2011 NFL Draft Team Needs: Kansas CIty Chiefs
by Matthew Fairburn on Apr 6, 2011 6:56 PM EDT
in Mocking the AFC West
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PrintThings are not always what they seem. So is the case for the 2010 Kansas CIty Chiefs. Kansas City's 10-6 record masked the fact that their roster is in the middle of a reconstruction. A weak schedule and a handful of good breaks landed the Chiefs in the playoffs. But make not mistake about it, Kansas City's front office has some work to do this offseason.
Offensively the Chiefs have one of the best ground attacks in all of professional football. Due largely to the play of Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs gained a league best 164 yards per game on the ground. Charles has developed into the type of player a team can build an offense around.
Under center the situation is not as rock solid. Despite decent numbers in 2010, Matt Cassel's weak arm limits the offense in more ways than the stat sheet can show. He is not the type of quarterback that can lead a team to a Super Bowl. He is efficient, accurate, and smart but lacks the physical talent to be a difference maker. Not to mention, Cassel is the beneficiary of an elite ground game.
However, replacing Cassel certainly is not a top priority given the money tied up in him. Rather, the Chiefs would be better served to surround him with some talent, particularly at the wide receiver position. Kansas CIty has no legitimate threat at wideout across from Dwayne Bowe. Cassel could also use some protection. Brandon Albert is not fit to play left tackle in the NFL. He allowed a whopping eleven sacks in 2010 and needs to be upgraded.
The situation is much more dire on the defensive side of the ball where the Chiefs have holes all across the front seven. The moss pressing needs are for a pass rushing linebacker and a nose tackle. Tamba Hali is an elite force on the outside but a complement is necessary. As for nose tackle, Ron Edwards is scheduled to hit free agency, and will need to be replaced.
The results could be much less lucrative for the Chiefs in 2011 with a stronger schedule. However, they are slowly constructing a winning team.
1. Pass Rushing Linebacker - Outside of Tampa Hali, the Chiefs failed to get consistent pressure on the quarterback in 2010. Mike Vrabel was held without a single sack for the duration of the season. In addition, Hali is a free agent. If the Chiefs can't retain him, this need will become even more desperate. Justin Howard, Ryan Kerrigan, and Akeem Ayers could all be options for the Chiefs in the first round.
2. Nose Tackle - As previously mentioned, the Chiefs need to find a massive body to plug into the middle of their 3-4 defense. Ron Edwards is a free agent, and is not all that talented to begin with. Phil Taylor has become the favorite to be selected by Kansas City in the first round.
3. Wide Receiver - When Chris Chambers and Terrance Copper start for your team at wide receiver, you know you have an issue. Dwayne Bowe had a breakout season, but Matt Cassel needs another imposing target across from him to keep defenses honest. Leonard Hankerson, Titus Young, and Torrey Smith could all be options in round two.
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I have to disagree with your assessment of Matt Cassel.
He doesn’t have a weak arm, and I have an example in the link below. However, the Chiefs’ scheme didn’t involve Cassel making a lot of downfield throws, although I don’t know what might have happened if we had another wide out across from Bowe. Personally, I would like another receiver, but then again nose tackle is important too. I simply don’t know what Pioli is going to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_I_elSLqqI
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Thanks for the feedback
that throw was under ideal conditions. Perfect protection, Bowe was wide open and he was able to put plenty of air under it. Throwing the ball 50 yards in the air after taking a crow hop does not constitute a strong arm. Any starting NFL QB should make that throw. That being said, don’t you think the Chiefs would include a more downfield passing game if Cassel could make the throws? That’s the point I make. Cassel limits this offense and gets paid way too much money to do so.
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by Matthew Fairburn on Apr 6, 2011 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think the Chiefs have a legitimate down field threat.
If they did, who can say how it would work? We didn’t get to see Cassel make many of those throws, although there are a few to Bowe that come to mind but I can’t find video on. I see your point, but I do see Cassel as a really good fit for the current system, but who knows how that’ll change with the uncertainty with the play-calling.
"My eyebrows are too punk rock to match my hair. Suck it."
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by ArrowheadChiefs on Apr 6, 2011 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I like your assesment
no offense to the chiefs, who had a great year, but they are still under construction, I think after another draft or 2 this team could contend.
I would vote NT. They run the ball so well that I think Bowe with Moeaki should be OK for the passing game, although they could improve it. They could use a rusher opposite of Hali, but if they can find a NT for the future, I can’t see the Chiefs pass, although I would be surprised if they pull the trigger on Taylor at 21
If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.
I'm pretty sure 99% of the Chiefs fans know that we are not exactly a legit contender
I’d have to add Interior Oline to the list, down the stretch our Oline just got man handled
Cassel out, Andrew Luck in!
by BAMFSpecialOps on Apr 7, 2011 7:00 AM EDT up reply actions
The post is spot on
Matt Cassel is a QB that has to be managed. Cassel was anemic against the Ravens in the Playoffs and is not a guy ready to lead a team to Championship although paid like an elite guy. Cassel lacks deep ball accuracy and handles pressure poorly among other things.
The Chiefs should be able to secure talent that fits their needs without reaching for prospects.
Priorities if I’m Pioli in a specific order.
NT, WR, Rush OLB. If Romeo Crennel get a talented and powerful plugging zero technique in the middle of that defense they could be sitting a top the AFCW for a while.
Yep Cassel is paid like he's elite...
