In house players please stand up and be noticed.

by dubld on Jan 13, 2011 2:42 PM CST

Last year we were able to stash a player or two, maybe we were so awful nobody wanted our practice squad players. Jovan Belcher did ok for his first year. Many are bashing him, and some of it is well deserved. But he did unseat a really pathetic Corey Mays, so we helped a sore spot with an in house fix. Figure another one, maybe two who I have my eye on this off season.

First is the guard, Daryl Harris, who looked good in preseason, until an injury knocked him off the 53 man roster. I am happy that he made it through the season on our squad as he has shown ability. If he could only play center. But a swing guard is an important spot, especially with an aging Waters and a bad knee'd Lidja. I know big Jon A. is ahead of him, but I liked what I saw last year in training camp.

Another guy who I thought looked promising was the LB, Pierre Walters, who has good size and instincts. A mean and nasty streak from what I remember. I was glad to see he made it and hope he makes the roster next year. We seem agreed we need help at the LB spot and competition is good so who knows.

Surely I am missing a guy someone else likes, which is a good thing. Other teams may have some guys who are ready to step up and I'd bet a used toothbrush that Scotty has an eye on them. I want to say Scott is known for stashing players on IR, and in Cottam's favor the PUP list. I expect Cottam to find some time in games next year, which means O'Connell or Pope is moving on. I could be wrong we will see.

So what I wanted to do is see who else maybe takes that next step and gets noticed. The first 2 to come to mind are Leggett and Sheffield. Many posts already have Sheffield starting next year and a grand thing it would be. Leggett was hurt, like Cottam and Sheffield with head/neck injuries but have had plenty of time to get well and if I don't miss my guess are in great shape right now.

So say these guys make the 53 man roster, does this alter our draft and free agent pursuits? If so we need to focus on 3 areas of need. RT,NT,WR. Maybe center, but not the highest priority for me. I do believe that 1 of those positions will get filled in the draft, a guy who comes in and starts. If, when we pick first, there is not a perceived starter I think Pioli goes after a guy who can come in and start, albeit a different position.

A last thought is that Scott has shown an ability to upgrade talent. This is going to get more difficult as we improve, but I do not see him not trying to upgrade the talent and competition. So maybe we see some other squads practice squad players get signed. Bring 'em on and GO Chief's!!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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You are correct on the "need" areas, but the Pioli's magic on draft day will be in the later rounds.

Beings that the Chiefs have a really brutal schedule next season, the injuries could possibly happen by the boatload. Some talented depth will be neccessary, and the rookies will have to be ready to play on day 1. How many deals do Pioli pull-out, to get a certain player ?? It just might be an interesting off-season.

by gregorychief on Jan 13, 2011 3:05 PM CST reply actions

I like the thought process here

I think there are several candidates for in-house improvements.

I’m a believer in the potential of Belcher and Studebaker… and I think Haley/Pioli do too… (thus my “no LB in the first 3 rounds” prediction)

Anything they can get from Leggett is gravy at this point, along with Cottam.

Sheffield is another that I do have hopes for… could at least be a situational pass rusher and depth at OLB…

It's all about the gameplan

by stagdsp on Jan 13, 2011 3:59 PM CST reply actions

if they can get an Ayers or the other elite OLB then I think it might be the best move they could make

I’d rather get more talent than not … and SOLB is going to be a huge need, can’t see Stude filling Vrabel’s shoes there, but that’s just me

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by upamtn on Jan 13, 2011 4:15 PM CST up reply actions

you think olb

is an absolute need position to grab with 1st rd? not questioning, just wondering what ya think

Chiefs Nation: Win or Lose, this is only the beginning.

by KC Nate on Jan 13, 2011 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

not necessarily ... BUT ... it depends on who they have available ... BPA vs NEED thing

I do think SOLB is a critical need though, and I don’t see Vrabel as holding it down for another year … he was brought in as a stopgap AND to help teach the kids, change the culture … he’s done that w/o question

if the world’s best NT is there, grab him … another major need, and I do think we need a monster upgrade with either NT or SOLB … if we don’t we’re gonna be hurting, just my opinion, others WILL disagree

so, who ya got for the weekend games? :-)

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2011 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

Sheffield was picked to be our other pass rushing OLB.

