about it

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

Hmmm. Uh. I don't.

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 9:08 PM CST up reply actions

See, that's where you're letting your emotions cloud your judgement

you’re thinking that someone could do better than they are/did. Your belief in a person’s ability to do better isn’t a measurable fact of them actually doing better. When in fact, the facts say quite the opposite… he’s not doing any better (and possibly not worse) than he did here. It was the coach and GM’s decision, maybe he wasn’t helping them gain credibility in the locker room, who knows for sure. I didn’t like it either, but it’s done and as a fan there’s nothing we can do or say that will make it any better.

The guy was a hard hitter and those couple blocked punts he had made him look infinitely better than he probably really is. I think you could find someone that will net that same production in the later rounds of the draft (See: Page, Jarrad).

If you only knew...

by IISaiNtII on Dec 16, 2009 11:31 AM CST up reply actions

jarrad page

hasnt had a better year than bernard had because he got hurt – and the one brightspot of jarrads season was hish it on steve smith when we played the GMEN which got called for helmet to helmet – other than that, he looked just as bad as mike brown.

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 16, 2009 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

You're missing my point.

Obviously Page is on IR so he has decidedly lower stats to go off of.

What I’m getting at is Pollard was a 2nd round pick, the 54th pick in the draft. Page, a very similar player in terms of stats and usefulness, was a 7th round pick, 228th of the draft.

See the difference there?

If you only knew...

by IISaiNtII on Dec 16, 2009 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

And going off the 2008 stats when they were both Chiefs (both over 16 games)

Pollard:
98 tackes
78 solo
20 assists
1 pass defended
1 INT
3 forced fumbles

Page:
85 tackes
63 solo
22 assists
12 passes defended
4 INT
2 forced fumbles

If you only knew...

by IISaiNtII on Dec 16, 2009 12:12 PM CST up reply actions

im aware of the difference

saint i know how a draft works. i know jarrad page was a 7th round pick and bernie was a 2nd. i know theres a big difference of 5 rounds. but ill tell you this, bernard pollard will have a better overall career than jarrad page will.

why? because hes in a new defense that will utilize him the way he shouldve been utilized here. both are young, but bernard has the higher ceiling. i like jarrad a lot though. happy he wasnt cut either, but i still think bernard had more upside and we made the mistake of letting him go.

and yes i hjust beat the dead horse again but you know what, ill beat that effin thing all day.

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 16, 2009 12:23 PM CST up reply actions

And you'll still be going off how you +FEEL+ about what someone might accomplish

rather than going off of what they did accomplish. Face it, Pollard was an average player picked too high. His production is easily replaceable, even by Brown.

If you only knew...

by IISaiNtII on Dec 16, 2009 12:28 PM CST up reply actions

well saint

im not going off what they did accomplish because theres still a lot to accomplish for both page and pollard.

mike browns career is over. guy is past his prime and hasnt been the same since his first knee injury. youre just not the same person after numerous knee injuries. so for you to tell me that bernard wouldnt have done a better job this year than brown did is a FEELING as well.

im not facing anything. it is still way to early in pollards career to just write him off as a guy picked too early. ivev been a fan of him since he was at purdue and i think the kid can play safety in the NFL efficiently. instead of it being for us, it will be for the texans and possibly other teams. im not saying hes the next ed reed or sean taylor. im just sayin he had some character issues and needed to grow up. seems like he did that in houston and is playing MUCH better this year than he was last year.

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 16, 2009 12:33 PM CST up reply actions

lets just agree to disagree

dont want to argue anymore plus im starving and i hear the cookie crisp shouting my name from my pantry.

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 16, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

Then I'll compare Brown vs Pollard this seaon

Pollard (10 games):
78 tackles
60 solo
18 assists
5 passes defended
3 INT
1 forced fumble

Brown (13 games):
80 tackles
65 solo
15 assists
(2 sacks, Pollard has zero)
3 passes defended
3 INT
0

By the stats alone (because I think we can both agree they don’t tell the entire story) Pollard is marginally better than Brown is this season alone. But at the time Pollard was cut, they had Page (who’s numbers last season were easily comparable to Pollard’s) uninjured and ready to go, which I think is a large part of why Pollard was released.

