Pioli Deserves Props

[Hoover]

The NFL draft is a lot like Christmas morning. There is a lot of anticipation leading up to the big day, and when the time finally arrives to see what’s under the tree for us we can sometimes be a little disappointed.

We all remember the Christmas that we got everything we wanted. For Chiefs fans that was last year. We got a QB, WR, DBs, and LBs. Heck we even liked the more practical gifts like a Rodney Hudson. Frankly, the 2011 draft gave us a lot to play with, and we used them.

After a big year like 2011, some of you seem down. Sure we got the big present we always talk about (NT), but its’ not as cool as we thought it would be. We also ended up with some more practical gifts than we expected.

Here is how I view this draft, and to be honest I’m pretty stoked about it.

After having a draft like we did in 2011 where we seemed to hit on almost every pick, it wasn’t necessary for the Chiefs to snag additional pass rushers to sit behind guys like Hali and Houston. While we are still a little shallow when it comes to the safety position and could use some depth at center, the Chiefs are well positioned. In fact, I think the practicality of the 2012 Chiefs draft will allow them the flexibility in future drafts to aggressively seek out play makers to add to this team.

If there is one thing that I think Pioli deserves credit for, it’s rebuilding the Chiefs offensive live. While Albert was already hear when he arrived, Pioli not only filled a glaring hole at RT when he signed Eric Winston, but his last three drafts has set the Chiefs on a course to maintain a quality offensive line for years to come.

Many on this board recoiled at any suggestion that the Chiefs should use their first round pick on a lineman. After all the heated debates about the value of DeCastro, Pioli seems to agree with those who don’t want to invest first round picks on the line. Maybe instead of bitching that we didn’t have the Steelers’ draft, some of you should praise Pioli for doing exactly what you advocated for.

In the last three years, Pioli has taken four offensive linemen in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the draft. Asamoah and Hudson are now starters. Jeff Allen is going to push Ryan Lilja for a starting spot at guard, but is more likely to be seasoned for a year before finding a permanent home on the life. I know it’s sometimes hard to get excited about the offensive line, but Pioli obviously has a process that seems to be working really well.

Picking back-to-back tackles isn’t as exciting as drafting guys like Justin Houston or Javier Arenas, but it feeds a system that can produce quality linemen that allows the Chiefs not use first round picks on offensive tackles, guards, or centers. It also means that the Chiefs will not be forced to commit free agent dollars on those positions either.

We are lucky to have landed Winston this offseason. Without him there would probably be no Poe. I like how Pioli is building this team. While I continue to be frustrated about Cassel, finding a franchise QB is never easy. We have had three solid drafts under Pioli and we can already see the results. Yes we need to find a QB, but at least we are building a strong team while we continue to look for him.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

1. Although it hasn't worked out, it could be worse. We could still have Thigpen at QB
2. Jackson is starting to play well. Everything I've read about d lineman confirms that it takes some time.
3. Haley was a bold move. He was a young OC from a Superbowl team. Complaining about this cracks me up.
4. Your love for Orton is duly noted. However, outside of those 3 games what has Orton shown. Orton is Matt Cassel
5. A move that would have taken a lot of picks to pull. Tbh, you're upset that we didn't throw away a bunch of picks to move up and take a quarterback who has only started a handful of games in college. and you're upset about the trade for cassel?

#1 - it's the one move that could throw Pioli's entire resume out the window. Which is why it's mind-numbing that he's so stubborn about it.
#2 - agreed. Jackson wasn't a great pick, but he was very good given the talent level of that draft class.
#3 - Haley helped this team a ton. I don't know that anyone can be critical of the hiring. I'm one of the few that's critical of the firing as well.
#4 - Orton > Cassel, and starting next year, a shitload cheaper. Bad move.
#5 - It wouldn't have taken a ton of picks to get Tannehill. I just don't get the hype with him. Tannehill felt like a QB of convenience. I think 2013 has potential to be a very deep QB class and, in that class, he could potentially be the 5th or 6th best.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I don't think anybody they drafted in the first 3 rounds were drafted just be backups. Maybe this year with the OL but Poe will start this year. Both OL were drafted right where future starting guards etc...should be drafted.

Who were we going to draft after round 1 that was going to be a starter? What position outside of FB and NT (QB off the table as we know) do we have legitimate openings for a starter now after the off season pick up of Winston, Boss etc...?

The starting 22 is pretty much set barring injury and the skill positions have backups for the most part, our whole draft was going to be for depth after Poe.

Like I said, there were far better tackles available at Stephonson's spot.

