Oh My…Darling?
Update 5:34:33 CST: We’ve learned a little more about why Devard Darling was brought in, from the Chiefs official site:
[Carl] Peterson commented. “Devard’s best football is still ahead of him. Our wide receivers coach Eric Price recruited Devard to play at Washington State, so that relationship helped provide additional information on his strengths as a player.”
The Kansas City Chiefs actually went out and did something today! They signed a wide receiver, and while it wasn’t A.A. fave D.J. Hackett, I like the kid. Devard Darling wasn’t who I expected, but his signing comes as little surprise given Herm Edwards‘ pre-free agency comments on the type of player the Chiefs were seeking.
Darling, 25, had his best year as a pro in ‘07, and especially came on late for the Baltimore Ravens. He had four catches, 107 yards and a touchdown against the Browns in late November (I remember it well, as I was playing against him in fantasy for some reason). He’s 6-foot-2 (I’ve read 6-foot-1 and 6-foot-3, so we’ll settle in between) and 215 pounds, so he definitely has the size to be a quality No. 2 or 3 WR.
I’ve linked the Star’s article and his Wiki page below, but what you absolutely have to read is this S.I. story about he and his late twin brother, Devaughn, who passed away while they were attending Florida State together (Devard later transferred to Washington State). Both interesting and inspirational, if you ask me. Warning: It’s going to be hard not to root for the kid after reading the article.
Welcome, Devard! Glad to see that the Chiefs aren’t completely asleep at the switch. Oh, and I’m hoping that I can get our Ravens blogger to chime in on Darling either today or tomorrow.
- Soul Survivor - Gary Smith/Sports Illustrated
- Chiefs sign former Ravens WR Darling - The Kansas City Star
- Devard Darling - Wikipedia
This is the perfect situation for Devard Darling… Think about it, if you know ur good; you just need a chance. Go to the Chiefs since they only have one for sure starter in D-Bowe, as soon as he signed he was a shoe in for at least the third receiver, probably the second. I actually love this move. He is young, and has potential. We can now draft a receiver, if at all, in the late rounds. Agree?
March 11th, 2008 at 3:34 pmWell, it all depends on what we do before the draft. I hear we are looking at Brian Brohm, so if he slips until early in round two I doubt we’ll be able to draft a receiver until day two, and he’d have to double as a return guy. It really just depends if we add any O-lineman or CBs before the draft. It also depends on who’s still there in round two or three. Receivers are slipping, so good receivers could be there in the middle rounds of day one.
I do like the signing, though. I really do.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:49 pmAdam - you have to tell me where you are hearing the Brohm thing…..I am a huge fan of Brohm and this morning I was wanting to do a post about him….most mock drafts have him falling to round two now and it would be a huge mistake to not take him…..anyways, back to the topic…..again I am dissapointed in our FA - so far we have a broken Full Back and two bench players……not really wowing me……look - I am sure Darling is a great guy and has some potential, but come on - we can do better…….Is he the #2 - I hope not……does this mean we wont draft a WR in the first 3 rounds….I hope not
March 11th, 2008 at 3:54 pmDave, back around the time of the combine I heard that the Chiefs tested Brohm more rigorously than any other team. NFL Network or somewhere like that. If you want to do a post on him just e-mail us at arrowheadaddict@gmail.com and we will feature it!
As for Darling, keep in mind that dude played for Baltimore, home of the NFL’s worst passing attack since the new millennium began. Two words: Kyle Boeller.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:59 pmI like the signing, the chiefs are doing exactly what they said they would do. Although, with Kennison gone, I’m a little concerned that there will be no successful veteran WR presence on the roster. But after the draft I’m sure they can accomplish that.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:10 pmI really like the signing. Young, good size. Tons of potential. And yes on Hartwig
March 11th, 2008 at 4:19 pmThanks Adam - I keep wanting to post some ideas but have never seen where to do it…..so I just email it to you and if you like it you put it on?…….We have beat the top 5 pick to death……I am more concerned about the 2nd round pick……we are going to have alot of great players slip and I am curious what AA nation wants to do?
March 11th, 2008 at 4:21 pm[...] Arrowhead Addict - Oh My…Darling? [...]
