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#58ChiefsFan
03-24-2012, 03:44 PM
Bill Williamson of ESPN reports, that the Chiefs are showing interest in former New Orleans Saints DT Aubrayo Franklin. Having a player that can rotate into the line up such as Franklin would be an upgrade to a defense that ranked 26th against the run last season. However, Franklin only played in 296 snaps last season which could cause some concern of how effective he will be since he is going to turn 32 in August. The Chiefs are have been actively looking to replace the aging DT Kelly Gregg who did little to help the Chiefs defense last season. The addition of Franklin along with another player would certainly sure up the NT position in the Chiefs defense.
Three7s
03-24-2012, 04:46 PM
Against it.

He underperformed last year with the Saints, which is why he's a FA in the first place. Not only that, he doesn't fit the Chiefs system of gap control. He'd be a pretty large risk if he wants a big contract.
Chiefs fanatic
03-24-2012, 04:50 PM
Against it.

He underperformed last year with the Saints, which is why he's a FA in the first place. Not only that, he doesn't fit the Chiefs system of gap control. He'd be a pretty large risk if he wants a big contract.

I'd be against a large contract but if we can get him cheap he'd be a nice addition to a position we are weak at.
70 chiefsfan70
03-25-2012, 09:00 AM
I would not have a problem with us signing him, if we didn't pay him much, as it would mean we would not be drafting D Poe in the first round. But I think we could find a "just as good nt" in the second round. I'm not exactly on the Poe bandwagon, however I would be ok if they did draft him.

I would like to see the Chiefs pick up DeCasto or Keuchly in the first.

Kudos to pioli and staff for the good fa pickups that give us these great options.
#58ChiefsFan
03-25-2012, 09:29 AM
I think him underachieving should drop his price tag somewhat, I 100% agree with you about Poe. We do need a situational veteran presence at NT, if he would be willing to play that role I think he is worth a gamble on a one year contract.
Jrudi
03-25-2012, 07:32 PM
I like this move...His drop in play will bring his price tag down.

The thing is, I think the Chiefs Brass still wants to see what Jerrell Powe can do, he only got like 10 snaps last year. So I don't like the idea of taking a chance on Powe in the 1st. My view is that we would be waisting a 1st round pick, when we may have an answer on the roster already. (I would rather have a sure talent in DeCastro or Keuchely than a boom-or-bust talent like Poe)

My thoughts: Add Franklin to a 2 year deal (for a veteran precence, who could be better than Gregg was last year) Get Powe some playing time next year and find out what he can do.

But don't stop there...The Chiefs have set themsleves up in the draft to pretty much focus on "best talent available" while focusing a little on need. I would like to see us draft Josh Champan from Alabama in the 3rd round. Guy is a pure-bread NT who was the most impotant piece of Alabamas stout Defense (in the only game he missed this season the Defense allowed 302 rushing yard against georgia southern!, in the remaining games he started they only allowed an average of 59 yds/gm). He is tough as nails (played a majority of the year on a torn ACL) He has since has surgery, and is recovering nicely (this is why his stock has dropped) The guy was projected as a late 1st- mid 2nd, and now he is graded out as a 3rd because of this injury.

The injury does not concern me much because #1 the ceiling is high and #2 it will only be a 3rd round pick so we aren't risking much. Plus with Franklin and Powe we wont need to rely on Chapman much giving him time to recover fully.

So with adding Franklin, we rotate in Powe and Champan to get relevant reps, and after 2 years of learning and situational playing time, we now have our NT issue solved for the next 5 years post Franklin.
whackojacko58
03-25-2012, 08:11 PM
ive watched kuechly play and yes he makes alot of tackles but not much else popped out at me
TopekaRoy
03-25-2012, 08:58 PM
ive watched kuechly play and yes he makes alot of tackles but not much else popped out at me

Tackling is good. Especially if you play a defensive position! :smile
Three7s
03-25-2012, 09:21 PM
Tackling is good. Especially if you play a defensive position! :smile
Not to sound like a smarty-pants, but I think he meant plays that were game-changing. Tackles for loss, big sacks, interceptions, so on.....

Can't say I know anything because I haven't seen him play. Just sayin`.
whackojacko58
03-25-2012, 09:41 PM
yea that :p
Bike
03-26-2012, 10:34 AM
I like this move...His drop in play will bring his price tag down.

