New Season Same Chiefs?

Training camp is in one week exactly. Alot of excitement 2 new established Cordinators, a Nice draft on paper, Easy Schedule, and a new training camp site close to Kansas City. All a recipe for higher expectations but is this the year the Chiefs turn the corner? Depends who you ask.


This year there will be no JaMarcus "Purple Drank" Russell to beat the Chiefs in their home opener like the last 2 seasons. This time it will be the same Chiefs defense that can't stop the run. I'm not predicting a loss in the season opener but what I am predicting is the Chiefs defense will be the same defense it's been for most of the past decade, one that could not stop the run. The last time the Chiefs played at Arrowhead they helped Jerome Harrison break Jim Browns single game rushing record with 286 rushing yards. What did the team do to address the rush defense? Besides hire Romeo Crennel whos big enough to play defensive tackle? They signed Shaun Smith. Smith's best known hit on a QB was aginst his own QB when he punched out Brady Quinn during training camp a few years ago. What else did they add? Looks like Derrick Johnson will be the starter at MLB. Johnson brings big play ability but has a knack for being out of position. The rest of the Linebacker core looks to stay the same. Eric Berry is a nice addition at the safety position but will that make a drastic difference in the run defense?



The offense will be the most improved unit. The offense line looks to be improved still has a few holes, Looks like a solid WR core, Matt Cassel will be inaccurate throwing down field. Enter Charlie Weis who's known for his short passing game which will help Matt Cassel become an average QB who will actually help win a few games this year. The Chiefs look to have one of the best RB tandems in the league this year as well.


Predictions: Chiefs Rookie of the year: Eric Berry
Best Free Agent pick up: Thomas Jones
Best player on offense: Dexter McCluster
Chiefs Record: 6-10



The defense will be terrible but unlike last offseason Pioli and crew will have a better idea of specific holes to fill next year opposed to this previous off season were nearly every position had holes. This team is on the right track alot of people think this might be the year where they turn the corner i'm saying not just yet. However 6 wins matches the win total of the last 2 years combined.

Grading The Draft and Other Offseason Moves

Now is the most boring time for the average NFL fan. The Draft is now over and now only a few weeks of mini camp between the three month layoff until training camp. Now lets talk about the most entertaining draft ever.

First I would like to thank Scott Pioli for making the correct move and drafting Eric Berry instead of Russell Okung.

Eric Berry vs. Alabama from Alo Draft on Vimeo.

Eric Berry Great pick and the best player on the defensive side of the ball in this draft. He can literally do everything in the secondary and will likely play alot of the time in the box where coincidentally he had his best season at Tennesee when playing the Strong Safety position.


Dexter McCluster At first I hated this pick but now I love the pick. It shows the creativity that Scott Pioli lacked last offseason. McCluster can do a plethorea of things. Alot of comparisons to Wes Welker or DeSean Jackson, more so comparable to Dave Meggett who played a large role on the Giants teams of the 80's.


Javier Arenas This was a horrible pick. Arenas is short and lacks break away speed. He won't be a very good CB in the NFL just watch the BCS title game Jordan Shipley owned Arenas.


Jon Asamoah Great pick. A very phyiscal player who could be a leader will help the guard position and hopefully take over for Brian Waters who play has declined the last few years.


Tony Moeaki Another pick I don't really like however I must admit I didn't know Moeaki was a projected third round pick. Pioli has traded four picks for two tight ends. Moeakis biggest flaw is he can't stay healthy. Compared to Owen Daniels lets hope i'm wrong.


Kendrick Lewis Meh pick. Ran a 4.8 at the combine. Will be a bit of a project. I would have preferred signing a free agent like Matt O'Hanlon who would contribute on special teams.


Cameron Sheffield I like this pick the Chiefs needed to address the OLB position and Troy has produced some good NFL talent.


Draft Grade
I Grade this draft a C. Reason being there are a few too many misses especially the Javier Arenas pick. Could have raded up for Clausen and had a franchise QB.


Undrafted Free Agents

To be honest I don't like any of the undrafted free agent signings. Dexter Mccluster benches more than the D tackle Pioli signed. I would have liked to seen Matt O'Hanlon and Freddie Barnes signed.