I'm okay with Jeff Allen over some of the other guys on the board. He's 2nd round worthy and the coaches liked him a lot. I wouldn't have taken him, but I'm cool with the pick. I like it

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't know that we can call them abortions. Allen could potentially be a starter at a key position and you can see Menzie playing some kind of a role. What you have to like about picks like Stephenson and Wylie is that they're depth picks, but they're based a lot more on potential than they are on making an immediate impact. For a Left Tackle, I care a lot about having fast feet and many seem to point out that he has some of the best in this class. Boom/bust guy. Wylie is a guy who probably won't see the field anytime soon, but you have to like his raw athletic ability. Hemingway and Long are your run-of-the-mill late round guys.

It wasn't a sexy draft, but once again, you could see probably about 5 of these guys not just making the roster, but earning a roster spot. And there's some potential boom that a few of these guys could be quality starters in 3 years. I'd give the draft a B, but yeah, the nature of the later picks makes this entire thing ride on Poe.

I said I liked Allen, Gray, Menzie, and Hemingway.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by SNR

I said I liked Allen, Gray, Menzie, and Hemingway.

My bad. Mis-read (didn't see the period). I thought something seemed strange about that.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

#1 - it's the one move that could throw Pioli's entire resume out the window. Which is why it's mind-numbing that he's so stubborn about it.
#2 - agreed. Jackson wasn't a great pick, but he was very good given the talent level of that draft class.
#3 - Haley helped this team a ton. I don't know that anyone can be critical of the hiring. I'm one of the few that's critical of the firing as well.
#4 - Orton > Cassel, and starting next year, a shitload cheaper. Bad move.
#5 - It wouldn't have taken a ton of picks to get Tannehill. I just don't get the hype with him. Tannehill felt like a QB of convenience. I think 2013 has potential to be a very deep QB class and, in that class, he could potentially be the 5th or 6th best.

#1 - I don't think he is stubborn about it, I think the options have still been limited after he made the mistake of trading for Cassel. Orton over Cassel? Sure but is that the long term answer? His decision to go to Dallas to be a backup right away in FA tells me all I need to know about the pussy. He doesn't even want to start. Do I wish they would make a bold move at QB? Hell yea but it needs to be for a Luck or RGIII type, not a project.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

I see your concern, however, is a nt going to see a lot of statistical production?

I didn't say statistical production. I said production.

He didn't play that well against shitty competition.

And FYI, even guys like Glenn Dorsey and Nick Fairley had good stats coming out. Dorsey had 69 tackles and 7 sacks his senior year. Fairley had 11.5 sacks as a senior.

Yeah, Poe isn't really in their mold, but he played all over the place, he wasn't a true NT. He's being tabbed to be a pass rusher in the pros already.

This guy had 5 sacks in 3 years. In C-USA.

****, Junior Siavii did more in college than this guy.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by CrazyHorse

This post is very encouraging, because you're never right.

Really, dipshit? I was right about Haley. I was right about McCluster.

All you ever do is err on the side of homer.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Satanic Goat

Really, dipshit? I was right about Haley. I was right about McCluster.

All you ever do is err on the side of homer.

Your correctness on either subject is debatable, just not in your mind.

[ILWarpaint]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I don't think anybody they drafted in the first 3 rounds were drafted just be backups. Maybe this year with the OL but Poe will start this year. Both OL were drafted right where future starting guards etc...should be drafted.

Who were we going to draft after round 1 that was going to be a starter? What position outside of FB and NT (QB off the table as we know) do we have legitimate openings for a starter now after the off season pick up of Winston, Boss etc...?

The starting 22 is pretty much set barring injury and the skill positions have backups for the most part, our whole draft was going to be for depth after Poe.

Exactly.

[Hammock Parties]

Haley is no longer here, we just drafted Midget 2.0 and a RB.

Yeah, debatable.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Satanic Goat

Pioli doesn't deserve shit until he delivers a playoff win.

If we would have won one more game last year. We would have beaten Pitt at Arrowhead. We could have won several games last year. We are not that far away due to the quality of the division.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Satanic Goat

Really, dipshit? I was right about Haley. I was right about McCluster.

All you ever do is err on the side of homer.

I don't think you were right about Haley. I still believe he could have done fine in a less toxic environment. The team is much better because he was here. And I think he's going to do a very good job in Pittsburgh.

[Skyy God]

We couldn't use additional pass rushers? F that noise. If the Chiefs couldn't find a way to use another, that's an inditement of RAC's scheme/creativity.

We did what we typically do, take a needs-based, projection pick as opposed to BPA. Good franchises emphasize QBs and take value picks. We pick big guys and role/versatile players. It's the Patriot way.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't think you were right about Haley.

I was right that he was going to be fired.

I was right that he sucked cock.

Until he gets another HC gig and succeeds, I'm ****ing right.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

If we would have won one more game last year. We would have beaten Pitt at Arrowhead. We could have won several games last year. We are not that far away due to the quality of the division.

If only we could play the NFC West every year!