Crennel's take on a nose tackle and the chiefs.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Asked specifically about nose tackle, where last season’s starter, Kelly Gregg, is an unrestricted free agent, Crennel said, “We’ve talked to some people there, but we’ve told them we’re going to wait until after the draft and see what else might develop. So we have possibilities there.”

Gregg is 35, but he played in all 16 games for the Chiefs last year, starting 14. Crennel said the Chiefs might attempt to re-sign Gregg after the draft.

“I thought he did a good job for us,” Crennel said. “He used up the blockers so that the linebackers were free to make plays. If you talk to any of those linebackers, particularly the inside linebackers, they’ll tell you that they enjoyed having him in front of them. He allowed both of those guys to make plays.

“I’m not ruling Kelly out. I think he would like to come back and play. I think he likes the situation. He understands how we coach. He knows what defense we’re going to run. I think if he has the opportunity he would not be opposed to coming back.”

Otherwise, the Chiefs at nose tackle have veteran Amon Gordon and Jerrell Powe, a rookie last season. Gordon played in 16 games for the Chiefs last season, starting twice. But the Chiefs value him more for his versatility than his ability to handle the nose on an every-down basis.

“He came in last year and did an admirable job for us,’’ Crennel said. “He produced and made some plays at times. I know he can go into the game and do it.’’

The 330-pound Powe, a sixth-round draft choice last year, played in just one game as a rookie. But he could figure in the Chiefs’ plans this year.

“He’s a big, physical body,’’ Crennel said. “He had last year to learn what it takes to play in this league. The thing about him is that he didn’t really have an off-season last year (because of the lockout). By him being able to have an off-season this year, he’s going to get so much better. We’ll be able to work with him on his techniques and talk to him about how to play the game. I think we’ll see an improvement in his play



http://www.kansascity.com/2012...into-draft.html

[Coogs]

Here is the whole article...

Crennel: Chiefs head into draft without holes



By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

The ideal scenario for any team is to head into the NFL Draft with a roster devoid of obvious holes.

Coach Romeo Crennel said that’s exactly where the Chiefs are after signing five veterans in free agency.

“We’ve done a nice job of addressing some needs through free agency,” Crennel said from Palm Beach, Fla., site of the NFL’s annual meetings. “We’ve put ourselves in position, with the needs we filled, that when we go into the draft, we can look at the best athlete available and the guy we think can help our team the most.

“We won’t have to draft for need. That gives us many more options.”

The Chiefs’ biggest need heading into the offseason was at right tackle, but they attacked that by signing free agent Eric Winston. They also signed a cornerback (Stanford Routt) to replace the departed Brandon Carr, a running back (Peyton Hillis) to help share the load with Jamaal Charles, a tight end (Kevin Boss) who gives the Chiefs some much-needed depth, and a backup quarterback (Brady Quinn) with starting experience in the NFL.

To Crennel, that leaves the Chiefs with no area in which they couldn’t line up and play a game today, if necessary.

“We have guys at most of the positions that are competitive and will be competitive,” Crennel said. “You can never have enough speed on your team, enough pass rushers on your team. We’re always looking for corners, we’re always looking for pass rushers, we’re always looking for speed receivers. If you can pick up some help in any of those areas, you’ve helped your team.”

Asked specifically about nose tackle, where last season’s starter, Kelly Gregg, is an unrestricted free agent, Crennel said, “We’ve talked to some people there, but we’ve told them we’re going to wait until after the draft and see what else might develop. So we have possibilities there.”

Gregg is 35, but he played in all 16 games for the Chiefs last year, starting 14. Crennel said the Chiefs might attempt to re-sign Gregg after the draft.

“I thought he did a good job for us,” Crennel said. “He used up the blockers so that the linebackers were free to make plays. If you talk to any of those linebackers, particularly the inside linebackers, they’ll tell you that they enjoyed having him in front of them. He allowed both of those guys to make plays.

“I’m not ruling Kelly out. I think he would like to come back and play. I think he likes the situation. He understands how we coach. He knows what defense we’re going to run. I think if he has the opportunity he would not be opposed to coming back.”

