Mike Vrabel may be the worst 3-4 SOLB in the league
by Aesthetist on Apr 8, 2011 2:58 PM CDT
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PrintThe NT vs. SOLB draft debate got me wondering what the biggest hole in our defense is.
I wanted to see an apples-to-apples comparison of all the 3-4 SOLBs in the league. All the attention gets paid to the flashy WOLBs generating the sack numbers. In fact you'll see that the two 3-4 SOLBs who made the 2011 Pro Bowl did so because of their sack numbers not because of their all-around defensive play.
The results really surprised me...
|
3-4 SOLB |
Team | Games | Started | Tackles | Solo | Assists | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| Matt Roth | CLE | 16 | 16 | 86 | 59 | 27 | 3.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Jarret Johnson | BAL | 16 | 16 | 73 | 43 | 30 | 1.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Anthony Spencer | DAL | 16 | 16 | 63 | 52 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Rob Ninkovich | NE | 16 | 10 | 62 | 45 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Jason Hunter | DEN | 16 | 12 | 61 | 50 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Clay Matthews* | GB | 15 | 15 | 60 | 54 | 6 | 13.5 | 4 | 1 |
| Manny Lawson | SF | 16 | 16 | 59 | 48 | 11 | 2.5 | 6 | 1 |
| Lorenzo Alexander | WAS | 16 | 12 | 57 | 32 | 25 | 1.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Shaun Phillips* | SD | 16 | 16 | 55 | 47 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 1 |
| LaMarr Woodley | PIT | 16 | 16 | 50 | 35 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Mike Vrabel | KC | 16 | 16 | 48 | 30 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Clark Haggans | ARI | 13 | 13 | 47 | 38 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Koa Misi | MIA | 16 | 11 | 41 | 29 | 12 | 4.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Bryan Thomas | NYJ | 16 | 12 | 39 | 31 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
|
*denote probowl |
|
Stats don't always tell the whole story. For instance I don't think Matt Roth is a top-flight SOLB, he just had a flukey year up in Cleveland. Nor do I think that sacks are the ultimate measuring stick of a 3-4 SOLB. I want my SOLB to be in strong run support (tackles) and provide a decent pass rush (sacks) as well be able to cover (passes defended) (INT).
However Mike Vrabel currently does none those things. I think we're being blinded by the fact that the man has a couple of Super Bowl rings and played for Steelers and Patriots. Despite all of this "coach on the field" jibber-jabber he's ranks near the bottom in every statistical category. Despite starting all 16 games Vrabel was the only starting SOLB in football to not generate a single sack. He was a great snag when we got him as a package deal with Cassel. He gave a young defense a voice and an emotional leader. He was a player who had been around a winning culture and fit the 3-4 scheme, at a time when the Chiefs didn't have very many of either.
I thank Vrabel for his contributions to this team and wish him luck in the future. But we need to get this guy off the field, now. He's clearly out of gas. Rather than pursue the biggest body in the draft, I think we need to put a priority on this position and hold off on a 2-down nose tackle (we really do play a lot of nickel) until the third round when Kenrick Ellis or Jerrell Powe will be available.
Different schemes ask 3-4 SOLBs to do slightly different things so I'm not sure if Kerrigan or Ayers or anyone else is on the top of our draft board, but looking at this chart it's clear that we can't chance another year with a bad SOLB in our defense.
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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while clearly
he isn’t the best, i don’t think he’s the number one worse. i’m glad we got vrabel he provides a lot to this team and has help develop studebaker and the rest of our lb’s. his veteran leadership and experience is invaluable to a young team like ours.
Winner of the 2010 Arrowhead Pride, "Beat The Insiders"
Yea, and a special thanks for teaching our young players, how to rob Indiana casinos.
Mike’s value and leadership abilities have waned. He’s now beyond the curve, and onto the dark side of the moon, never to return.
A man cannot mentor higher than his ability to perform, and if the example he’s setting on the field, is that of among the worst at his position in the NFL, than he is in effect, showing our young new players, how to play at an undesirable level.
You can attempt to teach to the younger players, what you are no longer able to perform on the field, but the impact is lessened, and lesson is diluted, and it’s impact diminished.
It’s time to part ways with Mike Vrabel.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"I guess the painkillers wipe out your memory along with your ethics."
~Keith Olbermann
by TheK-man on Apr 8, 2011 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
So pretty much every coach on every team is unfit to teach because they can't do it themselves anymore?
That’s ridiculous. Do you have proof that Mike’s impact is diminished?
Regardless, we pay coaches to teach, not players. If the man can’t perform his job duties, kick him to the curb, if he can, he is still valuable to us as a coach on the field that can still play at a high level (albeit, many less snaps than he used to.) But if we are in a key situation on d and need a stop, you want a rookie out there, or a vet that’s been there?
I recall Vrabel being out of the game at a certain point last year, and running back onto the field to tell the d something during the timeout. it was a goal line situation and the d held. Now, there is no way to tell if what he said had any impact, but I don’t see Studie or a rookie doing that. Veteran leadership is vastly underrated, and we have one of the best in Mike Vrabel.
Sure
But the man is too slow to provide a pass rush or stick with anyone in coverage.
He’s not terrible against the run, but he looked a little slower last season than his first with us. And at his age, it’s all downhill from here.
We need a replacement unless the coaches think Stude’s the guy (which I kinda doubt).
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
by MNchiefsfan on Apr 8, 2011 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
what MN said
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
by upamtn on Apr 8, 2011 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
Well, I just had to come in and rec my three buddies, MN, Ups, and Cdan.
Thanks for the support.
I’m not saying Vrabel is a bad player right now. But we need a dominating player at that position, as most teams do.
He’s just not. (anymore)
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
Yea, what Ups, MN, Chiefdan and TheK-Man said.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
His stats for 2010 are the proof, and opinions don't require proof.
Every NFL player faces this at the twilight of their career. Nothing good lasts forever and Vrabel isn’t immune from the effects of gravity.
His career is over and that’s that.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
Something to remember.
His knowledge and instincts help him make up for his decline in ability…but he still put up bad numbers.
A young Mike Vrabel was not the most athletically gifted player, but he was smart enough to make up for it. He was an amazing LB and a mediocre athlete (in terms of professional athletes).
Now, he’s an amazing LB and a poor athlete. And it will only get worse.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 10, 2011 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh yea, totally.
And don’t forget, when he was amazing, he had the Patriots roster around him. That’s bound to make you look a little better, and all the press they get is a legend creating machine.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
And, we're paying him as a player, not a coach.
Coaches lead by TELLING, and players lead by DOING. Once a player cannot…“DO”, any longer at an acceptable level, he has the option of beginning a new career in coaching, where he can then, lead by TELLING.
You basically agreed with me in you’re first sentence when you said this:
So pretty much every coach on every team is unfit to teach because they can’t do it themselves anymore?
That’s ridiculous. Do you have proof that Mike’s impact is diminished?
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
Obviously, you don't see him as a player anymore, but a coach.
