Judge: Ireland's words weigh heavy in KC

[nychief]

Ireland's words weigh heavy in Kansas City

April 18, 2008
By Clark Judge
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
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I don't know if Miami's Jeff Ireland slipped or intentionally led listeners astray when he said the Dolphins would take someone with their first pick who could make an immediate impact on defense.

But I do remember what a general manager told me a long time ago: Rely more on what you hear a month before the draft instead of what you hear a week before. And what I heard three weeks ago was how hot and bothered the Dolphins were over Virginia defensive end Chris Long.


Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland created a stir in NFL front offices with his comments. (AP) Frankly, that leads me to believe Ireland pulled a Ricky Williams and dropped the ball, and if I'm right -- if he fumbled and Miami is leaning toward Long -- it has repercussions for the top end of the draft board.

And the greatest impact might be felt by Kansas City.

At this juncture, the Chiefs are hoping Michigan tackle Jake Long gets to them, but that's not likely. If Miami doesn't draft him, St. Louis could. The Rams are hung up between Jake Long and LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, but it would be hard to pass up a chance to shore up one of the league's worst offensive lines.

Let's say that happens and the Rams tap Jake Long. That would leave Atlanta with the choice of Dorsey or Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan at the third position. I'm already on record as saying the Falcons should take Ryan, but that was before I thought Dorsey could slip to them.

The Falcons need a new face for their franchise, and the squeaky-clean Ryan is the perfect guy. But how can you pass on Dorsey? He might be the best player in the draft, and general managers and scouts tell me they aren't concerned about his medical history.

Besides, Atlanta's new head coach is a former defensive coordinator, and one thing about new head coaches is they like to lean to their side of the ball when it comes to the draft.

Let's pencil in Dorsey to the Falcons. That would leave Oakland to choose among Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston and Ryan. We know the Raiders aren't interested in Ryan, and we also know McFadden is a higher-rated player than Gholston -- provided, of course, you can live with the baggage.

Somehow, I think the Raiders can. They are the original Pride and Poison gang, interested only in what you can do for them on the football field -- and, in McFadden's case, it could be considerable.

Let's put him there.

That takes us to Kansas City, and this is where it gets interesting, folks. If Ryan is still on the board there will be pressure from within to take the guy. I know they already have Brodie Croyle, but what do we know about him?

"That he's tough," Herman Edwards said.

OK, but can he win? And is he appreciably better than Ryan? If he's not, you have some tough questions to answer in Kansas City.

First, the Chiefs have spent their first draft picks on defense three of the past four years, and it could be hard to get season-ticket holders revved up about, say, another defensive end. Second, if you bring in Ryan you are telling Croyle he has no future as a starter in Kansas City.

I don't know if anyone in Kansas City knows that.

What's the next-best option? A cornerback? That might be a little too high for Leodis McKelvin or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. What about another tackle? It's too high for Ryan Clady, too, though he certainly fills a need. How about trading down? It's a possibility only if someone wants to jump ahead of the Jets to take Gholston.

The bottom line is this: Kansas City would love Jake Long to fall to them because he's the best tackle out there and because it needs offensive linemen like Chad Johnson needs an exit.

But if Long doesn't slip -- if Miami, St. Louis or Atlanta makes him theirs -- Kansas City could be in a jam. Just a hunch, but the Chiefs will need every bit of those 10 minutes to figure out where they're going.

If they pass on Ryan, look for him to slide no farther than Baltimore at No. 8. The Ravens would have taken him regardless of what happened to Steve McNair but will look at another position -- offensive line or cornerback -- if he's gone.

The gist of all this is that they are a lot of people trying to decipher what happened in Miami yesterday, with none as interested as the front office in Kansas City. If Chris Long is off the board -- and Ireland might have tipped his hand -- I know a head coach in Arrowhead Stadium who exhaled.

At least for one day.




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[nychief]

I have read this three times and I still don't get the gist... Why would KC "exhale" if Miami takes C. Long at No. 1? He says in the next graph that J. Long still won't be there at No. 5... are we exhaling because we are going to have to make a hard decision on Ryan? I dunno...

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by nychief

I have read this three times and I still don't get the gist.

You and me both. I'm missing something.

[BigRock]

Um, what?

[Brock]

Just a hunch, but the Chiefs will need every bit of those 10 minutes to figure out where they're going.

That's because they're retarded, not because there aren't plenty of great options there.

[Rooster]

Interesting article but I missed something too.

[King_Chief_Fan]

anaother much to do about nothing. KC turns loose of Allen, I think their need becomes more clear. Needing O line and now DE doesn't say take Matt Ryan to me.

[Pestilence]

This just in....water is wet.

Let's just restate everything thats been talked about for the last 3 months.

[bsp4444]

Their claim that only someone wanting to jump in front of the Jets for Gholston would be willing to trade, but what about someone wanting to jump in front og Baltimore for Ryan?

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Brock

That's because they're retarded, not because there aren't plenty of great options there.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

This just in....water is wet.

Let's just restate everything thats been talked about for the last 3 months.

GOTTA GET THOSE INCHES BABY