The Blueprint 2K9 V1: New England West
When I woke up this morning, I felt like Bill Murray at the end of Groundhog Day. I had to pinch myself to make sure this nightmare of a Kansas City Chiefs season was truly over. No, Andie McDowell wasn’t overacting on the other side of my bed either — nor would that have gone over well with my girlfriend. That was Walter, my brother’s pit bull, who was trying to make out with me. Nonetheless, for the first time in a long time Punxsutawney Phil Arrowhead Adam did not see a gloomy shadow hanging over AA when he came out to face the cruel Winter wind.
Yes, the current Winter-like state of Chiefs football now looks like it could soon come to an end. But that will only come to fruition if Clark Hunt makes the right moves. I know exactly what those moves should be, and here’s why…
Last year, I…
1. Begged us to pick Matt Ryan. In fact, if my fingers had a voice that voice would still be half gone Don Vito style. That’s how much I pleaded.
2. Stated that the Brodie Croyle-Damon Huard one-two quarterback punch would be the downfall of both Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards.
3. Predicted that Herm Edwards’ Dubyesque tactic of lowering the bar to an all-time low — ignoring free agency, talking about the youth movement ad nauseam, etc… — would fail miserably when he failed to win more than four games. Harm thought that Arrowhead alone could get him four wins and help him eclipse last year’s win total. I knew better. I’ve paid attention to the way the successful NFL franchises do things. I also knew that Herm Edwards managed late-game situations about as well as Courtney Love does her substance abuse problem. Harm thought he would get the keys to the city after taking a glorfied college team to six wins. I thought Harm would end up looking like a bigger idiot than he ever has before.
4. Argued that in the NFL one or two years is enough time to completely turn around a team, or dismiss the coaching staff and/or front office if that doesn’t happen. When most Chiefs fans felt that this rebuilding project needed the same time it would take to rebuild a downtrodden college football program, I countered that in this age of parity significant progress could be much more immediate.
One year later, we now know that…
1. Matt Ryan is a franchise quarterback. Dude helped the Falcons win seven more games than they did in 2007 and make the playoffs. Honestly, even I didn’t think he’d be this good this soon, and we all know I had a huge man crush on him.
2. Going into the season with Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard at quarterback was about as smart as going to that 10-degree Dolphins-Chiefs game in a wife-beater and shorts would have been.
3. Herm Edwards is the worst coach in Chiefs history, losing a franchise record 14 games. He lost seven games in which the Chiefs possessed second-half leads, spearheaded the league’s worst defense despite being hailed as a “defensive guy” and needed 58 minutes and change, six consecutive “and-goal” plays and a pass interference call to prevent being both shut out and blown out by the effing Bengals JV squad.
4. The Dolphins and Falcons are both going to the playoffs after winning one and four games, respectively, last season. Both owners cleaned house last offseason and as a result their teams cleaned house on the field of play this season.
Given all of that, I feel I’ve earned my shot to lay out for Clark Hunt exactly what he needs to do this offseason. And…here…we…go… (been watching a little too much The Dark Knight, I’m afraid)
The Blueprint 2K9 Version 1
Step 1. Lure Scott Pioli away from the New England Patriots to run the Chiefs football operations.
The best available football mind in the game and he’s young, hungry and proven. With a young owner who’s ready to hand over the keys, the league’s best fan base, around $40 million in cap and a renovated stadium waiting for him, how could he possibly turn down the job. All doubters need to only look at the job Pioli disciple Thomas Dimitrioff has done down in the ATL.
Step 2. Pioli hires Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to be our head coach.
McD is apparently the guy Pioli would take with him to be his head coach. Fine by me. If Belichick and Pioli swear by him, then that’s good enough for me. He’s been the Pats offensive coordinator, for all intents and purposes, for four years now. He’s more than ready.
Step 3. Pioli hires Romeo Crennel to serve as our defensive coordinator.
He may be a lousy head coach, but he was a great, great, GREAT defensive coordinator. He has ties to Pioli and McDaniels, so this would be a good fit. Zach and I came up with this idea last night, and we both think it could happen.
Step 4. Trade Larry Johnson for whatever we can get for him.
Third-rounder, fourth-rounder, whatever. Get him out of town and that salary off the books. New Orleans, Philly, Tampa Bay and others will be interested for sure. I understand L.J.’s feelings about the treatment he’s received from fans and also appreciate all he’s done here and him taking accountability. At the same time, you don’t come out and say you’re done with the Chiefs and the City after all they’ve given you. Iron Man is our hero no more. AA stood by you as long as we possibly could, but we won’t any longer.
Step 5. Keep Tony Gonzalez.
Tony G. may be 32, but he’s hauled in more receptions over the past two years than any other two-year block of his career. And that’s despite being saddled by the constant switching of quarterbacks, offensive coordinators and offensive systems, not to mention a rushing attack on the decline. Tony has five more good years in him if he wants to play for that long, and I think we’d all love for him to retire as a Chief.
Step 6. Sign Matt Cassel.
