Chiefs Replacing Gonzalez proving to be a chore in K.C. - Page 9

Quesadilla Joe · 07-12-2009, 03:27 PM

http://www.profootballweekly.com/200...-a-chore-in-kc

Replacing Gonzalez proving to be a chore in K.C.
Posted July 11, 2009 @ 6:50 p.m.
By Michael Blunda

Nobody in the Chiefs' organization thought it would be easy to replace departed TE Tony Gonzalez, a 10-time Pro Bowler and surefire Hall of Famer, but they probably didn’t think it would be this difficult, either. In one of the more surprising developments of the team’s recent minicamp, head coach Todd Haley declared the competition for the starting tight end job wide open, dispelling the widely believed thought that the spot belonged to Brad Cottam. From what we hear, Cottam, a 2008 third-round pick by the Chiefs and the favorite to capture the job, struggled mightily during offseason workouts, frequently dropping catchable passes. His failure to seize the opportunity has opened the door for others — like veterans Sean Ryan and Tony Curtis and seventh-round rookie Jake O’Connell — to enter the mix for starting duties. Although the Chiefs aren’t expected to utilize their tight ends as receivers very often, the offense would be lacking without a skilled pass catcher at that spot. Thus far, Cottam has “dropped the ball.”

Pioli Zombie · 07-12-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't understand the move.

You spent a 2nd round pick on a QB. You should do everything in your power to surround him with as many weapons as possible so he can succeed.

If Cassel doesn't light it up in the first few weeks, I can tell you what will happen. The fans will turn on him, will boo him off the field, and will scream for Thigpen to start. I wish it weren't true, but it's the sad reality.

And trading away your #1 target and not doing much to shore up the o-line doesn't help Cassel.

If that is true then Chief fans are dumb****s and Haley is a failure for listening to fans.
Posted via Mobile Device

Micjones · 07-12-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Maybe Haley would rather Cassel get used to the system instead of stunting his growth and running the old system that utilizes the TE.

I'm fine with that. Give him another WR then.

Hammock Parties · 07-12-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

That's fine in theory we just don't have those receivers at the moment.

If the Chiefs run the ball well enough, they have the receivers to field a competent passing attack.

Mecca · 07-12-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

If that is true then Chief fans are dumb****s and Haley is a failure for listening to fans.
Posted via Mobile Device

Um that's what fans do, a bunch of people thought Thigpen was the answer. If Cassel isn't awesome people are going to go nuts.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-12-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

If that is true then Chief fans are dumb****s and Haley is a failure for listening to fans.
Posted via Mobile Device

I fall somewhere in the middle of his take, but you'll never see me "screaming for Thigpen" unless it involves getting his attention to keep him from getting run over by a moving vehicle or some such scenario.

Micjones · 07-12-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Engram is our new Gonzalez, he just plays at a position Haley wants to use instead of TE.

Which is fine. I'm not suggesting that we rely on a Tight End to give us WR-type production.

But with Engram being only half as productive at the position...it pressurize Bowe's situation.

I'm excited about Engram, but I believe his biggest contribution will be on Third Downs. I'm looking for someone who can stretch the field and give Engram the middle part of the field to work with.

RustShack · 07-12-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't understand the move.

You spent a 2nd round pick on a QB. You should do everything in your power to surround him with as many weapons as possible so he can succeed.

If Cassel doesn't light it up in the first few weeks, I can tell you what will happen. The fans will turn on him, will boo him off the field, and will scream for Thigpen to start. I wish it weren't true, but it's the sad reality.

And trading away your #1 target and not doing much to shore up the o-line doesn't help Cassel.

OK we trade a 2nd round pick, we get a franchise QB in his 20's AND a seasoned veteran who is one of the best at his position in a scheme we are switching to.

We trade an old TE for a second round pick, TE is also a position of little value and even less in our new scheme considering we won't use it very often.

QB has a lot more value that TE, LB is also more valuable not to mention BOTH. Gonzalez himself didn't even think anyone would trade a 2nd round pick for him.

Engram brings exactly the same thing Gonzalez does, just at a position our new offense will utilize.

Micjones · 07-12-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Where was he at before KC? Didn't he come from OSU?

He played in Chicago prior to coming to Kansas City.

Mecca · 07-12-2009, 10:17 PM

At his age it's really hard to project what Engram is going to do.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-12-2009, 10:18 PM

You KNOW they're going to double team Bowe all day long until one of the other guys shows themselves to be a legitimate threat.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-12-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

He played in Chicago prior to coming to Kansas City.

Did he and Leggitt come at the same time?

Micjones · 07-12-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

At his age it's really hard to project what Engram is going to do.

Agreed.

I'm HOPING for 500 yards 3-5 TD's.
I'd be surprised if he gave us anything more than that.
And that's not #2 WR type production so... If Bradley's injury problems continue... We're in trouble.

Micjones · 07-12-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

You KNOW they're going to double team Bowe all day long until one of the other guys shows themselves to be a legitimate threat.

You can't double team Bowe with Jones on the other side.
Well you could, but you'd get gouged by Jones and Engram.

Mecca · 07-12-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Agreed.

I'm HOPING for 500 yards 3-5 TD's.
I'd be surprised if he gave us anything more than that.
And that's not #2 WR type production so... If Bradley's injury problems continue... We're in trouble.

This is why the Chiefs are like a 4 win team.

RustShack · 07-12-2009, 10:20 PM

You don't expect a new HC and GM to turn it around the first year anyways, maybe they plan on drafting a WR early next year. Maybe they wanted a 2nd round pick next year vs this year because they wanted to wait until Pioli had his own scouting department in place and so everyone was on the same page.

07-12-2009, 03:27 PM
Quesadilla Joe Abolish The Salary Cap! Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $3408675	Replacing Gonzalez proving to be a chore in K.C. http://www.profootballweekly.com/200...-a-chore-in-kc Replacing Gonzalez proving to be a chore in K.C. Posted July 11, 2009 @ 6:50 p.m. By Michael Blunda Nobody in the Chiefs' organization thought it would be easy to replace departed TE Tony Gonzalez, a 10-time Pro Bowler and surefire Hall of Famer, but they probably didn’t think it would be this difficult, either. In one of the more surprising developments of the team’s recent minicamp, head coach Todd Haley declared the competition for the starting tight end job wide open, dispelling the widely believed thought that the spot belonged to Brad Cottam. From what we hear, Cottam, a 2008 third-round pick by the Chiefs and the favorite to capture the job, struggled mightily during offseason workouts, frequently dropping catchable passes. His failure to seize the opportunity has opened the door for others — like veterans Sean Ryan and Tony Curtis and seventh-round rookie Jake O’Connell — to enter the mix for starting duties. Although the Chiefs aren’t expected to utilize their tight ends as receivers very often, the offense would be lacking without a skilled pass catcher at that spot. Thus far, Cottam has “dropped the ball.”
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07-12-2009, 10:17 PM	#129
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-702950	At his age it's really hard to project what Engram is going to do.
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07-12-2009, 10:18 PM	#130
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	You KNOW they're going to double team Bowe all day long until one of the other guys shows themselves to be a legitimate threat. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
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07-12-2009, 10:20 PM	#135
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $3046954	You don't expect a new HC and GM to turn it around the first year anyways, maybe they plan on drafting a WR early next year. Maybe they wanted a 2nd round pick next year vs this year because they wanted to wait until Pioli had his own scouting department in place and so everyone was on the same page. __________________
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