New Chiefs WR Lance Long Has a Long Road Ahead
by Matt Conner on Sep 16, 2009 12:01 PM CDT
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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Say it with me: Lance Long still has a long road ahead.
For those with high hopes for Long, it's understandable. The new, unknown quantity - i.e. a draft pick - is always more sexy than those we're already familiar with. We see a hole, we find a new player and hope the two are a match made in heaven. More often than not, however, these things don't work out.
That's not to say Long doesn't have potential, but it's important to keep perspective in mind. Long didn't get drafted in the 2008 draft and now was let go by the one team that signed him. Success cases have certainly been made at nearly every position in the NFL from such circumstances, but there are more guys waiting by the phone at home for a chance at a Practice Squad than there are active athletes who rose from such ashes.
Even back in college during his playing days at Mississippi State, his career numbers amounted to 32 catches for 218 yards and one - yep, one - touchdown. Oh, yeah, he also rushed once (for negative yardage) and returned five kickoffs. Quite the career. [Ed. Note: stats from MSU's website; ESPN stats differ slightly with 0 touchdowns and 321 receiving yards.] His tenure with the Cardinals is probably mostly due to the TE coach from MSU being the Cards coach at the same position last year.
This isn't intended as a jab against Long at all. He obviously holds some strong potential that head coach Todd Haley is quite clued into and I suspect the Chiefs have been perched for a while wondering how the Cardinals would eventually handle their glut of receiving prospects. In fact, he ran a 4.38 at the MSU Pro Day before the 2008 draft and his shuttle time was, allegedly, the fastest in the country. He also possesses a lot of special teams experience at both the pro and college level - recording 11 tackles in college and handling both kick and punt return duties in the preseason with the Cardinals.
Thus, it seems the Chiefs at least have real athlete on their hands - someone with the raw potential to make some noise with special teams and perhaps turn into something more. It's highly improbable but given the Chiefs overall lack of talent, expect Scott Pioli to continue to take these chances time and again over the next 12 months or so with Long-esque players from around the league.
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Obviously you haven't seen him play!
Kidding…yeah this guy is a long shot by definition.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 16, 2009 12:06 PM CDT reply actions
Hope
I just hope he can help us with our dink and dunk passes… We really dont have a speed guy who can catch a 3 yard slant and do anything with it… Dont look for him to make the team for a bit tho!
by flyin_squirl on Sep 16, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Draft Picks
I just wanted to harp on the Job King Carl did in trying to get replacements for Roaf and Shields. I also wanted to look at WR since we have never really had talent at WR prior to Bowe… Check these out it will make you sick!
Here are the WR/OL that Carl drafted since 2001
2001: Marvin Minnis 3rd/WR, Alex Sulfsted 6th/OG
2002: NONE
2003: Brett Williams 4th/OT, Jordan Black 5th/OT
2004: Samie Parker 4th/WR, Jeris McIntyre 6th/WR
2005: Craphonso Thorpe 4th/WR, Will Svitek 6th/OT, Jeremy Parquet 7th/OT
2006: Tre’ Stallings 6th/OG, Jeff Webb 6th/WR
2007: Dwayne Bowe 1st/WR, Herbert Taylor 6th/OT
2008: Branden Albert 1st/OG, Will Franklin 4th/WR, Kevin Robinson 6th/WR
Do you see the trend there… Carl put too much stock into his FA/Trades… One WR in the first TWO rounds and one OL in the first THREE Rounds in EIGHT YEARS OF DRAFTING!!! I wont even look at the QB position because that is just pathetic.
If I had time I would look up the FA pickups in those areas as well.
Threw Up
I just threw up a bit!!! Could we not see a BAD OL/WR Core coming…. WOW
by flyin_squirl on Sep 16, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
Haley told the offense to run it again. When someone said the defense already knows the play he responded, "So what, make it work."
Snoop Minnis is going to be a stud!
haha J/K
Will Svitek was just plain bad.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 16, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Bad
Pretty much everyone on that list other than the first rounders SUCKS… Are any of those guys even in the NFL now?
