"They don't hand out Lombardi Trophies for spending too much or spending too little. Chiefs GM Scott Pioli

"The beauty of it in my opinion was that there was a change. He (who should not be named CP) and I went to work together under Lamar's (Hunt) leadership and we put ourselves in a position where we kind of able to get things turned around. Clearly to me, without question, it was the most satisfying and gratifying part of my coaching career was to be a Kansas City Chief."  Former head coach Marty Schottenheimer

--WR Chris Chambers became a free agent but he didn't want to be free -- he wanted to stay in Kansas City. Chambers and the team got that done and not for free as he signed a three-year deal that could bring him $15 million, with $5.9 million in guaranteed money.

"All along, I wanted to be here," said Chambers, who was claimed on waivers at mid-season last year after he was released by San Diego. "I got a chance to know the team last year, the players, the coaches and everyone; they all embraced me as soon as I came in. I was able to be successful. Matt Cassel and I built a relationship over the past three months, which I never had with a quarterback.

"He's a guy I wanted to play with. He was definitely a huge part in me wanting to return. I felt like the team had a great nucleus of guys. We were fighting and scrapping and trying to win games. No one ever gave up. Everybody practiced really hard. Those are the type of guys you want to play football with. Eventually, things are going to turn around."

--The Chiefs have stayed true to the approach to free agency that they established last season: they will be active, but they will not be throwing big money at the name UFAs on the market. Plus, they will work to keep their own UFAs that fit with the team's vision for the 2010 season. So rather than go after Chester Taylor, who signed a four-year, $12.5 million contract with $7 million in guaranteed money, they signed Thomas Jones to a two-year, $5 million deal. "We're going to do whatever it takes to sign good players," said GM Scott Pioli. "Spending money doesn't always equate into improving your football team. That's been seen time and time again."

--The situation at right guard in the Chiefs offensive line is now wide open as the three players who worked there during the '09 season have all left the team. Restricted free agent Andy Alleman was not given a tender offer, and he signed with Indianapolis. Mike Goff, who opened the season as the starter and ended up on the injured-reserve list was released. Wade Smith was a UFA and he signed a four-year, $12 million deal with Houston.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/report/KC/13048095/chiefs-report-notes-quotes?tag=pageContainer;TeamNews

Through the first week of the 2010 NFL season, the Chiefs were able to fill only one of the major holes in their roster: a running back to help Jamaal Charles in the offense. Signing veteran Thomas Jones took that need off the board, but there are plenty of other positions in need of serious help.

Keeping their own UFAs -- OLB Mike Vrabel and WRs Chris Chambers, and Terrance Copper -- was helpful in keeping the status quo on defense, offense and special teams.

Former Chiefs Casey Wiegmann was re-signed, agreeing to a one-year deal, and is expected to compete with Rudy Niswanger, who was groomed to replace Wiegmann in 2008. Wiegmann spent the past two seasons playing for division-rival Denver.

 

OFFSEASON STRATEGY

While not jumping into the deep end of the free agency pool, the Chiefs have waded into the shallow end and figure to swim there for more additions to their roster, largely trying to build their depth and the bottom of their roster.

The NFL Draft will be the team's opportunity to re-build the top of the roster, especially with three picks in the top 50 of what is considered a very deep talent pool.

 

TEAM NEEDS

1. Inside Linebacker: The Chiefs haven't selected a linebacker in the NFL Draft since 2005. The '09 defense struggled against the run, finishing 31st in the league in fewest rushing yards allowed.

2. Guard: There's a hole at right guard in the team's starting offensive line and the Chiefs do not have a lot of bodies to fill the spot.

3. Safety: The greatest indictment of the Chiefs' defense in '09 was this: they allowed the biggest rushing game of the season (286 yards by Cleveland's Jerome Harrison) and the biggest receiving game of the year (250 yards by Dallas' Miles Austin.) Better play at safety would help matters.

MEDICAL WATCH
RB Jamaal Charles reported that he had surgery to repair his right shoulder from an injury that has bothered him since his college days at Texas. Several times during the '09 season, Charles shoulder popped out and he'd have to leave the game until trainers could re-position the shoulder. He said he will be ready to go in the team's off-season program at the end of March.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/report/KC/13048097/chiefs-report-strategy-and-personnel?tag=pageContainer;TeamNews

Delhomme will be given chance to start after signing with Browns

 

Holmgren knows that finding a competent quarterback is essential to any team's success. 

"It's a huge decision," Holmgren said at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. "It's the most important decision on the football team, and the great teams have that guy."

The Browns currently have 11 draft picks, and it's possible they could use a high choice on a quarterback prospect.

The Browns' interest in Delhomme seems to indicate a reluctance to hand the starting job back to Quinn, who has struggled as a pro. Quinn is just 3-9 in 12 career starts with Cleveland, but some of the former Notre Dame star's inconsistency probably can be attributed to the Browns' lack of talent, as well as coaching and front-office changes in recent years.

New Browns president Mike Holmgren said Friday that Quinn's future would depend on what other moves the team makes.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d816ef036&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

If we can't trade out of the #5 selection, how about our first choice in the second round?  Cleveland and Seattle should be in need of moving up to build their franchises with a Quarterback for the future. 

If in fact St. Louis makes Bradford the number one overall and Washington plays the trump card by selecting Clausen, the next tier of Quarterbacks would be McCoy, Tebow, and Lefevour.  McCoy, Tebow, and Lefevour would be considered a reach if Cleveland and Seattle selected them that high in the first round, but how about if they selected  them in the top of the second round? 

There would be good value for both Cleveland and Seattle and for the trading team to swap positions.  I like the chances of this working even more now in the new format of the draft.  In which only the first round will be conducted on the first day of the draft, and the subsequent rounds following there after.  The time in between will give teams more time to discuss trade options, and compensations to make their move.

Something for us fans to consider when Pioli does not make a move in the first round, especially if Berry is sitting there when we select at number 5.