Free Agents

John Henderson will be in town on Wensday. Henderson would be a great signing the Chiefs gave up 144 rushing yards per game last year. Another free agent the Chiefs should sign is Adalius Thomas who can play a varitey of positions and would provide another pass rusher which is sorely needed on this team.

Final Mock Draft

There are two days until the NFL Draft and below is who I think the Chiefs should pick and who I think Pioli will pick.


First Rond Pick:

Bill: I would pick Eric Berry. Put it this way if Ed Reed was there with the fifth pick would you select him compared to the rest of the talent in this draft? Berry will be a better player in the box compared to Ed Reed.

Pioli: I think the talk of the Chiefs picking an olinemen in the first round is just the clueless mainstream media creating hype. I believe Berry is Pioli's pick, Second wuld be Dan Williams, Third Rolando McClain.


Second Round Pick:

Bill: I would love to package this pick and another pick to trade back in the first round to get Jerry Hughes the DE/OLB from TCU.

Pioli: Did Pioli try to trade for Boldin with the idea of resigning Chambers as well? It's obvious the Chiefs need another WR and Arrelious Benn will be a great prospect to replace Chambers in a few years.

Second Second Round Pick:

Bill: Theres no way Pioli goes past the second round without a defensive linemen or an offensive linemen. I would pick Jared Veldheer from Hillsdale. He's a big linemen who will be a bit of a project and would make a great right tackle until the regime finally decides what Branden Albert is.

Pioli: Pioli isn't affraid to reach and at this pick it's a bit of a reach but Linval Jospeh seems like the perfect Pioli player. Joseph can play both nose tackle and d end in the 34.


Third Round Pick:

Bill: Linval Joseph might still be available at this pick if so I would draft him here because as stated hes versitale and was an outstanding player at East Carolina University.

Pioli: Pioli still hasn't addresed the tackle position and this players stock has seemed to drop. Pioli will draft Vladmair Duccasse a guy who will be a project at right tackle or could play guard. Moving Lilja to his natural position at LG after next year and dumping Waters.


Fourth Round Pick:

Bill: The Chiefs need to address the ILB position. Jamar Cheney is an intriguing prospect who didn't play much last year. He has great size and is a good athelete.


Pioli: Pioli hasn't addressed the Inside linebacker position this off season and will draft one. Selection Donald Butler.


Fifth Round:

Bill: Kevin Thomas, Micheal Hoomanwanui, Freddie Barnes

Pioli: Anthony Dixon, Phillip Dillard, Leroy Vann



Summary:

Bill
Berry
Hughes
Jared Veldheer
Linval Joseph
Jamar Cheney
Kevin Thomas
Micheal Hoomanwanui
Freddie Barnes


Pioli
Eric Berry
Arrelious Benn
Vladmair Duccasse
Donald Butler
Anthony Dixon
Phillip Dillard
Leroy Vann

Why The Chiefs Should Draft Eric Berry

The Draft is almost here 16 days infact. Theres still alot of mystery and debate about who the Chiefs should draft. Pundits say the Chiefs need to fix the offensive line Russell Okung? Bryan Bulaga? Why would a team draft another left tackle with the 5th pick when there are other elite prospects still on the board? It should be pointed out this is the same offensive line that only gave up six sacks the last eight games. Branden Albert shutdown pro bowler and NFL sack leader Elvis Dumervil the last game of the season. The reason why the Chiefs offensive line struggled last year at times is obvious, the first part of the season Branden Albert was playing at a smaller weight and was getting over powered. Toward the end of the year when Albert put on his orginal playing weight the line started to improve, also change at right guard, of course Jamaal Charles helped out the oline too.


