NFL Free Agency: Five 2011 Free Agents The Chiefs Must Keep
by bigbosschief on Jul 22, 2011 10:47 AM CDT
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PrintFrom the FanPosts. Actual football talk! -Joel
The NFL Lockout is nearing its end after the owners agreed to their proposal to the players, however the players have yet to vote. If the players agree on this deal soon then that means free-agency starts as soon as Wednesday. The Chiefs have a handful of useful unrestricted free agents available, and a handful of free agents Chiefs fans have been waiting for the Chiefs to get rid of for quite some time.
This is a list of the five most valuable unrestricted free agents the Chiefs must retain.
1. Leonard Pope: Tight End
The Chiefs are pretty much set on their number one tight end for years to come in Tony Moeaki, but the number two tight end spot is valuable as well. Leonard Pope in my opinion is one of the most important players on the Chiefs. Pope provides: Leadership, blocking skills, a big target, and a good target in the red zone. Todd Haley even stated; "No disrespect to any other guys but I don't now if there is a guy that cares more about this team than Leonard Pope." Pope is a Todd Haley and Scott Pioli type of guy who is arguably the most classy player on the Chiefs and is a team-first player.
2. Shaun Smith: Defensive Line
When the Chiefs first signed Shaun Smith I thought that the Chiefs were just signing a player to take up roster space. Shaun Smith proved me wrong and has turned his career around with the Chiefs. Shaun Smith provides outstanding depth as well as playing some pretty good defensive end for the Chiefs. Smith is one of the most "colorful" guys on the Chiefs roster who really provides some personality. It would be sad if the Chiefs don't retain him for he is a big fan favorite in Kansas City.
3. Terrance Copper: Wide Receiver
Terrance Copper is not a good starting wide receiver nor he probably never will be, but that doesn't mean he isn't an asset to the Chiefs. Special teams is where Terrance Copper makes his money. Copper is the best player on the Chiefs when it comes to special teams he is arguably one of the best special teams gunners in the division. Copper even received many Pro-Bowl votes for his efforts and is a player who is more valuable than it may seem.
4. Casey Wiegmann: Center
Its up to the Chiefs on this one, I would be fine with the Chiefs not keeping Casey Wiegmann, but also be fine if the Chiefs Kept him. Wiegmann recently stated that he is coming back to football in 2011 and the only team likely to sign him is the Chiefs. Wiegmann is an "iron man" on the field having consistent play week in and week out for quite some time. Wiegmann could teach a thing or two to second round pick Rodney Hudson. Until the Chiefs think it's Rodney Hudson's time the Chiefs must keep Casey Wiegmann.
5. Ron Edwards: Nose Tackle
Depending on whether or not the Chiefs plan on going after a high profile nose tackle in free agency, Ron Edwards is a must keep. Edwards started off the 2010 season strong, but seemed to fade during the second half of the season. The Chiefs drafted themselves a draft day steal in the making in Jerrell Powe, but I don't think he is ready to start right away. The Chiefs should keep Edwards for he could teach Powe about being a nose tackle in the NFL.
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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Never understood why Shaun Smith gets so much hype and publicity
"Reject a woman, and she will never let it go. One of the many defects of their kind. Also, weak arms."
-Dwight Schrute
He knows how to get to the ball and grab himself a sack.
by Vince D on Jul 22, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
nicely done
I think this deserves a little more kudoes
He came in and instantly upgraded the defensive line, and he did it with panache.
He played great for us last year at DE, but he can play every spot on the line. Prior to 2010, his most productive season was at NT in Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 in Cleveland. He also came in on that goal line play last year as the fullback, which was awesome. As a result, he provides awesome depth and his outgoing personality makes him a fan favorite.
Also, Shaun Smith ball grabbing jokes are still hilarious almost a year later.
Meh, Louis C.K. if fargin' hilarious, I don't want him starting on my DL
"Reject a woman, and she will never let it go. One of the many defects of their kind. Also, weak arms."
-Dwight Schrute
by severn58 on Jul 22, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I guess my point is that I think people have blinders on when it comes to him,
He’s a backup on most teams, if that, I suppose it speaks more to the talent on our DL that he starts here.
"Reject a woman, and she will never let it go. One of the many defects of their kind. Also, weak arms."
-Dwight Schrute
It's the Boomer Grigsby effect
fans like to overvalue players with likable personalities.
by CapsLockKey on Jul 22, 2011 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh I know, I've dubbed it the "Rudy" effect, Bobby Sippppppppppio!!
"Reject a woman, and she will never let it go. One of the many defects of their kind. Also, weak arms."
-Dwight Schrute
Smith played well for us last year. Ideally he doesn't start again because TJax stays healty or Allen Bailey turns out to be a stud DE.
