Gas on the Fire: Shutdown Corner Gives Chiefs "F" in FA.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

KC has not lost anything I find particularly vital. The only guy I'd have like to have kept is Schwartz, and it's not like that's a game changer.

It's not so much what the Chiefs have lost, though there are some not insignificant losses (Albert, Schwartz).

It's that the Chiefs roster clearly had some holes throughout the season and at the end of the year.

FS
WR
TE
OL
DL (pass rush ability)

All needed obvious improvements in the starting lineup.

The Chiefs have added one player (Walker) to those position groups, and it is at the least important/least critical spot.

Meanwhile, they've lost players on the OL and have done nothing but sign depth players in FA.

They're clearly counting on internal improvement and getting some impact guys out of the draft, but it's highly unlikely the Chiefs find all the answers they need and make all the roster improvements they need to build on last year's (flimsy and unlikely replicated) success.

[kccrow]

Notable Additions
CB Chris Owens
DT Vance Walker
OG Jeff Linkenbach
ILB Joe Mays
S Husain Abdullah
OLB Frank Zombo

Notable Losses
S Kendrick Lewis
ILB Akeem Jordan
S Quintin Demps
WR Dexter McCluster
OG Jon Asamoah
OG Geoff Schwartz
OT Branden Albert
DE Tysyn Jackson
CB Dunta Robinson
Net Gain/Loss Perception
DE Vance Walker vs. DE Tysyn Jackson = Likely a push at worst and possibly a net gain in pass rush from the DE position
CB Chris Owens v. CB Dunta Robinson = Owens has shown to be a servicable nickle corner and at least has some years left in the tank while Robinson rarely saw the field and was terrible when he did. Likely net gain.
ILB Joe Mays v. ILB Akeem Jordan = Mays is an adept run defender and Jordan wasn't bad either. Advantage there may be to Mays. The advantage to Jordan may be he was better in coverage. No net gain/loss.
OG Jeff Linkenbach v. OG Jon Asamoah v. OG Geoff Scwhartz = Linkebach v. Asamoah to me is no net gain/loss. If you think about the loss of Schwartz, he really started to look like his former self towards the end of the season. I consider Schwartz a loss. I don't trust Rishaw Johnson yet either. The Chiefs have a hole no matter how you slice it.
S Husain Abdullah v. S Kendrick Lewis v. S Quintin Demps = Here the Chiefs kept what I consider to be the best of the bunch. Demps was a nice special teams contributor. Lewis was aweful. I don't really consider there to be a loss here except for warm bodies. If Comings can come back and be decent, he refills the warm body issue to some extent.
OLB Frank Zombo = Smart to bring him back for depth and special teams. Sure, we could use an upgrade, but that needs to come through the draft and not free agency.
OT Branden Albert = Sure, he's a loss, but everyone knew this was coming last year when KC drafted Fisher #1 overall. To consider it as a bad move, or downgrade the Chiefs for it this season would be silly. Fisher and Stephenson should be a fine set of tackles for KC, so all they really need to do is address quality depth.
WR Dexter McCluster v. some CFL guy = Loss. I'm no fan of Dexter McCluster on the field, but he was the Chiefs 2nd best receiver last year. While that isn't saying much, it is a notable loss unles KC can find a way to replace that production or at least build upon it. I wouldn't count on a CFL guy to make the team, but you never know. KC needs to address receiver in the draft. I'm not counting on it in round 1 but it could happen.
My Grade: D+
A C, in my book, would be no overall net gain or loss. The loss of Albert was expected, so I'm not really going to knock KC for it. The failure to address offensive guard, free safety, nor wide receiver in free agency is alarming given that the Chiefs don't own a 2nd round pick. I drop them a partial grade each for those non-moves. I'd give a slight bump up for the projected upgrades that Walker and Owens present with a partial grade in total.
My perception of the Chiefs and how they will approach the draft.
If last season is any indication of the direction KC could go, prepare for CB or OLB early. Flowers and Hali will be huge cap hits next season and Houston and Smith need to be re-signed. There is a good chance one or both could be cut in 2015. Given the lack of pass rushing depth and the poor performance of the secondary in 2013, both are well within play. I don't expect KC to address WR or FS with their 1st round pick unless a gem falls in their laps. WR is a deep position and safeties can be found all over the draft. The only safeties I have first round grades on are Pryor and Ward, and Pryor I don't expect to be there. Ward is not as good as a corner like Kyle Fuller nor most of the WRs that could fall to KC in round 1.

