@MikeGarafolo: The #Falcons are releasing CB Robert Alford, sources say. The 2013 second-round pick had 10 INTs in 88 games in his six years in Atlanta. Was due $8.5m this upcoming season. Figure he gets another gig before the start of free agency.

Holy shit get this mother****er

Holy shit! Sign him!!!

right on time 2019's David Amerson

Uh I don't think you can until March 13th.

Morse tried center. He legit could not snap the ball. It's why I hated that pick.

you can definitely sign bums that are cut. That's how they got Amerson this time last year. (signed him on Feb 16th)

ROFL

Or maybe he has. One thing's for sure is the public is always kept completely in the dark.

Are there rules like the team has to make it public if he has surgery?

Huh. I guess that's a waiver wire pickup

He’d be worth a cheap 2 year deal.

Do we really want to replace Nelson with another older 5’10” corner? Yea he’s cheaper, but I no longer want those mismatches on the outside.

yeah they talked all over the radio down here about a week before the Superbowl about ATL's letting Alford go.

Yeah, that's why I buried him at the bottom, but it's still a position you have to fill. And a lot of those guys are going to get paid huge.

#105 on PFF. Why would we want him.

One advantage to a signing like this is that it doesn't affect your incoming/outgoing free agency count, so it doesn't affect comp picks.

But I legit know NOTHING about this guy.

Also, PFF is dumb.

Usually I wouldn't put much stock into PFF but he's ranked horrifically low.

Allowed 66 receptions for 987 yards and 9 TDs. In other words, do not want.

Atlantas secondary was worse than ours. No Thanks

If I'm Veach, I'm talking to the Jags & Cards to see what picks I have to give them to get Ramsey or Peterson......

Or Ramsey and Peterson...

And trade Dee Ford for Landon Collins.

Right at 3:08 he talks about what happens if you play off all the time and damn if it didn't bring flashbacks of Sutton's soft defense and what teams did to us

Yeah but that's a pipedream

I know lol

They are both FA.....

I hope the patience runs deep in this room because we'll be lucky to see this defense fully materialized for 2019 by Thanksgiving.

Yeah and both will get tagged.

Exactly

Well our current one wasnt fully materialized by January so...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Merritt

David Merritt was/is another coach with a background with Spagnuolo and Tom Coughlin. He coached safeties for the giants for several years. DB coach in Arizona last year. Looks like he took the asst Dline job with the jaguars a couple weeks ago but wiki has him on KC’s staff. I’d assume DBs but possibly LBs. He has coached LB before and played college and pro LB.

One of the local sports guys in KC Nick Jacobs tweeted something about it then when I looked at wiki someone updated it to Chiefs within the last few hours so not official but we will soon find out.

Truth, but I was referring to a far greater degree than just picking up or moving out a player here and there.

That's a really nice get for us if true.

Familiarity with Spags D would be a big plus.

Why is this guy a good get?

So I’m guessing Harris would be gone? They aren’t in any rush. So far our OLB and ILB coach have been let go and no replacement yet

As I said, get your waiting cap on because this thing is going to take a minute.

Apparently he got the job based on his Merritt...

We need to make our all out push before Pat's new contract.


Whatever Spags wants get him. Whatever we can do to improve the D - DO IT.

https://overthecap.com/player/bobby-wagner/1531/

We talked about this dude recently. He's 28 and in the last year of his contract.

Wonder if they'd move on and trade him?

2 problems- He is the heart of their Defense, they would want a first rounder at least.
Also, last year of his contract and he will need PAID!

I’d trade a first rounder for him in a heartbeat.

You ain’t gonna get one of the better MLBs out there. Plus, he’s a leader. Something this defense somewhat lacks.

Yeah, if they said they'd give him to you for 29, man that would be tough to turn down.

No way would I trade a first for Wagner. He’s VERY good...but will need a new deal that he would have all the leverage on, is going to be winding down and I’d much rather use that first on a guy that will be around for the next 5-10 years while Mahomes gets into his prime.

If he was 26/27 I’d think about it differently.

Dear god, if the Chiefs end up with Bobby Wagner I will weep tears of joy.

edit: Toss in Earl Thomas via FA and the defense would have a whole new culture and attitude.

I wonder if he can fix this:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I forgot about this one. I have literally never seen this many open receivers on one play. <a href="https://t.co/o8z3cp7zbS">pic.twitter.com/o8z3cp7zbS</a></p>&mdash; Seth Keysor (@RealMNchiefsfan) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealMNchiefsfan/status/1093238703798079491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Wagner will not get released. He’s a future HOF and the heart of the Defense. If he were to somehow get released idc what it takes. You sign the guy ASAP! Clark better go full Andy and make sure he doesn’t leave without signing with the Chiefs

Who said released?

Wagner is still an all pro player, Seattle will not be moving on from him.

This. Also-it's too early to give up on Hitchens and double up a big salary at that position.

