Resigning Tamba Hali is the no-brainer of the offseason. The guy is our only real playmaker in the front seven and the best player on this defense. I know it’s not Pioli’s style, but I hope the Chiefs shower him with cash, lock him up until his mid-thirties and watch him become a hall-of-famer in red. Then, when we think he’s starting to decline, we’ll trade him to the Raiders for a 1^st round pick a few years down the road so they can replace Richard Seymour. And they’ll still suck.

The other no-brain resign is Brandon Carr. This guy is a star that no one outside the AFC West seems to be talking about. And he can flat out play — a master at the crazy deflection. There were games where he actually looked like the best Brandon on the field (Albert is a distant third). I hope he also gets a payday from the Chiefs, he’s earned it.

Still there’s a guy up for free agency that I think could be surprisingly useful to the Chiefs this year, and one other free agent who won’t be too expensive (nor too crazy like my previous suggestions) and I’d frankly be surprised if he doesn’t end up here.

See my selections after the jump. (more…)

1.) “The players need to ‘give back’ a decent amount of money”:

Basically what Ross suggests, as a former player, is that the 50-50 split be made something like a 53-47 split in the owners’ favor BUT, the caveat is that they have to reinvest that few hundred million into ways of expanding the game (because that was the owners’ lame excuse for needing more money in the first place). The way that is usually done is through ad campaigns, exhibition games abroad and efforts to teach kids worldwide the wonderful game of football.

More after the jump.. (more…)

The Hunt family. Father Lamar is the holder, Clark is the kicker. (dallasnews.com)

Last week I published a letter addressed to Clark Hunt that was written by one of our readers. The letter addressed some of the concerns and frustrations the reader had regarding the current NFL lockout. When I published the letter, I put out a call for more reader submissions on the topic. Since I have been very vocal in my support of the players in the labor negotiations thus far, I particularly asked for a submission from someone who took the opposite side.

One of our rock star readers and commenters, Gjrchief, rose the occasion. Our focus here at AA is to bring you strong opinions and commentary on the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL. We consider everyone’s opinion valid and worth hearing. Thus, here is one you may not have heard as much around here.

Props to Gjrchief for sharing. Excellent work.

-PA

Dear Clark,

It was good to hear from you. I wish it was under better circumstances, but I understand what must be done, and not only do I respect you for what you are doing, I know your father would be proud.

You have lent your presence to the negotiations that will give us back football. It is unfortunate that the players have abandoned the only hope we have for a season by leaving the table. How can we resolve this if they continue to stomp about clasping their hands over their ears like a child in the middle of a toy store, told he cannot have another matchbox car. To remove themselves from the negotiation only delays the resolution of this matter. I appreciate the restrain you have showed in dealing with the players. While other owners have appeared disrespectful to the players, you have conducted your self in the manner of a true professional, something no one seems to be giving you credit for. You are indeed your father’s son.

I must ask you, how would your father have handled this? What would he think of the players who are paid so well, complaining about a deal that was more than fair. I must admit he may be a bit disappointed in you Clark. I believe he would of expected you to lead the owners to make a deal that was more fair. Obviously I mean a deal that put the money back where it belongs, back to the owners who will shape the future of the sport. Back to the owners who grew the game into what it is.

(more…)

"Allllll byyyyyy myyyyseeeeelf"

Take a deep breath Addicts. The NFL Draft is going to happen no matter what but it might not be as fun as it was in year’s past.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, the NFLP is contacting the top college athletes expected to be drafted early in the draft to tell them not to accept invitations from the NFL to attend the draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

This would mean that while NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would walk on to the stage to announce the selected player’s name, the player would not then come out onto the stage to receive his customary generic team jersey and NFL Draft hat. The player would also not be available on site for a media Q&A after being selected.

I’ve attended the draft as media and I can tell you the big reason for media to show up is the presence of the players. The first day of the draft last year was a start studded event featuring a red carpet, a few B-list celebrities and NFL Hall of Famers.

And of course, the players expected to be taken in the first round.

