It has been several years since so much was at stake for the Kansas City Chiefs in a single offseason.

For now, we are the worst team in the league.

We have no credible starting quarterback.

Three of our best players are not under contract.

And we have no idea what our front office is thinking right now.

Like most rabid Chiefs fans, I think that both new Head Coach Andy Read and General Manager John Dorsey were good hires and I want to believe they will make the best possible decisions in this pivotal offseason.

However, the Pioli regime left my heart and soul battered and, like a chronically abused spouse, I’m a basket case struggling to trust. Add to this that we are at the height of the NFL misinformation season, where GM’s go out of their way to confuse and manipulate the agents and other teams to lower contract offers and juke out opponents. Unfortunately for us shell-shocked fans, the tactics work on us too.

We don’t know what to think.

By the end of the day, if reports are to be believed, it may be announced that the Chiefs have secured a deal to trade for San Francisco QB Alex Smith. Then again, we may end up trading for Eagles QB Nick Foles once the league years starts on March 12, and apparently talks are already running for that.

Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, we have been told both that the team is working to re-sign LT Brandon Albert and that is also is high on LT draft prospect Luke Joeckel. Dorsey has come out poo-pooing the QB class, while it appears to be a consensus that Geno Smith solidified his status as a top 10 pick with his performance at the Combine.

We have yet to use the franchise tag, which will allow us to lock up Albert, WR Dwayne Bowe or P Dustin Colquitt.

I wish I had some insight into what is going to happen with this team, but the truth is that no one outside of a very small club within the Chiefs’ front office has any idea.

Here’s what I think I think:

I will be disappointed if Alex Smith becomes our “answer” at quarterback. He’s been productive in his last two seasons under Jim Harbaugh, but was a disaster for the franchise for years before that. While he was ranked 7^th in overall QBR for his 10 games in 2012, the three years before that he was rated thusly, 2011: 45.8, 2010: 40.1, 2009: 40.2. By comparison, Blaine Gabbert’s QBR in 2012 was 40.9. Christian Ponder’s was 53.8.

Still, I don’t want to be misunderstood. I’m not necessarily against acquiring Alex Smith if the compensation is reasonable. I am whole-heartedly against trading for him and thinking we’re set at the position. The fact is that we need three quarterbacks. Cassel could possibly restructure for a less egregious cap number this year, but I feel like a clean break would be best for both player and team. Brady Quinn is a free agent and good riddance. Ricky Stanzi and Alex Tanney haven’t shown us anything and probably only have the upside to become backups even if they develop.

In a perfect world, we could acquire either Smith or Foles and still draft Geno. Alex can hold down the fort for a season or two while Geno works on the “inconsistencies” all the scouts have been talking about and Foles could also compete with Geno long-term as an option with upside.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

However, if what we end up with is San Fran’s average-to-above-average castaway and a replacement for Brandon Albert who’s unproven in the NFL for the 1^st overall pick and, say, a 3^rd of 4^th this year, it will be hard to deem this offseason a success.

Alex Smith is just 28 and maybe his best football is ahead of him. Then again, maybe he is nothing more than a system quarterback who benefited from great coaching and a strong team around him that plays both solid defense and hosts a running game that averaged 155.7 yards per game (4^th in the league in 2012).

Maybe his best football is behind him. Cassel’s 2008 QBR rating with the New England Patriots was 63.1 – 11^th in the league and comparable to Smith’s 70.1 rating this year.

On either side of Smith in the QBR rankings this year are rookies RGIII (71.4) and Russell Wilson (69.6).

It was pretty clear that RGIII was going to be a superstar this year, but that didn’t stop the Redskins from hedging their bets and picking up Kirk Cousins as well to develop along side him.

As we all know, Wilson was believed to have limitations in his game and the Seahawks got him for a song in the 3^rd round. Even then he was considered to be a reach. They also gave a big contract to Matt Flynn and had Tavaris Jackson on their roster when the training camp began last year and I don’t think they are kicking themselves.

Like I said, I am only going to be upset with Alex Smith if the Chiefs bring him in on a chariot as the sole answer to our QB woes. We need multiple options for the future. How we go about getting them will define this team for years. There are several cards to play and we can’t see Dorsey’s hand.

