Chiefs Interest In QB Pike Is Telling

My fellow lead blogger Andrew Crocker has taken a lot of heat around here for daring to suggest that the Chiefs might venture to pick QB Jimmy Clausen in the first round. I myself, have stated on many occasions that I think “Crock Pot” as we affectionately call him around AA, is off his rocker. Now to be clear, I don’t think the Chiefs taking Clausen is a totally crazy idea. If Scott Pioli hadn’t brought in Matt Cassel last season, I think the Chiefs would certainly be snatching up Clausen next Thursday. Taking a guy you believe can be your franchise QB is never crazy. I just don’t believe there is any way it is going to happen.

Taking Clausen would just send way too many mixed messages to Matt Cassel and to the team. There is no way the Chiefs could keep both QB’s around without casing a ton of controversy and second guessing of the Chiefs decision makers. The only way to make it work, would be for the Chiefs to unload Cassel, though his trade value is certainly hurt after his less than stellar 2009 season and because of his big contract. KC would not likely be able to dump Cassel and recoup the 2nd round pick they traded for him. Scott Pioli would be raked over the coals for trading a 2nd round pick for a QB one year, signing him to a huge contract and then dumping him to use a top 5 pick on another QB the following year. It would be a knee-jerk reaction and Scott Pioli is not that kind of guy. It would also send a message that the guys making the decisions aren’t so sure of themselves.

Taking a QB in the 3rd round, however, sends a much subtler message. That and the Chiefs interest in Tony Pike, after the jump.

If you read The Morning Fix today, you will have noticed that the Chiefs conducted a private workout with former Cincinnati QB, Tony Pike.

This is not all that uncommon. Teams are attending tons of workouts this time of year. Scouts need to do their due diligence.

What caught my eye on the Pike story, which came from National Football Post, was that only two of the teams they mention as having worked out Pike, brought him to town for a visit.

One was the Bengals.

The other was the Chiefs.

This is relevant because teams have a limit of 30 visits to use this year. Obviously, the Chiefs are only going to want to use one of those slots on players they are really interested in. While it still guarantees nothing, an in town visit is still more telling than simply attending a workout.

You may remember a few weeks back, I wrote an article suggesting that the Chiefs should draft Dan LeFevour (who is projected as a 3rd or 4th round pick) if they can get him in the middle rounds. I argued that they would be getting themselves a competent QB with high upside that they could groom in case Matt Cassel turns out to be a bust. Taking a QB in the late 2nd or early 3rd round is much different than taking one in the top 5. Guys taken after the 1st round usually aren’t ready to go in and start right away. They usually need a little grooming first.

If the Chiefs were to take LeFevour, or Pike for that matter, in the late 2nd or earl 3rd round, the young QB would not be an immediate threat to Matt Cassel’s job. Instead of sending a message of doubt to Matt Cassel and the team about Cassel’s abilities, which is what taking a top 5 QB like Clausen would do, Pioli would show that the job is still Cassel’s, but should he fail to meet expectations, the team has a backup plan. Taking a mid-round QB would put gentle pressure on Cassel while protecting the team by not putting all their eggs in one basket at the games most crucial position.

The Chiefs have too many needs to be taking a QB in the first 2 rounds but I would not be shocked if they snagged Pike with their first pick in the 3rd or if they used one of their extra 5th round picks to move back into the mid to late 3rd round to nab him, if he falls that far. I also wouldn’t rule out LeFevour in the mid-rounds.

I know that Todd Haley really likes Brodie Croyle but remember, Pioli didn’t draft him. I can’t blame a GM for wanting to fill the most important position on the team with his own guys. It may not happen until the 3rd day of the Draft but prepare yourself for the possibility that the Chiefs may draft a QB next week.

In suggesting the Chiefs may draft a B, Crocker is not off his rocker.

Here are some Pike highlights for you on this dreary (at least herein Brooklyn) Saturday morning.