Mellinger: Now is the time for Chiefs to make bold move at QB
 

Now is the time for Chiefs to make bold move at QB
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

The old personnel man wants a promise you won’t use his name. He will talk to you, and say exactly what he thinks, but doesn’t want to be the one using a public forum like the local newspaper to tell Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli how to do his job.

It’s just that the man spent a few decades being paid to evaluate NFL talent and he can’t look at the Chiefs without seeing what he thinks is obvious.

“They need a quarterback,” the man says. “Matt Cassel is fine, but look at the league now, the way things are, you need to do better than Matt Cassel. At least bring in someone to compete.”

This is the Chiefs’ major decision now. It is real, even if the decision-makers are maintaining their usual silence. Cassel is the incumbent, and there are no indications that the most important opinions on him are wavering.

But the costs of moving on have never been lower, the potential benefits never been higher, and the timing never better. The easy thing is to see that the Chiefs need to get better at quarterback.

The harder thing is thinking through the options and making the necessary sacrifices.

• • •

That whole Suck For Luck thing is nonsense. A nonstarter. NFL teams don’t throw seasons, and they certainly don’t make progress by throwing seasons.

But right now, it’s impossible not to think about it.

Because the Chiefs will own the 11th or 12th pick in April’s draft — it’ll be decided by a coin flip with Seattle — and that’s just too far to trade into the first (Andrew Luck) or second (Robert Griffin III) pick. Whatever chance the Chiefs had to draft one of this class’ premier quarterbacks died when they won seven games.

Shawn Zobel, who runs DraftHeadquarters.com, thinks a realistic framework for the Chiefs to move into the No. 2 pick would be roughly what Atlanta gave up last year to move from No. 27 to No. 6 in order to take Julio Jones: two first-round picks, one second, and two fourths.

The NFL’s new CBA includes cost-control on rookies, plus the Browns have extra picks from the trade with Atlanta, so it would be an enormous stretch for the Chiefs to make the best offer. Either way, it would be a staggering haul that didn’t help the Falcons, plus left them without a first- or fourth-round pick this year.

Griffin’s potential is real, but the Chiefs have too many other needs — starting with an offensive line that needs to get both younger and better — to do that. Besides, trading up is entirely out of Pioli’s track record.

We also know that re-signing Kyle Orton is both uncertain (he’ll have other options) and entirely inadequate. That leaves two options for a bold move: take a quarterback with the first-round pick, or go big with someone else’s quarterback.

A first-round pick probably means Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill. He’s a former wide receiver with only a season and a half as a starting quarterback, so he’s raw, especially with quarterback intricacies like pre-snap reads and progressing through receivers. He recently broke his foot but is expected to recover.

The last option is the one that makes the most sense. Peyton Manning is the sexy name, of course, and the obvious and sad irony is that the Chiefs haven’t won a playoff game since the last time they brought in someone else’s aching Hall of Fame quarterback, Joe Montana.

Manning would be a no-brainer, both in terms of football and public relations. The problem is the list of what would have to happen — his neck fully heals, the Colts let him go, and he decides he wants to play somewhere else — is wrought with uncertainty.

The positive is that the Chiefs are in a place to offer Manning a talented roster with a coaching staff that could still be suited to him and a presumably winnable division.

Matt Flynn is the best free agent, though the Packers could use the franchise tag to keep him as their backup. Flynn drove up his price by throwing for six touchdowns and a franchise-record 480 yards in the season finale against Detroit, and was also good (24 of 37 passing, 251 yards, three touchdowns and an interception) in his one start last season.

But here’s the irony: his profile is an awful lot like Matt Cassel’s was three years ago. Both are career backups to Hall of Famers. Both have benefitted from being in wildly successful systems. Flynn will be 27 when the season begins, just like Cassel was when he began with the Chiefs.

It’s a small sample, but perhaps instructive that of two NFL personnel men who spoke for this column, one said he liked Cassel more three years ago than he likes Flynn now.

