[Kansas City.com] With as many as seven starting positions available for rookies, and with 10 draft picks, the Chiefs don’t need to be perfect as they go about choosing college players.
They merely have to be close. Their decision not to tap more heavily into this year’s free-agent market leaves them with little room for error.
“I would say at least half (of the draft picks) will be starting for us the first game of the season,” coach Herm Edwards said while taking a break at this week’s NFL meetings. “There’s a great chance of that. And I’m hoping for that. I’m actually hoping I’m wrong. I’m hoping it’s about 75 percent of them.
“If you look back at our last couple of drafts, about 80 percent of those guys are playing and a lot of them are starting. That’s a good thing. We’ve got a system now. Our young players know when they walk in the door, they have to prepare themselves to play.”
The Chiefs have 55 players and, assuming they sign no more free agents, will take 25 rookies to training camp, including college free agents signed after the draft.
Brilliant!!!!!!!! this guy amazes me even more every time he opens his mouth.
Comment by Dave S — April 2, 2008 @ 7:53 am
“80 percent” are playing or starting? Barely 80% are still with the team! I guess if he means 2008, that could be right, since he’s let everyone else walk.
Year 3, still heading down. 2 wins this year?
I’m looking at my 2008 Chiefs calendar… 3 of the 12 players are already gone and 2 more might not make it to July.
Comment by VLTC — April 2, 2008 @ 8:45 am
Looks like its about time to sign Linn Elliot for the kicking duties……..no wait, he is a free agent.
Comment by CCason — April 2, 2008 @ 10:37 am
If they would have paid attention during the previous 2 drafts, they wouldn’t be in a situation where they need to start 7 of their 10 draft picks including 3 offensive linemen. But since we are in this situation maybe he will continue to lose so we can get a coach that likes to score points and have a good defense. (Is that too much to ask?)
I’m not sure about any other Chiefs fan, but I enjoy watching the chiefs score touchdowns!
By the way, I am so proud of Carl and Herm for trading our kicker for a 7th round draft pick; to draft a kicker in the 5th round that later we would cut. Oh, and on top of that, the best kicker was drafted in round 6.
Also, way to trade away our only return man and not draft a replacement. Pure Genious.
Or how about this: let 2 hall of fame lineman retire in back to back years and not draft a replacement?
This all leads us to a 5th overall pick that no one wants in this draft.
Comment by Ryan — April 2, 2008 @ 11:48 am
Thanks to that Tynes trade and the Giants winning the superbowl, I think that gives us Mr. Irrelevant this year! If you don’t know, that’s the very last pick of the draft. Whohooo!
Comment by VLTC — April 2, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
Actually the Rams have the mr irrelevant. And I’m sick and tired of all you damn nay sayers! What kind of fan gives up on their team MONTHS before the season? What kind of fans are you to not see what we HAVE accomplished in the last two drafts with HERM! He’s not brilliant. He’s not very good at clock management. And he inherited an OLD offense. I guess he’s the worst coach in the NFL then. If Herm gets a chance to see this through, and yes that means a couple seasons of rebuilding. Wait I forgot, Rome was built in one day. Are you really satisfied with making the playoffs almost every year and NEVER winning ONE game? Give our team the time it needs. We will probably not win very many games next year, and for me, that’s fine. Because I see the direction our team is headed in the long haul and I’m damn pleased.
Comment by Brett — April 2, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
I’m with you Brett!!!!!! 110%
Comment by Hubert — April 2, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
At this point I will take anyone, anywhere on this team. We are definitely starting from scratch. Might as well throw all the rookies and newcomers in there to start lol. That way in 2 or 3 years we’ll have a solid nucleus developing, hopefully.
Comment by Marques — April 2, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
So we can’t question the authority (e.g. Herm) without being “bad” fans? We can’t objectively admit that this team is likely to struggle again this year without you questioning our fanhood? Come on.
I’ve said these things many times here, but:
(1) If Herm’s only good quality is drafting, he shouldn’t be a head coach. He should be working in scouting and personnel.
(2) You cannot claim success on the last 2 drafts YET! It’s all based on hope and no proof. Bowe and Hali are the only definite NFL quality starters so far, and they were 1st rounders and thus should be starters. Page and Pollard have a lot of potential, but have only been OK so far by objective scouts (and statistics), not to mention being outplayed by their predecessors last year (Knight and Wesley). Everyone else is either still unproven (e.g. Croyle, Tank, Turk) or released (e.g. Maxey, Medlock).
Comment by VLTC — April 2, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
I’ve been reading etc.. for some time. I have to say that I have seen with ‘HE’ that the defense has much improved and I am very pleased with that. Statistically the ‘D’ is what usually wins and I think we are headed in the right direction. Sure the draft of Medlock was a bad choice, but look around the league. Sure I am a bit concerned for our offense and I just as many of you who aren’t in the position to make that Great Choice of a Draft Pick or other but I’m not going to get off the wagon EVER. Could be worse…like oh, say the Raiders! I take that as a positive though. The last few drafts have in my opinion been on the upside and we are going to see major improvement from those like Pollard, Page, T&T and the like. Besides..if our Offense is going to struggle through the growing pains I think it is only smart to shore up on the Defense while you can and as long as it doesn’t turn out like in recent years (you have to agree) where we have a great Defense, but poor Offense and then a few years later we have the complete opposite then I think we will be just fine, but it will take another year or two I am sure. I also believe that our record this up and coming season will be better with out a doubt then the past. Go CHIEFS! Red&Gold BeBe!
Comment by Ballinger — April 2, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
I’m loving this. I come to this website everyday to read your Chief bashing bull. I don’t even have to do it for you. Keep bitching about Sapp and Wilson lol, and i’ll just keep laughing at you bunch of idiots. Hey why don’t you trade your red and gold for blue and orange baby, it sounds like your headed that way anyway.
Comment by Elway7 — April 2, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
F-ing donkey…
Comment by Tommy — April 2, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
No “VLTC” I’m not saying you’re a bad fan. It’s always easier to see the bad, especially in the situation we’re in now, where it doesn’t “seem” like we’re doing ANYTHING positive. Or you can see where we’ve been. What kind of team we’ve been in the last 15 years. I’m only 24 years old, but I know the chiefs inside and out and I cannot tell you I’ve been “happy” with their performances for most of my life. I’m sick and tired of never winning in the playoffs. The last win was with Joe Montana for God sake! So for me personally, the last two years have been VERY refreshing. I mean, everyone loves to score touchdowns. But what “ballinger” said was very true, if you have a weak offense, or an OLD offense that’s going to need a complete overhaul, you have to strengthen your D and give your offense the chance to build. We just need to have the patience and maintain the reputation of being ever faithful fans and see this through. I could be wrong, the Chiefs could just go in the tank the next two or three years, however long they keep herm around and get nowhere, or we could rise above and us as fans could have something to get truly excited about, a playoff win and more. So why just assume the worst? And one last thing, can we all agree to stop complaining about the free agents we didn’t resign! They did NOTHING for us in the time they were here, none of them. Nothing worth keeping. Sapp was a hot head with potential but I personally do not want players like him on the Chiefs. They stand for much more than that, the Chiefs have always been a class act and I’d like to see them stay that way. Lets let the 2008 season play out before we bash the team again.. I cannot be the only one who feels this way. Can I??
Comment by Brett — April 3, 2008 @ 2:03 am
Has the defense really improved under Herm? Where? Gunther, Allen, DJ were all in place before Herm got here.
And the defense started improving before Herm got to KC. Lets look at some stats of the KC defense:
year pts/game nfl rank coach
2004 27.2 29 Vermeil
2005 20.3 16 Vermeil
2006 19.7 11 Herm
2007 20.9 14 Herm
No visible improvement after Herm arrived, even though he’s been focusing on it. In fact i’d argue we should have some “free” gain just from our offense scoring less points in 06/07 (and “focusing” on ball control), therefore making our opponents need less points, making them less aggressive in the 4th quarter with leads, and not scoring garbage time points.
Don’t get me wrong guys/gals, i’m all for building a core through the draft and i’m happy with our drafts. I just think head coaching and building a team takes a lot more than college scouting ability. Am i wrong?
Go ahead and say I focus on the negatives, but i’ve been a very optimistic football fan for ~20 years… until Herm… Herm just gets me so frustrated…
Comment by VLTC — April 3, 2008 @ 8:26 am
We can question are Coach and our GM and even the owner, but I think we live in a world where it’s drive thru fast food, and cell phones we all want everything right now. I agree with Bret I am pleased with the direction that the Chiefs are goin in, and I think it may take a few years!! But I believe in where we’re headed and I think this team will be better then it ever has been which is what two playoff appearance in the last decade and no wins. Come on people I likje seeing the Chiefs score touchdowns but I want a Super Bowl
Comment by Michael Raite — April 3, 2008 @ 9:10 am
On a positive note, I’d be happy if the Draft plays out according to McShay’s latest mock on ESPN:
Chiefs:
Round1 : Glenn Dorsey (DT)
Round2 : Sam Baker (OT)
Both would be immediate starters (not hard on our swiss cheese roster right now) on many, if not most, teams.
All the buzz seems to suggest we won’t have a shot at Jake Long (OT).
In this scenario, I’d imagine 3rd/4th rounders would likely focus on CB.
This leaves us light on OL, but with 3 open holes on the starting OL, we weren’t going to *completely* fix that this year anyway… not without a significant FA signing or trade. So, in this scenario, we’d probably fill C internally (Niswanger) and G with late picks and college free agents (can be done successfully at guard).
I’d be happy with that….
…now game management, game planning, play calling, and other roster handling… that’s another issue.
Comment by VLTC — April 3, 2008 @ 9:45 am
(Comment by VLTC)
On a positive note, I’d be happy if the Draft plays out according to McShay’s latest mock on ESPN:)
Chiefs:
Round1 : Glenn Dorsey (DT)
Round2 : Sam Baker (OT)
I agree on Baker in the second if Jake Long is gone before our #5, but what about Brandon Albert for the first round. It might be a bit of a reach a #5 but he and Baker could really shore up that OL.
Comment by Chris — April 3, 2008 @ 10:12 am
The is no way you can discount the Kansas City Chiefs already because they are not even a team yet. If we had all our players and were a week from kickoff I could understand there are only a few teams I honestly think we could beat tomorrow. It does not even matter about what anyone says about the draft either. You either get good speculated talent or you don’t. Either way it still comes down to how the “TEAM” plays together on the field. Sorry but some of you disgust me when you talk about Herm and Carl. Its what we got deal with. Don’t let your problems interfere with my passion for football. I know we all want to win but did anyone know who the patriots were before 2001 or ever considered the Colts to be a perennial contender ten years ago. It takes a complete overhaul to make a complete change. The good news it has worked for other teams in the past and hopefully it will work for ours. At least Arrowhead is getting updated I loved the stadium but fifteen minutes for a beer just does not cut it .
Comment by Jake — April 3, 2008 @ 11:04 am
It’s interesting that you mention the Patriots and Colts. Both those teams turned the corner within one year of hiring a new coach. Belichick was hired in 2000 (Pats went 5-11), and won the super bowl in 2001. Dungy was hired in 2002 (Colts were 6-10 in 2001) and has won every AFC south title since 2003.
Obviously those are different situations and teams, and you can’t always expect such quick responses. But how long do you give Herm before a “corner” is even in sight upon which we can turn? Year 3 and Herm is putting ~20 rookies on our roster! How desperate is that?
If you don’t take care of what happens after and outside the draft and what happens on the field, you’ll end up like the Pirates and Devil Rays. Always full of ‘prospects’ and ‘the future’, but never getting out of first gear.
Comment by VLTC — April 3, 2008 @ 11:40 am
You mention year 3 and 20 rookies.. Well by all means, this year is the first time Herm has really done what he said he wanted to do from the beginning. In 2006 Herm didn’t do much with the roster, he drafted a couple of solid players and made some stupid free agent pick ups. Well stupid now, seemed amazing back then. And last year, he was too worried about his QB situation to realize our offense without LJ, is no offense whatsoever. But he did draft D Bowe and that’s probably one of the only reason we won any games last year. Had Herm obliterated the roster in 06 we would be in a much greater position right now. But he stuck with the vets and we made the playoffs, can we really get pissed at him about that? Well other than the terrible game plan and I put all the blame about our offense the last two years on SOLARI anyway, the guy was a freakin joke! There’s a reason no offensive line coach had never been promoted to offensive coordinator before we did it!
Comment by Brett — April 3, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
There are two things that made 06/07 primarily Herm’s offense, not Solari’s:
(1) When Herm hired Solari, the press asked, ” Will he have freedom to call plays?”. Herm responded that Solari would call them in, but that “he knows what I expect.”
(2) Herm stubbornly sticks to the exact pre-game plan and show’s no ability to adapt and restricted Solari’s freedom to adapt.
Am i saying Solari is otherwise a good coordinator? No, but the fact remains that he was significantly “Hermcuffed”.
Plus, some responsibility falls on Herm for hiring Solari. It’s interesting that this year Herm said when hiring Chan (paraphrasing), “i believe the offensive coordinator needs experience calling plays and running an entire offense at some level.” Oh really? Apparently he just learned that.
As far as the ~20 rookies, there’s not necessarily anything wrong with having 20 rookies, if those 20 players are 20 of the best 53 people on your roster. The fact that we are relying on 20 rookies before we even know who they are(!) is what makes this so desperate and telling.
Comment by VLTC — April 3, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
I think Herm missed a chance to save more money against the cap by not resigning our punter. I know he was probably the best player on the team last year, but Herm stated he wanted to go “down the field more” using Brodie’s abilities more. Instead of throwing 5-10 yard picks they will be more like 30-50 yard picks. The distance would be more like a punt so why resign the punter? Ha Ha Ha I think what shocks me is how much faith Herm has in a third round QB not a first rounder mind you. I am totally waiting until the day we read on the ESPN ticker that the Chiefs have signed washed up QB Chad Pennington you all know it’s coming somewhere down the line when Brodie falls apart again. Herm’s a nice guy but he has to go! Hey Herm call the Bangles and make a trade for 85 before someone else does. Herm needs to either make the changes or get “off the pot” half way doesn’t get us anywhere!
Comment by T.Stone — April 3, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Championships are not built in a weekend. Look at how many draft picks we do have that Herm oversaw and how many are starting. He has more potential than disaster (although, medlock may not have been a disaster. just not given the right chance, i still defend him and if he has the right mind set to try with a different team different situation i see him making something of himself, not in one year though). We still have the QB that remains to be seen, but what about the D-line, and the secondary? Greg Wesley was pissed and wants a trade b/c of these guys, they don’t suck! You can’t always go off the current seasons record to tell if you are getting better. You may lose a hella-lot of games but you are setting the frame work. I’m never gonna stop being a Chiefs fan but we aint going to a super bowl this year! But i am definitely excited to see the direction the team is in as far as how its being built. The draft is the answer in the long run. And if you want a championship, you better be in it for the long run. Peace!
Comment by FatDaNn — April 3, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
Why would we want to draft a DT with our first pick considering we spent a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick last year on them? That says to me that one of the 2 was not worth their draft pick.
I agree Jake Long will be gone before we get to select, so here is a scenerio that I haven’t seen on any mock drafts..
1. Cornerback…Cromartie Rodgers…dude ran a 4.28 and shows the most upside for corners in what I read. He also has kick returning cabilities.
I really believe that the patriots are looking hard at him at #7.
and in this draft, there isn’t much difference between the #5 pick and #7 in talent.
with our second pick select a lineman.
and if you believe that it will take a few years to get good again we could trade Larry Johnson for a 1st and 2nd round pick. then select the Texas Running Back (Jamal Charles). if it takes us 5 years to get good under Herm then Johnson will be old then anyway so might as well get a young back now.
Has anyone thought about these scenerios?
It only took Sean payton 1 year to completely overhaul the saints. and considering the devastion in new orleans at the time, I am suprised players wanted to go there.
Comment by Ryan — April 5, 2008 @ 11:33 am
maybe it is Rodgers Cromartie.
Comment by Ryan — April 5, 2008 @ 11:36 am
First of all…wat direction are they going in?? All i can tell is down! Y would u give Larry Johnson a extension and not Jared Allen?! Its lots harder 2 find a great D linemen than it is running back. Jared Allen is the face of that defense and if you let him go, it will be the biggest mistake they’ve ever made! Then y would you go into free agents and just get a linebacker?! Herm Edwards needs to stop complaining about the Saints and whoever and go get some offensive linemen or reciever or ANYHTING! I dont understand any of it…how do u let go of Ty Law, Eddie Kennison, and Benny Sapp and not get any kind of replacement! Look i will always be a die hard Chiefs fan no matter wat they do…but ur jus gonna stick rookies in there going up against players like LT, or Champ Bailey, or Derrick Burgess??! I no they r rebuilding but you gotta do betta then that in this league! Watever im out!
