For those that want to draft a WR in the first round....
 

Doesn't look like it will happen.

http://www.kansascity.com/160/story/69032.html

Chiefs won’t get grabby

Team doesn’t place a high priority on wide receivers in the upcoming NFL draft.

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star


Herm Edwards was talking recently about the players who will catch passes for the Chiefs next season. He took care to mention two young wide receivers, Jeff Webb and Chris Hannon, even though they had three receptions between them as rookies last season.
“We’ve got two young guys, and I want to see whether they can play or not,” Edwards said. “I know one thing: We don’t cover them in practice very well.”
Is it just draft talk, designed to convince the NFL’s 31 other teams the Chiefs have no intention of selecting a receiver in the upcoming player lottery?
Perhaps. But know two things. First, Edwards isn’t big, even in the days leading to the draft, on talking up prospects he doesn’t have expectations for.
The other is that the Chiefs don’t view improving the position as a top priority, certainly not as much as their fans do. They made no move in free-agency to sign a wide receiver.
The only top wide receiver known to be visiting with the Chiefs next week, when they intend to bring up to 30 draft prospects to Arrowhead Stadium, is Robert Meachem of Tennessee.
Among the top receivers not scheduled to visit are Sidney Rice of South Carolina, Steve Smith of USC, Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis of LSU, Paul Williams of Fresno State and Yamon Figurs of Kansas State.
While this is insignificant taken alone, it is another indication the Chiefs believe they have bigger positional priorities in the draft, such as cornerback and defensive tackle.
The Chiefs could use another wide receiver and will probably select at least one. They may be content to wait until later in the draft to do it.
“When you draft a receiver in the first round, a lot of times it’s buyer beware,” Edwards said. “For some reason, it takes them a while. Most rookie receivers don’t come in and light it up their first year. They struggle. The dynamics have changed for those guys from college to the NFL. You have to understand that when you draft a receiver in the first round. A lot of them don’t play their first year and even when they play, they don’t live up to expectations.
“You can find guys to help you at wide receiver later in the draft, definitely.”
Unless a draft pick pushes his way into the playing rotation, starters Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker along with Webb and Hannon will be the top wide receivers next season.
The Chiefs are trying to trade Dante Hall, who hasn’t given them what they hoped as either a slot receiver or kick returner in recent seasons. He may be released if he isn’t traded.
The Chiefs are counting on dramatic improvement from Webb, a sixth-round pick last year, and Hannon, who wasn’t drafted. Webb is bigger and more physical, and Hannon is faster but must get stronger.
“They’ve got some talent,” Edwards said. “They have enough that they’ve earned the opportunity to try to play. That’s what we’ve emphasized. We’re trying to create competition.
“It’s just a matter of getting to the details of what we’re trying to do. Now they know what we want from them. They’re not just trying to figure out what to do. ”
To Webb and Hannon, it’s a gift that the Chiefs haven’t added a wide receiver, at least so far.
“That’s the coach’s decision,” Webb said. “I don’t know what they’re thinking. All I can do is work on Jeff Webb and try to be a good player.
“Hannon and I are doing our jobs right now. We’re working extra hours when it comes time to lift weights and (spending) extra hours out on the practice field with Brodie (Croyle).”
Kennison has been a regular at the offseason workouts since they began almost two weeks ago. He recently turned 34, an advanced age for a wide receiver.
But Kennison keeps himself in good physical condition. His streak of two straight 1,000-yard seasons was ended last year, but that had more to do with problems elsewhere in the Chiefs’ passing game than with any drop-off in Kennison’s play.
“I’m not going to let anybody else determine when I retire from this game,” he said. “I want to retire when I’m ready. And I’m not ready.
“I’m better at taking care of myself: diet, exercise, doing the things that are right all the time. I’m not a guy that hangs out in the nightspots. I’m not a drinker. I keep finding ways to do things better. The workouts continue to get better for me. It makes things easier. That’s my whole deal.”

We will be taking a corner or pass rusher. I don't get the impression that Herm is trying keep our pick a secret.

I don't like the looks of DT at 23 unless Branch somehow drops, which is unlikely.

CB might not be bad at all though.

I would still like to see some youth added to the OL but that can be addressed later in the draft.

I won't say we have to take a receiver in the first but if we don't take one in the first three I'll be disappointed.

Can anyone say smokescreen?

Hopefully Herm isn't stupid enough to show his hand before draft day.