That’s OK. There aren’t many certainties in the NFL, but here’s one: the Chiefs are in a promising place that can best be ruined by lacking the guts to do something bold.

• • •

The advantage the Chiefs have in searching for a better quarterback situation is in timing first, and resources second.

Romeo Crennel hasn’t hired an offensive coordinator, or even given much of an indication on which coaches will be back. That gives him an opportunity to sync the new staff with whatever decision is made about the quarterback.

Acquiring someone else’s quarterback — Manning or Flynn — comes with an added benefit. The Chiefs have plenty of salary-cap space, and could structure any deal in such a way to make the most out of the league-mandated spending minimum that begins in the 2013 season.

The quote at the top of this column is a pretty good summation. Cassel is fine. He’s had four seasons as a starting quarterback. Twice he won 10 games, once he played for a team that had no chance, and the other he got hurt.

But this narrative from the Chiefs that Cassel is young and developing needs to stop. He turns 30 in May. He’s started 54 games. Rookies are coming into the NFL ready.

Cassel told The Star last week he wouldn’t mind if the Chiefs made him compete for the job. Nothing that happened last season indicates that competition would come from Ricky Stanzi.

The Chiefs have the chassis for a good football team, now and into the future. Much of that is because of the improvement of players such as Tamba Hali and Jamaal Charles and Pioli’s ability to sign them long-term.

Since Pioli took over three years ago, two of the most consistent limits on the team have been his unwillingness to make bold personnel acquisitions and the quarterback.

This offseason presents the perfect chance to change that.

Go bold! Get a backup to compete with the front-line backup you already have!

Well, Stanzi never was given a chance last year because of Haley's bromance with Palko.

Pioli is smart. He knows what he's looking for in a QB. Before every interview with a QB at the Combine, he balls up a bubble gum wrapper and throws it on the floor. If a QB picks it up and throws it in the trash can, he'll get drafted. If not, he wont. Sanchez and Freeman both left the wrapper on the floor. Hopefully RGIII won't make the same mistake.



Side note: Stanzi picked up the wrapper, but in the process, he farted, that's why Pioli waited until the 5th round to draft him.

IDK bout others, but I'd give up this years 1st, next years 1st, and this years 2nd for RG3. No problem.

"`

Pioli has no balls. He's going down burning with Cassel.

True fans who don't follow the team online probably think this article is an edgy, bold, and abrasive critique of Matt Cassel, their starting QB.

True fans: "Mellinger is really going out on a limb talking about Cassel like that. He only went to the pro bowl in 2010." (yet I know people that bring his pro bowl up, but they forget he was an alternate because Brady couldn't go)

Dumbass. At least Flynn actually PLAYED in college.

I agree if shit doesn't change with drafting a 1st round QB, or giving Stanzi a chance to see what he has when he plays with the 1st stringers.

My eyes lit up with excitement and wonder when I read this title. I thought that somebody from the KC Star was actually going to advocate drafting one of the top two QBs in this year's draft.

Then I read "Matt Cassel is fine". Worry started to set in.

Then I read "Griffin’s potential is real, but the Chiefs have too many other needs..." I got pissed.

After reading Mellinger act like a reeruned dildo of a true fan, I thought the article couldn't get any worse. But then Mellinger wrote this gem:

"Cassel told The Star last week he wouldn’t mind if the Chiefs made him compete for the job. Nothing that happened last season indicates that competition would come from Ricky Stanzi."

.....

http://xn-games.net/okra/wp-content/...1/11/ffuuu.jpg

I'll get right on that. Gonna give good ol Scotty a call. Gotta watch what I say though. They've been tapping into my phone lines lately.

DO this!!

I will. And because I'm a nice guy, I erased your previous post about the article. :)

I think because of the draft position of the Chiefs and the number of teams that need a QB, it will take more than that to get RGIII. I think the Browns, Redskins and Dolphins will also be making offers. This could get into a bidding war.

