On The Horizon
Let’s see.
At the time of me writing this here article, not only has Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert not signed a contract, but neither has some of other KC hopefuls that are going to have high expectations placed on them. I honestly thought a week ago that by now the only two not signed would have been Dorsey and Albert. I’m guessing the hold up is the uncapped year that will take place in 2011 (I believe) if the owners and union can’t work out a new collective bargaining agreement.
Chris Long has just signed a six year deal as well, some assume that Dorsey should be the next to sign and count me as one of those people. I thought Chris Long might actually be the longest hold out of the season due to the money the #1 selection got compared to that of the #3 in this years draft. I was wrong, and I’m happy to say it. Now with the first through the fourth contracts signed on the dotted line, Carl Peterson and Joel Segal, Dorsey’s agent, should be able to sit down and hammer out a deal before July 24th. Key word there is “should“.
Training Camp
What training camp battles are you most interested in watching play out this time around? I feel the offense is pretty much set except for the #2 and #3 receivers. I personally don’t really care who wins the jobs, I have no one in particular I pulling for-may the best man win as they say. Or if not the best man then the man that is able to catch the freaking ball unlike the great Sammie Parker (good luck donkeys).
I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, I am looking forward to watching Brad Cottam, the massive tight end out of Tennessee. I have a feeling he is going to be a big part of what the Chiefs do this season as far as blocking schemes and such. I can’t wait to see what he looks like wearing the red and gold. Which player are you looking most forward to watching?
Now back to my original question; Since I feel the O is pretty much set-even along the line-that brings us to the other side of the ball. I think there will be some surprises when the Chiefs open up @ New England on defense. I think there are three major battles that will be waged once camp starts. The left defensive end, one cornerback position (I have Brandon Flowers penciled in as one starter assuming he signs a contract) and the strong safety position.
Rumors out of mini camps and OTA’s were flying about this Brian Johnston kid out of Gardner-Webb. “He’ll make you forget all about Jared Allen.” I actually heard some local media guy quip. I don’t know about that, but what if he was right? What if Johnston comes in and is another Jared Allen? Well, I want to know and the only way I’ll get to is by reading all the news I can coming out of River Falls and watching the pre season games on the NFL Network. Unless Brian really, really impresses the coaching staff of the Chiefs look for Alfonso Boone to play the running downs and Johnston or McBride to come in on passing downs. If Johnston isn’t able to win the starting job at LE, then he will also spell Hali when he needs a breather.
Brandon Carr is another name that kept popping up during the OTA’s. Is it possible that Patrick Surtain could be out of a starting role or dare I say could even be cut at some point during training camp if he is out played by Carr? I wouldn’t doubt it, I am unfamiliar with what kind of a cap hit the Chiefs would take, but with all this youth movement stuff going around these days, I have to be honest with you, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it happened. Also some to think about; if a starting CB goes down with a season ending injury somewhere before the season kicks off Surtain could be traded.
This brings me to the last battle I’m most interested in this training camp and that is the strong safety position. Bernard “I would be a bone crusher if I could tackle someone” Pollard hasn’t been very impressive, especially considering the Chiefs spent a second round draft pick on him AND not to mention the safety they took in the seventh round has out played him hands down. Some might argue that the releasing of Greg Wesley (thank God) is to make room for Pollard. It’s to make room all right, but I don’t think the job is Pollard’s, not by a long shot. Enter DaJuan Morgan, Dajuan will have Pollard looking over his shoulder all training camp long and this is a very good thing. Either Pollard get’s right or he get’s out. Either way this will make the Chiefs a much better team.
So there you have a brief glimpse at what I am looking forward to this training camp and moving forward. What say you? What battles intrigue you? Who are you most interested to see play? Who are you rooting for to make the team and more importantly, make an impact this season? Let us know and have a great day Chiefs fans.
i know this is off the subject, but i was looking at a list of free agents for 2009, the Carolina Panthers have 3 interesting Free Agents. Julius Peppers, Jordan Gross, Chris Gamble. All three are young and in there Primes. The Panthers can only Franchise 1 of those guys, and from what i hear that will be Gross, so if they don’t sign the other two i think we should make a run at Gamble or Peppers or both Players.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:21 amI would say that I am most interested in Brandon Carr. Surtain was satisfactory at best last year, which makes him an underachiever at his current pay rate. I really hope we have something here with Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr. I am almost feeling nostalgic thinking about the last time we had 2 sweet corners (Hasty/Carter).
If Johnston pans out, it’ll be easier to sleep at night. Something about Boone at left end is unsettling…he has the build of a DT; I just don’t think he is quick enough on the end to be effective.
I am least concerned with the safety position. I think it is a blessing to have 3 players who are capable of starting. Having someone behind Pollard breathing down his neck is DEFINITELY a good thing. Let’s not forget that Pollard has only been the starter for 1 year. I expect to see progress this year. Morgan will be able to spell the incumbents in order that we have 3 fresh guys at all times out there.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:55 amNo way a 3rd round FS is gonna come in and take Pollard’s job at SS. Sorry, not gonna happen & I’m not buying any hype about some 7th round SS having a shot at starting either. Pollard is in his 3rd year, showed improvement last year, and you can expect that trend to continue. Jon McGraw, as long as he’s healthy, will be Pollard’s primary backup. I do however think that Morgan could make a name for himself on ST.