These stats also include any special team action they may have seen as well, not just defense alone.

I didn’t like him being released either, and I still like him as a player. But he’s not a Chief anymore, so it’s no use crying over spilt milk.

If you only knew...

by IISaiNtII on Dec 16, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions

Something they don't keep stats on are "facilitator" tackles.

Numerous times this season I’ve seen Brown plow the road for somebody else. That doesn’t show up in his stats, but the LBs sure are grateful. Chiefs really need more speed than Brown and McGraw bring to the field, but Brown’s higher football IQ seems pretty clear to me.

by hmills110 on Dec 16, 2009 6:27 PM CST up reply actions

i think regardless of what brown, page, or pollard

did…we need to draft Eric Berry or Taylor Mays. That’s it. Safety is becoming a VERY important position on the field now that teams are passing A LOT more. lets get one.

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 16, 2009 6:28 PM CST up reply actions

I'll agree there for sure

I don’t think any of these 3 would have provided the “Polamalu” advantage that the Steelers have with him on the field.

If you only knew...

by IISaiNtII on Dec 17, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions

Me, too!

Although I’ve heard enough criticism of Mays to think his likely draft position will be higher than his true value.

by hmills110 on Dec 17, 2009 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

they said that about percy harvin

and polamalu too – we passed up on troy polamalu. lets not make the same mistake

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 17, 2009 4:18 PM CST up reply actions

Excellent riposte, Saint.

Maybe no need to call ’em out for missing FanShots, but having it ready-to-hand was sweet.

Reminds me of Mark McMillian, who had such gaudy INT stats for the Chiefs and everyone LOVED Mighty Mouse, and I was the only guy in the blogosphere making the point that his stats were the product of ZERO fear of the diminutive nickel back.

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

I loved Hasty and Carter, but, as with Pollard and Page,

they never let those guys man up. Always scheming to protect the defense from singling either of those four safeties on anybody, because they simply couldn’t. It used to piss me off. You want the Chiefs to go into a shell and play passive? Go 3 or 4 wides, and they’ll retreat into a shell, giving the free release to everyone.

IMO, Woods and Tongue AND Page and Pollard severely limited the KC defense’s options. Fast in a straight line, stiff in the hips. Both tandems were rushed into action, and highly praised for making the starting lineup as rookies, but they never matured, and the defense never evolved beyond the schemes that were designed to remove any decision-making from the hands of the safeties. I withheld judgement until each tandem’s 2nd (and 3rd) seasons, and NEVER saw them develop.

The mostly overlooked aspect of the GREAT Kansas City defenses of the ‘90s was the devastating potency and unpredictability of their nickel packages. Jail-house blitz, anyone? Offenses always had to account for it, and couldn’t count on an obvious mismatch in single coverage down the field if it came.

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry. The above reads like I'm sayin' you couldn't single-up Hasty or Carter.

Both were dominant players at their respective positions. It was the safeties I was discussing.

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 2:09 PM CST up reply actions

I agree on Tongue

The good news was that the corners were strong enough that Gunther could protect Tongue a little. I really disagree on Woods, though. I thought of him as very strong in coverage, but then, that was pretty early in my NFL-watching days.

by burntorangehorn on Dec 16, 2009 8:56 AM CST up reply actions

Woods got to where he was pretty darn good at breaking up the pass with the well-timed hit.

I don’t think he was much in terms of contending for the ball in the air. He made some great hits to separate receiver from ball, but it was a 50-50 proposition as to whether he’d be flagged for Pass Interference. Some of his BEST hits were flagged, and it really pissed me off.

But neither Tongue nor Woods were brought up in press coverage, when a Mark McMillian playing center field would’ve made a WORLD of sense. Extra wides meant the slot man and the TE were getting the free release.

A lot of that might’ve been different if Peterson had fixed the d-line properly and been able to get great pressure off the 4-man rush. But the blitz packages were invariably accompanied by soft zone down the field, giving up the middle shallows all day long, even before the whole cover-2 thing. KC has failed to field more than 2 DBs who can cover for about a decade, now. Virtually all playoff-caliber teams have had 3 or more reliable targets they could field during that span of time.

