What the hell am I blabbing about?

Last season, the Chiefs set an all-time NFL record low with 13 sacks. This offseason, they hired a first-time head coach who made his  mark as an offensive coordinator who leaned heavily on his two Pro Bowl receivers. The Chiefs currently only have a borderline No. 1 WR in Dwayne Bowe, and no clear-cut solution when it comes to the No. 2 WR (Bobby Engram will play out of the slot). So, they are going to either pick a pass-rushing specialist or a WR with the No. 3 overall pick, right?

I’d like to think so, but a lot of the so-called experts project us to pick linebacker Aaron Curry out of Wake Forest.

That’s right, a linebacker who isn’t a pass rusher third overall. That kind of player has only been picked in the top five once this decade (A.J. Hawk), and before that there were flops like Kevin Hardy, LaVar Arrington and Quentin Coryatt. Sure, Jerod Mayo worked out last year, but he was picked 10th and many experts still thought he was a reach. Coverage linebackers just don’t hold that kind of value in this league.

If the Chiefs aren’t going to draft the only “can’t miss” superstar in this draft, WR Micheal Crabtree, or the pass rusher with the most potential, Brian Orakpo, I’d like to see us “pull a Minnesota” and allow teams to leapfrog us in the draft order.

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1. Quarterback
2. Left Tackle
3. Pass-rushing Outside Linebacker
4. No. 1 Wide Receiver
5. Nose Tackle
6. Shutdown Cornerback
7. Inside Linebackers
8. No. 2 Wide Receiver
9. Right Tackle
10. Strong Safety
11. Right Defensive End
12. Left Guard
13. Tight End
14. Center
15. Right Guard
16. No. 2 Cornerback
17. Left Defensive End
18. Featured Running Back
19. Coverage Outside Linebacker
20. Free Safety
21. Slot Receiver
22. Nickel Corner
23. Third down/Change-of-pace Running Back
24. Fullback/H-Back
25. No. 4 WR
26. Dime Corner

This chart makes it obvious why I would pick Brian Orakpo (projected 3, but could also play 11) or Michael Crabtree (projected 4) over Eugene Monroe (projected 2, but would be a 9 for us) or Aaron Curry (projected 7 or 19). Pretty difficult exercise, but I am sure the Chiefs have a positional ranking system themselves. I even had inside linebacker higher than I originally wanted to rank it due to some comments from coaches about the 3-4.

Addicts, how would you rank the positions?

Torture Rack – The rack is commonly considered the most painful form of medieval torture.

This method was mostly used to extract confessions, as not confessing meant that the torturer could stretch more. Sometimes, torturers forced their victim to watch other people be tortured with this device to implant psychological fear.

Sometimes this method was limited to dislocating a few bones, but the torturer often went too far and rendered the legs or arms (sometimes both) useless. – Medievality.com

Now that the Chiefs have imported both Matt Cassel and Todd Haley, they’re married to their passing game. The Chiefs’ success now hinges on the success of their aerial attack. The good news is the NFL is increasingly becoming more and more of a passing league. Which is precisely why I think the Chiefs could go “all in” and select wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who’s the best prospect in this draft class if you ask me.

Crabtree is my option 1A when it comes to the Chiefs’ No. 3 pick in April’s draft.

My option 1B? DE/OLB Brian Orakpo.

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I’ve tried to wrap my brain around it, but…I just can’t. I can’t. It. Doesn’t. Make. Any. Sense. None whatsoever.

Look, linebackers who primarily rack up tackles and drop back into coverage just aren’t worthy of a top-three pick. Don’t believe me? Well, NFL general managers side with me. They have decided that the position isn’t as crucial as say quarterback, offensive tackle and, yes, wide receiver. That’s why the only player of this description to be picked in the past decade is LaVar Arrington. More on that from Walter Football:

The only linebacker chosen in the top three since 1998 was LaVarr Arrington in 2000. And it has to be noted that the man who took Arrington was none other than Daniel Snyder — an owner with a horrendous track record when making NFL personnel decisions…

Now, is Curry a better prospect than DeMarcus Ware, LaVarr Arrington, A.J. Hawk and Brian Urlacher? According to the Detroit-Curry speculation, some think so. Curry’s weight-40 combo rank up there with that of Arrington, Urlacher, Hawk and Ware, yet only one of those guys cracked the top three…

I’m not saying Curry is going to be a bust. I’m just pointing out that NFL front offices have since realized that linebacker isn’t one of the most valuable positions.

The reason a linebacker hasn’t been chosen first overall since 1988 is because NFL general managers and scouts have become wiser as the draft process has evolved.

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Sometimes you have to go to great lengths to make sure a message registers, I suppose. Following up on that message, here’s a quote I heard today from Mel Kiper that I couldn’t agree with more:

This notion that you are going to find Tom Brady or Matt Cassel late — good luck. That’s catching lightening in a bottle.

