ChiefStock: The Darren McFadden Issue
OK, so here’s the scoop. I’ve been catching a ton of flak for drafting Darren McFadden for the Chiefs with the fifth pick in my latest mock draft. I don’t think most Chiefs fans are understanding where I am going with all of this.
First off, I didn’t do any trades and won’t do any trades when it comes to my mocks. I have enough knowledge of the Chiefs to accurately assess their draft and team needs, but I would be giving you misinformation if I tried to play GM any more than I already am with these other teams. It’s one thing to look at a team’s holes and the best players available, then make a match. It’s a completely different thing to pretend to know which of their players they value the most, their trade policies, their cap situation, etc. The list goes on and on.
That is why I took him. Because if we couldn’t trade down and Glenn Dorsey, Jake Long and Matt Ryan — three players who I think will be stars — are all gone, then he’s the surest bet on the board.
Is that pick an indictment of Larry Johnson? Absolutely not. It’s more of an indictment of Kolby Smith.
People can quote stats and say whatever they want about Smith. To me, the only stat that matters is that we were 0-6 in games he started. Look, I think Kolby Smith is a decent player and a great back-up running back, but nothing more. Personally, unless Larry Johnson takes himself out, I never want Smith in the game. There’s just too much of a drop off. I like him, but he’s got about as much explosiveness as a sparkler, when a run-run-run offense needs high-powered firecrackers.
Back to Johnson. He needs to get 20 carries a game, but not 30, 35, 40 touches. That’s no way to protect our investment. Additionally, I don’t think he’s best suited to be used as a blocker more than he needs to be. A.) He’s not the greatest blocker in the world; and B.) He’s such a physical runner that we need to try and cut down his additional contact. Additionally, he’s a good receiver, but he’s not LaDanian Tomlinson or Reggie Bush. He’s most effective beating up the defense and getting into a rhythm as a runner. When he gets that kind of momentum against a worn-down defense, he’s downright unstoppable.
If we overuse L.J. — or if, God forbid, he goes down — then we could be up that foul-smelling creek without a paddle. A player like McFadden would be a great weapon on third down. He’d also keep Johnson fresh while not downgrading the offense with his involvement — and that’s on any down. He’d play MJD to Johnson’s Fred Taylor.
Even better, I think Run DMC is more versatile than MJD, or maybe even Reggie Bush. I see many scenarios where he and L.J. would both be on the field together. I can certainly see McFadden split out at receiver, or in the slot, or even under center every once in a while, especially in goalline situations. He could definitely return punts and kickoffs as well with his unique blend of speed and explosiveness.
What I’m getting to is those who are saying the Chiefs are doomed if we don’t pick an offensive lineman fifth overall need to wake up. That’s a very shortsighted POV. To be successful in today’s NFL — especially with a ball-control offense — you need to have two running backs you can count on to consistently produce offense. Remember, there is a great class of free agent offensive lineman out there, and we have 10 picks, including two of the top 36 for sure. We have the resources to revamp our offensive line and secondary even if we use our first pick elsewhere.
Besides, I don’t really see Darren McFadden as just a running back. There’s so many things that you can do with him. He’d add a dimension to our offense that no other team in the NFL could match. My only issue with picking McFadden isn’t the line. Folks, we are going to rebuild that line. My problem is giving all these weapons — McFadden, Dwayne Bowe, L.J. and Tony Gonzalez — to Brodie Croyle, with no real back-up plan. Kind of like putting a silk hat on a pig if you ask me, but I still haven’t given up on the kid yet. Maybe with a better line and the dimension Run DMC would add, he’d end up being the next David Garrard or Derek Anderson. Those guys improved when the talent around them did likewise.
Unless we could get a great trade, I’d stick at five and take either Dorsey, Long or Ryan ahead of McFadden if any of them were there. From what I’ve seen from this class so far, if those guys are gone we’d be fools to not either get a great trade or a player who will be one of the more explosive players in the league out of our stroke of good fortune. Last year, the Bucs and Lions both gaffed when they passed on Adrian Peterson after he fell into their laps. I don’t want to see us make the same mistake.
