Kansas City Chiefs Work Out A Pair Of Linebackers

by Joel Thorman on Oct 13, 2011 10:08 AM CDT

It's the bye week which means the Kansas City Chiefs have some extra time to get healthy, evaluate what they can improve and prepare for the Oakland Raiders.

It also means they have some extra time to work players out.

Adam Caplan reports the Chiefs worked out two players this week -- LB Matt Wilhelm and LB Leon Williams. Both are inside linebackers, which is interesting.

Wilhelm is listed at 6'4", 245 pounds and some Chiefs fans may be familiar with him from his days with the San Diego Chargers, who made him a fourth round pick in the 2003 NFL draft. He's also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Williams is listed at 6'2", 250 pounds and most recently had a stint with the Dallas Cowboys. Williams was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft and spent some time with the New York Sentinels (formerly the UFL).

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Why not Curry?

Why would we look at these discarded ILB’s instead of thowing a couple 6th round picks to Seattle for Aaron Curry?

by Chiefsfan584life on Oct 13, 2011 10:10 AM CDT reply actions

Really?

These are both ILB and if anything you want your ILB to read gaps and get off blocks. Getting off blocks is one of Currys biggest problems. There is a reason Seattle shipped him off and it sounds like they were happy to get a 7th round and a conditional mid round pick next year. No thank you. BTW that trade also makes Curry a discarded OLB. Curry has a big name from the draft and that is about it. If we traded even a 7th for him I would have been pissed. Did you not watch him play when we played the Seahawks last year?

Arrowhead pride addict

by groundedchevy on Oct 13, 2011 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Curry was playing out of position

He played outside in Seattle , he played inside in college

Just tell it to call you Billie!

by saints_chiefsfan1979 on Oct 13, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Curry has been nothing special, costs draft picks, and most importantly is very expensive.

A trade means you are on the hook for the rest of his salary (a top 10 pick). These guys are dirt cheap.

I guess this is Pioli just checking around so he knows who to call if an injury happens.

The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.

by saskwatch on Oct 13, 2011 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions

If I'm correct

Seahawks renegotiated his contract and lowered his salary before the start of the season. So he doesn’t cost top 10 salary for his draft stocks. That’s what made this “non-move” so puzzling from Pioli. I’m hoping that Pioli at least inquired about Curry and decided that he’s not a fit. I hope he did his due diligence.

by kaorder1 on Oct 13, 2011 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Curry renegotiated but

He is still making $5 mil this season in base salary. The main part of the renegotiation was dropping the last two years of his contract to make it so he hits free agency after the 2012 season. I believe his guaranteed money went down for the 2012 season as well but he’s still making a lot of money for 2011. He’s definitely not worth the money or picks.

by theaxeeffect4721 on Oct 13, 2011 12:08 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Risk/reward deal

I am betting they are restructuring his contract as we speak.Usually when you trade someone ,you work out a long term deal that is cap friendly,in the event you cut him.And Curry doesn’t have much leverage in this situation.My guess is they will pro rate whatever Seattle owes him over so many years.So, I think it is a lot more cap friendly than you might think.

As far as the picks go,it’s a 7th in 2012 and a conditional 5 in 2013.Most 5-7th round picks don’t make the team(let alone an impact) so you aren’t losing much.And if the 2013 pick becomes a 4th rounder,than that means he has performed thus, making the trade worthwhile .Had it been a 2nd and a 3rd,I wouldn’t have touched it with a 10 ft. pole.But 2 low round picks for a young player taken 4th overall,isn’t a bad deal.

I would have loved to see what Romeo could have gotten out of him.He made Tyson Jackson look decent,so who knows what he could have done with Curry.The guy was a high number 1 pick ,so he has talent.And it isn’t like Seattle is a beacon of great coaching.But like so many of Pioli’s other (non)moves we will never know.

Just tell it to call you Billie!

by saints_chiefsfan1979 on Oct 13, 2011 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

You are right

Just tell it to call you Billie!

by saints_chiefsfan1979 on Oct 13, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I can give you 60 million reasons why

His contract is way too expensive. Although he supposedly restructured it before the trade.

by CapsLockKey on Oct 13, 2011 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

because u can tell

Curry has character issue and you know thats not the “right 53” that right there is something i understand but i feel they need to get over when it comes to certain players but i dont think that it will change until we change something in the front office! imo.

