Chiefs Q&A with TODD HALEY - 9/9

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-10-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

He was brought in because he was familiar with the Pats 34 defense. He wasn't brought in because he was familiar with the Pats special teams.

Au Contraire

http://uponfurtherreview.kansascity.com/?q=node/727

The Newest Chief: LB Corey Mays and some words on financial flexibility

The Chiefs haven't made any splashes on the free-agent market this offseason, but instead have focused their efforts at improving play on special teams. To that end, KC inked linebacker/special teamer Corey Mays on Friday. Mays, a Notre Dame product, has 38 special-team tackles in three NFL seasons with New England and Cincinnati.

Kansas City's special teams ranked 31st overall in 2008 according to FootballOutsiders.com. Other than Dustin Colquitt, who rated as just above average on net punting, the Chiefs were poor across the board on special teams. However, the most glaring wart was the performance on kickoffs, where the Chiefs ranked last -- by a mile -- in net kickoffs. In other words, in the battle for field position, the Chiefs offense finished with the poorest average starting field position as compared to that of their opponents than any other team in the league.

Even though the Chiefs have money to spend (about $36 million under the cap), it looks like Scott Pioli is bargain shopping. With so many holes to fill, financial flexibility is a good thing for a team to have. It might not be sexy, but the approach is rational. The signings this week of Mays and Travis Daniels aren't going to make any headlines, but shoring up a glaring area of weakness can make a tremendous per-dollar impact on the bottom line.

Next month, the Chiefs will get an infusion of talent from the draft. Plus, remaining free agents will have to start lowering their expectations and Pioli should be able to find some cost-efficient solutions for other roster spots. While other teams might be throwing big contracts at the likes of Albert Haynesworth and even elders like Orlando Pace, the Chiefs are staying conservative. For a rebuilding team, the strategy is sound.