My Chief Concerns: What To Do With Jarrad Page?

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About this time last year Mr. Scott Pioli had a tough decision to make with regards to FS Jarrad Page. The decision was at what level would the Chiefs tender the restricted free agent. He ultimately received the second round tender of 1.54 million. Now, one year later, Mr. Pioli has an even tougher decision and now must decide whether to sign Mr. Jarrad Page to a long term contract, or let him go.

We all know that Jarrad was a steal when he was taken in the 7^th Round of the 2006 draft (the production from this 7^th round starter is undeniable). Nicknamed “The Raider Killer” by Chiefs fans, Page has intercepted four balls against the Oakland Raiders dating back to his 2006 rookie season. Three of them have been in the red zone, and three of them have been game-winners, saving the Chiefs from a potential game-winning/tying drive.

His stats were quite impressive for a seventh rounder:

2006 Tackles: 35 Ints 3 Games Played: 16

2007 Tackles: 59 Ints 3 Games Played: 16

2008 Tackles: 85 Ints 4 Games Played: 16

2009 Tackles: 19 Ints 0 Games Played: 5

As you can see 2009 was a very down year for the young free safety. His season was cut short by injury and at one point he lost his starting job to Jon McGraw (He was a healthy scratch against the Chargers). So apparently he was in someone’s dog house for whatever reason. (There were rumors that Haley was unhappy with the fact that Page was “doggin it” or would not play through injury, actually Haley said so after the Chargers game when speaking about Jon McGraw starting the Chargers game. Page may have even been placed on IR as a result. It is a safe assumption considering he was listed as a healthy scratch and then on IR soon thereafter).

In any event, Jarrad Page has shown some glimpses of greatness (ie.. against the Raiders) and some glimpses of badness (ie… missing tackles, blowing coverage, being out of position.) He has been the starting FS on a team that has ranked next to dead last in the NFL for his entire stay in Kansas City. Which begs the questions, should Scott Pioli sign Jarrad Page to a long term contract? What is he worth? Should he be our starting FS? Does Jarrad Page even want to stay in KC?

Jarrad Page places Scott Pioli in a precarious position. Jarrad is young at 26 years old. As a GM, you hate to let young starters go to another team and become great. However, even though the talent of Page flashes brightly, it doesn’t flash more than his inconsistency. If you do sign him; at what price do you pay? How long? Could you spend the same money on another free agent who has performed better or who you believe will play better. Would you be better off drafting a FS or signing a college free agent? How much more does/did Jarrad Page add to the Chiefs defense? Are the rumors true that was Jarrad “doggin it”?

Personally, if we can sign him for cheap then do so. Offer him no guarantee, and find him some stiff starting competition. One thing is for sure, there are only 32 starting free safety jobs in the NFL and yet there are literally thousands of players seeking one. If I was Jarrad Page I would let Mr. Pioli know that I am on board 100% for the upcoming year, and get into a new contract as soon as possible. Why? What team in the NFL is going to sign Jarrad Page and make him a starter? Just one right now: The Chiefs and I would bet that Scott Pioli is not too enamored with Jarrad Page. What do you think?

Tags: jarrad page, Jon McGraw, Scott Pioli, Toff Haley

tybme

I like Page and hope the Chiefs keep him, at least for depth and competition at the position.

Interesting thing about Pollard though - yes he did do well at Houston (though not a pro bowl season as mikeshaw said) but KC cut him preseason and Houston didn't pick him up until week 4 - why did it take 4 weeks for him to get a job? Is his better play a result of him coming to a realization that maybe he wasn't as good or coveted as he thought he was? Was it a case of playing up for a contract? I don't know and I doubt I ever know but it is interesting how often a player will get cut, sit out for a while and then when he gets that next opportunity appear to be a better player for it.

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jeremyriversideca

Excellent analysis and I hope to high heaven your predictions come true! Go Chiefs indeed.

I gotta admit, seeing Pollard flourish in Houston sucked. I think there has to be something we don't know over why Haley and Pioli decided to let him go. As for Page, i dunno. the optimist in me says he'll come to camp in shape and ready to fight for a position. Unfortunately, I think all this Pollard and Page stuff is just a residual effect of the Herm Edwards/Carl Peterson era of basically running a franchise into obsoletion, that is the best way I can put it, obsoletion. We have a new era dawning in KC guys. I can feel it all the way here in So Cali.right in the middle of Raider/Charger land. Pioli is not interested in running a business, he wants excellence, and to win championships. The coaching moves we have made prove to me that Clark hunt has given the keys to Pioli, and is gonna let him drive. GO CHIEFS!!! Prediction: In 2010, Jamal Charles makes 2009 look like he was just getting warmed up. Matt Cassel will make the Pro Bowl. Top 10 defense. AFC west champions. Arrowhead Stadium is gonna ROCK like it used to and strike fear in our opponents on sight. Is it September yet?

timc

hahaha and just for laughs.

from the texans home page

By the numbers (top statistical performers): Pollard (105 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4 INTs, 1 forced fumble, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 TDs)

Season overview: Through the first three games of the 2009 season, the Texans ranked last in the NFL in total defense (439.0 yards allowed/game) and last in rushing defense (205.0 yards/game). They were tied for 29th in points allowed (28.7/game).

