From the FanPosts. -Chris

Well, here we sit on waiver wire Sunday, and I'm trying to wrap my mind around some of the recent roster moves, and trying to figure out what is next.

The first round of cuts were dead on, IMO... McIntosh had to go, or the right side of the line wasn't going to improve.

The final round of cuts brought 2 major surprises, and 2 minor ones. 

Pollard was a shocker, but looking back, I guess I can see the signs... I just didn't believe it. 

Lelie was a big surprise to me, especially considering they also cut Wright and Taurus... and kept F$%#ing Terrance Copper. 

Zach Thomas being cut, and Colin Brown were minor surprises, considering it was looking like neither would really contribute on the field this year anyway.  I'm curious as to whether they gave ZT an injury settlement... and what "injury" kept Colin Brown out for the season?

So, now that the cuts are in, and there are 700 new players out there on the waiver wire, I wanted to take a look at the most glaring needs left on this team, and get some more suggestions on how they might be addressed. I also will look at some "not-so-glaring" positions of need that could be upgraded, or could stay the same.

I'm also curious who you think will be the next Chiefs cut or traded to make room for Pioli's acquisitions.

Glaring need #1... Offensive Line

It's been very well documented that there were problems on this line for the last couple of seasons, and most felt that Pioli hadn't done enough to address them.  Well, I don't think you can make that argument now! 

By cutting Damien McIntosh, Herb Taylor, Daryl Harris, Tavarres Washington, Brian De La Puente, Eric Ghiaciuc and putting Colin Brown on IR... and trading for Alleman and Ndukwe...you can see that Pioli/Haley aren't just standing pat with an under performing line.

I've tried to analyze the OL performance in my "play by play" posts, and feel like the starting group actually doesn't look too bad.  The running game is improving weekly, and the pass blocking will continue to improve as the first unit is established and gets better communication, which should result in fewer missed assignments and less confusion.  Better blocking from the TE and FB positions would be a huge boost to the pass protection.

 Depth is now the major issue, unless a "big name" player or two is brought in.  Tony Pashos may be the only player on the waiver wire that has a chance to start over Richardson or Ndukwe at RT, IMHO.

I will repeat my prior prediction that it is more likely to build depth through the roster cut down acquisitions, rather than bring in guys that can start immediately.  The incumbents know the system, expectations and each other better than a waiver wire guy can. 

UPDATE:  O'Callaghan signed, Richardson cut.  More OL moves are surely on the way.

I expect Pioli to sign as many as 2 OT, and potentially a C. With 8 OL on the 53 man roster, and Wade Smith being "upgradeable", they could also cut from another position to create space for more OL depth.

the depth chart would be Albert/(FA to be named)... Waters/Wade Smith...Niswanger/ Alleman...Goff/ Ndukwe...Richardson/ (FA to be named) Ndukwe/O'Callaghan

I think Wade Smith could easily be cut, if they find a C that the Chiefs really like in the waiver fodder.  The other OL that made the 53 are probably safe at this point... even though AP has been calling for Mike Goff's head, I think that Pioli/Haley like him.

The starting lineup needs to start working together ASAP, building cohesion as a unit, and preparing for a good challenge at Baltimore.  No more rotation or player evaluation.  It's go time for the 5 starters above.  If one of them struggle as the season goes on, they can easily be replaced... but it's clear that the starters have pretty much been chosen, and need to perform as a group.

Glaring need #2...Wide Receiver/KR/PR

I have been saying for a while that I thought the WR corps was underrated and that no other acquisitions were needed.  That all changed yesterday, IMO.

By cutting Taurus Johnson, Rodney Wright, Ashley Lelie, Amani Toomer...the Chiefs have made a statement that they still aren't happy at WR. 

The depth chart looks like this now:  Bowe, Bradley, Lawrence, Engram, Copper.

Obviously, Bowe and Bradley are solid.  Lawrence has shown flashes of brilliance, flashes of butterfingers... but it's clear that the coaching staff sees plenty in him, and he factors into the plans in a big way. 

The two questions in my opinion are Engram and Copper...they could easily be replaced and upgraded.  In my opinion, a young slot receiver that can return kicks (like Lance Long, or Edelman in NE) would be the best upgrade to this group of WR.  A home run hitter/big name Wide Receiver would be a second priority this year, but a top priority in the draft next year.

I'm not sure who is out there after roster cuts, or who would be available via trade, but I could see 1 or 2 WR being added to the team... but at least one of them would have to be special teams contributors, hopefully as a returner who could catch every kick and be able to take one the to the house occasionally. 

With 5 WR on the roster now, the Chiefs could cut Copper and/or Engram for younger and more productive players.  OR they could add 1 or 2 WR, and cut from another position, like QB, RB or LB. 

Glaring need #3... Tight End

I've said before that KC fans have been spoiled all these years with TG and Jason Dunn.  For years, we could count on one TE catching everything in sight, and another acting as a snowplow for RBs and as a 6th offensive lineman for pass protection.

Pioli/Haley obviously value the TE position differently than the prior regime.  They traded Gonzalez for a 2nd round pick, then brought in Sean Ryan and traded into the 7th to draft Jake O'Connell.

Cottam is the incumbent, but has been the invisible man during the preseason.  Sean Ryan sits atop the depth chart at this point.  Ryan is known as a blocker, but clearly wasn't getting that done during the preseason games.  He did show up as a receiver vs StL with 2 big plays.

My prediction:  The Chiefs could very likely be looking to bring in a TE like Pope, Smith or Watson.  My vote continues to be for a great blocking TE, wherever they can find one.  I think they'll keep 3 TE on the roster, so O'Connell could be the odd man out if an acquisition is made... but don't be too shocked if they cut Cottam at some point.

Not-so-glaring need #1...Fullback

Mike Cox has been a serviceable FB for the Chiefs... but he's definitely a "Chan Gailey" guy.  Pioli and Haley have no reason to be loyal to Cox, as they look over the list of free agents and waived players.

My prediction:  Dan Klecko could be brought in to replace Cox.  He's huge and versatile, and was drafted by Pioli.  This could be a nice upgrade. 

Not-so-glaring need #2...backup QB

The Thigpen/Croyle dead horse need not be beaten here...

However, speculation is running wild that the Chiefs have a need for another QB with Cassel hurt and Thigpen ineffective.

My prediction:  The Chiefs stand pat with Croyle and Gutierrez as the backup QBs.  Thigpen is traded if they can find a taker, or cut as soon as Cassel is healthy enough to play.  They'll need the roster spot to upgrade OL and WR.

Not-so-glaring need #3... Safety

The secondary should be a strength for this team, but coverage has been soft, and turnovers have been scarce.  The fans all said KC was set in the secondary, but the new management has shown their dissatisfaction by cutting Pollard, signing Mike Brown and drafting Donald Washington.

Bernard Pollard is undoubtedly the most surprising cut the Chiefs made this weekend.  For whatever reason, KC is moving on from one of the defensive leaders of the last couple years.  Some say it was because he argued with Clancy, some say they wanted to start Mike Brown, some say DaJuan Morgan is finally healthy and productive enough to make a crowd at safety.

My prediction:  The Chiefs could bring in a safety that is known to be great in coverage and a ball hawk.  If so, Ricardo Colclough is the next likely cut in the secondary.