Our front seven could use Raji and still needs quite a bit of help at OLB.

RDE: McBride, Hali
NT: Raji, Edwards
Undertackle: Dorsey, Boone
LDE: Tank, Boone

OLB: Robertson?, Hali?
ILB: Thomas, Beisel
ILB: Johnson,
OLB: Vrabel

Okay, who exactly is worthy of 1st round picks this year? honestly, unlike others it's a vacuum of level talent through the second round.

Not a Seinfeld fan?

Judging from Arizona, they do it enough to make Dorsey worth it.

This year, we're going to be running a LOT of 4-3 anyway, I figure.

Barwin is an athletic project who played his position for 1 year...why would you take that in the middle of the 1st round?

I loved Seinfeld.

Just haven't watched in a while and didn't get the reference, cause as has been pointed out by Bugeater today, I'm old and have a bad memory.

I really don't see why DJ couldn't play outside in the 3-4. He was one of the few rushing linebackers that we had over the last few years. He kicked the piss out of Rivers consistently in SD 2 years ago.

I don't think this rules Curry out at all. They aren't going to rule someone out just because of a one-year signing.

I'm not a big believer that BJ Raji is the answer at 3. I question his attitude, and work ethic once he cashes in.

Every draft analyst on NFL Network called Barwin a 3rd round talent who will likely go in the 2nd round because of his combine.

The Derrick Johnson not playing outside probably has to do with a 3-4 OLB when rushing isn't going to come free he's going to get an OT and this is a guy that doesn't like to deal with blockers and now he has to beat an OT with pass rush moves.

Move McBride to backup UT, Johnston to backup RE Hali to LE, Tank to backup NT and Vrable to RE you might have something for the 4-3 DL.

It's that hard to understand that we needed linebackers?

I mean, I don't get the harm in signing a player like Thomas for one year.

Because he isn't a rushbacker and he doesn't like taking on blocks...

They're going to be a hybrid team there are going to be guys who have roles in both schemes and some guys who only play in 1...I seriously doubt Vrabel would be on the field in any 4-3 looks.

I think we obviously need to trade down to take Raji. But, how far back could we go and still have a realistic shot at him?

DJ put his hand on the ground plenty during the 07 season. I thought honestly it was some of the best football he's played in his career.

Noooo no no no no no.

Your D line is way too small.

Tank is small for a NT. He's "only" 300. He's athletic and strong enough to be a DE. McBride is a perfect example of a 3-4 DE. He may flourish. Boone may work out at DE, too.

Hali is more questionable. He is a tweener in this system, and so is Johnston, who probably won't survive cuts this year because he doesn't fit.

The problem is that 3-4 OLBs are 260 lbs. and up. DJ is not a guy you want consistently in the trenches. He's a smaller LB whose strength is in coverage and in moving around the field.

Most 3-4 OLBs are former DEs that convert to OLB. Rarely do OLBs convert to 3-4 DE. That's why Curry would not fare well as a 3-4 OLB either.

DJ should make a terrific 3-4 ILB, however. What's interesting is, though, that if you have a coverage guy on the inside, you usually have a run-stuffer right next to him. Zach Thomas isn't that guy. I'm curious to see if they both start at the same time. Because it seems like they'd be playing the same role.

I don't think it's a great idea unless it's a certain passing situation, I'd hate to see him outside in a 3-4 on a run play I don't think it would end well for him.

ROFL Rep!

I'm going to throw it out there so take it for what its worth... but McBride said on facebook hes going to be an OLB in our 3-4 so thats why I'm assuming he would be in the Matt Roth role...

But you really think Vrable-Dorsey-Raji-Hali is too small? that seems about right to me... besides maybe Vrable but we don't have many other options...

He's a smart athlete too the guy played TE and was on the Cincinnati basketball team for a while. Guys like that have a very very high ceiling,and he registered good production through the season.Those same analysts said if he did this for another year in the college ranks he'd be a sure fire 1st round pick.