You really just validated everthing I said about him. He’s done as a player.
And I agree, he’d make a great coach, but not at the expense of a young marquee OLB.
Let him coach, and pay him as a coach.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
And Singletary shows that some players don't make the transition to coaching.
I think Vrabel would. Singletary’s rah-rah stuff can inspire teammates, but the rah-rah guy needs to have mud on his jersey.
would of ≠ would've
Head Coaching never even entered my mind.
I was thinking linebackers coach.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
Singletary is a little out of his league as a head coach.
As a position coach though, I think he’d be the best in the league. And working his way up from there, he could become a quality head coach.
Look at a guy like Mike Ditka. He did both well enough to have two Hall of Fame careers.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 10, 2011 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought Singletary was a position coach for the '49ers before head coach.
The media has their winners picked every year, why go with the flow when you can go with the Chiefs. To the Super Bowl!
He started coaching in 2003.
He was the Ravens LB coach.
Then went to San Fran to be their LB coach. He got promoted to head coach in 2008.
That’s hardly enough experience to promote a guy to the top (IMO). And he has had a lot of success working with LBs both in Baltimore and in San Fran. The 49ers were a little over-eager in promoting a position coach to the head coach role.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 10, 2011 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah thats what i said when they made that promotion in the first place.
He shoulda tried DC before making the next jump. Even if only for 5 yrs or so. He is a heck of a smart guy just don’t think he knows how to handle a large group of players yet. His LBs probably responded to his fiery attitude but from what i heard when he was let go some other players didn’t like him.
The media has their winners picked every year, why go with the flow when you can go with the Chiefs. To the Super Bowl!
The HC needs to be more X's and O's when he's talking to players.
When things get tough, the players need to know the plan, and not hear a cheerleader.
But that whole work-your-way-up-from-DC makes sense. I definitely felt like chewing out Alex Smith was inappropriate, when it was all about the trenches. So it’s possible he just didn’t “get it” and lost respect from the players by just bitching about stuff that wasn’t to the point.
If anything, maybe a Herman Edwards-like quizzical smile, while your young OL is getting its act together would’ve been more apropos.
would of ≠ would've
He could at that. But he's ten years of proving himself away from
a head coaching job.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Well, maybe not that much. But you just don't go from player, and
jump right into being a head coach. Gotta put in some thime. I think Art Shell might be the nearest to doing that though. Not sure.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Never mind, he put in 6 years as an assistant in Oakland
before getting the HC job there.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Yea stats really dont tell the story.
He’s far from the worst in the league. Alot of what he does, doesnt necesarily show up on the stat sheet.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
A lot of bad things don't happen, because he knows his job and sniffs out the play.
Maybe he didn’t make the play, but he denied the play going another direction, or by understanding Team D, he maybe sets up a teammate to finish. I still would like to see more explosion out of the starting SOLB, and I can see Vrabel being the ultimate utility LB, splitting time between outside and inside. I think the leadership angle is great and it’s important, but I don’t see Vrabel as unable to contribute quite a bit to a D that adds some more talent, including SOLB.
would of ≠ would've
Actually if anything this stat sheet is showing the best of him
If I was brain dead enough to spend 100 bucks on Pro Football Focus, I would pull up coverage stats among starting SOLB’s and im pretty sure he would be in the lowest tier if not in last place as far as yards allowed. Vrabel is hands down the biggest liability on our defense, which in a way shows us how far we have come as a quality football team because 3 years ago someone playing of Vrabel’s caliber would be a godsent. We have a tough schedule and superbowl ambitions and I dont think having Mr. Vrable on the roster will help the Chiefs reach their goals.
I respectfully disagree; however,
lack of explosion and leverage at SOLB is something that jumps out, to my inexpert eye. Any play where I see a LB beaten in space by a receiver, I’m not thinking “Why isn’t he covering that guy better?” I’m asking “What went wrong with the scheme that my LB got stuck covering a receiver?”
Even if KC does go after SOLB aggressively, I can see Mike Vrabel doing some very good things at ILB, where anticipation and intention is more important (to me) than speed. I want to see a team built AROUND the LB corps that makes them better, rather than putting LB under a microscope, and spend the next 5 years looking for the perfect LB for an imperfect D.
Seau had one of his best seasons long after his decline began. Ray Lewis continues to have great seasons, but it’s all about anticipation and playing behind a reliable front, even with questions at CB.
would of ≠ would've
Na. We need to stay very young at our LB positions. Losing one step
can mean the difference in a ball game.
They shoot horses don’t they?
Time to transition, he’s served his purpose very well. Any longer, and it becomes a detriment, and overkill.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
heh. If I were a horse, they'd've put me down long ago.
Maybe I’m just biased.
I still see a place for Vrabel and Vrabletonium on the KC D, some outside and some inside. I’m more of a guy who feels like if your problem is an extra step at LB, you’re missing the point. I like great LBs, and I’m on record as wanting more explosion at SOLB, and yet, watching this defense, I feel like it’s more about getting this young secondary seasoned (or augmented) and getting their DL house in order.
Of course, when they DO get their house in order, what you’re saying about Vrabel might become glaring. I’m re-watching the Ravens game, today, and Vrabel looks like a guy getting his job done on a D that’s having breakdowns elsewhere.
would of ≠ would've
As long as this culture can get away with paying
you the current teachers salaries, instead of what your worth, they’ll keep you around forever.
I see no future for Vrabel in KC in coaching.
Vrabel isn’t one of the guys who’s become enamored with the Kansas City lifestyle as many do.
As soon as he’s cut, he sells the house, and buys a one way ticket to Boston.
And that’s that.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
Actually didn't he say he would like to coach after he is done playing?
However wasn’t it at Ohio?
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 10, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Wanting to and getting the job, are two different things.
Absent of offers, he’s going back to Boston, trust me.
People want to go where everybody knows their name.
He’s loved there, and he’ll go back to suck that up. It’s human nature.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
And he's been in contact with Ohio, where they also love him and likely have an entry-level job for him.
But you might be right. You’re certainly more certain in your own mind than I am in mine.
would of ≠ would've
He wants to coach for Ohio State.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
Cameron Heyward- Future 3-4 RDE for the New England Patriots.
I would like to know your take on that game when your done.
On the defensive side of things. If thats not too much to ask. I don’t have any tape on it or i would probably already have watched it multiple times. I do remember that our coverage was terrible on short routes but idk who was to blame. I think Mcgraw was covering guys younger and faster than him and I think Berry needed more experience.
The media has their winners picked every year, why go with the flow when you can go with the Chiefs. To the Super Bowl!
My take is:
The game was like being forced to eat a shit sandwich.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
and then refused any beverages afterwards, so you have to
live with the taste in your mouth for a very long time.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
Lmao. Our offense was not good at all.
It hurt to watch. That was probably the only game all season where i wasn’t yelling at the T.V. the whole time because my brain went into shock. I definately had a few choice words for cassel and our line play.
The media has their winners picked every year, why go with the flow when you can go with the Chiefs. To the Super Bowl!