[Hammock Parties]

[O.city]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

It's not so much what the Chiefs have lost, though there are some not insignificant losses (Albert, Schwartz).

It's that the Chiefs roster clearly had some holes throughout the season and at the end of the year.

FS
WR
TE
OL
DL (pass rush ability)

All needed obvious improvements in the starting lineup.

The Chiefs have added one player (Walker) to those position groups, and it is at the least important/least critical spot.

Meanwhile, they've lost players on the OL and have done nothing but sign depth players in FA.

They're clearly counting on internal improvement and getting some impact guys out of the draft, but it's highly unlikely the Chiefs find all the answers they need and make all the roster improvements they need to build on last year's (flimsy and unlikely replicated) success.

Why is it so highly unlikely?

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

It's not so much what the Chiefs have lost, though there are some not insignificant losses (Albert, Schwartz).

It's that the Chiefs roster clearly had some holes throughout the season and at the end of the year.

FS
WR
TE
OL
DL (pass rush ability)

All needed obvious improvements in the starting lineup.

The Chiefs have added one player (Walker) to those position groups, and it is at the least important/least critical spot.

Meanwhile, they've lost players on the OL and have done nothing but sign depth players in FA.

They're clearly counting on internal improvement and getting some impact guys out of the draft, but it's highly unlikely the Chiefs find all the answers they need and make all the roster improvements they need to build on last year's (flimsy and unlikely replicated) success.

I think KC may be banking too much on the improvement of guys they drafted who did not play last season like Kelce and Commings. If they bomb or get injured, we're in the exact same position. Those two positions honestly can't be played much WORSE than they were in 2013.

I'm really not particularly concerned with the offense. The interior OL did not play well last year, so turnover there does not alarm me. I'm concerned with the defense and our overall lack of a pass rush. KC was a good team until the defense went from being good to being 2008 over the course of a bye-week.

I understand the concerns, but not the tantrums being thrown.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

But they ****ed themselves hardcore on acquiring Smith.

1) They gave up way too much in draft picks because Baalke knew they had Reid over the barrel on interest in him. So now they're potentially short one starter that could've been acquired last year in the second round and most likely in this year's second round.

2) Smith's next contract will be expensive, so they'll be less likely and able to sign FAs that can fill in holes or from re-signing other key guys on the roster.

People keep saying they missed out on two starters, when in actuality, it's 1.

They missed out on 1 potential stater, 2nd round pick, in exchange for a franchise qb.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by O.city

Why is it so highly unlikely?

Because of the number of needs.

The Chiefs need to improve at 6 spots to be a better team in 2014 than they were in 2013.

FS
WR2
TE
LG
RG
DE

They have perhaps upgraded at the DE spot with Walker over Jackson, but that still leaves 5 spots to fill with:

The 23rd pick
A 3rd rounder
A 4th rounder
A 5th rounder
2 6th rounders

and bottom barrel free agents. Or holdover players like Kelce and Commings who have shown absolutely nothing so far in the NFL.

[TheUte]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

What do you mean?

They needed a QB.

They got a QB.

The plan is like always - to build the best team possible in order to compete for a Super Bowl.

What type of "plan" were you expecting?

2013 was the first season under Reid and Dorsey, they brought in a proven 29 year old QB to go with five Pro Bowlers on defense, drafted the future cornerstone blind side protector and got the best available press cover corner on the market in Sean Smith.

The team went 10-6 and made the playoffs after the worst season in franchise history.

The primary building blocks are in place and it looks like they will continue to build the team through the draft as most good teams do.

Because they let a guard walk who is on his fourth team in four years and a punt returner/utility guy go, everyone thinks this team all of a sudden has no direction?

Jesus Christ...get a ****ing grip people.

What good does it do to have QB that has no OL to protect him.

If you want to throw the ball down the field you need time for the receivers to get down the field. How long did it take for the 3 OL players we lost to sign with other teams, like maybe 30 seconds.

It all starts with the line both Offense and defense. If you can get pressure with 3 or 4 players it changes you D completely.

Bottom line Brandon Albert was a very good player and we let him walk, doesn't seem like a good move. Pro-Bowl Lineman don't grow on trees.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Because of the number of needs.

The Chiefs need to improve at 6 spots to be a better team in 2014 than they were in 2013.