Factor that in to some of those middle-of-the-road defensive rankings by the Chiefs and you see a defense that could be dominant against receiver-deprived teams, and be pushovers for anyone in true contention. Peterson had a great blueprint for fielding a team that would always threaten to make the playoffs, and always fail in the playoffs.

by hmills110 on Dec 16, 2009 10:47 AM CST up reply actions

JC is

the future of our offense. It’s because of him that Haley will be able to set up his fast paced and shifty offense. A stud center and a sure-handed receiver and this offense will be respectable next year. JC is a gamechanger in the making and flew completely under the radar earlier this season, but I am definitely excited about him being one of the building blocks we have on this offense……

by Hail2DaChiefs on Dec 14, 2009 7:55 PM CST reply actions

+1

* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers

by stagdsp on Dec 14, 2009 8:15 PM CST up reply actions

Simply amazing picture.

But we dont want him there. Madden Curse will destroy him.

When you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.

by NJChieffan16 on Dec 14, 2009 8:13 PM CST reply actions

Thanks for the kudos, CHIEFER

but if I’m not mistaken, you were referring to KCSatchmo instead.

John

"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"

by RDOGuy on Dec 14, 2009 8:48 PM CST reply actions

youre right

i apologize to both of you

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 12:15 AM CST up reply actions

stop aplogizing you look like a sissy

by krayfish on Dec 15, 2009 1:00 PM CST up reply actions

hey I'm sorry about that chiefer! (-:

by krayfish on Dec 15, 2009 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

haha

funny funny

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions

That is a great looking picture...

Awesome

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

by woodman212 on Dec 14, 2009 10:54 PM CST reply actions

Man, this is good stuff

As you watch the remainder of the season, after every bad play, int or sack, ask yourself… “Are we better than last year?” It’s hard to see sometimes, but I say yes. Beat the punkin heads! Because everyone knows that punkins just rot after Halloween!

by Ozarks on Dec 15, 2009 8:20 AM CST reply actions

The end of your incredible post got me thinking

Could the Tony Gonzalez trade garner us Suh with the overall #1 pick? We all know Pioli was up to something the second he got here, and then drafted Jackson. Most of us were thinking “Huh? Who?”…but maybe just maybe he had the foresight to think about grabbing his “immediate impact NT” in the following draft.

Now I am not an expert on draft points per round or anything, but we have a very good first round pick coming and 2 second round picks and 3 5th round picks…we could move up into that first position with that. Shoot…throw in Derrick Johnson to the Rams or Bucs. Dorsey, Suh, Jackson…was this the plan all along?? Food for thought.

If everyone worked as hard as me, I would be out of a job.

-Steve Nash

by Red Shadow on Dec 15, 2009 10:06 AM CST reply actions

Suh's going to need to put on a lot of weight to be a NT.

20 pounds may not seem like a lot, but when you’re already that big, it is.

Plus, NT is someone who takes up blockers on the front line, not necessarily a penetrating d-lineman. It wouldn’t play to his strengths, and it’s not a position he’s familiar with. I just can’t see anyone wasting his explosiveness and penetration on a position that he doesn’t need it for.

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Dec 15, 2009 10:20 AM CST up reply actions

I pointed this out in the past...

…Casey Hampton was a very similar type of penetrating tackle, and he was 6’1" 310lbs. coming out of college. He’s been a little limited by injuries at times, but when he’s been healthy, you can’t deny the impact he’s had as a NT. If Suh could get up to 305lbs. and measure well on his vertical, I think the chances of him ending up a great NT might not be that bad. Worst case? He doesn’t work out there, and you change the defensive philosophy a little to accommodate him and Dorsey.

by burntorangehorn on Dec 15, 2009 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

Casey's up around 325-330 now, though.

And I’m not saying he “can’t” do it, simply that it doesn’t necessarily suit the dominant skillset that he’s got. I made the same points when we originally switched to the 3-4 about Dorsey. Is he able to play 3-4 DE? I believe he’s proven thus far that he can make the switch, even with a lackluster supporting cast. However, I still believe he’s a dominant 4-3 DT.

That said, I don’t want to be playing double-dutch with our defense. We made the switch to the 3-4. We’ve spent a year getting these guys accustomed to it. Are we just going to throw out this year because there’s a draft prospect we like? This regime’s got a lot invested in 3-4 personnel right now…I wouldn’t want to watch them give up on those guys just because of Suh.

