In fact, historically, the 2008 season was the highest in terms of yards per catch in NFL history. I think that we are in the middle of a transition in terms of how the game is played, coached, refereed, etc. Because of it's success on the college level, one is now seeing the influence of the spread type offense creeping into the NFL; the more stringent enforcement of pass interference rules (since the end of the 2003 season); a focus of more intricate offensive schemes involving multiple set offenses; an evolution of the tight end position from one of a primarily blocking responsibility to one of a multi-function receiving role; wildcat type formations, etc., I think that the "value" of a swiss-army knife linebacker would present a higher value than a cornerback in todays NFL. As such, and this is just my observation, a player with multiple skill sets at the linebacker position such as Curry would ultimately be viewed as having a greater value than a singular role type position such as corner back.

Then please explain to me how teams like the Steelers routinely find linebackers in the 2nd round and later (or undrafted) but have had serious problems finding cornerbacks that stick.

They've gone through so many guys, free agents and draft choices, but have yet to find a true shutdown corner, let alone a guy with equal talent to their linebacker talent.

I don't buy that argument, at all.

Otherwise, guys like Asante Samuel wouldn't be so sought after in free-agency.

Our RT next year has to go up against the likes of:

Justin Tuck, Greg Ellis, Sean Phillips, Lamar Woodley, Jarret Johnson

Now Im not saying I'd go Tackle in the first round. But I'm starting to question alot more if this is a position that can be "had" in the later rounds. The current trend in the NFL is to focus more on rushing the passer. With LDE increasing in value, so should the value of RT. If the chiefs manage to get a Franchise QB they need to look hard at this position. Now RT isnt as important as LT because the QB can get rid of the ball when they see the rush. But Im willing to guess just a few of the boys listed above will still make that franchise QB pay for getting rid of it a smidge to late (welcome to the league rook).

You don't have to buy the argument Dane - you are selling it for me.

The Steelers have won two Super Bowls in the past four years without what people consider a "shutdown cornerback," and have based the focus of their defense on their linebacking corps.

Defensive player of the year this past season? LINEBACKER James Harrison.

When you talk about those Patriots teams that won Super Bowls, and reference their defense, are you talking about their cornerbacks or their linebackers? Ted Bruschi and Vrabel seem to get more airtime than Brady does.

Does anyone remember the names of the Bears cornerbacks from their Super Bowl team three seasons ago, or might it have been that their best defensive player was *gasp* a linebacker?

What position has won more NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards? By a large margin - the linebacker.

What we are talking about is perceived value in the draft. And by any consideration that I can think of, it is the cornerback position that is the most "over-valued," at least compared to the linebacker.

Look, I'd like the Chiefs to select a quarterback this draft. I think that they've got a chance to get one of two guys who look to be "franchise" level. But I believe that the original question was "What if those two were gone, and what would the Chiefs do in that particular scenario?"

I just couldn't possibly see Malcolm Jenkins being "the guy" in the situation. I'm sure he is a fine player, and seems to fit the bill for being a quality defensive back, but looking at the Chiefs, as well as looking at the importance of the various positions, I couldn't possibly envision Jenkins being a higher value pick to the Chiefs than someone like Aaron Curry.

The fact you think Brian Urlacher is the best player on the Bears defense makes me chuckle.

i heard roaf was coming back

Are you really this dense? Your dreamboy James Harrison was UNDRAFTED. Mike Vrabel was drafted in the THIRD ROUND. Teddy Bruschi was drafted in the THIRD ROUND.

I'd take Tommie Harris and/or Lance Briggs over Urlacher. By the way, Briggs was drafted in the THIRD ROUND.

:doh!:

On their 2006 Super Bowl team he was.

Urlacher named AP Defensive Player of the Year

NEW YORK -- Brian Urlacher, the latest leader of the Monsters of the Midway, won The Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award Friday.


The Chicago Bears' star middle linebacker and the face of a ferocious defense that allowed the fewest points in the league this season, Urlacher adds the honor to his 2000 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Chicago's turnaround from the bottom of the NFC North pack to 11-5 and division winner was paced by the defense, which yielded 202 points, 45 fewer than Indianapolis, the next-stingiest team. He had 121 tackles, six sacks and a fumble recovery, but stats don't define Urlacher.

Full-field coverage, intimidating hits and big plays do.

"People are realizing we have some good players here," Urlacher said. "Anytime you lose, nothing really matters except winning. ... People realize that when you win, you obviously have some good players on your team."

Chicago has enough of them on defense to draw votes for four. Urlacher's 34 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL gave him a runaway victory. Teammates Alex Brown at end, Lance Briggs at outside linebacker, and Nathan Vasher at cornerback each received one vote.

