Chiefs Chiefs have to decide if No. 5 pick is too high for a safety - Page 5

Coogs · 04-20-2010, 07:11 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/19...e-if-no-5.html

Chiefs have to decide if No. 5 pick is too high for a safety
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

They sold themselves as versatile and able, and if a team wanted a safety to be anything other than a safety, they said they’d be willing, too.

Eric Berry said he’d play cornerback. Taylor Mays said he’d be fine at linebacker. Earl Thomas said he’d be happy anywhere in an NFL defense. Whatever it takes. That’s what they said at the NFL’s scouting combine in late February.

“I’ll play whatever,” said Mays, a standout defensive back from Southern California. “If I’m on the field, it doesn’t really matter. I want to win. I want to contribute. I like football regardless.”

But sometimes, a safety needs to just be a safety. That’s what several NFL teams will be looking for when the three-day draft begins Thursday. The Chiefs are among those teams, and they’ll have a vast array of options.

The Chiefs could do the popular thing and select Berry with the No. 5 overall pick. Some scouts say Berry is the best safety prospect since Sean Taylor of Miami in 2004.

Berry, a former Tennessee star, possesses skills that have been compared with those of perennial Pro Bowlers Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu.

Then again, the Chiefs might pass on Berry — passing, in fact, on the big dollars they’d owe to someone playing a position that just isn’t valued the same way, the top-five money way, as a quarterback or left tackle or defensive end.

Not that Berry is the type to limit himself.

“I bring a lot to the table,” he said at the combine. “I can do pretty much anything the coaches ask me to.”

The Chiefs, of course, are at the center of a conundrum. They could draft Berry and, if he’s as good as advertised, be set at an important position that is becoming more important with each season. Offenses are becoming increasingly reliant on pass plays, and the game has evolved in such a way that safety might soon be seen as a premium defensive position — easily worth the money a player would command as the No. 5 pick.

“We’ve seen the evolution of the safety position to be one of the most important positions on the field,” ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski said. “It is a specific talent that you have to have. You have to be a (high-) quality cover guy; you have to be able to play in the box; you have to be able to blitz. It’s a position that now demands versatility.

“I think the safety position is now paramount in the NFL.”

Then again, the Chiefs could pass on Berry and target a safety in later rounds. This year’s draft is stacked that way: plenty of safeties, a desperate need for the Chiefs — one of the few weaknesses that general manager Scott Pioli didn’t address during free-agency — and a draft pool heavy on skilled players that will allow teams to draft early-round talent at midround prices.

What to do? The phenom or the value? Conventional thinking or a look toward a progressive future? It’s a tough one. And soon, the Chiefs will be on the clock.

“You hear this all the time: ‘You can’t take a safety that high,’ ” said Chris Landry, a former NFL scout who’s now a personnel consultant for 11 pro teams. “But some people get caught up in these sayings, and they don’t know why that’s the case. Eric Berry can line up in a number of schemes. … Would I consider taking him at 5? Yeah, I would.”

There’s an off chance, though, that Mays could fall to the early second round. It’s unlikely, but teams might be hung up on the fact that Mays’ ability to hit hard isn’t matched by coverage ability. The Chiefs might gamble that Mays will be there when they draft for the first time in the second round, the No. 36 overall pick. If Mays is gone, there will be others. Yes, this year’s draft is stacked that way.

“It’s harder and harder to find the well-rounded safety,” ESPN analyst and former NFL coach Jon Gruden said. “But I’ve seen a couple in this year’s draft that certainly fit my bill.”

The Chiefs could have their eyes on South Florida’s Nate Allen, Georgia Tech’s Morgan Burnett, Georgia’s Reshad Jones or Kansas’ Darrell Stuckey. All will be later-round choices; all could be terrific values for a team that likes a good bargain and could address needs at linebacker, wide receiver and nose tackle before plucking that mid- to late-round safety.

“It’s a good group,” Landry said. “There is incredible depth defensively in this draft, more so than normal.”

So the players aren’t the only ones with a bulging menu of options. Yes, the Chiefs have a tough decision ahead. Who could blame Berry for trying to sway a team into deciding on him?

“At the end of the day,” he said, “it’s on the GMs and the guys that make the decisions. I really do feel that I’m supposed to be up there with those guys.

“If you want a complete defensive back, a complete player as far as special teams — I played on kick return, kickoff, punt, punt return, all of those things. I definitely played free safety, strong safety, nickel corner, left and right corner. The list goes on. … So many things you could keep saying. I really want to sell myself.”

Mr. Laz · 04-20-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

I just don't get that feeling about Clausen. In fact, the lack of interceptions is a bit concerning. At some point, you would think he would want to put the game on his back and take chances and try to win. But, it seems that he was worried about his stats more than the wins.

Then you haven't watched Clausen's games this year because he did basically have the game on his back.