If he gets healthy i believe he makes the team, and i believe with Crennel coaching him he could be pretty good. The other guy that not mentioned is Micah Johnson ILB http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGUlgQ2Q_Sw

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Jan 13, 2011 5:15 PM CST up reply actions

Micah is the ILB we need.

IMO he can be made into a beast by Crennel, and he is also one of the guys i was hoping we would draft. Like I’ve said before if they would just listen too me, it would make this whole process a lot easier.

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Jan 13, 2011 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

thatd be awesome

It's all about the gameplan

by stagdsp on Jan 13, 2011 5:23 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah it would.

The good part about him is he actually can cover people down field, stop the run, and rush the QB. I’m excited to see him on the roster.

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Jan 13, 2011 5:28 PM CST up reply actions

Vrabel has lost a couple of steps, but does provide a steady stop/gap.

I really do believe that the Chiefs have plans of playing Sheffield, with Pioli stating on his unique pass-rushing moves, but Ayers seems to be availiable with their pick at this time. But I do like OT Sherrod at pick 21, to compete with Albert for LT, (loser plays RT), and with Asamoah maybe starting next season, would solidify a big part of the O-Line for years. Maybe then Cassel can look downfield more. There is no doubt that Richardson has earned a roster spot, but not as a starter.

by gregorychief on Jan 13, 2011 4:32 PM CST reply actions

Von Miller or Ayers ...

I think either would be a PHYSICAL upgrade over Vrabel right now (or next year) … love the guy and nothing but respect for all he’s done, and he’s a leader on the field and as classy as they come, but … we need someone who can rush the passer (aside from Hali) and cover TE and/or RB … Studebaker isn’t it and Sheff is totally unknown right now given the injury and no playing time

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2011 4:43 PM CST up reply actions

Miller isn't physical enough

I’m thinking it’s Ayers or Beal, from what I know now…

or Studebaker :)

It's all about the gameplan

by stagdsp on Jan 13, 2011 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

Swimcoach seems to like him

but who knows … the only opinion that REALLY counts is “The Don”

btw, the flag feature isn’t working and there’s a troller on the John Elway Hires John Fox post)

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2011 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

I flagged him

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Jan 13, 2011 5:31 PM CST up reply actions

and Aldon Smith ... he can rush the passer, not sure about coverage though

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2011 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

same w miller

And not sure about either being stout enough vs the run

It's all about the gameplan

by stagdsp on Jan 13, 2011 5:25 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

making a note to myself ...

do not listen to Swimcoach, do not listen to Swincoach, do not …

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2011 6:42 PM CST up reply actions

Aldon Smith is talented athletically

and talent alone gives him credence but he is going to be a project and the Chief’s most lilely go elsewhere.

by dubld on Jan 13, 2011 5:23 PM CST reply actions

we do need talent ... and sure rookies will make mistakes, Eric Berry certainly has

and no, I’m not comparing Smith to Berry

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2011 6:44 PM CST up reply actions

No argument from me about the need for talent.

But, we NEED guys to play soonest, not guys chosen with the first pick for developing for later use. From what I have read he is strictly one dimensional as a pass rusher now, but his upside is real good. Drafting potential is a crapshoot, and we can ill afford to play with these picks. Usually when Haley is heard about bringing players here it’s good football players, not developmental guys. But I agree he’s worth discussing, if for no other reason he is a Mizzou player on the cusp of being taken in round 1.

by dubld on Jan 13, 2011 6:54 PM CST reply actions

oh yeah, Mizzou fan myself, one reason I tossed his name out

I know he can do the rush, but can he cover? if the potential is there, he’s a good enough athlete I wouldn’t at all mind having him (not my first choice, perhaps, but still) … though when you talk about one-dimensional, Hali is pretty one-dimensional … great pass rusher, but lacking in cover skills (one reason he’s on the weakside, no TE to cover)

nonetheless, I’d rather get the younger studs with talent than castoffs from other teams for a couple of years … I want the team to be solid for longterm, not just a year or two … still, the draft is always a crapshoot, there are never any guarantees

so it goes :-)

by upamtn on Jan 14, 2011 3:05 PM CST up reply actions