Here’s a nice highlight reel of McFadden:
hey i completely agree with u and it really makes me hope and pray that our orginization gets their heads out of their asses. What do u think our realistic chance of gettin him because just like u i can see us pulling of a new orleans saints-really bad, get a explosive running back to go along with a power running back and bam a whole new team
January 13th, 2008 at 12:35 amWell, I think there is somewhat of chance he’ll be there, but I doubt we’ll pick him. Then again, it depends on the offensive coordinator we bring in as well. Also, he’d have to last, and all three of those other players would have to be gone. If Dorsey, Long and Ryan go 1-2-3, then he’ll probably be there. That is, unless Al and Jerry make a deal and the Raiders pass up Long. I think Al will take the son of the ex-Raider great, though. I really do.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:28 ami know we really need oline but honestly i think it would be boring to see them take oline when we could get a great skill position player if we are goin to have to suffer through a season to get such a high pick. Then like u said we could build the oline through FA . Another thing i was wonderin was, what do u think the chances of us gettin matt ryan are? Do you think he is worth taking because i understand he is a great quarterback with a lot of upside its just that the only time i got to see him work his magic was against va tech. Whats ur opinion of him because i really dont think i know enough about him or seen much of him to make an opinion.
January 13th, 2008 at 3:12 amok if we remove stats then what is it you want us to use…lol and if LJ would have done anything behind a line that was the same as the one smith ran behind…we wouldnt have this conversation….. and right before LJ was hurt, he wasnt demanding 12 man fronts either as teams saw we didnt have an o-line… to me it is coming close to looking like LJ is a system running back. (ala T Green)and I liked your mock draft, but cant say even with two running backs the chiefs run the ball… o-line wont be a reach if the team drafts a guy there, remember Hali
January 13th, 2008 at 11:45 amand LJ isnt a reciever… go back and watch the number of drops he had this year…lol it is histerical the number of people I keep hearing say he can catch, he barely pass blocks…I think the reason he wanted to go out in pass paterns was that he cant pass block… and now we find out he cant catch that well. I am trying to say if it was one of our recievers (other than bowe) you would say change the guy.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:49 amthey will not rebuild this o-line… unless they draft it…free agents, look at what carl has done with that… nothing. as with everything the o-line needs drafted players, and yes they drafted one last year hahahaha sixth round… I keep saying drafting stars isnt the answer they have stars, they need the behind the scenes guys, the trenches… the linebacker who never gets a snap, and only plays on spec. teams, they need the second BIG wideout, adding a third running back to this team wont help anyone.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:54 amas for Carl , look at QB last year even… when it comes to possition, he doesnt like tieing up money on one poss. he hates paying big bucks to bench sitters. It may be a boring pick but with what you guys yourself drafted in the mock… without drafting a o-lineman, we will get nothing but a bench player at tackle… unless you think the seventh OT taken will start for us
January 13th, 2008 at 12:05 pmInteresting take. I read this article earlier and I physically spit in horror… now, on the re-read, I think it’s the only way to go, almost. I like a guy who can do a Reggie Bush-like multi-player position, and if he can help out with punts and kicks, even better.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:16 pmGreat idea. Let’s use our top 5 pick on a third down back/punt returner…
January 13th, 2008 at 2:38 pmGreat idea. Let’s waste a top 5 pick on a third down back. Oh wait, he returns punts, too.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:39 pmSome also say that he is the best skilled positional player in the draft… and that player this year was Purple Jesus. I remember lots of Chiefs fans wanting to get AP.
I don’t think McFadden will be there so we will just have to wait see.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pmAdam #2: Here are some stats to chew on:
As a Chiefs fan who’s lived through both the Vanover and X-Factor eras, I can tell you that special teams not only can win a game, but can gain some momentum for a team that chronically lacks it.
Additionally, when we have no sure guarantee that LJ will ever get back into his optimal form (see Shaun Alexander for proof that overused RBs don’t always), I think that a MacFadden might be wise.