I LOVE MY CHIEFS OH YEAH, B.Flowers is way underrated but they will all be witnesses!!! (sorry lebron)

by kcchiefsfan515 on Oct 13, 2011 10:16 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Curry in no way fits our scheme, he's strictly an OLB in a 4-3.

Pioli brought in Shaun Smith who was a character problem, and worked out Shaun Rodgers who’s even worse of one. Drafted Justin Houston and Jonathan Baldwin.

I don’t think Pioli considers character as much of a concern anymore.

Me and Matt Cassel just - you up, dog!

by ChiefWarPaint on Oct 13, 2011 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

he's more concerned about football character than choir boy character - though both are important

My impression of Curry is that he lacks on the football character area

CHIEFS DYNASTY – we’re kind of a big deal

by kabrink on Oct 13, 2011 12:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

^^^^ kabrink gets it

As usual.

We Don't Hear The Hate

by TRSChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

ahhh. (blush)

CHIEFS DYNASTY – we’re kind of a big deal

by kabrink on Oct 13, 2011 12:47 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Surprised it didn't happen sooner

Since the Siler injury it was pretty obvious we were looking for some depth at ILB and both of these guys could help on STs

by JayrodT on Oct 13, 2011 10:17 AM CDT reply actions

Cough Cough... umm Special Teams maybe

Didn’t think this would be a head scratcher

by GracieKal on Oct 13, 2011 10:31 AM CDT reply actions

I think we're looking for depth

but I hope we spend a high draft pick on this position in next years draft. I like Belcher a lot, but he is a very nice back up at best.

by Chiefs447 on Oct 13, 2011 10:44 AM CDT reply actions

I would like to see them draft Vontaze Burflict

He would bring that nastiness we need on defense.

Men succeed when they realize that their failures are the preparation for their victories.

by KingChief on Oct 13, 2011 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions

He seems a bit raw

but the dude is ferocious. Like, eat your children ferocious.

by Chiefs447 on Oct 13, 2011 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions

I think we kinda need that

He would be like Ray Lewis 2.0 coming out of college.

Men succeed when they realize that their failures are the preparation for their victories.

by KingChief on Oct 13, 2011 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Oh yea.

We need a mean som’ bitch to provide some energy on the D.

by Chiefs447 on Oct 13, 2011 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm fine with that

As long as the similarity ends short of murder conspiracies

CHIEFS DYNASTY – we’re kind of a big deal

by kabrink on Oct 13, 2011 12:07 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Like, eat your children and kill your dog ferocious.

That guy is the definition of beast, both literally and figuratively.

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I've been talking about Burfict

on here for weeks…dude brings the lumber…we have some good hitters but nobody that has that James Harrison, Ray Ray “I’m gonna kill you attitude” like this guy does. If we get a top 7 pick we should be able to get him…and Pioli doesn’t mind using top 10 picks on LB…as he used one on Mayo.

by AZDiamond75 on Oct 13, 2011 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, a guy like that could be the sparkplug that takes this D and turns the corner from average to fierce

We Don't Hear The Hate

by TRSChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions

My only concern with him is getting him reigned in a little.

Dude is too intense on the field (impossible, I know), and has a tendency to draw penalties. I’ve seen him head butt players after the whistle, and take wings between whistles. Coaches try to get him under control but I’ve seen him ignore them too.

Dude has a LOT of pent up rage. If he reels it in just a bit he would easily be a top 5 pick. But his temper might make him drop to the bottom of the first round, especially when you consider that the NFL is cracking down on manimal defenders that are out to punish offenses.

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Take swings that is:

and take swings between whistles

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Romeo could reign him in enough.

We Don't Hear The Hate

by TRSChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I would hope so.

As a fan I would take him at any pick. After Luck, that is.

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, a Burfict in round 1 and RG3 or another good QB prospect in 2

Would be a pretty good start to a draft.

We Don't Hear The Hate

by TRSChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Hell yeah.

That’s a pipe dream though. There’s a chance neither of those players will be around when we pick. Best case scenario is we’ll have to pick one or the other.

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I doubt either would be available in the 2nd round

so we’d have to choose one. I’d prefer RGIII.

by Chiefs4Life on Oct 13, 2011 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions

If not Burfict, Manti Te'o?...

by KCfanSoCal on Oct 13, 2011 4:28 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Wouldn't that have put Williams in Cle. when RAC was there?

