ESPN's Mel Kiper Calls Chiefs' Berry A 'Shoo-in', McCluster A 'Touchdown-Maker'

by Joel Thorman on Jun 3, 2010 12:37 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Draft

ESPN's Mel Kiper is one of the (many) folks who had good things to say about the Chiefs 2010 draft class. Kiper recently penned an Insider article talking about rookies that could make an instant impact in the league. Two of those players -- Eric Berry and Dexter McCluster -- have been given that label by quite a few folks.

First, he places Berry in the "Shoo-ins" category. Berry was described as one of the most complete, NFL ready players in the draft. His most recent season in football was with famed NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin while he played a similar scheme to what the Chiefs run in his freshman and sophomore seasons at Tennessee.

Even though Berry may have a few "hiccups" early in the process, Kipers says, you can "lock this guy in your starting lineup from the first day and throw away the key."

Next, puts McCluster in the "Touchdown-Makers" category. He says the Chiefs "took a risk" with McCluster in the second round and that he's been "miscast" as a running back ala Darren Sproles.

Per Kiper, the key to McCluster's instant impact will be getting him the ball in the passing game. Thus far in OTAs, the Chiefs have worked him at running back (and the wildcat), receiver and returner. The feeling at this point is that he'll see the most time at receiver.

Sure, they've yet to put on the pads in the NFL, but the Chiefs rookie class continues to get good reviews.

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Berry will lock down the starting safety role

by the end of training camp, IMO & DMC will be a holy terror in the open field, swing passes, screens, etc. He will gain yards in bunches, or get stuffed as soon as he catches the ball. He has explosive speed and will be elusive, but I don’t see him shedding too many tackles due to his size.

and the Chiefs put the HAMMER DOWN!!!!

by reedeasy on Jun 3, 2010 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

Great... Kiper thinks something good about us...

Mel Kiper never played in the NFL. In fact, he never played in college or high school either. He’s never been employed by any of the 32 NFL teams nor the NFL in general. He is a fan of the sport, just like most people. How his opinion is valued over anyone else’s, and how he gets plenty of air time on ESPN is beyond me. I take his comments to be just that—Comments. I would rate him as an average NFL fan that has lots of access to behind the scenes stuff for no reason.

His opinion on anything is about as good as mine. Actually, that’s an insult to me. Kiper once said that the Colts would be disappointed with Peyton Manning and that Ryan Leaf was the much better choice. This is just one of many examples at how little he knows about football.

by Djpress on Jun 3, 2010 1:11 PM CDT reply actions

We'd missing him though wouldn't we?

I’ve always enjoyed him embarrassing himself.

since63

by since63 on Jun 3, 2010 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually

I’ve heard lots of NFL teams respect Kiper because he puts in the work. Todd McShay on the other hand…

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Jun 3, 2010 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree... Mel Kiper is pretty good.

Many get things wrong, and it is easy to point to… at least he presents his reasoning in a manner that has logic.

Go Chiefs!!!!

by ravenhawk on Jun 3, 2010 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

And Mike Leach had no right trying to be a football coach.

I understand your point but I think that if an individual devotes 20+ years of their life working full time evaluating the talent of people trying to make a career as football players, they have an opinion worth considering. I’m not saying that he can or can not get a job with an NFL team, but I will say that he probably makes more money at ESPN than he would in the NFL (unless he got some GM job).

by Chyladin on Jun 3, 2010 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree, In part...

that after a certain amount of time and devotion that a person can learn the way things work. This is fine for his “Draft Board”, with enough research, it’s not terribly difficult to create a mock draft based on needs, especially considering how everyone knows that it can change and he’s not held liable for being wrong. But when he goes into deep analysis about player talent and ability, he’s at a complete loss. It takes someone who has played and/or coached and/or worked in some capacity with the NFL, to offer any kind of meaningful analysis.

Bottom Line: His mock drafts are fine (even if i got the same number correct and after the first round it doesn’t matter because of all the changes/trades) But his analysis of actual players shouldn’t be viewed in any brighter light than that of yours or mine.

by Djpress on Jun 3, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with you.

I think a problem he must have (whether he realizes it or not) is that he doesn’t have the same end goal as and NFL team. An NFL GM has to find players that fit the scheme of the head coach. At anyone one point in a draft there might be 10 players that have ‘value’ at that specific draft spot. But, for any specific team, maybe only 2 or 3 players will work for that scheme. Each NFL team are actually the only people with all of the available information of what they think they will get in FA, internal player develop, and schematic adjustments to maximize players abilities. It is very difficult for an outside to judge what a team needs and that is why I think the NFL is famous for last to first turn-arounds.

Mel Kipers job is to predict what all 32 teams will do every year in a draft. In theory, he would have to gain all the knowledge a NFL GM must acquire to prepare for his teams draft without having free access to the team, its coaches, or playbook. Then he has to do that 31 more times. Now that I am reading back through all of this I really come off as a Kiper homer. I’m not. He deserves grief. I just am willing to defend him for doing what is really an impossible job. On the flip side, he has earned millions doing it. So, in conclusion, make as much fun of him as you want.

by Chyladin on Jun 3, 2010 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

I don’t like Kiper much, but he’s probably as good as any other Mock Drafter out there.

The problem with mock drafting is that once you get one pick wrong, there’s going to be a cascading affect with the rest of the draft. It would be much better to say “This team will take one of these 3-5 players with the pick”. Of course that kind of analysis doesn’t draw as much interest, so can’t blame them for not doing it.

