Pioli Needs To Be Smart But Aggressive When Free Agency Begins
Scott Pioli has a tall order this evening but he has to rise to the challenge. The Chiefs need help and with the NFL draft being as big a crap shoot as there is in professional sports, KC will have to get some help in free agency.
Pioli and Haley have said many times that they want to build through the draft and by making smart moves in free agency. I think most Chiefs fans would agree that is the way to go. We have all seen what happens to teams like the Raiders and Redskins who make terrible personal moves and overpay free agents.
Still, teams like this not only serve as an example of how not to do business, they also serve as competition. With lose cannons like Dan Synder and Al Davis running around, there is no telling how long top free agents will be on the market. Last year, Albert Haynesworth was signed in a matter of hours by the Washington Redskins. This means that if Pioli and the Chiefs really want a guy, they need to be decisive. If they waffle on a decision, they could very well miss out on a chance to improve their team.
That is not to say the Chiefs should be throwing all their money at any big name free agent they can obtain. However, I think in this very limited free agent pool, the Chiefs need to have their targets lined up and move fast to acquire them because Dan Snyder and the Redskins have been linked to nearly ever top free agent name.
From ESPN.com:
"On the opening day of free agency in 2009, the Washington Redskins made a mega-splash with the deal for Albert Haynesworth, the biggest name on the market one year ago. This season, with Julius Peppers, Karlos Dansby and Darren Sproles expected to be the biggest names on the move, which man will wind up under the guidance of Mike Shanahan at this time tomorrow?According to SI’s Peter King on Twitter, the ‘Skins are expected to be the most active team in free agency, and they’ve been linked to each of those three men mentioned above (and others, too). Get ready for a big night."
The Redskins do have what some are calling a “real GM” now and it is believed that he will keep Snyder somewhat reigned in but as we know, the boss is the boss. If the reports are that the Redskins will be very active, the Chiefs should take it seriously.
If the Chiefs and Scott Pioli can fill some major holes in free agency then they can make the draft a lot easier on themselves. The Chiefs have a very good nucleus of talented young players. If they are able to add top already proven talent through free agency and if they draft well, they may have a decent shot at being competitive this season.
What Pioli can’t afford to do is wait until all the good free agents are gone and then go shopping for bargain basement free agents. Older free agents can be very hit or miss as we learned with Zach Thomas, Amani Toomer and Mike Goff. Chris Chambers and Mike Vrabel did work out but the Chiefs need difference makers and if they want them, they are going to have to pay for them.
Mr. Pioli is going to have to walk a fine line this evening but it had better be a line of action.