He knows McD’s system and actually started out his career hotter than Tom Brady did his. Sure, he has talent around him, but he’d have talent in Kansas City with Dwayne Bowe and Tony G in place. Cassel and Tyler Thigpen — who was just awful yesterday against the Bungles — would give us two good options for McD’s high-octane offense. Zach started talking up Cassel months ago, and I’ve seen enough to board the train as well. One potential snag could be Tom Brady’s injury, which is apparently behind schedule. I wasn’t worried until he proposed to Giselle. Maybe someone thinks that he’s not going to be Mr. Super Bowl MVP for much longer? Another option would be trading for Matt Leinart, but the Cardinals would likely want a No. 1 (next year’s would probably do).
Step 7. Sign Terrell Suggs to play right defensive end.
Zach has me sold on this one as well. With everybody focused on UFA Julius Peppers, this is the guy we have to target. He will be cheaper than Peppers, is more consistent, and with Bart Scott and Dawan Landry free agents, the Ravens might not be able or willing to pay Suggs what we could. Plus, they spent some cake re-signing Ray Lewis recently. Outside linebacker Karlos Dansby would be another good, young defensive standout to target because the Cards have so much money tied up elsewhere and will likely choose to re-sign Kurt Warner.
Step 8. Sign Darren Sproles to be the lead back of our platoon.
I’m not sold on Jamaal Charles. I don’t like his hands, nor his inability to grind out yards in between the tackles. He’s a third-down back — that’s it. I don’t even like him as a returner. Meanwhile, Sproles is MJD Lite. I remember when people said he couldn’t be a feature back at Kansas Stat. He wasn’t sharing any carries back then, yet we all know how that turned out. Sproles would also be our return guy. I think a platoon of Tank (Sproles nickname), Kolby Smith and, yes, even Charles would set us up nicely in a New England-style offense. Kolby could totally be our Kevin Faulk. Sproles played at Olathe North and then K-State, so you bet your sweet ass he’d jump at the chance to come home and play a expanded role in our offense. We all know that A.J. Smith and the Bolts can identify talented running backs, too (L.T., Michael “Burner” Turner, Jesse Chatman, Jacob Hester, Sproles), and losing Sproles would hurt their offense.
Step 9. Don’t draft a quarterback, draft the best other player available.
Personally, I’m hoping that Michael Crabtree comes out. I’m not a believer in Matt Stafford or Sam Bradford — neither is Zach, by the way, and he was Mr. Joe Flacco a year ago — and think Crabtree would be both the surest bet and best player out of this class. With Detroit likely to go QB and St. Louis likely to go offensive line, he would probably still be there at No. 3. Crabtree. Adding Crabtree would give us one of the most dynamic passing offenses in the league, and we could then use the rest of the draft to focus on bolstering our defense and O-line. Crabtree first said that he was staying put, but recently adjusted that statement. He’s now saying that he’ll make his decision after Texas Tech’s bowl game. I think he’s gone.
I fully believe that we could compete for the AFC West title next year if we made these moves, and I also think this is the most plausible Blueprint yet.
(Oh, Harm getting canned is a no-brainer. No need to waste a step on that.)
Addicts, what do you think of the Blueprint 2K9 V1? What’s your Blueprint?
PROFOOTBALLTALK.COM indicates that Pioli may interview with Browns as soon as Tuesday but that Chiefs and Lions have also contacted him. Sounds like the ball could be rolling! This is great stuff Adam I think we needed all the ideas structured, IM ON BOARD!!!
December 29th, 2008 at 9:04 pmThe only major point of contention I have with this is the Romeo Crennel as D-Coordinator. And its nothing against Romeo as a coach, just his scheme. We have invested a heavy sum in players suited for the 4-3 defense. Dorsey is a three-technique, not a NT. Flowers is generally considered undersized for a 3-4 CB. Can Romeo run a base 4-3? It doesn’t have to be a Tampon-2 system (as we all know Herm’s Tampon-2 failed to stop the bleeding), but we would be forcing square pegs into round holes if we tried going base 3-4 next season.
Regarding LJ, I still think the guy is a beast and I can understand why he would wanna get away from a coaching staff that fails to see this guy’s abilities in his prime. If (When, PLEASE GOD, WHEN) we can Herm, he might change his tune, and I’d be willing to forgive him if he threw Herm under the bus for his comments yesterday. He is clearly frustrated. And when a guy has 108 yards on 10 carries, I am 1000% behind him for asking why he is not carrying it more.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:23 pmAdam I think you are a friggen genious for contemplating that scenario! Seriously I thinnk that the chiefs should hold open tryouts for the new G.M. position. You would definitely be in the top run for the job. Makes me want to move to Kansas city just cause!!
December 29th, 2008 at 9:25 pmAdam:
I think you are focused way too much on offense generally and this blueprint bears that out in clear detail. We had a terrible defensive year. Yet, you propose one new FA on defense and are looking at a WR with your first round pick. Where is the defensive improvement coming from? Pioli, McDaniel, Crennel are not bad thoughts. Stop there and let them take over
. Oh, Matt Cassel is Scott Mitchell redux. No way do I want him in a Chief’s uniform.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:33 pmWe are losing games by seven points Keith, pump up the offense and there are your wins.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:45 pmYou also have to remember that most of our defenders are going to be 2nd or 3rd year players which usually is the breakout year for defenders. I think we have the talent on defense to get better we just need LBs and we can get those in round 2 or later.