Comment by Alan — April 5, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
okay. to this ryan guy… who believes someone in the league is stupid enough to give a first and second round pick for larry.. that wont happen.. coming of a injury season in a league that is pass happy and has about 15 teams with 2 good running back who do the whole commity thing.. and they other 15 have legit backs.. the last team is the texans… who could use one.. but why not get one in the first round when there is plenty of talent.. of some one like ray rice in the 2nd… sure if you have no knowledge of other teams it sounds like a good idea.. however. obviously you dont… and cromartie is not even the best corner available… so why him… i dont care who is there.. oline is the most important.. chiefs will be in the playoffs in a couple years.. 3 at the max.. so wait patiently.. you will be happy with the outcome…
Comment by roncutler06 — April 7, 2008 @ 9:16 pm
okay. to this ryan guy… who believes someone in the league is stupid enough to give a first and second round pick for larry.. that wont happen.. coming of a injury season in a league that is pass happy and has about 15 teams with 2 good running back who do the whole commity thing.. and they other 15 have legit backs.. the last team is the texans… who could use one.. but why not get one in the first round when there is plenty of talent.. of some one like ray rice in the 2nd… sure if you have no knowledge of other teams it sounds like a good idea.. however. obviously you dont… and cromartie is not even the best corner available… so why him… i dont care who is there.. oline is the most important.. chiefs will be in the playoffs in a couple years.. 3 at the max.. so wait patiently.. you will be happy with the outcome…
Comment by rjc2006 — April 7, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
I agree that oline is most important. We need 3 starters at the position.
But we also need corner and return man.
So if Jake Long is gone and other oline don’t quite rank as high as a corner maybe Aqib Talib since you didn’t like cromartie. That still allows for a corner/ return man with our first pick which gives us a starter at 2 positions and not just one.
and maybe I was overzelous about the Larry Johnson Trade getting 2 high picks in return. The fact remains is that if everyone thinks we will be good in 3 more years…LJ will be old in running back years by then. So we might as well get rid of him while he has some sort of trade value.
Comment by Ryan — April 8, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
i like comartie… he is solid.. but not top 5.. i say we trade down.. cause the odds long is available are slim to none… and if we can put a decent line together let larry be larry then consider shipping him off. his value is not that high right now … and the return man now is sams.. which was not the case this last comment was posted.. but now we have that taken care of. i am optimistic about the upcoming season… we still have a solid d other than that corner missing… and out offence is 3 lineman away from being good. which is over half. but i believe in herm and his drafting skills… we have tong g.. still top 3 in the league.. d-dowe who i belive is a good one.. and of course larry… built up the ling we are ok.. brodie can manage a game i believe.. so draft up some line man.. and a reciever of course and it will be okay.. we have the ability to play 500 ball.. i know no one will believe me.. but if this draft goes well… it can and will happen… go chiefs!!!
Comment by rjc2006 — April 9, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
Now that we have Sams, that definitely changes things. If healthy could be fantastic.
I also agree with trading down, but I think it will be very difficult in this draft to do so. I don’t think that there is much difference in talent between 5 and 15. Hopefully I am wrong and we can get a great trade.
Long is going to be a dolphin…he is negotiating a contract according to ESPN.
What do you think about this as a mock draft for the chiefs?
1. Ryan Clady…Boise St. Tackle
2. Brandon Flowers…virginia tech db
3. Jordy Nelson…Kansas St. WR/ KR
4. Ray Rice…Rutger RB maybe even Kevin Smith
I really have no idea which round ray rice will go, but I would be very pleased with this scenerio.
We will have 6 additional picks to get 2 more linemen.
Comment by Ryan — April 10, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
well.. i think william franklin in the 3rd would be a better choice than nelson.. but i hate k-state.. so that might just be a hate thing.. and i love will franklin. and he has blazing speed.. he could be a great slot. he remings me of wes welker. and the ray rice thing.. i dont know if he will drop that far. but i would love it. ray rice is the man.. he completly turned that program around. but i see him going late 2nd or early third. but i have not read much about him.. but i like the number 2. the number one is good. i just hope the dolphins decide to take matt ryan.. cause i have a feeling if he is there at 5.. we will have him. and i dont think he will turn out to be a very good pro.. i could be wrong. cause i thought joey harrington was gonna be god. so i dont know.. but the good thing about the lineman is that you can draft a good one in the 5th or 7th round.. so i am hoping they are doing there homwwork and know what we want.. and were we can get a good deal..
Comment by roncutler06 — April 11, 2008 @ 4:02 pm