merlin

I’m a long-time A.A. commenter and featured contributor. I have designed software and architectures for many years for major corporations. I love the strategy of football especially the draft. I have been a Chiefs fan for more than 40 years. I try to bring a long-term, more strategy than logistics perspective to A.A. My “Merlin’s Magic” features appear sporadically.

Latest Updates

Pioli vs. Dorsey: What Have We Learned?

With the start of the rookie min-camp, the heavy lifting for the General Manager is mostly over.  So, I thought it would be interesting to look back and compare how Scott Pioli and John Dorsey handled…Read More

Chiefs Draft 2013: Going Long with Long Ball!

Each year, I try to get (read harangue, cajole, bribe) the king of Drafttek’s Big Board, my friend, Long Ball. After many emails, and promises of lots of beer and some good Carolina BBQ, he agreed…Read More

Chiefs 2013 NFL Mock Draft Challenge

Welcome to this years Kansas City Chiefs 2013 NFL Mock Draft Challenge. I love doing this every year and I invite the readers to post their own Chiefs mock in the comments. To make this a fair exercise,…Read More

Chiefs’ NFL Draft Needs 2013: 1st Edition

What a wild off-season so far for the Chiefs! Clark Hunt showed up in a big way, putting to rest a lot of talk about him. Agree or disagree with his moves, but we can no longer call him a cheap or disinterested…Read More

Who Should Be The Next GM Of The Kansas City Chiefs?

OK Addicts, five games in and the season is already lost. When you compare the team’s performance to its talent level, it’s very, very disappointing. This is the worst season by that metric…Read More

And more..

Expectations For The 2012 Chiefs Season

It is the start of another Chiefs season. Merlin has been a very bad writer and, before Paddy gets out…Read More

Kansas City Chiefs Mini-Camp Review

It’s nice to get back to football. Well, it really wasn’t football. It was a football-like…Read More

Chiefs 2012 Draft Review & WTF Pick Award

It’s been a couple of days since the draft. Now I can look back and reflect on the picks, grading…Read More

Chiefs 2012 NFL Draft: Trade Up/Trade Down

Each draft has its own character. There are positional strengths and weaknesses. Teams are presented…Read More

Chiefs Mock Draft Challenge

Welcome to this year’s Chiefs mock draft challenge. I love doing this every year and I invite…Read More

Chiefs Draft Needs: Post Free Agency

The flurry of free agent activity for the Chiefs has resulted in a very significant restructuring of…Read More

If It’s A Lie

“Don’t matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war, and now there ain’t…Read More

2012 NFL Mock Draft Primer

Well, it’s mock draft time and hardcore fans will be sending out mocks fast and furious. Every…Read More

The Evolution Of The NFL

Traditionally, NFL teams have had strong and weak sides. Offensively, it started with the positioning…Read More

Draft Tek’s End Of Season Chiefs Draft Needs

Well, Addicts, it’s time for the end of the season draft needs list. As many of you know, I produce…Read More

Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Front Seven Evaluation

Continuing our evaluation of of the Chiefs, we shift focus to the defensive front seven. Along with the…Read More

Breaking Down The KC Chiefs’ Blockers

Now that the season has entered its final quarter and the Chiefs’ playoff hopes are in a coma,…Read More

Will Hubris Doom The Chiefs?

 Along with many Chiefs fans, last Sunday was a gut punch. Losing to the Broncos when they were playing…Read More

Chiefs Mid Season 2011 Draft Class Review

Now that the Chiefs have reached the halfway point, it’s time to take a look at the most recent…Read More

Chiefs Updated Draft Tek 2012 Draft List

Now that the Chiefs have risen from the dead, it’s time to take a tour though the draft needs for…Read More