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).

[KCrockaholic]

Catapano is the true big foot if there ever was one.

It's like you see his name. You heard about him in mini camps. And in real life he doesn't actually exist.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

DJ is almost certain to be cut, as is Hali, barring a restructuring.

It'd be tough to lose both those guys from a leadership standpoint. DJ's contract isn't too bad, I think they keep him if they think he can be even 75% of the guy he was. I think the only way Hali stays is if they tag and trade Houston, which seems unlikely.

[Direckshun]

I am of the opinion that, so long as we develop a ton of talent this year (particularly at OL, DL, ILB, and secondary) and draft well (particularly at WR and CB), then the Chiefs should be able to hang with almost any team in the league in 2015.

That is my perspective as of now. So:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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

Unless either Bray or Murray take huge steps, Daniel is our best bet to keep the team afloat if shit hits the fan. As of now, I do not anticipate that either player will take those steps. I anticipate that Daniel will play out the remaining 3rd year of his contract.

I didn't always feel that way about Chase, but that's because I fear I underrated how good this roster is. So long as we can effectively replace Hali and DJ on the defensive side of the ball (HUGE question there), then we can be extremely competitive, and Daniel's our best chance at keeping us afloat for a month or so if we need him.

If that's the case, it's Bray vs. Murray for QB3. And none of this IR shit, it's balls-to-the-wall, and the loser walks.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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

We absolutely cut Fasano -- that's not a question. Fasano would be our TE2 next year, and you DO not pay your TE2 $4m. The Chiefs can simply invest a midrounder on another TE, and have him compete with Harris for TE2 duties.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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

100% agreed.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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

McGlynn's a free agent, he walks. Jeff Allen is back from injury and starts.

I really like LDT's potential, and honestly I'd consider bringing back Linkenbach if the Chiefs don't land a decent guard in the draft.

I hope they do not simply award Fulton RG, however. I hope he had to re-earn it over LDT, Linkenbach, Kush, and any rookie we may bring on.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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

I don't disagree, actually. But it's a pipe dream.

My guess is that Stephenson plays his rookie deal out at tackle, and the Chiefs draft a replacement RT this year, early. I'm thinking 2nd or 3rd round.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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?

I really like Berry, Abdullah, and Commings as your three safeties. Coleman played okay against Tannehill, but we've got a ways to go before we know what's going on there. I'm guessing the Chiefs pick up a safety late in the draft, and a cheap one in free agency.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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)?

DE is a super interesting position because there's some good riches there.

Because of that, DeVito needs to be cut this offseason. It saves you money, and we're just now finally developing a passrush that DeVito would deflate.

I want to bring Bailey and Vickerson both back, if possible. Catapano needs to find a cure for whatever ails him, and the Chiefs should consider a late rounder at the DE position.

Walker doesn't factor in -- Walker's a change-of-pace NT for Dontari Poe.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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?

I think DJ gets cut. He costs $0 to cut.

The enthusiasm behind JMJ is dying down just a tad. He's now looking like a solid backup and a lackluster starter -- he struggles to shed blocks, and has failed to keep his lane integrity so far. The latter issue is correctable, the former is more difficult to learn.

Mays is clearly a solid starter at ILB. I fear the Chiefs will drain a high-rounder on DJ's old spot. I'd rather us just coach up JMJ, but I don't know how possible that is.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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).

I agree with all you say here. I desperately wish we could keep Hali, as losing Hali and DJ in one offseason would be devastating, but his cap number is suicidal for a team struggling to stay solvent.

[Direckshun]

I think we've got a tough choice at RB, too.

Charles stays on for another year (even though his deal would be very friendly for us to cut if we were ever so inclined), Davis stays on, and McKnight has proven to be indispensable. And DAT stays on for potential alone.

The question really comes down to Cyrus Gray, whom I love, and McKnight. McKnight's skillset it just a little too valuable, and I think Gray gets cut.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I am of the opinion that, so long as we develop a ton of talent this year (particularly at OL, DL, ILB, and secondary) and draft well (particularly at WR and CB), then the Chiefs should be able to hang with almost any team in the league in 2015.

That is my perspective as of now. So:



Unless either Bray or Murray take huge steps, Daniel is our best bet to keep the team afloat if shit hits the fan. As of now, I do not anticipate that either player will take those steps. I anticipate that Daniel will play out the remaining 3rd year of his contract.

I didn't always feel that way about Chase, but that's because I fear I underrated how good this roster is. So long as we can effectively replace Hali and DJ on the defensive side of the ball (HUGE question there), then we can be extremely competitive, and Daniel's our best chance at keeping us afloat for a month or so if we need him.

