Chiefs Pioli looks for specific qualities in free agents - Page 8

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.”

Sam Hall · 03-26-2009, 07:59 PM

I'd like to see Terrance Copper be our No. 2 receiver over Darling. That was my first impression when Copper signed.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 08:05 PM

Copper has 0 catches in two years and you expect him to compete for a starting job.

Herm, is that you?

**SAUTO** · 03-26-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Copper has 0 catches in two years and you expect him to compete for a starting job.

Herm, is that you?

what was darling's stat line prior to last year? like 18 career catches IIRC and YOU sucked the guy off for the better part of last year

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

what was darling's stat line prior to last year? like 18 career catches IIRC and YOU sucked the guy off for the better part of last year

I have decided I do not enjoy debating you. I will not debate you now or in the future.

Sam Hall · 03-26-2009, 08:14 PM

The 2008 stats I saw for Copper were actually his career stats

RustShack · 03-26-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

I'd like to see Terrance Copper be our No. 2 receiver over Darling. That was my first impression when Copper signed.

I'd like to see Mark Bradley our #2 receiver. If not him then Engram.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 08:17 PM

I believe he worked with Haley in Dallas so he might think he saw something in Copper.

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 08:19 PM

BTW, I'll get destroyed for this, but I still think Darling has the potential to be a good player with the right quarterback throwing him the ball. Last year's reeruno attack gave him no chance to be successful at the start of the season and they immediately demoted him after they picked up Bradley.

**SAUTO** · 03-26-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I have decided I do not enjoy debating you. I will not debate you now or in the future.

glad to see you figured out that i'm always right when i disagree with you

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

glad to see you figured out that i'm always right when i disagree with you

It is not a matter of being right or wrong. I have decided I do not enjoy debating you. I will not debate you now or in the future.

**SAUTO** · 03-26-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

It is not a matter of being right or wrong. I have decided I do not enjoy debating you. I will not debate you now or in the future.

bullshit

Hammock Parties · 03-26-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

bullshit

I will not debate you now or in the future.

**SAUTO** · 03-26-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I will not debate you now or in the future.

because i call it like i see it, bullshit like just about everything that comes out of your mouth

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-27-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I will not debate you now or in the future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

because i call it like i see it, bullshit like just about everything that comes out of your mouth

Okay, that exchange was priceless!

Micjones · 03-27-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

BTW, I'll get destroyed for this, but I still think Darling has the potential to be a good player with the right quarterback throwing him the ball. Last year's reeruno attack gave him no chance to be successful at the start of the season and they immediately demoted him after they picked up Bradley.

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

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

03-26-2009, 07:59 PM	#106
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	I'd like to see Terrance Copper be our No. 2 receiver over Darling. That was my first impression when Copper signed. __________________
Posts: 8,137

03-26-2009, 08:05 PM	#107
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4800478	Copper has 0 catches in two years and you expect him to compete for a starting job. Herm, is that you? __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,516

03-26-2009, 08:14 PM	#110
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	The 2008 stats I saw for Copper were actually his career stats __________________
Posts: 8,137

03-26-2009, 08:17 PM	#112
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4800478	I believe he worked with Haley in Dallas so he might think he saw something in Copper. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,516

03-26-2009, 08:19 PM	#113
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4800478	BTW, I'll get destroyed for this, but I still think Darling has the potential to be a good player with the right quarterback throwing him the ball. Last year's reeruno attack gave him no chance to be successful at the start of the season and they immediately demoted him after they picked up Bradley. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,516