BCS Championship Shines Light On Talent; Kansas City Should Pay Attention

A player is not just measured by their physical ability or capacity to learn. Scouts search for (and if they don’t, they should) that crucial “clutch” player—the ones who phrases like “Grace Under Fire” are used to describe.

Since Kansas City is sporting more and more of a “New England” look, these two examples are oddly appropriate.

I still remember the day, even the exact play, where I became a true believer in Tom Brady. It was a Monday night game against Denver in 2003. New England was in the red zone at Mile High, and Brady dropped back to pass. 

In moments, the pocket looked more like a street brawl. Brady looked like he stood in the eye of a hurricane, and, seemingly oblivious to the carnage around him, launched a rocket of a pass to a receiver in the back of the end zone.

As for that other example, I only need two words: Adam Vinatieri. I mean, seriously, the guy’s picture should be in the dictionary under the word “clutch”.

Fortunately for scouts, each college season provides the perfect scenario to judge a player’s cool when the pressure is on with bowl games—and last night’s game showcased a couple of players the Kansas City Chiefs should pay close attention to come April.

 

Mike Johnson, Offensive Guard, Alabama

Already considered to be one of the top guards coming into the draft, Johnson was essential in opening holes for Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. 

Despite losing 2008 Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith to the NFL Draft last year, Johnson and his teammates were able to elevate their play—tallying up 3,011 yards on the ground, with Ingram boasting 6.1 yards-per-carry and 17 touchdowns. 

Should Kansas City feel confident with Branden Albert at left tackle following the second half of the season, and decide to move Brian Waters to center, Johnson might find a home in the starting left guard position, should the Chiefs find him available in the middle of the second round (courtesy of the Tony Gonzalez trade to Atlanta last year).

 

Jordan Shipley, Wide Receiver, Texas

Originally, I was in favor of using both second round picks on the offensive line, but Shipley’s performance last night was too enticing to ignore.

Despite losing quarterback Colt McCoy in the first quarter, freshman backup Garrett Gilbert paired up with Shipley in the second half to rally Texas to within three points of Alabama following a 24-6 deficit at halftime. 

When all was said and done, Shipley finished the night with 10 receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns, working mostly out of the slot position. Shipley might have played his way into a late first round draft slot, but if he should drop into the second round Kansas City should be willing to welcome this Texas product with open arms. 

A dangerous slot receiver to pair with incumbents Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers could be just the weapon the Chiefs front office is looking for to complete their high-powered offensive scheme.

Making the transition to playoff-caliber is difficult, especially for a team who cannot even make the claim of mediocrity. The Chiefs combined 10-38 record over the last three years will take a number of changes to overcome, and a number of years for fans to forget. 

Make no mistake, though: the Chiefs are on the road to recovery, and once Kansas City finds itself in games where “clutch” players are needed again, Shipley and Johnson should be people that can be counted on when it matters most.

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Kansas City Chiefs to Have a Merry LIttle Offseason: Part Three of Three

Each year, children get their hopes up come Christmastime, looking for that special gift which will light up their world and make everything perfect.  They sit on Santa’s lap and rattle off their laundry list, act super-polite with their siblings to stay on the “Nice” list, and anxiously await the morning they can tear into their presents, ripping the paper to shreds to uncover their deepest desires.

Similarly, football fans anticipate April in the same fashion.  Wish lists are drawn up and days are counted until each team unwraps their presents.  Some children (and fans) jump for joy as each gift is opened, while others flash a sickly smile, looking for the bright side in the package of socks and tighty-whiteys they just received.

Kansas City fans have made that list many times over the years for the NFL Draft, although none in recent memory seems to be as extensive or as desperate as this year.  The previous two articles highlighted the current strengths on the Chiefs’ roster and priorities in their free agency pursuits. 

But while “teams are built through the draft” is an over-used cliché, it certainly holds more than a small grain of truth.  Teams which draft well find themselves in the playoffs.  Those who don’t, discover themselves lounging at home and dreaming of their chances next April.  

Since the 1997 draft—the year Tony Gonzalez was drafted, Kansas City has made 99 selections.  Currently, 23 of those selections are with the team—only half of which are starters and 16 of those chosen in the last two years.  While the current roster has a respectable amount of talent, and options will be available for the Chiefs to upgrade in free agency, the draft holds their best chance at improving in many positions.

Numerous mock drafts project the Chiefs to select Russell Okung from Oklahoma State.  However, with Tampa’s latest upset over New Orleans and Cleveland’s win against both Kansas City and Oakland, the Chiefs should be looking at the third pick in the draft, behind St. Louis and Detroit.

