Reggie Ragland Trade looking like a huge win for Veach
 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Since week 10 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chiefs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chiefs</a> Reggie Ragland has been the best run stopping inside linebacker in the NFL, with a 13.5 run stop percentage. The next closest? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#49ers</a> Reuben Foster at 12.6%. Both former Alabama teammates.</p>&mdash; David Thomas (@DTSportsNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/DTSportsNow/status/943488976706506752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And in case that wasn&#39;t enough for you. He&#39;s also been the best ILB in coverage by coverage yards per snap over the same time frame at .40 y/cs. And who&#39;s #2? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> Luke Kuechly at .46 y/cs. That&#39;s some good company.</p>&mdash; David Thomas (@DTSportsNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/DTSportsNow/status/943505452444389376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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No clue why Buff did this, but we will take it gladly

KPL looks really good too. I hope we re-sign him, I think he and Ragland could be a great duo with Ragland being the thumper and KPL having the speed and athleticism.

Veach found two guys who can really play that position in the span of about 1-2 weeks, and Dorsey didn't find a solution in years.

I disagree regarding KPL. He looks like he's running in quicksand.

:hmmm: Not sure what makes you say that. He is our fastest LB (other than maybe Eligwe). Had a great play in coverage Saturday.

Maybe I'm unfairly remembering him looking slow. It just seems like every LB we have is really slow

Remember Ramik Wilson?

I don't think KPL looked slow at all. I thought he looked like he lacked natural instinct.

KPL has also been playing with a hamstring injury

Because they didn't want to have to switch out their ILB on running or passing downs. It's very difficult to keep teams from taking advantage of a 2-down ILB by passing on early downs.

I thought KPL was one of our faster LBs.

Who's she?

Ragland has been great. Bills fans have to be pretty pissed at how that whole thing transpired.

I thought the same. Thinking instead of just reacting.

The Bills give us the pick to grab our QBOTF and a LB we can hopefully watch for the next decade.

They really looked out for us. Thanks Buffalo!

ILB's seem to be set for a while. I don't expect DJ to be a Chief next year unless he takes a paycut.

What this team really needs is quality pass rushers and perhaps another CB.

Could use another WR. Tired of Incompletrius Harris too, he should be demoted to 3rd string and should only come in to block. Chiefs need a solid TE2. Harris has worse hands than Dwayne Bowe.

Let's hope they really want Alex and they give us that 1st round pick back. lol

Ragland is a stud. I still think Eigwe is the guy to replace DJ though.

At this point he's not worth the minimum and a roster spot. If you want him around to coach the LBs, make him a coach.

DJ getting smoked by Antonio Gates and his OL speed pretty much closed the book on him. He doesn't look like an NFL player anymore. he almost has to retire.

Buffalo will certainly be one to keep an eye on... clearly good trading partners. Can't see them giving up the 1st though.

lol that would be something wouldn't it?

I don't think AS warrants a 1st rd pick given his age though. If we get even a 2nd rd pick I'd be surprised.

I saw that Terez Paylor said about a week ago that he thought DJ was playing overweight this year because he couldn't properly train this offseason, instead rehabbing his Achilles.

He mentioned that if he was willing to take a big pay cut, they might keep him around because if he loses weight he might get some of his quickness back. I don't know though, kinda hope he just retires.

I'm starting to think we just won't have one.

Eligwe is unlikely to be the intuitive, do everything 'backer that Johnson was. Ragland seems to have that kind of field awareness but is not quite the athlete DJ was.

I think we'll just have something of a rotation with the Mike just like we've had with the Ted in the past. 1st and 2nd down will probably end up Ragland territory with the possibility of Eligwe coming in as the Nickel-Backer in obvious passing downs.

Ragland's demonstrated enough coverage ability that I think he's a plenty credible replacement for DJ on most downs, he just isn't going to be quite that all-world, swiss army knife type that DJ was.

LMAO @ the idea of Buff giving our 1st back for Smith. Even Belichick would be Jealous.

That's a pretty diplomatic way of saying "DJ is 35 years old and coming off two major lower body injuries..."

I mean c'mon, Terez. Let's be realistic and honest about what we're seeing here. The last thing we need is to watch DJ chase plays like he's a punch-drunk boxer out there. He's getting beat to the edge buy guys that would've been run down by Mauga at this point. That's not just playing overweight - that's just the cold reality of time and injury.