KC would likely be the odd team out if it came down to those 4 teams making offers. The others just have more to work with. It's a sad story, but we will once again leave draft day without a potential franchise QB.

manning to KC! we're not getting Luck or RGIII and our defense Kicks Ass.

its Now Or Never

There is nothing bold about Pioli. He is the epitome of playing it safe.
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no such thing when it comes to QB... although Egoli would surely argue with me....

Sign me up for that trade. If Cassel is anything close to what Pioli thinks he is, he can get one of his 4ths back by trading him.

If we had a stud QB right now to go with the team we have right now we would be legit contenders. Therefore I say trade the whole friggin draft if thats what it takes .

It's sad that the average fan of the NFL can point out all the flaws of having Matt Cassel as QB & yet our GM is blind. How ignorant can he be? It's mental retartdation at this point.

Matt Cassel has won games and taken this team to the playoffs before.

no shit...

"Griffin’s potential is real, but the Chiefs have too many other needs — starting with an offensive line that needs to get both younger and better — to do that."

For those that were asking, this is representative of the sentiment in KC. It's a warped mindset.

I say trade down, pick up an extra first for next year by trading into the 20's. Fill as many key positions through draft and Free Agency (have to spend this year) and resign Orton. Orton has shown he can do well with this run first offense and is the most likely option that Pioli would play (safe). If the Orton experiment doesn't work, we have multiple 1st's to move up and get Barkley next year.

I woke up this morning thinking positive for a change.

There's just NO WAY that the ENTIRE football world is smarter than Pioli. They're going to part ways with Cassel as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

I've said this before, and I firmly believe it.

If the Colts pay Manning the 28 mil bonus in March, they will be a team in win now mode.

They will be shopping that #1 overall, and they will be looking for players that are proven and can help them right now, because they will have about a 3 year window.

To get that pick, a package that includes both draft picks and players will have to be involved, and they need help in all 3 levels of thier defense the most.

The Chiefs are one of the few teams that have the cap space to absorb any signing bonuses that will accelerate to the cap if they trade players.

I'd offer this year's first and third, Glen Dorsey, DJ and Kendrick Lewis for the #1 overall to take Luck.

I like this idea, except I think the better target might be Tyler Wilson.

Finally, someone outside of this board has talked about the elephant in the room.

In his comparisons to Cassel and Flynn he forgot that Flynn actually played college ball. :p

IMO, The Colts won't trade Peyton. (I've been wrong before)

Secondly, I think Peyton will not be able to recreate what he did with that offense elsewhere. It took lots of time, right, smart players and chemistry working over and over to master what he did in Indy. To just walk in somewhere else and run that "type" of offense, I don't see it.

Yep. The Rams need Blackmon for Bradford, but they could get offered a butt load to rebuild that team.

You probably would...

I probably would do something that I said I probaby would do.

That's an insightful observation right there.

COMEDY GOLD, JERRY! COMEDY GOLD!LMAO

Let's face it: no QB in round 1, no high power trade. This article is a collective of snippets of posts here. "Wait til next year." Bold move: Sign Orton, skip the draft pick, get some help in the lineup, and get the OC position upgraded.

Try Chocolate Chip instead of plain vanilla on a cone, instead of a cup. Stand out, be bold.

Heh.

it ain't gona happen ......

your and idiot...

we can win it all with mark castle...

we don't need no stinkin' quarterback...

So Mellinger says "Be bold!", but the truly bold move of trading up to grab a QB, he talks down.

Mellinger himself can't even be bold enough to support his own thesis. I mean, he even talks down the idea of signing Flynn.

The boldest thing he can come up with is sign someone to compete with Cassel?

Shit or get off the pot, Sam. Choose one of those options and ADVOCATE for it. Dismiss the potential pitfalls of trading up and make a STRONG argument for doing it. You're a goddamn columnist, give us some OPINIONS.