FS
WR2
TE
LG
RG
DE

They have perhaps upgraded at the DE spot with Walker over Jackson, but that still leaves 5 spots to fill with:

The 23rd pick
A 3rd rounder
A 4th rounder
A 5th rounder
2 6th rounders

and bottom barrel free agents. Or holdover players like Kelce and Commings who have shown absolutely nothing so far in the NFL.

How much are you expecting to fill each spot with, in terms of production and ability?

I guess if you're looking for pro bowl players in each spot, or all pros, yeah,mid say it's pretty highly unlikely.

But to put adequate players in those 5 spots, adequate enought that it allows the actual playmakers to focus on making plays? I don't think that's necessarily something that's "highly unlikely"

You can also look at other potential ways of improving over last year, ie, players like Houston, flowers, Alex smith having better years.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Because of the number of needs.

The Chiefs need to improve at 6 spots to be a better team in 2014 than they were in 2013.

FS
WR2
TE
LG
RG
DE

They have perhaps upgraded at the DE spot with Walker over Jackson, but that still leaves 5 spots to fill with:

The 23rd pick
A 3rd rounder
A 4th rounder
A 5th rounder
2 6th rounders

and bottom barrel free agents. Or holdover players like Kelce and Commings who have shown absolutely nothing so far in the NFL.

Improving FS should not be too hard. They could sign you. You could probably outperform Lewis. If Kelce can't improve the TE position over the cast of journeymen and undrafted scrubs trotted out last season we need to cut him now. Those positions should improve without any major moves (though not likely to be dramatic improvement) as long as the two guys aren't TERRIBAD like those they'll replace.

I definitely agree about WR and DE. Quality interior OL can be found anywhere in the draft (and after the draft) provided the team can scout them properly. I'd have liked to have nabbed Sanders.

I feel the key to improving the team is improving a pass rush that completely vanished last season at the midway mark. We haven't done anything that solves that issue at all. It was the defense that really let KC down late last season.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

Improving FS should not be too hard. They could sign you. You could probably outperform Lewis. If Kelce can't improve the TE position over the cast of journeymen and undrafted scrubs trotted out last season we need to cut him now. Those positions should improve without any major moves (though not likely to be dramatic improvement) as long as the two guys aren't TERRIBAD like those they'll replace.

I definitely agree about WR and DE. Quality interior OL can be found anywhere in the draft (and after the draft) provided the team can scout them properly. I'd have liked to have nabbed Sanders.

I feel the key to improving the team is improving a pass rush that completely vanished last season at the midway mark. We haven't done anything that solves that issue at all. It was the defense that really let KC down late last season.

It's hard to imagine FS being worse, yes, but they DO still need QUALITY play from that spot. I just don't trust a second-year player with a history of injury problems who's never shown ANYTHING in the NFL to be that guy. Nor do I trust the guys who couldn't beat out the terrible starter last year (Abdullah, etc).

Kelce is a raw guy who played in a spread offense and is coming off of microfracture surgery. I'll believe he can make an impact when I see it.

Just too many holes for me to whistle along and believe everything is going to work out swimmingly.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

It's hard to imagine FS being worse, yes, but they DO still need QUALITY play from that spot. I just don't trust a second-year player with a history of injury problems who's never shown ANYTHING in the NFL to be that guy. Nor do I trust the guys who couldn't beat out the terrible starter last year (Abdullah, etc).

Kelce is a raw guy who played in a spread offense and is coming off of microfracture surgery. I'll believe he can make an impact when I see it.

Just too many holes for me to whistle along and believe everything is going to work out swimmingly.

I understand that, I'm not saying things will work out swimmingly... I just don't see it as a reason to flip the **** out and throw a tantrum as many are doing.

KC, like pretty much every team in the NFL, will enter the season with holes.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

But they ****ed themselves hardcore on acquiring Smith.

1) They gave up way too much in draft picks because Baalke knew they had Reid over the barrel on interest in him. So now they're potentially short one starter that could've been acquired last year in the second round and most likely in this year's second round.

2) Smith's next contract will be expensive, so they'll be less likely and able to sign FAs that can fill in holes or from re-signing other key guys on the roster.

2 second round picks for a franchise QB is NOT giving up too much.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

franchise QB

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

But they ****ed themselves hardcore on acquiring Smith.

1) They gave up way too much in draft picks because Baalke knew they had Reid over the barrel on interest in him. So now they're potentially short one starter that could've been acquired last year in the second round and most likely in this year's second round.

2) Smith's next contract will be expensive, so they'll be less likely and able to sign FAs that can fill in holes or from re-signing other key guys on the roster.

No they didn't. Quit being foolish.