2010 NFL Free Agency Preview: Kansas City Chiefs
by Josh Branco on Mar 1, 2010 12:00 PM PST
in 49ers Opponents
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PrintLast off-season the Chiefs transformed into New England Patriots West, but the championships have yet to follow. The team has since added yet another member of the Patriots brain trust, one Charlie Weiss, who will be assisting Head Coach Todd Haley with the teams' struggling offense.
The biggest concern for Haley and the Chiefs heading forward has to be the offensive line, which ranked among the league's worst in 2009. They have some capable playmakers in Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassel, but if they are going to have any success Kansas City will need to get more production out of their linemen.
The Chiefs have invested several high draft picks on the other side of the ball, but the majority of them have not panned out. Defensive ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson both received lucrative rookie contracts in the hope that they would terrorize opponent's backfields for years to come, but while they have shown steady improvement, the production has not lived up to the hype.
Look for the team to invest heavily on the defensive side of the ball as they continue their transformation to a 3-4 defense.
Free Agents
G Andy Alleman (ERFA) - Took over at right guard when Mike Goff went on IR.
RB Jackie Battle (ERFA) - Battle only had nine touches in 2009 before succumbing to injury. He is no better than a depth option.
WR Chris Chambers (UFA) - Chambers was the Chiefs most effective receiver in 2009. A dubious title at best, but he is a solid number two receiver.
RB Mike Cox (ERFA)
QB Brodie Croyle (RFA) - Croyle is believed to be an option as a long-term backup for Kansas City.
C Thomas Gafford (RFA) - Was released and then re-signed on August 13th. He has experience as a long snapper.
LB Derrick Johnson (RFA) - Johnson is tremendously talented, but he has had an up and down career with the Chiefs. This season he lost his starting job to Demorrio Williams and was made available via trade before the deadline. He is believed to be best suited as a strong-side linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.
DB Maurice Leggett (ERFA) - Leggett saw time as a nickel-back and as a safety before going on IR with a shoulder injury.
LB Corey Mays (RFA) - Mays started at inside linebacker for parts of 2009.
G Ikechuku Ndukwe (RFA) - Ndukwe has spent his career as a back-up guard but saw some time at tackle this year.
C Rudy Niswanger (RFA) - Niswanger has struggled as of late, and many suspect that he could be the first man to go on the Chiefs offensive line. Bigger nose tackles have given him fits.
T Ryan O'Callaghan (RFA) - O'Callaghan solidified the right tackle spot, and is projected as the 2010 starter for that position.
DB Jarrad Page (RFA) - Page struggled before going on IR with a calf injury.
T Barry Richardson (ERFA) - Richardson started the year on Kansas City's practice squad before being called up due to injury.
DB Mike Richardson (RFA) - Washington was cut by the Patriots before landing in Kansas City. He played sparingly in 2009.
G Wade Smith (UFA) - Smith is a very versatile lineman and filled in at multiple positions for the Chiefs.
OLB Andy Studebaker (ERFA) - Studebaker had his first career start this season. He also recorded two interceptions.
OLB Mike Vrabel (UFA) - Vrabel only recorded 2 sacks in 2009. He is 34 years old and there has been speculation that he may retire, but according to his agent Vrabel feels like he can still play and be productive. He has said that he would be open to returning to the Chiefs in 2010.
Needs
Tackle - The Chiefs fielded one of the league's worst offensive lines in 2009. While their tackles were relatively solid compared to the rest of the line, they could stand to upgrade at left tackle. If they can secure a legitimate left tackle it would allow Brandon Albert to slide over to the right side of the line, shoring up both ends of the trenches.
Guard - Brian Watters has shown signs of slowing down, and the team desperately needs to improve the interior of the line. The Chiefs struggled against teams with large defensive tackles so look for size and strength to be a priority for this spot.
Outside Linebacker - The addition of another pass rusher opposite Tamba Hali would immediately improve the team's defense. The best remedy for safeties who struggle in coverage is to converge on the quarterback quickly.
Wide Receiver - The Chiefs lack for receivers who can create separation between them and their defender. Chris Chambers is a solid wide-out but they need to add a true number one.
Nose Tackle - An upgrade over Ron Edwards at nose tackle would help to shore up their lackluster run defense. Edwards would be a great fit as part of a rotation on the interior line, but he is not a legitimate starting nose tackle.
Center - Niswanger's stock has dropped within the organization to the point that he is expected to be replaced. They need someone who is strong enough to handle a big nose tackle and still get the ball safely into Matt Cassel's hands.
Safety - The Chiefs need to improve at both safety positions.
Summary
The skill positions on offense are relatively talented compared to the rest of the team. If they can find a way to solidify their line they should see an immediate improvement on that side of the ball.
The struggles on their line were exacerbated by Matt Cassel's tendency to hang on to the ball too long, so that should be a point of emphasis in his off-season program.
Aside from upgrading the offensive line, the Chiefs need to improve defensively. Their corners have shown some potential and they have two very talented defensive ends, but nearly every other position on the defense could stand to be upgraded. If Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Chandler can continue to progress and improve, it would be a huge boon to the unit.
