Current Roster Evaluation

[texaschief]

I've seen a lot of posts stating vast overreactions to the state of the current roster. I've seen posts that state we need 3 new O-linemen, that we need 3 new WRs, and that we need 2 new safeties to go along with 2 or 3 new LBs, 2 new DTs and a new CB, a new RB and a new QB.

SO, basically, we don't have a SINGLE good player on this team. I think otherwise. So, I'm going to run down the roster and try to identify who stays, who goes and who currently on the roster can either keep their starting roles or step into a starting role. After this exercise and ensuing discussion, we should have a BETTER idea as to what positions ACTUALLY have to be filled thru free agency and the draft.

Let's start with the offense.

WR- Dwayne Bowe, Mark Bradley, Will Franklin, and Kevin Robinson

Dwayne Bowe is a legitimate #1 WR in the making and shouldn't be looked at as someone who needs to be replaced. He could very well turn into a #2 WR if the Chiefs get Boldin or Crabtree or Houshmandzadeh, but the Chiefs don't HAVE to go out and find that #1 WR. They would probably better served by finding a less expensive #2 WR. Mark Bradley was the #2 last season and he impressed a lot of people but he fell off dramatically during the second half of the season and could serve as a good #3 in the future. Will Franklin and Kevin Robinson still need time to develop as most late round WRs do and it's probably too soon to tell what they're going to become.

RB- Larry Johnson, Jamaal Charles, Kolby Smith, Jackie Battle

Who knows what the hell is going on with LJ. He's still talented enough to be a great back for a couple more seasons and would probably be more valuable to the team if the Chiefs kept him instead of trying to trade him. All the reasons we want to get rid of him are all the reasons why teams won't give us fair value in a trade. He serves the team better staying as the featured back. Jamaal Charles probably solidified his position as the 3rd down back and #2 back. Kolby Smith will serve this team well as the #3 back if one of the first two were to get hurt. Jackie Battle is probably going to find himself stuck on special teams or the practice squad.

TE- Tony Gonzalez, Brad Cottam, Michael Merritt, Jed Collins

Tony is staying. Again, his value to the team is more as a player than a trade chip. Chances are, he at the very least puts up an average Tony Gonzalez year. Brad Cottam gets another year to learn from TG before becoming the future at that position. The Chiefs are set at TE for the foreseeable future. Michael Merritt probably cost himself a roster spot "over a little weed." So look for the Chiefs to grab another TE at somepoint during the off season. I know NOTHING about Jed Collins. Perhaps he can step into Merritt's role on the team.

LT- Branden Albert, Herb Taylor, Andrew Carnahan

Branden Albert played beyond expectations for a rookie who missed the entire preseason. He has the talent to be the franchise's LT for the next decade or so. However, his versatility and college background gives the Chiefs to option to move him inside or to the other OT position and draft the best available LT at #3. Herb Taylor did enough during his time on the line this season to warrant a look at a starting spot somewhere on the line. I know nothing about Carnahan.

LG- Brian Waters, Wade Smith

Brian Waters is a Pro Bowl OG and will be back for at least another season and possibly two. The Chiefs should find a LG for the future at some point this off season or next. Wade Smith is a good backup guard and should have a roster spot locked down.

C- Rudy Niswanger, Wade Smith

Rudy Niswanger is too big for the C position. This position IS one of the positions on the line that should be upgraded this season. I'd expect the Chiefs to draft or sign a new Center. Wade Smith would probably lose his job as backup to Niswanger.

RG- Adrian Jones, Wade Smith, Tavares Washington

Another position that will change next season. Although, the replacement might be found on the current roster. I'd actually expect Niswanger to take a step to his right and fill this position. His size, build, and talent could be perfect for the guard spot. Wade Smith is a good backup and Washington is probably a non-factor.

RT- Damion McIntosh, Herb Taylor, Barry Richardson

This could actually be one of the deeper positions on the line. McIntosh really came on toward the end of the season and COULD keep his spot. Herb Talyor is knocking on the door and could push for a starting position. Barry Richardson was drafted last season with the thought in mind that HE could be the future at that position. Then, depending on what they want to do with Albert, HE could be at this spot to start the season. I'm not sure the Chiefs will be looking to bring in another player to compete here.

