Chiefs Not the Busiest but Having the Best Off Season in the AFC West
by Chris Thorman on Mar 2, 2009 7:59 AM CST
in 2009 Offseason
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I know it's always fun to give Broncos, Raiders and Chargers fans a good ribbing now and then about their respective teams but the joke is really on the AFC West.
The Chargers, 8-8 last year, won their final four games of the year to snatch the divisional crown away from the bumbling Broncos. The Chiefs and Raiders were never in it. As a whole, the teams of the AFC West averaged about 5.5 wins each last year and no team's record was over .500.
So, you'd expect a lot of changes in personnel in the AFC West after such a poor showing by, well, everyone. The Broncos have been by far the busiest AFC West team in free agency and the activity dwindles as you go from the Chiefs, to the Raiders and to the Chargers.
The Chiefs cut a few salary cap heavy veterans and traded for a franchise quarterback and a defensive leader. Not too shabby for the first three days of free agency.
Let's see how the rest of the AFC West fared in the first wave of free agency.
Denver Broncos
Cap space before free agency: ~$37 million
| ADDITIONS (8) | SUBTRACTIONS (15) | RE-SIGNED (0) |
| RB J.J. Arrington (FA, ARZ) RB Correll Buckhalter (FA, PHI) WR Jabar Gaffney (FA, NE) FS Renaldo Hill (FA, MIA) G Matt McChesney (waivers, MIA) LS Lonie Paxton (FA, NE) DT Darrell Reid (FA, IND) S Brian Dawkins (FA, PHI) |
RB Anthony Aldridge (waivers, WSH) CB Dré Bly (cut) DE John Engelberger (cut) CB Domonique Foxworth (FA, BAL) RB Alex Haynes (cut) TE Nate Jackson (cut) LB Niko Koutouvides (cut) S John Lynch (retired) S Marquand Manuel (cut) TE Chad Mustard (cut) RB P.J. Pope (cut) DT Dewayne Robertson (cut) WR Cliff Russell (cut) DT Josh Shaw (cut) LB Jamie Winborn (cut) |
It says something about how unhappy your new head coach is with the team when there have been 23 transactions on your team and nobody was re-signed. New Denver head coach Josh McDaniels wants no part of Mike Shanahan's legacy, even QB Jay Cutler.
Brian Dawkins is a decorated safety who will turn 36-years old in October. J.J. Arrington and Correll Buckhalter are the exact type of running backs you'd expect the old Broncos to sign (and subsequently get injured). Considering Denver was down to it's 7th running back or something close to that last year, it's probably a good idea to nab at least two of them in free agency.
To add to those sub par signings, WR Brandon Marshall was arrested over the weekend and charged with disorderly conduct. ESPN is speculating that an 8-game suspension in 2009 could be in order for Marshall. Whatever the punishment is, it's good to see a great rival WR go down the tubes. Even if nothing comes of this latest arrest, you know Marshall is going to get arrested again. And again. And again. He's that stupid.
Verdict: Lots of movement by the Broncos but little of it was in a forward direction.
Oakland Raiders
Cap space before free agency: ~$8 million
| ADDITIONS (1) | SUBTRACTIONS (5) | RE-SIGNED (3) |
| QB Bruce Gradkowski (waivers, CLE) | WR Ronald Curry (cut) DE Kalimba Edwards (cut) FB Justin Griffith (cut) OT Kwame Harris (cut) S Gibril Wilson (cut, MIA) |
CB Nnamdi Asomugha CB Chris Johnson P Shane Lechler |
If it wasn't for the whole winning thing or putting together a solid football team, it wouldn't be that bad to be an Oakland Raider. CB Nnamdi Asomugha was re-signed in mid-February to a deal that guarantees him $28.5 million in the first two years of his contract. I mean, if you hang around in Oakland for a couple of seasons and keep your mouth shut, Al Davis is going to throw you a bunch of cash.
Right now, the Raiders don't even enter my thoughts as AFC West competitors. And they probably won't until Al Davis leaves his ownership post. Despite putting together a Super Bowl team in the early part of this decade, Davis has fallen even further off of literal rocker in the last few seasons.
Verdict: Still the Raiders, which is like being the Keystone Cops of the NFL.
San Diego Chargers
Cap space before free agency: ~$14 million
| ADDITIONS (0) | SUBTRACTIONS (1) | RE-SIGNED (1) |
| LB Anthony Waters (cut) | G Kynan Forney |
The big news isn't about any of the Charger's moves but only about one potential move- LaDainian Tomlinson. Rumors have surfaced mentioning the New Orleans Saints as a potential LT landing spot but nothing concrete has occurred. Moving LT would be contract related, as the Chargers will have to re-sign QB Philip Rivers to a huge contract next season.
