[Fire Me Boy!]

From Kent Babb, Red Zone blog

If I could look back and consider what I thought the Chiefs’ top needs were entering the 2009 season, they would be a little something like this:

1. Quarterback; 2. Linebacker; 3. Right tackle; 4. Wide receiver; 5. Right guard.

Speaking of offensive linemen, one of those spots is the most ignored position this offseason, a time when most of the above needs were upgraded. Even if they weren’t upgraded to the level they need to be yet, such as wide receiver, at least the signing of Bobby Engram improves the unit by a few notches over last year’s group.

In fact, here’s the list with some of the additions more likely to contribute in significant ways:

1. Quarterback: Matt Cassel; 2. Linebacker(s): Zach Thomas, Mike Vrabel; 3. Right tackle; 4. Wide receiver: Engram; 5. Right guard: Mike Goff.

You’ll notice that the right tackle position was not addressed, other than the fifth-round draft pick of former Missouri lineman Colin Brown. He’s expected to add depth to a shallow line, but he isn’t expected to become a starter any time soon.

The Chiefs bypassed most free agent tackles for some reason, most notably passing on former Pro Bowler Orlando Pace. Now, it’s possible that Pace simply had a better offer in Chicago, where he eventually signed, or liked the Bears’ chances of competing more than that of the Chiefs. But Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli should have poured massive resources into attracting Pace to Kansas City, enough of an offer that that whole competition thing would have seemed trivial.

One of the most important things the team needs to find out is whether Cassel can be its long-term answer at quarterback. As we’ve written before, it will be difficult to answer some significant questions if Cassel is continually having to compensate for poor pass protection, most notably from the right side.

To me, the entire offensive line becomes an enormous priority as a result of Cassel’s future. But that right tackle spot was largely ignored, and the Chiefs are a few weeks away from beginning training camp and risking the consequences of an imperfect line. At 32, Damion McIntosh might have another two or three effective seasons. Or maybe he doesn’t.

The Chiefs approached the draft with many needs. Branden Albert could be a future Pro Bowler, and he is capable of holding down the left tackle spot for the next decade. Right tackle, though, needed to be addressed this offseason. Kansas City passed on Eugene Monroe in favor of defensive end Tyson Jackson, and with the team’s problems on defense and coach Todd Haley’s desire to move to the 3-4, the Jackson selection might have been sound.

And maybe it’ll work. Then again, Kansas City thought in 2007 that another season could be squeezed out of an aging group of linemen. That didn’t work.

For Matt Cassel’s sake, the Chiefs had better be right.