Tribal Warfare
01-21-2010, 02:51 PM
Free Agent Review … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs (http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-football/free-agent-review-%E2%80%A6-thursday-cup-o%E2%80%99chiefs.html)
January 21, 2010 - Bob Gretz |
The Chiefs football brain trust has spent the week in Orlando watching practices at the East-West Shrine Game. It’s just another step in the personnel process, along with next week’s Senior Bowl, the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February and other events leading up to April’s NFL Draft.
That’s just on the college side. On the pro side, the evaluations go non-stop all year for players from the start of training camp through the Super Bowl. Last year, the Chiefs acquired 16 players with experience of some kind in the NFL before they went to training camp.
There were players in that group the Chiefs were counting on to contribute in the 2009 season. And some did, like OLB Mike Vrabel (right). But overall the ‘09 group of players with NFL experience that were signed by GM Scott Pioli were a disappointment and factored into the team’s bad 4-12 record.
Here’s a look and grade on each of the veteran free agents or first-year players signed by the Chiefs before the start of training camp in the ‘09 season:
LB MONTY BEISEL – Former Chiefs draft choice returned to KC after playing for the Cardinals in ‘08. Along the way, he did not see eye-to-eye with defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and Haley had to step into an argument between the two on the practice field. From that point on, Beisel seemed to be a man on the outside looking in. He chalked up two defensive tackles and one in the kicking game, while playing in three games before he was released on September 29th. Beisel finished up the season playing back with Arizona. GRADE: D.
QB MATT CASSEL – Came to the Chiefs in a trade with New England in late February and was installed as the starting quarterback. Cassel had an up and down season, but had little help from the rest of the offense, save RB Jamaal Charles. A completion percentage of 55 percent, an average of 5.93 yards per pass, 16 INTs and a 69.9 passer rating were among the worst statistics in the pool of NFL starting quarterbacks. GRADE: C
WR TERRANCE COPPER – Signed for his special teams work, Copper played in all 16 games and made only a limited contribution to the offense with four catches for 68 yards. His 50-yard play in Denver that opened the Chiefs first possession was one of the better and longer passing plays of the season. Copper was second on the team in special teams tackles with 16, finishing just one behind team leader, rookie LB Jovan Belcher. GRADE: B
TE TONY CURTIS – Signed just after Tony Gonzalez was traded, Curtis made it to Wisconsin for training camp, but was released within the first week. GRADE: F.
CB TRAVIS DANIELS – One of the first UFAs signed during the off-season, Daniels was released on the final cut of the pre-season. He rejoined the team in early November and ended up playing in the last nine games of the season. Daniels was credited with 16 tackles on defense and seven in the kicking game. GRADE: D.
WR BOBBY ENGRAM – The veteran played in just five games and ended up catching five passes for 61 yards in limited playing time before he was released on November 7th. GRADE: F.
C/G ERIC GHIACUIC – Another early UFA signee from the Bengals, Ghiacuic never saw the regular season with the Chiefs. He finished the season with San Diego. GRADE: F.
G MIKE GOFF – A UFA signee, Goff was moved right into the starting lineup at RG and he had nearly perfect attendance in the off-season program. But in eight games on the right side, Goff struggled. He allowed 3.5 sacks during those games. GRADE: F.
WR C.J. JONES – Coming out of the Patriots organization, Jones never even saw training camp and was waived on June 19th. GRADE: F.
ILB COREY MAYS – Signed for his work on special teams with the Bengals, the Chiefs got more out of Mays than they would ever have imagined. He ended up earning the starting job inside next to Demorrio Williams and had 100 tackles on defense and just three in the kicking game. GRADE: C.
LB DARRELL ROBERTSON – Another former Patriots defender, Robertson was released on June 19th. GRADE: F.
TE SEAN RYAN – He opened the season as the starter at tight end. Ryan started eight games and played in 10 games overall. Once he was replaced in the starting lineup, Ryan couldn’t get back on the field. He ended up catching 14 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns. GRADE: D.
ILB ZACH THOMAS – The veteran linebacker was a constant presence in the off-season and brought necessary leadership skills to the offense. But a training camp injury kept him off the practice field and he was eventually released on September 5th. GRADE: F.
OLB MIKE VRABEL – He was generally viewed as a throw-in with the Patriots trade for Cassel, but Vrabel had a good season. Missing only two games, he had 65 total tackles, two sacks and forced two fumbles. GRADE: B.
WR RODNEY WRIGHT – A refugee from the now closed Arena League, Wright spent a week on the practice squad before he was released for good on September 16th. GRADE: F.