Battles I’m watching -
July 21st, 2008 at 11:21 amKR/PR: Sams vs Robinson
WR: Darling, Price, Webb, Franklin
FB: Cox vs Hoyte
RB #2: Smith vs Charles
LDE: McBride vs Boone
LDT: Tyler vs Edwards (but more likely Boone if McBride takes over LDE)
KC Rob,
Gamble is a good player, and we probably would be interested in him since he’d only be 26. Peppers, however, has been disappointing the past few seasons. At DE his contract would be outrageous, and I just don’t think he’s worth it. Gamble is much less of a gamble if you ask me, especially for the price.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:18 pmJamaal Charles and Brad Cottam signed. Four to go.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/07/21/chiefs_agree_to_terms_with_rb_jamaal_charles_te_brad_cottam/
July 21st, 2008 at 12:18 pmI don’t see anybody talking about it on this blog so I thought I’d throw out a link…
The Chiefs are reporting that Cottam and Charles have both signed 3 year contracts. Good news.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/07/21/chiefs_agree_to_terms_with_rb_jamaal_charles_te_brad_cottam/
On the topic of this thread, I am interested in:
WR: Franklin vs. Price vs. Darling (I think Webb is on his way out)
Kick Returner: Robinson vs. BJ Sams
Kicker: Barth vs. Novak
I am also wanting to watch Thigpen and Charles this preseason so I’m hoping they get a lot of reps.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:52 pmSteven,
I agree with you on everything here, as usual, except the Page-Pollard debate. Page outplayed Pollard hands down? Have we been watching the same games? I actually think that Page is the one who’s in jeopardy of losing his job. Page can’t cover or tackle. A few big INTs are all anybody remembers, but watch him every down and you will be disappointed.
July 21st, 2008 at 2:16 pmSteven:
I usually agree with just about everything you say, but I actually have a couple of bones to pick with this post.
First of all, Patrick Surtain will not be cut (at least not before the season). He is the only strong veteran presence at cornerback on the team, and throwing two rookies in on day one (especially against the best passing offense in the league) would be downright suicide. Not gonna happen.
Second, I think perhaps you’re confusing Pollard with Page. Pollard had 90 tackles last season, and that’s at the safety position. Page only had one more interception than Pollard, and his tackling skills are embarrassing. I just don’t see your logic in comparing these players.
On another note, I’m not sure why so many fans are so ga-ga over DaJuan Morgan. I looked up some of his highlights, and I really wasn’t impressed. Now, I’m not pretending to be an expert on the guy, but what I saw were some deflections, some lucky interceptions, some ankle tackles, and a whole lot of celebrating. What I did not see was a player I want on my team. I hope he proves me wrong.
July 21st, 2008 at 2:36 pmJust for everyone’s information:
Jamaal Charles and Brad Cottam just got signed. Now we only lack Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, Brandon Flowers, and — for some reason — TE Michael Merritt.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:08 pmSeanB,
Check my post @ #5.
If there must be just one hold out of the remaining 4, I hope it’s Merritt.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:26 pmI wonder if a seventh rounder WILL even be signed if he hasn’t been inked by this point. I don’t see why the Chiefs wouldn’t sign him for the chump change he is due, but I also can’t figure out why it is taking so long. I doubt a seventh rounder is going to hold out. I think things are stalling on the King’s end.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:33 pmDouble D–are you being serious or being sarcastic when you say you’re “not buying the hype about a 7th round safety starting”…Page was a 7th rounder and wound up starting.
And no, I’m not confusing Pollard with Page, I watched every game last year. I’m not saying Page is a great safety by any stretch of the imagination, don’t read more into it. I’m saying that the Page is a good surprise, Pollard is not living up to expectations.
Statistics are just that, they don’t always tell the whole story. Pollard takes bad angles and looks into the backfield way to much and as a result gave up big plays last year. He has not shown he is disciplined enough to be a starter who can be held accountable.
You can make an argument that Page isn’t all that either and I would have to agree, but the bottom line and the main point I was trying to make was Morgan will make the safety position better one way or another.
SEANBCOOL-I respect your opinion and I like reading your posts.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:02 pmOne more thought…
I think the Chiefs would be better off IF Johnston or McBride can win the starting LE position, don’t you? That way Boone can go back inside where he has played his entire career and played well I thought last year.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:03 pmLove how easily people bail out on players.
“I didn’t like the way Pollard played in his first season as a Safety, so I’m going to boot him out for that Morgan kid who has never played a down in the NFL”
Brilliant.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:15 pmSteven – FS and SS are not interchangeable positions. Free Safeties are rangy, less physical type players compared to Strong Safeties and that’s why it’s possible to find a FS diamond in the rough in the later rounds. Quality SS’s have to be a lot tougher than FS’s, are much harder to come by and generally get snatched up in the early rounds. As far as this year’s rookie class goes, the ‘08 draft was consider by most experts to be pretty weak at the safety position.
