Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs GM John Dorsey explains plan for No. 1 pick - Page 12

ShowtimeSBMVP · 04-04-2013, 12:53 PM

By Albert Breer
Reporter, NFL.com and NFL Network
Published: April 4, 2013 at 02:28 p.m.
Updated: April 4, 2013 at 02:42 p.m.
0 Likes | 0 Comments

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Relaxed and easygoing as he might be on this day, Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey had to know the question was coming, particularly since West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith's flight into town was already airborne.
Mock draft central

In his first year on the job, Dorsey has the draft's first pick. His move will set the table for everyone else, and his job is to get the most value out of that commodity. The best way to do that, of course, is to generate a market for the pick by manufacturing the impression that the Chiefs, in fact, like everyone.

And as I floated that well-worn idea to Dorsey, his back straightened and he stopped me.

"It's not creating a belief, it's the truth," Dorsey sharply responded. "We've said all along it's a process, and that process will not be finalized, that board will not be set, until four days before the draft. That's the way that whole process works itself out. There are different phases that you go through. I mean, right now, I just walked downstairs and we're in a different phase right now. We're going back as a group and assessing all the different positions."

Still, there's very little question that the focus in Kansas City is squarely on the first pick -- the Chiefs' aren't scheduled to pick again until No. 63 overall -- and that focus is now narrowing.

It wouldn't make much sense for Dorsey and the Chiefs to tip their hand now on exactly who they're targeting, since, again, that might limit the value of the pick itself. But internally, there has been a process of elimination and an identification of "finalists" with the draft three weeks away.

"True contenders?" Dorsey quizzically uttered, before pausing and counting them in his head. "We've gotten it down to four."

*****

There's a shell game to this final phase of it, too.

Yes, the Chiefs brought in Smith, but they already gave up two high picks, including the 34th overall selection in this draft, to acquire Alex Smith from the San Francisco 49ers. That trade, plus the split opinion league-wide on Smith's ability, cast plenty of doubt on the possibility of Kansas City taking the plunge on the West Virginia star -- doubt that Dorsey does his best to dispel.

"There always can be a quarterback," he said. "We're gonna take the best player. I stand by that. And what I use as an example is that we were lucky enough to get Aaron Rodgers (in Green Bay). We were questioned about that, but we stood patiently for three years with him. We can stand patiently another three if we have to. At the end of the day, you want to do what's best for your organization, present and future. And if it happens to be the quarterback, we'll take the quarterback."

On the topic of Smith, Dorsey added: "Physically, he was very impressive at the combine, and we watched his pro day three times. When he threw, it was very impressive."

But if it's not the quarterback? That's where it gets interesting, because the guys who seem like better Chiefs fits aren't exactly being courted in the same manner Geno has been in K.C.

With left tackle Branden Albert's future uncertain, Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel and Central Michigan's Eric Fisher both would seem to be firmly in the mix. Neither is slated to visit. The Chiefs also spent considerable time kicking the tires on Oregon's Dion Jordan and Florida's Sharrif Floyd after the NFL Scouting Combine. Yet, those two aren't scheduled either, at least at this point, to go to Kansas City and meet the brass.

This could all be part of the club gaming the system, and other teams.

Internally, obviously, there are answers to all these questions. Every day, Dorsey sits down with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid at 6:30 in the morning, again at lunch and a final time at night to talk things over. In the final 10 days, the GM says, Reid will become more involved in draft meetings, as the scouts trickle in with their field work complete. The hope is, by then, Dorsey has been sold on one of the four.

"In a second, that could happen," Dorsey explained. "Sitting down and overwhelming somebody with their depth of knowledge of the offensive scheme and how quick they can put it up, and combine that with the on-the-field skills, and you go, 'Holy s---, he's got it.' It could be an interview at the combine, it could be his pro day at the school. There are different variables, and all of a sudden the light goes on and you're going, 'That's the guy!' It happens in a multitude of ways."

Whether that moment of clarity comes or not, Dorsey continued, there needs to "come a point after you sit here and listen to all the scouts, you sit and listen to the coaches, you sit and talk with the medical staff, and then you sit and talk with the head coach, and then you say, 'This is the guy, and here's why.' And everyone says, 'OK.' Then you know that's the guy."

