Kansas City Chiefs Safety Mike Brown Gets a One Year Deal

by Joel Thorman on Jun 30, 2009 7:30 AM CDT in 2009 Offseason Comment 25 comments

The Kansas City Chiefs made the signing of veteran safety Mike Brown official on Thursday, June 26th. Today we've learned the contract is a one year deal with a base salary of $900,000. We haven't figured out the signing bonus information (if any, which is unlikely).

The contract is in line with the deals (excluding signing bonus) of other veterans the Chiefs front office has inked this offseason:

Zach Thomas - One year, $1 million
Mike Vrabel - One year, $2.2 million (Chiefs inherited contract)
Mike Goff - Two years at $1 million and $1.1 million
Bobby Engram - One year, $875,000

There isn't much we can glean from the duration of this deal. The Chiefs are wise to put Brown on a one year "prove it" deal until he can drop the criticism that comes with his injury history. The original report by Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star suggested he might push Bernard Pollard or Jarrad Page for a starting safety spot. While this may be true, the Chiefs have to (and likely are) looking at A) the injury history of Brown vs. the incumbents and B) future potential.

Entering last season on the final year of a five year, $17 million contract signed in 2003, Brown restructured his deal per the Bears request. His base salary was lowered to $950,000 with the other $1.49 million now available only through hitting certain playing time incentives.

The Bears did not make an attempt to re-sign him following '08 season.

The Chiefs brought him in for a workout the first week of June. It's unclear if a contract offer was made then or if both sides waited on future offers from prospective teams. Cleveland was the only other destination rumored to be in the mix for him but multiple outlets reported the Browns were unlikely to take a chance on him.

Absent a signing bonus (which we can't confirm), no money is guaranteed at this point. As a nine year veteran, Brown's contract would become immediately guaranteed for the year if he's on the opening day roster.

That said, it's far from a guarantee that Brown makes it through training camp with the Chiefs and wins a starting job.

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Comments

I like what the new regime is doing with vets.

Unlike Carl they are signing them to one year deals instead of over paying them for 3 to 4 years.

We have a shot...at what...we don't know yet.

by cmpotter on Jun 30, 2009 7:40 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

This is the smart way to go about signing vets…keep the deals short and reasonable. I like how Pioli’s handling it too. He’s infusing some veterans with talent into the team but he’s not building around them for the long haul.

Predictions for 2009

1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.
3. Maurice Carthon will be the most hated man on the Chiefs' coaching staff within two years.
4. Larry Johnson has already played his last meaningful game for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's gone before the 2009 season starts.
5. Larry Johnson will gain 0 yards rushing for the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs.

by UCrawford on Jun 30, 2009 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I also like the fact that everyone of these guys

are proven hardnosed players. None of these guys are glory hounds.

We have a shot...at what...we don't know yet.

by cmpotter on Jun 30, 2009 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

One of the bigger differences between Pioli and Peterson that I’ve noticed is that when Peterson signed an older veteran they often get longer deals—as opposed to the one and two year deals.

I do wonder though, if Peterson had brought in a bunch of veterans if we would have accused him of trying to build a mediocre team just to sell tickets.

A person in good health in a Western liberal democracy is, in terms of his objective circumstances, one of the most fortunate human beings ever to have walked the surface of the earth.

by schraggyj on Jun 30, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Don't Think He Built Mediocre Teams Intentionally

I think he built mediocre teams because he was a lousy judge of talent and had a tendency to hand out stupid contracts to players based on what they had done rather than a reasonable expectation of what they would do over the life of that contract.

I don’t attribute to malice that which can easily be explained by incompetence. Peterson was an incompetent GM.

Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on Jun 30, 2009 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

goes along with the post on cost per win

This is a much better way to work free agency than going out and paying megabucks to a couple of big name stars..a la the Redskins and Cowboys.

We get guys who can help with leadership, be solid players for a period of time, but not break the bank.

Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.

by Zodeman on Jun 30, 2009 8:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bargin deal.

If Mike Brown is or gets healthy, he will be starting. He is too good of an instinctive player and D leader to not be on the field. I love this signing and if he is healthy, we just got the steal of free agency.

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

by BigRedChief on Jun 30, 2009 9:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Who do you think he would beat out?

Pollard, or Page???

by Muhammad.Ali.Gates on Jun 30, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Either one

He is good in coverage and great against the run because he is a solid tackler. I think only practice will tell what combo, Brown/Pollard or Brown/Page, work best together. Shouldn’t worry about who because depth will be key with Brown’s injury history, although he was an iron man for the first several years with the Bears but last few have been some bad breaks and a weird string of injuries.

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

by BigRedChief on Jun 30, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps he beats out a LB?