Big money spots: CB, Pass rusher. Occasionally S. On defense, that's it.

We need to draft and develop at those spots, fill in the other spots with mid round picks and aging, cheap vets.

Good grief, the guy at the top of the screen could have walked into the end zone. There was nobody even close.

Say it with me kids....

We need young players on rookie contracts.

We wither draft them or trade for them with a couple of years left like Fuller, Ragland, etc.

You have to have a few veterans in there somewhere. They don't have to be expensive but they have to be in the mix.

I agree, but we are not trading for them and then giving them a big contract.

Oh I agree. And we'll make the push as best we can. But there's one thing everyone needs to consider; part of bringing Spags to KC is getting this defense ready to compete in, and Veach prepared to acquire for, this defense in a "post-Mahomes contract reality".

If you look at the roster as it stands on the books today, outside of Houston and Jones, we really don't have "stars" on this defense. Nor do we have a vast collection of solid contributors who can get the sun to shine on their asses from time to time while NOT losing games for us.

*Note: I'm not bringing Berry in to this conversation because it's absolutely pointless in terms of him contributing anything of worth from here on out.

So we've got one proven vet that you can flip a coin on in terms of whether or not he's going to have a good season, and a young ascending player. Beyond that we've got transitional question marks, hopefuls, and scrub-a-licious crap.

So we're at a point right now where the necessary dynamic-shift can begin to take place, and it NEEDS to take place. Right now. Today. For those who would hope that the Chiefs, even if they HAD the cap room, were going to to purchase the services of a singular( or two ), extreme-dollar player(s) when they can use that money to acquire TWO( or more )dependable players, proven commodities, are out of their minds.
First, we're in no position financially to go that route. And second, why would we even WANT to? This isn't Peyton Manning with a few good years left, and I don't want to end up like Denver or the post-Vermeil Chiefs either.

We need to build this defense solidly and steadily, bringing in "big stars" only if they are willing to meet our terms and needs as a team. Doing our best to grab impact in the draft, and using FA wisely to acquire as many solid, dependable, and COACHABLE players as we can to plug holes and fill depth.
And it's likely to go down like this anyway, because Reid is always going to be pushing to keep Mahomes surrounded with weapons( though personally I would invest in the best line I could while keeping no more than two impact guys receiving the football, and rotating out dependable, hungry young RB's ). To offense goes the glory in this league, right?





This is the tricky part. Our supply of defensive leaders right now consists of an OLB who has been only too happy to step aside and let others lead, that "other" being the now-defunct Hobospirit 29. I get conflicting reports; some sources praise Houston for his leadership, others say he's supportive but not able to fill the void that Berry has left, so I really don't know and couldn't say.

Like most, I would prefer that my leaders come home-grown. Up through the draft, raised in the system, and 100% a Chief. But right now, in terms of active players, we're running thin.
I'm wondering if it might be a good idea to bring in an established vet or two, on the tail end but still able to compete and contribute, for reasonable and short-term contracts? This would allow us to get Jones a couple more years in the system along with any promising players we might already have, and will hopefully draft.
I'll be the first to admit it's not the ideal situation, but I'd rather go that route than picking up another Hitchens( or two ), and hoping your going to get a good/great player for 4 or 5 years at a high-dollar asking price.
And besides, this would be temporary anyway. A stop-gap of two good guys who would have a better shot of competing for a ring in KC than at their current situation, and who could give us time to do more grooming.

Someone like Chris Long; he's about done, is a great leader, might want another run at a ring. Pair him with a rookie draft pick at RDE. There are a couple of 30 something SAM backers that wouldn't break the bank with a little left in the tank. We need one good safety, as Berry's done, one way or the other.
CB's I think we can draft a guy or two and roll with Fuller and Ward.

Landon Collins. That would be the guy I’d go after if I were the Chiefs. It might not be that easy to get him though? I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants placed either the transition or franchise tag on him.

Exactly. We need to start working like were smart but poor, because that's what we're probably going to be in the process of building this up. Having Mahomes changes a lot of the traditional dynamics that were used to, and how the team will have to be built and maintained. It's a different way of doing things but when you have a play maker and leader as dynamic as Patrick, what you once may have considered areas of great need are no longer as great.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In a teleconference, Brett Veach said the Chiefs already have the personnel on defense to play a 4-3 defensive look under Steve Spagnuolo.</p>&mdash; Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByNateTaylor/status/1093579010112663552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Because I drafted them in 2018 MUAHAHAHAHA!"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I missed this earlier in the teleconference with Brett Veach, but he basically said Breeland Speaks will transition back to defensive end, the position he played at Mississippi.</p>&mdash; Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByNateTaylor/status/1093588007867817984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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2-6-19

Kentucky: Mark Stoops noted at his signing day presser today that an NFL head coach reached out today about a potential coaching candidate on the UK staff.

http://footballscoop.com/the-scoop/

Could be a number of different coaches on UK staff. Doesn’t necessarily mean KC is the team reaching out. Could be BS simply because it’s from Stoops recruiting signing day presser yesterday and saying that doesn’t do anything to hurt but only help recruiting by throwing that answer out to reporters. It’s simply good business for college coaches and promoting their program.