Plus bringing in a star like Suggs can make the defense instantly better. For example, look at us with Jared Allen and without Jared Allen.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:50 pmWell said, Zach. Remember, these are also just the MAJOR moves that I think we should make.
I also think a dominant offense could keep our defense off the field, instantly making it better.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:54 pmSTEP #1: Hire Pioli as GM
Step #2: KEEP HERM EDWARDS!!!!(YOU HERD ME!!!)I think that he is the best fit for the job right now and all the players seem to love him. He just needed a GM with enough balls to go out and get him the players that the team needs.
Step #3: Trade Larry Johnson for couple of draft picks maybe to Seattle, Houston, or Arizona( maybe Dallas…. the seem to like big mouthed overated players)
Step #4 Get Cronnel and McDaniels to coordinate
Step #5 Get Brandon Jacobs( if he isnt re-signed)
Step #6 Draft! Draft like we’ve never drafted before!( Get O-line, Crabtree, D-end,kick-returner, and Line Backer)
Step #7 Get a Kicker(Maybe Mike Nugent?)
Step #8 Sign Suggs
Step #9 Keep All of the good young players(Page)
Step #10 Make sure Tony-G stays
IF the Chiefs somehow pull these of the the Chiefs could seriosly fallow in the steps of the Dolphins and Falcons.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:59 pmMcDaniels is not going to leave his current job for the same job, but just with a shittier team. Sorry but McDaniels is only leaving if he is going to be a Head Coach.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:05 pmwow nothing more exciting that score score score along with sack sack sack a probowler like Suggs can deliver. 78 tackles and five sacks in 07. He’d be happy with us too
December 29th, 2008 at 10:05 pmAdam:
Dominant offenses, as you are outlining here with your ‘high octane’ (read passing) offenses do not keep the defense off the field. they score quicker and don’t run the clock. Hence, the D has to defend more series from the opposing O, not less. By the way, you didn’t fix our offensive line either in your blueprint. Your blueprint is a blueprint to a 4 win disaster season. I would do the opposite, fix the line and D front seven. I am down with Suggs, but I want more on D. and I want at least one O lineman in the first three rounds of the draft and/or a good OL FA signing.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:11 pmNo way we get McDaniels to be the OC, but I do agree maybe it would be best to keep Herm for one more year.
With a young team, we are flirting with “blowing up” this team again. If you bring in another philosophy, the team has to spend a whole season catching up with a new scheme. With a young team growing, it might be best to stay the course for 1 more year.
Don’t get me wrong, if Herm doesn’t go at least 8 or 9 wins, cut his ass.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:21 pmI have to reveal my fears. In 1980 my father and I were Eagles Fans excited about Dick Vermiel. SuperBowl day Dick chose comedian Don Rickles to give the pregame motivational speech. The clubs former owner died that morning. The Eagles were decimated. Vermeal fled Philadelphia and swore off coaching. I swore off football and burnt my Eagles trapper keeper. In 1981 Bill Kenney and the Chiefs caught my eye and a young running back Joe Delaney got me interested in Football again. Kenny got the team off to a great start and even kicked Superbowl Champs Steelers asses. MY Supebowl dreams were reignited. Then Bill got hurt the rest of the season and there went my hopes. Next year Joe Delaney died saving three kids from drowning. I CANT DO THIS AGAIN FOLKS IM SCARED
December 29th, 2008 at 10:24 pmBanny, you say that you dont want get rid of Harm because it might mess up the path we are on. Well I dont anything to do with the path he has led us to already. I have seen his coaching and its the main reason why we lost all the close games we every played in.
Miami and Atlanta were both young teams last year and both brought in new coaching staffs (first-year head coaches). Look at what that did for them… Herm has shown me everything he has and I am very very unimpressed.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:34 pmMerlin, once again I said that these were not ALL the moves that need to be made
December 29th, 2008 at 10:37 pmAdam…
“I also think a dominant offense could keep our defense off the field, instantly making it better.”
Isn’t that EXACTLY what the entire Vermiel era tried to do? I still can’t believe you said that.
And Merlin! Quit channeling my thoughts! *puts on tin foil hat*. It’s spooky how his last few posts here reflect what I was thinking.
1. Pioli……..good
December 29th, 2008 at 11:09 pm2. McDaniels….good
3. Crenell……dont wana switch from a 4/3
4. Trade LJ…..good for 2nd or 1st pick offer
5. Keep TG……good unless 2nd or 1st pick offer
6. Cassel…….eh
7. Suggs……..good
8. Sprole…….???? don’t know enough to evaluate
9. No QB……..good
10.Crabtree…..if we must; but rather trade down
for Maluluga/Cushing
Zach, Miami was not a “young team”. Look at all the veteran free agents they brought in. And Atlanta, two guys… Turner and Ryan. We have neither. Right now we need more of a teacher than a coach with these young guys.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:16 pmI would call him a preacher rather than a teacher
Miami still did a ton with their young players: Jake Long, Phillip Merling, Anthony Fasano, Tedd Ginn, Davone Bess, and their OL experience is:
LT Jake Long – Rookie
LG Andy Alleman – 2nd year
C Samson Satele – 2nd year
RG Ikechuku Ndukwe – 2nd year
Vernon Carey – 5th year
I will agree that Miami’s defense is a bit older, but I wouldn’t say that they are a veteran team. Most of those older guys did participate in a 1-15 season.