The team also needs to decide what to do about LB Derrick Johnson. He is clearly a very talented player, but he has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. Kansas City could look to re-sign him and trade him away for a player who fits in better with their scheme on defense.\
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Comments
Cassel
What do people think of Cassel long-term, particularly with Charlie Weiss coming to town? I remember plenty of folks wanted him coming off his season in New England. has the bloom come of the rose a bit?
Most Chiefs fans (the level-headed anyway) are up for giving Cassel a shot when he has actual offensive threats and a line to protect him before making a judgment. If the Chiefs can upgrade the interior OL positions and add a receiver it could be a make or break year for him.
We’ve heard about how great a QB coach Weis is so that addition alone should help. There was more than one account (including from Haley himself) that he did not have the proper time to spend helping Cassel during the season so having a dedicated OC eliminates that problem. Also, having Jamaal Charles in the backfield and another off-season in the system increases expectations for Cassel.
If someone asks you if you want extra mayonnaise you have to say yes, cus that's part of it.
-Jared Allen
I think he's an overrated QB.
If he doesn’t have a great OL protecting him, he can’t be effective.
I give him mad props for not giving up halfway through the season.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Mar 1, 2010 4:46 PM PST up reply actions
thanks and he didn't give up
Actually there was a video clip and if you could read lips.
The Chiefs crowd was booing the offense.
Cassel: “Shut the F***** up”
I think he gets KC and the position of QB in KC
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
Good assessment and research...
Although like every other person who writes or says anything about the Chiefs left tackle situation(including alot of Chiefs fans) you’re way offbase. There’s a number of things to point out when it comes to Brandon Albert.
Firstly he has the backing of the coach and GM at this point as “the guy” at LT. Haley has said this numerous times and Pioli has also said that LT is not a major need. Albert is indeed a legitimate LT and will only get better.
Albert did struggle to start last season but that was in part due to playing at a much more “athletic” weight and adjusting to that and to increase the adjustment process they changed blocking schemes midseason. The chemistry of the line was shot with the revolving door on the right side of the line was also a major issue. Add to that no running threat in Larry Johnson(and no help blocking as well) and for the first 8-10 games of the season it was a virtual track meet to the QB in every game.
In the last 5 games of the season the Chiefs Oline only gave up 7 sacks and the running game put up 850+ yards. In that stretch Albert only gave up 1 sack and gave up 0 in the last 4 games of the year. Thats also against Elvis Dumervil, a very good defense in the Bengals, and a Brown team that ranked 8th in the league in sacks.
Id look for interior linemen to be drafted with higher to midround picks and posibly a FA signing or too(maybe even a RT) but it would be very surprising based on what the staff has said and based on the play on the field if a new LT is starting day one.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
Tyson Chandler?
Never heard of him. We do have a DE named Tyson Jackson tho.
Ugggh.....what?
Tyson Chandler? Try the NBA. Dwan Edwards? Try the Ravens. Brian Walters? Try . None of whom play for the Chiefs. Nice try.
D.J. #56 - Pay The Man & Play The Man
The only thing more lame than mock draft's is the sarcasm font.
by KansasCityShuffle on Mar 1, 2010 1:38 PM PST reply actions
If fairness to him...
This is a pretty good and detailed post for someone who writes for another team and three miss-names doesnt take away from the effort.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
Allright niners fans. This is a rare opportunity for me. I can get away with more over here.
So I’m going to be honest. I apologize for KansasCity Shuffle. He’s not joking around. He’s arrogant and could care less what he says to anyone about anything. He does not represent the rest of the class act fans over at AP.
Thank you for correcting the spelling errors. I could have cared less but it was a good move on your part. This post is recognized in a fanshot on our front page. (you can thank WtexKC, he’s quick) so it must have done something right.
Good luck this next season guys, Singletary is a great coach and your team is moving in the right direction at a rapid speed. It’s obvious. Your one of those teams thats a tweak here and there away from something special. Root for the Chiefs every chance you get; Joe Montana would want it like that.
KC is moving to a 3-4?
How many teams is that going to be with a 3-4?
Arizona Cardinals (who may be going back to a 4-3)
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills are going to be in a 3-4 next year
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Diego Chargers
Washington Redskins (will switch to one for the 2010 season)
That’s 14 teams. Almost half the league is going to be in a 3-4. That means in the draft there will be a premium on guys who can play NT and guys who can play OLB.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Made the move last season.
If someone asks you if you want extra mayonnaise you have to say yes, cus that's part of it.
-Jared Allen
We so wanted Abrayo
that was a nice move locking him up :)
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
He's not officially locked up
He’s got a non-exclusive tag on him, so he is still free to negotiate with other teams and be signed to an offer sheet. If the Niners don’t match the offer, they get a first round pick in exchange.
picks
I believe it’s actually 2 first round picks, unless they work out a trade for something less.
by David Fucillo on Mar 1, 2010 3:55 PM PST up reply actions
Well Pioli wouldn't do that trade
and as stated before 14 teams need NT’s and Minnesota likes to utilize a NT in their 4-3.
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
Really?