Eh, got about what I expected that game.
We overachieved last year. Pioli and Haley even said so. A playoff run is an amazing boost in confidence for a team that had ripped off three straight 10+ loss seasons.
We simply saw that the Chiefs weren’t quite ready to compete with the better teams in the league.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 10, 2011 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Ya. Even though I expected it, it did nothing to lessen the blow.
You can mentally prepare for a death in the family also, but when it finally happens, it’s still devastating.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
yeah, and those of us who DID expect it, and said so, got lambasted here for saying just that ...
namely, that we were gonna get creamed
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
I know dude, I was one of them.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
We were the company that misery loves.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
agreed, citadel
it was fun, but I knew we were no match for the Ravens, et al
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Oh, you did NOT want to be in the same room with
me during that football game. That’s for damn sure.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
I kinda glazed over.
When Vrabel looked to body-up against the TE at the line or to spy on Rice, trying to sneak into the flat, he looked good.
There didn’t look to be a whole lot of redirecting of routes at the line. The DBs were waiting off the line. The inside slants and crossers were there all day long. Very little inside leverage on display. As usual against the 2010 D, you could pretty much hand off the ball when you saw the 2 deep safeties 15+ yards off the line at the snap.
Dorsey and Smith were neutralized on a regular basis by single blocking. Jackson got the best push of all the d-linemen. Hali seemed to have Oher’s number, but really struggled from the strong side 1-on-1 against the RT. Edwards was stonewalled by easily afforded doubleteams.
Chiefs were able to single-up outside ‘most all day. What killed them was the slot man, HB, and TE getting off the line unopposed. Better coverage from ILB might have helped, but there would still have been some pretty wide-open windows for Flacco to throw the ball between the seams, regardless, considering the overall lack of pressure. And when they DID bring the pressure, they also ceded the free release at the line, which was something I’d hoped I’d seen for the last time when Gunther went to Detroit. I didn’t like the tactics more than I didn’t like the execution.
Flacco was pretty much able to scramble out of trouble, although he got caught napping against Hali’s classic back-side strip.
would of ≠ would've
Yea...it's like the Ravens hired a bunch of chicks to go find the
guys and go after them to wear them out the night before the game. They just played so tired man.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Hey, they had 3 NFL-caliber linemen, plus Tyson Jackson coming off injury.
After that, it was (Sorry, KC fans) try to generate something out of Gilberry, who is not a 3-4 lineman.
Giving up a 6-minute drive, then posting 3-and-out on offense, and, when they finally DID score on offense, it was a very short drive, capped by a very long play. Baltimore played classic ball control. Not many huge plays, but moving the sticks all day long. KC kept playing to prevent the big play, giving our highly vaunted corners 2-deep help all day long, and hoping for the unforced error or good tackling to get some stops.
Basically, KC needs the best DL it can find, and YESTERDAY.
would of ≠ would've
Yep. There's a million ways...
to describe the taste of a shit sandwich.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Im not 100% sure if you saw every game/play
But Vrabel was getting burnt by second string tight ends on a consistent basis. Forget slot receivers because Javier held his own at nickel, Vrabel cant guard an NFL TE to save his life. We need to get a lot younger and more athletic at SOLB. Also I would disagree with moving him to ILB because we have Jovan Belcher who showed signs of greatness later in the season
If he's outside and the TE takes it inside up the seam, I don't like Vrabel much,
although he’s pretty good at staying between the QB and the TE in that case (just 10 yards behind!). What he can do very well, to MY eye, is body-up the TE at the line and make him work to get into the route in the first place. Same for the RB. But it’s about preventing clean release more than letting the guy run and trying to stay with him. He isn’t straight-line fast enough for that role, but that’s not what your 3-4 OLB is for, imo.
Like Belichick talking to a LB: “He’s quicker than you are, so don’t get into a quickness contest. Just do your job.” And that’s what Vrabel does, ’most all the time.
would of ≠ would've
Ability wise, I can see it.
However, Mike knows so much about the position, league, and game itself that his value remains.
Hopefully, Studebaker (or a new addition?) can finally step up enough to take the starting role from him. I hope that Vrabel can be brought on as a member of the coaching staff. He would be a pretty good candidate to help carry on the Romeo Crennel defense (does anybody have more experience with that than Vrabel?).
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
Studebaker will never be more than a 2nd stringer
and be assured nobody likes to be proven wrong more than me
#91 - Pay The Man & Play The Man
by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 8, 2011 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Unfortunately, I'm thinking that you are right about Studebaker.
I hope you’re wrong (even though that would mean I’m wrong too). Studie is the reason that I hope Acho or Sheard is still on the board when we pick in the 2nd.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
Me too. I mean Studie is just too damn nice to play OLB. I really need for my OLB's
to be mean, nasty SOB’s. I mean, it’s my hometown pride we’re playing for here.
Now really, would you rather have this guy:
Or this guy:
See the difference? Studie inspires no fear.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
I didn't need stats
to tell me Vrabel is washed up. I thought it was plain to see on the field. I agree with your assessment he needs replaced and I too argue SOLB is a greater need than NT. Bottomline – I’m more comfortable with a Ron Edwards/Shaun Smith rotation at nose than I am a Vrabel/Studebaker at OLB.
#91 - Pay The Man & Play The Man
by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 8, 2011 4:06 PM CDT reply actions
Oh yea
Also, I would contend Matt Roth IS one of the better SOLB in this league. He got a bum wrap in Miami and his production last season in Cleveland wasn’t an anamoly for those familiar with his abilities.
#91 - Pay The Man & Play The Man
by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 8, 2011 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh hell ya. We got problems in both positions that need fixing.
Now, the good news, is that the Chiefs are in a pretty good spot to do that with the first two picks. And then fix the back-up QB and potential QB of the future pick with the 3rd pick, and our Center of the future with the 4th, and so on. Let’s make it happen man.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
That's the simplest explanation that fits the facts, I'd say.
But sometimes, you take your horse on the longer road, because the trail isn’t as steep, you get there just as quick, and with less wear ‘n’ tear on your mount.
For instance, I’m not certain of the SOLB calculus. And I’m always nervous about DL turning out as good as it ought to. I don’t want to settle for something mediocre, just because it’s PON. If JJ Watts is there at #21, for instance, my first pick is DE, to try to make up for the Magee miss, and challenge Jackson and Dorsey, until I start seeing some dominating play from the DL. I’ve about given up on Dorsey ever doing certain things I really want to see from DE. I think he’s a fine player in an imperfect situation. You could probably make some hay by upgrades around him, but maybe both KC and Dorsey enjoy more success after he’s traded to a 4-3 team.
would of ≠ would've
I think what you're saying is that all the picks come with a certain amount
of risk, and that’s true. There’s no crystal balls, and there’s no free lunch. Pick wrong and pay the price.
That’s why sometimes I just have to mentally turn these things over to the care of Scott Pioli, as I understand him.
Without him to rely on, it’s just too much for me.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Mike Vrabel's best skill is his leadership.