I’ve always though we needed to spend some time/energy on building up an offensive line, but don’t rule out picking up another playmaker.
January 13th, 2008 at 4:33 pmRedbeard, you are way too hard on L.J. and a self-proclaimed anti-L.J. guy.
First off, his hands aren’t that bad. Second, the only stat that matters is that L.J. went 4-4 as a starter, Kolby 0-6. What does that tell you about talent level? What does that tell you about how much more opponents respect L.J.?
As far as the seventh tackle, um, not so sure about that. I’m guessing that only five or six tackles go in the top 35-36.
And behind-the-scenes guys don’t win championships. They help, but you have to have stars to win championships. The five remaining teams left all have multiple offensive stars at skill positions:
Pats: Brady, Moss, Welker, Maroney
Cowboys: Romo, Witten, Barber, T.O.
Chargers: Gates, L.T., Rivers, Chambers (borderline)
Giants: Plaxico, Jacobs, Shockey, Eli
Packers: Favre, Driver, Jennings (he is now a star), Grant (has the makings of a star)
Everyone preaches defense and line play, but in today’s game stars take you to the next level. With secondaries not being able to be as aggressive any longer, it’s all about offense. Just look at the shootout today between Indy and the Bolts.
January 13th, 2008 at 4:54 pmAdam #2, I thought us Adams had to stick together, man.
I never said he would be just a third down back or a return man. Did you not read the whole thing?
We could play both backs together. We could split him out. We could put him under center for trick plays, or out wide for receiver passes, reverses and reverse passes. I’d give him a series a half, like we used to L.J., and use him on second and longs as well.
He’d play a lot.
January 13th, 2008 at 4:59 pmLJ didn’t do much when he was playing and I think K. Smith played better.
January 13th, 2008 at 5:49 pmWow, you’re stretching to make Ryan Grant a star. Just cuz you’re a starter doesn’t mean you a star.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:16 pmtheres still one big problem if we do take mcfadden. Who the heck is going to be running behind??? playmakers cant make plays when they’re getting chased in the backfield every play.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:37 pmok adam I got the seventh OT straight from your own mock draft here… if the chiefs dont take a OT then by the second round it would be the seventh OT taken…
January 13th, 2008 at 9:06 pmand as for stars… with the stars you have listed for those teams(in the responce back to me)… I didnt see you list the back up RBs as thier stars…(not even the one from your artical above the saints team)…. we have Bowe, Tony G., And I still like Croyle… give him a good line that gives him time and opens holes for the running game and everyones fav LJ, and all poss. look better… and in free agency they can sign a wideout from the cardinals… as the CARDS wont be keeping both of thiere GREAT wideouts next year…. one has to go.
January 13th, 2008 at 9:13 pmSkill positions are great, but as shown last season, Brodie doesn’t have time to sit in the pocket long enough to deliver the ball to any of our skill players. We could have 3 future hall of fame receivers, an elite tight end, a badass running back, a superstar fullback, and we would probably still end up with a losing record behind our current offensive line. You can only make so many plays when you aren’t getting any push off the line on running plays, aka, no holes being made for the runners, no lanes being made for the passer. I think if McFadden is still at 4-5, whichever we get, then we trade down, save from having to give Run DMC a huge Top 10 pick salary, to be a certain down player for us, and get 2 quality picks for the price of one. There we could get a tackle and then whatever else anyone feels necessary.
January 13th, 2008 at 9:56 pmAnd Adam, yes, if you have 5-6 tackles being taken by our 2nd round pick, then the next one we would grab would be the 6th-7th tackle, and have to start for us? Iffy, at best.
January 13th, 2008 at 10:00 pma question is apparent, at the moment… we have a large number of teams who most people and drafts, predict will draft an OT this year, there are also some free agents available as well… so how is it we would be able to rebuild our o-line from free agency? that would mean we would be trying to what…*outspend other teams for a free agent…remember we do have King money pincher Carl*
January 13th, 2008 at 10:43 pmPeople, I’m saying give Run DMC 15 touches a game. We’re a ball control offense, for Pete’s sake.