7 of 11 starters on offense are rookies or 2nd year players.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:50 pmWow, clearly some thought went into this ‘plan’ (although to me it seems more like a wish list than a strategy). Did you send it to Clark Hunt? He will have lots to consider, hope he has time to read it. Have you thought about dropping by the office tomorrow and giving a copy to Herm Edwards, I’m sure it would help him in his future career endeavors.
Mr. Hunt and I might have a few questions for you, though.
– I guess by “completely turn around a team” you predict that Atlanta and Miami will meet in the Super Bowl? Or do you mean just making the playoffs after a lousy year? I guess Cleveland was turned around last year, then ‘turned around’ again this year. Is that why you’re so hot for Crennel for defensive coordinator (probably not the PPG allowed by his defense)?
– You think the Chiefs have “the league’s best fan base”? Wow, I guess Mr. Hunt should have ordered up one of those 100K-seat, $1.2 billion stadiums, like in Dallas! What an error! Who knew that the Cowboys were really America’s #2 team? Or that the fan/revenue base in New York and New England is smaller than the one centered in Western Missouri? Especially with the prospect of no salary cap– and a financial system more like major league baseball– the smart young football exec will be looking to move to the KC market. Just look at the Royals!!
– Sure, we all know Scott Pioli has always wanted to live in Johnson County… pretty much everyone in New England feels that way. He was just waiting for an invitation. And no way those folks in Cleveland and New York have more money to give him than Mr. Hunt. I’m sure the current Chiefs personnel is so much better than any other team he might want to run, I mean, we’ve already got a terrific, experienced, ‘franchise’ quarterback…. well, at least one who was a first-round draft choice…. er, seventh-round draft choice… yeah, how could he possibly turn us down? He’s pretty much totally unwanted by the Patriots, I’m certain he won’t have any choice but to take Mr. Hunt’s offer. What should Mr. Hunt offer him?
– Re McDaniels: Isn’t it true that young assistant coaches who are promoted into coordinators ALWAYS do great when they move to new NFL teams and become head coaches for the first time? I’m sure if he has a hard decision, he can just call Bill B and get the answer.
– Should Mr. Hunt have Coach Crennel just go ahead and bring all of his defensive staff from Cleveland with him? I suppose all those guys are from New England, or connected to the Patriots in some way (probably they are all friends with Pioli and McDaniels), so they should be fine, turn-around-wise.
– How do we get LJ’s salary off the books if no one will take him in a trade? Why would anyone give up a draft choice, a big salary and significant cap space for a legally-entangled RB who’s one alcohol-fueled bar-fight away from a big suspension? We should trade him, though, since he asked to be traded.
– Will Matt Cassel bring Randy M along too? But I guess we wouldn’t need him, since KC’s receivers are just as good as Moss and Welker, everyone knows that. Ditto for the Chief’s O-line, it’s much better than the Patriots’ line, and we have much better running backs than them, especially with Larry J gone. We’ll have their offensive coordinator, that’s much more important than the players on the field.
– Tony G. just told Mr. Hunt that he wants TT as QB next year (i.e., keep the spread) and is not interested in coming back for another ‘rebuilding’ session with a new system, etc. Hmmmmm….. guess he was just kidding. I’m sure he’d love Matt Cassel, or Matt Leinert, or a rookie QB, or someone else the Chief’s signed as a FA. Those guys would all be great, for sure.
– I’m sure that Sproles is looking to be a workhorse, first-down running back, maybe even break the record LJ set awhile back. He’s tough, 20-25 touches a game should be easy for a fellow of his stature. He’s probably also dying to get out of San Diego and move to the KC area, there’s so much to do and the weather’s so much better in the Midwest. So should we just tell his agent we will beat any other offers?
– How does Michael Crabtree improve our linebacker play? Will he play defense also? Well, I guess the first-round receiver strategy worked well in Detroit, we should give it a try.
I’ve watched KC for decades and would agree that yesterday’s outing was excremental in many ways. But that’s what happens in game 16 with a 2-13 team where the owner just publicly fired the GM and didn’t give the head coach any guarantee for next year. Of course the team breaks down and players go their own way– who cares what a lame duck coaching staff says?
December 30th, 2008 at 12:10 amOk, Jacket…
You have to make the playoffs before you can win the Super Bowl. Atlanta might not win it all, but they are moving in that direction. Cleveland did not make the playoffs last year, by the way.
Coming into this year, Arrowhead had the highest average attendance capacity in the league since 1990. Also, Johnson County is one of the ten richest counties in the U.S. Additionally, all the fairweather Dallas fans scattered around the country aren’t going to by season tickets. C’mon, man, I’ve never seen the Chiefs not ranked in the top five in any NFL fan base poll, survey or study.
