Pretty boring day. As for the lineman, all they need to do is lift and run fairly well. As for the tight ends, um, we don’t really need one of those. Here are my thoughts…
- My big winner today, from a Chiefs’ perspective, is offensive tackle Jason Smith. He ripped off 33 bench reps which is impressive considering he’s not Andre Smith massive at around “only” 309 pounds. On the other hand, he’s not Andre Smith dumb either. Jason Smith used to play tight end, so we know he’s athletic. I would say he’s on the Chiefs radar at this point.
- Some people probably would scoff at the idea of picking another first-round tackle, but I’m confident Branden Albert could play right tackle if we needed him to. The other thing is, if we go after Matt Leinart, and I think we definitely could, our right tackle would basically be our left tackle. Our right tackle would protect Leinart’s blindside because he’s a southpaw. Don’t dismiss Leinart either. I could easily see Todd Haley wanting him, and also Leinart wanting out with Kurt Warner likely returning.
- The thing we need to remember about Matt Cassel and Leinart is that if we pass on bringing them in, then they probably weren’t worth it in the first place. Haley and Scott Pioli know these two quarterbacks better than anybody in the league.
- Tomorrow is Sanchez Sunday. It’s his day. Why do I prefer Mark Sanchez to Matt Stafford? I prefer him because the way he carries himself. I think he has determination, guts, swagger and toughness that Stafford will never have. He’s a leader — is Stafford? Everyone makes a big deal about him only starting 16 games, but during his four years at USC (he redshirted), he’s been buried beneath three pro quarterbacks. Besides, as Todd McShay pointed out on a recent SportsCenter, Dirty’s 2008 redzone stats blew away Stafford’s. Here’s hoping the kid has his coming out party today. He could be our quarterback of the future.
- Stafford hurt himself by not throwing. He backed down from the biggest challenge of his football career to date. It looks bad. Period. He better throw like Elway on his pro day, that’s all I’m sayin’.
That’s it for today. Back tomorrow with more…
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Leinart (career): 55.8%, 6.7 ypa, 14TD, 17INT, 71.7
Thigpen (2008): 54.8%, 6.2 ypa, 18TD, 12INT, 76.0
Seems to me that Thigpen is the better buy here. Leinart has never thrown more TDs than picks in a season. He’s fragile. He’s a headcase on and off the field. AND he was putting up those pedestrian numbers throwing to Anquan Boldin and Larry GD Fitzgerald. Thiggy’s targets? While Tony is Tony, Bowe might approach those AZ guys if he works on his hands, but he ain’t near there yet.
Oh… and Thig rushed for 3TD and damn near 400 yards, at 6.2ypc. Leinart? 1/4 the yards, 2.6yards per shuffle, and two TDs. In 21 games.
Leinart getting benched was a big part of the Card’s Super Bowl recipe.
Please stop.
^^^^Word.^^^^
Fellas, remember that part of what I do is explore every possibility that I think the Chiefs might. Have to remind everybody of that every once in a while
I’ve always doubted the bench press as an effective test for offensive linemen. It’s generally advantageous for an O-lineman to have long arms but long arms are at a disadvantage when it comes to bench pressing. Also, at what point in the game is the O-lineman’s upperbody going to be pushing against relatively light resistance 20-30 times? A one or two rep max would be a better gauge, but I realize the injury risk that comes with that.
As for Sanchez, I talked to some USC football fanatics, and even they aren’t that high on him. Take that for what it’s worth. I haven’t seen him enough times to accurately judge how good he is.
Good point there on Leinart, but i don’t thnik he’s coming to KC.
Adam:
I agree that Haley’s pursuit or non-pursuit if Leihart will be very telling. If anyone knows if Leihart has the mental makeup to be a good QB in the NFL, it’s Haley.
The other combine player on my radar is Max Unger. He is very high on my list if he is there when we pick in round two.
I liked Leinhart since his college days and i don’t watch that much college. He had a bad year with the cards but the games i saw it was more their defense that killed them. I would be stoked if he came to KC and i agree that i would rather see Sanchez than Stafford. Just my thoughts
For what its worth. Tank Tyler “ripped off 42 bench presses”. He really did. But I don’t think he’s a “stud” by any means at defensive tackle. Iam some what skeptical of some of these tests.
Just a couple of things:
Leinart didnt have one bad year he’s had several, thats why he’s still not a starter. That whole QB class is bad.
Adam good job addressing albert moving to the right side if we get a Southpaw QB. I still think its Curry or an OL. Unger in the second is worth a look. See Nick Mangold.
Yes Tank Tyler did rep 42. Troy Williamson blazed a sub 4.3 40. Vernon Davis and Kellen Winslow were both combine beasts. That doesnt mean I want any of them on our team. Their just measurables. For every Williamson you have a Chris Johnson but thats pretty few and far between.
I just want my OL back. OL = running game, running game= passing game. A QB is only as good as the amount of time his OL gives him.
How about Heyward-Bey running a 4.29 in the 40
Just poking the bear
In regards to your comment about Stafford hurting himself by not throwing at the combine……….Matt Ryan didn’t throw at the combine and it didn’t hurt him at all.
Matt Ryan also owned his pro day. Stafford will have to, too.
we would defiantly improve with signing a left tackle… albert isnt our future left tackle he improved yes as the year went on but I dont see him, as being able to continue that improvement much more..
as for right tackle…he would be ok, but he seems most likely to move into watters spot when he retires…he is best suited as a guard
I basically mean to me anyways albert would turn into a great pulling and power guard…far better for us than at tackle
as for QB we have a very good couple here…thigpin will work in the new offense (old) .
we have other needs to seek out that need looked at which are more important
Leinart is and was dealing with new reads, new personnel and a much fast speed of the game. I’m not saying go after him, but Sanchez will go through the same if not steeper leaner curve. He is a Junior and his 16 games (red shirt or otherwise) will not benefit his ability to read defenses when he is facing multiple blitz schemes and 300+ pound lineman looking to rip him a new one.
Without a defense and and an O-Line whomever is back there needs to be mobile and durable. We need to focus on 3 impact players who can come in and start. I have no problem if one of those is an offensive tackle. We led the league in 3 and out last year and our defense failed in the forth qtr because they were on the field far too long. Time of possession last year supports that. Shore up the line so we can protect that Rookie QB when we do bring him in. In the meantime. Thigpen is mobile and can scramble to buy time.
I agree with Larry , he put it better than I did in words, thnx
my reasoning for a top left tackle…is simple… we need the time, we need to get allot better thereon the line as a whole, watters wont play forever either,
Last year we lost our center.. we already lost two hall of famers on the line before that…
carl messed up big time last year by not signing at least two of the free agent o-linemen that were available…
to me not signing them was more detrimental to the team than loosing Jarod was. Because the o-line does so mush for both sides of the game.
as for QB… find us a fourth rounder or later, that will become great…I wont complain there.
none of the QBs’ coming out now or even next year are 1983 QBs’ they really aren’t, to me drafting a QB before round four is not moving in the right direction.
We have to face it that , our down playing top pick selection getting time has come when our options dont allow for a Dan Mariono , or John Elway type QB
if those type QBs were there now…not one of us would be asking who to pick…..lol