So, as much as it’s killing us, all we can do is wait.

The last week has certainly thrown our QB draft predictions through a loop.

The first shoe to drop was Michael Vick, who signed a new three-year contract “that’s really a one-year deal” according to USA Today worth up to $10 million last Monday. He was already under contract but his restructured deal all but ended speculation that he might be a cap casualty and hit the open market. This leaves just Alex Smith and Matt Flynn as starting-caliber QB’s who could be cut or traded by their current teams.

Then, over the weekend, Dorsey heavily criticized this year’s incoming quarterback draft class, citing “so many inconsistencies” and “too many technical flaws, scheme flaws” among this year’s crop.

Like Paddy, I struggle to understand the purpose of these statements except that maybe he’s hoping to find a trade partner who is enamored with either DT Star Lotulelei or LT Luke Joeckel (the consensus top prospects at the moment) and is willing to hopscotch up to the Chiefs’ spot to guarantee not missing out on one of them. Then again, it’s February and GM’s are usually the last person you can trust leading up to the draft. On the other hand, when you hold the first pick, you don’t really need to juke out anyone.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

A few days before his statements came reports that the Chiefs were interested in trading for Eagles QB Nick Foles. It remains unclear if these reports or credible or just idle speculation that Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid would be interested in taking the quarterback he drafted last year and started in the final seven games of the season. One way or the other, with the Chiefs QB options narrowing, it is certainly worth considering whether the team should make a play for Foles and what he would be worth.

In my opinion, Foles is worth at least the Chiefs’ 3^rd-round pick. Here’s why:

His overall stats for his rookie season were unimpressive: 1-7 record, 60.8% completion percentage for 6.41 yards per completion, 6 touchdowns, 5 interceptions. But, it’s important to see how he progressed. In his last four games last year he was 5 TD’s, 2 INTs for 1,152 yards (a 289.25 per-game average).

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Consider also that he was never supposed to see the field in 2012. He was widely regarded as a guy who would need a lot of development to be ready to play in the NFL.

Furthermore, he was able to put in respectable performances for the Eagles during the home stretch of a season that was a slow motion implosion. Our very own Andy Reid was a lame duck in Week 3. The defense was a sieve, allowing a 27.8 per game (3^rd-worst in the league). Two coaches were fired mid-season. The offensive line was a disaster, allowing a league-high 118 QB hits, and 48 sacks. Only four teams allowed more.

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

In some ways, none of this was new to him. He played college ball at Arizona, a middling team in the PAC-12 that played poor defense and only got to one bowl game during his stint there. Their head coach was fired after his junior season.

Nonetheless, Foles was a highly ranked prospect in the 2012 Draft because he possesses the prototypical qualities of a successful quarterback – 6’5” with a big arm and knack for dropping bombs in his receivers’ breadbaskets. In his final season for the Wildcats, he gained 4,334 yards with 28 TD’s and 14 INT’s. He was ranked CBS Sports’ 48^th overall prospect and was expected to go in the mid-to-late 2^nd round. (For a total breakdown of his college work, check out Ladner’s post on the subject from last year).

In fact, the only reason he fell so far was likely because last year’s draft class was so much richer than this year’s and there had already been a feeding frenzy on signal callers. Six quarterbacks were taken ahead of Foles — Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, Russell Wilson. All but one of those guys started this year and proved that they could be productive players. After Foles, Kirk Cousins and Ryan Lindley were selected and also ended up playing for their respective teams. So, while the Eagles may have gotten him for just a 3^rd, that was a steal. Luckily for us, Pioli grabbed a backup lineman instead.

So what is he worth?

For the record, I should reiterate that I continue to believe that the Chiefs’ best course of action is to franchise LT Brandon Albert, re-sign WR Dwayne Bowe and grab the top quarterback prospect (Geno Smith) with our first overall pick. We can pick up some serviceable veterans and depth players to plug in the rest of our holes with free agency and the lower-rungs of the draft.

But, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a case for grabbing Nick Foles.

With his youth, upside and NFL experience, I think Foles would easily be one of the top three quarterback prospects if he was magically inserted into the 2013 draft. His tape reminds me a lot of Tyler Wilson and Mike Glennon and it’s possible that both of those guys will go in the first round. I can’t fathom either of them falling out of the 2^nd.