March 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pmJay, don’t be too concerned about WR and Veterans. We have D-Bowe and Tony G. Our second WR is really a third WR because of Tony. (Did you see Croyle try to force the ball to Tony G last year). More importantly, we will be built to run, and won’t be throwing too much. This signing, gives us a a bigger body (bigger than Parker), and some WR experience. We are still thin at WR, unless Herm actually plays Bobby Sippio. My question is: who are they going to put at KR/PR?
March 11th, 2008 at 4:30 pmI like the signing but I do not think that it fixes our WR situation at all… I say in round one we take Jake Long if hes there, if not look to trade down with a possible McFadden suitor or take McFadden or either Dorsey or Ellis or take Ryan Clady as a bit of a reach much like the Cardinals last year…In round two take an OT like Baker from USC or Collins from KU(if we dont select Clady) if Clady is selected then we can turn to a WR or CB in round 2 such as Terrell Thomas - CB - USC or a solid route runner like Earl Bennet from Vandy. In round 3 we can take either CB,WR,OL. To sum it up I think the chiefs next move should be: 1. Sign Hartwig and in the draft I think that we should take Clady in the first (our O-Line will be pathetic) take the WR Bennet in the second, In the third take a corner like Charles Godfrey from Iowa and then in the fourth take a DE/DT for depth and in case of Allen after this year…. then later in the draft we could select more O-Line, CB, A WR who can return (Eddie Royal - Va Tech.. kid is a straight up magician with the ball)… that is a lot so have fun reading it!
March 11th, 2008 at 4:35 pmThis is a really good signing. Not costly, an upgrade over Parker/Kennison last year (and the guy only played 1/2 a year and only started the last game?), and fits the bill of another large target for Croyle. The bad news (at least for some): this probably kills the chances that the Chiefs look at Jordy Nelson. He is the exact same type of receiver (and almost the exact measurables). Now, I think the Chiefs are still in the market for a slot receiver/KR either in FA or the draft. We could still make an offer to Rashied Davis (and complete our transition to the Arena League), or we can look for a guy like Lavelle Hawkins (the Chiefs had a private workout with him on Monday according to the California press). We might get another big receiver in the draft, but not until late (think Purify, if he can keep himself from being arrested).
March 11th, 2008 at 4:37 pmSurprisingly good pick up. I was actually pretty impressed two years ago when I saw him on MNF. Made a few nice catches. I like the news about Brohm. I like him way better than Matt Ryan. I’d still rather take a CB though.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:53 pmThis is the type of signing Herm told us to expect. Let’s see how things work out in training camp. We needed another WR on the roster.
March 11th, 2008 at 5:24 pmJeremy, I’m not as concerned about the quality of recievers, I’m only concerned about a veteran for a mentor type role. It might actually make sense to re-sign Kennison as that mentor and as a 5th option if he doesn’t find another home. I think its important to have a guy who knows how to get it done consistently as a wideout and a pro in the NFL. I really like the idea of Webb, Sippio, Bowe and Darling, four 210+ 6′2" recievers. With TG thats a lot of big targets who can block for LJ. That leaves space for a KR behind them if we don’t keep Kennison, or maybe we could find a third RB that can return kicks and punts.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:47 pmJay: I am with you on a vet WR to be a mentor and I like Kennison. What I think we may be missing is this whole Sippio thing. We like him more then the staff seems to. As bad as we were last year, Sippio could barely find the field. Why is that? Don’t tell me that they do not know what they are doing. The rumor I heard is that Sippio had problems learning the playbook and running routes. Let’s see what he can do this year, but I would not count on him.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:35 pmI think Tony G. and Eric Price will do just fine showing these kids the ropes. If Darling and Webb have stuck around this long, they’re doing things right. By the way, D-Bo is about 230 pounds. He’s a big dude. And Sippio is at least 6′3". We’ve finally got some good size.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:39 pmI worry about Sippio too, but it was a really complicated playbook and he didn’t have much time to learn it. I’m holding out hope that he becomes a solid third guy.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:06 amSippio was never thrown too when he was in but he made some of the better down field blocks I saw last year and did will on special teams, the guy gets it… I also like this signing and somewhat support the lack of big name FAs, this is atleast a 2 year project (really 3 or 4), not the time to blow some money for a year or two of production
March 12th, 2008 at 8:39 am