The Chiefs have a plethora of other needs but no other position was as abysmal as the secondary position specifically the safety position which mostly looked old, slow, and medicore at best. What would help out the secondary? A good pass rush? There are no pass rushers in the draft worth the 5th pick. A dominating D-line? The Chiefs have spent plenty of picks on defensive linemen they need a nose tackle however there are none that can play the nose tackle position that are worth the 5th pick. How bout the safety position? Winner. Eric Berry a 5'11 203 ILB safety from Tennessee accumulated 241 tackles and 14 ints in just three seasons at Tennessee.
The Chiefs ranked 31st aginst the run last year alot of that can be credited to guys like Mike Brown who missed takcles or weren't in position to make tackles because lack of speed. Berry will help aginst the run game he's an elite tackler that can play in the box. Berry will also be effective aginst the pass he's got ball hawking skills and would be one of the few in the league who matches up well aginst the likes of Antoino Gates who had 12 catches and 2 touchdowns vs the Chiefs last year.

Another argument is safeties aren't worth a top 5 pick while that might have been true in years past the evolution of three and four wide recievers have changed that. Safeties that can cover and play aginst the run are essential to a good defense. Troy Polamlu, Darren Sharper, Ed Reed are all good examples of why the Chiefs should draft Eric Berry.

Updated Mock Draft

Heres my update mock draft.


It looks like the Rams will pick Bradford and the Lions will either draft Okung or Suh which means McCoy or Suh will be there at 3 so Berry will slide to when the Chiefs pick.


With the first pick the Chiefs Select Eric Berry Safety Tennessee. Berry is a ball hawk and a sure tackler who can play both safety positions. Probably the biggest play maker on the defensive side of the ball in this draft. Compared to Ed Reed.


The first Second Round Pick: If not traded for Jarred Gaither will provide plenty of options for the Chiefs. I think the Chiefs should select a much needed pass rusher who will be groomed to replace Mike Vrabel. Selection: Jerry Hughes Defensive End/Linebacker TCU


The second Secound Round Pick: This pick is a bit of a reach but Pioli values linemen and a player like Vladmair Ducasse could fill the role at right tackle or if he struggles at tackle you can play him at guard which makes Brian Waters whos play has been on the decline the last few years makes him expendable. Selection: Vladmair Ducasse.



Third round pick: The defense has alot of holes this pick will fill one at defensive tackle. Linval Joseph is 6-5 and 328. Played at East Carolina and record 3 sacks and 60 tackles 13 of those coming behind the line of scrimmage. Selection Linval Joseph Defensive Tackle East Carolina.



Fourth Round Pick: The fourth round you draft the best player available. The Chiefs secondary wasn't very good last year and i'm not convinced Brandon Carr is a starter. Maurice Leggett isn't very good and Donald Washington is a project. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is an intriguing with great ball skills. The only knock on him is he's from a small school. Selection: Akwasi Owusu-Ansah Corner Back Indiana (PA)


Fifth Round Pick: The Chiefs have three fifth round picks and honestly i'd try to trade back if I could.


First Fifth Round Pick: The Chiefs still need to fill the ILB and Jamar Chaney would do a nice job at that. Cheney will be a better player than Brandon Spikes quote me on that. Chaney didn't play last year because of a broken ankle but is 6-1, 245 and runs a 4.5. Speed and athleticism is much needed in the linebacker position of the Chiefs defense. Selection: Jamar Chaney Inside Linebacker Mississippi State


Second Fifth Round Pick: The Chiefs still need to address the slot position and who better to select than Freddie Barnes who caught 155 passes and led the NCAA in receiving touchdowns with 19. Selection: Freddie Barnes Wide Receiver Bowling Green


Third Fith Round Pick: The Chiefs need a tight end since it looks like Brad Cottam might be done. Jimmy Graham is about the same size as Leonard Pope and might be a better catch passer when it's all said and done. He's still a project. Selection: Jimmy Graham Tight End Miami.

Thomas Jones, Free Agency, The Draft, And Other Avenues

Finally some free agent action! For the first time since the new regime took over there is a clear direction this team is moving in. This week the Chiefs have signed 3players; Thomas Jones, Shaun Smith, and Jerheme This aint the hood just Urban. What do these players provide besides connections to the tree? Depth. I can't remember the last time this team has had depth, Infact the way this franchise has drafted it's probably never had any depth.

