Why The Chiefs Can't Go Wrong
by Matt Conner on Mar 9, 2009 12:55 PM CDT
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PrintI love the perspective connerman. From the FanPosts. -Chris
I was perusing the latest Top 100 over at the National Football Post (my favorite non-Chiefs biased football site) and, after scanning the top five prospects, I realized one thing that comes as great relief:
The Kansas City Chiefs have nothing to worry about.
I religiously check Arrowhead Pride along with seemingly scores (hundreds?) of others to look for signs of life for my beloved Chiefs. I hate every new FA signing by the other 31 teams because that means one less option to upgrade in many instances. Of course, I trust Mr. Pioli and his new staff (even though it's an amorphous blob when it comes to the label-less defensive staff, but that's another post entirely...), but when I read Khalif Barnes signs here or Grady Jackson signs there, it's yet another shrug or sigh - a sign of a losing culture in KC.
Coming with this, of course, is the buzz about the upcoming draft. With a top three choice, I've written FanPosts myself about why the Chiefs should take so-and-so and commented in return on the thoughts of others.
Aaron Curry? Yes, and here's why...
Eugene Monroe? Yes, and here's why...
Michael Crabtree? Yes, and here's why...
B.J. Raji? Yes, and here's why...
It's a neverending debate with no right answer. And the reason is simple - all will help us. The bottom line - and it can be a maddening one, if you allow it - is that the Chiefs are virtually guaranteed to make a pick in this year's top five that will meet a significant need. Whether it's protecting our latest big investment in Matt Casse (Monroe, Smith), developing a defensive leader (Curry), adding a potent weapon a la Calvin Johnson (Crabtree), or giving Glenn Dorsey his much-needed sidekick (Raji, i.e. anyone remember what Mario Williams became after the draft of Amobi Okoye?), we will be just fine.
So I think I'm done debating back and forth. The Chiefs need any and all of these and I'm not sure that one is significantly more important than the other. The Super Bowl has been reached by the potent offense, the stout defense, the small and speedy and the big and beefy. Some lines are filled with first round picks and others with lucky, end-of-the-draft gems. So the formula is obviously tweak-able. For now, I'm content to just add another stud, gamechanger to my favorite team.
Of course, with the next post, I'll be right back to debating again. But hey, that's the fun of it, right?
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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Absolutely correct sir.
We all have our opinions on what the Chiefs need to do, but as you have said whatever we do in the draft will be an improvement over what we currently have.
I have championed the causes of drafting Curry over Sanchez before we had a QB. Justin Smith as a LT while moving Albert to RT to create bookend tackles. Next was Raji as the darkhorse pick when it was rumored we would be switching to the 3-4. In any case I’m with you, I’ll be happy with whoever ends up a Chief come April.
To lvl99
I agree with most of what you say except, I don’t think it is such a good idea to move Albert to the other side. Right now I think he has added enough stability to the left side of the line and I wouldn’t move him again. Remember, he was a guard in college and did a nice job at Tackle last year. Whoever becomes the tackle next year whether it be Herb Taylor or somebody we draft, I prefer that they are already used to playing that side of the line.
I believe Center is the most pressing need for the line right now. Niswanger will make a pretty nice RG and Taylor could do a pretty good at the RT position. I was very impressed with him filling in for Albert last year.
Because we dont have a lot of picks in the draft, moves like these might be good enough to get us through the season so we can add some depth or maybe a couple new starters next year. That will allow to focus a little more on defense in the draft which our most glaring need.
GO CHIEFS!
Couldn't agree more with Albert
For once one of herm’s famous lines apllies here…if it aint broke, dont fix it. Albert’s proven he is a very good LT with the potential to be great so why would you try to move him and mess with that? Then you would have an unproven commodity in the new LT and whatever other spot you would throw Albert at.
by ChiefTopekan on Mar 9, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Here's my reasoning for the move.
In a pass happy offense, which is what we will have based on the track records of Mr. Pioli and Coach Haley, we will need an O-Line with athletic tackles who can hold a block for longer than 2 seconds. Our offenses success depends on it.