Player 2011 Salary
Peyton Manning $23 million dollars * estimated salary
Michael Vick Approx. $20 million dollars *estimated salary
Mark Sanchez $14.75 million dollars
Ben Roethlisberger $14.75 million dollars
Carson Palmer $14 million dollars
Tom Brady $13 million dollars
Matt Stafford $12 million dollars
Matt Ryan $11.25 million dollars
Philip Rivers $11.2 million dollars
Tony Romo $11 million dollars
Eli Manning $10 million dollars
Jay Cutler $9 million dollars
Aaron Rodgers $8.25 million dollars
Drew Brees $7.3 million dollars
Matt Schaub $6.8 million dollars
His contract was front loaded so everyone made a big deal that he made 12 million last year. His 2011 number is around 4 million along with his 2012 number. he then goes to 7.3 million in 2013 and 9 million in 2014.
If you average it out he made roughly 7 million a year on his contract putting him right there with Schaub.
Chiefs Areas of Need: SOLB, NT, RT, WR, C, SILB,
Arrowhead Pride Community Mocker.
Mark Sanchez $14.75 million dollars
AAAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!
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by Rorschach44 on Apr 6, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Ha!
All USC QB ’s are over paid. Palmer, Sanchez and Cassel. Did I leave out anyone?
Here's the point
First of all what is it about what I said that’s incorrect? When Cassel got his deal it was based on his one-hit wonder year in NE and Pioli “knowing him”. Cassel averages 10 million over the life of the deal. I submit that based on one year of “real work” and his play in KC that Cassel is over paid.
I appreciate the response/reply but if memory serves, he did sign a 6 year 66 million dollar deal. When the deal was signed, there were questions raised about it around the league. It was a huge a gamble! His 2011 number is simply not the total picture.
Here’s what I really think. Matt Cassel is overrated!
How is that any different than paying a 3rd overall QB in the draft?
Cassel – 6 years, $63 mil with $28 mil guaranteed
Mark Sanchez (5th overall) – 5 year, $50 mil with $28 mil guaranteed
Matt Ryan (3rd overall) – 6 year, $72 mil with $34 mil guaranteed
Sanchez would have been the QB the Chiefs would have drafted if they did not trade for Cassel. Since the Chiefs were drafting 3rd overall that year, they would have paid him like the 3rd overall QB last year. I like what KC did to save money and not use a first round pick on QB. The money is not an issue when any QB at that time was going to make that much if not more. The reason to bring up the 2011 number is because any time in the deal now, Cassel is now expendable. The deal was front loaded, which is why I don’t complain because if Cassel doesn’t make it, we are not stuck with him like a 3rd overall QB.
It’s fine that you think Cassel is overrated. I don’t understand that myself when so many Chiefs fans think he’s above average at best. He’s a game manager and that is all we need from him. I’ll take that over the turnover machine Sanchez has been.
by theaxeeffect4721 on Apr 7, 2011 1:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
noticed a few errors in this post
1. Hali is not a free agent he is franchise tagged.
2. Cassel does not have a weak arm, he struggles with diagnosing a defense and making quick decisions / multiple options.
3. Holes all across the front seven is a hyperbole. We need a NT of the future and we could use competition at SOLB. Ron Edwards took more snaps than any other NT last season and it showed as he wore down late in the year. Studebaker’s potential is very high and he is still learning but depth / competition should be added in rounds 3-5. We have solid run stuffing 3-4 DE’s and a situational pass rushing de/dt. We also have a stud WILB in Derrick Johnson to go with a young high upside SILB.
4. Brandon Albert is most definitely a left tackle. If you actually watch chiefs games you will see that when he is beat it is typically after blocking his man for a long time. Cassel holds the ball a long time and often refuses to give up on a play. Also Albert is a strong reason why we were so good at run blocking.
Chiefs Areas of Need: SOLB, NT, RT, WR, C, SILB,
Arrowhead Pride Community Mocker.
Thanks for the feedback
1. I was referring to the fact that his contract has expired. He could walk within the next few years, should have specified.
2. I have to disagree with your assessment. There are plenty of throws that he cannot make.
3. That may have been a bit of an overstatement, but they have a huge need at nose tackle and rush linebacker, the two most important front seven positions in a 3-4 defense.
4. Brandon Albert is a sieve. He allowed eleven sacks and did not look capable of blocking even the above average pass rushers. I watched quite a few Chiefs games.
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by Matthew Fairburn on Apr 7, 2011 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions
i disagree with your assessment of Albert, partially
While I agree that he is better served at RT or OG, to say he’s a sieve of a LT is an overstatement. O-line stats do anything but tell the whole story. Sure, Albert struggled at times, but he’s no worse in pass protection than Sam Baker or Jason Peters. Albert’s biggest problem is that pressure from the right would cause Cassel to slide left, sometimes right into the guy Albert is blocking. Albert also did not receive much help because the TE or RB staying to help pass block was helping Richardson. Albert can make it at LT with a better RT, but the Chiefs may do better to move him to another position and grab a better pass blocking LT.
by theaxeeffect4721 on Apr 7, 2011 1:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I voted rush LB
I thought the Chiefs would draft a OLB or OT last year. Here we are a year later, and I still think they should draft a OT or OLB. To me Albert is not a left tackle, Cassel has enough issues without having to worry about getting blasted from the blind side. He should have been moved either inside or to RT a long time ago. NT might be the biggest hole but you simply cannot have Mike washed up Vrabel as your number 2 passrusher. Thats just not going to work. DJ is solid and their secondary is young and solid but they still need DL and LB help as noted. WR could also use an upgrade but Id say OLB and OT make more sense for them first round wise, just based on how the boards may fall and positional value
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