Even for Scott Pioli, the football executive who helped discover those two quarterbacks, the odds against him pulling that off again are astronomical. 10:1 at best, I’d say, if not 50:1. Besides, we think Pioli discovered these guys, but who really knows what went down behind closed doors. It could have been all Pioli. It could have been all Bill Belichick. It could have all been some maestro of a quarterback scout we’re paying no attention to.

We’re rebuilding our franchise. Period. Anyone who argues that is stuck in a state of denial. Any rebuilding effort that’s worth a damn in the NFL starts with a QB.

I keep hearing this “defense wins championships” stuff ad nauseum. Well, if that’s true, then why was it the Steelers’ offense who bailed out its defense in the Big Game? If that’s true, then why have the past four Super Bowl winners been led by a first-round quarterback? If that’s true, then why have the past three Super Bowl winners featured at least one former first-round wide receiver (the Colts had two)?

All of those points are important ones to keep in mind. But the most important one is the first-round quarterback point. Defense wins championships? Maybe, but first-round and franchise quarterbacks definitely win championships.

Over the past six years, you have three first-round quarterbacks and possibly a guy who’s on his way to becoming the best QB of all time, Tom Brady. With the recent rule changes that benefit receivers and in an indirect way QBs (You know, the rule changes that were a direct result of that Colts-Patriots game where Ty Law was reenacting The Deliverance “squeal like a pig scene” on Marvin Harrison), quarterbacks have never been more valuable than they are today. NFL players are also just so big, fast, strong and physical nowadays that the NFL feature back is becoming a dinosaur. A dodo bird. A Siberian tiger. It’s almost an extinct breed, folks. I’ve just figured that out in the past year. The NFL is a passing league now.

The aforementioned reasons are why I believe that we aren’t destined to see another Trent Dilfer any time soon.

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The Kansas City Chiefs are entering one of the most important drafts in franchise history.  After coming off a solid draft in 2008, the Chiefs must continue to build off of last year’s draft to generate a solid contending team for years to come.  The only way this can be done is to address the major needs of our beloved red and gold.   In this post, I will be ranking our major draft needs; 1 being a non-need and 10 being a desperate need.

Quarterback: -10

Sure Tyler Thigpen showed potential in 2008.  I don’t want to throw him under the bus or anything, but who knows what is going to happen when we get a new coach and if he will want to stick with this spread offense.  If our new coach does not want to go with the spread, can Tyler be an effective under-the-center type quarterback?  The Chiefs can not afford to wait if Tyler doesn’t pan out.  Damon Huard is more than likely gone and lord knows that we can’t rely on Brodie Croyle.  We must pick up a QB in this draft but none of the quarterbacks coming out of the draft seem to be worthy of a 3rd overall pick in my opinion.  I say we pick up a QB in the later rounds.  Here are some who should be available after the first round.

• Graham Harrell, Texas Tech - In 2008 Harrell threw for 5,100 yards, 45 touchdowns and posted a quarterback rating of 160.04.  I know that he is definitely a product of a system but his stats are still outstanding.  Although he does not have the frame of most NFL QB’s, he has good fundamentals to become a solid NFL player.  Great arm, good accuracy, durable, shows poise in the pocket and has great football intelligence.  I see Graham Harrell more as a developmental type player but he definitely has potential.

• Josh Freeman, Kansas State - Standing at 6’5″, 238 pounds Freeman has great size for the NFL.  I personally think Josh Freeman is overrated but a lot of people like him and he is rated high on many peoples boards for QB’s in the 2009 draft, so I thought I would list him.  He has great size and a cannon arm but I question his decision making frequently, especially in clutch situations.

• Nate Davis, Ball State - I think Nate Davis would be a solid pick on the 2nd day of the draft.  He threw for 9,233 yards and 74 touchdowns in 3 years at Ball State.  He seems to be a more NFL ready quarterback and I think he wouldn’t take as long to develop as a Graham Harrell.  Davis has great smarts and plays well under pressure.  If we can get him on the second day of the draft I say we take him.