Albert showed his verstatility last season by making the switch to LT, but isn’t necessarily as talented as Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith, thats not a slam on his abitity because I think he is good, its just stating the facts. Typically a “good” LT will make an outstanding RT as they dont have to block the #1 rusher of the defense. His swtich to RT allows us to pick up an elite player in Smith or Monroe, I havent decided which I like better, I think Smith has more upside, but Monroe is more polished, that is worthy of the #3 pick.
As for the idea, “if it aint broke dont fix it” let me put an alternative idea out there for you to think upon. Its a japaneese word, Kaizen which translated means continual improvement, which is what we should desire as fans of our football team. If we can upgrade a premier position on our football team we should do it, its a bonus that it helps RT as well. One more thought on if it aint broke dont fix it, where would the auto industry be with that type of thinking? Interested in a Black Model T? Truth is that statement may apply to the lightbulb, but not to much else.
besides
the oline WAS broken. the spread and a running QB fixed it
disagree with the past tense use of WAS
IS would be a better fit my friend. We have 2 solid starters on our O-Line. The spread and a running QB merely masked the problem, sort of like makeup on a black eye, or a woman who wasnt attractive at the beginning of the night looking not so bad after tossing back a few. Either way the ugly truth reveals itself upon closer inspection.
The lightbulb is broken
thus the push for CFLs and LEDs. Everything, absolutely everything, can be improved upon, because the humans that designed them originally weren’t (and still aren’t) perfect.
fair enough
even the lightbulb needs improvement, further disproving the notion if it aint broke dont fix it.
I respectfully disagree
that saying smith and monroe are more talented than Albert. I dont think you can really say one is better than the other and they would all seem to be about in the same class of talent. But Albert has proven that he is a proven NFL player and LT, could you have asked for your rookie LT to play any better than he did last year? and will only get better. Our o-line is in serious need of help as a whole and i agree that we could draft one of those guys but why cant they play RT, even though that is a very high draft pick for that position. Worst case scenario is that we would have two talented young o-lineman that offer us flexibility and the coaches can go from there as far as where they would play.
I believe
that only the right side of our line was broken. Albert and waters both had great seasons last year. I don’t think that the spread and the athletic play of Thigpen made much difference. The left side of the line held it’s own all season, including the time when Herb Taylor was starting on the left side. I will agree that the right side needs some help but, the center position seems to me to be the biggest problem right now.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Mar 9, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
No Albert did a fantastic job at LT, but
was it on par with a Jake Long or Joe Thomas type effort? I think the answer would be no. The reason our draft pick plays LT and Albert makes the switch is because, and this is where you and I differ, Monroe or Smith have the ability to play at a higher level than Albert.
If there would be a competion for who plays where I would be fine with that as well, but if we did select an OT that high I would think the coaches would plan on using him as their LT.
agree to disagree...
that monroe could have a higher ceiling than Albert. I think they are very close from what i have watched of them both. I’m not sure if you are talking about Andre or Jason Smith, but as for Andre, all the recent events make me question his makeup and his hunger for the game, but pure talent wise he would be the only one i would put above albert. Jason Smith is just so unproven coming out of baylor. Its nice that he stood out on a bad team, but thats also kinda a question mark to me and he is very raw and doesnt seem to be a top 5 type of guy IMO.
Jason Smith
but no bother, time will determine the route we go and something we can agree on is that the Chiefs will be better this season. Prost.
Your reasoning for the move ; Red & Gold +1
Keep up the good work !
by 65tosspowertrap on Mar 10, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Go tell it on the mountain !
Amen Bro, I guess the old adage is true, there only one way to go when you hit rock bottom.
just keep matriculating the ball down the field !
+1
Look the simple fact is that we’ve fallen as low as a team can go (whoa I admitted that?!?) BUT, you also have to take into account so did the patriots of well anytime before brady. so did the cowboys before Aikman and Smith. remember we’re just looking for an improvement this year so we cant go wrong. Even if we don’t accomplish anything else this offseason but pick up any of the top 5 prospects We’re realistically still a better team. and as much as I would love to say we’re going to turn this team around in one year it may take 2…… but hey I’m just the new guy here
You're right on
going 8-8 would be a massive success beyond my hopes. I don’t see us being the next great miami turn-around story and frankly, I don’t care. I’d prefer to build a perennial contender even if that takes a few years.
Vae Victis!
The rest of the West is terrible too
so 8-8 isn’t unthinkable.