I read this article viewing a positive change in KC Sports Journalism: Somebody called for Cassel losing his job.

The thing is... ergh. Maybe it's because I'm an angry person, but the truth isn't getting acknowledged here. I wish a writer would say something to the effect of "Matt Cassel sucks". What was written here is too nice. People have to know that no, Matt Cassel is NOT fine. He's terrible. He's the one thing that will prevent the team from winning a playoff game next year.

If we draft a quarterback and re-sign Orton, I don't see how Cassel would even make the team next year.

Time to move on.

Every year I hear someone say trade down. It doesn't always work that easily. There has to be someone in our range that another team wants that they believe another team will draft before them. I can't see who that player would be.

We need to get better at QB...well, Melly, we aren't going to find a QB in FA or staying put in the draft, so...the only logical solution is to TRADE UP in the draft.

We could use both

Report: Peyton Manning, Jeff Saturday to Redskins 'Very Likely'

by Ricky Doyle on Sat, Jan 14, 2012 at 10:04PM

The Colts reportedly plan to draft future franchise quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. If that spells the end of Peyton Manning's tenure in Indianapolis, the veteran could end up in the nation's capital.

According to ESPN's Bram Weinstein, a source indicates that it's "very likely" that Manning and center Jeff Saturday will join the Redskins.

Manning inked a five-year, $90 million last offseason, but the Colts could elect to rebuild with Luck at the helm going forward. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported last week that Indianapolis will not trade Manning, but with the quarterback's health still a question mark, the team could end up releasing him.

Saturday, who turns 37 in June, is set to become a free agent. He's protected Manning since entering the league in 1999.

Bringing in Manning would be a huge splash for a Redskins team that's received inconsistent quarterback play in recent years.

Manning has been named to 11 Pro Bowls in his career, and has earned MVP honors four times. Saturday has been selected to five Pro Bowls.

http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/ar...likely/9352094

You're just not titillated enough, then? Mellinger brings up more questions than conclusions. That's his perceived job, as a Whitlock spinoff.

yep
the only reason he made the team the last three seasons is because there was no competition.

How about Richardson...Cleveland will most likely part ways with Hillis and would be looking for a stud RB. They also have the ammunition to trade up.

They writers are starting to voice out.


Idiot fans out there might start to actually understand how bad we are at QB.

Was Jack Harry ever a personnel man

That's what I was thinking -- essentially trade players and cap space along with the draft picks. And if I did it, I'd be willing to give up a lot more for Luck than RGIII.

I'm intrigued because I think Luck is a sure thing and exactly what this team needs.

Explain how under this scenario you would fill the holes left by the 3 players and 2 draft picks to field this team next season?

Best thing about this article is that it gets some publicity for us needing a new QB outside of Internet message boards and talk radio. Unfortunately it will get buried by Babb's Pioli/KGB piece

First and foremost, with Andrew Luck, you've potentially opened a 15 year window, so filling those holes immediately is not essential to the long term success of this team

But I would not necessarily concern myself with filling the specific holes created by that trade.

I would attempt to sign Paul Solai, Leron Landry, and Chris Myers or Nick Hardwick in free agency.

I would look at the best player available at either ILB or RT in the second round of the draft (I've only given up the first and third), with the empahsis tilted toward ILB.

Allen Bailey takes over Dorsey's spot on the D-Line.
I'd looked for line, LB, and safety depth through the rest of the draft.

...Wow. I actually wish Milkman was running the franchise on draft day. He would get a deal done. But no, we have this Cassel infatuated little pussy ass bitch of a GM that thinks we can win games with a pile of shit at QB.

He does?
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I was asking, and I am thrrriillled with the answer.

I like how they say its likely and then site no reason why its likely. If Manning is a FA he isn't going to the Redskins. He is going to a team that can win. I am not saying he picks KC, I am saying he doesn't pick WAS.

