Reminiscent to my Chiefs free agent breakdown last season, I will give my opinion on whether a player is VALUABLE or if he is EXPENDABLE. I will give a short reason why on each one and also mention what kind of free agent they are (Unrestricted, Restricted, or Exclusive Rights). I will be breaking down the free agents into their respective positions through the following posts: Backs & Receivers; Offensive Line, Defensive Line and Linebackers; and finally Defensive Backs.
I welcome feedback in the comment sections [Just for fun, here are my posts last year: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3].
Backs & Receivers
- Running Back Jackie Battle: Last year, I listed Battle as expendable. Why wouldn't I? In 2010, Battle had only 50 rushing yards, only 118 on his career, and averaged only 1.25 carries per game. But in 2011, when Jamaal Charles went down with injury and Thomas Jones was exposed for the old man he is, Battle had a decent year filling the role. He had 597 yards on 149 carries (4.0 ypc) before being placed on Injured Reserve before the final game of the season. And while I don't think he should be the number two back next season, I do think this Unrestricted Free Agent is -
- VALUABLE
- Running Back Thomas Jones: Jones is an UFA, but he also might retire. Either way, with diminishing skills and increasing age (33), he wore down as the season went along, and was never that good in 2011 to begin with. Finishing with 478 yards on 153 carries (3.1 ypc), it's time the Chiefs replace Jones with a young back via the draft.
- EXPENDABLE
- Full Back Le'Ron McClain: Last season, the Chiefs had two full backs on the roster: Tim Castille and Mike Cox. Le'Ron McClain was able to replace both these players with his blocking and running ability. Although he was used mostly for blocking, both in the run and the pass, he has the ability to run the football on any given play effectively. I know we have Shane Bannon on the practice squad, but McClain is a versatile FB that is -
- VALUABLE
- Quarterback Kyle Orton: Brought in after Matt Cassel went down with injury and Denver put him on waivers, Orton went 2-1 as the starter and nearly was able to compete in the playoffs. Although many people say he's the same kind of player as Matt Cassel, the eye test shows you he's better. I think Matt Cassel needs to be pushed, or even benched, and Orton should be given a chance to be the starter. While I don't think that will happen, I list Orton as -
- VALUABLE
- Quarterback Tyler Palko: If you watched Chiefs games this season, I won't have to explain this one. If you stopped watching after we were blown out by the Dolphins, here's the reason: 2 TDs, 7 INTs.
- EXPENDABLE
- Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe: Possibly the most important free agent of the Chiefs this season, Bowe has been the Chiefs best receiver since he was drafted in the first round of 2007. Bowe is a possible target for the Chiefs franchise tag, and I think if the Chiefs don't want to take another step back on offense, they keep this guy around.
- VALUABLE
- Wide Receiver Jerheme Urban: Originally starting off the season as the third WR behind Bowe and Breaston, he was soon replaced by the player he was filling in for: Jonathan Baldwin. Looking good in training camp, Urban followed it up with a lackluster season, not seeing much playing time. The 31 year old finished with just 35 yards receiving on four receptions.
- EXPENDABLE
- Tight End Jake O'Connell: A restricted rights free agent, O'Connell was released and then picked back up by the Chiefs a couple of times during the course of the season. Originally considered a decent blocker, he struggled at even that this year. He did have 7 catches during the season, but he failed to impress the coaching staff enough to the point where they brought in Anthony Becht late in training camp. Depth is always good, but with Tony Moeaki coming back, I would consider O'Connell -
- EXPENDABLE
- Tight End Anthony Becht: Originally drafted by the New York Jets in 2000, Becht was an 11 year veteran when the Chiefs brought him in to training camp. Providing depth after Moeaki went down with injury, Becht looked downright bad in many games, even sort-of tackling Jackie Battle on a 3rd Down run against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mainly brought in during running plays, he finished with 3 catches for 26 yards.
- EXPENDABLE
- Tight End Leonard Pope: I know that there are a lot of fans that don't like Pope as a player. He's average at both blocking and receiving and he had quite a few penalties called against him during the season. But, when Moeaki was injured, Pope became our best tight end option. As bad as that might seem, Pope did have a few decent games (he finished the season with 24 catches for 247 yards and 1 TD) and offers a good option in depth for next season. Even with a healthy Moeaki, Pope is -
- VALUABLE
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