Chiefs free agency plan is being questioned
Jamie Squire - Getty
By Nick Athan
Warpaint Illustrated Publisher
Posted Mar 3, 2008
Since free agency started last Friday, the Chiefs haven’t shown much relative activity, and that’s frustrating to some fans. They’re looking for their team to do something special this offseason. They want to be shocked and feel the first true rebuilding effort this organization has made in 19 years will prove to be exciting.
But at the moment, there isn’t anything shocking going on. To date the Chiefs have cut 16 players and added only two - linebacker DeMorrio Williams and fullback Oliver Hoyte.
Where’s the rest?
It’s hasn’t arrived in Kansas City just yet, but it’s out there. When we talked with head coach Herm Edwards last month, he stated that KC’s offseason plan would focus around the NFL draft. So far, he’s holding to that course.
So with so many other teams going crazy the last four days, you have to give the Chiefs credit for sticking to their plan. It’s not easy, especially for Edwards, who has drawn some heat after a 4-12 season and is clearly at the epicenter of the change in philosophy.
But no one is panicking. Right now the Chiefs are sifting through game film and deciding which players might be a good fit in Kansas City. But that’s the key – they have to be good players. The Chiefs can’t reach (and overspend) like Edwards’ former team, the New York Jets, has since free agency began.
Here’s who the Jets have added to their roster in four days:
OL Damien Woody (Lions) - $25.5 Million
LB Calvin Pace (Cardinals) - $42 Million
G Alan Faneca (Steelers) - $40 Million
DT Kris Jenkins (Panthers) - $35 Million
That’s $142.5 million. The Chiefs have spent around $15 million. Both the Jets and Chiefs went 4-12 last season, but I maintain the Chiefs will win more games than the Jets next season.
Free Agency is about spending your money wisely. The Jets are foolish for overspending on players who all have question marks, but they have to, because Eric Mangini knows this is a do or die season if he’s to remain in New York.
The same could be said for Edwards, despite the fact team owner Clark Hunt has given him a thumbs up. Hunt is anticipating improvement in 2008, or else.
But Edwards and Mangini are going about change in different ways. Who will be more successful in the long run? My money is still on Edwards.
Chiefs Notes:
Guard Rex Hadnot (Dolphins) - He could be the first of the next group of players to visit the Chiefs. He left Cleveland without receiving a contract offer, which makes you wonder why the Browns and the Titans didn’t sign him. Hadnot wasn’t happy the Dolphins let him go, but based on the fact guys like Damien Woody and Jacob Bell got rich, he has to be asking for similar money. Teams are not willing to pay it at the moment.
Guard Jake Scott - He might be the best guard on the open market but he’s yet to set up any visits. Will he come to the Chiefs? We don’t think so. The concern is his size. He’s not a mauler, the type of lineman Chan Gailey covets. If this line is going to make the jump back to elite status, it needs two guards and a center that all weigh over 300 pounds. That means Scott likely isn’t a good fit for the Chiefs.
Fullback Boomer Grigsby - To date four teams have stepped up in their efforts to lure the Chiefs converted linebacker. Grigsby has several offers but would like to stay in Kansas City despite the fact the team picked up Oliver Hoyte.
Tight End Michael Gaines - The Chiefs had him in on Sunday but didn’t offer him a contract. Monday he was off the market as he signed a long-term contract with the Detroit Lions.
Kicker Jason Elam - NFL.com reported that Elam was going to take his show on the road in the next couple of weeks. One of the teams reportedly on his list is the Kansas City Chiefs, but per our source in the organization, it appears KC’s only gameplan might be to get Denver to overspend to retain Elam. These two teams have entered into these types of shenanigans before. When Brian Griese was a free agent a few years ago, a report out of Kansas City indicated the Chiefs would offer him a large contract. Denver took notice and gave him $40 million. Nick.
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