This is good job. Johnson County is a great place to live. Someone will jump at this job.
Mike Smith was a defensive coordinator just a year ago. He’s done such a shitty job, huh?
So anyone who’s failed at head coaching can’t go back to being a good coordinator. That makes complete sense!
He won’t be hard to move. The Eagles would probably be the favorites in the NFC if they had him right now.
Can he bring along Ben Watson, since you obviously think he’s better than Tony G. Or maybe you just conveniently failed to mention the TEs.
Players say a lot of things when they are emotional, my friend. He’s standing up for his quarterback and putting pressure on the owner to finally improve his franchise. Posturing.
He’s from Kansas City, genius. And I never said that many touches. I said lead back in our platoon. Herm’s not going to be around to run him into the ground.
Having two great receivers carried the Cards into the playoffs. There you go again, conveniently forgetting stuff.
Can’t disagree there. Oh, and by the way, this was a wish list, but again I do think it’s plausible. Thanks for commenting, even if we don’t see eye to eye.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:12 amJacket: Though I agree with many of your points there are a few about the Pioli issue that you made a little recklessly…
“Sure, we all know Scott Pioli has always wanted to live in Johnson County… pretty much everyone in New England feels that way. He was just waiting for an invitation. And no way those folks in Cleveland and New York have more money to give him than Mr. Hunt. I’m sure the current Chiefs personnel is so much better than any other team he might want to run, I mean, we’ve already got a terrific, experienced, ‘franchise’ quarterback…. well, at least one who was a first-round draft choice…. er, seventh-round draft choice… yeah, how could he possibly turn us down? ”
Well, actually Johnson County and those surrounding have been a very attractive place for athletes and their families to live for years. Many former athletes keep residences in KC because they love it here and it is cheap.
Clark Hunt really really really has enough money to outbid any of the other interested teams…are you kidding me?
Your comment about the franchise quarterback obviously disregards that the franchise quarterback of his current team (which he discovered) was not a first round quarterback but a SIXTH round guy…ah, dude that is just one above Thiggy dude…
Adam: I like alot of what you said, too….Except that I think if we are going to go with Best Player Available it would NOT be Crabtree…I am all in favor of feigning interest to provoke a trade, but he is not AT ALL what we need…Calvin Johnson is an amazing wide reciever but he is making no impact on the W-L’s of Detroit…Build from the trenches…
I am also a little wary of McDaniels still but I will give you the benefit of the doubt on that one…
The 3-4 would suck for us right now…it would take years but it might be worth it…
December 30th, 2008 at 1:23 amOh, and I don’t think we would have to move to the 3-4 by any means.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:36 amYah know…I was thinking about it…we wouldn’t even have to feign interest in crabtree.
We pick 3rd and the seahawks pick 4th
Most likely the seahawks will take crabtree if we don’t
Teams will trade with us JUST to bounce crabtree over the seahawks.
I bet the crypt keeper is mulling that over in his coffin right now.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:45 amAhhhhhh that is a great point…a competition for our pick…
Adam:That is good news but are you confident Crennel can run anything else as well as he does the 3-4…? (Good point by point…I like…You beat me to my post, too)
December 30th, 2008 at 1:53 ami just dont agree with you guys saying that we need to draft offense with our first pick, and also that if we pump up our offense we will win and thats the reason we arent winning.
i’d say the reason we arent winning is cuz our defense ranks near last in the league. with that said-why do we need a wr and not something like a lb or de. (i know you said we should get suggs but we would still need another de.) and if we are gonna take crennnel and change to 3-4 then we would need 3 new linebackers(assuming dj gets another year). if we were to do that we should get one with our third overall pick.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:22 amother than that id say it is a solid blueprint
I’m not sure that I want Cassel, and I’m *really* not sure that we’d get him, given that Brady’s injury has a chance of keeping him out another full season. Therefore, he’s not available until the 2010 season, at which point he’s 33 and coming off of a serious knee injury that required at least 2 surgeries.
Also, I’m not quite sure about picking Crabtree. I feel that pick might be better used on an Orakpo or a Malauga, depending on how free agency goes. Of course, if Crabtree is truly the Best Player Available, we should take him.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:54 amEveryone needs to relax and wait for my Mock Draft that comes out tomorrow. Adam is saying consider picking Crabtree if we go out and get a guy like Suggs.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:05 ameruleptanero: The Brady talk is folly…noone knows his condition outside the organization. Peter King himself doesn’t even know…as he reports sources have told him both Brady’s surgery is behind schedule and another that it is in fact ahead of schedule….And they will not be paying a backup Quarterback 14 million dollars for one year…
Zach/Adam – If we sign Suggs we should still not take Crabtree, ever. Either side of the line…or if we trade down, a linebacker…No QB, No RB and NO WR…lol
December 30th, 2008 at 4:41 amI like most of the list with the exception of Crennel, the defense in cleveland was just ok. Also drafting O-line with the 3rd would be better than a receiver.
Miami got Jake Long and other young guys on the line and they improved greatly.
Joe Thomas the year before, only the right side sucking this year hurt them.
