Michael Ash critical of Chiefs' draft

[Hammock Parties]

I liked the tight end part. The tradition continues.

http://kan.scout.com/2/965172.html

Chiefs fans had an entire day to speculate about the talent the team would add in Day Two. With players like Jimmy Clausen, Terrence Cody, Sergio Kindle and Golden Tate available, it’s a pretty safe bet that the names Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas weren’t on anyone’s mind.

While technically listed as a running back, McCluster’s arrival in Kansas City shouldn’t have Jamaal Charles looking over his shoulder. McCluster is described as a jack of all trades and has drawn comparisons to Minnesota’s Percy Harvin, although that comes with the immediate disclaimer that Harvin is considerably bigger and faster. Even so, while playing at Ole Miss, McCluster was a potential game-breaker every time he had the ball in his hands. He probably fits best as a slot receiver for the Chiefs, though his versatility will give Todd Haley and Charlie Weis plenty of options to fit him into the mix. The prospect of defenses having to account for both Charles and McCluster at the same time is an appealing one. Still, even tempered by the ESPN report that Philadelphia planned to draft him one spot later, taking McCluster at the top of the second round is likely to draw heavy criticism. With holes at nose tackle, pass rusher, inside linebacker, and so on, the Chiefs had far more pressing needs than a luxury pick for their offense. Will McCluster even be an every down player? He’ll have to be a heavy contributor to justify passing on players who would have lined up on every snap. Ultimately, though, if Matt Cassel doesn’t play any better in 2010, it’ll be the decision to pass on Clausen that ends up getting scrutinized most heavily down the road. Similar criticism is also likely to surround the pick of Arenas. At the moment, it’s unclear how the Chiefs see him. Is he a cornerback who happens to bring elite return skills? Or, like fellow second-rounder Devin Hester a few years ago, do the Chiefs see him as a return specialist who happens to play corner? One thing’s for sure – Arenas either has to become the next Hester or unseat Brandon Carr as a starter to be worth the 50th overall pick. And, once again, this selection failed to address the more glaring holes on the roster. If we can take one thing away from the second round, it’s that Scott Pioli wasn’t kidding when he told Jack Harry that adding some playmakers was one of his top priorities. But whether or not it was a good idea to load up on big-play threats at the expense of needier positions will surely be debated in the coming days. Things briefly got back to normal in the third round, where the Chiefs – for the first time in several years -- finally invested a significant draft choice on an offensive lineman with their selection of Illinois’ guard Jon Asamoah. The only significant knock on Asamoah throughout the evaluation process seemed to be the fact that his arms are shorter than teams may prefer. Otherwise, he’s been described as an intelligent, high-character, hard-working interior blocker with a great locker room attitude and a mean streak on the field. Obviously, the immediate assumption is that Asamoah will be groomed to replace the aging Brian Waters. With off-and-on trade rumors circulating around Waters since last year, how long that grooming period lasts will probably be the subject of a fair amount of speculation. Finally, the Chiefs ended the third round by trading up for Iowa tight end Tony Moeaki. The former Hawkeye may turn out to be a great selection, but it only continues the bizarre fascination the New England brain trust seems to have with the tight end position. The Patriots drafted two tight ends in the first round in 2002 and 2004, and drafted eight total players at the position from 2000-2008. And despite all those picks, tight end has never been a strength of their team. Pioli seemed to bring the same mindset to Kansas City a year ago, trading up late in the draft for Jake O’Connell. This year, not to be outdone by the Patriots taking TE Rob Gronkowski, Pioli moved up for Moeaki and surrendered the Chiefs’ fourth-round pick and one of the three picks they held in the fifth. That means, to date, Pioli’s only draft-day maneuverings have been to trade up for tight ends. Again, Moeaki might become a fine player -- but if the Patriots’ success with the position is any indication, we probably shouldn’t hold our breath. All in all, the draft’s second day definitely brought some big-play talent to the Chiefs’ roster. Unfortunately, that talent didn’t come at the positions where the team needed it most. And with Kansas City now having just two picks over the final four rounds, that fact is unlikely to change tomorrow.

[kcxiv]

Is that the dude from WPI that writes them terrible articles?

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by kcxiv

Is that the dude from WPI that writes them terrible articles?

Michael Ash is the one guy that can write.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Michael Ash is the one guy that can write.

He can... now if you can get him to think, you'll have something.

[Fritz88]

Pioli seemed to bring the same mindset to Kansas City a year ago, trading up late in the draft for Jake O’Connell. This year, not to be outdone by the Patriots taking TE Rob Gronkowski, Pioli moved up for Moeaki and surrendered the Chiefs’ fourth-round pick and one of the three picks they held in the fifth. That means, to date, Pioli’s only draft-day maneuverings have been to trade up for tight ends.

He is literally copycatting all the shit he saw in NE.

The Patriots drafted two tight ends in the first round in 2002 and 2004, and drafted eight total players at the position from 2000-2008. And despite all those picks, tight end has never been a strength of their team.

****er never learns. This Iowa kid will also suck. **** me I am going to eat gay rats.

[Messier]

Fire him now!

['Hamas' Jenkins]

That guy is a fine writer.

[Messier]

Hold on to him any longer and Hunt looks weak!

[AZChief]

"This year, not to be outdone by the Patriots taking TE Rob Gronkowski, Pioli moved up for Moeaki..."

You've got to be kidding me...I'm guessing this a$$clown doesn't watch a lot of Pac 10/Arizona games...

[BigRock]

Originally Posted by AZChief

"This year, not to be outdone by the Patriots taking TE Rob Gronkowski, Pioli moved up for Moeaki..."

You've got to be kidding me...I'm guessing this a$$clown doesn't watch a lot of Pac 10/Arizona games...

I don't think that's a shot at Gronkowski. It's just saying the Pats drafted another TE, so Pioli had to keep pace.

[Messier]

Pioli needs to go!

[Icon]

The former Hawkeye may turn out to be a great selection, but it only continues the bizarre fascination the New England brain trust seems to have with the tight end position. The Patriots drafted two tight ends in the first round in 2002 and 2004, and drafted eight total players at the position from 2000-2008.

I think the whole NFL is fascinated with TEs. By my last count there were 20-something TEs drafted this year. We needed a TE. I don't see the big deal drafting a TE. Now Moaki needs to stay healthy but he could be a really good pick.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Icon

The former Hawkeye may turn out to be a great selection, but it only continues the bizarre fascination the New England brain trust seems to have with the tight end position. The Patriots drafted two tight ends in the first round in 2002 and 2004, and drafted eight total players at the position from 2000-2008.

I think the whole NFL is fascinated with TEs. By my last count there were 20-something TEs drafted this year. We needed a TE. I don't see the big deal drafting a TE. Now Moaki needs to stay healthy but he could be a really good pick.

21 this year, 20 last year and 3 teams took 2. Including the Patriots.

I guess we are lucky to only take 1.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Fritz88

****er never learns. This Iowa kid will also suck. **** me I am going to eat gay rats.

Originality REP.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

21 this year, 20 last year and 3 teams took 2. Including the Patriots.

I guess we are lucky to only take 1.

Yeah, but we used two picks essentially to take that one so it all evens out.

And we did the same last year, s that 4 picks in two years on TE.

Great investment.