Otherwise, the Chiefs at nose tackle have veteran Amon Gordon and Jerrell Powe, a rookie last season. Gordon played in 16 games for the Chiefs last season, starting twice. But the Chiefs value him more for his versatility than his ability to handle the nose on an every-down basis.

“He came in last year and did an admirable job for us,’’ Crennel said. “He produced and made some plays at times. I know he can go into the game and do it.’’

The 330-pound Powe, a sixth-round draft choice last year, played in just one game as a rookie. But he could figure in the Chiefs’ plans this year.

“He’s a big, physical body,’’ Crennel said. “He had last year to learn what it takes to play in this league. The thing about him is that he didn’t really have an off-season last year (because of the lockout). By him being able to have an off-season this year, he’s going to get so much better. We’ll be able to work with him on his techniques and talk to him about how to play the game. I think we’ll see an improvement in his play.’’

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/27...#storylink=cpy

[milkman]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

I love how some people wanted Powe in the 2nd last year and now that we have him, nobody even considers him now.

Guy didn't play last year, I'd like to see what he can do.

I thought Powe was, far and away, the best rookie in the preseason last year, and don't fully inderstand why he was so limited by the staff in the regular season.

I still have high hopes that he will become the anchor we need at the nose.

But we also need better quality players at that position to rotate with him.

[The Franchise]

[BigChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Here is the whole article...

Crennel: Chiefs head into draft without holes



By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

The ideal scenario for any team is to head into the NFL Draft with a roster devoid of obvious holes.

Coach Romeo Crennel said that’s exactly where the Chiefs are after signing five veterans in free agency.

“We’ve done a nice job of addressing some needs through free agency,” Crennel said from Palm Beach, Fla., site of the NFL’s annual meetings. “We’ve put ourselves in position, with the needs we filled, that when we go into the draft, we can look at the best athlete available and the guy we think can help our team the most.

“We won’t have to draft for need. That gives us many more options.”

The Chiefs’ biggest need heading into the offseason was at right tackle, but they attacked that by signing free agent Eric Winston. They also signed a cornerback (Stanford Routt) to replace the departed Brandon Carr, a running back (Peyton Hillis) to help share the load with Jamaal Charles, a tight end (Kevin Boss) who gives the Chiefs some much-needed depth, and a backup quarterback (Brady Quinn) with starting experience in the NFL.

To Crennel, that leaves the Chiefs with no area in which they couldn’t line up and play a game today, if necessary.

“We have guys at most of the positions that are competitive and will be competitive,” Crennel said. “You can never have enough speed on your team, enough pass rushers on your team. We’re always looking for corners, we’re always looking for pass rushers, we’re always looking for speed receivers. If you can pick up some help in any of those areas, you’ve helped your team.”

Asked specifically about nose tackle, where last season’s starter, Kelly Gregg, is an unrestricted free agent, Crennel said, “We’ve talked to some people there, but we’ve told them we’re going to wait until after the draft and see what else might develop. So we have possibilities there.”

Gregg is 35, but he played in all 16 games for the Chiefs last year, starting 14. Crennel said the Chiefs might attempt to re-sign Gregg after the draft.

“I thought he did a good job for us,” Crennel said. “He used up the blockers so that the linebackers were free to make plays. If you talk to any of those linebackers, particularly the inside linebackers, they’ll tell you that they enjoyed having him in front of them. He allowed both of those guys to make plays.

“I’m not ruling Kelly out. I think he would like to come back and play. I think he likes the situation. He understands how we coach. He knows what defense we’re going to run. I think if he has the opportunity he would not be opposed to coming back.”

Otherwise, the Chiefs at nose tackle have veteran Amon Gordon and Jerrell Powe, a rookie last season. Gordon played in 16 games for the Chiefs last season, starting twice. But the Chiefs value him more for his versatility than his ability to handle the nose on an every-down basis.

“He came in last year and did an admirable job for us,’’ Crennel said. “He produced and made some plays at times. I know he can go into the game and do it.’’