SS MIKE BROWN
(left) – The veteran from the Bears did not sign a contract until June 25th, missing the entire off-season program. But in training camp, Brown ended up grabbing hold of a starting spot on the back line of the defense. He was active, with 99 total tackles, two sacks and three interceptions. GRADE: C.
In summation, that was 16 signees with an average grade of D-minus. There were no grades of A given, and only two Bs (Copper and Vrabel). Holding a mark of C were Cassel, Mays and Brown.
Five of that 16 ended up in the starting lineup: Cassel, Brown, Vrabel, Goff and Mays. Five made some sort of contribution during the year: Beisel, Copper, Daniels, Engram and Ryan. There were six players who did not end up playing for the Chiefs: Curtis, Ghiacuic, Jones, Robertson, Thomas and Wright.
As the Chiefs personnel department begins a second season, they are going to have to show better results in signing players with experience. Improvement in that facet of the personnel puzzle will help produce more victories.
On Friday, we’ll grade the experienced players the Chiefs added after the start of training camp and who amongst that group provided the team with any help or have a future for the ‘10 season.
SIGNINGS, HIRINGS, FIRINGS, STORYLINES FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE
* AFC PRO BOWL – Titans QB Vince Young and Texans QB Matt Schaub added to the team as replacements for Chargers QB Philip Rivers and Patriots QB Tom Brady.
* NFC PRO BOWL – Cowboys CB Terence Newman, Saints C Jonathan Goodwin, Giants WR Steve Smith, 49ers RB Frank Gore and Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos were added to the squad, serving as replacements for Cardinals CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cowboys C Andre Gurode, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and Rams RB Steven Jackson.
* BROWNS – announced John Sandusky will be Director of Player Personnel (formerly with the Eagles), Keith Gilberston will be the Director of Pro Personnel (formerly with the Seahawks), John Spytek named personnel executive (Eagles) and A.J. Durson was hired as a pro scout (Seahawks).
* FALCONS – Tony Gonzalez told the team’s website that he will play the 2010 season in Atlanta. “I’ll be around for sure next season,” Gonzalez said.
* RAMS – team owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez are considering three offers to purchase the franchise they inherited when Georgia Rosenbloom passed away.
FROM THE PAGES OF SUPER BOWL HISTORY
On January 21, 1979, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys 35-31 in Super Bowl XII at the Orange Bowl in Miami. The victory was the third Super Bowl title for the Steelers, more than any team in history to that point. After winning its first two championships with an offense that featured the running game, the attack had gone more towards the passing of QB Terry Bradshaw and the receiving talents of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.
In the first quarter, Bradshaw and Stallworth hooked up on a 28-yard TD pass and later combined on a 75-yard scoring throw. Bradshaw also hit a seven-yard TD pass to RB Rocky Bleier and found Swann in the fourth quarter for an 18-yard score that proved to be the winning points. Dallas scored a pair of touchdowns in the final period as QB Roger Staubach found TE Billy Joe DuPree and WR Butch Johnson for scores.
Bradshaw ended up being named the Super Bowl MVP, completing 17 of 30 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns. The yardage and TD passes set new Super Bowl record. The referee for the game was Pat Haggerty. The national anthem was sung by the Colgate Thirteen, while the half-time show featured a “Carnival Salute to the Carribbean.” NBC has the TV broadcast, with Curt Gowdy, Merlin Olsen and John Brodie in the booth. A 30-second commercial cost $185,000. There were 14 players who participated in the game that ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
FROM THE PAGES OF AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HISTORY
On January 21, 2007, the Indianapolis Colts beat the New England Patriots 38-34 at the RCA Dome in the 2005 AFC Championship Game. Down 18 points in the second half, Peyton Manning led his Colts offense back and finished the game with 455 offensive yards and 32 first downs. Down 21-6 at half-time, the Colts scored 32 points in the second half. The comeback was complete with one minute to play, when RB Joseph Addai scored on a –yard TD run. Seconds later, Indy CB Marlin Jackson picked off Patriots QB Tom Brady to seal the victory.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on January 21, 1943 in Wharton, Texas was S Jim Kearney. He joined the Chiefs in 1967 after playing two seasons with the Detroit Lions, where he signed coming out of Prairie View A&M. Kearney ended up playing nine seasons with the Chiefs (1967-75), appearing in 115 games, starting most of those at strong safety. He had 23 interceptions, including five that he returned for touchdowns. Kearney’s best season was 1972, when he had five interceptions and returned four for touchdowns; those scores in one season tied a league record which still stands. He was selected by Tampa Bay in the expansion draft in 1976. Kearney did not play for the Bucs, but did sign on and play 14 games with the Saints under head coach Hank Stram.