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#	Team		Pick
1		Detroit Lions (0-16)	QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma - The Lions have to find a signal caller that doesn’t walk out of the endzone. If Bradford comes out look for the Lions to jump on him.
2		St. Louis Rams (2-14)	OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss – Some people like Smith better, but the Rams need a guy that can replace Orlando Pace and I have a feeling Pace might call it
3		Kansas City Chiefs (2-14)	DE Brian Orakpo, Texas – Lets face it Chiefs fans, we set the record for the least amount of sacks in a single season. Unless we sign a big name defensive end FA, I think we have to get a pass rusher. Other options: OL, QB, LB, and Crabtree.
4		Seattle Seahawks (4-12)	WR Michael Crabtree, T-Tech – I know right now he is saying he is coming back, but I don’t believe it. The Seahawks can bring in the biggest playmaker in the draft.
5		Cleveland Browns (4-12)	DE Michael Johnson, G-Tech – The Browns need serious help everywhere on defense and with McGinest deciding to retire they need a pass rusher.. The offense should be back after an injury ridden season.
6		Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)	OT Andre Smith, Alabama – The Bengals get a get what most believe is the best OT in the draft, but his latest suspension could cost him a few slots.
7		Oakland Raiders (5-11)	S Taylor Mays, USC – Al Davis will be in control of this pick and he loves sexy. Taylor Mays is going to be a “sexy” pick. (Did I just say that?)
8		Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)	CB Malcom Jenkins, Ohio St. – The Jags are one of the worst teams against the pass, but they also could use some help at OL and WR.
9		Green Bay Packers (6-10)	DE Greg Hardy, Ole Miss – The Packers had a rough year rushing the QB, which really exposed their aging corners.
10		San Francisco 49ers (7-9)	QB Matt Stafford, Georgia - The 49ers are desperate to find a QB because their crop of QBs haven’t exactly panned out. Stafford drops a little and its good news for the Niners.
11		Buffalo Bills (7-9)	DE Everette Brown, FSU – The Bills could use another pass rusher, especially Aaron Schobel can’t comeback to be the same guy.
12		Denver Broncos (8-8)	LB Rey Maualuga, USC – This is not good news for the Chiefs. Since the Broncos got bounced from the playoffs they get somewhat of a reward for missing out.
13		Washington Redskins (8-8)	OT Eugene Monroe, V-Tech – The Redskins need to protect Jason Campbell more and Monroe will be a nice guy to add to the line. This pick will make even more sense if Jansen is let go.
14		New Orleans Saints (8-8)	LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest - The Saints need help on defense and they could potentially get the best LB in the draft at 14. Curry can play either inside or outside LB.
15		Houston Texans (8-8)	WR Percy Harvin, Florida – The Texans offense could use another playmaker like Harvin. Add him to Schaub, AJ, Daniels, Slaton, and Walters this could be a scary offense.
16		San Diego Chargers (8-8)	LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio St. – The Chargers have been woeful against the run and the pass compared to previous seasons. Laurinaitis will help sure up a defense that struggled in ’08.
17		New York Jets (9-7)	CB Vontae Davis, Illinois – The Jets could use a little bit everywhere on defense. Davis I believe is the best player on the board so why not grab him?
18		Chicago Bears (9-7)	WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri – Can you imagine having Hester and Maclin on both sides of your offense. Maclin is a better true WR, but Hester is developing his skills. (If Harvin and Maclin are available I see them taking Harvey)
19		Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)	RB Chris Wells, Ohio St. – Gruden loves running backs and Wells is the best on the board. Cadilliac’s career could be over and Graham is coming back from injury.
20		Detroit Lions (9-7, Pick via Cowboys)	OT Ciron Black, LSU – The Lions will need to keep adding to their defensive line if they pick a QB first.
21		Arizona Cardinals (9-7)	C Alex Mack, Cal – The Cardinals could benefit from adding another top OL. Mack will be a great center for years to come and help the Cardinals running game.
22		Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1)	OT Eben Britton, Arizona - Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan could possibly be free-agents the Eagles will need an OT. I see maybe one re-signing, but not both.
23		Minnesota Vikings (10-6)	CB Victor Harris, V-Tech – The Vikings need help in their secondary and Harris could be an immediate impact.
24		New England Patriots (11-6)	CB Trevard Lindley, Kentucky – The Patriots missed Asante Samuel this year and they need to address their secondary problems. They could also look at William Moore.
25		Atlanta Falcons (11-5)	DT Terrrance Tyler, Michigan – The Eagles are ranked last in playoff teams against the run. They have been great in December, but you can never have to many DTs.
26		Miami Dolphins (11-5)	CB DJ Moore, Vanderbilt – The Dolphins secondary have struggled all season long. I think they could look for a WR or LB later in the draft, but they need to adress their secondary first.
27		Baltimore Ravens (11-5)	DE George Selvie, South Florida – The Ravens might have to replace Suggs and Selvie is a guy that could potentially do that.
28		Indianapolis Colts 12-4)	DT Al Woods, LSU – The Colts could use some extra beef on their DL and Woods can bring that to them.
29		Philadelphia Eagles (12-4; Pick via Panthers)	WR Derrius Heyward Bey, Maryland – Jackson was a nice addition to the Eagles offense, but I don’t believe he could ever be a #1 WR. Thats why the Eagles need to bring a big target for McNabb or whoever.
30		Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)	OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma - There is a reason why Big Ben is more beat up this year than any of his previous seasons. Faneca is not there and the line has gotten worse.
31		New York Giants (12-4)	DE/OLB Clint Sintim, Virgina – The Giants need help on their defensive line which has gotten very tired towards the end of the season. Plus they could move Sintim around.
32		Tennessee Titans (13-3)	DT BJ Raji, Boston College – The Titans might have to consider losing Haynesworth to free agency, but even if he stays addind Raji will make this defense even better.

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