Both teams should be looking for help at defensive tackle, while St. Louis might seek a replacement for Marc Bulger and Detroit a solid offensive tackle to protect Matt Stafford.

Enter Eric Berry, safety, University of Tennessee.  Berry is considered to be one of the best overall talents in the draft, and could drastically upgrade the Chiefs secondary, moving Mike Brown to a reserve/mentor status.  This, along with signing free agent Vince Wilfork and perhaps another veteran to the linebacker corps could be the final pieces to field a defense capable of competing with even the higher echelon offenses in the league.

Offensive line is arguably the most critical position for Kansas City, though acquiring a talent of Berry’s level should take priority.  Fortunately, there is an abundance of talent which can be acquired in the second and third rounds. 

Upwards of 10 offensive tackles could be considered in the first or second round, such as Selvish Capers of West Virginia or Ciron Black of LSU.  Likewise, a franchise-quality guard could be found with the second round pick from Atlanta, which will be no lower than 52nd overall.

The trick beyond that, though, is how to bring it all together.  With a tackle like Capers in the early second, and a guard in the mid-second or early third—perhaps Rodney Hudson of Florida State or Mike Johnson of Alabama—Kansas City would have two solid pieces added to their line. 

Then, tackle Branden Albert and guard Brian Waters have been noticeably struggling this year.  Shifting these two players to guard and center, respectively, plus the two draft picks and a right tackle from free agency would revamp the Chiefs’ line into a young, talented, though relatively untested offensive line.

From here, draft picks are more for depth and development, and projecting any particular positions at that point is little more than guesswork.  That being said, Missouri receiver Danario Alexander and Hawaii center John Estes could help build depth at crucial positions (though the latter could be mentioned here on the merits of his name alone).

In order for a team to find themselves moving toward the playoffs, they must make the right moves within their own current roster, free agency and certainly the draft.  Perhaps this is merely the wish list of another child while he sits on Santa’s lap. 

However, should the Chiefs with to find themselves still playing come mid-January, they must be shrewd and aggressive to build their roster.  And maybe next year there will be more than just Christmas cheer to excite the loyal fans of Kansas City.

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Kansas City to Have a Merry Little Offseason: Part Two of Three

The presents have been unwrapped, the stockings emptied, at least one toy has already been broken, and the Christmas ham became ham sandwiches a couple hours ago.

But some Christmas wishes haven’t been fulfilled just yet.  At least not in Kansas City, where the Chiefs have quite a bit of shopping to do.

Yesterday, the focus was on the the strong points of Kansas City’s roster, where a number of young, talented players are already in place.  However, if the Chiefs had all the pieces for a playoff run, they’d be getting ready for a divisional playoff game instead of thinking of what to do on Squirrel Appreciation Day (it’s Jan 21st; no need to Google it).

So, the Chiefs will need to start next year’s Christmas shopping early; in February, in fact, when free agency starts.  And unlike the last few years, when Kansas City has looked for the best of the picked-over leftovers, general manager Scott Pioli must be aggressive with his recruiting (and Clark Hunt’s pocketbook) to sign a couple key players to bring some respectability back to Kansas City’s beloved franchise.

Assuming a new collective bargaining agreement is in place for next year, positions such as receiver and linebacker are areas with a number of notable names which the Chiefs could make a move on.  San Diego’s Vincent Jackson and Dallas’ Miles Austin would be an excellent complement to Dwayne Bowe.  However, odds are slim of their respective teams letting them walk.  Jackson would be the more likely of the two, however, with San Diego in contract years for Shawne Merriman and Darren Sproles as well. 

Linebacker options are much more expansive, with nearly a dozen notable names projected for free agency.  Players such as Houston’s DeMeco Ryans or Cleveland’s D’Qwell Jackson would be considerable upgrades to the inside linebacker position.

The two most important positions the Chiefs can fill in free agency, however, are right tackle and nose tackle.  A number of competent tackles are expected to be unrestricted free agents, including Atlanta’s Tyson Clabo and Tampa’s Jeremy Trueblood.

Nose tackle is the real lynchpin for Kansas City, though, and the debate should stop and end with New England’s Vince Wilfork.  Pioli should capitalize on his relationship with his former 2002 first round pick and Kansas City’s enormous cap room to solidify their front three on defense for the next couple years.  Ron Edwards will provide a capable reserve tackle, while Wilfork’s skill and knowledge of the defense will bolster the already improving ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson.

Right tackle and linebacker are of great importance, but signing Vince Wilfork will truly bring a more complete picture to Kansas City’s defense, and free up the Chiefs to pursue other positions in the upcoming draft.

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