My point: can he play NT? Maybe. Has he proven to be a solid 4-3 DT in college? Yes. Will that translate? Maybe. It’s too risky to throw our proverbial eggs (draft picks) in that basket. I’d rather fill NT in FA with someone who doesn’t have a learning curve so we can get an idea of what this defense really needs.

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Dec 15, 2009 12:39 PM CST up reply actions

I'd rather an offensive tackle

But other than Okung, I’m seeing no one who makes me want KC to spend a top-15 pick. Some have mentioned Trent Williams, but this season he has regressed like Andy Katzenmoyer.

by burntorangehorn on Dec 15, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

And it depends on what kind of FA moves get made.

Right now, I’d say NT, OL, and Safety are giant weaknesses. We may address all of them or none of them in FA.

Personally, I think a guy like Ryan Pickett (NT) for GB might hit the street. They’ve got Raji in the wings and a bunch of FA’s to pay this year. Antoine Bethea might be there, too. Those choices almost necessitate an OL pick.

Also have to think that in a QB-heavy class, someone’s going to want to move up. Then again, we said that last year. =)

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Dec 15, 2009 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

QB heavy

I can’t think of many QBs this year who are the types to go in the top 15. I’m a big fan of McCoy, and I wouldn’t touch him there. Tebow doesn’t belong on the first day. Bradford has some tools, but even before the injury, I wasn’t so high on him that I thought he should’ve been a top-five pick. Post-injury, the questions are big and numerous enough that he’s arguably not a top-15 pick anymore.

Granted, Mark Sanchez went pretty early, even without much discernible talent or experience, but I would call that more of an anomaly.

I really think the two strongest positions are defensive tackle and safety. Safety isn’t super deep, but it’s really strong at the top, with Berry and Mays likely to be there. Wide receiver and OLB (both chase and rush types) are pretty strong too.

by burntorangehorn on Dec 15, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

Oops...forgot Clausen

He’s like Stafford, in that he’s never really put together all the talent he has into a formidable package, but he has the best tools nonetheless. I’d call him the top QB prospect right now, even if he’s not spectacular. Stafford wasn’t spectacular either, but both these guys were big talents with big tools.

by burntorangehorn on Dec 15, 2009 1:44 PM CST up reply actions

More likely

That multiple teams could be looking for QB’s this year (St. Louis, Cleveland, Oakland, Carolina, Buffalo, Washington, etc) much like last year, and may reach to get the guy they want. I agree that DT is the strongest position this year, though. And I’d also agree that at this moment, very few players intrigue me in the top 15.

It’ll all change, though.

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Dec 15, 2009 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

Antoine Bethea

would be an excellent pick up:

1. Immediate impact on our secondary
2. Free up a second rounder for a great WR to help this offense

by Hail2DaChiefs on Dec 15, 2009 1:11 PM CST up reply actions

And we need quantity.

Throwing a bunch of draft picks in for one guy isn’t going to do us much in the long run. We need lots of holes filled, so I can’t see Pioli burning all our picks like that.

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Dec 15, 2009 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah.

I can see Ndamukong Suh as very hard to pass up if he fell to the Chiefs, but paying a premium to move up to get him seems beyond the pale for Pioli. More like, a player such as he would afford the GM an opportunity to trade down, if Suh were to fall that far. I can see there being bidding wars over the likes of McCoy and Suh by teams that are still committed to the 4-3, as well as teams that need a franchise 3-4 DE.

And, for no good reason I can put my finger on, I’m souring on burning a top 5 pick on Okung, even though I believe in throwing high picks and big money at LT, until dominance is achieved. Maybe it’s because Albert isn’t looking all that bad, and, in a league with both stout DEs, quick DEs, and a small number of stout, quick DEs, hoping for a guy who can do it all may lead inevitably to buyer’s remorse, no matter WHAT you do, if you go high-dollar. You still want your best O-Lineman holding down that position, but we may have reached the limits of what one can realistically expect from a 350-pound ballerina, and you’re better off being better than the rest as a UNIT, and your 1st-rounder’s already been spent on Albert.