So, Nick Foles’ former draft position doesn’t matter much when talking about draft compensation this year. In fact, given that he showed the ability to be productive at this level automatically means that he is worth more than the 88^th overall pick, where he was chosen. Therefore, the Eagles are right to expect more in return.

If we’re talking about equitable compensation I think the conversation starts at the Chiefs’ 3^rd-round pick, which, as Ladner pointed out, is really a late 2^nd-round pick because the Saints and Browns have no 2^nd-rounders this year. We will still probably get a late-3^rd compensatory pick, so the sacrifice isn’t devastating. But, I don’t think the Chiefs should go as high as our #34 selection this year, simply because we need to get value with that pick this year (especially if we are going to “reach” at #1). But, I think it makes perfect sense to offer conditional 2014 picks and maybe even 2015 picks based on Foles’ performance.

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

A possible deal could look like this – a 3^rd or 4^th this year and a 6^th next year that could increase to a 4^th, 3^rd, or even 2^nd-round pick in 2014 if he starts for us and takes us to the playoffs. Generally, a pick next year is considered the equivalent of a pick in the current year minus one round. In other words, a 3^rd-rounder next year is worth a 4^th-rounder this year in terms of draft capital.

With this kind of a deal, worst case scenario is that we give up one of our top-100 picks this year and not much else for a starting-quality backup, who is better than any QB we currently have on the roster, who is 24 and who has a ton of upside. He totally outplayed Brandon Weeden last year, who was taken in the 1^st round and is five years older.

If Foles starts for us and we do well with him in 2013, we won’t care that we lost our (late) 2^nd or 3^rd-round pick next year to get him.

Furthermore, Philadelphia may not be so determined to fetch such a high price. While they have said that they would need to be “blown away” by an offer, they have a new regime and are looking for a different type of quarterback. By re-signing Michael Vick and picking up QB Dennis Dixon, who Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly coached in Oregon, they are showing they want a guy who is mobile and can keep up with Kelly’s offense. Slow feet is one of Foles’ greatest weaknesses. He is the black sheep on the roster. So, while they see value in him, that doesn’t mean they’re in love.

While I know it would be groan-inducing for most Chiefs fans, trading for Foles may also be the team’s best way to get one of the most objectively talented prospects in the 2013 Draft plus a possible quarterback of the future. I’ve been on the record as saying that it would be a mistake for the Chiefs to bypass Geno for Lotulelei or Joeckel, but adding Foles to our shopping bag as a 3^rd round pick changes things a bit.

If Dorsey truly is averse to grabbing the top QB in 2013, I think the best consolation prize we are going to find is Nick Foles.

Jan 24, 2013; Fairhope AL, USA; Senior Bowl north squad quarterback Ryan Nassib of Syracuse (12) passes during Senior Bowl practice at Fairhope municipal stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Former Cleveland Browns college scout and scouting administrator for the St. Louis Rams, Russell Lande, made some news in the Kansas City market when he tweeted that there was one quarterback worth taking with the first overall pick and then followed it up with an article for the National Football Post declaring that it was …. Ryan Nassib?

The only reason I knew who this guy was is because of the bowl game in which he played against Geno Smith, which was who I was watching for. But Lande is a MUCH better football mind than myself, and about 99% of the people reading this article, so let’s take a look at what he had to say:

“1. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse (6020, 228 and 5.05): Already rising up draft boards, NFL personnel are excited to see Nassib matched up with the best senior talent in the country. Quick and athletic to avoid pressure, re-set and make accurate throws, Nassib has NFL teams intrigued. After charting out Nassib in five games we consider him to be the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft and worth drafting with the first overall pick, so we are excited to see how he does in Mobile. Blessed with a strong arm, the ball bursts out of his hand and he can make 15+ yard throws with zip even when a defender is about to hit him and he cannot stride into his throw. Having played in the Big East where the defenses are not the same caliber as the SEC and some of the other conferences, NFL teams are interested to see how he does against top defenders. The big thing that Nassib must work on is his deep passing as he tends to put too much air under his throws which forces his receivers to slow up and wait for the ball. This allows the defensive back to close and make a play on the ball. He could be the story of Mobile if he has a strong week and begins climbing up into the high first round.”