Also, the other thing I’m saying is that we can’t let him go past us if a pretty sure-fire bet isn’t there. I’d rather have an abscess of talent at RB than another Ryan Sims. You can’t wast a pick like this.
And we spent a little more money last year. Plus, I’ve heard that Edwards, Farmer and Kuharich are calling the football shots now. Things could be different money wise. Plus, this year the Chiefs HAVE to do something to sell out Arrowhead. The status quo offseason of Barbers, McIntoshs and Surtains won’t get that done.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:44 pmFootball clearly isn’t a team sport. That 0-6 is clearly the fault of Kolby Smith and no one else. We need someone like AP. Look at how he single handidly got his team into the playoffs…..oh, wait. No, he didn’t.If you want to argue that we should draft McFadden for other reasons, that would be fine. But, to lay those 6 losses at the feet of someone who was probably our most productive player on offense it’s absurd.Are you also disappointed in Bowe’s play? You know, he was 0-6 in those same games. Is he just a solid backup type guy in your eyes too? It’s a horrible argument.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:02 amNo offense, but the argument isn’t horrible at all. Kolby Smith was the most productive? Yeah, right? Tony Gonzalez had 99 effing receptions! Dwayne Bowe led us to victories when L.J. was playing, like against Minnesota and San Diego — he had 70 receptions and 6 TDs. For you to say Kolby Smith was anywhere close to either of those guys production wise is an absolute joke, and an insult to D-Bo and Tony G.
Man, you guys and you’re anti-L.J. bias. Makes me sick, honestly. I can’t even talk to Chiefs fans when they pull this shit. A.P. didn’t lead the Vikings to the playoffs this year, but L.J. did the Chiefs with his 416 carries last year. Refute that! And Reggie Bush did lead the Saints to the playoffs the year before, and A.P. would have had he of not gotten injured and his coach utilized him more during the first half of the season.
Yes, for the first time, I am actually starting to get really, really annoyed. HOW MANY TIMES MUST I SAY IT! THE CHIEFS ARE 22-6 WHEN JOHNSON GETS 20-PLUS CARRIES!
January 14th, 2008 at 3:11 pmWhy does everybody like Kolby Smith so much? Because he’s quiet and cheap and was a fifth-round pick? The guy is a pedestrian running back. The guy is a good back-up/utility back, but he will never be a starter. Or at least he shouldn’t be. That team would be hurting. Nothing against the kid, but’s he’s no L.J. He’s no Run DMC.
January 14th, 2008 at 3:17 pmI agree with what you say Adam, as far as LJ is concerned, and yes, if we can’t pull a trade and get a bit lower and more quality picks, and DMC is there, I do hope we snatch him up, it would be a disappointment not to, at least then we could work on our O-line and in 1-2 years have 2 of the best runners in football on our side. But I have to disagree with the fact that Reggie Bush carried his team to the playoffs. Deuce and his power running, and Brees and his 4,000 yard throwing season pretty much sealed that deal. Michael Bennet was a previous thousand yard rusher in the NFL, with the Vikings, and look what he did for the Chiefs… You’ve got to at least admit that Kolby looked as good as Bennett, if not a little better, I can’t remember if Bennett had a 100 yard game with us, but I don’t think so, and Kolby posted one. Granted; Bennett didn’t start, and was only getting 5-10 touches a game, max, I think, but still. What’s to be down about? And for all we know, Run DMC could turn into Reggie Bush this year, an ineffective runner once people figure out what he does. There’s no gaurantee, as you say.
January 14th, 2008 at 5:28 pmThere was no tape on Kolby Smith at that point, and he recorded his lone 100-yard game against a terrible run defense. If the coaches had so much faith in Smith, why did Jackie Battle get goalline carries? Why were we throwing to Jared Allen? Kolby Smith does not have the chops to be a starting running back. Well, maybe in Denver, but not in K.C. Argh. I’m going to do a post called "Everybody Loves Kolby." Geez.
