The 21st Pick Through “Scott Pioli Colored Glasses”

I think the chiefs will take Kerrigan or Reed at OLB with there first pick.

Has Pioli often drafted an offensive lineman in the first round? I can't recall any. It seems like he's willing to wait until later rounds to fill o-line needs.

Outstanding article, one of the best I read this off season, and the first chiefs reader to get in Pioli's head, this will make life easier for all now that we have a person how can think as a Pioli, hehe... Now on to the pick, ok let do this... I will also take Carimi do to the fact he played in a system like ours, a run heavy offenses, that runs down hill, a the kid plays hard and mean. I like the Sherrod, and it really looks like a Pioli pick, but we have a "nice guy" all ready on the right side, we don't need two. Also I don't think we are going to pick an OT at #21, Piloi likes to develop talent, and also needs to sell his great program off, so B Rich can be one of the billboard plays of his program, if you get what I mean... Love to have ether OT both there are good OT in later rounds, and we have other needs, we have great passing attacks and defenses in the new Schedule, we need more weapons on both side of the ball. Personally I would trade down and get as many good plays as we did last year, stock picks and players, and let Pioli work he magic as he did last year... Go Chiefs...Yeah Buddy...!!!

I don't think you can base a tackle's performance on the team's record. There are 10 other guys on the offense that could suck or the defense could suck. The fact that both Sherrod and Carimi played left tackle should make it easier to determine who's the better player and better fit for the Chiefs. I personally think that a good tackle is a high priority need, I would be happy with either. In regards to Taylor, which I was on the bandwagon up until about 2 days before the foot thing, I am concerned about the character issues. Not that he punched some mouthy frat boy but that he seemed to start working in the second half of the season, lost weight for the combine and is only now doing all the right things. I'm concerned that he is doing this for his big payday and then could disappear. I thinks that's why Pioli wants people who love the game.

I think it should and will be Carimi over Sherrod.

If the SEC is Pioli's favorite conference, recent draft history suggests that would be for defensive players primarily. Mississippi State's offense, an offense that Sherrod anchored at LT, did not really shine against the rest of the SEC. 4-4 in 2010 without any real quality wins. Wisconsin's offense, on the other hand, went 7-1 against the Big 10 last season, defeating Ohio State in the process. A quick check of Football Outsiders stats reveals that Wisconsin's offense is significantly better than that of Mississippi State's. You wanna talk system? Wisconsin's pro-style offense has that covered in spades. By contrast, Miss St operates primarily out of the spread. I'm not suggesting that Carimi is heads and shoulders better than Sherrod, I'm just saying that if one applies the same Pioli criteria equally to both players, that Carimi ought to prevail over Sherrod on multiple accounts.

Lyle: Excellent article. You presented a very good case for Sherrod. Obviously, you know I agree. I have been beating the Sherrod drum for months here. I would add one thing to your criteria. It's an assumption of sorts, but it bears stating. Pioli is a huge system guy. He drafts people whose athletic skills match the demands of the position in his system. Sherrod matches up very well on that score.

Here's the question I have about the story that's afoot about Phil Taylor. If this condition was made known at the combine (way back in early March), then why are we just now hearing about how all these teams are supposedly taking him off their boards? If this condition was known way back at the combine, then why have so many teams been so highly interested in him after learning that information? Why have several teams (including the Chiefs) gone to the trouble of working him out privately since the combine? Nearly all players at this stage have chronic conditions that require them to "play through the pain" so to speak. Has Sanchez' knee kept him from performing at a high level? Sorry this rumor simply does not add up for me - I say it's agenda-driven. Regarding Phil Taylor's supposed character issues - apparently there is this belief out there that suggests Pioli may not believe in second chances and that getting into a fight (with some likely mouthy frat boys who probably don't know sh*t about life) when you're a sophomore in college might be considered by Pioli to be a permanent strike against the guy. If that's true, which I don't believe it is, then I say that's an utterly ridiculous view to hold. I know I'm a lot like the majority of the human race and if I had to be held accountable for the rest of my life for every stupid thing I did as a kid I know for a fact I would have never gotten anywhere in life. As far as OT is concerned, I would take Gabe "The Hammer" Carimi over Derek Sherrod. Carimi, team captain, 2010 Outland Trophy winner, started all 4 years at LT for Wisc in every game he played, 49 in all, the 3 he did not start were games he missed due to injury in '08. Level of competion? Well, let's just say the Badgers went a mere 7-1 in the Big Ten in 2010 including an impressive upset over the Buckeyes. Miss St? A paltry 4-4 against the vaunted SEC last season. The difference? Carimi at LT = winning. Sherrod at LT = not so much. Carimi = nasty disposition. Sherrod = nice guy.

