shaneo69
02-23-2005, 10:38 AM
Heading into the FA period last offseason, we had at least three major holes that needed to be addressed.
1) A CB who could play in Gunther's system. McCleon had a decent regular season in '03, but got exposed in the playoff game, and most people here figured he would struggle in Gun's system.
Result: DV resigned Bartee and hoped that either he or Battle would step up, even though neither had ever shown signs that they were ready to do so. McCleon won back the starting position by default at the end of the year and got punked by a rookie WR in the season finale who hadn't caught a pass all season.
Final Analysis: We still need a quality starting CB.
2) A MLB/tackling machine. Between injuries, Maslowski and Mitchell had split the position in '03 with disastrous results. Average yards per rush was over 5.0, and the "32" defense was born.
Result: DV prayed for a miracle recovery by Maz. When that didn't happen (surprise!), Gunther was forced to move Beisel over to MLB to challenge Mitchell, who was also hurt again (surprise!). After Beisel got hurt (surprise!), Mitchell took over the position for the rest of the season and looked no better than he did in his rookie year of '03.
Final Analysis: We still need better play from the MLB position.
3) A RT to replace John Tait, after we declined to match the Bears ridiculous offer sheet. Holdovers who were vying for the chance to takeover at RT were 2nd year former draft picks Jordan Black and Brett Williams, along with 2001 starter Marcus Spears.
Result: DV wanted to be sure that nothing derailed the Chiefs offensive juggernaut, so despite having three players already available to fight for the RT spot, he went out and signed Chris Bober, traded for John Welbourn, and drafted Kevin Sampson. Welbourn beat out the five other candidates in training camp and Spears was cut. After Welbourn and Bober struggled at RT and then got hurt, Jordan Black took over and played the position like a seasoned veteran.
Final Analysis: With Black's stellar play and the development of Sampson, it looks like Welbourn and Bober will be relegated to the backup OG and C positions until Shields and Wiegmann retire.
With a starting WR position likely to be open in '05 after the release of Morton, let's hope that DV doesn't make the offense a higher priority than fixing the defense.
1) A CB who could play in Gunther's system. McCleon had a decent regular season in '03, but got exposed in the playoff game, and most people here figured he would struggle in Gun's system.
Result: DV resigned Bartee and hoped that either he or Battle would step up, even though neither had ever shown signs that they were ready to do so. McCleon won back the starting position by default at the end of the year and got punked by a rookie WR in the season finale who hadn't caught a pass all season.
Final Analysis: We still need a quality starting CB.
2) A MLB/tackling machine. Between injuries, Maslowski and Mitchell had split the position in '03 with disastrous results. Average yards per rush was over 5.0, and the "32" defense was born.
Result: DV prayed for a miracle recovery by Maz. When that didn't happen (surprise!), Gunther was forced to move Beisel over to MLB to challenge Mitchell, who was also hurt again (surprise!). After Beisel got hurt (surprise!), Mitchell took over the position for the rest of the season and looked no better than he did in his rookie year of '03.
Final Analysis: We still need better play from the MLB position.
3) A RT to replace John Tait, after we declined to match the Bears ridiculous offer sheet. Holdovers who were vying for the chance to takeover at RT were 2nd year former draft picks Jordan Black and Brett Williams, along with 2001 starter Marcus Spears.
Result: DV wanted to be sure that nothing derailed the Chiefs offensive juggernaut, so despite having three players already available to fight for the RT spot, he went out and signed Chris Bober, traded for John Welbourn, and drafted Kevin Sampson. Welbourn beat out the five other candidates in training camp and Spears was cut. After Welbourn and Bober struggled at RT and then got hurt, Jordan Black took over and played the position like a seasoned veteran.
Final Analysis: With Black's stellar play and the development of Sampson, it looks like Welbourn and Bober will be relegated to the backup OG and C positions until Shields and Wiegmann retire.
With a starting WR position likely to be open in '05 after the release of Morton, let's hope that DV doesn't make the offense a higher priority than fixing the defense.