Romeo Crennel: We Don’t Have To Draft For Need
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel tends to be a bit more forthcoming with information than his predecessor Todd Haley, and he opened up again this week to Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star.
Crennel had some really interesting things to say, chief among them, that the Chiefs are entering the draft without any holes to fill.
"“We’ve done a nice job of addressing some needs through free agency,” Crennel said. “We’ve put ourselves in position, with the needs we filled, that when we go into the draft, we can look at the best athlete available and the guy we think can help our team the most.“We won’t have to draft for need. That gives us many more options.”"
Crennel is essentially right. The Chiefs have good or solid starters at every position, save maybe nose tackle. Even at that position, the team has Amon Gordon who was a surprise last season and who the team recently re-signed.
Another interesting quote from Crennel came when Teicher asked him about the nose tackle position. According to Crennel, the team has talked with a couple of potential candidates but they plan to wait until after the draft to make any moves. This makes sense as the Chiefs already have two NTs on the roster and very well could be in the position to take Dontari Poe at #11.
Crennel also added that last year’s starter at NT, Kelly Gregg, could be in the mix to return in 2012.
"“I’m not ruling Kelly out. I think he would like to come back and play. I think he likes the situation. He understands how we coach. He knows what defense we’re going to run. I think if he has the opportunity he would not be opposed to coming back.”"
Crennel specifically mentioned that you can never have enough pass rushers, cornerbacks or speed receivers so those might be some positions to keep an eye on come April.
I’ve been thinking a lot recently that the Chiefs are really in such good shape that I could see them taking just about anyone. The fact that Crennel has now confirmed that the front office feels the same way opens up the big old box of speculation in my head.
Ryan Tannehill anyone?
I know many of you are not high on Tannehill but I think you should reconsider your position. Mike Mayock of NFL Network and NFL.com thinks Tannehill has all the tools to be a franchise QB. He has the arm and the athleticism. Like most scouts, however, Mayock agrees that Tannehill isn’t quite ready to step in and start right away.
What better position for Tannehill to step into than Kansas City? He can sit behind Matt Cassel for a season or so and learn. Should Cassel improve or prove that he can lead the Chiefs to playoff victories, the Chiefs have their QB of the future in waiting, as well as an excellent insurance policy. If Cassel continues to struggle, like he did last season, Tannehill might be ready to step in mid-season.
The fact of the matter is, the NFL is a QB league and right now, I can’t say with any confidence that the any of the QB’s on the Chiefs’ roster can win a Super Bowl.
If the Chiefs really believe Tannehill is franchise QB material and they really believe they have flexibility heading into the draft, then they absolutely have to consider trying to snag him.
What do you think Addicts? Lots to digest here. Do you want Gregg back at NT? Tannehill? Sound off.