What scares me is our non-division schedule
But the rest of the division has the same schedule outside of 2 games…so, I know its nuts to consider, but could 7-9 win the division?? Don’t laugh, its possible.
The Chargers still have too much talent to go 7-9, but they still have Norv, so anything’s possible.
i think curry is going to be off the board before we can get him the media will hype him
and we will have a tackle in our lap i say we protect our qb for years and get bookend tackles and try to make a trade to get a 2nd round pick.
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
The Lions are the only team we have to worry about
And a standup LB hasn’t gone #1 in 20+ years…I just can’t see them doing it, although trying to figure out what they’ll do in a draft is kind of a joke. The Rams are taking LT…no doubt. I guess they could trade down a couple spots, but I really don’t see it.
Don't take this the wrong way
But chances are, one of the 4 (or 5 w/ Smith) guys you mentioned won’t pan out. He’ll either be a bust, or simply mediocre.
That’s just the history of the draft, not a reflection on the 5 you picked, or those 5 in particular.
I’m of the belief that we’ll be going for, in order: Curry, Smith, Monroe or Raji…and those are luckily positions that have lower bust rates. I listed 4, in case Monroe’s injury becomes a bigger issue.
I like all 4, but to be fair, statistically even one of those will likely fail to live up to expectations. Let’s hope Pioli chooses wisely, there’s no reason to think he won’t.
The Chiefs are on the right track,
and we are overdue for a spectacular success story via the draft. Pioli is a good selector of talent, to be sure, but he has also been tremendously lucky. I believe you make your own luck to a certain extent. There is the real possibility of selecting a bust, but I am hoping that lightning doesn’t keep striking K.C. in the form of busts (i.e. Ryan Sims, Percy Snow, etc.). Keep the faith fans, it is coming! Go, Chiefs!
Haha, we trade the pick to Oakland for multiples and select the best options!
Not even Crabtree can survive The Black Hole!
-cw
"If there’s a god he’s laughing at us and our football team." - Ben Folds
oakland
can keep collecting talent because they have all the flash but no engine inside they have no qb even though people are on russels nuts the guy has no oline and he only throws the ball like 5 times a game and everyone is one week on his nuts like he is the next stabler the next he is the next jay schader so they can have crabtree flowers will shut him down.
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
I think it would be a huge mistake
on principle alone to draft a guy as a defensive measure to keep another team from getting that player.
Vae Victis!
probably doesn't matter but isn't khalif barnes still available?
Last I checked still hadn’t signed with oakland or SF. Still holding out some hope that we can attract him here. Would open up our options at #3
+1
He’s not great, I don’t want people overhyping him, but he’d be a very solid RT. Plus he’s young enough, we’d get him for the prime of his career. He’s really the last guy left out there that I want, or have any hope for.
If we got him, we could take Curry, or if he’s gone, go with Raji.
great post!
Very lively discussion on this one. Good job.
The Big 4-You nailed it!!
I can’t imagine a better option than these four. I believe Curry will be gone which leaves Monroe, Ragi and Crabtree.
Ragi teamed with Dorsey could help us have a D-LIne that can stop the run-and possibly get some inside heat on the QB.
Crabtree is much more of a gamble, but is the closest thing to Fitzgerald out there. Haley may want to recreate his offensive success in KC>
Just throwing something out there
Why not let Herb Taylor become our RT. He did do a solid job when Albert was out at LT and he does have potential to be good why not just try him out at RT and work on the defense (i.e. drafting Curry, or trading down and getting more picks) and just draft a C like Mack or Unger. This way we move Niswanger to RG and our O-line is at least formidable. I think either Barry Richardson and Herb Taylor deserve a chance to take the RT spot. This way we could keep Albert at LT.
It's definately an option on the table
I think they’re going to be damn good and sure first though. Cassell is one serious investment to gamble with.
Vae Victis!
Won't get Mack or Unger
That would have taken our 2nd rounder, which we no longer have. The best center we can hope to get in the third is Wood (who is still damned good).
I said the same thing earlier on this thread.
I am a believer in Herb taylor. If we can make him our starting RT, that is one less hole we need to fill this offseason and I agree about Niswanger as well.
Get another guy to throw in mix at RT and RG. Best men win and 2nd best backup
WE need a NEW center. Mack, Unger, Wood, Caldwell etc
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