A large chunk of those yards and points came on four big plays – long touchdowns of 57, 67, 91 and 61 yards – that were, primarily, the result of missed assignments.

Once Pollard entered the starting lineup in Week 4, those big plays disappeared. Over the final 12 weeks of the season, the Texans ranked second in run defense (84.3 yards/game) and fourth in overall defense (312.9 yards/game). They didn't give up a run longer than 36 yards and allowed only one running back, Chris Johnson, to crack the 100-yard mark.

Pollard wasn't the only reason for that improvement, but he was a big part of it. He had been cut by the Kansas City Chiefs just before the season despite leading them in tackles in 2008. After the Texans signed him, Pollard quickly became a vocal leader and added a physical, ball-hawking presence to the secondary.

Pollard had two interceptions at Indianapolis and returned an interception 70 yards for a score against Seattle. In the season finale, he recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. He also intercepted New England's Tom Brady to set up the game-winning score.

"Picking up a player like Bernard basically off the streets, what he brought to our team, it doesn't happen very often," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "So give (general manager) Rick (Smith) and the scouting department a lot of credit, and the job that David (Gibbs) did with him. He's a hungry kid. He got let go in one place, he's hungry to do it right this time, and we're fortunate that he's doing it right here."

Haha, yes, he may have some problems in pass coverage, but since when have the chiefs had a problem with pass defense, last time i checked, it was our run defense with the issue. haha, just to rub salt in the wounds and spark some ppl up :P

We need speed! I DEMAND MORE SPEED!

Michael Wilson

Hmm... what to do. I'd say sign him. He produced in the past and we have big holes to fill. Even if he ends up as a back up, that's good insurance at a weak position.

dubldug

i really like the linebacker from bama, however we need talent all over. espn had an all decade team and the chiefs had more players than any other afc west team. coinicidently they were all from marty's influence. carl was good as long as marty influenced the talent choices. no marty no talent. i believe that pioli is thought to have the same ability as marty. we really need top notch players, especially while drafting at the top of the draft.

merlin

I like Page and want him to earn a starting spot next year. It's like Chambers, we need less holes on this team, not more.

chiefsfan567

Carr would be a good safety but not sold on moving him is smart hes an average corner and taking haden at 5 would mean not getting mcclain and improving the lb core. I say we take the safety from texas with 2a and mcclain wit #5

Dubldug: I hear you, but Carr could be too light, and I remember him missing some tackles this year too.

Wouldn't we be better to keep him at CB and draft a young speedy FS? You can be assured that the Chiefs are scouting safeties hard core.

I like the suggestion, hell we hade maruice legget at safety at one point this year.

Oh and I almost forgot how Dujuan Morgan is completely flaming out. :-(

yes carr at safety. we need fast guys not slow linebacker types likw we have had, who don't tackle well and take lousy angles. you want to draft berry, lok how big he is.

Patrick Allen

What about adding another top flight Corner and then having Carr as the Nickel?

Though I think Carr is good enough to start and will improve. Just depends on where his ceiling is. If he never gets any better he could be moved to Nickel so we can upgrade. This is his 3rd year. Should be telling.

Randy5k-Arrowhead Adventurer

Good stuff partner. Sign him cheap is right, and I hope we sign him cheap.

dubldug: Move Brandon Carr to Free safety ......hmmmm... interesting?

Brandon Carr is 6'0 207

Jarrad page is 6'0 225

Brandon would need to add some weight, don't you think?

i hope the chiefs sign one of two pretty decent young free agent safeties that are available. it would make any decision on page easier. that isa why i advocate drafting haden and moving carr to safety. it works for me, bringing memories of jerome woods. a pretty decent corner but a better safety.

mikeshaw1974

Here's an idea. Let's release him so he can go sign with Houston and maybe have a Pro Bowl year next season! Anyone getting what point I am making!!!!????

SIGN HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice read Jeremy.

I have a bad feeling they are not going to resign Page. It kind of does sound like he didn't want to play on an injury Haley thought he could so Haley benched him and was then happy enough with McGraw that he said "FU Page" and put him on IR. This is all speculation of course.

I think it would be a terrible mistake to let him go.He is at least as good as any other FS on the roster and he has youth on his side.

Now if he is going around demanding a big contract just because he has been starting, that is a different story. I would sign him for 3 more years at reasonable rate and see if Romeo can figure out how to use him.