Let’s just say this came as a surprise to me, and a lot of other Chiefs fans. The first I had heard of Nassib possibly creeping into the first round was from Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, when he mocked Nassib to the Buffalo Bills with the 8^th pick in the draft. His justification:

“New Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone comes from Syracuse, where he mentored and coached Nassib. It’s common sense to think the two would like to be reunited in Buffalo, but the mistake people make is in thinking the Bills can wait until the second round to nab one of the hottest rising names in the entire draft class.

We can all agree that quarterback is the biggest need for this team—so why not pull the trigger on the guy you know, love and trust? This may be a reach, but on my rankings, it’s no bigger reach than drafting Ryan Tannehill No. 8 overall last year.”

The frustrating part about Nassib is that hardly anyone can agree on him. Miller followed up mocking Nassib to Buffalo at #8 with putting him as his 38^th best player on a big board. Even Lande’s justification about the Chiefs taking Nassib wasn’t that clear: “In 1999 Andy Reid drafted Syracuse QB D. McNabb with the #2 pick in the Draft & had great success with him, so in the 2013 NFL Draft I think Andy Reid will draft another Syracuse QB, R. Nassib, but this time with the 1^st overall pick to lead the Chiefs!”

So, Nassib might go first overall because Andy Reid – who is not the General Manager by the way – wants to somehow come full-circle and take Nassib because he was successful taking his predecessor 14 years ago from the same school? Or is it because Lande truly believes Nassib is the best QB on the board?

While Nassib could very well skyrocket to the top of the draft board after a strong Senior Bowl and combine – Scott Wright from Draft Countdown said he was better than any of the quarterbacks on the South Team  while Mike Mayock of NFL Network compared him to Andy Dalton because of his “intelligence and love of the game”– I’d still consider most fans at that getting-to-know-you stage. So let’s take a look at Nassib’s numbers throughout his career.

Nassib was a three year starter with the Orange, going 755/1255 (60.2%) for 8,768 yards, with 67 TDs and 27 INTs. That translates to a touchdown pass every 18.7 pass attempts and an interception every 46.5 pass attempts. Just for some perspective, WVU’s Geno Smith threw a touchdown every 14.6 pass attempts and an interception every 69.4 pass attempts on his career. For even more perspective, Matt Cassel’s career featured a touchdown every 26.9 pass attempts and an interception every 35.9 pass attempts.

As far as Nassib’s senior season is concerned, the Orange finished the year 8-5 as Nassib was 294/471 (62.4%) for 3,749 yards, 26 TDs and 10 INTs. He had a 7.96 yards per attempt average, and had a 143.3 QB Rating, good for the 35^th highest passing efficiency in college football – but also below Geno Smith (6^th), Matt Barkley (12^th), EJ Manuel (14^th), Tyler Bray (29^th), Landry Jones (31^st), and Tyler Wilson (34^th). For the season, his numbers break down as 288.38 yards, 2 TDs and .77 INTs per game.

During the season, Nassib had two games in which he had less than a 60% completion percentage – at Rutgers (59.5%) and at Temple (57.1%) – and also had two games in which he had less than a 50% completion percentage – at Cincinnati (48.9%) and in the Pinstripe Bowl (47.8%). With the exception of the Rutgers game, three of those games, including the two under 50%, happened in the final five games of the season. In the other nine games, Nassib’s completion percentage was 66%.

When you break Nassib’s performance down to his competition, Nassib played five games against teams with top-33 defenses – Connecticut (9^th), Rutgers (10^th), Pittsburgh (17^th), Louisville (23^rd), and Minnesota (33^rd) – , five defenses between 34-65 in total defense – Northwestern (47^th), Cincinnati (54^th), Mizzou (58^th), USC (60^th), and South Florida (65^th) -, and then two with awful defenses – Temple (90^th) and West Virginia (108^th) in total defense (and no, I’m not counting Stony Brook).

