Viril - How to fix the Chiefs - Page 3

Hammock Parties · 12-20-2006, 12:53 AM

http://chiefs.scout.com/2/602501.html

How To Fix The Chiefs

By John Viril
Warpaint Illustrated Columnist
Posted Dec 20, 2006

Now that the Chiefs are all but eliminated from the 2006 playoff picture, everyone has their own theory on how to fix this team. Joe Posnanski from the Kansas City Star suggests we need a true losing year to land premium draft picks. Jonathan Rand from KcChiefs.com has voiced the opinion that fixing the team “won't be easy.”

I am not quite so pessimistic. This team actually has some good pieces to build around. One outstanding offseason could actually do the trick.

That, of course, is the rub. Having an offseason in which every move works is a difficult trick for a NFL general manager to pull out of his hat. Eighteen years without a Super Bowl appearance makes one doubt that Carl Peterson can accomplish such a feat.

The key is to focus on the obvious area which plagued the team this season: the offensive line. That's it. The decline in line play has turned Kansas City's once dominant offense into a mediocre unit. While a playmaking receiver would help, Tony Gonzalez and Larry Johnson are effective enough to power a top-notch unit.

In San Diego, Antonio Gates and LaDanian Tomlinson are the core of the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense. The Chargers have surged to this position behind the shrewd pick of left tackle Marcus McNeil in the second round of the 2006 draft.

While the Chargers were fifth in scoring in 2005 with veteran journeyman Roman Oben at left tackle, San Diego is No. 1 with Marcus McNeil after replacing quarterback Drew Brees with a first year starter in Philip Rivers. Rivers would never have been able to enjoy such success without solid protection from the backside.

Kansas City needs to pull a similar coup.

The Cleveland game showed that Trent Green can still pick apart a defense. His problem against the Ravens and Chargers was his protection. Green has been sacked 11 times in the last two games. Not surprisingly, the team scored 19 points despite solid performances from running back Larry Johnson.

But the Chiefs problems are deeper than one offensive line player. With Will Shields likely to retire, and the constant turnover at right tackle since John Tait left in free agency after 2003, there are two more positions that Carl Peterson needs to address.

It can be done and again San Diego is the model. In 2004, a down and out Charger team coming off a 4-12 season changed all five offensive line starters. They gelled well enough to fuel a 12-4 record and an AFC West title. Two of those linemen were rookie draft picks Nick Hardwick (center, third round) and Shane Olivea (right tackle, seventh round). They brought in journeyman Roman Oben at left tackle and coached the heck out of them.

While the Chiefs likely can't follow San Diego's example exactly, they need a combination of draft picks and free agent additions to solidify their offensive line.

After fixing the offensive line, the rest of the picture becomes clear. The Chiefs desperately need a playmaker at defensive tackle, which will likely require a high round pick. This time, Carl Peterson has to get it right. The Chiefs should skate at corner and hope to get another year out of Patrick Surtain and Ty Law. Replace safeties Greg Wesley and Sammy Knight with the speedy Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard, then cut dead-weight weakside linebacker Kendrell Bell.

Insert Keyaron Fox in the lineup, or pick up a veteran like Donnie Edwards to fill in for a year. The team then needs at least another competent wide receiver with excellent hands. Move Samie Parker to the slot.

All these changes will be financed by cutting Ryan Sims, Kendrell Bell, Greg Wesley and the retirement of Will Shields. Furthermore, what the Chiefs cannot afford to do is stay the same age on offense, particularly on the offensive line.

Done properly, the Chiefs could be younger and in the playoffs as soon as next season.

Mecca · 12-20-2006, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Long? Brown? Pitcock?

I do not like Levi Brown or Quinn Pitcock, I believe they are only being listed in the first round due to a lack of depth at the top ends of their positions this year.

Deberg_1990 · 12-20-2006, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I believe this too......I'd much rather feel we were building to somthing and there was light at the end of the tunnel than muddled mediocrity every year.

exactly.

This is one of the reason why Carl and Marty were pretty damn successful right from the start in KC. We had a stockpile of high draft talent from the bad seasons of the 80's......

They had some young superstars and veterans all entering or right at the primes of their careers.

