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Thread: Current Roster Evaluation

  1. #1
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    Default Current Roster Evaluation

    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.

  2. #21
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    Great evaluation, Tex! I think it's interesting to look at the whole team like that, and I found a lot of your evaluation right on.

    I think anyone who watched the chiefs closely saw that McIntosh improved a great deal last year. I still chuckle when I watch that highlight of him flattening not one, but two dolphin defenders downfield to spring a big run.
    (A shame, consequently, that the running back got caught from behind). Damion could very well be back in red for another season.

    Niswanger could easily be the other guard, as he's a good offensive lineman. I just don't think he's a good center. So if we had a line like:

    LT Albert
    LG Waters
    C (FA or Draft)
    RG Niswanger
    RT McIntosh

    I'd be ok with that. O-lines need time to gel, and having Waters, Albert, Niswanger, and McIntosh play together for multiple years will help. Add a good center to that? We may have protection! Blocking!

    Our poor team suffered from some pretty inept coaching and play-calling, and I think that caught up with us in a number of close games that were decided late. I'm anxious to see how the free agency period goes for the chiefs, but I'm super jazzed to see how the first Pioli/Haley draft goes.

    jb

  3. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by josh1971 View Post
    Great evaluation, Tex! I think it's interesting to look at the whole team like that, and I found a lot of your evaluation right on.

    I think anyone who watched the chiefs closely saw that McIntosh improved a great deal last year. I still chuckle when I watch that highlight of him flattening not one, but two dolphin defenders downfield to spring a big run.
    (A shame, consequently, that the running back got caught from behind). Damion could very well be back in red for another season.

    Niswanger could easily be the other guard, as he's a good offensive lineman. I just don't think he's a good center. So if we had a line like:

    LT Albert
    LG Waters
    C (FA or Draft)
    RG Niswanger
    RT McIntosh

    I'd be ok with that. O-lines need time to gel, and having Waters, Albert, Niswanger, and McIntosh play together for multiple years will help. Add a good center to that? We may have protection! Blocking!

    Our poor team suffered from some pretty inept coaching and play-calling, and I think that caught up with us in a number of close games that were decided late. I'm anxious to see how the free agency period goes for the chiefs, but I'm super jazzed to see how the first Pioli/Haley draft goes.

    jb
    I would rather see Herb Taylor at RT for years to come instead of McIntosh!!
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  4. #23
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    First off, let me say thanks to all who keep complimenting the thread.

    Second, there are plenty of options already on this team to fill the RG and RT positions.

    McIntosh
    Taylor
    Richardson
    Niswanger
    Albert
    Smith
    Jones

    LG is obviously locked down.

    So, the two positions in question are Center and LT. Albert could obviously be the LT for the next "x" amount of years, but if the Chiefs take a LT #3, Albert could be moved to another spot (RG or RT). The ONE position that I see that HAS to be filled outside the organization is Center. I just don't see anyone currently on the roster who could play that position better than Niswanger did last season.

  5. #24
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    One other thing that we need is depth. There are a couple positions that have decent depth right now or by adding a decent starter and moving our current guys to back-up roles (DL, DB). But we need more talent at the back-up LB spots and throughout the O line. The 2nd string LBs and OL is usually the 1st string on special teams.

    Back when Dante Hall was a beast, we had pretty decent guys blocking for him. If we can build some depth through the 2nd day of the draft, it will take a lot of pressure off of our offense and defense with some better field position.

    Last year the revolving door at linebacker pretty much guaranteed no consistency for our special teams personnel. Hopefully we wont be ravaged by injuries this year.

  6. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by texaschief View Post
    First off, let me say thanks to all who keep complimenting the thread.

    Second, there are plenty of options already on this team to fill the RG and RT positions.

    McIntosh
    Taylor
    Richardson
    Niswanger
    Albert
    Smith
    Jones

    LG is obviously locked down.

    So, the two positions in question are Center and LT. Albert could obviously be the LT for the next "x" amount of years, but if the Chiefs take a LT #3, Albert could be moved to another spot (RG or RT). The ONE position that I see that HAS to be filled outside the organization is Center. I just don't see anyone currently on the roster who could play that position better than Niswanger did last season.
    I think McIntosh should be considered as a RG candidate if we pick up a tackle. He has the size and strength to hold his own. His biggest weakness (in my opinion) is his lateral footwork. He seemed to get beat my speed rushes to the outside. Put him at guard and his weakness isnt as much of an issue. I would love to see him pull and run over more guys like he did at Miami. I just have concerns over his ability to protect against the pass.

  7. #26
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    I'm almost spot on with Tex's evaluation. I am not however with everyone on our extreme needs for OL. Yes we need a patch maybe 2 to the OL but i don't think we take OL with our first pick.
    We scored quite abit once the offense started clicking. The OL came together and Thig helped them out being mobile. I was liking what i was seeing. I believe our biggest issue is on Defense. We HAVE to be able to get pressure and stop teams. We need to generate 3 n outs before the other team reaches the red zone. I mean come on our defense let teams march all teh way down until the red zone THEN they stiffened up. We need to stop that and generate some pressure. Our corners and safeties are fine it's the LB's and DL letting qb's just sitting back and pick us apart. Nobody can cover an NFL receiver forever.