The Chargers were the most stable team personnel wise in the AFC West, which may account for part of their lack of activity in free agency.
Verdict: Still the most talented team in the AFC West but the gap is closing quickly.
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I voted the Chiefs because...
The Raiders unloaded half their team.
Denver signed some second tier vets, and yes, Dawkins with his age is now a second tier. They also managed to piss off the most important player to their team. Good job Broncos.
The Chargers haven’t signed Sproles yet and LT isn’t happy right now.
We win round one. Two starters, although one is old for a 2nd pick? Not to shabby.
AFC West Champs in 2009? Mayyybee.
by cmpotter on Mar 2, 2009 8:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Very good points, that alone makes the vote a no brainer
"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
by Lanier63 on Mar 2, 2009 8:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Denver will be minus Marshall a few games next season
They better get a WR
AFC West Champs in 2009? Mayyybee.
by cmpotter on Mar 2, 2009 8:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"a few" may = 8
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
by PVChiefsfan on Mar 2, 2009 8:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Half the season...
I love it. They best two offensive players are now a question mark for next season.
AFC West Champs in 2009? Mayyybee.
by cmpotter on Mar 2, 2009 8:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
lovin it too
The chiefs are my team and my little brother loves the bronco’s hehe i bet he didnt get much sleep last night !!!!! go chiefs
by CPT.Caveman on Mar 2, 2009 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My Main observation......
…..is that the new Denver coach is on the hot seat, apparently he would prefer Cassel over Cutler (for whatever his reasons) and this tell us that he really likes Cassel and who should know better than McDaniels which QB has the most potential?
by jcox31mc on Mar 2, 2009 9:07 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
other than cutler...
How could you not think Denver won? Dawkins was the Ray Lewis for the Ravens. They’re both old, and may not command the same respect, but they are leaders. If half of their players pan out, they did ok.
by kc571 on Mar 2, 2009 9:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Other than Cutler?!?!?!
The Broncos absolutely made an upgrade at both saftey positions. Of course the fat guy that works at 7-11 may have been an upgrade. Hill and Dawkins will help to stabilize that horrid run defense and give Champ some support. Everyone else they signed are role players that may work out and may not. And they managed to piss off their franchise QB, Mr Hissy-Fit himself, with their moves. (Seriously, Rivers, Cutler and LJ may force the commish to rename the AFC West the AFC Whine).
Compare that to a team that answered their QB position, and added a defensive presence that can get the baby Chiefs onboard with what Pioli and co is trying to do. All that for a 2nd round pick. Nice. Not to mention that it makes KC a more attractive destination for free agents, and solves the #3 overall pick dilemma quite nicely.
The Broncos offseason has been all over the place, while KC has put together it’s best offseason ever. And it ain’t over yet. Now if Haley can just put his ego aside for a moment and give Gonzo and Waters a friendly reach-around, all will be well with the world.
by mushin on Mar 2, 2009 9:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Broncos Offseason
Signed a great coaching prospect
Had some weirdness at the GM position that may be solved or may not be
Unloaded Dre “Was that my guy?” Bly ( this is a big positive for the ponies)
Cut 80% of their Defense
Fixed their Saftey problems
Picked up two backup RB’s
Signed a bunch of role players on D
Signed a Rotational G
Pissed off their Franchise QB/destroyed the QB-coach relationship with their great coaching prospect
Watched their insanely gifted and just straight insane WR fight his way to an 8 game suspension
by mushin on Mar 2, 2009 9:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
the broncos are a mess right now!!!
by CPT.Caveman on Mar 2, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They're Definitely Up And Down This Offseason
If they can resolve the Cutler situation, they come out ahead. If not, they don’t.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
by UCrawford on Mar 2, 2009 9:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Are we the only one's kinda terrified of Buckhalter?
Hell of a number two they brought in IOO (in our opinion)
by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Mar 2, 2009 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I still think their safety situation
is questionable. Dawkins is 36 and is basically a linebacker at this point with his cover skills falling off. He might help out a little with the run, but will get torched in the pass.
AFC West Champs in 2009? Mayyybee.
by cmpotter on Mar 2, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If they are smart
They’ll use him like the Eagles did last year. He played up near the LOS as a hybrid linebacker and they played two safeties behind him.
