Who Should the Chiefs Next FA Signing Be?
by Matt Conner on Aug 4, 2009 9:45 AM CDT
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp
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PrintFans in the offseason gather around news outlets like teen girls outside the backstage door of the latest pop act - hoping for any signs of life of a signing, free agent visit or bit of news. The recent clamor over Amani Toomer's possible signing (as of this writing) or even a former Patriots special teamer coming aboard raises the hopes and excitement of all.
As camp separates the proverbial men from the boys, we're likely to see cuts both from our team and from other teams. You'll see veteran free agents sign after sitting for months. As injuries occur, we'll fill holes that suddenly appear out of nowhere. So who do you think will be the next player we could/should take a flyer on? What's your best guess as to where Pioli will believe the best help will come from the outside? In order to give some ideas, consider these random flyers to get the conversation started:
RB Deuce McAllister - Might as well sign two McAllisters while you're at it, eh? Seriously, we think of RB as one of our most stocked positions on the field (according to a recent survey here at AP), but think about how volatile it really is. I love the reborn LJ, but let's be honest about the player history there. Kolby Smith is a capable back at times, but he's the Brodie Croyle of the backfield. Jamaal Charles is exciting, but again it's not enough. Think of this: one Charles hamstring tweak and we're suddenly thinner than an eating disorder. Yes, his best days are behind him, but Deuce is only two seasons removed from the thousand yard list and would provide game-savvy depth for minimum veteran signing (with others like Edgerrin James still available, he can't cost that much).
LT Jonas Jennings - Sorry but I'd still love some quality depth on the O-Line to really believe the unit is going to be quality for four quarters. Jennings is certainly past his prime, but he warranted a huge contract from San Fran only a couple seasons ago and he still grades as an "average starter" according to Scouts, Inc. His best asset is above average pass protection and he would buoy a position without much depth in terms of game experience and proven assets.
WR Matt Jones - Yeah, yeah, there are more than a few issues here. Is he mature enough? Will he ever realize the potential of his first round history? And haven't we already enough veteran WR signings in camp? Well, I, for one, could care less about any receiver on the Chiefs roster not named Dwayne Bowe (save for the new vets). I'm good with Engram in the slot. Love Toomer's winning presence. But you could dump the rest and sign all new guys off the street for all I care. What I do see is that Jones found the ball more than ever last year and a second chance away from Jacksonville might elevate last year's stats of 65 grabs and 760+ yards.
What do you all think? Worthy gambles? Needless bodies? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.
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I wouldnt mind bringing in the Deuce hes a good charachter guy that good bring some good veterean leadership and provide depth
Deuce would be a backup...LJ knows that.
He could provide some good blocking when he does play though.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Aug 4, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Deuce's career is over.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Aug 4, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Matt Jones.
Maybe if he were more like Michael Irvin on the field and a little less like Michael Irvin off the field …
Jones
was still learning how to be a WR. He was a QB for all his career prior to the Jags, and was using raw athletic talent to get him through.
Like I said before, with a good coach who want’s to see improvements and isn’t worried about you saying the right things, he could be a great WR. His stats last year would have been much better had he not gotten suspended for (I think) 3 or 4 games. I imagine that if he actually worked on being a good WR, he could be an elite one. The Jags didn’t/do not pass all that much, so to have nearly 1,000 yards in a shortened season is a pretty damn good testament to how important he was as a WR to them.
I’ve been behind Jones getting a second chance since May. This would be a good time to try him out or talk to him, that is, assuming they haven’t already. Yeah, he’s had some off the field issues as well as being labeled lazy. If he’s willing to put in the work that the coach wants out of him, why not? Everyone else got a clean slate, why couldn’t he?
Herm Edwards: "There's FOUR quarters in football?!"
We need someone to...
… back up T. Jackson and protect us if he’s hurt.
Right now, Turk McBride and Wallace Gilberry are the only two backups at LDE.
Rookies have a tendency to get hurt – esp. linemen.
Also important to note the “1st year wall” that hits mid-season as they’re not ready for the 16 game grind of the NFL.
Given the crucial nature of the LDE position in the 3-4 to sealing off the edge and stopping the run, we need some help/depth there.
TD
by Troydrake on Aug 4, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I think Alfonso Boone is a LDE?