Against top-33 defense, Nassib was 94/146 (64.4%) for 1,266 yards, 7 TDs and 5 INTs; that averages out as 253.2 yards, a 8.7 yards per attempt, 1.4 TDs and 1 INT per game. He went 3-2 in those games. In the next tier of competition, Nassib was 151/239 (63.2%) for 1,803 yards, with 13 TDs and 4 INTs; that averages as 360.6 passing yards, a 7.54 YPA, 2.6 TDs and .8 INTs.  He was 2-3 in those games. Finally, against the bottom defenses, Nassib was 27/51 (53%) for 345 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT. That comes to 172.5 yards per game, a 6.76 YPA, with 1.5 TDs and .5 INT.

Numbers never tell the whole story, but maybe they will help you understand why Nassib’s draft stock seems to polarizing. He did his best against better competition and struggled against weak competition. But hey, since when is that a bad thing? If Nassib is the guy, and proves to be so during his path to the draft, then so be it. Until then, I’ll just sit back, watch the Senior Bowl this afternoon, and see what the guy’s got.

A friend of mine was at a panel discussion recently where a few NFL players were around to answer questions from fans. My friend asked Rams RB Steven Jackson what his philosophy is when it comes to hitting his teammates in training camp. Without hesitation he said, “They ain’t my teammates until week one.”

Patriots T Nate Solder was also there and continued the thought, “If you don’t go full steam, someone will take your job.”

Those two quotes perfectly reflect what training camp is all about. Together, they capture the kill-or-be-killed mentality that is in these players’ minds, even as they’re beating up on guys they are sharing a locker room, possibly a dorm room and several meals with. For now.

A few players are safe, a few others can probably count on remaining on the roster at least, but most of 90 men at St. Joe’s have to fight. For the bottom 68, these next few weeks will be their best chance to prove their worth. For the bottom 45, this will likely be their only chance – 37 will be cut and the best eight will receive practice-squad offers.

Although this keeps them on the team, it all but ensures that they will have no shot of playing this season unless there is a catastrophic series of injures at their position. They will spend every practice this season trying to quickly learn a few plays and formations that the Chiefs’ opponents run that week, and will be trying to emulate those for the starters’ benefit. They will not spend time learning the Chiefs playbooks or breaking down game film. They will essentially be human tackle bags.

The preseason is a strange time because of this dynamic. On one hand, it’s the first glimpse of football us crazed fans have seen since the first week of February. On the other hand, it’s not real football.

When the starters are on the field, they are essentially testing their chemistry and trying not to get hurt. When the backups come on, it’s like some sort of disorganized Thunderdome.

From the fan perspective, it’s great because it’s the only chance we get to see our depth players in action. From the starter’s perspective, it’s awful because they get little pay and no glory for essentially the same risk of injury. For those fighting for a roster spot, it is the Coliseum.

I say all of this as a drawn out preface to everything else I am going to be talking about for the rest of the preseason. We have to understand that everything we see from backup and auditioning players in preseason games is like a peek into bizarro world. You can’t take it for face value, particularly at the quarterback position. Opposing backup DB’s are bad, but the 2^nd and 3^rd-string O-lines are just as bad. QB’s both have to dance around behind comically dysfunctional blocking while throwing to receivers slicing through similarly discombobulated coverage.

Nonetheless, through this crystal ball we must look to determine whether or not we think these players are worthy of the NFL – a league where the gameplay is totally different than this preseason silliness.

I looked back at all of Rickie Stanzi’s 2011 snaps to see how he did in preseason bizarro world. Overall, he did not bad – especially considering the truncated offseason programs. But, if he is going to beat out Brady Quinn and put some heat on Matt Cassel, he is going to have to improve quite a bit.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Pre-Snap, Pocket Presence

Stanzi was a known for his quickness at Iowa, and routinely made great throws off of scrambles and bootlegs. Posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.93 at the Combine isn’t bad for a QB, but that doesn’t qualify as speed in the NFL. In both the 2011 preseason film I watched from him and the reports I’ve seen so far from 2012 training camp, Stanzi has been off target on the run. At this level, DB’s are simply able to keep up with receivers, even if the QB extends the play. If he is going to continue to make this a key part of his game, he has to get a lot better at it.

He also had trouble sensing the rush last preseason – he either panicked and got rid of the ball unnecessarily or held it too long. In his defense, our backup O-linemen played awful.