*****

Win a chance to announce a pick live at the 2013 NFL Draft. Enter now!

And if your head isn't spinning quite enough yet, there's also a chance that the Chiefs a) aren't sold on any of the guys there or b) simply believe there's better value drafting eighth or 10th or 12th. In either case, they might test the trade waters.

For now, Dorsey is willing to admit he's open to entertaining the idea.

"Yeah," Dorsey said. "I'm open to what's best for this organization. I know I have the option to take the best player there. But if somebody calls me up and says, 'We're willing to move up, here's what we have to offer,' I see it, weigh it, listen to compensation and make a decision on what's best."

The new GM spent the last 22 seasons working his way up through the Packers' personnel department. The average draft slot for Green Bay during that span? No. 20. Not only has Dorsey not worked for a team picking first before, but he's only been a part of the process with four top-10 picks in his entire scouting career: CB Terrell Buckley (No. 5 overall in 1992), Jamal Reynolds (10, 2001), A.J. Hawk (5, 2006) and B.J. Raji (9, 2009).

That makes these waters a bit uncharted for him. He knows there are different dynamics with it. He mentioned Rodgers again as a model of a player who handled the kind of pressure the first pick will be under (though he wasn't the first pick, he was replacing a legend), and said, "I think any one of the four guys that we're targeting right now can handle that."

He's also aware that, as a first-time GM, his actions on this pick will loom large when his prowess as a decision-maker is assessed.

At least outwardly, though, he's trying to look at the top pick like any other selection.

"A personnel guy always wants to get his pick right," Dorsey said. "We live that every year. We want to make sure the pick is right. This one happens to be the first pick in the draft. We're gonna try to make it right. You guys can put the pressure on us -- 'Holy crap, it's the No. 1 pick!' It's the No. 1 pick. We're gonna do the best we can."

And as the process typically proves, getting the most out of a top pick often goes far beyond simply identifying a top player

Albert Breer ‏@AlbertBreer 1m

Nugget from my KC/Dorsey story -- Geno visited Chiefs. But Joeckel, Fisher, Floyd, Jordan aren't slated to. #Poker http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap

PA Chiefs · 04-05-2013, 04:00 AM

I still think we can draft Geno. It isn't out of the question, what we gve up for A.Smith was a lot but to solidify the QB position what really is to much like everyone knows it is the most important spot on a football team what is the limit you can invest. Harbaugh raved about Alex being more of a coach to Kap. during the end of the season and playoffs. So A.Smith comes in plays out his contract we have C.Daniels really on a 1 year type deal money doesn't get big till next year we showcase him in the preseason trade him next year for what we give up for A.Smith in 2014. Geno becomes #2 on the depth charts we draft his back-up in 2014 and A.Smith leaves and Geno becomes the man in 2015. I know that might all seem like a stretch but look at Reid and Dorsey track records is it that far fetched.

Abba-Dabba · 04-05-2013, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonster

Before the 49er Chicago game was over back in November I called the Alex Smith to Kansas City trade. This is one of the most worthless quarterback classes in recent memory and whoever had the number one pick pretty much had their hands tied. Trading for another butt trifeling west coast quarterback and using the number one on an offensive lineman was inevitable.

You called that Pioli would draft a ILB and trade a 2nd rounder for Alex Smith on Nov. 20th. With expected moves like that from a failed regime... let's just continue the course with the next.

Ugh...

I'm beginning to think Carl stained the wood in the GM's office with a brain eating virus before he left.

patteeu · 04-05-2013, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penbook

If you had to compare Geno to somebody who would it be. I would say Jesus.

He's got Akili Smith's arm, JaMarcus Russell's work ethic, Vince Young's leadership and poise, and Casey Printer's chance of being a starter for the Chiefs this year. Maybe.

AdumbGuy · 04-05-2013, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

He's got Akili Smith's arm, JaMarcus Russell's work ethic, Vince Young's leadership and poise, and Casey Printer's chance of being a starter for the Chiefs this year. Maybe.