I was watching a a draft special on ESPN last night and they said that the DT position is weak this year but the DE position is strong.

Herm doesn't strike me as a poker player.

I wonder if they'll reach for a CB. Revis, Ross or Houston could still be sitting there at 23 and provide good value at that spot.

Eric Wright could be the reach target.

So we're gonna draft a DE, then trade Jared to Carolina for Jenkins and a 2nd. I see right through you Herm!

We don't need no stinking WRs to run Herm Edwards "Offense."

We only need defensive players, period.


Damn I miss Vermeil.

If Webb and Hannon are as good as Herm thinks they are or can be then we are set a WR this year. They can concentrate on rebuilding the O-Line and D-Line and get younger at the CB positions.

or trading down

So it's a lock. We take a receiver.

I want to see the nuclear blast of a meltdown if we pass on Jarrett, Meachem, and/or Bowe. Our luck, all three will be sitting there, and we'll take some shitass tackle, or some such.

I'm a big fan of Houston, Revis, and Wright (not so much Ross), but is CB such a huge need that we spend a 1st round pick on it? It seems like you can be successful using the Cover 2 without having elite CBs.

I don't recall doing anything good with WR's on his JETS teams, his evaluation of WR's I would say, is not his strong point.

I can live with that if Wright or Tank are the target.

Bingo.

IMO, I believe KC will draft Wright since Herm seems like he's crushin' on him

I've been trying to prepare people for this for weeks.

Not only does Herm not feel we need WR's, he feels they aren't good value in R1.

“For some reason, it takes them a while. Most rookie receivers don’t come in and light it up their first year. They struggle. The dynamics have changed for those guys from college to the NFL. You have to understand that when you draft a receiver in the first round. A lot of them don’t play their first year and even when they play, they don’t live up to expectations.
“You can find guys to help you at wide receiver later in the draft, definitely.”


I'm not sure why this comes as a huge shock to anyone......

At this point, I'm thinking we go CB in R1, trade down for Harrell or Tank, or reach for a player......

I'm not going to throw up if that's the pick but I would prefer that we drop back a few spots to get him.

Of course dropping back isn't automatic. There needs to be someone at 23 that someone else really wants and I don't have any idea who that would even be.

If we don't take WR in the first, I sure hope we take a Corner, or I will be pissed.

This year's draft is filled with talent, up to and including the 3rd round. I look for the Chiefs to gamble on CB Daymeion Hughes from Cal in the 1st round, even with a slow 40 in trials. Lott trophy winner, parents both track-letes.

Who the heck knows, until the 22nd pick is made?

Can you imagine Eric Wright as the Nickle Back this year?

Edwards did nothing with WRs besides sign McCareins in New York. He played with Coles/Moss and Chrebet for years. Although Coles/Moss ARE decent.

Yes, his ceiling is through the roof.

I don't understand why we would go CB in the first. Herm said he doesn't like taking WR's because a lot of the times they don't start their first year. So, we take a CB that's not going to start the first year? I know we need to get younger, but trading down is looking better all the time

Excellent.

Levi Brown if he is there at 23. If not, take the best CB available. Or trade down for the DT.

Drafting a wr with your one is fool's gold. Exhibit A - The Detroit Lions.

Anyone feel like addressing my earlier post about CBs in a Cover 2 scheme? I don't remember Tampa Bay or Chicago taking CBs in the 1st round. Is a 1st round CB really necessary?

Just because the Chiefs D cannot cover them doesn't indicate how good they are. It may say more about how the D still need work.

Besides, run, run, pass, punt along with Herm's: "you don't try to outscore the opponent on the road" would indicate little to no need for a WR.

His WR corps with the Jets were better than anything we've had in over a decade.

Coles, Chrebet, Moss

You are correct. Although, the Colts (who also run cover-2 under Dungy) drafted Marlin Jackson in the 1st in 2005.

Santana Moss was the first player chosen when Herm was head coach with the NYJ. Even though he was a mid first round pick, Herm didn't really use him much that rookie year. I wonder if the system was too complicated - ROFL

I don't advocate focussing on positions in the draft, I much prefer the best player available approach. That being said, Herm's reasoning for not wanting a WR is disturbing. If they aren't likely to make an impact right away and need a season or two to get acclimated to the NFL, wouldn't you take one now while your QB is getting acclimated and they both hit their stride 2-3 years down the road?