The 330-pound Powe, a sixth-round draft choice last year, played in just one game as a rookie. But he could figure in the Chiefs’ plans this year.

“He’s a big, physical body,’’ Crennel said. “He had last year to learn what it takes to play in this league. The thing about him is that he didn’t really have an off-season last year (because of the lockout). By him being able to have an off-season this year, he’s going to get so much better. We’ll be able to work with him on his techniques and talk to him about how to play the game. I think we’ll see an improvement in his play.’’

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/27...#storylink=cpy

I like what I'm reading in this article.

[RealSNR]

Crennel: Chiefs head into draft without holes



By ADAM TEICHER

Isn't there one position you miiiiiiiiiiiight be forgetting about, Adam? It's pretty ****ing important. It starts with a Q and rhymes with "porterback"

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by milkman

I thought Powe was, far and away, the best rookie in the preseason last year, and don't fully inderstand why he was so limited by the staff in the regular season.

I still have high hopes that he will become the anchor we need at the nose.

But we also need better quality players at that position to rotate with him.

“He’s a big, physical body,’’ Crennel said. “He had last year to learn what it takes to play in this league. The thing about him is that he didn’t really have an off-season last year (because of the lockout). By him being able to have an off-season this year, he’s going to get so much better. We’ll be able to work with him on his techniques and talk to him about how to play the game. I think we’ll see an improvement in his play.’’

I have seen Crennel use this in describing why both Powe and Stanzi did not play last season. Hopefully Crennel is a man of his word, and those two will receive massive amounts of attention from our coaching staff this offseason.

[saphojunkie]

So, we signed one defensive player this offseason, and four offensive players?

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced the focus is defense.

I'm thinking

1st: Courtney Upshaw
2nd:Ta'amu,
3rd: McNutt

[HemiEd]

Romeo at least makes it interesting when he tells you nothing.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Romeo at least makes it interesting when he tells you nothing.

Actually, of you read between the lines, he tells you something really important.

It seems clear that the Chiefs are targeting a NT in this draft.

I'm not sure that's going to be Poe, because in all likelyhood, he'll be there when the Chiefs draft at #11.

It appears, at least to me, they will be targeting a second or third round guy, and if they don't get the guy(s) they are targeting they'll look to sign someone after the draft.

[ToxSocks]

Poe doesn't sound like a Pioli pick at all. Pioli is a tape watcher. He's not someone who'll over react to combine numbers.

I still think the pick, if not a trade down, will be Kuechly or DeCastro.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by milkman

Actually, of you read between the lines, he tells you something really important.

It seems clear that the Chiefs are targeting a NT in this draft.

I'm not sure that's going to be Poe, because in all likelyhood, he'll be there when the Chiefs draft at #11.

It appears, at least to me, they will be targeting a second or third round guy, and if they don't get the guy(s) they are targeting they'll look to sign someone after the draft.

I got that too. I also thought the part I bolded about Pass Rusher, Corner, and Speed WR was hinting at something as well.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Poe doesn't sound like a Pioli pick at all. Pioli is a tape watcher. He's not someone who'll over react to combine numbers.

I still think the pick, if not a trade down, will be Kuechly or DeCastro.

Just say no to Kuechly and DeCastro.

[KCDC]

I agree he is telling us that NT is not a first round target, but is a target. The way Pioli is, he insists on misinformation -- to pretend he is not interested in someone (like taking a Safety early). This could mean that they are targeting a QB (because they consciously avoid mentioning the position) and a NT (since it took a Teicher question to get a response).

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Coogs

I got that too. I also thought the part I bolded about Pass Rusher, Corner, and Speed WR was hinting at something as well.

I got that too.

Since there probably won't be a WR there, and they probably won't look past Kirkpatrick's character issues, they may be targeting another pass rusher at #11.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by milkman

I got that too.

Since there probably won't be a WR there, and they probably won't look past Kirkpatrick's character issues, they may be targeting another pass rusher at #11.

Yep!