January 21, 2010 - Bob Gretz |
The Chiefs football brain trust has spent the week in Orlando watching practices at the East-West Shrine Game. It’s just another step in the personnel process, along with next week’s Senior Bowl, the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February and other events leading up to April’s NFL Draft.
That’s just on the college side. On the pro side, the evaluations go non-stop all year for players from the start of training camp through the Super Bowl. Last year, the Chiefs acquired 16 players with experience of some kind in the NFL before they went to training camp.
There were players in that group the Chiefs were counting on to contribute in the 2009 season. And some did, like OLB Mike Vrabel (right). But overall the ‘09 group of players with NFL experience that were signed by GM Scott Pioli were a disappointment and factored into the team’s bad 4-12 record.
Here’s a look and grade on each of the veteran free agents or first-year players signed by the Chiefs before the start of training camp in the ‘09 season:
LB MONTY BEISEL – Former Chiefs draft choice returned to KC after playing for the Cardinals in ‘08. Along the way, he did not see eye-to-eye with defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and Haley had to step into an argument between the two on the practice field. From that point on, Beisel seemed to be a man on the outside looking in. He chalked up two defensive tackles and one in the kicking game, while playing in three games before he was released on September 29th. Beisel finished up the season playing back with Arizona. GRADE: D.
QB MATT CASSEL – Came to the Chiefs in a trade with New England in late February and was installed as the starting quarterback. Cassel had an up and down season, but had little help from the rest of the offense, save RB Jamaal Charles. A completion percentage of 55 percent, an average of 5.93 yards per pass, 16 INTs and a 69.9 passer rating were among the worst statistics in the pool of NFL starting quarterbacks. GRADE: C
WR TERRANCE COPPER – Signed for his special teams work, Copper played in all 16 games and made only a limited contribution to the offense with four catches for 68 yards. His 50-yard play in Denver that opened the Chiefs first possession was one of the better and longer passing plays of the season. Copper was second on the team in special teams tackles with 16, finishing just one behind team leader, rookie LB Jovan Belcher. GRADE: B
TE TONY CURTIS – Signed just after Tony Gonzalez was traded, Curtis made it to Wisconsin for training camp, but was released within the first week. GRADE: F.
CB TRAVIS DANIELS – One of the first UFAs signed during the off-season, Daniels was released on the final cut of the pre-season. He rejoined the team in early November and ended up playing in the last nine games of the season. Daniels was credited with 16 tackles on defense and seven in the kicking game. GRADE: D.
WR BOBBY ENGRAM – The veteran played in just five games and ended up catching five passes for 61 yards in limited playing time before he was released on November 7th. GRADE: F.
C/G ERIC GHIACUIC – Another early UFA signee from the Bengals, Ghiacuic never saw the regular season with the Chiefs. He finished the season with San Diego. GRADE: F.
G MIKE GOFF – A UFA signee, Goff was moved right into the starting lineup at RG and he had nearly perfect attendance in the off-season program. But in eight games on the right side, Goff struggled. He allowed 3.5 sacks during those games. GRADE: F.
WR C.J. JONES – Coming out of the Patriots organization, Jones never even saw training camp and was waived on June 19th. GRADE: F.
ILB COREY MAYS – Signed for his work on special teams with the Bengals, the Chiefs got more out of Mays than they would ever have imagined. He ended up earning the starting job inside next to Demorrio Williams and had 100 tackles on defense and just three in the kicking game. GRADE: C.
LB DARRELL ROBERTSON – Another former Patriots defender, Robertson was released on June 19th. GRADE: F.
TE SEAN RYAN – He opened the season as the starter at tight end. Ryan started eight games and played in 10 games overall. Once he was replaced in the starting lineup, Ryan couldn’t get back on the field. He ended up catching 14 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns. GRADE: D.
ILB ZACH THOMAS – The veteran linebacker was a constant presence in the off-season and brought necessary leadership skills to the offense. But a training camp injury kept him off the practice field and he was eventually released on September 5th. GRADE: F.
OLB MIKE VRABEL – He was generally viewed as a throw-in with the Patriots trade for Cassel, but Vrabel had a good season. Missing only two games, he had 65 total tackles, two sacks and forced two fumbles. GRADE: B.
WR RODNEY WRIGHT – A refugee from the now closed Arena League, Wright spent a week on the practice squad before he was released for good on September 16th. GRADE: F.