Herm does have apoint about the WR position not being an immediate impact type of player. I can't think of too many 1st round WR's that have done a whole lot in their first couple of years. Stallworth and Lelie come to mind as players the Chiefs fans wanted to draft. Stallworth was pretty good last year ( when healthy) but up until last year he was inconsistant. Lelie showed some flashes at times but he has done nothing. Roy Williams did a fair job his first year. WR in the first is a crap shoot.

and look who KC drafted that year Ryan *Staypuffed* fuckIN Sims.

It might have been because he was only active for 5 games.

Dude, he didn't evaluate nor draft Coles or Chrebet - Moss was lame in his time there.

ROFL

Herm's WR's were superior to the Chiefs in all but one year from 2001 to 2005.

As they should have been. They were more talented than what KC had and they didn't have Tony G and an offense designed around Priest Holmes.

I know I am in the minority here, but I am excited about the direction this team is taking. I am excited that the players we drafted last season are going to get a chance to make an impact this season. And I really don't care which position we choose in which round in a couple of weeks. I don't think we are one player away from being a contender, and that we have many needs at many positions. A couple of more years of drafting the best football player available at that time in each round.... regardless of position.... is exactly what this team needs.

Now, if only CP and Herm request that Gun take an extended 3 week vacation to the Bahamas starting tomorrow, I would feel better about us being able to identify the best football player available on defense. :)

Do you agree with Herm? Do you agree with his reasoning?

Justin Harrell at 23 isn't much of a reach, IMO.

Harrell has a clean bill of health and was interviewed last night on path to the draft, seems to be a good kid, played through injury before surgery took him out the rest of the year..... I like a guy that will battle through pain, good character.

they said with a clean bill of health he is quickly becoming a strong third place in the DT list and moving up to a possible first round pick.....

I guess I'm reading this differently.

I don't think he's opposed to drafting a WR, I think he's opposed to spening a R1 on a position that:

1) Isn't likely to make an impact right away

2) He can get talented players at that position later in the draft, freeing up early picks for other positions.

I think we'll take a WR, I just think it'll be later. Better value at other positions early. Plus, we all know he's looking to stockpile picks. Wouldn't be surprised to see us trade down, providing we can find a trading partner.

I keep forgetting we have these 2 young WR. Webb is 6-2 and Hannon in 6-3. I say we give these guys a shot. Try to draft a DT, or maybe deal for Jenkins.

After Calvin Johnson I really don't see much of difference between the WRs available in the late 1st and those available in 2nd-3rd rds. IMO CB might be the best value @ 23.

Herm seems to have his young WRs already. We'll see if thats good or bad.

I think people are taking this story way too seriously...this is all pre-draft posturing to try to throw the mock-draft experts off from our true intentions.

I agree with many others who have said...best available.

All I have to say is I am sure glad Herm fixed the offense.

The Webb-Hannon love affair sounds strangely similar to the smoke blown up our kiesters with

Jesse Haynes
Richard Smith
Ted White........

It doesn't surprise me.

I think the Chief's draft position being where they are- should do nothing more than take the best overall available. We need another good draft year. Last year was a good draft- if we can duplicate that with some good young talent, then we can add depth through free agency.

I am one to believe we might have been 'secretly' blessed with some true talent in Hannon and Webb. I'll give Herm the benefit of the doubt and trust that he believes in these guys and their future to this team.

Just take the best damn player available in this year's draft.

Adding Jenkins to the D-Line via trade would be a tremendous boost to our draft as it wouldn't make drafting a DT such a major need.

Suppose they would like to draft a WR or two & one doesn't fall for good value. Why trash the WRs you may have to go with? confidence does matter in young players

Why blab about receivers you might want to draft?

How much interaction is there really between the head coach & all his players? What the players may read or hear about what was in the paper or radio could be their major feed back.

Vermeil may have been to close to players to let them go when needed

~prolly not making my point clear

EDIT: Edwards is in slash & burn mode trying to revamp an old team. I doubt he gives many the warm & fuzzies. A little boost could go along way

I see it this way.....a starting caliber DT, CB, WR, OT in the 1st, and I'm happy.

Those were undersized slow players.

But yeah, could be lying.

Yeah, when he first came here he stated that the Offense scored to quickly and didn't give the defense a chance to rest.

He did fix the scoring too quickly problem but his 3 and out offense doesn't seem to give the defense any more time to rest.

No, I don't really agree with him.