Carl could have blown up the team 2 or 3 times by now instead of playing it safe and mediorce for the past 10 years and gaining nothing.

Mecca · 12-20-2006, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

exactly.

This is one of the reason why Carl and Marty were pretty damn successful right from the start in KC. We had a stockpile of high draft talent from the bad seasons of the 80's......

They had some young superstars and veterans all entering or right at the primes of their careers.

Carl could have blown up the team 2 or 3 times by now instead of playing it safe and mediorce for the past 10 years and gaining nothing.

Of course why would he want to do that, blowing up the team and starting fresh would be the easiest way for him to get fired.

Deberg_1990 · 12-20-2006, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Of course why would he want to do that, blowing up the team and starting fresh would be the easiest way for him to get fired.

hahah...good point.

philfree · 12-20-2006, 02:36 AM

I don't belive in the "blowing up the team philosophy". Since the advent of the CBA the NFL has become alot like the College game game in that it's pretty much a 4 year roll over. If the coast isn't so great you always keep the good players.

Philfree

philfree · 12-20-2006, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Of course why would he want to do that, blowing up the team and starting fresh would be the easiest way for him to get fired.

That's not a good point at all. Carl has stated he's gonna retire in two more years so I doubt he's worried about getting fired.

PhilFree

Mecca · 12-20-2006, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

That's not a good point at all. Carl has stated he's gonna retire in two more years so I doubt he's worried about getting fired.

PhilFree

Then he won't be rebuilding because its more than a 2 year process.....

Think about this team, we maybe have 10 players. When I say blow it up I don't mean get rid of everyone just the old guys/guys who suck/guys who are overpaid.

philfree · 12-20-2006, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Then he won't be rebuilding because its more than a 2 year process.....

Think about this team, we maybe have 10 players. When I say blow it up I don't mean get rid of everyone just the old guys/guys who suck/guys who are overpaid.

O.K. I'm fine with that but isn't that what a team should do every offseason.

PhilFree

JohnnyV13 · 12-20-2006, 03:12 AM

Yeah,

That absent minded guy that wrote the article should have included Eric Hicks and William Bartee on the "out the door" list.

RedThat · 12-20-2006, 03:13 AM

Honestly, you know what the best thing for the Chiefs to do is?

Draft the best player available. Thats the best thing for this team to do.

Because realistically look at it this way? Has it ever crossed your mind Chiefs fans, be honest, that this team has a lot of holes anyway?

And that we could use a possible upgrade at a lot positions.

Whether it'd be LT, QB, WR, DT, LB, S? Who cares? We could use talent anywhere....Draft the best guy that will be available when we pick in the middle of the 1st round. I dont know about you, but thats what I hope Peterson does.

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-20-2006, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Just so you know after Branch at DT and Thomas/Baker at OT there is a serious drop off to the next guys....there isn't even another DT who should go 1st round.

If you see a OT/DT taken by the Chiefs in the 1st without those names it's probably a severe reach.

Amobi Okoye seems like a damn fine prospect at DT

chagrin · 12-20-2006, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPchief

SPAM
SPAM
SPAM

No shit, this crossed the line months ago

Warrior5 · 12-20-2006, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyV13

Yeah,
That absent minded guy that wrote the article should have included Eric Hicks and William Bartee on the "out the door" list.

My thoughts too.

Besides the Chargers analysis, this is just another Captain Obvious article.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 12-20-2006, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Amobi Okoye seems like a damn fine prospect at DT

Don't you realize that you are talking to Mr. the sky is always falling at Arrowhead?? The only good answer is that which results in a negative outcome for the Chiefs.

greg63 · 12-20-2006, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

How to fix the Chiefs

...Fire Carl!

That is all.

