As we all remember, the Chiefs were viciously beat in their home playoff game last season. Since that time, a lockout has occured, a new salary cap obtained, and necessary cuts made to ensure each team is under that cap. One team that was over the cap was the very team that ended playoff run hopes in Kansas City, and when the lockout ended, immediately cut four popular players: Willis McGahee, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, and Kelly Gregg. All those players have found new homes, and one of those player's homes is now in Kansas City.
Kelly Gregg is that player, and a welcomed addition to our defensive line. He is an upgrade at the nose tackle position from last season, and has looked good in training camp. Many fans wanted Aubrayo Franklin, but Gregg was cheaper, more of a mentor, and more experienced in the Chiefs type of system.
He was the first player we plucked from the Ravens.
Then came Le'Ron McClain, who the Ravens had decided not to pursue because of the emergence of Ray Rice. McClain, although a full back by position, wanted to be used as a running back more like he was in 2008; the Ravens didn't want him for that role, so they let the two-time Pro Bowler find a new team. And Kansas City was glad to have him. Not only did he bring experience to the best running game in football, he also brought size and versatility.
He was the second player we took from Baltimore.
Just when it looked like the Chiefs were done with free agency, then came Jared Gaither to save the day and strengthen our tackle positions, a point of concern for many fans and analysts. Gaither played left tackle for Baltimore before an injury knocked him out for the rest of the 2009 and 2010 seasons, when he was replaced by Mr. Blindside himself.
While I'm talking about Gaither, I would like to address something. Gaither has the talent to play left tackle if healthy, but having his good friend Branden Albert there, I'm not sure where Gaither will end up on the offensive line this season. Right now, he's listed with the second string as a left tackle. I can understand the reason for wanting Gaither to come in and compete for the left tackle position, but we've already played one preseason game and if Gaither's as good as many of us hope, the Chiefs need to decide very soon if they want to keep him at left tackle and move Albert over to right, or vice versa. No reason for two good tackles to compete with each other for the same position when one can simply be moved to the right tackle position and replace Barry Richardson, a player many people, and possibly one coach, want to see replaced.
He was the third player we got from the Ravens.
And let's not forget about Jim Zorn. Although he is not a player, he was the quarterbacks coach for the Ravens last season and when the organization decided not to keep him around, Joe Flacco spoke out against the decision. For someone who doesn't talk much, I think Flacco's outburst was probably indicative of how important he believed Zorn to be for his development. And if that's the case, I'm glad the Chiefs got him. Although his methods are unorthodox, Cassel has spoken about how he is learning a good deal from Zorn, which is good since quarterbacks have been known to have their best seasons under his tutelage.
Put it down as another one we got from Baltimore.
Players leaving one team for another in groups isn't uncommon. It keeps familiarity with teammates and allows the players to adapt quicker to their new team. And although this isn't a preached practice, it happens quite often whether it be because of coahcing changes, through free agency or via trades (Tarvaris Jackson and Sydney Rice went from the Vikings to the Seahawks this offseason; Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel from the Patriots to the Chiefs; etc.).
Despite the title of this post, I doubt the Chiefs have a "if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em" attitude. But I don't think it's necessarily a coincidence that we have reaped the Ravens free agent harvest. They are a good football team.
And if it is because they beat us in the playoffs last year, then more power to Pioli.
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