QB- Tyler Thigpen, Quinn Gray, Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard

Your guess is as good as mine here. If Pioli is as good of a talent evaluator as everyone says he is, he'll see that the value we'd have to give up for Cassel isn't nearly worth the difference between he and Thigpen. I doubt the Chiefs trade a pair of firsts for Cassel. Gray was a good back up and should be retained. Croyle would be a cheap, young and talented 3rd QB if no other QB were brought in to compete. Damon Huard probably doesn't have a spot next season.

Defense

LE- Tamba Hali, Wallace Gilberry, Turk McBride

Tamba Hali plays good at LE. I doubt they'll look to replace him. I can't see Turk McBride staying on the team. He just hasn't done enough. I know nothing about Gilberry.

LT- Tank Tyler, Alfonso Boone

Tank is developing nicely and I think the Chiefs got a steal in the 3rd, drafting this guy. Alfonso Boone is a good rotational player and he'll have a roster spot.

RT- Glenn Dorsey Ron Edwards, Derek Lokey

Everyone is freaking out about Dorsey and worrying that he could be Ryan Sims part Deux. That's not the case. Dorsey is going to be a great DT. The problem with him and Tyler going forward is that the Chiefs may not keep the 4-3 and that might spell doom for both players. Edwards is a good rotational player and should have a roster spot next season. I don't know much about Lokey other than he was above average at Texas.

RE- Jason Babin, Andy Studebaker, Brian Johnston

Jason Babin really surprised some people last season and may have won a roster spot going into next season. Although, I seriously doubt he'll be looked at as THE starting LDE. I don't know enough about Studebaker and Johnston to be able to give an informed opinion.

LOLB- Demarrio Williams, Curtis Gatewood

Williams needs to be a backup and the Chiefs need to fill their linebacking positions through free agency.

MLB- Pat Thomas Weston Dacus

See above

ROLB- Derrick Johnson

Johnson is the only good LB the Chiefs have on their team. Since being drafted 15th overall, he has underachieved. This season is going to be a huge year for him as it pertains to his future as a Chief.

LCB- Brandon Carr, Pat Surtain, Maurice Leggett

Brandon Carr and Maurice Leggett did enough last season to be considered for a starting position next season. Look for Pat Surtain to be released.

RCB- Brandon Flowers

Starter.... for a WHILE

SS- Bernard Pollard, DaJuan Morgan

Personally, I like Pollard. His mistakes seem to be basic. If he can figure out how to wrap up, I think we've got a SS for a long time.

FS- Jarrad Page, DaJuan Morgan, Jon McGraw

I wouldn't be surprised to see Page come back. But, I also wouldn't be surprised to see Morgan become the new FS.


The way I see it, the Chiefs NEED only a few players from free agency and the draft, while any other players they bring in would be considered upgrades and would render the players they replace as depth... WHICH IS A GOOD THING!!

This is how I see the roster:

FA/D= Free Agent/Draft

Offense
QB- Thigpen
RB- Johnson
TE- Gonzalez
WR- Bowe, FA/D, Bradley
LT-Albert or D
LG-Waters
C-FA/D
RG-Niswanger/Albert
RT-Taylor/Albert/McIntosh

Defense
LDE-Tamba Hali/Jason Babin
LT-Tyler
RT-Dorsey
RDE-FA/D
ROLB-FA/D
MLB-FA/D
LOLB-Johnson
LCB-Carr/Leggett/FA/D
RCB-Flowers/FA/D
SS-Pollard
FS-Morgan

So, as far as in players the Chiefs NEED to bring in, they really just NEED five players to complete the starting squad (excluding depth). We need a RDE, ROLB, MLB, #2 WR and a Center. The rest of the team CAN be filled through players already on the team.

[jmlamerson]

But would you say that Raji is better than Curry, Crabtree, or Monroe/Smith (whichever one will be available)?

I think that Raji will fill a need on our team (NT) that we cannot get either through free agency, the rest of the draft (probably), or through a trade. Also, Pioli almost always go DL with a high pick. He went with Mayo last year because his DL was already stacked with Seymour, Wilfork, and Warren, and a good reserve in Green.

