Chiefs Babb: It's almost the middle of October. Too early to start thinking about the draft

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-13-2009, 12:42 PM

It's almost the middle of October. Too early to start thinking about the draft?

Things I believe:

- The Chiefs have made progress in their first five games, all of which have been losses (and some of them ugly).
- It will benefit the team for having played three terrific teams -- Baltimore, the Giants and Philadelphia -- early in the season, as disheartening as those losses were.
- Matt Cassel has at least some of the skills necessary to be Kansas City's quarterback of the future, at least based on one stunningly impressive drive at the end of regulation Sunday.
- The Chiefs' remaining holes will hold back any significant progress until the team and general manager Scott Pioli have time to address them.

Think about that last one. That one nullifies the first three, and it makes everyone's job at Arrowhead Stadium a lot tougher than it should be. Here's one more thing I believe:

- The Chiefs will win no more than three games in 2009. That means that, for the third consecutive year, they'll probably have a top-five pick in the NFL draft.

So with that in mind, and the growing frustration among many of you, I have found myself looking past what will continue to be a season in which progress, and not necessary victories, is the objective. I have found myself looking toward next year's draft, when the Chiefs will have many chances to upgrade some positions that badly need them.

Not that the list starts and stops here, but here are the positions that I think the Chiefs absolutely must upgrade -- and have those upgrades work out, immediately -- in the draft, if not during free agency:

1. Offensive line
2. Wide receiver
3. Safety
4. Linebacker

Yeah, that's a lot. But the Chiefs will have lots of picks, including the additional second-rounder they received in exchange for Tony Gonzalez. That might not be an especially high pick, considering Atlanta looks pretty solid, but at this point, the Chiefs will take as many chances as they can get to improve a team that possesses more questionable position groups than reliable ones.

As usual, the question becomes this: If you have to choose, do you draft for need or for talent? This could be an issue next April. Safety is a need, sure, but it's not the top need. So, Tennessee safety Eric Berry at, say, No. 3, or reach for an offensive lineman? What about grabbing a star wide receiver with that top pick?

Some of you might disagree with this, but I think the Chiefs absolutely must -- as unsexy as it might be -- address their offensive line with the first pick. This should not be a debate, now or in the draft room. The Chiefs passed this year on signing a marquee lineman, and now they're paying for it. And it's not just that the line is suspect; a porous wall of blockers renders your running backs useless and your quarterback terrified. Neither Cassel, Larry Johnson nor Jamaal Charles will ever be as good as they could have been this season because of the weak offensive line they have blocking for them. That in turn puts more pressure on the Chiefs' wide receivers and, even on down the line, makes the defense's job tougher because the offense can't move the ball and give defenders a break. That happened against Baltimore, and it might have been the reason the Chiefs couldn't get a stop when they badly needed one. Also, Pioli was an offensive lineman in college. I'd have to think it's giving him recurring stomach cramps to watch the Chiefs' blockers.

It's in such turmoil that I think the Chiefs, who curiously waited until the fifth round to address their line, should use at least two of their top four picks on offensive linemen.

With the (first?) pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select ...

... Russell Okung, offensive tackle out of Oklahoma State. Look, the name might change. We'll keep Okung there for now as a placeholder. But the position should not change. And I'll admit it now: I argued against taking a tackle at No. 3 overall this year because of Branden Albert. But after watching Albert struggle at times this year, I think the Chiefs need to make tackle the priority of the offseason. Whether that means moving Albert to right tackle or keeping him at the left side, at least the Chiefs would have options. When Albert left the game Sunday against Dallas, I wondered on Twitter if Albert was the Chiefs' most valuable player. Not the team's MVP but rather valuable in the more literal sense: What the heck would the Chiefs do if he was lost for the season? There's just nobody -- and don't give me Wade Smith -- whom the Chiefs should trust at that position. This makes it a clear choice with the first pick.

I'd probably draft a wide receiver or safety with the Chiefs' second-rounder, or even consider taking the best available player. Nose tackle, linebacker, cornerback, running back -- whomever's there, sell me on him. The Chiefs have that many needs. But I have to tell you: I'm going into that pick thinking about a wideout or a safety to replace Mike Brown.

