What DON'T the Chiefs Need?

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January 2, 2009

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I was conversing with a friend of mine who happens to be a Broncos fan (I know, what kind of friend is that?) over the New Year, discussing the upcoming NFL Draft, Herm Edwards, Mike Shanahan, and how our organizations are in totally different places. One topic about the Draft that really got me thinking was "how could the Chiefs blow this draft?" As we both discussed, laughing (though I was crying inside), how many areas could be improved, it got me thinking: Seriously, what positions do the Chiefs have little or no need to improve via free agency?

Well, first of all... The punter and kicker... I think Dustin Colquitt is going to be here next year. Connor Barth seems to be an NFL - ready (though certainly not elite) kicker.

Beyond that, though? Let's start with offense. A lot of people want the Chiefs to draft a quarterback, and honestly, I'm not sure I disagree with that sentiment. The only problem is, if you are getting a QB, what are the odds you nab someone who's ready to start? The Chiefs are not the Falcons, they don't have the foundation of a young and talented team to fill every other position yet. Thigpen's going to start here, so I think QB is a lower priority. I'm a Big XII guy, I've seen Bradford play for two years... He's talented, don't get me wrong, but he's never had to play against a true NFL style defense, nor has he confronted the speed of the NFL. I think his adjustment period will be longer than, say, Matt Ryan, who really had a lot going for him otherwise and didn't have the pressure of a franchise devastated by two of the worst seasons ever experienced in that city.

What about the other skill players? Tight End? Is Cottam the future? Certainly, it's too early to drop a pick on a new TE. Wide Receiver? Dwayne Bowe is solid, and the Chiefs have some depth and youth here, but they don't have a really legitimate third threat on the field for receiving, hence the 1000 yard seasons from Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. Tony G says he will come back... If Herm Edwards is retained (much to the angst of the Kansas City fanbase... I won't rehash my "keep Herm for one more year" post).

Running Back? Again, they have some depth in this department. I don't think Larry Johnson is back next year (another post for another day), but we have some talent at the RB position as well with Kolby Smith and Jamaal Charles. It would seem to be a waste to draft yet another RB (It might be helpful if the Chiefs could figure out how to use these runners. During the Cincy game, we got to see the speedy Charles on Dives and Plunges, but not off tackle, and we got to see the power back Johnson on side-to-side toss sweeps).

They're set at fullback with Mike Cox - he does exactly what he needs to do. So where do the Chiefs have a real need? Branden Albert has done a great job at Tackle this year once he got done with his injury. The other side of that line could use one more guy, at least in my opinion. I'm not sure if you go Tackle or Guard... We've been having some pretty serious issues running the football and we had to modify an offense to compensate for the lack of pass blocking. Ouch.

Defense is where it gets easier. The Chiefs can win games with the offense they have (I'd like to see better from the offense, nevertheless) but the D has some glaring issues. Our young corners are skilled, the safeties are adequate and excel at delivering hits, but the front of this squad has been abysmal, as evidenced by the lack of sacks. Here's where the draft needs to be used. This team needs a well-sized DE. Jared Allen is listed as 270 lbs. I could believe that. Tamba Hali is listed as 275 lbs. I don't believe that for a second. He seems too small to muscle away from a Tackle, but not quite fast enough to blaze past him. The revolving door of the other DE slot isn't really much more helpful. Glenn Dorsey, as I've covered, is contributing at an admirable pace, especially at run blocking, but without any other legitimate threat on this line, he's awfully lonely.

Linebacker isn't much better. I think Derrick Johnson is suited for the move to MLB, but when Rocky Boiman shows up on your team as his fifth stop (and this isn't a knock on Rocky. I thought he played with a lot of fire this year, if nothing else), well, you need some help. We need a LB with some speed to get upfield and help on the pass rush, and some size to help out with the run game.

So, in the end, the Chiefs can only really mess this up by drafting RBs, Kickers, Punters, or Tight Ends. Whoever the new GM is, they won't have a lot of trip points in the draft. We need about all the help we can get. I just hope we don't end up putting all our eggs in the "rookie QB" basket.

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6 Comments on "What DON'T the Chiefs Need?"

Posted by Big Lee, January 2, 2009 11:40 PM

What offense will the Chiefs run? If we stay with the spread, then let Thigpen start. Draft another spread QB in the mid to late rounds. Gray might be serviceable as a third-stringer, only because he should know it by now. Don't know if he fits physically. If you want to run traditional offense, the QB becomes a much higher priority. DON'T REACH if one is not there early, however. We have cap room to get a decent retread to start, with Croyle, Thiggy, Gray, rounding out the QB corps.

We really need at least one more stud OL, probably a tackle. Surely between Jones, McIntosh, and current 6-5 center we can come up with a RG. Would need a stud center, but that can be found in the early to middle rounds.

Rest of draft (and some of cap space) must be dedicated to Front 7 of defense. That is real area of need.

Posted by That Tom Guy, January 3, 2009 4:08 AM

The Chiefs set the NFL record for fewest sacks in a season so our immediate need in the draft is what we painfully traded away: Jared Allen.