Atlanta drafted Sam Baker to go with a pretty good line and Matt Ryan had time to throw.
The Cards got Levi Brown to get Warner more time.
Other than Calvin Johnson who was touted as the next Randy Moss and TO combined, what 1st round top 10 receiver has had a big impact, we got D-Bowe later that round and he put up comparable numbers last year without the threat of Roy Williams to draw attention.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:53 amAlso Pick up Jonathon Vilma as our MLB, and try to snatch Jordan Gross from Carolina.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:52 amYou know…I just had a sick thought.
What if we picked up Julius Peppers AND Terell Suggs?
Stick Peppers on the right and Suggs on the left.
Clark did say he would be higly active in free agency.
Is that too sick to consider? Im not sure.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:33 amI am worried that we won’t even go after one of those guys. So yes thinking we will get both is sick
December 30th, 2008 at 11:36 amPats give Pioli permission to interview with Browns
December 30th, 2008 at 12:21 pmYes they gave him permission with them yesterday and he is talking to one more team, which many believe is the Chiefs.
Cowher also said he wont interview for the JETs job.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:41 pmWow!! Looks like some heated debate about our next step. That is the way it should be. I love it. We only have 9 months to argue about this stuff…..sigh…
Adam, you were a Matt Ryan whore, but we never had a chance to get him. Drafts are so important, especially at the top. If Atlanta took Dorsey, my how things would/could be different for so many franchises. I still think we would have passed on Ryan even if he fell to us, becuase Herm was so in love with Croyle. I still laugh at Herm’s decision to go with Boone as our starting defensive end. lol.
Why is he still our coach?
Again, Adam/Zach you seem so sure that Herm is gone, I hope he is, but the longer he stays, while other coaches get interviewed and hired, it seems more likely that he will stay. ……sigh….
I just want to hear some news….rather quickly!!!
Good Article and good posts by the other readers too..(jacket)
December 30th, 2008 at 1:36 pmIn response to the blueprint,
Even New England fans aren’t sold on Cassel. Paying him big FA bucks won’t be worth it. As I’ve written before, put any schmoe behind an good O-line and he’ll look good. Invest that money in linemen.
Suggs plays in a 3-4. He’s a bit undersized for a 4-3. Peppers is bigger and better for a 4-3. But since Hali is also a bit undersized for a DE, if they sign Suggs, maybe they can go to a 3-4 with Hali and Suggs as OLBs. Maybe draft Terrence Cody and put him at nose tackle. Make Dorsey, undersized as a 4-3 DT, a 3-4 DE. I have no idea if this would work, if Hali can play OLB, but just throwing ideas out there.
31, that will never happen. Jared Allen got $73 million contract. Suggs and Peppers will each probably command AT LEAST that much. Besides, Hali had 7.5 sacks last year playing opposite Jared Allen, and I’d expect him to get around that with someone like Peppers on the other side getting all that attention.
Plus, I think you meant, put Suggs on the right (blindside) and Peppers on the left.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:38 pmNo way Suggs gets what Jared got or probably even close. Peppers might get close. And Suggs had no problem breaking records as 4-3 DE in college.
Jeremy, if Herm isn’t gone then this site is going to wage war on the Chiefs. That is a promise.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:08 pmAdam, Please let the mother of all battles begin if Herm Stays.
Just read an interesting article on Chris Polian, young at 36, talented: supposedly, and Jim Irsay (colts owner)has thwarted past attempts to lure him away….
Has the pedigree, can always lean on pops for info. what do you think, Chris Polian?
I am dying to get our new GM quick!!!!!
December 30th, 2008 at 2:19 pmPolian would be more interesting if I thought he could lure Caldwell away from Indy, but it’s definitely a thought.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:05 pmTo begin, Our TOP PRIORITIES this off-season should be as follows:
1. GM
2. Head Coach
3. QB
4. DE
We need to sign Scott Pioli, a new GM with a winning background could go a long way.
We need to find another QB/competition for Thigpen because although I have belief in him we need insurance. I don’t like the idea of throwing money at Cassel to fix our QB situation, he’s not a proven QB yet either.
Getting Suggs or Peppers is going to be hard but we NEED to get one of them. Our defense suffered horribly after trading away Jared Allen.
-Interesting note, BOTH Miami and Atlanta had a player finish in the top 5 in SACKS this season. Joey Porter 2nd (17.5) and John Abraham 3rd (16.5)
*When I look at both those franchises who had turn around seasons (Miami and Atlanta), the key differences when compared to the Chiefs are a consistent QB and a pass rusher on defense.
As far as Larry Johnson goes, we HAVE to keep him. I say “have” instead of “need” because he’s got too big of a contract for other teams to want to take. Plus there is no way we are going to get enough in return for a trade to be worth it.
2009 Draft, I think we should trade down and get a middle linebacker. Crabtree would be an offensive stud but we have other needs to fill. Trade down and get either Aaron Curry or Rey Maualuga.
Although Herm gave us the worst record in history, at least he’s leaving the next guy a young, talented group of players to work with.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:38 pm37, Suggs broke records in COLLEGE. I’d be happy with him, but there is no denying he’s undersized as a 4-3 DE, and thus I’d be happier with Peppers.