Sherrod would be an excellent pick, as would Carimi, or Taylor.

Very well thought out and written article. I absolutely could see Pioli drafting him here but, I hope he doesnt. I think Orlando Franklin in the 3rd is better value then Sherrod in the 1st. Ive said before on this site I think the best thing for the Chiefs to do is trade down and get more picks and there will be players early in the 2nd or late first that could be starters for them right away. If the Chiefs stay at 21 there is so many directions they could go I'm not sure I would be surprised with anyone they took.

I agree that Sherrod is very much a Pioli pick. He's not going to get much love from Chiefs fans because he is not a "sexy" pick. He's nothing like Berry last year. He's nothing like Taylor/Ayers/Kerrin/Smith would be this year. He's a day one starter who will come in and improve our offensive line. He's not going to put up stats, make huge plays, or get his name called. But he's going to show up, do everything he is asked to do, and make the offense even better than it was last year.

I've struggled about OT for the Chiefs since the overwhelming prediction of most mocks last year was Russell Okung (or Bulaga) for the Chiefs at #5. I was euphoric when Scott picked Eric Berry who was my dream pick. This year, I've been on the Phil Taylor train because of the importance of completing our defensive front so they can mature and "jell" together (Pioli picked Seymour, Warren and Wilfork with 1st round picks in the early 2000's). With Taylor's reported condition, I'm now confused about what we will do, but in spite of all the excellent reasons described in the article above, wouldn't it be better at #21 to pick a right tackle or a left tackle rather than a "swing" tackle who might not be an NFL starter at either? Couldn't we get a "versatile" tackle to backup our starters in a later round?

I think the chiefs will take Kerrigan or Reed at OLB with there first pick.

Has Pioli often drafted an offensive lineman in the first round? I can't recall any. It seems like he's willing to wait until later rounds to fill o-line needs.

Outstanding article, one of the best I read this off season, and the first chiefs reader to get in Pioli's head, this will make life easier for all now that we have a person how can think as a Pioli, hehe...

Now on to the pick, ok let do this...

I will also take Carimi do to the fact he played in a system like ours, a run heavy offenses, that runs down hill, a the kid plays hard and mean.

I like the Sherrod, and it really looks like a Pioli pick, but we have a "nice guy" all ready on the right side, we don't need two. Also I don't think we are going to pick an OT at #21, Piloi likes to develop talent, and also needs to sell his great program off, so B Rich can be one of the billboard plays of his program, if you get what I mean...

Love to have ether OT both there are good OT in later rounds, and we have other needs, we have great passing attacks and defenses in the new Schedule, we need more weapons on both side of the ball.

Personally I would trade down and get as many good plays as we did last year, stock picks and players, and let Pioli work he magic as he did last year...

Go Chiefs...Yeah Buddy...!!!

I don't think you can base a tackle's performance on the team's record. There are 10 other guys on the offense that could suck or the defense could suck. The fact that both Sherrod and Carimi played left tackle should make it easier to determine who's the better player and better fit for the Chiefs. I personally think that a good tackle is a high priority need, I would be happy with either.

In regards to Taylor, which I was on the bandwagon up until about 2 days before the foot thing, I am concerned about the character issues. Not that he punched some mouthy frat boy but that he seemed to start working in the second half of the season, lost weight for the combine and is only now doing all the right things. I'm concerned that he is doing this for his big payday and then could disappear. I thinks that's why Pioli wants people who love the game.

I think it should and will be Carimi over Sherrod.

