Back At It

Well, I am back from my hiatus of not writing posts. Life occurrences and the fact that there is no free agency has lead me to take some time off from writing. I am back, however, and although I wasn't writing posts, I was still checking up on the Chiefs every day; and I can honestly say that there is not much going on.

Besides Clark Hunt representing the owners, and Mike Vrabel and Brian Waters representing the players in these CBA negotiations, not a lot of action (besides the occasional Pro Day. I have to hand it to the Chiefs, they seem to send scouts to all the Pro Days. No rock left unturned is a good strategy for a team looking to build in the draft and I respect that kind of mentality Scott Pioli has brought to the Chiefs).

Now, since I've had time to think about what my next post is going to be on (just how good Tamba Hali is), I am going to give some quick updates on what's been going on with the Chiefs in the last week.

Some Chiefs have discussed back-up plans to team practices in case there is a lockout. I find this a great idea and it makes me like these young players the Chiefs have even more.

Eric Berry talks about how he could play professional baseball if there's no football this year. If so, maybe the Royals should take a look at him.

Some question if Dwayne Bowe can have the same type of season in the future as he did last season. The argument is a legitimate one, and the comparisons are there. But I wouldn't get hung up about it.

Mel Kiper came out with his Mock Draft 3.0. He once again has Akeem Ayers going to the Chiefs with the 21st pick. Meanwhile, Bill Williamson of ESPN, has his own thoughts about where the Chiefs might go in the draft, along with the rest of the AFC West.

Josh Looney from the Chiefs official website, came out today with a very interesting article about the Chiefs and the upcoming draft and how it's different this year than in the past because of the lack of free agency. Excuse his 1980s video game analogy, and really read what it has to say. Some pretty good stuff.

Alright, that about wraps it up. Come back tomorrow for another post. Hopefully I can get back on schedule.

What Most People Forgot . . .

Kansas City Star

In light of the almost expiring CBA talks and the possibility of not having a NFL season next year, some people might have forgotten that 101 Sports Writers banquet was tonight. The awards were announced before the end of the NFL season, but the presentations were being held tonight.

Among the winners were players Michael Vick (Eagles), Tom Brady (Patriots), Clay Matthews (Packers), Troy Polamalu (Steelers), and coaches Mike Smith (Falcons) and Todd Haley (our very own Chiefs).

Todd Haley won the award for AFC Coach of the Year from the 101 Sports Writers Association. He was presented the award by his father, Dick Haley. And although Haley missed out on the Associated Press Coach of the Year, it is still a nice tribute to a fantastic year.

Other Chiefs in attendance Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry, the recipients of the individual Chiefs honors of MVP and rookie of the year.

For the full story and quotes, check out the Kansas City Star, who's reporters were in attendance.

The Votes Are In . . .

Exactly 100 votes were cast in my approximately 3 week long poll question on which is the Chiefs' biggest need heading into the draft. The results are as follows:

1. Wide Receiver -  34%
2. Offensive Lineman - 20%
3. Linebacker - 19%
4. Defensive Tackle - 17%
5. Quarterback - 10%

If the CBA doesn't get fixed before the 2011 Draft (who knows how many weeks they will keep extending the deadline), then no free agency can occur. Without free agency, we won't be able to get our hands on a proven wide receiver, so finding one in the draft might be the best option.

The rest of the voting was very close, with the exception of quarterback. Our offensive line is getting old, and we still need a good pass rushing linebacker. 

I would like to extend a thank you for all of those that participated.

Chiefs Update

Today, former Chiefs cornerback, Kevin Ross, was named as this year's Chiefs Hall of Fame inductee. He played 10 seasons with the Chiefs. For the full story, here it is.

Assuming that restricted free agents will still exist after the NFL collective bargaining agreement is settled, the Chiefs put tenders on some of their players today. Brandon Carr received a first round tender (meaning if a team was going to sign him, they would have to give up a first-round selection for him), and both Barry Richardson and Wallace Gilberry received second round tenders.

Chiefs players Kendrick Lewis, Donald Washington, and Dexter McCluster, are all planning to return to finish their degrees this summer. They left their schools as underclassmen to enter the draft, but plan on finishing up what they bypassed by entering the NFL before graduation.

Also dealing with Chiefs players, reserve linebacker Cory Greenwood accepted a one-year contract with the Chiefs. Greenwood was the third overall pick in the 2010 CFL draft before turning his eyes to the NFL, in which he had 11 tackles last season (mostly on special teams).

Draft History 202

AP Photo

Alright, settle down kids, please take your seats. Another semester, another class, hopefully you retained last semester's knowledge over break because if you didn't you might struggle starting off. But don't worry, I'm sure it will all come back to you. Any questions? No? Alright, let's get started on Draft History 202.

Easy question. Who makes the final choice on who the Chiefs draft?

Scott Pioli.

Good. Now a tougher question; does Pioli favor a certain side of the ball, as in offense or defense, with higher draft picks more than the other?

Pioli favors the defensive side of the ball more.

And why do you say that?

In the last two drafts for the Chiefs, Pioli has taken a defensive player in the first round.

You make a very good point, but don't let Pioli's recent actions fool you. Despite the fact that Pioli, at the NFL Scouting Combine this past weekend, said that "the cupboard wasn't bare when Todd (Haley) and I arrived to Kansas City," the fact of the matter was that one side was more bare than the other.

Pioli had a reputation for being excellent with the draft from his days in New England. What most people in Kansas City don't remember is that Pioli was very balanced with his draft picks in the top three rounds. When Scott Pioli took over as the Director of Player Personnel for the Patriots in 2001, a series of balanced draft selections followed.

Between 2001 and 2008, the Patriots drafted in the first round nine times. Of those nine, five selections were for defense, four for offense. In the second round, Pioli selected seven times: four on offense, three of defense. And in the third round, four on offense, three on defense.

These might not be as skewed of numbers as you thought after Pioli came over to the Chiefs in 2009.

Granted, in 2009, the first three picks the Chiefs had went to defense, but the the remainder of the picks went to offense (with the exception of Ryan Succop, the kicker).

But the following year, in 2010, you could start seeing the balanced draft that Pioli was known for in New England. Defense might have been addressed in the first round, but the rest of the draft showed why Pioli is renowned.

So what does that mean for the draft?

That means don't put all your money down on a defensive player in the first round.

And The Saints Go Marching Out With . . .

Shaun Rogers.

After Rogers was released by the Browns, he visited the Redskins, the Chiefs, and then finally the Saints.

I really thought the Chiefs would get Rogers because of his connection with our defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Rogers even tweeted afterward that he had had lunch with Crennel while he was visiting Kansas City.

But, nevertheless, the 31 year old 350 lb defensive tackle (he weighs more than 10 times his age) signed with the New Orleans Saints today. The deal was for one year and $4 million.

Before you get too mad that the Chiefs didn't reach a deal with Rogers, let's look at the price it cost New Orleans. $4 million for a player coming off the worst statistical season of his career. I was a fan of getting Rogers to KC, he would solved some issues with the nose tackle position, but $4 million is probably too much for Rogers (unless you've heard the rumors that KC offered Rogers more money and he didn't take it).

What now for the Chiefs? Tommie Harris and Kris Jenkins were both released this week, both could be free agent pick ups for the Chiefs; however, I seriously doubt the Chiefs would go for these players.

The Chiefs have yet to make a free agent splash before the CBA expires on Friday, don't expect it now and for these players.