As for contracts, with so many teams with so much cap space, I’d expect Suggs and Peppers to get HUGE paydays. My opinion on this issue was in response to the suggestion that the Chiefs get both, which I think is both unfeasible and ill-advised. If they’re going to sign two big FAs, they should sign Peppers OR Suggs, and someone like Jordan Gross who would be a terrific bookend with Albert. You do that, and maybe draft Crabtree and Unger (or Mack), you have a high-octane offense no matter who is under center or carrying the rock, along with a much improved defense. Plus you have a nice blend of proven veterans and promising youth.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:21 pmAB—
You’re welcome for the feedback. Here’s another round for your rebuttal (isn’t vacation great for long posts?):
– Please, let’s be less of a ‘homer’ and maybe have a deeper appreciation for what’s going on with our football team, and the problems that it’s management team & ownership have to solve. For example, you wrote in your wish list that KC has the NFL’s best fan base—you didn’t write that they are in the top five. It’s great that the local fans love their team and always sell out the stadium, but any prospective GM is going to look at the overall potential revenue stream that will feed his franchise. I pointed out that Dallas is building a much bigger stadium than Arrowhead and will certainly have annual revenues higher than KC for now and the foreseeable future. In sales of player jerseys and ancillary team-branded merchandise, the Cowboys (as well as several other franchises) usually outsell the Chiefs. The point is that KC does not have anywhere near the league’s largest fan base in either numbers or revenue, and for the business side of the equation that will matter quite a bit now, and likely a whole lot in the near future, to anyone who wishes to be successful as the Chief’s GM, compared to another franchise. If the salary cap goes out, how long will KC be competitive for blue-chip FA’s compared to Dallas, the New York teams, New England? And I see no evidence that Clark Hunt intends to inject at least $30 million of his own capital into this franchise every year.
– Sure, “someone” will jump at the job offer for Chief’s GM, but you wrote that Scott Pioli would jump at that offer, even implied that it was inconceivable that he wouldn’t make it his top choice (“… how could he possibly turn down the job”?). I merely pointed out that a prospective GM would likely prefer a franchise where he already has better QB prospects on board. If you want to argue that Thigpen and Croyle are better prospects than Quinn and Anderson, be my guest, but I think you’re dead wrong. Given the importance of a QB, why wouldn’t he choose Cleveland over KC? If you want other reasons, I’m sure you read Don Banks posting re Pioli and Cleveland. And re a related question: Tom Brady being picked by New England in the late rounds is a huge anomaly and irrelevant to the argument about Pioli, or any other prospective GM, making an evaluation of the situation in KC—the success of picking franchise QB’s in late rounds is somewhere in the low single %’s historically. If Pioli et al ‘knew’ that Brady would be a consistent all-star, he would have never risked waiting that long to draft him. No one knew Brady would be that successful, not even Pioli, despite his manifest talent for player evaluation.
– Yes, there are many nice things about living in the KC metro area. I’ve lived in Kansas and Missouri for many years, seen the sports teams, visited the Nelson-Adkins, dropped plenty of $$ at the Plaza, etc. etc. But more people want to live in California, Florida, the Northeast—it’s just a fact. Athletes and sports management exec’s aren’t that different from other people. Sure, it’s going to vary from person to person, but overall, teams in the Midwest have a competitive disadvantage, that’s just the way it is.
– I think all things being equal, it’s better to get someone with more experience and credibility with players to be a head coach. Sure, Mike Smith’s team did great this year, but he started off with a more talented team than the Chiefs, and I believe that he’s had quite a bit more overall coaching experience than McDaniels. The point is that young coordinators do not have a sterling reputation for making quick turn-arounds when they are promoted to head coach in a new organization, and for every success you might cite, I can come up with a failure (e.g., Scott Linehan was a coordinator before he ran the Rams into the ground; in spite of his Parcells pedigree, Sean Payton seems to be going backwards in New Orleans). It’s OK to take a shot at a coordinator—the choices are fairly limited, after all—but you made no attempt to assess McDaniels’ ability and experience, relative to other potential candidates (I heard that Cleveland’s interviewing Mangini, which could be a smart move in terms of recruiting Pioli.) You just assume he’s the best because he comes from a successful organization & everyone seems to think he’s a package deal with Pioli, so you like the idea. I think you need a better reason than that if you aren’t even going to consider listing anyone else.
– Why do you think that Romeo Crennel, who left New England and assembled his own defensive staff, and after several years of calling the shots, had a generally poor defense compared to the rest of the league, why do you think that he will build a better defense with KC than with Cleveland? If he couldn’t do it when he was the final arbiter and made the hires, why do you think he’s going to improve after he’s demoted? When he possibly won’t have final say about who coaches DB’s, linebackers, etc.? Why do you think that? Do you really think the Browns had a playoff-quality defense?