While I agree his time is about up, and that he should lose his starting job sometime this year to Studebaker, Sheffield, or some other OLB we either sign or draft during the offseason.
Bring Bruce Carter to KC...Man is a beast!!!
by ChiefsFan90s on Apr 8, 2011 9:32 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
The job is there for the taking.
Haley has made that clear about every position on the field. The problem is that nobody has stepped up yet.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
It remains to be seen if Sheffield will ever be the same guy we picked, or if that was
a career ender. The Chiefs may just be hanging on to him to make sure he’s completely healed so they can’t get sued, and then cut him. Sorry to say, but that’s what I think may be happening there.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Once you've suffered a hit like that, it's tough to play fearless and head first
like the great ones. I believe the Chiefs will conclude, that psychologically, he’ll be afraid to hit the same as he did before the injury, and they’ll trade or cut him.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Strong belief on small fact set.
Be interesting to see if this be more than speculation.
would of ≠ would've
Odds are still against Sheffield.
He looked pretty good out there, but carrying him on IR might just as easily be an easy way to bring him back for another training camp, with about the same chance of making the final cut, or slightly less chance than they gave him as a rookie after spending a pick on him.
would of ≠ would've
That's true. But I think I'm on to something.
Neck injuries are tricky, and any good legal mind would advise waiting until there is complete recovery and clearance from the doctors to play, and then several game appearances before making the cut, in order to protect themselves from lawsuits.
What doesn’t show up in the medical reports, is a man’s mental ability, to hit as hard as he did before the injury.
That’s what I believe the Chiefs will be watching very closely. Once they figure, he’s playing scared, he’s gone.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Of course, I could be completely and utterly wrong, and I hope that I am.
But…I doubt it.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Heh. My brother got knocked out one time when Dad was givin' us haircuts.
Just touched him on the wrong spot on the back of the neck and Jimmy was down for the count. Not a thing wrong with him before or after.
I’ll be watching Cottam and Sheffield, both. There are guys (like me) who can maybe be successful, if we play with abandon, but not being able to cash that check for 4 quarters. You have to be on notice with both these guys, and concerned that they can’t play with the abandon they need in order to be successful. Cottam was REALLY goin’ for it, when he got hurt. Sheffield was really goin’ for it.
I actually have more doubts about Cottam than Sheffield. But even if Sheffield has no other issues and DID look pretty good in limited action, I still don’t know if he’s the real deal. I think it more likely that, as a 5th round ’tweener, he might not pan out, straight up, regardless of any dramatic subtext.
would of ≠ would've
Ughh... I can't believe Im gonna be the one to say this...
But I think Vrabel has brought things to this team that can’t be measured by stats… He is almost a coach on the field, take for instance the goal line stand where Vrabel ran onto the field to give some advice during a timeout.
Having said that… He really doesn’t get the job done, he is slow… very VERY slow. I have a feeling Vrabel could become a very successful coach.
Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Opening Day is March 31st!!!
by averagegatsby on Apr 9, 2011 1:55 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Actually, I think that's what we are all saying.
Vrabel would be an amazing coach, and he should already be relegated to that role.
I think the only reason it hasn’t happened is because the current roster hasn’t stepped up. That validates a lot of the folks who are in favor of an OLB with the #21 pick. I also think that works well for the Chiefs taking someone like Jabaal Sheard in the 2nd.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
There is no way this team doesn't draft a linebacker in the first 3 rounds
I just don’t think it will be in the first… I wouldn’t mind Ayers, but I think the first round pick can be used better… 21 is a shitty place to pick, its this weird no mans land between the elite can’t miss guys and the high value supreme value guys.
Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Opening Day is March 31st!!!
by averagegatsby on Apr 9, 2011 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree.
I’m more in favor of Acho or Sheard in the 2nd. I’m just saying that I understand where people are coming from with the OLB at #21 talk.
And yeah, Ayers would be an excellent pick, just not the best pick.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 9, 2011 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, he'll probably go running back to the Patriots to apply for a coaching job.
I doubt the Chiefs would hire a guy who argues with the bartender about his bar tab. :)
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
I still need more info about that.
I’ve put beers from the hotel bar on my room tab before. It’s really not that uncommon, and I’m surprised I never ran into a problem with it.
Not saying that’s what happened because I don’t know. Just saying, there’s definitely room for it to be a misunderstanding.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 10, 2011 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I've hear everything from, he argued the number of drinks on his tab
and left without paying, to he paid the tab short, to he was seen walking out of the casino liquor store with bottles of liquor without paying.
I believe the only reason that he would do any of these, is if he was plastered and lacking sober judgment at the time.
Who knows at this point. But we do know, that none of the scenarios are good for a guy trying to represent the NFL players.
When you have his money, you just pay the damn tab man.
I’m sure the 20 bucks he was arguing to save, he would gladly pay if it would make all the negative press he got from it go away.
I’ve never argued a bar tab, even when I knew the bar tender was wrong. I’d be too embarrassed to appear cheap to anyone listening.
Guys in his position, need to learn how to think before they speak, think before they act, and think before they react….and if they can’t, the don’t belong in leadership positions.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
Being plastered doesn't excuse it.
The real “you” comes out when alcohol sets in, and this says something about what’s in the guy’s heart.
would of ≠ would've
Heh. Yes, arguing that sort of thing does lose face.
If I thought I was bein’ took, I’d pay, and they wouldn’t get any more business from me.
would of ≠ would've
That is what the average "good guy" would do.
Exactly that. Now if the man was poor and didn’t have much money, maybe maybe he would put up an argument but I still don’t think he would walk out without paying if he had good values. Walking out on a tab is a big nono.
A lot of these guys feel a sense of entitlement, that our culture
owes them, for being a star. They forget that they’ve been compensated already.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
Yes, and I'm sure they are very use to people picking up the tabs for them as well.
I really doubt he comes back to KC anyway. And I hope that is the case.
Well, that's the way a normal person would handle it.
Apparently, Mike isn’t one of them.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
How bout Vrabel taking over for Belcher?
We COULD take a chance on playing a SOLB who is a little raw in coverage if Vrabel/the secondary could help out. Which in turn would make the few of us on here who are not really looking for ‘the complete SOLB’ in the draft but rather wanting the SOLB to be a rush threat
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
F no! Belcher's better than Vrabel would be, and that's not saying much.
I think Belcher’s out of a job by the start of the season too.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
At Belcher's spot Vrabels speed would not be put on display as much
Vrabel can attack the line/shed blocks/go after the RB but then also cover a TE/RB on a play and allow both OLBs to rush
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Or at least give Stude a shot inside
Stude may not be the best rusher but has shown he has the smarts to drop back and be able to read the play at a decent speed
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Yup. I see Studie and Vrabel continuing to be puzzle pieces.
Just not sure either of ‘em starts and I’m not sure if Vrabel comes back.
would of ≠ would've
Everyone is pointing at SOLB to fix
What if the fix should be the SILB, it would bring more flexibility to the defense
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions
A mutant SILB is always good.