That shouldn't be a question.

No one really knows as obvious from the very next day this comes out too:

Report: 49ers, Seahawks & Cardinals Possible Trade Destinations for Manning

According to Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network, general managers and people close to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning don’t see him going to the Jets if he does end up leaving Indy in the offseason.

If Manning ends up being available via trade, the teams that GM’s around the NFL see as potential landing spots are the 49ers, Seahawks and the Cardinals.

We mentioned a report last night that linked Manning and Colts center Jeff Saturday to the Redskins if he ends up getting released.

If the Colts do end up moving on from Manning, he’ll have plenty of teams to choose from.

http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/ar...anning/9343955

It really should. He admits he isn't married to him. From what we've seen the past few years, Pioli is as unpredictable as they come. I don't know why people think they can predict what hes going to do with any of his players. What makes you think hes married to Cassel?
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Because Cassel had his opportunity. Every one with a brain can see that Cassel is not championship quality, yet we still keep him as our starter. He shouldn't even be on the team anymore. Pioli made a mistake. And he's afraid to admit he was wrong on this one.

I'd start with this years and next years 1 and 3, go from there.


If I had to I'd trade the whole draft to get Luck if I had to. I'm also not really sure that Luck wants to go to Indy to sit behind Manning. I think papa Luck is gonna say no thanks, thus reducing the haul the Manninngs could get for that pick.

Huh? After last season, not that many people had a problem with him being our starter. Im betting that you were one of them. You don't know whether pioli will retain him at starter or not.

And Pioli admitted his mistake on Haley who was his first move when he was named GM so why wouldn't he admit his mistake on Cassel?
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If Cleveland, Washington, and Miami are in the mix (and I imagine they all will be), it's going to take a hell of a lot more than that.

For example, if we're competing with Cleveland, we'd basically have to match their offer AND trade up from 12 to 4. So if Cleveland offers next year's first plus an extra pick, which I imagine is table stakes, that means the Chiefs have to offer up two firsts, and either an additional first or a second round pick + an additional pick (that Cleveland would have offered).

Especially if Indy decides to go with Luck, which I believe they will, I think RGIII is going to be way too costly to trade up for.

Any "expert" that talks about Manning being traded is an idiot. The Colts take a $30 million cap hit to trade him and have to pay the $28 million bonus themselves.

Probably true zilla.


Gotta look at some other things tho. Matt Flynn is probably going to be a quarterback for one of those teams, Manning could be a quarterback for one of those teams.

Things could fall in a ton of different places.

Two first s a second and two fourths was suggested somewhere, same as atl. In the 20 s to 6th last year.

I would do that deal for either one
Posted via Mobile Device

I love how the article states that its time to make a move to get a QB then states all the options are essentially closed, and that in any case Cassel will be still waiting there.

Most people did. The smart fans knew Cassel wasn't the answer.

Absolutely not. Why would you make assumptions like that.

True. But at this point Cassel is his guy, and I've seen nothing to tell me otherwise.

Because he put 60 million dollars into Cassel, and Pioli doesn't have a personal problem with Cassel like he did with Haley.

The Value of Andrew Luck


Peter King estimated in his most recent Monday Morning Quarterback column that the top spot in the 2012 NFL Draft could fetch at least three first-round picks, and possibly more. Adam Schefter at ESPN speculated on Luck's potential trade value prior to Week 16:

If somehow the Colts win a game and the Rams don't, then that pick, for the Rams franchise, would be worth, roughly worth, three (first-round picks) and two (second-rounders), maybe four first-round picks. And so there's a huge amount at stake if somehow the Colts -- who will continue to try to win games -- win another game, the Rams lose their two games and somehow come up with that pick.

For a franchise like the Rams or the Colts, that's a lucrative deal that could replenish a roster in need of more talent at almost every position, an instant franchise rebuild in one convenient package.