    I think we need to get a playmaker with our first pick. I think it definetly needs to be on Defense but if it has to be offense (aka Crabtree) then i'm ok with that. i think i'm leaning more towards Curry over anyone else though. However if we do that we HAVE TO at all costs sign a very good DE. Sounds like Suggs is not leaving Baltimore to hopefully Peppers unless we get some off the wall shot at Ware. I think RB is about as important as CB. I don't think LJ is going anywhere and if we actually start using him so he's happy i think he will generate ALOT of offense for us still.

  8. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by fairladyZ View Post
    I'm almost spot on with Tex's evaluation. I am not however with everyone on our extreme needs for OL. Yes we need a patch maybe 2 to the OL but i don't think we take OL with our first pick.
    We scored quite abit once the offense started clicking. The OL came together and Thig helped them out being mobile. I was liking what i was seeing. I believe our biggest issue is on Defense. We HAVE to be able to get pressure and stop teams. We need to generate 3 n outs before the other team reaches the red zone. I mean come on our defense let teams march all teh way down until the red zone THEN they stiffened up. We need to stop that and generate some pressure. Our corners and safeties are fine it's the LB's and DL letting qb's just sitting back and pick us apart. Nobody can cover an NFL receiver forever.

    I think we need to get a playmaker with our first pick. I think it definetly needs to be on Defense but if it has to be offense (aka Crabtree) then i'm ok with that. i think i'm leaning more towards Curry over anyone else though. However if we do that we HAVE TO at all costs sign a very good DE. Sounds like Suggs is not leaving Baltimore to hopefully Peppers unless we get some off the wall shot at Ware. I think RB is about as important as CB. I don't think LJ is going anywhere and if we actually start using him so he's happy i think he will generate ALOT of offense for us still.
    The defense that was run last season was a "bend don't break" defense. It's design was to give up no more than 3 pts per offensive trip. With an offensive philosophy of ball control and winning the time of possession battle, the defensive philosophy could've been a sound one.

    But, I agree. There needs to be a change.

  9. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by jap1 View Post
    My top 5 players:

    1. OT - Monroe
    2. OT - Andre Smith
    3. WR - Crabtree
    4. LB - Aaron Curry
    5. NT - BJ Raji

    I dont think Beanie Wells is top 5 material only because of his injury history. On a running back any lower body injury can take years off a career.

    I dont really know much about Michael Jenkins.

    At the Senior bowl, BJ Raji looked like a man among children, usually a good sign for defensive lineman.

    What I think will happen:
    1. Detroit - Smith
    2. St Louis - Monroe
    3. KC - Curry
    4. Seattle - Crabtree

    Detroit will go after Cassel like JM said, but he will take an offer from Minnesota because they have almost all the pieces to go to the show. They will go with an OT and hope Sanchez is there when they pick again in the 1st.

    St Louis will take either an OT or Crabtree.

    That leaves us ... I dont think the OT left will be worth it for us to take at #3. We have to assume we cannot trade down. Crabtree is too much of a luxury with our other needs. That really leaves Curry as the only pick worth it at #3.

    I think a lot of what happens with the top two picks will depend on what happens in FA/trades, and those may seriously affect us.
    I forgot about Raji. If we move to a 3-4, he'd be our obvious 1st round pick.

  10. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by texaschief View Post

    So, with this being our next step, who is your top 5 list?
    I think it's impossible to accurately predict what this team does in the draft until after we see what we can get done during free agency.

    Quote Originally Posted by texaschief View Post
    The ONE position that I see that HAS to be filled outside the organization is Center. I just don't see anyone currently on the roster who could play that position better than Niswanger did last season.
    I think the Chiefs can get a very good Center in the 2nd rd.

    Quote Originally Posted by jap1 View Post
    One other thing that we need is depth.
    This is where I see McIntosh fitting in. I think could be a decent backup at RT, but not a starter.

    Quote Originally Posted by jap1 View Post
    I think McIntosh should be considered as a RG candidate if we pick up a tackle. He has the size and strength to hold his own. His biggest weakness (in my opinion) is his lateral footwork. He seemed to get beat my speed rushes to the outside. Put him at guard and his weakness isnt as much of an issue. I would love to see him pull and run over more guys like he did at Miami. I just have concerns over his ability to protect against the pass.
    I noticed the same things. He was very vurnerable to the speed rush. I've not thought about him moving to RG. I'm not sure if he's a capable starter at that spot.


    Overall, I think this team needs to address the lack of a pass rush through free agency. If they can get a big time DE or MLB or both, then I think this draft becomes much easier to predict.

    I'm hopeful that the Chiefs don't use the #3 pick on a QB. I think that if the Chiefs were to use the #3 pick on a QB, that he would most likely not be starting. I can't imagine that we would throw a new QB to the wolves on day 1 when we have Thigpen available. So that means if you draft a QB at #3, your 1st rd pick will be riding the bench next year. I just think that is a luxury this team can't afford right now. They need someone who can start in week 1 with that pick. They need starters. There are plenty of free agent options to provide depth at QB. Names like Leftwich and Simms are serviceable backups.

    No QB at #3!


  11. #30
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    [quote=Coach;117058]...I think the Chiefs can get a very good Center in the 2nd rd...[quote]
    Isn't the only thing a center has to do is pass a ball between his legs???
    ...No QB at #3!
    I definitely agree!
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