Connection

by RamX21 on Oct 13, 2011 11:06 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Safetys

why aren’t they working out safeties?

by LaPointer on Oct 13, 2011 11:45 AM CDT reply actions

Probably because watching McGraw whiff on tackles is too damn much fun watching when reviewing game film.

Ok, I’m just kidding… sort of

by Chiefs447 on Oct 13, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

How do you know they're not?

Chiefs now 2-3: Suck on that, Luck suckers!

by Tarkus on Oct 13, 2011 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

What Tarkus said

We don’t get reports of very single body they bring in. A lot of guys get brought in for a look and we never hear about it. Or hear about a year later as an offhand remark in an article “(player) signed with the Saints after working out last year with the Chargers, Chiefs and Bears before heading to the UFL for the remainder of the season”

Not at all uncommon.

Same thing as when another team signs a FA that we may have liked – doesn’t mean we showed no interest or didn’t try to sign them.

We Don't Hear The Hate

by TRSChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions

We know they haven't worked any out

because they haven’t signed any! It would only take one workout from someone to realize they’re better than McGraw and Sabby. And if by chance they felt that Sabby and McGraw were better than ONE of the guys they worked out, there is no chance in hell that Sabby and McGraw were better than the 2nd through however many.

by Chiefs447 on Oct 13, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Because Piscitelli is awesome.

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions

at beanbag toss game anyway.

by CapsLockKey on Oct 13, 2011 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions

The proper term is "Cornhole"...

and don’t get me started. It’s one of the topics in my next post, which will be structured/written similarly to my last one. I had a lot of fun doing it and apparently people liked it… gonna try and do one once a week now.

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

And honestly... it's ironic you made that joke.

It’s almost like you’re in my head…

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Could of had Curry.

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 12:22 PM CDT reply actions

for lunch?

Providing COLOR commentary for Arrowhead Pride! AKA The Picture Diva!

by LadyChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Depends on how hot. I've had some pretty harsh curries before.

Nearly guaranteed indigestion after that kind of meal these days. Best to stick to the milder curries at this point.

We Don't Hear The Hate

by TRSChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, went with Chinese instead.

by Tomahawk29 on Oct 13, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Curry with Crennel coaching= solid player

Seattle misused and mishandled curry in my opinion.

"Oh I'm Sorry I Thought This Was AMERICA"

by porkchop_sandwiches on Oct 13, 2011 12:31 PM CDT reply actions

Appearantly Pioli didn't think so

Predictions:
I'm going to stop predicting positive things

by jmcgoblue on Oct 13, 2011 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Or at least he didn't want to waste $5+ million finding out.

by CapsLockKey on Oct 13, 2011 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Lets see

Wilhelm a career backup special teamer that is 30yrs old.

Williams actually produced in a season but it was 07-08 season he had 85 tackles and 4 sacks. But he has since been an after thought.

Both guys have a Crennel connection….

At least they are checking these guys out and not standing pat.

How long should you try? Until.
- Jim Rohn

by Matt_Grbac on Oct 13, 2011 12:32 PM CDT reply actions

True that. Nice to see some movement even if nothing happens.

"Oh I'm Sorry I Thought This Was AMERICA"

by porkchop_sandwiches on Oct 13, 2011 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah. I mean we found Shaun Smith and more recently Ammon Gordon doing the same thing.

Sitting idle won’t net us anything.

We Don't Hear The Hate

by TRSChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions

and colbert

It’s about finding the right guy as well as the right role

CHIEFS DYNASTY – we’re kind of a big deal

by kabrink on Oct 13, 2011 12:44 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Good call on Colbert

I admit I was skeptical when he made the final 53, but hopeful as always.

Guy’s shown that he can run a route and make a catch, though.

We Don't Hear The Hate

by TRSChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

me too

But he’s better than Toomer – so there’s that

CHIEFS DYNASTY – we’re kind of a big deal

by kabrink on Oct 13, 2011 1:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Eric Walden still makes me sad for our LB situation. Ill take anyone really with a chance of turning it around

we let walden go way too quickly despite special teams production, IMO he would have a spot on this team if he were still here, and would be productive, oh well.

my issue with any signing is with who we have to let go. Its like with activating baldwin, I like it, I cant wait, but at the same time, someone must sit, someone doesnt get to play….thats tough

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Oct 13, 2011 12:50 PM CDT reply actions