Chiefs Pioli looks for specific qualities in free agents - Page 3

ChiefRon · 03-26-2009, 11:11 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1106898.html

Pioli looks for specific qualities in free agents

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

DANA POINT, Calif. | The Chiefs had enough salary-cap room to buy small countries and certainly had need of many skilled players when the free-agency signing period began last month.

General manager Scott Pioli said he was never tempted to solve their many problems by making a big strike in free-agency.

“Here’s a rule I learned from my mother and father when I was a kid: Just because you have money in your pocket doesn’t mean you have to spend it,” Pioli said Wednesday at the conclusion of the NFL’s annual meetings. “Whether you have a lot or a little, always spend it wisely.”

The Chiefs spent some Wednesday when they agreed to terms of a two-year, $3.5 million contract with veteran offensive lineman Mike Goff. The 33-year-old Goff is an 11-year veteran, having spent the first six seasons of his career with Cincinnati and the last five with San Diego.

A durable player, Goff has started all 16 games for the last six seasons. His signing does not appear to be insurance in case the Chiefs trade guard Brian Waters, who for now is their starter at left guard.

Goff could wind up starting at either center, where he could beat out incumbent Rudy Niswanger, or right guard, where last year’s starter Adrian Jones is unsigned.

Goff could be the Chiefs’ only starter from this year’s group of unrestricted free-agent signings, which now numbers five. Pioli said free-agency for the Chiefs might look different from year to year depending on circumstances.

“Don’t ever expect a certain outcome because it always will depend on the opportunity,” said Pioli, who joined the Chiefs in January after nine seasons as the personnel director for New England. “People tried to believe the Patriots would never draft a linebacker. Last year, Jarod Mayo was drafted in the first round. People tried to believe the Patriots would never spend big money on top free-agent players. Rosevelt Colvin was paid pretty good money. Adalius Thomas was paid pretty good money.

“Now, we paid a lot of our own free agents. People forget that a lot of times, but that’s an element of free-agency, an important element. We re-signed Ty Warren. We re-signed Richard Seymour. We re-signed Tom Brady. We re-signed Dan Koppen.

“So every year will be different. Every day will be different. As we go through free-agency, teams sign players or roster bonuses come due for certain players and free-agency changes.”

The Chiefs also traded with the Patriots for two probable starters, quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel. While their free-agent group might include no eventual starters other than Goff, the Chiefs signed all of them with a specific role in mind.

Veteran wide receiver Bobby Engram will be the slot receiver when the Chiefs go to a three- or four-receiver formation and a resource for the Chiefs’ many young players.

“He’s an experienced receiver who’s played well in this league,” Pioli said. “He has tremendous makeup and tremendous character and will be a good veteran presence not only on the team but at his specific position. He runs great routes and is a very dependable person. So he’ll be productive not only as a player, but as a teacher and mentor and what we’re trying to do as a team.”

Wide receiver Terrance Copper, linebacker Monty Beisel and cornerback Travis Daniels will be reserves. But Copper is the fastest of Chiefs receivers and could give them a deep threat they’ve lacked at receiver.

Beisel, who played for the Patriots during part of Pioli’s time in New England, could wind up playing in special situations like goal-line and short-yardage. The Chiefs expect all three to upgrade their woeful play on special teams.

Pioli said they also share a quality that is essential for all players acquired by the Chiefs: They enjoy not only playing football, but working at it, too.

That’s something Pioli said he will be looking for when the Chiefs hold their first minicamp April 17-19 and practice later in the spring.

“One of the things I’ll be doing is evaluating not just football skills but details,” Pioli said. “Football needs to be one of the most important things in their lives.”

A day after coach Todd Haley used Cassel as an example of what the Chiefs were looking for in that regard, Pioli agreed, citing Cassel’s big year last season after replacing the injured Tom Brady.

“One of the most impressive things about Matt to me is that he essentially didn’t take a snap, hadn’t really had to prepare for a game or play for over seven years, but when the opportunity came, he was ready,” said Pioli, who along with coach Bill Belichick selected Cassel in the seventh round of the 2005 draft even though he had been a backup and played sparingly in college at USC.

“To me, his mental and emotional endurance are classic examples of everything we try to teach in football.”

htismaqe · 03-26-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Page is just as poor a tackler as Pollard is. The difference is he can actually do something well - COVER.

Pollard's best attribute is special teams play.

Um no.

About 90% of the time you see Pollard chasing a WR down from the other side of the field it's because Page was out of position.

The idea that Page can cover is a huge MYTH. He's one of the worst players on the defense.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The idea that Page can cover is a huge MYTH.

Garbage.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-26-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Um no.

About 90% of the time you see Pollard chasing a WR down from the other side of the field it's because Page was out of position.

The idea that Page can cover is a huge MYTH. He's one of the worst players on the defense.

Truth.

BigChiefFan · 03-26-2009, 12:52 PM

Pollard's weakness isn't his tackling.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-26-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Pollard's weakness isn't his tackling.

Elaborate?

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Pollard's weakness isn't his tackling.

His weakness is that he's an overall shitty defender.

His poor tackling is just one facet.

htismaqe · 03-26-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Garbage.

You spend too much time thinking about your next scoop and not enough time watching the games.

**The Franchise** · 03-26-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

His weakness is that he's an overall shitty defender.

His poor tackling is just one facet.

I'm inclined not to believe what you say. Devard Darling was supposed to be great.....and he hasn't amounted to shit.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-26-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

His weakness is that he's an overall shitty defender.

His poor tackling is just one facet.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You spend too much time thinking about your next scoop and not enough time watching the games.

Page had 12 passes defensed last year, and you want to tell me he can't cover. The Chiefs single him up on Antonio Gates ALL THE TIME, and he shuts him down, and you want to tell me can't cover.

