Arrowhead Pride: All Posts by Jason Madson

Sergio Kindle could prove worthy gamble for Chiefs

2012-10-23T16:30:05Z

Flash back to the BCS Championship game 2 years ago between Texas and Alabama. The Crimson Tide won the game, but one of the players that stood out the most was a Longhorn. Sergio Kindle was all over the field, especially in the Bama backfield.

That game improved Kindle's pre-draft stock in a big way. He was finally out of the shadow of Brian Orakpo, ready to become a high draft pick on his own. Kindle had everything a 3-4 team would want, Speed, Strength, Athleticism and a mean streak.

The Ravens took Sergio in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft. They were hoping to capitalize on his strong BCS title game performance and strong numbers from the Combine. This never happened.

Prior to training camp, Kindle took a spill down two flights of stairs, fracturing his skull. He sat out the entire 2010 NFL season. He was activated a few weeks into the 2011 season, but appeared mainly on special teams when he was on the active roster.

The Ravens cut ties with the 43rd overall pick from the 2010 NFL Draft on Saturday. If/When he clears waivers this afternoon, the Chiefs need to take a look.

At KC Chiefs Draft, I constantly preach the need to add to the stable of pass rushers. The Chiefs have two threats, and a handful of situational guys. Kindle lined up at many positions during his Texas career. He can add the versatility of moving Tamba Hali around, getting him the best possible matchup.

Sergio Kindle's strengths matchup with what the Chiefs are missing. He is a fierce pass rusher, using his elite speed off the edge to get pressure on the QB. Kindle also knows when to use the bull rush after the OT is off balance expecting speed.

He has a nastiness about him on the football field. Watching him grow up at Texas, I saw multiple big hits and him always having a teammates back. I can't think of a nasty player on this Chiefs defense. This is the same reason resigning Shaun Smith would have been a great idea. He could bring some attitude back to Arrowhead, something that is desperately needed.

Kindle isn't a run stuffer, or good in pass coverage. He struggles in each of these areas. His long arms do cause trouble for QBs throwing lanes though.

When the news broke that the Ravens were activating Terrell Suggs and released Kindle, I was more shocked by Suggs being activated, than Kindle being cut. After that sunk in, I thought this is the type of move that savvy GMs make. Go out and pick up a mid 2nd round pick for nothing.

While I was sitting in the Louisville Cardinals press box, scouting the Louisville USF football game, I was more intrigued by the thought of Kindle in a Chiefs uniform. I put my thought on twitter, and nearly everybody agreed.

With all the talks of Scott Pioli getting an extension, getting fired, Dwayne Bowe possibly traded to the Dolphins, and the QB mess that is Kansas City, this under-the-radar move could be the best of all.

The team I look at when thinking of pass rushers coming from everywhere on the field would be the NY Giants. They have a guy at nearly every position in their front seven that can get to the QB. Even guys in the secondary are sound blitzers in New York. The Chiefs and Giants aren't the same defensively and I know this, but why can't the Chiefs work in a few different looks?

Show a few looks with Kindle and Justin Houston on the outside and DJ and Tamba on the inside. In this look, give Hali the ability to move around. I'm definitely not an x's/o's expert, but you'd have to think more pass rush is a good thing. It covers up the short comings in the secondary.

This signing isn't adding a starter, just another guy to get to the QB. Kindle has too many shortcomings to be a full time player at this point. But, if he is allowed to pin his ears back and go get the QB, Sergio Kindle could be a real asset for the Kansas City Chiefs for a very small price tag.

These are the types of moves that the Patriots made when they were building their championship teams. I look at a similar player in Mike Vrabel. He was on the scrap heap when the Pats signed him before their Super Bowl run. He turned into one of the leaders of the 3-time Super Bowl Champs.

I'm not sure if Sergio Kindle is Mike Vrabel 2.0, but there is no risk in trying.

The 8th Round: Draft Preview Podcast

2011-04-28T17:30:36Z

The Draft is tonight and The 8th Round is here to give you a quick preview of what to expect. Josh Deceuster and Jason Madson discuss the court ruling in the players favor, again. A few Draft Risers and Fallers and we also compared our experiences in the Twitter draft #Mockthree to what might happen in some war rooms today.

