Chiefs Babb: It's almost the middle of October. Too early to start thinking about the draft - Page 2

**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.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-13-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

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.

Faneca is an EXCELLENT run blocker, and uses his leverage appropriately.

Albert is more a finesse player, which is why he projected to LT in the pros.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-13-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

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.

This, and that's BEST case scenario, IMO.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-13-2009, 01:28 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.

Wade Smith needs to be on the field, IMO.

Center or right tackle.

Just get him on the field, Haley.

KChiefs1 · 10-13-2009, 01:51 PM

You have to draft the best player available with the 1st round pick...

beach tribe · 10-13-2009, 01:56 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.

Yep. I think he will be our LG sooner or later.

beach tribe · 10-13-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Wade Smith needs to be on the field, IMO.

Center or right tackle.

Just get him on the field, Haley.

Agree with this too. I think he would be a huge upgrade over Goff, who seems to be completely
worthless.

I know that's not C or RT, but I would have no problem with him there either. Put Rudy at RG.... or not.

eazyb81 · 10-13-2009, 02:21 PM

Looking past the 1st, I'd love to grab Eric Norwood with our #2A pick if he drops. We desperately need a pass rushing OLB to make this defense at least decent. He's a tad undersized but a smart D coordinator could utilize him in a number of looks.

Okung's potential is through the roof, but he has been off and on this year when I've seen him. I guess we could take him and move Albert to guard....wouldn't be ideal but it could work, and that combo would most certainly be better than any combo that includes Goff.

**The Bad Guy** · 10-13-2009, 02:22 PM

I don't care what upgrades we make, if Niswanger is starting, they won't matter.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-13-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Looking past the 1st, I'd love to grab Eric Norwood with our #2A pick if he drops. We desperately need a pass rushing OLB to make this defense at least decent. He's a tad undersized but a smart D coordinator could utilize him in a number of looks.

Well, ****. Close the book on Norwood.

eazyb81 · 10-13-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Well, ****. Close the book on Norwood.

Yeah, that's the kicker.....

ChiefsCountry · 10-13-2009, 02:30 PM

So lets draft OL in a deep defense year, gotta love the Chiefs they always do shit backwards.

**AustinChief** · 10-13-2009, 02:31 PM

Not saying we should.... but IF we take an LT with our top pick ...
I see this as our line...

drafted LT-Albert-Waters-Mankins-O'Callaghan

I am fine with this... BUT would still be pissed if we passed over a proven playmaker to get here.

I would rather have a Mays or Berry any day of the week

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-13-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

So lets draft OL in a deep defense year, gotta love the Chiefs they always do shit backwards.

Ah, they'll just use the fifth rounder they got for Thigpen on the offensive line.

ChiefsCountry · 10-13-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Ah, they'll just use the fifth rounder they got for Thigpen on the offensive line.

Probably on Tim Barnes or Kurtis Gregory from Mizzou.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-13-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Probably on Tim Barnes or Kurtis Gregory from Mizzou.

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, 01:51 PM	#19
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	You have to draft the best player available with the 1st round pick... __________________
Posts: 54,038

10-13-2009, 02:21 PM	#22
eazyb81 The Illuminati Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: the road less traveled Casino cash: $9984900	Looking past the 1st, I'd love to grab Eric Norwood with our #2A pick if he drops. We desperately need a pass rushing OLB to make this defense at least decent. He's a tad undersized but a smart D coordinator could utilize him in a number of looks. Okung's potential is through the roof, but he has been off and on this year when I've seen him. I guess we could take him and move Albert to guard....wouldn't be ideal but it could work, and that combo would most certainly be better than any combo that includes Goff.
Posts: 12,033

10-13-2009, 02:22 PM	#23
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9283645	I don't care what upgrades we make, if Niswanger is starting, they won't matter. __________________
Posts: 23,216

10-13-2009, 02:30 PM	#26
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1601248	So lets draft OL in a deep defense year, gotta love the Chiefs they always do shit backwards.
Posts: 52,143

10-13-2009, 02:31 PM	#27
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $-754998	Not saying we should.... but IF we take an LT with our top pick ... I see this as our line... drafted LT-Albert-Waters-Mankins-O'Callaghan I am fine with this... BUT would still be pissed if we passed over a proven playmaker to get here. I would rather have a Mays or Berry any day of the week
Posts: 20,021