I had to post that on an ESPN blog because a dude on the has done nothing but complain about our OL but then he always defends Carl… I dont see how you can have One without the Other?
by flyin_squirl on Sep 16, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
That was a shame about Snoop.
Didn’t we draft Sylvester Morris somewhere in there as well? Shame about him too. He looked like he was going to be prettyy good. Got hurt & never heard from again.
And yes, Svitek was bad…real bad. I hated that guy. Everytime he was on the field something bad happened.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 16, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Morris
Morris was in 2000… I am pretty sure that scared Carl away from doing it again…
by flyin_squirl on Sep 16, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Lolwow
Do qb and rb next..
How the hell did that happen? I am Trailblazer fan to the core but I love me some OKC THunder!!! Must be the Hometown pride I feel.
I'll Say it now so you guys can know I'm a true follower: "In Pioli I Trust"
Go Chiefs!!!!!
by bouzi on Sep 16, 2009 12:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I dont think I could make it through the list without pulling my gun out and shooting something!!! :)
by flyin_squirl on Sep 16, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
QB & RB in Draft - Entire Carl Peterson Era
89- 2nd Mike Elkins QB; 8th Todd McNair RB; 12th Bill Jones RB
90- None
91- 1st Harvey Williams RB
92- 2nd Matt Blundin QB
93- None
94- 1st Greg Hill RB; 2nd Donnell Bennett RB; 7th Steve Matthews QB
95- 4th Steve Stenstrom QB
96- None
97- 4th Pat Barnes QB; 6th June Henley RB
98- 3rd Rashaan Shehee RB
99- 2nd Mike Cloud RB
00- 4th Frank Moreau RB
01- 4th George Layne RB; 5th Derrick Blaylock RB
02- 4th Omar Easy RB
03- 1st Larry Johnson RB
04- None
05- None
06- 3rd Brodie Croyle RB
07- 5th Kolby Smith RB
08- 3rd Jamaal Charles RB
so basically...
1 hit…Larry (though he’s been a pain in the ass)
2 maybe’s…Charles and Smith might be decent RB’s
1 potentially decent back-up QB….Croyle….Who knows he might be a decent backup in this league, if he can keep body parts from falling off.
and what….17 misses….at least your wife is hot, Carl.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 16, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
H Williams, G Hill, Donnell Bennett
Those guys were all decent players. of course Williams didn’t do well until we traded him to the Raiders.
Does Omar easy still play.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 16, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions
We picked him up!!!
Sweet. Earlier when the teams had to cut down their rosters the Cardinals had kept him and i was bummed because when i watched him in the preseason he reminded me of a Wes Welker type reciever..
I’m pretty happy that we picked him up. Hopefully him and the other WR we picked up will have a good impact.
I see us improving each day…now its just that we need some OL help…
i know a lot of people might not like this, but...
I’m not so sure we need o-line help as much as everyone thinks. we haven’t even seen O’cal yet, but he sounds good to me, if Ndukwe moves to G and O’cal starts at RT we might be good. we def need to run block wayyyy better, but lets see what happens. There’s got to be a reason we haven’t picked up any more OL guys, either they aren’t out there (that we like), or we think we’re good.
If we picked up any OL, personally I’d like to see a good center aquisition.
I agree
I agree with Ndukwe moving to RG… He did a damn good job of that last year.
I don’t know why Langston Walker hasn’t been brought in! He did a decent job last year at RT for the Bills but couldn’t transition to the LT spot. What worries me about him is that no one has worked him out since his release!
by flyin_squirl on Sep 16, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
I think they might have screwed him up some by movin him to LT, he also might have a personality prob or wants too much money. I liked him for us too at first, but now i’m not so sure, liked him better than Runyun SP? though, think he’s about done. Personally I think the Chiefs might really like O’cal for starting RT soon.
agreed
O’Callaghan might be starting soon….
but I think Walker is worth a look. Don’t be so sure that he hasn’t had workouts… we don’t always hear about who gets a look where… at least until after the fact.
for all we know, Walker has worked out in KC, and they are negotiating a contract.