He also seemed to be in over his head in making pre-snap adjustments. Cordell at The Film Room (a must-follow for you Twitter people out there) said, “Thing I liked about #Chiefs Tyler Palko was pre-snap…in preseason rarely ran a bad play…Stanzi was opposite, plays routinely blown up.” That’s right, when you’re being negatively compared to Palko, we have a problem.

But, that is what I often heard last year – that Palko was more confident and comfortable running the offense and making good decisions. Therefore, he started over Ricky. Still, the fact that Palko couldn’t throw a ball accurately more than seven yards should have also come into play in that assessment.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Technique

I’m not QB expert, but I saw Stanzi several times making the type of weird side-armed throws that Brett Farve and Tony Romo are known for. If you can be accurate with them, then it’s no problem. But, usually it is one of those college habits that needs to be unlearned as the player adjusts to exponentially better defenders.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Decision-Making, Throw Power

Against the Rams last year, Stanzi really put it together. Granted, St. Louis had one of the worst defenses on the NFL last year and Stanzi was playing their backups. Still, he showed poise and good decision-making. Although he definitely made some bad reads in the game, he diagnosed some good throws and executed them quickly. He relied heavily on TE’s and receivers going down the middle. My real concern was his arm strength, however. He took a couple of shots with long bombs, but both were lobbed as if they’d been fired from a mortar. When I looked back at his college tape, I saw much the same thing. All of his deep balls seemed to be from extremely high arcs. Furthermore, he threw a few balls that were a bit wobbly even on intermediate routes.

This to me means that he has roughly the same physical ceiling as Matt Cassel, which means he’s automatically out of the elite range of NFL QB’s even if develops all his other skills. However, if he can get better at all of the other things, there’s no reason he can’t be a very productive quarterback in this league. If he can outplay Quinn and Cassel with good, quick decision-making and accurate passing, we may even see him on the field this season. With big receivers and a run game that sets up play action well, he may not need to fire lasers deep.

What’s more, if he can get really good and fast at the short throws, he has a chance to be successful in the same way that Kurt Warner was able to be in his comeback as a Cardinal. This would mean that Stanzi will have to act and think like a veteran quick, but it’s certainly not impossible.

Either way, there are few players that I am more interested to see out there on the field for this round of bizarro world football than Ricky Stanzi.

On Day Three of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs had five picks.  Anyone chosen on this day should, generally, be considered a developmental prospect.  So let’s take a look at what talent the Chiefs have to develop.

The Chiefs’ fourth round pick of defensive back Jalil Brown may not have been an exciting pick, but is a move that could show instant rewards in the coming season.  The NFL is a passing league and a team can never have enough quality DBs.  Brown adds depth not only at cornerback but also at the safety position.  This versatility is quite possibly one of the reasons the Chiefs drafted him since it is a Scott Pioli Draft buzzword.
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Arrowhead Addict is currently working on a Chiefs Ultimate Mock Draft, but that doesn’t mean the Draft Thursday Mock machine stops.  We are a mere three weeks away from the NFL Draft so Merlin, Andrew, and I felt the need to sneak one more seven round mock draft in before the big day.  Without further ado, here is my mock.
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Few positions evoke as much interest as quarterback when it comes to the NFL Draft.  With the NFL becoming a pass first league, it is no wonder that QBs have become so important.  In fact, perhaps the easiest way to see which teams are still looking for a franchise QB is to look at the teams picking early in the first round.  All told you could make a case that about 1/3 of the NFL is still looking for their QB.

Fortunately for the Chiefs, they have already found their guy.  Matt Cassel is not another Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but he did come in and steady the QB position.  My guess is that he will be the Chiefs QB for at least 5 more years.  So get used to him.

I freely admit that I went into the 2010 season with grave reservations about Cassel.  The way he started the season didn’t allay those concerns.  However, he had some good games and has earned the starting QB job for the Chiefs.  Now we just need to give him some guys to catch the ball.  But wide receiver is not the topic for this preview, it is quarterback.