If the SEC is Pioli's favorite conference, recent draft history suggests that would be for defensive players primarily. Mississippi State's offense, an offense that Sherrod anchored at LT, did not really shine against the rest of the SEC. 4-4 in 2010 without any real quality wins. Wisconsin's offense, on the other hand, went 7-1 against the Big 10 last season, defeating Ohio State in the process. A quick check of Football Outsiders stats reveals that Wisconsin's offense is significantly better than that of Mississippi State's. You wanna talk system? Wisconsin's pro-style offense has that covered in spades. By contrast, Miss St operates primarily out of the spread.
I'm not suggesting that Carimi is heads and shoulders better than Sherrod, I'm just saying that if one applies the same Pioli criteria equally to both players, that Carimi ought to prevail over Sherrod on multiple accounts.

Lyle:

Excellent article. You presented a very good case for Sherrod. Obviously, you know I agree. I have been beating the Sherrod drum for months here.

I would add one thing to your criteria. It's an assumption of sorts, but it bears stating. Pioli is a huge system guy. He drafts people whose athletic skills match the demands of the position in his system. Sherrod matches up very well on that score.

Here's the question I have about the story that's afoot about Phil Taylor. If this condition was made known at the combine (way back in early March), then why are we just now hearing about how all these teams are supposedly taking him off their boards? If this condition was known way back at the combine, then why have so many teams been so highly interested in him after learning that information? Why have several teams (including the Chiefs) gone to the trouble of working him out privately since the combine? Nearly all players at this stage have chronic conditions that require them to "play through the pain" so to speak. Has Sanchez' knee kept him from performing at a high level? Sorry this rumor simply does not add up for me - I say it's agenda-driven.

Regarding Phil Taylor's supposed character issues - apparently there is this belief out there that suggests Pioli may not believe in second chances and that getting into a fight (with some likely mouthy frat boys who probably don't know sh*t about life) when you're a sophomore in college might be considered by Pioli to be a permanent strike against the guy. If that's true, which I don't believe it is, then I say that's an utterly ridiculous view to hold. I know I'm a lot like the majority of the human race and if I had to be held accountable for the rest of my life for every stupid thing I did as a kid I know for a fact I would have never gotten anywhere in life.

As far as OT is concerned, I would take Gabe "The Hammer" Carimi over Derek Sherrod. Carimi, team captain, 2010 Outland Trophy winner, started all 4 years at LT for Wisc in every game he played, 49 in all, the 3 he did not start were games he missed due to injury in '08. Level of competion? Well, let's just say the Badgers went a mere 7-1 in the Big Ten in 2010 including an impressive upset over the Buckeyes. Miss St? A paltry 4-4 against the vaunted SEC last season. The difference? Carimi at LT = winning. Sherrod at LT = not so much. Carimi = nasty disposition. Sherrod = nice guy.

Sherrod would be an excellent pick, as would Carimi, or Taylor.

Very well thought out and written article. I absolutely could see Pioli drafting him here but, I hope he doesnt. I think Orlando Franklin in the 3rd is better value then Sherrod in the 1st. Ive said before on this site I think the best thing for the Chiefs to do is trade down and get more picks and there will be players early in the 2nd or late first that could be starters for them right away. If the Chiefs stay at 21 there is so many directions they could go I'm not sure I would be surprised with anyone they took.

I agree that Sherrod is very much a Pioli pick. He's not going to get much love from Chiefs fans because he is not a "sexy" pick. He's nothing like Berry last year. He's nothing like Taylor/Ayers/Kerrin/Smith would be this year. He's a day one starter who will come in and improve our offensive line. He's not going to put up stats, make huge plays, or get his name called. But he's going to show up, do everything he is asked to do, and make the offense even better than it was last year.

I've struggled about OT for the Chiefs since the overwhelming prediction of most mocks last year was Russell Okung (or Bulaga) for the Chiefs at #5. I was euphoric when Scott picked Eric Berry who was my dream pick.

This year, I've been on the Phil Taylor train because of the importance of completing our defensive front so they can mature and "jell" together (Pioli picked Seymour, Warren and Wilfork with 1st round picks in the early 2000's).

With Taylor's reported condition, I'm now confused about what we will do, but in spite of all the excellent reasons described in the article above, wouldn't it be better at #21 to pick a right tackle or a left tackle rather than a "swing" tackle who might not be an NFL starter at either?

Couldn't we get a "versatile" tackle to backup our starters in a later round?