I think a LB like Curry, who isn't a pass rush threat, isn't worth the third pick. I can't think of a top-5 LB who was any good since DT, and he could rush the passer.

I think Crabtree has bust written all over him, given his poor combine showing and his health issues. Not to mention that picking a WR in the top-5 rarely works, and it isn't good to tie up so much cap in your WR corps.

And I think Jason Smith goes 1 and Monroe goes 2. KFFL is already reporting that Smith is going 1, and there's no way the Rams don't go LT at 2.

I do not think this is a hard choice. Either pick Raji or trade down (if someone wants to trade up for Curry).

I wouldn't object if we got Curry - he'll be a good player - but LB is a position that can be filled in the later rounds much, much easier than NT or LT.

[jmlamerson]

Thats comparing apples and oranges. Right now Raji is the top DT in the draft, Crabtree, Curry, and Monroe/Smith are top in their respective positions. You draft need, and if we were to end up with a second first rounder (I think the talk was trading away Dorsey) then I felt it might be viable to grab Raji and a LB later as DT's come at more of a premium this year (and tackles with speed, size and skill at a premium every year).

Very true what you wrote EXCEPT that there's no way we can trade Dorsey. It would be a $20M cap hit. Dorsey will be a Chief for the next couple years because we can't afford that much dead cap space.

I think it's a whole lot more likely that we trade Waters before the draft for a 2nd rounder, and use that pick on a LB.

[eatnsleepchiefs]

OK, here is my first thoughts of many more to come throughout the year.

Lets talk about the depth chart a bit:
Now that we know the Chiefs did go out and get Cassel, and they picked up a veteran LB in Vrabel. They also got a worthy number 2 receiver in Bobby Engram. Also grabbing Terrance Copper and bringing home Monti Beisel, also getting Mays, a decent LB.
With that being said, the Chiefs are heading in the right direction. But here are some questions that I have for you guys.
1. What about Tyler Thigpen? Did everyone forget about what he did last year? Did people forget he was a third string QB and he played pretty damm good. Heck, even TG said he wanted Thigpen back at the helm next year!
2. I don't know about everyone else, but I have my doubts about Cassel. Does anyone else have the same fears? He did play well with the Pats last year, but keep in mind he had no pressure, and he was comfortable with the team. Does anyone else think like I do? That being that there will be a QB controversy.
3. Finally. Will we have a darn defense this year? I love the development of Pollard, and I also think that Dorsey will be very sucessful with the change to the defensive set. Also, bringing in Vrabel will turn the front seven around dramatically. We defiantly will be drafting a defensive player, either Orakpo or Curry and they will start immediatly.
Not to be bias here at all, but I think the Chiefs are going to have a turn around season this year. Remember what the Dolphins did last year? Going from winning one game to winning their division? Well guys and gals, they hired a new GM, Head Coach and got a free agent QB and had a top draft pick. Im tired of watching the games every week and being up going into the fourth quarter and praying the defense doesn't blow it. my prayers were never answered! I have one last question.
ARE THERE ANY CHIEFS FANS IN VA BEACH OR NORFOLK VIRGINIA? IF SO EMAIL ME AT smithjoel084@yahoo.com. I need someone to celebrate with when the Chiefs win their division or even win three games!!!! Remember folks. "You got two options, get over it or get used to it"

[Chief Tyler]

1. Nobody forgot about Tyler. Haley said there is going to be some competition for the job (doubt it, but it shows he wants TT around).

2. Same doubts as we have about TT really. Relatively unknown outside of the teams at the start of the season, thrown into the fire (if thats not pressure I don't know what is). I don't think there is going to be a controvery, I'd think Tyler would almost expect another guy to come in to challenge, if not, take the job from him. Cassel had the advantage of playing with one of the best quarterbacks of recent years, plus the management feels he is full of the intangible attributes that TT has yet to learn (or so it seems).
3. Who knows. I doubt we take Orakpo at number 3. It comes down to Curry, Raji or OT, but we have a good DB corps. We could go Curry and get ran on for another year. Raji seems to make sense too. He's a prototype for NT in a 3-4 and could do well playing side by side with Dorsey in a 4-3. He eats space, Dorsey hopefully gets coached into shooting gaps like he should and maybe we get some good play from Hali again with a big, physical presence on the line again (he could even be the hybrid that Orakpo would be and play OLB as well). I do think we need to fix the lines first. Good lines make the rest of the team look good and don't have us questioning every move of the DB, LB and ball handling positions.

