Chiefs Facing Decisions With 17 Free Agents

Hopefully Gutierrez is replaced on the depth chart by a new project player.

And for the restricted free agents….The Chiefs can keep these players at a relatively low cost. They can place a tender on each player – basically assign them a draft pick – and the higher the tender (or draft pick), the more money it’ll cost.

Each of these players has some level of value except maybe K. Smith who contributed very little last season. But we have invested something in each of them and they will continue to develop. However, if we can get someone we really want in the draft by trading them for another pick….why not?

If Vrabel signs back on in New England, would that deminish that value of last year’s trade? If so, how significantly?

S Mike Brown (yes), WR Chris Chambers (yes), WR Terrence Copper (NO), TE Sean Ryan (HELL NO), OL Wade Smith (maybe for depth), LB Mike Vrabel (Yes), WR Bobby Wade (Yes, if we don’t up grade via draft)

OL Andy Alleman (Of course), QB Brodie Croyle (Yeppers), QB Matt Gutierrez (I like the project idea, so no), LB Derrick Johnson (Sign him, trade him), LB Corey Mays (depth, yes), OL Ikechuku Ndukwe (could go either way, so no), OL Rudy Niswanger (depth at best, so no), OL Ryan O’Callaghan (definately), S Jarrad Page (HELL YES), RB Kolby Smith (Buh Bye)

That’s 8 resigned
5 maybes
and 4 definate no’s

Resign or tender the rest and let them fight for a spot on the roster in camp. That should create competition at a few positions , something Pioli likes to do…….

Maybe see if you can get Mike Brown for another year. Wouldn’t mind seeing more out of Copper. Cut Bobby Wade’s non-pass catching ass. I think he’s pissed Haley off any ways. Not very impressed with Sean Ryan. Brad Cottam has more upside and Pope was pretty decent.

As for restricted guys…. resign Page for sure. A lot of upside there, plus he’s spoiled a Raiders’ victory at least three times. That’s gotta account for something. Dangle DJ on a hook to see if anyone bites. There could be a lot of trade value there. Mays adds good depth, so I’d like to see him back. The rest?…. meh.

Ryan, Wade, Guitierrez and Kolby Smith are goners. Easily replaced.
Mike Brown, Mays, Alleman, Ndukwe, and Rudy are on the bubble. Draft and free agency will determine their fates.
I’d keep Broydie, Page, Vrabel, W.Smith, Chambers and O’Callaghan for sure.
DJohnson is interesting. Could he get traded? I’d be ok with that. A 3rd rounder and bye bye DJ. But if he stays I’d be ok too. Don’t know why I have a soft spot for him. His value may never be higher that it is now as many people will remember his Denver performance. Just like i’ll never forget Brandon Carr’s Denver performance. A story for another day. Sorry, it gets me emotional just thinking about it.

they should at least make offers to everyone on the list except those two.

That keeps the Chiefs’ options open… you know pretty much what you’re getting from those guys if they come back, so IF a better player can be acquired, you can do so, and cut someone.

IF NOT, you roll with those guys in 2010, along with some select FAs and draft picks.

Star-divide

S Mike Brown- DUMP
WR Chris Chambers- KEEP
 WR Terrence Copper,- KEEP
 TE Sean Ryan,- DUMP
 OL Wade Smith, KEEP
LB Mike Vrabel, DUMP
 WR Bobby Wade-DUMP
G Andy Alleman- KEEP
QB Brodie Croyle, -KEEP
QB Matt Gutierrez, -KEEP
LB Derrick Johnson, -KEEP
LB Corey Mays,-KEEP
 OL Ikechuku Ndukwe-KEEP,
OL Rudy Niswanger, -KEEP as backup
OL Ryan O’Callaghan, -KEEP
S Jarrad Page, -KEEP
RB Kolby Smith-DUMP

How long has he been a Chief and how many games did he actually play in? I swear I think I dressed for more games than he did and most Sundays I was in my underwear, wearing click clacks, sitting on the couch eating Cheetos with holey socks and the remote!

Kolby Smith definition: What have you done for the the team lately?

and have 17 more draft picks this year

Had Wade Smith been a RFA, I think he would have been taken quickly resulting in another draft pick for us.

S Mike Brown- KEEP (Depth)
WR Chris Chambers- KEEP
 WR Terrence Copper,- KEEP (Special Teams)
 TE Sean Ryan,- DUMP
 OL Wade Smith, KEEP
LB Mike Vrabel, KEEP (Mentor)
 WR Bobby Wade-DUMP
G Andy Alleman- KEEP
QB Brodie Croyle, -KEEP (Solid #2)
QB Matt Gutierrez, -DUMP
LB Derrick Johnson, -KEEP (ONLY if he’ll be a starter)
LB Corey Mays,-KEEP (Depth)
 OL Ikechuku Ndukwe-DUMP
OL Rudy Niswanger, -KEEP (Depth.. Plus, we might not find another Center)
OL Ryan O’Callaghan, -KEEP
S Jarrad Page, -KEEP
RB Kolby Smith-KEEP (But needs to find a way to stay healthy)

S Mike Brown, WR Chris Chambers, WR Terrence Copper, TE Sean Ryan, OL Wade Smith, LB Mike Vrabel, WR Bobby Wade

I can see the Chiefs being interested in re-signing just about every player there, save Ryan, who was inactive for many of the contests in the second half of the season.

And for the restricted free agents:

OL Andy Alleman, QB Brodie Croyle, QB Matt Gutierrez, LB Derrick Johnson, LB Corey Mays, OL Ikechuku Ndukwe, OL Rudy Niswanger, OL Ryan O’Callaghan, S Jarrad Page, RB Kolby Smith

S Mike Brown – cut

WR Chris Chambers – re-sign, but not for anything resembling starting WR money. He’s old and his production is unlikely to improve or stay the same next year.

WR Terrence Copper – re-sign only if no other options.

TE Sean Ryan – cut

OL Wade Smith – re-sign and give him a starting job unless someone is brought in who’s better.

 LB Mike Vrabel – re-sign

WR Bobby Wade – re-sign, but not for starting WR money. He’s a decent slot receiver at best.

OL Andy Alleman -re-sign for reserve money

QB Brodie Croyle – re-sign for veteran minimum

QB Matt Gutierrez – re-sign for veteran minimum

LB Derrick Johnson – re-sign and give starting LB spot

LB Corey Mays – re-sign for minimum

OL Ikechuku Ndukwe – cut

OL Rudy Niswanger – re-sign as for backup money or cut

OL Ryan O’Callaghan – re-sign for starter money if necessary, just not for elite starter money,

S Jarrad Page – re-sign for starter money

RB Kolby Smith – cut