But in that scenario he’s quality depth that can play all three positions along the line. Trust me, there are far worse backup d-linemen in the NFL than Shaun Smith.
He’s a fan favorite, and a good player who could be your very solid backup at 3 different spots and, like Mike Vrabel before him, he has value in goal line packages as well.
Why on earth wouldn’t we at least try to re-sign him?
I don't think anyone is saying DON'T try to re-sign him.
But to say he’s a “must keep” is a pretty big stretch. Let’s face it, he’s the football equivalent of a utility infielder. He’s the Chris Goetz of the Chiefs. Likeable guy who can come through at times, but you’re not building a roster around him. He is definitely a replaceable piece.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Jul 22, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
*Chris Getz
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Jul 22, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Chris Getz is not likeable
I hate that Johnny G blocking, overated glove having, no power hitting douche.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
Pretty much this
"Reject a woman, and she will never let it go. One of the many defects of their kind. Also, weak arms."
-Dwight Schrute
Buddy plays hard, has a gritty attitude plus charisma
But he also keeps the team on his side. Like a very poor man’s Warren Sapp.
I like Smith
I hope we keep him, he is funny as hell and we all know how much better work is when you can laugh lol. He knows the playbook, wants to be here and is liked by the fans, opposing players may not like his slight of hand move but, its entertaining nonetheless.
by BiiG_C on Jul 22, 2011 11:31 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
To MY eye, part of the sack-grabbing accusations flow from his getting his pads LOW.
When teams try to force him off his spot, he just gets lower and lower, ‘til his pads are at the o-linemen’s waists. IMO, they’re catchin’ an elbow (or a fist) just by letting him get lower than they’re getting. I bring this up every time the topic comes up, but I haven’t heard anyone else noticing the pad level for Smith. He is VERY difficult to up-root, and I’d rather see him inside, rather than outside, personally. I can see him helping out against QBs trying to climb the pocket, but I don’t think he’s that effective (even for 3-4 DE) pressuring the QB from the outside.
would of ≠ would've
I don't think they bring back both Edwards and the Deep Freeze
Unless Pioli doesn’t bring in a FA, then I can see both coming back. I agree with bringing back Pope, Copper, and Wiegmann, I don’t think Hudson is ready to start at C in the pros yet. He hasn’t really played the position, and has yet to play at his new weight of 299 lbs. It would be better to ease him in at first, not just throw him to the wolves.
We pretty much play a murders row of DT’s this season, I think Wiegmann is better suited to start it out. He can teach Hudson the technique of being an undersized center.
by ChiefDailyBaked on Jul 22, 2011 11:30 AM CDT reply actions
Meh, I think the Chiefs can live without any of those guys.
Wiegmann has the best odds of any of them of returning. Would like to see Deep Freeze come back though.
Yep, I like Smith.
And love me some Pope, too. But no one in this list would be seriously missed.
That said, the lockout means a lot of teams, probably including the Chiefs, are going to be more likely than ever to sign their own free agents.
Nothing against Pope
but I’m interested to see if Cottam is fully recovered and what he can do. He was starting to look pretty good before that neck injury.
by CapsLockKey on Jul 22, 2011 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Pope is a better player period...
Just my imho, but I think Pope is a better player than Cottam regardless of age.
probably a better swimmer than Cottam, anyway
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!!!
Sure we could live without them, but...
With such a shorten off-season and the lack of chances to get the young pups and UDFA’s in quickly, it makes sense to re-sign your quality vets that can still help your team.
These guys listed do that for you. If we had a regular off-season, maybe a guy like Wiegmann might not be as important to bring back? Now that we have such a short period of time to get totally ready for the season, bringing him back is smart to be able to groom Hudson at the proper rate.
Guys like Pope and Copper are players that are valuable to our team that go unnoticed by the masses more times than not. Those guys wouldn’t be the easiest to replace on many levels.
I think Edwards is the most expendable if we go out and get another NT like Aubrayo Franking or a Cullen Jenkins. I think Wiegmann is a no brainer as previously stated and Smith gives us quality depth that is multi-dimensional.
Sure it makes sense to resign them
if you can’t find an upgrade. But looking for the upgrade comes first.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
Of those guys brought up...
I only see the NT position making sense to go outside. That means Edwards is the most expendable. That could also cost Smith his roster spot also, but he is a quality SDE and NT for depth. He also is a good locker room guy that is a fan favorite.
Copper is a player that is very good at what he does. It is very unlikely we find someone out there as good as him doing his special teams job.
With Pope, he is a great locker room guy, he is a very good blocking TE and he gives us that big target threat in the redzone/first downs. Sure there could be others out there that are equal, but how are their leadership abilities? Pope LOVES being a Chief.
With Wiegmann, it is just plain common sense. Either we decide he is washed up or we bring him back for security. Hudson has shown us anything in the NFL yet and it would be a major gamble to start him right out of the gates.