Which teams might be in the mix to trade up for Andrew Luck?

Cleveland Browns - It's funny to think about Cleveland again being involved in a significant draft day trade. This time, of course, they would be the ones moving up in the first round. Unlike the other teams who could use Luck, Cleveland has the ability to pay cash on the barrelhead with two first-round picks in 2012. Colt McCoy may very well be an acceptable solution, but Andrew Luck would finally put the Browns on the road to relevancy. They would still need some offensive players to go with Luck, but the free agent market might provide that.

Washington Redskins - Mike Shanahan sure misses John Elway, and this might be his chance to reunite with him in spirit. Washington is desperate and crazy enough to trade away the deed to their house for this pick. They also have a fairly talented roster which would help pay immediate dividends.

Miami Dolphins - Miami got a jump start on changes there by firing Tony Sparano before the end of the season. They need a quick turnaround. The Fins also have some talent on their roster to pair with Luck right away, including Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall.

Seattle Seahawks - Pete Carroll's team gets thrown into the Andrew Luck conversation, and they could certainly use a quarterback. If the Rams ended up with the first pick, would they be willing to make a deal with a division rival? They might be more inclined to take a shot at Robert Griffin III, the Andrew Luck consolation prize.

Those four teams are the most obvious suitors, but don't rule out a surprise entrant. The Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and even the Denver Broncos could make the case for grabbing Luck.

The Super Bowl, free agency...it's all just a matinee to the 2012 NFL Draft and the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

I'd do it. Give them 3 1st. And call it a deal. Make sure our scouts dig deep in future years to find some talent.

All you have to do is look at the Herschel Walker trade. The Cowboys traded Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for a total of five players (LB Jesse Solomon, DB Issiac Holt, RB Darrin Nelson, LB David Howard, DE Alex Stewart) and six draft picks (which led to Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson). The trade turned the Cowboys into a dynasty, and left the Vikings with a lot of regret.

I could see the Broncos trying to trade Tebow (since his stock is so high right now) and draft picks. I would be so pissed if it was them

IMO the draft is set up like this. For the most part, you get stars in the first round. Some in the second round if you are lucky.

The Chiefs right now, have stars. They need depth everywhere. Of course you can never have to many stars, but you tend to need a star at the quarterback position as that can cover alot of deficiencies.

Franchise QB>Great RB

And it's not even close.

This is a little different situation.

I'd argue that Luck would be worth more to the Chiefs franchiese than those picks added together.

He could make the Chiefs relevant in the power changing AFC for 15 years.

I was on the Peyton Manning bandwagon, and still am. It's not going to happen, but I'll say this aside from it:

Now is NOT the time for the Chiefs to make a bold QB move (excepting Manning).

2013 has a ton of great potential franchise QBs coming out. None of them are in Luck's range but the sheer number of them allows for this team to get a QB with better value than competing with eight other teams for, really, only two or three options.

The reason I except a healthy Manning is because he's truly a gamechanger.

I'd love to have Manning. But something about drafting a developing our own Manning makes me excited.


For once I want the Chiefs to be trend setters and be considered serious.

And about 2013 qb class, the same thing was said this time last eyar and this years class.

I agree with that, but 3 or 4 1st rd picks seems like an awfull lot to give up.

For all anyone knows, and with our luck, in a couple years the next Joe Montana could come out.

Will the Chiefs have a better chance at trading into the 2nd spot than other teams since they can trade Bowe to the Rams? One of the multiple firsts that teams trade to the Rams will get used on the best WR available when they pick anyway.

Bowe with a legit QB and a strong running game would be pretty ****ing scary.

Would the Chiefs have to give up something like: Bowe, 2012 1st, 2013 1st, 2012 2nd?
Essentially 3 first round picks and a high 2nd round pick.

The rule with Ricky Williams and Hershal Walker trades is never give up everything for a complimentary player.

Either of those trades would have been good if they had landed a franchise quarterback.