FanPost

OK...My turn...A Cure for What Ails Us

The Spring and Summer of our discontent is nearly upon us. Chiefs’ fans across the nation will be sharing the truth (as they see it)about our needs and how to address those needs, whether it be by free-agency or the draft, or some combination thereof. Just to fit in (and because it is very, very true) I think it time to share my opinion about what the team needs, and how Dorsey, et.al. should go about their business.

First, I want to briefly examine the state of the team. We were lucky enough (bad enough in ’12?) to get to play the likes of Jax, the Titans, the Giants, the Texans, the Browns, and the Raiders (TWICE!). Seven easy wins. We also got to play two average-to-good teams, the ‘Boys and the Eagles. We got off to a 9-0 start. However, at the end of that nine game streak, Houston injured his elbow. Hali got dinged a little, too. Many of us used those two injuries to explain the next eight game stretch, where we won two more games (three really, but I’m not here to rant on the refs). The fact of the matter is that those last eight games illustrated the essential remaining weakness (or weaknesses) of this team. Manning, Luck, and Rivers (and their teams) demonstrated that the Chiefs should not plan to get by with their current DE’s and current free safeties next year.

I have already seen several draft "experts" list WR as our main need. These guys need to watch the "short cut" versions of our games against the Broncos, the Chargers (in KC), and the play-off loss to the Colts. After watching these games again (and again, and again, and a…) it seems obvious to me that our primary need is a free safety who can play center field. The only problem with this is that, according to current draft analysis, there aren’t more than one or two blue chip prospects. This isn’t as bad as it sounds. We also badly need a DE who can penetrate the pocket on a frequent basis. We haven’t had one of those since we traded Allen to the Vikes. A good DE would legitimize our pass rush, and make Houston and Hali even more effective. A stronger pass rush could also improve our safety play. There seem to be several good prospects in this year’s draft. After taking a DE in the first round, we should look for a free safety in the third round. In the fourth round, we should look for one more OL. After that, it’s the proverbial BPA. (side note: has anyone considered the possibility of switching Flowers to free safety? He’s not getting any younger, and he is on the small side. Then we could look for a CB in the draft, rather than a free safety. Just a thought…)

I, too, would love to see us get another good WR to take the focus off Bowe, but we just don’t have the picks to land one early in the draft. I think we’re just going to have to hope Jenkins develops his skill set in camp next summer.

While I’m ranting (actually pontificating), I want to address the idea that the Chiefs should be active in free-agency. Get real, you guys! We’ve got to get Houston, Berry, and Smith extended! This isn’t the year for us to be throwing a bunch of bucks at some high-priced free agent! Dorsey has to be judicious, and maybe bring in a bargain-basement guy or two, just as band-aids for positions he wasn’t able to address in the draft.

OK. Chief rant taken care of, for now. Now to address the drought…but not here.



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.