keg in kc
04-20-2005, 04:17 AM
GRETZ: The Draft Picture (http://kcchiefs.com/news/2005/04/20/gretz_the_draft_picture/)
Apr 20, 2005, 4:51:56 AM by Bob Gretz
Trying to decipher the Chiefs approach in the NFL Draft must take into account the “big picture.”
That’s because the man who makes the decisions on draft day is a big-picture guy. From the time he took over the Chiefs in 1989, Carl Peterson has always looked upon the annual selection meeting as the place to answer long-term roster needs. Yes, there have been drafts where Peterson has filled an immediate need early. But the majority of his early picks over 16 drafts have been with an eye on the big picture of the roster.
So as we try to figure out where the Chiefs will take this 2005 draft, let’s start with at the big picture and examine where the team is growing old. Here are the starters and key contributors who are over 30 (age at which they will play most of the 2005 season :)
35 – LT Willie Roaf and QB Trent Green
34 – RG Will Shields, QB Todd Collins, and WR Johnnie Morton
33 – FB Tony Richardson
32 – C Casey Wiegmann, WR Eddie Kennison, QB Damon Huard, RB Priest Holmes, DT John Browning, CB Dexter McCleon, S Jerome Woods
31 – TE Jason Dunn, DE Gary Stills
30 – DT Lional Dalton, S Sammy Knight
If the Chiefs made this draft about simply the “big picture” then they would concentrate on the offense, as eight offensive starters will be 32 or older during the coming season. Check the current roster and there is no obvious replacement in the pipeline for Roaf at the all important left tackle spot. Jordan Black and Kevin Sampson are young players who have played tackle, but they are considered best on the right side. The team’s depth chart lists third-year man Brett Williams as the backup, but in two seasons the former fourth-round pick hasn’t been able to get on the field, let alone play left tackle.
Shields has yet to state his intentions for the 2005 season, but the Chiefs expect him to return. Ready to step in to his spot are Black and John Welbourn, who is 29 years old. That makes right guard less of an immediate concern.
Both starting receivers in Morton and Kennison will be 34 and 32 this season and none of the backups have been able to get them out of the opening play. And, all three quarterbacks are over 30, although Green will be a young 35 this year, given his early career inactivity.
Defensively, safety is the spot where the Chiefs are older. Woods and Knight will both be 30 or older this season. Greg Wesley and Shaunard Harts are 27. Defensive tackle has gotten a lot of draft attention over the last four years, yet two of the key members of the rotations will be 30 or older this season, in Dalton and Browning.
OK, that’s the big picture. The little picture is quite obvious: the Chiefs need defensive help. The deal with, and for Patrick Surtain still has not been consummated, so they need cornerbacks. They need bodies at linebacker as well. The rotation at defensive end remains shallow with Eric Hicks, Jared Allen and the recently acquired Carlos Hall. Third-year man Jimmy Wilkerson has shown promise, but hasn’t been able to generate a lot of playing time.
Process all the information and this is what the Chiefs shopping list looks like for this week: Impact defensive player at safety, outside linebacker or cornerback.
Another impact defensive player.
Defensive end who can challenge to be part of the regular rotation
Wide receiver with speed.
Offensive lineman with the potential to play left tackle.
Punter.
Big tight end, as possible replacement for Dunn.
Running back, more along the lines of a halfback, than fullback, to replace the departed Derrick Blaylock.Coming up on Friday, we’ll try to put some names with this shopping list.
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Apr 20, 2005, 4:51:56 AM by Bob Gretz
Trying to decipher the Chiefs approach in the NFL Draft must take into account the “big picture.”
That’s because the man who makes the decisions on draft day is a big-picture guy. From the time he took over the Chiefs in 1989, Carl Peterson has always looked upon the annual selection meeting as the place to answer long-term roster needs. Yes, there have been drafts where Peterson has filled an immediate need early. But the majority of his early picks over 16 drafts have been with an eye on the big picture of the roster.
So as we try to figure out where the Chiefs will take this 2005 draft, let’s start with at the big picture and examine where the team is growing old. Here are the starters and key contributors who are over 30 (age at which they will play most of the 2005 season :)
35 – LT Willie Roaf and QB Trent Green
34 – RG Will Shields, QB Todd Collins, and WR Johnnie Morton
33 – FB Tony Richardson
32 – C Casey Wiegmann, WR Eddie Kennison, QB Damon Huard, RB Priest Holmes, DT John Browning, CB Dexter McCleon, S Jerome Woods
31 – TE Jason Dunn, DE Gary Stills
30 – DT Lional Dalton, S Sammy Knight
If the Chiefs made this draft about simply the “big picture” then they would concentrate on the offense, as eight offensive starters will be 32 or older during the coming season. Check the current roster and there is no obvious replacement in the pipeline for Roaf at the all important left tackle spot. Jordan Black and Kevin Sampson are young players who have played tackle, but they are considered best on the right side. The team’s depth chart lists third-year man Brett Williams as the backup, but in two seasons the former fourth-round pick hasn’t been able to get on the field, let alone play left tackle.
Shields has yet to state his intentions for the 2005 season, but the Chiefs expect him to return. Ready to step in to his spot are Black and John Welbourn, who is 29 years old. That makes right guard less of an immediate concern.
Both starting receivers in Morton and Kennison will be 34 and 32 this season and none of the backups have been able to get them out of the opening play. And, all three quarterbacks are over 30, although Green will be a young 35 this year, given his early career inactivity.
Defensively, safety is the spot where the Chiefs are older. Woods and Knight will both be 30 or older this season. Greg Wesley and Shaunard Harts are 27. Defensive tackle has gotten a lot of draft attention over the last four years, yet two of the key members of the rotations will be 30 or older this season, in Dalton and Browning.
OK, that’s the big picture. The little picture is quite obvious: the Chiefs need defensive help. The deal with, and for Patrick Surtain still has not been consummated, so they need cornerbacks. They need bodies at linebacker as well. The rotation at defensive end remains shallow with Eric Hicks, Jared Allen and the recently acquired Carlos Hall. Third-year man Jimmy Wilkerson has shown promise, but hasn’t been able to generate a lot of playing time.
Process all the information and this is what the Chiefs shopping list looks like for this week: Impact defensive player at safety, outside linebacker or cornerback.
Another impact defensive player.
Defensive end who can challenge to be part of the regular rotation
Wide receiver with speed.
Offensive lineman with the potential to play left tackle.
Punter.
Big tight end, as possible replacement for Dunn.
Running back, more along the lines of a halfback, than fullback, to replace the departed Derrick Blaylock.Coming up on Friday, we’ll try to put some names with this shopping list.
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.