That makes no sense. He was one of the few 3-4 DE's we had.

That just sounds like a really horrible idea.

Like Matt Jones? That worked out well.

Hes actually not really tall enough to be a 3-4 DE and most are heavier than him too... I still think DE is his best place though since hes a DE/DT tweener..

why isnt this on espn.com or nfl.com?

Too late in the night? I really don't know but I've been wondering the same thing.

Matt Jones never played a down as a WR in college, very poor comparison.

The point is that he's a converted player that played well at the position for one season. You want to share all these things that show he's a good athlete like that should over value his draft stock. Matt Jones was the same way. Scouts fell in love with his athleticism and it didn't translate.

If any GM takes him in the middle of the first round they should be fired before round 2 begins.

Zach Thomas Heads To The Chiefs

Posted by Mike Florio on April 11, 2009, 10:21 p.m.
Apparently, Scott Pioli brought with him from New England a taste for aging linebackers.
According to the Kansas City Star, the Chiefs have agreed to terms with veteran linebacker Zach Thomas.
Thomas spent 12 seasons with the Dolphins, before being released by Pioli’s father-in-law, Bill Parcells, a year ago.
Last year, Thomas played for the Cowboys, appearing in all 16 games and starting 14 of them.
His final in Miami was marred by injury — primarily, concussions. He appeared in only five games that season.
The terms of the deal have not been reported. Presumably, it’s a one-year contract for the veteran minimum.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeird. Turk said that?

Hm.

He seems to be tailor-made for DE.

I personally think we only have one true NT on this team, Ron Edwards. Boone and McBride seem like true DEs in the 3-4. Tank and Dorsey seem like tweener undertackles, but I think Tank could work out at DE. Dorsey I think would be a disaster at DE; he needs to do what he does inside on passing downs.

Hali and Johnston seem lost. Hali might work at OLB or DE, but it doesn't work. Johnston will likely be cut.

We need at least one quick OLB and another true NT in this Draft.

They should tell Turk McBride to go eat alot and get up to 290.

I actually think Johnston would make for a better OLB than Hali would...

You made a comparison between Barwin a guy who made a good transition to a different position(TE to DE) which the same analysts you spoke of said if he did this for another year in college he'd be a first rounder to Matt Jones who played QB throughout his college career and was an unknown commodity as a WR.

Very poor comparison

I think he's at 280, isn't he?

Possible.

But only because I simply can't see Hali excelling at OLB.

Really though you can't expect Pioli and Haley to keep all of Herms players, some guys just have to be let go for the better.

Herm made all those guys lose weight like Tank and such now they're all gonna have to put it back on.

Tank isn't 300, D.

He's listed at 300 but I guarantee you he's 320. In fact I think he's listed bigger.

I think he lost weight under Herm instead of gained...

You also don't know how well Barwin is going to play DE in the NFL. I'm sorry, but one year doesn't show me he can have a successful NFL career.

Matt Jones had 4.3 speed going for him on a 6'6 frame. Where else was he going to play?

306 according to kcchiefs.com.

I hope you're right. He's strong enough to man the nose; it's size that I'm concerned about.

Also the fact that he was the starting DT on one of the worst run defenses in the league. You want your NT to be a block of immovable granite. I don't know if Tank is that guy.

My guess is some people still think Carl Peterson is running the team,that would be a Carl type of move...

The samething was said about Brandon Albert, but he turned out okay also.

Connor Barwin will at the very worst be a good special teams player but mid first round for that guy is insane.

He was overweight his rookie year...I know he dropped a bunch. I'd say he was probably 315-320 last year.

Try telling TW that.

I love when people say DT's are overweight when it's their job to be big fat guys.

i dont trust pft at all but its on the kcstar website so it must be true

I'm not worried about Tank's size. He's strong enough, and that's a lot more important. Kelly Gregg's a good example of a nose tackle who played the position well at a pretty small size for a nose tackle. I'm more worried about his endurance. The nose tackle position is going to beat the shit out of him, and I know durability was a concern coming out of college.

because I think he's too short to play DE. I think he belongs at the nose, but the Chiefs most definitely need somebody else to be more of a full-time guy.