As for Reggie Bush, he was effective when he had a power game to help him out. When Deuce went down, so did his game. Run DMC is almost half Buch, half Peterson, so I wouldn’t worry about that too much.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:17 pmAdam calm down last year when i wanted Mr fullback in saint luey…lol and we ended up with smith… you loved him… I dont hate LJ… but using this year alone… and saying LJ is the one winning those games… go back and watch, the other teams began to see we didnt have an o-line, and backed up with thier deffences. giving win loss credit to LJ is absurd , just as it is to use it for say a Trent Green …lol ,
January 14th, 2008 at 8:26 pmand we do have star players
January 14th, 2008 at 8:29 pmYou hit it on the head Adam: When he had a POWER running game. With our current offensive line personnel, we have NO power running. We lined up constantly in 2-3 tight end sets, and averaged less than 4 yards a carry, sometimes considerably more. And they had no tape on Kolby so he got his 100 yard game… Exactly… They had no tape on Jared Allen catching the ball… So he had a touchdown. Who expected that? Noone. That’s the point. Also it didn’t help matters when Kolby ran for us the whole length of the field, and then we ask the little guy to pound in for 3 more yards on the goal-line? Pssh.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:56 pmXXXLP, I know, I’m being hard on him. I watched him in college and liked him as a back-up and part-time fullback, but I’m actually less high on him than I was. He has zero big-play ability, and I’m not sold on him as a blocker.
And the threat of L.J. alone improves our offense, Beard. I guess I’m just sick of seeing Chiefs fans everywhere dog L.J., because I know what he did for us in ‘06. I also know that when he returns like a man possessed next year, that a lot of Chiefs fans will be back on his jock, wearing No. 27 jerseys.
People who want to trade him are going to be very, very sorry if they get their wish. It will never happen, though. When King Carl pays someone like he did L.J., you know that guy is an All-Pro.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:07 pmlets not go to far there… Carl dont get any credit… he also let horn go, and edwards, and richardson…the list goes on and on with carl he is a money guy period and doesnt wish to keep a talented team together.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:36 amI think McFadden would be a good player if used correctly so i agree with you there, but LJ is just an overpriced baby. He has no vision when running, and no ferocity. The only thing that made him good the first few years was his distane for Vermiel, but he has lost that with Herm so he has nothing left. We may have won more games with LJ, but thats because our team was playing better overall. I saw much more from Smith than LJ this year. I would like to see Smith and McFadden as a combo
January 15th, 2008 at 2:47 pmIn case you hadn’t noticed, Matt, LJ ran for over 1750 when Herm came here! I can see calling him ‘overpriced’ and suggesting that he lacks ‘vision’ but don’t suggest that he has no ‘ferocity.’ When LJ left the lineup, defenses keyed-on D-Bowe and TG, allowing Kolby to look like a starting running back. Kolby is pretty good, and that’s that. LJ is great.
January 15th, 2008 at 4:18 pm(Paradise you have some great points)
Kolby really only had one great game (against the Raiders awful rush-D). He also had a horrible game against the Broncos who’s rush-D was one of the worst in the league. He had some other good games, but lets get real people he is not a starting RB in the NFL. He is a fine backup, but lets stop acting like LJ sucks.
January 15th, 2008 at 4:52 pmI dont *act* like LJ sucks!!!