Then they beat us in Camarohead

Off topic somewhat... but as I look more and more at this FA class, and understanding that Veach went after Kenny Britt, I won't be surprised to see him go after Josh Gordon.

He's a shithead, but Andy has a long history of trying to straighten those guys out. The shiny young toy, sir Patrick Mahomes, will be taking the reigns of the offense. There aren't many other good options in this year's FA class to fill other holes for certain.

You just have to consider the possibility. An offense that features Kelce, Hill, Gordon, Hunt.... what the f**k would a team do? That might honestly be the single greatest 4-man offensive personnel grouping in decades. I'm in love with the idea.

EDIT: Apparently Gordon is a ERFA, and I don't know how. Virtually no chance CLE lets him go in that case.

All the suspensions and stuff have Gordon still stuck as an Exclusive Rights free agent; if Cleveland wants him back, they'll get him back cheap. And I can see him having a pretty stout trade market.

I mean if they want to ship him here as part of an Alex Smith trade - sold! But I don't think it's likely. He's established that the skills are still there and he's been contrite/forthright enough that I think they'll take the gamble with him.

Home run here for Veech. Very good trade.

How did the founder of Wendy's become such an expert on NFL defensive lineman? That's quite a career transition.

Well that happens when a sub 4.3 receiver runs a crossing route in zone coverage and he gets ****ed by being in that situation in the first place.

His hands are far worse than Bowe

Ragland was a steal and KPL gets in the lineup, something Alexander never could do.

If he's there....I'd like to take a shot on Allen Robinson on a 1 year "Alshon Jeffrey" type of deal.

We're absolutely set at LB next year.

Eligewe supposedly has Ragland type skills. They were #1 and #2 recruits coming out of high school if I remember right. They're just being patient with developing him. KPL is really good.

Was kinda iffy on it as I was wondering if Saban ran the piss out of him, but he looks to be coming back to form.

A great trade. Thanks Buffalo-mart!

Shoot, I'd forgot about him. He'd be a good fit too.

An offense with those type of weapons who can stretch the field vertically and horizontally, and that you can match up on corners, safeties, and LBs... well it'd be really, really hard to deal with.

Yes, let's start a new tradition of great Alabama LBs.

Really like this kid. In general love the approach of swinging for a lot of low price talent that other teams gave up on. It got us both KPL and Ragland. Good to see Veach doing that and hope that continues.

We all loved Dorsey so much after year 1... let's see if KPL really develops into a starter or not.

Did you read the op?

Gonna be alot of disappointed folks if you think you can just replace a Chiefs HOF'er who's played at a high level for 12 seasons *

You do realize by “replace” I meant be the starter for 2018 and the foreseeable future, right? That doesn’t mean he’s going to be the next DJ.

KPL has also been playing with a loaded Depends.

FYP

Went from giving up near 5 YPC to 3.7. Pretty big impact.

Has a lot to do with other players as well as running less nickel and dime, I’d imagine.

But it wouldn’t matter without Ragland.

This. They have tried it before with terrible results. This team is just now hitting it's stride. Uh oh...

Lots of good stuff here...

1) Loved the Ragland move, more than happy with his play!

2) Hope DJ does lose a pound, gain a step, and come back next year!

3) Been touting Gordon or Robinson as one of our offseason pick ups for awhile!

...Going to be a very exciting offseason imo

He's been a beast.

KPL combine yeah slow af :facepalm:

Here's a thought for DJ: Change your diet. What a silly thing to say-- that DJ is playing overweight due to an injury.

Look, I love DJ as much as anyone...but why would anyone think he's gonna somehow "gain a step" if he can "lose some weight"? We're not talking about normal people doing normal jobs. In the NFL, you don't get better with age. You factor in his age with his injuries, and you have a guy who is frankly done.

One of the greatest Chiefs ever. But it's just time. DJ ain't coming back to football. He's going to retire if the Chiefs don't bring him back. No other team in the league is going to want him. It's sad but true.

Hopefully he goes out on a high note...

Because the entire NBA is doing it...

https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/25/...rd-enes-kanter

It's also December. A pro athlete with the best trainers hasn't gotten back in shape by now? There is no way being overweight is the issue keeping him from being 5 feet being Antonio Gates.

The Bills do run a different defense so maybe Ragland was never going to do there what he is doing here.