– You think Johnson “won’t be hard to move.” Hmmmmm…. then why wasn’t he moved to Philadelphia earlier this year? The uncertainty of a pending suspension, or the possibility of a longer suspension later? That just makes my point. What’s your definition of ‘hard to move’? I guess if he’s easy to move, you expect the Chief’s to get a 2nd or ‘3rd round & change’ draft choice for him? That would make him easier to move than, say, Randy Moss, future HOF wide-out and holder of NFL receiving records, who went from Oakland to NE for a 4th. Cap ramifications aside—none for the accepting team in the case of LJ– I think that Johnson has more baggage and less talent than Moss, so like I said, I don’t think the Chiefs will get anywhere near a 2nd for him, more likely a 4th at best, and maybe less given his age of 29. (As an aside, how does adding LJ to Westbrook and Buckhalter make the Eagles’ so much better? They pass the ball more than anyone else anyway, and LJ already says he needs lots of touches to be effective. You want to take the ball out of Westbrook’s hands? I say he’s more likely to garner interest from Arizona or Seattle).
– Re tight ends and Matt Cassel and prospect of having a robust, Patriots-level passing attack by signing Cassel, I stand by my assertions. The fact is the Patriots have won several Super Bowls with Watson et al at tight end, and have gone 27 & 6 in two years with Moss, Welker and Watson. KC is 6 & 26 over the past two years with TG. My conclusion is that you need much more than a HOF tight end for a successful aerial game, and TG + Bowe + whomever won’t make Cassel nearly as successful as Moss and Welker et al did. Together with those two, the Patriots’ advantages in the O-line and the receiving skills of their RB’s far outweigh the superiority of TG as a receiver, and provide Cassel much more support than would be available from the Chief’s starting eleven.
– OK, so you want to sign Sproles—how much will you pay? For how many touches a game? I think his agent would expect at least 4 years, 20 million total with at least 6-8 million guaranteed, perhaps much more? For what, ten to twelve touches a game max? In other words, quite a few less than Priest Holmes in his prime? In a spread offense? Sure, he would be great to have, but I doubt that the price/production works out for KC, or that he won’t choose an offer elsewhere with a team that has a better QB and O-line (Also, I think with his new contract, Sproles can move his whole friggin’ extended family to California if he wants—he doesn’t have to come back to KC.)
– Your claim that wide receivers lifting Arizona into the playoffs proves the wisdom of drafting lots of wide-outs #1 is way off base. First, those guys have played several years for AZ before the Cardinals made it to 9-7 in an extremely weak division, and Boldin missed significant playing time this year; I think changes in other areas of the team (D-line, LB’s and pass rush) are what has allowed their improvement. And I don’t expect them to last long in the playoffs this year, or continue to win the division consistently once Seattle and St. Louis get a chance to rebuild with new management. A more instructive example re wide receivers and playoff success is in fact St. Louis, where the Rams had great receivers for nearly a decade, but only won one Super Bowl, and that happened when their defense was great and their O-line was good. With the same outstanding wide-outs in their peak years, they never won the Super Bowl again, because their defense fell apart and their O-line got old and their QB play deteriorated. Or consider Dallas—Roy Williams made a really big difference this year for them, didn’t he?
– Finally, I’ll leave it up to you to determine when Gonzalez is telling the truth about how he feels and when he’s being deceptive, or “emotional” or “posturing,” as you write. I don’t know the guy personally, maybe you do, but TG doesn’t strike me as an emotionally immature man in the occasions I’ve seen him on tape or heard him on the radio. And how he could possibly gain by tying himself to Thigpen and Edwards if he really doesn’t want to work with them….well, that seems to me more of a vote to stand pat than to blow up the front office and coaching staff.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:42 pmAnyone catch NFL Live?
Michael Smith is reporting that he is hearing that our beloved Chiefs still have a good shot at getting Marty in a Parcells role. Marty then will bring in Jimmy Raye (?) from San Diego to be a GM and Cam Cameron (fucking Cam Cameron) to be the head coach.
Are you kidding me!
December 30th, 2008 at 4:49 pmRe post 43:
That would be the sound of Schottenheimer trying to recreate his San Diego crew. As I recall, Jimmy Raye has been a long-time associate of Marty, and not one I was terribly impressed by in their earlier KC days (I think he had a long run as running backs coach). Cam Cameron’s certainly got a lot of experience as an offensive coordinatory, but wasn’t a great success at his most recent head coaching gig (especially in light of how well they did the next year!).
December 30th, 2008 at 7:16 pmZach wants Matt Cassel?
I seem to remember him saying Robert Gallery was the second coming and that he actually wanted to BE Robert Gallery.
December 31st, 2008 at 5:41 amWow dude… They are saying you have new, great ideas? Why don’t you just sign the entire patriots current and former team? would you like their draft picks too? I know we are, well the model for the NFL and a terrible team like this needs an example but don’t be a copy cat dude… Go after Mike Shannahon, he is a proven great coach who will demand respect and success. QB? there are plenty in the draft and don’t count on Cassel being free because Brady might be out for next year as well. Trade your tail back and pile up some picks. Wait for Mike Brown to become available for a defensive leader. As for your GM? I can’t help you with that. I agree Pioli is your best option but don’t count on it. Cleveland has much more to work with. I hear the Big Tuna might be headed out of Miami… How bad do you want to win?
January 1st, 2009 at 5:58 pm