SS MIKE BROWN
(left) – The veteran from the Bears did not sign a contract until June 25th, missing the entire off-season program. But in training camp, Brown ended up grabbing hold of a starting spot on the back line of the defense. He was active, with 99 total tackles, two sacks and three interceptions. GRADE: C.
In summation, that was 16 signees with an average grade of D-minus. There were no grades of A given, and only two Bs (Copper and Vrabel). Holding a mark of C were Cassel, Mays and Brown.
Five of that 16 ended up in the starting lineup: Cassel, Brown, Vrabel, Goff and Mays. Five made some sort of contribution during the year: Beisel, Copper, Daniels, Engram and Ryan. There were six players who did not end up playing for the Chiefs: Curtis, Ghiacuic, Jones, Robertson, Thomas and Wright.
As the Chiefs personnel department begins a second season, they are going to have to show better results in signing players with experience. Improvement in that facet of the personnel puzzle will help produce more victories.
On Friday, we’ll grade the experienced players the Chiefs added after the start of training camp and who amongst that group provided the team with any help or have a future for the ‘10 season.
SIGNINGS, HIRINGS, FIRINGS, STORYLINES FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE
* AFC PRO BOWL – Titans QB Vince Young and Texans QB Matt Schaub added to the team as replacements for Chargers QB Philip Rivers and Patriots QB Tom Brady.
* NFC PRO BOWL – Cowboys CB Terence Newman, Saints C Jonathan Goodwin, Giants WR Steve Smith, 49ers RB Frank Gore and Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos were added to the squad, serving as replacements for Cardinals CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cowboys C Andre Gurode, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and Rams RB Steven Jackson.
* BROWNS – announced John Sandusky will be Director of Player Personnel (formerly with the Eagles), Keith Gilberston will be the Director of Pro Personnel (formerly with the Seahawks), John Spytek named personnel executive (Eagles) and A.J. Durson was hired as a pro scout (Seahawks).
* FALCONS – Tony Gonzalez told the team’s website that he will play the 2010 season in Atlanta. “I’ll be around for sure next season,” Gonzalez said.
* RAMS – team owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez are considering three offers to purchase the franchise they inherited when Georgia Rosenbloom passed away.
FROM THE PAGES OF SUPER BOWL HISTORY
On January 21, 1979, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys 35-31 in Super Bowl XII at the Orange Bowl in Miami. The victory was the third Super Bowl title for the Steelers, more than any team in history to that point. After winning its first two championships with an offense that featured the running game, the attack had gone more towards the passing of QB Terry Bradshaw and the receiving talents of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.
In the first quarter, Bradshaw and Stallworth hooked up on a 28-yard TD pass and later combined on a 75-yard scoring throw. Bradshaw also hit a seven-yard TD pass to RB Rocky Bleier and found Swann in the fourth quarter for an 18-yard score that proved to be the winning points. Dallas scored a pair of touchdowns in the final period as QB Roger Staubach found TE Billy Joe DuPree and WR Butch Johnson for scores.
Bradshaw ended up being named the Super Bowl MVP, completing 17 of 30 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns. The yardage and TD passes set new Super Bowl record. The referee for the game was Pat Haggerty. The national anthem was sung by the Colgate Thirteen, while the half-time show featured a “Carnival Salute to the Carribbean.” NBC has the TV broadcast, with Curt Gowdy, Merlin Olsen and John Brodie in the booth. A 30-second commercial cost $185,000. There were 14 players who participated in the game that ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
FROM THE PAGES OF AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HISTORY
On January 21, 2007, the Indianapolis Colts beat the New England Patriots 38-34 at the RCA Dome in the 2005 AFC Championship Game. Down 18 points in the second half, Peyton Manning led his Colts offense back and finished the game with 455 offensive yards and 32 first downs. Down 21-6 at half-time, the Colts scored 32 points in the second half. The comeback was complete with one minute to play, when RB Joseph Addai scored on a –yard TD run. Seconds later, Indy CB Marlin Jackson picked off Patriots QB Tom Brady to seal the victory.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on January 21, 1943 in Wharton, Texas was S Jim Kearney. He joined the Chiefs in 1967 after playing two seasons with the Detroit Lions, where he signed coming out of Prairie View A&M. Kearney ended up playing nine seasons with the Chiefs (1967-75), appearing in 115 games, starting most of those at strong safety. He had 23 interceptions, including five that he returned for touchdowns. Kearney’s best season was 1972, when he had five interceptions and returned four for touchdowns; those scores in one season tied a league record which still stands. He was selected by Tampa Bay in the expansion draft in 1976. Kearney did not play for the Bucs, but did sign on and play 14 games with the Saints under head coach Hank Stram.