With how tough our schedule is next year I'd be happy with 8-8 or better. Depending on how we draft I'd either expect a solid pass defense and a weak run defense again or middle of the road in each and a slightly above average offense depending on how LJ reacts (and if we keep him) and how the line shapes up in the next few weeks, including the draft.

[Bike]

i agree about Thig. If Thig was in Cassels shoes last year, theres no doubt in my mind he would/could have put up comparable numbers. Just speculating of course. Thats why I was somewhat disappointed when we traded away our 34th pick to get him. But when you throw in Vrabel - and no additional compensation to the Pats, I loosened up on the deal somewhat. Our D needs leadership, and Vrabel can be that guy.
I also love the fact that Pioli is beefing up our special teams. The signing of Mays helps there. The way I see it, the better our special teams are, the better our backup players are.
We need some big strong mean linemen. I am now officially off the Curry bandwagon and hope we pick up Ragi with our 1st pick.

[texaschief]

ok. here's MY question. Yes we have Thigpen, but he hasn't proven to be a winning QB and he ran the spread last year. Yes, we have Cassel. But, he TOO ran the spread last season and is only signed for ONE season.

If Stafford falls to #3, wouldn't he present the GREATEST value at #3 if the two best LT's are off the board at that point?

It seems like the Chiefs could take Stafford and flip Cassel to the Vikings for their 1st or 2nd/3rd. I know Pioli likes Cassel and all, but I think this would be a great trade for the Chiefs. We would have our franchise QB AND the ability to take a OLB/DE or MLB later in the first.

I still think taking a QB at #3 is an enormous risk and probably shouldn't be done, but if the two best LT's are off the board, Stafford HAS to represent the best value for the pick. LIke I've said before, no non-rushing LB is worth the #3 pick. So, take him away, and who else would be worth that pick? Raji? eh. I just think we could get some GREAT picks for Cassel and probably the best value at #3 is we took this route.

[AussieChiefsFan]

ok. here's MY question. Yes we have Thigpen, but he hasn't proven to be a winning QB and he ran the spread last year. Yes, we have Cassel. But, he TOO ran the spread last season and is only signed for ONE season.

If Stafford falls to #3, wouldn't he present the GREATEST value at #3 if the two best LT's are off the board at that point?

It seems like the Chiefs could take Stafford and flip Cassel to the Vikings for their 1st or 2nd/3rd. I know Pioli likes Cassel and all, but I think this would be a great trade for the Chiefs. We would have our franchise QB AND the ability to take a OLB/DE or MLB later in the first.

I still think taking a QB at #3 is an enormous risk and probably shouldn't be done, but if the two best LT's are off the board, Stafford HAS to represent the best value for the pick. LIke I've said before, no non-rushing LB is worth the #3 pick. So, take him away, and who else would be worth that pick? Raji? eh. I just think we could get some GREAT picks for Cassel and probably the best value at #3 is we took this route.

He did IMO

[yashi]

He did IMO

he only won 1 game, and his production fell off in the 2nd half of most games. I like Thigpen, and he had a very good statistical season (aside from his completion %), but Cassel is the guy for the foreseeable future. I'm glad that there is some insurance at the QB position now, however.

[Bike]

Thig was able to put up some impressive numbers considering what he had to work with:
Inept coaching.
Inept ol.
Inept defense.
It is to his credit that he was able to even win 1 game...

[Chief Tyler]

Get WR in FA *plexico,harrison,*toomer maybe one of the stared chargers have a C up for grabs FA I do not know if he's good though

We don't need another aging WR, and we sure as hell don't need the murderer Harrison or suicidal Buress, and I don't think Toomer would have much to offer this team. We have 2 possession receivers in Gonzo and Engram, our bruiser in Bowe and a big play guy in Bradley. We could use a future 10x probowler deep threat and maybe a young slot guy, but we're not getting either in washed up FA.