I just fixate on getting the front 5 squared away, and developing/drafting after I feel really good about SOLB-LDE-NT-RDE-WOLB (plus one more big coverage corner). Get that, and you can turn to high picks at ILB if one doesn’t emerge (although they probably will emerge in 2s and fews.).
would of ≠ would've
Well, you probably wouldn't if you could
become him for a few minutes, and feel his aches and pains after a game….he’s just getting too damn old to play with those kids. Not his fault, he just can’t keep up anymore, and he’s served his leadership purpose, we made the playoffs, time to move on.
As far as I’m concerned, he’s on a plane to Boston.
And that’s that.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
This is a really tough call.
It’s clear that Mike Vrable’s tank is at best running on fumes and at worst empty, but, Like everyone agrees, his skills as a coach can’t be denied. I’d love to think that Studie has the skillset to take his place, but, I just don’t see it. However, and this is where the debate lies. Is SOLB more important at this point than NT. My argument regarding this is also in another post that was put up not long ago regarding how many tackles we have on our roster as opposed to a lot of other teams that have had more success than us in the last few years (Baltimore was a great example of this.) We really do need a NT. With so many teams that are using the 3-4, the NT is becoming one of the more in demand positions in the NFL. The demand for guys who can play well is huge. I just don’t think we can ignore NT any longer. My hope is that we find clear answers for both of these positions in the draft.
by BetterRedThanDead on Apr 9, 2011 9:00 AM CDT reply actions
He doesn't have much skill at stealing beer.
by chiefdan on Apr 9, 2011 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
He has that skill
He’s just not skilled at getting away with it.
I would like a Royale with Cheese
by ChiefWarPaint on Apr 9, 2011 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions
But really, that's the most important part of the beer stealing.....
….the getting away with it……..anyone can just steal it.
lol.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
I see beer stealing as being very similar to pass coverage for a LB.
It’s a lot of situational awareness. You don’t want the opposition to get a good line of sight on you. And you have to have great timing to exploit their mistakes.
This is the most tell-tale sign of Vrabel’s declining ability. Can anyone show me another time in his career that he got caught doing this?
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 11, 2011 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Well technically isn't Vrabel a free agent now anyways?
Sooo one could argue that since he was not on a team or in the NFL.. it shouldn’t be part of his career
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmm, not sure. We'll have to look into the legal rulings on that kind of thing.
If only the NFLPA had some lawyers…oh, wait.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 11, 2011 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly. There's a legal term for what ails him.
It’s called…“diminished capacity”.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
I agree
I really like the idea of having Phil Taylor here. I think it’d be hard not to take him. But there have been some excellent arguments made that if we took one of the OLB (Kerrigan, Ayers, Houston, Reed…I want Aldon Smith but I’m afraid trading up to get him would be counter productive), that Jerrell Powe is a very solid option behind Taylor.
Also, if we have a shot at Aubrayo Franklin we may take it. So even tho NT is a real need, we have options available if we differ to a later round NT. I would be okay with Reed in the first and Powe in the second or third. Or Taylor in the first and Acho in the second with Powe in the third. Plenty of options, each resulting in quality prospects being taken.
2011 hopefuls: A new CBA, followed by a good draft, accented by a great season. In that order.
I wouldn't go Taylor/Acho/Powe
Taylor/Acho/Oline/Pettis/Gray sounds better to me
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 9, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I like this
Gray is a hopeful of mine and going OL (at C specifically), is perfect. Fitzpatrick, Fusco, Barnes, Moffit, O’Dowd, and Linnenkohl will all be available. I like Fitzpatrick personally.
That would be a stellar draft IMO. Like it even more if you added Herzlich in the 5th alongside Gray. Great draft IMO.
2011 hopefuls: A new CBA, followed by a good draft, accented by a great season. In that order.
I'm really jumping on board with the thought of Moffit.
I think he and Asamoah offer a huge boost to the O-line in general. Their ability to play multiple positions means our depth chart gets deeper without adding more players. That’s a hidden value that puts him over the top in my mind.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
The problem I have with Moffit is the fact we have 3 aging starters
IF they all are back next year and starting that really limits the youngsters. If a G/C goes down who do you plug in? Asamoah(still an unkown about C)?
Moffit becomes depth BEHIND Asamoah, a pure C for depth where Asamoah would be able to fill in for G’s and not have to worry about tweaking a G to play C.
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 9, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't see a problem bamf, Lidja has had knee issues in the past, Weig's
is a goner, if not this year the next and who knows what Waters has left in the tank. Having 2 fine young interior lineman is a plus. Moffitt has already shown an ability to adapt to the team needs so where is the problem?
Taking another 3rd round pick to sit on the bench is not a problem?
Olinemen can play for quite awhile, not only is it basically a wasted pick but its also stunting the young players
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 9, 2011 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm hoping that one or both of them would take over the starting roles by the end of the season.
I think around Week 14, it simply isn’t reasonable to expect Wiegmann to continue playing at a high level. Somebody needs to be able to step in around that point.
Waters isn’t too far behind him. And, as dubld mentioned, you have to take Lilja’s knee injury history into account.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
So Moffit as future C
Asamoah future G, makes more sense knowing more about Moffit
Taylor/Acho/Moffit/Pettis/Gary/BPA/BPA/BPA
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 9, 2011 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Last years third spent most of the season riding the pine, so I do not
see a problem. Stunting their growth? ha ha you are funny dude, when we have a couple of pro’s like Water’s and Weig’s they learn from. I if I remember rightly Asomoah got some playing time last year.
Ok no problem with letting high picks not play
If they don’t play in the game, they don’t get better thats how it is.
Asamoah didn’t get much playing time he came in a few times
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 9, 2011 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Well thats helpful to the conversation
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 9, 2011 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions
You seem misguided in your understanding making such
statements. If you think a player only learns by playing in games, there nothing to converse about. While it’s true game experience is invaluable, there is quite a bit to be learned from coaches, film study and practice with other players who have been in the league for awhile. But I cannot suggest it to you as you already have made known what is the truth about big league football.
When I made that statement I was looking at Moffit as more of
a pure G who MIGHT be able to make the switch to C. We already have one of those in Asamoah, so when I made that statement logic went like this.
We have a 3rd round pick from last year that basically already sat a year, not a huge problem. If we took another G/possible C then he would be sitting behind the starters, AND Asamoah which is horrible for a 3rd round pick. With this way of thinking going for a later round pure C or pure G would make more sense instead of a 3rd round pick being stuck behind starters/Asamoah for the G/C positions
NOW that citadelchief actually posted some useful info the statement I made was wrong and it comes down to if Moffit could focus on backing up C then Asamoah can focus on just backing up the G’s
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 10, 2011 5:48 AM CDT up reply actions
No problems dude, just expect our practice squad
G/C D.Harris to be in the mix for playing time too when we consider our interior line. For all we know, and it ain’t much with the secrecy the org has, Harris could be the starting Center when we next play.
