Mock with the Juice...12-28-09

Goals:

Improve the defense so what we have a young ascending potential top 5 D in a few years.  To bring Arrowhead back we need a great D.

Improve the interior line play.  Both depth and starters.  I am pleased with O'Callaghan and think it is too early to give up on Albert.

Improve the Coaching Staff as it was assembled so late in the game.  OC, QB coach, and DC.

Add SPEED to the offense, defense, and special teams.

Coaching:

Hire Charlie Weis as OC and QB Coach.  This is a HUGE need for both the QB position and to help Haley focus more on game management.  Shared an office with Haley with the Jets it just makes too much sense.

Hire Romeo Crennel as DC and allow him to hire his own assistants.  I know these are not original hires but they are the best available coach's and have experience in both the offense and defense we run and with Pioli and Haley.

Free Agency:

Resign:

WR Chris Chambers - would be nice boost to have Bowe, Chambers, and Cassel on the same page working together for year 2.  Will overpay for Chambers but Cassel needs as much support at WR next year as it is a make or break year for him.

QB Brodie Croyle - great arm and depth.  Still looks like a kicker but rocket for an arm.

TE Leonard Pope - really helped this year.  Good 2nd TE as Cottam looks to be the answer.

OLB Mike Vrabel - played great against the Bengals and is very key for the defense to get out of this losing culture.  I will take 22 mike vrabels.

FS Jarrad Page - should come back ready to contribute.

S Mike Brown - would not hand him the job but he has value.  Would be nice to draft berry and let him learn from Brown. (while Berry starts of course!)

OLB Matt Roth –  Would be an upgrade at OLB and add more pass rush.  Local Iowa guy that is still young.

RG Stephen Neal – NE locks up Mankins and Neal immediately upgrades the RG spot for us.  If only for a year as we add depth in the draft.  I don't want to just rely on a rookie center and guard.

NT Ryan Pickett – GB has Rajii and Pickett will get big payday.  He is our major signing and in huge demand so we will need to overpay.  We need a solid vet that can play so we do not have to risk/wait for another rookie to develop.  I think with this signing the entire D Line comes together and really turns into a strength next year.

WR Kevin Walter – good possession receiver that can CATCH the ball.

OLB Darryl Tapp – young player that has some upside as a pass rusher if the Seahawks let him go.

RD 1 FS Eric Berry Tennessee – Best player available period. Suh is gone and right now i do not see Okung as being a franchise LT.  McClain is tempting.

RD 2 MLB Brandon Spikes Florida – might not be here but the MLBs slid last year.  GREAT talent that along with Pickett and Berry would solidify the middle for years.

RD 2 C Kris O'Dowd USC - great career at USC and will make immediate impact.  If you have not seen the piece on ESPN with Jake Olson its a good watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX0ovhkgR7s

RD 3 MLB Micah Johnson Kentucky- very talented player that would add size and a physical presence to our D.  I am tired of teams running the ball right at us.  Best way to improve any D (or any team for that matter) is stop the run and give them 3rd and long.  Best way to bring arrowhead back is to give us a physical tough defense to cheer for.

RD 4 WR Jordan Shipley Texas – as much as I want a big body WR (Alexander) we have Bowe and shipley will be a huge upgrade in the slot and on returns.  This gives us Chambers, Bowe, Walter, and Shipley.  Big improvement plus he is a solid return man.  I think he falls to the 4th due to 40 time.

RD 5 OG Jeff Byers USC – can play center too and has injury problems but huge talent.  Should be great depth on the line and could develop into a starter.  Was a 5 star center out of high school that just got  banged up a little.

RD 5 WR/RB/QB Juice Williams – could be the short yardage back we need and add a wildcat option to our offense.  Should fly under the radar but a great talent and has a place in the NFL.  Imagine what you could do with some goal line packages with Charles and Juice…and Haley is creative enough to call it.  Plus i do not want to use a high pick to add a short yardage back.

RD 5 DE/OLB Jeffrey Fitzgerald KSU – huge upside and great player for KSU.  kind of a tweener but like Gilberry cannot have enough players with a good motor that can get to the QB.

Ok thoughts? I know i did not draft a tackle but I am fine with O'Cal and Albert for one more year.