12-20-2006, 12:53 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $800478	Viril - How to fix the Chiefs http://chiefs.scout.com/2/602501.html How To Fix The Chiefs By John Viril Warpaint Illustrated Columnist Posted Dec 20, 2006 Now that the Chiefs are all but eliminated from the 2006 playoff picture, everyone has their own theory on how to fix this team. Joe Posnanski from the Kansas City Star suggests we need a true losing year to land premium draft picks. Jonathan Rand from KcChiefs.com has voiced the opinion that fixing the team “won't be easy.” I am not quite so pessimistic. This team actually has some good pieces to build around. One outstanding offseason could actually do the trick. That, of course, is the rub. Having an offseason in which every move works is a difficult trick for a NFL general manager to pull out of his hat. Eighteen years without a Super Bowl appearance makes one doubt that Carl Peterson can accomplish such a feat. The key is to focus on the obvious area which plagued the team this season: the offensive line. That's it. The decline in line play has turned Kansas City's once dominant offense into a mediocre unit. While a playmaking receiver would help, Tony Gonzalez and Larry Johnson are effective enough to power a top-notch unit. In San Diego, Antonio Gates and LaDanian Tomlinson are the core of the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense. The Chargers have surged to this position behind the shrewd pick of left tackle Marcus McNeil in the second round of the 2006 draft. While the Chargers were fifth in scoring in 2005 with veteran journeyman Roman Oben at left tackle, San Diego is No. 1 with Marcus McNeil after replacing quarterback Drew Brees with a first year starter in Philip Rivers. Rivers would never have been able to enjoy such success without solid protection from the backside. Kansas City needs to pull a similar coup. The Cleveland game showed that Trent Green can still pick apart a defense. His problem against the Ravens and Chargers was his protection. Green has been sacked 11 times in the last two games. Not surprisingly, the team scored 19 points despite solid performances from running back Larry Johnson. But the Chiefs problems are deeper than one offensive line player. With Will Shields likely to retire, and the constant turnover at right tackle since John Tait left in free agency after 2003, there are two more positions that Carl Peterson needs to address. It can be done and again San Diego is the model. In 2004, a down and out Charger team coming off a 4-12 season changed all five offensive line starters. They gelled well enough to fuel a 12-4 record and an AFC West title. Two of those linemen were rookie draft picks Nick Hardwick (center, third round) and Shane Olivea (right tackle, seventh round). They brought in journeyman Roman Oben at left tackle and coached the heck out of them. While the Chiefs likely can't follow San Diego's example exactly, they need a combination of draft picks and free agent additions to solidify their offensive line. After fixing the offensive line, the rest of the picture becomes clear. The Chiefs desperately need a playmaker at defensive tackle, which will likely require a high round pick. This time, Carl Peterson has to get it right. The Chiefs should skate at corner and hope to get another year out of Patrick Surtain and Ty Law. Replace safeties Greg Wesley and Sammy Knight with the speedy Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard, then cut dead-weight weakside linebacker Kendrell Bell. Insert Keyaron Fox in the lineup, or pick up a veteran like Donnie Edwards to fill in for a year. The team then needs at least another competent wide receiver with excellent hands. Move Samie Parker to the slot. All these changes will be financed by cutting Ryan Sims, Kendrell Bell, Greg Wesley and the retirement of Will Shields. Furthermore, what the Chiefs cannot afford to do is stay the same age on offense, particularly on the offensive line. Done properly, the Chiefs could be younger and in the playoffs as soon as next season.
Posts: 297,443

12-20-2006, 02:36 AM	#35
philfree Indian Twitter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Free Agency Casino cash: $-2213802	I don't belive in the "blowing up the team philosophy". Since the advent of the CBA the NFL has become alot like the College game game in that it's pretty much a 4 year roll over. If the coast isn't so great you always keep the good players. Philfree __________________ [/SIGPIC]
Posts: 16,155

12-20-2006, 03:12 AM	#39
JohnnyV13 Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tucson AZ Casino cash: $5385200	Yeah, That absent minded guy that wrote the article should have included Eric Hicks and William Bartee on the "out the door" list.
Posts: 4,222

12-20-2006, 03:13 AM	#40
RedThat Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Casino cash: $10004900	Honestly, you know what the best thing for the Chiefs to do is? Draft the best player available. Thats the best thing for this team to do. Because realistically look at it this way? Has it ever crossed your mind Chiefs fans, be honest, that this team has a lot of holes anyway? And that we could use a possible upgrade at a lot positions. Whether it'd be LT, QB, WR, DT, LB, S? Who cares? We could use talent anywhere....Draft the best guy that will be available when we pick in the middle of the 1st round. I dont know about you, but thats what I hope Peterson does.
Posts: 6,666