I see what both of you are saying.
I think if short-term success against tough 2011 opponents is a priority, then BAMF gets the nod. But even then, depending on evals of players already in-house, KC’s urgency might be less, and they might just stick to the more general “versatile interior lineman” strategy.
The way Pioli does things, evaluations are across-the-board, and overall improvement is more important than making a big splash in one spot. So incremental upgrade at 6 positions might be preferred over the most certain upgrade at 3. The funny thing, to me, is that when those complementary upgrades take place, they show up in the stats in misleading ways.
For instance (my pet dream), everybody bragging about the emergene of one of our cast of thousands at WR, and congratulating Haley as a WR guru, when it’s the result of one upgrade on the interior OL and a D that gets the offense right back on the field, rather than congratulating themselves for holding the opposition to a field goal after a 9-minute drive.
A lot of congratulating in this comment. It’s full of awesome and win, like my favorite signature.
would of ≠ would've
I do believe he's gonna replace Waters.
Asamoah has never played Center, although, he did “practice” at Center in college.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Moffit played a good bit of C at Wisconsin.
He may actually be more ready to fill in there than Asamoah. Obviously we wouldn’t know for sure until they actually got on the field.
And there’s no reason we couldn’t still draft a guy like Fitzpatrick or Fusco as well. I doubt the plan is to keep Lilja after 2013 anyways. I just like the idea of our interior linemen being able to play any of the positions. Similar to how many feel about Dorsey and Smith on the other side of the ball.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
Didn't think Moffit played C that much to be honest
I saw a few Wisconsin games and don’t remember him lining up at C, during the bowl practices they were talkin about how he is new to C but showing he might be able to do it at the next level
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 9, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
2008 he played the whole season at C.
Was moved to G in 2009 but still played 2 games at C (one of them was the bowl game against Miami).
I don’t think he had to play C last year. But he is on record as stating he prefers C because he loves the mental aspect of calling the blocking schemes for the line and figuring out defenses.
http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/moffitt_john00.html
http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=696406
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
Good info thanks
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 9, 2011 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I would love that draft.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
it would definitely be fantastic...
both lines would be set for the next 10 years… i know richardson is the weak link… but last year he proved he is not simply a swing tackle imo… i think he should improve more this coming year (if it happens) and become a solid right tackle for us…
If I had as much faith as you in Richardson, I'd look at the draft a lot differently.
But even liking Richardson, if the quality is there @ #21, I’m a sucker for OTs.
would of ≠ would've
faith is one thing...
but it is near impossible to build a line with 100% elite players… having one simply solid player is not even the norm on great lines… so i can live with 4 with tremendous upside and one solid player…
Where would you rather have that 1 solid player?
Out on the edges or in the trenches?
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 10, 2011 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions
unfortunately you cant be picky...
richardson was definitely not spectacular last year… but he did do his job in the #1 rushing line last year… in the pass game he also did his job… thats all we could ask him to do…
Well you can be picky
As you could go after a upgrade to RT in Sherrod in the first, and hope to fill up any weaknesses in the interior later on/UDFA
With the ZBS where would the weaker players be able to thrive? Inside where the C/Gs can help eachother or out on the edges and hope for a cut back lane inside on rushes?
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 10, 2011 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions
replacing someone that has had a solid year...
is not necessarily a good thing… while sherrod may be more talented and whatnot, there is nothing saying he will either succeed in the nfl, or mesh with the rest of the offensive line… there is a saying “if it aint broke, dont fix it” which i think may be accurate here…
Oh I'm not saying we need to go after Sherrod
I’ve said that Brich surprised me with his play several times, but at the same time if there is an upgrade at an important position it has to be looked at.
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 5:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Fixing BRich could be from the inside out
Better C/G combo might allow the G to help out BRich more often
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
It might help.
C or G could make a big difference. If Richardson can kinda cheat to stop the outside move, confident of help from inside, it could make a world of difference.
Just looking at Richardson move, I think he has all the tools, and experience might be all he needs. And more stout at C might be all it takes to take the OL to the next level.
But I still think you ought to be willing to reach a little, until you have the tackle spots NAILED. If they can’t roll your line up, you can find something workable on the inside. That said, I still want to see at least one more bigger interior lineman. Even with perfect technique, Lilja and Wiegmann BOTH inside gives up a little too much stout.
would of ≠ would've
Right next to my weakest link.
Wherever I have a guy who isn’t up to par (and assuming I have no other real options on the roster), I want to have my best guy right next to him.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 10, 2011 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd go
Taylor/Acho/Moffit/Pettis/Gary/BPA/TeJay/BPA
Taylor is the NTotF according to everyone
Acho could push Stude/Vrabel for the SOLB duties as well as bring another pass rusher
Moffit backup C
Pettis #2
Gary whole Dline depth
BPA
Tejay S depth
BPA
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 10, 2011 5:52 AM CDT up reply actions
honestly... while i do like pettis..
there is some value at the latter end of the draft for receiver… taking a future (if not sooner) center in round 4 is more important… especially with salas, maehl, shorts, and tolliver being available after the 4th… at least according to many draftniks…
So Moffit to be the future C in round 3
Is not good enough, should get another C in round 4?
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 10, 2011 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd rather go for Kirkpatrick
I don’t really get the love for Fusco
I wen’t back and read reports of Moffit as C and there are a lot of positives
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 10, 2011 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Walter currently projects Kirkpatrick 3rd-5th round.
I can see jumping all over him in the bottom of the 2nd.
would of ≠ would've
It's not easy to tell where players will go
Last I checked he was slated in the 4-5th range so I was going from that
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 10, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Your guy Moffit has more versatility, I think.
But as far as pure centers go, Kirkpatrick is the #2 rated C, and he showed up well in postseason play, imo. Sounded like he gave Taylor all he could handle, which puts him above Taylor, in MY book, which makes me less thrilled about Taylor in the 1st, as well…
would of ≠ would've
Wouldn't that be something, watching our
second round draft choice manhandling our first round choice if they are fool enough to draft Taylor at 21 and Kirkpatrick with the second.
But yeah. That sounds like the true range, according to the experts.
But if I get a long-term solution at C, the 2nd isn’t too high in MY book, whatever the experts say. But I’d overkill on OL and short the skill positions until I was SET up front. That’s the real source of Pro Bowl performances by the running backs, and I can always bring a younger, cheaper RB in, if my RBs get greedy. I’d rather see that money spread more or less evenly across the front, with the RB getting what’s left over, dammit! ;o)
would of ≠ would've
Getting the lines set does make every other position better
In the draft you still need to balance need vs bpa which makes the first round this year hard to figure out. Sherrod? Carimi? Taylor? Houston? Just so many options that could all very well upgrade places on the roster.
I’m starting to lean towards Sherrod which would give the tackles and upgrade and also add more flexibility to our Oline, getting an NT in the later rounds to just be part of a rotation
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions
you're not leaning far enough ...
I’m starting to lean towards Sherrod
but I’d be happy to give you a push help you out a bit :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Hopefully not off a cliff!