Predictions:
This year will be better

by jmcgoblue on Jun 3, 2010 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

He is VERY GOOD at knowing what NFL teams are going to do on DRAFT DAY. That is all.

God typed "iddqd" before creating Jason Heyward.

by EyePod on Jun 3, 2010 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I believe you're describing Rick Gosselin

There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.

by burntorangehorn on Jun 3, 2010 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Not having played in the NFL doesn't mean anything

Do you really think Terry Bradshaw is more qualified to talk about what it takes to be a great line prospect than Mel Kiper is?

by burntorangehorn on Jun 3, 2010 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Gotta' hand it to Mel, he knows his stuff...

Except when I disagree with him.

10 + wins in 2010. Chiefs SHOCK the NFL!!! Mark it down.

by Scott B. on Jun 3, 2010 1:12 PM CDT reply actions

It's going to be fun to watch...

the team progress. I’ve seen the rebuilding process many times but I don’t think I’ve ever been quite as optimistic. The closest would be the Marv Levy era that was cut short (and later Lamar was always man enough to admit the mistake) with his ridiculous dismissal. Marty simply added a few pieces to what was already a somewhat decent roster but that era was fun of course.

Great gains this year and SB contention in ’11. Looking forward to meeting some of you at the party in Waldo.

since63

by since63 on Jun 3, 2010 1:12 PM CDT reply actions

This is what I was saying when KC took McCluster

A lot of people were upset that KC went for him, but I’m serious, he’s far more of a receiver than a running back. I liked the selection itself a lot, even if I wasn’t crazy about how early they took him.

by burntorangehorn on Jun 3, 2010 1:40 PM CDT reply actions

I think Sproles is a better RB than he is given credit for. That SD OL sucked in the run game since Norv started tinkering.

And I think that McCluster will be MUCH more effective as an OW if he masters both RB and WR roles. If teams instantly go nickel or dime D based on his presence, there might be some nice advantages in the run game, and he might be the logical player to exploit those advantages as a HB, up the middle or to the edge.

When I first heard about him, my first thought was “Jamaal insurance.” When I actually watched some highlight film, I definitely saw WR. But then, Jamaal doesn’t exactly look like your everyday RB, either. But no question, he can do some great things in the O-backfield, as, I expect, can McCluster.

An issue with McCluster is how effective of an NFL blocker he will be and how much the Chiefs are willing to risk him in such a role (effective? durable?). McCluster seems built more like a receiver. Sproles, for all the disrespect shown him, is VERY powerfully built below the waist. McCluster seems longer-limbed, with more of his power in the upper body. As a RB, great balance and body control seem to count for more. Keeping the defender from ever getting a clean hit is often more important. Look at how light Marcus was when, toward the end of his career, he became known as one of the best short-yardage backs in the league.

by hmills110 on Jun 3, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Sounds like Mel reads AP!

by Baldock1 on Jun 3, 2010 1:56 PM CDT reply actions

No i think Joel gave him 20 bucks to say that

CHIEFS fan 4 life

by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Jun 3, 2010 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Mel Kiper is a TERRIBLE football talent analyst.

He is a GREAT NFL draft analyst and is very capable at mock drafts, but that’s as far as his talents go.

God typed "iddqd" before creating Jason Heyward.

by EyePod on Jun 3, 2010 2:13 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed, see above.

by Djpress on Jun 3, 2010 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

hey guys new kid on the block

any body concerned about duability issues with the Dex

by shkstr on Jun 3, 2010 2:40 PM CDT reply actions

naw he isnt an every down player

so he wont be out there getting beat up all game.

by tomahawk44 on Jun 3, 2010 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Welcome to AP

No offense…but I hated your band. Just sayin’.

10 + wins in 2010. Chiefs SHOCK the NFL!!! Mark it down.

by Scott B. on Jun 3, 2010 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions

None Takin

Can’t hate me, i wasn’t there if i was i was drunk

by shkstr on Jun 3, 2010 3:19 PM CDT reply actions

Bubble screens for days!

by KCinIL on Jun 3, 2010 3:44 PM CDT reply actions

SO MUCH NEWS NOW ALL DAY !!!!! ITS SO HARD TO CATCH UP HAHAHA

Love it. doing a great job Joel an Chris.

Would ya like a free NANAA!

by Jazzy Megalodon on Jun 3, 2010 3:55 PM CDT reply actions

im really excited about moeaki too

i have a good feeling that he’ll be the starter going into next year

"WIth the 5th pick in the 2010 NFL draft the Kansas City Chiefs select... Eric Berry Safety Tennesee... "

by BEEf_CHIEF on Jun 3, 2010 5:08 PM CDT reply actions

The difference of last years squad from what the Chiefs will showcast is huge.

How many times since Dante Hall, have we been excited about the kick return game? I know my answer was 0, but that has changed on draft day. How much depth of talent did they have last year, not much. Besides the approach of acquiring high ethical players, they’ve drafted versitile talented players that truly have a desire to excel, and with the holes that the Chiefs had, this is huge. This draft will become one of the best that they’ve ever had. Now there is a big difference from college ball to playing in the pros, but after that acclimation mode is over, watch-out, sit-back, and enjoy the direction the Chiefs are headed.

by gregorychief on Jun 4, 2010 12:24 PM CDT reply actions