I have nothing against any of these guys
except Edwards.
But you’re completely over estimating Copper’s value. We already have guys in house who perform as well as Copper on STs and more than one candidate for replacing him. Good ST players just aren’t that hard to find. Teams that struggle on ST wind up in the position of not being able to pay a slight premium for ST play because they have no cap space due to many stars on the roster (SD) or lots of contracts (Oak).
Pope can come back…that’s fine with me. But he is just a blocking TE. Completely replaceable. To call him a very good blocking TE is a stretch. Tony Mo is a very good blocking TE. Pope is average. His height causes him leverage problems.
Smith can come back…that’s fine. But fine is all it is. We should be looking for an upgrade.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
Another thread discussed FA acquisitions, especially d-line.
The track record for d-line FAs is pretty spotty. So far, Pioli hasn’t stuck his neck out for any NT. I think he wants a high floor or low-risk ($) or both.
For instance, Aubrayo Franklin is considered a very high-level FA, but he could be another Ryan Sims, looking good because somebody ELSE on the line is a beast. I don’t want the guy who played NEXT to Julius Peppers or Justin Smith. I want the genuine article, or a journeyman I can pay like a journeyman. Not a journeyman (or yo-yo) player whose stock is inflated by a teammate.
I don’t want Alvin Harper/Brett Perriman, and make them my #1. I’ll take Michael Irvin/Herman Moore. Only way I take the beneficiary of great players is if I can surround him with great players.
On the TE front, Pope’s a good all-around player, but not great at any one thing. He’ll only get better as the offense around him improves. He looked very sure-handed, with a pretty big catch radius. Opportunities for guys like him are going to grow, this year, imo.
Same for Copper. He looked pretty confident, last year. Maybe not your #1 and only your #2 in a pinch, but somebody who will make the catch and be tough to tackle as the #3 or #4 threat. Of course, several planets are aligned for the Steve Breaston acquisition, but I can still see Copper being retained as the #4 or #5 threat, and as a utility player, who’s handy to have around for contingencies, like Troy Brown.
would of ≠ would've
With the amount of talent available in free agency
there isn’t anyone on that list that isn’t upgradable except Weigmann.
by CapsLockKey on Jul 22, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Casey is replaceable
but you’d have to sign a guy long term to replace him…which just blocks the rook
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
That might be a little much for him.
According to AP, he’s already playing LT, RT, LG, and RG. I think he’s even rotating in at S with Berry and Lewis.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Jul 22, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Can he play QB?
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
or Power Forward
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!!!
"Must" keep?
I think that’s a pretty strong term for any of those guys you listed.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on Jul 22, 2011 11:41 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Good write up
But Casey is the only thing close to a “must”. Tough to turn over your starting C job to a rook with no contract or offseason preparation.
Pope is a mediocre blocking TE. He’s the definition of replaceable.
Smith is a rotational DL. Not only is he replaceable, but we should be actively looking for an upgrade.
Copper is a nice ST player. Happy to have him back. But he’s a dime a dozen.
Edwards: See Smith, S…only moreso
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
I think it depends on what THEY think of the NTs out there.
Could be that Rogers was the only one they were willing to really chase.
But it does seem likely that one of Smith/Edwards, plus a try for a more dominant player. Back to the big OLBs they added, I think it’s going to be a lot tougher to throw extra blockers at the middle of the D, and easier for the D to rotate a do-your-damn-job NT onto the field, to keep the NT fresh.
would of ≠ would've
I think all return but Edwards
Their strong pursuit of Rogers proves they want a new face at NT, and I doubt a 6th rounder fills that need in Pioli’s eyes, even if Powe did have a higher grade. I think Smith may be listed as a DT this year, too, but that still won’t prevent a FA from being signed.
The rest I think are solid bets to return. With the stupid short free agency period we’re looking at, look for a lot of teams (especially us) to spend the three day grace period to sign your FAs before they can talk to anyone else actively working out deals.
The debate is nice, though, as it shows we’re not looking at any stinging losses regardless of who leaves via free agency. All are replacable and a few would yield late round compensatories to boot.
"When I was just a baby, my momma told me "Son... always be a good boy. Don't ever play with guns." But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die..."
I think it's likely they'll bring Smith and Edwards BOTH back, PLUS a FA.
And the final decision may wait until the final cut-down. I think Pioli’s determination to never take a step backwards gives both Edwards and Smith an excellent shot at making a return, because they know to their toes what the coach wants, and they’ve scratched and clawed their way to the playing field – Edwards from obscurity to starting nose tackle. Two tough, durable players coming back to a team that’s just a little bit better in a few more places, and who’d represent a better NT rotation than last season’s, with the fringe benefit of of no growing/learning-curve pains.
would of ≠ would've
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