With the Gonzalez pick, which could be somewhere in the bottom third of the second round, I'm going guard. Mike Goff hasn't been the Chiefs' answer at right guard, and you can get a terrific guard in the third. Center, too. I just think that, as much a liability as the Chiefs' line has been, it requires this kind of emphasis. Now, I'd expect Pioli to address the line in free agency, too, but I'd prefer to sign receivers or linebackers* and address the offensive line in the draft. If I'm building for the future, I'm drafting my elite linemen instead of signing them.

* They'll need several of these; I'm beginning to consider Derrick Johnson's return, if he indeed becomes a free agent [the collective bargaining agreement makes this complicated, and I won't bore you with it here], is becoming an enormous long shot. Corey Mays and Demorrio Williams are decent, but they're not outstanding inside linebackers. Mike Vrabel is aging and might be slowing. But hey, the Chiefs have Tamba Hali! One out of four ain't bad.

So, if they follow my advice, as they did when trading for Matt Cassel but ignored when they passed on Aaron Curry, this is one way the Chiefs' line could look next season:

LT: Okung (or whomever is the best left tackle come draft day)
LG: Brian Waters (He's slowing down, but he's good for another season or two)
C: Rudy Niswanger
RG: Second-round pick
RT: Albert

Suddenly, that line doesn't look so bad, does it? And that automatically improves the play of the Chiefs' quarterback, running backs, receivers, defense -- everybody.

Yes, it's early. But it's not too early to consider how much better the Chiefs would have been in 2009 if they entered last offseason with an emphasis on improving the line.

They didn't, and the Chiefs are suffering. I don't believe it'll get better in Kansas City until the line undergoes a massive overhaul.

**The Franchise** · 10-13-2009, 12:50 PM

Albert is not a RT........JFC.

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-13-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Albert is not a RT........JFC.

You do have to wonder when Albert will get out of this funk.

DaWolf · 10-13-2009, 12:57 PM

, people will not be happy if we stay status quo at center...

**The Franchise** · 10-13-2009, 12:58 PM

You don't have to draft an OT in the top 5 to immediately fix your offensive line.

Logan Mankins is going to be a FA next year. The Pats can't afford to resign both him and Wilfork. You throw the cash at Mankins and you plug him in at RG (or LG depending on if Waters is still around).

We should come out of the first three rounds with:

Berry or Mays
A TRUE pass-rushing OLB.
A new starting OC.
A TRUE #2 WR

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-13-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Albert is not a RT........JFC.

I swear, people just assume that offensive linemen can play anywhere.

In the pros, he's a LT. Period.

He's not big enough, nor a talented enough run blocker to play inside against DT's/NT's and he's not the road grader necessary at RT either.

**The Franchise** · 10-13-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I swear, people just assume that offensive linemen can play anywhere.

In the pros, he's a LT. Period.

He's not big enough, nor a talented enough run blocker to play inside against DT's/NT's and he's not the road grader necessary at RT either.

Plus...it'd be really smart to just move the kid around every year to a new position. Hell.....let's try him at WR next year.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-13-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaWolf

, people will not be happy if we stay status quo at center...

I honestly think that while he may not be a long term solution, Wade Smith would be a drastic improvement over Niswanger, and Alleman would be the same at RG replacing Goff.

**The Franchise** · 10-13-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I honestly think that while he may not be a long term solution, Wade Smith would be a drastic improvement over Niswanger, and Alleman would be the same at RG replacing Goff.

What about Ndukwe at RG? The dude started 15 games for the Dolphins in the RG spot last year....and wasn't horrible.

Albert - Waters - Smith - Ndukwe - O'Callaghan

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-13-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

What about Ndukwe at RG? The dude started 15 games for the Dolphins in the RG spot last year....and wasn't horrible.

Albert - Waters - Smith - Ndukwe - O'Callaghan

I'd be fine with that as well, but I doubt Haley is. The guy has been inactive 2 weeks in a row, while dressing only 7 linemen.

**AustinChief** · 10-13-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I swear, people just assume that offensive linemen can play anywhere.

In the pros, he's a LT. Period.

He's not big enough, nor a talented enough run blocker to play inside against DT's/NT's and he's not the road grader necessary at RT either.

HUH??? He is plenty big enough to play LG... but you are correct in saying that he is not a RT... you have two spots for him, LT or LG end of story.