"Best player on the best defense. He should be the defensive MVP," Pro Bowl safety Mike Brown said. "He makes a lot of impact plays, but just him being on the field, teams have to scheme against us. They have to do different things to stay away from him. He's the leader of our team."

Second to Urlacher was Colts DE Dwight Freeney with four votes. Also receiving votes were Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (3), Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson (2), Giants end Osi Umenyiora (2), Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey (1) and Jaguars tackle Marcus Stroud (1).

But Urlacher was unchallenged.

"He's the best linebacker in the league," said Briggs, who plays next to Urlacher and had a breakout season himself. "He's making it happen all day, every day."

Added DE Adewale Ogunleye: "I don't think anyone in the league deserves that award more than him. "He's busted his tail inside and out. Everybody's saying he's overhyped and overrated. He really did everything he had to do to be a leader."

Chicago's defense had to be overwhelming for the Bears to become winners. The offense has been mediocre at best, inept at times.

So it was left to Urlacher and crew to carry the team. They did, allowing fewer than 14 points 10 times. At home, the Bears went 7-1 and yielded a mere 61 points in those games. Only Cincinnati, which beat the Bears 24-7 in Game 3, scored more than nine points at Soldier Field.

And guess where the Bears play their first playoff game next week.

"He runs all over the field," Briggs said. "He chases down guys like Michael Vick. He creates havoc."

The only other Bear to win the award was another great middle linebacker, Mike Singletary, in 1985 and '88.

Urlacher is the fifth player to win a top defensive rookie award and also the AP Defensive Player of the Year. Pittsburgh's Joe Greene was rookie of the year in 1969 and defensive player in '74. The Steelers Jack Lambert did it in 1974 and '76. Lawrence Taylor had the rarest double, winning both honors in 1981. He also was the top defensive player in 1982 and '86 for the Giants. San Francisco's Dana Stubblefield was top rookie in 1993 and No. 1 defensive player in '97.

Last year's winner was Baltimore safety Ed Reed.

But I'm sure random fans on a Chiefs site know better....

If that's true (it's not), it's only because Tommie Harris wasn't playing. I know casual fans of the game don't really notice what's really going on, so I won't waste anyone's time arguing with you about it.

Well, considering he was voted the second most overrated player in the league by the actual players in the league, I'll go with what they think.

:rolleyes:

WTF do you expect his teammates to say? "He didn't deserve it, I'm better. Without me Brian is shit."

I'll go with what his teammates think, myself.

Guys who played alongside both him and Harris.

You can go with whatever you want, but you're wrong.

Me, Brown, Briggs, and Ogunleye. I'll take it.

Speaking of "wrong," anyone want to try answering why you would take a CB with the third pick - something NO team has done in at least a decade?

After you explain why you want to take a LB with the third pick - something NO team has done in over 20 years - and the only time one has recently been taken 3rd or earlier he turned out to be a BUST?

I'm actually not calling for a LB. I think they'll go DL - but NOT CB. Some of you are throwing Jenkins out as an alternative to Curry or a Tackle and it makes no sense.


p.s. 3-time All-Pro LaVar Arrington was a BUST? What does that make every player on the Chiefs?

Which defensive lineman in this draft do you think is worthy of the #3 overall selection?

Raji.

Maybe Everett Brown - he's a physical freak (incredible speed), needs to show some character and mental capacity at the combines to move up. Of course, he'll probably be a LB in the NFL.

Orakpo maybe.

Fact is, there are no standout candidates beyond Stafford, really - except for a couple OT's but that brings us back to the thread topic: "Why does everyone keep saying we don't need a Tackle at #3?"

Which brings us back to the answer to the thread topic - because we already have a LT and you don't take a RT #3 overall.

About Curry - it wouldn't surprise me a bit if the Chiefs take him. He may be the best FOOTBALL PLAYER in the draft, and that's what "the Patriots Way" has been all about. I realize he doesn't have sacks, but that may be due to how he was utilized. It doesn't mean he can't get them. As I pointed out on some other thread, Piolli/Belechick drafted Richard Seymour who had only 1.5 sacks as a senior (which is low, even for a DT, before someone chirps in). Sacks were never part of his package, but the Pats saw a football player there, and drafted him.

And you also don't take a CB #3 overall - except when you do (applies to both positions and LB, too).

Maybe bust is a little strong, but if you draft a guy #2 overall you should get more than 3 Pro Bowls and out of the league after 7 seasons. He never realized his massive amount of hype.