The Chiefs re-signed him this offseason, and you want to tell me he can't cover.

I know one thing - he wasn't re-signed because he's a good tackler.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

I'm inclined not to believe what you say. Devard Darling was supposed to be great.....and he hasn't amounted to shit.

What, do you not watch the games or something?

Pollard is out there every week missing tackles.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-26-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

What, do you not watch the games or something?

Pollard is out there every week missing tackles.

I watch my games on planet Earth, not Superman's Bizzaro-World where everything is ass-backwards.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 01:00 PM

DaJuan Morgan will take Pollard's starting job. You watch.

By the end of the year you'll fall on your hands and knees begging for forgiveness. "Forgive me, Claythan!" you'll scream. And I'll look down and whisper....no.

**The Franchise** · 03-26-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

What, do you not watch the games or something?

Pollard is out there every week missing tackles.

Well he must be around the ball carrier every time then because for two seasons in a row now he's gone over 90 tackles.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

Well he must be around the ball carrier every time then because for two seasons in a row now he's gone over 90 tackles.

Oh boy, here we go again...people pimping bloody TACKLE stats.

03-26-2009, 11:11 AM
ChiefRon Starter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Memphis, TN Casino cash: $10004900	Pioli looks for specific qualities in free agents http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1106898.html Pioli looks for specific qualities in free agents By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star DANA POINT, Calif. \| The Chiefs had enough salary-cap room to buy small countries and certainly had need of many skilled players when the free-agency signing period began last month. General manager Scott Pioli said he was never tempted to solve their many problems by making a big strike in free-agency. “Here’s a rule I learned from my mother and father when I was a kid: Just because you have money in your pocket doesn’t mean you have to spend it,” Pioli said Wednesday at the conclusion of the NFL’s annual meetings. “Whether you have a lot or a little, always spend it wisely.” The Chiefs spent some Wednesday when they agreed to terms of a two-year, $3.5 million contract with veteran offensive lineman Mike Goff. The 33-year-old Goff is an 11-year veteran, having spent the first six seasons of his career with Cincinnati and the last five with San Diego. A durable player, Goff has started all 16 games for the last six seasons. His signing does not appear to be insurance in case the Chiefs trade guard Brian Waters, who for now is their starter at left guard. Goff could wind up starting at either center, where he could beat out incumbent Rudy Niswanger, or right guard, where last year’s starter Adrian Jones is unsigned. Goff could be the Chiefs’ only starter from this year’s group of unrestricted free-agent signings, which now numbers five. Pioli said free-agency for the Chiefs might look different from year to year depending on circumstances. “Don’t ever expect a certain outcome because it always will depend on the opportunity,” said Pioli, who joined the Chiefs in January after nine seasons as the personnel director for New England. “People tried to believe the Patriots would never draft a linebacker. Last year, Jarod Mayo was drafted in the first round. People tried to believe the Patriots would never spend big money on top free-agent players. Rosevelt Colvin was paid pretty good money. Adalius Thomas was paid pretty good money. “Now, we paid a lot of our own free agents. People forget that a lot of times, but that’s an element of free-agency, an important element. We re-signed Ty Warren. We re-signed Richard Seymour. We re-signed Tom Brady. We re-signed Dan Koppen. “So every year will be different. Every day will be different. As we go through free-agency, teams sign players or roster bonuses come due for certain players and free-agency changes.” The Chiefs also traded with the Patriots for two probable starters, quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel. While their free-agent group might include no eventual starters other than Goff, the Chiefs signed all of them with a specific role in mind. Veteran wide receiver Bobby Engram will be the slot receiver when the Chiefs go to a three- or four-receiver formation and a resource for the Chiefs’ many young players. “He’s an experienced receiver who’s played well in this league,” Pioli said. “He has tremendous makeup and tremendous character and will be a good veteran presence not only on the team but at his specific position. He runs great routes and is a very dependable person. So he’ll be productive not only as a player, but as a teacher and mentor and what we’re trying to do as a team.” Wide receiver Terrance Copper, linebacker Monty Beisel and cornerback Travis Daniels will be reserves. But Copper is the fastest of Chiefs receivers and could give them a deep threat they’ve lacked at receiver. Beisel, who played for the Patriots during part of Pioli’s time in New England, could wind up playing in special situations like goal-line and short-yardage. The Chiefs expect all three to upgrade their woeful play on special teams. Pioli said they also share a quality that is essential for all players acquired by the Chiefs: They enjoy not only playing football, but working at it, too. That’s something Pioli said he will be looking for when the Chiefs hold their first minicamp April 17-19 and practice later in the spring. “One of the things I’ll be doing is evaluating not just football skills but details,” Pioli said. “Football needs to be one of the most important things in their lives.” A day after coach Todd Haley used Cassel as an example of what the Chiefs were looking for in that regard, Pioli agreed, citing Cassel’s big year last season after replacing the injured Tom Brady. “One of the most impressive things about Matt to me is that he essentially didn’t take a snap, hadn’t really had to prepare for a game or play for over seven years, but when the opportunity came, he was ready,” said Pioli, who along with coach Bill Belichick selected Cassel in the seventh round of the 2005 draft even though he had been a backup and played sparingly in college at USC. “To me, his mental and emotional endurance are classic examples of everything we try to teach in football.”
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03-26-2009, 12:52 PM	#34
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	Pollard's weakness isn't his tackling. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
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03-26-2009, 01:00 PM	#43
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4320478	DaJuan Morgan will take Pollard's starting job. You watch. By the end of the year you'll fall on your hands and knees begging for forgiveness. "Forgive me, Claythan!" you'll scream. And I'll look down and whisper....no. __________________ Chiefs game films
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