Let's discuss how Chiefs 2014 sets up 2015

[chiefzilla1501]

Based on the last few weeks have played out, there's a few interesting things to consider at lots of different positions. And in many cases, we should consider tinkering in 2014 to find answers:

QB - Hope Murray progresses enough to cut Daniel and his contract yesterday. We don't know how quickly Murray is progressing. Any backup snaps in garbage time this year should go to Murray

TE - Do we cut Fasano next year if Kelce and Harris continue to progress? Common sense answer is yes, but he's not bad depth and we're only saving $2M if we cut him next year

Center - This is a no-brainer. Re-sign Hudson at market value, which should be about $3-4M. Although if they cut him loose Kush is a good replacement option

Guard - I don't care about continuity. Get McGlynn out of there yesterday. I know Fulton is young but just not excited about the kid's ceiling. Do we consider prepping Kush for a transition to Guard to be a flex Guard/Center (since Hudson may have locked the position down)? Do we consider starting Duvarney-Tardif the minute he seems ready? I am betting both Fulton and McGlynn are not starting by year end. Will be interesting to see who the starting 2 will be

Right Tackle - Another interesting question... Jeff Allen and Stephenson should probably be starting. Are we better off with Allen at RT and Stephenson at Guard? Or Stephenson at RT and Allen at Guard? I actually think Allen is better suited for Right Tackle and that Stephenson would make a good Guard

Safety - Abdullah seemed very comfortable in the Strong Safety role. Even though Ryan defenses focus on playmakers at SS and heady but less athletic guys at FS, think it's time to change that. When Berry comes back from injury, will they plug him in at FS?

DE - Interesting situation. Cutting DeVito next year saves you $4M, but Bailey and Vickerson will be free agents and could see sizeable pay bumps. If Catapano comes back and has a strong finish, which of Bailey, Vickerson, and DeVito do you keep / cut? What is the max you'd be willing to pay Bailey and Vickerson to keep them around next year (especially Vickerson, who will be 32)?

ILB - When DJ and Mays comes back, what happens? We all think JMJ should keep starting next to DJ, but will Sutton start Mays or Mauga over JMJ?

OLB - If Ford shows progress, do you pay Hali $14M to be on the roster next year? What do you pay Houston -- I think best option is to franchise him next year then immediately work on a 2015 extension (when more cap space will become available).

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Overrated horseshit fan speak.

Mentoring is nothing more than fans wet dreams.

This.

A wetdream created by sports announcers and movies.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by 505 Chief

I'd rather lose DJ than Tamba.

I disagree. Tamba costs 3 times as much and he plays a position that relies on physical talent. Doubt he's worth 14 mil next year and doubt he settles for a cap friendly restructuring. Some team will overpay him in his twilight years and it shouldn't be the Chiefs. Dj is playing out a deal that's one hell of a bargain for the Chiefs. He plays a position where just the mental side could keep him playing at a high level for 5 more years and I could see his knee injury giving the Chiefs leverage to negotiate a cheap contract. If the Chiefs get dj below 5 mil and especially way below 5 mil, which I think they can, that's still a great deal even at the back end of his career.

[DeathByArrows]

Originally Posted by Steron

Leadership. Leadership; Leadership. His cap number doesn't cripple the team. He's invaluable as a mentor to younger players. Smart, instinctive players can still make plays when their physical tools deteriorate.

Leadership doesn't mean squat if you can't play. Look at Ed Reed, great mentor, one of the best safeties of all time, yet once he lost a step it was over. After the Texans cut him last year he couldn't have paid someone to sign him, the only team that even sniffed him was the Jets because of his relationship with Rex. Then after the season was over, even Rex wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I disagree. Tamba costs 3 times as much and he plays a position that relies on physical talent. Doubt he's worth 14 mil next year and doubt he settles for a cap friendly restructuring. Some team will overpay him in his twilight years and it shouldn't be the Chiefs. Dj is playing out a deal that's one hell of a bargain for the Chiefs. He plays a position where just the mental side could keep him playing at a high level for 5 more years and I could see his knee injury giving the Chiefs leverage to negotiate a cheap contract. If the Chiefs get dj below 5 mil and especially way below 5 mil, which I think they can, that's still a great deal even at the back end of his career.

Gotta disagree about DJ, its hard to see him recovering well enough at his age to approximate what he was... and for FIVE more years?

All emotion and romanticism for his lifelong career here aside... this is a young mans game and the next DJ is out there somewhere just dying to be a pro for a lot less money.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Gotta disagree about DJ, its hard to see him recovering well enough at his age to approximate what he was... and for FIVE more years?

All emotion and romanticism for his lifelong career here aside... this is a young mans game and the next DJ is out there somewhere just dying to be a pro for a lot less money.

I think he will still be a good player. Smarts can still carry him. At ILB, I'm okay with good since at linebacker he can get away with not being dominant physically. Whereas if Hali is anything short of great at olb, get him out of there.

This is all assuming, of course, we get him on the cheap which I think we can.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Berry, on a bad heel and with a troublesome ankle, is likely not going to have the speed to play centerfield.

DJ is almost certain to be cut, as is Hali, barring a restructuring. If Houston only has an eight sack year, giving him a franchise tag might look a little foolish. If he wants to be the highest paid OLB in football and isn't giving you surplus value by doing it, he's better off elsewhere.

Daniel and Bray should both be cut next year.

Nearly the entire OL should be blown up.

DeVito should be gone. Catapano is a myth

I don't think a high ankle sprain and a bruised heel are going to be long-term injuries that plague the player forever.

Berry is only 25. Maybe I'm being naive, but I'm not worried about his speed or these 2 early season injuries being any factor in 2015.

[Direckshun]

You guys are high if you think the Chiefs should let Bowe walk.

You need a Bowe on a playoff team. He has the talent, though not the brains and toughness, of a #1 WR. What this team needs is an additional #1 WR to complement him.

The FA class next year is ****ing terrible. The Chiefs shouldn't cut Bowe to be financially reasonable. They can still shore up about $25m in selective cuts without budging on him -- enough to re-sign Hudson, Bailey, Vickerson, and draft well.

The more I see this year's upcoming FA class, the more I hate it. The Chiefs should just avoid, because B level players are going to get paid like A level players, because there will be no A level players.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

You guys are high if you think the Chiefs should let Bowe walk.

You need a Bowe on a playoff team. He has the talent, though not the brains and toughness, of a #1 WR. What this team needs is an additional #1 WR to complement him.

It's not about whether Bowe has the talent to be on the roster. It comes down to cap cost versus what he brings to the team. The ability is there.. but the lack of speed.. the lack of effort in route running and attacking the ball.. just can't be paying 14 mil of your cap space in the faint hope that he will play with intensity every game. With what he brings, he should be costing less than half of what he is.