Just get a damn good LT (Albert) and a damn good LG at his back, a damn good C at the LG’s back, and so on. If you can reduce the guesswork for every man along the line, they can all play more decisively, and I think it’s been tough on our BETTER linemen to play with much confidence in the guy at their back. I DO think that O’Callaghan gives us 3 linemen goin’ into the offseason who can be relied upon as part of a 5-man unit.

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 6:34 PM CST up reply actions

Three first rounders on D-line 3 years in a row???

Man, I hope not. i’m tired of that shit. I want to see a impact playmaker with the pick this year. I don’t care if it’s offense or defense. To spend another pick on a guy who’s job is just to take up blockers and never rack up tackles or sacks seems like a waste to me. We can find a widebody in the later rounds to do that or see what we can do in free agency. This is going to be the most important draft for P & H in their careers. They BETTER get it right.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 15, 2009 10:45 AM CST reply actions

eric berry

needs to be a chief. he’s projected going 2nd overall on draft boards and that oculd change but still – would love nothing more than to get a impact safety who is a ball hawk and will always be on teh offensive coordinators mind during games.

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 10:57 AM CST up reply actions

it all starts in the trenches

that’s the best way build a team from the inside out

Chiefs 2010 big board-
Eric Berry
Dez Bryant
Taylor Mays
Rolando McClain
Russel Okung

by JrGrayson on Dec 15, 2009 2:40 PM CST up reply actions

I understand your feelings on this, 1970.

OTOH, it’s a position group that sets the tone for the entire team. And Suh’s dominating presence is the stuff of which championships are made. I REALLY think someone else is going to want/need him more than KC does, and he won’t be on the board by the time KC picks.

Deleting a lot of crap I just wrote about man-love for Suh, I think KC is smart to work the hell outta the phones pre-draft, and have the best deal possible in place for the Suh scenario. I can think of a number of teams likely to be well out of reach of a player such as Suh, who will think he’s just the ticket, for instance the Giants or the Niners (Giants are making do with a front 4 that misses Michael Strahan more than it needs to be sitting Osi Umeniyora (sp?). Niners are very close to the kind of SHUT-ER-DOWN defense you know Singletary wants. If Cunningham has anything to say about it, he’ll want Suh in Detroit. Chargers plucked Boone off the waiver wire, and immediately thrust him into the fray…

In a draft where there are just a handful of marquee players, the top 5/10 might be more valuable in trade than is usual, it seems to me. This could be a really good year for Pioli to work the phones. He probably has more to work ‘em with, this time around, more intimate knowledge of where his team is, and most of a year of HIS guys out in the field eyeballin’ young prospects. Just having Carl’s cronies mostly GONE has me excited about 2010. I wasn’t impressed by their scouting dept and player development. Anyway, a guy who was willing to wheel and deal could hit a couple sweet spots in this next draft, with abrupt dropoff fairly early on. If he were in the right slot at the right time, he could be like the farmer who got a 2nd and a 3rd cutting out of the back 40, and wind up with a slew of 2nd and 3rd rounders.

Here’s one for ya: Belichick’s sitting on a basket full of 2nd-round picks, his 3-4 is clearly missing the presence of Seymour, and his 10-6/11-5 record isn’t likely to land him the premiere DE he probably wants in this next draft. Bad as Chokeland is, they look likely to finish behind KC in the 2010 Draft Sweepstakes (Also known as the 2009 Pity Party (Parity Prize?)), and isn’t that Alice’s 2010 pick Belichick’s sportin’? (I don’t THINK it’s 2011, but y’all will correct me if I’m wrong, I pray.)

I’d love to have a Suh/McCoy or a Berry or a Spikes, but I think I’d prefer extra picks later on to throw at their respective position groups. Especially in 2010, because even though they’re quite a lot deeper this year than last, they still need to keep ratcheting up virtually all the groups.

by hmills110 on Dec 15, 2009 8:03 PM CST up reply actions

That would be 2011.

And for the Pats to jump that high up, it would have to be a deal way too unfathomable for a competent franchise.

Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Washington, Detroit…you name it in the top 10, they’ll want him. The Browns, Bucs, Rams, and Lions will more than likely need to take someone other than him to get there. I think McCoy is the better bet in the “get on the phone” sweepstakes, personally. An OT for San Fran? An LT or QB for Seattle? The situations are there, like every year. I just hope the cards fall right for it this year. I’m exactly with you: get as many picks are we can as early as we can get them without sacrificing our “backbone” players.