If he continues to struggle, I have no problem moving him to LG...

I would rather not use a high draft pick to replace him though.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-13-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

HUH??? He is plenty big enough to play LG... but you are correct in saying that he is not a RT... you have two spots for him, LT or LG end of story.

If he continues to struggle, I have no problem moving him to LG...

I would rather not use a high draft pick to replace him though.

Respectfully disagree.

He'll get abused by DT's and NT's - he's not heavy enough, IMO and he's not a good enough run blocker.

**The Franchise** · 10-13-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Respectfully disagree.

He'll get abused by DT's and NT's - he's not heavy enough, IMO and he's not a good enough run blocker.

Especially with his new weightloss.

**AustinChief** · 10-13-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Respectfully disagree.

He'll get abused by DT's and NT's - he's not heavy enough, IMO and he's not a good enough run blocker.

He's the same size as Alan Faneca. He may be lacking a mean streak (I have no clue on this)... but there are PLENTY of probowl LGs (past and present) that had roughly his size.

REGARDLESS, it is ridiculous that Babb wants to move him to RT... apparently our team is so bad that we don't even warrant good reporting anymore.

Chiefnj2 · 10-13-2009, 01:24 PM

If Albert can't make it as a LT in KC, KC would be best changing their blocking system or getting rid of him. Albert moves well. If you go back and watch his highlights at Virginia they would pull him all the time and he had the feet/speed to get downfield to the second level. He was not a mauler. In the NFL he will likely not be a mauler. As an interior lineman I think he would only succeed in a zone blocking scheme or scheme similar to what Vermeil used.