Lets look at the biggest signing of the 3 Thomas Jones. Jones will be 32 when the season starts however his most productive season last year was behind a stout Jets offensive line. The only thing Jones will be asked to do here is take some carries away from Jamal Charles. What I suggest doing is everytime the offense needs to convert 2 or less yards put him in and piss pound the rock then in 2 years dump him like the girlfriend you never really liked.


Free Agency

Earlier today the Broncos once again dumped a talented player Andra Davis. According to Profootballfocus.com Andra Davis was the 5th rated inside linebacker in the league. Davis would be a much needed upgrade at the position paired with DJ the Chiefs would have a decent tandom at inside linebacker. Also OJ Atogwe reminds out in the market with no offers. For those counting at home I'm saying the Chiefs should sign Davis & Atogwae then focus to the draft.

The Draft

The media is now reporting on what I wrote about in my February 16th blog. Clausen is a possibility and should be a welcomed possibility. I believe we will see the Chiefs trade down a few spots with Cleveland if Berry & Clausen are on the board. The Browns released Anderson earlier this week and are shopping Brady Quinn. The Chiefs could move back a few spots get an extra 3rd round pick and select Clausen, then trade the first second round pick and a third for Jarred Gaither who can play both Right Tackle & Left Tackle. At 23 years old Gaither is just as good as any tackle prospect in this draft and wouldn't cost a first round pick. This would leave the Chiefs with a 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 3 5th round picks. With the remaining second round pick I would Chad Jones from LSU. Paired with Atogwae and Flowers the Chiefs would have one of the best secondaries in the NFL. In round 3 I would look to draft a big nose tackle that could rotate with Shaun Smith and Ron Edwards. Round 4 draft a center to replace Rudy Niswanger. With the remaining three 5th round picks draft the best available player.

Recap of what the roster would look like

Offense:

WR: Bowe
WR: Chambers

LT: Albert
LG: Waters
C: Draft pick
RG: Collin Brown
RT: Gaither

FB: Castille
HB: Charles & Thomas Jones

QB: Cassel or Clausen


Defense:
DE: Glenn Dorsey
DE: Tyson Jackson
NT: Draft pick

OLB: Hali
OLB: Vrabel
ILB: Davis
IlB: Johnson

CB: Flowers
CB: Carr
SS: Chad Jones
FS: Oj Atogwe

P: Colquitt
K: Succop


That team could compete next year.

Chiefs front office where are you?

When Scott Pioli was hired last year he promised to build a strong, smart, physical football team. Last off season he signd old, slow, ineffective veterans such as Mike Brown, Bobby Engram, Mike Goff, Corey Mays, The list goes on. 60% of the roster was turned over and the only Pioli player that contributed anything positive was the field goal kicker.


I promised I would give Pioli another off season before I would give an assessment but only a few days into free agency I can tellyou that Chiefs fans were sold a bill of goods. I don't expect the Chiefs to sign alot of players infact I prefer to build through the draft. Kevin Walters should have been the #1 target for the Chiefs this off season. Walters is a 28 year old veteran whos 6'3 can run of the catch and has some of the best hands in the league. Instead he re-signs with Houston for about 4 million a year. The Chiefs are currently are at 41 million dollars in player salaries, with a rennovated stadium too. This team easily could have outspent to get Walters instead they're interested in signing Thomas Jones a 31 year old running back who was released by the Jets. Jones will command atleast 3-4 million per year. So they'll pay a back up RB who'll be good for another year maybe 2 but not the perfect fit at WR who will produce for 5 more seasons?


The next player on the list is OJ Atogwae the most underrated player in the NFL. Atogwae who's 28 made 74 tackles and 3 picks last season with the Rams. Atogwae was placed with the lowest tender meaning no compensation is needed if a team were to sign him. Rumors are Atogwae has an injured shoulder and couldn't pass a physical at the moment but will be ready by the time camp staarts. His price tag? Only a million and some change. The Patriots are a brilliant franchise because they roll the dice and Atogwae is that kind of player that you take a chance with.


Hopefully i'm proven wrong by Pioli and crew though I doubt it. It will take more than playing musical chairs with assistant coaches for this franchise to be a success at the end of the day it's talent that wins and this team has none. When will fans of Kansas City no loner accept mediocrity?