I have watched almost every snap of every game of the 2009 season now with the specific intent of watching Clausen. He was the focal point of the offense ... he just didn't throw interceptions.

He threw for almost 4000 yards in a college season. Most pros have 16 games to do it and Clausen did it in 12. Don't forget to check out his TD/INT ratio and the QB rating.

Stats Overview	Passing
YEAR	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
2007	138	245	1254	56.3	5.12	44	7	6	35	103.85
2008	268	440	3172	60.9	7.21	69	25	17	21	132.49
2009	289	425	3722	68.0	8.76	88	28	4	24	161.43

SenselessChiefsFan · 04-20-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

SCF is living in an entirely different reality than the rest of us. Jesus.

The biggest argument anyone ever gives about having a 'franchise qb' is that it raises the play of the team around them. And yet, Clausen couldn't do it in college.

To be honest, I liked Jay Cutler a lot. And, he had a losing record in college, but at least he played in the SEC. At least he went against top level competition nearly every week. Clausen hasn't.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-20-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

The biggest argument anyone ever gives about having a 'franchise qb' is that it raises the play of the team around them. And yet, Clausen couldn't do it in college.

How is he supposed to raise the play of the defense?

You seriously have to be trolling us, no one is this ****ing ignorant.

**DeezNutz** · 04-20-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Wow.... many 'pundits' question his head and heart above everything else.

Heart? No.

He's been called a douche, essentially.

But, as I've been saying for the last couple of weeks, I'm going to need some type of evidence for why these accusations should hold water. Something beyond the story of him showing up at ND his freshman year in a limo.

Yes, I agree that's not the best choice, but it seems that he's matured from that. And if I were to be judged solely on some of my less desirable actions when I was 18, I wouldn't look too good, either.

Mr. Laz · 04-20-2010, 11:29 AM

400+ passing attempts
68% completion percentage
8+ yards average
28 TD's / 4 ints
24 sacks (and even many more pressures)
161% QB rating for the year

The ND offense ran through Jimmy Clausen all year ....... period.

Sure-Oz · 04-20-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Heart? No.

He's been called a douche, essentially.

But, as I've been saying for the last couple of weeks, I'm going to need some type of evidence for why these accusations should hold water. Something beyond the story of him showing up at ND his freshman year in a limo.

Yes, I agree that's not the best choice, but it seems that he's matured from that. And if I were to be judged solely on some of my less desirable actions when I was 18, I wouldn't look too good, either.

810 said he has the bitter beer face too

**The Franchise** · 04-20-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

He did have incredible numbers. Same as Brady Quinn only threw 5 interceptions in his final season..... Of course, he had two in a bowl game, but Clausen couldn't get his team to a bowl game last year.

Did he take chances last year? Did he even care that they were losing to teams like Navy, and Connecticut? OR, did he have his eye on the draft from mid season, when it looked like Weis was going to be gone?

Clausen couldn't get him team to a bowl game? Notre Dame was given the offer to play in the bowl game and the team turned it down. Know your facts you dipshit.

Sure-Oz · 04-20-2010, 12:09 PM

Clausens team had no defense

SenselessChiefsFan · 04-20-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Clausen couldn't get him team to a bowl game? Notre Dame was given the offer to play in the bowl game and the team turned it down. Know your facts you dipshit.

I knew that. They chose not to because they were a 6-6 team and got a crap bowl. Sorry, I should have said he couldn't get them to a bowl worthy of going to. is that better?

**The Franchise** · 04-20-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

I knew that. They chose not to because they were a 6-6 team and got a crap bowl. Sorry, I should have said he couldn't get them to a bowl worthy of going to. is that better?

John Elway never played in a Bowl game.

SenselessChiefsFan · 04-20-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

John Elway never played in a Bowl game.

A completely different era. You do understand that when Elway played, there were 15 bowl games. There are currently 34.

Do you see the difference?

**The Franchise** · 04-20-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

A completely different era. You do understand that when Elway played, there were 15 bowl games. There are currently 34.

Do you see the difference?

Dude.....you're Saccopoo without an avatar.

Joe Montana made it to bowl games.

Titty Meat · 04-20-2010, 01:41 PM

lol swiperboy

Garcia Bronco · 04-20-2010, 02:02 PM

pick 5 is way too high. You'll never get the value.

**The Franchise** · 04-20-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

John Elway never played in a Bowl game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

A completely different era. You do understand that when Elway played, there were 15 bowl games. There are currently 34.

Do you see the difference?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Dude.....you're Saccopoo without an avatar.

Joe Montana made it to bowl games.

Yeah.....still waiting.

And I'll still be waiting 2 days from now because you have no response to that. Or maybe you're just too busy posting as Saccopoo right now.