Nice, but you forgot Vick's pet ownership skills.

Sorter · 04-05-2013, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Also, which scouts did we send?

**BossChief** · 04-05-2013, 07:24 AM

Andy Reid brought up passing on a massive offer for a trade down in 1999 and took McNabb even though he had already named Doug Pederson the starter.

John Dorsey makes it a point to "straighten up his back" and stand firm that he is Interested in drafting Geno...even if he needs to sit him for multiple years...even goes out of his way to point out a time when he used that strategy in the past with Aaron Rodgers.

I don't think you bring a quarterback for a two day visit/workout to Arrowhead and make all of these specific comments unless you are seriously interested in drafting the player.

Coogs · 04-05-2013, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

Sounds like a huge red flag to me. Dorsey goes out of his way to praise Geno physically. I take that to mean they're not in love with his intangibles and/or the mental part of his game.

I watched him on Gruden's QB show last night. His mental part of the game looks just fine.

ChiefMojo · 04-05-2013, 07:42 AM

My question is, how will the Geno or bust crowd take having Geno on the bench for 2-3 years if we drafted him? Bet it wouldn't be pretty! If and I mean a big if we drafted Geno, that would likely happen and Dorsey was already planting the seed for that possibility.

**Dave Lane** · 04-05-2013, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

Sounds like a huge red flag to me. Dorsey goes out of his way to praise Geno physically. I take that to mean they're not in love with his intangibles and/or the mental part of his game.

You do know this is before he arrived in Kansas City and the staff had a chance to talk to him, you do know that right?

**Dave Lane** · 04-05-2013, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefMojo

My question is, how will the Geno or bust crowd take having Geno on the bench for 2-3 years if we drafted him? Bet it wouldn't be pretty! If and I mean a big if we drafted Geno, that would likely happen and Dorsey was already planting the seed for that possibility.

If Smith can't beat Smith then yeah if he sits on the bench and learns I have no problem with it.

Chiefshrink · 04-05-2013, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

I don't think you bring a quarterback for a two day visit/workout to Arrowhead and make all of these specific comments unless you are seriously interested in drafting the player.

Or if you are Reid/Dorsey you are trying to play some serious poker to trade down(to make up for blowing your smokescreen) because you had to sign AS when you did because many other suitors would have gotten him b4 you if you hadn't and knew the FA sucked and there were no real ready made QB's in this year's draft. But I do admire your positive outlook but I think you still need to stay with your gut and not get your hopes up.

Chiefnj2 · 04-05-2013, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Andy Reid brought up passing on a massive offer for a trade down in 1999 and took McNabb even though he had already named Doug Pederson the starter.

John Dorsey makes it a point to "straighten up his back" and stand firm that he is Interested in drafting Geno...even if he needs to sit him for multiple years...even goes out of his way to point out a time when he used that strategy in the past with Aaron Rodgers.

I don't think you bring a quarterback for a two day visit/workout to Arrowhead and make all of these specific comments unless you are seriously interested in drafting the player.

Why didn't they bring in all the other top prospects for a workout? Do you think they aren't interest in them?

patteeu · 04-05-2013, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

I watched him on Gruden's QB show last night. His mental part of the game looks just fine.

It was probably trick photography.

No, seriously, that's great. I'll love it if the Chiefs think enough of him to draft him. I'll trust that it's the right decision if they go in another direction though.

patteeu · 04-05-2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Andy Reid brought up passing on a massive offer for a trade down in 1999 and took McNabb even though he had already named Doug Pederson the starter.

John Dorsey makes it a point to "straighten up his back" and stand firm that he is Interested in drafting Geno...even if he needs to sit him for multiple years...even goes out of his way to point out a time when he used that strategy in the past with Aaron Rodgers.

I don't think you bring a quarterback for a two day visit/workout to Arrowhead and make all of these specific comments unless you are seriously interested in drafting the player.

Let's hope everyone else thinks that too. That way, whether the Chiefs have real interest or not, it will maximize the chance that they have a trade down offer to weigh it against.

patteeu · 04-05-2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

You do know this is before he arrived in Kansas City and the staff had a chance to talk to him, you do know that right?