Or it’s possible it’s KC related and them looking into hiring Kentucky DC Matt House to coach LBs in KC. News on the staff is slow so this is just a throwing out there something I read because of House coaching under Spags with the rams. So take it for what it’s worth which could be anywhere in between not meaning Jack Shit to being a possibility, not enough info yet.

Show us your depth chart Mr. Veach.

Cavon Walker from Maryland. DL probably strong side DE and 3T. Signed as UDFA last year with bears. KC signed him to a futures contract about a month ago.

https://youtu.be/Mss3-7pEFBM
#5 here


https://youtu.be/uHXuZhXQxjk
# 18 here

http://draftscout.com/ratings/dsprof...2018&genpos=DE

Very similar to Speaks size. Kind of a Jimmy Wilkerson type.

https://mobile.twitter.com/FieldYate...raining%2Bcamp

That’s being confirmed by Field Yates, the Merritt hiring as DB coach. No word on Harris. Could stay on as CB coach. Have to wait and see

So we are signing a DL coach to be a DB coach. Yeah that sounds about right.

I think Yates has that mixed up and meant DB but typed DL. He's been coaching DB's since 2006.

As coach:
Tennessee-Chattanooga (1997) Outside linebackers
Virginia Military Institute (1998) Defensive ends/outside linebackers coach
Virginia Military Institute (1999–2000) Defensive line coach
New York Jets (2001–2003) Defensive assistant/linebackers coach
New York Giants (2004) Defensive assistant/quality control coach
New York Giants (2005) Defensive assistant
New York Giants (2006–2017) Secondary/safeties coach
Arizona Cardinals (2018) Defensive backs coach
Jacksonville Jaguars (2019) Secondary/safeties coach

Love that hire.

Read that and scroll down to his coaching stops and positions coached over the years. Secondary/Safties coach from before Spags became Giants DC the first time to the most recent Spags stint with the giants and last year DBs on Wilks staff. Coughlin obviously knows him well. I think it was giving the guy a job(3 weeks ago) because Merritt didn’t know Spags was returning and he wanted to get hired on somewhere and that’s what was available. Otherwise if he knew KC was going to make a change and hire Spags he would not have taken the Jacksonville job. That’s what makes the most sense to me as I’ve read up on Merritt

Coached Landon Collins lmao. I agree though whether he is in charge of all DBs or just Safties coach paired with Harris I’m good with either. Definitely helps he knows Spags playbook, terminology, and what he expects. Needed that from at least one asst coach

I read that too but Coughlin also hired 2 former secondary coaches that coached under him in Tim Walton and Joe Danna at the same time he hired Merritt. Nick Jacobs was on the ball the other night and his tweet has it showing Merritt as asst DL coach which confused me as well.


https://mobile.twitter.com/Jacobs71/...28177373470720

Can he bring Jalen Ramsey with him?

He was probably in a placeholder position then.

I mean, the original complaint was that the Chiefs hired a DL coach to coach DBs. He's not a DL coach, regardless of what position he held with the Jaguars for the last couple of weeks. He's been a DB coach for over a decade now.

I’m thinking he didn’t want to risk not being without a job for next season and figured he knows Coughlin so the comfortability was there and looked at it like even though it’s asst DL it a positive for his resume in the future if he might want to aspire to be a DC someday. And I think Coughlin was the only reason he was let out of his contract but I’m just guessing.

Considering he coached LBs before, adding DL made sense if he ever wanted to be a DC. It all makes sense to you and I. ;)

Sure in 2021

Kind of like Mike Caldwell following Bowles to be ILB coach with the bucs. Caldwell has followed Bowles to AZ and NYJ after coaching with Todd on Reid’s 2012 staff. Caldwell played and coached under Reid, Jim Johnson, Rivera and Leslie Frazier. I think there would have been some what of a chance he would come to KC as LB coach but didn’t know the Spags hire was going to happen 2-3 weeks after he took the bucs job. That’s basically just me jabbering again as I had him pegged as a dark horse DC candidate for Reid until Spags was hired

Make your own.

Yep and played LB college NFL and NFL Europe. I like the fact he probably had at least one year left on his Cards contract beings wilks was he one and done and he could have probably sat the year out and get paid still so if that’s the case I think most would definitely respect that

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Chiefs are hiring former Jaguars assistant DL coach David Merritt as their defensive backs coach, per source. He previously worked with new DC Steve Spagnuolo.</p>&mdash; Field Yates (@FieldYates) <a href="https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1093634752307957760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>