The reason for this is twofold.  The first reason is that Chiefs’ backup QB Brodie Croyle looked miserable in the one game he played in 2010.  If he is a bad backup and has stopped progressing then it is time to cut him loose.  This means that the Chiefs will be looking for a new backup QB.  That is why I am previewing the quarterback position.
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I watched every minute of NFL Network’s Scouting Combine coverage.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t as entertaining as I usually find it.  I think that has to do with the dark cloud of labor negotiations hanging over everything NFL related right now.  Even though we are mere hours away from an ominous deadline, I don’t want to focus on that.  Still high on NFL Network anchor Rich Eisen setting a new personal best in the 40-yard dash, I want to talk about players performances at the Combine.

Let’s start by quickly mentioning the players I said I was going to watch closely from the start.  Center Stefen Wisniewski was at the Combine.  He didn’t standout and other than hearing that he would like to play for the Oakland Raiders (which is a strike against him) I heard nothing else.  This concerns me because if you have first round pick value there should be a bit of buzz around you.  I was also curious that he ran none of the position drills hiking the ball like a player trying to be a center in the NFL should. At this point I’m looking for a new 1^st round pick for my post Combine mock draft.
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Now that the 2010 NFL Season has concluded, it is time to focus on the offseason.  Unfortunately, this offseason will be marred by concern over NFL Labor negotiations.  However, since I can’t go up to each negotiator, slap their face, and tell them to get the deal done; I’ll have to find something else to keep myself busy.  Since the draft is a sure thing with or without a new CBA, I figured I would focus on that.

Before reading this I need you to understand three things.  The first is that I am doing this based on the idea of no free agency.  Second, I am pretending that I’m sitting in the General Manager’s seat.  I am not pretending that I am Scott Pioli.  However, it should be known that he and I share our like for smart, high character guys.  Third is that these choices will change many times before the actual draft occurs.  One of the biggest events leading up to the Draft, the NFL Combine, has not yet occurred and so these players will move up and down the board depending on their performance there.  With that being said, here is my Chiefs’ mock draft.
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For those Kansas City Chiefs fans who are able to watch the NFL Network, last week offered you an opportunity to watch the first important milestone leading up to the NFL Draft.  The event I’m referring to is the Senior Bowl.  Representatives from every NFL team and press from all over come to watch senior college players practice for the game.  Earlier, Arrowhead Addict’s Draft Guru Merlin gave some information on some players for the North team.  I’m here to discuss some of the players from the South team that stood out to me.

Von Miller     Texas A & M     Outside Linebacker     6’2”     237 lbs.

Miller was a sack machine when he played for the Aggies.  He was recovering from an ankle injury early in his 2010 season and so was held to only 10.5 sacks (which was down from 2009’s 17 sacks).  His play has been compared to a player some of you may have heard of before, former Kansas City Chief Derrick Thomas.  While Miller is a tremendous pass rusher, he is very raw in pass coverage.  Also, there are questions about his ability to play against the run.  His Senior Bowl performance was a showcase for his pass rushing ability and athleticism, which is how he earned Defensive MVP.

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There is only one game that matters remaining in the 2010 NFL season, and the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t in it.  Instead, we will see the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers duke it out in Dallas at the Super Bowl.  Instead of pouting about how the Chiefs didn’t make it to the big game, we should take the opportunity to get a good look at why the Packers and Steelers made.  Those teams have demonstrated how to get to a Super Bowl.  We need to see what we can learn from them so that in the coming years, we can there as well.

Many different kinds of teams can get to the Super Bowl.  Just look at the difference between the teams that went last year compared to the teams that made it this year.  However, there are similarities between the Packers and the Steelers that I will highlight so that we can determine where the Chiefs fell short this year.
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1. If you’re drafting in the top five, it’s because you have a problem at quarterback.

2. New coaches almost always address the quarterback position.

I think his analysis is spot on.  Our Chiefs and the Lions have long had quarterback issues. Derek Anderson flopped for the Browns, and Brady Quinn is still a question mark. As for the Rams and Seahawks, their vet QBs couldn’t stay on the field. Besides, Mark Bulger and Matt Hasselbeck might both be washed up at this point.

Every team in the draft’s top five has serious QB issues. There’s no denying that. Looks like Chucky might have a future in front of the camera without getting offered any more Child’s Play sequels.