It's been mentioned in this thread, so yeah, I know that. Thanks for reposting, just in case I missed it though.

04-04-2013, 12:53 PM
ShowtimeSBMVP Chiefs Join Date: Feb 2009 Casino cash: $3676009	Kansas City Chiefs GM John Dorsey explains plan for No. 1 pick By Albert Breer Reporter, NFL.com and NFL Network Published: April 4, 2013 at 02:28 p.m. Updated: April 4, 2013 at 02:42 p.m. 0 Likes \| 0 Comments KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Relaxed and easygoing as he might be on this day, Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey had to know the question was coming, particularly since West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith's flight into town was already airborne. Mock draft central In his first year on the job, Dorsey has the draft's first pick. His move will set the table for everyone else, and his job is to get the most value out of that commodity. The best way to do that, of course, is to generate a market for the pick by manufacturing the impression that the Chiefs, in fact, like everyone. And as I floated that well-worn idea to Dorsey, his back straightened and he stopped me. "It's not creating a belief, it's the truth," Dorsey sharply responded. "We've said all along it's a process, and that process will not be finalized, that board will not be set, until four days before the draft. That's the way that whole process works itself out. There are different phases that you go through. I mean, right now, I just walked downstairs and we're in a different phase right now. We're going back as a group and assessing all the different positions." Still, there's very little question that the focus in Kansas City is squarely on the first pick -- the Chiefs' aren't scheduled to pick again until No. 63 overall -- and that focus is now narrowing. It wouldn't make much sense for Dorsey and the Chiefs to tip their hand now on exactly who they're targeting, since, again, that might limit the value of the pick itself. But internally, there has been a process of elimination and an identification of "finalists" with the draft three weeks away. "True contenders?" Dorsey quizzically uttered, before pausing and counting them in his head. "We've gotten it down to four." *** There's a shell game to this final phase of it, too. Yes, the Chiefs brought in Smith, but they already gave up two high picks, including the 34th overall selection in this draft, to acquire Alex Smith from the San Francisco 49ers. That trade, plus the split opinion league-wide on Smith's ability, cast plenty of doubt on the possibility of Kansas City taking the plunge on the West Virginia star -- doubt that Dorsey does his best to dispel. "There always can be a quarterback," he said. "We're gonna take the best player. I stand by that. And what I use as an example is that we were lucky enough to get Aaron Rodgers (in Green Bay). We were questioned about that, but we stood patiently for three years with him. We can stand patiently another three if we have to. At the end of the day, you want to do what's best for your organization, present and future. And if it happens to be the quarterback, we'll take the quarterback." On the topic of Smith, Dorsey added: "Physically, he was very impressive at the combine, and we watched his pro day three times. When he threw, it was very impressive." But if it's not the quarterback? That's where it gets interesting, because the guys who seem like better Chiefs fits aren't exactly being courted in the same manner Geno has been in K.C. With left tackle Branden Albert's future uncertain, Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel and Central Michigan's Eric Fisher both would seem to be firmly in the mix. Neither is slated to visit. The Chiefs also spent considerable time kicking the tires on Oregon's Dion Jordan and Florida's Sharrif Floyd after the NFL Scouting Combine. Yet, those two aren't scheduled either, at least at this point, to go to Kansas City and meet the brass. This could all be part of the club gaming the system, and other teams. Internally, obviously, there are answers to all these questions. Every day, Dorsey sits down with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid at 6:30 in the morning, again at lunch and a final time at night to talk things over. In the final 10 days, the GM says, Reid will become more involved in draft meetings, as the scouts trickle in with their field work complete. The hope is, by then, Dorsey has been sold on one of the four. "In a second, that could happen," Dorsey explained. "Sitting down and overwhelming somebody with their depth of knowledge of the offensive scheme and how quick they can put it up, and combine that with the on-the-field skills, and you go, 'Holy s---, he's got it.' It could be an interview at the combine, it could be his pro day at the school. There are different variables, and all of a sudden the light goes on and you're going, 'That's the guy!' It happens in a multitude of ways." Whether that moment of clarity comes or not, Dorsey continued, there needs to "come a point after you sit here and listen to all the scouts, you sit and listen to the coaches, you sit and talk with the medical staff, and then you sit and talk with the head coach, and then you say, 'This is the guy, and here's why.' And everyone says, 'OK.' Then you know that's the guy." *** Win a chance to announce a pick live at the 2013 NFL Draft. Enter now! And if your head isn't spinning quite enough yet, there's also a chance that the Chiefs a) aren't sold on any of the guys there or b) simply believe there's better value drafting eighth or 10th or 12th. In either case, they might test the trade waters. For now, Dorsey is willing to admit he's open to entertaining the idea. "Yeah," Dorsey said. "I'm open to what's best for this organization. I know I have the option to take the best player there. But if somebody calls me up and says, 'We're willing to move up, here's what we have to offer,' I see it, weigh it, listen to compensation and make a decision on what's best." The new GM spent the last 22 seasons working his way up through the Packers' personnel department. The average draft slot for Green Bay during that span? No. 20. Not only has Dorsey not worked for a team picking first before, but he's only been a part of the process with four top-10 picks in his entire scouting career: CB Terrell Buckley (No. 5 overall in 1992), Jamal Reynolds (10, 2001), A.J. Hawk (5, 2006) and B.J. Raji (9, 2009). That makes these waters a bit uncharted for him. He knows there are different dynamics with it. He mentioned Rodgers again as a model of a player who handled the kind of pressure the first pick will be under (though he wasn't the first pick, he was replacing a legend), and said, "I think any one of the four guys that we're targeting right now can handle that." He's also aware that, as a first-time GM, his actions on this pick will loom large when his prowess as a decision-maker is assessed. At least outwardly, though, he's trying to look at the top pick like any other selection. "A personnel guy always wants to get his pick right," Dorsey said. "We live that every year. We want to make sure the pick is right. This one happens to be the first pick in the draft. We're gonna try to make it right. You guys can put the pressure on us -- 'Holy crap, it's the No. 1 pick!' It's the No. 1 pick. We're gonna do the best we can." And as the process typically proves, getting the most out of a top pick often goes far beyond simply identifying a top player Albert Breer ‏@AlbertBreer 1m Nugget from my KC/Dorsey story -- Geno visited Chiefs. But Joeckel, Fisher, Floyd, Jordan aren't slated to. #Poker http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap
Posts: 23,752