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Under the Radar: Nate Bussey Illinois

2011-04-10T13:00:23Z

When you think of the perfect player to fill out a team's roster, what traits should he have? Versatility, willingness to play special teams and an individual that embarrass you off the field are just a few that come to mind. Being a good football player doesn't hurt either. These qualities are what NFL teams want in their players, from number 1 to 53. I had the opportunity to speak with Nate Bussey recently and he fits all these categories and more.

Growing up in Washington DC, Nate began playing football at the age of 5. He was an accomplished quarterback in high school, even grabbing an offer from Kent State to play the QB position. The first offer he received though, was from the University of Illinois in the 10th grade. I guess we can say that Nate is loyal as well. "One of the biggest reasons I went to Illinois was Mike Locksley". Locksley is known as a great recruiter and this seems to justify that.

Nate came into Illinois with a new position, defensive back. He made the switch because that is what the coaches wanted him to do. You will hear that a lot with Nate. As a true freshman, Nate played on special teams and made a great impact. His love of playing special teams goes back to this, getting on the field. His sophomore season led to him being a starter in the defensive backfield.

His junior season, when 2 linebackers were injured, the coaches asked if Nate would make the switch to LB. What do you think Nate said? "Whatever you need me to do coach, I'll do it"

After two successful seasons as a linebacker with the Illini, Nate is now realizing his versatility and willingness to do whatever the coaches ask is about to pay off.

The San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears want Nate to play SS, while the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers are looking at him in the outside linebacker position. "Whatever opportunity comes my way, I'll be happy" said Nate after the long discussion about where he fits in on the football field. He explained his strengths on the football field as open field tackling "It would definitely be tackling in the open field, I have the skill set to make a lot of open field tackles" and pass coverage skills "I had to check a lot of receivers this year playing outside linebacker, I had to work on my man to man coverage skills" he also told me that he didn't blitz very much at Illinois, but given an opportunity, he could improve those skills as well.

Giving back to the community is also a big part of Nate's life. "being a leader in the community is very important to me" He works with the Boys & Girls Club in Illinois in his free time and also mentors children when he goes back to Washington DC. Nate also has a 2 year old daughter who he tends to 24/7.

When asked what he has learned from this experience, Nate said 'Be patient, my time will come" that is some great advice that more people need to follow.

To follow Nate Bussey throughout his Draft experience., go here.

The 8th Round: Leonard Hankerson Interview

2011-03-28T16:00:26Z

This week we have an abbreviated version of The 8th Round. Miami Hurricanes WR Leonard Hankerson joined myself and Jon Dove for a quick interview. We discussed our brackets, being compared to Andre Johnson, how and where he fits in the NFL and a few other topics. We hope you enjoy!

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Leonard Recently had his Pro Day at the University of Miami. He stood on all his numbers from the Combine, but did run some positional drills for those scouts that came to watch. Leonard has a meeting/workout set up in the next couple weeks with the Chiefs.

Titus Young Blazing at Boise State Pro Day

2011-03-25T15:30:27Z

Press release:

When it comes to the NFL combine, the 40 yard dash is the marquee event. Coaches and owners love speed. Clocking a time of 4.43 at the recent NFL Combine, one would think an athlete would be content. But not former Boise State WR Titus Young. NFL scouts were reportedly disappointed with Young's 4.43 forty time in Indianapolis, expecting him to touch the 4.3s. Today at the Boise State Pro Day the speedy WR ran a blazing forty with clocks that ranged from 4.27 to 4.41 and gave the scouts what they expected. Additionally he had a 35 ½ " vertical. Titus was clean in his position drills and had no dropped balls.

Titus Young dazzled college football with his game-breaking ability every time he touched the ball whether he was catching balls, running reverses or returning kickoffs and punts on special teams. In 2010, Young recorded 71 catches for 1,215 yards (17.1 ypc) and 9 touchdowns and helped lead the Boise State Broncos to a 12-1 season and a 26-3 victory over Utah in the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl. He finished his career with 204 catches for 3,063 yards and 25 touchdowns.