The KC offense has shown that it is capable of putting up 30+ points from week to week and against some good defenses--the problem is that the team on the opposite side of the field is hanging even more points than that on KC!

In retrospect, trading Jared Allen has proven a mistake thus far. I know, I know, we got good value for him. But he had more sacks this season than the entire KC Squad. And the lack of penetration destroyed the KC campaign and was a key factor in the worst season in KC history.

KC's secondary is solid enough with some impressive young talent. The linebacking core is slipshod at best, with Johnson playing significantly beneath his earlier pro bowl promise. But the linebackers feed off the line, so they'll naturally at least appear better when playing behind a tougher D line.

So yeah, I agree 100% that rebuilding the D-line is top priority. Another offensive tackle or guard wouldn't hurt, but we have invested enough in our O-line to make it competitive.

One more thing: Trade LJ!

Posted by Stir Crazy, January 7, 2009 3:40 PM

Okay...lets see..as i look @ the chiefs..ordeal...this is what i would do ...i am not gonna be cheap..and it for the long hall..and i am making my judgment from what i have seen from this year..

staff....all GONE ..ALL..
NEEDS ...QB..A REAL STARTER..THIGGY..NOT READY YET..CASSELL..WINS..
RB LJ UR GONE..3RD 7TH RD DRAFT PICK
HERE'S SURTAIN THE EGG DROP..TE..GONZO..DJ/..TRADE HOPEFULLY RAVENS..RAY LEW..AND 4RD PICK..I'LL TELL WHY LATER.AND I AM SPENDING MONEY FOR J..PEPPERS..WHAT EVER IT TAKES
if you think we played with rookies last year..this will be a another rebulid...but this is what will be differ..

I NEED MY DEFENSE TO BE ON SIGHT KILLERS...WHEN THAT UNIFORM GO ON BE LIKE THE MOST HATED COP..ON EARTH..I HAVE A JOB TO DO....HOW..THATS RAY LEW..AND PEPPERS...WE HAVE DEFENSE SWAGGER...AND A DAM LEADER..THE BEST IN THE GAME..PUT DORSEY WHERE HE BELONGS..AND CAN DO DAMAGE..THEM PICKS..1 PICK CURRY
NOW LOOK...PEPPERS TYLER DORSEY HALI...IF HALI FAILS MCBRIDE..IS READY..HE PLAYED WITH HEART..
THAT 1ST PICK..A CURRY...RAY LEW D WILLIAMS..
MY CBs AND SAFETYS..ARE LEGIT..RAY LEW..WILL MAKE SURE THEY DO THERE JOB...THAT WHY I HAVE HIM..TO GIVE THEM HEART...AND SWAGGER...AND EACH POSITONS HAS A GOOD BACK UP..DEFENSE SOLID..SOME MAY ASK WHY TRADE DJ...HIS TECHNICS ARE RUIN..THEY COACH HIM BAD OUT THE GATE..(DANG)AND IF B SPIKES IS ON THE BOARD BY 2ND ROUND..I WILL GET HIM ..FOR WHEN RAY LEW..MOVES ON....AND ALL OTHER PICKS LEFT WILL BE TO REVANT THAT LINE..CAUSE THERE ARE SOME ROAD GRATERS..COME OUT THIS YEAR...SOME VERY GOOD 3RDS..AND WE HAVE PICKS..TO DO THE JOB FROM THE TRADE..BRING IN A GOOD DEFENSE COACH AND RAY LEW...AND PEPPERS..TEACHING ALL THRU...AND WHERE AWSOME...

OFFENSE...CASSELL QB THIGGY WATCH AND LEARN
IF WE CAN LET SOME GO.....THAT DIDNT DO A THING IN 08...WHICH WILL NOT BE HARD..GET SPROLES..
WILL HAVE 3 3RD PICKS.OL...AND 4RD THERE ARE SOME..GOOD RB... FEEL IN SOME HOLES...LET THE OFFENSE CATCH UP TO THE DEFENSE GET SOME CHEMISTY..GOING...AND ..WE ARE IN THE PLAY OFFS..

LOOK @ THIS REAL GOOD FOLKS...IT CAN BE DONE..WITH OUT..HOPING. JUST PAY THE MONEY AND WHERE STILL UNDER THE CAP..AND WILL BE A YOUNG TEAM..FOR YEARS TO COME..

Posted by scott, January 7, 2009 11:21 PM

What I would like to see is more OL and LB talent. But what is more important is to draft and sign enough players and let them compete. The surest sign of progress is to let the players compete for their jobs, regardless of their time with the Chiefs, etc. Only when the best man for the job actually gets the job, will the Chiefs turn around. And by the way, LJ can leave any time.

Posted by vajazz24, January 11, 2009 3:14 PM

With the third pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select linebacker Aaron Curry out of Wake Forest.

Posted by marty jones, January 17, 2009 1:46 AM

I would like to see the Chief move Albert to right tackle and draft a natural left tackle with the first or second pick. Depending on whose available then you have two young guys on both ends that will anchor the o line for years. We can sign some free agents for the d line cause we need expirence now not more unproven dratees on the defense.

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