04-05-2013, 04:00 AM	#166
PA Chiefs Starter Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: PA Casino cash: $10013498	I still think we can draft Geno. It isn't out of the question, what we gve up for A.Smith was a lot but to solidify the QB position what really is to much like everyone knows it is the most important spot on a football team what is the limit you can invest. Harbaugh raved about Alex being more of a coach to Kap. during the end of the season and playoffs. So A.Smith comes in plays out his contract we have C.Daniels really on a 1 year type deal money doesn't get big till next year we showcase him in the preseason trade him next year for what we give up for A.Smith in 2014. Geno becomes #2 on the depth charts we draft his back-up in 2014 and A.Smith leaves and Geno becomes the man in 2015. I know that might all seem like a stretch but look at Reid and Dorsey track records is it that far fetched. Last edited by PA Chiefs; 04-05-2013 at 04:27 AM..
Posts: 211

04-05-2013, 07:24 AM	#171
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1894088	Andy Reid brought up passing on a massive offer for a trade down in 1999 and took McNabb even though he had already named Doug Pederson the starter. John Dorsey makes it a point to "straighten up his back" and stand firm that he is Interested in drafting Geno...even if he needs to sit him for multiple years...even goes out of his way to point out a time when he used that strategy in the past with Aaron Rodgers. I don't think you bring a quarterback for a two day visit/workout to Arrowhead and make all of these specific comments unless you are seriously interested in drafting the player. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,124

04-05-2013, 07:42 AM	#173
ChiefMojo Happy, Happy, Happy!!! Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $10004935	My question is, how will the Geno or bust crowd take having Geno on the bench for 2-3 years if we drafted him? Bet it wouldn't be pretty! If and I mean a big if we drafted Geno, that would likely happen and Dorsey was already planting the seed for that possibility.
Posts: 2,283