Mind you, last year was Pollard’s first as a starter and in my opinion a lot of what he did (and didn’t do) had a lot to do with him having to compensate for other players, lack of depth of SS (McGraw was injured most of last season), and his lack of experience. Pollard is coming along just fine, give the guy a break.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:39 pmI agree with you about the LDE position btw. I look to Turk winning that battle and like you say, Boone moving inside. If Johnston makes the team, I expect to him to play on ST and come in on obvious passing downs.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:43 pmDaJaun Morgan, allegedly, can play both safety positions and even nickel/dime cornerback. The bottom line is that he is going to play this year, and not just on special teams. I guarantee that.
Totally agree with everyone on the LDE position, too. The thought of Boone playing there just doesn’t feel right to me. I think a lot of us have felt that way for some time now.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:56 pmwhoa i cant believe that someone hasnt RIPPED reddragon for making the hasty/carter comparison. I’ve been saying the same things for a while(ota’s)
July 21st, 2008 at 4:58 pmand everyone has basically said i was way too early on that comparison
I dont think either one of you are out in left field on the Hasty/Carter comparison – they might not be as good as those two were… but I’d have to say EVERYONE is stoked about the new depth and talent level in the secondary overall.
As to Surtain being cut… not gonna happen. Now, if one of the young guns supplants him as the starter, I can definately see the team trading him for a first day pick in next years draft if they can find another team to hose down the way they did the Vikings.
The kid I’m really pulling for is Will Franklin. He’s just a big play magnet and it’s been way too long (like maybe NEVER) since a great player from Mizzou wore the Red & Gold. Of course I really wanted to see Sippio get some snaps last year too and it didn’t happen… I guess maybe he’s a step slower than Sammie-Alligator-Arms… but I bet Sippio would have caught more balls and made more yards if he’d been given the chance.
I’m with everyone else, the sooner McBride/Johnson can take over and let Boone move back inside… the sooner the D is going to be aces against the run… and just think of Boone and Dorsey side by side… QB’s will be thinking twice about steppin up in the pocket on those two!
July 21st, 2008 at 5:09 pmMy feeling is Surtain could end up a nickel back if the reports of his lost step are true. He was so-so last year with a fierce pass rush in front of him, so things won’t be any easier minus Jared Allen. Many a veteran CB have turned into nickel backs in their later years. The nickel back has to read the play/formation and adjust, so the experience helps in that regard. The two outside corners just need to be able to run and go after their guy. Carr and Flowers would be better in that role than a slow veteran. Also don’t sleep on Brackenridge. I don’t think there’s a player who gets ignored more on our team who could conceivably start. Considering he was an UFA last year and played fairly well as the nickel back, he may really be worth watching in his sophomore year.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:43 pmDouble D, I agree with your player battles to watch: I’d also have to throw Sippio in the mix at WR though, I think it’s his make-or-break year. He made some spectacular catches in the off-season last year, but they seemed to push Webb more than try out Sippio. I wanna see him at least get a chance. I don’t care if he runs a 5.0 40, we could use him, especially in the red zone, if he’s got the great hands that I saw in all his highlights from the AFL.
Maine- good point, Brack doesn’t get any love from anyone, although the kid earned my props from playing with a torn bicep, just to make sure he made the team. If he got that fixed, has more experience, and can soak up any kind of knowledge from Surtain/other secondary personnel, he might just turn into something good.
And I still think Tank will end up starting by years’ end, assuming he keeps his weight down enough that his big behind isn’t tired out by the 4th quarter. I know there will be a rotation, but if we can get Turk/Tank/Bruiser/Hali, that’s some good run D, especially in the middle, with a nice side of pass rush. And to be honest, alot of people that are worrying about the pass rush being worsened, I think you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise, with Gun specifically working with our ‘backers. More penetration from up the middle = single teams on the outside = free lanes for a quick backer (we have a few of those!) to squeak through. I’m really excited about our D. Our O? Not so much, but the D should still be superb.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:40 pmGeneral Chiefs Question to debate…
Which number will be greater at the end of the season, LJ rushing yards or D Bowe receiving yards?
July 21st, 2008 at 10:47 pmL.J. rushing yards. If not, we are in serious, SERIOUS trouble. Guessing conservatively, it should be about 1,600 to 1,100 yards. I think this is going to have to be the A.A.D.Q. today, actually.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:58 pmthis is one seriously great thread Adam… thanks to all who ponied up their two coppers!
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:22 amIncidentally, I read this morning that the reason 7th round TE Merritt hasn’t signed is because he’s injured. CP can’t/won’t sign players that are not ready to play.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:49 amMaine-Chief – I agree with you about Brackenridge.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:43 amI think Tyron has a great shot to play. I also like Dimitri Patterson. Both were pleasant surprises. I like them both as third or fourth or fifth corners, just not first or second. I think that’s why we are all hoping the Brandons turn out. Patterson is also a special teams ace, which should keep him on the final roster.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:14 am