Head issues. The talent is certainly there (still good, even, if not for the injuries). At least he's not as bad as Ryan Leaf.

Absolutely had talent. Played very undisciplined and, IMO, dumb as rocks.

The annals of football history are littered with elite teams led by a cover backer.

Would you take Mike Singletary (19 sacks for his career)?

How about Ray Lewis (33.5 sacks... but over 13 seasons)?

Great example - guys not taken within the first 25 picks.

You're a ****ing moron. Seriously. You're a ****ing MORON.

They didn't draft a LB in the top 5. They didn't draft a LB in the 10. They didn't draft a LB in the top 15. They let Joey Porter walk (who's pissed off by the way that he didn't stay in Pittsburgh). Harrison is undrafted, Farrior was an UFRA and Woodley was a late 2nd rounder. If ANYTHING, this says "Don't spend the number 3 overall pick on a linebacker".

JFC.

Oh, there's a few other reasons why they won the Super Bowl in 2005 and 2008: Ben Rothlisberger and Troy Palumalu.

Without EITHER of those guys, they'd be just another football team.

Just like Tom Brady and Kurt Warner and ... - let's not go there, okay?

The point isn't to find diamonds in the rough, it's who's the most likely diamond at #3. I just listed two LBs who were huge impact players even though they weren't pass-rushers.

If Curry projects out to potentially that kind of player on Piolli's board, why should he not take him?

This is such a ****ing stupid argument.

Your wife beats you, doesn't she? So much anger over nothing...

Well Orange is a Bronco fan so of course he wants us to pick Curry he can then laugh at us for overdrafting a overhyped LB after his team did the samething with DJ Williams and hasn't gotten nearly the production for his selection spot.

Yes, you found me out! I post messages on ChiefsPlanet because I know Pioli will read them and be influenced!!

Damn, you're good.

LOL, you don't have any interest in the Chiefs being good so cmon now.

No shit its like us dogging Cutler when we all would give our left nut to have him.

Strangely enough, I do. They've been my #2 team from back in AFL days.

But let's say you're right and I wish them ill...

Your scenario still doesn't make any sense. Wouldn't I prefer them to draft Sanchez - which I've said would be a mistake - then have him suck so I can laugh at you guys and say "I told you so" for the next three years?

As it is, if the Chiefs draft Curry, I have to hope he works out so I don't have egg on my face.

Ok let me ask you this question..

Why would you draft Curry 3 when that pick would mean you'd have to pay him more than you could get Dansby for in FA, hell if you take Curry 3 you might be able to get Dansby and Leroy Hill cheaper combined.

First, I'm not that high on Curry personally, but he IS the one guy everyone says is a can't miss prospect in this draft, so like I said above a couple pages, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Chiefs draft him.

Second, I don't think Dansby gets past the Broncos.

[edit] to save you having to dig back, I think the Chiefs will (and should*) take a DL.

*unless Stafford is there, but I don't see any way that happens.

Oh, I'm sorry. Weren't you the dumbass touting the Steelers lack of defensive backs, specifically cornerbacks as to a primary reason why a team has to value a cornerback in the top three? Because they have won a Super Bowl two of the past four years? And they have a good quarterback? And that they have drafted good linebackers? And that their cornerback position has been de-valued because of said good linebackers?

Dumbass.

Seriously.

Read what you wrote.

I know it's Valentines, and you are sitting at home, alone, but there is no reason for you to get all pissy about stupid shit you have already penned.

He's alot more than that. You just like to try and devalue the guy to support your argument. The truth is he does it all and is a great LB prospect. The only place I see negative stuff about Curry is on Chiefs Planet. Most draft gurus say he's a legit top five pick and from what I've seen of the guy he is.


PhilFree:arrow:

THERE.IS.NO.SUCH.THING.AS.A.CAN'T.MISS.PROSPECT.IN.ANY.****ING.DRAFT.

funny slightly related/pointless anecdote? I remember when I was younger and I collected football cards hardcore. in the 1997 press pass football set there was in insert (with varying odds of pulling the cards)... it had six cards in the collection. they were cards of yatil green, warrick dunn, orlando pace, jim druckenmiller, peter bouleware and rae carruth. the 'can't miss' prospects of the 1997 draft. of all of those guys, you have a convicted murderer, an abject injury bust, a solid RB (but not all-world 'can't miss!'), a solid OLB/de (bouleware was never the feared sack-master you want in the top five), a qb who sucked (druckenmiller never lived up to the hype), and ONE guy who lived up to the billing (if you ignore his injury issues for the last several years)... orlando pace.

so the lesson? can't miss doesn't exist. there is no such thing as a safe pick. I don't want safe. I want the pick that will net us a lombardi or two my lifetime.