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm far from expert, but I like the "feet" of this year's group
better than last year’s, when it looked like a bunch of big “leaners” who played too top-heavy, dominating at the collegiate level due to just being HUGE. For instance, maybe Anthony Davis will develop into a top tackle, but just getting a tackle in the first didn’t guarantee anything for the ’9ers last year. I remember shaking my head when draftniks just assumed San Fran had solved their OL problems by spending draft picks, when, to ME, you spend the draft picks and HOPE.
This year’s crop looks nimble, by comparison. Coincidentally, the ’tweeners coming out @ DE look better. This might be the story behind the story for the next few years in the NFL.
would of ≠ would've
At first I was questioning Sherrods run blocking
Seeing some tape its better than I thought, he sets up well in pass blocking and people rave about that
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't see a lot of classic OTs, but maybe classic OT isn't what's called for
in today’s (and tomorrow’s) league. Watching Oher struggle against Hali, maybe we’ve reached the limits on what you can do with house-sized OTs, and these more athletic types are what’s needed against the current generation of weak-side pass rushers.
would of ≠ would've
Miller/Moch are part of the new speed rushers
To be fair, several OTs had problems with Hali this year. Oher did look lost on several plays though
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 12, 2011 5:34 AM CDT up reply actions
We might see a return to the 2 TE sets of yesteryear,
when guys like Lawrence Taylor, Bruce Smith, and Derrick Thomas made it pointless to look for solutions at tackle, alone.
would of ≠ would've
Or TE's/FB's in the backfield/shotgun
Helping block instead of going out on quick routes.
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 13, 2011 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions
For that to happen we need someone else
to create pressure though. Teams can just keep a TE/FB/RB to shadow Hali and help out the tackle as it stands now. Until we get someone else stepping up on the opposite side there is no real reason for a team to keep max protection
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 15, 2011 6:30 AM CDT up reply actions
*Changing gears to D side*...
Yeah. It’d be nice to get more pressure from that side, and it’s not entirely on the front 3, who did a better job last year of preventing any kind of inside escape maneuvers by opposing QBs. For all their faults, the front 3 were keeping their feet and setting up others to finish. Just a lack of finish from the strong side.
would of ≠ would've
I'm thinking Moch might be McGraws
replacement, such speed let’s him do much more than crowd the line and he could run with the tight ends.
There's the whole deal about covering someone ya know
Moch is not good at that, I don’t see him being a SOLB for us just another pure rush WOLB. I’d pass even in the 3rd round
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 14, 2011 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe so, maybe not, but he could flourish
under the right coaching and E. Thomas has shown he is a great coach. Speed is something that you cannot coach and a kid drafted last year by the niners, T.Mays was similar type player.
I wouldn't say they are similar at all actually
Mays was just a freak athlete, Moch is an athlete trying to play football. Moch does have a lot of upside I just really don’t see anything in him though. I was not too impressed watching him play and this aint Madden where speed is everything
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 14, 2011 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions
For someone that brags about the eye test and so forth when you...
make your judgements about players you seem to talk about going back and reading reports on many players. The problem I have is that people that write these reports have a opinion just like you and everyone else does. It seems that its a crap shoot on which report is right and whose is wrong. Me and you butt heads I get that. I just can’t get over the fact that there are so many arguments for a said player here and there off of reading someone else’s reports instead of watching the player with your own eyes and establishing your own opinions of him and why he would or would not work. If people go off of the reports because they are not comfortable when evaluating that player thats fine I get that. I just don’t feel its fair to use a report on a certain player to judge their ability to play in the NFL if you are unable to watch the kid play and make your judgements concerning them.
Actually for Moffit I watched a few games this past year
He was at G, I went back and talked to a few Wisconsin fans and went back on a Wisconsin forum reading their thoughts on how their line produced when he was at C.
I liked Moffit to begin with, just not that high as a pure G. If he can play C then that raises him in my mind.
In no way did I ever say how he played at C or that I’ve seen him at C, nor do I ever brag about the eye test. Thanks for comin
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 11, 2011 5:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Heh. The reports that pique my interest are when prospect X matches up with prospect Y
in the trenches or on the edge. I’m most interested in when the best face the best, because it seems to be a good indicator of making a successful transition to the NFL, where you face the best every game.
would of ≠ would've
I think Moffitt can stand on his own there too.
Big Ten D-linemen are pretty talented. He went up against that Iowa front 4 (Clayborn, Klug, and Ballard have serious talent) several times and played pretty well.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 11, 2011 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Moffit was killed at Center multiple times this last year.
When he faced up against the best of the other competition (as stated by Mills) he looked like a High School student trying to go up against a college senior. He was ran over, thrown out of the way and was bull rushed with him landing on his ass. That is all live game points people. Everyone has bad games I understand that. He had multiple ones though.
Will be soon
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 10, 2011 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions
29 I believe.
My thing is that his contract is up in 2013. I simply don’t see the Chiefs re-signing him at that point, so I’d like to have his replacement ready to go.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Apr 10, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I like Lilja, but I feel like the next level for this offense calls for more stout.
Even in a ZBS, I’d like to see a guy who’s a true 300, maybe 300-plus.
would of ≠ would've
Reed doesn't present enough value to go at pick 21 imo.
The Chiefs would pick Mohammed Wilkerson before Reed.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time".
~Cosmo Kramer
wish there was actually something exciting to talk about
instead of the same repeated posts with different words and stats to make a point…
Oh well here goes:
It would be nice to replace vrabel with a young stud linebacker who can create sacks and intercept passes and tackle extremely well, but like i have said before there arent very many teams in college that run a 3-4 defense so not many of these guys have experience doing everything they will be asked to do in our system and at this next level. And in case anyone is wondering why vrabel had less tackle than others it is because DJ was flying everywhere and making all the tackles. He is our feature linebacker, not the SOLB, in our scheme. These other teams rely way more on the SOLB to be the playmaker and have “fillers” in at one or two of the other positions. Vrabel isn’t wowing anybody but just cuz he cant do it at a super high level doesn’t mean he cant teach technique, and doesn’t mean he is not a good fit for our team. Just like what was said above about coaching.
The media has their winners picked every year, why go with the flow when you can go with the Chiefs. To the Super Bowl!
Both Vrabel and McGraw are way past their prime, however, until we have the
TALENT to unseat them we go with what we have. Our rebuild is noway complete talent wise, and “competition” to win spots is lacking at several positions. Most all of us hope Pioli pulls a miracle this draft, unlike his first, and we have a more complete roster as a result. We all hope that a couple of the developmental guys step up and a solid starter or two from FA will put us over the hump. Even if all these things happen, we would still be thin at some key backup positions like L-OT. Having a relatively injury free season was lucky last season but you cannot bank on that again this year.
Not on defense, that's pretty much already been done.
However, McGraw’s real value is in Special Teams. He knows how to play angles, hold his lanes, and force the returner to make decisions. That’s a lot of value to have out there, even if he isn’t the most athletic guy.