(more…)

According to Jason La Canfora of NFL.com, that date will be April 6^th.

Via Twitter:

JasonLaCanfora Jason La Canfora

According to court documents, preliminary hearing on injunction against NFL lockout set for April 6, 930Am in Minn by judge Susan Nelson.

April 6^th is a Wednesday, which puts the initial hearing date nearly exactly three weeks before the NFL Draft. Depending on how quickly the judge acts (and if she acts in favor of the players) there could be a solid couple of weeks of free agency before the draft, which would give Scott Pioli a chance to fill much needed holes prior to April 28^th.

Let’s hope the judge acts swiftly so the players can get back to the team facility and under the guidance of their coaches. A quick resolution would be particularly helpful to Matt Cassel, who I am sure is anxious to start working with his new QB coach in Jim Zorn.

With the NFL lockout in full effect, all eyes are now on the court in Minnesota where the players, lead by Tom Brady, have filed an injunction asking for relief of the lockout.

If the ruling goes the way of the players, the lockout will be lifted and football would continue, presumably under the same or similar rules used during the 2010 season.

Various sources have been reporting on when the injunction ruling could come down. The earliest we’ve heard a ruling could come is this week.

However, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com is reporting that he is hearing the ruling could come much later.

Schefter, via Twitter:

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter

Being told that a ruling on the injunction to block the NFL’s lockout is more likely to be closer to a month than a week.

I’m not sure how fast things would move once a ruling comes down, however, if the courts block the lockout then free agency could start immediately. A month from today would be the week of April 11-15^th, which is just days before the first round of the NFL Draft which kicks off on Thursday, April 28^th.

We may be in for a boring March but we could be in for one heck of an exciting April should free agency and the draft happen at nearly the same time.

Whether you side with the players or with the owners, you have to be rooting for the players in this one. The sooner the lockout ends the sooner we can start talking about football again.

The team released a statement on KCChiefs.com just about an hour ago.

The Kansas City Chiefs still believe the fastest way to a fair agreement is through the mediation process. While we are disappointed that the union walked away from the clubs’ offer to split the difference and meet them in the middle, we remain confident that we can and will reach a deal that is good for the game.

After a season that began with Monday Night Magic at the grand opening of the New Arrowhead, and culminated in a division championship, we are more focused than ever on improving every area of our team. We know there will be football in the future – and we have already started to plan for the 2011 season. Our football staff is continuing its preparation for the NFL Draft and our business operations staff is using fan feedback to make the Arrowhead experience the best in the NFL.

We have great respect for our fans and our season ticket holders, and are committed to communicating openly and directly with them as we work to reach a long-term agreement with the players that is fair to everyone who loves this game.

My thoughts after the jump.

(more…)

Thrilling. Almost as thrilling as WATCHING FOOTBALL!

I’m going to play some Madden now, drink some coffee and pretend this isn’t happening for a few hours. If you want to catch up on some of the NFL’s BS, check out the following three releases:

NFL transcripts: Commissioner Goodell, Jerry Richardson, John Mara & Jeff Pash

EXCLUSIVE: Summary of NFL proposal to NFLPA

NFL statement on “Decertification”-Litigation-Lockout:

Here is hoping the courts ask swiftly and force the NFL to continue operations under last year’s rules. That is what is expected to happen (though not guaranteed) meaning we could have free agency sometime in the middle of April, just before the draft.

Until then, here is your Morning Fix Lockout Fix!

Clipped from: www.washingtonpost.com (share this clip)

“I’m sad for our fans,” Smith told reporters later. “I’m sad for our players . . . [but] I’m proud of the [players] who have devoted themselves to be leaders.” He said the league’s contention that the union was more interested in litigation than negotiation all along “flies in the face of reason, flies in the face of facts and is simply untrue.”

The threat of a work stoppage brought immediate reaction Friday from fans, bar owners and the gambling industry, among others, who said it would have a huge financial and emotional impact.

From www.washingtonpost.com (share this quote)

(more…)