Nose Tackle May Not Be A Priority For Chiefs

Ever since the Kansas City Chiefs have switched to the 3-4 defense, fans have been clamoring for the team to fill the all important nose tackle position.

Perhaps, after three years, it is time for us to acknowledge that the Chiefs don’t consider the position to be all that important.

We should have seen this coming. The Chiefs have been extremely hesitant to draft a DT early in the draft and they also haven’t shown much interest in spending money for one in free agency. The team has had multiple opportunities to fill the position but instead have settled for Ron Edwards, and an aging Kelly Gregg. They did draft Jerrell Powe last year but he hardly sniffed the game-day roster in 2011, let along the field.

Despite all that, most KC fans seem to be convinced that with most of the team’s other needs filled, 2012 will finally be the year the Chiefs land their nose tackle.

Only Romeo Crenell sure doesn’t sound like he is high on the idea.

“We signed a young kid, Powe, we’re gonna have to see how he’s gonna do,” Crennel said yesterday while talking with Bob Fescoe and Josh Klingler on 610 Sports Radio. “Toribio is still here. Amon Gordon is still here. So then we’re going to look into this draft and see if there’s anything there. And then there are still some free agents there. We might until after the draft to finalize that spot.”

Interesting. It sure doesn’t sound like the Chiefs are planning on drafting Dontari Powe in the first round.

Of course, there is always the possibility that this is a smokescreen. While I am sure some teams try to float some false information this time of year, the Chiefs aren’t a team I see worrying too much about that kind of stuff. Scott Pioli seems like the guy who is more concerned with what he can control then what he can’t. To me, that means doing his homework and making sure he is in the position to get the best player available to help his team, regardless of what other teams do.

I think the Chiefs like Gordon and Toribio and I think they like Powe’s potential. I can definitely see them waiting until after the draft to see the lay of the land. By then, free agents still on the market will see their price tags drop thanks to the flood of new talent into the league. At that point, if the Chiefs want to take a run at a veteran, they can probably get one on the cheap for a one-year deal. They can then go to camp hoping Powe steals the job.

What do you think Addicts? To nose or not to nose?

(h/t Arrowhead Pride)