I know Boone and Magee are the DE starters during camp, so obviously one has to be on one side and the other on the opposite side.
I think it's Magee.
Per Sports Illustrated:
The Chiefs believe their first round pick, defensive end Tyson Jackson, is the perfect speed rusher for the 3-4. Jackson also happens to have gone to LSU, just like Kansas City first-round picks Dorsey (2008) and Bowe (‘07). The Chiefs are actually the first team that has had three first-round picks from the same school in successive years. Jackson’s college buddies might want to tell him to hurry up and get in camp. While he is still negotiating his contract, rookie defensive end Alex Magee is taking some of his reps with the first team and looking like he belongs. Magee, a tireless and explosive third-rounder from Purdue, was originally slotted to back up Jackson and Dorsey. But with Jackson holding out and Dorsey confined to a side field for extra conditioning, Magee has an opportunity to gain on them and so far is taking advantage of it.
by JacinB on Aug 4, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
meh
i think dorsey might be a bust and could be gone this year
by Bestofthewest on Aug 4, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Definitely a Veteran 3-4 DE would be a good pick-up!
Great idea — I like the way you’re thinking!
You are what your record says you are!
Great post
Love the RB breakdown. Kind of a reality shock.
I’d vote Jones or Chris McAlister. Jones because it’s a position of need (though I wonder why he’s been passed up) and McAlister because he’s been so successful in that Ravens D.
Jones.
I hope you’re being facetious about not knowing why he’s being passed up. Just in case you’re not, let’s sum it up with: Cocaine habit and poor work ethic.
I know
I was saying that’s the reason we’re not going after him.
by Joel Thorman on Aug 4, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Toomer
Best luck this year, guys. I think you guys could challenge the Bolts for the div. if Cassell is the QB Pioli thinks he is. My wife’s a Pats fan, and Vrabel’s a good guy. If you guys pick up Toomer I’ll be pulling for you to take the Div. He’s the Giants’ all-time greatest receiver and I hope we don’t miss him too dearly this year. He’s got great poise in the clutch, presence of mind, and veteran leadership.
You play to win the game!
Chris McAllister from...the University of Arionza. Bear Down, brother!
New Stiga table?!?! Return of the Brookside Pongers???
There's another good one.
Haley knows all about him from AZ. Edge had issues buyin’ into the program, there.
On a trip to the U.N. in New York City, the Dalai Lama sneaked out of his hotel to break his vows and eat an American hot dog. Checking up and down the street for witnesses, he whispered to the vendor "Make me one with everything."
Welcome to AP Simms.
We are pretty jazzed about the idea of signing Toomer around here. Could be a difference maker in our receiving corps.
He's big, he's got great hands
he doesn’t really have burner/breakaway speed, but he’s also pretty good after the catch. In our playoff game with Dallas in ‘08, he put 6 on the board by ditching multiple Dallas tackles for a LONG run after catch TD.
Another play that stands out in my mind from that season’s playoffs was a SB reception… the pass was out of bounds but Toomer amazingly dragged his toes in for the ctach. I’ve seen him do that many times. A younger Giants WR says Toomer told him to toe-kick the heel of his in foot… could be a good mentor to younger WRs on your team.
Can’t say enough good things about Toomer. Check him out on WIkipedia, his stats are really something else.
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Aug 4, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
The only type signings I’d make are ones like Redd, young players with physical skills that can hopefully translate into football players. The Pats thought enough of him last year to actually play him, as an UDFA. I’m far more interested in this type of player than some “name” that everybody recognizes but can’t play anymore, liike Toomer, Deuce, etc. McAllister is Surtain. We don’t need that type of player. We have too many already.
I agree with you about all those guys...other than Toomer
He may be an older player but, he is hardly washed up. I will take a surehanded clutch player over a young speedy guy any day. Especially when you need a guy like him to help bring along these younger players.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Aug 4, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Wow what a stretch....
dont forget Marcus Washington, or even our old pal Donnie Edwards…one of the few linebackers that is capable of snatching a interception. I think there is some more depth at Oline out there, and alot of extra running backs, no need in grabbing Duece and adding another power runner. Who knows if they get anybody else,…one thing is for certain we will be the first of the last people to know….lol
to early to worry
As they showed us yesterday, they are not done looking for upgrades to the team. If none of the above named players were here to be looked at yesterday, then apparently they don’t stack up as being upgrades. As the boys smack each other around in pads over the next week, more critical evaluations will be made and perhaps some more moves. I truly think the time for serious looking will be when cuts start being made. There are always surprise names on the cut list and we are in a fantastic position in both waiver priority and available cash to really clean up there if we need to.
Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.
Remember when Tyrone Brackenridge picked up that fumble
and Dick Enberg yells out “It’s Ty Laaawwwww”?
Negative Ghost Rider the pattern is full...
I was at that game
It was magical, and really silenced the jerk bolts fans around us.
by GonzosDirtyTrailer on Aug 4, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions
I still say matt Jones,Yes i know he has had problems off the field.But all reports are saying he has been clean for a yr+ and has been working out and training feverishly down in FL.You can sign him,with a contract that he’s gone with the first slip up.
The thing is though is he is fast after the catch,which is something we dont have now.We desperately need a deep threat.
You folks been drinking too much Matt Jones KoolAid
Sorry, I don’t buy the Matt Jones reasoning. He’s physically gifted, but we already have a good project WR. I known too many coke-heads in my time. They don’t change unless they have a life-altering moment. I haven’t seen that from Matt…
You are what your record says you are!
personal experience?
Do you know matt jones personally?, We dont have the same dummies we did last year talking to and signing free agents and rookies, if they think hes a waste he has no chance to get on this team. And his life-altering moment is being broke and haveing to work a regular job instead of playing a game.Im just saying he’s worth a look it dont really cost us to window shop,bring in anybody and everybody that will make you a better team.
by Bestofthewest on Aug 4, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
He's far from a project.
The guy played 12 games and was on pace for a 1,000 yd receiving season with the flippin’ Jags for god’s sake. Who the hell gets that many catches and yards on a team that runs the ball (sacasm upcoming) 95% of the offensive plays?
Aside from that, he’s about the age I was when I started to realize that being stupid has consequences. It’s simple really; bring him into camp and see if he works hard. He’s already in the LSAP until 2010, so give him a conditional 1 or 2-year contract with behavior clauses (not that they are even necessary). At worst you cut the guy because he fails to meet the requirements at training camp.
Again, this is all assuming they haven’t already talked to the guy to see what he’s all about.
Herm Edwards: "There's FOUR quarters in football?!"
I actually think he would be a great fit in this offense.....
….He has played at the TE position and proved to be more of a big WR but in this offense, or what I assume Haley will run, that is exactly what we need from the TE, I think he is a liability in blocking, but if he can catch the ball then Haley will get him the ball. That being said…. NO WAY would I touch him and no way do I want to see him catching balls for the Chiefs until he has shown he has cleaned his act up and I have yet to hear him appologize for his behavior.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Apologize to who?
The only person he’s really hurt is himself. Sure, he let his team down, but who’s to say he hasn’t apologized to them?
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/16/matt-jones-it-was-a-bad-mistake/
Herm Edwards: "There's FOUR quarters in football?!"
no if they were drinking his kool-aid
they would be super skinny and bouncing off the walls.
by dgoddard on Aug 4, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think OL is our biggest hole now
I’m sure The Don has a whole host of guys he’s keeping his eye on in the hopes they become available. I do think he’ll plug the OL holes as soon as he can.
Of the 2 runners you mention I guess I’d rather take Edgerrin although he didn’t do too much until the playoffs as I recall.
Hopes fade once again from blue to red. Go New Chiefs!!
I'm more about skill set and consistency than about flash.
Edge has lost a little flash, but he has the total package otherwise. I think he was a bit of a cancer last season, though, not buying into the program.
On a trip to the U.N. in New York City, the Dalai Lama sneaked out of his hotel to break his vows and eat an American hot dog. Checking up and down the street for witnesses, he whispered to the vendor "Make me one with everything."
Levi Jones is still out there correct?
Chiefs 2009: 6-10 or 7-9 and only one season from the Playoffs.
Yeppers.
Not sure he’d want to be a backup, and not sure he could hold up for whole season as a starter. Tough call.
On a trip to the U.N. in New York City, the Dalai Lama sneaked out of his hotel to break his vows and eat an American hot dog. Checking up and down the street for witnesses, he whispered to the vendor "Make me one with everything."
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