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Of the league’s 32 teams, 12 did not sign a player on the first day of free agency. There were 11 other teams that signed only their own free agents players. That left the other nine teams creating all the activity in signing or trading for players: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Miami, New York Giants, New York Jets and St. Louis. The Ravens and Jets were the teams involved in trades, with CB Antonio Cromartie leaving San Diego for the Big Apple. Then, WR Anquan Boldin was swapped by Arizona to the Baltimore for draft picks.

The Chiefs were one of those 11 teams that signed only their own player, RB Jackie Battle. The NFL rumor mill had them in the sweepstakes for Boldin. Reportedly they were interested in WR Kevin Walter as well, but he re-signed with Houston.

Among the Chiefs free agents, OL Wade Smith made a visit to Buffalo and will also head to Houston. Reportedly Washington is interested in TE Sean Ryan.

Day#1 Brings Big $ … Weekend Cup O’Free Agents-BobGretz.com

Even when training camp started last summer and all things seemed possible, Jamaal Charles never even considered he might wind up the 2009 season as the Chiefs’ most valuable player.

“I had other goals,” Charles said. “I said I wanted to go to the Pro Bowl. Maybe I could go as a running back or maybe I could go for special teams. I didn’t have the ultimate goal of being the Kansas City MVP.”

The season’s first half, when Charles had problems with fumbling and was playing sparingly as the sidekick to Larry Johnson, appeared to kill any chances for postseason honors.

Charles among players to be honored at 101 Banquet-KCStar.com

But as the seconds ticked by, turned to minutes, and then hours, it soon became apparent nothing was happening while the midnight oil burned. Excitement turned to disappointment and Friday afternoon, when Peppers became a Bear, Dansby a Dolphin and Boldin a Raven, some Chiefs fans were downright angry.

And it didn’t help that another potential Chiefs’ target, safety Antrel Rolle, wound up signing with the New York Giants. If there are winners and losers in the first 24 hours of free agency, it’s not hard to argue that the Kansas City Chiefs wound up as the losers.

But if you can stop writing the hate mail addressed to Scott Pioli and Clark Hunt for a minute, ask yourself a question – just what did they lose?

That’s what’s relevant right now. By failing to beat out Chicago, Miami, Baltimore and New York for big-name players, what have the Chiefs really lost?

I contend that what the Chiefs have lost does not justify the hand wringing, teeth gnashing and wailing that currently ranks as the preferred activity for a good number of people who reside in the greater Kansas City area. In layman’s terms, quit complaining.

Chiefs Remain Frugal With Free Agents-WPI

Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network wrote in his blog Friday morning that one of the teams most interested in free agent running back Thomas Jones is the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones, age 31, was the leading rusher for the New York Jets team that went to the AFC Championship Game last season before losing to the Indianapolis Colts.

Jones (5-11, 212 lbs) was released by the Jets in February, mostly because he would have been due a $3.3 million roster bonus in March. Also, the presence of last years’ first-round draft choice, Shonn Green, made the decision easier. In 2009, Jones rushed for a career-best 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns. In his 10-year career, Jones has rushed for 9,217 yards with 62 touchdowns and has caught 289 passes for 1,858 yards and three more touchdowns.

Chiefs reportedly interested in RB Thomas Jones, re-sign Jackie Battle-Examiner

The re-signing of Mike Vrabel probably isn’t doing much to energize Chiefs fans, at least not compared to, say, what the imminent signing of Julius Peppers is doing for the faithful in Chicago.

I get that. The Chiefs haven’t had a pass rusher with Peppers’ ability since they let Jared Allen get away.

But make no mistake, the Chiefs would have taken a huge step back had they allowed Vrabel to walk as a free agent. This guy is the consummate pro, something that’s been all too short in supply in the Kansas City locker room in recent years.

The value on that, in a locker room full of players who know little else but losing in their professional careers, can’t be overstated. The Chiefs could have found someone to play a better outside linebacker than Vrabel, who will be 35 before next season begins.

Vrabel’s not a bad start-The Red Zone

Tags: kansas city chiefs

Juan Jeziorski

Just proves the old adage. It's an ill wind that blows no good. - As the poet said, 'Only God can make a tree' -- probably because it's so hard to figure out how to get the bark on. - Woody Allen Born 1935

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dubldug

The Chiefs cannot afford to draft a lineman who takes 2-3 years to develop, we need playmakers and at 5 Dez is necessary in talent and need over Berry or anyone else. I know you want the DT from Tennessee, but offense is a must or the defense will be on the field getting steamrolled regardless of who is drafted on defense.

Playmaker on offense.

msluhocki27

Adam Shefter is saying that the Chiefs have a scheduled meeting with Thomas Jones set for Monday

merlin

why dubldug?

Gotta think they want Dez at #5.

chiefsfanatic

The way it looks Chambers is going to slip away also,if that happens then they will be in deep crap.Hell why not t.o. he is a lot better than whats left out their.Beggers cant be choosie at this point.

102:

I would hav liked to see Jason Brown with the Chiefs. In all fairness, the Rams did overpay a lot for him.

Merlin, I don't know, but suspect that the contract the Chiefs are offering is laden with incentives. Bonus' for so many catches, TD's etc, and Chambers is balking, or asking for to much roster money.

102win

We also lost our 6th rounder trying to fix the oline, due in large part to not signing Brown.

I am not a fan of the "build through the draft" excuse. Free Agencey sets up the draft. I am not as upset about Boldin because we needed those picks, and he is a bit of a risk. Center Jason Brown last off season should have been a Chief, that would have removed one maybe two (Niswanger could have had a entire season at RG) needs for this years draft.

Free Agencey requires risk, and just like a business it is tied to reward!!!!

dubldug:

I hear you. I don't know what is going on with the Chambers negotiations. However, I was hoping to have it wrapped up before FA started.

The history of the Hunt family is not to spend. After the sixties and early seventies this family used the Chiefs for a business write off. When the fan base disappeared they put J.Steadman out to pasture and hired C. Peterson who rebuilt the fan base by hiring an astute judge of talent named M.Shottenheimer. The fans returned, Marty left and slowly the talent left to. Now we find it difficult to get talent as KC is an NFL purgatrory. Maybe, and I stress MAYBE, the owner has committed to rebuilding the talent base here. It remains to be seen, and I believe that many players are noncommtal in coming here which is why Pioli tries to bring in guys who know him and guys looking for a chance to prove themselves. This brings me to Chambers who has already been with 3 teams, the Chiefs being one, and is not being wooed by many teams. Only the Bengals, home to the felony f%?%ups and the Chiefs seem interested in him. His talent is obvious, but long term deals seemingly let him play in auto pilot. This is such a tough business and when I hear, and understand, why Pioli and Haley talk about bringing in guys who are football players, I figure they want to win and the Hunt family is willing to let them build this team into a contender. Obviously we aren't privy to their decision making process, and we have little choice in making those decisions. I can only say not spend a dime on games, parking, concessions or team logo merchandise until You are sure that they deserve your support.