McGraw is still a vital member of that unit until one of the younger guys can show that they know how to do all of those things.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
The question is he worth the money to the team, his veteran status pays more than
a new guy. It’s amazing how we saw very little out of the DB reserves last year at the safety spot. it cost us a big time with McGraw literally playing LB cause he is a real liability in coverage.
But who do we currently have that's a better option?
Ricky Price? Rashard Langford? Donald Washington?
Out of that group, maybe Washington, but he hasn’t shown it yet. Langford is a career Special Teams guy at best. Price…well he’s just Price, and that’s bad enough.
We talk about upgrading our roster and who needs to go, but the reason they’re still here is because the guys behind them haven’t stepped up.
Wiegmann is a starter because Niswanger can’t hack it.
Vrabel is a starter because Studebaker hasn’t stepped up.
Edwards is a starter because there is no other option.
McGraw is our primary back up because no one else has shown they can.
Now, there have been guys that have stepped up. Kendrick Lewis, Barry Richardson, Jovan Belcher, Derrick Johnson, and Dwayne Bowe all stepped up this year and took their starting roles. We just need more of that from the rest or our roster.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
I agree with you that those behind him have not stepped up.
I am saying we need to pick someone up via draft or FA to replace him before next year. He is hurting our defense big time and needs to go.
Hell, I agree as I ealier stated in this post. TALENT is lacking and that's what
what we are trying to do in these discussions is fill roster spots with better talent.
I agree...
It is time for Vrabel to hang the cleats up. I do not think he is the worse SOLB though. I thank Vrabel for his contributions to this team and his thorough knowledge of Crennel’s system has been extremely valuable in helping to advance the players. That said, every player’s time comes when he must pass the torch and let the young guys make their legacy on the field just as the older guys made theirs. I hope he will retire so we can let a young guy play and I wish Vrabel all the best.
There are 5 positions in the NFL...
that are almost impossible to find in terms of a prototype.
1. Zero-technique NT
2. SOLB in a 3-4
3. QB
4. Difference Making DB, like a do it all safety or a shut down corner
5. Dominating three technique DT
We don’t have to worry about a three tech, Cassel is our QB, and we might amazingly have a shut down corner and a do it all safety. So if someone is on the board at 21 that can be that COMPLETE SOLB or NT then we gots to take them. I think Akeem Ayers has convinced me by watching tape that he is more capable of handling the SOLB than Taylor is at NT. There only one guy in the NFL capable of covering, stopping the run, and adding a pass rush in the NFL and his name is Lamar Woodley. So when people point to an Acho, Sheard, Houston, Smith, or Reed I don’t if any of them can handle all of the duties required of that spot because they either failed at it like pass coverage or they weren’t even asked to do it. Pioli likes safe picks, and that is why I like Ayers if he falls to 21.
I would not be too upset in taking Ayers over Taylor.
I think he would be more value added.
Pittsburgh's had a number of pretty good defenses without Lamar Woodley.
Secondary play that gives the LB a fairly small zone of responsibility, and a scheme that’s predicated on contact at the line, rather than coverage down the field, can be very very good. To me, it all depends on how disruptive you are with your base threat of sending 4, without knowing which OLB is dropping (or even NT! (Dick Lebeau)). A willingness to send 5 at any point, if it’s disruptive enough, makes James Harrison look pretty good in coverage, at times, even though it’s far from his forte. It’s all about potent threats that make the changeup work for you.
I feel like there are ways to play the game that hinge on pass rush and run-disruption being job #1 for that SOLB. We didn’t see a lot of that from the 2010 defense, but I think it was due to personnel, and an upgrade on DL and DB can allow you to keep churning the roster at ‘tweeners who rush the passer and stuff the run. SOLB who’s a PHYSICAL presence, more than a jack-of-all-trades, is, to me, the ultimate expression of the position. Give me Terrell Suggs and I’ll shut up.
would of ≠ would've
I totally agree with Red
The talent level at OLB is better with this class. I used to like Ayers best but I’m coming around on Kerrigan if he falls. There are just too many question marks about Phil Taylor being an elite NT.
If we ignore BPA and just plu holes I think our biggest bang for buck order is SOLB /WR /NT /C
And it's because the talent level is so high, I can see getting what _I_ want at OLB in the 2nd or 3rd.
And I’m not totally opposed to another Sheffield-type pick. Keep churning that position, especially if your guy falls to you on the DL or in the secondary or on OL or …
I’m really trying to think system of acquisition, where maybe PON isn’t where you have to land the #1 prospect, so long as you keep the position group on the up-tick, ESPECIALLY if there are more certain gains to be made in 2 other positions.
For instance, G was the most glaring need for KC in 2009, and they addressed it, but they spent their first three picks on SPEED. Progress was made in the interior, to be sure, but it wasn’t with any kind of big splash.
would of ≠ would've
Here's that Sun to Earth Scale Pic.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
Thanks Dan.
Obviously, the Earth is not that close to the Sun, but has been placed there in the pic, to illustrate the two in scale. It is said, that 1,000,000 earths would fit inside of the Sun.
Mind boggling.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
I'm sure you knew that.....sorry. :)
But….did you know….that a microscopic pinhead, the size of which you could sit on the tip of a sewing needle, from the Suns exact center, would be hot enough to kill a human being from a distance of 250,000 miles away?
There’s a fun fact.
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
pinhead of matter from the center of the sun that is...
1) Phil Taylor NT 2) Sam Acho DE/OLB 3) Ricky Stanzi QB 4) Jake Kirkpatrick C 5a) Owen Marecic FB/ILB 5b) Shiloh Keo SS/PR 6) Lawrence Guy DE/DT 7) Will Rackley OT.
My mock is contingent upon the Chiefs signing a marquee free agent wide reciever to book-end with Dwayne Bowe.
"Here's to feeling good all the time". ~Cosmo Kramer
You are a smart guy Kman and so is Mills.
I like reading both of you guys’ stuff. Very interesting stuff and fun to read. I am an old retired codger.
Lilja was a gift
and Asamoah didn’t see the field much. But I thought replacing Mike Brown with Eric Berry was pretty splashy. Look back, for a 4-win team with gaping holes up the middle of the field (no NT, two ILB and two safety positions up for grabs) taking Eric Berry looked like a luxury pick.
The thinking went: build your team out from the ball- except the best safety was an elite talent and the best NT (remember Dan Williams) was deactivated by Cardinals when he couldn’t keep his weight under control.
I’d rather get a Clay Matthews with the 21st overall pick than a Aubrayo Franklin.
Asamoah was mostly just in root-hog-or-die situations, straight ahead.
Short yardage as an extra G or even as FB. Sure looked like they didn’t see him as starting material. But like you say, Lilja was a gift, and while he may/oughta be in a battle in 2010, I don’t think there was ANY rush to get Asamoah on the field. Most seem to see him as the LG OTF.
I think there’s a real aversion for spending a #1 on NT, unless they’re really sure of the guy.
would of ≠ would've
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