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Dec 15, 2009 10:37 PM CST up reply actions

Excellent followup, Kalo.

Thx for the fact-check and refinements. My (improbable) speculation on trade-up was based on (false) assumption that Hoodie had Chokeland’s 2010 #1 in hand, and the move would’ve been smaller than “unfathomable.” Well played. :o)

Depending on how the drop-offs fall at the various position groups, it’s not inconceivable that Pioli would find himself in prime position for a trade-down, followed by another trade-down. Still like to have Ferraris at DB and WR, but profound upgrades are going to be available in FA and the draft, in terms of improving the speed, hands, and heads of those position groups with multiple picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

by hmills110 on Dec 16, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

Personally, that's where I'd rather be.

Drop the cash you’d spend on a top 5 pick on a few FA’s, sign a bunch of 2nd and 3rd rounders, get into camp/OTA’s and let’s get everyone familiar with each other.

We need lots of new guys under those hats.

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Dec 16, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions

You might want to see a doctor

about that pooping red and and gold thing.

by Dove40 on Dec 15, 2009 12:27 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

haha

jokes on me lol

Give Todd Haley a full regular and off-season to build Bowe's Cassel, and we will all wreap the benefits...

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 12:58 PM CST up reply actions

I don't even know what happened!

by krayfish on Dec 15, 2009 1:01 PM CST reply actions

Excellent post CHIEFER!

I enjoyed reading your post and particulary how we cope by using AP to vent and participate with this team.

Some additional food for thought:

This will be Pioli’s first real draft for KC. Why? Last year there was already scouts in place and he had a learning curve to truly evaluate the team. Now he has his people in place and certainly has watched enough lackluster KC football to see all of the holes. Let’s hope he is the GM that everyone thinks he is and can be!

by casselreadychiefs on Dec 15, 2009 2:05 PM CST reply actions

good point

after a whole season, new staff, and new scouts this will really be pioli’s full crack at a solid draft. i feel like even after the draft we had last year, this is the draft to really tell if hes going in the right direction with this team. like i said before, this offseason is going to be one of the most exciting offseasons in some time with the uncapped year.

its kind of like those money booths u stand and air blows through the bottom and money is flying around and you have 60 seconds to grab as much money as you can, except there will be 32 teams in the booth instead of just one.

all im sayin is, there is reason for hope with this team, which is why i wrote the post about it in the first place.

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 15, 2009 3:30 PM CST up reply actions

Chiefer we have...

to get you tickets to the chiefs home game

Haley told the offense to run it again. When someone said the defense already knows the play he responded, "So what, make it work."

by Jay Cotton on Dec 16, 2009 8:54 AM CST reply actions

i was all set to come out for the giant game on oct 4

but plans fell through i had to stay here for work :( – my friend is a huge giant fan we both had the tix to fly out the day of the game…wouldve been a bittersweet trip anyway…

Paint ya shirt red like a Kansas City Chief

by CHIEFER on Dec 16, 2009 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

where to build from :

“He’s(Cassell) also the nerve center of an offense that has spent 13 games trying new things, searching for an identity, licking its wounds, and taking stock in the small victories — "We overcame a penalty or two," Haley said — and not offering much proof that improvement is ongoing.”

That exerpt from the Star Article today pretty much sums up the problems I have with the direction the Chiefs are going. . The players: Larry Johnson and his mess, Bowe and his suspension. THe Coaches: Haley and his cocky attitude telling players off, cutting players and quirky personel decisions, dumb decision to fire Gailey, and retarded game time decisions.

With all this time and i’m sure hundreds of lectures about the culture of winning football the Chiefs have 3 games left and the offense doesn’t have any better idea how to break open a Tampa two than they did the first week. The Defense doesn’t know how to get off the field on third and long. After this season we’ll have figured out Jammal Charles is a guy we want next year and Vrabel is too old.

This year has been so full of miscues, mistakes, and fumbles across the board you just have to blank it out like 2009 never even existed.

by tenacious rdc on Dec 16, 2009 12:54 PM CST reply actions