Play the best combination of 11 on D? I’m not saying this is plan A, but if the D follows Chan’s creative offense scheming — and some New England roots would suggest it’s feasible — is it possible for Pollard, Page, Flowers, Carr, Legget and Mike Brown all to be on the field at the same time once in a while? (Assuming a healthy Brown.) I’d say it depends on how much confidence we have in the D Line. Those half dozen guys listed put a lot of playmakers on the field at the same time. It’d be fun. And maybe even necessary the more spread offenses we see.

Who will have more sacks this year — the d-line, LBs or d-backs?

by sunny D on Jun 30, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could see us in a big nickel (three safeties)

a lot of the time…if a team uses a 3WR set, you can be damn sure one of our OLB’s won’t be covering the third WR.

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Jun 30, 2009 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

To PVC big nickel

so is that 5 DB’s and 6 front line or 6 DB’s and 5 front line?

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jun 30, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My perception

3 CBs + 2 Saf = nickel
2 CBs + 3 Saf = big/heavy nickel
6 DBs = dime
7 DBs = on-side kick (plus glue-fingered receivers: that would be the 8th “DB”) sorry Bowe

by sunny D on Jun 30, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stupid me

Dime, as following more 4-3 than 3-4, in a Dime would both OLB’s come off or something different?

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jun 30, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

OLB’s come off the field and only one LB (usually MLB) is used in a dime formation

by KansasCityShuffle on Jun 30, 2009 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So

4 with hand in dirt left to right as roster Hali, Dorsey, Tyler, and Jackson.
Thomas at MLB and
Flowers, Legget, Pollard, Page, Brown, Carr.

3rd and 14, Rivers slides back…….Nothing open….. moves left….Dorsey pressure and Hali closes…..Rivers still looking slides to right….SACK
Jackson levels Rivers…..Ball OUT….Chiefs WIN! Chiefs WIN! Chiefs WIN…..!

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jun 30, 2009 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

to sunnyD

ideally it would be D-line, LB, then D-backs.
But as you suggest? it might be LB and D-backs in a tie with the D-line in 3rd.

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jun 30, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One would expect most sacks from LBs in a 3-4

I just expect higher than average percentage of sacks coming from our DBs this year compared to other teams.

by sunny D on Jun 30, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont see Brown "beating" either Pollard or Page out.

I dont think he was signed to compete for a starting job. I think he will rotate in and out on certain plays and will fill in for injuries if needed. Mike Brown is a nice role player now. His best years are behind him and that is ok. Like I said we dont need him to come in and take over someones job on a one year contract. Page and Pollard have the talent to start for many years. Nice veteran pickup.

"You can live for Nothing or die for Something, it's your call" - John Rambo

by Matt_Grbac on Jun 30, 2009 10:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Just because he is a vet doesn’t mean he will take a starting role. The last thing we want is Pollard/Page going down in week 2 and bring down our biggest strength, the secondary.

"...Said he couldn't go on the American way"

by Jux on Jun 30, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree I don't think he will be a starter...

More of a situational guy who will be in a very regular rotation.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jun 30, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

to all above

Why is Vrabel and Thomas different than Browns’ situation.
Would you not want one of the younger pups McBride. Hali, others to start and learn and be spelled by Vrabel and Thomas. Engram I see is not taking anyones playtime currently.
Goff might be in same boat as Brown if the Chiefs wished to put Taylor at RG or for that matter just put the 5 best young OL on field.

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jun 30, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the knack on him for being injury prone is wrong

These were all non-related injuries, not a repeating injury like a hamstring or a shoulder over and over. This guy can still deliver the big hit (and probably score a TD or two in his remaining career).

by huskersnchiefs on Jun 30, 2009 10:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bargains

As a Financial Planner, I like to see money spent wisely.

The Chiefs have brought in veterans who can help lead this team, contribute on and off the field, and finally bring about a good balance of youth and experience to the club as a whole.

Signing them to 1 yr deals keeps the cost low, and allows the player to prove that he’s “still got it” on the field, without the team having to commit long term.

I’ll say it again, it’s classic “Patriot way” to bring in moderately priced veterans that can help the team in very specific ways, even if other teams (or past regimes) think that they have “lost a step”

It’s also Classic Patriot way to keep stocking up on talent, even when the team is “set” at a given position. Brown is a perfect example. Could the Chiefs go into 2009 with the 2008 secondary, and be ok? Sure. Could they be even better with an athletic draft pick and an experienced veteran? Absolutely.

I’d love to see this trend continue, and eventually have the Chiefs be one of those teams, like New England, that is STACKED with talent, but still brings in any free agent veteran that they think can help the team.

by stagdsp on Jun 30, 2009 1:00 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs