Chiefs Teicher: Pioli says Chiefs not done shopping for players

**Tribal Warfare** · 03-20-2012, 04:57 AM

Pioli says Chiefs not done shopping for players
By ADAM TEICHER

The Chiefs added four new players the first week of free agency, and general manager Scott Pioli indicated Monday that they weren’t finished.

“We’re planning and hoping to continue to sign players,” Pioli said at the University of Iowa, where he and coach Romeo Crennel were part of a contingent of Chiefs officials attending the school’s pro day.

“We’re not done.”

The Chiefs were to visit Tuesday with Jerricho Cotchery, a former Jets and Steelers wide receiver. Cotchery, 29, had a career-high 82 receptions for the Jets in 2006 and 2007 but has been a reserve the last couple of seasons. He caught 16 passes for Pittsburgh last year.

After signing offensive tackle Eric Winston, quarterback Brady Quinn, running back Peyton Hillis and tight end Kevin Boss, the Chiefs have about $15 million of salary-cap room. They’ll have to save some of that for their eight draft picks. The Chiefs have their own pick in each of the seven rounds plus a seventh-round choice they received from New England in the trade that sent safety Jarrad Page to the Patriots.

If history holds, the Chiefs will also hold some money back in an attempt to sign offensive tackle Branden Albert and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey to contract extensions. Both players are entering the final season of their contracts.

“We improved the team with the guys we added,” Crennel said. “They all play at a position of need. I think they all have something to prove as well. I think that will bode well for us.”

Quinn was drafted by the Browns in 2007 when Crennel was head coach. Quinn indicated his familiarity with Crennel was among the reasons he signed with the Chiefs.

Crennel said Matt Cassel would remain the starting quarterback.

“But we’ll take a look at (Quinn) and see where he is and what he brings to the table,” Crennel said. “We told him the best guys are going to play. If he’s the best guy, he plays.

“He gives us someone who’s lined up in a game and done it in the NFL at that position.”

Hillis joins Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster at running back. Crennel said the Chiefs would have no problem finding ample playing time for all three.

“He’s an all-purpose back,” Crennel said of Hillis. “He’s shown he can do everything. He can catch. He can run. He can block. We’ll use him by game plan. He might line up at fullback, he might line up at running back. There might be times where he’ll be in the backfield with Jamaal (Charles) or Dexter McCluster.”

While watching Iowa’s draft-eligible players run through drills, the Chiefs learned they’ll have to play twice against Peyton Manning next season. Manning on Monday told the Denver Broncos he will sign with them.

“It makes things tougher,” Crennel said. “I don’t know where he is with his injury situation, but it sounds like he can throw it. If he get used to his new situation quickly, he’ll be very effective like he has been his entire career.”

Crennel’s defenses have generally been able to frustrate Manning over the years. That includes Crennel’s time as defensive coordinator in New England, but also includes a 2010 game with the Chiefs.

“Some guy named Willie McGinest and some guy named Ty Law and some guy named Richard Seymour,” Crennel said, reeling off the names of his better Patriots defensive players when asked why he’s defended Manning well. “They’ve had a big part in it. We’ll have to see how these guys are able to do against him this time around.”

03-20-2012, 04:57 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2797187	Teicher: Pioli says Chiefs not done shopping for players Pioli says Chiefs not done shopping for players By ADAM TEICHER The Chiefs added four new players the first week of free agency, and general manager Scott Pioli indicated Monday that they weren’t finished. “We’re planning and hoping to continue to sign players,” Pioli said at the University of Iowa, where he and coach Romeo Crennel were part of a contingent of Chiefs officials attending the school’s pro day. “We’re not done.” The Chiefs were to visit Tuesday with Jerricho Cotchery, a former Jets and Steelers wide receiver. Cotchery, 29, had a career-high 82 receptions for the Jets in 2006 and 2007 but has been a reserve the last couple of seasons. He caught 16 passes for Pittsburgh last year. After signing offensive tackle Eric Winston, quarterback Brady Quinn, running back Peyton Hillis and tight end Kevin Boss, the Chiefs have about $15 million of salary-cap room. They’ll have to save some of that for their eight draft picks. The Chiefs have their own pick in each of the seven rounds plus a seventh-round choice they received from New England in the trade that sent safety Jarrad Page to the Patriots. If history holds, the Chiefs will also hold some money back in an attempt to sign offensive tackle Branden Albert and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey to contract extensions. Both players are entering the final season of their contracts. “We improved the team with the guys we added,” Crennel said. “They all play at a position of need. I think they all have something to prove as well. I think that will bode well for us.” Quinn was drafted by the Browns in 2007 when Crennel was head coach. Quinn indicated his familiarity with Crennel was among the reasons he signed with the Chiefs. Crennel said Matt Cassel would remain the starting quarterback. “But we’ll take a look at (Quinn) and see where he is and what he brings to the table,” Crennel said. “We told him the best guys are going to play. If he’s the best guy, he plays. “He gives us someone who’s lined up in a game and done it in the NFL at that position.” Hillis joins Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster at running back. Crennel said the Chiefs would have no problem finding ample playing time for all three. “He’s an all-purpose back,” Crennel said of Hillis. “He’s shown he can do everything. He can catch. He can run. He can block. We’ll use him by game plan. He might line up at fullback, he might line up at running back. There might be times where he’ll be in the backfield with Jamaal (Charles) or Dexter McCluster.” While watching Iowa’s draft-eligible players run through drills, the Chiefs learned they’ll have to play twice against Peyton Manning next season. Manning on Monday told the Denver Broncos he will sign with them. “It makes things tougher,” Crennel said. “I don’t know where he is with his injury situation, but it sounds like he can throw it. If he get used to his new situation quickly, he’ll be very effective like he has been his entire career.” Crennel’s defenses have generally been able to frustrate Manning over the years. That includes Crennel’s time as defensive coordinator in New England, but also includes a 2010 game with the Chiefs. “Some guy named Willie McGinest and some guy named Ty Law and some guy named Richard Seymour,” Crennel said, reeling off the names of his better Patriots defensive players when asked why he’s defended Manning well. “They’ve had a big part in it. We’ll have to see how these guys are able to do against him this time around.”
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