January 15th, 2008 at 6:54 pmBut I dont place him with the earl cambells or Emmitts of the football world either
January 15th, 2008 at 6:55 pmI consider Larry a critical piece of 3 of the 4 wins this year, against San Diego (148 total yards), Cincy (143 total yards 1 TD), and Oakland (133 total yards and 1 td). To get that kind of yardage behind our O-line is amazing and I don’t know of if LT could have done the same. Against the Vikings Larry averaged 1.8 per carry and against Jags 1.2.I don’t pin the last 6 losses on Kolby, I don’t think its fair to judge anyone but QB’s by a win loss record, can’t blame LT or Barry Sanders for the crap years they’ve been through, Jared Allen for the crap years, Archie Manning is the only QB I’ve ever heard people say was good but had losing records.Regardless, Kolby had a higher average than Larry and ran hard, RB’s ARE A DIME A DOZEN, draft an o-lineman in round 1, or if one isn’t available and someone with a top 14 pick will give you their second then take it.chiefs wouldn’t use McFadden or a 2 back system properly, Bree’s having a career year had as much or more to do with getting the Saints to the playoffs than Reggie Bush did.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:41 pmAlso whats up Zach & Adam love the site and having Chiefs withdrawls already even though they are awful right now, I’ll be here year round.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:44 pmIf you really think LJ is "great" then you have no vision either Paradise. I have never seen a "great" back go down so easily. LJ may have been good before we gave him his paycheck, but has done nothing to impress since. And that 1700 yards you speak of was because he got a record number of carries, does that tell you anything? He is heading in a downward spiral and pretty soon he will be a $47 mill waste of cap space.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:42 pmLJ isnt that bad, his only main problem besides having a horific o-line, is that he(like holmes told him) he needs to add some things to his running game…sort of like the allens and the halis’ have had to do in order to reach the QBs’ , my main problem is that he crys about everything…we even saw it when he got completly pissed at the o-line and twice thru the ball down and got flagged for it… I want him to buy the line gifts…(I know not last years line) … and yes to me personbally I dont like him as a Quote GREAT running back, but then again I dont think E. Smith was EVER that great a running back either… but I do know that just as other teams stacked the line against the nightmare, they do it for Johnson… but without an o-line worth a catfish panfull, they did start to back off on the 9 man fronts… he still saw the eight man fronts but seldom did they stack 9 men down there…
January 16th, 2008 at 5:58 pmMac, Colsten had a lot to do with that season, too. He’s a lot like D-Bo. The thing about the Vikes and Jags is that they have THE BEST defensive tackles in the league. Kolby Smith might have averaged negative yardage against the Williamses or Stround and that monster John Henderson (God, we could have had him instead of Sims). I love the stat on Larry Johnson being pivotal in those wins. And not much is up, same old. What’s up with you?
January 17th, 2008 at 3:05 pmMatt, Matt, Matt… no offense, but it’s Chiefs fans like you that make me walk away from my CPU screen or agruments when it comes to this topic. Larry Johnson might get brought down easily when there is penatration in the backfield before he even gets the ball or hits the hole. When he gets a full head of steam and into the open field, he is the hardest RB to take down in the league. Period. That’s why you see L.J. have a lot of short runs, but also a lot of 7-8, 10-15, 20-40 yard runs. When he gets rumbling it is like tackling Earl Campbell.
Larry Johnson is the best player on the roster. No offense to Jared or Tony G., but L.J. isthe franchise and what led us to the playoffs in ‘06. He will repeat that feat next year. It looks like Chan Gailey is just what he needs.
January 17th, 2008 at 3:10 pmBeard, you and I have had more arguments about this… let’s just see what happens with Chan and a rebuilt line next year. Not to mention a more favorable schedule. L.J. is going to be a monster next year. I’m going to take him in one of my fantasy leagues for sure.
January 17th, 2008 at 3:16 pmAdam the line , in my opinion wont be back next year… honestly, I think two years… and only then if we add at least two new starting players… AND they draft o-linemen next year as well. and I never belive that a win loss record is good for anything but helping to analise a teams record… and LJ isnt the team… now a running back can be a focus…as in KC or denver or S. D. , no running back ever has done it alone… same as a QB other than archie manning not many QBs have ever put up big numbers without great recievers…thats why no matter what anyone says I will always believe that the trenches are the most important thing. as with last year TU would have been an overall better pick for us and for LJ… that would mean that this year we would only need to be drafting one higher pick at o-line… not two of them.
