Haley may want another Boldin-Fitzgerald

Todd Haley is the new head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, Haley designed one of the greatest passing offenses in NFL history. The Cardinals became the first team ever to have 3 wide receivers with over 1000 yards receiving, Larry Fitzgerald(1431), Anquan Boldin(1038), and Steve Breaston(1006). With weapons like that, you can't blame Todd for taking advantage of their talent.
But now, Haley is taking over a team whose offensive superstars are either old or unhappy with the team. However, both Tyler Thigpen and Dwayne Bowe emerged as pretty solid if not good players over the course of the '08 season. Bowe finished the year with 86 receptions for 1022 yards and 8 TDS, and Thigpen ended up with 2608 yards and 18 TDs in 14 games.
Tony Gonzalez is still the face of the franchise, but he is getting up there in age. Tony will enter into the 2009 campaign at the age of 33, but is still producing as he caught 96 balls for 1058 yards and 10 TDs last year. Larry Johnson has already asked for his way out of Kansas City, so it seems like Jamaal Charles will take over as the primary back.
So, Todd is coming into a franchise without a true franchise QB, an emerging wideout, and one of the best tight ends in the game. So, what is missing from the offense? Bowe's Fitzgerald, that's who. Haley has his Boldin prototype in Bowe and his Breaston, or a possession receiver, in Tony Gonzalez. But he is missing a Fitzgerald. Where can he grab a young Fitzgerald to pair with Bowe?
In the 2009 NFL Draft. Michael Crabtree, who is frequently compared to Fitzgerald and even Andre Johnson, is projected by most mock drafts to go to the Seattle Seahawks as the #4 overall pick. But now that an offensive guru is the head of the Chiefs, who have the #3 overall pick, I think the franchise goes offense, and there is no better fit for Kansas City than Crabtree.
However, some would argue that drafting Crabtree doesn't make sense as the team has no proven QB, and I agree. This is the biggest X-factor for Haley and his staff. If Thigpen can continue to play as he did when he was handed the starting job last year, then the Chiefs should be in pretty good shape. But if Tyler turns out to be a fluke, the franchise will either be in the hands of Bradie Croyle or a new addition to the team.
If the Chiefs choose to go out of their own talent pool to grab a QB, here are some of the options they have: Matt Cassel, Kurt Warner, J.P. Losman, Matt Leinhart, Graham Harrell, or Nate Davis.
The best of those options is obviously Cassel, but the Chiefs would either have to pay him a gross amount of money or trade for him. The latter is the most likely of the two options as the Chiefs could offer Larry Johnson, and future picks to land Matt. Graham Harrell is also an interesting choice. Taking Harrell in the 4th or 5th round could be a terrific sleeper for Kansas City, as I am sure Haley could form a system around Harrell and Crabtree.
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've been thinking
our chances of drafting Crabtree #3 have have increase threefold overnight
by KansasCityShuffle on Feb 6, 2009 4:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The chances have definetely increased, but I still dont think we end up taking him.
by SayHeyWerd on Feb 6, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the chances of #1 and #2 trading down also increased
because Crabtree to the Chiefs seems so much more likely now, the odds of #1 or #2 trading down to a team that wants him have increased. the chances of crabtree dropping past BOTH the chiefs AND seattle seem near zero now.
Crabtree is a heck of a wildcard at the top of this draft.
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by nayjevin on Feb 7, 2009 4:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
why not just get boldin?
sources are saying he is not happy with the Cards. LJ could be a possible fit there too, especially if Warner doesn’t come back.
here is my thinking. edge took carries away from hightower (who took carries away from edge the regular season) in the playoffs. edge’s time there is probably done. if they loved hightower as much as they say they do, then he is a more prominent role with that team. he didn’t get that many carries down the stretch. eventhough they have a great passing game, if you have an RB that you are high on, you get him the ball.
leinhart hasn’t exactly blazed a trail with his throwing abilities since he came into the league (since old man warner keeps taking his job). with haley now in KC, the cards may switch plans and want to go more conservative game plan and run the ball more often. boldin has two years left on his deal. why not swap the two players, and draft a stud offensive lineman at the #3 pick and give who ever the QB is some protection to throw to bowe, boldin and gonzales.
you have charles at the RB, he won’t grind you, but he can catch the ball which would also be another threat (line him up as the fourth receiver too to get the mismatch with a linebacker). keep thigpen. cassel is franchised. if brady comes back this year and plays well, then cassel would become available after 2009/10 season and may be cheaper (you won’t have to give up a pick, although not sure, since i don’t know about the franchise tags).
boldin will be familiar with the offense and will be able to work with the QB and other receivers to get them familiar with the offense., LJ goes to the NFC, so you won’t have to worry about him “coming back to haunt us”.
i say draft an offensive lineman. if you have an average QB with a good line and those receivers to throw to, then the average QB will look better than average, and it may be cheaper as well (not necessarily in dollars, but draft picks and this team needs draft picks).
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by Cynema the Band on Feb 6, 2009 5:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Because
He’s 28 going on 29 and that’s close to the end for a WR. Plus he’ll want a much bigger contract, plus he’s had some issues with our head coach already, plus he’s got a style of play (high contact) that will likely lead to more injuries (and missed games) in the near term. Not worth the 1st rounder we’d probably have to give up for him. The Chiefs would be better off drafting Crabtree.
Also, let’s not overlook that the reason Boldin and Fitzgerald are so great is because they’ve got a great QB throwing to them. We don’t have a guy on par with Warner here…Boldin looked a lot less impressive when Leinart was chucking him the ball.
Herm Edwards will not be the Chiefs' head coach next season.
Neither will Mike Shanahan.
by UCrawford on Feb 6, 2009 5:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I've said it once
I’ll say it twice. Why would Boldin want to play for Haley (again)?
by KansasCityShuffle on Feb 6, 2009 5:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don't
think Boldin ever had a problem with Haley. he was just pissed that he didn’t get paid. Even though I don’t think Boldin will play here I don’t think thats becaue of Haley
by black mamba on Feb 6, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
if crabtree
has a solid combine/pro day
and impresses Piolo in an interview….I can see us drafting him. Many say its not his “style” to pick a WR, but if he seems like a hard worker who wants to win and is not going to be about himself, I can see us landing him.
by KCCheeze on Feb 6, 2009 9:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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