I think you take the BPA regardless of position.

That being said, I also don't agree with the knuckleheads that say Herm can't draft and/or coach WR's. His 5 years in New York were INFINITELY better than Vermeil's 5 years here.

I hope we reach for the next Tamba Hali.

Does Santana Moss or Jericho Cotchery ring a bell?

You guys have to note that this is an article put in the star based on Herm's earlier comments. It's not pre-draft deception, its an opinion on what we may do based on what Herm has said in the past and who we have scheduled to visit.

I remember reading Webb was considered a 1st day talent who had character issues. He had like 1100 yards his senior year. From what I've read he's a hard worker and I couldn't be happier with his character. We may have gotten 2 absolute steals in Webb and Page(although don't get me wrong, Webb has not proven himself at all yet).

No kidding. This place was at DefCon 4 when he was taken last year.

That's why taking these so called "draft experts" word as gospel is wrong, IMO. Taking a guy a round or two early....that's a reach. Taking a guy 10 picks early.....not so much. Plus, I trust scouting departments over hacks getting paid by ESPN.


The word "reach" is used way too often on this board.

Exactly!!! ROFL

See, I have a real problem with that scoring too quickly crap of his. It reminds me of a CEO of a company one time, telling me that we were selling too much, we should give production a break. I quit shortly after that.

You score when you ****ing can, whether it is 10 seconds or 10 minutes IMO. I watched too many years of this conservative offense shit.

so many people have been saying that taking a WR in round 1 is a lock.

i didn't understand


Herm doesn't seem like a "WR is a priority" kinda guy.


:shrug:

considering how crappy are drafts have been ... apparent it hasn't been used TOOOOOOO much.

I don't understand the man-crush on wanting a CB... Our Dline and pressure will make any good-great CB look average with the lack of pressure...

If Herm agrees with you there should be some good DE's around at 23 - Charles Johnson, Moss and Spencer.

I personally would love to have another pass rusher. With Allen's situation, he won't be around forever even if he does stay beyond this season.

Guys, I just read that article and I have a soul-ache.

So I need you to listen to me very carefully.

Because what I am about to say is 100% true.

If we trot out Kennison and Parker as our #1 and #2 on opening day, I will shit with my pants still on.

I will shit right there in my pants.

It will be brown and squishy and disgusting, but I will do it.

I will shit in my pants.

I agree. Even if he were to stay it would be nice to have some depth there. Let's face it, after Allen and Hali, the DE's aren't all that spectacular at the moment.

Eric Hicks doesn't like the tone of your post.

Drafting a DE would be stupid. If Herm is so good at developing CB's,why can't we find one in the second or third? They won't be starting this year. We need to get the best OL available,and if there is some,but it may be a reach at 23. Trade back. We need OL before everything.

Whoa. Where to start with this one?

Is it worth it?

I'd just walk away. :)

I don't remember that....there was some haters, but I thought most were pleased to excited....my memory is bad though

I seem to remember a lot of people being pissed off.....I was one of them. Shows what I know.

How long are we gonna bitch about past drafts?

We got a new coach last year, and happened to have the best draft in recent memory. Until Herm fires off a Vermeil-like run of 3-4 shitty drafts, I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt.

Honestly,

I think OL is the biggest need, then DT then WR then CB. I would not be unhappy if we picked Joe Staley in the first. Then McIntosh could eventually move to RT.

I also would not be unhappy with Justin Harrell or Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachem, even though there are a lot of promising althetes at WR down in the draft.

At CB I like Daymeion Hughes in later rounds, especially since we run a cover 2.

1st, I'd be hella pissed for that reach since in the 3rd round round one could still get Ryan Harris or Tony Ugoh, and my second point is CXhris Terry is playing RT this year and is very sufficient at that spot.

Hannon and Webb are a joke. Herm really needs to leave the offense to those that know what an NFL WR is. We need a WR. We've needed one since Joe Horn left. How long has that been? The Chiefs fall into the same trap year after year it seems.

You mean like...Herm?

I'm ready to bash Herm as much as the next guy... but he has drafted some pretty good receivers in his career. I think he knows talent when he sees it.

We'll soon see as to whether or not his comments about Hannon and Webb are true, by what we do in the draft. If we draft a 1st day WR, I think we know what he truly felt. I think his comments do two things. Give "his" guys confidence and also works as a smokescreen to other teams about our plans in the upcoming draft.