January 17th, 2008 at 6:03 pmAnd for that matter I still see in my mind the chiefs drafting something else…lol other than an o-line guy.. seriously I see the team drafting deff. I pray I am wrong
January 17th, 2008 at 6:04 pmWell I’ve never argued with the ’strengthen your strengths, if at all possible,’ thing, but if we pick defense first in this draft, then we have more problems than just our players. We are only winning one out of 3 fronts of the football game. And even then, sometimes our defense is getting beat because they are on the field so much. We NEED someone to help our offense at least a little so that our defense isn’t that much more tired. Maybe then they’d have the energy to hit just that much harder, and knock the ball out, or jump a little higher and get that pick. A couple of plays like that a game, and we would have been .500 this year, at least. At least a glimmer of hope looking at the playoffs towards the end of the year. We need a kick returner. Something to give our pitiful offense a little more spark, since they don’t have to drive the WHOLE FREAKIN FIELD (thank you Mr. Drummond) Anything to help us win on at least one more front. If we’re consistently winning on 2/3 of the battles, then we at least have a much better chance of winning, even if our offense is struggling.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:36 pmOk Adam, just becuase i dont like LJ dont attack my loyalty as a fan. We have different opinions on the matter thats fine, i dont care if you guys like him thats fine, i just happen to think that he is nothing more than average and is dragging the team down with his attitude and me first play style. LJ is strictly a power back, and in my opinion he was not even one of the top 5 power backs in the league last year. He used to run people over, speed or not, now he just runs into them. Thats just my opinion and you guys have yours, but dont treat me like less of a fan because we dont agree.
January 18th, 2008 at 11:47 amredbeard, et al – suppose KC picks at #5 and the 1st 4 selections are Chris Long, Jake Long, Matt Ryan, and DMC. That means that if the Chiefs do not trade down, imo the 2 BPAs at that point are Dorsey and Clady. As badly as the Chiefs need an OT, I have to believe they simply cannot pass on Dorsey. Could that upset & disappoint a lot of people, hell yeah but so what? I still believe that free agency is the best way to go this offseason for picking up both OT and OG plus remember that the “rebuilding” is not a single year thing. Besides, as I look to the ‘09 draft, I’m seeing a better crop of talent than what’s available for ‘08.
January 18th, 2008 at 12:26 pmMatt, you are just as much a fan as I am, I think you misunderstood me. I just get extremely annoyed with this anti-L.J. sentiment. I definitely respect your opinion, but L.J. didn’t have a fair shot last year. By the time he really got rolling he got hurt. Mac Dawg pointed out some great stats on him earlier in this thread, and how he really only failed againts JAC and MIN, two teams that have the best DTs in football. You can’t blame him for the line’s dismal play. It is one thing when fans bitch about his attitude (which I don’t think is a big story), but there is no way you can question his abilities. At least in my opinion.
Agree to disagree?
January 18th, 2008 at 2:44 pmQuickly…
I don’t have a problem drafting defense first, if we trade down for more picks or take Dorsey. Stud, stud, stud.
Anyone who says Tony Ugoh would have been a better pick than D-Bo is crazy. Did you know see Merriman reenact the gimp scene from Pulp Fiction on Ugoh last week. Killed him. Made him look like Svitek or Winston Justice. I would have liked to have traded up to get Ugoh — and said so at the time — but D-Bo is irreplaceable. We’ve been searching for Bowe ever since Otis Taylor retired.
I would like to see us find a corner who is fantastic returning kicks on the first day. Period. I will start researching this ASAP, but if anybody has any suggestions let me know…
January 18th, 2008 at 2:49 pmSounds fair enough, thank you.
January 18th, 2008 at 8:44 pmLike I have always, LJ had one tough season, but if you hadn’t noticed the entire Chiefs organization did. The only players that had a great one were Tony, D-BO, DJ, and Jared Allen. Even Jared Allen had a rough year getting suspended for two games.
I think if LJ wasn’t involved with Rocca-Fella or was from New York people might have an entirely different feeling about this story. Lets give LJ more than one year because he has given us more than that too. If he has a bad season next year you can rub it in my face all season long…
January 18th, 2008 at 9:56 pm