He definitely looked slimmer last year.

Well he AND Dorsey were overweight for a Cover 2 as rookies.

Dorsey played at 315 last year. He was listed at 297.

Why? Its not like they make stories up... They post credible information from credible sources... and the few rumors they aren't sure about that they post they make sure you know that...

Well Ted Washington and Pat Williams are grossly overweight then and they rule or ruled.

Obviously it's different for other schemes.

What about Kris Jenkins and Shaun Rogers?

TW gets this same kind of obssession every year.

I totally argued for Kris Jenkins last year. lol

Plus if we're drafting a project I'd rather have Maybin.

just saw it on nfl network so its official

Ok I don't like him so you're on your own on that one.

No way Tank will play the nose. He's fairly heavy but carries most of his weight up top and realistically has a pretty small frame for a DT. I also don't see him playing DE because he's not long enough. If you're gonna run a 3-4 the only real option right now is to give Dorsey a shot at it.

Monty Beisel played for New England a couple of years ago and was an ILB in their scheme. I think the front 7 will probably end up looking like this:

-----------------Boone-------Dorsey-----Turk-----------------------
-----Vrabel/Rookie------DJ------Zach T./Rookie------Hali/Rookie/Johnston


I figure we'll either trade down in the first or trade some of the players currently on the roster for a 2nd and finagle a way to get ahold of one of those pass rushers (Barwin, Larry English, Sidbury etc), and pair him up with Vrabel on the other side. Tank will come in on Sub Packages and rush the quarterback.

My point was more about the fact that I'd at least prefer him over Barwin if we absolutely had to draft a project. Not that I'd be thrilled about getting him especially considering what will be on the board when we pick.

JFC!!! I say we fire the whole lame staff we got and hire all you genius mastermind ****sticks and move on... Speculation is irritating. Kinda kidding but damn I'm gettin dizzy just reading this thread. Please be kind to your elders.:D

Dorsey is big enough to be NT yet Tank isn't? WTF! And theres is no way in football hell that Hali is going to be a starting OLB.

I dont get how you can complain bringing in a player for 1 year for the vet minimum. No matter how old he is, you can go no long. If he sucks, you can cut him. If he's good, he'll help mentor all the young players and he'll atleast be a stop gap for a year.

It's the whole Belichick/Parcells school of thought. Those guys are morons.

Now, the Mecca school of thought... that's where you've got something.


:)

Its pretty easy to tell where players fit and where they don't...

My god! I agree with you!

Seems like a good signing.

Tank is longer than Dorsey.

That's one is pretty easy..Maybin got all his sacks using nothing but pure speed he doesn't have a pass rush move other than running around someone...he has 1 year of experience he's also one of the youngest players in the draft..

To me his biggest issue is, everyone said he was to small, he goes and jacks on on this weight and it makes him slow...well if you can't be fast at the heavier weight and your one move is speed um what are you?

I don't really want to know how you know that. Are you SURE you're looking for girls?

Heh heh. :D

I love it that half of you guys think this signing = not a chance for Aaron Curry.

We love it too; reality is awesome!

Not at all, in fact bringing in more leadership with Vrabel and Thomas means more to teach the kids how its done, Thomas DJ Curry and Vrabel would be a formidable LB core, regardless of the age.

Refrigerator Perry wasn't overwieght!

:)


Back 6-7 years ago I dropped quite a bit of weight (50 or so pounds). I found that I did have more agility but couldn't anchor down and get as much advantage from my muscle as I used to at a heavier weight. So I can definately understand how being "a big fat guy" could indeed help a DT or OL.

Zach Thomas, the 240-pound, 3-4 outside linebacker.

Going up against offensive tackles.

The true fan has spoken.

ah no way man! a 35 year old LB means that Curry wont be a Chief! Just like signing Bobby Engram rules out the possibility of Crabtree.