For the last half of the year, the Eagles weren’t even asking Dawkins to play in coverage.
by JasonB on Mar 18, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They did not fix their safety problems
Dawkins is great – but he cannot run with Gonzalez and Gates, or maybe even Miller.
The AFC West sucks in a lot of areas, but pass-catching tight ends isn’t one of them
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
by PVChiefsfan on Mar 2, 2009 10:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Or
Chambers, Jackson or Bowe…. I bet the Raiders draft Crabtree too… Holy crap does anyone else see the AFC West returning to fruition the same way it was before??
Soon the Chargers will suck again because they are getting old
The Broncos, Raiders, and Chiefs meanwhile have got some serious potential…
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
by 808NaNz808 on Mar 2, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
KC Offseason
Hired the hottest GM of the last 10 years
Got rid of Gun (Praise Jesus)
Got rid of Herm (Praise GAWD!!!!)
Hired a great coaching prospect that may have an ego issue
Pissed off their best O-Lineman
Traded for a franchise QB
Traded for a role-player LB that can teach their young D how its done
by mushin on Mar 2, 2009 9:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Up And Down
It’s neck and neck for who had a better offseason so far.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
by UCrawford on Mar 2, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think this offseason has been up and down for KC at all
I think it’s been all up. The Water’s thing is a little troubling, but unless he wants to be the Manny of the NFL, there’s not a lot that he can do about it.
I’m not sure about Haley, but I feel better about him than I did about Herm. I approve wholeheartedly about everything else. I feel like Clark is showing that he is Daniel Snyder with sense.
by mushin on Mar 2, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed About Haley
Unsure, but if he’s a better game manager than Herm I think we’ll be better off…as long as insulting his players for no good reason doesn’t become standard practice.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
by UCrawford on Mar 2, 2009 9:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It could still work
God knows Parcells degraded players. It works as long as he can prove he can win. I personally don’t agree with that type of management style, but some players will respond to it well. I just don’t like how it effectively limits who you can work with.
by mushin on Mar 2, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I’m no fan of that style either for the same reasons as you. But it’s easier for players to stomach an asshole if the guy’s successful, as that poll of coaches players wanted to play for showed. Belichick was in the top three for both most and least desirable head coach. But if Haley isn’t successful pretty quickly, then that style of his is going to wear thin real fast.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
by UCrawford on Mar 2, 2009 10:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i won't assume this is how it's going down
but sometimes the guy who’s saying what’s on everybody’s mind looks like the asshole… for instance….
"Hi i’m Brian Waters and I want to talk about my contract and my future.
“Hi I’m Scott Pioli, I don’t work for you , I work for Clark Hunt and Kansas City fans. Excuse me, you are keeping me from doing my job….”
the performance enhancing drugs argument begins with lassic eye surgery
by nayjevin on Mar 2, 2009 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Except That Dealing With Players Is Part Of Doing His Job For Hunt And The Fans
The players are employees of the company, Pioli is responsible for their performance and the results they produce. He’s responsible for sorting out contract issues and player problems.
If he gives a blowoff answer because he doesn’t feel like being bothered, then he’s neglecting part of his duty and yes, he’s being an asshole.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
by UCrawford on Mar 3, 2009 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
With Cutler
is there any way we could trade Cassel for Cutler outright? McDaniels is pissing Cutler off and he apparently wants Cassel.
by thechiefsarrow on Mar 2, 2009 9:46 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
huh
are you crary i take cassel over cutler anytime
by CPT.Caveman on Mar 2, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If you want to hear somebody whine that bad u can babysit my 4 year old
Shut your mouth…that’s crazy talk
by mushin on Mar 2, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Cassell> Cutler
Why would you want some fat, diabetic asshole for a QB? Plus Cutler has such a great attitude as well… Whiny bitch….
by ArrowDread on Mar 2, 2009 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
we already have one cry baby why would we want another
by CPT.Caveman on Mar 2, 2009 9:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
KC looking up!
San Diego is fading with LT washed up. Denver’s heading down the shitter, right where the Raiders already are, meanwhile KC is making some moves. Im starting to think the Chiefs could win the division next year!
by ArrowDread on Mar 2, 2009 11:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I guess McDaniels had to learn a lesson the hard way.
He didn’t follow the Pioli playbook. Tell the press nothing, keep everything in house. The Waters thing has suddenly become not very interesting to the press. Pioli and Haley have been quiet about the whole thing and even Brian has been silent. Flash in the pan.
Now everyone has their eyes and ears on the donkeys and Cutler. Fire storm.
by oldchiefsfan on Mar 2, 2009 12:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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