Chiefs Pioli looks for specific qualities in free agents - Page 9

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 · 03-27-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

The guy has the tools.
He just manages to be invisible for an entire game week in and week out.

The main knock I have on Darling is that he was brought in to be our speed guy, our "burner". And he hasn't really delivered on that thus far.

Now perhaps with Cassel, he might be able to get it going. I don't think it's a good idea to count most ALL of these guys out, when you factor in Herm Edwards.

We might be sitting on a shitload of Pro Bowlers and not even know it. We'll see. They're getting ready to go to Haley Boot Camp, and those who survive it will become better players; that much I DO know.

We'll see.

Hammock Parties · 03-27-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

The main knock I have on Darling is that he was brought in to be our speed guy, our "burner". And he hasn't really delivered on that thus far.

Do you think he was really given a chance on an offense run according to Herm?

Quote:

Now perhaps with Cassel, he might be able to get it going. I don't think it's a good idea to count most ALL of these guys out, when you factor in Herm Edwards.

NOW you're cooking with gas!

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-27-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Do you think he was really given a chance on an offense run according to Herm?

NOW you're cooking with gas!

As Apprentice to Lord Pioli, patience is one of the many virtues stressed in the sometimes cruel and brutal training.

htismaqe · 03-27-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Do you think he was really given a chance on an offense run according to Herm!

Come on and man up, Clay.

If that excuse works for Darling, it works for Pollard. And yes, I'm man enough it works for Page too.

Our coaching was awful, on BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL.

Hammock Parties · 03-27-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Come on and man up, Clay.

If that excuse works for Darling, it works for Pollard. And yes, I'm man enough it works for Page too.

Our coaching was awful, on BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL.

The difference between Darling and Pollard is:

1. This was Darling's first year of starting.

2. Darling wasn't going out there and dropping passes.

Pollard was in his second year of starting full-time. They gave Darling about five games before they gave up on him. And Pollard routinely went out there and missed tackle after tackle after tackle, every week.

Page doesn't need excuses. He's a playmaker.

bdeg · 03-27-2009, 11:14 AM

Darling wasn't dropping passes because they weren't coming to him, because he wasn't getting open, because he's no good.

Page is an alright role-player who could see limited playing time in a game on a good team, but I can't stand watching him try to tackle a running back with any kind of juke move.

Hammock Parties · 03-27-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdeg

I can't stand watching him try to tackle a running back with any kind of juke move.

I could say the same for Bernard "OH SHIT" Pollard.

bdeg · 03-27-2009, 11:23 AM

I think Pollard's a hard worker who will only improve in the new environment. I think we may have seen the last of Page as a full-time starter.

But yes, his open-field tackling needs to improve, too.

Mecca · 03-27-2009, 11:25 AM

I'm not a fan of Pollard if it was my call he'd have McGraws role, the backup special teams guy.

But that's just my personal preference in safeties I prefer guys who can really run with outstanding cover ability and or ball skills.

Eric Berry is going to be probably my favorite prospect next year for that reason.

Micjones · 03-27-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

The main knock I have on Darling is that he was brought in to be our speed guy, our "burner". And he hasn't really delivered on that thus far.

Now perhaps with Cassel, he might be able to get it going. I don't think it's a good idea to count most ALL of these guys out, when you factor in Herm Edwards.

We might be sitting on a shitload of Pro Bowlers and not even know it. We'll see. They're getting ready to go to Haley Boot Camp, and those who survive it will become better players; that much I DO know.

We'll see.

I honestly don't have much faith in Darling, but he should definitely be in the mix. We don't have great options at the moment so a guy with his skills should at the least be in competition for a spot.

Engram locks down your #3 spot.
The #2 is up for grabs. Me thinks that's Bradley's job to lose though.
But he definitely can't win it in the tub.

htismaqe · 03-27-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

The difference between Darling and Pollard is:

1. This was Darling's first year of starting.

2. Darling wasn't going out there and dropping passes.

Pollard was in his second year of starting full-time. They gave Darling about five games before they gave up on him. And Pollard routinely went out there and missed tackle after tackle after tackle, every week.

Page doesn't need excuses. He's a playmaker.

I don't honestly know what to say. I didn't see Pollard miss tackle after tackle. I saw him miss tackles, but I also saw him struggling to CONTINUOUSLY cover for a woefully inadequate FS. I think you're focusing on Page's INT's and not looking at how bad he is the other 75% of the time.

Mecca · 03-27-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRR

It seems Chiefsplanet is always unhappy with one or both of KC's safeties. I remember the same thread regarding Wesley and Woods.

I think KC has a lot more to worry about than the play of their current safeties. We aren't talking future HOF players here, but they are both serviceable in my opinion.

What I want to see is both Page and Pollard in a scheme that is both consistent, and fits their ability. Put Pollard in a position to make plays in the run game, and jar the ball loose over the middle, and let Page be a playmaker in the secondary. That's what Page was allowed to do as a rookie, and KC needs to get back to that IMO.

We've been jinxed at the position ever since we drafted Jerome Woods ahead of Lawyer Milloy then turned around in the 2nd round and drafted Reggie Tongue in front of Brian Dawkins, talk about taking the wrong safeties.

htismaqe · 03-27-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I'm not a fan of Pollard if it was my call he'd have McGraws role, the backup special teams guy.

But that's just my personal preference in safeties I prefer guys who can really run with outstanding cover ability and or ball skills.

Eric Berry is going to be probably my favorite prospect next year for that reason.

Pollard isn't a coverage safety. He's a pseudo-LB and he was a damn good prospect coming out. It isn't his fault that Gunther and Herm tried to jam a square peg into a round hole with him.

Hammock Parties · 03-27-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I don't honestly know what to say. I didn't see Pollard miss tackle after tackle.

Every week he would come down in the box, get one-on-one with someone and lose his jock. EVERY WEEK! I bitched about him in game threads all the time. One time he tried to go for a knockout on Michael Clayton and BLOCKED DONNIE EDWARDS OUT OF THE PLAY. He SUCKS.

Mecca · 03-27-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Pollard isn't a coverage safety. He's a pseudo-LB and he was a damn good prospect coming out. It isn't his fault that Gunther and Herm tried to jam a square peg into a round hole with him.

That's what he is and guys like that are becoming harder to win with because in todays game you pretty much have to have speed and cover ability to play in the secondary.

It's not my personal preference on how I'd build a secondary but if they can make it work so be it.

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.”
Posts: 924

03-27-2009, 11:14 AM	#126
bdeg Veteran Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: iowa Casino cash: $10004900	Darling wasn't dropping passes because they weren't coming to him, because he wasn't getting open, because he's no good. Page is an alright role-player who could see limited playing time in a game on a good team, but I can't stand watching him try to tackle a running back with any kind of juke move.
Posts: 2,987

03-27-2009, 11:23 AM	#128
bdeg Veteran Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: iowa Casino cash: $10004900	I think Pollard's a hard worker who will only improve in the new environment. I think we may have seen the last of Page as a full-time starter. But yes, his open-field tackling needs to improve, too.
Posts: 2,987

03-27-2009, 11:25 AM	#129
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2347050	I'm not a fan of Pollard if it was my call he'd have McGraws role, the backup special teams guy. But that's just my personal preference in safeties I prefer guys who can really run with outstanding cover ability and or ball skills. Eric Berry is going to be probably my favorite prospect next year for that reason.
Posts: 111,117