AAMA: NFL Draft, Eric Berry, and What Does AAMA Mean?

Sep 7, 2013; Athens, GA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) walks on the field in between plays in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to the friendly confines of AAMA where we intend to answer life’s most perplexing questions. Here’s what you guys had for the reading public this week.

The answer to this question completely depends on if the Chiefs traded for Alex Smith or not. So we’ll take two routes on this answer to cover all the bases.

Assuming the Chiefs traded for Smith and did not have a second round pick there is no question the Chiefs take Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney paired with Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, and Dontari Poe could arguably create the most fearsome four-man pass rush in the AFC, and would be in the top five in the NFL for sure.

Clowney could play anywhere in the front seven just about: defensive end, outside linebacker, or inside on the defensive line. The combination of his size, power, and speed is unmatched by just about anyone in the NFL. Passing on him would be insane.

In the modern NFL you have to have two things: A good quarterback and a good pass rush. Clowney could be the best pass rusher when all is said and done since Lawrence Taylor. You have to do it.

The only thing that would make one reconsider is if John Dorsey is really high on Teddy Bridgewater or one of the other quarterbacks in the draft. Again, in the modern NFL a team is nothing without a good quarterback. We as Chiefs fans understand this almost as well as anyone in America who is not a Cleveland Browns fan.

What may change this scenario is Kansas City would have a second round pick – the top second round pick – if they did not trade for Smith. There are some really good quarterback fits in this draft beyond the first round for the Chiefs so Dorsey could presumably filled both the pass rush need (Clowney) and quarterback need with the top two picks.

Man, the Chiefs really picked the wrong year to have the number one overall pick.

Returning the same offensive coordinator and head coach is going to be huge for everyone on offense. This is the first time the Chiefs are returning the same head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator since 2006-2007. Think about how many scheme changes that is for guys like Jamaal Charles, Dwayne Bowe, Brandon Flowers, and some of the other players who have been through all the change in Kansas City since Dick Vermeil left. Stability cannot be overrated in this scenario.

This is part of the reason I do not think there will be as big of a drop off in 2014 as some are fearing. Yes, the schedule will be harder so winning 11 games in 16 weeks and punting week 17 is probably not going to happen, but it isn’t out of the question the Chiefs can be a 10-win team next year. Kansas City will open up the off season program next week with the idea of building on what they started last year and not getting to know a new scheme. The learning curve is going to be much shorter and more technical than in most other years. This will show early in the regular season.

Experience and continuity have been huge for teams like New England, Peyton’s Indianapolis Colts, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC for the last decade. Kansas City is on their way to building the same thing for the first time since Marty was in town.

THANK YOU!

Wait, you’re not talking about the same #AAMA as I am, are you? Welp.

AAMA stands for “Addicts, Ask Me Anything.” It is a rip-off of Reddit’s AMA and the traditional mailbag. Originally I was going to go with “Arrowhead Addict’s Ask Me Anything” but I hated the name almost immediately and decided to change it without telling anyone … until now.

Oh, and you should probably get your eye checked out, Natasha.

Edward is talking about Sam Mellinger’s idea of trading Eric Berry for draft picks. We talked about it a little this week both here and here.

I don’t think the idea is as crazy as some may think. There is a reasonable argument to be made about the Chiefs needing to add top-end talent to make up for what they are soon to lose in Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson. Jamaal Charles and Brandon Flowers aren’t getting any younger either. If the Chiefs could get a second and third round pick or a first round pick plus the cap space then the Chiefs could do some things.

The problem is the timing. Trading Berry in early March for two picks would have opened up enough cap space to keep Geoff Schwartz and be able afford a receiver like DeSean Jackson. A Berry trade could have easily equalled Schwartz, Jackson, Deone Bucannon, and Donte Moncrief. Add that to a first round pick and KC’s natural third round pick and the Chiefs would be in serious business.

The problem is there is no way the Chiefs can make that happen now. Getting a second and third round pick for Berry after free agency isn’t happening because the market isn’t there. Plus, Kansas City no longer needs the cap room as free agency is over and their own free agents – notably Schwartz – are elsewhere. The timing of proposing a Berry trade was bad, not the idea itself.

Not trading Berry tells me Dorsey and Reid have a lot of faith in guys that are already on the roster, and they like what they see they can add with the six picks they currently possess. Things will work out just fine.

VANCE WALKER JOKE OF THE WEEK

Have a great second half of the week, Addicts.