BTW: you can't truly be a broncos AND chiefs' fan. wtf is this 'second team' bullshit? pick one team and go with it.

derrick johnson was a legitimate top five pick in draft evaluations too. oh wait, then real GMs stepped up and he fell outside of the top ten.

oops.

Maybe a top 10. OH wait......are you saying Hamas is a real GM?



PhilFree:arrow:

GFY.

Maybe it'll make you smarter.

nice deflection.

nope. he was considered one of the elite prospects of that draft. it's funny, really, that chiefs fans have that bad of a memory. would you pick derrick johnson third overall? because EVERYTHING that has been said about curry was said of johnson before the 2005 draft. as prospects, they're very similar. how has that worked out for us?

After watching both they're not really that much alike. The thing about where a guy gets picked has alot to do with the other players in the draft. This draft is not top heavy and there's a good chance that whoever is picked with the third pick won't be worth that pick. Now I'm not preaching draft Curry above all else I was pointing out that Curry is alot more then "a cover backer."


PhilFree:arrow:

Top 3 in most mocks at this time in his draft year.

Guess we know all too well why he fell to #15, and we would have been wise to let him keep falling, unfortunately.

god. looking back at the 2005 draft, some real juggernauts went above dj.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NFL_Draft

alex smith, cedric benson, pacman, troy williamson, mike williamson, I could go on and on.

and it's funny... who did DJ go after (LB wise)? ware and merriman (both rushbackers) AND thomas davis (meaning dj wasn't even the first cover backer taken).

so yeah--I don't give a shit HOW good a prospect the OLB (cover-backer) is... I'm not taking him top three.

9 1/2 sacks in his college career says, regardless of any other attribute, he is not a top 5 LB.

In most drafts I'd agree but 2009 I'm not 100% on that. He did have 45.5 tkfl though. I think he could have had more sacks but they didn't ask him to do that very much..What Curry does so well is shed blocks allowing him to get in space and make tackles/plays.


PhilFree:arrow:

let's see... DJ had 10.5 sacks in his college career (one more than aaron curry), 69 TFL (compared to 45.5 for curry).

man. I REALLY want to take him in the top three now, seeing as he can't live up to the disappointing results of DJ, who was better than he was in college:

:shake:

I want a QB but if it don't work out then the Chiefs are gonna have to pick somebody. As far as better in college I think Curry is a better player and a better pro prospect then DJ. That's my opinion though.


PhilFree:arrow:

Better than DJ?

He sure as hell better be a "better prospect" than DJ.

DJ is average at best. He was certainly not worth the #15 overall pick in the draft. Personally, I don't think he'll ever improve. If he was a fourth rounder, I'd be okay with him.

As it stands, total failure on the part of the "personnel team" in 2005.

you serious? do you even remember how much of a destructive force DJ was when he was at texas? he was a one-man wrecking machine. I'm not fully convinced that curry measures up to what DJ was at texas.

and dane, I hope you're wrong, but part of me worries that you're right. so many of our top round guys have gone bust. it can't all be our horrible draft record--the guys HAVE talent. part of me hopes that a new coaching staff can bring out the beast that was DJ at texas. but, he's been such a disappointment that it's anybody's guess.

DJ was on a better team. So you think DJ was a better prospect then Curry?

Yeah all of our Top D picks have not lived up to their pick status. Coaching has to be a big part of that. Hopefully the new regime can change that.


PhilFree:arrow:

I'll put it this way... I'm not convinced that curry is a better prospect than dj was... seriously, go back and read over the pre-draft stuff of dj... he was a freaking monster, man. literally everything I've read about curry brings to mind exact things that were said about dj.

Derrick Johnson obviously fell like a rock due to the evaluations made AFTER college - he fell so far that Thomas Davis A SAFETY was drafted before him as a project. What was funny is how Chiefs fans ignored this obvious fact and drank the koolaid without a second thought.

As for EVERYTHING that was said about Johnson being said about Curry, I don't think that's true. I never once heard DJ described as a smart player.

Besides, projecting DJ onto Curry is every bit as dumb as projecting Blackledge onto the QB of your choice.

A very similar thing happened with John Tait, who Chiefs fans thought was the second coming even though no one else nationally had such high regard for him.

Tait is a good cautionary tale. Like DJ, Tait was even considered a successful rookie at LT here - just like Branden Albert now. Why you guys are willing to declare Albert a success eludes me. The fact is it was impossible to grade him correctly for two reasons - the right side of the Chiefs line collapsed so fast you couldn't tell if Albert was holding up long enough; and the team spent most of the year in a gimmick offense that no one believes they're going to run again. I'd say the jury is still out on Albert at LT, and it wouldn't be a nonsensical pick if Pioli took a real LT.