10-13-2009, 12:42 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	Babb: It's almost the middle of October. Too early to start thinking about the draft It's almost the middle of October. Too early to start thinking about the draft? Things I believe: - The Chiefs have made progress in their first five games, all of which have been losses (and some of them ugly). - It will benefit the team for having played three terrific teams -- Baltimore, the Giants and Philadelphia -- early in the season, as disheartening as those losses were. - Matt Cassel has at least some of the skills necessary to be Kansas City's quarterback of the future, at least based on one stunningly impressive drive at the end of regulation Sunday. - The Chiefs' remaining holes will hold back any significant progress until the team and general manager Scott Pioli have time to address them. Think about that last one. That one nullifies the first three, and it makes everyone's job at Arrowhead Stadium a lot tougher than it should be. Here's one more thing I believe: - The Chiefs will win no more than three games in 2009. That means that, for the third consecutive year, they'll probably have a top-five pick in the NFL draft. So with that in mind, and the growing frustration among many of you, I have found myself looking past what will continue to be a season in which progress, and not necessary victories, is the objective. I have found myself looking toward next year's draft, when the Chiefs will have many chances to upgrade some positions that badly need them. Not that the list starts and stops here, but here are the positions that I think the Chiefs absolutely must upgrade -- and have those upgrades work out, immediately -- in the draft, if not during free agency: 1. Offensive line 2. Wide receiver 3. Safety 4. Linebacker Yeah, that's a lot. But the Chiefs will have lots of picks, including the additional second-rounder they received in exchange for Tony Gonzalez. That might not be an especially high pick, considering Atlanta looks pretty solid, but at this point, the Chiefs will take as many chances as they can get to improve a team that possesses more questionable position groups than reliable ones. As usual, the question becomes this: If you have to choose, do you draft for need or for talent? This could be an issue next April. Safety is a need, sure, but it's not the top need. So, Tennessee safety Eric Berry at, say, No. 3, or reach for an offensive lineman? What about grabbing a star wide receiver with that top pick? Some of you might disagree with this, but I think the Chiefs absolutely must -- as unsexy as it might be -- address their offensive line with the first pick. This should not be a debate, now or in the draft room. The Chiefs passed this year on signing a marquee lineman, and now they're paying for it. And it's not just that the line is suspect; a porous wall of blockers renders your running backs useless and your quarterback terrified. Neither Cassel, Larry Johnson nor Jamaal Charles will ever be as good as they could have been this season because of the weak offensive line they have blocking for them. That in turn puts more pressure on the Chiefs' wide receivers and, even on down the line, makes the defense's job tougher because the offense can't move the ball and give defenders a break. That happened against Baltimore, and it might have been the reason the Chiefs couldn't get a stop when they badly needed one. Also, Pioli was an offensive lineman in college. I'd have to think it's giving him recurring stomach cramps to watch the Chiefs' blockers. It's in such turmoil that I think the Chiefs, who curiously waited until the fifth round to address their line, should use at least two of their top four picks on offensive linemen. With the (first?) pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select ... ... Russell Okung, offensive tackle out of Oklahoma State. Look, the name might change. We'll keep Okung there for now as a placeholder. But the position should not change. And I'll admit it now: I argued against taking a tackle at No. 3 overall this year because of Branden Albert. But after watching Albert struggle at times this year, I think the Chiefs need to make tackle the priority of the offseason. Whether that means moving Albert to right tackle or keeping him at the left side, at least the Chiefs would have options. When Albert left the game Sunday against Dallas, I wondered on Twitter if Albert was the Chiefs' most valuable player. Not the team's MVP but rather valuable in the more literal sense: What the heck would the Chiefs do if he was lost for the season? There's just nobody -- and don't give me Wade Smith -- whom the Chiefs should trust at that position. This makes it a clear choice with the first pick. I'd probably draft a wide receiver or safety with the Chiefs' second-rounder, or even consider taking the best available player. Nose tackle, linebacker, cornerback, running back -- whomever's there, sell me on him. The Chiefs have that many needs. But I have to tell you: I'm going into that pick thinking about a wideout or a safety to replace Mike Brown. With the Gonzalez pick, which could be somewhere in the bottom third of the second round, I'm going guard. Mike Goff hasn't been the Chiefs' answer at right guard, and you can get a terrific guard in the third. Center, too. I just think that, as much a liability as the Chiefs' line has been, it requires this kind of emphasis. Now, I'd expect Pioli to address the line in free agency, too, but I'd prefer to sign receivers or linebackers* and address the offensive line in the draft. If I'm building for the future, I'm drafting my elite linemen instead of signing them. * They'll need several of these; I'm beginning to consider Derrick Johnson's return, if he indeed becomes a free agent [the collective bargaining agreement makes this complicated, and I won't bore you with it here], is becoming an enormous long shot. Corey Mays and Demorrio Williams are decent, but they're not outstanding inside linebackers. Mike Vrabel is aging and might be slowing. But hey, the Chiefs have Tamba Hali! One out of four ain't bad. So, if they follow my advice, as they did when trading for Matt Cassel but ignored when they passed on Aaron Curry, this is one way the Chiefs' line could look next season: LT: Okung (or whomever is the best left tackle come draft day) LG: Brian Waters (He's slowing down, but he's good for another season or two) C: Rudy Niswanger RG: Second-round pick RT: Albert Suddenly, that line doesn't look so bad, does it? And that automatically improves the play of the Chiefs' quarterback, running backs, receivers, defense -- everybody. Yes, it's early. But it's not too early to consider how much better the Chiefs would have been in 2009 if they entered last offseason with an emphasis on improving the line. They didn't, and the Chiefs are suffering. I don't believe it'll get better in Kansas City until the line undergoes a massive overhaul.
Posts: 43,454

10-13-2009, 12:57 PM	#4
DaWolf Cry havoc... Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10007725	, people will not be happy if we stay status quo at center...
Posts: 6,798

10-13-2009, 12:58 PM	#5
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2065047	You don't have to draft an OT in the top 5 to immediately fix your offensive line. Logan Mankins is going to be a FA next year. The Pats can't afford to resign both him and Wilfork. You throw the cash at Mankins and you plug him in at RG (or LG depending on if Waters is still around). We should come out of the first three rounds with: Berry or Mays A TRUE pass-rushing OLB. A new starting OC. A TRUE #2 WR
Posts: 92,316

10-13-2009, 01:24 PM	#15
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $6654388	If Albert can't make it as a LT in KC, KC would be best changing their blocking system or getting rid of him. Albert moves well. If you go back and watch his highlights at Virginia they would pull him all the time and he had the feet/speed to get downfield to the second level. He was not a mauler. In the NFL he will likely not be a mauler. As an interior lineman I think he would only succeed in a zone blocking scheme or scheme similar to what Vermeil used. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,541

10-13-2009, 12:50 PM	#2
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2065047	Albert is not a RT........JFC.
Posts: 92,316