04-20-2010, 07:11 AM
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1564349	Chiefs have to decide if No. 5 pick is too high for a safety http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/19...e-if-no-5.html Chiefs have to decide if No. 5 pick is too high for a safety By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star They sold themselves as versatile and able, and if a team wanted a safety to be anything other than a safety, they said they’d be willing, too. Eric Berry said he’d play cornerback. Taylor Mays said he’d be fine at linebacker. Earl Thomas said he’d be happy anywhere in an NFL defense. Whatever it takes. That’s what they said at the NFL’s scouting combine in late February. “I’ll play whatever,” said Mays, a standout defensive back from Southern California. “If I’m on the field, it doesn’t really matter. I want to win. I want to contribute. I like football regardless.” But sometimes, a safety needs to just be a safety. That’s what several NFL teams will be looking for when the three-day draft begins Thursday. The Chiefs are among those teams, and they’ll have a vast array of options. The Chiefs could do the popular thing and select Berry with the No. 5 overall pick. Some scouts say Berry is the best safety prospect since Sean Taylor of Miami in 2004. Berry, a former Tennessee star, possesses skills that have been compared with those of perennial Pro Bowlers Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. Then again, the Chiefs might pass on Berry — passing, in fact, on the big dollars they’d owe to someone playing a position that just isn’t valued the same way, the top-five money way, as a quarterback or left tackle or defensive end. Not that Berry is the type to limit himself. “I bring a lot to the table,” he said at the combine. “I can do pretty much anything the coaches ask me to.” The Chiefs, of course, are at the center of a conundrum. They could draft Berry and, if he’s as good as advertised, be set at an important position that is becoming more important with each season. Offenses are becoming increasingly reliant on pass plays, and the game has evolved in such a way that safety might soon be seen as a premium defensive position — easily worth the money a player would command as the No. 5 pick. “We’ve seen the evolution of the safety position to be one of the most important positions on the field,” ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski said. “It is a specific talent that you have to have. You have to be a (high-) quality cover guy; you have to be able to play in the box; you have to be able to blitz. It’s a position that now demands versatility. “I think the safety position is now paramount in the NFL.” Then again, the Chiefs could pass on Berry and target a safety in later rounds. This year’s draft is stacked that way: plenty of safeties, a desperate need for the Chiefs — one of the few weaknesses that general manager Scott Pioli didn’t address during free-agency — and a draft pool heavy on skilled players that will allow teams to draft early-round talent at midround prices. What to do? The phenom or the value? Conventional thinking or a look toward a progressive future? It’s a tough one. And soon, the Chiefs will be on the clock. “You hear this all the time: ‘You can’t take a safety that high,’ ” said Chris Landry, a former NFL scout who’s now a personnel consultant for 11 pro teams. “But some people get caught up in these sayings, and they don’t know why that’s the case. Eric Berry can line up in a number of schemes. … Would I consider taking him at 5? Yeah, I would.” There’s an off chance, though, that Mays could fall to the early second round. It’s unlikely, but teams might be hung up on the fact that Mays’ ability to hit hard isn’t matched by coverage ability. The Chiefs might gamble that Mays will be there when they draft for the first time in the second round, the No. 36 overall pick. If Mays is gone, there will be others. Yes, this year’s draft is stacked that way. “It’s harder and harder to find the well-rounded safety,” ESPN analyst and former NFL coach Jon Gruden said. “But I’ve seen a couple in this year’s draft that certainly fit my bill.” The Chiefs could have their eyes on South Florida’s Nate Allen, Georgia Tech’s Morgan Burnett, Georgia’s Reshad Jones or Kansas’ Darrell Stuckey. All will be later-round choices; all could be terrific values for a team that likes a good bargain and could address needs at linebacker, wide receiver and nose tackle before plucking that mid- to late-round safety. “It’s a good group,” Landry said. “There is incredible depth defensively in this draft, more so than normal.” So the players aren’t the only ones with a bulging menu of options. Yes, the Chiefs have a tough decision ahead. Who could blame Berry for trying to sway a team into deciding on him? “At the end of the day,” he said, “it’s on the GMs and the guys that make the decisions. I really do feel that I’m supposed to be up there with those guys. “If you want a complete defensive back, a complete player as far as special teams — I played on kick return, kickoff, punt, punt return, all of those things. I definitely played free safety, strong safety, nickel corner, left and right corner. The list goes on. … So many things you could keep saying. I really want to sell myself.”
Posts: 21,615

04-20-2010, 11:29 AM	#65
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	400+ passing attempts 68% completion percentage 8+ yards average 28 TD's / 4 ints 24 sacks (and even many more pressures) 161% QB rating for the year The ND offense ran through Jimmy Clausen all year ....... period. __________________
Posts: 95,626

04-20-2010, 01:41 PM	#73
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $2237558	lol swiperboy
Posts: 75,199

04-20-2010, 02:02 PM	#74
Garcia Bronco No Keys, No Problem Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Denver Casino cash: $5243136	pick 5 is way too high. You'll never get the value.
Posts: 30,903