-Thanks to Pilar Ellis with 4th & Long for the information.

The 8th Round

2011-03-12T14:45:13Z

This week's show was one of our favorites. We had a guest with over 39 years experience scouting football players for such organizations as the Eagles, Redskins and the Chiefs. His name is Dan Shonka, check out his website ourlads.com. It's well worth it.

Dan is full of insight for anybody that is interested in scouting football players. This is a great interview in which to give a listen, as Josh Deceuster and Jason Madson ask him quite a few NFL Draft/Scouting Combine questions. Matthew Fairburn also breaks down the NFC East from a Team Needs angle and we finish it up with our biggest NFL Draft bust over the past 15 or so years. Enjoy!!

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Podcast: The 8th Round!

2011-03-04T17:00:26Z

This week we have a Kentucky Wildcat version of The 8th Round. DeQuin Evans and Rickey Lumpkin joined us to talk about their Wildcat careers and the path they are taking to the NFL. Both of them are very driven, well spoken individuals. This was a fun interview and the first time we have talked to 2 players at once. Randall Cobb was the next topic, basically where does he fit in the NFL? We even got a few lines from DeQuin and Rickey about their former teammate. We ended the show with a brief chat about the Combine and which players wowed us in a good and bad way. The combine discussion included several different players making moves. We each had our list of players that impressed and also disappointed. Listen in to see some of the sleeper prospects that might be making moves after their combine performances. Enjoy!

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Davon House 2011 NFL Draft Interview

2011-03-01T17:00:23Z

I had the pleasure of speaking with New Mexico State CB Davon House a while back. Here is what the confident young man had to say:

Mocking The Draft: What are some of your hobbies away from the football field?

Davon House: I like to spend time with my family. I have 8 family members including my parents. I also like playing video games, Spotscenter and ESPN.

MTD: What games are you playing right now?

DH: Madden and Call of Duty. I play online with Curtis Marsh from Utah State and Cris Carter from Fresno State.

MTD: You had a great career at New Mexico State, what is your best football memory?

DH: The locker room, a fun and exciting locker room. Even though games didn't go our way, we kept a family atmosphere and believed things would turn around if we worked hard enough.

MTD: Who was your toughest opponent?

DH: Kellen Moore from Boise State, hands down.

MTD: Why was he the toughest?

DH: Great accuracy and good arm strength for his size. Definitely Kellen Moore was the toughest.

MTD: You had an ankle injury that you played with all season, it even kept you out of the Senior Bowl. How is the injury healing?

DH: I feel like I could've went out there for the Senior Bowl, but it could've hurt me in the long run. I wasn't even 80%. The last two weeks have been a dramatic improvement. I've been running around a lot...Watching the Senior Bowl practices and game, I feel I could've proved I was an elite cornerback. The Combine is more important to my future.

MTD: Where are you training and what are you working on?

DH: API of LA...I'm working on gaining weight, ankle stability, 40 times and position drill wise I'm working on better technique in off man coverage.

MTD: Why the need for a weight gain?

DH: I came in at 182 lbs, but I'd like to be between 190-195 lbs because of the size of the athletes in the NFL.

MTD: What is your response to people who say you're not physical enough?

DH: If you were to ask the WR I faced this year, they wouldn't say I'm soft at all. Watch any game, you won't find a time where I was afraid to tackle or struggling to get off blocks.

MTD: Playing for New Mexico State, you suffered through some tough seasons. What gets you hyped on game day when the team isn't performing at a high level?

DH: Any given Saturday, anything can happen. Being an underdog kept me motivated. It wasn't about the stats, it was about proving everybody wrong that thought we were a bad team.

MTD: What are your expectations on draft day?

DH: I have high expectations for myself. I tell myself everyday that my goal is to be off the board by the first day.

MTD: Finally, what is your dream destination as far as an NFL team goes?

DH: The 49ers! My whole family loves the Niners, but honestly any team that picks me is great.