And With a Flip of the Coin ...

The two competitors squared off, knowing that a single flick of a thumb would help determine the direction of their franchise's draft decisions. Common odds will tell you that each man, the faces of their respective teams, holds a 50/50 chance on gaining the 11th pick in the upcoming draft.

“It’s a huge difference because in that one spot in the draft you don’t know who the other team is going to pick," says Scott Pioli, the man who was there to oversee the tie-breaking coin toss between his Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks. "It’s just an earlier opportunity for you to get what you want in the draft.”

When both men were ready, the newly minted commemorative coin, with each team's logo appearing on either side of the giant quarter, was tossed lightly into the air. 

“It kind of went straight up and it didn’t start flipping until it hit the ground,” Pioli described.

After a few favorable turns on the carpeted Indianapolis floor, the familiar arrowhead was on top, and the 11th pick of the draft, and all other selections happening before the Seahawks, was sealed. [Here's the video].

After shaking hands with Seahawks General Manager, John Schneider, Pioli jubilantly commented about the Chiefs set position in the draft: "We have to see what's going to happen before us, there are 10 picks that will happen before us. I know we're going to be able to upgrade and improve our football team not only for this year but the future with this pick. We're excited about it."

And Pioli should be excited. The Seahawks aren't that different from the Chiefs, and if they were selecting before the Chiefs, it is very possible they could chose a player the Chiefs wanted to get. But to only think of the slot as the 11th pick in the draft would be short-sighted. I think, like last year, if the Chiefs are made a good enough offer, they will be likely to trade it for more draft picks. 

“Not only is a better opportunity for you to get what you want, but if there is an opportunity to make a trade you are one spot higher and the value of that pick is going to be that much greater,” Pioli said.

Trading down in the draft and collecting more picks is a very Patriots/Pioli-esque move that I actually would support if the value is there. This move would especially make sense if the Chiefs are aiming for an offensive tackle or defensive tackle in the first round. You can find those quality picks in the mid to late first round, and there are plenty of options.

But if Trent Richardson is there at the 11th pick, that would be hard to turn down.