Being married to an interior decorator, I am often presented the opportunity (ahem, duty) to watch her favorite program on HGTV. In fact Extreme Makeover has become so popular that it has moved from cable to network TV. So, I thought we would use this forum today to discuss the makeover of the Chiefs.
Let’s begin with the foundation of any rebuilding job — the offensive and defensive lines. As we began the season, the offensive line was thought to be termite infested. Dead and aged wood was sent packing. A new block of granite was installed at the most important position, left tackle, in Brandan Albert. He has demonstrated strength and agility and appears to be the foundation for the future. The right side of the line appears to be aged wood (McIntosh) and will need to be replaced before next season. The right guard appears to be a crack in the foundation and will require a full excavation. The center appears serviceable, but will need repair prior to any championship ideas.
The defensive line has had extensive work the last two years and at great expense (two number ones, one number two and a number three). The line reminds me of newly installed ceramic tile. Nice looking but not safe to walk on. Clearly it has not cured and suffers from immaturity. Perhaps it will settle down and become an effective unit, or perhaps it will need more work?
It is almost impossible to judge the quality of the remodel of the D-line without discussing the adjacent middle linebacker. A spare part reclaimed at the salvage yard, this piece does not appear serviceable and is headed back to the scrap heap. The outside backers appear undersized and poorly support the run. Additional pieces are needed in this area.
The secondary is the roof of any makeover protecting the house from rain and potential harm. While the new pieces added on the corners appear to have promise, the safeties are unreliable and often want to look spectacular rather than serviceable. They are not a long-term solution.
The receivers are an interesting collection of talent. A mixture of young and old, they offer great hope. Mark Bradley, a spare part rejected by another building project, appears to be a diamond in the rough. Dwayne Bowe appears to be the cornerstone for a respectable offense. Big Brad Cottam also could potentially become a key pillar for the Chiefs offensively.
Another good pick up at the Home Depot was Mr. Charles. Holding a great pedigree from UT, he appears to be the most complete back on the roster. Larry Johnson was once prime real estate, but at this point he might be condemned property.
Today we will defer any discussion regarding makeover of the QB position. The Chiefs are dealing with limited resources after having found faulty materials with structural defects on prior attempts. As for Tyler Thigpen, right now he looks like true quality hardwood, but could still be revealed as a cheap imitation upon further investigation.
Punter? That’s the first thing a real estate agent would show if they were selling the Chiefs. Kicker? Not so much. That’s a crack in the floor conveniently concealed by a nice rug.
There you have it. A makeover in progress. Perhaps 1/3 completed. It will require considerable patience before the final product is ready for inspection.
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I’ve been a Charles supporter since the day he was drafted, but did you see the way he was huffing and puffing at the end of the game? I don’t see him being a full time back. You’ll definitely need a big guy to work with him throughout his career. The defensive line makes me so sad. I really thought that this would be the defenses second biggest upgrade besides the secondary (which has or has not panned out whichever way you believe). I couldn’t believe the utter, and complete lack of pressure. Pathetic. I still have a little bit of faith in McBride and Dorsey though. As far as receivers, Bowe really needs a speed threat on the opposite side to ultimately affective. I’m sorry, but Bradley is a pipe dream at this point. Yes, he made a nice grab in the end zone last weekend, but his play at WR was overshadowed by the TD pass he threw. He really didn’t have a big game besides that, and my grandma could have hit Thigpen that wide open. Cottam finally got my blood pumping, but what the hell happened to Franklin? Screw Darling, he’s become a joke. Still though, there has clearly been some positive pieces added to the puzzle the last couple of years, so I still think the rebuilding process is on track. With or without Thigpen too. He started showing flashes of his “brilliance” from earlier in the season Sunday. Let’s not be fooled yet. I’ll gladly admit to being wrong if he puts it all together though.
…which is why we should draft Crabtree. He is a game changer.
We need o-line badly, but I think Crabtree despite a lack of height is gonna be a star NFL player. If Maclin comes out, that could alter our strategy at WR.
Trade LJ for picks – cut dead weight. I hate to do it, but I’m coming to the conclusion that LJ’s days are done in KC. Trade him to Cleveland for DA or some East coast team so he can go hang out with Hova or whoever the hell he wants.
I am a fan of adding Crabtree. I think he is the absolute perfect fit to line up across the way from Bowe. And what if we could manage to get Crabtree this year, and Bradford next year. Oh my…
Bradley caught a a bomb and had three other catches. He has more catches and yards in two weeks, I believe, than any receiver not named Bowe has on the season. Let’s not label him a pipe dream. The guy was an injury-plagued former second-round pick and college star who has been brilliant since touching down in Kansas City. Plus, he had no QB play in Chicago. This isn’t Bobby, DVD, Parker or Webb here.
Still, I am very intrigued by Crabtree.
Hard to disagree with anything in this one, old man. As I said before the season (McBride was my breakout player), I like Turk a lot. He’s been a bright spot lately, and I even liked his late hit. Hey, it was a hustle mistake, and that I can live with. Especially when the guy had 6 tackles, a tackle for a loss and two fumble recoveries, not to mention at least a couple hurries. He keeps playing like this I’ll scoop the first No. 90 jersey I’ve had in like 15 years.
Some very exciting new faces on the field this year Im getting to be a big Charles fan, even looking for a jersey. I had qualms about drafting a track star but he is coming along great.
The huffing and puffing I did see through the old binochulars, I remember Joe Frazier once saying marathon runners are ready to drop after one round in the boxing ring even without taking a punch. He said it was because the fear and excitement are something you cant train for aeroibically, you have to learn to deal with it mentally and it absolutely drains you. A new player in the NFL would certainly be struggling to deal with both and its a big jump for him from Texas to the NFL he wasnt a national superstar in college. Just my thoughts.
Very VERY good post old chief.
Great analogies Doc.
For the record, I’m totally down with the Crabtree pick happening and like KCMizzou says, getting Bradford the year after sounds to me like a solid one-two punch. If we play FA smart this year, we could set ourselves up to go impact player in round 1,(a la Crabtree) and then solidify at OL, LB, and/or QB in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
Randy, remember what other Texas RB wasn’t a national superstar in college?
PRIEST!!!!!!!