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
Well I do think
That we are OK on the O Line…
But i still think we can improve. I just hope that we have a good enough line to where LJ can hit the holes and take off like he has before. I think if we did get at least 1 decent RT or RG then our line would be fine. Yes, Niswanger sucks at C but thats just 1 spot…better than 3 or 4. I like our chances of winning this year. I hope Long has a huge year..same with wade.
by Wrestler189s on Sep 16, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
And is it possible...
since Long is on our PS…can another team pick him up if? Even if we intend to sign him next week?
by Wrestler189s on Sep 16, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he's probably a year worth of development away but some things to consider.
He wasnt initially cut on cut day as the Cards kept him despite having 6 other WR on the team. Cuts that day included three players that have starter skills in Hobson, Pope and Francisco. He had to be let go because of a numbers game, teams dont normally keep 7 WR on the roster and they happen to have three studs, one up and comer, a special teams pro bowler, and a second round draft pick ahead of Long. His cut isnt necesarily a reflection of his potential but thats a tough roster to crack at that position.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
I think this guy might make a big impact...
being one of our return guys (good hands and speed), concentration seems great so don’t think he’d be a fumble risk, uh, like our other returners. he also might turn into a great short pass/over the middle receiver for us.
All depends on how Cassel takes to him
Looking at Welker, even though he had stints in the NFL prior to becoming a phenom on the Pats, he really clicked as an outlet receiver. It helps when you catch everything, I suppose. The QB is going to build a lot of confidence in throwing the ball your way. Particularly on screens.
I love this signing for one reason: competition.
Nobody is safe, if you suck you will be replaced. The old days of complacent players are over.
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
indeed
"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer
"Playing for Hank was like taking an advanced course in football." ~#63 Willie Lanier
by Bad Medicine on Sep 16, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Remember
He was a Cardinal. Card’s are famous for becoming awesome when they get out of AZ….
Great Guy
I really wanted Lance to stay a Cardinal. You guys are lucky to have him.
I went to training camp this year (and in previous). I’ve the 45ish guys that signed autographs for my son, Lance was the one that took the most time to chat with us: and we weren’t like, the only ones there. It was a down to earth, “Hey, thank you guys for coming up here, how’s your visit going, really hope you have a great time” time". Really left an impression.
I was so pumped when he made the team. Hate to see him go. Congrats on a solid character guy who will produce for you on the field. I’ll be pullin’ a bit for the Chiefs now. Good luck.
LMAO
at how excited people get over other team’s throw aways! Dude didn’t even do anything in college. He wasn’t even a starter at MSU. M-S-U! If you be a starting wideout there, you aren’t very good. They throw is twice a year whether they need to or not…
He is probably a great guy and fan favaorite. Just like Boomer Grigsby, but not an NFL talent. Hope he comes in a tears it up, but I doubt it.
Oh where oh where is Bobbie Sippio? He could be the saviour we need!
I remember Dawson to Taylor, Kenney to Carson, and Blackledge catching the snap in his facemask. Seen it all...
lmao at how people overreact to simple holes, or just fans content about a signing.
by SDChief on Sep 16, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
We are content about signings because
we think that the talent that we have right now is worse than what they are bringing in (in some cases). We get excited because we feel they can help us out…i lmao when people doubt the ablilty of players and then looks stupid when they turn out to be good.
As for the people who wanted him on the team and they get cut…well that just sucks that he didnt make the team…doesnt make us look like asses.
by Wrestler189s on Sep 16, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions
this from Steve Wyche at NFL blog
“Chiefs coach Todd Haley was a huge fan of Long’s last season when Haley was the offensive coordinator with the Cardinals and, based on conversations I had with people in Arizona, was a huge reason why Long made the final cut in Arizona. When we were doing our OTF series with Long, people with the Cardinals repeatedly said that if Long didn’t make their roster, Haley and the Chiefs would snatch him up immediately. Well, when Long was cut yesterday, they did.”
by Chiefsallthetimebaby! on Sep 16, 2009 2:13 PM CDT reply actions
Is it just me
Or did anybody else see a tiny football player standing on his shoulder when you first looked at that pic?
*My opinions are subject to change.
Need to square
up more with your monitor! You must be setting way to the left (but with the right side of our O-line who could blame ya!)!
j/k :)
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