Back to DJ and Tait, some guys just get hyped beyond all proportion on fan boards for some reason. I believe that's the case with Mark Sanchez here this year.

Wait...Can you hear that sound?

It's the sound of me not giving a flying **** about what some Donko fan thinks of Chiefs fans.

Orange one who sucks the penis.

LMAO

Nice try, prick. I'm sure you're spewing that garbage about Clady as well, right? The guy who's about as strong as you and only has to pass-block for a half-second so Cutler can look at Marshall on his bubble screen and bullet-pass it straight to him.

Following Week 12 of the 2008 NFL season, Peter King of Sports Illustrated said Clady was the third-best rookie overall. On December 12, 2008, Clady won the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award, after his game against the Kansas City Chiefs. That was the first time all season that a lineman, both offensively and defensively, won the award.

Clady finished third in voting behind Matt Ryan and Chris Johnson for the 2008 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. He was the only offensive lineman to receive any votes. Clady started every game during the 2008 NFL season and gave up just a half of a sack while committing only three penalties. He was the only starting NFL offensive lineman to give up less than one sack for the entire season. He was named to the Associated Press NFL All-Pro Second Team behind Michael Roos and Jordan Gross.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Branden Albert was a Chief.

Branden Albert in the News
7/24/2008 9:38:04 AM - Chiefs Agree to Terms with T Branden Albert

http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/branden_albert/ (his page on his team's website)

I haven't heard the same things about Curry at this point in the draft process that were being said about DJ. DJ was hyped to the hilt back during the '04 season but it wasn't a week after the season when everybody was getting into film evaluations before every draft guru and there brother were saying UH OH!, he doesn't like to take on blocks. Not that I'd want Curry at #3 anyway, just sayin.

There were negative reports on DJ right before the draft. People started saying that when you watched him tackle he didn't take on the ball carrier head on. They said he had a habit of letting the ball carrier get to his side and then try and tackle him from the side or from behind. That was one of the reasons he caused a lot of fumbles in college, because he came from behind and punched the ball out.
The concern was that he had a lot of skill but he was soft, and that he wasn't going to be blowing guys up at the line of scrimmage. I remember it well, I was living in Houston at the time and you basically get Texas talk on the radio all the time, and every UT grad down there wants the Texans to draft UT players.
But anyway, that was the knock on DJ- he wasn't a physical enough linebacker.

I remember hearing all of that and that's why some people wanted Thomas Davis instead of DJ because Davis didn't have any questions about his toughness.

Davis is an ascending player in the NFC South (113 tackles, 95 solo in 2008) whereas Derrick Johnson has remained the same throughout his career (averaging around 85 tackles per season).

I've read where some people think that Curry will be a better pro then he was a college player. And as far as taking on blocks Curry does and is great at shedding them and making the play. Curry says his biggest fault is that he;s to agressive sometimes. LOL a LB to agressive? Our D needs some agression.


PhilFree:arrow:

We don't need our linebackers to over-pursue. THAT's what they're referring to, not "aggression".

It's not "they're" referring to anything that's what Curry said about himself when asked what the weakness of his game was. Curry will end up being a pro bowl LB for some team in the NFL. He'll make plays that change games. IMO he's that kind of a LB.

PhilFree:arrow:

Well, I disagree. He played in the ACC. If he goes to a team with an already strong defense, he might make some plays.

Otherwise, he's just another solid NFL player at best.

And he's certainly not worth the #3 overall draft spot.

It amazes me that the one known as Assclown (me) can see how dumb one must be to think you take a cover LB in the top 3.

Curry will not be our pick at 3, periot.

Did I really see someone legitimately buy into the Maddenesque (read:dumb) claim that CBs are CBs because they can't catch?

Mecca:


It doesn't look like Dansby's going anywhere after all.

Arizona is expected to make Dansby its franchise player by Wednesday, meaning QB Kurt Warner will not receive the tag and can test the free-agent market if he doesn’t re-sign with the team before then... Ordinarily, the franchise tag entitles a player to earn the average of the five highest-paid players at his position or 20 percent more than last year’s salary — whichever is greater. The 20 percent rule for Dansby is greater, meaning his franchise tag with Arizona will be worth a cool $9.6 million. But it also will limit Dansby from signing with another team. http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/16/card...ise-lb-dansby/

In any case - do you think the third pick will cost more than $9.6 million/year?