If that's the case, it's Bray vs. Murray for QB3. And none of this IR shit, it's balls-to-the-wall, and the loser walks.



We absolutely cut Fasano -- that's not a question. Fasano would be our TE2 next year, and you DO not pay your TE2 $4m. The Chiefs can simply invest a midrounder on another TE, and have him compete with Harris for TE2 duties.



100% agreed.



McGlynn's a free agent, he walks. Jeff Allen is back from injury and starts.

I really like LDT's potential, and honestly I'd consider bringing back Linkenbach if the Chiefs don't land a decent guard in the draft.

I hope they do not simply award Fulton RG, however. I hope he had to re-earn it over LDT, Linkenbach, Kush, and any rookie we may bring on.



I don't disagree, actually. But it's a pipe dream.

My guess is that Stephenson plays his rookie deal out at tackle, and the Chiefs draft a replacement RT this year, early. I'm thinking 2nd or 3rd round.



I really like Berry, Abdullah, and Commings as your three safeties. Coleman played okay against Tannehill, but we've got a ways to go before we know what's going on there. I'm guessing the Chiefs pick up a safety late in the draft, and a cheap one in free agency.



DE is a super interesting position because there's some good riches there.

Because of that, DeVito needs to be cut this offseason. It saves you money, and we're just now finally developing a passrush that DeVito would deflate.

I want to bring Bailey and Vickerson both back, if possible. Catapano needs to find a cure for whatever ails him, and the Chiefs should consider a late rounder at the DE position.

Walker doesn't factor in -- Walker's a change-of-pace NT for Dontari Poe.



I think DJ gets cut. He costs $0 to cut.

The enthusiasm behind JMJ is dying down just a tad. He's now looking like a solid backup and a lackluster starter -- he struggles to shed blocks, and has failed to keep his lane integrity so far. The latter issue is correctable, the former is more difficult to learn.

Mays is clearly a solid starter at ILB. I fear the Chiefs will drain a high-rounder on DJ's old spot. I'd rather us just coach up JMJ, but I don't know how possible that is.



I agree with all you say here. I desperately wish we could keep Hali, as losing Hali and DJ in one offseason would be devastating, but his cap number is suicidal for a team struggling to stay solvent.

Agree with many of these. We won't have top shelf talent, but think we'll have plenty of guys who you might say 'round out the starting lineup.'

[Steron]

Cutting DJ would make me and baby Jesus cry........

[Three7s]

Originally Posted by Steron

Cutting DJ would make me and baby Jesus cry........

This

[Nightfyre]

No discussion of WRs?

Bowe is as good as gone, imo. So I guess that leaves us with Avery, Hammond, Jenkins and Hemmingway.

What about CBs?

Sean Smith probably gets cut. We'll have Cooper and Gaines. Fleming and Owens are UFA.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

No discussion of WRs?

Bowe is as good as gone, imo. So I guess that leaves us with Avery, Hammond, Jenkins and Hemmingway.

What about CBs?

Sean Smith probably gets cut. We'll have Cooper and Gaines. Fleming and Owens are UFA.

Didn't bring up receivers. Would assume we need to clean house. Maybe should have brought up corners... Cooper seems like he's coming on even though he has a ways to go. We've learned nothing really about Gaines to say he can play in the NFL. So would assume in both groups, as of now, both haven't shown that there's a whole lot of promise for 2015. Would imagine Sean Smith has to stay even though he's overpaid.

[RunKC]

Get Bowe the **** out of here. He isn't doing well and he doesn't fit our scheme.

Sean Smith, Fasano, Daniel, DeVito, Avery and Tamba gone too, though I'd like to bring Tamba back on a lower friendly deal (fingers crossed).

All those cuts give us so much money back. Bring in some vets via free agency like year one but keep drafting well and building the team and it won't matter.

[Beef Supreme]

Same thing we do every year, Pinkie.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

I'd rather lose DJ than Tamba.

[Molitoth]

I like Tamba, but if Bob Sutton's defense isn't allowing us to get a pass rush, (no matter who we have rushing the passer from the edge), then he's just not worth the money.

Get a new DC, or get rid of Tamba. I prefer the new DC option.

[Easy 6]

We not only have a buttload of draft picks, but we should also have plenty of money for some good free agents... I expect a massive influx of talent, Dorsey has GOT to nail it next year.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by 505 Chief

I'd rather lose DJ than Tamba.

I agree, DJ just isnt going to be the same at his age... its been a real pleasure to watch him grow into what he's become, but its time to move on.