Chiefs Pioli looks for specific qualities in free agents - Page 5

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.”

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-26-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

You're talking out your ass. That's all there is to it.

No.

R&GHomer · 03-26-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

I'd say we better draft a running back because Lj's attitude will no longer fit.

I agree... If LJ doesn't change his attitude, Haley is going to go all Drama queen on his azz.

htismaqe · 03-26-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

You're moving the goalposts.

ANYONE that can match up one-on-one with Gates and shut him down is a good player. REGARDLESS of position.

Page is supposed to be a COVER 2 SAFETY.

Yet he has poor play recognition, no zone discipline, and is slow. All of those in combination result in him being out of position the majority of the time.

If you want him to play just to cover Gates, by all means put him on special teams. A starting NFL safety he is not.

htismaqe · 03-26-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Garbage. Pollard gives no one anything to hope for. Between the two, Page makes more plays. There's no question. No question at all.

You obviously don't watch ANY college football.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-26-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Page is supposed to be a COVER 2 SAFETY.

Yet he has poor play recognition, no zone discipline, and is slow. All of those in combination result in him being out of position the majority of the time.

If you want him to play just to cover Gates, by all means put him on special teams. A starting NFL safety he is not.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-26-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

If you want him to play Cover Gates, by all means put him on special teams.

He would lose the job; that's Whitlock's favorite position.

Delano · 03-26-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

There's another player who has proved jack shit. I wouldn't be so confident in this. He could improve dramatically, or he could continue to suck balls.

Morgan had very little experience coming out of NC State. He only started one year at NCST and he missed his senior year of high school.

Great physical skills but his game needs experience and polishing. Good DB coaching should help. Hopefully Pendergast and Collier can help Morgan rise to his potential.

Give him a little time.

htismaqe · 03-26-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delano

Morgan had very little experience coming out of NC State. He only started one year at NCST and he missed his senior year of high school.

Great physical skills but his game needs experience and polishing. Good DB coaching should help. Hopefully Pendergast and Collier can help Morgan rise to his potential.

Give him a little time.

If the coaching "excuse" works for Morgan, it works for Pollard too. Hell, it works for just about everybody on the defense.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You obviously don't watch ANY college football.

I can only assume you don't watch any Chiefs football.

Page made a ton of plays on the ball last year.

htismaqe · 03-26-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I can only assume you don't watch any Chiefs football.

Page made a ton of plays on the ball last year.

If you had seen Pollard play in college, you'd know why suggesting there's "no hope" is downright laughable.

And making plays on balls that aren't in the right place doesn't mean one is in position.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

If you had seen Pollard play in college, you'd know why suggesting there's "no hope" is downright laughable.

Please. All the guy does is miss tackles! How can anyone defend this clown! Who cares what he did THREE YEARS AGO in COLLEGE for crying out loud!

Delano · 03-26-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

If the coaching "excuse" works for Morgan, it works for Pollard too. Hell, it works for just about everybody on the defense.

I'm excited to see what Pollard can do this year. I'm not holding my breath that he has a break out year, but there should be some improvement.

I was trying to point out that Morgan doesn't suck balls like SNR posted. He was incredibly raw last year-tons of physical talent, but little experience.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delano

I'm excited to see what Pollard can do this year

Posted by various Chiefsplanet posters after the 2006 draft, during the 2007 offseason, and during the 2008 offseason.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-26-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

The day Morgan takes Pollard's job, is the day I follow Mecca down the "Rape Myself With A Toilet Brush" trail.

DaJuan Morgan is by far the most physically talented player in that entire secondary. A lot of people had him rated as the best safety in last year's draft.

And if he's taking anyone's job next year, it will be Page's and not Pollard's.

L.A. Chieffan · 03-26-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

If the coaching "excuse" works for Morgan, it works for Pollard too. Hell, it works for just about everybody on the defense.

this is the explanation for pretty much everybody the past 3 years

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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