You didn’t hear tha Pioli was the HC?
Why do you think they brought in Vrabel and drafted Jackson?
They really screwed Dorsey though, he is best in a 4-3.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Mar 1, 2010 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
Dorsey has adapted well to the 3-4 DE
I guess the best arguement against is the Power push on the LOT’s of the league, but in run stopping and doing what he can in the pressure department without a true NT next to him he has performd well.
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
I would like to see a Dorsey trade...
He has adjusted well to the 3-4, but he really deserves to be in a 4-3. The guy really is the next Sapp if he can be in the right position.
I also think teams below about 12th pick in the draft that run a 4-3 that need a DT would be crazy not to trade their pick for him.
If someone did trade for him I wouldn’t mind using that pick on Dunlap….even though it is a gamble.
by MasterBlaster7 on Mar 2, 2010 12:25 AM PST up reply actions
I don't see anyone offering a first
Maybe a second and a player/lower round picks. I’m sure Pioli would jump on the opportunity to get a first for Dorsey if it was offered though.
@MasterBlaster7 wouldn’t necessarily say that, I actually think Dorsey going to do just fine at the 3-4 DE spot. He’s actually tied for 3rd in tackles out of all 3-4DE and had more QB pressures then those top 2 guys. I think that once we get a true NT in there he’ll perform much better even elite.
by Green-Monster on Mar 5, 2010 4:48 PM PST up reply actions
I think that might depend on the Cardinals
I’ve heard some rumors that they’re switching back to a 4-3, so if they do that that means the number of 3-4 teams drops from 14 to 13.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
The biggest concern for Haley and the Chiefs heading forward has to be the offensive line, which ranked among the league’s worst in 2009
I think the biggest concern is Haley.
What kind of [site decorum] gives the ball to Larry Johnson so many times even with Jamaal Charles picking up like 5 YPC?
Felt like Jim Mora JR was coaching the Chiefs.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
LOL
49ers Al Grito De Guerra!!! hahaha
by 49erSalvatrucha on Mar 1, 2010 6:49 PM PST up reply actions
It seemed that Haley wanted to at least burn that Johnson bridge
While Charles came up to speed.
Haley has been a breath of fresh air after Herm and Dick Vermeil.
The Chefs as a franchise seem to perform better under a Marty Schottenheimer type personality. Haley is definitely that type of coach :)
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
I don't know....
Charles provided an instant spark whenever he was plugged into the field (early in the season)
Yet, Haley kept feeding the ball to LJ.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Mar 1, 2010 10:49 PM PST up reply actions
Early in the year our line was awful
I think it was a mix of Haley assuming our running game was bad just because of the line play (as opposed to line play AND running back play) and maybe Haley trying to push Charles a bit to take the job. In the KC newspaper Charles said the game he was deactivated (I believe it was week 2, with OAK in KC) was a big turning point for him because he realized he needed to work harder to earn playing time. Not sure how much of that is true or just him being humble though.
Liked your article
It was a good read but I think you’ve got a couple things wrong. First I wouldn’t say our OL play was good but it wasn’t overly terrible. We got to 11th in rushing, and that might be because JC was starting but overall play was definitely better after the bye.
Cassel holds onto the ball way too long and our WR corp had the most drops in the league, and couple that with our D being on the field for way to long each game because offense couldn’t get going, the lack of a true NT and another consistent pass rusher…you can get the picture.
I wouldn’t consider tackle to be our biggest need, we just tendered our RT for a 2nd and Albert showed consistency near the end of the season. Our biggest need on the OL is C IMO and I think that since we let Smith test FA Niswanger will be testing the waters at RG, he just doesn’t have the strength to handle NT and we got 2 3-4 teams in the division. A solid C like Pouncey or Walton through the draft would be the best option.
My Big Board of needs:
NT – Run D was terrible, Offense is partly to blame but we need a good NT because Edwards really isn’t even serviceable.
C – Niswanger isn’t strong enough to hold up against NT, Pouncey or Walton would be fine but Pioli also has success with late round OL picks.
Future OLB – Vrabel is good but not a consistent pass rusher, but another pass rushing threat is needed, much easier to cover receivers when the QB is under pressure, unless you’re Manning.
WR – Slot and Future #2 – Cassel didn’t really have a reliable option besides Chambers, everyone else kept dropping the ball..literally. A reliable slot guy and a #2 guy if we don’t retain Chambers would be nice, Jacoby Ford could possibly fill both roles.
TE – Actually an important position for us despite what some might say, Pioli has drafted them in the 1st in the past and if a guy Gresham falls to 2b expect us to pick him up.
ILB – The ILB play was a mess last year but with DJ slowly being incorporated, we need a solid guy next to him to be the “thumper” against the Rund. McClain would be nice but not necessary, Spikes in the 2nd or Micah Johnson in the 4th would be just fine.
SS – Brown would be much better as a backup vet role but is serviceable, we should find a SS somewhere in the draft.
Complement RB – We sucked at the goalline this year, we need a reliable guy to punch the hole and get the TD because JC wasn’t him, Fargas or Jones would be good or a draft pick doesn’t matter to me which direction we go.
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