Are these the kind of players we really want for this team - cheap, declining players? Part of the "right 53"?
Not if you want to win a superbowl. No thanks.
Jrudi
03-26-2012, 11:42 AM
Are these the kind of players we really want for this team - cheap, declining players? Part of the "right 53"?
Not if you want to win a superbowl. No thanks.

So based on what's available..what would your plan be?

Looks to me like he would be close to the best available for the short term? unless you really do want to invest another 1st round pick on our D-line and have basically 2 rookies with no NFL experience rotate at the position all year...
#58ChiefsFan
03-26-2012, 12:06 PM
Are these the kind of players we really want for this team - cheap, declining players? Part of the "right 53"?
Not if you want to win a superbowl. No thanks.

In a purely situational role I think it's worth a gamble for training camp. I try not to judge ability purely based on their prior team.
jap1
03-26-2012, 04:42 PM
Maybe his drop off in performance when he went to New Orleans was because he refused to participate in the Bounty Program and thus wasnt given much playing time and thus wasnt able to perform on the field - mmm this koolaid is yummy

:lol:
Seek
03-27-2012, 08:54 AM
Maybe his drop in production last year was because of back injury and may still be an issue if he signs with KC, but he is better than anyone we have on the roster right now.
Ryfo18
03-27-2012, 09:49 AM
Just thought I'd repost this from last year. It talks about Franklin's limitations within the Chiefs' scheme:

RICHSFOOTBALLREPORT.COM: PIOLI ANSWERS AUBRAYO FRANKLIN QUESTION, COLLEGE PLAYER WITH 49 PAIRS OF SNEAKERS, CHRIS JOHNSON MAY ASK FOR TRADE & IRENE ALTERS NYJ-NYG GAME SATURDAY (http://richsfootballreport.com/2011/08/26/20110826.aspx)
#58ChiefsFan
03-27-2012, 12:33 PM
Life on the Nose: Today's Market for NFL Nose Tackles | ProFootballFocus.com (http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/10/life-on-the-nose-todays-market-for-nfl-nose-tackles/)

This is another good article with some stats why Franklin is not going to command a big payday.
Seek
03-27-2012, 01:33 PM
Still for a team that was statiscally a lower half run defense team. Having that Run Blocker half of the time is better than no Run Blocker.
matthewschiefs
03-27-2012, 02:41 PM
Maybe his drop off in performance when he went to New Orleans was because he refused to participate in the Bounty Program and thus wasnt given much playing time and thus wasnt able to perform on the field - mmm this koolaid is yummy

:lol:

I think I would hold off on signing him till all the players are suspended for that whole issue. We don't no if he is a part of that or not. He was only there a year but I wouldn't think it's not possible that he would be a part of it.
GarH
03-27-2012, 02:48 PM
He doesn't excite me at all, but if we can get him really cheap, the Chiefs should get him.
#58ChiefsFan
03-27-2012, 05:32 PM
He doesn't excite me at all, but if we can get him really cheap, the Chiefs should get him.

I'd like to see Bowe locked up first and our draft picks chosen so we know what's left in cap space before we go after him, i think in a goal to go situation he would be a nice safety net at this point.
AussieChiefsFan
03-27-2012, 07:09 PM
I'd like to see Bowe locked up first and our draft picks chosen so we know what's left in cap space before we go after him, i think in a goal to go situation he would be a nice safety net at this point.
Me too. Id much rather see Bowe sign a long contract. And also as you said see hopw the cap room i after the draft. IS Kelly Gregg retiring? If not I think he could play well for nother year if we don't manage to get a decent replacement.
#58ChiefsFan
03-27-2012, 07:33 PM
Heres an article Teicher just posted Aussie, has some info on hin not really much else new but it's worth a read.

Crennel: Chiefs head into draft without holes - KansasCity.com (http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/27/3517941/crennel-chiefs-head-into-draft.html)
AussieChiefsFan
03-28-2012, 01:48 AM
Heres an article Teicher just posted Aussie, has some info on hin not really much else new but it's worth a read.

Crennel: Chiefs head into draft without holes - KansasCity.com (http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/27/3517941/crennel-chiefs-head-into-draft.html)

Interesting article. I partly Agree. I think there aren't any huge holes in the roster like there used to be, but ones that are definitely able to be improved by the draft. By Romeo is correct. Now that we have address some positions in free agency, it gives us an advantage in the drafting process.